New Year's Eve

by Cedric Inuzuka

New Year's Eve (part 1)

 
It was late into the winter night, but Twilight Sparkle was surrounded by a pile of books. She was currently reading a romance novel about two mares, when the clock struck midnight. “This doesn't really interest me at all." She sighed as she closed the book, lighting her horn and magically smothering the lit fireplace. She put the books in their respective locations, but when the last book was set in place another one fell in front of Twilight causing her shriek in surprise. After checking if someone saw her, she looked at the book and read the title out loud. “'What Is Love?’ What a strange name for a book, and even stranger I don't remember owning it. Spike couldn't have ordered it since he's in Canterlot helping to prepare for the New Year's Eve ball." She felt a little sleepy; mechanically she looked at the clock, turning back to the book as she laid down on a soft pillow. Lighting her horn to restart the fire in the fireplace and began to read the book in front of her.

What is the best thing in the world?

For some ponies, it's having so many bits they can swim in them, for others it's when they fly, and for some it's when they sleep.

For Rarity, the best thing in the world is to feel the strong and protective hooves of her lover surrounding her during winter's cold nights. How long in the past had she wanted to feel them, to hear her southern accent whispering sweet nothings in her ears and telling her everything will be alright, but this was in the past. Now she has this and much more. She's been married to Applejack for the last six months and there isn't a day where she doesn’t show affection towards the farm pony.

A shiver traveled down the spine of Rarity as she tried to find some heat from her bedside partner, but her hoof only found emptiness where her wife should have been. Rarity's eyes snapped wide open in panic.

"Applejack?" her voice quivered. She searched the room and found it devoid of any presence but her own. “APPLEJACK!” she cried as she begun to hyperventilate. She tried to calm herself and after a few minutes, she was able to regain her normal breathing but the silence was interrupted by the sound of vomiting. Rarity heaved a sigh of relief and headed for the bathroom.

Inside she saw Applejack throwing up last night's dinner. “Ma chérie, how are you?” the only answers she got was a grunt and a dark look from her wife. “That was inconsiderate of me, ma chérie; forgive me. Here, let me help you.” She placed herself on the left side of Applejack, with her magic took Applejack’s mane out of her face, with her right hoof she massaged the belly of her lover and, finally, she used her left hoof to trace circles on her back.

“...feels good, sugar.” moaned the blond pony with a weak voice. “Ah'm sorry to wake ya up and...” She couldn't finish her sentence before throwing up yet again.

Rarity continued massaging and waited for the vomiting to stop. “Chérie, you don't seem to be getting any better, maybe we should stay here. I'm positive the princesses and our friends will understand.”

Applejack put her left hoof on Rarity's massaging one “It's ok, sugar. You spent a long time on the princesses’ dresses, an’ I know you need the ball to show off yer’ fancy stuff.”

The unicorn cheered and answered without a pause. “After what happened you know I care more about you then about 'my fancy stuff', never forget that ma chérie.” She tried to kiss Applejack, but the earth pony turned her head which ended up with a kiss on her cheek instead. She winced and hung her head.

Applejack saw the pain in her eyes. “Ah'm sorry sugar, but with ev’rythin’ ah threw up, ah have bad breath.” Rarity smiled silently, taking Applejack's face in her hooves and kissed her on the muzzle.

“You see ma chérie, I don't care about anything but you. You... who had saved me from a certain death, please... never forget that.” A single tear trickled down her cheek, with Applejack kissing it away and giving the white unicorn a tight hug. She stroked the mane soothingly and calmed her wife. “Are you sure that you are the sick one, ma chérie?” They stood in each other’s embrace, taking comfort in the hooves of their other half.

When Applejack heard a gentle snore, she chuckled and with infinite care took Rarity on her back then walked to their bedroom. Arriving at her destination, she placed her gently on the bed and put a blanket over her. She stood there a while, just watching the rising and falling of her lover's belly before joining her in the bed; she took the two front hooves of the unicorn and put them on her belly. ‘Inside sugar, there is a little piece of me and you. Tonight at the ball, I will tell ya, please...please...don't leave me. With this last thought, the orange mare drifted off to dreamland.

