//------------------------------// // Friends, Not So Bad After All // Story: If There Was No Magic // by Just Reading //------------------------------// “Twilight?” The question floats into the purple filly’s slumber, rousing her from a dreamless sleep. “Twilight?” Closer this time, the familiar voice forces Twilight to crack open her eyes, blurry fabric fill her vision. “Come on Twilight,” Celestia whispers into her ear, peeling the sheets off her body with her muzzle. “You need to be awake for your outing with Rarity today.” Twilight feels the wetness of drool running from her lips, wiping it away she pushes her hooves underneath, standing shakily. “Alright Princess,” Twilight yawns, her breath rushing between her lips as her jaw stretches. “I’ll be downstairs in a second, just meet me down there.” “Okay Twilight, I’ll see you down there soon.” Celestia backs away from her student, giving her room to step out of her bed. Knowing, she stays to watch. Twilight stands still for a moment, blinking, breathing, trying to gather her consciousness. She wavers, collapsing, her face impacting the soft, feather pillow. Celestia giggles at the display, moving to wake Twilight again, more forcefully this time. “Come on Twilight,” A tongue wets the tip of Twilight’s purple ear, eliciting twitches from it. “It’s time to get up,” Celestia’s tongue slides lower, coating Twilight’s inner ear in saliva. “Nghhh, not there Celestia,” Twilight’s lips form a smile as she whispers to her half-dreamt fantasy. “Ow, Princess what are you doing?” Twilight jumps from her slumber, snapping at Celestia, trying to ignore her wounded look. “There are ways of waking ponies that don’t involve biting their ears your know.” A purple hoof rubs her ear, trying to dry the wetness from it. “It was only a nibble,” Celestia grins playfully, her teeth clicking together as she demonstrates her technique. “And it was necessary, I was having difficulty waking you previously. Now you’re up, why don’t you freshen yourself up before meeting me downstairs.” Rolling onto her hooves, Twilight strolls into the shared bathroom, her yawns completely gone. She fills the porcelain white tub with water, submerging her sweaty purple body in the refreshingly cold water. The wet embrace helps to wake her, bringing back memories of the previous night, of what she has to face today. I’m sure it will be fine, Twilight nervously tries to convince herself. They all seemed like nice ponies last night, but what if that was just when the Princess was there? Is Celestia coming with me? Oh I hope she is, I don’t think I can handle so many ponies alone. “Twilight,” Celestia’s demand rings up the stairwell into the bathroom. “You didn’t fall asleep again?” A hoofstep rings off a wooden stair. “I’ll be there in a second Princess,” Twilight yells in reply, warding off Celestia’s attempt to check on her. “I’m just getting out the bath now.” True to her word Twilight steps out of the water, dripping, completely awake. Multitasking, she grasps the bath plug in her purple glow while simultaneously casting a heating spell, singeing the ends of her hair. “Ow, ow, ow,” Twilight’s protests bounce downstairs in time with her steps, the smell of burnt hair carried with them. The sight of Twilight’s hair, now a few inches shorter, brings a smile to Celestia’s lips. The water contained behind them spills forth as her smile breaks into a laugh, dousing the black ends of Twilight’s streaked mane. “Oh Twilight,” Celestia sighs, standing to dry the once again wet purple filly with a wing. “Did you get a little overconfident with your magic again?” Twilight grimaces at the last word, memories of her magical mishaps rushing to the forefront of her mind. Fragile vases around the Canterlot castle began to go missing shortly after Twilight began practice on her wave levitation. Her form wasn’t solid enough, leaving gaps in the glowing wave, allowing certain delicate objects to come in contact with the hard marble floors. After her attempts to hide the mistakes Celestia had noticed her halls with a somewhat odd number of vases. A simple question brought an admission from Twilight, who was dealt comfort and assurance as her punishment, promising to come to Celestia with any embarrassing problems from then on. There had been a lot of them, fountains drained of water after Twilight’s attempts to freeze it resulted in evaporation. A section a cobbled walkway turned liquid after a transformation spell, a flying cat, purple grass, Celestia pet phoenix invisible for hours. “You’ve drifted off again haven’t you?” Twilight awakens from her daze to find herself cushioned at the table, a sunflower mulched between her teeth. “I worry for you Twilight,” Celestia admits. “You live in your thoughts, ignorant of the world around you. Try to focus today, for me. I can already see a connection forming between you and those other fillies. You should try to strengthen that bond, it’s the strongest magic you’ll ever have.” Confused by Celestia’s statement, Twilight finishes the petals in her mouth. “What do you mean the strongest magic? I always assumed that powerful unicorns were a result of decades of study and practice.” Celestia tilts her head, peeking outside. “You are not wrong in saying that Twilight, powerful unicorn magic is achieved by a combination of training, study and experience.” Celestia