> Twilight's Secret
>  by TwilightsSecret26
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Dark Secret
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Welcome, everypony, to this year's Grand Galloping Gala!”, Princess Celestia greeted all the ponies in the Entrance hall of the castle. 

The ponies cheered, excitedly. There were thousands of attendants. The entire castle was decorated beautifully. 

“This year, our Gala will be hosted by Princess Twilight Sparkle for the very first time!”, Celestia announced, spreading her wings. 

The ponies cheered more, as Twilight walked up, standing by Celestia. She smiled at the ponies...but there was something very different about her. 

There was a subtle, dark look in her eyes. A broken look. Her smile made her look very happy, but her eyes told a different story. 

She also looked quite tired. 

“Welcome everypony, I cannot begin to tell you how honored and happy I am to host this year's gala”, she begun. 

If Only my words were true...

“I spent many sleepless nights arranging everything, in hopes of making this the best Gala yet!”, Twilight continued. 

I practically made a career out of faking everything. I became so good at it...no one would suspect anything was wrong. 

“Good evening, Welcome to the Gala”, Twilight began shaking hooves with each pony, a long line forming. 

Things were happy for me at one time...it wasn't even too long ago. But...it felt like an eternity.

“Princess Twilight, it is my honor to shake your hoof”, a Unicorn stallion said. 

“The pleasure is mine, sir”, Twilight said, shaking his hoof. 

Every day, I pretended through my life. And...I acted it good. It was amazing how much ponies didn't notice, as long as you put up a good act. 

“Twilight, take a break. I'll take over”, Celestia offered, kindly. 

“Thank you, Princess”, Twilight smiled, after she shook the 100th hoof. 

Celestia, Twilight and Luna switched every 100 ponies. There were more attendants this year than the previous years. 

Twilight walked down the hall of the castle, where it was quiet. She entered her room, using her magic to open the door. 

'Spike must be at the doughnut shop', she realized. 

She glanced up at the wall, seeing a framed photo of herself, and her old friends in Ponyville.  

Her ears folded back, a sad look in her eyes. 

I haven't been to Ponyville...for almost a year. I rarely got to see my close friends anymore. 

I missed them all dearly...I always told them it was due to constant royal business in Canterlot, but that was only partly true. 

She heard a set of hooves approaching her room then. Twilight looked over, seeing a shadow approaching. 

The golden Pegasus entered, wearing his armor. 

“Twilight, there you are”, he said. 

“Sorry, Flash. I just needed a break”, Twilight apologized, her wings ruffling a bit. Flash frowned slightly. 

“The Gala is an important event, besides its you're very first time hosting it!”, he pointed out, walking over to her. 

“I guess I'm just nervous”, Twilight explained, looking away. She held her head low almost automatically at his presence. 

“I can understand that...”, Flash lifted his hoof, and took hers for a moment. Twilight glanced at him. 

“But don't take too long...we wouldn't anypony to get...suspicious, now would we?”, his tone suddenly changed, from gentle to threatening. 

“I highly doubt they will”, Twilight snapped then, glaring. 

Flash suddenly tightened his grip around her hoof. Twilight flinched, and tried to pull her hoof away, but he only tightened his grip more, cutting off her circulation. 

“Wouldn't want to get mouthy, now would you? As soon as this stupid party is over, I can do whatever I want”, Flash warned, his eyes dangerous. 

Twilight's ears folded back, a sudden look of fear in her eyes. 

“I'm sorry...”, she said quietly, looking down. 

“You look at me in the eye and apologize, you are my wife after all”, Flash growled. 

Twilight forced herself to look at him. 

“I'm sorry...”, she repeated, her voice still quiet. 

“That's better...”, Flash finally released his grip on her hoof. Twilight pulled it back, wincing. It wouldn't stop hurting. 

“Now...let's go”, Flash walked out. Twilight held her head low, following. 

It was a secret...I kept from everypony. A secret I was forced...blackmailed into keeping. It was all perfect in the beginning, we got married two years ago. It was a beautiful wedding. All my friends were there, it couldn't have gone better. 

But...it was the next week when the stallion of my dreams...showed his true colors. 

It started with the threats...and then...




Two Years Ago



Twilight gently tucked Spike in. He slept soundly, exhausted. Things weren't going very well. Flash and her hadn't been getting along very well since the marriage. 

They argued often. Twilight put earplugs in Spike's ears, so he could sleep soundly. 

She needed to talk to somepony, anypony. She went to leave the room, when Flash entered. 

“Flash...”, she said, surprised to see him. 

“Where are you going?”, asked Flash, frowning. 

“I just...need to go talk to Cadence”, Twilight replied, looking away. Flash walked closer to her. 

“About what?”, he asked, coldly. 

“Flash...something's not right. We...all we do is argue! What kind of marriage is this?”, Twilight blurted out then, unable to hold it in any longer. 

“Why, a royal marriage”, Flash replied, brushing off the topic. 

“I'm serious, Flash. What happened to us? We've been married for a week...”, Twilight pressed. 

Flash glanced back at her. 

“What do you want me to say, Twilight?”, he asked, rudely. 

“Just tell me what I did wrong...or what is wrong! This isn't love...”, Twilight answered. 

“You didn't do anything wrong”, Flash said, but still spoke in a rude tone, avoiding eye contact. Twilight glared, frustrated with him. 

“Whatever...I need to talk to my sister. Maybe you'll have a better attitude when I get back”, Twilight snapped. She turned to leave, glaring. 

