//------------------------------// // Let's Be Twinkies! // Story: The Reason I Love You // by Blue Dragon //------------------------------// Winter Wrap Up was as stressful as it always was. The pegasi lost track of some storm clouds, somepony misplaced the grass seeds, and Pinkie Pie had caused some of the ice patches to spontaneously combust. Accidentally or not, it was a wonder she didn’t burst into flames herself. Not even Pinkie could figure out how that had happened. But finally, the day had come to a successful end, and winter was wrapped up. Everypony had done their part and were ready to relax. Pinkie Pie was corralling all the tired ponies and trying to get them to Sugarcube Corner, where they could have a good time. Some ponies went home anyway, but most wanted to get their hooves on some of the Apple family’s famous cider Pinkie always seemed to have. The bearers of the elements were still outside, though. “Hey, uh, you guys go on ahead of me,” Rainbow Dash said, scratching the back of her head. “I just need to go grab something.” Rainbow Dash winked in a painfully obvious manner towards Rarity, who nodded. The pegasus took off before anypony could object. “That was weird!” Pinkie noted with a giggle. Applejack rose an eyebrow. “I wonder what’s gotten into her,” Fluttershy said, worry clear in her tone. Rarity shrugged, a stretched smile on her face. Spike, from atop Twilight’s back, looked a little nervous too. “I’m sure there’s no need to fret; she’ll be along soon,” Rarity said. “Why don’t we join the party?” “Yeah, come on, ponies!” Pinkie exclaimed as she ushered all her friends through the swinging doors. She took extra care to make sure one of her hooves was on Twilight specifically. Once inside, all the ponies dispersed into the different activities they wanted to take part in. Applejack went over to join the apple cider drinking contest some stallions were hosting, Fluttershy was bombarded by little fillies who wanted to play Pin the Tail on the Pony with her, and Rarity disappeared into the crowd, presumably to gossip. Spike followed after her. Pinkie reached over as if to hug Twilight, but the unicorn rejected it. “Not now, Pinkie,” she whispered harshly. “There are a lot of other ponies here…” Pinkie Pie pouted. “Come on, Twi, nopony’s even paying attention… And a hug isn’t that big of a deal.” “Maybe later, okay? There really are a lot of ponies here. I don’t even recognize some of them…” Twilight squinted at the guests, and recognized some ponies she used to go to class with back in Canterlot. She knew for a fact they didn’t live here in Ponyville. “Pinkie? Seriously, what’s—” “YOUR NIGHT PRINCESS HAS ARRIVED!” Luna bounded into Sugarcube Corner with a huge grin, and a few ponies stopped their activities to turn and look. Twilight felt slightly embarrassed about the princess’ overly casual entrance. Luna waved at Twilight, still smiling, before getting pulled into the drinking contest Applejack was taking part in. She didn’t seem to have any problem with it. “What’s wrong, Twilight?” Pinkie asked, nudging Twilight in the side with her muzzle. Twilight shook her head before turning to her marefriend. “Some of the ponies here aren’t from Ponyville. I think I even saw Shining Armor and Cadence somewhere!” “You’re just being silly, Twi. I can go get a drink for you, if you’d like—” “Look! Like I said, they’re right there!” Twilight pointed a hoof straight at her brother and sister-in-law, who happened to be at the snack table. There was no mistaking who they were. “I invited them over! It isn’t a problem, right?” Pinkie replied, a nervous smile on her face. Twilight was starting to grow suspicious, especially once she saw her own parents at the party. Something weird was going on here. “...No,” Twilight said carefully. “I’m just a little confused.” Pinkie smiled nervously before pointing toward Sugarcube Corner’s entrance. “Hey, lookie there, Rainbow Dash just got here!” Rainbow Dash had just walked through the door, carrying some sort of box atop her back. Rarity was helping her balance it with her magic. Spike was trying to help as well, but appeared to be helping more with morale than anything. “What is that?” Twilight questioned as she blinked at the two ponies. Pinkie laughed before excusing herself to go help the two ponies, avoiding Twilight’s question entirely. Pinkie’s