states. “There is a magic of far greater power than the magic unicorns possess however, the magic held in bonds between ponies, bonds of love. When these bonds are stressed by dark magic, or dire situations they can react explosively, releasing magic beyond the power that any unicorn can dream of.” Twilight eyes are shocked open, the new information funneling inside. “Would the bond between you and I be one of those bonds?” Twilight asks sheepishly. Blushing, Celestia controls the smile attempting to break across her face. “Or the bonds you share with your mother and father, with your brother, hopefully one day with the ponies you call friends.” Celestia closes her eyes, mentally checking the suns position. “Eat up quick Twilight, Rarity will be here soon.” The snapping and crunching of sunflowers continues as Twilight devours her breakfast, recovering the energy spent last night. ★★★ “So what are we going to be doing today?” Twilight strolls beside Rarity down the dirt streets of Ponyville, leaving the library behind them. “Well first I planned to meet Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy in the town square,” Rarity details her plans, politely ignoring the change in Twilight’s mane. “Then we’ll stop by Sugarcube Corner for a snack and Pinkie. Anything from then on is completely up to the group, but I have some other plans just in case.” Twilight contrasts the town to Canterlot as the pair make their way to the centre. The streets in Ponyville feel almost empty compared to the hustle and bustle of the city, being both wider and less ponies on them. Instead of ordered blocks of houses all in identically spaced rows, each corner they take is the result of some building popping up in the middle of a street, as if the roads were built around the houses and not vice versa. “I think that’s them over by that stand,” Rarity’s voice pops into Twilight head, breaking her analysis, bringing her attention to the pair lingering across the town square. “Come on Twilight, we don’t want to keep them waiting any longer, you know how Rainbow Dash gets.” Following the bouncing purple curl of Rarity’s tail, Twilight finds herself across the street, surprised at the unexpected company. “I’m telling you,” Dash leans across the wooden surface of the apple stall, pushing her protests into Applejack’s face. “I didn’t steal any of your apples. I don’t even like apples anyway.” Applejack rolls her eyes, “Apples don’t just get up and walk off on their own y’know,” she snorts, shoving Dash backwards. “You asked me for an apple fritter, I turn my head for a second and then the apple sitting right here in front of me is gone, and you’re looking at the sky, whistling like nothings happened.” The pair argue ignorant to Fluttershy’s weak motions to interrupt. “I know you two love to fight,” Rarity’s sarcastic tone cuts through the commotion. “But I think Fluttershy has something to tell you.” A white hoof motions towards the yellow filly, giving her leave to speak. “It wasn’t Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy’s voice barely above a whisper. “Well then wh-” Rarity corks the agitated orange filly’s mouth with her hoof, her stare daring Applejack to interrupt again. “It was Angel,” Fluttershy lifts a wing, revealing a white baby bunny clutching a half-eaten apple , previously hidden behind her hair. “I’m sorry but I just couldn’t stop him. I’ll pay you for it tomorrow.” Unable to charge the shy pegasus for her pet’s wrong, Applejack shakes her head, Rarity’s hoof giving her leave to speak. “Don’t worry about it sugarcube, I’m just glad you were honest.” She emphasizes the last words, flicking her gaze at Rainbow Dash. “Hey,” The blue pegasus defends, her wings raised passively “I was telling the truth.” Applejack narrows her eyes, “Maybe this time you were, but I’m sure there have been others. Like last month when y-” “Alright, enough feuding for today,” Rarity cuts in with her hoof. “Are we going to Sugarcube Corner with you or without you Rainbow Dash?” Dash huffs, dropping her wings. “Fine, let’s go,” Without waiting Dash lifts off the ground, lazily flapping towards Sugarcube Corner, Fluttershy trailing her shadow. “Thank you for helping me get rid of that one Rarity,” Applejack bows her head appreciatively. “Choose whatever you want from the stall, my treat.” Rarity maintains her death stare, “Don’t think you’re not just as wrong as she is, too blind to even notice other ponies.” Calming her face, Rarity turns to Twilight, motioning for her to go ahead. Ignorant of the sign language, the purple filly remains, confused. Returning her eyes to Applejack Rarity poses a question, “The two of you need to sort out this rivalry you have. I don’t know how long it’s been going on and I don’t care, it’s unhealthy for the both of you, and especially stressful for Fluttershy, that poor dear.” “Well you tell that to Dash,” Rarity’s eyes narrow at the last of Applejack’s pride. “Don’t make excuses Applejack,” Rarity’s tone neutral. “I always thought you were the kind of pony who would put others before her, but around Dash you seem to change. Try giving in to her, you don’t always have to win.” Applejack watches her own hoof kick the ground guiltily, “My Papa used to say that, that we should help other ponies, and I try to. Dash, there’s something about her,” Sucking air between her