Chapter One (Also known as the Introduction Chapter)
Twilight cringed as a beam of light blasted into her room, the unforgiving rays stirring the purple unicorn from her peaceful slumber. It actually would have been a nice wakeup call, that is if she had not had opened her eyes to see what it was that was bothering her. She quickly shut them as the sun beamed directly into her retinas, causing her to yelp in surprise. She quickly pulled the covers over her face in a vain attempt to protect her from the attack of the Celestia’s sun, though the damage was already done. She had felt the full effect of the sun’s rays and was subjected to bright yet dizzying stars dancing around in her vision.
With a heavy groan she decided to ride out the light induced pain in her bed before pulling the covers away from her and slipping to the side of the bed. She faced away from the heat of the sun as not to have a repeat performance and to allow her eyes to adjust to the oncoming daylight.
She stifled an oncoming yawn before taking stock of what was around her. Of course she knew she was in her room, it’s where she slept after all. Still it was nice to know that she was in her own bed once again. Her frequent trips to Canterlot had started to take a small toll of the lavender unicorn after all. As she shifted in position her ears suddenly perked as they focused on the light snoring coming from beside her. Turning over she could see a lump in the covers rise and fall gently in time with the snoring. She smiled softly, a light blush appearing on her cheeks as she gazed at the lump with both love and affection. Her mind began to adhere to the thought of not getting out of bed right away. Maybe cuddle up to the one beside her. It was a Sunday anyway; the library would be closed for the day. For once, she could maybe, just maybe, sleep in and cuddle next to her lover.
“Twilight! I’m starting breakfast!”
The sound of a boyish voice from somewhere outside her room caused the mare to rethink her position of just sleeping and cuddling the day away. Still, it needed a scientific approach to it. Running the numbers in her head she came up with the notion that despite how much she loved to cuddle, and she really loves to cuddle she found out, it could wait. Food was more important. Especially after what happened last night.
With a light blush from the thoughts that played in her mind, she slipped from off her bed and trotted on unsteady hooves towards her personal bathroom, the motions of her getting out of bed, coupled with the earlier shout, caused the lump that slept next to her to stir slightly. She ignored it though, knowing that they will more than likely need to get cleaned up as well.
After making her way inside the bathroom the mare glanced at the being that stared back at her in the mirror. She cringed at the sight of her copy’s blood shot eyes and bed wrangled mane. She blew a breath of air upwards, effectively moving a strand of her mane from her eyes before activating her magic. The feel of a nob turning and the sound of running water caused the mare smile a bit, the act of using her magic making her become more aware of her surroundings. As she continued to contemplate on what to do with her mane once she got out of the shower she was about to take, something pressed from behind her, making the unicorn mare jump slightly in surprise before relaxing and forming a playful smirk on her lips. “Well good morning Sleepy head. Had a rough night?”
“Well we all know who’s to blame for that now don’t we?” A deep yet playful male voice spoke up, “Her ladyship had her servant working for quite some time before he was allowed to rest.” Black hooves slowly draped around her waist pulling her close so she could feel gentle kisses along her back and flank. The mare shuddered delicately in pleasure before pulling away from the one behind her, and turning to face him completely. She was met with his lips pressing into her own, a tender but deep kiss pulling her into a since of expected pleasure. She felt him pull away from the kiss after a moment later, though she had closed her eyes in satisfaction at the gesture before he could.
Twilight gave a light “Mmmm” as she covered a hoof over her lips as if to hold in the flavors of her lover. “Can one blame me fully? After being in your company for so long one tends to miss the warmth of your fur.” She said before opening her eyes, gazing at the black pegasus smirking down at her.
“Heh…keep that up and I might have to make a repeat performance.” He said with a snicker, running a hoof through her purple and pink mane.
Twilight pecked under his chin before responding with, “Promise?” Her gave shifted towards the clock on the other side of the wall and she gasped. “Oh dear. You’re going to be late if we don’t hurry and get cleaned up. Don’t want to get on Rainbow’s bad side now do you.”
The stallion rolled his eyes but smirked none the less. “I know I know. I’ll try to be in on time at least but…” He paused before looking at her with half bedroom eyes. “ I’ll have a tough time getting anywhere with such an amazing mare standing in front of me.” Leaning in, he caused their lips to meet again, the kiss becoming less about intimacy and more about excitement.
