Magic of Love: A Twidance Prompt Collab

by ArguingPizza


50th Prompt Special: Anniversary

50th PROMPT SPECIAL
The Twidance Collab Presents:

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*ANNIVERSARY*

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by Fuzzyfurvert

My Little Dynamite: Book One
Part 2

~~~

Briefly, Twilight considered melting right there on the zeppelin platform. She discarded the idea because the sheer amount of heat required would actually char her to a crisp, rather than melt her body into a puddle like Cadance’s kiss made her feel. The pink alicorn continued to smile at Twilight, her muzzle only a few inches away.

Cadance’s lavender eyes sparkled as she started to giggle at her guardian’s embarrassed expense. “Heh...Twily? Equus to Twily?”

Spike snorted and lowered his head down to the level of the two mares. “Don’t worry about her, Princess, this happens every now and then. Let me load up your bag while we wait for Twilight to zone back in.”

Spike plucked Cadance’s travel case with a graceful claw and slipped it into the same bag at his side. “You didn’t pack much, Princess. I brought my big pack saddle just in case but now I hardly need it and I feel dumb.”

“Don’t feel that way, Spike,” Cadance blushed and shrugged, “I was called back suddenly, so I only brought the essentials. Maybe I’ll eventually get my things from the Minotauran Collective sent here, but I’m not going to hold my breath.”

At the mention of the Collective, Twilight snapped out of her fugue. “Minotauran? You were there? I heard they closed their borders? How did you get out?”

Cadance grinned and bounced a few steps back from Twilight. She stuck out her tongue briefly and shook her head. “I’ll tell you that one later, Twily. Right now, don’t we have other things to do? Auntie Celestia is waiting for me, remember?”

“Oh.” Twilight frowned in disappointment. “Oh! Sorry, Princess! We can take Spike back to the castle. I mean, we can use Spike. I mean, uh, we can ride Spike! He can fly! I mean!”

Cadance giggled and put a hoof on Twilight’s muzzle to silence the mage. “Still the same old, Twily, even after all these years. How did you ever make it as a battle mage?” Cadance pressed in harder when Twilight tried to open her mouth again. “Tell me later. Let’s just get moving, ok?”

Twilight nodded and Spike chuckled as he lowered himself down onto the platform, his saddle barely big enough for two. Cadance smiled and took her hoof off Twilight and into the stirrup. “I call front!”

The battle mage blinked, her own hoof came up to feel at where the Princess had touched her twice now. She nodded mutely again as Cadance mounted up and followed the pink alicorn, her body moved on auto-pilot while her mind spun in circles. Everything was moving fast and it felt like she was lost in the chaos of the outside world again. Why could nothing be simple like her time training under Princess Celestia to harness the elements?

Twilight let herself drop onto the saddle behind the Princess and nudged Spike gently with a hoof. The huge purple drake, easily twice the height of any mortal pony and several times the length, spread his wings and cast a shadow over the whole of the platform from the arches to the moored Excelsior. The few remaining stragglers and airponies called out in surprise as Spike took two quick steps and fell from the tower, hurling himself and his passengers at the ground below.

Twilight rocked with the motion and plenty of practice with Spike’s flight capabilities. His form was built for speed, not power, and he needed momentum to take flight. In Canterlot city limits there was precious little open ground enough for that, but there more than enough tall buildings and cliffs available to perform a drop from. It was so common place to her now that she didn’t even chuckle at the yelps and startled screams it caused the ponies and dogs on the street below to make.

Twilight wasn’t ready for making the drop with Cadance, however. The Princess whooped as they went over the edge, her hooves in the air and definitely not holding onto the saddle. She couldn’t lose the Princess within the first ten minutes of starting her detail, so Twilight wrapped one arm around Cadance’s waist and her other hooked under the saddle horn, holding them both tight as Spike flapped his wings once and turned the dive into a shallow climb and the street and stunned street goers shrank below them. With Cadance’s warm body pressed against her, Twilight was sure she could feel her heart in her throat.

As soon as they rose above the roofs of most of the buildings, Cadance turned back and looked at Twilight. “It’s very auspicious, isn’t it? Us, meeting again on today of all days.”

Twilight shook the strands of Cadance’s mane out of her face and leaned close so she wouldn’t have to shout over the wind. “What do you mean, Princess?”

“It’s our anniversary,” Cadance arched an eyebrow, “or did you forget? Five years ago, we made a promise to each other, Twily. We promised to take care of each other and never let the other come to harm.”

“That’s why I became a battle mage. I had to become strong and skilled.” Twilight knew she didn’t have to hold Cadance now that they were leveling off but she just couldn’t seem to get her hooves to obey her. “I remember that day like it was yesterday, but you disappeared! Princess Celestia has been gracious to keep me up to date on your situation, but even I was surprised to get this assignment.”

“Fate just seems to have a way to make things work out, doesn’t it?” Cadance made no move to get out of Twilight’s grip and leaned back into the mare. “It’s almost nostalgic, isn’t it? Though, on that day, if I recall right, it was Spike that was riding on your back, not the other way around.”

Twilight smiled and turned her head to the right slightly to see where they were going. That is put her muzzle gently into the tri-colored mane of her passenger and charge was only a small side benefit.

“A lot has changed since then, Princess.”

Cadance nodded, more to herself than anything else and let Twilight hold her as Spike banked wide around tall buildings were pegasi were flying to and from like enormous beehives and several zeppelins circled in holding formations as goods were either loaded or unloaded. Below them the Canterlot streets were just as busy, if not more so with all the vendors hawking wares to the passer bys that trotted or drove powered carriages that popped and whistled along the major thoroughfares.

The castle loomed in the distance, it’s dome golden and bright under the sun and Princess Celestia’s rule. Pennant flags flew from every spire and parapet and displayed the combined symbols of the Royal Sisters. The gate remained shut with mounds of flowers piled against it like a snow drift.

Cadance sighed and closed her eyes, letting the sounds and smells of the greatest pony city on Equus wash over her. “And yet the more things stay the same, hmm?”

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by Knight of Lycaeus
~~~

