“Sorry for the early start Dink’. I had to deliver that letter.” Derpy apologised, against the dark sky of the hour before morning. “It’s ok. I’ll just sleep earlier tonight.” Dinky said, with tiredness evident in her voice. “Sorry again Dink’.” Derpy said, looking to her daughter and not the tree right before her. “Mom! Look forward now!” Dinky cried out in warning. “Eye?” Derpy asked. “AAAHHHHH!” Dinky screamed in terror as her Mom got stuck in the tree and she started falling.
Twilight Sparkle had been working all night on some study. While it was riveting, an in depth study of the cosmos, she was aware she had gotten too into it, and was just about to finish and sleep in all day. She stared blankly outside while she was writing her last sentence, and saw a falling filly. WAIT, A FALLING FILLY? She thought and ran outside as fast as she could, creating a trampoline with her horn just a few metres before the ground. Dinky bounced, saying “Huh?” and then “Weeeee!” as she bounced up and down safely. Derpy finally managed to get herself out of the tree, not without shaking Twilight’s home a little. Then she hurried flew down to check on her daughter, whom she felt horribly guilty about dropping, relieved that she was bouncing on a trampoline.
“Thanks, mare pony!” She said as she saw the purple unicorn filly that was probably behind this. “It was nothing, you’re welcome.” Twilight said. Dinky got off of the trampoline. “So what are you doing up so late?” Dinky asked. “Studying in this library. The planets, stars and comets are very interesting to me. But I should really get to bed.” Twilight replied. “I like planets and stars! What’s your name?” Dinky asked. “Twilight Sparkle. How about you guys?” Twilight replied. “I’m Dinky and this is Mom, Derpy.” Dinky introduced. “Would you like to borrow a book? I always love to see little ponies interested in study.” Twilight Sparkle offered. “Mom, can I borrow a book? Please?” Dinky begged. “That’s alright.” Derpy said, letting her in the library to borrow a book.
“So what do you want to borrow, Stars and Planets 101, or Lawson’s Guide to The Cosmos, or maybe The Alphabet of Stars, or Planets and What They Do…” Twilight tossed a couple of books out of the bookcase. “Can I borrow all of them? It looks fascinating.” Dinky marvelled at the collection of books. “Really? Do you think you can finish all those?” Twilight looked at the collection of four thick books with a couple hundred pages each. “I read really fast. And there’s never such thing as too much reading. I love books!” Dinky said enthusiastically, much more enthusiastic about books and studying naturally than Twilight had ever seen in a little filly or colt. “I love books too. I’ve lived in libraries my entire life.” Twilight replied. “Wow that sounds like fun.” Dinky said.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m very tired. Maybe you should get going to school. But don’t worry; you can visit if you’d like to borrow a book with your Mom. My only term is that you return them the next fortnight, or every two weeks.” Twilight told her. “I’ll return these in two weeks time. Maybe even before that. I’ll see how I go. Thankyou Twilight Sparkle.” Dinky gave her a short thanking nuzzle. “Please call me Twilight. And no problem.” Twilight Sparkle said while accepting the nuzzle. “Thanks.” Derpy nuzzled Twilight shortly too. “It’s ok.” Twilight replied. “Bye!” Dinky farewelled. “Eye!” Derpy placed Dinky on her back and they zoomed out of Twilight’s window. She smiled a small tired smile, then blew out her candles and finally went upstairs to retire in bed alongside Spike sleeping soundly in his basket.
Derpy flew up out of the tree library and zoomed to Dinky’s school. It was still dark and barely five am when they reached the school, but Cheerilee was there, preparing notes and things for class. So Dinky was dropped off in the classroom, and she impatiently waited for Applebloom to arrive to the schoolhouse. Cheerilee tried to play some games with her, but she was happy Dinky already had a special bond with a pony at school. That’s exactly what Derpy wanted, and finally Dinky was getting what she needed. Applebloom came in at seven and it was still two hours before school. She was hit with beauty as soon as she walked in, the first thing she saw was the other filly and it claimed her full attention.
