//------------------------------// // A Hidden Secret Known - The First Date // Story: Morsidus Grim-Record: The Last Element // by Asdera3485 //------------------------------// Morsidus glanced around the dark barn in an attempt to find where he was. He continuously bumped into many things, some were soft- hay maybe? -others, not so soft. Finally, his eyes adjusted and he managed to find... Barrels? Barrels filled with apples. 'Who'd put that in their barn?' He thought. It took a second, but he soon realized that only one pony he knew owned an apple farm, and that was Applejack. Logically, he must be at Sweet Apple Acres. 'Crap. I'm not sure that Applejack and I started off on the right foot- err... Hoof. I just hope she doesn't get too angry. I'm not sure I want to be on that mare's badside.' Morsidus stumbled towards the huge barn doors, but they were locked from the outside. "What! No!" He ran at the door, headbutting it a few times, then sitting down when he got dizzy. "Ok... Maybe not my brightest plan..." He slurred, rubbing his sore head. He looked around the barn for something he could use to escape, but instead saw a large pile of very soft-looking hay. 'How tempting... Maybe just a short nap. I did have a long, embarrassing day.' Morsidus planned on taking a short nap to contemplate what he'd admitted to Zecora. He wondered whether or not he'd ever be able to look at, or even talk to Zecora again. She was the love of his life, and he blew it. He was afraid that now that she knew his biggest secret, that she'd reject him. Then, the awkwardness between them would fester and he'd never be able to see her again. She'd never shown any sign of returning his feelings, or even flirting with him over the past two years since they met. Morsidus was so worn out from earlier, that he didn't even have time to think about the how to escape from the barn before he'd fallen under sleep's spell. Hours later, Morsidus was rudely awoken. "GAAAH!!!" He screamed and jumped up, soaked in freezing water. "What?!" Three fillies stood in front of him, an earth pony, a pegasus, and a unicorn. "Ha, ha! You snore!" The pegausus filly laughed and poked him. Morsidus shook the water off. "What? No, I don't!" "Yes, you do!" the pegasus shouted. Morsidus grumbled, "No, I don't..." "Scootaloo! Don't argue with strangers!" The white unicorn said. She was holding a mostly-empty bucket of water dangerously close to Morsidus' head. He noticed how she was struggling to keep it in the air, concentrating a little too hard, so he knocked it down with his hoof. The three fillies argued amongst each other for a minute, until the yellow earth filly with a huge pink bow in her mane seemed to remember what she came here for. "Hey! Gals! C'mon, quit arguin'!" She grabbed the capes the other two wore, in fact she adorned a matching one, and pulled them apart. "Gals!" They calmed down. "Now... Who are ya, an' what are ya doin' in tha Apple's barn?" The earth filly asked. Morsidus replied quickly, "I'm Morsidus Grim-Record! I-I know Applejack! Last night I accidentally teleported here and couldn't get out." "Ha! I TOLD you, guys! He slept here because the door was locked!" the orange filly shouted. "Well, duh!" the yellow one argued. The two bickered as the white unicorn came over and sat beside him. "Don't mind them, Mr. Record," she chirped. "They're always arguing over something! By the way, my name's Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo is the pegasus, and the other pony is Applebloom. I think I've heard my big sister talk about you, do you know her?" "Well, for one thing, you don't have to call me, 'Mr. Record', Morsidus is fine," He laughed. "And I might have met your sister, is her name Rarity, or possibly Twilight?" The filly nodded. "Mmhmm! Rarity! Isn't she just fabulous!" She smiled at me. Morsidus laughed. "Yes, she is very fabulous!" Just then, Applejack walked in looking very groggy, a lot like Morsidus. "Ah was wonderin' what all that noise was. Girls, Ah thank it's best for y'all to skidaddle on inside fer breakfast," she pointed to the fillies and motioned for them to leave. They groaned, but ran off anyway. "Sorry for waking you up so rudely!" Sweetie Belle yelled as the fillies ran out of the barn screaming, "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, AWAY!" "Goodness! Never again am Ah gonna host another CMC sleepover," Applejack mumbled and walked up to Morsidus, having a seat beside him. "Ah heard what happened at Fluttershy's," she began. Morsidus blushed. "Zecora an' Twilight came runnin' over here earlier lookin' fer ya." She stood up, motioning for Morsidus to follow. "C'mon, we can have some breakfast real quick, then Ah'll call 'em." Morsidus glanced over at the sun, which seemed dangerously close to the west horizon. "Um... what time is it?" "Ah lil' past seven, why?" Applejack replied. "Well, when did Twilight and Zecora come looking for me?" He asked, curiously. She stopped to fix her hat which had fallen over her eyes. "Ah thank about 3:30, maybe four." "In the morning?!" He shouted, incredulous. She nodded, "Eeyup. They were a might worried fer ya." They walked to the farmhouse, and inside Big Mac was