acting really weird tonight, Twilight thought as she let her gaze follow the pony in question. Dancing party-goers soon got in the way of her line of sight, however, and she lost track of where her friends were. However, Twilight did spot Applejack across the room. Now she and Princess Luna were competing to see who could chug the most apple cider in one go, and neither seemed to be letting up. Twilight trotted over to them. “Hey, Applejack, I was wondering—”Applejack slammed her glass down on the table, where it became clear she had just finished her eleventh round. She smirked, until she looked over at the Princess of the Night’s empty cider tankards—at least thirteen. “Oh no… Oh no you don’t,” Applejack said, slightly off-balance. Luna only smiled, lifting her next glass. The stallions betting on her cheered, but the earth pony was a force to be reckoned with. Twilight waved her hoof in front of her friend. “Applejack, can we talk?” “No, Ah’m busy, Twi,” she replied firmly. Luna laughed lightly. “Busy getting her flank handed to her! I have lived far longer and have had much more experience in the ways of hard apple cider. I doubt fair Applejack could possibly stand in the way of my crowning championship! Ha, not even you, Twilight Sparkle, could hope to defeat me!” Princess Luna stuck out her chest in pride. She was completely unfazed by the large amount of alcohol she’d already consumed, whereas Applejack was struggling to lift another glass. Twilight was never one to drink, but who would turn down a challenge? It could be a learning experience… Plus when a pony was that arrogant somepony had to knock them down a notch, even if it was a princess. It wasn't like she had better things to do. Twilight smirked back. “I’ll take you on, Princess.” Pinkie Pie was glad Twilight hadn’t followed her. This was of the utmost importance; nothing could possibly be more important than keeping Twilight away from doing what she did best—unraveling mysteries and making sense of things. It was a surprise! It was oh so obvious that Twilight was suspecting something was off, but Pinkie was certain her marefriend hadn’t put it all together yet. Like she told Big Macintosh a while back, not only was this a “we succeeded in wrapping up winter!” party, but it was also a Twinkie party. And it was very important. Rainbow Dash and Rarity hefted the box into the kitchen area of Sugarcube Corner, closely followed by the baker herself. “Is she on to us yet?” Rainbow Dash asked as she slid the rather large box onto the counter. Pinkie Pie opened it up, investigating its contents. “Nopey-dope, she’s still in the party and everything’s just fine!” she chirped. “Just like this cake. Once everything goes according to plan then everypony will definitely want a slice.” Spike hopped up on Pinkie’s back, peering over her head at the cake. He laughed. “Man, that’s a little cheesy, isn’t it?” Rarity levitated the baby dragon off of Pinkie and onto her withers, the teensiest of glares evident. “I think it’s just the sweetest thing,” she said. “If the stallion of my dreams did something like this for me, I would surely swoon at the sight!” “Plus it matches the banner,” Rainbow Dash added with a small laugh. However, Spike’s comment set in anxiety for Pinkie. She stared at the cake, chewing her lip. “Maybe I should change it? Oh, I didn’t think about the cheesiness, it really is too cheesy, she’s going to hate it, Twi hates cheesy things—they really make her tummy upset and I just didn’t think about that, oh, why am I so stupid?” Pinkie reached over for a knife, prepared to scrape the icing off and start over. Rarity, thankfully, was able to pull the knife out of her grip with the help of magic. “No! Dear, it’s perfect the way it is. She’s going to love it! Right, Rainbow Dash?” “Yeah, sure, whatever,” she said, uninterested. When Rarity hardened her look, the pegasus jumped. “I mean, yes! Rarity’s one hundred percent correct-o! Twilight likes cheesy romantic stuff; I’ve seen her personal book collection, trust me.” Pinkie Pie plopped down on the floor, her shoulders sagging and her heart trying to run away. She reached into her mane and pulled out a small black box. “I’m just a little nervous… What if she says no? I can’t giggle at the ghosties to get rid of my fear this time…” Spike chewed on his lip. “Pinkie, I’ve known Twilight