Daughter of Magic

by Moon Glow


Chapter 8: New Friends

Chapter 8
New Friends


Aurora woke up feeling refreshed and completely energized. She hadn't had a morning nap since she was a baby and although it was unusual, she felt great. Perhaps it was because she had to get up so early that morning and come to Ponyville coupled with a large breakfast that wore her out. She rubbed her eyes as she let out a yawn.

"How long was I out?"

She removed one of her fists to look at the clock on her bedside table. As soon as she saw the time, Aurora's eyes shot wide open.

"10 O'CLOCK! SHOOT! I OVERSLEPT!"

With that shriek, Aurora once again stumbled out of the treehouse and made her way to the fields, tripping and running into apple trees along the way. As soon as she caught sight of the Apple siblings, she started to slow down.

"I have GOT to get Rainbow Dash to help me run better."

As she approached the nearest Apple, Applejack, Aurora spoke up.

"So sorry I'm late! I meant to close my eyes for a half an hour, not two hours."

Applejack ceased her applebucking and raised an eyebrow at the hybrid.

"Late? Late fer what, Sugar Cube?"

Aurora blinked in confusion for a moment. Then she face-palmed as she made a realization.

"Oh! That's right. I forgot to ask you."

Removing her hand from her face, Aurora spoke as a light blush of embarrassment tinted her cheeks.

"I was going to ask if I could help you and your family while I stay here on the farm."

This caused the other Apple siblings to cease their work and join in on the conversation.

"Ya mean…like doin' chores and stuff?" Apple Bloom asked with wide, surprised eyes.

Aurora nodded.

"Well…yeah. I mean, Dad had taught me that if I was to stay at someone else's place for more than a day, I should help them out as a part of being courteous. You know, helping out with chores."

The Apples blinked for a minute before Applejack spoke to their charge.

"That's a mighty fine lesson yer Pa taught ya, Sugar Cube. But you don't have to do that while yer here. Yer our guest, after all."

"Eeyup." Big Macintosh spoke.

"But I don't want to be a freeloader, either. I should at least do something for the room and board you gave me." Aurora countered.

This made Applejack like her even more. She proceeded to glance at her siblings before making a decision herself.

"Well, if ya insist on helpin' us, then at least give us a day or so to figure out where to place ya. Why don't ya take the time to explore Ponyville? No doubt Pinkie made sure to let everypony know you've arrived. That filly was never one for bein' subtle."

The stone in Aurora's stomach instantly became an anvil upon hearing Applejack say that. Explore Ponyville? This "early?" Aurora rubbed the back of her head as she gazed at the ground.

"I…don't know about that. I mean, I'm most likely the weirdest thing ever to come here."

But Applejack shook her head.

"Nope. Trust me, Sugar Cube. Compared to what Ponyville had endured in the past, you're practically more normal than you think."

And Applejack said that whilst remembering what Discord did years ago.

Aurora raised an eyebrow at this.

"You sure about that?"

"Eeyup." Big Mac answered, remembering when the Lord of Chaos made him act like a dog.

Noting the girl's uncertainty, Apple Bloom decided to speak up.

"Tell ya what. I'll go with ya. I've been wantin' to see my friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, today."

The hybrid was still uncertain, but perhaps if someone familiar to her were to accompany her, maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad. Once again, she rubbed the back of her head.

"Well…I guess that could work."

Apple Bloom smiled as she looked to her siblings.

"Will ya be alright while I'm gone?"

The two elder siblings nodded.

"Ya'll go ahead. We'll finish up here." Applejack spoke.

"Eeyup." Big Mac once again replied.

With that, the youngest Apple and the girl walked away from Sweet Apple Acres and headed into town.


Upon entering Ponyville, the pair were indeed met with stares and glances, much to the dismay of Aurora. Apple Bloom wasn't happy with how the townponies were reacting to Aurora's arrival and had even began looking for any who dare to show hostility. Thankfully, nopony felt that way.

But she knew one pony who would feel otherwise.

Meanwhile, Aurora's emotions were rampant. She struggled to keep a straight, friendly face while her stomach was turning into a pretzel with anxiety. She hated feeling this fear, the feeling that she needed to be judged positively. Not that it was a bad thing. She just wasn't the kind of person who cared about being judged.

