My Inspiration

by gwg


A Song of Fire

The hopeful pair were making their way to a large field just outside of Ponyville, a familiar location  being Scootaloo’s practice field. It was perfect for a stuntmare: there were no buildings that she could potentially crash into, it was close enough to the town for quick trips to the clinic in case of emergencies, and yet far away enough to grant privacy. The potential lovers were engaged in only the most serious of conversations.

“Why was Applejack’s mane done up like that? And why was Rarity wearing her stetson?” Scootaloo asked, being too focused on the task at hoof and too disturbed by the scene to ask when they were at the Boutique.

“They told me it was for a bet, and I believe Applejack. But I think I may have interrupted their alone time.” Sweetie shuddered, not wanting to think about what she would have seen if she walked in later than she did. “I think they’re thankful to you for getting me out of their manes. Thanks for asking me to hang out by the way.” She added with a slight tinge of pink dotting her cheeks.

Little did the mares know that they had an audience. The two mares hiding in a nearby bush were focused primarily on their mission; engaging in quiet conversation to pass the time with topics of utmost importance.

“I knew you were up to something kinky! Never thought you would be into roleplay!” Rainbow Dash accused, barely able to contain her laughing fit. When she had seen the designer in the streets of Ponyville, she nearly had a panic attack thinking AJ was out and about. Thinking that, just like when Dash and Twilight started going out, AJ was here to rain on her happiness parade by sending her to the hospital again. Her fear was replaced with confusion followed by laughter when she discovered that it was actually Rarity wearing the hat; the snickering had not ceased since.

“I-It was just a bet to see who could portray the other the longest. Nothing more! And what we do in the bedroom is none of your concern, Ms. Rainbow Dash!” Rarity sputtered, clearly flustered and hoping that her fellow spy would believe the lie. She noticed a change in her friend’s attitude, from jovial to bashful, when she emphasized her name; a predatory grin came to her face at the gossip potential. “Details.”

After some hesitation, Rainbow gave in and spilled the beans. “...It appears that I won’t be Ms. Rainbow Dash for much longer.” The wonderbolt took preemptive action against the excited squeal that was going to come from the designer by inserting her hoof into Rarity’s open mouth. “SSSHH, we don’t want ‘em to know we’re here, remember? Yes, you get to design our dresses, you’re gonna have to ask Twi’ about being her mare-of-honor, and I don’t know if I’ll have AJ as my best mare as she did send me to the hospital for a week.” Rainbow tried to answer the assumed questions of her friend before removing her hoof.

“Seriously, darling, I thought you had gotten over that by now. It was five years ago.”

“She broke two of my ribs, and I can’t go to Sweet Apple Acres without having painful flashbacks of that day! She’s lucky we’re still friends.”

“Actually, I think it is you who is lucky you’re still friends. She told me she held back some force because you are her friend and you played a role in Apple Bloom getting her cutie mark. But enough about that trifle, I want to know what happened.” Rainbow began her tale after she stopped shaking in fear.

-GWG-

Far away in the capital, two alicorns and a draconequus were discussing matters of national security.

“Allllll right ladies, place your bets. Who will kiss who first? Will it be the brash stuntmare or the lovely singer that takes the prize?” Discord inquired behind his podium. He was wearing a top hat and behind him was a chalkboard with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle’s names on it next to the odds of either being the first kisser. It was 50/50.

“Seriously, that’s why you had us come here?! I was in the middle of organizing the stars for tonight and for what? A foalish wager?” Luna complained to the Lord of Chaos, none too pleased that this is what was distracting her from her ‘art’ as Twilight and herself called it. “Besides, we don’t have bits for that except in the treasury, and we’re not spending it on whatever game you’re playing!”

“Ok then how about the losers have to do something they don’t like and the winners get something they want. What do you say to that?” Discord compromised, hoping the royal sisters would be on board.

“I don’t know…” The Princess of the Night began before her solar counterpart interrupted.