ever since I was a hatchling, and I can say one thing with absolute certainty: she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her, now that she’s found you.” Pinkie blushed lightly at this, and glanced down at the box she was twiddling with her hooves. Rainbow Dash trotted forward and placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Pinks, you may have screwed up a couple of times, but I’m sure she’ll accept. She has no reason not to! You’re the best thing for her.” Pinkie mulled this over before sticking the box back in her mane. She took a deep breath and stood back up. “I’m gonna do it now, Auntie Pinkie Pie is gonna tie the knot! Would you guys mind, um, taking care of the… you know, that stuff we discussed beforehoof?” Rarity smiled. “Of course, darling. Go get your mare!” The unicorn shooed the pink pony back out into the party, allowing the three of them to finish all the preparations. Pinkie Pie started to look all around the crowded party for her love, but there were far too many ponies blocking her view. Her anxiety peaked—there really were so many ponies here! This was by far the most ponies she’d ever seen occupy Sugarcube Corner. She’d taken care to invite every single pony she thought Twilight would want there… and then the ponies Pinkie wanted. But there were way too many ponies here. She couldn’t even see the mare she loved, for ponies’ sake! Pinkie looked around for a familiar face, and, thankfully, laid eyes on Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie breathed a sigh of relief and slinked her way over to her good friend. The earth pony chirped, “Hey, Flutters! Have you seen Twily anywhere?” Fluttershy jumped at suddenly being addressed—she’d been trying her best to disappear into the wall once all these ponies started showing up. She was not one for parties with so many other ponies. The pegasus pony swallowed before nodding once. Pinkie Pie grinned. “Oh, you did? Where? I really really super dee-duper need to talk to her! It’s really important.” Fluttershy lifted a hoof up and pointed over to the center of Sugarcube Corner, now revealed to Pinkie Pie, where several tables had been pushed together to make room for two ponies apparently in a heated drinking contest. Unfortunately for Pinkie, one of these two mares happened to be the pony she was looking for. Even more unfortunately, the other pony happened to be one she didn’t trust completely... One who had feelings for her marefriend. Glasses upon glasses were strewn over these tables, and an apparently drunk and passed out Applejack lay in the center of the tables. A lot of the ponies at the party were placing bets on who they thought would win, and there was some loud cheering. Pinkie didn’t know why she didn’t hear it sooner. Pinkie Pie made her way toward all the commotion and was able to hear some more of what her marefriend and her competitor were saying: “Ah’ll beat shoo,” Twilight swayed slightly, a red tint to her cheeks, “Woona, I… I will win!” “O-oh no you shall not!” Luna declared, “I will sooner defeat youuu than… than… I will rule the night!” A satisfied princess took another glass and downed it easily. Pinkie was all for fun and games, but this was a bit much. She placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder when she was within reach. “Hey, Twilight, what’re you doing?” “I’m… I’m beatin’ Loony, s-showin’ her who’s boss.” Pinkie couldn’t help noticing how cute Twilight looked when she was drunk and determined. But there was something that needed doing… “Come on, Twi, you hate hard apple cider.” Pinkie tugged on Twilight’s hoof, trying to pull her away from the festivities. Princess Luna cackled. “Victory… shall be… mine!” Then she fell over without any more resistance, falling asleep within seconds. All the other ponies went back to their business, placing more bets on the next two ponies to compete, and Pinkie was able to get Twilight away from all the alcohol. “I… I won, riiiight?” Twilight said, leaning on Pinkie for support. Instead of waiting for a reply, Twilight pressed her muzzle into Pinkie’s neck and started kissing it. Pinkie blushed really hard at this, but she started walking faster. “Twily, not in front of everypony, I thought you didn’t want to?” “C-c’mere, you,” Twilight said as she leaned up and started to nibble on Pinkie’s ear. Pinkie Pie gasped