Three Days Prior

Simple Affection

Amidst dim torchlight, a man stood cloaked in dark robes that perfectly shadowed his features. He stood alone at the edge of a large cast iron caldron; the reflection that was cast upon its still waters were not his own. The caldron rested deep within a now nameless forest; the darkened trees covered the sky so that even the light could not pierce its thick branches.

The soft flakes of snow that had managed to work their way through the twisted tree line now rested on forest floor. Most of the forest was still trying to live with the vibrant colors that autumn had brought. The man’s hot breath left in small bursts before drifting into the winters’ wind.

For a long while, the man stood looking into the caldron with only the sounds of the forest to keep his company. There was the creaking of the trees, the soft whistling the wind, and the faint chirps of the birds far above. It was the rare moment of bliss that he loved the most, almost perfectly tranquil. Yet, as he took in another deep breath, the soft echo of leaves rustling in the wind.

“Who goes there?”

The cloaked man took in another breath, and his forest green eyes opened as he turned to look at the being that had approached him from behind.

“Who else would come out to this barren wood, Loki?”

The women who had interrupted gave a nod before entering into the dim, flickering torchlight. Her eyes were cold and calculating, which only set off by her chestnut auburn hair that fell down the length of her back. Draped around her was a simple white cloth that seemed to glide over her delicate body.

At her feet were two cats, one royal black and the other was white, both sharing the common trait of piercingly ice blue eyes.

“Freya, goddess of love and hearth.” Loki spoke the words slowly with a voice that carried the tone of a man well versed in coercion. He lowered his head and touched a hand to his chest. “I am honored.”

The cats drew close to him and began to circle him slowly, neither resting their gaze upon anything other than Loki, god of Mischief, both keeping a even pace, always vigilant.

“Let’s skip the formalities, Loki, you are the last person I would want to hold my interest,” Freya said as she approached him. The wind collected the leaves clearing the ground save for a few rebellious piles scattered amongst the small inlet.

Loki spoke softly, “I called you out here for something of grave importance, my old friend. I—“

“We are no longer friends, Loki, If you came here to kindle old memories, I swear now that your quest is for naught,” Freya said before turning her gaze to the lone caldron. “So tell me why you summoned me here. Your letter was vague at best.”

“Please—” Loki raised his hand from his side and let his dark vestment fall to his side “—I know what you are thinking... my reason for calling you is something a bit more personal.” Treading carefully, Loki moved between the iron cauldron and approached the goddess. “I know this may sound odd, but I need your help and you’re the only one I can turn too.”

“Well, be quick about it,” Freya replied.“There is a storm coming from the east. This place will be covered in rain soon enough.”

Loki smirked; he pulled cloth from under his duster, was a cape, midnight blue in color, with black slashes its surface that billowed as it moved through the air. “A gift,” Loki said simply.

“Don’t bring that thing near me. Who knows what magic you have imbedded into its fibers?” Freya said as she drew her personal garment over her shoulders.

“There is no magic in this cape. It is but a simple cloth that will keep the chill of the icy rain from you,” Loki stated. “You can read through my words, Freya— you know I cannot lie to you.”

Freya flicked her wrist and sent the cape back, gliding on nothing but wind and fell still as it hit the ground. “Even so, I am a married woman. I do not accept gifts from anyone other than my husband.”

Loki laughed a little to himself and used his magic to pick the garment off the ground. “Inquisitive, though I should expect nothing less from you,” he said with a wry smile. He then turned and walked towards the center of the clearing as Freya’s guardians still circled him.

He gave a small flick of his torch, gesturing her to step closer. Ahead of him was a setup of a metal cauldron, upon which he had placed his free hand.

Both parties stood opposite each other, leaving the cast iron caldron between them. The murky water was still, threatening to spill from its recesses as it reached the brim of the bowl.

Loki spoke not a word as his index finger tapped the center of the water and began to cause ripples. The fire from the torch was snuffed out in an instant, leaving both shrouded in darkness.

And, after a few anxious moments, Loki saw what he had hoped for. The basin of the caldron came to life with a silver incandescence. The mirth of the pool began to overflow onto the grass below. The water glowed as it touched the surface of the earth.

“You took the water from the River Styx!” Freya reared back and raised her voice. “Have you gone completely mad?!”

“Yes!” Loki shouted. “I have gone completely mad, my old friend! Mad as any god could be now. I have toiled these past five years trying to figure out what was wrong with me.” Loki gripped both sides of the rim as he looked down into the now purified waters. “How I have tried to understand this burning in my chest, why I can’t get the image of her out of my mind!”

Freya took a step back. “Loki… have you—“

“She haunts my dreams, even now when I close my eyes the she is there, taunting me, beckoning me to come to her. Each night I dream of taking her away, cradling her, being with her.” Loki called out.

The goddess stood slightly slack jawed. The trembling form before her was not the Loki that she knew.

“Loki… I’m married.” she said in a whisper.

Loki whipped the torch from his hand and then struck a nearby tree. His face still shrouded by his dark vestments, it was as if the light refused to dwell on him. “Not you! Look upon the maiden who has stolen my heart.” Then, with a final pleased smile, Loki snapped his fingers.

Freya sighed, wiping her brow, looked down until the clear pool. There, an image began to twist and form on the surface of the water. Colors began to mesh together like a child playing with paint, each hue sculpting the image of Loki’s affection.