making breakfast for the three fillies, resisting their pleading that they should do it themselves. Granny Smith had apparently fallen asleep in her bowl of oatmeal, waking up and complaining about how it was too cold. Big Mac would just laugh and reheat it. Despite Big Mac's insisting, Morsidus didn't eat anything, which couldn't have been wise because he'd missed breakfast and dinner the day before. He was just too nervous to eat, as he was busy wondering how Zecora was going to act around him now that she knew the truth. Applejack walked to the phone on the wall and called Twilight. Spike answered. "Heya, Spike! Do ya know where Twilight is?" She asked. Spike replied tiredly, "She's at Sugercube Corner looking for Morsidus. Why? Have you seen him?" "Eeyup. He's over here. Ah'll call Sugarcube Corner an' tell her. Thank ya kindly, Spike." She hung the phone up before calling Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner. "Hello, whoever this is on the otherside! I'm Pinkie Pie! Do ya want some cake, cookies, pies, cupcakes, candy, or just overall treats?!?! HUh, huh, huh?!?! Well, do ya, do ya, do ya?!?!" "Umm... Pinkie?" Applejack asked. Pinkie Pie jumped in excitement on the other side, "Oh, hey, Applejack! Oh wow this is so cool! I'm talking to Twilight who was just talking about coming from your house! Oh, wow, oh, wow, oh, wow! Ya know what else is super duper absolutively cool? I just-" "Pinkie! Can Ah just talk ta Twilight?" Applejack facehooved. That mare had the ability to ramble on and on for hours. "Oh, yea! Sure, silly! All ya had to do was ask!" Pinkie giggled and handed the phone to Twilight. "Hello? Applejack?" Twilight asked. "Heya, Twilight! Ah found Morsidus, he's here at mah house if ya wanna come by and get him." Applejack told her, and heard a loud pop on the other side of the phone. "Uh, Twi?" A bright flash of purple appeared in Applejack's living room, and out of it walked Twilight with Zecora stumbling behind her. "Please warn me beforehand, so that on my face I do not land." Zecora groaned, sitting down. Twilight gasped, "Morsidus!" She ran towards him, capturing him in a hug. "Oh my gosh! We were all so worried!" "Nice to see you to, Twilight," Morsidus said and returned the hug. He looked over at Zecora, who would only stare at the ground. Twilight walked over to talk to Applejack, who was still holding the phone and listening to Pinkie Pie ramble on and on about how Twilight had just disappeared. "Umm... Pinkie? Yea, Ah found Twilight," Applejack said. Seconds later, Pinkie had pulled herself through the phone and was lying on Applejack's kitchen floor. "I WANT IN ON THE FUN, FUN, FUN!" Pinkie shouted and jumped up, bouncing around AJ's kitchen. "That's impossible!" Morsidus gasped, but luckily not loud enough to get the partier's attention. Shaking his head, he slipped out the front door during the commotion and sat on the porch. Unbeknownst to him, Zecora had followed him out and sat beside him. He looked over at her. "I-I'm sorry you had to find out like that, Zecora. I was scared that if you knew how I felt-" Morsidus stopped short when Zecora gave him a hug. She looked him right in the eyes, "It has been forgiven, but it has not been forgotten," she smiled. Morsidus gasped and stared back into her blue eyes, noticing that they were the most brilliant shade of sapphire he'd ever seen. She eased the hug, "So, where shall we dine on this night, so fine?" she asked. "Huh?" Morsidus asked, his mouth falling open. Zecora giggled, closing his mouth. "When you confessed true love, mine was then shown. So where, I ask, will our first date be known?" Morsidus was wide-eyed and had no idea how to respond. It took him a few seconds before he regained his ability to think. He stood up, smiling proudly. "I noticed a small restuarant yesterday. We can go there. You should go to Rarity's boutique and buy yourself a nice dress, and tell her that I'll pay her tomorrow. How about I pick you up from there at around five?" Zecora couldn't help but be slightly surprised at how nonchalant he was able to act, despite the overwhelming amount of fear she could see on his face. She just nodded and left down the road toward Ponyville. Watching her leave, Morsidus couldn't help but notice the slight bit of spring added to her step. After a few minutes of blissful Ignorance, Morsidus finally understood what he'd just done. He collapsed back onto the porch. Big Mac walked out onto the porch and dragged him off to the side. "Ah saw whatcha did there, and Ah'm proud of ya. She seemed so lonely, what with her livin' in tha Everfree by herself," Morsidus looked at the ground , and then looked at the red stallion next to him. "I don't know what I'm going to do, my brain kinda just went on autopilot! I don't even have enough bits for a suit or even the restaurant." Big Mac grabbed Morsidus by the tail and dragged him into the house past the others. "Hey, Twilight!" Morsidus called out as Big Mac pulled him up the stairs. Twilight didn't reply, just stared at him curiously. Big Mac pulled him into a room. "Here, try this," Big Mac said as he handed Morsidus a dress shirt and tie. "Ah got it when Ah thought Ah was gonna