Rainbow has to take care of her little sister for a while.
Rainbow has to take care of her little sister, Skyla, while her parents go off on a trip. Curious to see how Rainbow would treat her sister, her friends follow her every step, and learn just how different Rainbow acts around her sister.
Rainbow groggily opened her eyes, groaning at the prospect of having to wake up, and face a new day. She rolled over, and sunk her face back into her cloud pillow, determined to get back to sleep.
Just another day. She inwardly grumbled. Another day of having to go to work, bust a few clouds, then... Her eyes shot open as she remembered just exactly what today was. She jumped out of bed and let out a happy cry. "Today is when mom and dad drop off Skyla!" She exclaimed, eager that, after three years, see would finally get to see her little sister again. Without sparing a second, she shot off to work, determined to get the day over with.
A purple pegasus filly, no older than ten, sat on a train headed towards Ponyville, looking at the setting sun. Her carefully braided rainbow mane resting peacefully on her right shoulder, wearing an expression somewhere between happiness, and nervousness. She was overjoyed that she would finally see her sister again, and rather nervous about being apart from her aunt, and uncle for three weeks. It wasn't that she didn't trust her sister, it was that this was in a way, the first time in living memory, that she would be apart from her parents for more than a few hours.
"Sky?" A female voice interrupted her thoughts.
She looked towards her aunt. "Yes?" She asked nervously.
"I know you haven't seen her in a while, but listen..." Her aunt began. "You know Rainbow. She'll take good care of you, and if you ever need anything, don't be afraid to send us a letter, okay?"
Skyla nodded, slightly reassured, but still nervous. She felt a hoof land on her shoulder, and turned around to look into the eyes of her uncle. He gave her a small smile. It was his reassuring smile. The kind of smile you couldn't help but smile back at.
Next stop: Ponyville Station. The announcer's voice came out loud and clear.
This is it! Skyla thought to herself, excitemet taking over her body. I finally get to see Rainbow again! She quickly put on her saddle bags, and, as the train screeched to a halt, and the doors opened, she stepped out, into the air.
Rainbow stood at the Ponyville Train Station, excitement coursing through every fiber of her body. Today, after three years, she would finally see her sister again. She held her breath as the train slowly stopped, and opened up the doors. The first pony that stepped out was a purple filly, no older than ten, with a rainbow mane. All of the ponies around Rainbow looked from the filly, to Rainbow, each noticing the similarities, with an expression of shock on their faces. Upon seeing her, the filly gasped, and an expression of pure happiness crossed her face. "Rainbow!" She cried, jumping at Rainbow, and tackling her to the ground in a fierce hug. She buried her face in Rainbow's chest, earning her a small chuckle from her sister. Rainbow smiled affectionately at her sister, and happily returned the hug.
"It's been so long, Sky." Rainbow greeted.
Skyla unlocked herself from the hug, and looked into her sisters eyes, neither of them caring about the ponies around them, who were staring at this interesting set of events. All that mattered to her, was that she finally got to see her big sister again.
"It's been so long." Skyla said, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. She then wrapped her sister in a hug once again. "I'm so glad I get to see you again, sis."
Rainbow hugged her back, albeit a brief one this time, then freed herself from her sisters hug. The both of them stood up, ignoring the ever present stares from the other ponies, and turned to walk out of the station, towards Rainbow's cloud house.
Skyla deposited her saddle bags onto the couch of Rainbow's house as she made herself at home.
"I'll get a room set up for you!" Rainbow called out to her sister.
"Okay! Thanks, sis!" Skyla called back.
She proceeded to wander about her sister's house for the next few minutes. It was quite large, unlike her parent's apartment in Trottingham. There were posters of all of the wonderbolts, trophies, and pictures of other mares whom Skyla didn't know. One was a unicorn, two others were Earth Ponies, one was a pegasus, and the other one was... Princess Twilight?! Skyla looked at the picture in shock. She knew all to well of the new princess who had achieved alicornhood just over a year ago, but why did her sister, of all ponies, have a photo of her? At just that moment, Rainbow cane walking into the room Skyla was in.
"Okay, I've got your room set up now." Rainbow cheerfully said. "I'll get your saddle bags, and put them in your room, okay?"
"Rainbow?" Skyla began, "Why do you have a photo of Princess Twilight? Do you know her or something?"
"Huh?" Rainbow asked as she walked over to where her sister was. She followed her sisters gaze to the pictures of Twilight, and the rest of her friends. "Oh, that! Yeah, she's my friend."
"You're friends with the princess?!" Skyla nearly shouted in disbelief.
"Yeah. I am." Rainbow stated plainly, a smile on her face. "I can take you to her if you want. She lives here in Ponyville."
"She does?" Skyla gasped in delight. "That's awesome! Can you take me to her?"
"Sure." Rainbow giggled at her sisters reaction. It was always every filly's dream to become a princess, so whenever one had an opertunity to meet a princess, they would totally loose it. Even Rainbow couldn't deny that she would have been like that when she was a filly.
"Yay!" Skyla exclaimed, jumping up and down in happiness. Rainbow giggled once more, and gave Skyla a wide smile.
"Sky, has anypony ever told you how cute you can be at times?" She asked.
Skyla stopped jumping for a second, and looked at her sister for a few seconds. After deciding that it wasn't a trick question, she gave a small "No.".
Rainbow looked at her in confusion for a moment, and gave her a big hug.
"Then let me be the first." Rainbow began, still holding Skyla. "You are the cutest thing in the world, you know. It's really adorable."
"So..." Rainbow continued, removing herself from the embrace. "How about going to meet Princess Twilight Sparkle?"
Skyla gasped in delight once more, and without saying a word, raced towards the door, Rainbow calmly following her, and chuckling all the while.
"Let's go, then." Rainbow said once she got to the porch of her cloud house. She spread her wings, her sister doing the same, then the two of them took off towards Ponyville.
Twilight was sitting at her desk, her muzzle buried in her books, as usual, when she heard a knock at the door. She looked up.
"Come in!" She called out.
The door opened, and a small, purple with a rainbow mane rocketed into the library, before noticing Twilight. Twilight could see the filly's eyes scan all over her, then come to rest on her wings. The filly suddenly let out a gasp, her eyes widening in excitement as a huge smile appeared on her face.
"It's her! Rainbow! It's her!" The small filly shrieked in excitement, causing Twilight to drop her book in shock.
"I know, I know." A familiar voice chuckled. Twilight looked at the doorway just in time to see her cyan blue friend enter the library, behind the filly. "Hey, Twi!" Rainbow said when she caught sight of her friend.
Twilight's eyes flew to the mysterious filly's rainbow mane, then to her friend's mane, her brain attempting to make a connection.
Does Rainbow have a sister?! Twilight asked herself. Now that she thought about it, Rainbow had never really talked about her family, or her past, for that matter. The most Twilight knew about Rainbow's past, was that she had gone to a flight school, and pulled off the legendary Sonic Rainboom. She had never talked about her family, or her past that much, so it came as a shock when the nameless purple filly with a mane exactly like Rainbow's had come barging through the door, and started squealing in delight at the sight of Twilight herself. Twilight attempted to suppress her shocked expression, and attempted a small smile.
