//------------------------------// // Reality is Sudden // Story: My Little Friends: Wish Your Happy Ending // by SyforceWinterLight //------------------------------// “What do you mean it’s gone?!” Faith was in an absolute panic. She never had to panic badly before, but there was always a first time for everything. Then again, this is a first time she didn’t look forward to, as it is also the first time in her life where everything is just plain upside down. “You heard me,” Rainbow repeated, “It’s gone. Poof! Just not there anymore.” “Wait, wait, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said, “Slow down, and tell us what happened.” “Yeah, well, here’s the deal,” Rainbow settled onto the ground as she began to explain, “After I told the others to come here, I headed straight for the place, just like you told me to. It wasn’t hard to find, I remembered the route when me, Rarity and Spike took to get there. But when I got to the cave, it like, wasn’t there!” “Are you sure?” Spike asked, “You couldn’t find that staircase? I mean it’s underground, as in under the ground.” “Yeah, I knew that! But it wasn’t there. There wasn’t anything there to show it was there before! I even tried to see if there were false door or something covering, but nothin’. It’s just not there anymore.” Faith looked into space with disbelief as the situation sunk into her. She honestly thought the situation would be simple. With Twilight’s help, they would somehow use the lake they were found in, and get back home as simple as that. As simple as that, she thought. She never thought that it could possibly go wrong. Faith looked to the others to see how they were coping. Raine was clearly not doing so well, and even begun look to Hunter with an increasingly panicked look. “I’m gonna stuck here… forever…” she mumbled to herself, “M-my art career… please tell me we can still go back, Hunter…” Hunter was too flustered to answer, as he was clearly having trouble coping himself. “This is not happening… this is not happening…” Maple wasn’t doing any better, as she was shocked by what she heard and held Willow tightly. Willow tried his best to comfort her, despite the circumstances gripping him as well. “It’ll be alright,” he consoled her, “Don’t panic, don’t cry now.” This is bad, this is really bad, Faith thought to herself, what do we do now?? Raine having about to breakdown, Hunter isn’t able to help, Maple is on the verge of panicking with Willow, and Indigo... “So now what?” Faith jerked her head around to find Indigo just sitting next to her looking at her. He was wearing his usual vacant look. He sat there, without changing expression at all, while she kept her attention on him, expecting something else to come out. Nothing else came out. “Wait, what?” Faith finally responded. At this point, everyone else has looked to his direction. “So now what?” Indigo simply repeated. “Dude, don’t you get it?” Hunter said, agitated, “We just lost what was probably the only way outta this place.” “Actually,” Indigo corrected him, “that was just the thing that got us to here to begin. We didn’t know if it was an exit as well. Plus, it was probably one of those one time things.” Faith suddenly realized what he was saying. They just knew how they got here. They didn’t know if it could work the other way around. “Yes, well, it was still a chance, wasn’t it,” Willow countered, “Are you saying we shouldn’t have thought it was actual chance?” “Well, maybe so, but we would still wouldn’t know how to approach it,” Indigo countered back, “But the opportunity’s passed. So again, now what?” Faith thought for a moment. Besides the thought of seeing her friends again and going home, nothing else had really came to mind. She looked to Twilight’s friends, who all had their own reactions at the moment. “Uhh, excuse us,” Rarity finally spoke up, “But would you mind putting us in the loop here, that could be a good start?” “Right sorry,” Faith apologized, “Kinda forgot you girls were still here. I guess telling you all might help. But where to start…” “I think you should begin with perspective,” Twilight suggested, “I get the feeling me dragging out of that lake wasn’t the start of it for you.” “Yeah, I guess so. Well, I guess it started yesterday…” Faith told everyone in the group what she knew, to the best of her memory and detail. While it was short story, it was still fresh in her mind, so it wasn’t hard to draw up details. Plus, Twilight had helped give perspective of the events. Everyone in the room pretty much followed her from start, some of their expressing shock while others had worry. Spike decided to leave the room to take a nap. By the time she was done, everyone pretty much looked like they had something to say. “Well, that’s certainly something,” Applejack remarked, “Ah’ mean, it’s still hard to believe, but still makes sense, in a way.” “Nice to know you understand our situation,” Willow responded, “Still, I had forgotten Faith was here first. Didn’t think you would get this lonely.” “Yeah,” she swept the ground, looking down, “it… wasn’t great.” “It’s alright now,” Indigo assured her, patting her back, “We’re here now. So it’s okay now, kay?” “Y-you’re right,” she said, smiling, “Sorry I worried you all.” “It’s alright, Faith,” Raine said, giving an affectionate hug, “We’re sorry we weren’t there for you. Still, you held up fine for a day. No worries now.” “Still, you came from another world,” Rainbow Dash said skeptically, “I’d say you were lying your ears off, but seeing how I saw that the whole cave disappeared, so I believe ya.” “Obviously we weren’t lying,” Hunter huffed, “Guess you aren’t as dense as I thought you were.” “You trying to make