//------------------------------//
// Nothing That We Lack 
// Story: Let it Rain 
// by Metool Bard 
//------------------------------//

	Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Flitter, Derpy, and Rumble waited for Thunderlane back at his house.

"I'm really sorry about all this, Flitter," said Derpy glumly. "'Drops and I didn't know that Stormwalker was already Thunderlane's special somepony."

"It's not your fault," said Flitter with a sigh. "Still, I can't help but worry about him.  How's he gonna choose between two mares that love him so much without breaking one of their hearts?"

"I dunno, I'm not him," said Derpy with a shrug. "If I was, that would be weird."

"Don't be sad, Flitter.  He'll find a way to fix this; I know he will," said Rumble. "He's my big bro!  He can do anything!"

Flitter gave Rumble a sad smirk and patted him on the head. "I don't think it's that easy, little guy.  Love never is."

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," said Flitter, getting up and walking over to the front door.  When she opened it, she was surprised to see Cloudchaser, Thunderlane, and Raindrops standing in front of her.  None of them looked particularly devastated.

"Hey, Flitter!" said Thunderlane as they all let themselves in. "I brought Raindrops over to join us for dinner.  Hope you don't mind."

"Um, not at all," said Flitter, still a bit confused. "So, what happened?  Which one of you is Thunderlane's special somepony?"

"Well see, that's a bit complicated," said Cloudchaser, twiddling her hooves. "Honestly, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around..."

"We both are!" Raindrops blurted out cheerfully.

Flitter's jaw dropped. "E-excuse me?"

"Yeah, it turns out we were both wrong, Flit," said Cloudchaser. "Raindrops was trying to flirt with Thunderlane, but she wasn't trying to hurt me.  Also, she apparently likes mares and stallions."

"Well, duh!  Of course she does!" said Derpy. "I could've told you that, Stormwalker!"

Cloudchaser rubbed the bridge of her nose with her hoof. "For the last time, Derpy, my name is Cloudchaser!  Cloud-chase-er~!"

Derpy tilted her head. "Are you sure?  'Cause I could've sworn it was Stormwalker."

"Where the hay did you even get that idea, anyway?" asked Flitter. "Those names sound nothing alike!"

"Well, they rhyme," said Derpy with a shrug.

"That, didn't answer my question.  At all," said Flitter.

"Don't bother.  I know from experience that it's almost impossible to argue with Derpy," said Raindrops with a giggle. "Believe me, I tried."

Thunderlane gave a lighthearted chuckle himself. "Well, the bottom line is that we're all dating each other now."

"Uh-huh," said Flitter, raising an eyebrow at her sister. "So, Cloudy.  Would you care to explain this to us love newbies?"

Cloudchaser sighed and flattened her ears. "I can't, Flit.  I-I just can't.  This is like nothing I've ever dealt with before."

"I guess now is a good time for you to get off your high horse and say that you don't know everything about love, huh?" said Flitter, folding her forelegs.

"Y-yeah," said Cloudchaser sheepishly. "Flit, I'm really sorry about how I acted.  You were right all along.  I was jealous of Raindrops, and I just let it go to my head.  I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."

Flitter smiled. "I'm glad to hear that you're finally being honest with yourself," she said. "That's the Cloudchaser I know and love."

"It's the one I know and love, too," Thunderlane added, nuzzling Cloudchaser's cheek.

Cloudchaser smiled back. "Thanks.  I'll try not to let that happen again."

"Um, I wanna apologize, too," said Derpy. "The whole thing with the chocolate pudding was my fault.  I was just trying to get 'Drops to be more assertive and then...  Ugh, I just don't know what went wrong."

Raindrops smiled, and patted Derpy on the back. "Derpy, I'm not mad at you for that.  It was just an accident.  Besides, I know you were trying to help me.  And for that, I'm really grateful.  You're a great friend."

Derpy blushed. "Aw, thanks 'Drops."

"See, Flitter?  I told you my big bro would fix it!" Rumble chirped, tackling Thunderlane into a hug. "He's the most awesome pony ever!"

