~Hush now, quiet now,
It’s time to lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to go to bed.
Drift, drift, off to sleep, exciting day behind you.
Drifting off to sleep, let the joys of dreamland find you... ~
Rarity allowed herself a satisfied smile as the three crusaders fell asleep, cuddled together for warmth just a few hooves away from Fluffy. Now that everything was quiet, she actually have a chance to think.
She was still quite personally livid with Fluffy for having soaked her in his attempts to get the crusaders into the tub. Yes, he was successful in the end, but there were just some things that were not proper to do in the presence of a lady!
Shaking her head to herself, Rarity crept out of Celestia’s room, having calmly brushed her mane as best as she could while singing her sister and her friends to sleep. She still had to catch up with her friends, after all! The question now, though, was problematic, if only for a moment. Where did they go? We split up awhile ago...
Rarity hummed to herself a moment, before smiling to herself. A lady was never without resources, after all, so long as she kept her wit about her! She summoned her gem-location spell, and focused it on the Element of Magic in particular. Rarity preened inwardly as she followed the slight tug on her horn, congratulating herself on how to find her friends. After all, with Twilight being a princess, she was required to wear some form of regalia, so Twilight had chosen to wear the Element of Harmony, since it was already a tiara. It was, as Applejack put it, ‘Mighty practical of ya, Twi.’
Rarity rolled her eyes as she thought on that statement, but a small part of her argued that it was more practical to wear her tiara than to have a new one created for her. If disaster struck, she would have to change crowns otherwise, and with the Element of Magic naturally matching Twilight’s colors, it would never clash.
Still, Rarity sighed to herself. It would have been quite the challenge to create regalia for a new princess, making sure she didn’t clash with the other princesses, while still remaining true to herself. Alas, it was not to be...
Rarity blinked as she realized that she had been following her horn absently, and as her thoughts drifted, so had her attention. She found herself in the middle of the royal kitchen, which was moderately busy, much to her surprise. I suppose that the night staff needs to eat too, the guards and the maids and the Lunar Court’s staff, but why on Equestria would Twilight be near here?
Apologising quietly, she left the room, fine-tuning her spell now that she was much closer to Twilight, redirecting her to what appeared to be-
“A... pantry?”
Quirking an eyebrow, she trot forward, getting ready to open the door, but paused when she heard Twilight talking. Curiosity getting the better of her, she leaned forward, her ears twitching as they found the best angle with which to eavesdrop.
.o.O.o.
Twilight sighed as she heard the spoon hit the bottom of the cardboard container. As Blueblood ate the last bite of ice cream, Twilight shook her head. “Blue... You are such a mare, you know that?”
Blueblood grumbled quietly as he savored the last of his frozen treat, the sugar helping him get out of shock. He never cared that he would have to work off the calories later, so what was the problem? “Yeah, well... You’re purple!”
Twilight blinked, then started to giggle despite herself. “Yeah, and you’re a mare. That over-rides my being purple, so you lose anyway, bleh!” Twilight stuck her tongue out petulantly, knowing she had already won the argument.
Blueblood began to laugh as well, licking the spoon one last time. “Yeah, well... Thanks, Light... I’m sorry, I tried not to freak out around your friends, and then-”
“It’s alright,” Twilight sighed, massaging her head. Seriously, why can’t I get him to call me that in public? It’s like...
“Hey Blue? Why won’t you call me that in public? You’re always so formal! You’re never going to work up the nerve to ask her out if you don’t learn how to relax!” Twilight argued, crossing her forelegs.
“Yeah, well,” Blueblood muttered, dumping the empty ice cream container in the garbage. “You know how I get around mares, a-and even thinking about asking her out is- is...”
Twilight threw a foreleg around Blueblood sympathetically, nodding. “I know, Blue... But one of these days, I’m going to get you to spill the beans on who she is! If she were as perfect as you say she is, then why isn’t she seeing anyone? There must be something wrong with her! Nopony’s perfect!”