"Hello, Rainbow." She began, her eyes darting back to the small filly, who had now scampered over to her, and was looking up at her with a look of pure admiration on her face. Twilight broke her gaze, and turned her attention back to Rainbow with a look of confusion. "Is this your sister?"
"Yes." Rainbow said, in a surprisingly happy tone of voice. "Her name's Skyla. She's staying with me while our parents are on vacation."
Twilight raised an eyebrow at this piece of information. "Why didn't you tell us, Rainbow?" She looked back down at Skyla, who had started to check out her cutiemark.
"That's a cool cutiemark, Princess!" Skyla said happily.
"Skyla?" Rainbow called to her sister. Skyla stopped her thurough examination of Twilight's cutiemark, and turned her head back towards Rainbow.
"Yeah, sis?" She replied, her happy expression still on her face.
"Why don't you go find a book? I need to talk with Twilight for a few minutes. Okay?" Rainbow explained. Raimbow's tone of voice intruiged Twilight. It didn't sound commanding of forceful at all. It sounded like Rainbow was asking, which surprised Twilight. It was about as common for Rainbow to ask something, as it was for Celestia to raise the sun two minutes late.
But then again... Twilight considered. She is apparently Rainbow's sister, so I could see where she would be kinder to her.
Twilight watched Skyla eagerly run off towards the filly's section, and pick out the first book of the Hoovebbit series, and eagerly jump on a couch for a spot to read. Twilight smiled. The Hoovebbit was her favorite book series as a filly, thanks to her dad for reading her the first book.
"Yes, Twi." Rainbow's voice snapped her back to reality.
"What, Rainbow?" Twilight asked, a bit confused.
"I was answering your question." Rainbow giggled. "She is my sister. Though you probably already knew that, once she called me 'sis'." Rainbow directed her gaze back to her sister, with an almost motherly look in her eyes that Twilight had never seen before in her headstrong friend. "She's actually been dying to meet you, ever since you became a princess. You know how fillies are, sometimes." Rainbow continued. "You give them a chance to meet a princess, and they completely loose it."
Twilight giggled at that last statement. Even she couldn't deny that. She remembered that, back when Shining Armour had been promoted to the captain of the royal guard, and her family got to done with Celestia in celebration, Twilight hadn't been able to stop jumping for the whole day, until the dinner with Celestia had arrived.
"Uhhhh... Twi?" Rainbow's voice came, derailing her train of thought.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, Rainbow?" Twilight muttered, still remembering how the dinner with Celestia had ended with her hiding in Celestia's bed chambers.
"Skyla and myself came here so she could meet you." Rainbow began, gesturing over to Skyla with her hoof. "I kinda had to talk to you, but, now that I'm done, she's all yours."
Twilight looked at Rainbow in shock. Rainbow wasn't usually this considerate towards ponies, but since Skyla was her sister, Twilight pushed it to Rainbow being in a 'big sister mode' or something related to that, however, Twilight was quite interested in Skyla, and she was quite curious to see just how much of her big sister had rubbed off on her. Twilight watched Rainbow hover over to a shelf, and pull out a Daring Doo book, and proceeded to sit down on a sofa, to read it. Shaking her head, Twilight walked over to Skyla, who noticed her arrival. Just like that, Skyla put down the book she was holding, and moved over, to make room for Twilight.
"Thanks, Skyla." Twilight said, as she sat down in the space Skyla had made for her. "You really didn't have to move, you know. I would have just pulled up another chair."
"It's okay, Princess." Skyla cheerfully said, her gaze on a Twilight.
"You can call me Twilight, if you want, you know, Skyla." Twilight hastily said.
"Okay." Skyla cheerfully replied.
Twilight blinked in confusion. It seemed like Skyla, and Rainbow were quite different. Skyla seemed to pay attention to titles, and she was kinder than her egotistical sister. Nevertheless, Twilight really liked her.
"So, Skyla," Twilight began hesitantly. "what do you Rainbow do in your spare time?"
Skyla blinked at her. "You mean like once when she visited us, or before she left?" She inquired.
"You mean she was different before she left?" Twilight asked in confusion.
Skyla looked away from her, her eyes' energetic sparkle Twilight had grown accustomed to, in the brief time she had known her, now gone. "A b-bit." Skyla mumbled softly. "But I'd rather not talk about it."
Twilight sensed she had touched a very sensitive subject for Skyla, and instantly backtracked.
"Oh, sorry, Skyla." She apologized.
Skyla looked back at Twilight, the sparkle in her eyes back. "It's okay." She said, the slightest touch of sadness still in her voice.
"So, then, what about when she came to visit you?" Twilight asked, determined to change the subject.
"When she came to visit us..." Skyla began. She looked up at the ceiling of the library, as if it held her memories of when Rainbow had come to visit her. "She had come with a few books. When it was time for bed, she read some to me, until I fell asleep." Skyla turned back to Twilight, her happy expression back on her face. "She's the best big sis ever!" She exclaimed.
Twilight was slightly taken aback by this interesting piece of information. Rainbow read books to Skyla? But, she barely reads! Hay, she didn't even read the Daring Doo book until she had reached the pinnacle of boredom! Twilight concealed her shocked expression, and instead, patted Skyla on the head.
"I know, Skyla. She's actually a great friend, so I can easily imagine her being a great big sister." Twilight said. She had to admit, though, the thought of Rainbow reading a book to anypony, even her sister, was hard to picture, regardless of the circumstances.
"What kind of books did Rainbow read to you, anyways?" Twilight inquired. The fact that Rainbow would read to her sister, made Twilight curious as to what type of books Skyla enjoyed.
"Any kind." Skyla happily replied. "When she came, she had brought one or two books of each kind. Like science fiction, history, or fantasy. The only ones she didn't bring were horror stories. I would pick out a book from the ones she had brought, and she would read it to me until I fell asleep."
"Interesting." Twilight replied, determined to find out all about Skyla's book preference. "So what kind of books do you like?"
"Hmmm..." Skyla mumbled before answering. "Adventure is my favorite kind, but I really like fantasy, and historical fiction."
It seems like Skyla has Rainbow's love for Adventure stories. Twilight decided, when another thought occurred to her. "What about romance?" She inquired. "Do you like romance books at all?"
Skyla contemplated Twilight's question for a second, before responding. "They're okay." She decided. "But they can be a bit slow at times."
Twilight felt like she had to agree with Skyla there. Twilight enjoyed a romance from time to time, but she felt that sometimes, they could be a bit slow.
"Skyla!" Rainbow's voice called out from the sofa across the room.
Twilight, and Skyla dropped their conversation, to both look over at Rainbow, who was looking back with a smile on her face. "Look outside." She said, pointing out the window with her hoof.
Twilight and Skyla both looked outside, to see the sun starting to set.
"It's getting late." Twilight commented.
"Yeah, it is." Rainbow said. "Sorry, but I need to pull Skyla away from you. I don't think she's even eaten yet, have you, Skyla?"
Twilight looked at Skyla, who had looked back towards Rainbow, her head hung low. "No." Skyla muttered.
"Okay, so then let's get you home, and I'll cook something up. Okay, Sky?" Rainbow offered in her cheery voice she seemed to use around Skyla. "You'll be able to visit Twi tomorrow. It's not like she's going anywhere."
Skyla's cheery air returned to her, and she lept out of the couch, skidding into a halt in front of Rainbow. "Okay, then. Let's go!" She exclaimed happily.