“Isn’t she a sight to behold?” Loki said nervously, stepping slowly around the basin.

“Loki…” Freya whispered.

“Look at her splendor,” Loki spoke, slowly with a voice that carried the tone of a man who had fallen into admiration, a voice Freya knew far too well. “Look at the way her eyes shimmer even without the light. Even now they look like violet crystals.”

“Ah, Loki,” Freya said.

“See how even now as her shape it just perfect? Her frame is that of a delicate angel that fallen from the heavens just so that I may find her.” Loki continued.

Treading carefully, Freya followed in set with Loki, making sure to keep the pot between them, also taking great care that the water of Styx did not touch her. Each word sent a wave of relief down his spine, it was light a weight had been lifted from his shoulders..

“Don’t you see now, Freya?” Loki finished. “The curse this maiden has put upon me?”

Freya looked down again as she still hoped the image would shift again. Her heart was pounded so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest, she was starting to be drawn in by his words. She began breathing deeply, trying to calm down while she looked up at the sky.

“It’s a horse.”

“A pony,” Loki corrected. “Her name is Twilight Sparkle.”

The pool portrayed a crystal clear vision of a mare. Twilight’s violet coat shone in the moonlight, and her dark purple mane was a rough mess. She was muzzle deep under her pillow, while her hind quarters kicked and turned under a thin white sheet.

“Spike, open the window, it’s too hot,” Twilight half-shouted, half-whined.

“Even her voice sounds like a chorus of angels singing upon the winds. Does she not remind you of a calm breeze on a summer’s day?” Loki cooed.

Freya took a slow step back. “Loki, please tell me this is some elaborate trick… I know you may have been lonely since Annie passed but I didn’t think you would regress to bestiality.”

“Freya,” Loki said, his voice deathly cold, “she is not some horse. She has feelings just like you and I. She is the one that I have chosen to be my new bride. I will not have you tarnish my feelings with such labels.”

“Sorry,” Freya said solemnly, just barely managing to find her voice. “Look, Loki, start from the beginning. How did you come across this… ah, mare?”

Loki raised his hand to his head and gently he started to massage his temple. “If I must, I know you won’t help me if I don’t tell you everything. It all started fifteen years ago, during the race of the gods.”

“The Grand Race?” Freya asked.

“Yes, the one that Odin won. He flew that rainbow-maned stallion pegasus. He was the fastest horse that I had ever seen. I had to have him. That night when we began to celebrate I tried to steal him. I only made it to the stable. Odin had his wings removed and so that he would only fly for him.” Loki stated in almost a rehearsed voice.

Freya listened intently, her interest piqued.

Loki continued, “The stallion told me that he was tricked by Odin. Odin gave him immortality for a race. After though he was supposed to return to his home, he asked me to save him—“

“You stole Odin’s horse?” Freya asked, her brow slightly raised.

“No, he was no use to me if he could only fly for Odin. Besides, he did give me a nice large sum of information. He had a daughter, one who was just as obsessed as he was about racing,” Loki said in a shallow voice. “Then he told me of the world he came from. I was going to make his daughter mine.”

“Wait… fifteen years ago…” Her eyes went to the size of dinner plates. “He used Yggdrasil?”

“Yes… Yggdrasil, the world tree that connects all realms within its roots,” Loki assured her. “The legendary world tree last opened to the other realms.Odin used it to find a world with a stallion with godlike speed.”

Freya eyes narrowed. “Odin risked his life to get a mere horse? That is somthing i would exspect from you, not the Allfather.”

“It’s true, when a god passes outside their realm they become mortal,” Loki said with a slight smirk. “But do you really think anything would make an attempt on Odin’s life? Surely even you are not that foolish. Besides Odin was not the only one who made a trip to that realm.”

“You used Yggdrasil!? You know full well it is forbidden!” Freya barked.

“Yes, I went there fifteen years ago to try and find the stallion’s foal, although, my stay was just mere minutes. I was discovered and quickly had to retreat. The portal was about to close. It seems the two weeks came to an end quite quickly,” Loki said.

“You were lucky you did not get trapped there!” Freya scolded. “The risks are unthinkable of, Loki.”

Loki continued, “Please, Freya, the one who found me just a little filly. I even got to talk to her for a little bit. I hope she remembers me. Her name was Lyra, she—“

“Loki, I cannot believe you! You know we’re forbidden from even speaking with mortals, let alone meddling in their affairs!”. "Although I hope you had the wisdom to at least erase her memories of you, I do not doubt that you did no such thing!” Freya bellowed.

Loki however, showed no interest in her shouting. This was not the first time he had been lectured by his old childhood friend, and it would not be the last, he was sure of it. He instead focused on the task at hand.

“Since then I have been watching their realm,” Loki said, “one day I came across this filly. A tiny little unicorn with an unhealthy thirst for knowledge. Just like me, she spent all her time dwindling her life away in text.” His tone of voice changed to that of a doting father. “I watched her grow, Freya. I have seen her life unfolded from this little pot.”

Freya stood in silence; she had never heard her friend talk in such a manner.

“I watched her fall on her face again and again. I sat in silence as she was bullied. I have watched her fall in love only to ignore her feelings for her studies. Freya, I need your help.” Loki finished in a small whisper.