“Oh, come on Lulu, this sounds like fun. Besides, what harm could come from a friendly wager? I’m in, but I don’t know what I would want.” Celestia was very pleased at the prospect of having something fun to do; of late she had become quite bored, with very little to do around the castle. The last fun thing she did was a month ago when she visited Twilight; the Solar Princess had it so that all the books in the mystery section of the library had their spines facing the inside of the bookcase and in random order. Celestia and Dash were laughing their flanks off while Twilight spent hours rearranging the section, twitching most of the time.

“Hmmm, how about if you win I’ll get Pinkie Pie to become your personal baker,” Discord enjoyed seeing Celestia go from calm to actively drooling in seconds, “And if you lose, you have to go without cake for a month.” He doubly enjoyed her reaction change as she went from drooling to wide-eyed panic.

“I second it!” Luna shouted, now very interested in this wager. Everyone knew about Celestia’s weakness for cakes. Luna and Discord also knew that though her punishment too great, her reward was too good to pass up.

“FINE! Those are my terms.” Celestia finally submitted after much hesitation. She knew that if she lost this bet, it would be a month remembered in infamy by all of Equestria.

“Now what do I want?” Luna pondered for a short period of time before giving her answer, “I want my own nightclub here in Canterlot. And I want that mare Apple Bloom to design it.”

“That seems fair if a little dull. And if you lose you have to spend a month with…” Discord paused for dramatic effect, smirk dripping with mischief, “Cadance!!”

“I second it!” Celestia shouted, giving a smirk to her sister that was a perfect clone of the one on Discord. The trolling deities knew that Luna hated Cadance, which was the real reason why she had skipped the royal wedding all those years ago. The fact that Cadance now had a foal did not improve Luna’s attitude towards her fellow princess; having to spend a month with the infuriating Princess of Love and her “precious” foal was the closest thing Luna could imagine to being tortured.

“I’d rather be imprisoned on the moon for another thousand years than spend even a day with that bi-” Luna began.

“Remember, she’s our niece.” Celestia scolded, though she was having fun at her sister’s expense. “Besides, you’re not supposed to like your punishment. So mare up or shut up!”

“Fine fine, let’s just move on.” Luna accepted her wager, still brimming with rage.

“This should be entertaining. Ok, if I win I want one day of uncensored chaos, absolutely no restraints. When the day is up I’ll return everything to how it was. And if I lose I’ll-”

“Be our butler for a month!” The royal sisters demanded, hoping his punishment would be equally terrible; they were right. Though the Lord of Chaos already answered to the Princesses, the position he held was respected by ponies. He knew that being their butler would mean doing everything they asked of him. Everything. This was a punishment that meant more punishment; but for a chance for a day where he cut loose. Worth it.

“Deal. So who are your picks?”

“I’ve seen from their dreams that both really want this, though Scootaloo slightly more than Sweetie Belle. I wager on Scootaloo.” Luna answered after pondering for a few minutes. She had seen both of their feelings develop from their dreams, both pleasant and nightmarish. The pegasus had dreamed of the two kissing more often than the unicorn, though the difference wasn’t great.

“That’s not creepy at all,” Discord said sarcastically, “And you ‘Tia?”

“I’m wagering on Scootaloo as well. She is like Rainbow, a mare of action.” Celestia was just giving a false reason to support her answer. In truth she had known about the two of them since Rarity’s wedding, when Cadance pointed out that they had feelings for each other; though the flier’s were slightly stronger. She agreed that the one with the stronger feelings will be the one to initiate the kiss.

“Well, just to be different, I’ll wager on Sweetie Belle. I have no reason for this whatsoever.” This was a lie. While he had no evidence to support his claim, he simply didn’t want to be a butler when Celestia was without cake, so he was going to choose the opposite of her choice no matter what. It was a bonus that Luna made the same decision as Celestia. “Well come on, the main event should be starting soon.”

With a snap of his fingers his podium was replaced with a large couch, and in his paw was a bag of popcorn. On the wall in front of them was a large screen television, which displayed two mares talking in a field; they were also able to hear as well as see them.

“Does the sky look weird to you?” Scootaloo questioned.

“Yeah, it looks like the stars are only half finished.” Sweetie Belle responded, looking up at the half-empty sky.

“Horsefeathers!” In a flash Luna was gone, the two remaining assumed that she went to finish her work. Comments from the screen affirmed their suspicions.