something of it?” the irked rainbow-maned pegasus got up in Hunter’s face, who gave his own scowl. “Alright, enough of that,” Willow tugged back Hunter’s tail, getting him away from her. Applejack had gotten up and did the same for Rainbow, “Ah’lright, sugarcube, enough of that. This better not become a regular thing.” “Whatever,” Rainbow huffed, hovering back up a bit, “bet he can’t outfly me.” Hunter simply looked to the side and scowled, “If I could fly, I’d be doin’ laps so fast that your head would being doing 360s all day.” Faith raised an eyebrow, looking at Hunter’s wings, “You know, she can at least show you how.” “Are ya kidden me, Faith,” he responded incredulously, “I know I’m an athlete, but I got nothin’ feather related to chase after that rainbow.” “Are you sure,” Maple walked up and reached out to touch the wings on his back, “These look like they have lot’s of ….” “YAHOOEY!?” Suddenly, Hunter sprang up surprised in the air, his wings springing out. He went a few inches up before landing on his back. He wore a rather surprised expression as he just lied there. “…feathers…?” Maple shyly finished her sentence, while also taken aback with what just happened. “Hey, watcha do to me?!” he said as he got back up, then tried to feel his back for things, “Ya poke me with something or what?” “All she did was poke your wings, you dolt,” Willow responded as he facehooved himself. “What wings?” Hunter twisted his head around and looked down at his back. His eyes grew wide as he saw his now open wings on his back. “Whoa, when did these get here,” he remarked in surprise. “You never… noticed at all,” Twilight asked, quite surprised at his obliviousness. “No one told me I had wings,” Hunter answer, trying to control, “Man, these feel weird. Like having a tail wasn’t enough.” “You’re a pegasus, silly,” Pinkie playfully explained, “Of course you would have wings. You could totally go flying with Rainbow.” Hunter winced for a second to the idea of flying with her, but then flying in general made him very interested. “So, there is more than one type of pony,” Indigo asked curiously. “Yup!” Pinkie energetically jumped to Indigo’s side, “Raine is also a Pegasus, and you and Faith are unicorns. That means you can do magic.” Faith remembered that she did have a horn, and tapped it for a minute. She realized how she watched Twilight do magic yesterday, but really didn’t think about asking much about it other than just being fascinated by it. “And what would that make us,” Willow asked, referring to Maple and him. “Earth ponies, obviously,” the pink pony suddenly appeared, wrapping her arms around both twins’ shoulders, “just like me!” “Oh joy,” he remarked dryly. Off to the side, Raine had begun inspecting her new wings, which she also just realized she had. “My word,” she said, flexing her wings, doing a little twirl in the process, “Well, lasses and lads, this will certainly prove to be an interesting…” “Hey, look what I can do!” Indigo called out. Raine looked in his direction, seeing what he was so excited about. In front of him was a book floating in midair, covered in a distinct indigo color. His horn also had the same color. “Hey, this is awesome,” Indigo remarked with glee. “OH SWEET MOTHER OF HEAVEN, HAVE MERCY ON US!” Raine’s pupils dilated before she held her head and fainted away. “Oh my,” Rarity asked with worry in her voice, “should we be worried?” “You have no idea,” Willow had his hoof over his eyes, just shaking his head in a mixture of shame and regret. Faith just rolled her eyes at her friends’ overreactions. Her thoughts went back to her horn, as she wondered how she could learn to utilize magic herself. “Say, Twilight. Could you show me how to use magic,” she asked curiously. “Oh, sure, Faith,” Twilight replied cheerfully, “maybe Indigo can show me whatever magic comes from your world, seeing how good he is with…” “Can’t,” Indigo bluntly replied as he walked over with the still hovering book next to him. “Uh… why?” Twilight asked, a little taken aback, “You did know magic before coming here…right?” Her voice trailed off a bit. “Well, that’s kinda hard to do when it doesn’t exist,” he replied. Twilight immediately was shocked by this, “Wait, are you serious? You have no magic where you come from.” “Yeah, that’s our reality,” Willow explained, “Where we’re from, magic is just a fantasy.” “Oh my,” Rarity exclaimed, “then how do you get anything done?” “Well, it’s a thing call ingenuity and perseverance,” he replied, “In a way, we always try to come up with a solution to whatever problem we run into, while trying our best to compensate for what we lack.” “Wow, that’s a lot,” Pinkie commented, “Is that why you don’t have a cutie mark?” “Huh?” Willow gave look of confusion. “What’s … a cutie mark?” Maple asked hesitantly. “Why this, silly!” Pinkie got up on all fours and pointed at her flank, where a triplet of balloons adorned it. “Oh, that,” Hunter remarked, then looked at his own flank, “Uhhh… yeah, got nothing here.” Faith looked to Twilight, who had a star like cutie mark on her side. She then looked to her own hip, and found nothing adorned there at all. She then realized something. Looking at everyone else, Twilight’s friends clearly had marks on their flanks; Faith’s friends had nothing on theirs. “So what’s the exactly the big deal with them,” Hunter asked, “it ain’t a crime or anything to not have a tattoo like that or anything, is it?” “Are you kidding me,” Rainbow exclaimed, “It’s like the sign that makes your identity, your talent, your awesomeness.” “Okay…” Raine responded, confused, “Could someone kindly translate all that?” “I’ll explain,” Twilight said, “A cutie mark represents one’s talent. It’s