//------------------------------// // The Party: Part II // Story: Sapphire // by Duke of Canterlot //------------------------------// Sapphire groaned. He couldn't believe that these two followed him into Ponyville. "Friends of Sapphire are friends of ours", bellowed Rocky Boulder. "So, Sapphire. What brings you to Ponyville", asked Meteor Maverick. Sapphire had a feeling that Maverick already knew the answer to that question but he had to give the same spiel he gave everypony. "I am here on a business trip." "Oh, the Wonderbolts are still treating you well?" "Not that it matters to you anyway." Meteor Maverick may have been a pegasus but he couldn't fly for shit. "C'mon, old pal. We are here to partay", said Meteor Maverick. "That's what I like to hear", cheered Pinkie Pie. "I am most interested in trying this cider", said Meteor Maverick. "Oh yes, this is the super duper best cider ever", added Pinkie Pie. "Does it got alcohol in it?" "We have alcoholic and nonalcoholic." "Watch out for my friend Sapphire though, he's a total lightweight." "I think you're talking about yourself, buddy." "Heh heh, tonight is going to be fun." "I hope you have lots of fun", said Pinkie. Why did Big Boss send them in? All these douchebag friends of his were going to do was cause trouble. Poor Pinkie Pie. Sapphire could already see trouble. From a distance, Sapphire could see Rocky Boulder talking up a storm with Lyra and Bon-Bon, however, the two mares looked like they wanted to get away. Sapphire wanted to help them. Rocky was the kind of pony who thought every mare was in love with him. "Hey Rocky Boulder, there's something I want to show you", shouted Sapphire. "What is it?" Rocky turned around. "There's some really sweet cider which we're gonna have at the party!" Sapphire saw Lyra give him a smile as she and Bon Bon left Rocky Boulder. Rocky turned back and saw that Lyra and Bon Bon escaped. "Hey, Sapphire. These chicks play hard to get!!" This was going to be a long night. "Maverick and Rocky, why don't we chat for a bit? It's been a long time since I've seen either of you." Maverick and Rocky went over to Sapphire. "Wow, who would have thought Ponyville had some babes", cheered Rocky. "I must agree", added Maverick. "Look guys. This is my first day in Ponyville and I don't want either of you to fuck things up for me. Understood? Please try to restrain yourselves. These ponies are not bimbos", said Sapphire. "Ugh, fine", moaned Rocky. Somepony from behind said, "Yea, if I were you, I would listen to Sapphire." Rainbow Dash. "If you punks lay a hoof on any mare in this party, I will personally beat the living shit out of you", said Rainbow Dash. Maverick quietly nodded. "Oh no. I am so scared", said Rocky mockingly. "Big shot, there is something I want to show you. Let's go outside." Rocky snickered and followed Dash outside. "Oh shit", said Maverick, "my bet is on the mare with the rainbow-colored mane." "Yea, me too", added Sapphire. Whatever, Rocky was a big boy and he could use some sense knocked into him. "So Maverick, how did you and Rocky know I was here?" "Dude. When the Great and Powerful Sapphire is gone, everypony starts asking questions and the answers to those questions lead us to Ponyville." "Okay but it isn't like I have heard from you or Rocky in at least a year, why now?" "Your disappearance from Canterlot had me and Rocky thinking - hey, we want to see our good friend, Sapphire. Let's make it happen!" Damn it. Sapphire should have asked a tougher question - one that would have left Maverick tongue-tied. Could that have been the only reason why Maverick and Rocky were here? To visit him? Perhaps, they weren't spies after all. Sapphire heard a whoosh outside and a loud "CELESTIA DAMN IT"! This caused all the ponies to turn their heads. "Does that lunk ever shut up", asked Rarity. "I hope Rocky Boulder is okay", said Pinkie. "Whoooeeee. I saw Rocky Boulder go outside with Rainbow. Even though he's a big strong stallion, Rainbow could put up a good fight against him. Right, brother?", said Applejack. "Eeyup." Rainbow and Rocky went back inside. "Damn, you sure could fly. I don't think you could beat me in a fight or anything but you could cause me some unwanted discomfort." "If I were you, I wouldn't take the chance, big guy." Rocky wouldn't admit it but he wasn't such a tough guy next to Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, that's now how you treat a super awesome guest", scolded Pinkie playfully. "C'mon, Pinks. I was just showing him what I can do." There was another knock on the door. "Hey, Pinkie. Sorry for being late, got caught up in my studies." Sounded like Twilight Sparkle, Sapphire hadn't seen her in years. He could only hope that Twilight didn't hate his guts. Having Rocky and Maverick at the party certainly wouldn't help, those two would tease her endlessly - mostly because they both had crushes on her, however, that didn't stop their teasing from being cruel and mean-spirited. Pinkie rushed to the door and there was Twilight Sparkle, except she looked different. Twilight now had wings. She did become an alicorn alright. Next to Twilight was a small purple-colored dragon, this must have been Spike. Sapphire had to silently remind