> Should be Something... > by Fat1thatyoulove > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Should be... Chapter 1 – Should be something... "...COME on......Whywhywhywhywhywhywhy???" The slightly high pitched and whiny voice brings a quick response from the lavender mare as she trembles a little to the ear drum pounding sound, "Pinkie!" Twilight's voice finally hushes the pink ball of unrelenting energy as the pink mare shoves her hoof to her friend's snout, "Shh Twilight, you shouldn't yell in front of Aerolight." Your ears finally start to perk back up to the silent mare as you shift your eyes from the comment. You turn your gaze to the third mare in the library's living room as you just watch the cyan pegasus continues to laugh at the conversation she slinked away from to play with the little foal. Twilight breaks away from her friend's hoof as she gives a little sigh, "I did not raise my voice, I just want you to understand that-..." "It's okay Twilight, I forgive you. Now lets party!" In one motion the pink mare has placed a bright party hat over Twilight's horn and simultaneously blows a little party horn. Before Twilight can speak up the pink mare has almost spun around to you as she pops a little confetti shooter in your direction, "Woooo- HooOO!" You give a little chuckle to the confetti that now hangs over your gaze of the slightly bouncing pink mare as she takes a deep breath, "HAppY Birth-..." "Pinkie!" Twilight’s voice again stops Pinkie as her blue eyes turn to her as she still holds her mouth wide open almost as if she's just paused in time. "...I told you we are not really having a big party in Ponyville, we're going to the Crystal Empire today." Twilight's comment closes Pinkie's mouth as she lowers her head to her friend with a big eyed gaze, "B-but Violet can't have a birthday without a party?" You can tell from Twilight's expression that she's a little annoyed at the comment but she holds a friendly tone as she speaks up, "Pinkie I told you that you could throw a party for Violet if you wanted when we got back the next d-..." Pinkie quickly rushes her hooves to her friend's face as her eyes widen, "YES!" Pinkie holds a wide smile as she just stares deep into Twilight's eyes as she continues to hold the lavender mare captive. However, the pink ball of energy only stays to one pony for a moment as she quickly lunges herself to you, "Oh oh oh! Well if we're not having a party can we at least have some of the cupcakes??" Pinkie quickly points her hoof to the box of sweets she placed on the table. Truthfully you would have questioned how she was able to carry around so many things with just a normal satchel...But at the same time you have learned never to question Pinkie. You just shrug as your magic starts to wrap to the confetti around you, "Sure." "Good!" As Pinkie turns back to the table you float the little streams of colored paper in front of you as you stare to them for a moment. The purple magic that holds them up quickly turns green and then flashes into a little pop of light orange and red fire as they poof away from your magic. You cock a little smile to Twilight as you notice her just rolling her eyes, ya fire-bending alien wizard-mmff!! Your thoughts are brought to an end as you feel two or three cup cakes being stuffed into your mouth. Pinkie's happy voice comes up as you try to quickly chew the vanilla and chocolate things she just tried to suffocate you with, "There you go!" Your eyes slightly water as you almost unhinge your jaw to chew, all the while just trying to listen to the mare in front of you, "Ihopeyoulikethem.Ididn'treallyknowwhatkindyouwouldwontfirstsoIjustgaveyouoneofeachWELLnoteveryone.RainbowwantedmetomakesomewithposionjokebuuuuttttIthoughtIwouldaskbeforeIgaveyouoneofthose!" A little laugh comes to the mare as she pats your chest,"I mean what kind of pony would just force you to eat something you didn't want you know?" You have no idea what the other part of her statement meant so you just give a little nod as you try to swallow. Twilight holds her hoof to you as she speaks up a little, "Are you alright?" Pinkie's ear flicks to the comment as she turns to her friend Twilight do YOU want a cupcake?" The mare's comment quickly turns Twilight's head as she shakes her head, "Oh no no, I'm fine." "Awwww, but they're super-duper really good?" Twilight straightens her posture a little as she speaks up, "Pinkie don't whine, I don't want Aerolight to think everypony gets what they want from it." "Pff..." Pinkie ruffles her friend’s mane with her hoof as she smiles, "Silly Twilight, crying is normal watch...." The pink mare sits her flank to the floor as she bites to her bottom lip and starts to tear up, "I-I just want Gummy to wear a party hat!WAaa-haA-HA!-A-...." "Pinkie!?" Twilight's voice stops the mare's cry as Pinkie leans her head to her friend, "Yes Twilight?" The mare's normal sounding voice ruffles Twilight's nose as she just stares to her friend's smile. However before the lavender mare can speak up a tomboyish laugh rings up to the room, "HA! You don't want Aerolight crying for things huh?" The cyan mare brings the colt in her hold a little closer to her as she pauses her little flight path, the tomboyish voice slightly alters as she nuzzles her head to his mane, "How could you resist that face though??" Rainbow quickly snaps her head back to her friends as her eyes widen, "Uh...On second thought maybe not." The cyan mare quickly darts to Twilight as she holds out the happily laughing foal, "I think somepony needs a new diaper." Twilight blinks to the comment as she looks over the dark cream colt, "Aerolight why didn't you say you needed to use the potty?" The colt just holds a smile as he wiggles his hooves to Twilight, "Potty." With a slight roll of the eyes Twilight's horn sparks up and her right hoof extends as she takes the colt into her hold with the help of her magic, "Come here..." As Twilight starts to trot towards the stairs Rainbow turns her eyes to you, "So no party for Violet today huh?" However you don't bring your voice up as Twilight's rings out from the first step at the bottom of the staircase, "She knows her real party will be when we get back..." Her eyes dart back up the stairs as she continues with a little whisper, "And besides Rarity hasn't finished a special gift." Rainbow flips her mane from her eyes a little as she speaks up, "Special gift huh? You sure that's not from the stallion Violet's had in her room for the last thirty minutes?" Your smile leaves your face as you turn your head to Twilight, "What stallion?" Rainbow's voice comes up as she bellows out a little laugh, "Sparky flew inside the window when I got here." "I knew he was up their." Twilight quickly brings in her voice as she starts to casually trot up the stairs. "Oohhh, who's Sparky?" Pinkie's eyes slightly widen as she gives a little giggle. A dead pony, you bring your voice up as you trot up the stairs, "Hey Twilight we're leaving in a little right? I think i'll go and make sure Violet's packed." A faint giggle comes from Twilight as she just nods, "Okay, tell Spike also." You nod to the comment as you watch the lavender mare trot into your room, from the absent mare you turn your eyes to Spike's closed door. But you trot past it as you go to the other closed door at the end of the hallway. You bring your voice up as you clear your throat, "Hey Violet are you packed?" You don't even bother to wait a moment as you quickly but respectfully open the door. However as the door opens up you just stare to the two unmoved ponies that sit on the bed. The room has the smell of blooming flowers from the open window and the sound of low chiming magic holds to the room. You just stare to the two young ponies who have their heads happily propped up against each other as the light purple mares magic wraps light from her horn to the stallion's head. It's not that you don't know what kind of spell the mare is doing...But at the same time its kind of weird to not see the light orange stallion turn into his slightly jumpy self he’s been doing lately when he sees you. For the moment you just blink to the two happily sitting ponies as you try to figure out whether or not to startle the two ponies. However, as you continue to look over the two ponies you notice the pegasus's wings starting to raise along with the light blue magic starting to glow a little deeper. You tap your hoof to the door as you clear your throat. Without question the sound of the magic is broken and Violet quickly turns her soft blue eyes to you as she just stares from the bed with an almost slight announce. Her expression kind of makes you feel good as you just smile back to her. Sparky on the other hoof jumps to his hooves as he speaks up, "H-hello Mr.Sparkle." There's the stallion I like, you nod to the comment as you turn your attention back to Violet, "Are you packed?" Violet nods her head as she points her hoof to the satchel sitting on the dresser on your right. "Okay..." You turn your eyes a little to Sparky as you speak up, "I think we're leaving soon Violet." As you start to turn from the room Violet quickly comes to the side of the bed as she brings her hooves up with a question. You blink to the question as you look over the smile and almost puppy dog like stare she gives you, however you don't speak up instantly as you just shift your eyes between her and the light orange pegasus, "What do you mean can Sparky come?" Violet again brings her hooves up, but this time she slightly turns her head as she asks a little bit more unsure. You again blink to the comment as you give a little chuckle to the pegasus, "I don't think Sparky can just come with us." The stallion shrugs as he speaks up, "Well...There's no cloud duty today seeing as how the head weather mare decided its a full sun-day...And my dad is out of town to visit my sister." A faint chuckle comes up from you as you turns back to Violet, "Did you ask your mother?" "Ask me what?" Twilight's voice comes in from the door behind you as she pokes her head in a little. You take a step aside as you speak up, "Violet wants Sparky to come with us." The lavender mare taps her hoof to her mouth as she speaks up, "Well...The ticket Cadence and Shining sent with the letter was a royal ticket so it doesn't matter how many ponies come along..." Violet's ears perk up as Twilight continues, "But you would need to get packed quick because the train leaves at ten." Sparky slowly nods to the comment as he speaks up, "I could get packed." Twilight turns her head to you as she speak up, "That's if it's okay with you?" Everyponys eyes come to you as you slightly take your head up a little, what the hell? You think over your options, you've learned over the last few days that Violet and Sparky had something planed that had to be put off for the trip Twilight decided you were all going on. But at the same time the whole point of going was for Cadence to see Violet...Or at least that's what Twilight said. A faint sigh comes to you as you decide not to be the bad guy, "It's fine...But if you're not in separate rooms your going home Sparky." The light orange stallion nods to the comment as he speaks up, "Alright...I'll go home and pack." Twilight brings her voice up as she takes a step aside from the doorway, "Just meet us at the train station we'll be leaving in a little." Sparky nods to the comment as he moves from the room. "I'll finish packing Aerolight's things." Twilight gives a little smile as she leaves the room. To the absent mare you turn your head back to Violet, however your gaze is met by a warm and happy smile as the young mare waits for a comment. However you squint your eyes to her smile as you speak up, "How long have you and Twilight been planning this?" Violet shrugs to the comment as she sparks her hooves up. You give a little smirk to the motions as you nod to the window, "Twilight helped with the locked spell." Violet holds her smile but before you can bring your voice up Twilight's comes from across the hall, "Do you know where Aerolight's toothbrush is?" You turn your head back to the door as you start out into the hall, "Do I know what?" End of chapter 1 > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 – Leaving? You poke your head into the other room as you speak up, "What did you say?" The low chime of Twilight's magic holds to the room as one of the two satchel bags floats above the bed where the little colt happily wiggles his hooves from, "I asked if you knew where Aerolight's toothbrush is. I wasn't in the bathroom and I don't know where else we could have put it." You blink to the comment as you try to think but your mind is stopped by a little baby like squeal as you end up just staring to the little colt who now tries to crawl inside the other satchel bag he's tipped over. "Aerolight, I just packed that..." Twilight's voice brings no remorse from the little colt as he happily pulls a book or brush from the bag, "YAy!" As a defeated sigh rolls from Twilight she floats the bag up, which of course brings a sour face to the little colt as he holds his pink eyes to the lavender mare. However the quivering lip of the little colt quickly turns Twilight's actions as she lowers the bag and speaks up in a baby like tone, "Aerolight, do you know where your toothbrush is?" The little colt blinks to the comment as he nods, "Box." Twilight continues to move her head a little closer as she brings her voice up again, "What box?" Aerolight gives a little giggle as the colt rocks a little on the bed, "Box." His hoof jabs towards the other side of the room as his word rolls out. You turn your head as you look over the old golden and dark wood box that sits up against the wall on the distant side of the room. "You put your toothbrush in the Element of Harmony box?" Twilight just blinks to the colt's motion. You on the other hoof just laugh to the thought as you think, lot of good a tooth brush does when Pinkie's around. Makes sense something useless would be in an empty box of power. You trot over to the box as your magic opens the box to reveal a colt size blue tooth brush. With a slight laugh you float it over to Twilight as you speak up, "Why do we have to keep an empty box in our room again?" Twilight's magic quickly comes over yours as she blows to the comment, "Because, when Celestia is done with the Element Crown she would most likely want it back where it was." You roll your eyes as you get ready to shell out a smart-ass kind of comment, however out of the corner of your eye you catch another pony in the hallway, "Where are you going?" Violet stops her little trot as she turns towards the room and brings her hooves up. "Going out?