like a sign that tells us our destiny. It represents who we are and what we can do.” “A representation talent,” Hunter looked up, thinking, “huh, like a team symbol.” “But wait,” Willow asked, “You’re making sound like not having one is abnormal. When do ponies usually get their marks?” “About the age of a filly,” Applejack replied. “As in … a kid,” his voice had an edge of dread to it. Everyone from Faith’s group simply hung their heads in shame. Faith didn’t get it at first, but then recognized that everyone that was pretty embarrassed. Well, everyone but Indigo, who was once again just sitting there, and stopped levitating the book. “Well, guess that’s another thing on the list, I suppose,” he said as he smiled randomly. “Shut up, fool,” Hunter muttered. “Well, I guess we can agree that we’ll be here for a while,” Faith said, trying to change the subject. “Yeah, well, what’s our house situation,” Hunter asked first, looking up at Faith, “Which reminds me, where did you stay yesterday?” “Uhh, here,” she answered, “Twilight had a spare bed for me to sleep in.” “Of course,” Willow remarked, “but still, we have to decide where we have to stay for while we’re here. I highly doubt a library can house six people.” “Ponies, Willow,” Raine corrected him. Willow simply shook his head at that phrase, unamused. “Umm, does that mean… we have to go to separate places,” Maple asked shyly. This question got everyone’s attention, especially Faith’s group. Some of them had their heads down for a minute, mostly look concerned or worried. “Well, that’s …inconvenient…,” Raine noted. Twilight’s friend, save for herself, all looked confused at the others. “Er… is something the matter, sugarcube,” Applejack asked. “It’s … nothing,” Faith replied, trying to keep the mood light, “It’s just…” “We’ve never, liked, lived separately,” Hunter awkwardly added, “Like, ever.” The girls were immediately surprised by this. “Whoa, whoa wait,” Rainbow said, not believing what she was hearing, “You guys live with each other or something?” “Pretty much,” Raine noted, “Well, except me from time to time, but still, never been without each other.” “Don’t any of you stay with yer’ parents,” Applejack immediately shot out. That struck a chord with everyone, as they hung their heads again. Everyone but Twilight was confused, the latter realizing again what was up. “Oh, did we say something wrong,” Fluttershy asked. “Uh, Faith,” Twilight asked her friend, “I thought… are you not… the only orphan…?” This immediately shocked everyone in the room, although for different reasons. “You told her??” Hunter asked incredulously. “It wasn’t on purpose,” Faith quickly said defensively, “I was really sad at the time, and I got lonely thinking about you guys.” “We don’t blame you,” Indigo said in an assuring voice, which then switched to being despondent, “But I guess it was kinda inevitable.” “Wait, wait, wait,” Rarity tried to interject, “Are you saying you all of you don’t have parents?” “Well… in a sense…” Hunter rubbed the back of his head. Faith simply sighed sadly before chalking the answer. One that was pretty obvious at this point. “Yes, we all come from an orphanage.” This statement pretty much received the most reactions from everyone in the room. Most of Twilight’s group reacted with much shock, some more than others. “Whoa, seriously?!” Rainbow Dash spoke up, “I mean, not to be rude, but why didn’t you guys say anything before?” “Hey, ya think we would go around broadcasting such a thing?” Hunter responded, “Not the most pleasant detail I want on my sports resume.” “Why are ya’ so ashamed of it?” Applejack questioned, “Ah’ mean, there ain’t nuthin’ wrong with being an orphan.” “Well, maybe not,” Raine replied, her voice trailing off, “It would be perfectly fine if we were, say, eight to nine years younger.” “Huh? What do you mean,” Twilight asked, partially confused, “I mean, how long have you all lived in an orphanage?” “My whole life,” Faith replied immediately, which got reactions immediately. “Since I was, I dunno, 7 – 8 tops,” Hunter answered himself, which also got a few reactions. “8 and half years old, with my sister, naturally,” Willow quickly and decisively. “Again, drop in and out. But I was officially an orphan since I was 8,” Raine answered in a relatively calm, yet uncomfortable tone. “10,” Indigo said out loud, which got him some looks from the others, “What? I came late, okay?” “So you’re saying in all that time, you’ve never even been considered for adoption,” Twilight surmised, “So by now you’re all basically the same age as us.” “Pretty much,” Faith confirmed. “Awwwwww, I’m sure a nice pair of parents would still want to adopt you,” Pinkie said optimistically. “Well, yes and no,” Willow shook his head. “You see, it’s easier for children to be adopted, due to having that youthful appeal,” Raine began to explain, “But once you’re a young adult, well… You get this… untold stigma attached to you.” “W-what,” Fluttershy gasped, “what do you mean?” “The parents only want the pups,” Hunter answered, slightly annoyed, “kids are expected to be innocent and all smiles. Teens, no, we’re just dogs to them. The big, old, ugly ones that could be nothing more than a headache. Hmph. To adults, teens are nothing but magnets to trouble.” Twilight wore a clearly shocked look on her face, not realizing just how badly these ponies, while the same age as her, have such a hard time. She could only imagine what it’s like to be constantly passed over for other kids. “I’m… I’m so sorry, I didn’t think…” Faith immediately picked up on the reaction, and interrupted her. “No Twilight, its fine. We’re all completely over it by now. At least, a lot less sensitive