//------------------------------// // The First Time-100th Prompt Special // Story: Magic of Love: A Twidance Prompt Collab // by ArguingPizza //------------------------------// by Fuzzyfurvert Part 12 in Fuzzy's My Little Dynamite ~~~ The first thing that went through Twilight’s mind was how quiet it was, followed shortly afterwards with the realization that she was awake. Her body was numb from horn to tail and didn’t want to respond to her commands. Twilight felt her heart rate speed up as she strained to move even her eyelids and see what was going on. She managed a small slit but her lashes blocked any detail other than the soft light coming in on her from somewhere above. Twilight groaned and she felt more so than saw, movement to her side. A shadow passed in front of her limited vision and she felt a hoof gently smooth her mane. “Stay still, Twilight. Go back to sleep, we’re safe here.” Six years ago. Not for the first time, Twilight wondered why Princess Cadance hung out with her. Sure, they were classmates in Princess Celestia’s class at the School of Magi, but they weren’t the only students. Maybe it really was their similar ages? Cadance had the distinction of being the youngest student to ever be personally tutored by the Princess. That honor used to be Twilight’s claim to fame until the pink alicorn had arrived. Of course, it was a special circumstance since Cadance was the first new alicorn in centuries. They had gravitated toward each other almost immediately. Neither of them had many friends at the School or out of it, just family they saw during the holidays. Cadance, ever the more outgoing, broke the ice first by opening the class door right into Twilight’s face in front of Princess Celestia. That led to their first fight, which led to their first stuttering apology session - after their first stent in detention. After that they had become fast friends, study buddies, confidants, and lab partners. If anyone had asked her, Twilight would have said that Cadance was her best firend. But after their latest match of Dewey Decimal Hide and Seek in the Canterlot archives...she wasn’t sure. She needed to talk to someone about it. Obviously, Cadance was out. The Royal Sisters were busy and she wasn’t going to visit her family for another few weeks. That left Spike, and as much as she loved the little guy and respected his advice, this wasn’t something she felt he would be good at. As with so many other things that initially confused her, it fell to books to pick up the slack in her knowledge. But which subject should she check? Biology? Physcology? Sociology? Twilight bit her lip. Perhaps that section in the archive on naval expenditures that hid Princess Luna’s romantic fiction? She woke up in darkness this time, her mouth dry and throat sore. More feeling was returning her body and she could tell she was in a bed and covered with a blanket of some sort. It was soft and warm but the blanket felt as if it weighed a ton and smelled faintly herby. The air in...wherever...she was had similar hints of herbs and fragrant plants with an undercurrent of chemicals. Like an apothecary's. Twilight grunted and got her eyes open for all it helped her. It was the middle of the night and everything was still. Twilight breathed deeply and licked at her mouth to wetten it again, letting her ears adjust to her surroundings. She could make out the faint hum and chirp of crickets, the call of an owl and the distant breathing of a large creature that was unmistakably Spike. Twilight groaned as she shifted microscopically and the let her eyes close as that drained her of energy again. Six years ago. Deductive logic led her to the answers she was seeking. Cadance had called her a ‘Prince Charming,’ ergo, Twilight found herself in the foals’ section of the main library, sitting at a too low table surrounded by several stacks of books. Children’s Tales had never held her interest before but the more she read, the more she began to piece together the ‘rules of fairy tale chivalry and courtly love.’ Twilight was of noble birth herself and she knew these so called rules to be mostly hogwash and wishful thinking, but she could certainly see the draw. The Knight, the Lady, the Princess, and the Commoner were all roles she saw repeated over and over with similar traits that portrayed them as either villainous or virtuous. She could see that Cadance very much favored the Princess and Lady stereotypes with a bit of the rebellious Commoner thrown in for good measure. Which made sense, given her low birth and then promotion to Princess by way of alicornination. Cadance also seemed the see the Knight stereotype within Twilight. A helper, a trusted advisor and stalwart defender. Obvious love interest. Twilight blushed and set down the book she’d been reading. Was that what that kiss had been about? Cadance simply following through with the expectation that the Princess kisses the Knight that saves her? Was it all an act? If it was, then why did it make her heart skip a beat when she thought about it? Twilight pushed the book away and leaned back to look up at the vaulted ceiling above her. She sat there in silence for a moment before she gave a quiet voice to the question that was weighing heavily on her mind. “Do I like mares?” “So what if you do? I think this world could use more of us.” Twilight startled and fell back with an yelp. She rolled over onto her belly and looked up at an older mare wearing thick rimmed glasses and her mane tied up in a loose bun with chopsticks. “Wha? Miss Monarca? You mean you…?” The librarian smiled and nodded and added a conspiratorial wink. “Oh yes, miss Sparkle. I even know what it’s like to have a mare confuse and excite you at the same time. I couldn’t help but notice what you’ve collected over here and given your whispered question. I understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but I’ve found it’s always nice to know you aren’t alone when it comes to the plights of love and affection.” Monarca smiled and picked up a few discarded books left unshelved by the children that had last spent time in the section and stacked them in her green colored aura. “Don’t let me bother you, I just need to get these organized and back in their places.” “Um, wait!” Twilight blushed and chuckled nervously as the librarian turned her way again. “Um… can I ask you something?” “Of course, youngling. Haven’t I been helping you find answers in this place for years now?” Twilight nodded and got to her hooves. “Well, it’s about Cad - Princess - Cadance. She called me a Prince Charming and kissed me yesterday because I woke her up in the archive. And I feel...I don’t know, funny about that. How am I supposed to feel?” Miss Monarca held Twilight’s gaze silently for a moment, her face emotionless until she leaned in close and whispered. “You got a kiss from a Princess? That is a treasure, Twilight Sparkle. Wars have been fought for as much in the past and will be fought again in the future for just a single kiss. Feel honored. Feel loved. Feel proud and powerful and complete.” Monarca leaned back and smirked. “That’s how I’d feel if my Princess would just give me a kiss.” “Ok, I guess.” Twilight looked down at the soft carpet floor as she thought about the implications of what Cadance’s actions could mean. Monarca hefted the books she’d picked up a moment before and patted Twilight gently on the head. “And a bit of advice from an old mare whose loved and lost. Go talk to her. Don’t bottle it up or you just might become someone you don’t recognise in the mirror someday.” Twilight nodded as the librarian’s green glow faded away with her hoofsteps. She knew what she had to do. Knights didn’t back down from challenges in the fair tales Cadance liked and neither was she. Twilight blinked her eyes to clear the sleep from them. It was light out again and someone was holding her head up. “‘ere, drink t’is. It will ease your ac’es an’ give you energy.” “Whe...where is Cady?” Twilight grimaced at the roughness of her own voice. How long had she been out? “S’e is not ‘ere. S’e an’ a dragon are gat’ering supplies for te potions I make for you.” Twilight forced her eyes to focus as a cold, sweet liquid was poured into her mouth. It proved hard to swallow and her tortured throat screamed in pain as it worked. She coughed as her head was laid back onto the pillow. Twilight’s stomach clenched and then eased as the drink settled and she could feel its coolness spreading out to her limbs a moment later. “I know...you.” “Yes. We meet again, Battlemage. Now sleep. You Princess return soon enoug’.” Six years ago. Twilight kicked a pebble as she stood in indecision outside the door that would take her into the wing of the castle that held Cadance’s room. She’d stood there for almost ten minutes as the librarian’s words of advice echoed in her mind. The great clock bonged the hour and Twilight sighed, dinner would be soon. If she wanted to talk to Cadance, she had little time to do so before the Royal Sisters would be expecting them. She pushed the door open and started up the stairs until she was on the third floor landing. Cadance’s room was at the end of the hall where the wing met the main body of the castle. Twilight walked slowly, thinking to herself about