The Nature of Pony Magic

by Jondor

The Nature of Pony Magic

The recently coronated Princess of Magic, Twilight Sparkle, lay with her Alicorn wings spread full in her extra large bed in the loft of the Golden Oaks Library. This bed was much larger than the one that was there when she first moved to Ponyville, but its size had nothing to do with the modest increase in her body’s dimensions that accompanied her ascension to Princesshood. In fact the larger bed was specifically designed to accommodate three ponies and had been in use for just such a purpose for quite some time while Twilight Sparkle was still ‘just a regular old Unicorn’ to quote her own phrasing.

At present, as was the case as often as could be managed, the bed was filled to its rated capacity. Each cuddled by a strong, downy wing, two other ponies lay beside Twilight. In the Princess’ left wing, tenderly stroking the impressive plumage, lay Rainbow Dash. In her right wing, looking somewhat fretful, lay Applejack. The reason for the latter pony’s unease was the disheartening thought she had just accidentally voiced, which she had meant to keep to herself.

“What was that, Applejack?” Twilight’s soft voice asked of her bedmate.

The Earth pony sighed and pressed her face against the soft lavender coat of Twilight’s chest while she collected herself. Presently, she pulled back and repeated herself. “I said, I’m a mite jealous of y’all’s wings.”

“Who wouldn’t be? These things are awesome!” Dash replied, burying her face in Twilight’s feathers.

“Not helping, Rainbow.” Twilight scowled slightly. She could never be too mad at either of her lovers, but Dash wasn’t always the most empathetic of ponies and had a knack for picking the worst times to showcase that fact.

Applejack scooted closer to Twilight’s barrel, resting her head against the Princess’ chest while a lavender hoof stroked her mane. “I never thought about it much when it was just Dashie with wings, but now y’all got ‘em too an’ I just kinda feel left behind.”

A cyan hoof reached over from Twilight’s far side and brushed against the soft orange fur of Applejack’s cheek. “C’mon, AJ. You know Twi’s happy to magic you up some wings any time you want to go flying with us.”

“Dash, I know you’re just trying to help, but I don’t think that’s what she meant.” The Princess curled her wing around Dash, trying to soften the blow of her words. Rainbow sulked a little, but soon turned her attention back to the Alicorn wing she was nestled in.

Twilight turned her head to face Applejack, lifting the orange mare’s chin with her hoof to look into her emerald eyes. “There’s much more to being an Alicorn than just being a Unicorn with wings.” She leaned over to nuzzle her lover and whisper in her ear, though not quietly enough that Dash would not hear as well. “I’m part Unicorn and part Pegasus now, but I’m also part Earth pony. I can feel it.”

Applejack’s eyes widened a bit as Twilight explained. “I can feel that little tingle in my hooves whenever I walk, just like the tingle in my wings whenever I fly. It’s the same thing I feel in my horn whenever I cast a spell.”

“And if you’re jealous of our wings,” Dash said quietly from her side of the bed, “I’m jealous of your legs, both of you.”

“What was that, sugarcube?” Applejack tilted her head up to look at Rainbow across Twilight’s chest.

“Don’t make me repeat it.” Dash imitated Applejack by pressing her face into Twilight’s soft coat for a moment. “I had to pull so many tricks during the Running of the Leaves just to keep up with you.” She groaned a bit. “I may be the fastest flier in all Equestria, but I just can’t beat you in a hoof race. Heck, even Twi’s a match for me on hoof now. But if you ever repeat that to anypony, I’ll deny it.”

Twilight chuckled and kissed Dash’s forehead. “You see, Applejack? You’ve got something special too and even more than just that. Take away a Pegasus’ wings or a Unicorn’s horn and they’re not suddenly an Earth pony.

“You should be proud, Earth ponies are the backbone of Equestrian society.” The Alicorn wing curled around Applejack and stroked her withers. “Unicorns have great minds to harness the raw power of magic and Pegasi have a courageous spirit to tame the heavens, but Earth ponies have strong bodies and the indomitable will needed to shape the earth itself where all ponies live.”

“You’re right, Twi. Thanks.” Applejack smiled. “It’s easy ta ferget sometimes.”