"One second, Skyla." Rainbow walked over to where Twilight, and Skyla were before, and picked up the Hoovebbit. "Can I borrow this?" Rainbow inquired, showing Twilight the book.
Twilight nodded silently. She guessed that Rainbow was going to read it to Skyla until she fell asleep, like Skyla claimed Rainbow did before. She watched with a smile, as Skyla, and Rainbow took off towards Rainbow's house, then Twilight picked up the Daring Doo book Rainbow had cast aside, and put it back in its place.
"Okay Sky, I'll get some food going." Rainbow said warmly, as she pushed open the door to her house, and gestured for Skyla to walk in.
"Okay!" Skyla said happily, walking over to the table, and sitting down.
After a few minutes, Rainbow handed Skyla a daisy sandwich, and took one for herself.
"I know it's not much, but I'll read you a book after this, okay?" Rainbow asked.
"Okay!" Skyla happily said, taking a bite out of her sandwich. Once they were done eating, Rainbow walked over to the kitchen counter, and picked up the book she had tossed aside. She walked over to the couch Skyla had sat down on, and sat down beside her.
"Okay, do you want to hear this?" Rainbow asked, holding up the Hoovebbit.
"Sure." Skyla said happily, causing Rainbow to smile.
"Okay then." Rainbow said, opening the book. "Let's start at the beginning, then."
. . .
After about a half hour of reading, Rainbow stopped, and stole a glance at her sister. Skyla had fallen asleep, her head lolling on Rainbow's shoulder, her chest rising and falling in time with her breathing. Rainbow gave her sister a big smile, and placed the book beside the couch. She snuck her wing behind Skyla, allowing her to rest on it, then gave her sister a kiss on the forehead.
"Good night, Skyla." Rainbow whispered to her sister. She then laid her head to rest gently on top of Skyla's, and let sleep overtake her.
Rainbow groaned, as Celestia's sun hit her eyelids. She hated that, wherever she seemed to fall asleep, the sun would, at some point, wake her up, because of one of her many windows. She attempted to get up, but felt something move on her outstretched wing. Turning, her eyes fell on the small, purple bundle that was her sister. Skyla had begun to stir, probably due to the fact that Rainbow had tried to get up, and had almost pulled her wing out, effectively disturbing her sister's slumber.
Great. She inwardly chided. Now you might have woken her up, because you forgot she was sleeping on your wing! She watched as Skyla gave a yawn so cute, Rainbow could feel her heart melt. I suppose she's woken up now. Rainbow noted. She was about to get up to go make breakfast for Skyla, and herself, before remembering that her wing was trapped under her sister. Rainbow thought for a minute. If she got up to make breakfast now, she'd disturb Skyla, or she could wait until Skyla had woken up, then she could make some food for the both of them.
Eh, I don't want to disturb her. Rainbow decided. Skyla's stirring started to become more and more frequent, so Rainbow knew she was going to wake up soon. Once she saw Skyla open her eyes, Rainbow spoke.
"Good morning, Sky." Rainbow whispered. She nuzzled her sister affectionately, earning a giggle from her tired sister.
"Good morning, sis." Skyla muttered. She then proceeded to bury her muzzle in Rainbow's chest.
Rainbow giggled at this display of affection. Sometimes it came as a shocker to her just how cute her sister could be at times, whether she was aware of it, or not. The two of them sat silently for a few minutes, Rainbow patiently waiting for Skyla to get up. When Skyla made no attempt to get up, Rainbow started to slowly slide her wing out from under Skyla.
"Hey, Sky?" Rainbow inquired.
"Hmm?" Came Skyla's muffled response.
"Sorry to say this, but I have to get up. I need to make breakfast for us, and you're kind of on my wing." Rainbow explained kindly.
"Oh..." Skyla muttered into Rainbow's coat. Skyla then proceeded to get up, off of Rainbow, and hopped onto the floor. "Sorry, Rainbow." She aplogized, her eyes on the floor.
"It's okay." Rainbow hastily spoke. She knew how Skyla could sometimes take things so seriously. Almost like Twilight.
"You know, Sky," Rainbow began. Skyla looked up at her, curiosity etched in her face. "You are sort of like Twilight, in a way."
Skyla's face lit up, at Rainbow's comment. "Really?" Skyla inquired, the familiar sparkle in her eyes coming back to her.
"Yes." Rainbow giggled. "Maybe one day, you'll be a princess too."
Skyla gasped in delight. "Yes!" She exclaimed, causing Rainbow to giggle some more.
"Now I'm going to get some breakfast ready, okay?" Rainbow said, a smile on her face. "And in the meantime, you can wander around the house, maybe even set up your room. I'll call you down when breakfast is ready, alright?"
"Alright!" Skyla happily said.
Rainbow watched Skyla run up the stairs of her house, towards her room. She began to head over to to a winter cloud, where she kept her eggs. She pried the top of the cloud open, and carefully removed two eggs. One for her, one for Skyla. She closed the top of the cloud, and took a frying pan off her wall, setting it on a thunder cloud. She cracked the eggs, letting their contents fall into the frying pan, letting her trouts run wild, while the eggs heated up. Much to her dissapointment, she hadn't even planned out anything to do while Skyla was staying over. The most she did in preparation was file for three weeks of leave, so she could spend all of her time with her sister, but she never even thought these three weeks through at all!
I could just introduce her to the rest of the girls. Rainbow thought, flipping over the eggs, frying the other side. It wasn't a perfect idea, but it was better than nothing, seeing as she hadn't told her friends about Skyla yet, save for Twilight, but she was sure that her friends would like her. She walked over to another cloud and opened up the side of it, and took out two plates. She set them on a table, and deposited one egg on each plate. She then set the pan in a rain cloud, and walked over to the stairs.
"Sky! It's time for breakfast!" Rainbow called.
"Okay!" Came a faint reply. Rainbow waited until Skyla had came down the stairs, before walking with her over to the table where she had set out the eggs.
"Thanks, sis!" Skyla said, taking a bite out of her egg.
"You're welcome." Rainbow said, smiling. She proceeded to take a bite out of her egg. After a few moments of silence, Rainbow spoke again.
"Oh, so, Sky?" Rainbow began.
Skyla looked up from her egg. "Yeah, sis?" She asked.
"You know how you wanted to visit Twilight again?" Rainbow continued. Skyla nodded in response, a look of curiosity upon her face. "Well, I was thinking about introducing you to some of my other friends." Rainbow said with a smile. "They're really cool, and two of them have sisters that are your age!" A look of excitement appeared on Skyla's face at the last bit of Rainbow's explanation.
"They do?" She asked, excitement in every part of her voice.
"Yeah, and after a bit, we can have lunch at a place called Sugarcube Corner. It's a nice place, and another one of my friends works there, actually." Rainbow explained.
"Cool!" Skyla exclaimed happily. She then proceeded to wolf down her eggs, while Rainbow calmly finished hers.
"Are we gonna go now, Rainbow?" Skyla asked eagerly, already standing at the door to the outside.
"One second, Sky. I just have to put our plates away." Rainbow said, tossing her and Skyla's plates into the rain cloud. Rainbow walked over to Skyla, and ruffled her mane.
"So, my friends with sisters. One's a fashionita, and the other one's a farmer. Who do you want to see first?" Rainbow inquired, giving Skyla a smile.
