The Dawn of a bright, new life.

by Hallowedsoul

Ch. 18: "The Perfect Gift"

Chapter Eighteen
“The Perfect Gift”

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I was starting to get frustrated by the fact that I still couldn’t decide on a birthday present for Twilight.

It was coming up in a few short days and even though she and I have been spending a lot more time together, I was no closer to a decision than before… at least until Spike made an offhand comment that morning saying that she’s recently been taking time out of her days to search the library for her missing Smartypants doll.

And it hit me; I had a good lead on where the doll might be. The trick was actually getting it.

‘Ooo, Big Mac vs. Leon, battle for the ages!’ Nica exclaimed ‘Oh this is gonna be awesome!’

I didn’t reply, instead giving Twilight a quick kiss before slipping out of the library to go to the farm. As I approached, I ran into Applejack.

“Well, howdy there, partner!” She said “Sorry, Leon, we ain’t got any work fer ya today; yer just gonna have ta come back tomorrow.”

“That’s alright, AJ. I’m actually here to see Big Macintosh. You know where he is?”

She put a hand up to her chin in thought.

“Big Mac? Well, Ah reckon he’s over at the barn coolin’ his hooves fer a spell. If’n ya hurry ya just might catch ‘im.”

“Thanks, AJ. I’ll be sure to come by later to give you all a hand.” I said as I jogged past her towards said building.

Sure enough, the big red workhorse walked out just as I got there (and trust me, he’s big; easily as tall as Spectra, but with a lot more muscle). I whistled to catch his attention and waved him over.

“Howdy Leon.” He drawled, nodding to me “If’n ya come ta see AJ ‘bout work, ya just missed her, not that it matters, we don’t need any help today.”

“That’s alright, I ran into her on the way in and she already told me.” I replied, waving a hand dismissively “I’m actually here to see you, Mac, because I’ve got a question for you.”

“Eeyup?” He said, giving me a curious look.

“Where’s the doll?”

The question struck him dumb, the bit of hay he perpetually held in his mouth falling out. He stared calmly at me before answering my question.

“Nnope.”

“Big Mac, the doll belongs to Twilight and I want to give it back to her on her birthday.” I stated, crossing my arms over my chest and digging my heels in “So we’re gonna do this one of two ways, easy or hard. Take your pick, bud.”

Okay, I’m just gonna say this is probably the single dumbest idea I’ve ever had. Sure, in a fight I had speed over Big Mac, but he had strength and stamina; my attacks will probably be little more than annoyances to him. Plus, I wasn’t any more eager to get into a brawl with Big Mac than I was with Applejack... though between the two, I’d take Mac.

“Nnope.” Was his response and then he began to walk back towards the field of trees.

I sighed, drew in some energy and threw a small fireball that exploded at Big Mac’s hooves. He stopped, turned very calmly towards me and stared.

“You either give me the doll, Mac, or I make you give it to me.” I stated, drawing in more energy and causing my hands to crackle with electricity “One way or the other, I’m not leaving without it.”

Okay, I’m gonna be very honest here; I don’t have nearly the amount of magical muscle that I want to portray to Big Mac and I probably never will; this was mostly a bluff to make him think I was serious.

We stared at each other for a moment, waiting for the other to make the first move. It was like a weird high-noon standoff, me standing there with lightning crackling along my forearms like what’s-his-face from inFamous and Big Mac standing across from me with his thousand yard stare. Sweat trickled down my brow as I prepped to launch into action at the drop of a hat.

And then… we both broke out laughing. ‘WHAT?! Not cool, Leon, totally not cool!’

“Alright, Leon.” Big Mac said with a huge grin “Wait here a moment while Ah go n’ fetch it fer ya.”

“Thanks, Mac.” I replied grinning as well “I owe you big time for this.”

And so he walked back to the house and went inside while I dispersed the built up energy into the air, resulting in a dazzling display of electricity.

‘Way to ruin my day, Leon…’ Nica huffed inside my head ‘Tell me your great birthday plan is not to give Twilight her own damn doll back, because if it is you may as well go back to the hallmark card idea.’

Actually, I now had a brilliant idea for what to give Twilight for her birthday. I took out my phone and called Rarity.

I had to call her twice before she finally answered.

“Leon, darling, while I appreciate your enthusiasm you interrupted me while I was ‘in the zone’ as it were.” She sighed irritably, and I winced.

“Sorry, Rarity, but I finally have an idea of what to give Twilight for her birthday.”

“Truly? Oh, that’s wonderful!” She exclaimed excitedly “You absolutely must tell me!”

“Even better; I’ll need your help with it. But I’d like to keep it just between us, okay Rarity?”

“You have my word, Leon, just tell me what you need.”

And so I explained my whole plan to her, and she sighed appreciatively.

“Oh that sounds positively romantic, darling. You’ll sweep her off her hooves, of that I’m certain.”

“Thanks.” I said with a blush “So can you help me with the other part of my gift?”

“Absolutely. I was actually planning on heading out this morning for some materials I’m missing for Twilight’s dress.”

“Thanks, Rarity; I owe you big time for this.”

“Nonsense, this is important to you and what sort of friend would I be if I didn’t help you in any way possible? Now if you will excuse me, I am rather busy today and I must be off. It was good of you to call and please give Terra my regards; see all of you in a few days!”