Eventually, the ponies began to go about their lives, though they still cast curious glances at her. This was worse than being stared at because Aurora couldn't tell what they were thinking. Her own thinking was halted when Apple Bloom stopped and pointed to what may be the most surprising structure she had seen as of yet. It was a two-story building that was literally covered in sweets with a cupcake spire over it.

Now Aurora was wondering if she hadn't hit her head and was switching from her mother's stories to Hansel and Gretel.

"That's Sugarcube Corner. It's the local bakery, sweet shop, candy shop, and party palace. It's also Pinkie Pie's home."

She then led Aurora into the bakery, where three ponies caught Aurora's eyes. One was, of course, Pinkie Pie, who was behind the counter. The other two were unfamiliar to her.

One was a light grey unicorn with a curly mane and tail of grey-mulberry and light grey-rose. She had pale green eyes and on her flank was the same Cutie Mark as Apple Bloom's but instead of an apple and a heart, the symbols were a star with a song note inside.

The other pony was Pegasus mare with a orange-ish coat and a boyish-styled purple mane and tail. She had purple eyes and like with the unicorn, She had the same shield Cutie Mark as Apple Bloom. However, her symbols were a feathered wing with a lightning bolt in the center.

Upon seeing them, Apple Bloom waved a hoof at them.

"Sweetie Bell! Scootaloo!"

The two mares waved at their friend.

"How's it going, Apple Bloom?" The Pegasus asked.

Apple Bloom proceeded to point a hoof to Aurora, who was still uncertain about the whole situation.

"I'm showin' Aurora here around Ponyville."

She then proceeded with introductions.

"Aurora. These here ponies are Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo. Sweetie's Rarity's sister and Scootaloo's a fan of Rainbow Dash's. Girls. This here is Aurora, Twilight Sparkle's daughter."

The two mares waved down the pair as the duo entered the bakery. Scootaloo was the first to speak up, giving the girl a cheeky grin.

"Nice to meet ya, kid."

Sweetie Bell then spoke up with a kindly smile.

"Rarity and Rainbow Dash told us about you. Although Pinkie Pie's been chattering about you non-stop."

Aurora and Apple Bloom turned their heads to the bubblegum mare, who was looking a lot more cheerful than the previous day. Unbeknownst to Aurora, the ponies that had met with her that day noticed the slow change within Pinkie. A change for the better. The party pony gave a giggle as she spoke.

"Well, that's kinda true. I mean, I'm pretty sure everypony's gonna notice you, Aurora. So I might as well tell the customers about you so everything can be Ookie-Dokie-Lokki for you. I may even get a chance to plan a proper 'Welcome to Ponyville' party for you."

Pinkie then remembered something that caused her to look up a set of stairs.

"That reminds me. Pumpkin! Pound! Can you two come down here a minute? I've got somepony you'll like to meet!"

The thunderous sound of hoofsteps could be heard from the floor above as it made its way down the stairs. Turning the corner, it was discovered that the hoofsteps belonged to two young ponies.

The first was a unicorn filly with a pale yellow coat, azure eyes, and an orange mane and tail. Her main was tied back in a ponytail with cerulean ribbon and her Cutie Mark was a slice of a three-layered orange-colored cake with cream cheese frosting.

The second was a gold-grey Pegasus colt with grey-tangelo eyes and a brown mane and tail. His mane was cut short and his bangs were curled back like a shark fin. His Cutie Mark was a dark tan Bundt-shaped cake that had been sliced to reveal a golden inside.

The two foals stopped once they were a couple of feet from the bubblegum mare.

"What is it, Aunt Pinkie?" The unicorn filly asked.

The mare in question smiled as she pointed to Aurora, who felt her stomach flip again.

"Kids, this is Aurora. She the girl I've told you about during breakfast."

She then turned her attention to Aurora and gestured to the foals.

"Aurora. These two are Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake, Mr. and Mrs. Cake's twin foals."

Hearing the name 'Aurora,' the twins looked around the counter and focused their gazes to the tall hybrid. At first, they didn't know what to think of her despite Pinkie Pie telling them about her unusual appearance. Thankfully, they were raised by good ponies and approached the girl with friendly smiles on their faces.