Twilight Sparkle  danced, slowly moving in harmony with the music. Accompanied by a faceless and colorless pony, she enjoyed every second of the slow rhythm. As time went by, the unicorn grew more comfortable with her unknown partner, laying her head on his shoulder, she sighed happily and smelt a soft fragrance she couldn't recognize, but she knew she had smelled it in the past. Sometimes she thought she saw a pair of wings on his back, but the next moment they were gone. Another time it was a horn on his forehead, and finally it was all three at the same time. She also noticed that she was of the same size, a strange thing since she was always shorter than her many dates. The song was playing its last notes, Twilight withdrew her head to look at her partners face, who was still without any distinct feature. He gave her a little smile, another thing the unicorn knew she had seen before, but couldn't remember when. He began to lean down and she was moving to meet him halfway, her eyes already closed, her lips a little open and her heart ready to burst from her ribcage...

“Light...Twi...light....Twilight....Twilight Sparkle...” She heard her partner say her name louder and louder, but she didn't care. She was a millimeter away from the best thing ever.   “TWILIGHT....stop trying to kiss me....” She opened her eyes, purple met azure, she was still a millimeter short from a muzzle but now it was one of her best friends. A white unicorn who was struggling with Twilight to stop her from kissing her.

“Rarity?” She removed her front hooves from her friend's face. “What are you doing here?”

The Rarity took the time to restyle her mane before answering. “After our discussion yesterday and knowing you darling, I had to check on you.” She used her magic on a handkerchief and removed a little drool from Twilight's muzzle. “Now, you will go take a shower while I make breakfast, darling.”

“But...” Twilight tried to talk but was silenced by a hoof.

“Hush now, shower first, we'll talk during breakfast.” She removed her hoof and went toward the kitchen, leaving the other unicorn alone with no other choice but going to the bathroom.

When Twilight finished refreshing herself, she descended the stairs and a slight odor of pancakes filled her nose. Following the smell, she entered the kitchen and saw two plates of delicious looking pancakes accompanied by two glasses of apple juice. Her friend was already seated in front of one plate and invited her to sit in front of the other. Twilight didn't wait to be asked a second time and took a place at the table. “Mmmmm, it smells really good, Rarity”

“Oh thank you darling, but wait to taste it before thanking the chef.”

Twilight took a little piece with her fork and tasted. The effect was immediate, even when she was in Canterlot she never ate anything as good as this. “It's very good Rarity, you could be a great chef.”

“I'm glad you like it,” Rarity answered with a smile. “Ma chérie says that too, but lately, she vomits everything I prepare.”

“Is AJ still sick?”

“Yes, she looks so tired and I feel so helpless not being able to help the most important pony in my life. Oh Twilight, it is so awful to see her like that. She told me the doctor said she would get better, but when I look into her eyes I can see the truth and can tell she’s hiding something from me. I know she’ll tell me when she's ready but...but...” Rarity couldn't finish her sentence before bursting into tears. Twilight stood up and took Rarity into her hooves. She tried to calm her friend but nothing seemed to work for appeasing the unicorn. “...I'm scared, I don't know what to do darling. Every night I ask the princesses to give me one more day with her. I'm not ready to let her go....”

“There, there.” Twilight began to stroke her friend's mane when she felt Rarity stiffen. “Sorry, I forgot...”

“It isn't your fault darling; I'm still trying to heal. Only ma chérie can touch me like that without me panicking.” The Rarity calmed herself and withdrew from the embrace. She wiped her eyes and looked at her friend with a smile. “Enough about me, tell me darling; who was it?”

“Who are you talking about?” Twilight replied while she sat down in front of her plate.