“See you, Rarity, and thanks again.” I said and we hung up. Big Mac returned at that moment with Twilight’s doll.

“Ta tell ya the truth, Ah had no idea it belonged ta Twilight.” He said, giving me a sheepish grin “Ah tell ya, the day Ah found that was strange, ta say the least.”

‘I bet it was.’ Nica snickered.

“Around here? Strange seems fairly normal, don’t you think?” I chuckled, which he returned.

“Ah s’pose so. Did ya need anythin’ else?” Big Mac asked, to which I shook my head “Alright. Take care a’ yerself, Leon, and take care a’ her as well.”

“You too, Big Mac, and I will.” I replied and began to walk back into town.

I stopped by a gift store and asked for a box big enough to hold the doll, which the mare working the register was all too happy to help me find. Once I had that and some magenta and violet ribbons, I took it home and hid everything in my closet.

Then I called Vinyl.

“Hey, brony!” She answered after a couple of rings “Haven’t heard from ya in a while and everyone’s missin’ ya at the club. How ya been, man?”

“I’m good, babe. I actually need your help with something.”

“I’m on it.”

“… Vinyl, I haven’t even told you what it is yet.”

“You can tell me when I get there… You are at home, right, and not with Twilight?”

“What if I am with her?”

“Dude, why are you talking about her birthday when she’s right there?”

“How could you possibly know that’s what I’m talking about, Vinyl? For all you know, I could be talking about Cupcake Day at Sugarcube Corner!”

“That’s a great idea, Leon!” Pinkie’s voice chirped from my phone “When’s a good day to have it?”

“Pinkie, how did… never mind, get off the line so that Vinyl and I can talk privately, please?”

“Okie dokie lokie!”

I waited a moment before speaking again.

“That was weird, even by her standards. Okay, yes I’m at home.”

“By yourself?”

“Yes, by myself.”

“Great. I’m on my way.” And she hung up on me.

About ten minutes later, Vinyl waltzed into my home like she owned the damn place.

“Alright, brony, whatcha need help with?” She asked, grinning.

I explained to her what I needed and she frowned.

“Oh… yeah, I probably should’ve heard ya out over the phone; all my mixing equipment’s back home.”

“Can you do it, Vinyl?” I asked her to which she grinned and gave me a thumbs up.

“You bet your sweet flank I can; I’d be a pretty weak DJ if I couldn’t.” She replied confidently “And besides, what you’re askin’ for is foal’s play. I’ll have it ready for ya ASAP.”

“Thanks, babe, I owe you for this.” I said, but she shook her head.

“Nah, man, you’re my friend and I’m more than happy to do this for you. You just be sure and learn the lyrics for this song or else you’ll just end up looking like a fool.”

“Thanks, Vinyl.” I said, bumping fists with her “Though if it’s at all possible, I’d like you to keep what you’re doing to yourself; I want it to be a surprise.”

“My lips are sealed, brony.” She replied, drawing her fingers across her mouth to emphasize the point.

“Although…” I said, giving Vinyl a conspiratorial look “I wouldn’t blame you if a certain cellist manages to… ‘convince’ you to spill the beans.” I finished with a wink.

She looked like she was about to reassure me that she wouldn’t say anything, but then the meaning of my words hit her and she grinned.

“Well, you know how it is.” She replied, giving me a wink as well “I never could resist her when she asks ‘nicely’.”

We both laughed and then she left after we exchanged our normal hug (arm clasp, shoulder bump and back pat and a shiver from the contact my skin had with her fur). I went back to the library and asked Twilight out on an official date that didn’t involve being press-ganged by our friends. We went to a nice movie, followed by dinner at a nice restaurant and afterwards we hung out at her place and talked.

The next day, I visited Terra at the boutique and told her my idea.

“That’s so romantic, Leon!” She exclaimed “I’m glad you’ve found someone special enough to be worth the effort.”

“Thanks, Terra.” I replied, blushing “But it was never a question of if she was worth the effort; I personally want it to be special for her.”

“Well, I think it will be.” Terra said with a sweet smile “She’ll know exactly how much you care about her afterwards. Have you told the others yet?”

“Only Rarity, and Vinyl only knows about a small part. I’d like to keep this a secret from Twilight until her birthday and if too many ponies are aware of it, it increases the odds my gift will lose significant meaning.”

“You don’t think they can keep a secret?” She asked me to which I shrugged.

“No offense to them, but they have difficulty staying silent under pressure.” I replied sheepishly “You and Rarity are the only ones I can count on to keep something like this under wraps, and this is considering Rarity is a rather notorious gossip.”

She considered me carefully for a second before nodding.

“Alright, Leon. I won’t speak a word of it.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.” I said, smiling “Are you doing okay here? You don’t need anything, do you?”

Terra gave me a sweet smile, but shook her head “No, I have everything I need and the boutique is well stocked. Thank you for asking, though.”

I nodded and we bid each other a good day and I left to practice for Twilight’s birthday.

I just hoped Rarity would come through for me.

Author's Note:

Ack, more word inconsistency...

Anyway, enjoy!

Comments

[killerreno]

So many updates!

[Hallowedsoul]

Mmm, on one hand I wanna say 'yes', but if I did... I'd be lying. He was just your standard elitist douche. You know, one of those guys who walks around like they own the place or some junk like that.