at the sensation, before remembering they were in a room full of other ponies and none of them knew they were even in a relationship. Oh, and Twilight was drunk, she couldn’t forget that! Pinkie grabbed onto Twilight and dashed upstairs, away from all the other ponies. Ponies sober up when they take cold showers, right? Maybe I can… um, get her to do that and then she’d be okay enough to continue with the plan? Maybe? Unsure, Pinkie guided Twilight to Sugarcube Corner’s bathroom and got her into the tub. Twilight was grinning. “Wanna shower with me?” she said, prompting Pinkie to blush even more. It reminded her of that time she walked in on Twilight, with her hair plastered onto her neck, her fur all wet… Pinkie shook her head. Maybe when she says yes. “No, I just need you to hold still, okay?” Pinkie reached over and turned the knob, causing water to crash down on Twilight. The water was icy. Twilight hated cold showers. “Ack!” The unicorn attempted an escape, but only ended up slipping and collapsing in the tub. Pinkie helped her back up, but was trying her best not to stare. After she was certain Twilight wouldn't fall again, she pulled the curtain to a close and turned away, as if keeping watch. “Are you feeling any better?” “Not at all, I feel sick...” “...What about now?” “Nope.” “Yay or nay?” “Nay.” Pinkie sighed before pushing the curtain away. A still very drunk Twilight sat there, smiling at her. “This isn’t helping at all…” She turned the knob off and gave Twilight a towel. “Okay, you stay here, I’ll be right back, okay?” Pinkie raced out of the bathroom, down the stairs, and finally back into the kitchen. Spike and Rarity were fixing plates and utensils. “Can you help me, Rarity? Is there a way to sober a pony up really fast?” Pinkie’s eyes were showing desperation now; if Twilight wasn’t sober, she couldn’t propose, and if she couldn’t propose now, then the party was a bust, and if the party was a bust, she’d never get another opportunity to propose again, and if she never got another opportunity, then Twilight would surely leave her and never come back! Rarity’s eyebrows came down sharply. “Why ever would you need to know that?” “It’s Twilight, she was drinking a lot of hard apple cider and she can barely walk straight…” Spike’s jaw dropped. “Twilight drinks?” Neither pony paid him any mind. Instead, Rarity frowned deeply. “This is a problem… I may have a spell that can be of use...? Where is she?” The baker smiled and gave Rarity a big hug. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you! She’s upstairs in the bathroom right now. If you can bring her around, I would be so grateful, Rarity!” “Yes, well, that’s what I’m here for. Spike, would you be a dear and continue on without me? I’m certain I’ll be returning shortly.” Spike saluted before grabbing some more plates from the cupboards. Pinkie then led Rarity up the stairs and back into the restroom, where Twilight was now rummaging through the medicine. Pinkie was quick to pull her away from the cabinet and close the door. Twilight was just giggling. Rarity grimaced. “She really seems out of it.” “Um, yeah, she was competing with Princess Luna over who could drink more cider…” Rarity shook her head and stepped closer. She then prepared a spell, her horn lighting up. Pinkie kept Twilight still as Rarity neared. Without wasting any time Rarity cast the spell—blue magic laced around Twilight, and then a bright light was cast. When the light dimmed, Twilight was laying on the floor. “Is she okay?” Pinkie asked at once, nuzzling behind her marefriend’s ear. “Yes, I’ve been the subject of this spell a few times myself. Just give it a moment and she should come around, good as new.” True to Rarity’s word, Twilight soon began to rouse. Immediately, she raised a hoof to her forehead and groaned. “Ugh… My head…” “Twily!