Freya only looked down at Loki who was now belt over the caldron. She paused, glancing anxiously away from him. It was rare to see Loki beg, at that; she saw something that she had never seen before. Several drops fell from Loki’s coif.

Loki was crying.

“Please, I need your help.” Loki whispered.

Freya crumbled like stale bread. “Anything, Loki— I know how it feels when you’re in love and you can’t be with her. It hurts more than anything. I can give you some good—“

“I need you to hold the portal open for me. Yggdrasil has awakened,” Loki said flatly. All light faded in the small inlet nestled in the forest as the water began to dim leaving the duo to be shrouded in utter darkness.

~Yggdrasil~

The scent from the corridor of wood was dry and cold, wherever they went; the smell of moss came off the barren trees. Dead foliage rustled faintly on the ground, barely audible over the wind, which whistled between the bare trees.

The most soil clunge to their footstep as they passed through the towering gnarled branches of the forest. Shadows danced amongst the trees as the eyes of the forest watched the duo cross its threshold.

A wry smile grew on Loki’s face as the scent of the fresh water could be smelled through the air, a pleasant aroma that blended well with the scent of wet moss. Mere moments later, he came upon the clearing of the forest.

“Fifteen long years,” Loki said in a near whisper as he felt the calm warming feeling of the area.

The charred-ember colored bark of the willow was a sight to behold. The many trailing deep divots of the outer casing looked like a maze that cut off at all angles. The thick trunk lead to a network of thousands of thin branches that spiraled off in all directions. Each tender extension lead off a vine that trailed hundreds of feet long to it almost touched the ground below.

“How long until your master gets here?” Loki questioned as he looked down at his feet. There sat a shadow-black feline - Freya’s guardian. The cat just pointed her tail at the far end of the sparse trail that wrapped around the monolithic tree. There sat a wooden cart,and in that cart sat Freya, who was enjoying an apple. "This had better be worth it. These past two days felt like an eternity."

~.~.~

“Please Freya, the portal is only open for a few days. If you are there, you could keep its open longer!” Loki pleaded.

Freya sighed. “Fine, but if we’re caught, I’m telling everyone you tricked me into doing this. I will be at Yggdrasil's base in two days' time. There are matters I must first attend to.”

~.~.~

“What took you so long? I have been here since morning,” Freya called out, now closing the gap between them. “You get lost?”

Treading carefully, Loki moved between the wooden roots that sprung from random points in the ground. “I left at dawn. Now tell me why you made me wait. I could have came and left.”

“Well, we have been here for a while,” Freya said with an unceremoniously gleeful smile. If Loki didn't know better, he would almost think her excited.. “Now let’s get—“

“Father!” The tarp fell back from the cart. A small black and grey coated wolf pup jumped pawed out of the cart. She stood almost three feet high, two big large pink eyes now targeting her father. “I missed you!”

Loki stopped in his tracks. “Fenrir!?”

Fenrir buried her face in the burgundy duster of her father; she didn’t want to look up. He detected a scent of lavender and chamomile on her, she lifted one eye lid to peek. Her tail twitched as she felt two firm hands grab ahold of her from under her forelegs.

“My how have your grown! Fifty years and you're still as cute as the day you were born.” Loki said with a glimmer of fatherly pride in his eyes.

Two huge doll-like irises peered up as she felt her hind legs left the ground. Her ears now firmly matted against her fur in a vain attempt to look displeased. Her tail however gave her away as it swished back and forth in the water like an excited dog.

“Dad, Aunty Freya said I’m getting a new mom.” Fenrir said nuzzling the side of her father’s coif. Her nose twitched as she sniffed around his coif, “You smell different.”

Loki reared back and raised his daughter high into the air. “With some luck, yes, you’re going to have a new mother. This one won’t try and eat you either,” Loki said, giving his daughter an affectionate kiss on her brow. He turned his gaze to Freya as he cradled Fenrir like an oversized puppy. “This is a rare treat, you can be oddly thoughtful.”

Freya deadpanned, “I don’t want to hear that from you of all people.” She then turned her attention to the tree. “I brought Fenrir here for your protection. I don’t know what that world is like and if you die there doing something stupid...”

“You want me to bring my daughter to be MY bodyguard.” Loki said as his face deadpanned.

“Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll protect you from all the meanies. Look, Aunty Freya even colored my claws!” Fenrir struggled for a moment but managed to get four of her claws to jutt out from her paws.

They were pink.

“Loki,” Freya continued. “If you don’t agree to this, I will have the others go in and hunt you down and bring you back.”

Loki though didn’t hesitate as he cradled his first born. “I don’t mind bringing Fenrir along. Actually I would enjoy it; I think Twilight should know I’m a single father.”

Those words made Fenrir smile, the first honest smile she had given all evening. Then, with that concern put to rest, she yawned, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep in her father’s arms.

Freya closed in on him and began to circle slowly. “Loki,” she said in a whisper only they could hear, “if you use any tricks or lies to get her to fall for you. I will hunt you down personally. Horse or not, love is love, of which I am the goddess. Am I clear?”

The tiny hairs on his neck all stood on end. “Crystal.”

“Good,” Freya turned to her guardians, “Boots. Mittens. crack the tree. We have a job to do.” Both of the cats that had been tending to their fur now made way for the bark of the tree, each now digging into the surface.

Loki stood motionless as he watched the tree break apart. “Twilight, my goddess, I’m coming for you.”