Just as she was about to exit the room, suddenly a strong force slammed her against the wall. 

Twilight cried out, surprised, and in pain. 

“Is that how you talk to your husband?”, Flash sneered, he had slammed her against the wall, and slammed the bedroom door. 

His hoof was pressed against her chest, bruising it. There was even a slight dent in the wall. Twilight froze, horrified. 

“W-What...?”, she cried. 

“I think you see too much of your sister, and of those friends of yours”, Flash growled. 

“Flash, what's wrong with you?!”, Twilight demanded, still in shock. Flash suddenly pressed both hooves down on her chest, hard. 

Twilight grimaced in pain then, tensing. 

“F-Flash...stop!”, cried Twilight, shakily.

“Shut up!”, Flash suddenly bit Twilight's shoulder, and threw her. 

Before she landed, he bucked her in the chest. Twilight couldn't bite back a scream of pain, as she hit the floor hard. 

She wheezed, struggling to catch her breath. She was positive her ribs were broken. 

Twilight glared then, snapping out of her shock. If he could do something like this...purposely injure her...

She struggled, but got to her feet, sweating, in pain.

“Flash...why?”, she asked, breathlessly. 

“Why?”, Flash taunted, glaring. 

“Flash...I thought you loved me...why would you...do this?!”, Twilight cried, shaking. 

“You don't know me...at all”, Flash sneered, glaring. 

Twilight was horrified, but she then glared. 

If he could injure her this badly...she couldn't imagine what he might do to Spike. 

Her horn suddenly glowed, as a beam of magic shot at him. Flash flew up, dodging it narrowly. 

Twilight glared, shooting more beams at him, destroying parts of the room. 

Flash then flew down fast, and suddenly grabbed Spike, holding him up. Spike was still asleep because of the earplugs. 

Twilight froze then, stopping.

“What's wrong? Go on”, Flash taunted, grinning. 

“Put him down..!”, Twilight ordered, counting her hoof. 

“Stop using your magic, and I won't hurt him”, Flash threatened. Twilight hesitated, glaring. She was breathing unevenly, still in pain. 

“Okay, just let him go!”, Twilight pleaded. Flash grinned evilly, he then set Spike down. 

“If you don't want me to hurt Spike...you'll keep your mouth shut about this”, he sneered. 

“I can leave any time I want with Spike...you can't keep me quiet”, Twilight growled, breathlessly. Her ribs felt like they were on fire. 

But she had to stand her ground. 

“I wouldn't try that if I were you”, Flash threatened. Twilight glared. 

“You see...this goes deeper than you could ever imagine”, Flash approached her. 

“What are you talking about?”, Twilight asked. 

“You wouldn't want anything to happen to the Crystal Empire, would you?”, Flash asked, as he walked around her. 

“What...?!”, Twilight gawked at him. 

“You see...I have inside connections. If you were to defy me...I have a way to remove the Crystal heart”, Flash threatened. 

“How could YOU have connections?! You're just a Pegasus guard! You don't have the power to remove it!”, Twilight yelled, not intimidated. 

“Oh I don't have the power, but I do have the influence. An old foe of yours has quite a grudge against you, and the rulers of the Crystal Empire”, Flash hinted. 

Twilight froze then. He couldn't be talking about...her. 

“Queen Chrysalis was quite intrigued when I mentioned the plan to her...”, Flash confirmed Twilight's fears. 

Twilight's heart sunk.

“As long as the Crystal Heart is gone, your precious brother, sister in law, and niece are all going to be trapped in an eternal winter, along with their home, and all the residents, And eventually...all of Equestria”, Flash threatened. 

“No...you can't do this!”, the first thing that appeared in Twilight's mind was little Flurry Heart. Cadence and Shining Armor struggling to keep her warm...keep her alive, not able to abandon the Empire and all the ponies there. 

“We have an understanding now?”, Flash asked. Twilight looked down, he could have just been saying all this. Just to scare her, and keep her quiet. 

But...to risk the return of King Sombra, and eternal winter...risking the lives of her family. Of everypony.  She couldn't risk such a thing. 

All of Equestria would be doomed. Ponyville, Canterlot, everywhere. 

“Well?”, Flash asked, impatiently. Twilight looked at him, grimly. The pain in her ribcage didn't stop. 

“Okay...”, she said breathlessly then. 

“I won't...say anything. Just please...promise me you won't take the Crystal heart”, pleaded Twilight. 

“Don't worry, my dear. I made sure Queen Chrysalis doesn't have access until I knew for sure”, Flash sneered, a sick grin on his face. 

“But...if you defy me at any time...she will be able to get to it. I'll make sure of it”, Flash added. 

“I understand. I'll keep quiet, I'll pretend nothing is happening...I'll do whatever you want. As long as you don't take the Crystal heart”, Twilight promised. 

“Very good...”, Flash sneered, as he petted her mane. Twilight froze...it didn't feel loving. It felt cold. 

She looked at Spike, who remained asleep. She was so glad he slept through all of that. 

He couldn't know...no one could. 


Present time



Twilight stood by Flash, near Celestia in the Entrance Hall. Luna was shaking hooves now. 

No one suspected anything. If I ever told anypony, even Celestia...he'd know. The weight of Equestria rested sololy on my shoulders...and has been for two years. 

And no pony ever knew it. 

> Broken
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight lay in bed, looking through a photo album. It was late, the Gala finally ended. Spike slept in his bed, having a sugar coma from all the doughnuts. The baby dragon snored loudly. 

The album contained lots of photos of her friends. Twilight blinked tears from her eyes. She missed them so much. 