"Hmmm..." Skyla looked down at Ponyville, as if it were a map on a table. "Which friend is closer?" Skyla finally asked.
"The fashonita." Rainbow replied.
"Then let's go see her!" Skyla replied excitedly. Rainbow nodded, and, just because she wanted to, she quickly nuzzled her sister, who giggled at the touch, causing Rainbow's smile to grow bigger.
"So, shall we go?" Rainbow asked, spreading her wings. Skyla nodded, and the two of them took off towards Carousel Botique.
Rarity was busy adding the final touch to her new dress, when somepony started knocking at her door.
"One moment!" Rarity called out, putting down her tools. She decsended the stairs, and opened the door, only to find Rainbow Dash.
"Hello, Rainbow." Rarity greeted politely. "What brings you here?" She was curious as to why Rainbow Fash, of all ponies, would be stopping by her place. Rainbow hated dresses, and everything about fashion.
"I came here to introduce you to somepony." Rainbow said with a cheery smile on her face.
"Really?" Rarity inquired. She was intruiged now. She knew everypony in Ponyville. Who could she not know? "Not to be blunt, darling, but who are you introducing me to?"
Rarity's confused expression grew as Rainbow's smile widened. If Rainbow was this happy, it could only mean Rarity was just pranked, however Rainbow's smile bertayed no sneaky look, so it looked like she was genuinely happy.
"Rarity, I'd like you to meet my sister, Skyla!" Rainbow said happily. A small purple filly with a rainbow mane, whom Rarity could only assume was Skyla, appeared from behind Rainbow. Skyla had a sparkle in her eye, which seemed to signal that she quite excited to meet Rarity.
"What?!" Rarity gasped. She stared at the purple filly in shock. She turned back to face Rainbow with a nigh accusitory expression. "You have a sister, and you never told us, Rainbow?"
"You girls never asked me about my family, so I never brought it up." Rainbow defended.
Rarity mulled Rainbow's statement over in her head for a few seconds. "Point taken." Rarity responded. She gestured indoors. "Would you two like to come inside?"
"Sure." Rainbow said. She turned to Skyla. "Let's go." She said softly, with a smile on her face. Rarity was surprised to see Rainbow act this way. She had never seen Rainbow act so caring to anypony.
But then again... Skyla is Rainbow's sister, so I can see where she would act a bit kinder. Rarity considered. Rainbow and Skyla walked over to one of the couches that was positioned to face a table, and took a seat, Rainbow extending a wing for Skyla to lay back on. Rarity felt her mouth pull itself into a smile. To see her brash friend act so caring towards another pony, even if it was her little sister, was a nice thing to see, as it proved that there was more to Rainbow than the tough, egotistical exterior that was always shown around other ponies.
"Shall I put the kettle on, Rainbow?" Rarity offered.
Rainbow turned to Skyla. "You want any tea?" She asked. Skyla shook her head, her eyes darting from left to right, taking in all of Carousel Botique. Rainbow turned back to Rarity. "We're good, Rarity." Rainbow said kindly. Rarity nodded, and took a seat opposite them.
"So, Rainbow," Rarity began. "I take it you came here to introduce Sweetie Belle and myself to your sister?"
"Yes." Rainbow said, her smile not once leaving her face. "Also, I want you, and the rest of the girls to get to know her, too."
"I see." Rarity said. "Would you like me to fetch Sweetie Belle?" She offered.
Once again, Rainbow turned to Skyla. "Would you like to meet Rarity's little sister?" She asked her sister.
Skyla turned to look at Rarity, her eyes gleaming in excitement. "Yes!" She happily said.
Rarity couldn't help but giggle at Skyla's reaction. "Well, I will go get her then. She's probably in her room." Rarity explained. She started towards the stairs, but then turned back to look at the sisters. "I'll be only a moment." She said. She began to climb the stairs towards her sisters room, but stole one last glance at Rainbow and her sister. Rainbow was nuzzling Skyla, who was giggling at her sisters loving touch. She turned her head back, as she began to climb the stairs, but as she did so, Rarity couldn't help but feel jealous. She envied how well Rainbow and her sister got along. Rarity had to reprimand Sweetie Belle twice a day, and they weren't as close as Rainbow and Skyla were. Rarity arrived at Sweetie Belle's room, and raised her hoof. She knocked three times.
"Yes?" Came Sweetie Belle's voice.
"Sweetie Belle," Rarity began, "Rainbow Dash is over here, and she brought her sister. Would you like to meet her?" Rarity heard the doorknob open, and watched the door reveal Sweetie Belle, who wore a confused expression.
"Rainbow Dash has a sister?" Sweetie Belle asked in confusion.
"Yes she does." Rarity explained. "Her name is Skyla, and she's the same age as you. Would you like to meet her?" Rarity repeated. Rarity saw Sweetie Belle's face light up. She smiled, but she couldn't blame her sister. Rarity had banned her from going out crusading for a week, because their last attempt to get their cutiemarks had almost gotten them arrested, so Sweetie Belle really didn't have anything to do. "Let's go, then. They're waiting for us." Rarity said, turning back towards the stairs.
Sweetie Belle followed Rarity down the stairs, a million questions running through her head. What was this filly like? Does she have a cutiemark? Does she act like Rainbow Dash? Her eyes caught sight of a purple filly with a rainbow mane and no cutiemark. Sweetie Belle guessed that the filly was Rainbow's sister. She followed Rarity to a couch opposite Rainbow and her sister, and sat down.
"Sweetie Belle," Rarity began. "This is Skyla, Rainbow's little sister. She's staying with Rainbow for..." Rarity turned to Rainbow, "How long exactly?" She inquired.
"Three weeks." Rainbow and Skyla replied in synch.
"I see." Rarity replied. She turned back to Sweetie Belle. "Well, you heard Rainbow. Three weeks." She continued. "And, while she's staying here, She would like to get to know us." Rarity turned to Skyla. "I design clothes." Rarity bluntly stated. "Would you like to see some of them?"
Always about her and her business. Sweetie Belle grumbled in her head. She had grown accustomed to Rarity and her awkward social skills, but could she please just try to be a little more filly friendly? Not everypony enjoyed hearing about her business.
"Sure!" Skyla exclaimed happily. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Skyla all got up, and headed for Rarity's 'inspiration room'. Sweetie Belle heaved a great sigh, and followed them. She tried to avoid Rarity's 'room' as much as possible, but it was better to go there than be bored.
When Rarity opened the door, and revealed the contents of the room, Skyla ran in with a smile on her face. She ran to each individual dress, and inspected each one carefully. Rarity seemed to be quite happy that somepony was actually looking at her work, and launched into detail about each dress, as she followed Skyla wherever she went. Sweetie Belle walked up to Rainbow, who was watching the scene with a deadpan stare.
"I see we have the same amount of interest when it comes to Rarity's dresses." Sweetie Belle said flatly. Rainbow merely nodded, her eyes following Rarity and Skyla.
After Skyla had finished examining the last dress, and Rarity had finished her final explanation, Skyla turned to Rarity.
"Thanks for the tour, Miss Rarity." Skyla said happily.