about it.” “That’s correct,” Willow added, “by now, most of us had already felt like it was time to move on with our lives. Besides, I refused most of the offers of adoption I get.” This was met with surprise by the other ponies. “Really,” Applejack asked, “Well, why’s didn’t ya take it?” “They wouldn’t take Maple as well,” he simply replied, “I wouldn’t go anywhere without her, no matter what. It was too bad most of the adults wouldn’t understand. Although I think they wanted me more for my intelligence than just to have a child to raise.” “You mean like a trophy genius,” Twilight noted, “I’ve seen some parents flaunt their kids like that.” “Uh huh,” Willow simply nodded. “It was funny sometimes,” Maple remarked, a bit louder than her usual shy tone, “The looks on their face sometimes said it all. But Willow always made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere without me. I could say the same for myself.” “Yeah, I can kinda say the same,” Hunter said, which earned some surprised looks. “What?” he asked, confused. “Nothing,” Rarity answered, “You… didn’t seem like the type.” Hunter flinched with an unpleasantly surprised look on his face. “Hey come on! Don’t be like that,” he blurted out, before calming down a bit, “I mean, I didn’t like the idea of not having a good home with decent parents, but I kinda didn’t like not being with my friends. So yeah, I honestly liked sticking with you guys more.” “After my parents were gone, my life was all over the place,” Raine herself added, “To say it was bad would be a bit of an understatement. But my friends were always there to console in a time of need.” “Same here,” Indigo waved a hoof, “I honestly don’t know where I can be without everyone here. I am a lot less lost with them than when I was by myself.” Everyone in Faith’s group pretty murmured and nodded in agreement. Twilight, who heard everyone’s opinion on the matter, understood what kind of bond they have. While they didn’t have any parents to console to and couldn’t find new ones, they were able to be there to take away the loneliness. “It sounds like you have quite the group, Faith,” Twilight remarked positively. “I suppose so,” Faith agreed, “But yeah, even in our current situation, it’s great that my friends are here with me. That’s something that always gets me through most things.” “Right, now that we’re all feelin’ better, what are we gonna do now,” Applejack asked. Faith looked down a second, thinking, then looked at everyone again, “Well, I guess we will have to stay separately with others. I mean, it’s not like we won’t see each other forever.” “Makes sense, I guess,” Hunter agreed, slightly begrudged, “still doesn’t feel right, ya know.” “Alright, so how will split ourselves up,” Raine asked, then turned to Twilight’s group, “I guess you girls don’t mind taking us in.” “Why, not at all,” Rarity answered with a hint of excitement, “I would love to have somepony like you as a guest.” “Guess that settles that. Raine is staying with Rarity,” Faith noted, “Anyone who has a preference, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Willow looked at everyone with a bit of scrutiny on his part. He saw Indigo already chatting away with Pinkie, finding their similarly energized personalities to be very jarring. “Wow, really,” Indigo asked in awe, “Your home is that gingerbread house I saw earlier in the morning??” “Yup,” Pinkie said enthusiastically, “It’s called Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville’s super best bakery for all your sugary baked needs. Aaaaand home to yours truly.” “Awesome!” he remarked gleefully, “I always wanted to know what a life-size gingerbread house looked like on the inside.” “Why don’t you stay over then,” Pinkie excitingly offered. “We can play games, bake cupcakes, play with Gummy, and more stuff that we can probably think of.” “Awesome!” he replied enthusiastically before he turned to Faith, “Can I, Faith?” Faith just looked at Twilight with face that an unsure smile. All she got was a shrug. “Sure, I guess,” she said with a bit forced optimism. “HOORAY!” he and Pinkie cheered gleefully as they hi-fived each other. “Well, they certainly are look forward ta’ it all,” Applejack remarked. “Indeed,” Willow agreed, “Still, I suppose it can’t be helped, considering our lack of knowledge of the surrounding area. Or living on our own. Both very important.” “Ah’ guess,” she noted, “So, y’all decided where ya’ wanna stay, cause mah place has enough room as well.” “I appreciate the thought,” he said humbly, “But I really don’t want to…” “Willow…” The brother turned to his twin sister, who giving him a rather annoyed look. One that looked a little too familiar to Faith, involving glaring eyes and puffed cheeks. Despite have an equine face now, her annoyed expression whenever Willow did something that didn’t sit well with her. This usually takes most of the others off guard, due to it being unexpected for someone as shy as her. “Um, what Maple?” Willow asked, a bit hesitant. “You’re doing it again,” she simply answered. “Oh, uhh… am I?” he said, a bit flustered. “Yes, you are,” she said it such flatness that one could skate on it if it were ice. “Y’all lost me here,” Applejack interjected, “What is it yer’ brother did ag’in?” “He actually does want to come stay where you live,” Maple finally answered, “he wasn’t going to say anything, though. Again.” “Ah guess this tain’t the first time he’s done that, sugarcube,” the farmer pony chuckled. “I’m … just a bit skeptical, that’s all,” Willow tried to defend himself. “You don’t take generosity well,” Maple countered. Willow flinched, then hung his head in shame. “Don’t remind me.” “Well, you two are welcome to stay