Blueblood laughed bitterly, murmuring, “Maybe one or two things, but she’s still perfect in my eyes...”
“Well... come on, Blue! Just tell me one bad thing about her! Just one! Please?”
Blueblood stiffened, eyes widening as he recognized that tone. He knew that tone very, very well, and it only ever meant one thing. Don’t look into her eyes. Don’t look into her eyes, don’t look into her- crap.
Puppy eyes. Blueblood’s one weakness when it came to mares in general. It was impossible to be afraid of something that had its eyes take up half of their face magically. As he stared into Twilight’s shimmering violet pools that others called eyes, Blueblood felt his willpower drain to nothing. “W-well, s-she’s very stubborn, I suppose. S-somewhat assertive...”
“Well that doesn’t sound good!” Twilight protested, backing away from Blueblood as her eyes returned to normal. “Is that really worth putting up with?”
“W-well, it’s not like she abuses it or anything,” Blueblood continued, smiling. “I don’t think she even knows she is assertive, so it’s not really a problem.”
“Ah! Itch, itch, itch!” Scrambling, Twilight lit her horn, frantically searching her wing for the problem. As she tore out the offending feather, she sagged to the floor, panting in relief.
“ Molting?” Blueblood asked sympathetically, settling down on the floor next to her, offering his shoulder. “Auntie says that drinking tea helps you relax, and distracts you from the itching.”
“I’ll have to try that, thanks, Blue.” Twilight gave a sigh of relief as she sagged against Blueblood, allowing her wing to stay propped up as she nuzzled her way through her feathers, searching for one last, elusive itch.
Blueblood blushed as Twilight continued her preening, but said nothing while she finished. “So Blue, have I met the lucky mare?” Twilight mumbled around her feathers, her teeth busy.
“W-well yes,” Blueblood admitted, nodding.
“Do you want me to ask her for you? N-not on a date,” Twilight clarified quickly. “But to see if I can, you know, figure out what she thinks of you. Maybe put in a good word or two for you?”
“N-no, that wouldn’t work,” Blueblood said quickly, shooting down Twilight’s idea. “She already knows me too, so that would be pointless.”
Twilight huffed impatiently, wracking her brain for options. She had no personal experience with romance, true, but it was her job as a friend to offer good, sage advice, right? Of course right!
“Then why are you so afraid of asking her? If she already knows you, then why haven’t you-”
“B-because I’m not good enough,” Blueblood mumbled, hanging his head. “She deserves somepony better than me. I mean, I get startled when mares even touch me! W-what if she wants foals? What if I’m a horrible father, and can’t do anything right for them?”
Twilight groaned in frustration, barely restraining herself from just hitting the stupid stallion. “Blueblood, I think that asking her out is a little more important than wondering about-”
“What if she says no?” Blueblood whispered, barely hiding the tears that threatened to fall. “I’ll never be the stallion she deserves, and even if I were, what if she says no? I can’t... I couldn't accept that. I couldn't risk ruining...”
Twilight sighed once more, rubbing the bridge of her muzzle with a hoof, before bonking Blueblood on the head gently. “Idiot... You’re never going to know until you ask... Besides, you’re forgetting about the other side of the coin...”
“... And that would be?”
Twilight smiled gently, giving Blueblood an encouraging nuzzle. “What if she says yes?”
“I don’t know... I-I’ll think about it, maybe,” Blueblood answered, looking away from Twilight. “M-maybe one day I’ll get enough courage, but I don’t think today-”
*SLAM!*
“Blueblood!”
Twilight and Blueblood shot up into the air, frightened for their lives. A banshee had escaped from the pits of Tartarus! If their hearing still worked after that scream, and if they were lucky, they might be able to distract it long enough to evacuate Canterlot before more citizens were injured or killed!
At least, that’s what Twilight thought it was. What she and Blueblood saw instead, however, was much, much worse.
It was Rarity, and she was livid. Describing her mane and tail as being ‘on fire’ would be a grievous insult to the heat and light emitting from her coiffure. ‘Lava’ would certainly be a word much closer to justice, and her coat, if white before, was simply spotless now.