"Heh, cut it out, Rumble~.  I'm not that great," said Thunderlane sheepishly. "I didn't even know these two loved me so much."

"That's, more our fault than yours, Thunderlane," said Raindrops.

Thunderlane chuckled. "Even so, I probably should've payed more attention."

"Huh.  Looks like this all was a big misunderstanding," said Flitter. "Just, not the one I envisioned."

"Well, nopony's perfect," said Cloudchaser with a shrug. "And besides, it all worked out in the end.  Mostly.  Kinda."

"You shouldn't be such a pessimist," said Raindrops, placing a foreleg around Cloudchaser's neck. "I told you, we'll find a way to make this work."

"I-I'm not being a pessimist.  I'm just, not used to this," said Cloudchaser, her cheeks turning a rosy pink.

"And that's fine," said Raindrops. "We can take it slow if you want.  I don't mind.  I won't do anything that you're not comfortable with."

Cloudchaser looked up at Raindrops and gave her a wan smile. "Th-thanks.  I-I'd appreciate that."

There was then an audible growl, and Thunderlane blushed.

"Um, sounds like now is a good time as any to have some supper," said he.

The other ponies all shared a laugh.

"Alright, I'll go set the table," said Flitter. "Rumble, you mind helping out?"

"Sure thing!" said Rumble, rushing to Flitter's side.

"Will you be joining us, Derpy?" asked Raindrops.

"I'd love to, but I should get back to my place," said Derpy. "Amey and Dinky hate it when I'm late for dinner.  But, before I go, there's one last thing."

"What's that?"

"Well, what about the Ponyville tradition?"

Thunderlane, Cloudchaser, and Raindrops looked at each other for a moment.  After a pause, they understood what Derpy was talking about.

"Oh.  Yeah, good point," said Raindrops.

"I'll go get everything we need," said Thunderlane. "Just a sec."

With that, he dashed off.  In less than a minute, he returned with a fresh piece of parchment and some quills.

"So, how's this gonna work?" he asked.

"I'll write it," said Cloudchaser. "I don't care what you and Rainy say; my behavior was the most inexcusable.  It's only fair."

"Well, if it gets you to stop kicking yourself, I don't mind," said Raindrops. "You're not as cute when you're gloomy."

Cloudchaser gave Raindrops a look.

"I'm gonna have to go with her on this one, CC," said Thunderlane.

Cloudchaser sighed. "This is really gonna take some getting used to," she said as she began to write.


Dear Princess Celestia:

Today, we all learned a few things about friendship and love.  We learned that some displays of affection can be more subtle than others, and you should look out for them.  But even so, it's best to communicate your feelings clearly instead of keeping them locked up inside; even if it can be scary to do so.

We also learned that while listening to your heart is good, it can often tell you to do nutty things.  There's a fine line between love and obsession, and if you're not careful, you could end up going over that line.  That's why you have friends who can steer you in the right direction.  Just make sure that you listen to them, even if you think you already have the answers.

Your loyal subjects,

Thunderlane, Raindrops, and Cloudchaser


"That's perfect, guys," said Derpy, taking the letter. "I'll deliver it to the Princess personally first thing tomorrow morning."

"Thanks, Derpy," said Raindrops.

"It's just my duty as a mailmare and a good friend," said Derpy with a salute. "Well, I'd best be off!  Seeya, 'Drops!  Seeya, Thunderlane!  Seeya, Stormwalker!"

"Cloudchaser~!" Cloudchaser corrected.

"Right.  Cloudwalker.  What you said," said Derpy before flying away.

Cloudchaser smacked her head. "Ugh, I give up."

Raindrops laughed. "Well, that's just Derpy for you.  C'mon, let's go eat."

"Okay," said Cloudchaser.  She got up to go to the dining room, but lagged behind to watch Thunderlane and Raindrops.

Three ponies dating each other at the same time, she thought. No matter how you slice it, it still sounds crazy.  I'll probably get used to it, I guess.  I don't know how or when, but one thing's for sure.  Blossomforth and Cloud Kicker and gonna have a field day with this one...


The End