the coming conversation and how she could get through it without sticking her hoof in her mouth. She kept getting hung up at the part where Cadance started talking and Twilight wasn’t sure what she’d say back. When Twilight rounded the final corner, she paused as Princess Celestia exited Cadance’s room, her face severe and serious. Celestia closed the door behind her softly and turned to trot briskly toward the deeper interior of the castle without pausing or looking her way. Twilight raised her hoof to call after the Princess when she heard a sniffle that came from within. She wondered for a moment if she should knock but then she pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Cady?” Cadance sat on her bed, her head hung and tears running down her cheeks when Twilight entered. She looked up and sniffed. “Oh Twily, it’s not fair.” “What’s the matter? I just saw Princess Celestia come out.” Twilight walked up to Cadance’s bedside and took a seat. “What’s wrong?” “Oh Twily, I’m leaving Canterlot!” It was darker when she woke up again, but her body felt nominally better than it had. Twilight sighed and blinked with considerably less effort than last time. She smiled when she saw Cadance, looking tired and a bit ragged herself, standing next to her bed. When she spoke, her voice was gravelly but her throat felt close to normal. “I thought it was the Prince Charming that woke the Princess, not the other way around.” Cadance blinked at Twilight for a moment, her eyes tearing up as she smiled with relief. “Weirdo.” Cadance shook her head and pulled the blanket back as she slipped into the bed and her Twily’s arms. ******************* by Knight of Lycaeus ~~~ The sun slowly slipping below the horizon, dusk was settling in the Crystal Empire. An alicorn sat on one of the flat roof spaces of the Crystal Spire; she was joined by a second who glided down from a nearby cloud. The two were content to watch as the skies gradually darken while the moon and stars rose and glowed in the skies above. Only once the moon had been raised and set upon its path, the skies painted purples, oranges, and blues did one break the peaceful silence. The lavender alicorn nudged her pink companion gently with her wing, “It’s certainly a wonderful sunset, I’m glad you convinced me to leave my office for a bit.” The pink alicorn gave her a warm smile, “You spend too much time cooped up in there. There’s more to life than your work.” Her companion gave a light chuckle, “Oh I know, I know that very well. I wouldn’t be here if I never learned that lesson. To think that when I was young all I wanted was my books and my family. To think I wanted to limit my world so much that everything I learned was more from books than from life.” Leaning herself into her companion’s side, “Although I do remember you doing something similar.” The pink alicorn stuck out a tongue, “Hey, I had friends! Although I do remember retreating from everyone at first….” “Then a stubborn colt dragged you out of your shyness,” her companion finished. “I just never imagined it would be us, here together. For the longest time I thought he might be the one I would spend my life with, no offence to you of course.” The purple alicorn smirked, “None taken, I thought you would be with him too; if not for what he did.” The pink alicorn smiled fondly, “Ah, that. A year after you left Canterlot for Ponyville he managed to convince you to spend the night out with him. Turns out he arranged it with both of us and then he leaves us alone at the restaurant.” “Our first date, if you wanted to call it that. I think I remember spending part of that drunk and slightly annoyed at him,” the purple alicorn interjected before pausing, “actually I was very annoyed with him. I probably would have been angry about it if anypony else had tried that. The pink alicorn smirked, “Maybe you decided not to be angry when you realized you would be spending time with me. Although he’s your brother so I guess that gave him a free pass even if he can be a bit thick-headed. Come to think of it, that was not only the first time we dated and but also the first time you’ve gotten drunk. What did happen to the Lunars patrolling around?” “Oh, the drunken spells. Nothing much just a few magical mishaps, they went back to normal by morning.” “Did we ever thank him for getting us together?”, the pink alicorn said in a thoughtful tone. “No,” the purple alicorn tapped her chin with the tip of her forehoof, “but we should. It’s been a wonderful if crazy and eventful three years.” “I couldn’t agree more, although I wouldn’t trade a moment of it.” “Neither would I,” she said leaning