“Now you aren’t going to interfere with this so you win, are you?” Celestia asked seriously; her cake was on the line.

“Now ‘Tia, I would never do such a thing. I only made sure that whatever happens happens tonight.”

-GWG-

“Ah, that’s better. Guess Princess Luna wasn’t done with it yet.” Sweetie Belle said once the sky filled up before turning to the pegasus, “So what tricks are you going to do, Scoots?” The singer used this time to get a good look at her friend’s face, with most of her focus on the lips. Soon they will be mine, I hope.

“I don’t know. Dash suggested I should just fly around and do whatever comes to mind. Heck, it might even be a new trick. Who knows?” Scootaloo had not noticed that the sky had returned to normal; her attention had been on the mare next to her, making good use of the distraction. It was during this ‘appreciation’ that Scootaloo saw the saddlebag and decided to ask about it. “So what’s in the bag?”

“Just a notebook and a pencil. Earlier this evening I was coming up with a song, but I didn’t write anything down. Now I’m ready to write one.” Sweetie replied, her eyes burning with determination.

“Can I hear it? I always love it when you sing.” Did I really just say that?! I’m not denying it but I don’t want to scare her away.

The singer’s determination was replaced with bashfulness at her friend’s words. “When it’s finished, I’ll sing it just for you.” She loves my singing? Oh, there is no way she can’t see me blushing right now. Was she staring at me earlier? I would be a hypocrite if I said I didn’t like that...and I’d be lying as well.

Sweetie’s words were echoing through Scootaloo’s head. ‘I’ll sing it just for you.’ Ohmygosh yes! I never thought that would ever happen, or at least not unless we’ve been dating and I asked. This is one dream come true; let’s see about the others. “I’d like that.”

With that she took off in the air, feeling ready to begin. Down on the ground, Sweetie Belle began to think of the flier that had captured her heart. She is always so graceful when she flies. I wonder if she’ll take me flying someday; that would be so romantic. And I would sing for her, only her, as we would watch the sunset while we sit together on a cloud. It would be so perfect; I love you, Scootaloo. It was at this point that she noticed that she was humming the tune from earlier. With an excited gasp, she reached for notebook and pencil with her magic and jotted down the notes for the tune; now she wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting it. I’m definitely close now; I just need the lyrics. We’ll be together soon, love.

Up in the air, Scootaloo was thinking of the stunning mare below her. She wants to sing to me, so I’ll show her my sky. We’ll fly together, watch the sunset, and then gaze at the stars. It would be perfect. I love you, Swee-. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt it; an urge. This was different than anything she had ever felt before. It felt foreign and yet came from within; like she had already been taken over. This urge did not have a voice but she felt that it was telling her something.

‘Do the Super Nova’

She knew what this was. She chose to obey and respect the force that was now inside of her, and chose to bring her thoughts back to Sweetie Belle. She really didn’t need to think at this point, for she had found it.

Inspiration.

She flew up as high as she could; high above the clouds that dotted the evening sky. When she reached her highest point, she began her descent. She was heading straight down when she felt the force again; but this time it had a voice, one that was somewhat familiar but she couldn’t place it.

‘Say what you said last time you did this.’

Down on the ground Sweetie could see an orange dot coming closer and knew who it was. Before she could panic that her friend was falling, she heard Scootaloo shouting. Each shout was accompanied by a thought from the unicorn.

“I LIKE SWEETIE BELLE.” I would hope that she likes me at this point, I mean we’ve been friends for over ten years for Celestia’s sake.

“I HAVE A CRUSH ON SWEETIE BELLE.” Well that’s a little disappointing but I can work with that. Who knows maybe sh-. 

“I LOVE SWEETIE BELLE.” This shout interrupted and silenced her thoughts. Before she could even begin to comprehend that, she was stunned once more.

“I’M IN LOVE WITH SWEETIE BELLE!!!”

The singer had not noticed that she had been writing or that she stopped at this moment; though she knew what she wrote. She managed to whisper “She’s in love with me!?”

The world was silent for a brief moment before the sky exploded in a wave of orange and purple, clearing all the clouds in its path. Sweetie Belle had heard the explosion before five years ago, but now she was in awe after having actually seen it.