“Hey Dink’!” Applebloom said enthusiastically. “Hi Cupcake!” Dinky said without thinking and then put a hoof over her mouth. “Sorry, I meant Applebloom.” Dinky apologised. “Cupcake is fine, Sugacube.” Applebloom said putting a hoof on her shoulder, very happy that Dinky wanted to give her an affectionate name. Dinky blushed a bit, but then became aware of Cheerilee’s slightly judgemental frown, as did Applebloom. “Do you wanna go outside Sugacube?” Applebloom whispered the suggestion and Dinky nodded, following Applebloom. “Don’t go too far girls.” Cheerilee warned, with her judgemental look still filling her face.
Applebloom sighed as she knew she couldn’t hold hooves or put one on Dinky’s shoulder as long as Miss Cheerilee was watching and scrutinizing. They’d probably get calls to the parents or guardians about the ‘bad behaviour’ and Applebloom wasn’t sure that her sister Applejack would take the news of her crush on a filly so kindly right now. So she stayed a short distance from her friend she wanted to be more with. Dinky closed the space herself, holding Applebloom’s hoof herself. “Why are you doing that Sugacube? Don’t you think we’ll get in trouble?” Applebloom said, motioning to Miss Cheerilee on the word, ‘trouble’. “I don’t care Cupcake.” Dinky replied and broke Applebloom’s resolve consequently. They naturally walked closer together.
“Hey, what’s that in yer saddlebag?” Applebloom asked. “Oh, I’ve got four books in here. Stars and Planets 101, Lawson’s Guide to The Cosmos, The Alphabet of Stars, and Planets and What They Do. I’m kind of a nerd in case you haven’t noticed.” Dinky said amusedly. “Yer not that much of a nerd. You have social skills. Kind of like Twilight Sparkle. You know that mare?” Applebloom asked. “Yeah! I met her just this morning! She gave me these books; she’d been studying all night! How do you know her?” Dinky answered. “That sounds like Twilight. Twilight is one of my elder sister’s best friends. Sometimes Applejack wonders if she loves them books more than people. But she’s talented at magic, the pony you go to in this town if you be needing any spells.” Applebloom said. “Wow! She sounds awesom-er now! I’ve secretly always wanted to make a lot of magic too. But don’t tell any of the ponies that. They think I’m dumb enough, they’ll probably laugh right in my face.” Dinky looked down. “Ah won’t tell them, Ah promise. But if yer reading those, you have to be pretty smart. And Ah can tell yer a smart cookie anyway. If you gain the courage to answer some questions in class, I’d bet they’d all look stupid themselves! Miss Cheerilee is doing math in class today. Most of the class is pretty bad at math. If you answer a couple of questions, you’ll look like a genius!” Applejack attempted cheering her up. “Yeah, you’re right! I’ve got this! I was the math champion of both my schools you know.” Dinky boasted slightly. “I have no trouble believing that.” Applebloom sincerely said. “Thanks.” Dinky smiled and then they broke into a game of ball in the yard just to pass the time.
Once in class, Miss Cheerilee talked to all the ponies at improving their maths skills. Most of the ponies in the class groaned, but Miss Cheerilee made them pursue the topic anyway. Applebloom, who had chosen to sit next to Dinky, gave her a reassuring wink. Unfortunately, Diamond Tiara was made to sit away from Silver Spoon, so she gave a challenging smirk, passing a note. Dinky opened it, even though Applebloom quickly shook her head no. The note read, ‘Retard Hooves and Retard Hooves junior’ and showed a sketch of Derpy and Dinky with crossed eyes. Then underneath it read, ‘P.S You are probably the worst excuse for a unicorn I’ve ever met!’. Applebloom gasped as she saw the note and scowled menacingly at the filly responsible, signalling a fist punching her hand to Diamond Tiara, while she cowered away from the hand. Dinky sniffled, tears streaming down her face. She started crying loudly and then ran out of the classroom. “Sugacube!” Applebloom cried out, knocking over Diamond Tiara recklessly after her. “Hey! How rude.” Diamond Tiara exclaimed, rather contrary to her actions.