while wrapping a wing around her companion, “although we can thank him later, for now I would like to just enjoy this time with you.” ******************* by Starlight Shadow ~~~ Twilight Sparkle was dying. Not from sickness or injury or old age. She was quite healthy, she hadn't been hurt (at least not physically), and she was quite young. She was dying of chronic jealousy. Every single time Cadance and Shining Armor snuggled just a little closer to each other, Twilight died just a little more. Every single time they shared a peck on the cheek when nopony was looking except her. Every single time they laid their love out for the world to see, Twilight Sparkle died. She wanted to be happy for her brother and her crush, but she just couldn't. Instead, she contemplated the bitter dregs of jealousy. Every time she looked up from her meal and saw Cadance and Shining Armor looking at each other with love in their eyes, she couldn't help but think That should be me she's looking at. Cadance is supposed to be mine. And then she would deny the thoughts to herself and reapply her fake smile. Nopony noticed that she didn't speak much at all. And this was the very first time they would have Cadance over at their house for dinner. The first time - implying there would be many more dinners that pricked a million tiny holes in Twilight's heart. Something told Twilight that it would never get any easier. ******************* by ArguingPizza ~~~ Special talents are curious things for one as long-lived as I. When I was a mere filly, before the first brick had been placed in what today are the most ancient of ruins, it seemed very clear to me. I raised the moon, and my Cutie Mark said as such. A simple system, one that functioned without fail for hundreds of generations of ponies. However, for my sister and I, the rules seem to bend somewhat. For example, Celestia’s talent with a paintbrush would make the most gifted of surgeons weep with envy. While perhaps her skills could be explained by innumerable years of practice, it is a difficult argument to make when confronted by her ability to switch between the most emotional of abstract expressionism to realism who’s only telling feature to distinguish it from photography is a flawlessness that has yet to be captured by technology. I envy my sister, for it seems my second talent is far less desirable. Allow me to explain. A nation can change to a nearly unimaginable degree in a thousand years. Social norms, vocabulary, even something as seemingly simple as personal space can shift over the course of ten centuries. Being suddenly dropped back into society a full millennium removed from what I am familiar with was a harrowing experience. Not only did I have a thousand years of history to catch up on, but I also had to relearn how to interact with the citizenry. Even my Celestia had changed to an enourmous extent, thought thankfully she was still easily the sister I remembered her to be. Understandably, reacquainting myself with modern society gifted me no small amount of stress. I would be a gross understatement to call the sheer volume of knowledge I was required to master anything short of overwhelming. Some nights, when the burden becomes overwhelming, I relieve myself through walks in the Royal Gardens. On one such night, not long after my visit to Ponyville for Nightmare Night, I was taking a stroll near the Statue Gardens when I heard a mare cry out in distress. I immediately recognized the voice as that of Twilight Sparkle. While I was surprised to discover she was in Canterlot, I did not hesitate to come to her aid. Without a moment’s delay, I spread my wings and launched myself into the sky towards where I had first heard her cries. I found her not a hundred paces distant, separated only by a tall hedge, struggling against an unknown assailant with a vibrant pink coat. In the shadows, it was difficult to distinguish what was transpiring, but I dived upon them regardless. I impacted the earth with a crash of thunder, summoned lightning outlining my figure and giving me a fearsome visage. Wings extended and horn aglow, I commanded the brigand to unhoof Twilight Sparkle, or face my wrath. It was at that moment that the moon, my lovely, traitorous moon, chose to peak out from behind an errant cloud and illuminate the scene before me. Tangled together in a way known only to lovers, Twilight Sparkle and my niece, Princess Cadence, staring at me with flushed faces. As I stood frozen in place, shocked by what I had discovered, the unique scent of sweat and arousal reached my nose. I managed to stammer an excuse and an apology before quickly