“What was that?” Rarity asked her fellow spy, her eyes not leaving the sight before her.

“It’s called the Super Nova; it’s the result of Scoots trying to perform the Sonic Rainboom.” Rainbow replied, liquid pride running down her cheeks.

Still descending Scootaloo saw the look of awe and of love on the unicorn’s face; it was in this moment that the voice spoke to her again.

‘Do it again, but this time go up instead of down.’

Scootaloo recognized the voice this time. It belonged to a pony very special to her; a friend, her best friend, the pony that had captured her heart. The voice belonged to Sweetie Belle.

She’s my inspiration.

She obeyed without hesitation, repeating the steps only this time she ascended. Sweetie Belle took this moment to look at what she had written and added to it, incorporating more of what she just saw into this piece. It’s still missing something though...It doesn’t have an ending. I’m just a few words away from completing my song. She looked to the sky as Scootaloo was entering a second cone. An idea came and she wrote the last words, finishing just as the barrier broke; she was glad she didn’t miss this.

The sound barrier broke again around the area where it had before. A familiar silence was followed by an unfamiliar sound; it sounded like the inverse of the first wave. The wave was its usual orange and purple, but it was faster this time and left something amazing behind. The wave would leave behind a beautiful sight; it looked like the Northern Lights but it was orange and purple like the waves. This made an amazing filter for looking at the stars. The new wave was so fast that it caught up with the first wave; when it did the waves exploded into smaller explosions, looking and sounding like fireworks. The sight could be seen and heard throughout all of Ponyville.

At the castle, Twilight looked up at the strange phenomenon and wished that her fiance could see it with her. Though if she were here, we would be too busy to see this, Twilight thought with a grin.

At the Boutique, Applejack was startled out of bed by the explosions. Pretty sight; the explosions are too high cause any damage to mah farm. Good, I don’t have tah break any ribs. Applejack chuckled before returning to bed.

At the bakery, the explosions interrupted Pinkie Pie’s contemplation of the Universe, followed by a combo. Let’s see: knee twitch, numbness in left foreleg, spasm of right hind leg, and ear flutter. “Somepony owes me fifty bits? Cool, thanks Mr. Author person! To the apple orchard!!” Pinkie Pie shouted before bouncing towards the farm. “Ooohh, fireworks!”

Inside the bush, Rarity was stunned into silence while Rainbow was gushing over how awesome that was; though she stopped when she saw that Scootaloo had landed.

“That was amazing!!” Sweetie Belle squeaked, nearly giving all witnessing ponies a heart attack, “You’re amazing! What was that called?”

Scootaloo waited a moment to catch her breath before answering. “The first trick I did is called the Super Nova; it was what I did that got us our cutie marks. The second…” She paused, not having a name for the second trick. She was going to call it the Double Nova, but the second explosion was very different from the first. She thought back to the book she read at the library, Astronomical Phenomena; she had a name. “It’s called the Big Bang. Can only be done shortly after a Super Nova, and if I do that when I’m tired it would probably kill me.” Scootaloo looked down at notebook on the ground, noticing it had writing in it. “Did you finish your song?” She asked, her heart rate rising; Sweetie Belle merely nodded in the affirmative before she began to sing.

        “I used to think it easy
        And my dreams quick to reach
        But soon I found myself queasy
        Learning something only time can teach
        Will this love stay?”

Sweetie Belle began to walk closer to the entranced pegasus with her eyes half-lidded as she continued her song.

        “Explosion of sound
        High above the ground
        My heart won’t be denied
        A flash of light
        Burning love so bright
        These feelings never died.”

Rainbow Dash looked to the necklace around her neck, a silver chain with Twilight’s starburst for a charm, with a warm feeling. The gift her fiance gave her before Dash’s first tour with the Wonderbolts always made her think that no matter the distance, Twilight was by her side; much like how she felt now.

        “I let you go without a fight
        Hidden love out of sight
        There’s no turning back
        So I’ll try and pick up the slack
        Can love find a way?

Scootaloo’s heart rate was increasing with Sweetie’s every step; and couldn’t remember when she sat on her haunches.

        “There’s an explosion of sound
        So very high above the ground
        My heart won’t be denied
        Sudden flash of light
        A burning love so bright
        These feelings never died.”