“Oh darling, did you already forget how you tried to molest me when I woke you?” The only answer she got was a light blush on the lavender cheek. “So who is the lucky stallion you're dreaming about?” Twilight tried to gain time by drinking her apple juice. “...Or were you dreaming about a mare?”

Twilight's eyes bugged out. The glass fell out of her hoof and shattered on the wooden floor. "Wh-what?" she spluttered, spraying her cider all over the white unicorn.

Rarity cleaned her face with her magic and without missing a beat, started firing question after question toward her friend. “Oh oh Darling, it seems I was right. Do I know her? Pegasus, unicorn, or earth pony? Older, younger? Come on Twilight; don't make me beg you for this wonderful piece of information.”

Twilight, for her part tried to catch her breath before answering her eager friend. “I don't know. It was a faceless pony without any color. Sometimes it had a pair of wings, then it was a horn or it was an alicorn. I remember it had my height, had a familiar odor and a dashing smile,” she finished with a little smile of her own.

“A dashing smile...” pondered Rarity. “I wonder what your subconscious is trying to tell you.”

“How should I know?”

“Sometimes Twilight, you try too hard.” Twilight opened her mouth to deny, but a white hoof stopped her. “Please darling, let me explain and after...you can try to deny anything you want.” When her friend nodded, she removed her hoof and began her explanation. “I’m sure with your near perfect memory you remember when, two years ago, you had provoked a riot because you were, and I quote, ‘tardy’ with your letter to Princess Celestia. Can you refresh my poor memory and tell me what the cause of the riot was, darling?”

It was with her muzzle down, ears flat on her head, and a weak voice, that Twilight Sparkle answered. “It was me, since I couldn’t find a friendship problem, I made one.” But it was with steel in her voice she said. “Because my friends thought I made a mountain out of a hill.”

“Oh darling, it's always cute when you try to be bitter about something we all forgave each other for...Unless you were lying?” Even the most venomous snakes couldn't have had as much venom as these words. “So darling, were you lying?”

“No, no, of course not...” Twilight's face glowed in a hue of pink. “...I know what I did was wrong and I'm grateful you have all forgiven me...” A little smile graced her lips. “I could never forget the night we spent together.”

“Didn't we do a sleepover at your house?”

“Yes, since Spike was leaving with the princess, Rainbow said all six of us should do a sleepover, this way I wouldn't be alone.” Twilight finished with a smile.

“Darling, can you refresh my memory of this night?” Rarity asked, even though she remembered the night perfectly.

“Of course. It started when Princess Celestia answered our letter and asked me to teleport Spike to Canterlot...”

“...I need Spikes help for royal business; Send him immediately. With love signed Princess Celestia.” Twilight finished reading her mentor's letter.

“If you give me fifteen minutes, I’ll be ready,” Spike told her while going to the bedroom preparing his travel bag.

“...Of course Spike, I’ll prepare the spell.” She could barely control the sadness in her voice.

The five friends watched Twilight trying to put on a brave face, but every one of them could see the sadness behind her eyes. A heavy silence reigned until Rainbow Dash did a little nod to herself and spoke up. “Hey, you know what could be awesome?”

Twilight turned toward her flying friend and with what she thought was a cheerful voice asked. “No, Rainbow Dash, I don't know what you think would be awesome, but please tell us.”

Standing only on her hind legs, with her chin proudly raised and gazing into the distance. “A sleepover with all six of us.” Whatever reaction she expected, the only one she obtained was a silence that was even more silent.

But it only took five seconds for Pinkie to react. “Oh, yeah yeah yeah, that’s totally a great idea, let me get my sleepover canon.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Your sleep...” Before she could finish her sentence, a loud bang was heard and six sleeping bags were aligned in front of the chimney. “...never mind darling.” She blew a part of her mane, that had shifted because of the blast, back into place. She used her magic to take out a pocket mirror and looked to see if her mane was back in place. “I think it's a fabulous idea, and you darling, what do you think about it?” She slightly tilted her mirror to look at Applejack's face.