For Twilight Sparkle visiting Canterlot Castle was not unusual, since her move to the town of Ponyville she would return to the Castle from time to time usually for business or to spend time with her mentor. Today’s or rather this weekend’s visit was slightly different, instead of following the hallways to the throne room or to Celestia’s study she instead detoured towards one section of the bailey.

The central keep was home to the ruling Dirachy and served as their place of power, the stout series of bailey encircling the keep was once primarily for defensive purposes but the long peace had seen the space converted to guestrooms and living quarters. Twilight made her way towards one of the quarters and gave the door a knock.

The door opened to a pink alicorn who glomped the lavender unicorn while calling out a greeting, “Twilight! Its been too long since I’ve seen you.” The pink alicorn righted herself up before planting a soft kiss on the unicorn’s head, “I’ve missed you on my travels, even with letters its been too long since we’ve spent time together.” Cadance then led the slightly stunned unicorn into her quarters.

“Twilight?” waving a hoof in front of the unicorn’s unblinking eyes, “Equestria to Twilight?” Realizing that talking was not working she instead decided to go for something more drastic. She moved in close again, wrapped a wing over the unicorn’s back before giving an intense kiss to the unicorn’s lips.

At this Twilight finally blinked, her eyes darting around as she tried to make sense of where and what. Twilight blushed as she quickly realized she was in Cadance’s quarters as well as the rather intense greeting she just received.

With her mind mostly cleared of invasive thoughts involving the pink alicorn she gave the alicorn a more sedate greeting,“It’s nice to see you too Cadance” giving the alicorn a nuzzle.

“Well I’m glad you’re back with me.” Cadance facing directly at the unicorn gave a small grin, “ Got lost in some pleasant thoughts?” Cadance teased.

At this Twilight blushed again, her face getting redder, “Uh, maybe? Could we perhaps talk about something…. er, something else?”
Cadance nodded and she led the unicorn into the small kitchenette, “Sure. How are things in Ponyville, how are your new friends, and how has your family been?”

