//------------------------------// // Chapter Two - Dreams? // Story: The Endless Summer Sun Celebration // by Mocha Star //------------------------------// Feeling a rapping on her chest Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked at Angel sitting on her chest, arms crossed and a scowl on his face like he did almost every morning. Morning. “Morning, oh no. I’ve overslept and missed the ceremony. Oh no, oh no, oh no.” Stammering as she put on her saddle bags as she ran for the door opening her wings preparing to fly to the ceremony hill but she was pulled back a nagging feeling of a rabbit that needed breakfast, “Oh, please, Angel, can’t you get some yummy food outside in nature today?” Crossing his arms and scowling he glared at the mare and rapped his foot on the floor. Landing and rushing to the kitchen Fluttershy quickly gabbed a bowl, some random vegetables, chopped them roughly put them in a bowl on the floor then galloped to leave. She opened the door and she heard a chirp from her kitchen stopping her in her tracks. “Oh, that hungry little bird is back,” she said aloud, looking at the ground just steps away, she resigned herself to the animals’ needs, then went about feeding them all. ‘Oh well, I’m sure my friends will understand, I have an obligation to the animals.’ Finishing her routine she gathered her saddle bags again figured she’d see Twilight first, as she would be the most understanding, as long as Twilight was at the Library again. Ever since the library was rebuilt Twilight has been there every day she is in town, she should be there until 10 at least collecting books for her next trip across Equestria. Landing by the Library she leaned to knock on the door then remembered what she was told the morning before, ‘You know this is a public library...’ Twilights voiced in her mind as she remembered. She reached for the knob and opened the door to see Spike and Twilight setting a table with cups and plates as Pinkie Pie was putting a bowl of punch on another table. "Fluttershy you’re the first here,” screamed Pinkie as she pushed the punch onto the table spilling some the rushed and tackled Fluttershy. Falling heavily to the floor onto her back with a pony the same weight as her pressing the life out of her was a lot to take in and the Fluttershy quickly felt her eyes filling with tears and she was unable to gasp for fresh air. “PINKIE, GET OFF HER,” Twilight shouted as she levitated Pinkie off Fluttershy. Running over Twilight lifted Fluttershy off the floor with her magic while Fluttershy gasped heavily and began to sniffle because she was hurt and scarred. Pinkie fell to the floor as she was released from the magic, “Ohmygosh Fluttershy I didn’t know I was hurting you, are you okay?” Pinkie exclaimed as she realized her friend was actually hurt. Lowering Fluttershy to the floor Twilight stopped her spell and walked over to Fluttershy, laying next to her and putting her arm across Fluttershys back, “Fluttershy, it’s okay now, I stopped Pinkie, and she’s really sorry. You don’t need to cry, are you hurting still?” “No, no, it’s okay, I deserve it. How could I do this to you all?” Fluttershy sobbed. “What are you talking about, Fluttershy? What do you think you’ve done to deserve being hurt, even by accident?” Twilight calmly asked her friend. Pinkie was leaning in from the other side, listening intently, her lips were quivering, whether from excitement or anxiety was unknown but she was waiting for an answer. “I-I-I-I, I-I-I,” Fluttershy stammered. “What did you do, Fluttershy! I’m going to explode if you don’t say anything more that ‘I-I-I.’” “I-I, missed the sun rising celebration and now you all hate me,” Fluttershy sobbed. Twilight and Pinkie looked at each other quizzically. A second later Pinkie spoke up, loudly. “That’s it?” said Pinkie, with a stern face, “That’s IT! You had me going all crazy because of the summer sun celebration that starts in 20 hours and you are going to miss it and you’re telling us hours ahead of time so we can prepare ourselves and you think we're going to be MAD at you just because you're blowing off all your best friends because you have something better to do?” Pinkie was now shouting into the cowering mares face. “Pinkie,” Twilight shouted as she used her magic to close Pinkies mouth, “Fluttershy, it’s okay if you’re going to miss the celebration tomorrow, we all will understand that you have to take care of your animals, okay?” Dash and Applejack burst through the door in a race that was a close loss favoring Applejack. Smiling wide she slowed to a trot and strutted in a victory circle before noticing the scene on the floor. “Ah, so, what’d ah miss this time, Sugarcube?” “Fluttershy isn’t going to make it to the summer sun celebration so she came all the way here SUPER early and told us first but before she could I jumped on her and Twilight lifted me off then Fluttershy started crying and then you got here,” Pinkie said. “Yeah, so, Fluttershy isn’t going make it I guess, but that’s okay because we all understand and love her, right girls?” Twilight encouraged. “Yeah” “Yuppers” “Ya know it” “N-no. That’s not what I meant, I mean, I don’t think I did. Maybe, I don’t, wait-“ Fluttershy said realizing something, “The celebration hasn’t happened yet?” “Nopers scopers,” chimed Pinkie, the others nodded in agreement. “So, the celebration is tomorrow morning and I have all day to spend with you all?” Fluttershy said, wiping a tear away with hopefulness in her eyes. “Fluttershy, of course you can spend the day with us, why would you think you couldn’t? If you want to miss the sunrise it’s okay too. We’re your best friends, okay?” Twilight stated calmly and