at mah place,” Applejack noted, “The only thing ah expect is proper table manners is all.” “I… thanks, I guess,” Willow thanked, his expression softening a bit, “Truth to be told, I always wanted to look at and actual farm up close.” “Well, ah reckin’ ah can show you the whole place once you git’ yer hooves wet,” she said positively. Willow simply nodded in agreement. Faith was bit amused whenever Maple had to relay her brother’s actual feelings. Now all that leaves…, she thought as her head to last member of the group who hasn’t decided. Her eyes fell on Hunter, who appeared to be staring out of the window, bored out of his mind. He then noticed Faith looking, and turned to face her. “What,” he asked. “So, have you made your decision,” Faith asked. “What? Oh, not really,” Hunter stated, “I was just going to… um…” “Haven’t made up your mind yet, have you,” she said with a deadpan look. “Hey, I was getting there,” he try to retort, “It’s just, you know…” Faith simply rolled her eyes, “Guy with a girl thing again?” She was all too aware of how uncomfortable it made him to be alone with a girl other than the others. “Yeah, I know shut up,” he said in a huff. “Well, why don’t you try asking Rainbow,” Twilight suggested. Huner took a look at Rainbow Dash, and then turned to Twilight with a face that mixed disgust and discomfort. “You’re kidding me, right,” he said, “You expect me to get along with her? Out of all ponies?” “At least without picking fights all day,” Faith noted, “besides, you have wings and she knows how to use them. You can probably ask her how to show you how to fly.” Hunter contemplated for a moment, looking at his wings. Then he walked over to Rainbow, who appeared to be pretty neutral to him. “Hey, mind if I crash at your place,” he asked bluntly, trying to bury any previous animosity he had with her before. Rainbow looked at him with a hint of unsureness and skepticism herself. “Didn’t think you would want to ask me. What’s the catch?” “Nothing, really,” Hunter replied, sweeping his front leg, “just, you know, figured we started on the wrong foot. I’m just… you know… not good at asking others for help.” He looked down, looking rather awkwardly at the ground. “Okay.” Hunter looked up at Rainbow, with a surprised look on his face. “Wait, what?” “You can stay at my place,” Rainbow stated again, smiling with confidence. “Wow, really? I mean, thanks, I guess.” “Hey, don’t sweat the small stuff,” she said, then held out her front right leg, “you seemed pretty cool anyway. Let’s hoofbump on it, we cool?” Hunter looked at hoof, a little confused at first. Then spoke ‘oh’ and bumped her hoof with his. “Guess so.” Twilight and Faith watched as the two pegasi shared confident looks with each other. “So, I guess everyone’s got their places, huh,” Twilight said. Faith nodded, “Yeah. I’m kinda surprised and glad at the same time that it worked out this way.” “Yeah,” Twilight noted, “As long as you are here, we’ll help you guys as much as we can.” “Thanks,” Faith said with a smile. Twilight returned the smile, and Faith decided to usher everyone back together. “So now what do we do?” Fluttershy asked softly, “if you don’t mind me asking.” Faith realized that the shy pegasus had been next to her without her realizing it. “Well, I guess we could show you guys around town a bit,” Twilight suggested, “I didn’t get a chance to do that with you Faith, so doing with your group can make up for it.” “That’d be great,” she agreed, “I could definitely get to know this town. What do you guys think?” “Sounds awesome,” Hunter noted. “Finally! I wanted to see the whole place since this morning,” Indigo was hopping in excitement, “Let’s go already.” “Hold on a tad minute,” Raine suddenly said a stern tone. “What you on about, princess? Something got yer’ knickers in a bunch,” Hunter sarcastically asked in faux british accent. Raine simply rolled her eyes in response. “Dear, as much as I’d like to go exploring our surroundings, I, or rather we, simply do not look the part.” “Hmm, elaborate,” Indigo suddenly put on a face that criss-crossed seriousness contemplation and energetic curiosity. Raine nonchalantly put her hoof through her mane and stroke through it. Then flung some clumps in the air, which went all over the place and became a mess of hair on her neck. “Your … mane,” Maple guessed timidly. “Exactly,” Raine exclaimed, “it’s an absolute wreck!” “Really, is it now?” Hunter said in a deadpan tone, “Just run that through water or hair gel or whatever you use and you’ll look good as new. What’s so wrong with havin’ a bit of bed head?” “For you, that may be forgivable, but as a lady, I find my image is just as important as my talents,” Raine said in a matter of fact tone, “Besides, I’m speaking for everyone as well. We are not looking our finest, to put it lightly.” Faith was about to raise her own objection when yet another piece of hair fell in front of her, which she decided to immediately shut up about it and just brush it aside. Willow and Hunter simply rolled their eyes, Maple nodded shyly in agreement while giving a very sympathetic ‘oooh’, while Indigo was just messing with his tail by tying loose knots. “Why darling!” Rarity suddenly raised her voice, “What an important thing to miss. And to think it was our first topic!” “Aww, c’mon girl, not you too,” Hunter said with dread. “But of course, Hunter,” she responded, “A pony’s mane is a very important part of them. It says much about who you are and your background. And we simply have you all running around looking like a bunch of ruffians.” “Who you callin’ a ruffian?!” Hunter shouted in anger. “Don’t mind him, he’s loud,” Willow quipped, “but still, I suppose it’s