Dinky slumped onto her front and cried in the schoolyard. Applebloom trotted up softly behind her. “Hey.” She said quietly. Dinky quieted her crying a little bit, murmuring “Hi.” and then resuming crying loudly. Applebloom felt a wave of sadness too as she saw this filly in despair. She wrapped a front hoove around her back, patting it gently and letting her cry in her shoulder. Dinky leant into her shoulder, wrapping one front hoove around Applebloom’s. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo trotted slowly into the scene as well, raising their eyebrows collectively at the scene and giving each other a look that said ‘what is going on?’.“What are you doing Applebloom?” Scootaloo asked intrusively. Applebloom glared slightly as she looked over to her friend. “What’s it look like? Ah’m comforting Sugacube.” Applebloom said openly. “Scootaloo!” Sweetie Bell chided, but Scootaloo was taken aback by Applebloom’s open declaration. She realised she had probably taken her judgement of them too far, and Dinky was obviously a very sensitive filly but she had a kind heart. “I’m sorry Dinky, for being a total meanie to you when I first met you. Plus, you two are cute together.” Scootaloo threw in the last sentence just to shock the two fillies and see the look on their faces.
“That’s ok.” Dinky accepted meekly, cheering up a bit. “Maybe we should leave you two alone. But Miss Cheerilee’s coming in a few minutes, so watch yourselves, ok?” Sweetie Bell suggested. “Ok. Thanks you guys.” Applebloom said, overjoyed suddenly that her friends seemed to approve of her being with Dinky. “Thank you.” Dinky replied, her thank you meaning more than just thanking for their suggestion. She was also thanking them for their acceptance. A few minutes later, Dinky’s tears turned to mere sniffles and they quickly jumped apart as they heard footsteps coming closer. Miss Cheerilee had turned around the corner, and Applebloom pulled her hoove off, so did Dinky.
“Dinky, are you alright?” Miss Cheerilee quivered sensitively. “I’ll be fine.” Dinky finally began drying her wet eyes. “Thanks for comforting Dinky, Applebloom. Dinky, I’ve seen the picture and sent Diamond Tiara home to her father who is going to see it too and will punish her appropriately, because that is completely unacceptable kindergarten-like behaviour. It seems she just isn’t getting the message. And I’ve given a talking to the class about respecting others, a temporary diversion from our Maths. Do you think you could come back in now that you’re feeling better, or do you need more time?” Miss Cheerilee asked. “I’ll come in.” Dinky accepted, largely comforted by the fact that Diamond Tiara was no longer in the classroom.
Dinky and Applebloom slipped back into their spots as quietly as they could. Though the ponies with the exception of Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo did look at them a bit, it was nothing bad; they were just confused and curious. Dinky gained more strength again and answered a question when no one else got it, then another, then another until she was the new math champion of the class. The class marvelled at the seemingly impossible skill. “Very good Dinky. Here’s the class math medal.” Cheerilee said as the kids were all just about to be excused, they cheered, and she blushed slightly at the praise. The medal was clipped on her saddle bag, for everypony to see. Just as Dinky was about to go, Cheerilee stopped her again. “Dinky, your mother Derpy wants you to stay with one of your friends tonight. She has to do late night mail deliveries in Canterlot and Trottingham.” Miss Cheerilee told her.
She knew exactly who she was going with. “Hey Applebloom!” She tapped the filly on the shoulder. “Hey, Dinky.” Applebloom said. “Mom says I have to sleep over with one of my friends because she has deliveries all night. Do you think I could…stay with you?” Dinky asked. “Maybe, but Ah have to ask my big brother. Come with me.” Applebloom said and she followed. “Howdy Applebloom, Dinky.” Big Mac welcomed the fillies. “Do you think that Dinky could sleep over just for tonight? Her Mom has to work all night.” Applebloom asked Big Mac. “Sure thing. We have a spare sleeping bag lying around, and Applejack and Granny Smith are making a huge carrot and apple stew, which will be more than enough for Dinky.” Big Mac accepted. “Alright!” Dinky jumped up a bit. Big Mac chuckled and led the two fillies home.