Rarity had taken off the hat in order wipe her teary eyes, feeling joy for her sister and love for her wife. Before she put the hat back on, she noticed a picture sitting within the hat. The picture was from a photo booth they had went to on their first date; she noticed that her side of the picture had been kissed often. She put back on the hat as her tears and the love for her wife increased tenfold.

        “I see you there
        Flying high up in the air
        I heard your shout
        I never should have doubt
        That Love will find a way.”

Sweetie was so close to her now; she could feel the heat radiating off of her cheeks, but she didn’t care. She closed her eyes as she sat down in front of Scootaloo.

        “I hear the explosion of sound
        Taking place so high above the ground
        My heart won’t be denied
        Watching the flash of light
        Feeling a burning love so bright
        These feelings have never died.”

In Canterlot, Luna was sitting on the edge of the couch, waiting for the moment. Discord and Celestia were sitting back, enjoying the song. Celestia didn’t understand but she felt the urge to rest her head on his shoulder; and when she did it felt...Right.

        “Can you see me here
        Eyes wide without fear
        Our love can find a way
        Now I must do my part
        You’ve laid bare your heart
        And all I have to say…”

Sweetie brought her face closer, till their noses were mere inches apart.

        “is…”

She opened her eyes to stare into the violet pools, as she whispered,

        “I love you…”

They were inches away from each other, looking deeply into the other’s eyes. They listened to the other’s breathing, noticing they were in sync with each other; they could feel the breath of the other on their muzzles, both enjoyed the sensation. Both mares felt blushes on their cheeks, but were unable to care in the slightest. It felt as though an eternity passed between them, and for the two annoyed mares in the bushes it was an eternity.

“JUST KISS HER ALREADY!!” Shouted a raspy voice and a flustered Canterlot accent from the shrubbery.

The stuntmare was frozen in place, too stunned to move; so, finally, the singer released her pent up desire and kissed her Scootaloo. It didn’t take very long for the pegasus to reciprocate. This wasn’t a dream come true. Oh no. No illusion of the mind could ever recreate the sensation they felt. They lacked experience, but both knew that they would have plenty of time for practice. The aurora faded away as they broke the kiss.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that.” Sweetie claimed still out of breath, happy tears trailing down her cheeks.

Scootaloo kissed the tears away and finished with another peck on the lips before responding, “I would have to guess about five years since you got your cutie mark and made a stupid vow to hold off until you made a new song. Am I close?” She asked with a smirk.

“How did you know?” The singer asked, stunned with the idea that Scootaloo knew all along.

“Because I did the same thing.” Scoots chuckled bitterly before continuing in all seriousness, “If we’d confessed years ago, we could have avoided all that pain and ache. I spent years searching for my inspiration, when she’s been with me the entire time.”

This brought on two waves of tears; one wave was full of emotion and sincerity, the other was overly dramatic.

“That was so roman-an-an-tic!” Rarity sobbed, clutching her hat to her chest.

“That was so sappy!” Rainbow spat in mock disgust. Then she became incredulous, “Why is it always the unicorns that kiss first? What, do you guys have us other ponies under some sort of spell or somethin’?” Rarity chose to ignore her questions. The spying pair decided to give the new couple some space and return to their respective other halves.

“I thought they would never leave!” Sweetie exclaimed once she knew their audience was gone. “So now what are we gonna do?”

“Well I was going to ask if you wanted to come back here tomorrow for a picnic lunch.”

“That sounds like a good idea, but...Umm...Can we go back to your place for the night? I don’t want to wake up alone tomorrow and think this was all a dream.” Sweetie asked crestfallen, depressed at the idea of such a thing occurring.

Scootaloo lifted her new marefriend’s chin so that they were looking into each other’s eyes. She kissed Sweetie tenderly before giving her answer. “I wanted to ask the same thing, but I was afraid that you would think I was just trying to get you to sleep with me.”

“That isn’t necessarily a bad thing…” Sweetie hinted before heading towards town, swishing her hips more than usual; Scootaloo smirked before running to catch up.

-GWG-

The picnic had to be rescheduled due to a freak chocolate milk rain storm the next day.