The farm pony scratched the back of her head, looking for an excuse to not do the sleepover but when her eyes crossed those of Rarity, thanks to the mirror, and saw the threatening look she gave her, she knew she had no other alternative. “Ah course, how in tarnation could I miss a sleepover with you sugarcube.”

“Oh darling, I have the perfect idea for your mane. I will need your help, Fluttershy.” Fluttershy let out an 'eep’ of surprise. “I will take that for a yes.” A brush surrounded by a light blue aura was floating toward Applejack. “Now, come here darling.”

“Whoa there sugarcube, I didn't say yes.” Applejack slowly backed away until she saw the ceiling of the library. She had just stumbled onto Fluttershy who was behind her.

“Fabulous job, Fluttershy, you certainly do know where to place yourself to be of the utmost benefit.” Rarity jumped on the farm pony who was still on the ground, the brush between her teeth, and the battle was on.

Meanwhile Pinkie was in the kitchen, preparing some cookies, Twilight approached Rainbow Dash with a smile that made Rainbow's heart skip a beat. “Thank you Rainbow, you're right. A sleepover with everypony after what happened today is an awesome idea.” She finished her sentence by nuzzling Rainbow's chin.

The surprising sign of affection coming from Twilight shocked the pegasus, and like every other surprised pegasus, her wings rose up. 'Darn, not now. Okay Rainbow this is your chance, tell her how you have felt for more than a year now.’ Once her wings regained their positions, she nuzzled the unicorn back. “No problem, Twi. I couldn't let you down like that.” She looked into her friend's eyes and nearly lost herself in them. ‘Focus Dash. It isn't the moment to lose yourself in her beautiful eyes’ “Look Twi, I have something to tell you.”

“Of course, you can tell me anything, that's what friends are for, isn't it?”

“Friends, yeah....” Her ears fell back on her head and she took one last breath before jumping toward heaven or hell. “I think...no…” She shook her head. “I have...no...” She shook her head again. “I...no...” For a third time, the pegasus shook her head which began to worry Twilight. “Okay, I'm ready.” Rainbow took Twilight's face in her front legs. “Today you said I don't have to hide my feelings. Twilight Sparkle... I L...”

"Twilight, I'm ready whenever you want." A young voice cut Rainbow’s declaration.

“Good. Spike, get ready to be teleported in 5...4...3...2...1....” And with a purple bang, her assistant was sent to Canterlot. She turned toward her friend. “You were saying Rainbow?”

“Oh nothing Twi, it was a prank but Spike killed the joke.” ‘The next time I see the lizard I’ll kill him.'

“If you say so. You nearly got me, you were really convincing.” She trotted toward the pile of dust also know as Rarity and Applejack. “Please girls, don't break anything.”

“You have no idea, Twi.” Rainbow muttered while a single tear fell on the library's floor, another one Rainbow Dash devoted to Twilight Sparkle since she first met her.

“Why are you crying?” A voice asked behind her.

The daredevil turned toward the voice and saw her friend Pinkie Pie with a plate full of cookies. “Oh Pinkie. It's only dust, you know with everything these two move.” She showed the big ball of dust which consisted of Applejack, Rarity, and against her will, Fluttershy. “I got a little in my eyes.”

“Oki doki  loki. Want some cookies?” She put the plate in front of Rainbow's muzzle.

“Smells good, lets see if they're as good as they look.” She took one and threw it in the air, when it fell; it landed directly into her wide open mouth. “"Hm," she crunched the cookie between her teeth. "This is good," she gulped down the rest of it.

“Thanks.” Pinkie moved toward the table in the center of the room and set the tray down before going to cheer on the makeover which had turned into a wrestling match between Rarity and Applejack. “Come on Applejack, use a sweet chin music on her. And you Rarity, put her in the sharpshooter.”

“No Pinkie, not you too.”Twilight pleaded with her pink friend.

“Why? Wrestling is fun, you never saw a match?”