himself of what he needed to do. Rocky and Maverick, despite being themselves, were likely going to give a full report to Big Boss or some minion of his tonight regarding Sapphire's progress. At least, Sapphire had to make it seem like he was putting in some effort. Sapphire's eyes met Twilight's. Twilight winked at him. "Twily, long time, no see." "Sapphire, I missed you so much", Twilight ran over to Sapphire and gave him a big hug. "I missed you too. How are the wings treating you?" "Just great. I have a fantastic teacher." "Who? Meteor Maverick, over here", joked Sapphire. "He would have been my second choice, but I had my friend, Rainbow Dash, teach me ", responded Twilight with a hearty laugh. "I have met Rainbow Dash already, cool pony." "So, do you think she has a shot at the Wonderbolts? I know you've done a lot of great things for them already but - " "Perhaps. First, I need to see if our budget will even let us introduce a new member anytime soon and then Rainbow Dash needs to take a bunch of standardized flying exams and then... well.. Rainbow Dash did beat me in arm wrestling, so I had to deduct points for that." "I did see on my way here that Dash had scared poor Rocky Boulder. A really sweet guy once you get to know him though." "I thought Rainbow Dash was a gal." "You've always been a riot, Sapphire." "Oh wow, so you two know each other? That's super awesome", said Pinkie Pie. "Yea, we do. Back in Canterlot, we were next-door neighbors actually", said Twilight. "That is adorable. I guess it makes sense two super-smart ponies live in the same neighborhood!" "We had some good times. Right, Sapphire?" "Yea we did. Remember our magic duels?" "You mean the ones I would always win." "Not always. I won like maybe 5% of the time." "You were the best math and science student in elementary school though, even better than me." "Oh, I was too. All through school, I would always be super good at everything with numbers, but I never understood why other ponies couldn't be as good - math's easy", chimed Pinkie Pie. "I wasn't bad of course. It was just that Sapphire has a real talent for it. Look at his cutie mark. He got his cutie mark ridiculously young too." "I was nine, not too young", said Sapphire. "I was a lot older than you, little guy, when I got my cutie mark." "Little guy? Haven't you seen how tall I got? Remember how the other ponies used to make fun of my cutie mark. Most of them didn't even know what it meant but they would pick on me nevertheless." "I do remember. I used to hate seeing that." "Speaking of cutie marks, I am staying over with a business colleague of mine. He has a daughter who is apparently going through the same situation I went through. Ponies pick on her without mercy because she has a cutie mark. It seems so silly but I guess other ponies get jealous." "Oh, who is this business colleague of yours?" "Filthy Rich." "Oh, I see. I have heard of him. Very powerful pony around Ponyville." "Since you left Canterlot, Filthy Rich has been making strides in Canterlot too and actually generates more revenue from Manehattan than Ponyville. His daughter, Diamond Tiara, is a sweetheart. He has brought her up well even though he has the financial resources to provide her with anything she wants. I would be glad to have a child as poised, polite, and professional as Diamond Tiara is at such a young age." Twilight laughed out loud. "I would also wish for the same thing in a child of mine", Twilight then batted an eyelash and giggled. Was she flirting with him? "Some ponies are better at it than others, but something tells me you would be good at it." "You would be the best. I just know it. I am definitely glad that we got to see each other again. You have gotten really handsome." "And you look like a princess." Twilight giggled again and blushed. Sapphire was amazed that Twilight didn't bring up any instance of that day - he brought Twilight to the stage so the other ponies would laugh. It seemed she had either forgotten about it or forgiven him. Sapphire felt that forgiving the past was more likely in Twilight's case. Sapphire could also see the look of determination in Twilight's eyes. She was up to something. Twilight seemed to be interested in him. This would be a dream come true for any of the young guys who fawned over the princesses - however, Sapphire wasn't that kind of pony. He would become so wealthy someday that he could probably buy Canterlot Castle - if Celestia or Luna were ever interested in selling it. There was only one pony which came to Sapphire's mind - Pinkie Pie. Additionally, at this point of time, Pinkie was the pony he needed to be grateful for regarding anything in Ponyville - not Princess Twilight Sparkle. However, given the circumstances, pursuing a more intimate relationship with Twilight would be the perfect way to obtain more knowledge about alicorn magic. Sapphire just couldn't do anything to reveal that all the knowledge would be going to Big Boss. Twilight seemed to like him, so maybe the pony he should ask on a date is Twilight instead of Pinkie. Sapphire felt sad at the thought. No time for that though. The party was just getting started. "I think it's about time we drink some cider, yeehaw", said Applejack.