"Nice to meet ya, Aurora. I'm Pound Cake." The Pegasus colt spoke as he flew up to the girl's height and held out a hoof.

The unicorn filly also held out a hoof once she was a couple of feet away from Aurora.

"And I'm Pumpkin Cake. Nice to meet you."

Aurora was baffled at their reaction. She was, once again, expecting the worst only to be completely caught off guard by genuine kindness. Maybe she was taking things for granted after all.

Returning the smiles, Aurora shook Pound's hoof before shaking Pumpkin's.

"Nice to meet you, too."

Seeing the scene, the older mares couldn't help but smile as Pinkie led to three to a separate table while Apple Bloom joined her own friends at their table. Due to her body structure and size, Aurora allowed her horse half to lay on the floor while her human torso faced the table and the two ponies.

"I'll get you kids something to munch on. In the meantime, why don't I take the other's orders?" Pinkie replied as she turned to the three mares and began to take down their orders.

As she did, the Cake Twins began to question Aurora.

"So Aurora. What exactly are you? I mean, I know you're part pony, but what's the other part?" Pumpkin asked.

Despite the washing machine in her stomach, Aurora answered the filly.

"The other half is a creature called a human. In the world where I was born, humans are the top race around."

Pound then took a turn and asked one of his questions.

"How old are you, by the way? You're almost as tall as Princess Celestia."

Aurora scratched the back of her head as she answered him.

"I'm 10 years old."

The twins blinked a couple of times in surprise.

"No way. Me and Pound are 12." Pumpkin explained.

"Just two years older than you." Pound responded.

Aurora blushed in embarrassment at the age difference. She must be like a baby to them. Hearing herself think that, Aurora mentally shook her head as she mentally scold herself.

"What the heck is wrong with you, Aurora?! You've made older friends back home! This shouldn't be any different. So quit being an idiot and talk."

"He-he. I guess." Aurora spoke.

The twins grinned as they continued to speak, starting with Pound Cake.

"That's cool. Wish I was that tall when I was 10."

Pumpkin gave an amused smirk at her brother.

"If you were that tall, Mom and Dad would have to give Sugarcube Corner an upgrade to put up with your constant flying."

The colt gave his sister an annoyed look while Aurora let loose a giggle.

"I'm still getting used to my own body. And trust me when I say your size is A-OK for you."

The twins then turned their attention to Aurora, who had finally begun to relax. With confusion in their eyes, the spoke simultaneously to the hybrid.

"What do you mean by that, Aurora?"

As Aurora was getting into her life story, Pinkie delivered a plate of chocolate chip cookies and glasses of milk before delivering to the three mares present.

"Here you are. An apple turnover for Apple Bloom. A strawberry cream-cheese coffee cake for Sweetie Bell. And an orange tart and a mixed berry smoothie for Scootaloo."

"Thanks, Pinkie." The trio thanked as they started on their snack.

The four mares then turned their attention to the trio chattering in the corner and smiled.

"Looks like those three are getting along well." Scootaloo spoke.

The other three mares nodded as Pinkie's smile got wider. Noticing this, Apple Bloom spoke.

"Well I'll be. Pinkie. Yer smilin' again."

Hearing what the farm mare had said, Pinkie spoke up.

"What are you talking about, Apple Bloom. I always smile."

"But you've never truly smiled. Not since Twilight Sparkle went missing years ago." Sweetie Bell spoke. "After she did, you and the others kind of shut down. I haven't seen Rarity make a new outfit that wowed me in years."

"And Rainbow Dash hasn't done anything spectacular in years. I'm afraid I may never see her Sonic Rainboom again. Or worse, forget the ones she did." Scootaloo added in.

"And let's not talk about mah sister. So it's a relief to see at least somepony goin' back to normal." Apple Bloom concluded.

Pinkie wanted to deny the grown fillies' claims, but found herself unable to find anything to say. What the former Cutie Mark Crusaders told her was absolutely correct. The ponies involved with the first attempt at the wedding, herself included, were never the same after what their foolishness had cost them.

As much as they tried to move on, it just wasn't right. They completely they forgot the lesson from the event they had dubbed 'Lesson Zero' and instead of investigating to quell Twilight's suspicions, they snubbed her after Shining Armor casted her out.