-..." Before you can finish your comment Twilight's voice comes up as she turns to the young pony in the doorway, "Sweetie we'll be leaving in a little bit don't you think you should get packed?" Violet gives a little smile to the comment as she pats her hoof to her bag and then follows up with a little motion. "Packed yesterday?" A slight giggle rolls from Twilight as she proudly smiles, "No longer waiting until the last minute anymore huh?" Another nod comes from Violet as she again brings her hooves up. "Well..." Twilight pauses as she shrugs, "If you want to go out for a little that's fine, just meet us at the train station at ten." Violet nods as she starts her trot back up, however she's stopped as Twilight's voice comes up, "Oh could you wake Spike please." Your ear flicks to the comment as you think to yourself, oh...Spike. Again Violet nods as she turns her already started trot to the closed door in the hall. Violet knocks her hoof to the door as she waits a few moments before opening it. However as she opens it her eyes pin to the green spikes that poke up from the beds covers, "Hmmm...Five minutes." A slightly devious smile comes to Violet's face as her blue magic comes to the bed's covers as they slowly start to peal back revealing the sleeping dragon. Spike clenches his eyes as he gives a little groan, "Ah...Alright alright, I'm up." He lazily sits himself up as he stares half eyed to the mare, "You should know not to wake a dragon." Violet gives a sweet smile as she looks over the small little purple dragon, but she only holds her head to the room for a moment as she turns back to the stairs. But, the young mare only gets halfway down the stairs before she's again brought to a halt at somepony else's voice, "There you are!" The tomboyish voice mare quickly dashes over to Violet as she hovers next to her descent of the stairs, "Heck it's been like ten minutes since your dad when up their." She gives her a little wink as she nudges the light purple mare, "Looks like your lucky somepony was able to call off cloud duty today huh?" The young mare does give a slightly embarrassed smile but it's not for the reason Rainbow probably thinks. "OH Violet!" Pinkie quickly jumps in front of the light purple mare as she speaks up, "Wewherewaitingforyoutocomedownbeforeweleft.Iwantedtomakesureyoulikeyourcupcakes!SeeingashowTwilightwon'tletusthrowapartytoday. I mean like come on! Whatkinaofbirthdaydoesn'thaveaparty,youonlyturnsixONCE!" Pinkie quickly taps her hoof to her mouth as she continues, "Unless you're a fruit fly!" Violet just stands in a silent confusion as she blinks to the mare in front of her. "Well go on try a cup cake silly." Pinkie hold a wide smile as she waits for Violet to turn her head. The young mare does as she floats up a vanilla cupcake and takes a bite. "Oooh vanilla huh? Didn't want to try a poison joke or something fun?" The mare's comment slightly widen Violet's eyes as she looks over the cup cake in her magic's hold. Rainbow quickly starts up in a little laugh as she blinks to the pink mare, "Pinkie, I said you should make poison joke cupcakes a joke! I didn't want you to actually do it." "Silly Dashy, it's still a joke. Poison joke cup cakes don't even do anything." Pinkie brings her hoof to her mouth as she leans in towards Violet with a whisper, "Jokes on her Violet she had the poison joke cup cake...I think." A snotty little laugh comes up from Pinkie as she takes her head from the young mare. "What?" Rainbow blinks to the giggly mare as she continues to speak up, "What's so funny?" Pinkie wiggles her hoof to Rainbow as she rushes her voice out, "Noooothing! Oh!" Pinkie quickly darts her hooves to Violet’s head as she speaks up, "I almost forgot to say Happy birthday!!" The sound of a party popper comes to the library as a bright party hat sits over the young mare's horn. Violet gives a little wheezing laugh as she holds a bright smile to the two mares in front of her. "Alright." Rainbow pushes Pinkie out of the way as she speaks up too the young mare, "You didn't look like you came down those stairs for us. Might as well do what you need to before you get to the Crystal Empire, heck Twilight might make you do a book report about the city or something." Another little wheezing giggle comes from Violet as she trots towards the front door. As the door closes behind her Violet's magic glows from under the little party hat as a small list and bag of saved up allowance bits floats from her bag. She gives the two items a little look over as she puts them back. Violet's magic comes to the little hat as she floats it from her head, her blue eyes hold their gaze to the colorful little cap as she just gives a little grin to it. The low chime of her magic holds for the moment as she floats it to a side pouch on her bag. End of chapter 2 > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 – Not just a tomboy The town's streets are not really as crowded as the young mare expected for such a nice and bright day. However, there are a few younger colts and fillies happily running around just enjoying the free spring day. Violet's eyes stay pinned to the few younger ponies as she continues to near her destination. The young mare's eyes however don't stay pinned to the group of ponies little game of tag though as the circular white stoned building comes to hoof's reach. As the light purple mare trots a little bell chimes through the white stone floored building. The smell of fabric and dyes fills the mare's nostrils, but it's the sound of her name that holds to her mind. "Violet?" The almost shocked young stallions voice turns the mare's head as she looks over a familiar blue coated unicorn sitting on the little waiting bench off to the side of the room. Violet gives a little smile as she squints to the fact of her friend being in a predominantly mare oriented shop. As Violet turns her trot towards the stallion a professional sounding feminine voice comes up as the red curtains that hides the main workshop are parted by a light blue magic, "...Like I said if you wear that dress with blue shoes make sure to wear a light blue ribbon on the right side of your head." Violet turns to the familiar white coated and indigo maned unicorn, but her attention quickly switches to the pink coated earth mare that holds her head up high and her eyes half shut. The slightly high pitched voice comes up from the mare as she nods, "Okay." The dress bag that's draped across her back quickly comes from her as she smiles to Bell, "Ready to go new colt friend?" Bell stands as he floats the bag next to himself, "Yes..." "Good, because once my friends see your good taste in clothes we have to come back." Pearl holds her head up as she starts to trot past Violet towards the door, however her trot shifts Rarity's eyes as the white mare now drops her smile to the light purple mare in the room. "Oh V-violet? Ha ha...What are you doing here??" The white mare holds a casual smile as she side steps over towards one of the many pony mannequins that have dresses on them. A pink tarp quickly comes over a dress before Violet can get a good look at it. Before Violet can bring her hooves up the pink mare that has stopped her trot beside her cocks an eye to her, "Hello Violet, nice mane." The light purple mare holds a slight smile as she just flips the tomboyish mane from her eyes. Pearl brings up her own little smile as she turns back to the stallion stil in the room, "Come on Bell." As the mare trots out of the room Bell lowers his head as he trots after her with the dress bag floating behind him. As he passes by his friend he mouths out a few words, kill me. Violet gives a little smile to the comment as the two ponies trot out of the building. From the absent ponies her attention comes back to Rarity as she sparks her hooves up in a few slow motions. The white mare continues to hold her smile as she just leans to the dress she covered up, "What was that dear? I have to be honest...Those books Twilight gave everypony were not the um, easiest to follow." Violet gives an understanding nod as a silent sigh rolls from her, but she turns her eyes around the room as she locates a blank piece of light yellow paper and a fine charcoal piece that was pulled from one of the nearby easel’s. As Violet's magic starts to write something out on the paper Rarity takes the opportunity to trot away from the covered mannequin as she comes a little closer to the mare. It only takes a moment for the question to be spelled out on the paper as Violet hoovers it towards the white mare with a little smile. Rarity's horn sparks up as the paper pauses in front of her, "You want a dress?" A little laugh comes up from Rarity as she wiggles her hoof, "A dress? W-what makes you think I could make a dress for you?" Violet blinks to the comment as her eyes slightly shift to the other already made dresses that sit to the uncovered mannequin ponies. "I-I mean...W-what makes you think I could make one so fast?" A little laugh comes from the white mare as she tries a smile. The light blue of Violet's horn comes over the paper as it's floated back to her, the charcoal makes quick work of the paper as her expertly crafted words come to the paper. Like before the paper is floated back to Rarity as she reads it, "A date?" The white mare nods her head as she taps her hoof to her mouth, "Why of course I understand a pony should look her best..." She continues to tap her hoof to her mouth as she looks over the tomboyish maned mare in front of her, Violet's coat is not dirty by any means...But at the same time the young mare doesn't really look like she cares for any special kind of soaps, or even cares for combing out her eye lashes for that matter. Rarity gives a little laugh as she wiggles her hoof, "Um, maybe you should wait hmm? I-I mean after all, sometime waiting can get the um...Best things right?" Rarity gives a little smile as her eyes slightly nod to the tarp covered mannequin. Violet blinks to the motion as she gets a little smile. "Good." Rarity lets out another little laugh as she floats the paper aside, "Um please do not tell your mother about you coming her. It was supposed to be a surprise from your parents." Again the young mare nods as she taps to her mouth. "Anything else dear?" Rarity holds a little smile as she waits for a reply. Violet shakes her head to the comments as she gives a little smile. Rarity nods as she watches the light purple mare turning back towards the door of the boutique. Within the moment the wasted trip has come to it's end as the young mare steps back out into the spring day. A silent sigh rolls from the mare as she turns her attention to the train station that sits only about a block away. - - - Violet's trot down the side streets of Ponyville’s little town have quickly come to an end as the young mare sets her sights on the waiting train. A few ponies around her continue their trots toward their destination, but Violet moves off to the side as she turns her head down the street. "Hey Violet." The slightly stuffy nosed voice turns the mare's head as she gives a little smile to the light orange pegasus that now trots next to her. "Where's your parents?" As the stallion's words end you, Twilight, Aerolight and Spike start to round the last building towards the train station. The little colt happily hop trot’s between you and Twilight's watchful eyes as you two begin to near the two young ponies. However, the dark yellow colt sparks his hooves up in a full gallop as he dashes towards the two ponies down the road. You and Twilight bring your speed up a little more as you watch the colt's coat starting to glow a little. Luckily though Violet's horn sparks up and brings the now happily giggling colt's gallop to an end as he's pulled from the ground diaper first by Violet's magic. Aerolight wiggles his hooves towards his sister as her magic brings him a little closer. "Aerolight, you shouldn't gallop away from us." Twilight's voice has little effect on the colt's giggle as he's brought back down to the ground. The lavender mare brings a hoof to the colt as she scoops him up into her hold, "Could you get the ticket?" You nod to the comment as you float open the pouch on one of the two satchels you have around you, it only takes a moment for the light crystal blue piece of paper to come up from the bag. As the ticket floats next to you, you start the groups trot towards the older chocolate colored stallion that stands near the train's extended stairs with his eyes fixed on the pocket watch in his hoof. The stallion slowly moves his head from the watch as he speaks up, "All aboard!" The few ponies that were waiting a little closer begin to file into the train as they all flash their tickets. It only takes a few seconds for your little group to come near the stallion as you casually hold the ticket out to the earth pony stallion. However, the sight of your magic on the ticket does bring a strange look to his face as he blinks to you, "...Everything seems to be in order." You float the ticket in the bag as you start your trot into the train, as Twilight comes in behind you. She struggles a little with holding the wiggling colt in her hold but she's able