“A long time ago, when I was a filly. My foalsitter took me to watch a show.”

“Oh lucky. Which one?”

“It was called 'Hoofamania’ or something.” In an instant she found herself nose to nose with Rainbow.

“What? You went to Hoofamania? Which one was it?”

“What do you mean which one? It was just a wrestling show, nothing more.” Twilight replied while stepping back.

Rainbow turned her head toward Pinkie. “Did you hear that, Pinkie? Just a wrestling show? Tsk, tsk, tsk egghead. Hoofamania is the granddaddy of them all...”

“The showcase of the immortals” The pink pony added.

“Where it all begins.” Fluttershy said.

“What? Even you Fluttershy?” Twilight was shocked.

“Oh yeah, I nearly forgot Shy. You were always a big fan of that stallion, what was his name?” Whatever the name Fluttershy gave, it wasn't loud enough to be heard. “Hum, did you just say Batousta? I didn't know you liked old stallions?” Fluttershy tried again but still wasn't loud enough. “ What? The Mock? You like them with too much muscle?” And finally at her third try.

“IT WAS THE HEARTBREAK COLT.” The pegasus shouted to the surprise of everypony.

Rainbow was the first to recover. “I remember now, your room was full of his posters.” A little smirk started to appear on her lips. “I'm sure one of them stole your first kiss.” The answer she received was to see her winged friend blushing and trying to hide behind her mane. “So Shy which poster was it ?” But when she turned toward Fluttershy, the pony had disappeared behind Twilight which was frankly not impressed. “Hehehe, It was a joke Twi. Shy knows I didn’t mean it.” It was Twilight's turn to smirk and her horn started to shine. Knowing the tell-tale of danger, Rainbow started to fly away, but too late, she was caught by a purple aura.

“So Fluttershy, what should we do with her?” Twilight asked while she played with her catch.

Fluttershy took the time to think. “When Rarity's done with Applejack, I'm sure she’sll love to try something with Rainbow's mane.”

“What? No!” Rainbow struggled against the magic of her friend, but it was useless because Twilight wasn't going to let her get away.

“But Rainbow, it's going to be so funny, you love to play prank on others, now it's your turn.”

“Please Twi, anything but a makeover.”

“Anything?” Twilight asked one last time.

“Anything!” Rainbow yelped as Twilight released her magical grip on her.

“Good, starting tomorrow you will help me with some research on pegasi. Now let's see who won between Rarity and Applejack.”

In the end, it was Rarity who won with the wall of Jericho and Applejack let her do a makeover. The six friends spent the night telling horror stories, to the dismay of Fluttershy who hid in her sleeping bag, and played many games. It was late when sleep finally came to visit them.

It was early in the morning, when the cold woke Twilight despite all her efforts to stay warm, but there was no fire in the chimney and the chattering of her teeth prevented her to think of a spell that could help her. It was so cold and she was so tired. She read that dying of cold was like sleeping but you never wake up, they never wrote how the shaking was painful and how it hurt when your teeth were chattering...

...Until it was no more. She was no longer cold. She opened one of her eyes and saw a blue wing hugging her, the shield made of feathers protected her against whatever the cold could send, she tried to turn a bit, but her shield hugged her tighter. “Got you covered Twi...”A sleeping voice told her and she did exactly what the voice said to her, she went back to sleep protected by Rainbow's shield of feathers, a smile drawn on both of their faces.

“...And that’s what happened.”

"I remember now, ma chérie was fabulous after the makeover." Rarity sighed. "It seems so far away."

"Yeah, my brother wasn't married and neither were you."

"I wasn't even seeing Applejack in that way."

"And it was only two years ago. Time flies..."

"By the way darling, you told me that Rainbow put her wing on you during the night."

A little smile appeared on Twilight's face. "Yes, it was the best blanket I could ask for, so warm and soft." 'It smelled good too. 'She added mentally.

