A long whistle sounded as the train pulled into Ponyville station. The doors of the train opened and a flood of ponies got off. I stood still, watching the train and not particularly interested in where it was going.
“Are you doing okay, Dawn?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yeah. If I’d known you were being literal when you said Dash would drag me here by the tail if she needed to I wouldn’t have taken so long to pack.”
“You’re doing the right thing Dawn,” Twilight assured. “If you didn’t show up to the hearing it’d lend credibility to whatever lies the defense may use to get Soarin out on bail.”
“I still say we let him out on bail so I can pay him a little visit,” Dash said.
“I’m with her, so you go get revenge and I’ll stay here.” I took a step backwards but Applejack was right behind me, blocking the way.
“Now Sugar Cube, you know we can’t let ya run from your problems anymore.” She gave me a gentle nudge forward. “We better get onboard before it leaves.” A double whistle punctuated her sentence as the train was in fact about to depart. Aside from the eight of us, the platform was empty now.
“It won’t be all bad. They’ve got some of the finest day spas and full-body wraps in Equestria at the Canterlot spa. I do hope to have time to visit myself after wrapping up this friendship problem,” Rarity explained.
“And you don’t find it weird your flank just blinks out of nowhere?” I asked.
“No stranger than you,” Dash quipped.
“Well played... “
Spike was dragging one of Rarity’s suitcases onto the train. The luggage did have wheels, but it was so grossly overloaded with her wardrobe that the canvas bag had its own muffin-top spilling out over the wheels onto the ground.
With half the mares already on the train it left me with Dash and Fluttershy to bring up the rear. I took a deep breath and looked towards the distant mountain, where the outline of Canterlot stood out against the side of it like an outcropping of rock.
Another whistle split the air as the train began to slowly inch forward. “You getting on or am I dragging you?” Dash asked.
I sighed. “No need for that.” I walked forward and stepped onto the train followed by the other two mares. We gathered up in a small open area with a few seats and some luggage from other passengers. Down the side of the train were private cabins, each designed with room for two ponies to relax in.
Twilight had a quill and paper out and was going through a list. “—with Pinkie Pie, and me with Spike. Dawn, do you want a cabin with Dash or Fluttershy?”
I gulped and looked at the two of them. It was a simple question, the kind I shouldn’t have given any second thought. I wanted to share with both of them, but at the same time not make a big deal of it. It was as if I’d been asked on the spot to choose which one I loved more. Did I love the possible father of my foal, or the mare I’d inhabited and gotten pregnant more? This was hardly the kind of relationship problem I’d ever planned on encountering.
After a moment I realized I had half a dozen ponies looking at me due to the long and now awkward silence. Applejack caught my eye and I quickly replied, “Applejack. I uh…” I chewed on my lip for a second. “Promised to tell her all about apple varieties back on Earth! I better not put it off or I may forget!”
Applejack raised an eyebrow in confusion, but quickly lowered it when the others looked at her for a confirmation. She smiled and I wondered if she was literally struggling with the choice of covering for a friend versus telling the truth. If I had the inability to lie I’d be a social pariah, so I was glad it was her and not me known for honesty. “Eeyup.”
I smiled and trotted over to her, realizing now why her brother Big Mac won so many poker games. Apparently lying was easier when limited to two syllables. “Sorry Dash, Fluttershy, I’d offer to share a room with you all but it’s not big enough…”
Dash was hard to read but her quick glances around betrayed some confusion. “That’s okay,” Fluttershy said .”I’ll stay with Dash, you two go have fun talking about apples.”
“And oranges!” I added, looking back to AJ. “Some ponies say you can’t compare them but I disagree.”
“Oh,” Dash said as she made eye contact with me and smirked. “If you need a hoof using the little mare’s room let me know.”
Applejack smiled and nodded to the other mares before she walked into the nearest cabin. “Is that so?” She looked back and once I had walked in closed the door.
“Yeah.” I examined the cabin briefly and checked the door was closed. “Whew.”
She climbed up onto one of the padded benches, which could double as a bunk to sleep in when needed. “Ya want to tell me what that was about Sugar Cube?”
“Not really.”
“And you think Dash and Fluttershy aren’t wondering what it’s about?”
I groaned and climbed onto the empty bench. “That’s exactly what it’s about.” I laid down on the pillow and looked out the window as the train lurched forward and picked up speed.
“She was only askin’ ya who to share a cabin with, not to pick favorites.” Applejack slid down the bench so that she could be across from me, next to the window.
“That’s not how they’d see it, and it’s not how I see it.”
“Sometimes a cabin is just a cabin, Dawn.”