to hold on to him long enough to sit down in the near by seats. Violet and Sparky come in behind you as they end up taking the seats across the aisle form where you sit. For a moment you hold your eyes to the two young ponies, but your attention is brought to an end as Twilight's voice comes up, "Ow, Aerolight you can't run around the train." You turn your head as you give a little smile to the colt trying to free himself from the mare's hold, the smile you hold was most likely not the smartest thing you could have done as Twilight's eyes turn to you, "Here, go play with daddy." The smile slightly drops for a moment as Twilight extends the colt to you; the colt's little hooves kick towards you as his little voice comes up, "Dah!" End of chapter 3 > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4 – Ride it out The low rumble of the train as it barrels down the rails continues to jiggle you a little on its way towards the bright colorful glass like city in the distance. The light blue shine that echos into the clear spring day sky brings a calming feeling to your body and mind almost like magic. Which of course is what most likely induces the feelings; either way, at this very moment no magically enhanced feelings swirl to your heart and mind. Instead, the fuzzy butterfly effect in you has been brought on by the little dark cream colored colt that's nuzzled himself into your side as he continues to enjoy his little sleep. It has always struck you as odd how the little colt will be his normal rambunctious never still self and then in an instant becomes nothing more than a curled up sleeping ball of fuzzy fur. Of course, for right now his decision to take a little nap was greatly welcomed; seeing as how you no longer have to fight to keep him in his seat. You hold your smile to the colt for a moment as you slowly start to drift from your thoughts back to the low chattering of the ponies still remaining in the train's car. Your eyes come up towards the lavender mare who now holds her own gaze from the book she has in her hooves. As your two gazes meet you give a sly little smile as you slightly tighten your right hoof to the colt that sits beside you. For good measure you slightly stick your tongue out towards Twilight as you stare across to her. A happy little thought comes to mind as you watch her just roll her eyes and return to the book in her hold. Ya, that's right Twilight...I got him to stay still. From Twilight's turned gaze you shift your eyes to the other two ponies in your group. Violet and Sparky's closed eyes and heads that lean up against each other with only the slight jiggle of the train that move them, would make you think they fell asleep. But, the light blue glow that stems from the young mare's horn says otherwise. You're not really sure how long the young mare's been holding the spell and that fact brings a slight questioning to you as you also don't know how easy it is to just drop the spell. The slight aura of the rapidly approaching train station and city starts to shine in the corner of your eye as the train's speed begins to slow. Spike stretches his arms out in front of him as he speaks up, "Finally! Gosh, why does the Crystal Empire have to be four hours away." The little dragon's slightly loud voice starts to shift the little colt next to you, which props your hoof to hold him a little just to make sure he doesn't decide to roll of his seat. "Next stop the Crystal Empire!" The louder voice of the stallion now trotting towards one of the doors of the car finally stirs the little colt from his nap as he starts to blink his pink eyes with a baby like announcement. Violet's horn loses its glow as the train's brakes start to tighten a little more. The station out side of the window begins to run past the windows as you float the two bags by your hooves up and around you. It only takes a few moments for the train to come to its full halt, and as it does the ponies around the car begin to stand and trot towards the door. Twilight's voice comes to her as she stands and floats the book to you, "Come here Aerolight." She holds a little smile to the sleepy eyed colt as she scoops him up into her hold and begins to trot towards the ponies now filing out. You however just stare to the book Twilight quickly floated to you as you try to figure out where to put it. The slight confusion only last for a moment though as you end up stuffing it randomly into one of the bags. You slowly come to your hooves as you stretch out the slight stiffness you have in your back legs, but you still follow after the lavender mare in front of you. All of the while, waiting for the light purple mare and orange coated pegasus to follow after you. It takes a few moments to finally get out of the train as the group comes to settle out in an empty spot of the train station. Twilight's voice comes up as she looks between everypony, "Cadence and Shining should be expecting us now, so lets stop by the castle before anything else." As her words come to an end she start’s her trot up as you and everypony else follow after. - - - The trot through the crystal streets has been surprisingly fairly quick. Despite the fact of the city being a lot bigger and from what you can guess a tourist spot, the wider streets have made the journey a little easier. You hold your eyes to the large towering light blue crystal that pokes up from the center of the city as one more thought rolls into your head. Unlike Canterlot, the rulers of their city don't exile themselves in a castle. A faint smile comes to you as you nod, yep Princess Do-Nothing and her castle of evil bringing. The faster paced trot brings the group under the crystal castle's underbelly fairly quickly as you all turn your attentions to the deep blue stone stairs into the open castle doors. It's still surprising to you that there's not as many guard ponies around the castle, but then again a city supposedly protected by an all seeing and all powerful crystal heart might deter a lot of ponies. Violet, Spike and Sparky continue their trot up the stairs as you change your pace to match the lavender mare who's slowed to balance herself on her three hoof trot. The foal in her hold has started to wake up a little more, but luckily he's been too distracted by the new sights around him to squirm. It takes you and Twilight a few extra moments to trot up the stairs but as you do you both join up with the other few ponies that have now been stopped by a crystal pony. "...Hello, my name is Nimby. What can I do for you all today?" The cheerful greeting quickly brings Twilight's voice up as the mare pushes herself a little forward, "I'm Twilight Sparkle, my brother invited us." The crystal stallion nods his head as he holds his smile, "Ah yes.." The stallion pauses as he bows a little, "I regret to inform you all but King Shining and Queen Ap- I mean Cadence are a unreachable at the moment." The comment drains the smile from your face as you look around to the few other ponies that trot through the hall in the distance, Oh Celestia...It's changelings again isn't it!? "...But I have been instructed to take you all to your rooms. Their meeting should only be a little while." His voice stops as he looks over the group, "Oh...Well the three rooms have already been selected. No matter I can make a fourth room available, follow me." You slowly push the thoughts to the back of your mind as you all follow after the stallion. But you don't lower your own suspicion as your group begins to move further into the crystal castle's elegantly carved hallways. You've never really been in the Crystal castle for longer than a few minutes, so the decorative halls and hundreds of little corridors are a little unnerving...Especially with your track record of staying in castles. Never the less, the trot for you and Twilight comes to an end fairly fast as the trot up one of the short staircases comes to an end, "Here you two are, Queen Candace has instituted this room to be suited for a foal." You and Twilight nod to the comment but you don't follow the mare in as you just watch the stallion leading Spike and the two young ponies down the hall to the other closed doors. But your stare doesn't last long as Twilight's voice comes up, "We might as well unpack. If Shinning is in any kind of important meeting he won't be done anytime soon." You slowly shift your eyes back to the room as you trot inside with a comment, "Like all the details? Sounds like somepony else I know?" Twilight shakes her head to the comment with a little smile as she moves the colt to sit on the large dark royal purple and light blue patterned bed. As Twilight moves her hooves back to the ground she turns her eyes to the elegant looking gold and white crib that sits next on one side of the room. "That's weird...This kind of looks like a gift from Celestia." You float the bags from yourself as you roll your neck with a little sigh, "Hm...Princess of the cribs now?" Twilight turns back towards the floating bag as her horn sparks up, "Just strange that Cadence wouldn't keep it." Her magic brings the bags to rest on the bed as she also closes the door to the room. End of chapter 4 > Chapter 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5 – Before you go The low chime of yours and Twilight's magic continues to bounce from the crystal walls around you two as you near the end of your unpacking. Your task may be making you a little bored but Aerolight has had no problem finding something to do as he continues to happily hop trot around the new area. You watch your footing to the little colt's path that crosses your own as you float the few bathroom items, "Why did we need to bring so much for one night and half a day?" For a moment Twilight doesn't answer your comment as she continues to poke her hooves into the bag you both packed for the little colt, "It's not even a lot...Also, were is Aerolight's mane brush?" You float the few bottles of things onto the light blue counter in the bathroom as you think over the mare's comment, "It's in there." "No it's not." You roll your eyes to the tone as you step out of the bathroom, making sure to close so that the little colt doesn't try to hide himself in the toilet or something, "Yes it is." "Really?" Twilight's horn sparks up as she turns the empty bag to you, "There's nothing else in the bag, and it's not on the bed." You squint to the empty bag for a moment as you speak up, "Oh well." "Oh well? How are we going to brush Aerolight's mane without a brush?" The mare's tone actually widens your eyes as you just stare to her. But you roll your eyes as you turn to the colt in the room, "Aerolight come here." Your voice turns the colt's head as he happily hop gallops over to you, as he comes within range you scoop him up and place him on the bed, "Alright Aerolight lets show mommy a magic trick." As your voice comes to an end you float up your own mane brush as you float it over to the colt's already messed up mane. As you move the bristles of the brush through the colt's light mane you turn a smile to Twilight. But instead of a defeated face she just rolls her eyes as she speaks up, "You still forgot." You don't let the words affect you as you turn your head back to the little colt who stares up to you in a slight bit of confusion as to why you would fix his mane now. You float the brush from him as you lower your head to him, "Does daddy's brush feel any different?" Twilight rolls her eyes too the comment as she looks back to the bag. To her absent stare you cock a smile as you speak up, “So we forgot the mane brush but we brought the cup cakes huh?” You nod to the little container on the dresser top, but you get no answer from the mare. The colt blinks to your comment as he wiggles his hooves towards the ground, "Down." You cock a little smile to the comment as you move your hooves towards him. However before you scoop him up Twilight's voice comes up, "Who packed this?" You turn your head to the little gray colored blue and white polka-dotted dressed doll that Twilight has in her hold. But before you can speak up Aerolight has let out a baby like squall as he wiggles his slightly yellow glowing hooves, "Mine." The low glow of his magic quickly comes over the toy as it's floated over to him right into his mouth. His pink eyes and smile turn up to Twilight as he wraps his hooves around the toy that he's only a little bigger then. The sight widens Twilight's eyes as he brings a hoof up to her mouth, "T-that was mine and Violets." A faint chuckle comes up from you at her choice in words as you just watch the mare, however Twilight's tone changes a little low as the mare pokes her head towards the little colt, "Where did you find that?" Aerolight just smiles to the comment as he holds his head to the mare. Twilight's voice comes back up as she turns her eyes back to you, "Oooh...Violet grew up too fast." The slight sniffle in her voice widens your smile as you think, finally i'm not the only one! Your smile turns Twilight's head back to the doll in the colt's hold as she notices a little tear in the old doll's stitching. A faint glow of purple comes to the toy as she starts up an expertly crafted baby tone, "Mommy is going to fix that before you play with it okay?" The colt's hold over the toy is dropped as he just stares to the now brighter glowing purple doll. Twilight's spell ends quick to the little toy as she floats it back to the colt, but this time his foal like attention span has already ended as he brings himself to his hooves and tries to jump from the bed. You quickly stop his attempt as you speak up, "Alright here i'll put you down." Twilight blinks to the colt's movements as she floats the toy towards him, "B-but Aerolight don't you want to play with Smartypants?" As you lower the colt to his hooves he turns his pink eyes back to Twilight as he shakes his head, "no." His word has no meaning to the mare as she floats the toy closer to him, "Are