Twilight blinked quickly trying to catch the rapid fire round of questions, “Ponyville has been getting better, it has recovered well from Discord’s Day of Madness”, Twilight features darkened slightly at the mention of Discord before a pink wing invited her out of her thoughts, “It’s really nice there, the ponies are friendly although I still think they're a bit crazy at times. My friends are great, it’s something I never thought I wanted but now it seems emptier when one of them hasn’t crashed my library at least once every other day or so. I saw my parents last time I was here in Canterlot, they’re doing well although I’m surprised Shining hasn’t updated you on them. Shining, you would know as you’ve been travelling with him for a couple of years now and Spike, there have been a few rough patches since moving to Ponyville”, her thoughts started to wander to Spike’s last birthday before remembering she was not alone, “But most of the town accepts and likes him so that’s been a major plus for moving away from Canterlot.”

Twilight turned her attention to Cadance and looked directly at her, “How about you? You’ve been travelling all across the globe, anything interesting?”

Cadance shook her head, “A few things here and there but not anything exciting, well exciting like what you’ve been doing recently. Still meeting other nations can be difficult but definitely interesting.”

Cadance walked off to the other half of the kitchenette to check on something, she returned a few minutes later, “Twilight, why don’t you have a seat? I called you over for dinner and I thought I would cook for us, since we are celebrating after all.”

Twilight perked up, “Oh? What are we celebrating, our anniversary isn’t for another three months, one week, and five days. Perhaps it’s another anniversary, our first kiss maybe, the first time we went on a date, first failed attempt at a da-”, Twilight attempted to summon her planners and checklist before a light blue glow halted her magic.

Cadance gave her a slight glare and in a sing-song tone, “Oh, Twilight. What have we talked about when it comes to scheduling everything?”

Twilight opened her eyes wide as she remembered what happened last time; last time had involved a reversed Want-It-Need-It Spell that Cadance used to prevent Twilight from looking at any planner or checklist for an entire day. Or the time before that when a small spell rendered her schedules to be written in a myriad of writing styles and languages which was all the more effective as it relied on the caster’s knowledge and Cadance was quite proficient in various languages namely due to her job as an ambassador for Equestria so it had the effect of rendering all of Twilight’s plans unreadable.

Twilight chuckled nervously as she halted her summoning spell.

“Normally I wouldn’t keep track of every anniversary, the one that matter most for me is when we first agreed to date which is as you said in three months.” Cadance gave a small smile, “No I consider this an anniversary of sorts, it’s was for something more interesting, as Aunt Celestia would call it.”

Twilight tilted her head slightly, “So, what exactly would that be?”

“Oh a year ago, the first time you managed to make something edible for dinner, without help.”

This phrase jolted other less then pleasant memories, namely of stomach pumps, black goop that once was food, being banned from the Castle’s Royal Kitchen, then the Castle’s Sub-Kitchen, and the Staff Kitchens, and of course the Canterlot University Science Labs after an attempt to convert it into a cooking area after being banned from the Canterlot University Culinary Kitchens for unintentionally unleashing a science and magical experiment gone awry.

“Oh that” Twilight gave another nervous chuckle, “That was a year ago? Can’t believe I forgot the date of it.” She started to fidget slightly, wanting to write it down but knew the consequences if she tried.

Cadance giggled, “Right, that. So tonight, I’m cooking for you.” as her magic brought out two nicely decorated plates from elsewhere in the kitchenette.

The plates were filled with wonderful looking food, arranged nicely and carefully on the plate. It presented a beautiful imagery of colours. The food smelled just as nice as it look, a rich aroma of spices and herbs blended well into the food.The first bite….

Was another jolt of why she had tried to learn how to cook in the first place and why she and Cadance typically ate out when on dates. Twilight had forgotten that Cadance was unfortunately as bad as her if not worse when it came to cooking as the unfortunate necessity for a stomach pump became clear.