"Just Rarity, dear." Rarity hastily said. "But you have exquisite manners, I must say." Rarity continued, shooting Rainbow a glance, who simply rolled her eyes in response. "Now, would you like to visit Sweetie Belle's room?" Rarity continued, turning her head back to Skyla.
"Sure!" Skyla said happily. She followed Rarity to her room, with Rainbow, and Sweetie Belle bringing up the rear. Rarity extended a hoof to open the door, but Sweetie Belle stopped her.
"Wait!" She quickly yelled. Rarity's hoof stopped in her tracks, and she Skyla, and Rainbow all turned to face Sweetie Belle.
"I need to quickly clean up my room." Sweetie Belle explained. "I have a tiny mess in there."
"Okay, then." Rarity said, lowering her hoof. "But make it quick." She warned. "We don't have all day." Sweetie Belle nodded, and darted into her moderately clean room.
Sweetie Belle's room was actually quite a clean one. Most ponies thought her and Rarity to be opposites, all the way down to tidiness, but in actuality, Sweetie had the same standards as Rarity did when it came down to rooms, it was just that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo didn't care for tidiness, so Sweetie Belle had given up when it came down to cleaning up their messes. Sweetie quickly snatched some crusading blueprints she had made, and stuffed them into a drawer. The last thing she needed was for Rarity to see them. Sweetie Belle walked over to the door, and opened it.
"Finished." She stated. She stepped aside, allowing the others to walk in to her room. As Skyla looked around her room, Sweetie Belle had to admit that her room wasn't anything special. Sure, her four poster bed, with red curtains, and gold linings were a minor eye catcher, her mahogany desk, and closet weren't anything special. Skyla, however, seemed to take a fascination in the bed. She looked up at the curtains that were on all sides of the bed, and turned to Sweetie Belle.
"Cool curtains!" She happily exclaimed. Sweetie Belle's face turned up in a smile.
"Thanks." She said. "They were made by my sister."
"They're really nice." Skyla said, walking over to Sweetie Belle with a smile. "My bed at my house doesn't have any of those."
"Wait..." Sweetie Belle spoke up. "Are you talking about Rainbow's house, or your actual house?"
"My actual house." Skyla replied, her smile never leaving her face. "Sis' house doesn't have any either, but hers is a cloud house." Sweetie Belle was about to point out that somepony could just enchant the curtains with cloud enchantments, but Rarity cut her off.
"Sweetie Belle," She began. Sweetie Belle turned to face her sister.
"Yes, Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Rainbow and I were just talking, and we agreed that Rainbow and Skyla should leave now. It's high noon, and I was just explaining to her that I have orders to fill. This unexpected visit has already taken a large chunk out of my day, and if I'm distracted any longer, I won't be able to finish my orders." Rarity explained.
"Oh." Sweetie Belle and Skyla said together.
"I see." Sweetie Belle muttered, looking dejected.
"However..." Rarity continued. "Rainbow did offer to take you along with Skyla, so you two could continue talking. They're headed to Sugarcube Corner to meet up with Pinkie Pie. Would you like to go with them?"
Sweetie Belle and Skyla both brightened up at the offer.
"Sure!" Sweetie Belle said happily making Rarity smile.
"Okay, then." Rarity said.
"Sorry to pull you like this, Sky." Rainbow said, making room for Skyla to walk through the door, and down the stairs.
"It's okay." Skyla said happily. "Sweetie Belle's coming along, so I can still talk with her."
Rainbow let a smile cross her features. "True." She said. She turned to Sweetie Belle, who was still standing in her room. "Coming?" Rainbow asked Sweetie Belle.
"Oh, what? Yeah!" Sweetie Belle muttered, before walking out of her room. "Bye, Rarity!" She said, giving her sister a quick hug.
"Goodbye, Sweetie Belle." Rarity said, returning the quick hug. "Be sure to be back in time for dinner." She reminded her sister.
"I will!" Sweetie Belle said, walking down the stairs. She waved goodbye to her sister, as Rainbow closed the door behind her, also giving a short wave to her friend.
"So." Rainbow began, looking at Skyla and Sweetie Belle with a smile on her face. "To Sugarcube Corner?" She asked.
"Yes!" Skyla and Sweetie Belle said happily, Skyla sounding a bit more unsure. Rainbow seemed to detect her sisters unsure tone behind her enthusiasm, and walked over to her. She nuzzled Skyla affectionately, not caring who saw them.
"Trust me, Sky." Rainbow began. "It's a fun place."
Skyla seemed to be reassured by her sister's embrace, and happily returned it.
"Okay." She said. With that, they all headed to Sugarcube Corner, and began to engage in idle chatter. Rainbow's wing draped affectionately over Skyla.
Skyla, Sweetie Belle, and Rainbow all tread the familiar path to Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow let Skyla and Sweetie Belle talk the whole way, until they turned a bend, and Sugarcube Corner came into view.
"We're here, girls." Rainbow spoke, just loud enough to cut into Skyla's and Sweetie Belle's conversation. Sweetie Belle looked up in excitement, followed shortly by Skyla. The three headed into Sugarcbe corner, and took a seat in the corner of the restaurant. "What do you want from the menu?" Rainbow asked the fillies, snagging a menu of food options from the centre of the table.
"I'll have some tea." Sweetie Belle replied happily. Skyla took a minute to look over the menu, before responding,
"Could I have an egg sandwich, sis?" Skyla asked ploitely.
"Of course." Rainbow said softly, with a smile on her face. "Now wait here. I'll be back in a minute." She got up from her seat, and trotted over to the counter, where Pinkie Pie stood, lost in her thoughts.
"Hey, Pinkie." Rainbow greeted her friend.
"Hi, Dashie!" Pinkie happily exclaimed, beginning to bounce up and down repeatedly. "Whatcha here for?"
"I'm here with my sister, and Swee-" Rainbow began, but was quickly cut off by Pinkie.
"WHAT?!" Pinkie screamed, at an unreal level, causing Rainbow to clasp her hooves over her ears, and close her eyes, the rest of the ponies in Sugarcube Corner following her actions. When Rainbow opened her eyes again, she was met with Pinkie's face in front of her own, the rest of her body suspended impossibly in the air. "You have a sister... And you never TOLD ME?!" Pinkie growled. "How long has she been in Ponyville?"
"Err... Two days." Rainbow squeaked, fearing that Pinkie was going to pull the obvious. To add to Rainbow's nervousness, Pinkie slowly descended, her hooves lightly contacting the floor of the building, her head slowly tilted so her mane obscured her eyes.
"That's..." Pinkie began slowly. "UNNACEPTABLE!!!" She screeched, jumping into the air, and throwing her head back. Then, as she landed, she gave Rainbow her usual friendly smile, just as big as ever.
"Come back here at sunset!" She chirped happily.
"Wait, but-" Rainbow began, but Pinkie cut her off.
"No buts! Come back here at sunset!" Pinkie yelled. Rainbow sighed, and looked away.
"Fine." Rainbow muttered. She walked over to the table where Skyla, and Sweetie Belle sat. "Come on you two. Pinkie says to 'come back at sunset'." Skyla looked at Rainbow in confusion, but Sweetie Belle gasped in delight, earning her a confused glance from Skyla.
"What is it, Sweetie Belle?" Skyla asked, following Sweetie Belle, and Rainbow out of Sugarcube Corner.