“You tell her right this second, Blueblood, or I swear I’m going to do it!”
The fire quickly died out from her mane and tail, but it still showed in her eyes, burning fiercely. It was all Blueblood could do not to wet himself. “Y-y-you c-can’t!” he stammered, panicking. “Y-y-you wouldn’t!”
“Rarity! You’re scaring him to death!” Twilight yelled at her friend, stomping her hoof loudly against the stone floor as she raised her wings in defense.
“Oh yes I would, and you know it,” Rarity snarled, narrowing her eyes. “I refuse to let one of my best friends become an old maid just because you are too cowardly to ask her out! You ask her right this second, or I’m doing it for you!”
“No you won’t!” Twilight retorted, keeping her magic at the ready. “Blue doesn’t have to do anything! I can stay one step ahead of you all the time, Rarity! I can force you to stay with me if I have to!”
Rarity blinked, unable to come up with a retort for several moments. Finally, after finding her voice, Rarity looked between Blueblood and Twilight, noticing that the former appeared to be steeling himself for... something, and that the latter was genuinely angry.
Rarity’s eye twitched as she tried to comprehend how Twilight could be that blind. “I... you... How in Equus is that going to keep me from telling her?!”
“Because if you’re with me, then you can never tell her without my knowing, and then Blue will be able to ask her in his own time!” Twilight declared proudly, puffing her chest out.
Rarity’s left eyelid started spasming as she began to hyperventilate. “How... You... But...”
“Err, L-Lady Twilight?”
Groaning, Twilight rolled her eyes at the sudden formality. “Blue, seriously, don’t worry about it. Rarity has always been overly dramatic, you don’t have to worry about anything. It won’t take much to keep an eye on her, and I’m sure I can ask Fluttershy and the rest for help too. They’ll understand, I’m sure.”
“W-well, if you put it like that, then....” Blueblood started to turn away, ready to leave, but something made him stay. “T-Then no.”
Twilight double-taked, looking at her friend, confused. “Huh? No what? It’s not like I’m going to-”
“She... She’s right,” Blueblood said slowly, with growing confidence. “I have to ask her some day, or else by the time I do ask her, getting what’s left of me that’s worth to be gotten won’t be worth getting whatever it is I’ve got left.”
Twilight blinked as she tried to make heads or tails of what he said, before he asked, “So, I’m going to ask her out on a date. Wish me luck?”
“Good luck, Blue,” Twilight exclaimed with a squeal, hugging him tightly. “She’d have to be a complete idiot to say no to you!”
“Y-yes, about that... Would you... Would you like to take a ride on my airship this weekend?” he asked hopefully. “You said you wanted to see it close up, so I thought maybe you’d like to take a ride, maybe see a play or two in Manehatten?”
Twilight blinked in shock, then giggled. “So you already know she’s into airships? While that sounds like a great idea for a date, don’t you think that might come off as being a little, I don’t know, stalker-ish?”
“I, well, it only depends if you think it was stalkerish of me to ask you,” Blueblood said nervously, chuckling slightly.
“Well, not me, no, but shouldn’t you practice saying something more general to get her attention first? Don’t worry, Blue, we’ll figure out the top five ways to ask her out if it takes all night!” Twilight exclaimed eagerly, getting out some parchment, quills, and ink. “We can make it a research paper, and I’m sure that Rarity would love to help you practice, right, Rarity? Um, Rarity?”
Rarity, having been hyperventilating for awhile, had passed out, her eyes crossed beneath her lids. “Odd... I would have thought she’d love to help,” Twilight mused, levitating her materials to the ready. “Normally it’s the getting her to shut up about romance that’s the hard part...”
.o.O.o.
“Thanks again for lettin’ us all bunk with ya, your highness,” Applejack said for everypony, following behind.
“Now Pinkie, you’re sure that the doozy is over now?” Rainbow Dash asked nervously. “I mean, your sense has been going off like crazy! Especially when we were in the guest room. Were there like traps or something?”