It's been almost a year. She had to see them again. The last time she saw them, a year ago, Rainbow Dash and Soarin got married, and Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich had their second foal. 

“Flash has to let me see them...he knows if I don't return to Ponyville sometimes...ponies will get suspicious”, Twilight said softly. 

“You're still awake?”, Flash walked over. Twilight looked up. 

“Flash..I'd like to see my friends tomorrow. In Ponyville...”, she got right to it. 

Flash was quiet, frowning.

“I suppose if I don't let you go, your friends will start to worry”, he sounded irritated. 

“You know I'll come right back. I just..need a day with them”, Twilight said, her ears folded back. 

“You could try to run away with them...how can I trust you?”, Flash asked, glaring. 

Twilight looked at him.

“Flash...you know I won't...”, she said. She was so desperate to see her friends.

“Fine...but just to be sure”, Flash approached her. Twilight froze, her heart sinking. 

“Sorry dear, but I can't take any chances...”, Flash suddenly snapped Twilight's left wing. Twilight cried out in pain, almost a scream, as she flinched. 

She then bit her lip, gritting her teeth, silencing her scream, not wanting to wake Spike. Her wing was twisted in an unnatural position, and the fracture caused her unbearable pain. 

She sweated, shutting her eyes tightly. She exhaled, blowing air out several times, trying to keep herself from going into shock from the dire pain. 

“Don't go telling those freak friends of yours...or I'll break your other wing”, he threatened. Twilight couldn't answer as she grimaced in pain, her wing burning. 

She continued to take deep breaths...not wanting Spike to wake up. 

I always suffered in silence...I couldn't let anypony know what was really happening. Every second of my life, the fear remained. The thought of King Sombra's return. 

Perhaps...if I wasn't broken from this fear and his threats, I would have fought more...

“I...I won't...”, she said, breathlessly.

“Good. You can leave in the morning”, Flash sneered. 

Twilight curled up, her wing still pulsing in pain, as Flash left the room. 

Only seconds after Celestia rose the sun, Spike lifted his eyelids. He blinked, hearing Twilight groaning painfully. 

“Twilight...?”, Spike rubbed his eyes, and stretched, yawning. His eyes widened then, seeing Twilight bandaging her wing. 

“Twilight! What happened?!”, he asked, worried. The young dragon hurried over. 

“It's nothing, Spike. I went for a flight last night, and crashed. I've always been a clumsy flyer”, Twilight lied, she forced an assuring smile. 

“That must have been a nasty crash...”, Spike said, worriedly. 

“It was...but don't worry about it. I got some good news”, Twilight smiled. 

“Yeah...?”, asked Spike but his eyes remained worried. 

“We're going to Ponyville for the whole day, to visit”, Twilight revealed. 

Spike gasped, and his eyes lit up. 

“We are?!”, he asked, excitedly. Twilight nodded. 

“YES! It's been so long! We have so much to catch up on!”, Spike cheered. Twilight smiled tiredly. 

“We better hurry before the train leaves. I already sent them a letter, so they'll be greeting us at the station”, Twilight said. 

She winced then, her wing still hurting bad. 

“Twilight...are you sure you're okay to go? Your wing really looks hurt”, Spike asked, worried. 

“I'm okay, Spike. We don't get to see our friends often, I can't let this stop me”, Twilight assured him. 

Spike blinked, worriedly. Twilight crashed many times, and never broke her wing before. At least...not this badly. 

At the train station, at the edge of Ponyville, a group of ponies waited, excited. 

“I can't wait much longer!!!!”, Pinkie Pie looked like she was going to explode. 

“She'll love your banner”, Cheese Sandwich smiled. He was holding a newborn foal. The foal was a colt, and orange. 

The two were married, and had three foals. 

“Yay, Auntie Twilight!”, cheered one of them. He was only a year old, still a toddler colt. His name was Applepie. 

“She hasn't even met our little brother, Applepie!”, cried CherryPie. She was the oldest foal, and a filly. She was dark pink, and had her mom's tail and eyes. She was 6 years old. 

“It's been over a year, ya'll”, Applejack added. Some things changed at Sweet Apple Acres. Granny Smith did pass away three years ago, and Big Mac and Marble Pie were dating. 

“It's really been too long”, Fluttershy agreed. She stood by a golden Pegasus. He had a green mane and tail, and his wings were quite big and beautiful. His Cutie Mark was three green paw prints, he had a special talent for animals like Fluttershy. 

“I haven't even met her yet”, her husband, Goldenfeathers said. 

“And she doesn't even know you're expecting, Fluttershy!”, Rainbow Dash said, excited. She stood by Soarin, the two married. 

“She hasn't seen us since you and Soarin got married”, Fluttershy said. 

“Speaking of which...Rainbow, why in tarnation are your wings tied?”, Applejack asked. Rainbow Dash groaned, annoyed. 

“Because somepony is overprotective”, she eyed Soarin when she said this. 

“Rainbow, you're due in only a month! And you're carrying twins! If you think I'm gonna let you fly in your condition, you can forget it”, Soarin said, putting his hoof down. 

“Ugh...I'm pregnant, not dying”, Rainbow rolled her eyes. She was quite big, and Soarin was always protective of her. 

Fluttershy was about 6 months along, and showing. 

“It's taking that train so long!”, Pinkie couldn't keep still, she was so excited. 

“She'll be here real soon now”, Rarity smiled, happy. 

There was a banner hanging over the station designed by Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich. It said “Welcome Home, Twilight!” 