Applejack was bucking the apples out front and Granny Smith was sitting on the veranda with two chairs pulled up, and in those chairs sat Pinkie Pie and Granny Pie. Well, as quiet as they could both sit. Pinkie and Minnie twitched and often looked around frantically, expressing their twin hyperactive natures. “Granny Pie! Tell me the story of how you and Granny Smith met again!” Pinkie exclaimed her question. Normal ponies would have frowned and groaned after the third time but not Minnie Pie. “Of course! But not without singing it in a song! One, two, three…” Granny Smith rolled her eyes, but listened patiently to their song.
“The resemblance is so scary.” Dinky commented. “Yeah I know. Shouldn’t they be twins or something?” Applebloom said as she saw their identical dancing as they passed by. “Now, Ah’m gonna go find you that sleeping bag. You can play around in the house, but don’t move much from this room ok?” Big Mac asked. “Ok.” Applebloom nodded. As he exited, Pinkie Pie re-entered. She gasped. “I haven’t seen you around before! Are you new to Ponyville?! Oh, we could have so much fun; a welcoming party needs to be thrown! And what about streamers and cakes and party hats and dancing and cookies and cupcakes and…”
“Hold on there. I’m not from Ponyville. I’m visiting from out of town to have a sleepover with Applebloom.” Dinky explained. “Oh. Then when are you from?” Pinkie asked. “North Cloudsdale.” Dinky said. “But, you’re a little unicorn! Shouldn’t you be in Ponyville? How are you up there?” Pinkie pointed out. “Mom is a Pegasus, so I have to stay in Cloudsdale until I’m old enough to move out. Mom has always tied balloons to me so that I won’t fall. But it’s only a temporary solution and I want to learn the spell that gives me wings, so one day I can fly with her. ” Dinky explained. “Ok. Well, I don’t want to crash your sleepover. I’ve got a party with Celestia and Granny anyway!” Pinkie bounced off. “That pony is just as hyper as her Grandma.” Dinky said when the door was finally closed, opened again by Big Mac. “Here.” He shoved the sleeping bag on the ground. “Ah guess Ah should show you to my room.” Applebloom said, and Dinky followed her when she started moving up the stairs. “So here’s where you can set up camp Ah guess.” Applebloom said a little awkwardly, motioning to the space of ground next to her bed. Dinky put her sleeping bag on the ground, chucking the contents of her saddle bag on top.
“This ain’t just some light reading. Yer Momma, has funny eyes, so how did you…never mind that’s a rude question.” Applebloom shook her head but Dinky didn’t seem fazed. “No, I can understand why you’d be curious. I’ve had worse things said to me before. My Mom isn’t the best academically. But that doesn’t make her any less of wonderful Mom, unlike what some ponies would think. My father…was a unicorn. Also where I got my brains from. But he was not a nice unicorn. His name was Black Heart even though he was a purple pony; he came from the family clan Heart. But their name was misleading, considering they had none. The Hearts all had cutie marks in pillaging. They called them the Viking Ponies, or the Viking Unicorns. Their leader, and Black’s father, my Grandpa, Heavy Heart had magic that rivalled even Princess Celestia’s herself. So each week they would steal apple cider from your family, the Apple family all across Equestria late each night, Heavy Heart would then cast two very complicated spells on the Sunday of each week, the invincibility spell and the spell of flight. They’d drink all the apple cider they could, making themselves more menacing than they were before. One week, they decided they would pillage Cloudsdale…and Mom…Mom was a young teenage mare in the middle of it all, she was oblivious to what was going on so she was an easy target for Black Heart. That’s how I’m here today. They’re still trying to find the Hearts, but they’ll probably never find them. They are elusive and incredibly smart too. So I just kind of taught myself. I have natural talent for reading and anything to do with books or spells, but it’s horrifying to think of where it came from.” Dinky told Applebloom.