Pinkie Pie giggled, shaking her poofy mane. “Sorry Dashie, can’t tell! I promised I would keep it a secret! Everything will be fine in the end, though, I’m sure of it!”
Celestia opened the door to her room with her magic as they approached, but halted suddenly, causing everypony to crash into each other end to end. “Princess, what in tarnation-”
“... Damn that’s cute,” Applejack murmured, her eyes wide open.
“Yeah, what she said,” Rainbow Dash agreed softly, trying to understand how what she was seeing had happened.
“U-um, does anypony have a camera?” Fluttershy asked timidly. “Er, that is, if nopony minds. I wouldn’t want to wake them up or anything...”
Pinkie Pie just bounced forward, whipping out an old-fashioned tripod camera, covering her head with the red felt, giggling, “Say ‘Fuzzy Picklebarreled Kumquats!’”
Celestia smiled widely at the sight, sighing in relief. “Perhaps there’s hope for a peaceful harmony and coexistence with them after all...”
Well, fans of the CMC would definitely take notice if you used the pic of all of them snoozing. But the current image you're using is also quite fitting. I guess it all depends on which group you are really trying to hook first... CMC fans or Pokemon fans, personally I like the Crusaders.
As for BlueLight, I found Twilight to be completely adorkable, and therefor completely agree with Rarity's reaction.
2466071 I just hope I did her justice, that's all. XD She is just SO clueless as to Blueblood's affections, and when he finally DOES ask her, she thinks he's practicing on her for when he asks his crush out! XD I had SO much fun writing that entire scene. X3
I like the cover art, but I would say that because Glaceon is my fav Pokémon
2466318 Nah I know exactly what you were trying to say, I can't seem to think of how to phrase it either...
I look at the picture. My heart doesn't melt.
It lit on fire.
Then exploded.
Then exploded again.
Then it melted
interdasting......... will read when have chance.
2467421
How are you even still alive?
"OH MY GOSH IT'S A ZOMBIE! EVERYPONY RUNNNN!
... Sorry about that, she tends to find her way into here now and again. Mainly due to the fact that I had a working relationship with the entire group a while back.
"Sorry, I'll go bring her home. Loving this story by the way."
Couldn't agree more.
Wow, that picture cost me 3 revival beads, 2 balms of life, 7 phoenix downs, and a Recarm spell. Plus a Cup of Lifenoodles because revival spells make me hungry.
2469033 Yes... Did you have to eat a Skip Sandwich DX or a Large Pizza afterwards?
CMC picture is to cute.
I had to use all my Max Revives. (Bleh, I'm always so late. ) So, less filler from now on eh? Looking even more forward to the story now.
2471713 Not promising in general. Just saying that we're going to be getting some plot here soon. XD
2471793 Hey, a bit more story is better than a heap load of filler. Some filler is okay but too much and... yeah, just look at Naruto (If you watched it on Toonami umpteen years ago.)
2471961 Well... Okay, and here's where I've always struggled, and never understood. What's the difference between character exploration, character growth, and filler? Because they all seem pretty similar to me. Like, a lot of this I would have called character exploration, with some filler.
2472696 Well, I wouldn't classify these chapters as filler, I'd say filler is just stuff they(author or etc.) put in to feed to the hungry masses so they don't start hacking at the front doors of said author constantly asking for more.
tl;dr Filler is stuff that's supposed to kind of be a cooldown with absolutely nothing going on really.
Character growth and exploration I'd classify these chapters as. (And to an extent, lesser filler.) Exploration I believe is exactly as it sounds. It's basically taking a spin on a character people already know (or as I like to call it, pulling an M.Night Shyamalan.) Growth would be the character learning something ( Like say.... pretty much any game/story where the character goes through a literal shit-ton of all this death, murder and whatnot and halfway through learns something about him/herself that he/she did not know about him/herself, the reader learns it at the same time the character does, or the leader learns about something the character has that we did not know before.) Though I'd ask someone a bit more...qualified and experienced than I about this. I'm just piecing together what I've learned/seen of those three and putting them together as you see above. Also, sorry about the late response, was watching a LP of Dark Souls.