marry Miss Cheerilee," He laughed at the memory. Surprisingly, it fit perfectly. Big Mac handed him the coat for it. "There. Now ya just gotta get some groomin' an' yer all set," he smiled. Morsidus smiled for all of five seconds before realization hit him. "Oh, but I still can't pay for the restaurant, though." Big Mac put his hoof up to silence him, then he handed Morsidus a small bag of bits. "There ought ta be more than enough ta get through dinner, as well as any other lil' treats an' gifts." Morsidus had a wide grin on his face again. "I swear I'll pay you back!" He thanked Big Mac for the outfit and left wih it in a bag with the bits. He ran out the door towards the library. "Hey, Spike!" he yelled as he entered. "Where are ya, little buddy?" the small drake ran out of the kitchen. "I told you that I don't like being called that!" He stood in front of Morsidus, slightly tired. He must've just woken up. "What's up?" "Can you take a letter to Princess Luna?" Morsidus asked. "Sure," Spike ran over to the table and grabbed a sheet of parchment and a quill. "Ready!" "Dear Princess Luna," Morsidus began. "I have a favor I need to ask you, but I'm not sure I can express it well enough in dream." Morsidus continued on and used the quill to draw a picture. Spike sent the letter up in a bit of flames. He belched up a reply about a minute later. Dear Morsidus Grim-Record, We have thoroughly read your letter and looked at the drawing you provided us. We have sent the information to our friend and her gift will be waiting at Twilight's house upon your return. We hope you and Zecora have a most pleasant time tonight. Sincerely, The Princesses After reading the note, he ran upstairs to the master bathroom. 'I hope that Twilight won't mind, since it is a special occasion.' He thought. Grabbing two towels from the cabinet, he laid one on the ground outside of the shower and the other one on the sink. He turned on the water and hopped in. After he was done with his shower he heard a knock on the door. "You need anything, Morsidus?" Spike shouted. Thinking for a second. "Actually, yes. Would you grab a few bits from my bag and run down to the watch shop? Tell him that Grim sent ya!" "Sure, thing!" Spike shouted and ran out. Morsidus was shaving the bit of stubble he had when he heard another knock. "Are you alright in there, Morsidus? Spike said you ran up here after sending a letter to Luna," Twilight said. Morsidus walked to the door and responded, "I'm fine, Twilight! I don't know if Big Mac told you or not, but I have a date with Zecora tonight. I hope you don't mind me using your grooming stuff. I'll happily replace anything if you want me to." Morsidus waited a few seconds, hoping that Twilight wouldn't slam the door open in his face. What she said surprised him, "Don't worry! A lot of the stuff in there is actually for guests. I keep my stuff locked in the yellow cabinet. Take all the time you need!" He heard the door open downstairs, but brushed it off figuring that Spike had gotten home. Twilight ran down to see whoever it was. Morsidus slipped Big Mac's suit on and walked downstairs. Spike ran over to him and handed him the watch Morsidus asked him to retrieve. It was a sleek black watch with his cutie mark emblazoned on the face. Thanking Spike, Morsidus walked into the kitchen, surprised to see Twilight chatting with Discord and the bouncing, pink, earth pony he saw earlier, but had not met personally. The pink pony tackled him, "OH! OH! OH! Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! You must be Grimmy! HA! That's so funny! Grimmy rhymes with Gummy! Grimmy, Gummy, Grimmy, Gummy, Grimmy, Gum-" Morsidus put a hoof on her mouth. "I get it, um, Pinkie." She jumped up, helping Morsidus up as well. "Twilight, I'm heading out," He said, smiling shyly. Twilight yanked his tail, "Don't forget your sunglasses!" He accepted them. Thanking Twilight, Morsidus walked out of the door with the bag of bits on a rope around his neck. He checked his watch, and decided to teleport to the boutique so he wouldn't be late. He'd seen pictures and had been practicing fairly often. Luckily, it worked. Smiling, Morsidus knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique, hearing Sweetie Belle shouting from inside. "Ok, ok, ok! Just wait a second!" She opened the door. "Oh, hello again!" She let Morsidus in. "Sis! Morsidus is here!" she shouted. Rarity ran down the stairs. "Oh, my! I do hope it doesn't bother you, but we might need just a teensie weensie bit longer to get Zecora ready, ok?" She bit her lip. Morsidus nodded, and she rushed back upstairs. Minutes later, Rarity bounced down the stairs, smiling happily. "Prepare to be amazed!" She squeed as Zecora gracefully stepped down the stairs. She adorned a beautiful, shimmering blue gown that seemed to sway like the ocean's waves as she moved. She had her hair down and braided with several colorful flowers intwined in within it. Morsidus couldn't help but be enthralled by her beauty. Zecora giggled, "Shall we get going, my love? To the restaurant you have spoken of." Morsidus nodded, and opened the door for her, gesturing for her to exit. They talked during their short walk to the