teeth, Applejack meets Rarity’s eyes. “I’ll talk with her next time I see her, I’ll tell her sorry.” “ Well what about now?” The two conversing filly’s turn at Twilight’s comment, surprised she still remains. “I mean we’re going to meet her at Sugarcube Corner, and you’ve sold everything in your stall except those two caramel apples.” Rarity’s head bobs, agreeing with Twilight’s proposition. Applejack bites the remaining apple treats by the sticks, mumbling, “I guess I can come to your little gathering, it wouldn’t help to leave that pegasus angry at me.” “It’s settled then,” Rarity’s lips regain their smile. “To Sugarcube Corner.” ★★★ “What was that back there?” Twilight asks the white unicorn sitting across from her. The two have resided to comfortable cushions at one of the bakery’s corner tables, the other fillies still choosing a treat from the temptations on display. “You mean that business between Applejack and Rainbow Dash?” Twilight’s nod confirms Rarity’s assumption. “That’s just my way to solve an issue between two hotheads. You corner one, show them who’s in control, then force an apology. Manipulating ponies is easy if you know what you’re doing Twilight. Just like how magic comes easily to you.” The corners of Twilight’s lips scrunch as she tries to control her smile, purple cheeks warming with red. “It’s not that easy for me. What you did back there I could never do will a thousand years of practice and study.” Rarity waves a hoof in dismissal. “Oh darling you sell yourself short,” Rarity’s accent thickens as she praises Twilight, the purple filly’s face growing hotter. “Last night when you lifted that barn, now that was something. Think of it like this, you may never be able to stand up to quarreling ponies just like I’ll never be able to lift a barn.” “So whatcha two talking about?” Pinkie bounces into the conversation, rocking the table as her hooves crash onto it’s wooden surface. The unicorns look up at the distraction to find the other three fillies standing around the table, sweet snacks gripped between teeth and wings. Twilight looks to Rarity for a response. “Things only Twilight and I need to know. Now if you would all take a seat I’d like to start eating.” Rarity motions towards the empty cushions surrounding the table. “You know you didn’t have to wait for us,” Rainbow Dash chuckles. “Just chow down I always say.” Sticking to her word she tosses one of the three blue-iced and sprinkled cupcakes into the air, it’s flight path curving into her mouth. Rarity’s lips wrinkle into a grimace, “Some pony’s have a manners, and it is impolite to eat before everyone has their meals.” Noticing everypony now rests with their choice before them, Rarity takes her turkish delight in a white glow, lifting it to her mouth for a delicate nibble. “Manners schmanners,” Rainbow Dash mumbles through her mouthful of cupcake. “I eat when I want.” She rapidly chews her mouthful, following the blue cupcake with another as she swallows. “As much as I’d love to discuss how to eat food,” Already finished her caramel apples, Applejack wipes sticky sugar from the corners of her mouth. “What I’d really like to talk about is Twilight.” The purple filly, content to dissolve into her thoughts with Rarity and Dash’s banter as background noise, straightens up at her name. “You’re the reason we’re all here sugarcube, but why are you here? You just appear in town with the Princess, it’s real mysterious. So if I’m not being too intrusive, why?” Mouth left agape at the sudden change in topic, Twilight’s eyes lingering on her purple lamington. Should I tell them the truth? Twilight weighs her choices. Celestia told me to make friends, and I wouldn’t be a true friend if I held secrets from them, but what will Celestia say if I reveal our plans. What if it’s supposed to be secret? “Well,” Twilight decides. “We’re trying to bring Princess Luna back to Equestria, but to do so we need to operate a summoning focus that lies deep inside the ancient Everfree castle.” Fluttershy shrinks beneath the table at the mention of Everfree, the other fillies sharing degrees of confusion, except Pinkie. “All those words sounds really cool Twilight,” Pinkie exclaims energetically. “But I don’t think any pony here has any idea what they mean.” Twilight sighs inwardly, realising she shouldn’t assume knowledge of mystical things when conversing with ponies that aren’t Celestia. “I believe I know who Princess Luna is,” Rarity raises a hoof to speak. “She used to rule alongside Celestia if I recall correctly, one thousand years ago. I wonder why you wish to bring her back. I thought she was, corrupted?” Twilight brings a hoof to her head, coming to grips with the amount of explanation necessary for these fillies to understand. “For all of you to completely understand this I’m going to need to start at the beginning. It will take a long time for me to explain, maybe a even an hour. Are you all sure you want to know?” Encouraging nods from Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity, a less-than completely bored look from Rainbow Dash and a confirmative squeak from under the table ask for her story. “It all began with a spark.” ★★★ “So what you’re telling us is you need six ponies with strong magical bonds to power this focus?” Rarity questions. Applejack and her still engaged in Twilight’s story after nearly an hour of