“Oh. Maybe Ah shouldn’t have asked.” Applebloom said, knowing she had opened a can of worms. “No, it’s good. I’ve never told anyone. Mommy sort of knows what happened, but she couldn’t really understand what was going on. I’m glad she doesn’t understand, it’s better to be ignorant and happy in this case.” Dinky said. The two little ponies stopped their heart to heart as soon as they heard a rap on the door. “Hey ‘Bloom, it’s me Sugacube.” Applejack said through the door. “Whatcha want ‘Jack?” Applebloom replied through the door. “Still mad with me? Well alright, but can you tell your little friend that soup’s on in an hour?” Applejack called out. “Ok ‘Jack. Stew’s ready in an hour if you didn’t hear.” Applebloom groaned. “Ok. I want to get my mind off of the Hearts now. Can we go play for a bit?” Dinky requested. “Sure! I’ve got two hoses in the backyard. You know what that means?” Applebloom said, and Dinky looked confused for a minute. “No…” “Hose fight!” Applebloom called out, dragging Dinky running down the stairs. Applebloom galloped into a grey open space where the hoses were kept near the shed where the chickens slept. She threw Dinky a hose.
“On yer marks..get set…GO!” Applebloom and Dinky’s hoses started up on go. The two fillies giggled and Applebloom circled the water around her drowning Dinky’s blond mane and tail in the water. “Oh, you’re gonna get it Applebloom!” Dinky cried, ducking her next attack and then crash landing on Applebloom’s head drenching her with water. “Dang nab it!” Applebloom cried out as the other filly drenched her mane making it drip with water. She shook the filly until she fell off onto the soft grass, then dived onto her with the hose, getting her right in the face. “Ahhh! Cold! That’s so cold!” Dinky squeaked. She opened her eyes for one minute, quickly thinking and grabbing the hose Applebloom was holding. Applebloom and Dinky struggled with the hose in a game of tug of war, but very surprisingly it was Dinky that ended up with the hose.
“Hahaha! Surrender now or forever be drenched in icy cold water!” Dinky smirked as she had two hoses, one in each hand. “Guh!” Applebloom cried and ran away. Dinky tied the hoses over her shoulders and ran after Applebloom, who thought she was safe, facing a tree but she was very wrong. Suddenly two powerful jets of cold water hit her at once, making her jump out of her skin and shout “AIIIEEEE!”. Dinky fell back on her back laughing uncontrollably at her reaction, but wasn’t laughing when Applebloom plugged her mouth with the hoses. Applebloom chuckled at her full mouth and unamused expression but she just spat the water right all over Applebloom’s face. “Yuck!” She cried and shook her mane as it was Dinky’s turn to laugh. Applebloom frowned and grabbed the two hoses. Dinky gasped. “Well, gotta run.” She said hurriedly as Applebloom aimed them at her.