“I know. On the surface, Earth ponies seem defined by the lack of something. Lack of a horn or wings that set Unicorns and Pegasi apart, but look at Celestia, or Luna or Cadance. Luna and Cadance are about as big as your brother or mine and Celestia is the size of the Saddle Arabians.” Twilight waved her hooves down at her own body. “Even I grew a bit when I transformed. That’s the influence of Earth pony magic.”

“Sooooo bored! You finished lecturing yet, Princess Egghead?” Rainbow Dash asked a little impatiently.

Twilight scowled a bit, but Applejack chuckled. “I think ya fergot ta mention that Pegasi are rascally, impatient, featherbrained varmits.” She grinned over at the now glaring Pegasus.

“Girls, if you’re going to fight, do it when I’m not in between you.” The Princess gave them each a stern look and they both grinned sheepishly.

“Pegasi are important too, aren’t they?” Rainbow looked at Twilight like a young filly being picked last for a game of hoofball.

The young Alicorn chuckled and cuddled Dash close with her wing in reassurance. “Of course, Rainbow. Without Pegasi to manufacture and control the weather or to deliver mail and send messages, Equestria wouldn’t be even a quarter as productive as it is today. Nor would it be anywhere near the size it’s grown to.”

Rainbow looked noticeably brighter. “Yeah, Pegasi are awesome!”

Applejack and Twilight shared a chuckle before the lavender Princess spoke up again. “I do have something I wanted to ask you two and now seems like a good time.”

Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s ears quirked. “What’s up?” They asked in unison.

“Well, as the Princess of Magic, I’d like to study Earth pony and Pegasus magic. There’s not much written about it in the Canterlot Library.” Twilight clicked her forehooves together, looking like an eager little filly. “I can feel both kinds of magic inside me now and it has me really intrigued. I thought it would be really great to have the help of two of the best ponies I’ve ever known, who each just happen to epitomize their respective races.” The eager young Alicorn punctuated her request by tracing her long, downy feathers along her bedmates’ backs.

“I th.. think we can help,” Applejack shuddered, not unpleasantly, “fer our Princess. You in, Dashie?”

“Yeeeeeeeeeaaaah.” Dash’s scratchy voice came out as a tremolo.

“Thanks, girls. I love you both so much.”

Comments

[Ravebrony42]

I love it. Appledashlight. Stories of earth pony magic always intrigue me. I like the thought of the Alicorns having all three types of magic.

[Charlie_K]

It's definitely a cute little story, certainly an interesting pairing.

[bats]

Yay! Appledashlight! Appledashlight that ain't Appledash + Twi or Twidash + AJ!

The world needs more Appledashlight. I'm working on mine, the rest of you hop to it! Y'all have your assignments.

[pjabrony]

"I thought it would be really great to have the help of two of the best ponies I've ever known, who each just happen to epitomize their respective races."

"So the next time you happen to run into Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, if you could ask them, I'd appreciate it."

[Jondor]

2334140
Thanks!

2334129
2334328
I've been wanting to write something AppleDashLight, especially because the poor romance folder there was empty. I knew it had to be a true three way relationship if I did, and I had all this headcanony pony magic stuff floating around that seemed like a good fit.

2334370
Not in this headcanon, sorry. As bookplayer put it: Applejack is the earth-poniest earth pony who ever earth-ponied. I agree and I find Rainbow the same for pegasi. Which is not to disparage the rest of the Mane 6. Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rarity are all wonderful ponies, but I see them having a mixed heritage and not as strongly attuned to a single pony race (not to imply this is a bad thing).

[Tchernobog]

2334612

Agreed. Fluttershy feels half earth pony, and Pinkie must have unicorn blood in her somewhere.

Story wise... Cute. As usual, I'd love to see a continuation of this - the actual scientific research, so to speak ;)

[Dragon Master Spike]

Awww, love A.J and Rainbow being held by Twilight's wings.

This is a nice, short, sweet piece Jondor.

I hope we see more Appledashlight in the future from the fandom.

[Seether00]

Is three way shipping the new in thing now? Seems to be popping up more and more. People must be tired of shipping different pairs of the Mane 6 together.

[Jackie]

Glad to see this finally up here! As said before, it was a great read! Thumbed up and faved.

And...

Big thanks to Jackie for prereading even when I got defensive about some commas. (Commas are evil.)