2482425
You're rather stilted in the ambition department, is that what you're driving at? *budum-tssh*
2482434 You ended your sentence with a preposition. I must not be seen associating with you, or my reputation will suffer!
2487692 Yeah, I got that already. No mention of it with the introduction of the character, I assumed it didn't exist.
2487793 I........shout references out over Live when playing Halo. Mainly 'Tucker did it!' when I shoot a friendly...and the later series are awesome!!
2487945 XD That's the line I use most IRL as well, actually! And I know, but ponies and writing is moar important to me right now than catching back up in Blue vs. Red
2487960 I got enough mates that when we play custom games, we can each be a character.
I'm Griff. Had one game where I was tasked as the driver, but told them I couldn't as I didn't want to look for the keys........then 'Sarge' shot me!
2487972 Shut up, Scumbag, and read my fic!
2487978 Sorry, was talking to the others about sending messages to birds on Uniformdating.
Getting back to it now!
2488780 Eeyup... Sleep well!
................Twilight needs a slap. I know she is oblivious to most social things, but really? So much for being smart!
Where is the next chapter? You know what, I think maybe it's time to go hear some 'Kweh'.
2490332 Very well, I shall hear it.
2490323 Ah, but by 'first', I meant the one that was a pony, which I believe has been established to be an Albino Umbrion. So yeah, I got five. And really? A Vapoureon hung itself?
2490332 And no, I haven't read it. I haven't actually read any of his, they don't interest me.
th07.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/297/a/8/luna_shrug_by_adiwan-d4dtskk.png
2490354 Eeyup! Some people went crazy, yo. I survived because A) I secretly wanted it, just not how or what happened, B) I thought it was a dream, so I had time to accept it, in a way, C) I was, really, treated nicer than the others, if you think about it. (Being captured and put in a room that you don't know, in a land you don't know, by talking, pastel colored talking ponies? Yeah, some people would't be able to handle that.)
And, honestly... I don't wanna rant, so here's the tl;dr version. Rarity goes from being somepony who has to work her craft to feed not only herself, but also her sister, making her caring, loving, self-dependent, etc, into a more selfish (to a degree) character that only has to support herself, and at least somewhat deliberately tries to distance herself from her parents. Sisterhooves Social would have been more meaningful if the parents were never around, because then she would be more torn btw. working to provide for Sweetie, as apposed to spending time with Sweetie. Her parents add NOTHING to her character aside from comic relief for the beginning of the episode. If her parents weren't around, it also would have been a great moral for the PARENTS watching the show, reminding them that their kids want/need time with them too, not just the money they provide from their jobs. THAT'S the tl;dr of why I hate her parents.
(Also, if you haven't figured it out, Albino Umbreon is Moonstone. )
2490441 Very true!
Okay, I can respect that. I just supposed I was a little shocked at seeing it. But you gotta admit, the way Rarity rips in to them in another story is bloody brilliant! You know what I'm talking about!
So, by my count, we have twelve confirmed, with eleven alive.
And how did I not make that connection?
images.wikia.com/mlp/images/0/08/Twilight_face_hoof.jpg
2490472 Twelve what, eleven alive? What?
Gotcha! I'm slightly surprised myself, but hey! You were concentrating on everything else! You can't possible spot EVERYTHING there is to see the first tie through a story! It's like, impossible!
2490494 Confirmed Pokemon in Equestria.
1) Flareon (Fluffy), 2) Eevee (Kaye), 3) Umbreon (Moonstone), 4) Glaceon (Can't remember if there's a name yet!), 5) Totodile (Cerulean), 6) Scyther, 7) Metang, 8) Latias, 9) Tailow, 10) Jynx, 11) Shinx, 12) Vapoureon (Dead)
2490519 Oh. You're forgetting about the meanie-head McMeanie Pants Pikachu that was picking on poor Ceru when he arrived...