“Imma get you!” Applebloom bellowed, catching up fast to Dinky. Dinky looked behind her, but completely missed one of the many apple trees that were right in front of her. Because Applebloom was so close to she was touching her tail, the two turned over together. “Woah!” They cried as they hit the tree, Applebloom ended up pinning Dinky against the tree. “Ha!” She yelled, putting the hoses in her face, Dinky giving little squeals at how cold the water was. “Ok, ok! You win! I surrender!” Dinky squeaked. Applebloom dropped the hoses, looking into Dinky’s eyes. “Dinky Ah can’t hold this much longer, Ah...well…Ah...Consarn it I don’t know how to put this.” Applebloom sighed. “You…what?” Dinky asked one tone above a whisper. “Ah-“
“Applebloom!” Applejack called, breaking them out of their fight temporarily. “What, sis?” Applebloom groaned, staying in her spot pinning Dinky while Dinky was blushing a bit. “Yer wasting tons o’ water! Ah keep telling ya’ll to not have water fights with yer friends!” Applejack scolded, completely ignoring the position Applebloom was in momentarily. “Ah’m Sowry. Ah forget.” Applebloom droned. “Well, it looks like you keep forgetting on purpose ‘Bloom. Now turn off that darned water and…who is that yer pinning? Applebloom yer a little pony. I didn’t know ya’ll was into colts yet.” Dinky turned completely red, and Applebloom was a bit embarrassed. “Uh huh huh..um…” Dinky giggled slowly and awkwardly. “’Jackie!!! Ah’m not doing that!” Applebloom replied. “I don’t know about this ‘Bloom, you seem kind of young to date. Now who is that pony?” Applejack said firmly. “Ah’m not telling.” Applebloom stood her ground. “Tell me.” Applejack argued. “No!” Applebloom argued back. “Tell!” “No!” “Tell!” “No!” “Tell me now!” Applejack firmly said. “No!” Applebloom shouted back. “Well then. Ah’ll just have to…” Applejack pulled Applebloom swiftly off Dinky. “Dinky?” Applejack looked completely thrown. “Uh, hi, yeah, so, it’s kinda me..” Dinky bumbled. “Dinky? Really? But aren’t you a…a…FILLY? But you…but her…but…but…what? Can somepony explain?!” Applejack was completely dumbfounded.
“Ok. Here goes nothing. Ah like-“ “I can explain! We were water-fighting and Applebloom was right behind me so we fell over together and ended up in this position on the tree! But we weren’t doing anything I swear!” Dinky told Applejack. “That sounds…reasonable. Ah’ll take it. But you two have to come inside and get all dried off now.” Applejack ordered. “Ok.” They groaned in chorus, but grudgingly followed the bigger pony inside. They tried to step inside but Big Mac stopped them with two towels. “Usually we don’t care much about muck and dirt but you two are way too wet to come inside.” The two quickly dried their bodies with the hay-woven towels, and handed them back to Big Mac. “Well, Ah guess there’s nothing else to do now but our homework. Ah hate them fancy mathematics.” Applebloom grumbled. “I’ll help you, remember, math champion?” Dinky took up boasting again. “Oh yeah! If I do it with you, I’ll be sure to get it right!” Applebloom and Dinky happily trotted upstairs to complete homework.
A little over half an hour later, Dinky and Applebloom were called down to dinner just as they had finished their three worksheets, displaying teamwork and a lot of helpful hints from the math champion. Dinky’s mouth immediately watered at the smell of spiced apple and carrot stew and garlic scones. Her mother’s muffins were good but even the smell of the Apples’ cooking was enough to upstage them. Granny Smith and Applejack had obviously put a lot of hard labour into the meal. “SOUP’S ON EVERYPONY!” Applejack rang a bell. “Good food, good wheat, good ponies let’s eat.” Big Mac announced, and everyone shoved their faces deep into their meals. No one was afraid to be a pig, as they burped and slurped, basically anything that would make Rarity want to faint. In fact, if you weren’t being slightly uncouth you stuck out like a sore thumb. Luckily, Dinky happened to like shovelling in her food as well, and fit in perfectly with the family. After the initial eating frenzy was done, when time came around for seconds, people started finally having small talk in dribs and drabs over the table until Big Mac, the biggest pony, and logically the biggest eater, stopped finally at his fourth serving. Then everyone slowly dispersed from the table. Luna’s moon had finally taken over Equestria, but it was still far from bedtime for Applebloom and Dinky, the youngest ponies there.
