//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Twilight (Fixed) // Story: Returning Home // by Ventan //------------------------------// Well, that was an interesting plot twist. Who knew that Daring-do was in love with Sugar-su? Well played, well played. I applaud to you. Wait…Oh no! It's 11:29! The library will be open in less then a minute! Got to hurry, got to hurry! There's the sign! Quick! Magic, turn the sign! an~d there we go. Made it before the clock. Now then- The door opened behind Twilight. She could hear two voices, one being Rainbow Dash and the other soundded like a new pony in town. They seemed to have had a conversation before coming here. Not wanting to be rude, she turned to greet them, but then froze at the sight of the new… dragon. Sp-spike!? No… It can't be… But… the new guy… he's a dragon. Just like Spike... I'm not sure yet. I'll wait 'til I know for sure he's the one… Just please, Celestia. Let him be the one... "Um… Hello?" the stranger waved in front of Twilight. He seemed concerned. "Oh, uh, yes. Sorry. It's just that you seem so familiar somehow." Twilight examined. "Wait. So I'm not the only one who thought that?" Rainbow Dash asked. "What do you mean, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight questioned. "Well, when I first saw him, I thought to myself that he looked so familiar somehow. Like someone from a long time ago." The stranger cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the two puzzled mares. "If you don't mind, was it, Twilight?" the dragon asked, "I'd like to use your kitchen to make lunch. Would that be alright with you?" Twilight blinked a few times before replying, "Sure. Just don't burn anything. Last thing I need is all the books smelling like burnt carrot stew." The dragon notched an eyebrow followed by a smirk. He turned to the kitchen and proceeded to make lunch for what was two, now three beings. Twilight just stood there with even more questions. Now, who is this dragon? Why or how does he know where the kitchen is? And most importantly: How is it that he knows my name? As far as I know, I've never even introduced myself. What in Equestria is this dragon? "Um, Rainbow Da-" Twilight asked before looking at Rainbow Dash to see her reading the newest Daring-do book: Daring-do and the Cavern of Lust. Twilight knew that once that pegasus started reading, there was no stopping her. Instead, she decided to go check up on her cooking guest. She walked towards the kitchen and already she could see flashes of green light. Concerned, she dashed to the kitchen to find the dragon flipping steam-fried vegetables into the air, breathing fire at the food, letting them fall gracefully on the pan, and repeated the process. She only stared in amazement, as if she was watching a show of dancing acrobatics of food. The stranger quickly reached for something with his free claw and grabbed what seemed like a pinch of something. Twilight looked at where he reached and saw that there were multiple sets of small bowls, each containing a series of spices and herbs. He sprinkled the seasoning across the frying vegetables and what occurred at that moment made her jaw drop. The vegetables looked old and wrinkled before he spread the seasonings. Now, they were full of life, shining, and the smell made her stomach growl rather loudly. The stranger was humming… a… song… No. That can't be right. That's the song I sung when I messed up our cutie marks before I became princess… And only Spike was with me at that time… How does he- A sharp "ding" sound stopped Twilight's train of thought. She looked at where the source came from, and fortunately the stranger's tail led her attention to the oven. He wrapped the tip of his tail around the handle bar and drew down the oven door. A sudden wave of the fresh, familiar aroma of peach and apples filled the kitchen and wafted into the library. She simply stood there, letting in the memories of how Spike use to make his famous "Peach Cob-ple Pie". "Man," Rainbow Dash came behind Twilight, giving her a small scare, "What smells go good?! I'm starving!" The stranger turned to see the two mares and grinned. He turned back to his cooking and talked with his back toward them, "Grab some plates and silver ware, will ya? I'm almost done." Rainbow Dash wasted no time getting the plates and wares. She set up the table, which… actually shocked Twilight. She just stood there watching Rainbow Dash act like a child, waiting for her food. Now, who is this guy!? Am I missing something!? She's sitting and waiting for!… well, I would be to. It's just that I have some self- Interrupted again, but with a thump from the back of her head, she quickly turned around to see… no one there. "Over here, Twilight," The stranger called behind her. She turned again and her portion of the food was already set along with Rainbow's and the dragon's. Rainbow Dash, wasting no time, chowed down on her food while the stranger was eating at a steady pace. She was somewhat reluctant, but hunger slowly drew her to her seat. She lifted up a fork with her magic and stabbed a small tomato. The tomato was fresh, plump, and shining with a whole new glimmer to it that made her cautious, but tempted. She took a small, little nibble, and, before she knew it, all of the food was gone. Her mouth was in ecstasy. She looked at the pie tin and saw three slices were missing. She looked at Rainbow Dash to see what she could make of this, but it seems like she was in a food… coma... How is she-I can't even… what? Did I eat? I know I only took a small bite from the baby tomato, but this is outrageous! I've never eaten something I don't remember… well, last I checked at least- The stranger stood up and collected the dishes, which surprised her and stopped her train of thought again. "No, no," Twilight insisted, "Let me do them." She placed her magic on the plates and wares and slowly lifted them up. Before she turned towards the sink, she heard a snap. Suddenly, she wasn't levitating plates and wares, but she was lifting something else. She quickly brought the item in front of her. It was a napkin. "There's a spot on your cheek," he said as he walked past Twilight with the plates and wares, "Clean yourself up, why don't you? It's a pretty silly mess." Twilight blushed and quickly wiped the mess. Ok, now this is getting obscure. How is it that he is able to do that? I've never heard of this. Rainbow Dash in a coma (for whatever kind of reason), him being almost like Spike (if not, too similar), and swapping items in my magic. I need to talk with- Suddenly, there was a loud bang followed by Rarity screamed, "Twilight!" Can't there be a time when I'm not interrupted!? The bang seemed to have woke Rainbow Dash from her coma. "In here, Rarity," she called from the kitchen, while looking at Rainbow's confusion. Trotting could be heard and soon Rarity ran into the kitchen, almost knocking down the stranger. Luckily he took a side-step, dodging her potential tackle. Still not noticing the stranger, she turned to Twilight, panting. "Fluttershy *pant, pant, pant* trouble *pant, pant* Applejack *pant, pant, pant* Pinkie Pie *pant, pant*come help please!" "What's going on?" Rainbow Dash asked, still half-asleep from her previous coma. "I'm guessing that this 'Fluttershy' is in trouble, this 'Applejack' and 'Pinkie Pie' are trying to help her, but they can't do it alone, and you rushed here to get Twilight in hopes that she can do something." the stranger said as he puts up the cleaned dishes. Rarity only looked in his direction and nodded, not looking at the dragon himself. She turned back to Twilight and asked, "Can you help, please?" "Twilight," he said as he shifted his sword on his back, "Stay here and clean up this library, will you? It's dusty out there and we wouldn't want the books to be in bad condition. I'll go, and you should get Rainbow Dash a blanket. She's out again. Madam," he gestured toward the door, "Lead the way."