for the best.” “You actually want a haircut as well, Will?” Faith asked, surprised. “Might as well get it over with,” he replied, “If we want to fit, looking the part is a good step in the right direction. Besides, if I had a mirror right now, I’d probably be a bit miffed by a bad hair day myself, truth to be told. I’ll go with Raine’s judgment on this one.” “Am I the only one to find it’s a dumb idea?” Hunter piped up. “Let’s find out!” Pinkie suddenly interrupted, “All in favor of Faith’s friends getting a manecut, raise your hoof.” Raine, Rarity, and Willow naturally raised their hooves first. They were followed by Maple, Fluttershy, Indigo, and Pinkie; the former two hesitantly, the latter two enthusiastically. Faith looked to Twilight, trying to hopefully get some advice. Twilight simply shrugged, as she was pretty unsure as well. “Okay, we give,” Faith simply raised her arm as well, with Twilight following suit as both smiled sheepishly. Hunter simply frowned, and turned his head to see Rainbow and Applejack, who were only ones without their hooves in the air. “Ugh. You also feeling me here, right,” he asked, sounding defeated, “this is dumb, ehh?” “I’ve already put up with getting put with getting put in dresses that make me look like a clown,” Rainbow said as she rolled her eyes, “a manecut’s quick, at least. Just suck it up.” The gray pegasus let a low groan as he got up. “Alright, since we’re all in agreement, then let’s go immediately,” Rarity said with glee, “I know the best place to get the possible manecut in town.” “Welcome, miss Rarity, how can we help you today?” The pony at the desk up front kindly asked the white unicorn. Faith’s group looked around, taking in the sights of the spa. “Ah yes, you see I have some friends in need of a much required manecut,” Rarity requested, “Six ponies. Three mares and three stallions.” “Of course, right this way,” the spa pony lead the group to another room. “This place is… fancy,” Faith noted as the group walked through the spa. “Why of course,” the fashionista responded, “this is my go to destination for all my pedicures. The ponies here will make sure your stay here is as pleasant and relaxing as possible.” “Didn’t think this place also offer haircuts,” Hunter snorted, “figured we’d be walkin’ in on some dusty old barbershop.” “Well, there is such an establishment that did come to mind,” she noted, “sadly, I had just remembered the owner was closed for the day. Besides, by the time you leave this place, you will look absolutely dashing.” “Oh joy,” he sarcastically responded, “this stuff looks expensive. You’re not seriously paying for all this, are you?” “But of course,” Rarity said with a smile, “This is your first day here, after all. It would be unfair to expect something so soon.” “That’s … very generous of you,” Willow thanked her. “Everypony, here we are,” the receptionist directed them to a room. Faith, the Mane 6, and the others entered the room, and the scent of hairspray was one of the first things that hit her. The room had several sets of mirrors and chairs at opposite sides of the wall, with some décor around the place. In the room were some ponies waiting for them, which Faith assumed were the barbers and stylists. “Hello, everypony,” one of the stylists formally greeted, a pink pony with a blue mane and tail, “What can we do for you all today?” “Hello, Aloe,” Rarity greeted, “My friends here are in need of a much needed manecut, think you can do the job?” The mare looked at towards Faith’s group, then nodded, as if she understood the situation. The two mares exchanged a bit more banter, then the stylist walked up to Faith. “So, we can do five ponies’ manes immediately to begin with,” she said to the light violet unicorn, “so who are the first few that shall go?” Members of Faith’s group looked at each other for a minute, then to the stylists. “Come on, guys,” Twilight encouraged them, “It’ll be fine.” Hunter simply shrugged at the regard, “Fine, might as well give it a swing.” He walked over and sat in one of the seats nonchalantly, and one of the stylists walked up and put a large cloth around the neck and over his body. “So, my friend,” the stylist asked, prepping a pair of scissors, “What style do you have in mind today?” “I dunno, what can you do,” the pegasus responded, a little skeptical, “and please none of that fru-fru stuff that those idiots have while they drink their fancy tea while twiddling their fricken mustaches while sitting on a two story porch… no offense, Raine.” “None taken,” Raine responded, but although she did looked a little annoyed. “I assure you, I am very capable of a variety of mane styles,” the stylist said with confidence, “You just need to describe what you have in mind.” “Alright,” Hunter said complacently, “anything, right?” The stylist nodded his head, and Hunter looked away as he thought for a moment. Then his eyes widened for a second as he fingured out what he want. “Got it,” he said, “so, I want my hair to have that that look, you know. Something sharp, not too diesel, no cutting the corners deal. One look at me is gotta ‘cool and deadly’, knowwhatImean?” “Uhh, what?” his mane cutter gave a very confused look. “Ugh, okay. I don’t like looking too average, but nothing flashy involved. Nuthin’ scrawny looking, or greaser look. And don’t cut wavy either.” “You lost me again,” the even more confounded stallion expressed. “Of for grieving… Look, I just want something to make me look awesome, yet deadly. Like that wild spirit ridin’ in the wind, one ya want to get out of the way of, you feelin’ me?” “I-I… no,” the stylist could only cough up. Faith wasn’t sure if he should feel sorry for the guy, or laugh at the