you sure?" The toy's closer proximity brings a smile to the colt's face as he ends up galloping away a little more. However, the little game is brought to an end as his coat glows and the door comes open to his magic. His happy little giggle comes up as he quickly gallops out of sight into the hallway. You and Twilight quickly dart after him into the hall only to realize he's already been stopped by a low blue bubble of magic that's formed around him. You shift your eyes up to the smiling light purple mare as her horn's magic stops. But the lack of magic only sparks the colt's hooves back up as he now hops towards the light orange pegasus with a command, "up!" Sparky takes to his wings as he scoops the little colt up not wanting him to just run off or something. To the finally captured colt Twilight brings her voice up as she looks over the two ponies, "Are you two going out somewhere?" Violet nods her head as she gives a little smile. The toy still in Twilight's magical hold moves behind her a little more as she speaks up, "Would you mind taking Aerolight with you? I don't want him running around the castle." Your ear flicks to the comment as you think if over, don't want him running all over the castle but a city is fine? A faint laugh comes to you but before you can speak up Violet has reluctantly nodded her head. "Thank you, um you won't be gone long right?" Twilight's comment brings Sparky's voice up as he shakes his head, "We were just going to go get lunch." Twilight nods to the comment as she trots back into the room, "Okay." To the absent mare Sparky and Violet begin to move down the hall. As Sparky's above ground flight brings him a little further away you turn back into the room with a comment, "Don't you think Aerolight needs to be watched a little more outside than inside?" Twilight rolls her hoof to your comment as she floats the little doll in front of her gaze, "I was about that age when I first started walking around Canterlot with Shinning and Cadance." Her words don't really cool your thoughts as you give a little laugh, "Yes but you didn't have the ability to randomly teleport just from crying." The lavender mare floats the doll back to the bed with a smile as she turns to you, "No, but it's still good for Violet and Aerolight to spend sometime together." Again you bring up a little chuckle as you cock your head, "In a city we barely know anything about?" Twilight holds her know it all smile as she nods her head, "Yes." Her stance and tone already tells you that you're not going to win this, so you let out a sigh as you speak up, "Then why don't we go out and get lunch." A faint giggle comes from Twilight as she rings out a response, "You actually want to go and get something to eat? When we can get anything we want here? Besides we should be here that way we can talk with Shinning and Cadence when they're ready." You let out another sigh as you nods, "Alright." Twilight holds her know it all smile as she trots towards the hallway, "It's also good for Violet and Sparky to experience the responsibility of a foal." Your ear flicks to the words as you follow after her, "Bad choice in words Twilight." Another little giggle comes from Twilight as she turns her head back to you, "It also keeps them out of trouble." End of chapter 5 > Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6 – City like no other The little colt in Sparky's hooves gives no fuss to the stallion's slow flight path as his pink eyes just stay pinned to the bright tall buildings around the street he travels down. Violet on the other hoof doesn't really look around the unique area as she just keeps her eyes towards the street in front of her. The young mare is not mad about taking her little brother along, but it's definitely not what the mare wanted to do. Sparky turns his head to the mare beside him as he adjust the little colt in his two front hooves hold, "So seeing as how we're not going to be alone do you want to stop by Starlight's?" The name brings Violet's head up as she thinks if over for a moment, but she nods her head as she turns to the stallion next to her. "Alright, at least that way we'll know the best place for lunch." As his words end the young stallion swings his head around the main street's side streets as he starts to turn towards one. - - - The trot through the side streets of the city has only taken about ten minutes; the foal in Sparky's hold has still yet to truly squirm. But as the stallion who cradles him starts to direct his little flight towards the two story crystal house, the colt begins to shift a little excited. Sparky's flight almost stops as he casually tries to maintain the colt in his hold with a little laugh, "Um Aerolight don't move a lot ok?" The stallion's slightly nervous laugh turns Violet's head as her horn starts to glow a light blue. Her low chiming magic turns the colt's head as he pauses his wiggles to the mare's stare. Violet gives a little smirk to the fact just her magic stopped the colt's movements. "Hey is it alright if we let him walk for a minute? I think he's a little bit harder to hold then the weights I have to use in the wonder bolts academy." Sparky's comment brings a little wheezing laugh to Violet as she nods her head. Sparky slowly lowers the diaper wearing colt to his hooves, as his hooves touch the cooler crystally street's ground his own desired pace takes over. Violet holds an eye to the colt as he begins to hop gallop around towards the house, but his trot is quickly slowed as he just turns his head up to the taller buildings with a baby like O face. From the absent weight in the light orange pegasus's front hooves the stallion brings his trot up a little more as he moves to the front door of the house. Aerolight doesn't go to the door though as he just holds his eyes to the bright crystal roses that sit on either side of the door in their pots. However, even sparkly plants can do so much as the sound of the door opening steals the colt's attention. An almost amazed smile comes over the colt's face as a light gray colored and greenish maned mare steps out into the doorway. Although the mare's slightly frazzled mane and tired face brings a different response from the two young ponies as Sparky speaks up, "Um, hello Starlight." The crystal mare gives a little smile to the two ponies as she nods her head, "Hello." She pauses her voice as she tries to brush down her mane, "I wasn't really expecting any company..." Her voice again comes to an end as she turns her attention back to something in the house, "Celestia has me trying out spells for her, but you know about that." Violet blinks to the comment as she shakes her head. Starlight squints her eyes as she starts up, "You didn't-..." The mare's voice is cut off as she feels a little hoof poke to her leg, her eyes drift down to the dark yellow colt as she brings her voice up with a little giggle, "Who is this?" Sparky moves his hooves to the colt as he pulls him from the mare's leg, "This is Aerolight, he's Violet's brother." "Oh." Starlight nods as she holds her smile, "Well I would invite you in, but i'm still trying to clean up before my mother comes back home...The spell Celestia sent me was actually incorrect and when I performed it, it made a fairly nasty cyclone of magic." A faint giggle comes to the mare as she waits for somepony else to speak up. To the slight pause Violet brings her hooves up as she hooves out a question. "The spell? It's just the test Celestia gives out for her students." The comment turns Violet's head as Starlight continues, "Did you not receive a letter from Celestia? We we're both top of our class." Her voice stops as she trots back into the house for a moment, "Here." A yellow colored piece of paper comes out to Violet as the light purple mare's magic comes up to steady the paper as she reads it to herself. Dear Starlight, Your abilities and your own determination has carried you to top of your class, and with great honor I have selected you as my newest pupil. Your first test will start with the spell attached to this letter, you are to perform it and report on your findings. sincerely Princess Celestia. Violet blinks to the paper as she turns her eyes up to the crystal mare, "I assumed you received one as well...After all we both ended up top of the class." The crystal mare's horn sparks up as she floats the paper from Violet, "But enough about school, what brings you two by?" Violet doesn't bring her hooves up as Sparky rings his voice out, "Well Violet's uncle invited her up for her birthday. But we're here to see if you know the best place to eat lunch." The fact of the question having almost nothing to do with the previous conversation brings a slight light to Sparky as he waits for the mare to speak up. "Oh, well the Shining Rose is very nice for an afternoon snack. If you just trot back towards the castle it is on your right, you can not miss it." As the mare's voice comes to an end Sparky shifts his eyes to the mare beside him, but Violet's stare has locked towards the ground as her thoughts continue to consume her. Sparky rings his voice up as he nods to the crystal mare, "Um would you like to come along?" "Thank you for the offer...But I still have a few things I need to do." Starlight turns her attention back to Violet as she tries a smile, "It was a nice to see you both." The light purple mare quickly snaps her head up as she gives a simple nod. Starlight holds her smile as she continues, "I'm sorry I cannot show you two around today, but happy birthday Violet." Violet nods again to the comment as the crystal mare slowly starts to close the door. As the door closes the light purple mare's head slightly falls back towards the ground as her thoughts again start to weigh to her mind as to why she wasn't picked like her mother by Celestia. The pegasus who hovers next to her brings the colt in his hooves a little closer towards Violet as he tries to get her attention. Aerolight aids in the endeavor as the little colt starts to grab at his sisters mane with a little tug. A faint smile comes to Violet's face as she pulls her head from the colt's giggly grasp. Her smile quickly brings Sparky's voice up as he rings his voice out, "So you hungry? I doubt your dad will let us out for longer than an hour or two." Sparky's comment nods the mare's head as she brings her trot back down the road they traveled from. End of chapter 6 > Chapter 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 7 – Rose glow "Spike you've barely even touched those crystals?" Twilight's voice echos in the empty castle's dining room as you bring your head up from your emptied salad bowl and towards the little purple dragon. "Crystals are good and everything..." Spike taps his claw to one of the light blue stones that pokes up from his bowl, "...But crystals don't have the same taste as mountain gems." A faint smirk runs across your face as you look over the bowl in front of him, for something that eats shining and expensive rocks he sure likes to complain. Just as your thoughts come to an end the bright goldish metal double doors to the castle's dining hall come open as two familiar ponies trot in. Twilight brings a smile to her face as she moves from her seat and trots towards the white stallion dressed in a formal cloak and top, "Shinning!" "Twily!" The two ponies end their little remarks in happy embrace. Their hug only last a little bit though as the tall alicorn mare beside Shining speaks up, "I hope we didn't keep you waiting to long." She darts her eyes up towards the thin net of bright crystal shards that lay in her mane, "We were trying to figure out how the city would hold this years Equestrian games." You squint to the name but before you can speak up Twilight has started her voice up, "Equestrian games? That sounds wonderful." Cadence nods to the comment as she holds her smile, "Celestia did suggest us to ask you if we needed planning help." Twilight nods to the comment but before she can speak up you ring your voice out, "OH, Celestia wants her to do something. That's new." The lavender mare just rolls her eyes to your voice as she turns a little back towards you. However the slight change in conversation has prompted the white stallion to trot towards where you sit as Shining flashes a warm smile as he rings your name out. You nod to the hello as he continues, "So I hear you two brought an extra pony along?" Before you or Twilight can speak up Spike mumbles a few words out from his stuffed mouth, "Ya-...Sparky, *crunch* you meet him a few months ago when Sombra and Discord had it out in front of the castle." Shining straightens his posture a little as he nods, "Oh...Yes." "Ya-*crunch* they're like dating now." Spike’s voice turns Cadence's head as a wide smile comes up to her face, "Oh really?" Her smile comes direct to Twilight as she continues, "How long have they been dating?" A slight giggle comes from Twilight as she speaks up, "Well...They started dating this school year." "He's a young unicorn?" Shining cocks his head as he tries to remember the stallion from before. You raise an eye to the way he said it as you shake your head, "Nope, he's a pegasus." "They've been friends since Violet was a filly." Twilight's comment quickly brings up a response from Cadence as she lets out a sound, "Awww really? That's so nice to see ponies who actually know each other before they date." Shining shells out a little laugh as he nudges you, "So where are they?" You turn your head to him as you speak up, "They went out to eat lunch." The mare a little in front of you finished the rest of your comment as she chimes in, "Aerolight went with them, he slept most of the way over so hopefully he'll get tired out before tonight." Cadence holds her smile as she wiggles her hoof towards Twilight, "Oh I assumed he would be taking his afternoon nap now." She slightly lowers her head as she continues, "That crib is big enough for him correct? After all he's