"Pinkie's gonna throw you a party!" Sweetie Belle explained in excitement, turning her head to face Skyla. Skyla cocked her head in confusion.
"Why?" She inquired.
"It's sort of a tradition." Rainbow explained, turning around to face Skyla. She ran a hoof through Skyla's mane, as she began to explain how Pinkie worked. "When a new pony arrives in Ponyville, as soon as Pinkie knows of this new pony, she tells them to arrive at Sugarcube Corner at sunset. When they go back, they find a 'Welcome to Ponyville Party' as Pinkie calls it, waiting for them." Rainbow gave Skyla a reassuring smile as she continued. "It's just her way of saying 'welcome'." She explained.
"I think I understand." Skyla muttered. Clearing her head, she looked at Rainbow. "Where are we going to go now?" She inquired.
"To Sweet Apple Acres!" Rainbow explained. "That's where another one of my friends are. She has a sister, like I said before. I think you'll like her." Rainbow nuzzled her sister, once again, and turned towards the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. She looked back towards Skyla. "This way." She said happily. While Skyla, and Sweetie Belle engaged in conversation, Rainbow thought of Scootaloo. She had never told Scootaloo that she had a sister, and, according to Scootaloo, she didn't have one, so Rainbow was hoping that Scootaloo wouldn't be angry with Rainbow for never telling her.
. . .
"Howdy, Miss Rainbow! Howdy, Sweetie Belle!" A filly's voice broke into her thoughts. Rainbow looked around for the source of the noise, and her eyes came to rest on Apple Bloom, and, to her horror, Scootaloo was standing right next to Apple Bloom. An expression of confusion upon her face.
While Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle engaged in conversation, Scootaloo continued to stare at Skyla. "Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo began, pointing a hoof at Skyla. "Who's that? Is she your sister?" Rainbow closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, attempting to regain control of her heart rate. After a few seconds of this, she opened her eyes, and looked towards Scootaloo.
"Yes, she is." Rainbow said, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry for never telling you about her before, Scoots. It just that you never asked, and-" She was cut off, by Scootaloo, holding up a hoof.
"It's okay, Rainbow," She began, her usual energetic voice gone. Rainbow's ears dropped in shame. Had she told Scootaloo about Skyla before, then they wouldn't be having this conversation right now. "I just wish that you would have told me before this, but anyway," she continued, her voice regaining some of it's usual excitement. "I think that it's really cool that you have a sister!" Rainbow's ears came back up.
"Really, Scoots? You aren't mad?" Rainbow inquired hopefully.
Scootaloo shook her head. "Nope!" She said happily. Before Rainbow could react, Scootaloo had rushed into Skyla's face, causing Skyla to jump back in shock.
"Hi! My name's Scootaloo!" She began enthusiastically. "What's yours?"
"Err, Skyla." Skyla began, nervously. Scootaloo opened her mouth once again, but, before more words could come out, Rainbow stepped in between them.
"Whoa there, Scoots." Rainbow said quickly. "Now, I know you want to get to know Skyla better, but don't be getting in her face, okay?" She whispered to Scootaloo. Scootaloo nodded her head slowly.
"Alright. Sorry, Rainbow." She whispered. Rainbow ruffled Scootaloo's mane playfully.
"Hey, it's okay, Scootaloo." She whispered. "Just, tone it down a bit. Skyla isn't used to that kind of energy coming from other ponies."
"Alright." Scootaloo replied. She walked back over to Skyla. "Sorry about that." Scootaloo began. "I was just excited to meet you." Skyla smiled warmly at her.
"It's alright." Skyla said. She turned towards Apple Bloom. "I don't think I caught your name." Skyla said. "What is it?" She asked politely.
"It's Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom stated happily.
Rainbow smiled as the four fillies began to talk amongst themselves. Silently, she turned, and walked towards the house of the Apple family, hoping Applejack was going to be there.
Applejack smiled in satisfaction, as the tree she had struck, willingly dropped its apples into the baskets she had placed around it. She picked up one of the baskets, and proceeded to place it inside a cart. She turned back to grab another basket, but her eyes caught sight of her rainbow maned friend.
"Howdy, Rainbow!" She called out, grabbing Rainbow's attention. Rainbow looked round for a few seconds, before her eyes fell on Applejack. She began to run towards her friend, a smile on her face.
"Hey, Applejack!" She chirped. Applejack looked at her friend in confusion. Rainbow was usually never this happy, unless she had pranked somepony, but usually, her smile was a bit more evil. This smile seemed completely genuine, with no air of trickery, or triumph. It was so unlike Rainbow to wear a smile like that, but she brushed it off, and, instead, attempted to strike up a conversation.
"What brings you here, Rainbow?" She inquired, still nervous of her friend's smile. Rainbow glanced off in the direction she had come, before replying.
"I'm introducing my sister to Apple Bloom." She stated matter-of-factly.
Applejack, who had picked up another basket, promptly dropped it in shock. She turned around to face Rainbow, not bothering with the apples that had spilled from the basket.
"Did... did you just say 'sister'?" Applejack asked slowly, eyeing Rainbow in shock. Rainbow nodded happily.
"Yup!" She stated happily. Applejack felt her heart rate increase. She was quite startled by this new revelation, part of her brain told her that it was a prank, but she couldn't help but be interested.
"Would you like to meet her?" Applejack shook her head, as Rainbow's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, err... Sure." Applejack muttered, putting on a fake smile. Rainbow's smile grew.
"Okay, then!" Rainbow exclaimed. She turned around, and began to walk, Applejack following her. She felt guilty for feeling this way, but, she felt sorry for Rainbow's sister, if she even existed. She guessed that the filly would have to endure ten minute speeches of 'how to be awesome' from Rainbow, and would pick up on them, like Scootaloo.
"Skyla!" Applejack looked up, as Rainbow's voice derailed her train of thought. Looking to where Rainbow was looking, she caught sight of Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and a purple filly with a rainbow mane, much like Rainbow herself. The filly looked up from a conversation with Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo, and came running over towards Rainbow.
"Yes, Rainbow?" the filly asked.
"Skyla, I'd like you to meet Applejack." Rainbow said happily. The filly's eyes flew towards Applejack. She came up to Applejack, and looked up at her, with a happy expression.
"Hello, Miss Applejack, my name's Skyla!" Skyla exclaimed happily. Applejack was taken aback by her. She had expected the Skyla to be almost exactly like Rainbow, but Rainbow seemed to be her opposite. Skyla possessed manners, and, although it was quite quick to judge, Skyla seemed to be non-egotistical, much unlike her sister. Applejack reorganized her thoughts.
"Just Applejack." She began, smiling down at Skyla. "But you have good manners." She shot a glance at Rainbow, a smirk on her face. She was a little shocked, however, to see Rainbow simply roll her eyes, not stick her tongue out or anything.
"Apple Bloom told me what you do here!" Skyla exclaimed happily. "I think it's pretty neat!" Applejack was caught off guard by this sudden compliment, but maintained a pleased face.
"Why, thank you kindly." Applejack said, unsure of what else to say.
"Hey, Applejack?" Apple Bloom asked her sister.
"Yes, Apple Bloom?" Applejack replied cautiously.
"Can we go crusadin' with Skyla?" She inquired.