“There's the train!”, squealed CherryPie, excitedly. 

“Where is it?!”, Pinkie asked, excited. 

“There!”, her daughter pointed. 

Sure enough, the train was seen in the distance.

“This is gonna be so awesome!”, Rainbow cried, beaming. 

“She's so close...!”, Fluttershy spread her wings, excited. 

“Twilight's actually coming home...!”, Pinkie was bouncing up and down nonstop, along with CherryPie. They seemed more like sisters. 

“Oh I wonder how she looks!”, Rarity cried, happily. 

“Maybe she's expecting a foal!”, Fluttershy wondered. 

“Now settle down, everypony. We shouldn't crowd her”, Applejack said, but her eyes were lit up. 

The train pulled up to the station. 

Pinkie bounced nonstop, her eyes big with excitement. 

The train door opened. Twilight went to step out with Spike, and the first thing she heard was Pinkie Pie's party canon, and confettie flew everywhere. 

“WELCOME HOME, TWILIGHT!”, her friends all cried, excitedly. Twilight froze, her heart skipped a beat, seeing the banner. Tears appeared in her eyes. 

I never thought I'd see their faces again...it was so overwhelming. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so happy...and safe. 

“TWILIGHT!”, Pinkie Pie rushed over, and hugged Twilight tightly. 

“Pinkie Pie...!”, Twilight cried, just as happy. 

She blinked tears from her eyes. The other girls hurried over for a group hug. 

“I missed you girls so much”, cried Twilight. 

“It's been so long, sugarcube!”, Applejack said, beaming. 

“Too long!”, Fluttershy added. 

“I thought I'd never see you again!”, Pinkie gripped Twilight tighter then. 

“Ow...Pinkie...”, Twilight wasn't able to bite back a whimper then. Pinkie blinked, and then her friends all saw it. 

Twilight winced again, her wing still bandaged. Her friends all gasped. 

“Twilight..?”, asked Rainbow, worriedly. 

“Darling, what happened to you?”, cried Rarity, fearfully. 

“That looks really bad..”, Fluttershy said, anxiously. 

“It's...nothing, girls”, Twilight said softly. 

“That ain't nothin', Twilight!”, Applejack said, worriedly. 

“I didn't do that from hugging you so tight, did I?”, cried Pinkie Pie, confused. 

“It's okay girls. I just...crashed last night from flying. It's really not so bad”, Twilight assured them. 

The looks on my friends' faces said it all. They didn't believe me. But...I couldn't say anything. 

“What on earth did you crash land onto?”, asked Rarity, worriedly. 

“It's...really gruesome looking”, admitted Rainbow. 

“It's really not that bad girls. It looks worse than it feels. Don't worry, okay? I feel fine”, Twilight reassured them. 

Before they could press the matter, CherryPie and Applepie suddenly ran over, hugging Twilight. 

“Auntie Twilight!”, they cried happily. “Cherrypie..! ApplePie! You grew so much!”, Twilight smiled, happy to see her godchildren again. 

"We have a new brother!" Applepie revealed. 

"What?", Twilight's heart skipped a beat. 

“Meet Pumpkinpie!”, Pinkie introduced. The orange colt sucked on his pacifier. Twilight's ears folded back, tears in her eyes. 

“Oh Pinkie...he's beautiful..I'm sorry. I should have been here”, Twilight cried. 

“It's fine, Twilight! We know you're extra busy in Canterlot”, Pinkie assured her, beaming. 

“We got lots of catching up to do”, Rainbow smiled, walking over. 

“Rainbow...you're...!”, Twilight was speechless.

“Yep...its twins”, Rainbow blushed. 

“Really?”, asked Twilight, smiling. 

“Yeah”, Rainbow replied. 

“Why are your wings tied?”, Twilight noticed. 

Rainbow groaned. 

“Because I don't want her flying when she's this pregnant”, replied Soarin, softly. 

“He worries too much! I'm not even due for another month!”, Rainbow complained. 

“But the doctor did say it could happen early, honey”, Soarin pointed out. 

“Pfft, what does he know?”, Rainbow rolled her eyes. 

Twilight watched the two, and even though they are arguing...she could see how much they loved and cared for each other. 

“He knows enough”, Soarin said. 

“He drives me crazy, Twilight!”, Rainbow ranted. Twilight smiled softly. 

“It's nice to see you have a husband who really cares about you...”, she said, looking down. The girls exchanged confused looks. 

“Well...you have Flash, Twi”, Applejack pointed out. 

“Oh...of course. Just...he's busy a lot, being part of the Royal guard”, Twilight said quickly. 

Rainbow Dash and Applejack exchanged worried glances. 

“Oh, Twilight, I have amazing news”, Fluttershy spoke up.

“What is it?”, asked Twilight, giving her friend a smile. 

Pinkie pie starred at Twilight, having gone strangely quiet. She had a look of worry in her eyes. 

“I know Twilight's smile...and that smile isn't right”, she muttered, worried. 

“What?”, asked Cheese Sandwich, hearing his wife.

“I'll tell ya later”, Pinkie replied. 

“Well, Goldenfeathers and I are married, and expecting a foal”, Fluttershy revealed. Her belly was alot smaller than Rainbow's, so Twilight didn't even notice at first.  

“Really? Oh Fluttershy, that's wonderful”, Twilight beamed, and the two hugged.

“So you're Princess Twilight Sparkle”, Goldenfeathers smiled. 

“Its nice to meet you”, Twilight said, as they shook hooves. 