only about four months old correct?" "It's fine." A little giggle comes up from Twilight as she looks between Cadence and her brother, "I’m surprised you would have that crib in there, after all it looks like it's from Celestia wouldn't you want to keep the low sleep spell on it still full?" Your ear flicks to the comment but you let it pass as you look over Cadence and Shining’s slight shift in stance. The two ponies look to each other for a moment as the pink mare brings her voice up a little, "Actually...We can’t have foals." Twilight blinks to the words as she shifts her head between the mare and her brother, "A-are you sure?" Cadence gives a faint smile as she nods, the white stallion next to you quickly brings his voice up as he takes over, "That's actually why we wanted to see Violet today..." - - - (A little away from the castle) The afternoon's sun pours in through the light blue stained crystal windows of the little diner as the three ponies continue to just enjoy the quick lunch. A few ponies sit around the building but for the most part the area maintains a low chatter. However for the better part of the lunch the two young pony’s attentions have been kept to the dark cream colored colt that continues to try and suck down the small milkshake in front of him. Aerolight's eyes are clenched shut and his tiny hooves have clamped down hard around the cup as he continues to try and free the thick frozen ice cream up his straw. The light purple mare holds a hoof behind the colt's back just to make sure he doesn't slip from the booth seats they sit in. A faint chuckle rings up from the orange coated stallion across from the mare as he pops a hay fry into his mouth, "You think the milkshake was the best idea for him?" Violet sparks her right hoof up as she compensates for the lack of her left hoof with a few flicks of her ears. Sparky thinks over the motions as he shrugs, "I don't really know if a milkshake really counts as milk." Aerolight’s eyes finally unclenches as the thick mass of chocolate ice cream begins to run up the straw. Another faint laugh rolls up from the stallion as he just looks over the colt's victory smile. To the colt's smile Violet finally turns her head back to the large two strawed milkshake in front of her as a light rim of blue magic comes around the sweaty looking cup. The mare's magic quickly cools the cup as she pokes her head to the straw. Her stare that's forced to stay to the stallion across from her breaks Sparky's shy shell as he takes a bold lean forward as the two ponies enjoy the shake in between them. The two ponies both crack a smile to the other as they continue to just hold their heads only inches from the other. But the moment the two young ponies share is quickly brought to an end as a slight whimper comes up from Violet's left. The light purple mare turns her head to the colt as she looks him over. Aerolight's hooves have darted up to his head and his eyes now close shut from the freezing pain that bangs to his head. Violet cocks a little smile to the colt as she shifts her eyes to the milkshake he has almost completely guzzled down...But her little smirk doesn't last long as a faint rim of yellowy-green magic begins to form around the colt's hooves. To the magic Violet quickly darts her hoof to the colt's side but just as her hoof makes contact with his coat, a faint pop of magic rings out. Aerolight opens his pink eyes wide and immediately darts his hooves back to the cup. His pink eyed gaze shifts to the mare beside him as he continues to suck down the rest of his shake. Violet just blinks to the colts drastic change in behavior as the stallion across from her shells out a little laugh, "Brain freeze Aerolight?" The colt's eyes turn to the stallion as the loud sound of air being sucked through the straw rings up from the cup. His noisy action holds for a few seconds before he lowers his hooves and brings his mouth from the straw with a loudish belch. Aerolight happily bangs his front hooves to the milkshake cup as his belch echos a little to the booth he sits in. Squints a little annoyed to the noise as her horn sparks up to float the cup a little further from his reach. "More!" Aerolight's slightly hyper voice rings out as the young colt bounces a little to his seat. Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as she stares to a chocolate mass that must have spilled on his coat when she looked away. Again her horn sparks up as she floats a little napkin to him. Just as she does this a shrill voice comes up from in front of the table as a dull colored and older crystal mare bobs her head a little, "Aw...It's so nice to see a young couple." The mare's comment halts Violet's magic and turns Sparky's head with a faint chuckle as the older mare slightly lifts her shaky hoof, "Back in my day we were told to wait to have a foal." She again bobs her head as she puts her shaking hoof to the floor, "Nice to see two ponies go against the idea." As her comment ends she begins to shuffle along towards the door of the diner. From the absent mare Violet and Sparky both turn to each other with their own respectful laugh. - - - (A little later) The wired up diapered colt happily hop gallops a little in front of Violet and Sparky's trots as the three ponies begin to near the crystal castle's stairs. It only takes a few moments to reach the staircase, and as they do Sparky brings his wings up as he reaches for the hopping colt, "Alright, don't squirm huh?" Aerolight continues to kick his hooves a little, but for the most part going up the stairs doesn't really pose any problem. Violet quickly trots up the stairs and into the castle's entrance along with the stallion who hoovers a little above the ground. A few ponies that trot from hall to hall in side turn an eye to the three ponies, but they don't stop the familiar ponies trots as they start to turn towards the staircase that leads to their rooms. However, just as they near the next stairs a little purple dragon stumbles in from one of the side halls, "Ahh..." He pats at his stomach a little as he turns his eyes to the ponies, "That second bowl had an after taste..." Violet gives a little smirk to the comment as Spike continues to talk through his groans, "Hey tell Twilight i'm not going to come to dinner tonight, a few hours is definitely not enough time." The comment flicks the mare's ear, but it doesn't come as any surprise to her seeing as how they planned on eating a light lunch anyways. As the little dragon continues past them Violet and Sparky follow after him. End of chapter 7 > Chapter 8 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 8 – Dinner with a queen Despite the fact that the young mare's stomach is still full from her lunch that was only a few hours ago. Although, the light purple mare holds her thoughts back as she floats a smaller fork up for the appetizer salad in front of her. The dinner has rolled on with a light tone for the most part, with Shinning and Twilight leading the conversations. Sparky and you sit across from the young mare with Twilight and the still wide awake colt next to Violet. However, the young mare's stare into the fresh green and red vegetable salad is brought up as the pink mare sitting near the head of the table speaks up, "...I know we called you all up here for Violet's birthday." The young mare's head turns to the smiling pink pony as she continues, "...And it is very nice to see how much you have grown...But" A slight sigh comes from the mare as her tone shifts a little to a more formal chime, "I assume we should say this now that way we can still enjoy a dinner not wallow in decisions." Cadence clears her throat as she holds her gaze to the young mare, "As Twilight should already know and as you might be aware, Princess Celestia has sent out the letter to whom she has picked as her newest pupil." You squint to the comment as you shift your eyes to the two mare that sit across from you. Truthfully you're not one hundred percent sure that she didn't get the letter...And judging by the two mare's simple and emotionless nods they've accepted not getting one. Your first thought is to condone the young mare but you're unable to get your voice up as Cadence continues. "...But Princess Celestia no longer presides over the school, and as a result there will be two pupils picked." Cadence brings back her smile as she continues, "Princess Luna has expressed interest in you. However, she also understands there might be something else that you may pursue." Cadence slightly shifts her eyes to the white stallion next to her for a moment as she nods, "I may be an alicorn, but I don't think it's any surprise that I don't have all of an alicorn’s abilities." She pauses as she swallows, "And because of that we have to make sure there's somepony to take over if something happens." The room falls even more silent as the pink mare trails on, "After Twilight it would be you. So, Princess Luna has offered an alternative for your next two years. You may choose to stay here in the crystal empire for the remainder of your school time, learning from us and as the city's apprentice mage. Or you could continue your current path and return to Canterlot as Luna's pupil." Violet's hooves remain silent as the young mare continues to just blink to the mare's lengthy and surprising speech, "...We understand it's a little different than what you probably intended for your schooling, but we as well as Luna think the majority of crystal ponies understanding hoofing would be an added benefit. But the choice is yours to make when the time comes." A faint giggle comes up from the mare as she wiggles her hoof a little up from the table, "Which of course is a while away." The room holds it's silence for the moment as you and everypony just stare to the light purple mare still letting everything sink in. However Violet gives a warm smile as she nods to her uncle and aunt. Shining now rings his voice up as he smiles, "We can talk more about it another day, we just wanted you to know." As his voice comes to an end the doors leading into the kitchen come open as the main courses start to come towards the table. Violet turns her attention back to the table as her plate comes to sit in front of her, however the sight of her food doesn't really quell the thoughts that have begun to run in her mind. End of chapter 8 > Chapter 9 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 9 – It's beneath her The plain light blur of the room holds its own unique lighting to the room. It's been about an hour and a half since dinner but the outside world has already started to come into the night's hold. Most likely because of how north the crystal city lays from the rest of Equestria. However, the rest of the world is meaningless to the two young ponies as Sparky's voice comes up, "Not bad Violet..." He turns his head around the room's crystal walls as he continues, "First time trying the spell and you got the room pretty good." The light purple mare that sits on the bed just gives a simple nod. The young mare has been a little quieter than she usually is, and for good reason with the life almost life changing decision that lays only about four months away. Sparky brings his voice back up as he looks over the mare's distant stare, "...Crystal Empire is pretty nice huh?" Violet snaps from her long gaze as she shrugs to the comment, the tomboyish voice holds to a low tone as she answer the comment, "It's not bad..." The light orange stallion gives a little laugh to her voice as he nods, "It would be pretty nice to have everypony, you know, talk with you." He gives an unshy laugh to his comment as he shrugs. However, Violet pays it no mind as she takes a deep breath, "Yes it would, and-..." The mare's sentence is cut off as an echoey voice bounces from somewhere in the room. Despite the fact neither one of them can really understand the words being spoken, it doesn't take the stallion long to place its tone as he straightens his posture. Violet gives a little sigh as her horn starts to spark up, "Well that's the third time so far." The room's colors start to blur as Violet's spell comes to an end. As it does the two young ponies who sit in the middle of the bed take their heads from each other as they hold their eyes to the older stallion in the doorway. You look over the two ponies as you speak up to the stallion, "You two do know it's been an hour since I came in here last right?" Violet blinks to the comment as she turns her head towards the darker outside world. "Just making sure you both know that I know." You nod your head to the comment as your magic takes hold of the door, ya that made sense. With that thought you close the door behind you as the stallion on the bed starts to shift a little. To the closed door Violet turns her attention to one of the cupcakes Twilight had brought as a snack; her magic comes around it as the little paper to it comes undone. The paper floats off to the bed stand next to her spot as she nods her head to the cup cake. Sparky gives a little smile to the gesture as he shakes his head, "No thanks, I'm way too full right now." The light purple mare shrugs to the comment as she takes a little bite from the small vanilla cupcake. She's quick to swallow the little bit as she floats the rest of it to the paper she set down, as she does she turns back to the stallion as her horn sparks back up for the spell. Despite Sparky's slight attempt to leave the bed that Violet didn't notice he doesn't complain as he feels the mare's magic come over him. Within the blink of an eye the room around them has turned into the simpler dreamscape. The chime of magic does slightly ring around the room as Sparky sways from its affects, a faint laugh rings up from the stallion as he speak up, "Actually Violet I was getting ready to leave... I don't want to make your dad mad." A faint true to life giggle rolls from Violet as she holds a smile, "Well that was his