While it was true that what happened was the work of the Changeling Queen, it still didn't change the fact that what had happened could have been prevented if they had been cautious. They regretted their decisions greatly from then on.

The guilt had snuffed out laughter. Honesty and loyalty was questioned. Kindness was in constant heartache. Generosity lost inspiration and motivation.

Their very friendship was in shattered turmoil because of something as silly as a wedding. And their best friend, the Element of Magic, was lost.

However, Pinkie did indeed notice the change and figured out the source: Aurora. Ever since they discovered her existence and what had happened to her mother, the Elements got out of their lethargic misery and were currently devoting their energy into helping the lost child of their missing friend.

Applejack was the one most devoted, having Aurora live on Sweet Apple Acres with the Apple Family and giving instructions to the others the first night Aurora spent in Equestria.

Maybe, just maybe, taking care of Aurora is the best thing for the Elements of Harmony.

Putting her internal theory to the test, Pinkie approached the hybrid, who was now in her comfort zone at last.

"Hey, Aurora?"

Aurora turned her head to the pink mare with interest.

"Yeah, Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie then asked the question she had been longing to ask ever since she heard of Aurora.

"When's your birthday?"

This also caught the interest of the Cake Twins, who also joined in the conversation.

"Yeah, Aurora. When is your birthday?" Pound Cake asked.

Seeing no harm, Aurora answered the ponies' inquiry.

"Well, I was born on May 5."

At this, Pinkie gasped in surprise.

"Oh no! I was hoping I could plan your party if it was later. It was going to be a super-duper jamboree with cake and ice cream and balloons and streamers and-!"

"Why don't let Pinkie plan yer 11th birthday, Aurora. Pinkie Pie's the best party planner in all of Ponyville. It's never a party unless Pinkie planned it." Scootaloo interrupted, wanting to cease Pinkie's run-on sentence.

The twins turned to Aurora with smiles on their faces.

"They're not wrong there. We've heard Aunt Pinkie's parties were legendary. Sure, our parties were great, but I see Pinkie's got something BIG going on in her mind. Your party might make it to 'legendary.'" Pumpkin told the hybrid.

Aurora was curious by Pumpkin's statement, more on the use of past tense wording compared to Scootaloo's present tense.

Seeing the pleading look in Pinkie Pie's eyes, Aurora gave her answer.

"Alright, Pinkie. You can plan my 11th birthday."

With Aurora's permission to plan her next birthday, Pinkie's grin reached full capacity for the first time in years. With a squeal and a ceiling-touching bounce, Pinkie sped at lightning-fast speed up the stairs.

Looking at each other in concern, the pony customers followed the bubblegum mare up the stairs while Aurora remained downstairs since she still wasn't good at climbing stairs with her new legs.

Following the twins, peeked into Pinkie's room. Inside, the mare was hard at work, gathering paper and crayons and catalogs while she sang a tune nopony had heard before while a cd player played a different song.

I am a dwarf (party pony) and I am digging a hole (planning a party)

Diggy diggy hole (Planny planny party), Diggy diggy hole (Planny planny party)

I am a dwarf (party pony) and I am digging a hole (planning a party)

Diggy diggy hole (Planny planny party), Digging a hole~ (Planing a party~)



I am a dwarf (party pony) and I am digging a hole (planning a party)

Diggy diggy hole (Planny planny party), Diggy diggy hole (Planny planny party)

I am a dwarf (party pony) and I am digging a hole (planning a party)

Diggy diggy hole (Planny planny party), Digging a hole~ (Planing a party~)


The ponies left the party pony as she began her planning, still repeating the chorus behind the door. The ponies smiled widely while Aurora remained confused. Looking at the returning ponies, Aurora spoke up.

"Is she ok?"

Apple Bloom answered the hybrid while Sweetie Bell and the twins hummed the chorus of Pinkie's merged song.

"Everything alright. Pinkie's just super excited she's getting' to plan yer party."

If it were such a world, a question mark would appear over Aurora's head.

"It's just my 11th birthday. Nothing special."

The ponies shared a laugh, leaving the hybrid further confused. Only they knew the significance of Pinkie planning Aurora's birthday. So perhaps Pinkie's mental theory was right.

Maybe the Element of Magic was hereditary, for Laughter was making a grand return.