“Come on girls, it's about time we all catch up. I got a whole feast of apple desserts waiting at the farm”, Applejack said. 

The ponies walked to Sweet Apple Acres. All of them noticed something wasn't quite right with Twilight. 

Soarin, Goldenfeather and Cheese Sandwich took Pinkie's foals, so the girls could spend some time alone. 

“So, are you and Flash expecting yet?”, asked Rarity.

“Oh...no. Not yet...he's been really busy”, Twilight replied. 

Rainbow Dash blinked, usually Twilight blushed when talking about Flash. But...nothing. No color at all. 

In fact, she looked paler than usual. 

Once they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, Twilight sniffed the air. She hadn't smelled fresh apples from Ponyville in so long. 

It felt so amazing to be back home...the smell of the apples, being surrounded by my friends, and just my hooves walking on the land. 

It felt like an entirely different world from Canterlot. 

It was comforting. 

The group sat on a picnic blanket, under an Apple tree. 

“Soup's on, everypony!”, Applejack brought all the food over. 

Rainbow Dash started eating like crazy.

“Hey! Rainbow! Save some, will ya?”, Applejack scolded. 

“Excuse me, AJ. I'm eating for not one, not two, three!”, Rainbow Dash shot back, as she continued eating. 

“She hates being babied about her pregnancy, unless food's involved”, Applejack commented. 

“It's so nice to be back here, girls”, Twilight smiled.

“Twilight...are you sure everything's all right, sweetie? You look so tired”, Rarity pointed out, worried. 

“I've had lots of royal duties at Canterlot...so I haven't been sleeping too well”, Twilight said, she took a bite out of an apple. 

“Well surely you get a break sometime”, Fluttershy said, concerned as she ate apple pie. 

“I do...just...not as much..as I...”, Twilight suddenly swayed. 

I felt so exhausted in that moment, from everything. Exhusated physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Twilight suddenly passed out. 

“Twilight...!”, Spike said worriedly, all the rest all looked worried and alarmed. 

“The poor thing's exhausted..”, Fluttershy said, worried. Rainbow froze then. 

She walked over to Twilight, and looked at her shoulder closer.

“Hey..girls...”, she said, seriously. 

"What's wrong?", asked Pinkie. 

"Come look...her shoulder...", Rainbow pointed, worriedly. 

“What the..?!”, Applejack froze, seeing it. 

“Is that a...bruise?”, asked Spike, worriedly. 

“Where'd it come from?”, asked Rarity. 

“I don't know...”, Spike looked shocked. 

“I only just noticed it”, admitted Rainbow.

“Is it from her crash?”, asked Fluttershy. 

“I don't think so...”, Applejack said, fearfully. 

“Something's not right...that's obvious”, Rainbow agreed. 

“I know Twilight's smile...and this smile she's had...its not hers”, Pinkie added, worriedly. 

“So what do we do? Something's going on, and she isn't telling us”, Rarity asked. 

“Spike, do you know?”, asked Rainbow. 

“I really don't...Twilight hasn't said anything to me”, Spike replied, worried. 

“Twilight's going to be here for the whole day...we should each try and get an answer out of her. She hasn't been herself since she arrived”, decided Rainbow. 

“Okay...we each take a turn”, Rarity agreed. 

“Starting...as soon as she wakes”, Pinkie added. 



> Visit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I gotta say, Twilight. You're really behind on the Daring Do series!”, Rainbow said. They were in the Ponyville book store. 

“I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I've been so busy, I've had no time to read”, admitted Twilight, as she looked at all the books. 

Rainbow's jaw dropped. 

“What?! You love to read!”, she cried, not believing what she just heard. 

“Oh, well..I still read. But only for studying purposes. I've been so busy in Canterlot, I didn't even know three new books were written”, Twilight explained quickly. 

Rainbow Dash was taking the turn first at trying to get Twilight to say what was really going on. Twilight looked at the new books. 

“Ooh, 'Daring Do and the Lost Unicorn Princess', she used her magic, to open the book and look inside. 

Looking at all these new books...it reminded me of how much I loved this stuff. It had been so long since I...even felt up to doing something I loved. Other than studying. 

“So...where did the bruise come from, Twilight?”, asked Rainbow Dash, as she walked up to her friend. 

She went to reach up, to grab 'Daring Do and the Phoenix of Ruby Forest'. 

“I got it, Dashie!”, Soarin quickly grabbed it for her. 

Rainbow rolled her eyes. 

“I told you, Rainbow Dash. I crash landed. I guess my shoulder bruised from it”, Twilight said quickly, as she flipped through the pages with her magic. 

“From the crash? I gotta say, Twilight. You've crashed dozens of times! And I never saw a bruise like that on you”, admitted Rainbow Dash, as she sat on a chair, looking through the book. 

Soarin quickly hurried over, and rubbed her back. 

“Thanks, Soren...”, Rainbow smiled, blushing. 

“Well, it was my worst one”, Twilight replied. 

I already knew what Rainbow Dash was trying to do...my friends knew me all too well. 

But...every time I almost broke and told them, I remembered his threats. The Crystal heart, Cadence, my niece...the entire fate of Equestria. 

“What did you crash land into?”, asked Rainbow. 

“Um...well, it was a tree”, Twilight lied quickly. She turned through the book pages more quickly. 

Soarin and Rainbow exchanged worried glances. Soarin gave his wife an encouraging look. 

Rainbow Dash sighed, as she set the book down. She got up, and walked over to Twilight. 

“Look...Twilight”, she took the book from her. 