As they continued to kiss, Thunderlane felt magic gently grip the back of his head, slowly guiding him while keeping the kiss locked in place. He could hear Twilight began stepping backwards into the shower behind her, his wings twitching in anticipation at seeing his mare all wet. He could feel the heat of the water wash over his fur as he fully entered into the tub with her. Much to his discontentment however, she pulled away from the kiss, turned, and sat on her hunches, slightly breaking the mood he was in.
“Back please.” She said with a coy tone.
Thunderlane gave her an annoyed look before rolling his eyes. “You’re a brat, you know that?” He told her before picking up the bottle of soap with his teeth and squeezing its contents onto his hoof. He heard her giggle as he began to lather the soap and run the suds though her mane.
“You know you love it.” She mused after her fit of giggles subsided. Thunderlane rolled his eyes once again before running his hoof from around her mane to her back. Despite how much she liked to tease him, he couldn’t help but agree with the mare in front of him. He ran his hooves on the back of her neck and on her spine, watching the soap form from its liquid form to one that was more bubbly. His mind blanked as he could think of nothing but the mare that he was washing.
She wasn’t just beautiful, she was gorgeous. Sure lots of mares had their charm but none he had seen or been with before could match up to the infamous Twilight Sparkle. Even forgoing her reputation with knowing Princess Celestia, she had caught his eye. All he saw was pure perfection wrapped up within one adorkable package.
“Oh! Right there Thunderlane…” Twilight cooed as she closed her eyes. “That’s the spot, just below my shoulder blades…”
Twilight was in pure heaven. It was all thanks to the stallion behind her. She smiled as she remembered the second he had approached her, she had denied him that very same day, though, as she walked away from him, she couldn’t help but blush at the notion that somepony had liked her in that way. Despite her rejection of him however she soon found out that Thunderlane was not one to ever give up once he sets his mind on something he liked. She remembered it took him a full month to ware her down to the point of just talking, and another month for her to agree to a date, and a whole week to set it up said date. She had suggested they do it elsewhere though, where nopony would see the two of them. More then likely thinking that she would embarrass herself and she didn’t want other ponies to see her do so. It was because of that reason that they had decided on just a simple lunch in White Tail Woods. Little did the two ponies know it would grow into the way things are now.
Not that either pony was complaining though.
Of course, all of this came with one simple request from the mare.
She didn’t want the others to know.
Twilight pouted a bit as her friends came to the forefront of her mind. It’s not like Twilight didn’t want to tell them. It’s more like she didn’t know how to tell the girls. They always saw her as an egghead, much to her charging, and them finding out that she was not only in a relationship with a stallion but a sexual one at that, she was slightly afraid of what they might think. Though they had their fill fooling around, she wanted to go on a proper date with the stallion, not just a sneak here and a bite there. Even now she was sneaking behind their, knowing full well that each of her friends were busy today.
Applejack was busy with applebucking, Fluttershy was at a picnic with her animals, Pinkie was out of town with the Cakes for the day, Rarity had a huge dress order to complete, and she was told Rainbow was in charge of weather on the far side of Ponyville for the day. Yep. This morning was just for her and Thunderlane, and while she loved every second of it she also kicked herself for each failed attempt she had tried at telling her friends about Thunderlane
Twilight Squeaked as she felt him lean into her, pushing his muzzle into her neck as he did so. She shifted slightly as she felt his soft lips press into her damp fur, her chin coming into contact with his wet mane as she did. “We really shouldn’t keep Spike waiting…and you really need to get to work…” She gently said before nibbling his ear. Thunderlane gave a feral grunt in response before nipping her neck gently in response, causing the mare to shudder. “W-Well…” She continued. “Just…a little late couldn’t hurt…” She said, before she felt herself pulled back with enthusiastic force. Sounds of both happiness and pleasure escaped both mare and stallion as the continued to wash each other, thoroughly.
~
A happy squeal from upstairs made a certain purple and green baby dragon to look up and raise an eyebrow before turning it to a deadpanned look. With a roll of his eyes he set about setting the plates for the three of them. “Another typical Sunday morning in Twilight’s…Well typical ever since he came” He said in a slightly annoyed tone.