third time checking on us, you could stay a little if you want." Sparky holds the smile to the comment as the two ponies just stare to each other. It's still kinda funny to the two young ponies how drastically they've changed towards one another in the past few months. Sure it's still the same routine the two ponies have maintained, seeing as how they've yet to have a real first date without school or other ponies involved...But that fact does make the few moments the two ponies are alone a lot more special, and the feelings they've had to one another for so long really show to the other even with the shyish of gesture the two ponies are able to successfully go through. Sparky clears his throat as he shakes his head, "I would kiss you goodnight but I don't want something so sweet." The stallion's bold and cute comment rolls Violet's eyes as the tomboyish mare just blows to it, "Oh ya? I've seen you eat plenty of cup cakes and cookies before you've gone home." She pokes her hoof towards him as she lets her mane drop to one side, "And don't tell me you've brushed your teeth after words, Futty has told me different." A light laugh rolls from the slightly blushing stallion as he shrugs, "I still think the line was good...And if I did kiss you right now your spell would just end and you would get a headache." Violet straightens her back as she shakes her head, "I bet it wont." Caught up on the word bet the stallion quickly speaks up as he raises an eyebrow to his friend, "Oh ya? What's the bet?" The light purple mare casually sits up a little more on the bed as she brings a hoof to her chest, "I don't have to bet you anything...You're not the best kisser you know." A slightly louder laugh comes up from the stallion as he's taken back by the comment, "I didn't know you kissed other stallions." Feeling a little more bold he continues his little tease as he looks around the dream world, "What else have you been trying with this spell?" His comment flicks the mare's ear as she quickly speaks up, "Magic practice." Sparky holds a wide smile as he flexes his wings out a little, "Really?" Violet gives a little smirk to the stallion's flared out wings as she inches herself a little closer to the stallion, "So...No kiss goodnight?" The mare's comment and her closer proximity breaks down the stallion's persona of confidence as he blinks to the mare's own slightly shifty smile. For a moment the two ponies just stare to each other, but they slowly start to close the gap as they bring their heads a little closer. Their embrace comes quick as the two ponies close their eyes to their lip's touch. However, the rushing sound of magic quickly comes to Sparky's ears as the world around him melts back into reality from the mare's popped spell. Sparky opens his eyes to where the mare sits as he speaks up with a little laugh, "I won...-Violet?" His smile slightly fades to the mare's wide eyed stare as he watches her jump from the bed. "You alright?" Sparky now stands to the other side of the bed as he cocks his head to the mare...But, it's at this point he notices something strange. The mare's snout has started to take on a slightly different feature and her eyelashes have almost completely disappeared from her eyes. Sparky drifts his eyes further down the mare as his stare widens to something sticking out between the...mare's...lower body. Violet quickly hikes her head back up as her stance shifts, but her right front hoof quickly points to the vanilla cup cake as a few hoof motions run from her. Sparky nods to the comment as he straightens his stance, "S-should I tell your parents?" The embarrassment coming over the mare-stallion pauses her as the quickly acting poison joke's magic still swirls in her body. But she quickly nods her head as she stands unmoved in her spot. "Alright..." Sparky moves towards the door as he darts a little into the hallway and towards where you and Twilight's room is. As he stops in front of the room he knocks his hoof to the closed door. Within the moment the lavender mare has come to the door as she blinks to the stallion, "Yes Sparky?" The name shifts your stance as you peek a little towards the door from where you stand next to the crib. Sparky gives a nervous laugh not really sure how to tell you two what's happened as he stutters, "Um well Violet took a bite of one of the cup cakes and-..." "Hey Twilight!" The young boyish voice quickly takes over the conversation as Spike slides in front of the open door waving a letter towards the lavender mare's face, "Rarity sent me a letter, don't eat the cupcakes Pinkie put poison joke in some as a joke on Rainbow!" You blink to the comment as a few questions run through your mind, Why would she do that! How does Rarity send a letter to Spike? Did I eat a cupcake!!?? Sparky points his hoof down the hall as he speaks up, "Violet ate one and...Well..." Twilight quickly moves from the door with a more annoyed look on her face rather than scared, "Why would Pinkie bake them? She knows it's stronger when extracted." She gives a little groan as she nears the open door, "Did Violet's horn get spots or something? -oh..." You come up beside the stopped mare as you just blink to the full blown stallion that stands shivering in confusion, embarrassment and...other things. Violet's face and body hasn't really changed to much, but her lower body has...Definitely taken a hit. Twilight brings her voice up as she trots into the room, "Don't worry Violet, I'm sure Cadence has some remedy...After all the cure is a very commonly used bath soap...Well common now." A faint giggle comes to the mare as she holds her hoof to the bed, "Um, just take a seat for a moment." Violet nods to the words as she takes a seat, hooves still over her lap. Twilight quickly trots out of the room and down the hall as you and Sparky just stand in the doorway. However, knowing that poison joke isn't all that bad you can't help but make a comment as you nudge the stallion next to you, "You're welcome to stay in the room a little longer." Your comment immediately annoys the light purple mare. However you just smile back to her as you trot a little from the door, I have no regrets Violet. End of chapter 9 > Chapter 10 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 10 – Round about The sun hangs over Ponyville with the same early morning glow as the Crystal Empire you left so early. A faint yawn rolls from you as you continue to file out of the train behind the lavender mare who cradles the sleepy eyed colt in her hold. However just as you come out of the train you're still in sleep mode mind is assaulted a happy and cheerful voice. "HI Twilight!HiGUY! HiVoletAndOtherGuy!" You halt on the train station's platform as you just stare to the hyper pink mare with a thought, how are you so awake? Pinkie's smile slightly fades as she looks over her friend's expression, "What's wrong Twilight?" The lavender mare brings up a know it all tone as she speaks up, "Pinkie, did you put poison joke in the cup cakes you gave us?" The pink mare holds a smile as she pokes her head a little closer, "MAAayyybeeee?" "Pinkie, why did you put poison joke in the cup cakes?" Twilight’s comment drops the mare's ears as Pinkie takes on a dramatic pose, "I can't take the pressure. I did it! Take me away!" Her front hooves dangle out towards Twilight for a moment, but her sad face quickly changes as she speaks up again, "So who ate it?" "Violet." The name quickly changes the mare's bipolar attitude again as she brings her hoof up to her mouth, "oh...Now I feel bad." As her words end the light purple mare trots down the small staircase down the train with the pegasus behind her. "Violet!" Pinkie jumps in front of the young mare as she holds a smile, "You're not mad at your aunty Pinkie right?" The light purple mare squints her eyes to the mare but she doesn't hold her Twilight scolding look for long as she just shakes her head. "GREAT!" Pinkie quickly brings a hug around the mare as she squeezes her a little, "Don't worry, i'll make it up to in your party!" "Oh ya!" The pink death grip is broken as she turns to the lavender mare behind her, "You are all coming by around four right?" Twilight nods as she speaks up, "Yes, but Violet is only going to be there for about an hour." To your surprise the pink ball of fluff doesn't scream up with a sad tone, instead she just taps her hoof to her mouth in thought...which scares you even more. "Alright Twilight." Pinkie turns back to the two younger ponies as she turns her head to Sparky, "Oh and listen here wise guy, if you make Violet sad you make Pinkie sad." Your eyes widen a little and a new found smile comes to your face as you look over Pinkie's intense soul piercing stare. Sparky just blinks to the mare as he quickly nods his head, "O-ok.." "Good. Bye every pony!" As her voice comes to an end she turns back towards the main road as she happily hops away. The sight of the hopping mare stirs Aerolight's hooves as he kicks towards her, which of course makes Twilight struggle to hold him, "Alright I think we should all get home." Sparky flairs his wings out as he turns to the mare beside him, "I'll see you later Violet." He adjust the bag around him as he starts to take himself from the ground and then quickly into the sky. From the absent stallion Violet takes a few more steps towards you and Twilight as you all start your journey back home. End of chapter 10 > Chapter 11 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 11 – Somedays move faster than Rainbow Dash. The brightly colored bakery has come into view and now glows a little as the late afternoon sun peeks out from behind it. Truthfully you don't even know how some days can just slip away so fast...Must be train lag or something. A faint smile comes to your face at the dumb comment as you just shake your head a little, today had to be a Celestia half day or Luna full night or something. Your thoughts are stirred for the moment as you catch a glimpse of something galloping out of the corner of your eye. "Aerolight, don't run to far okay?" Twilight's voice does little to the colt who took an almost all day nap when you got home. It's not that you and Twilight mind it when the colt takes long naps, in fact it does allow you two to get more things done. But at the same time it makes him a little more wired than he usually is, and it's always a pain to get him to fall asleep at his normal bedtime. As you reach the front door of the bakery you open the door for the two mares that trot beside you, Aerolight also quickly follows in behind Twilight as his little hop gallop runs past you. You wait a few seconds just to make sure the colt doesn't try to make a mad dash into a closing door before you trot in. But as you do a thought runs to your head, hopefully Pinkie's party will tire out the little colt. "Oh hello dear." The slightly heavy light blue mare with swirled up pink and cream mane holds a smile to you and Twilight as her cheerful voice rings out from behind the counter of sweets, "Here for the party right?" Twilight gives a friendly nod as she speaks up, "Yes." "Oh well go on up, Pinkie's been expecting everypony." The older mare holds the smile as she watches you all move towards the staircase near the back of the house. The stairs are not as steep as the ones at home, but you still hold your eyes to the colt as he slowly brings himself to each one. It only takes a few seconds for the low party music and sweet smell of the room to come to you as you all come up to Pinkie's domain above the bakery. "There you are!" You scan your eyes around the party decorated room for a moment as you nod to the other two ponies in the room who must have helped Pinkie out with getting set up. Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity come over to where the new group of ponies as they all give their own little hello’s. However, the attention is quickly snatched up by the pink mare as she pulls Violet forward for a little tour, "Come here Violet you have to see your cake!" Violet is tugged behind the mare for a moment towards one of the main food sprawled out tables, "Look at this masterpiece." The young mare's friendly smile turns more into a awestruck and confused stare as she looks over the pink and cream frosted five layer cake that almost scraps against the ceiling. "Do you like it?" Pinkie's words mindlessly nod the young mare's head as she continues to just stare to the cake trying to figure out how any pony or ponies could eat something this big. You hold your own smile to the mare's face, but your gaze of her is brought to an end as a low shy voice comes up in front of you. "Oh, look at how cute you've gotten in just a few days." The light yellow pegasus brings her head down to the little colt as she looks over his wide almost clueless smile. Despite the fact you know the comment wasn't directed to you, you still bring your voice up as you touch your hoof to your mane, "Ya I did something new with my mane today." "Ha-ha, what did you brush it for a change?" The tomboyish voice that rings up from behind you instantly rolls your eyes as you turn to face the mare coming up behind you, "No Rainbow I-..." You stop your voice as you look over the slightly green maned mare, "...Nice mane." The comment instantly wrinkles the mare's nose as she pokes a hoof to you, "Hey, don't look at me Rarity was the pony who hogged all the poison joke remedy stuff." Twilight lifts her hoof to her mouth as she tries to hide a little giggle. Before Rainbow can turn an eye to the lavender mare though Rarity has cleared her throat as she looks a little away from the cyan coated pony, "Really Dash it's not...It's not that noticeable." Rainbow just flips her mane as she proudly pokes her chest out, "Exactly." You still hold you smile as you look over the mare, "It looks like seaweed." Rainbow's defense is quickly brought up as she gives you a dirty look. However, the look only holds your smile as you