"No." Applejack said, almost immediately. "I thought I told you before. No crusadin' for two weeks." Apple Bloom lowered her head, sadly. "However, you can show her the club house." Applejack continued. She looked over to Rainbow. "That alright?" She asked her friend. Rainbow thought about her answer for a few seconds. Eventually, she looked at the fillies, with an expression that seemed, almost like worry.
"Sure, but only the clubhouse. It's getting late, and we do need to go soon, Skyla." Rainbow stated. Instead of looking dejected, Skyla still looked quite happy.
"Alright!" She agreed, and she, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo, all set off for the club house, leaving Applejack, and Rainbow with each other. Neither said a word. Applejack thought about Rainbow's and Skyla's sisterly relationship, and, from what she had seen so far, it was closer than her own relationship with her family. Skyla seemed to just click with Rainbow. Rainbow had managed to get Skyla to agree to leave after the club house tour, with no extra explanation necessary. If it had been her, and Apple Bloom, however, she would have had to explain so much more, and maybe even argue with her, before Apple Bloom would even begin to agree with her.
"They're coming back." Rainbow muttered, just loudly enough for Applejack to hear. Applejack snapped herself out of her train of thought. Sure enough, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Skyla were all coming back towards them, all looking quite happy, and chatting amongst themselves
"Sounds like you all had a great time." Rainbow said, smiling. Skyla ran forwards towards Rainbow, and wrapped her in a hug.
"We did!" Skyla exclaimed happily.
"Well, then you'll have to tell me on the road, seeing as we have to get to Sugarcube Corner at eight!" Rainbow said happily, returning the hug.
Applejack stared in shock. She had never seen Rainbow hug anypony before, not even Fluttershy. She understood that Rainbow and Skyla were sisters, but, that they were this close? It was like the Rainbow she knew was a mask, to hide this more caring side of herself. Shaking her head, Applejack looked towards the ground, only to catch sight of all of the apples she didn't pick up when she dropped the basket earlier.
"Thank you, dear, for returning Sweetie Belle, even if you're a tad late." Rarity said politely, ushering Sweetie Belle into the boutique.
"Heh, heh. Yeah, sorry, Rarity." Rainbow apologized. Rarity seemed taken aback by the apology, but accepted it all the same.
"It's alright, dear." Rarity said kindly. "Now, I'm sorry, but I do feel, that I simply must go to bed, now. I have a ghastly number of orders to fill in the morning."
"I understand." Rainbow said. "Good night, Rarity."
"Good night, Rainbow."
Skyla, and Rainbow turned to walk towards Sugarcube corner, Rainbow's wing, draped over Skyla, like usual. Every once in a while, Rainbow would nuzzle Skyla, earning a giggle, but neither said a word, until they reached Sugarcube Corner.
"Sky." Rainbow said, stopping right in front of the doors. Skyla, who's hoof was about to open the doors, stopped. She turned to face her sister.
"Yes, sis?" She inquired.
"When you open those doors, Pinkie's gonna say 'surprise' in a loud voice. Alright?"
"Okay, but, sis, how do you know?" Skyla asked again. Rainbow gave her sister a smile, and nuzzled her once more.
"Because," Rainbow began, "that's what happened when I first arrived in Ponyville." Skyla nodded, a smile on her face. Slowly, Skyla opened the doors to Sugarcube Corner.
"SURPRISE!!!" Pinkie's voice boomed out into the night.
Skyla took a step back, as a voice blasted out from Sugarcube Corner. Before she could begin to process the voice, a pink mare rushed out of the restaurant, and screeched to a halt in front of her.
"Welcome to Ponyville! Were you surprised? My name's Pinkie Pie!" The mare continued, not letting Skyla get a word in edgewise.
"Pinkie!" Rainbow's voice interrupted Pinkie's onslaught of words. Pinkie turned to face Rainbow.
"Oh, hi, Dashie!" Pinkie exclaimed happily. Before Rainbow could react, Pinkie grabbed Rianbow's hoof, and pulled her through the door that lead into Sugarcube Corner, leaving Skyla to enter herself. Skyla took a deep breath, and entered Sugarcube corner. A gasp of amazement escaped her lips, as she took in her surroundings. The restaurant that she had entered in earlier today, looked completely different now. All of the tables had been moved to one side, and each table had something different on it. There was punch on one table, and cupcakes on another, but above all of the ponies, and tables that crowded the floor was a red banner, with the words "Welcome to Ponyville!" emblazoned in gold. The ponies around, looked at her, but one by one fell silent, as their eyes came to rest on her rainbow mane.
"Skyla!" Rainbow's voice sounded from somewhere behind the throng of ponies. Skyla turned towards her sister's voice, and began to push her way through the ponies, more falling silent, as their eyes landed on her rainbow mane. Eventually, Skyla reached her sister, who ruffled her mane affectionately, and smiled warmly down at her. Skyla returned her sister's smile, and did her best to hug her, which Rainbow happily returned. Looking up, Rainbow spoke to the crowd, her voice taking on a harsher tone.
"Yes, I have a sister." She spoke clearly to the ponies in Sugarcube Corner. "What of it?" Instantly, the ponies looked at their hooves, the occasional 'nothing' making itself heard. Eventually, the noise of conversation began again, and the party continued without a hitch.
. . .
Skyla was sitting at a table to the side of Sugarcube Corner, fighting to stay awake. She felt a hoof on her shoulder, and turned to face her sister.
"You look tired." Was all Rainbow said. "We should get home, huh?" Skyla nodded sleepily, and made an effort to stand up. The sister's made their way through the thicket of ponies, and out into the night air. Skyla attempted to fly off the ground, but found herself too tired to accomplish flight. Rainbow giggled at her sister's display.
"Do you want a ride home, Sky?" She offered kindly. Skyla turned towards her sister.
"Yes, please." She mumbled. Rainbow nodded in understanding, and allowed Skyla to climb onto her back. Rainbow spread her wings, and silently took off into the night sky.
Rainbow landed softly into her front porch, and opened the door. After closing it, she set her sister onto the couch. She was sleeping quite peacefully. Rainbow smiled at her sister. She was quite adorable. Without a word, she delicately picked up her sister once more, and climbed the stairs into Skyla's room. Opening the door, she walked in, and set Skyla on the bed. As she looked at her sister's sleeping form, she felt a smile cross her face. She gently kissed her sister on the forehead, before setting to work. She grabbed the tops of the covers, and pulled them slowly out from under her sister, determined to not wake her. She slipped into Skyla's bed, and laid a wing over her sister. She then grabbed the covers, and dragged them over Skyla, and herself. She delicately slid one hoof under her sister, and put the other over her sister, pulling her in for a hug. She kissed her sister's forehead again, and nuzzled her affectionately.
"Good night, Skyla." She whispered. She pulled her sister in tighter, determined to keep her warm, and let the feeling of sleep wash over her.
Twilight woke at exactly 6:00 in the morning, like she always did when something was troubling her. With a sigh, she got out of her bed, and headed down into the kitchen. She began brewing herself some tea, while letting her tired mind work. Out of all the things that had happened these past few days, seeing Rainbow's sisterly side came as the biggest shocker to her. She poured the now steaming water into a cup, and put a tea bag in. The normally brash, and egotistical pegasus that was Rainbow, had become almost as kind as Fluttershy, and definitely as caring towards her sister. They hadn't gotten into a fight when Rainbow had introduced Twilight to Skyla, and they didn't even argue when Rainbow had pointed out that it was late. They were closer than most siblings, and it was almost as if they had never argued in their entire lives.
