The doors to Canterlot High burst open, and the screams of joy and celebration fill the air, as the mares and colts pour out of the front doors and into the streets; either to their homes, or to the train station that will eventually lead to their homes.
One of the last groups to leave are Clementine and Slip Wing congratulating Skye and Fast Lane for their win of Prom King and Queen, with Terra and Dice Roll not too far behind with wide smiles on their faces. The group agree to go out and celebrate at a later time, with Clementine and Slip waving them off as they head off to their own devices.
“Psst…hey.” A familiar voice whispers within earshot of Clementine once the others have gone. “Clem, over here.”
“Dawnin’? Is that you?” Clementine looks around.
“Dawning Shield is here?” Slip Wing looks around with her, seeing nopony around. “Where is he?”
“Right….HERE!”
Dawning Shield suddenly pops out of the nearby bushes, with a “RAWR!” bellowing from his mouth, scaring the heck out of poor Slip, who is still a little on edge after his encounter with Clementine’s Father and his friend Queen Chrysalis.
“Gah!” Slip jumps, swatting Dawning with his wing. Dawning takes the hit well, and laughs out loud. “Don’t do that again! You scared the Tartarus out of me!”
“Sorry.” Dawning calms from his laughter, “I didn’t want anypony other than you two to see us, or else we’d get swarmed by ponies wanting autographs.
“Us?” Clementine looks behind Dawning, hoping to see Allotrope, but sees nopony else. “Where’s Allie?”
“Huh?” Dawning turns to see Allotrope is nowhere to be found. The bushes where Dawning emerged rustles a bit, with a light giggle coming from inside. “Allie, come on out of there. The jig is up.”
“There is no Allie, only bushes.” the devious voice of the Changeling hybrid says, followed by another giggle and an additional rustle of the leaves. “The bushes command you to go and never return!” She giggles again, not even attempting to hide her amusement.
“Come on out of there, Allie. There might be poisonous bugs in those bushes.”
“What? AGH!” Allotrope comes flying out of the bushes, looking over herself for any bugs that have found there way on her. “Get them off! Get them off! Get them…” She finds none, and looks at Dawning with a pout. “I can’t believe I fell for that again!” Her pout turns to a smile, when she sees Clementine and Slip looking at her with wide grins. “Oh, look at you two. You look so cute together.”
“Did you two win Prom King and Queen?”
“We weren’t even in the running.” Slip Wing responds. “Better that way. I have terrible stage fright.”
“And ah wasn’t interested in runnin’ ta begin with.”
“Still, it’s good to see you two finally as a couple.” Allotrope nods in approval.
“Well, it was a long time comin’.” Clementine gets closer to Slip, “But we’ve never been happier.”
“Her Dad’s been kind of scary, though.” Slip says in a half chuckle. “I keep thinking he’s going to hit me with a chair.”
“He’d never do that.” Clementine assures him, “Trust me, Dad is all talk. The only time he would bust out the chair powers, is if ya tried ta foalnapp me or somethin’. Ya don’t look like the foalnappin’ type.”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t dream of it.” Slip shakes his head. “Besides, we can say the same about you two.”
“True…” Dawning Shield nods, “But we got together before you did.”
“Hey, when did this become a competition?” Clementine asks with a chortle. “The important thing is that we’re all together, and we are happy for it, right?”
“Right.” they all say at the same time. They laugh along with Clementine.
“So, what’s the plan for us?” Slip asks.
“We are going to be spending a wonderful evening over at the Crystal Empire. Mom and Dad have gone to Canterlot for some business, and are expected to stay the night over. So…we have the castle all to ourselves to do whatever we want. You know what that means?”
“Defacin’ the statues?” Clementine quips.
“No.”
“Putting the sleeping Guards hooves in bowls of warm water?” Slip says next.
“No…but that’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”
“Watch movies on the big screen and eat popcorn?” Allotrope ask.
“Oh, that’s not fair, Allie. You knew what the plan was this whole time!”
“Yes, but I didn’t want to be here all night waiting for them to guess. I want to be snuggled up with you, and biting down on some buttery popcorn.” Allotrope nuzzles up to the immediately forgiving Dawning Shield; a blush overtaking his cheeks. “Would you like that?”