Twilight blinked, looking at her friend. 

“I have to ask...is something going on? Something you're not telling us?”, Rainbow asked, a worried look in her eyes. 

“It's really nothing, Rainbow Dash. I just have been really busy in Canterlot”, Twilight said. It killed her to look into her friend's eyes and lie. 

But she had no choice. 

Rainbow Dash frowned. 

“Twilight, c'mon! You can tell us anything! We're friends!”, Rainbow Dash pleaded. 

Twilight looked away, a painful look in her eyes. 

“I crash landed last night, Rainbow. That's all”, she repeated. 

Rainbow Dash's ears folded back, worry in her eyes. 

“Twilight...”, she started. That reply was more than enough to confirm Rainbow's fears that something was very wrong. 

“I..promised Pinkie Pie I'd go see her. I'll see you later”, Twilight exited the book store then. 

“I don't know Twilight as well as you, Dashie, but even I can tell something's off”, Soarin admitted. 

“I don't understand, Soarin. She always comes to us for help...”, Rainbow Dash sighed, worriedly. 

Soarin gently wrapped his wing around her shoulders. 

“Do you...have an idea of what's wrong?”, he asked. 

Rainbow looked down, worriedly. 

“I...I'd rather not think about it”, she replied. 

If it caused Twilight to hide things from her best friends, it had to be something horrible. 

“I just hope Pinkie Pie, or somepony else can get an answer”, Soarin said. 

Twilight arrived at Sugar cube corner. She held her head low. 

'Rainbow Dash knows something's wrong..they all do. But...I can't tell them', Twilight fought back tears. 

“Twilight!”, Pinkie Pie's cheerful voice cried. Twilight looked up, seeing her friend waving from the counter. 

“Hey, Pinkie Pie”, Twilight forced a smile, as she trotted over. 

“How'd things go with Rainbow Dash?”, asked Pinkie, grinning. 

“They went okay...I had no idea A.K Yearling write three new books”, Twilight replied. 

“Totally! I haven't had time to keep up myself, with the foals its been a craaaazzzy year!”, Pinkie Pie bounced excitedly into the kitchen, Twilight following. 

“But one great thing, business is booming! The Cakes have added all kinds of new sweets to the menu! We even have an ice cream area now!”, Pinkie said, smiling. 

“You...still live in the Cake's attic?”, asked Twilight. 

“Don't be silly, Twilight! Cheese Sandwich bought a house in Ponyville for us! It's only two houses down from here! The attic's a play room for Pound and Pumpkin cake now”, Pinkie replied. 

"Since having kids, I only come here twice a week to help out", she added. 

“Pinkie...I have to apologize again”, Twilight said then. 

“For what?”, asked Pinkie, beaming. 

“I didn't even know you had a third foal. I...should have at least known”, Twilight replied, she looking down shamefully. 

“Awww, don't worry Twilight! I did send you a letter, but I guess it got lost in the mail”, Pinkie said. 

Twilight looked at Pinkie, as it hit her. 

“What's wrong, Twilight?”, asked Pinkie. 

“Oh...nothing”, Twilight looked down. Flash must have kept the letter. She glared slightly. 

“So, you want some ice cream?”, asked Pinkie Pie, as she led Twilight to where they kept it. 

“Um..sure”, Twilight replied. 

“What flavor? We got your common vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry! But then we got chocolate chip mint, lemon, butter pecan, cookies and cream, Rockey road, and almond fudge!”, Pinkie replied, excited. 

“Oh...well..”, Twilight started, about to say strawberry. 

“Wait! We got the more rare flavors! Cotton candy, bubblegum, green tea, coffee, party cake, and my personal favorite...”, Pinkie took a breath. 

“20 Layer of every Flavor, triple hot fudge, 300 sprinkle, extra thick whipped cream, chocolate chip, cherry on top Surprise!”, she said, as she finished building it, and showed it. 

“Wow...that's a mouthful”, Twilight said. 

“And a bigger mouthful to eat! It comes on a cone, or in a cup. But if you order it on a cone, you got to eat it real fast before it collapses! It's my own personal recipe!”, Pinkie then ate the whole thing then. 

“It sounds really good, but I'll just take a simple strawberry cone”, Twilight smiled softly. 

“Okay, strawberry cone it is!”, Pinkie Pie got it ready. 

Twilight went to pay. 

“Twilight! You don't have to pay, silly! We're friends!”, Pinkie assured her. 

“I know...but you have three foals. I'm guessing you can use all the help you can get”, Twilight explained. 

“Don't worry about it!”, Pinkie reassured her friend. 

Twilight smiled softly...she didn't realize how much she missed Pinkie's cheerful energy. 

“So...how's your wing feeling?”, Pinkie hinted then. 

“It's okay”, Twilight replied, she started to lick her ice cream. 

“You know Twilight...if it was something embarrassing...you can still talk about it”, Pinkie pressed. 

Twilight's ears folded back. Not Pinkie too...

“It was pretty embarrassing to crash land...”, she said quickly as she finished her ice cream. 

“Oh I know, I meant something so horrible, you can't even talk about it to your closest friends!”, Pinkie Pie said. 

Twilight froze, she even found herself cringing. 

“Pinkie...”, she started. 

“I mean...there are just some things you don't feel comfortable telling your friends. Or are too scared to! Maybe someone forced you not to tell...but Twilight, whatever's bothering you, you can tell us! You know that!”, Pinkie rambled. 

Twilight closed her eyes sadly, her ears folding back. 