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by ArguingPizza
~~~

White sheets, the pervasive smell of rubbing alcohol and cheap air freshener, and the steady beep of heart monitors. The sights and sounds of the hospital surrounded Cadence, embracing her softly to welcome her back. To welcome her home.

The clip-clop of Cadence’s bare hooves on tile echoed down the nearly empty hallways, ticking away the time as well as any hoof-crafted clock ever could. It was the soundtrack that accompanied her homecoming, her return to the place her heart rested in what comfort could be pried from Death’s tightening grip.

She passed nurses and Doctors, patients and visitors, all without batting an eye. Without fail, they returned the favor. Perhaps alone among all other locales her wings could carry her to, this temple of suffering rendered all who entered it equals. She was no Princess here, merely another soul wandering the border crossing of Here and Beyond.

Cadence found the room easily enough; she’d been there often enough that she could find it in her sleep, and occasionally did. It wasn’t enough, could never be enough, but it was what she had.

Blue magic opened the door, her entrance summoned a sharp intake of breath from the room’s sole occupant.

“Oh my,” the gray mare whispered breathily. Her eyes, cloudy from a long, full life, were clear and focused. Her look was that of a child seeing the full moon for the first time, a prisoner freed from darkness to once again bask in the sun’s glory.

Twilight Sparkle coughed nervously and gave a nervous wave. “H-hello there,” she ventured, the lightest dusting of red on her wrinkled cheeks.

“I’m Twikle Spilight.” Her eyes swelled and she backtracked in barely-concealed panic. “I-I mean I’m Spilight Twarkle! Or, no-I mean-ugh! Twilight Sparkle!” In her bumbling, Twilight’s voice had become a shout, and as the realization dawned on her she wilted.

In a much smaller voice, she repeated, “I’m Twilight Sparkle.”

Cadence bit her lip to keep from laughing at Twilight’s exuberance, and moved to sit next to Twilight’s bed. She extended a hoof to meet Twilight’s, a gentle smile on her face.

“It’s nice to meet you, Twilight. I’m Cadence.”

Twilight froze, her hoof turning to stone against Cadence’s. Those beautiful, violet eyes locked on Cadence like spotlights, giving her a sudden sympathy for ants under magnifying glasses. Twilight tilted her head and pursed her lips, a contemplative look on her face.

“Is there something the matter?” Cadence asked gently, hope a distant flicker in her chest. Twilight was silent for several seconds before shaking her head, her eyes dropping to the sheets that covered her bottom half.

“No. No, I’m sorry,” Twilight said unsurely. “You just…reminded me of something. Something important, I think, but I can’t quite…” her voice trailed off as she grasped at wisps of smoke.

Cadence laid a hoof softly on Twilight’s foreleg and drew her gaze. Their eyes locked, and for a moment the world was again as it should be.

“Well, I would hope so,” Cadence said airily, “It would be rude to forget your own wife.”

Twilight’s mouth gaped, her lips trying and failing to come up with an adequate response.

“Wow,” Twilight said as she fell back against the pillow propping her up, “I knew I'd started forgetting things, but wow…” she gave Cadence an unapologetic once-over, allotting extra time on her flanks. “I am one lucky mare,” she whistled.

Cadence giggled and softly nuzzled Twilight’s neck. Twilight shied away for a brief moment, but quickly leaned into the contact. Theirs was a contrast; Twilight wrinkled, dry coat rough against Cadence’s eternal youth and vigor.

Cadence didn’t mind, instead she relished the feeling. She did not know how many times she would be able to hug the mare she loved, but she did know that after today she’d have one less occasion than yesterday. For now, she simply closed her eyes and breathed in Twilight’s scent, all her willpower devoted to gripping each second as tightly as possible.

“I love you, Twilight,” she whispered, “Happy Anniversary.” Twilight smiled against her coat and buried her nose deep in Cadence’s mane.

Too soon, Twilight shifted away from her as Time reasserted its dominion over all things. When Cadence opened her eyes, she saw Twilight smiling at her nervously, a light blush coloring her cheeks. Twilight gave her a hesitant wave.

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by Bekdontraz
~~~

Zap Apple Acres was full of the sounds of friends working to set up a nice Anniversary Party for dear friends. A lone redheaded woman sat on the fence watching the winding path towards town. A smile grew on her lips as she saw two people approaching lazily down the path
“Twilight! Cadance!” She called happily trotting down to meet them. She wrapped the two older woman in tight hugs. Applebloom smoothed her hair back and beamed at them “They all thought ya’ll would try and sneak in early” She teased bowing her head slightly to the two Princesses.