“Any answer other than yes would have been a huge lie.” Dawning Shield is lucky to get the words out, as the next syllables out of his mouth were a bunch of incomprehensible jargon that made Slip and Clementine chuckle in amusement.
“We better hurry. The train leaves in a couple minutes, and it takes an hour to get to the Crystal Empire, and that’s without any unforeseen delays.”
“I got that covered.” Dawning Shield manages to compose himself. “Slip, Clem, get close to me and Allie.”
“Okay…” Slip says, getting close. Clementine follows suit. “So, what’s happening. Are we coming up with a gameplan or…”
A massive FLASH from Dawning Shield and Allotrope’s horns overtake Clementine and Slip Wing’s vision, and within moments, they stand in the middle of the castle of The Crystal Empire. Slip Wing steps back from the group in shock, almost hitting a statue rump first, but he luckily moves away seconds before hitting it. He spins round and around, before he makes himself dizzy and falls to the floor in a stunned heap.
“Hmm.” Dawning Shield looks at Slip’s toppled over body with a smirk, “That’s not the reaction I was expecting, truth be told.”
“I was expecting that.” Allotrope says matter of factly.
“So did ah.” Clementine agrees.
Slip Wing suddenly shoots back up, standing on all fours in a burst of regained energy. “I’m alright!” He says. “I am O-KAY!” He reiterates his revitalized nature. “ALL IS WELL!” It’s getting annoying now for the three watching him. Not as annoying for Clementine, though. She loves it; watching Slip’s manic energy with affection, catching the watchful eye of Allotrope, who has on more than one occasion been charmed by the sometimes flustered nature of her beloved Dawning Shield.
“That’s mah Slip.” Clementine says proudly.
Dawning Shield goes to Slip Wing, placing both forelegs on the pegasus’ shoulders to stop him from moving around the room. “Slip, calm down, bro. You’re okay.”
“That was just…that was incredible! I’ve never been teleported before! How did you two do that?!” Slip may have stopped spinning, but his eyes sure haven’t.
“I’ve been learning to teleport myself for years. You know that. It’s how I was able to save Allotrope so quickly.” He turns to a smiling and grateful Allotrope. “Transporting multiple subjects? I perfected it last week.”
“Wow…” Slip says in amazement. “I wish I was a unicorn.”
“You are just fine as a pegasus.” Clementine moves to Slip Wing’s side. “Your wings are a nice source of heat on cold nights.” She gives his neck a little nuzzle before looking to Dawning Shield. “So, what are we watchin’ tonight? Somethin’ scary? Somethin’ excitin’?”
“Watching horror movies at night scares the hay out of me.” Allotrope shivers, thinking about a time Dawning Shield showed her a scary movie involving ghosts in a castle in the middle of the night. Should couldn’t sleep for hours, even in the comfort of Dawning Shield’s hooves. “Something exciting is more my cup of tea. I very much would like to watch that Supermare movie, where she meets the Mare-Do-Well.”
“Mare-Do-Well v Supermare: Dusk of Darkness?” Clementine is surprised. “Ya like that movie?”
“Well…yes I do.” Allotrope fidgets, unsure if Clementine agrees with her assessment of the critically panned second film of the Knight Comics Universe. “I enjoy the Wonder Comics movies like Captain Equestria, but I am partial to the more serious KCU.”
“Dawning…” Clementine looks to Dawning Shield, “Did ya make this mare in a computer or somethin’? She’s too much like ya.”
“Don’t look at me. I just showed her the movies, and didn’t bring my bias into it. If you’re not in the mood…”
“The Director’s Cut is much better.” Allotrope smiles.
“THERE’S A DIRECTOR’S CUT?!” Slip Wing and Clementine shout together. “AND IT’S BETTER?!” They continue. “LET’S DO THIS!” The two look at each other. “JINX! JINX AGAIN!”
“And she thinks WE’RE too much alike.” Dawning Shield looks to Allotrope.