Have they? Twilight silently thought, her inquisitive mind starting to kick up again. Have they ever argued? She sipped her tea, her mind picking up its pace, and firing out questions. Why are they so close? Why do they never argue? Why are they so opposite in their personalities? Just then, the sound of a hoof knocking on wood came from the door. Twilight jumped, and looked at the clock. It was 6:30.
Horsefeathers! Twilight mentally screamed. I was supposed to open the library fifteen minutes ago! She rushed towards the door, and quickly unlocked it. She opened the door, and gave a hurried apology.
"I'm sorry!" Twilight began, her eyes closed, "I forgot to open up the library fifteen minutes ago! I don't know why I forgo-" Twilight felt something enter her mouth, opened her eyes, and looked down, only to see a cyan hoof in her mouth.
"Relax, Twi," Rainbow's voice sounded. Twilight looked into her friend's eyes as Rainbow took her hoof out of Twilight's mouth. "I don't know why you'd space out opening the library, but I came by to hoof this back," opening her saddlebags, she took out the Hoovebbit, and held it out for Twilight to take.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. Thanks Rainbow." Twilight muttered, enveloping the book in a magical aura. It was only then, when she noticed that Rainbow was the only pony around, besides her.
"Where's Skyla?" Twilight asked her friend. Rainbow, who had turned around, prepared to take off, turned her head to look at Twilight.
"Huh? Oh, she's still sleeping." Rainbow replied. Twilight nodded, and watched her friend fly away.
It was then when something clicked in her head.
Of course! She silently thought to herself. I can follow her, and Skyla today, and I can verify some of my hypotheses! Without further ado, she grabbed a clipboard, some paper, a quill and some binoculars. She put them in her saddlebags, and made a mad gallop for the door, throwing herself into the nearest bush that had a clear view of her friend's house.
. . .
After about two hours of carefully monitoring her friends house via her binoculars and jotting down her observations every few minutes, she finally noticed two figures exit the cloud house, and fly towards Ponyville. She quickly re stuffed her saddlebags, and scrambled out of the bushes, walking casually towards the center of Ponyville, greeting the occasional pony who passed her. Passing the town hall, she caught a glimpse of two rainbow manes, and redirected her steps towards her friend. They seemed to be heading towards Fluttershy's house, so Twilight guessed that Rainbow was going to introduce Skyla to Fluttershy, Maybe even run into Discord. Twilight shuddered at the thought. She followed Rainbow and Skyla at a fair distance, making sure she didn't look too suspicious.
"Hiya, Twilight! Why are you stalking Dashie?"
"Gah!" Twilight stumbled back in shock as Pinkie suddenly entered her peripheral vision. After Twilight had successfully gotten her heart rate back down to normal, she turned to face Pinkie Pie.
"Hello, Pinkie." Twilight greeted.
"Hiya, Twilight!" Pinkie responded, cheerfully bouncing like she always did. "Why are you stalking Dashie?" She repeated her question. Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you say I'm stalking her?" Twilight inquired. She didn't understand her friend's logic. She was following Rainbow, and jotting down scientific observations, not stalking.
"Duh, because you had binoculars when you were stalking me that one time!" Pinkie said cheerfully.
Twilight looked down at the binoculars that hung around her neck. "What are you-? Pinkie, I wasn't stalking you." She stammered. "I was trying to understand how your pinkie sense worked."
"Ooooohhhhhhh, I get it now." Pinkie said slowly, her seemingly bouncing coming to a halt. "Instead of trying to understand my pinkie sense, you're trying to figure out Dashie's dashie power?"
"Wha-? No!" Twilight faltered. "I'm trying to understand why Rainbow and Skyla are so close, even as sisters!" Twilight half explained, half shouted.
"Oh! I get it now!" Pinkie happily exclaimed. "Carry on!" She chirped, before shooting off towards Sugarcube Corner.
Twilight put a hoof to her head, attempting to soothe a minor headache she didn't even know she had. She sighed heavily, as she re-organized her thoughts, and headed after her friend.
. . .
Through her binoculars, Twilight could clearly see Fluttershy talking to Discord through a window. Shifting her binoculars ever so slightly, she watched Rainbow take Skyla to Fluttershy's door, and knock on it. Fluttershy got up, and vanished from Twilight's view. Seconds later the door opened, and Rainbow and Skyla made their way into the house. In a flash of magic, Discord was suddenly dressed in a tuxedo, and have Skyla a deep bow, extending his claw to Skyla. Rainbow seemed to disapprove of Skyla meeting Discord, as she had a frown on her face, and seemed to exchange a word with Fluttershy, who in turn spoke to Discord. Discord rolled his eyes, and in a flash of magic, disappeared. Fluttershy spoke quickly to Rainbow, who nodded, and have her piece. Then, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Skyla made their way to the table where Fluttershy was previously talking with Discord.
"Hello, Twilight! What brings you here on this fine day?"
Twilight gave a short scream, and for the second time that day, lept back in shock. She turned towards the source of the voice, only to have her eyes fall upon Discord, who seemed to have shed his tuxedo, and was smiling his usual all-cheerful smile.
"Hello, Discord." Twilight muttered.
"Hello, Twilight!" Discord boomed. "We wouldn't happen to be stalking a friend, now would we?" Twilight groaned aloud.
"No, I'm not stalking anypony." She growled. "I'm observing Rainbow. That's all."
"Ah! Would it happen to have anything to do with her sister?" Discord asked cheerfully. "I think she's just wonderful! She at least has more of a sense of humor then you all put together."
Twilight ignored Discord's comment, and turned back towards the house. She put the binoculars back up to her eyes, and continued to study the interactions between the three ponies. Suddenly, a telescope entered her view. Her head spun to the right, finding Discord dressed in a white lab coat, with a clipboard floating in the air, filled with sketches of daisy sandwiches. Discord himself was holding a ridiculously long telescope, which seemed to extend right up to Fluttershy's house.
"Discord!" Twilight hissed, "I'm trying to verify my hypotheses, and I don't need you messing it up!" Discord sighed, making the telescope vanish. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers, making a light bulb appear over his head.
"I know!" He exclaimed, "Would you like some audio to go along with this?" Before Twilight could react, Discord snapped his fingers, causing a speaker to appear next to Twilight.
"Oh," Fluttershy's voice sounded from the speaker, "you can probably visit Discord tom-,"
Twilight clasped her hooves over her head, her anger rising. "Discord!" Twilight exclaimed. "I'm trying to make observations, and I don't want to be interrupted! You've already messed up a lot of time I could have had so far, and I need all the time to spare!"
Discord groaned aloud. "Fine, fine. I'll let you go." He grumbled, and vanished in a flash of magic once more. Twilight took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. She then turned back towards Fluttershy's cottage, and pressed the binoculars up to her eyes. By that time, Rainbow had left the cottage with Skyla closely following her.
Curses! Twilight grumbled to herself. Discord held me for too long! Now I have to delay my research until tomorrow! Putting away her clipboard, she slung her saddlebags over herself once again, and put her binoculars around her neck. She made her way back towards the library. I'll have to send a letter to Celestia, asking for her to make Discord send friendship reports!