Bride to Be

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Bride to Be

“Oh Twilight, I am so happy for you! To think you, our little wallflower has finally taken the first steps to becoming a full blown mare! Why I can’t remember the first time I was proposed too. I was—“

“Wait, what!?”Rainbow Dash half-shouted. She laid on her belly as two masseuses each work on a separate wing. Each nipping away, delicately, plucking out feathers that were no long suitable for flying.

“Please relax Ms. Dash,” the spa-pony half scolded. “This is a delicate procedure.”

Twilight winced and looked down at the rippling waters, “Rarity, I don’t know what you have heard but you heard wrong.”

“Wrong,” Rarity echoed dramatically, “My dear, my sources are never wrong. Buttercup heard from Lilly who heard from Rose who was told by Claire who overheard a conversation from Kim who talked to Derpy who saw you receiving a bouquet of roses from a stallion.”

“You heard wrong,” Twilight's voice betrayed her minor annoyance. “I’m not getting married.”

“Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Twilight? As in our Twilight Sparkle got proposed to?” Rainbow Dash said in utter bewilderment, “This Twilight?”

“What’s so strange about that” Rarity asked as she cocked an eyebrow. “Twilight is a perfectly gorgeous alicorn. It was only a matter of time since she caught someponies’ eye.”

Twilight said, as she yet again tried to reach a state of bliss.“Girls, please, let’s drop the subject. I came here to relax, not talk about that crazy pony.”

Rarity paused, glancing away from Twilight while batting at a few strands of her hair. “So… was he cute?”

“Ahhg,” Twilight groaned, “First Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie then Applejack and now you Rarity.”

“I’m sorry Twilight.” . Rarity put a hoof to her head and wore a pained, theatrical expression. “It’s just rare for you to be the center of such a situation and me as your friend not give you the best advice for you—“

“You’re not going to drop this are you?” Twilight’s eyes narrowed.

“Not in the slightest,”

Twilight looked up from her reflection and stared at the ceiling as she tried to think back. “Fine, since all of you just have to know. He wasn’t bad looking for an earth pony—“

Rarity eyes almost doubled in size, a small squeak left her lips.

Twilight ignored it, it was Rarity after all. “That’s about as far as that goes. I don’t even get to know his name and he got down and proposed to me. He said I was ‘his goddess’ and that my beauty rivaled that of the gods.”

“Ahh,” Rarity squeaked, “he must be completely head over hooves for you.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” Twilight sighed and turned in the giant wooden tub. “But he was talking like he knew them first hoof, mythical gods from the old pony tales from the far north; he even said he was one of them.”

Rarity’s face soured for a moment, “Well… maybe it’s how he thought to get your attention Twilight. You know how stallions—“She cut herself off as a thought came to her, “well maybe you don’t know. Well in any case, just take it with a grain of salt. Maybe he just is trying to put himself on your level.”

That thought hadn’t occurred to her, though she still dismissed the idea. “Yes, you do have a point, but lying would get you nowhere.” Twilight paused for a moment before a smile of relief burst onto her face. “I was right! This town is completely full of crazy ponies! He is just completely off his rocker.”

“So what happened next?” Rarity questioned.

Twilight shook her head firmly trying her best to forget.“I told him I had to go because I was helping Dinky with her reading—“

“How is little Dinky coming along with that?” Rarity interrupted.

“She is coming along just“--Twilight’s eyes narrowed--“don’t interrupt and let me finish.” Twilight reprimanded and continued “After I told him I had to go, he asked me if he could sit in on the lesson because he ‘Doesn’t know how to read’.” Twilight tried her best to make air quotes. “Which was another lie.”

“How do you know he was lying Twilight? Maybe he honestly didn’t know how to read.” Rarity now really second guessing the quality of stallion that doesn’t know how to read.

“Because,” Twilight explained, “nopony picks up on reading that fast.We went through the alphabet two times. Just two times.” Twilight shook her head and tried to clear away the image of him from her mind. “It took me two weeks to learn how to read when I was a filly.”

Twilight fought the urge to kick the water like a disgruntled filly. “Not only that, it’s what he did to poor Dinky!”

Rainbow Dash perked up an ear. “Did her hurt her or something?”

“No.” Twilight shook her head. “He kept giving her attention and praising her when she got a sentence right since there ‘students’.” Twilight again tried to do her best to make air quotes.

“What’s wrong with that?” Rarity questioned. “I don’t see the harm in giving little Dinky some positive reinforcement.”

Twilight groaned and put her hooves up to her muzzle. “There is nothing wrong with it!” she said. “Except Dinky is at that age where she is just discovering colts does not actually have ‘colt germs’.”

Rarity squeaked and capped her front hooves together in girlish delight, “Dinky has a crush on him, oh that is just adorable. Wait, what is his name?”

“Loki,” Twilight said, not bemused at all by her story. “Simply Loki. Apparently he’s too good for a last name. No what he did to poor Dinky wasn’t that. He couldn’t control that.”

“Well what did he do?” Rarity was wide eyed in suspense..

“He rejected her.” Twilight huffed. “Dinky asked me to help her write a note. I thought it was cute too until he got it. You would think he would at least play along a bit to spare her feelings, but no, he told her that I was the only mare that he loved and that was no room for her in his heart.”