“So, what are we gonna do now? We still have two hours left till bedtime!” Applebloom pointed out. “It’s dark out there. I’ve got an idea.” Dinky grabbed Lawson’s Guide to The Cosmos, and linked an arm around Applebloom’s shoulder. “What-“ She could barely get out and suddenly she was magically teleported to a large green open space, right under the stars and moon, somewhat far from the house. “I know what we can do! We can use my guide to look at the stars and planets.” Dinky said. “Ok.” Applebloom agreed. Dinky lay down in the soft grass that gently bedded her. She put her front hooves behind her head, and patted the seat next to her. Applebloom sat down in the same way. “So, the book says…” “Look Dinky!” “What?” Applebloom pointed at the shooting star whirling across the sky. “What a bright light.” Dinky remarked. “So beautiful. Like another pony Ah know.” Applebloom said shyly. “What pony?” Dinky asked. “Um…it doesn’t matter?” Applebloom shied away. “Ok?” Dinky cocked her head in confusion, but looked back up to the sky. “According to Lawson’s Guide, there’s Jupiter. See? And Venus, the purple one in the sky see? Those are some planets, and you know they’re planets because they don’t move or shimmer like the stars do.” Dinky pointed out the planets. “Alright.” Applebloom replied softly, and Dinky leaned in more against her, pointing out more stars from the book.
Meanwhile on other corner of the farm, Applejack was taking her frustrations out on a tree that was about to topple out of the ground. Big Mac approached the frustrated young mare, his elder younger sister. “Applejack, why are you punishing that tree?” Big Macintosh inquired. “Ah can do what Ah want!” Applejack defied, kicking the tree three more times before it toppled. “Ahhh. Now Ah gots to find me another one…” Big Mac blocked her. “Applejack. There’s no need to devastate the crops. Yer being a silly filly. Do want to be a silly filly or a grown mare?” Big Mac reasoned. Applejack sighed. “Big Mac…oh fine. Applebloom’s just not gonna forgive me. And what about this!” Applejack exclaimed, pointing to the two fillies pointing at the stars and getting comfortable with each other. “Applejack! What is the big problem with you, she’ll forgive you in good time. And what about that?” Big Mac argued. “Look at them. Ah just don’t want Applebloom to get hurt by the other ponies. The townsfolk might think they’re…you know together.” Applejack said, and pointed to the cuddling fillies. Dinky had her head on Applebloom’s shoulder, and they were pointing out stars together. Big Mac and Applejack watched on, and Big Mac couldn’t help but think maybe he had mistaken Applebloom’s feelings. “Ah have to admit…it’s actually kinda sweet. Ah don’t give a horseapple about the Townspeople. They can hush if they don’t like it.” Big Mac admitted.
“But how can Ah just forget the basic laws of nature?” Applejack argued back. “Basic laws of nature my hoof. It’s all just a cover-up. Fluttershy’s animals and come to think of it…our animals sometimes, show this kind of behaviour that we’re seeing now. Ah made a huge mistake by telling Applebloom the opposite. We’re animals, Applejack. It is possible. The proof is in that pudding over there.” Big Mac wisely said, and he trotted away calmly and quietly. Applejack sighed.
Meanwhile over with Applebloom and Dinky, they had stopped trying to look for stars in the book, and were just pointing at what they thought the stars looked like. “Hey, that one looks like a bunny, see the fluffy tail?” Dinky pointed at the bunny star. “Oh yeah! And that one looks like Luna and Celestia!” Applebloom pointed out an oddly detailed-looking star, that she suspected had been put there by Luna on purpose. “That one looks like…Dad.” Dinky looked down. “Aw, don’t be sad.” Applebloom comforted. “I know he’s only my biological father, but he’s still…a part of me. Maybe there’s a darkness in me too.” Dinky whispered. “There ain’t no darkness. He only gave you your horn, and nothing more.” Applebloom comforted the filly.
Applebloom and Dinky went on counting stars, effectively forgetting about their bedtime, pointing out the stars and sinking into sleep. Princess Luna, who was on her way to another engagement that night, spotted the pair and willed them with her powerful magic to Applebloom’s bed together, not knowing about the sleeping bag in the room next to the bed. But warm and cosy together, the fillies could not care less.**