unique situation. Then Rainbow Dash suddenly stepped up. “He’s wants a Mohawk, but not some run in the mill one,” she suddenly stated, “It’s got to be unique some way, but it can’t too ridiculous.” The stylist blinked for a minute in her direction, a bit bewildered at her answer. “See, she knows what I’m talking about,” Hunter said with a toothy grin. “And this is why we don’t let Hunter choose the toppings of our salads,” Faith amusingly quipped. The stylist simply shrugged and took what little understanding he still had to focus on the mane cut. At another seat, Willow was apparently making a bit of small talk with his barber. “Listen, please keep it simple and short,” Willow explained, “I often don’t like dealing with long hai… er… manes, so try to make it so that I don’t need to be concerned about it for a while.” “Of course,” the pony that appeared to be Aloe, “I’ll be sure that you’ll look nice as well. Do you want to go for something that will differentiate you from your sister?” Willow blinked, “How did you know…?” “Oh, I can tell, I have a twin sister myself,” she chuckled, “I believe she’s with yours at the moment.” “Oh,” he simply said. “Hi, Willow,” Maple called out to him. He turned his eyes to her, and found her walking into another seat. She was wearing a towel around her head, apparently from washing her hair. “Alright, so what style do you want today?” a voice that is practically the same as Aloe. He turned his sight slightly to find a mare that identical to Aloe. He did a double take, and realized her color scheme was in reverse, having a pink body and blue mane. “Oooh,” he said again, trying to suppress his surprise. “Oh, a style,” she personally wondered, “well, I guess I can go something short and simple. It’s what my brother goes for anyway, Miss… uh…?” “Lotus, my friend,” the mare chuckled as she wrapped the cloth around Maple. Willow simply shook his head when his thoughts traced back to their similarities. Aloe simply smiled amused as she started to work on his mane. Faith looked away from watching Willow’s scene as she sat down in her seat, having just gotten her own hair washed through. She looked to the left the find that Indigo was sitting next to her. He was apparently fast asleep, snoring away like no one’s business, while the stylist working on his mane was going to town with it. It took a second for Faith to realize how much hair was all over the place on his head. “This … is … impossible! Every strand of mane I cut, three more pop up in its place,” the shouted, exasperated. “Calm down,” the stylist that was doing Faith’s hair told her coworker, “if you keep cutting so recklessly, you’ll mess up his mane.” “I know, just… there so much that room for error is so little,” the guy responded as he snipped another large chunk off, “No matter, it will be taken care of immediately!” “*sigh* Oh well, now then, Miss Faith, was it,” the unicorn stylist said as she took the towel off her head, “First we’ll be doing your mane, then we’ll stylize your tail accordingly. Is there a particular style do you want?” Faith thought for a minute, thinking about what she wanted to look like. She thought back on everyone else’s manes. Twilight had hers straight, which looked plain and simple. Rainbow Dash’s looked like it was ready swept by the wind. Rarity’s was curled in a way that made it extremely fancy. Fluttershy’s was long enough to have covered a bit of her face. Applejack’s was done in a way that appeared to benefit her working style. Pinkie’s … was just all over the place, which was oddly appropriate for her energetic side. “You know what,” Faith stated, “surprise me. I don’t have much of style I prefer, truth to be told. I like to roll with whatever I get.” “Very well, then I shall do my best to give you a mane that best reflects you,” the stylist said as she prepped her scissors. As Faith sat back in her seat, she felt a part of her mane being pulled back by a comb as the first snip was taken from it. Sometime during the manecut, Faith had to close her eyes to prevent a lot of the hair from falling into her eyes. And somewhere during that time, she apparently forgot to open them completely despite not feeling anymore hair hit her face. “Miss Faith, you can open your eyes now,” her stylists finally said when the sound of snipping ceased. Faith opened her eyes, and looked in the mirror. She saw the first improvement was that her mane was no longer going to get in the way of her vision. She then noted how wavy and curled it look on top, yet was neatly straight enough to be unique. Her stylist held up a mirror that allowed her to see the back of her mane was put in a position that waved upward. “Wow, this is… impressive,” Faith managed to speak out. “Oh, do you like it,” the stylist asked, “I honestly was experimenting for a bit. I hope it fits what you may have been looking for.” “It’s … absolutely amazing,” Faith complimented, “Wait, so now my tail gets the same treatment, right?” “Correct, if you follow me now,” the unicorn said as she showed her the way. As she got out of the chair and followed the stylists, she wondered how her friends will react to her new appearance. “Wow, Faith. You look amazing!” Faith had just come out of the room and into the waiting area, where the Mane 6 were waiting around. Twilight was the first to notice her, and was quite impressed with her friend’s new look. “Thanks, I guess,” she smiled, blushing a bit, “it’s a really big improvement to my mane, I guess.” “Why, darling, it’s quite astounding,” Rarity said with glee, “You are going to the object of jealousy to so many other mares.” “Does that make me the chick magnet then,” Hunter’s voice came up behind them. Faith