“I know. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“So, great!” Dawning Shield claps his forehooves together, catching Clementine and Slip Wing’s attention. “We got a movie all planned out. Clem, Allie, you two go to the home theater to prep, while Slip and I will get the popcorn.” Dawning Shield turns to Slip, who seems to like the idea of being next to Clementine more than being separate from her. “Slip, this is a two stallion job. I need your assistance.”
“But, you’re a unicorn. Can’t you just float everything in with your magic.”
“Please?” Dawning Shield tries his damnedest to get the point across that he wants to do a little bit more than just get popcorn. “Slip, don’t be a dick.”
“Okay, okay. Geez. I’ll help.” Slip shrugs his shoulders, going to Dawning Shield. He turns to Clementine with a “I’ll be back soon.” and an affectionate nuzzle before heading off to the kitchen.
Slip Wing and Dawning Shield flip on the light to the vast and wide kitchen before them. The cooks and servants have gone for the weekend, leaving its tenants to their own devices. Other than the current four, the only other residents of the Crystal Castle are the Guards, who are staying in either their quarters, or walking around the castle grounds on a night shift.
Dawning Shield goes to the cabinet, using his magic to open the doors and float the popcorn bags out, placing one bag neatly into the microwave. He turns on the timer to the appropriate setting, and the bag begins to slowly turn as the heat inside gradually causes the kernels to pop.
“Okay, seriously.” Slip Wing breaks the silence, “You really could have done this yourself.”
“I know, I know. Sorry for keeping you away from Clementine. Wow, you two are nearly inseparable. It’s kind of funny, since you’re getting all snippy with me.”
“I-I’m not getting snippy!” Slip Wing blushes, “I-It’s just that I don’t want to leave her alone for too long!”
“Oh, what’s going to happen?”
“Lots of things. Like…a…a Manticore! Those things can still run amok all over Equestria! It could attack at any moment! Like…BOOM! Window is gone, and Clementine is in danger!”
“She can handle herself. And what’s with not mentioning Allie? She would be in the same room as the attacking Manticore! What about her safety?!”
“Allotrope has magic, she can blast the creature away.”
“Then, what would your purpose be?”
“Huh?”
“You say that you don’t want to leave Clementine alone, out of fear of this imaginary Manticore that likes to dive through windows. Let’s not forget that we are on the third floor; it would have to jump really far up to try and dive into that home theater. That being said, if Allie can just blast the creature away with her magic, which I have no doubt is a perfectly plausible conclusion, why would you be so worried, if Clementine is in the company of a tough and powerful magic user?”
“I…umm….stop poking holes in my narrative!” Slip Wing harumphs as the first bag of popcorn is done popping.
“Allotrope is right. You two are adorable together.” Dawning Shield laughs as he places the second bag inside the microwave. “Actually, I want to talk to you about something. It’s kind of important, and kind of not. If you don’t want to answer, it’s fine.”
“What’s up?”
“I was kind of wondering…have you and Clem…you know…done stuff?”
“Like what? Play video games? Date? Yeah, we do that all the time.”
“I mean other stuff.”
“Like watch movies? We do that too.”
“I mean…” he sighs in frustration, “…have you two…done it?”
“Oh.” Slip Wing gets it. “Ohhhh…” Slip Wing really gets it. “OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Slip Wing gets it to the ninth degree. “Why would you ask me that?”
“I’m curious.”
“Dude, colts don’t ask other colts about stuff like that! I doubt Clem and Allotrope are talking about the same thing!”
“Why would ya even ask me that?!” Clementine gasps in shock at Allotrope’s question. “Ah can’t believe ya!”
Clementine and Allotrope sit inside the massive home theater of the Crystal Castle; one which rivals most movie theaters. The place was made for extravagant premieres, but mainly used for big movie night, where even guards who wished to attend could take a comfortable seat, and partake in the various cinematic endeavors. The main menu of Mysterious Mare Do-Well v Supermare lingers on the screen, as select action packed moments play to epic music.
However, the music is muted, as Clementine is currently stunned by Allotrope’s question of her and Slip Wing’s courtship.