I chuckled, “and a cigar is just a cigar?”
She nodded. “Eeyup. I’ve got the feeling you’ve got somethin’ heavy on your mind so when you’re ready to talk, let me know. Ya have a few hours and if I know anything it’s that secrets will eat at ya until ya turn sour.”
Nodding, I let out a deep sigh and curled into a comfortable ball of fur. Having one's blanket built-in was handy for times like this and made it much easier for me to get comfortable. The lingering thoughts of Dash and Fluttershy soon stole that comfort from me.
I had been thinking about it a lot lately, trying to be a neutral party because I didn’t know which one to choose. I had reasons to love each of them and loved them both but every time the three of us were in a room together I started analyzing every word I said so as to not hurt any feelings.
Applejack was right, because the longer the train ride went on, the harder it was for me to relax on the bench cushions. Before long I was grinding my teeth, not because she was just sitting there quietly, true to her word, as I brooded. The more I thought about it the more convinced I was they were one car over debating which one of them I loved more.
“I can’t choose,” I said.
She blinked, possibly for the first time during the train ride. “Hmm? Choose what?”
“Dash or Fluttershy. I love them both but every time the three of us are in a room together I feel like I have to choose which one I love more.” I watched Applejack as she thought it over in her head, completely prepared to jump her if she asked me how that made me feel while tapping her hooves together.
“Why do ya think ya have to choose?”
“Well, they’re gonna know who I spend more time with and I don’t want them to resent each other… or me.”
Applejack got up and sat on the bench next to me, putting a hoof on my side. “Dawn, they’ve been friends a long time and they both love you, right?”
I nodded my head.
“Then they’re not gonna resent you, or think you’re playin’ favorites. It’s not like each time Ah spend time with my brother or sis they think Ah don’t love the other. They’ve each got their own place in my family, just like Dash and Fluttershy do in yours.”
“Yeah, but your family doesn’t have three moms... “ I sighed and looked outside just as we entered a tunnel in the mountain, pitching the car into darkness as the interior lights came on.
“Sometimes ya have to just stop sweating the small stuff and worrying about what can go wrong. Think about what’s goin’ right. You love two mares and you can start a family with both of them. Sure if you were an Earth pony it might be a little unusual to be polygamous, but it wasn’t until recently the Pegasi started leanin’ towards monogamy.”
“I’ve heard the same from Lyra, but I don’t know. If being in one relationship is hard imagine two, I’ll just mess it up like I messed everything up, only I’ll break the hearts of two ponies.”
She smiled warmly and leaned towards me. “Now listen here, Sugar Cube. If Ah’ve learned one thing since ya fell into our lives it's not to underestimate you. From the moment ya got here ya’ve saved Equestria, fallen in love, made friends of a whole town, rescued a Prince… Ah know from experience savin’ the world can seem a bit mundane after a while but think of how everypony else sees it. Dawn, a mare torn away from an old life and saves a land they don’t even know, not ever expectin’ to come back Ah reckon.”
I smiled a bit at that stroke of luck. Looking at it from an outside perspective I had been pretty damn lucky to survive that ordeal, so I suppose that at least one thing had gone right since I got here. “Okay, but saying it’s easy. How am I supposed to show them I love them both the same amount?”
“Actions speak louder than words, and are less prone to lie,” Applejack explained. “Ya’ve got one mare that’ll teach ya everything you ever wanted to know about motherin’ and one that’ll teach ya about loyalty and bravery. Different lovers are just like different apples, they each have their own uses Ah reckon. And just ‘cuz you eat a granny smith apple doesn’t mean you can’t like red delicious too.”
“They taste more like gala and fuji,” I quipped.
Applejack planted a hoof firmly on her forehead as she shook it back and forth. “You’re incorrigible Dawn.”
“Thanks, it’s my favorite kind of courage.” I sat up and stretched for a moment before leaning against Applejack, taking comfort in her warmth. “Thanks, I think I needed a little time to think things through without being afraid of being judged.”
“The only one who can judge you is yourself. And the only one who can make ya feel like a failure is yourself. Even in a place like Equestria ya’ll find plenty of ponies wanting to decide who ya are for ya, but at the end of the day they’re not the one living with the choice ya make whether or not to listen to them.”
I nodded and yawned, finding that the comfort of resolving this problem was making me sleepier than I expected. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then exhaled.
There was a loud whistle that woke me from my nap, causing me to stretch out and nearly fall off the bench I had been on. It was broad daylight out the window and I realized there were tall buildings as far as the eye could see, most of them seeming three to four stories tall. We had arrived in Canterlot and the last thing I remembered was my talk with Applejack before I must have fallen asleep.
