“Meet me outside Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow morning… There’s this hill that has an amazing view of the sunrise… See you there…”
Twilight struggled to keep her eyes open as she slowly paced down the dirt road. She let out a long yawn as she suppressed the urge to fall down in an exhausted heap. Ugh, I wish I could just go back home and sleep… I’m so tired… But remember, this for Orion, I’m sure it’ll be worth it...
So, despite her natural need to sleep, she continued onward. Just as she passed the gate to Sweet Apple Acres she heard a laugh that pierced the morning air.
“Bwhahaha! Oh that is rich!”
Her eyes shot open and she scanned the area for the source of the laughter. She saw a figure on a nearby hill that overlooked the orchard. She hoofed it up there, and came to a screeching stop when she saw who it was.
“Ha! This is just too good, really I’m brilliant!” Discord chuckled as he watched chaos unfurl in the orchard. He noticed the unicorn that came upon him and turned to her with a grin. “Twilight Sparkle! Little early for you to be up, isn’t it?”
“I’m meeting Orion. Now what is it you’re up to? You better not be causing chaos again!” She said sharply, planting her hoof into the soft earth.
“Chaos? Me? Never! I’m just having a little fun, that’s all! Those termites aren’t hurting anypony!” He said, stiffing back a laugh.
Twilight turned her head to the trees down below, her jaw falling open at what she saw. Were once bright, shiny apples use to hang now were replaced with rotten apple cores. What apples were left were being swarmed by dozens upon dozens of small white insects. They were devouring the apples within seconds, before long there would be no fruit left in the entire orchard.
“Discord! Applejack and her family needs those apples, without them they’ll go out of business!”
“Don’t worry; they aren’t just eating the apples! They’re also burrowing into the trees, it was a great idea I thought of! Soon as somepony kicks one of those trees, BAM, termites everywhere! Ha! I can’t wait to see it!”
Twilight gave him a cross look, “Fix it Discord. You can’t be causing chaos, I can tell the Princess anytime about your little escape you know…”
“Oh come on Twilight, we both know you would never rat me out to old Celestia! Remember, I can take dear Orion from you with just the snap of my fingers…” He smiled with a mischievous grin.
No… I can’t lose him…Not now… She sighed, “Fine… But make sure you fix all this, Princess Celestia might notice herself!”
“No need to lecture me Twilight, soon as I’ve had my fun I’ll fix everything!” He leaned back into the air, gently stroking his goat like beard as he watched the termites go about their feast.
Having no choice Twilight left the Draconequus to his chaos. As she got back into the road, she heard a loud crashed followed by a storm of laughter.
“HA! I never thought they would go after the barn!”
If he keeps this up the whole kingdom will now he’s back…
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Finally climbing the top of the large hill she came upon the smiling face of her new lover.
“Twilight you finally made it, just in time too!” Orion rushed over to help her up the last few steps. As she placed her hooves firmly against the even ground, her mouth fell open in awe of the view. Ponyville could be seen within the distance, and rising right above it was the morning sun. It painted the sky like an artist’s canvas, filling it with streaks of bright orange and brilliant red.
“It’s… beautiful…” She said in awe, not being able to take her eyes of the gorgeous scenery.
“Princess Celestia’s work truly is a wonder, the way she raises the sun is so breath taking.”
“I’ve always been amazed by the sun, ever since I first saw her raise it myself…”
The two sat down together and continued to gaze at the rising sun. It was so quiet and tranquil, with the only noises being that of nature. The chirping of bids, the scurrying of chipmunks, and the breeze that blew through the tall grass. She felt so alive sitting there, watching the world itself awake. The only joy that could rival it was spending time with Orion.
She couldn’t put it off any longer; she would say it right then and there. “O-Orion…” She stuttered.
“Yes?” He asked turning his head from the scenery. For a few moments she was lost in his glittering blue eyes.
“Orion… Before I met you I was so alone and scared… I was afraid I would die alone, while my friends would live full lives… I was so afraid of that happening; I nearly took my own life…” Twilight spoke slowly, her lip quivering slightly. “Then I met you, and you’ve changed everything… I’m not afraid any more. You’ve given me a purpose to live… Orion, I love you…”
Orion sat there starting into her eyes for a long time. Finally, he smiled. “I love you to Twilight. I know we just met but… I feel we’re meant to be together forever. I’ve never felt the same way about a mare before. I just don’t know what I would do without you…”
Knowing that they both yearned for it, they leaned in and kissed. Last night’s feeling returned to Twilight as she felt his lips against hers, and she became oblivious to the world. All her doubts and fears went away; even the lingering threat of Discord vanished from her mind. All that mattered was Orion.
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“What do you say we get something to eat at Sweet Apple Acers? My friend is sure to have something great for breakfast!” Twilight suggested as they stumbled down the hill.
“Sounds like a great idea!” Orion nodded in reply.
The two walked a short distance down the road before turning off it and into the apple orchard.
“Now what in tarnation is with these dammed things? I lived in Ponyville all my life and ah never seen anything like em!” A voice yelled from within the forest of trees.
“Well I’m telling you, all I did was buck the tree and these things came crawling out!” A yell responded, followed by a loud crunching.