“Pinkie...it's nothing”, she lied. 

Pinkie's eyes filled with worry, as she frowned. 

“Twilight...”, she placed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder, the one that wasn't bruised. Twilight looked at her friend, grimly. 

“You can tell me. We're friends”, Pinkie said, worriedly. The look in Pinkie's eyes broke Twilight's heart. She hated worrying her friends. 

How she wanted to just hug Pinkie, and cry, and tell her everything. 

But...she couldn't. 

She knew her friends wouldn't let her go back to Canterlot...and Flash would figure it out sooner than they could alert Celestia. 

The very thought of the Crystal heart vanishing...and the Crystal Empire covered in an eternal winter, along with the rest of Equestria. 

King Sombra's return...and the lives of everypony...Twilight couldn't bear it. The very risk of that possibility...was too great. 

She forced a smile. 

“Pinkie Pie, you're worrying over nothing. Nothing is going on”, she lied. 

Pinkie's ears dropped down. That wasn't Twilight's real smile. 

“I better go...Rarity wants to visit with me. And I only have today...”, Twilight hurried out then. 

“Twilight!”, Pinkie called, but Twilight was gone. 

“You're kidding? You have a shop in Manehatten, Rarity?”, asked Twilight. 

She was at Rarity's house, and the two were catching up. 

“Oh well, I'm just the founder and designer. Its managed by other ponies. Of course, I am the boss of the manager”, Rarity replied. 

“It's called Rarity's Radiant Boutique”, Rarity added, smiling. 

“It sounds beautiful...”, Twilight smiled. 

“It is...I can only go see it once a month though, due to designing a huge line of outfits”, Rarity replied. 

“I should go see it soon. I haven't had any time to leave Canterlot...”, Twilight said. 

Rarity looked at her friend, worried. 

“Twilight...if you have anything you want to talk about, darling. Anything at all, you know you can, right?”, asked Rarity. 

Twilight sighed softly. 

“I know...but there's nothing. It's just been really hectic”, Twilight assured her. 

“Well...how can I put this delicately...you've seemed to lose your sparkle...Twilight Sparkle. And well, we can't help but wonder if something is going on you're not telling us”, Rarity explained. 

Twilight's ears folded back. 

“The day will soon be over...I have to see Applejack and Fluttershy before it does”, she said then. 

Rarity blinked, surprised. 

“Twilight! I didn't mean to upset you”, she cried, worried. 

“You didn't, Rarity. I'm just so busy and can't stay as long as I wish”, Twilight said, there was a sad look in her eyes. 

She left, closing the door behind her. 

"Oh Twilight...", Rarity cried, worriedly, her ears folding back. 

Applejack bucked a tree, apples falling from it. 

“So, how was your visit with Rarity?”, she asked. 

“It was fine, I couldn't believe she has a store opened in Manehatten”, Twilight replied. 

“It's as big as a mall! Who knew a store bigger than five barns could be filled up with just clothes!”, Applejack said. 

“Well, that's Rarity”, smiled Twilight. Applejack looked at her friend, worried. 

“Twilight, look...I'm just gonna be honest with ya. You're not telling us something!”, she said. 

“Applejack, I'm really telling you everything. There's nothing for you to worry about”, Twilight assured. 

Applejack frowned at Twilight. 

“Sugarcube, come on. You know you can tell us anything”, she said. 

Twilight looked away. 

“Why is everypony so sure something's wrong? It's not like I came back all beat up...”, Twilight froze then at what she just said. 

“Beat up? I thought you crash landed?”, Applejack pressed, sensing she was close to getting an answer. 

“I meant...you know, its not like I look like anything's wrong. You girls worry too much. I crash land, and you think...I don't know”, Twilight struggled to keep lying to Applejack, sweating now. 

“No, you don't. But you're acting like something's wrong”, Applejack pointed out. 

Twilight looked down. She wanted to tell Applejack...but she couldn't. 

“I'm sorry, Applejack”, Twilight said. She fought back tears. 

“Just talk to me, sugarcube...”, Applejack said, gently. 

“I got to go meet Fluttershy!”, Twilight galloped off then, seeing it was close to sunset. 

“Twilight, wait!”, Applejack cried, but she was gone. 

"I don't care what she says, she ain't telling us something", Applejack sighed. 

"Yep", Big Mac agreed, as he walked over. 

“I'm so glad you had time to stop by before you had to return to Canterlot”, Fluttershy said. 

“I wouldn't forget you, Fluttershy”, Twilight smiled sadly. 

“You know...maybe you could sleep over! It would be lots of fun”, Fluttershy suggested. 

Twilight looked down, sadly.

“Oh...I'm sorry Twilight. You're too busy”, Fluttershy said, she looked sad. 

“Don't apologize, Fluttershy. I'm the one who's sorry. I just...don't have time”, Twilight replied, sadly. 

“Oh...you poor thing. You're so busy all the time. I'm sure Princess Celestia wouldn't mind if you slept over. You really look like you need the break”, Fluttershy pressed. 

She was the last one left to get an answer out of Twilight, and they were almost out of time. 

“Fluttershy, I wish I could. But I can't”, Twilight said, more firmly. But a sad look remained in her eyes. 

“Twilight...you can talk to me. You obviously got something on your chest”, Fluttershy continued. 

“It's nothing, Fluttershy. I have to head back now...Celestia's already lowering the sun”, Twilight noticed, as she looked at the sky. 

“Wait!”, cried Fluttershy, blocking her. 

“Can't you stay just a little longer? For tea?”, she asked. 