Sweet Celestia, THIS. Heh, I do not know why, but commas are just such pesky things

[Hot Blooded Hero]

Hmm... Mane 6 six-way relationship. Not just Twi-harem, a six way relationship. Someone provide!

[Ravebrony42]

I love how this entire story takes place in one setting. We need fan art of it. My vote is for RatofDrawn. (he recently did a three way ship pic with Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity.)

[Drifting Heart]

there is something i love just as much as a hot threesome. earth ponies and why they are awesome. i always like reading fanfics that talk about earth pony magic and just how awesome earth ponies are in general. i always thought pinkie was part pegasus even when some say she's part unicorn. in my headcanon pinkie's real father is a pegasus. now fluttershy she's an earth pony with wings simple.

[koenigseggfan14]

Dddaaawww (explodes of adorableness)

[iloveportalz0r]

>but it’s size had nothing
*its

[Jondor]

2372249

I always, always get those backwards.

I'd like to know who came up with that rule. It would be so much simpler and more consistent if it was just an apostrophe ALL the time.

[iloveportalz0r]

2372294 Contractions are homosexual

[Jondor]

2372308

That explains EVERYTHING!

[iloveportalz0r]

2372326 <insert le Teal'c Indeed Face here>

[Magatsu Orpheus]

2334612
I'm pretty sure that was the joke.

[Titanium Dragon]

Alright, well, because you made the assertion that 75% of downvotes on this site are trolling, I'll fess up here:

I downvoted this story and I didn't leave a comment.

So, why did I downvote this? What is wrong with it?

Honestly, the real problem with this story is that it felt very light and fluffy, but it didn't really go anywhere or do anything. It didn't really feel like it had any substance to it. It wasn't that it was bad, or that the characters acted out of character, or anything like that. It just felt pointless.

Not trying to be nasty or anything, but yeah. I downvoted without saying anything (naughty me, I know, especially given that I myself would like to know how to improve my own work) but that's why I downvoted this.

SO THERE.

[Jondor]

3080857

See, now we're getting somewhere.

It IS light and fluffy, but I don't think it's fair say it has no substance. There is precious little canonical information about earth pony magic, and that's what this story is primarily about, against a backdrop of pony cuddles because pony cuddles are awesome. It would probably be fair to say that it has not enough substance; even I would like there to be more, I just didn't have any more at the time to include.

[Imaginarychibi]

ok i'll just bluntly say i'd love to see this turned into a full blown story. but that might just be me. but even if that doesn't happen this was great.

[James Rye]

“Unicorns have great minds to harness the raw power of magic and Pegasi have a courageous spirit to tame the heavens, but Earth ponies have strong bodies and the indomitable will needed to shape the earth itself where all ponies live.”

Great quote. Gonna steal it for future use. No return.

A very fluffy and adorable fic, but I kind of missed the Unicorn side like a Rarity popping out of the closet, demanding some explanantion how important Unicorns are to the pony society as well. And the three of them are like "did you seriously watched us make out in the closet?".

[Jondor]

3287525

Hehe. Quote it all you like.

If I ever do get around to writing the sequel, it will have stuff about unicorns as well, don't worry.

[Astarea]

This ship is just epic...

[Prawo Jazdy]

2372294 The explanation I've heard and liked is that possessive pronouns never have apostrophes. "His" and "mine," therefore "hers," "yours," "theirs," and "its."

[Renard Dashie Prower]

Very sweet, very moving. Thank you.

[Tuume]

A sweet and introspective tale. I enjoyed how you brought up the advantages of each pony race without making any one seem inferior to the others. Thank you for this.

[Fluttertreetop]

Uh, Twilight is the Princess of Friendship, isn't she?

Or am I greatly wrong.....?

[Jondor]

6635303

Maybe take a look at the publish date, bub. This was written shortly after S3 ended, we didn't know what her title was then.

[Fluttertreetop]

6635412

Uhm, yeah. I noticed, right after I posted my comment.

My apologies, I just got here, in this site and even in the fandom, and i only hold the slightest of idea on how this thing works. I really hope you understand.

[Fable Caster]

“Unicorns have great minds to harness the raw power of magic and Pegasi have a courageous spirit to tame the heavens, but Earth ponies have strong bodies and the indomitable will needed to shape the earth itself where all ponies live.”

I... I may have to borrow this line at some point, somewhere. It's just too damn good.