restaurant, and Zecora finally realized why he'd wanted her dressed so nicely. The restaurant Morsidus had taken her to was the most fancy and high-strung restaurant in all of Ponyville. The waiter seated them at a table with a window view and took their order. They chatted about how Equestria and how things worked. She was basically giving him a complete list of do's and don't's. They talked about his visit with Vinyl and Octavia. He even told her how he thought that Octavia was beginning to turn into Vinyl. They laughed at the thought. Morsidus paid for dinner and brought Zecora back to Twilight's house where she saw another guitar case on the table. "What's this? A second case? Was there a problem? Would you have possibly preferred a bass?" she asked. Morsidus smiled at her. "Open it," he said and walked to the table. She opened it and tears came to her eyes. It was a bass guitar that matched her coat and had her cutie mark painted on it. "Oh, Morsidus!" she tackled him to the ground in a love-lock. "I love it!" She looked him in the eyes. "I love you." she gave him a small kiss on the lips. The next morning was filled with planning, and lots of it. Morsidus awoke to the sight of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie putting up streamers throughout the library. He watched as they zipped this way and that, practically asking to crash into something. He heard somepony running down the stairs. "What's going on down here?" Twilight asked Morsidus. He just shrugged and walked to the guest bathroom. Pinkie was the first to respond. Pinkie Pie appeared in front Twilight, nose to nose. "Weeeeeell, Rarity told me about Grimmy and Zecora's date last night, so I decided to throw them a 'REALIZING TRUE LOVE PARTY!'!" She yelled then bounced back to her decorating. Morsidus walked out of the bathrom and grabbed his cigarettes and lighter from his saddlebag before walking out onto the balcony. Fluttershy had returned it earlier since he'd left it at her house when he 'zapped out'. 'I should really apologize to Fluttershy for scaring her so badly.' he thought as he took a few drags. Upon walking back inside he noticed that the rest of Twlight's friends had shown up and were helping. Happily, he strolled into the kitchen and Spike gave him a cup of coffee. Thanking him, Morsidus walked into the back yard and watched Zecora do her morning meditations. Throughout most of the day, he practiced his levitation and teleporting spells, along with a few new ones Twilight had given him. He'd finally gotten into the rhythm of quickly doing the calculations. Zecora sat at the back table, playing her new bass. Her guitar had a similar spell cast on it like his did, except hers relied entirely on thought. His still needed some magic. They practiced for a little over an hour, giggling when they misplayed a note. When they figured they were finished, they went inside to help the others decorate. The library looked amazing. The six mares had braided several colors of streamers together and laced them around the room. The ceiling was covered completely with colorful balloons of many different shapes and sizes. Tables had been placed around and elaborately decorated with flowers that had been carefully woven together. Rainbows of gems had been glued together into hearts and placed over the windows so the sun would shine through them and light the room with a colorful assortment of prisms. On the middle table, a huge heart-shaped cake had been made and decorated with zebra stripes intermingling with red bands of color. In the center of the cake somepony had affixed Morsidus' and Zecora's cutie marks together and placed them within a blue heart with the words, "True love," tracing around it several times. Just as Zecora and Morsidus walked in, the guests had begun to arrive. Twilight had left the back door open in case anypony needed to rush out into the yard for any "Emergency Evacuations". She'd assumed that it would happen because Applejack had brought her family's hard cider with her, and Rainbow Dash had gotten some beers from the corner store. Pinkie Pie had even brought some wine and champagne for the more sophisticated Canterlot ponies she'd invited. After all the guests had arived, Twilight walked halfway up the stairs and tapped her glass. Once she'd gotten the attention of everypony, she began to speak. "Thank you all so much for coming tonight. We are here to welcome Morsidus Grim-Record to Ponyville and to congratulate him on winning the heart of a very special zebra." She nodded towards Zecora. Everypony clapped with much cheer and delight, not even noticing the figure that ha crept through the door, watching the whole event with much malice. Once it died down, they all heard somepony begin to speak, "Oh, yes. Congratulations, Morsidus," he spat, a malicious smile creeping up his face. Everypony turned to look at the stranger who stood in the doorway. "Congratulations! You finally got the girl you'd always wanted. Oh, yes, and I almost forgot to thank you for inadvertently bringing the end to this quaint town. I wouldn't be able to do it without you, my dear brother." he laughed, the setting sun glinting off of his nearly black eyes.