“Can you blame two old women for trying?” Cadance teased with a smile. Applebloom looked the oldest of the three, the woman having hit her 40’s.

“Cutie Mark Crusader Anniversary planners just worried is all” Twilight said with a soft smile of her own. Bloom had the good sense to blush faintly.

“We’re all grown up Twilight. We ain’t the type to go meddling in other people’s love lives anymore. ‘Side the girls enlisted our help not the only other way ‘round this time!” Bloom said taking the women down a side path. The trees were in bloom a heady scent in the air. Twilight’s smile widen as the, now ancient, clubhouse came into view. The giggles of young voices heard from inside.

“The second generation of the Crusaders,” Twilight said with a smile “Wonder if they’ll come by the library for help with skills too..” Cadance giggles softly into her hand

“We could always have some of our own” She offered with a smile “Or visit one of Auntie Luna’s Orphanages..” Bloom smiled at that

“Scoots says the one here has lots of kids that’d need help” Bloom said. Twilight nodded and snuggled into her wife.

“Lets enjoy our anniversary today, we can discuss adoption tomorrow.” She joked. Cadance rolled her eyes dramatically and sighed.

“Yes dear” She said with a grin.

Applebloom rolled her eyes and lead them further down the path. Both women gasped as they came to another clearing. This one was dominated by a huge appletree. Its branches were draped in white. A small table was set under it. Rarity, in a surprisingly simple dress, leaned against Spike for support. The elder fashionesta smiled warmly to the two lovebirds and motioned for them to sit.

"Sit sit.Rainbow and AJ will bring down the food soon!” She took a step away from Spike, who tensed. She smirked glancing at him “Darling, I’m old not dead..calm down..” She rolled her eyes and huffed pulling out the chair for Cadance, while Bloom pulled the chair out for Twilight.

It was only a brief few moments when two more women came walking down the path, A tall white haired farmer holding two plates in her hands, and a shorter tanned woman with a faded rainbow ponytail carrying a bottle of wine. They smiled setting the table for their friends. With a wink Rainbow slide her arm around AJ’s waist leading her away from them.

"Ya’ll enjoy!” AJ called over her shoulder as all of the others fled the clearing. Twilight smiled sipping her wine and blushing. Cadance grinned.

“Your friends, could not be more amazing if they tried..” She said smiling.

Before Twilight could respond music began playing through the trees. A familiar beat played so long ago for a grand wedding reception.
“Here’s a throwback from the royal wedding!” Pinkie’s voice called from her hiding place deep in the orchard.

“Love is in Bloom” Sweetie Belle’s voice was heavenly as it drifted through the orchard. The song might not be the most appropriate for a dinner, but the two it was sung for loved it anyways. Cadance smiled standing and pulling Twilight to her feet, no the music wasn't good for dinner, it was meant for dancing.

AJ snuggled into her wife’s arms as the old friends all sat around a table listening to the distant music. Rarity had fallen asleep in Spike’s arms after making a huffy comment about Twilight’s breasts not sagging at all. Pinkie had nearly passed out laughing about that. Scootaloo had quip that they were perfect, until Silver Spoon had shot her a dirty look. She’d spent the next few minutes apologizing to her girlfriend. Applebloom leaned into her husbands arms and smiled happily.

Off in the clubhouse a group of young children were passed out wrapped in crimson capes having spent the day adventuring.

And in the clearing a Royal Couple danced and smiled spending the night enjoying their friend’s love. It wasn’t Canterlot’s spires and cafes, but it was so much more memorable than they could ever hope to be. As Cadance pulled Twilight tightly to her for a kiss, the sun beginning to set in the background. Small mana lights lit along the tree’s branches bathing the clearing in an ethereal glow.

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