“Good mornin’ Sugar Cube,” Applejack said.
“Morning? Looks more like afternoon.”
“Ya slept through most of the train ride, missed an excellent view of rock and more rock, not to mention a spirited discussion in the next cabin between Pinkie and Rarity over if diamonds count as rocks.”
I felt a few stiff joints pop as I finished stretching and got onto my hooves. “Well I’ll be sure to ask how that turned out never.” I chuckled and pulled out my saddlebags and put them on. I’d packed light, or at least light compared to Rarity. “I better go check into a room with Dash and Fluttershy, I feel like we’ve got a lot to talk about.”
“If ya need a supportive hoof or got more questions about family ya just let me know, okay?”
“Sure.” I walked over and hugged Applejack. “And thanks.”
You've bought up an interesting dynamic with Dawn having to choose between Fluttershy or Rainbow. It'll be interesting to see how that develops and what choices Dawn makes in regards to, but to me it seems to be overshadowed by her/him being more whiney than necessary; it's like s/he's being dejectedly pessimistic about a lot of things.
I don't know how far ahead you've planned in this, but Dawn badly needs some cheering up. An idea would be for them to, after the trial or whatever. Maybe then s/he can make a more informed choice about Flutters and Dash, then.
smart move with going with Applejack. She is usually a voice of reason in the group.
6041504
lets make a list!
*died
*inhabited a mares body
*constantly forced to question his 30+ year foundation of being male
*died again
*brought back to life against his will
*threatened by celestia
*forced to integrate into an alien society and maintain secrecy as to why hes such a social inept
*kidnapped
*raped
*almost had his forced new identity changed so no one would find him
i dunno, i think the savior of equestria has some decent reasons to be pessimistic and whiny.
Good chapter like usual.
6041650 I couldn't agree more
let me know how it looks when you're done.
and how it is overall
I think it's a good little look at the dynamics of their friendship, and how Applejack brings her home experience into the lesson. As far as Dawn-centered, it's well placed, and his concerns aren't ridiculous. I'm excited to see something of substance come soon, the trial and the emotions will be stressful, but a necessary evil in the path to Dawn's recovery. I saw a few places where commas could be used, but it's alright for now, I suppose.
I think you left these words in on accident. Also is Dawn ever going to become male again or do you plan to leave him female forever?
You left editor comments in there again.
there is so much truth in this chapter and so much to think about.
this chapter is the kind of chapter to stop and think about as it applies to real life so easily.
love the new chapter Kaidan supper job.
Harts Fire
I think my heart melted at that scene. I just had the mental image of a pony curling up into a soft, cuddly, extremely huggable ball right then and I swear I nearly died from the cuteness of the thought.
I feel like I've read this before. I don't know why.
I don't think AJ would use a big word like "incorrigible". Other than that I don't have any problems with this chapter except maybe take out the damn editor's comments or put them in as an Author's Note.
Yay update. holy fucking hell yeah
Missing comma.
Applejack loses her accent in these instances.
Missing comma.
Missing comma.
Missing comma.
I am going to chalk up Dawn's whiny indecisiveness to being an overly-emotional, hyper-hormonal pregnant mare. This chapter seemed more of an interlude than an actual chapter, probably because of how short it was.
~KBO.
YESSSSSS UPDATE!!! I LOVE DIS HERE FIC!!! 'Ahem' now that's out of my system... Keep on keeping on!
An update this just made my day thanks ;3
Looks like you left some notes for your editor in there on accident ;)
just a note you forgot to put the authors notes in an authors notes box
Sweet, update! Six months till the next one.
This story is so hot, I think it might be able to melt steel beams.
Funny AJ, after all you are all go get judge a guy, who has to live with choices you make for him by judging him. Kind of a hypocrit aren't you?
6042199 So you're saying this story is an inside job? Illuminati confirmed!
Well, lets see how the trial goes.
Well, those were some pretty valid concerns, but based on not really valid fears. Afterall, if pegasi were polygamous until not that long ago (as you said) then I don't see why Dash or Shy would have a problem with being in a relationship together.
Good to know that as usual, AJ can put things into perspective!
6041829
Oh man that ended up in the fic? Hahaha xD That was part of my comment on the doc :V
Well that went Dark out of fricking no where. I really liked the first two DoH Stories but this one. Just. Why? I mean there was maybe a bit of violence in the previuse stories but i really don't know what to think about this. Now, it's like a completely different story that most likely no one expected to happen, or wanted to. Why get so dark after the previous chapters. Just why? This completely ruined the story for me. Because it is a completely 180 shift in tune for the entire siries. DoH 1+2 wow i really liked that i hope to see more of this. DoH 3 welp time to try and forget about that and try to renember it for what it was. I know that other people may not have these issues, but I just can't stand the Type of Stories you Turned this Siries into.