“I’m curious, that’s all.” Allotrope says innocently. “You two are so close. Like…really…really close. I can’t help asking a question such as that. I didn’t mean to offend, I swear.”
“No…no it’s fine…kinda. Okay, it’s a bit weird to ask…but it’s more of the bluntness than anythin’.” Clementine blushes, thinking about what she wants to say as a response. “Well…um…to answer…yeah. We’ve….been together.”
“I knew it.” Dawning Shield says. Slip Wing has just answered the question. “I knew it!” he laughs. “You two made it so obvious!” Dawning Shield laughs some more, until he gasps. “Sweet Celestia, does your family know? Does HER family know?!”
“No. I don’t want them to know!”
“Dude, you have to tell them sooner or later, because…seriously…you two are not hiding this AT ALL. Just being in the same vicinity as one another makes me think gravity is going to pull you two together, and fling you onto a bed.”
“You have an active imagination, you know that?”
“Of course I know that. Allotrope says it’s one of my best qualities.” Dawning Shield smirks as he takes a drink of soda.
“Not your best one, I’m sure.”
The quick aside makes Dawning Shield perform a spit take, shooting and exorbitant amount of soda across the kitchen.
Ding. Popcorn is done.
“So…you and Dawning Shield have done it, right?” Clementine asks with absolute bluntness.
“Yes, many…EEP!” Allotrope catches herself, but it’s of no use. The blush that emanates from her black coated cheeks is amazing visible. “I’m sorry! I should have said it like that! I didn’t mean it! I mean…um…yeah…we did.” She tires to play it cool. Fails.
“Many?” Clementine is hanging onto that one word. “Like more than twice?” Allotrope doesn’t respond with words, only a nod. “Three times?” Allotrope waves a hoof, indicating more. “Wow, ah don’t even want to know the number.”
“Did she ever transform?” Slip Wing wonders. “She’s half changeling, so can she do that?”
“Key word being ‘half,’ so no. I wouldn’t want her to anyway, she’s perfect as is.”
“Gosh, that is cute.” Slip Wing says genuinely. “I’m happy for you, Dawning. I know you’ve been trying to tell her for years. Glad you were able to let her know.”
“Actually, she let me know first.”
“Huh?”
“I was trying to get the words out, and she kissed me before I could. She was all upset that she ruined our friendship, but then I kissed her back. It was probably the best day of my life. That reminds me…”
“How did you two get together?” Allotrope wonders, as the details weren’t made clear.
“He saved me from falling down a waterfall.”
“WHAT?!”
“Yeah, ah fell into the rapids, and was heading towards a waterfall. Before ah could fall, he swooped in and saved mah life. Then, he told me he loved me, and…well…” she blushes, “…ah couldn’t help mahself.
“Hold up!” Dawning Shield stops Slip Wing from his story. “You two…did it…right then and there?”
“Yeah.”
“Like…you swooped on…save her life…told her you love her…and then you two did it.”
“That about covers it.”
“Damn…that blows my story out of proportion.”
“Your story was adorable.”
“Your story was exciting! Wow! That’s like an all timer, right there! That’s something you tell your foals! Wait…no…no you don’t tell your foals that at all. Forget I said that.”
“I will.” Slip Wing grimaces a bit, as the thought of foals enters his mind. He doesn’t want that yet. He’s too young for it. He thinks Clementine is too young for it. Maybe when they graduate college, or when they get married. Either of the two are viable options. Then again…marriage…
“Hey, popcorn has been done for a while. Let’s go.” Dawning Shield breaks Slip Wing from his thoughts.
Thoughts of the future stayed with Slip Wing for the duration of the film. Though he enjoyed himself; seeing that Allotrope was indeed correct in her analysis of this new version of a film he was initially disappointed in back when it was in theaters, he still couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the future holds for himself and Clementine. Of course, he wants to be with her forever, but at this moment, the extent of their relationship is a mystery to both his parents and hers. To discover that they’re well passed casually dating, and have gone to the intimate phase could spell disaster, or at the very least, a stern talking to. Not so much the ever so intimidating Mr. Williams-Apple, though. The image of Clementine’s father chasing him around, shouting obscenities and swinging furniture, is an all too real prospect that honestly scares him.