teleporting away. That was the first time I interrupted Twilight and Cadence’s…activities. It would not be the last. In the months since, I have managed to interrupt them no less than 435 times, including twice when I made a concentrated effort to remain in an entirely different hemisphere to avoid such incidents. It is when I watch my sister paint a sunset that somehow manages to capture every detail precisely and yet at the same time convey a story of loss and rebirth, while I am cursed to a perfect view of Twilight and Cadence boinking in the Observatory tower(close the blinds, for heaven’s sake!) that I think upon the cruelties of destiny and fate. ******************* by Magicman7997 ~~~ It was a cool spring evening in the capital city of Canterlot. The nocturnal birds and insects began their soothing symphonies of the night as two lovers wandered through the Royal Gardens. Twilight Sparkle and her marefriend Princess Mi Amore Cadenza enjoyed the sweet smells filled the air of the gardens as they softly followed the well worn walkways. Merely enjoying the quiet contentment of one another's company, the two found their way to a small gazebo at one end of the path. Under said gazebo, a full picnic set complete with red checkered blanket and two silver domes covering what was certain to be two of the finest meals the Royal Chefs could come up with. “What's all this?” asked a surprised Twilight. She slowed her pace as they approached the romantic sight. “This, my beautiful love, is for you. As a way to say 'Thank you' for being the greatest gift I could have ever received.” Cadance finished walking the last of the path and gestured for Twilight to take her place next to her. The lavender unicorn happily complied as she sat gently next to her alicorn paramour. With a flick of her magic, Cadance whisked away the lids to reveal two large bowls of delicious looking greenery. Daisies, clover, rose petals, and other assorted goodies filled the salad bowls until they were nearly overflowing. Not to be outdone, Twilight lit her own horn and used her telekinetic prowess to uncork a bottle of Chateau L'Heauf that had been chilling in a bucket directly in front of them. With a practiced motion, Twilight poured two glasses full of the raspberry colored wine. Offering a glass to Cady, she raised the goblet in a toast. “What shall we drink to dearest Twily?” “To the first time Cady.” “The first time? What first time?” Twilight set her glass down and took Cadance's hooves in her own. “To the first time I laid eyes on you. To the first time my heart leapt from my chest for you.” Cadance's eyes began to mist over at the display of genuine affection pouring from the lavender unicorn. “To the first time we kissed. And every time after that. And to the first time, in a long time, that I've ever been truly surprised. Thank you for tonight. It means so much to me to know this is how you feel about me.” Both mares lifted their glasses and finished a sip of the startlingly sweet wine. As the alcohol swirled down their throats, Cadance softly placed her lips against Twilight's. Their tongues slowly danced around one another's as their passion began to build. Stopping once the need for air became too great, the two lovers shared a tender nuzzle surrounded by the tranquility in the air. “There's one more first time I want to toast to Cadance.” Twilight spoke as she carefully placed her glass back on the blanket. Cadance looked at her love quizzically as she too sat her glass down. Once again taking her beloved's hoof in hers, Twilight continued. “I never thought we'd get to this point. The point where we truly could be together. But, we persevered, and now, I can't imagine my life without you.” Stealthily, Twilight levitated a small black velvet box from her saddle bags. “Now, for my final toast, I want to toast to the first time, the first time that I took the ultimate leap of faith and asked you the most serious question of all.” Bending on her forehooves, she used her magic to present the now opened box to Cadance. “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, will you do me the honor of joining me in marriage? Would you be my wife?” Cadance gasped as she took the box in her own magic. Inside was an intricate silver and golden horn ring. Small jewels recreated their cutie marks and circled the entire ring. Twilight's own magic took control once more as she softly placed the ring on Cady's own slender horn. As the ring slid into place, and with a voice that would have made Fluttershy proud, Cadance whispered through her tears. “Yes. Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!”