"Tell me darling, did she do that often?  Or was it just once?" Rarity was wondering if her friend, with all the knowledge she had, didn't know what the gesture meant for the pegasus and her kind.

"Oh she does that quite often when we are alone in the library during our reading sessions." Twilight answered innocently. "Or when she stayed at my home during last winter when her house collapsed because of the cold. Even my best comforter couldn't beat the warmth of Rainbow's wing."

"Last winter was the worst of everything." Rarity had a mournful smile while she remembered what happened during this winter. 'But after winter, spring is here with new hopes.'

"Do you remember what Pinkie told us the day before the first snow?"

"How could I forget something like that?"

"She was on her hind legs and was holding her front hooves on the handle of a huge sword. She took her most serious voice and told us 'brace yourself, winter is coming.'" The two ponies laughed together remembering this memory.

"I still wonder where she has been able to find that metal armor she was wearing." Rarity took a sip of juice before returning to the assault." Tell me darling, do you know what it means for a pegasus when they use one of their wings to hug another pony?"

"Of course, when a stallion uses one of his wing to hug a mare, it means he loves her and will protect her till death do them part. It was used like a silent proposal and if the mare accepts, she took one of her primary feathers and gives it to the stallion who will then put that feather behind one of his ears..." Twilight was in full lecture mode. "...In our days, this practice is still in use but less practiced, when a male pegasus uses one of his wings to hug a mare of any species, it still has the same meaning. It's only the answer that changes; a pegasus will still give one of her primary feathers; a unicorn will use her magic to link their two minds during a short moment; and an earth pony will take a lock of her mane and will give it to the stallion. Although the use of rings is more common but some ponies love to be traditional."

"I have the lock of ma chérie on my nightstand." Rarity couldn't forget how Applejack proposed, using the old earth ponies' traditions. "But tell me Twilight, what is mean when a mare hugs somepony with one of her wings ?"

"It's means nothing, it's just a friendly gesture."

"Oh really? Can you tell me why?"

"The book about the customs and traditions of the pegasi didn't say anything about the meaning of a mare hugging someone with her wings, the book said that only the stallion can start the courtship. You see, it can only be a friendly gesture."

'You are so smart and so naive sometime, Twilight. ' Rarity finished her pancake then wiped her muzzle. "Darling, can you tell me how old that book was?"

"It was a very old volume that was written before the creation of Equestria." Twilight stated proudly.

"You know what is older than Equestria too?..." Without letting her the time to answer the Rarity continued. "...Narrow-minded ponies, especially in the old days. The book you read was good I'm sure, but it was written in an era when two mares loved each other. It was seen as  a terrible thing to do. So of course they won't write about it."

Twilight's ears were flat on her head and she looked down on her plate, a half-pancake lying here. "So what it's mean when a pegasus mare hug another mare with her wings ?"

'Sorry darling, but I don't have the right to answer this question.' She looked around, searching for a escape when her eyes fell on the clock. "Oh my! It's already so late. Sorry Twilight, I have to wake ma chérie. Can you tell me what time we need to be at the station? "

Her chin and her ears perked. Twilight Sparkle went back to her lecture mode. "I sent everypony a schedule one month ago, don't tell me you didn't read it, you're worse than Rainbow sometimes."

"You sure know her pretty well." Her voice full of innuendo.

"What does this mean?" The lavender unicorn asked with a hint of warning. She was running short of patience with her friend's remarks.

"Nothing darling, nothing." With a simple spell Rarity took the cutlery and the plates to put them in the sink. "See you later."

"See you later Rarity. We meet at seven thirty, in front of the station by the way."

"Thank you darling." She left the library while gently closing the door.

Twilight looked at the clock and saw she didn't have much time left before leaving for the station.

It was exactly seven thirty when Twilight teleported herself in front of the station. She could see that she was the first to arrive. 'And of course, no one is here. I still wonder why I send them schedules if they don't follow them.' She sighed and looked around, she saw an empty bench. She moved toward the bench, placed her saddlebag behind it and sat down on it. 'Let's see, the train leaves in forty five minutes. That leaves me fifteen minutes before I go see why they are late.' Twilight's thoughts were stopped when two hooves were placed before her eyes.