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, hugging her marefriend tightly. “Take it easy, Pinkie.” Twilight hugged her back. Rarity smiled and slinked out of the room, intent on heading back and helping Spike. “Oh, I’m so happy you’re back to normal! You’re so goofy when you’ve drank-slash-drunk-slash-been drinking too much apple cider, it makes me feel like I’m a normal pony!” Twilight met Pinkie’s gaze. “I was drunk?” Her marefriend nodded exuberantly and said, “Very, very, super—” Suddenly, a small black box plopped out of Pinkie’s mane and landed on the floor. Pinkie froze for a moment, petrified. Her excited nodding must have launched it! Twilight was just staring at it, to make matters worse. Pinkie dived on top of the box, her face aflame. She smiled awkwardly and avoided Twilight’s questioning stare. “Um, you ever been to Green Jewel’s sh—I mean, er, Bon Bon’s One Stop Sweet Shop? Yeah, she sells ring pops—um, no, I mean… Ugh…” Pinkie buried her muzzle underneath her hooves, her cheeks bright red. She was so stupid! Twilight wasn’t going to believe her no matter what she said, there was no mistaking that container once it landed on the floor. Stupid, stupid, stupid… I ruined it, blew it, it’s not gonna be special or anything. She’s gonna say no because I’m a ditzy mare who ruins everything and she’s probably trying to figure out how to get out of here as swiftly as possible and then she’ll tell me that she can’t possibly date a failure like me and then she’ll move back to Canterlot to make sure I don’t end up doing something stupid again… “Pinkie?” Oh no, here it comes, I’m so done for— “...Was that what I thought it was?” Pinkie Pie swallowed, lifting one of the hooves off of her face. She looked up at Twilight, who appeared to be rather straight-faced. She ruined the perfect moment, so all that was left now was to finish the job… She sighed before standing back up, and gently picking the box up between her hooves. She opened it, and then grabbed hold of one of Twilight’s hooves. “Twilight, this isn’t anything like I imagined it would be… I really wanted it to be a big thing with a bunch of ponies and streamers and banners and cake, but I think it’s the right time for me to go through with this. I love you so so so much, I could never—not ever!—find the words to describe it. There are so many reasons why I love you, and over these past few months, I’ve made sure to tell you a lot of them. We’ve known each other for years now and I really don’t think I could see myself with anypony else! My heart belongs to you and you alone, forever and ever! I Pinkie swear. So, would you make me the happiest mare in all of Equestria, and accept my proposal? I really do want to marry you with all my heart. Can we stay together and make a Twinkie?” Twilight stared for a moment, then two. Pinkie was starting to feel the throbbing pain of rejection from deep within her heart, but maintained her hopeful smile and bright eyes. Twilight let her hoof slip from Pinkie’s. Then, she reached around and pulled Pinkie Pie into a hug. “Pinkie, you know me better than that… It didn’t need to be perfect. I’m a pony who can appreciate a good plan, but I’m also the first pony to understand when they go wrong…” She held her tighter, almost painfully so. “I would love to make a Twinkie.” Pinkie Pie returned the embrace at once, her strength far greater than Twilight’s. She even lifted Twilight off the ground. “I can’t believe this, this can’t be happening, I have to be dreaming like all those times before, Twily can’t possibly have said yes after all of what just happened, oh my—” Twilight pulled back slightly and kissed Pinkie, abruptly shutting her up.   “I would have said yes if you asked me months ago with only a ring pop.” The two ponies shared another, longer kiss, filled with more emotion. After a few minutes, Pinkie Pie finally pulled away, and picked up the bracelet from within the box. She attached it to Twilight’s hoof—a universal sign of her new engagement status. “I got a matching one, too,” Pinkie murmured, as she pulled out a second bracelet out of the same box. This one was laced with purple, while the other on Twilight’s hoof had traces of pink. Pinkie Pie attached it to her own hoof and, overwhelmed with happiness, kissed her fiancée. “Are we going to tell all those ponies down there?” “Of course! As long as you want to, Twily,” Pinkie nuzzled into Twilight’s side, and, suddenly, there was nothing Twilight could have been afraid of. It was liberating—while once she might have cowered at the thought of publically admitting her relationship with Pinkie, now, she felt no such restrictions. She could have climbed mountains and fought manticores with the way she was feeling right now. And, well, there were probably many scientific reasons for that. But the only thing that could have possibly explained it? Love.