As the two unicorns arrived at the apple homestead they found two ponies repeatedly crushing dozens of white insects.
“Applejack! Caramel! Having trouble with these bugs?” Twilight questioned, slightly annoyed that Discord had lied to her.
“You can say that again!” CRUNCH Applejack’s hoof grinded several of the termites into the hard earth below her. “These buggers are eatin all the apples! If this keeps up we’ll have none left!”
Orion placed a hoof under his chin as he examined the many swarming insects. “Hmm… Well this is odd; I’ve only seen these termites in the Zebra’s homeland… Why they’re eating apples I haven’t the slightest clue...”
“Well, could you maybe give us some help?” Carmel asked, breathing a sigh of exhaustion as he looked upon the never ending horde.
“I can try…” Orion paused for a moment, closing his eyes in deep concentration. A dark blue aura blinded everypony nearby. As their eyesight returned they watched in awe as all of the terminates scurried off. Within a few seconds there wasn’t a single left, leaving them all to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Oh well thank you Mr. er… what’s your name?” Applejack asked, holding her hoof out in greeting.
“Orion. I’m Twilight’s coltfriend.”
“Oh well- what?!” Applejack shock her head in confusion. “Did you just say coltfriend?!” She cocked an eyebrow; she couldn’t have heard him right.
Twilight blushed a light red. “Um yeah Applejack, we just met a couple days ago…”
“Well thank Celestia! Ah thought you was going to be alone forever!” The cowpony smiled, punching her friend hard in the shoulder. “I’m so glad you finally met somepony!”
Twilight let out an awkward laugh, “Yeah… anyway, what spell did you use Orion?”
“Oh I just changed their diet. Instead of eating wood and apples; they’re just eating rocks now! I’m sure they just went off to one of the mountains, so they won’t be hurting anypony!”
“Well I thank you kindly Mr. Orion.” Carmel rushed over to shake the unicorn’s hoof. “Too bad you didn’t get here before they took down the barn, that dammed thing is going to take ages to get back up…”
“Actually, me and Twilight could help! With our magic it’ll be up in no time at all!”
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Applejack sighed, wiping the thin layer of sweat from her brow. “Thanks ever so much Twilight, ah don’t know what we would have done if you’d didn’t come to help…”
“Really, it’s nothing Applejack! I’m more than happy to help an old friend…” Twilight smiled, turning from the now finished barn. With both of the unicorn’s magic they put with barn back up with ease, all Applejack and Caramel had to do was get a bit of spare wood.
“Yeah well it’s been a lot of tough work round here lately… With Applebloom gone and Granny Smith’s hip worse than ever, it’s just me Caramel and Big Mac left to do all the work. And frankly Carmel’s a bit, how do ah put this, slow?”
Twilight giggled slightly, “Well, you can’t deny the fact that he tires. He might mess up sometimes, but he really cares about you!”
“Yeah…” Applejack grinned, rubbing the back of her neck. “Ah don’t know what I’d do without him… And you know I’m finally glad to see you found somepony! I always felt terrible that you were alone… Ah remember being told there was somepony out there for each of us, and just like your cutie mark it only comes when you’re ready. You can’t force love.”
“Yeah…” Twilight said biting her lip gently. “I guess my patience finally paid off…”
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“Well that sure was kind of them to give us all these apples!” Orion grinned as he took another bite out of one of the many bright apples that were now piled up in his saddlebag.
“Mhmh.” Twilight nodded back, her mouth full of sweet apple goodness. She stopped for a minute to swallow before talking. “What do you want to do now?”
“Hmm…” Orion stopped in the middle of the road, a few moments passing before a light bulb went off in his head. “I remember now, follow me!” He grinned, galloping down the deserted road with a unicorn trying desperately to pursue.
“Not so fast!” Twilight giggled as she trailed behind him.
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“This one right… here!” Orion yelled triumphantly as he snatched a thick book from the shelf. “Yes, this is the one!”
“Intergalactic and Cosmic Bodies?” Twilight asked as she read the fancy lettering. The cover of the book was dark, with several different stars and planets adorning it.
“Yep! Yesterday I looked through your library and to my surprise you didn’t have it! It’s a really great book and it would be a fine addition to your collection.” The two of them walked through the book store and over to the counter. Orion threw a few bits on the counter and nodded to the sales pony before leaving.
“It looks great! I can’t wait to start reading it!” Twilight grinned as she read the back of the book, her mind already filling up with more knowledge.
“Really, it’s my pleasure…” He pecked her on the cheek as they wandered onto the main road. Dozens of ponies bustled along the street carrying about their daily chores.
“So, what now?” Twilight asked, looking up from her book.
“Well, I have a few things to do today. How about we met again for dinner? I’ll come and pick you up at six.”
Twilight’s eyes light up with excitement, “That’d be amazing! See you there!” She pecked him back on the cheek before hurrying off.
I can’t believe it! I’m finally having a dinner with a stallion! I wonder where he’ll take me. A French restaurant? Italian? Spainish? Oh, what the hay am I going to wear?! I have absolutely nothing for something like this! I only have a few hours so I’ll have to hurry and find something!