“That’s horrible; he should have been more considerate of her feelings. She is so young It must be nice to have a stallion fawning over you that much.”

“That’s not even the worst part,” Twilight groaned again, “now Dinky blames me. That night when we took a break for tea, Dinky offered to make it. When she came back with it, there was salt in my tea instead of sugar. While her cup and Loki’s had sugar.”

Rarity giggled a little at that., “Must be hard having an eleven year old filly as a love rival.”

Twilight tried to rub down a throbbing vein, it was the same one that always came when this topic came up. “It gets worse; Dinky asked if Loki could teach her study session for today. I have—“

“Wait,” Rarity grabbed Twilight’s face and brought her eyes to within centimeters of hers. “Are you telling me that you have a stallion, which is head over hooves for you, in your house right now, as in this very moment?”

Twilight knocked Rarity’s hooves away and drifted a safe distance from her in the tiny hot tub. “Yes, but he is not spending the night at my place. I live above the library. He is perfectly welcome in the library. I can’t really tell him he isn’t welcome if he really has been learning. I have Spike guarding the staircase just in case he gets any weird ideas.”

Rarity paused, glancing anxiously away from Twilight. “Well Twilight, it looks like our time here is up.” She closed her eyes and focused as her horn started to shimmer and blink. Two white towels float off of a nearby rack fastened themselves against her midriff and mane. “And I, as a great friend will walk you home.”

“I’m not dumb Rarity. “I’m not leaving early just so you can get a sneak peek. If you want a look, you can leave right now but I’m not going until after my horn and hooficures. Now no more talk about crazy ponies, relaxation time.”

~~~

“Spike, I’m home!” Twilight’s voice echoed through the small library.

That was when Rarity chose to barrel in. Spike was working to organize and clean the shelves. He hung back from the ladder he was standing on and wore a smitten look as he waved a claw. “Hi Rarity.”

“Good evening, Spike,” she said before she turned her attention back to Twilight. “So where is he? I don’t see him.”

“Spike, where is Dinky and Loki?” Twilight asked as she cocked an eyebrow. “Their study session should still be going on.”

Spike puffed up his chest.

“I got rid of him for you,” he said as he clawed down the ladder. “Derpy came and picked up Dinky early because of the storm coming in. So after that I told him we were closing up early to prepare. Which wasn’t a lie,” he quickly added, “I have to close the upstairs window, which took like… forty, almost fifty seconds.”

Twilight yawned as she made her way to the steps to the library’s main floor. “Good job Spike, the less of him here the better.”

Spike smiled weakly. “That might be a small problem. He checked out almost ten books from the romance section. I think he might be trying to find a way in those books.” Spike shook his head

Twilight giggled a little. “There is nothing to worry there, Spike. Like I would fall for anything from those trashy romance novels.”

“I shan't take another moment of your time, dear.” Rarity said as she headed for the door, only to turn back one final time. “Oh and Spike, please do be a dear and come by tomorrow evening. I have a small gift for you for helping me last week with those gems.”

“Anything for you Rarity,” Spike cooed, as his eyes became half lidded.

“Try to get home before the rain starts.” Twilight watched Rarity leave, and then shut the door behind her.

Twilight yawned again as she went upstairs. “Hey, Spike can you get some cake and tea for a treat tonight. That cake Princess Celestia had sent should still be in the back of the refrigerator.” Twilight stopped mid step, casting a sheepish glance over her shoulder. “Maybe two pieces.”

“Celestia would be so proud.” Spike grumbled.

~~~

Knock-Knock-Knock

“Spike? Can you get that please?” Twilight said half asleep, her muzzle deep in a thick book.

CRACK-ROOOOOOOOM-BOOM

Twilight leapt from her bed, her heart beating a mile a minute. She sat back down, a vain attempt to calm her nerves. She began breathing deeply, trying to calm down while she looked up at the sky through her window. “It was just some thunder…”

SNAP-CRIT-CROON-CROOOOOOOSH

Twilight craned her neck around to the bedroom door. She jumped to her hooves and began galloping to the front door. “Spike, get up, I think the tree got struck!”

“Whoa, easy, Twilight,” Spike grumbled, still doe eyed from his nap. “I thought there were wards to prevent that?”

Twilight closed her eyes and focused as her horn started to glow in a dim incandescence. A few nearby candles started to systematically light themselves around the library. The light from the tiny, flickering flames fell upon the main form of the library.

Twilight shook her head firmly. After blinking a few times as her eyes came into focus and gave full view of the room. The front door was missing. No. It was there, and it was in pieces, scattered along the ground like it was torn apart.

Twilight focused her mind. Every shard scattered on the ground, they rattled and rose and began to fuse together in place slowly sealing the library from the elements. The door glowed bright white as she place a temperance ward on the door.

“Perfect, the one place in the whole library that wasn’t covered,” Twilight said to no one. It was soft at first. Her ear twitched. Frantic, her eyes searched for the source. They landed on faint trail of small prints made from water, leading to a fresh pile of books in the far corner of the room.

“Hello?”

Twilight crept over to the book pile As she drew close, she reached out with her magic and started to pull books off one by one. She paused for a moment as the whimpers became louder. Twilight swiveled her ears forward and listened.

“Please don’t be a rat. Please don’t be a rat. Please don’t be a rat.” Twilight prayed, her voice becoming growing fainter and fainter as each book fell from its place. Twilight swallowed and braced herself as the last few tomes were removed. What Twilight found was not a rat.