It’s not until goodnights have been spoken, and rooms picked for Clementine to finally get him to pay attention to her. A well placed bop on the mane snaps him out.
“Hey, Mr. Dreamer.” Clementine says in a giggle. “Ya alright?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m real good.”
“Ya sure. Ya didn’t say much durin’ the movie? Ah liked it.”
“Oh…no…I totally dug it.”
“But…”
“But…what?”
“Come on, Slip. Ah could tell you were thinkin’ of stuff. Somethin’s botherin’ ya.”
“It…” Slip Wing pauses, then chuckles away his thoughts. “It’s nothing, really. Not a big deal.” Slip Wing looks to see the nice room they are in; complete with a huge and cozy looking bed. He jumps onto the soft and bouncy mattress, and bounces up and down for a few moments before settling in. “I think they got new mattresses since I’ve been here last.”
Clementine smiles, jumping into bed with him. Her gaze never leaves his. The conversation is not over. “Come on. Tell me. What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
“Slip, don’t lie ta me. You can tell me whatever is on your mind.”
“Promise you won’t get mad?”
“Are ya breakin’ up with me?”
“Oh goodness no!”
“Then ah won’t get mad.”
“I was thinking about…marriage.” A loud gasp exits Clementine’s mouth at the utterance of that word. He has to act fast. “I-I mean…not right now! But…maybe…later! Wait…no. Well…maybe. But, only if you want to!”
“Slip…ah…ah don’t know what ta say.” Now Clementine can’t stop thinking about the future. “Marriage? Aren’t we a little…ya know…young?”
“Yes…yes, I was thinking that. I'm seventeen, you're sixteen. That's too young. That’s why I said later. Maybe like when we graduate college. Once I get a career going and get enough bits to support the both of us.”
“Ya don’t have ta do all the heavy work. I’m plannin’ on workin’ at Sweet Apple Acres full time when ah graduate. With Granny Smith gettin’ too old ta help out, Applebloom movin’ ta Applewood soon, Big Mac bein’ wit Twilight more often, ah gotta be there for mah parents. They can’t run the farm by themselves.”
“Sorry…” Slip Wing rubs the back of his head in embarrassment. “School kept telling me that I had to be the one providing for the family.”
“Yer teacher didn’t factor me into the conversation.” She chortles until, “Wait…family?”
“Like…I dunno…when we decide to…I mean…only if you want to…have…foals.”
“Foals…” Clementine pauses. “Ah…ah don’t think I’m ready for that, yet.”
“Yeah, totally. That's fine. I-I wasn’t forcing you or anything. I was just thinking out loud. If you don’t want foals, then it’s no problem at all. When you’re ready, you’re ready.”
“Slip…for the whole movie…you were thinkin’ about us? Havin’ a family? Bein’ married? Livin’ together?”
“Well…yeah. I think about that stuff a lot. I couldn't help it. Ever since we..." Slip Wing blushes, thinking back on that fateful event by the falls, "...became a couple, all I could think about was the future. I know it sounds weird to say that, but I love you, Clem. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If…if you’ll let me, of course.”
“Oh, Slip…” Clementine puts a hoof on his cheek, caressing it softly. “Ya know I’ll let ya. Nothin’ would be more perfect to me, than ta do all that stuff wit ya. Still…we have ta wait. Ya think ya can do that?”
“I don’t know. I can be really impatient.” Slip Wing says with great sarcasm.
“Liar.”
“I’ll wait forever if I have to.”
“Hopefully not that long.” Clementine gets closer to Slip Wing, locking lips with him once she reaches his muzzle. The two hold each other tight during their passionate kiss, and Slip brings her down onto the bed.
When they separate from each other’s lips, they take their clothes off, with both of them struggling to do so, given their eagerness to continue their romantic night. Both wish that they were unicorns at this particular moment; it would have been a lot easier. Laughs leave the both of them, as their struggle becomes more desperate, until finally, all their clothes are scattered across the room, and they can resume.
Slip Wing gets back on top of her, staring into her beautiful eyes, as he goes down for yet another kiss.