think over her stare, ya ya ya act tough Rainbow we all know you still care just like every other mare. The death gaze is quickly cut off as the little colt hops in front of you with a loud command direct to the cyan pegasus, "Up!" Rainbow's eyes turn soft as she shifts to the little colt's excited smile fueled by nothing other than child like glee, "Up huh?" Rainbow's wings already flair out as she quickly darts her hooves to the colt as she brings him and herself quickly up into the air of the room. Twilight holds a keen eye to her friend's flight but she slowly turns it back to the white mare in front of her as Rarity speaks up, "So where is Spike? Did he not come?" The lavender mare shakes her head as she wiggles her hoof, "No, he said he would come by a little later." She gives a little smile as she continues, "He kind of has a stomachache." Rarity nods as she straightens her posture, "Ah." "Oh poor Spike...We should bring him some soup." Fluttershy's low voice brings a slight smile to your face as you just enjoy the sweet sound. Rarity turns her head back to the light purple mare who's still being distracted by Pinkie as she brings her head a little closer to Twilight as she whispers, "I finished the dress last night Twilight I have it in Pinkie's closet for when you want to surprise her with it." Twilight nods as she speaks up, "Good, I would hate for her to already see it out." Rarity gives a little laugh as she holds an almost forced smile, "Yes of course, she hasn't seen it...ha ha." The mare quickly changes the conversation as she speaks up, "Um now who is this stallion she's dating?" Before Twilight can bring her voice up Rainbow's flight path has stopped a little above you as she speaks up, "Sparky Wave. He's like one of those good horse shoes." A slight laugh comes from Rainbow as she adjust her hold to the happy colt in her hold, "He doesn't complain about cloud duty either so I like." "Hmm, Sparky huh?" Rarity sways a little as she proudly rest her hoof to her chest, "Well I know that any stallion with good taste will like the dress you two had in mind." You hold a smile as you cock an eyebrow to the comment, "Don't you think a stallion with good taste already liked the dress?" Twilight rolls her eyes to the comment, but before she can speak up the pink mare has poped back into the conversation as she tugs the young mare behind her, "Why is everypony standing around, come on we only got this for an hour!" Her hooves dart up to Violet's cheeks as she playfully squeezes them together, which catches the young mare off guard. You hold a little smile to the face as the tight nit group around you starts to disperse a little. - - - (About an hour later) Twilight's friends may not be the first pick Violet would probably want to hang out with, but your guess would be it's definitely not the last. Most of the time has been spent just sharing stories and enjoying the food Pinkie set out. All in all not a bad time, but being the only stallion in a room of mares does kind of make the conversations one sided. Luckily though, some of the conversations have been a little interesting at least to see everyponies’s reactions to them. Aerolight has still yet to calm down, and as you all start to gather around the large cake in the room you strongly start to doubt yours or Twilight's ability in getting him to go to sleep on time tonight. Pinkie's voice quickly brings down the chatter in the room as she speaks up, "Alright everypony." Her voice stops for a moment as she quickly sticks six unlit candles into one of the lower lays of the cake. The action brings a slight laugh to you as you watch Violet's chair being pushed closer to the cake by Rainbow and Fluttershy. However, your time as a watcher is brought to an end as Twilight nudges you and nods to the candles. You spark up your magic as it warps to the wicks of the candles in a light green glow that quickly burst into little flames as you drop your magic. "Nice job you didn't blow up the cake." The tomboyish comment that rings from behind Violet brings another laugh from you as you nod your head. "Alright everypony, on three." "One" "Two" "Three." Pinkie's voice leads the room full of voices as everypony sings out, "Happy birthday too you, happy birthday to you..." The birthday chime rings out as you happily play along all the while just staring to the positively glowing young mare's smile. As the sound comes to an end Pinkie's voice gets a little more hyper, "Make a wish, make a wish!!" Violet's horn sparks up as the wicks of the candles quickly turn into a puff of smoke. A happy cheer rings around the room followed by Rainbow's voice as she speaks up, "Alright no spit on the cake, lets dig in!" Pinkie quickly wiggles her hoof to the comment as she speaks up, "Wait. Violet needs to get going first, and she can't leave until she has a piece of cake and opens one present." Within the blink of an eye Pinkie brings a knife up from the table as she hooves it to Rainbow, her voice takes on a low calm and faked regal sound as she closes her eyes, "A little off the top would you Dashy?" The green maned mare cocks a smile to the comment as she floats up to the top of the cake, plate and knife in hoof. The plate is quickly brought down in front of Violet as she just blinks to the large piece of cake in front of her. "Here you go Wheezy." A faint wheezing laugh comes up from the purple mare as the name hits her ear. As a fork starts to poke into the chocolate and vanilla blended cake Twilight moves from her chair as she passes the little colt in her hold to your lap. You wrap your hooves around the wiggling colt as you just hold a smile to the light purple mare in front of you who is still deciding whether or not to spoil her little dinner date or not. "Violet..." The light purple mare swallows another bite of cake as she turns to Twilight's voice. A faint chime of magic rings next to Twilight as she hoovers the neatly pressed dress next to her, "Me and your dad had got something for you. We hope you like it." Everypony gives a low, oooohhhh sound as Violet sparks a bright smile to her face. Despite the fact of already knowing she had a dress coming the sight of the dark blue and light blue dress that sparkles a little from the gem studded outfit still holds a true to life smile to the mare. Rarity's voice comes up as she wiggles her hoof out, "I made it to bring out your eyes dear, I think your colt friend will really be dazzled by it." Another faint laugh comes up from the young mare as she looks over the dress that floats over to her. Twilight's voice rings out as the purple glow of magic changes to Violet's blue hold, "You can get going now if you want." Violet holds her wide smile as her body becomes wrapped in her magic as she nods and looks around to everypony in the room. But the spell she brought to herself comes to an end as she pops from the room with her teleportation spell. The flashier exit brings a slight smile to your face as you just stare to where the mare once sat. But your gaze is cut off as a southern voice rings up from the staircase, "Sorry i'm late ya. IS the party still going on?" You and Twilight turn your head to the orange mare that's stopped at the stairs. The lavender mare gives a little smile as she speaks up, "Well Violet just left." "Rats..." Applejack gives a little sigh as she speaks up, "Well I saw Spike outside and thought I wasn't late. Oh well at least I didn't miss the second party." Twilight cocks her head to the comment as she speaks up, "Second?" Pinkie's voice now rings out a she pokes a hoof to you, "Well we figured Violet would leave pretty quick and no reason to waste a good party night, so we figured we could celebrate your birthday today." A slight snorting laugh rings up from her as she continues to poke at you, "Seeing as how your birthday is when ever you say you want to make it tonight?" A light chuckle comes up from you as you shrug, "I guess...But I don't really use my birthday for cake." "Don't use it for cake?!" Pinkie takes her head back a little surprised as she speaks up, "W-what else could a stallion use their birthday for besides cake?!" Twilight quickly speaks up with a little giggle as she notices your smile, "Ha ha, so a real birthday party for a change huh? Sounds fun." You nod to the comment as you let out another little chuckle to the colt in your hold, "Looks like you're not going to sleep on time tonight." The comment quickly brings a happy yell form the colt as he wiggles his hooves, "Yay!" "Now can anypony help me get that barrel of cider up this here stairs? I don't think Spike and I can do it." Applejack's comment quickly brings Rainbow forward as she dashed towards her friend, "Alright first taste of the season!" End of chapter 11 > Chapter 12 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 12 – Should be something special The lowering day's sun now holds over the small town of Ponyville as the light orange stallion casually trots the last few hooves towards the library. As of lately the stallion doesn't usually need to build up any confidence to meet up with his friend...But the idea of this being the first real time they're going to be alone with each other does play a few tricks on his mind regarding whether or not she'll like going out or not. Sparky quickly pushes the thoughts aside as he gives out a loud exhale and knocks to the bright red door of the library. For a moment there's no sound on the other side of the door, but that quickly changes as the door comes open. It's at this point the stallion's mouth drops and his thoughts come back to him as he stares to the mare in the doorway. The dark and light shades of the well fitted dress the mare is wearing seem to sparkle in the orangey yellow light of the setting sun. Sure her mane is not really styled but it's not like the mare had time to do that with trying to figure out how to tie on the dresses form fitting straps by herself. Sparky's eyes slowly trail up her body as he looks over the silver chained amethyst amulet that hangs down around her neck, "You looK-..." The voice crack that rings outs towards the end of his word quickly is covered up as he clears his throat and tries again-you look really nice Violet." The light purple mare smiles to the comment as she trots out of the house and closes the door behind her. The dress may not be a regal outfit like some of the mares in Canterlot wear, but by Ponyville standers she looks like a princess. Although strangely, it's form fitted fabric that clings to her doesn't allow the dress to be too flashy. Sparky happily trots next to the mare as he tries to hold back the smile that screams, ya i'm dating this. - - - The trot a little ways across town has come to it's end as the two story building comes into view. The green clover sign sways in the breeze as it's name dances to the sun's lowering rays, The Green Clover. The hay seats and tables that sit outside for lunch have been put up, however the lights of the building glow bright from the yellow and gold glass stained windows. Sparky brings his trot up as he moves to the door as he opens it for the mare. Violet trots inside and up to the wooden pedestal that stands in front of a gray coated and well dressed pony. The stallion raises his half eyed gaze to the two ponies as he speaks up, "Name?" "Um, Volt." Sparky comes next to the light purple mare as the stallion turns his head back to the list that's hidden on the podium. "Ah, here you are." The stallion moves a hoof to the room as he starts to trot away with two menus in his hold, "Follow me if you please." The two young ponies follow after the pony. Their trot ends quick as the stallion stops in front of a secluded table in front of one of the large glass windows, "Here you two go." Sparky and Violet take their seat as the stallion continues to speak up, "Here are your menus and I shall return momentarily." As the stallion trots away the two ponies spark up a smile as they look around the room. The Green Clover is the best restaurant in Ponyville, and it shows in the expertly crafted wood furniture and statues fitted with wonderful colorful plants that brighten the dark lighted room. The aroma in the room is sweet and fresh despite the fact of the majority of ponies that sit around the room being slightly older couples. The two ponies spark up their own respected laughs as they turn their head back to the other pony across from them. This definitely beats Donut Joe's in Canterlot and in might even be better than Fantaisie Gras. Sparky moves the small bag from around himself as he turns his attention to the candle and bright red rose that sits off to the side of the table. "Better then yesterday?" Violet holds a little smile as she nods and begins to settle into the comfortable chair. End of chapter 12 > Chapter 13 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 13 – L'amore è felicità...For the most part The empty plates that sit in the middle of the table along with a paid bill and the happy smiles the two ponies share stand as testament to an evening gone well as the two ponies continues to talk to each other in their own way. However, as of the last few minutes their conversation stops to a loud rumble from outside that shakes the glass window they sit next to. The noise turns Sparky's head as he sighs he looks out into the the rainy night, "I thought the storm would have ended by now..." He turns his head back to the mare across from him as he shrugs, "We could always get another desert or something, you barely even tried the last one." Violet shakes her head to the comment as she holds a smile to the gesture. Another rumble of thunder shakes the window beside them as Sparky just taps his hooves to the table, "Alright." The light purple mare holds her eyes to the ground that lights of the building illuminate as she looks over the muddy path that she will eventually have to walk down. "It's probably going to die down