“Guess who!” A cheerful voice, to which the hooves belonged, asked.

“Hum, since I know only one pony that plays this game, I’ll guess Pinkie Pie.” Both hooves withdrew and the pink pony was in front of Twilight.

“Ooohhh, you're good,” Pinkie Pie congratulated her friend before she put her saddlebag right next to Twilight’s, a couple of balloons escaping. “Hehehe, oops.”

“So Pinkie, what do you have prepared for tonight? Even Princess Celestia said nothing to me.”

“Of course silly, it's a surprise and Princess Celestia made a Pinkie Promise.”

To say that Twilight was shocked was a poor description of what she was feeling inside. Outside, she looked calm, only her eyes were wide open. “The princess made a Pinkie Promise?”

“Yep. Oh look its Applejack and Rarity,” Pinkie said, making a gesture of her muzzle towards the couple arriving.

The two mares were walking close to each other. When they arrived near the bench, Twilight could see that Rarity was helping Applejack to walk straight; she used her magic to put their bags on the ground and gently put her wife on the bench near the other unicorn. “Sorry for being late my dears but ma chérie is very tired today.”

“That’s not a problem. We’re still waiting for Fluttershy and Rainbow.” Twilight took the time to look at the sleeping face of Applejack. “Maybe you shouldn't have brought her? I don't think she’ll enjoy the ball.”

“It's not like I have a choice darling,” Rarity answered with a sad smile while she passed a hoof in the blond mane of her other half. “Since there is no way in Tartarus I will leave her alone even for a day, and she didn't want me to miss one of 'my fancy stuff'. We agreed the two of us will go to the celebration even if we leave before the countdown.” She kissed Applejack's cheek. “We are only missing the pegasi, I'm surprised Fluttershy isn't here.” Twilight and Pinkie nodded.

Twilight looked at the clock in front of the station and saw that it was a quarter before eight o'clock. “We don't have time, I will go to Fluttershy's cottage to see why she is late and send her to Rainbow's house.” She started to concentrate on her teleportation spell, but before she could finish a pony stood before her. “Pinkie?”

“I’ll go.”

“Why? You'll be too slow, the cottage is too far for you to be back in time. The train leaves in thirty minutes. "

“Trust me, I’ll be back in time.”

“No, I'm going." In a flash, Twilight Sparkle teleported to the home of her friend.

“Oh, it's not going to end well.” Pinkie's ears were flat on her head and her eyes began to water.

“Why do you say that?” Rarity asked with worry in her voice.

“I have a bad feeling.”

When the unicorn entered the house, she was assaulted by a strong odor of alcohol. She saw bottles of hard cider on the floor but no trace of her quiet friend. “Fluttershy? FLUTTERSHY?” The only answer she got was a carrot to her face, courtesy of a white rabbit. “Angel? Where is Fluttershy?” The rabbit used his right paw to point up at the second floor, but the moment Twilight tried to move forward he put himself between her and the staircase and made an X with his forepaws. “What? HNNNGG not you too?” She used her magic to remove him from the staircase. “Sorry but I don't have time to deal with you.” She continued to trot until she was in front of her friend's bedroom. She knocked three times. “Fluttershy? Are you in there?”

“Hnnn” A feeble voice replied.

“I'm coming in,” she said before she entering the room. She noticed the fact that it had two lumps under the covers. Twilight smiled a little, her friend wasn't so shy. “Looks like someone had a wild night, but you have less than twenty minutes to take a shower and be ready.” She moved to the corner of the bed and took the blanket between her teeth. “And now let's see who you’re sharing your bed with?” With a single stroke, she withdrew the cover. “Rainbow...”

Even if she didn't know why, Twilight Sparkle's heart broke.