He had, for the most part, gotten use to Twilight’s and Thunderlane’s alone time ever since they came this far into their relationship. Sure it was…well…disturbing for the most part that the new stallion in Twilight’s life was…well…doing that with his sister/mother, but he had never seen Twilight so happy before so he agreed to be on his best behavior. Even keeping Twilights love life secret was barely taxing on him, since he swore to take what he saw that first night he walked in on them to his grave.
Keeping it a secret from the rest of the girls seemed to be just as easy because…well…let’s face it, nopony expects Twilight of all ponies to have a coltfriend; certainly not one that was a up and comer in the Wonderbolts Acadamy. Sure he is lazy at times but he is super cool to hang around and seems to be almost as fast as Rainbow, just shy a few wings lengths if Spike remembered correctly. Plus he saved Rarity back at the Wonderbolt’s Training ground; bonus points for that. Spike wasn’t even jealous when he received the hug of gratitude from his crush due to the fact that he was already dating Twilight at that time. He also had a friend in Thunderlane’s little brother, Rumble. Yeah Spike was a bit older then him but the simple fact that he had a best friend now was super cool to the little drake.
Yep, for now he saw little downside to letting Twilight have her coltfriend. No complications in the-
KNOCKKNOCKKNOCKKNOCK!!
Spike’s eyes widened as he heard the banging on the door nearly pounded it off its hinges. Ok…Think Spike! He said out loud in his mind. Who in Ponyville knocks like that? Applejack is strong but she wouldn’t do that unless there was an emergency and she would call out soon afterwards. Pinkie Pie is busy in Fillydelphia with the Cakes bakeoff. Rarity is too much of a lady. Fluttershy…Ok not Fluttershy. That just leaves…Oh crap…But she’s…she can’t be…
He looked over to the window to see a cyan face pressed against it with her hooves framing her face. Magenta eyes looked around the room before locking on to the baby dragon, a bright smile playing across her lips upon noticing him.
Spike’s eye twitch. “Oh Horseapples…” He looked upwards towards Twilight’s room before looking back to the cyan mare who was pawing at the window expectantly. With a sigh he made his way to the door, opening it a crack of the way to find Rainbow smiling expectedly towards him. “Ah…Sup Rainbow. Back from Already done with your duties”
“Naw! Just leaveing for it! But I did need to see Twi for a bit.” Rainbow said before looking past him and into the opened door. “Is she around?”
Spike gave a nervous look backwards. “She’s currently in the bathroom…” He said uneasily. “Why do you ask RD?”
“Duh! Why else would I be here?” She said before pulling out a piece of paper out of her saddle bag. Spike grabbed it and began to read the parchment that had a colorful picture of the famous book adventure heroine and a caption that read, “Daring Do and the Trident of the Seaponies”. When Spike looked back up the Rainbow, the pegasus had a proud smirk on her face. “The next book of Daring Do is out of course. Saw this on the street and I came a racing. This is the book about one of Daring’s first adventures when she started work at the university!” She said slowly moving from proud to fan girl over the course of her explanation. “The plot is about her and her class on a trip to study ancient civilizations. Of course during the trip, Daring gets involved in one of Ahuizotl's plots and must find out more about her parents and what happened to the seaponies if she is to survive. It’s going to be so epic! I can feel it! With this waiting for me I’ll have extra motivation to complete my job as fast as I can.”
Spike raised an eyebrow to the mare. “Ok…but why are you here? This says it doesn’t come out until tomorrow.” He said glancing at the poster.
“Well, I was thinking that Twi would allow me to have an early copy of the book.” Rainbow said after calming down slightly. “I know she orders at least two books in advance.”
“Oh. Well she is taking a bath, but I can tell her you stopped by and-“ He was moved aside as Rainbow’s eyes began to widen and she sniffed the air. “Hey! Rainbow!”
“Is that pancakes I smell?” She asked ignoring the dragon completely. The cyan pegasus made her way into the kitchen finding a stack of the delectable food upon the table. “Aw sweet! Mind if…hey…Why is there three plates on the table?” Rainbow inquired, much to Spike’s charging.