in a few more minutes." Zzzzcaracka! The loud crack of lightning over head quickly runs the smile from his face as he lowers his head, "Or it will get worse Violet taps her hoof to her mouth for a moment as she continues to look over the area outside. But her stare only last for a moment as she stands from the table. A faint laugh rings up from Sparky as he squints to the mare, "You want to leave now?" His words quickly nods the mare’s head as she waits for him to get up. "What about your dress?" Violet looks her dress over for the moment as she rethinks her plan, but she still nods her her head; this time tapping a hoof to her horn. It takes a second for Sparky to understand the gesture but he does as he stands up, "You sure you can teleport that far?" The mare just silently blows to the comment as she waves her hoof. Sparky moves his small bag to around him as he shrugs, "Alright Violet." A few ponies around the room turn an eye to the sight of Violet and Sparky trotting towards the door but no pony says anything to them as they take their first steps outside. The wind whips up a little rain but for the most part the ground under the building's overhang is dry. Violet closes her eyes as she straightens her stance and sparks her horn up. The low chime of her magic builds for the moment as it's blue glow starts to shine around Sparky's sides. Within the blink of an eye the rush of magic has carried them across town as the large droplets of water that trickle through the tree library's branches pound against the two pony's heads. Violet quickly snaps into action as she takes shelter in the house, her sight quickly turns back to the stallion still outside as she hooves for him to come in side. Sparky's head is low as the rain continues to pat down his once dry mane, "It's not that bad, I can probably just fly over the clouds with no-..." Zzzzcaracka!!! The louder crack of lightning stirs Violet into action as she pulls her friend inside with her magic as she gives him a look and sparks her hooves up. A little laugh rings from Sparky as he speaks up, "How am I dumb? I could have just flown over it?" Violet holds a scolding look to him for a moment but her attention is quickly brought back to the fact that most of the library is still dark, meaning you and Twilight haven't gotten back yet. The question as to why sparks her horn up as she turns on the lights of the house. Sparky slightly brushes his wet fur off for a moment as he speaks up, "I really should get going, your dad is already probably mad that your home later then-..." His mouth is quickly brought to a halt by a blue binding on his lips as Violet continues to look around the house for any sign of you or Twilight. She turns her head back to Sparky as she hooves out a comment. Sparky doesn't reply as he just nods his eyes to the magic still around his lips, the bound is quickly broken as he speaks up, "They probably stayed at Pinkies when it started raining, Aerolight doesn't need to get wet." Violet shrugs to the comment as she flips her wet mane out of her eyes and starts to trot away towards the stairs. As the mare trots away Sparky sways a little as he speaks up, "Do you think it's alright if I stay until the rain gets lighter?" Violet cocks an eye to him as she takes her hoof from the first staircase as she brings up a question. Sparky rubs his hoof to his neck as he shrug, "Well ya I still could probably fly through it...But I was just kinda saying that because I didn't want to wait around with your dad if you were late." A light laugh comes up from the stallion as he waits for Violet to answer. The light purple mare nods as she gives a little smile and continues to trot up the stairs, with Sparky following behind her. It only takes a moment for the two ponies to come to her room as Violet gives out a silent sigh as her horn sparks up to remove the annoying damp dress from around her. But the damp straps on the back of the dress don't really give into the magical pull as they instead almost tighten from the wet material. Sparky moves the bag from himself as he lets it rest on an empty spot on the dresser, "Here let me help." Violet's horn drops it's hold over the strap as Sparky comes closer, the stallion may not have experience with removing a dress but he manages to take off the first strap as he speaks up, "Alright." To the slightly looser dress Violet's magic takes hold of her mane as she moves it to one side to reveal the other strap on her back that she had magically tied earlier. Sparky moves a little closer as he brings his two front hooves up to mess the slightly tighter strap, he leans up against the mare's side as he continues to focus his eyes on the object. Again like before it comes undone as he takes his hooves from his friend, "There you go." The dress now almost flops off the mare as she turns herself around to the stallion for the last strap that sits right under the hanging necklace. Sparky hesitates for a moment, but he moves himself closer to her as she lifts her head a little for the stallion to get a hold of it. Truthfully she could have gotten this one, but Sparky's hooves that now brush up against her coat bring an exciting feel to the young mare. "Um...There you go." The dress now only is held up by the stallion's hoof as he turns his eyes to the mare he now stands only inches from. Violet's horn sparks up as she floats the dress from his hoof and towards the dresser, however neither pony takes their eye off each other as they just stand their. Sparky swallows as he looks over his friend's eyes. The tomboyish mare has always had a look of determination for what she wants and how she can get it and she's always had a look of total control. However, neither one of those things sit in her light blue eyes as she just blinks to the stallion so close to her. The pegasus's heart thumps a little with the thunder that still rings outside as he slowly moves his head a little more towards hers. Violet doesn't back off from the shift as she instead just leans forward for the impending kiss. It's no secret to almost any pony that this is not their first kiss, but the dark room's lighting and the tapping from the rain on the window mixed with the night so far has made this kiss something more. It's not just the simple good night, or where dating embrace, it's the combination of years of being so close to one another and not acting on feelings just because of being afraid of how the other would react. The kiss holds for a few moments as the two ponies bring their heads back from each other and instead just stare to the other. There smiles are both passion, heat of the moment and joy as they just stare to each other. Violet's head slightly drops a little as a faint blush comes to her face, but she doesn't take both eyes from the stallion as she slowly just moves to sit on the bed behind her. The strange shyness the mare has pauses the stallion as his chest pounds, but he takes that step forward as he comes in front of his friend. Again the light purple mare doesn't move from the approaching kiss as she starts to wrap her hooves around the stallion's neck. Sparky's wings twitch a little as the stallion puts his hoof to the bed as he continues to move forward, all the while still holding the kiss. As they again break the kiss Violet's position now sits under the stallion who has propped himself up by the two front hooves he has firmly into the bed and the two back legs he still has on the floor. Sparky's eyes are halved and his mouth is open just like the mare under him as he moves his head back to his friend. But this time he doesn't kiss her lips as he plants a little kiss on the side of her neck. Violet's eyes close as a heavy exhale runs from her. The tip of her horn has sparked up in a blue like glow as the few rooms in the light blank out leaving only the bright blue glow of her magic to light the room. The stallion continues to work the one side of her head as he squints his eyes to the glowing rod of magic that pokes from the mare's now untamed mane. Violet's hoof presses against the stallion's softer under fur as she continues to hold her eyes shut to the stallion’s slow movement up words. The pegasus's bee line to the unicorn's horn comes to an end as he plants a small kiss to it's base, still a little afraid as to what would happen. Violet's hoof on his chest tightens as her closed eyed gaze trembles, unable to really give a sound of pleasure other than her breathing the emotions in her bubble up through her horn as the blue magic pops with a few light blue green wisp of magic bubble out into the air above her with a pop-pop sound. Sparky just holds an excited smile to the sight as he gives a light laugh to the mare's closed eyes. His voice is low and he still shakes a little with his own emotions as he speaks up, "Thought you said I was a bad kisser?" The words bring Violet into action as she manages to open her eyes as she takes control and catches the stallion off guard with a quick push of her hooves and a burst of strength and desire. Sparky's light laugh is cut off as the mare now comes over top of him. - - - (A bit later, and no where near the house) Pinkie's little party has started to come down as everypony now starts to turn their attentions to the rain storm that's held them captive. As the rain starts to die down Rainbow brings her voice up, "Alright everypony, looks like the storm is dieing off." Twilight is the first to stand from her seat as she nods and trots towards Pinkie's bed where the little colt has been taking a short nap, "Alright then, lets get home." You give a little groan as you stand from the chair you've been sitting in for the last leg of the party, your breath smells like apples but by no means did that cider affect you. You hold that thought as you think about the absent purple dragon, ya that’s right Spike I can handle more cider than you; good luck at Rarity's...You lose the smile on your face as you squint too your own thought. "Bye guys." Pinkie gives a little wave of the hoof as you and Twilight start to trot towards the stairs. You both move quietly through the bakery's bottom floors as you direct your attention to one of the windows, "Hey Twilight it's still raining." The mare nods as she speaks up, "I know, it won't stop for a little while longer. That's why you're going to help teleport us." You give a little chuckle as you speak up, "Princess's star pupil needs some help huh? That cider must have worked on you." "Ha, not at all. I just didn't think you wanted me doing the spell by myself when there's three of us." You squint to the comment as you nod, "Good Point." As your words come down Twilight stops next to the door as she looks to you, "Ready?" You nod as you start up your magic to the sight of Twilight's own glowing horn. Within the moment the pop of magic has chimed out as the bottom of the bakery is left void of you three. - - - The windows of the room have a slight fogged up shine to them and the bed's cover lays hidden under the bed. However, thinking up an excuse as to why it's down there has not even crossed the two young ponies minds as they lay under the bed's sheets wrapped in each others holds. Sparky has fared no better than Violet after their little experience, but he wasn't the one who had to cope with a magical, mind and body draining climax. Luckily though the cooler bed's surface and other side of the pillows have made their maybe five minutes rest rejuvenating. Which of course is about to be put to the test as Violet's ear flicks to the sound of voices and hooves down stairs. Her eyes open wide as the mare raises her head towards the open door as she tries to spark her magic up to close it. However, no low chime sparks up as she just gives an exhausted pant. The stallion beside her slowly raises his half eyed gaze as he absentmindedly just stares to the sound ringing in from downstairs. But his blissful absent minded stare is brought to an end as he feels two hooves pushing him from the bed as he flops on the floor with a loudish thud. Violet buts her hoof towards the window as she turns back towards the hall, but Sparky has already gotten to his hooves as he panics for a way out. The light purple mare quickly wiggles her hoof towards the window as Sparky dashes to it. But he stops as he opens it, "Good Night V-.." His words are cut off as he dodges a pillow that Violet throws towards him. Sparky jumps out of the window wings only have open as the window closes behind him. The sound of hooves gets closer to the door as Violet slams her head back to the pillow on the bed as she tries to look like she's sleeping. You poke your head into the room as you blink to the sight of the light purple mare already in bed. The sound of Twilight's hooves coming next to you tightens Violet's eyes as she just listen to the whispers, "She's home?" "Well she probably left before it rained, they were going just up the road." You shrug to the comment as you continue, "What's with the bed?" Twilight turns from the door as she shrugs, "It is hot after it rains." From the mare's trot you slowly start to turn away from the room as you close the door behind you. Violet breaths a sigh of relief as she relaxes a little in her bed. But her eyes again widen as the sound of a hoof knocking to the window turns her head. The mare quickly looks back to the door as she quietly moves from the bed towards the stallion at the window. As it opens Sparky's voice comes up, "I um...Left my house key in my bag." He holds a little smile as he points to the bag still on the dresser. Violet's horn manages to spark up in a green glow as the bag floats over to her hoof. Sparky takes the bag through the window as he puts it around himself and speaks up, "Night Violet." The light purple mare gives a little smile as she nods to the comment, but before Sparky can continue she closes the window on him and returns to her bed for a good night's sleep. End of chapter 13