It was a small filly, a little older looking than Dinky, closer to Sweetie Belle’s age. She looked like a wet cat that had been hung out on the line. She was covered in tiny splinters and small abrasions. Twilight then reached out.

“Hello, little pony, what’s your name?”

The filly shied away, whimpered, trembled, and succeeded in backing even further away. Twilight only got a glimpse of the filly’s appearance. her coat was a mixture of black and dusty grey. She had long, rich and soft looking crème white mane. The filly’s eyes held Twilight’s attention, they were a soft shade of pink, but was getting to Twilight wasn’t the color.

The filly’s eyes were filled with terror.

She lifted her hoof and reached out as slowly as possible. “I-it’s okay,” Twilight cooed, “I won’t hurt you.”

CRACK-ROOOOOOOOM-BOOM

The little pony remained silent, but her eyes were locked on the window. Lighting was dancing across the sky as the thunder still continued to shake the walls. The filly bolted for the only cover she could find. Twilight’s tail.

Twilight looked down to the filly and back to the window. After repeating this process several times, Twilight realized. Her horn sparked as all the curtains cut off the view from the outside world.

“Is that better?” Twilight said in her best motherly voice. Looking back at the filly, Twilight leaned in and gave her flank a nudge.

She had curled up and looked up at Twilight; the filly’s eyes were filled to the brim with tears that threatened to start streaming down her muzzle. “That hurt.” She said softly.

Twilight racked her mind as to how she hurt her. She’d barely even touched her. she reexamined the small part of the filly’s body where she touched. It was so matted down with fur that Twilight couldn’t deny it would take a precision eye to spot it. There were two large slivers of wood embedded into her skin.

“Do you want me to get those out for you? Twilight said, her words coming with a caring smile. The filly only nodded in response as she looked the opposite direction, she covered her eyes with her front hooves.

Twilight’s horn ignited, her magic formed around the filly’s flank, only for it to shatter a moment later. “Huh,” she voiced as she made a second attempt, and a third, it was several tries latter when she had finally given up.

Is she deflecting my magic? How could a young pegasus do that? Would that even be possible? How did it work?

Twilight then took in a deep breath and tried to cast her levitation spell that took hold of the first aid kit that was mounted just a few feet away. It floated upon magic and placed itself next to the filly’s hindquarters.

Which then answered a few of her questions; there was nothing wrong with her magic. The filly was indeed the cause of the fault in the spell.

“Is it out?” The filly questioned.

“One more moment,” Twilight said. Shook her head, and focused on the task. Trying to dismiss the odd occurrence she opted for the easiest way. Twilight opened her maw showing two full rows of pearly whites, taking careful aim not bite into the little filly’s rump.

“What are you doing, Twilight?” Spike's voice carried from the top of the stairs.

“This is not what it looks like?” Twilight said..

“Princess Luna would be so proud,” Spike said with a snide snicker. “Try not to gobble too much; you might lose your appetite.”

Both eyes fell on the filly as her stomach finally protested against its owner. The low rumbled was almost loud enough to drown the thunder cracks from the outside.

Twilight giggled. “How about we get you something to eat.”

Her response sounded something of a gurgle mixed with the mewing of a cat.

~~~

“Can I have another piece please?” The filly asked politely. Her face was covered in red and white splotches from the frosting of the red velvet cake.

For the past hour Twilight played host to the most glutinous filly on the face of Equestria. She had consumed twelve apples, two whole pies, two pounds of salted green beans, nine cups of whole milk, several eggs and she was currently working on the cake that Celestia had given to her.

“No,” Twilight said, unable to come up with the right words. “You ate the last slice.” She knew hospitality was important, but now she had to go shopping.

The filly rubbed her fur, slightly pouted. “But I’m still hungry.”

How in Equestria is she still hungry? Do her parents not feed her? Twilight knew that was not true. The filly’s coat had a healthy shine to it, unearthly, even.

“I’m not making another pie.” Spike threw his white apron to the ground. “I’m going to bed.”

“Thank you,” the filly added quickly.

“Don’t worry about him, he just a little cranky since its way past his bedtime.” Twilight levitated the dishes from the table to the sink. “Now how about we get you dress up and I'll walk you home.” Twilight was almost sure the thunder had stopped. There hadn’t been a rumble since the filly was found. Regardless, the rain would be easy to deal with a simple shield spell.

The filly shook her head, “I made my choice! You’re good enough to marry my dad.”

Twilight could feel the twitching vein in her forehead pulse., like Pinkie Pie was giving her direction.

“What is your name?” Twilight asked flatly.

“My name is Fenrir.”.

“What’s your last name?” Twilight said raising a brow.

The filly bit her lip for a second before continuing. “I don’t think I have one.”

Twilight head fell weekly against the cold mahogany wood of the table. It took all her willpower to not scream. “Ahhg, he has a filly.” Twilight said solemnly before she started to lightly bump her head against the table.

“I’m actually a wolf, dad said I had look like this because I might scare someone.” Fenrir said as she waved her front hooves at Twilight. “Don’t I look cute?”

“Loki has you acting too? What, did he think he could woo me if I found out he had a filly?” Twilight groaned a little and sat down at the kitchen table, rubbing her temples, hoping the migraine that was starting to build would go away.

Fenrir shook her head, “No, dad doesn’t know I’m here. I snuck out after he fell asleep. I was worried you might be a meanie so I had to check you out.” Fenrir said and she leaned in, “You passed, you’re going to make a good mom, Mom.”

“If your dad doesn’t know you’re here, why did you come here?”

Fenrir put her hoof to her chin, “Well, because I was hungry, It all started earlier today…”

~~~

The room was dimly lit Two small candles and torches were strategically place to give the most lighting in the small space. The room consisted of a small kitchen and a tiny dining area that had a table and two padded stools. Connected to the kitchen area was a small carpeted living area with a long couch and a coffee table. Joined to that was a small hallway that led to the bedroom which housed a single king size bed.