sweetly. Feeling her heart filling with joy Fluttershy put the confusion and sadness aside and hopped up, pulling her friends in close she got a big group hug. “You know what would make this an even more special moment? Cider!” chimed Rainbow Dash grinning at Applejack. “Okay, okay, Sugarplum, I’ll get us one, but you best not be drinkin’ too much, it ain’t easy to make an’ Granny Smith won’t take kindly to a whole keg goin’ missin’ from our stockpile,” Applejack mused. Breaking up the group smiled and began to go about doing their own things, Applejack excused herself and bounded for the door. “Don’t take too long, AJ, we’re dying of thirst over here,” called Rainbow Dash. “I won’t silly filly, keep your britches on,” Applejack replied with a laugh as she bumped the door open hard. ‘Oh, so that’s why I got knocked over last time,’ thought Fluttershy Rarity arrived fashionably late wearing an excessively flashy dress, Twilight talked about her studies, Pinkie was bouncing around the room laughing and popping balloons, Dash was doing loops in the air talking about her new moves and Spike was staring at Rarity as she spoke to him about a new clothing line she was working on. “Gosh Rarity, you tell the best stories ever,” Spike said with bewilderment. "Spike, get me a beverage, dear," Rarity told Spike dismissively as Rainbow approached. “Rarity tells the best stories? HA, don’t make me laugh, I’ve got a new move that will make your head spin, Spike,” Rainbow said as she landed and started to talk about her moves. Rarity wasn’t to be outdone and began talking about a robe crusted with faux diamonds she was making for a Canterlot noble. Seeing the others talking Pinkie stopped eating a cupcake and ran over. She began yelling about how great the cupcake was, then looked into the eyes of the other two and kept mouthing the words, “Look at it, it’s amazing.” The scene was unreal for Fluttershy, who remembered the events and conversation, if not exact, close enough. Fluttershy sat back and watched, trying to remember what happened next, “Ahem,” she heard Spike say from her right. Looking at the little dragon she recalled her conversation with Twilight and the stress Spike was put through, ‘If I ask him any questions he’ll have to write for hours, so I won’t talk to him, just in case this happens to be happening again.’ “So, Fluttershy, how’s it going with the animals? Did you have time to feed them all today, you did get here early?” Spike asked, clicking his claws together. “Oh, I guess in the confusion I missed feeding a couple of them, since I thought I was on the wrong day and all, but they are happy and full for the time being and that’s all that matters,” Fluttershy said shyly. “Do you know what helps me to make sure I never forget anything, Fluttershy? I make lists, lists for everything and anything that can happen, right Spike? We have lists for everything that needed to be done today and it’s all checked, double checked and then I made a list to check that I checked the lists.” Twilight beamed. ‘Oh no’ thought Fluttershy, as she looked at Spike, who was squeezing his eyes tight, whispering a prayer to Celestia under his breath. “Oh spike, we need to make a list of things I have to do tonight. I totally forgot to make one, we have to cover everything to do from the time we leave until the time the sun rises. Spike, get a quill parchment and ink.” “I’ve got you covered, Twi,” Spike said as he dashed to get the requested items, “Okay, lets get this done so we can have some fun.” “Uh, um, Twilight, maybe we could forgo the list this one time and I can take Spike to the faire, If that’s not too much of a problem.” Fluttershy questioned. “No, it’s okay Fluttershy, I’m happy to spend all my free time on one of the best days of the year *sigh* making lists.” “It’s okay Fluttershy, Spike loves to do this stuff, we do it a dozen times a day sometimes. It’s a blast,” Twilight said as she formulated a list before she began to dictate it. “Yeah, this is my life,” Spike grumbled. “Um, no Twilight, I really think we should just, you know, forgo the list and have fun, think of what he’s missing out on. Think of his poor wrists,” Fluttershy said as she poked the floor with her hoof. Ignoring the mild protest Twilight continued, “Spike, title it ‘Everything to do today and this evening before the Sun Rising Ceremony.’” ‘Oh no, poor Spike, I saw all this in a dream, I guess, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it.’ Hours passed as they had before, the party went on, Rainbow Dash drank so much cider she couldn’t move properly. The arguement and jokes at Rarity had passed and by one o’clock the list was done and all the ponies laughed as they left the library, Fluttershy trailing behind a few paces trying to think of how close this was to her dream. Except for a few changes it was really close and that confused her greatly. Fluttershy suggested they get some food since she hadn’t eaten for maybe a day, maybe a few hours. Time was confusing right now so food is always a good way to sort out confusion. Looking around Fluttershy started to watch the crowd. A young cold was eating cotton candy, a group of mares talked and giggled, there was a pony on stilts standing as tall as two horses. Everything was so close to her dream, how could it be so accurate? Jugglers, unicorns casting magic spells, there were few Pegasus that were flying low above the crowd, a common simple town faire by any means. Eating a small Daffodil and lettuce sandwich with a large cup of water soothed Fluttershys nerves. The others were getting their own snacks from sellers and gathered to talk and eat. Not wasting any time Rainbow Dash chowed her food down and led the group to a gaming booth ‘Sink the boat.’ “I’m going to win a prize,” rainbow said with her usual confidence. Picking up a rock she tossed it at a small yellow boat, missing it she creating a splash that was caught and returned to the tub by the unicorn managing it, “Poor luck, you’ll do better next time. That’ll be one bit.” Begrudgingly Rainbow Dash gave two bits to the worker, “I’ll do it right now,” rainbow said as she hovering leveled. Taking careful aim she narrowed her eyes and threw the ball, “Another miss,” shouted the worker as the splash was caught, “Another try, ma’am?” said the unicorn with a large smile. “No way bub, this game is fixed,” Rainbow shouted, pointing a hoof at the unicorn. “Oh, c’mon Sugarcube, if you can’t hit a little boat how are you going to hit that last loop in your next show?” chuckled Applejack as she dropped a bit on the counter. Picking up a ball she tossed it lightly and hit the yellow boat knocking it over, “That, is how it’s done,” Applejack said tipping her hat with a smile. “Here you go, m’lady. Who’s up next?” the unicorn asked as he tried to gather new players from the passing crowd. Looking at the walls of the booth, she admired the numerous toys and animals. Pointing at a little stuffed Griffon the unicorn mare gave it to Applejack why popped it into her saddle bag, “Applebloom will like this.” “Yeah yeah, lucky shot. I’ll get a prize for,” looking around Rainbow Dash eyed various shops, trying to find one she would win easily. “Oh, lookie over there, I want to try fishing,” Pinkie said as she skipped on the tips of her hoods to a fishing game. “I want to try that one,” Twilight pointed at a magic game, “If I win I can get a scroll with a spell on it.” The group played a couple games and the challenge between Rainbow Dash and Applejack was in full swing. Twilight won a scroll with a spell even foals knew, disappointed she resigned to give it away. Pinkie was carrying an armful of candy with a smile full of chocolate bits. Fluttershy had gone to the petting zoo, this time she was the first done, and was waiting at the meeting location for the others. Applejack and Rainbow came running up, racing again. Rainbow dash won by a landslide having cheated by flying near the end, “How d’you like them apples, huh, AJ?” beamed rainbow dash. “Ya know flying is cheating, so you’re disqualified,” Applejack said, catching her breath. “Whatever, I won, you lost, get over it,” Rainbow Dash said smugly. “Oh yeah, well about time you won something tonight, Rainbow Dash.” “Hey, I won this race and I won this,” Dash said, holding up a coupon. After some discussion Fluttershy ended up with the coupon. This time, however, she took it and smiled, she beamed and giggled, “I didn’t know I would really get this, I can’t wait to go.” “Wow, really Fluttershy? You’re always so scardey weirdy and busy wizzy with all your fluffy wuffy animals, how are you EVER going to find an hour to get your hooves done?” Pinkie said, practically pressing her muzzle against Fluttershys. “Oh, w-well, I have a feeling tomorrow will be a great day, and since you all will be here we can all go before you all have to leave, Rarity and I used to go every week,” Fluttershy said, lowering her arms slowly, “At least, unless you don’t want to. I’d understand.” The others looked at each other and smiled, “Fluttershy, you know we’re here for each other, like always. So, let’s go tomorrow after the ceremony, okay?” Twilight said. Smiling Fluttershy put the ticket in her saddlebag and then asked what they were going to do next. ‘This day is just like my dream, I think I’ll stay with my friends tonight, my woodland friends will be okay, just this once.’ As the sun set, ponies set up blankets and picnics across the hills and prepared to rest for the morning sun. The six spent the night talking about their lives, work, experiences and growing families. Quickly the stress of their lives turned sour. “I know it ain’t right to say, but we see this sun rise every day of our lives, and now I gotta take days offa work to watch it rise here?” Applejack said out of nowhere. “Yeah, I know, I put off training a new recruit on my sonic rainboom, and I’m here. I didn’t tuck Kalida in to bed, that’s the first time in four years. Remember I brought him last year, now he has a cold and I can’t be there with him because of this stupid sunrise,” Rainbow Dash shouted at the others. “Oh, well you have it easy, I have to leave an hour after sunrise to get to the other side of Equestria to stand and wave as a delegation of Griffons enter the port of whatever town and then I have to be at Canterlot an hour after that to teach practical magic to an honors class, then i have to come back here to have a spa day with all of you,” Twilight barked. Biting her tongue Rarity was turning red with frustration, her cheeks puffed out as she held back joining in the tirade, her ‘professionalism’ holding her back as thoughts of her designs going unfinished were boiling inside of her mind. “Oh, um, guys, I don’t think you have it all bad. We have each other and that is enough, right?” Fluttershy said, too meek to be heard among the others. They argued until late into the night. A horn sounded in the distance and the moon began to drop from the sky to the amazement of all that viewed it. “Uh, guys, GUYS?” Spike called as he pointed to the rising sun trying to get the arguing groups attention, “The sun is rising.” Looking at the sun crest over the hill Fluttershy felt a little annoyed that their one day together had to end like this. The sun crest the hill and blinded the mare, shielding her eyes with her forearms she blinked and looked around.