//------------------------------// // Chapter Four: Meeting The Past (#2) // Story: Ashes // by Tropical Beats //------------------------------// "Twilight!" The yellow pegasus said is glee. The lavender alicorn pulled her friend into a hug. "I can't believe it's you! And don't you worry, Applejack and Sunset told me everything." "I'm glad I don't need to repeat a story." Twilight chuckled, but then her face turned glum. "Have you and Applejack seen Spike lately?" Both ponies shook their heads and Twilight's face fell. "What's wrong, sugarcube?" Applejack asked. "You see... The reason why I came here again was because Sunset and Flash got me out of the spell, you know that, but..." *Sigh "Twilight, if you want to tell us, go ahead. And if you don't, we won't mind one bit." Fluttershy reassured. Twilight took a deep breath before she spoke again, "When I read the last entry, it started off with some demanding message from Rainbow, then a message from Spike, but in that same message, there was a threat from whichever evil we've faced in the past! The most important thing is that they took Spike!" Applejack and Fluttershy look dumbfounded. They glanced at Sunset only to receive a nod. They looked back at the white orb only to see many guilty faces. Applejack gulped and spoke up. "Why didn't ya tell me when we were with Rarity?" "It's because Rarity was sick, and I didn't want her to have to worry about Spike while she's in such a condition." Twilight replied. "We were all confused when Twilight read the message. But now, Spike is gone to who knows where!" Sunset added. "Well then, why don't we wait for Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Maud to come. That way, we can talk it over and find out what we're going to do." Fluttershy suggested. "That's a great plan, Fluttershy!" Twilight said. "Now, where do Sunset and I stay?" "Right this way." Fluttershy said, "And I'm really glad to have you back. I couldn't to anything while this entire thing was going on. I always needed Applejack and Rainbow Dash to help me out. Oh, and Angel Bunny too. You know, with all the war going on, Celestia and Luna are taken hostage along with Shining and Cadence. It's all been really bad. You have no idea how glad I am to have you back." Twilight smiled in reply, but inside, she felt guilty. Sunset recognized her friends' worry and with that,she went to her side. "It's okay, Twilight." She whispered, "They all forgive, They're all happy to have you back." "I know, Sunset." She whispered back. "It's just that... I'm sure Pinkie Pie can easily switch, but Rainbow Dash?" "Just let things happen when they happen." Flash said (The ball follows Twilight so it was at the back with her and Sunset so the humans heard the entire thing :3) Twilight sighed as she nodded her head. Before she knew it, voices could be heard. Twilight looked up and her gloomy expression turned to one of delight, "Cheerilee! Big Mac! Mare Mayor! Octavia! Vinyl! Bon Bon! Lyra! Amethyst! Carrot Top! Berry Punch! Hey... Is that Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake? And Mr. and Mrs. Cake! What about Tootsie Flute and Ruby Pinch?!" (I agree with Berry Punch adopting Ruby Pinch and I like to think Tootsie Flute admires Lyra ever since I read this thing called Heartstrings: http://tritebristle.deviantart.com/art/Heartstrings-Extra-p9-A-challenger-appears-501250131) ~~~ "Here's our room, y'all." Applejack said as she showed Twilight and Sunset where they were staying, "Thanks Applejack. But I have a question." "And whatd'll that be?" "Who's Minuettee, Lemon Heart, Moondancer, and Twinkleshine...?" Both Fluttershy and Applejack paused. "Y-you don't know who they are..?" Fluttershy muttered in disbelief. A bright pink blush appeared on Twilight's muzzle. Applejack took a deep breath. "They were your friends when you lived in Canterlot. Didn't you talk tot hem at Shinning and Cadence's wedding? "What?! And the wedding?" "They were the bridesmaids. Well, before we became them since that entire attack. And Moondancer didn't attend. She said something about not doing friends or socializing anymore because a friend let her down in the past." Twilight's face fell. "Uh... Twilight? Everything alright?" Sunset asked with concern. "E-Eyup, everything is fine." She chuckled. Suddenly, hoofsteps could be heard from the hallway. Fluttershy and Appeljack's faces lit up as they ran out the room. Twilight and Sunset gave one another confusing looks and trotted outside. Both their faces became even more excited than Applejack and Fluttershy's when they saw Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Maud with the two mares. Sunset nudged Twilight. "Time to make your move." Twilight nodded her head as she walked towards them. "I still don't think Equestria is cool." Human Rainbow Dash said, "It's under attack!" "Yea, because of you guys! Keeping Twilight there, what were you thinking?!" Sunset flatly said. Human RD grunted and crossed her arms. "Wow, that is low..." They heard the same voice say, but it was the pony RD who said it now. She was giving a cold look the the white orb as she trotted over to Sunset. All of a sudden, the sound of a balloon popping was heard. Well, it was just Pinkie Pie. She got her color and a little poof in the mane and tail back at the sight of Twilight. And when she saw Sunset, she was back into full swing, "OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH! THISISREALLYHAPPENING, IJUSTCANNOTBELIEVEITATALL!" And she pulled Sunset in for the most lung-wreaking hug ever. "N-not too-" *choke "HEEEELLP!" "Pinkie Pie, not so tight!" Rainbow said. "Whooopsy.... Sorry, Sunny!" *squee "It's alright..." Sunset said, loosing her balance for a bit. "So... I said hi to Pinkie... Uhm, Dash?" Twilight slowly said. Rainbow Dash smiled at the sigh of the lavender princess. "Twi! I haven't seen you in ever!" But her happy face turned into a mad expression. "Where were you?!" Twilight's face froze. I knew this would happen... I knew it would be hard to regain Dash's trust..! She thought. It wasn't until somepony saved her flank by a long shot. "Nice to see you again, Twilight. And Sunset Shimmer? I heard of you. I'm Maud Pie. Pinkie Pie's older sister." "Nice to meet you, Maud." "Want to hear my poems?" "Sure! I love poems! What are they about?" "Rocks. They're all about rocks."