On the couch, Fenrir glanced at the clock to see it tick to the next minute. A fun game that she developed three hours ago, she matched the ticking of the clock with her tail.

The little wolf heard the heavy footsteps that seemed to press themselves into the dirt. Then came the smell, It was the heavenly smell that could only match one person in the entire world. Her father, Loki. Alas, she was not interested in her father, No, it lay in the unmistakable smell of something that she had been craving.

Meat. Nothing bad ever happens when there is meat around - Fenrir’s personal motto.

A heavy hoof opened the door. His ears turned back while he held his noble head high. His all royal black coat glistened in the late afternoon sun. His face displayed a strong confidence and well-rounded cheek bones. His chestnut mane was thrown into the wind like a flag rippling in the winds of a tornado.

He was the image of picture perfect stallion.

That imaged faded the moment the door shut in a windswept fog that shrouded the stallion. It left as quickly as it came leaving behind Loki, dressed in his burgundy duster, his signature coif covering his head.

“Meat,” the filly said almost in a fevered voice. Her target was a glistening paper wrap with the unmistakable smell of flesh. Fenrir, being a master of the hunt, could even tell the type of meat. Rabbit. Her favorite.

“No,” Loki said as he made his way to the kitchen. “You will wait till I cook it first. I don’t want you eating raw meat.” He said as he set down several books and a newspaper.

The headline read; “Fifty Billion Bits in tax money unaccounted for. Insiders point hoof at Princess Luna's space program. 'I think I left my slippers up there... They're really comfy.'"

Fenrir went crest fallen, “Dad, let’s just bring mom back, I don’t like it here. It’s boring and there is no one to talk too. I want to go out and play!”

Loki sighed as he used his magic to start preparing the meat. Several seasonings from the spice rack came alive and started to season the floating rabbit chunks. “Look Fenrir, we can’t just go around in our true forms. You know how much of a riot it will cause if they found out.” He said as he walked over to the couch. “We need to keep it to a bare minimum to who knows.”

The moment Loki sat down, Fenrir leapt onto the free space of on his lap. Lying down, she sprawled on him leaving her belly exploded for tummy rubs. “Dad, I’m bored though. Please can we go home soon?”

“We still have a little under two weeks Fenrir,” Loki said as he started to dragged his fingers across Fenrir’s belly her hind leg immediately started to rapidly kick the air.

A smile worked its way on Fenrir’s face, “Dad if I’m careful can I go out to play after dinner? Please? I want to run around.” Fenrir said in a slight squeak.

Loki thought for a moment. “Maybe for a bit, but I’ll need to disguise you. There is a storm coming from the east, so don’t go far from the inn.” Loki yawned. “Actually maybe when I get up. I forgot how much mortal bodies require sleep. Magic is so exhausting here.”

“No, now,” Fenrir whined, “I’m been cooped up inside since we got here.”

Loki sighed. “Your sisters never give me this much trouble.” He actually enjoyed these small moments. Loki took a moment to tend to the meat before willing it over the open flame of the stove.

Loki laughed a little to himself and used his magic to pick Fenrir off his lap. He then used a spell of his own creation. Fenrir, cradled by the energies of the spell, floated helplessly. She was for but a moment shrouded in a mist. At that, Loki shut his eyes and gently tapped his chin with his index finger.

The mist faded quickly and in its wake a filly was floating where Fenrir once was. Her pink eyes still remained but her coat and mane and even a cutie mark were almost a copy for the mare of Loki’s affections

“Look, you are the spitting image of your new mother.” Loki said.

Fenrir tried to examine herself trying to get a good mental image of Twilight. “Dad this is a little creepy.”

Loki didn’t say a word before he tried the spell again sending his daughter in a dense mist. Now floating where the mini Twilight once was an alicorn, her mane was fire red and her coat was jet black. “Look, now you're your own alicorn.” Loki stated. “I hear alicorns are in nowadays, they're popping up everywhere.”

Fenrir just looked at her father, “Dad I don’t know why but I hate this. Can we try again?”

Loki grumbled as a small trickle of sweat warded its way down his head. Again Fenrir was shrouded in Loki’s magic as he wrapped her in an illusion. Her coat became a mixture of black and dusty grey. She had long, rich and soft looking crème white mane. He left her eyes the same shade of pink. To top it off, he gave her wings that were elegantly folded at her sides.

Loki could only admire his daughter for a moment before his eyes started to become heavy. “Eat and go play.” Loki said before he gave into exhaustion.

The moment Loki’s head touched the father soft couch, Fenrir fell to the carpet with a muffled thump. Fenrir blinked twice, examining the light blonde strands of hair that were covering her eyes. She blew them out of her face and quickly got to her hooves.