turned around to find the pegasus standing behind them. His mane stood up in the form of a Mohawk, with the back spiked straight back. He also had a pair of thin bangs at the front that fell to both sides of his head. His tail was straightened out and cut a bit short. “Oh, wow,” Rainbow noted, “You look pretty awesome.” “Thanks, girl,” Hunter nodded, “That hairdo guy really did know what he was doing. Tell me, does this bring out my cool side or what?” He started to strut around, show off a bit. “Oh, it sure does bring out a side,” Applejack chuckled. “You trying to start something, country girl,” Hunter reacted badly as he got in front of her with an angry look. “He saying you look like a punk,” Willow suddenly spoke out, “it which is quite funny, considering you are close to being one.” The others turned around to find Willow and Maple walking out. Willow’s mane seemed to have improved in appearance, shortened and strained out into a curved triangle. Maple seemed to have the same style complimenting her brother’s, except she had a bow at the end of hair, as well as one at the base of her tail. “You certainly look alright yourself, Willow” Faith complimented him, “it fits you.” “Thank you,” he replied, “You look quite nice yourself, Faith. Hunter, though… I have to ask, why a Mohawk?” “Cause why not,” the pegasus answered, “B’sides, if I’m gonna be stuck in magical of land of colorful friken’ ponies, I might as look a way that’s gonna keep me out of the common crowd.” Willow shrugged, “True, I suppose.” Maple walked up to Faith, in awe of her mane. “Wow, Faith. You look really pretty.” “Thanks, Maple,” Faith thanked her, “You look nice yourself; the bows are a nice addition.” “Thank you, it was actually Willow’s idea,” she replied, “He suggested them cause he thinks they make me look cute.” Willow immediately flinched as he blushed for some reason. It was met with amused looks from the others. “So, she lookin’ cute, does she?” Applejack teased playfully. “I-I just wanted to make sure others would be able to differentiate between us,” Willow tried to defend yourself. “Yeah, suuuuuure,” Pinkie joined in with a mischievous look. “I think you are a very thoughtful brother,” Fluttershy said with a shy smile. “Thank you,” Willow said, reminding himself that how quiet the yellow pegasus was. “Alright, that still leaves Raine and Indigo,” Faith noted, “by the way, has anyone seen Raine, I lost track of her when we got here.” “Did somepony mention me?” Faith and the others turned around to see Raine stepping out. Her mane flowed downwards, the blonde hair falling straight. She also appeared to have a few strands of blue highlights, especially one that ran in the middle of her face. She also apparently had some makeup on, as she had light blue eye shadow on. “Wow, you really went all out,” Faith said, awestruck. “Yeah, sheeyoot girl,” Hunter added, equally surprised, “Friggen’ A, how many brushes ya weeded before you got it to look that …wavy?” “Well, it wasn’t easy,” she explained, “Since there were only five stylists and six of us, I decided that Rarity would help me trim a few loose ends and make it look nice.” “After that, she picked up and started to apply her style on her own,” Rarity continued, “which I must say, you truly looking dashing. You truly make good on your profession as an artist.” “Hee he, thank you,” she smiled, touched, “when you are in my kind of work, you tend to pick up skills without realizing.” “Wow, Raine,” Indigo’s voice suddenly piped up, “You look really beautiful.” Taken off guard, Raine jerked around to find the blue unicorn standing directly behind her. “Goodness lord,” she said, her voice a bit raised, “Don’t walk up others like that. Did you just done recently??” “Yup, do I look good,” he asked with a smile. Faith immediately took a look at his mane. While it was significantly neater, it was also a bit shorter. He had two bangs to the sides, both white highlighted ends. His tail was also a bit shorter, with white highlight at the tip as well. “Well, you certainly look good,” Raine said, “but I must ask, why the white highlights?” “Cause I thought it would look cool,” Indigo replied, “Besides Hunter’s rocking a sweet Mohawk, so I get to look awesome as well.” Raine gave a look at Hunter’s mane and immediately rolled her eyes. “I barely understand the logic in that. Then again it’s you, Indigo, so who am I to question anything.” “Ooooh, you look like really awesome, Indigo,” Pinkie complimented him as she hopped up, “Now you definitely don’t look like you just got out of bed. Oh, I’m not saying you didn’t look awesome before, but having bed hair can be silly. I mean, ponies say I have bed hair sometimes, but this is how I always looked, you know. But sometimes when I toss around too much in bed, my hair can get really really fuzzy and…” As Pinkie rambled on, Twilight walked up to Faith as the latter gave up trying to follow the pink pony’s motor mouth. “So, now that that’s settled, why don’t we start showing you around town,” Twilight suggested. “Sounds like a plan,” Faith agreed before turning to the others. “Hey guys, Twilight’s going show us around town, so let’s move out,” she called to the others. The others spoke up in agreement as they exited the salon. As she stepped out into the sunlight, Faith looked up to see the clear skies. She thought about how things are right now, how they all made new friends, and what lied ahead of them in the future. “Hey, Faith,” Hunter called to her, “you trying to count clouds or something? C’mon.” “Coming!” she called out, running towards the group. One thing’s for certain; they were about to have the adventure of a lifetime on their hands. Or hooves.