listening and questioning. Pinkie, distracted, plays with Dash’s rainbow mane. Styling the bored pegasus’s hair in wacky fashions. Fluttershy has managed the courage to leave her hiding under the table, even being brave enough to question Twilight once. “Yes,” Twilight nods confirmation. “The only problem we have is finding them. I assume the reason we are staying in town longer is because Celestia is searching for five others. I don’t know where she will find five unicorns, let alone magical ones, on such short notice.” Rarity and Applejack share a look, silently agreeing with each others conclusion. “Twilight,” Applejack speaks their thoughts. “I think you may be missing something kinda obvious here. If I understand what you tell us correctly, Celestia may intend for the five of us to be those ‘magical unicorns’.” Twilight’s brow finds itself confused, fighting which direction to take. “No, it can’t be,” Shaking her head, Twilight denies the statement. “Four of you aren’t even unicorns, and I barely know you all. We aren’t even close to being tightly bonded.” “Let me explain how we came upon this assumption dear,” Rarity voice soft, slow. “You say that Celestia told you there was another kind of magic, a bonding between ponies of all kinds, stronger than magic of unicorns.” Twilight nods. “And you also say this magic disappeared at the same time unicorn magic did, both of them directly linked to this third princess, Magi.” The purple filly bobs her head again. “We think that Celestia decided to stay in Ponyville longer so you could bond with us,” Applejack’s southern twang takes over. “I mean it was mostly her idea that we even have this meeting. It sticks out like an unharvested tree to me.” “But, I just,” Twilight stumbles over her thoughts, unable to clearly articulate them. “Don’t want to spend any more time with us?” Rainbow Dash, awake to the conversation around her, butts in aggressively. “Is that why you can’t see what even Applejack here can?” Pinkie constricts the rowdy blue pegasus with a hug, holding her wings down. “No it’s just,” Twilight tries to sort her thoughts, shrinking back from Dash’s verbal attack. “Rainbow Dash,” Rarity scolds the pegasus, calming in Pinkie’s arms. “You shouldn’t presume so much, frightening Twilight like that.” Her hard stare demands an apology. Rainbow Dash grits her teeth, “Yeah, I guess I’m sorry. It’s just I heard your excuses and it reminded me of, another friend I had.” The group of fillies sit silent, unsure of what to say next. Pinkie silently tousles Dash’s hair, comforting the rainbow pegasus in her own way. Fluttershy hidden behind the table once more. Applejack and Rarity share a look. “I think I see what you two are saying,” Twilight speaks first, easing the built up tension. “It’s just when I pictured myself exploring the ancient castle I only saw two ponies, Celestia and I. It’s been just me and her for months, I feel closer to her than my mother or father, even my brother Shining.” Twilight sighs, smiling nervously as lifts her gaze to meet the friendly fillies across from her. “I know it’s silly, but for some reason I thought that if you all came along Celestia wouldn’t be as close. It’s stupid I know.” Rarity rises from her cushion, scooting round the table to wrap Twilight in a hug, “It’s not stupid dear,” She comforts the sorry purple filly. “Everypony has ponies they grow close to, ponies who mean the world to them. Sometimes we fear losing those special ones, it shows how much we care. You shouldn’t be afraid of new ponies Twilight, we don’t want to push Celestia away from you. We just want to share a little of her space in your life.” Fluttershy moves from her cushion to add to Rarity’s embrace, wrapping a small yellow wing around Twilight. Applejack makes her move, followed by Pinkie Pie dragging Dash behind her. The rainbow of colors smother Twilight, easing her guilt. “Um, girls?” Twilight voice is muffled beneath the blanket of bodies. “You’re making it hard to breathe.” The fillies let go of their purple companion, giving her a small circle of space. Rainbow Dash giving Pinkie an irritated look. “I think I’m starting to understand, but I might need some time to think about it. So if you all wouldn’t mind it, I’d like to do something tomorrow as well.” She gives the group of fillies a hopeful look. “I’d love to darling.” “You can count me in.” “I-I guess I could.” Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy agree simultaneously. Applejack fiddles with her hat, unsure. “I really should be in the market tomorrow,” Applejack admits. “Selling this season's harvest.” Twilight eyes flick up for a moment before and idea strikes her. “Why don’t we meet later in the afternoon at your stand Applejack. Some time after you’ve sold all of your apples,” The purple unicorn suggests. “That sounds like a mighty fine plan Twilight,” Applejack agrees in her southern twang. “I usually sell out a little while after noon.” The group nod, turning to the final blue filly. Rainbow Dash rubs the back of her mane, spouting her favourite excuse. “I need to practice flying,” Rainbow Dash jolts as a white hoof kicks her. “Uh, I mean sure, I’ll be there.” Her last words directed a Rarity. “Great, it’s settled,” Twilight smacks her hooves together excitedly. “Now I don’t know about the rest of you, but I could really use another treat.”