There were far more important things to worry about, like the rabbit meat that was still cooking. Fenrir took a moment to turn off the burner, many failed attempts to swat at the rabbit chunks out of the air. Dinner was finally served.

“Dad, can I have your share?” Fenrir called out.

“Why sure you can Feni, I love you so much. You the best daughter ever and your way prettier than you other sisters.” Fenrir said in a deep voice as her mouth started to drool a little.

“Ok!” She opened wide and bit down on the largest chunk.

Fenrir teared up a little as the flesh dance on her tongue, the spices slowly working down her throat. Then she started to chew, and chew, and chew. Her tummy was starting to protest hard as she tried, the meat would not decay.

Fenrir’s mouth was still packed with food; she opened up and looked in the small vanity mirror on the door. Her perfectly sculpted rows of incisors were now completely flat all the way to her back molars.

Fenrir spit the chuck of rabbit onto her plate and immediate trotted over to the couch. Place two sturdier hooves on her father’s rib cage she began to push. “Dad,” Fenrir whined. “Get up!”

Hmmmmmrrrrrp

Fenrir stomach groaned, almost to the point of her doubling over in on it. She wanted, no, needed sustenance. . She pushed harder on her father. Loki show no signed of waking up.

That’s when she smelled it. Faint, but it was definitely there. Fenrir smiled as she realized her nose could still work just like when she was a wolf. After a little coaxing with her muzzle she found the scent.

It was a book. it had the most delicate smell of wild lavender. Once the scent was properly imbedded into her memory, she could smell it forming from the coffee table. Several paperback books, each with a stallion printed on the cover.

She knew what that scent was it was the scent of the library where dad spent his day talking to mom. The train of thought hit her almost immediately. Mom was a pony, which means mom has pony food!

Thinking with her stomach the filly galloped full speed out the door. At least not before thought leaving a note like a good wolf should. Loki did teach her well.

~~~

“Then I got caught in the rain, and I knocked on the door politely like dad taught me. No one opened up… then the mean thunder came and I broke the door. I’m sorry about that mom; I didn’t mean too I just got really scared.” The filly nudged into Twilight’s side, “You’re not mad at me are you?”

Twilight found it difficult to even imagine the story which she just heard. A pony able to change the shape of others at will. It wasn’t unheard of, but, Loki was an earth pony. Even she was the was result of a spell, her alicorn powers were basically the temperance of magic. What worried Twilight the most, however, was that her curiosity was starting to get the better of her.

Again, the question of whether or not the filly was really really a wolf or not didn’t matter or the fact if Loki was some almighty god whom had fallen for her was irrelevant. The real question was simple.

How to get these two crazy ponies out of her mane?

“Look, Fenrir, I am flattered you want me as your mother, but I’m not ready to be one yet nor am I ready for a very special somepony.” Twilight said, trying her best to be straight. “I have my own duties to attend to and none—“

“Don’t worry. my dad isn’t a real pony. He thought you think he was more handsome as a pony. He can change, really fast too.” Fenrir stated by waving her hooves in the air. “Once we get back to dad’s place you can live in comfort. Dad doesn’t have maids anymore because my old mom squished them all but we can get new ones, un-squished ones!”

“Fenrir, it’s getting really late, I’ll bring down you a pillow and blanket for you and we can talk about this in the morning.” Twilight said trying her best to stifle a yawn.

A wide grin t almost connected Fenrir’s ears together. “Doesn’t that mean you believe—“

Twilight cut her off with a hoof to Fenrir’s mouth. . “No, I’m just really tired right now and I really don’t want to walk back in the rain.” The news didn’t stifle the filly’s smile.

“Does that mean we're having a sleepover?” the filly squeaked. “This is my first one; can we have a pillow fight?”

Twilight groaned a little, this was looking to be a long night.

~~~

Finally, after an hour of putting Fenrir to bed, Twilight had finally freed herself from her grasp. It wasn’t anything bad; it was just her endless questions. Most of the questions where simple enough, but almost all of them where romantic in origin.

Twilight had to admit one thing, Loki had this little filly almost completely brainwashed.

Twilight was almost sure of what Rarity had mentioned earlier. If this stallion was looking for a romantic life, he would most likely be going after the title that came with being her husband.

Now Twilight had taken a very unhealthy love for her bed. All the strain in her muscles seemed to melt away as she slipped underneath the covers.

CRACK-ROOOOOOOOM-BOOM

The moment Twilight’s head hit the pillow, she heard the thunder crack Lightning had struck somewhere near. It was by far the loudest Twilight had heard that evening.

Twilight took a deep, well practice breath before she closed her eyes.

The door of her room to cracked open. Twilight couldn’t move to turn her head; she lazily opened one eye. Fenrir stood at the threshold of the door. Her mouth held the small dark blue pillow that she had given her to sleep on.

That last one must have sent her running. Twilight slid her back hooves over and pulled back the covers. She tapped the sheet twice By the second strike the filly was already climbing onto the bed.Fenrir placed the pillow, snuggled against Twilight’s side. Twilight didn’t have the energy to even resist, as she closed her eyes.

Within moment both where snoring soundly, neither wishing to wake up as they both succumbed to the land of dreams.

Hide & Seek

by Royal_Mist

Sunrise of the First Day

Three Days Prior

Bride to Be