No, she doesn't have a name yet, but it's already been decided what it WILL be, so... X3
2490535 Oh yeah, she blasted it with her party cannon.....mark III, was it? Well, all I can say is...
i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/7054470656/h57961919/
remember that pic I asked? ya I'm good now.
ummm is it bad that i dod not realize till this chapter that you have princess twilight in this story?
the bluelight part was good. heh, he either likes fluttershy or rainbow.... watch it be applejack tho XD
3177821 Nah. S'all cool, brah.
I... How do you not... If you're trying to troll me, you succeeded, but if you really don't know, I don't even know how to tell you who she is without being any more clear. If you don't know, maybe try re-reading this chapter later, once you've read the other chapters.
3177835 THE FLUFFY (ASFjerome), SKYTHEKIDRS, BATCLONE HAVE COME TO SAVE THE DAy
this just popped my head all these guys are youtubers
This is Blueblood:
i.qkme.me/36ein2.jpg
Could you have been more obvious? I knew within the first two sentences he was talking about Twi'.
3184436 Oh good. Well, you'd be surprised... First, at least one other reader read all of that and thought he was talking about Fluttershy or Applejack, so luckily, that pretty much proves that it IS possible to be that dense/slow on the take up. Keep in mind, this was written, and will continue to be, as if EQG never happened. (Because, in essence, it never DID happen. Seriously, it's not like ANYONE learned a lesson in friendship, or anything else, for that matter. NOTHING happened, and don't get me started on that 'romance'.)
So yeah. Expect shenanigans to occur from misunderstandings as time goes on. XD
You were right on that picture drawing folks in. I ain't got much knowing of Pokemon but that heart attack causing picture forced me into reading this story. Got to say I am enjoying it very much even with all the googling of what things are to better understand what's going on. Worthy of time spent!
Darn it, man! You made me use up my Eternal Flame revival on that picture! (Sighs) Welp, time for another trip to go see Ho-oh!
Also, Twi, you're so thick sometimes! But, I suppose I can excuse it. Blueballs(sorry, XD-385 called him that, and it stuck with me) wasn't being THAT overt about it. Speaking of obliviousness and XD-385, dude James is thicker than the walls at Fort Knox! Honestly! Sorry, but my willing suspension of disbelief only goes so far.
4492920 Suspension of belief for what part, exactly? Your non-sequitur about your friend makes it a little confusing as to what you're referring regarding your lack of suspension of belief.
If you're referring to Blueblood and Twilight... Just, please, trust me. There's a very good reason for why she's so oblivious to him, aside from her social ineptness. It will actually be explained within... I'd say five, seven chapters at the most. (From where the story currently is, not from this chapter.) Just be patient, and it'll all be explained.
I feel nothing when viewing the picture.
I am unfeeling.
Okay......i don´t know if it is because the other people make him look always so bad, but i never liked Blueblood, and it is really hard to accept him to be together with Twilight, but i like Our Flareon to much to just stop because of that.
5681706 If it makes you feel any better, you will see a lot more of Blueblood being 'normal'/good before the relationship goes anywhere. There is a reason (Not yet hinted at) for why Twilight is completely oblivious to Blueblood's crush, and it will be awhile even after it comes to light before anything happens. IF (and it IS an 'if') they actually get into a dating relationship, they'd both be taking it very slow, because they both haven't been in a relationship before, they WERE friends, so it's a little awkward to try to see them in a romantic light, older siblings having their own opinion, etc. etc.
Trust me, theirs is a relationship I would be taking at an antagonizingly slow rate to make sure it is done right.
(Glad to know you like Fluffy, at least. I would also like to thank you for being so bluntly honest about what you do and don't like, as that helps me figure out what I need to improve on, and where to take the story.)
What heart.
Oh... oh god... HNNNNGH-
.....both of my hearts just exploded.... shit.
I'm with Rarity on this on. I might faint just from my inability to comprehend this cluelessness.