“I…Ah…I mean…” He was relived from further explanation when the sound of hoofsteps made their way down to the lower level.
“See you downstairs!” Said a distinct and oddly satisfied sounding Twilight voice. Spike froze slightly, not know what to do.
“Hey Twilight!” Rainbow called out as the lavender mare came into view. Not surprisingly, well not to Spike in any case, Twilight’s eye widened by degrees upon seeing her rainbow maned friend.
“R-R-Rainbow?” Twilight all but squeaked out of her throat. "You’re...here…why?"
“Sure am! Now...See who downstairs?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Twilight’s eye twitched at the question and she gave a look over to Spike who was behind her. “Ah…Spike! Yes that’s it! I was…ah…Telling Spike that I would see him downstairs.” Rainbow looked at her for a few seconds longer before shrugging. Twilight visibly deflated with relief for a second before something else dawned on her.
Rainbow was in the house at the same time as Thunderlane!
“Ah…Twi?” Rainbow said, waving a hoof in front of her face. “You ok? You’re kinda making a lot of weird faces.”
She quickly shook her head before giving a forced smile. “Oh! Ah…Of coarse…Um…Why are you here exactly?”
“Daring Do.” Rainbow said with glee and Spike said with apprehension. "Stopped by on my way to work so that I can get the book before somepony else does.”
“I see..." Twilight said as she looked away. “Well It’s…ah…Still packed up in my room. I was going to get to setting it up later today. I know you like Daring Do Dash but getting a copy before everypony else isn't fair.” She looked toward the cyan mare who had an expecting look on her face, her big doey magenta eyes staring at her with such intensity that Twilight couldn’t help give in. With a groan she rolled her eyes. “Ok fine! You’re not going to go away anyway if I don't anyway."
“Sweet! So Mind if I join you two for breakfast?" Rainbow said before dashing to the table. “You have three plates out already anyway.” She looked towards the mare. “Why is that anyway?”
Twilight gave the mare a frantic look. “I…ah…well…I always put an extra plate out…J-Just in case one of my friends join in." She said in a hopefully assured tone.
Rainbow squinted her eyes at the mare before smiling brightly. “Cool! I'll have to come by more often than!” Taking twelve for herself, she began to dig into the delightful treat. Twilight gave a worried look to Spike, motioning towards the stairway as she did so. Spike nodded before making his way to the stairs as quickly as he could. His movement didn’t go unnoticed by Rainbow however. “Hey Spike, what’s up? Not hungry?”
“I…ah…um…bathroom!” He said before turning and bolting up the stairway. Rainbow watched him leave before shrugging and turning back to demolish her pancakes. Twilight gave a sigh as she looked back to the cyan mare. Motion in the window behind Rainbow however caused Twilight to look past her cyan friend. She could see Thunderlane outside, his gaze shifting from Rainbow and back to herself before shrugging. She smiled, causing the stallion to smirk and wink before flying off.
Her smile faltered a bit as she looked back to Rainbow Dash, a deep sadness forming in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t keep lying to her...to any of them. This was the fifth time that she and Thunderlane had almost gotten caught. They don’t see enough of each other as it is and that’s not fair to her.
Twilight sighed as she bit into her own food, turning the bread into mush at a slow and agonizing pace. As much as it scared her to tell her friends, she just couldn’t keep doing this. She liked…no…loved Thunderlane. Maybe…just maybe…they would like him too?
“Rainbow…” Twilight said softly, making the mare look up with a mouth full of food. “Um…Listen. There’s something I have to tell you…Not only you but the rest of the girls as well.” Rainbow raised an eyebrow, giving Twilight her full attention. Seeing this, Twilight continued. “Could you…tell the girls to meet me here tomorrow morning?” She said looking down. “I have something to tell you all.”
Rainbow gave Twilight a worried glace. “Is something wrong Twi?”
“Yes…well…no…maybe? I’m not sure.” Twilight said. “Just…Please meet me here…Ok?”
“Ah…sure Twi I can do that.” She said with a smile. “If it’s important then I’ll make sure the girls get together. But why tomorrow Twi.”
Twilight smiled. “I need time to prepare. It’s going to be a dozy.”
Twilight smiled and nodded before closing her eyes. Now, how am I going to tell Thunderlane…?