6043098
While the majority of pegasi might be into polygamy, you still have to take into account that not everybody fits certain stereotypes. The only way to find out if someone would accept it is to ask them. That is one question I know I would fear asking anybody. We also have to remember that Dawn hasn't known about the polygamy thing for very long so it might not be at the forefront of his/her mind.... Dawn still identify as a male right?
Loving your new sequel more and more!
Also...
FUCK YOU SOARIN!
6045391 actualy, i predicted that soarin would go crazy. i didn't expect the .. actions he took. I thought he would do something more along the lines of just slandering dawn, destroying his property, making his life miserable.... not what he ended up actually doing. ... ok well I thought soarin might try kidnapping him and beating him up badly then threatening him to get him to leave dash.
6045391 I can't quite say I enjoyed the turn that the series took, but... overall I know that I'm still enjoying the series as a whole and am impressed with the way he turned soarin into a villain that the reader should hate, because anyone can snap just like soarin did and no longer see escalations, just the most extreme methods for the most in-your-face results
6045391
Sorry about that. It wasn't possible to recapture the magic of the first one and instead of keep trying the same approach, I decided to change my approach and make it into a different kind of story. Otherwise it's just sequel after sequel without conflict and everything going Dawn's way. For what it is worth, the darkness is past and I always front-load my dark stories so people that don't like the dark can stop reading in the first chapter and not ten chapters later when they're more invested in the story.
So the rest of the story won't be dark, but instead now I have something that will drive character development, grow the relationships, and force Dawn to face his denial and find his place in Equestria.
How will the trial turn out I wonder.
Will Soarin say Dawn raped him first.
Will Discord be called in to testify.
Will they throw the book at him only to have Twilight dive in and catch it.
Or will the trial only last 10 seconds before Dash smashes Soarin's head in with a black dildo.
I keep pulling this story up weeks later to find out it's updated. I think ur notifications are messed up
6073131
Find out next time! Same Bat-time, Same Bat-channel!
6053668
Yeah this story is one of the few which changed my headcanon. Every time I see Soarin I grit my teeth ( just like Cheerilee with Cheerilee's Garden )
Funny how those stories are in my top 10... ( and half of my top is from Kaidan )
oh god please no. don't make this a 3 way relationship, please don't end this like I think you're going to end it.... *warlike flashbacks of Asobi ni Iku Yo*
6106677 Think more like the Chase. (-Kudzuhaiku)
6106677
Now I'm not sure if I want to know the reference (and then risk plagerizing it) or not know the reference (and only accidentally plagerize it.) Still, I'm pretty sure that I'm having 110% original ideas that have never been had before.
6073131
"The defendant now calls Discord to the stand."
"What?!"
*A charred husk walks in*
"Yes, it was rather hot on the sun, but when I heard my good old pal Soarin here got raped by Dawn I figured I'd come start the sequel early and put Dawn in Soarin's body! She did want to get in his flightsuit, so to speak!"
*evil laughter*
6108175 Then Soarin will see the error of his ways and convert to female.
6108172 No, because in Asobi ni iku yo, it ends in, instead of the main character and one of the girls, with all of the girls and the main character which kinda ruined it for me.
6126122 SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT! SOILED IT!
6108172 My biggest problem with a three way is that Dawn never faces his problems without someone pushing him with a bulldozer. Just having him not chooses seems like him copping out on another problem.
Soarin deserves the most harshest punishment possible... like... one that's been invented just for his slimy ass.
heeheehee... BAKE HIM INTO A CUPCAKE! AND FEED IT TO HIMSELF!
... don't question it.
Nice job on this!
truth in fiction, sadly.
more missing commas
you really have a thing about therapists, don't you...
another good, and this time relatively simple, chapter. Not much to see here, though, so I think I'll move along.
6174035 *hums as I throw soarin in a oven for about an hour* *1 hour later* takes soarin out and gets a spoon and feeds himself to him*
We...
ARE THE CRYSTAL GEMS!
7771019
Dear Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Dawn
A family with three mothers is not that odd
(Even though they are lebian space rocks instead of 2 mares and a I-used-to-be-human-and-then-the-universe-fucked-me-over)
6159122
Like a lot of humans do. Their life is more complex than this though.
And if you think, that you never did, there might be a little pony with african-sounding name, hiding behind your shoulder.