“I can't...I'm sorry, Fluttershy. It was really great seeing you again”, Twilight said. 

“When can you come back?”, Fluttershy asking, starting to panic. 

“I..I don't know. I'll let you girls know”, Twilight replied, she went to leave. 

Fluttershy panicked, sweating. 

“Twilight!”, she then did something unexpected. She hugged Twilight tightly. 

Twilight blinked, and froze. 

“I'm sorry...I just...have missed you so much. And...I want you to tell me what's wrong”, cried Fluttershy. 

Twilight felt a heavy lump in her throat, as she fought back heavy tears. 

“Fluttershy...please...”, she cried. 

“I know you don't want to talk about it...but something awful must have happened...”, Fluttershy said. 

Twilight shut her eyes tightly. 

“I...”, she almost said it...about to break down. 

She felt so comforted in Fluttershy's embrace...her friend...the element of kindness. 

But...she remembered Flash's threat. The Crystal Heart...eternal winter...King Sombra. 

Twilight's ears folded back, she didn't want to do this. But there was no other way. 

“Fluttershy, stop it!”, Twilight pulled herself from Fluttershy, glaring. 

“What...?”, Fluttershy looked surprised. 

“I don't know why you and everypony is so convinced something’s wrong! But it's getting annoying now! Nothing is wrong!”, Twilight yelled. 

Fluttershy blinked tearfully, hurt at first. 

“So please...stop asking me”, Twilight finished, shaking. Fluttershy froze then, seeing tears in Twilight's eyes. 

“Twilight...”, she reached her hoof out, but Twilight galloped off. She picked up Spike, who was hanging out at the Bowling Alley. 

Twilight ran towards the train station. 

“Twilight...? It's still early! The train isn't there yet!”, Spike complained. 

“It will be in a few minutes, don't want to miss it”, replied Twilight. 

“Oh come on! I almost bowled a turkey!”, Spike whined. 

“Twilight!”, came five voices. 

Twilight panicked, she stopped. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity were following her. 

“Wait!”, yelled Pinkie Pie. 

Twilight looked back at them. 

They all stopped, looking at her. 

“I'm sorry girls. I want to talk to you all, but I just can't! I'll be okay, the best thing you can do for me is not worry”, Twilight cried. 

Spike didn't say anything. He was still unsure if anything was really going on, being a child dragon. 

“Twilight, you know you can talk to us!”, Rainbow Dash said, urgently. 

“If you're in any kind of trouble, you know we'll keep you safe”, added Fluttershy. 

“Please, sugarcube. We know you! Something's wrong!”, Applejack said. 

“Whatever's happened, you can tell us, sweetie”, Rarity said. 

“Did you and Flash have a fight?”, asked Pinkie. 

Spike blinked, worriedly. 

“Twilight...what are they talking about?”, he asked. 

Twilight looked away, she turned her back to her friends, her head low. 

“I'm sorry girls...”, was all she could say. A single tear escaped her eye, hitting the ground. 

She galloped off, Spike holding on tight. 

“Twilight!”, the girls followed, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy slower than the rest. 

They made it to the station, but the train had just left. 

“Twilight...”, cried Pinkie, worriedly. The rest of the girls all looked worried as well. 



> Spike Finds Out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




The train continued towards Canterlot. It was dark now, a full moon out. The lights were on in the train, it wasn't very crowded. 

Twilight sat by the window, starring out at the star filled sky. Her wing still pulsed in pain, her ears folded back. 

“Twilight...why were our friends so worried about you? It's not like this was the first time you crashed”, Spike asked, confused. 

Of course Spike wondered why...but I couldn't tell him. I couldn't even tell Spike..my longest friend. 

“It's nothing Spike, they were just worried since I haven't seen them in so long”, Twilight replied, although she was unable to look at him. 

“I know that...but still. They seemed really anxious that we stay longer”, Spike pointed out. 

“I wish we could have, Spike. But I simply have too much to do”, Twilight said, still gazing out the train window. 

“I know...but I really miss Ponyville. And the castle...”, Spike sighed sadly. 

He then blinked, seeing Twilight had fallen asleep. She looked exhausted.

Spike looked at her worried. She seemed so tired lately, more than ever. 

As she slept, Spike looked at the bruise on her shoulder again. The bluish black color hadn't even faded in the slightest. 

The young dragon gently went to feel it, worried. As soon as he lightly touched it, Twilight flinched in her sleep, squeezing her eyes shut tighter. 

“Twilight...”, Spike looked down, worried. 

He knew something wasn't right, but being a child dragon still, he couldn't figure it out on his own. 

Back in Ponyville, the group remained at the train station. 

“We couldn't get her to tell us anything”, Rarity sighed, worried. 

“Something ain't right, that's obvious”, added Applejack. 

“We know she's hurt...”, Fluttershy pointed out softly. 

“I hated seeing Twilight like that...she was so sad”, Pinkie looked down, tears sparkling in her blue eyes. Fluttershy gently rubbed Pinkie's shoulder, comforting her. 

Rainbow Dash was quiet the whole time. 

“RD, you feeling okay?”, Applejack asked, worriedly, thinking it might be the twins. 

“I'm not sure..”, Rainbow Dash replied, as she kept looking down. 

Fluttershy let out a dramatic, but adorable and small gasp. 

“Are you in pain?”, she asked, worriedly. 

“No, it's nothing to do with my foals...I'm worried about Twilight”, Rainbow Dash explained, glancing up at them. 

The girls all sighed in relief. 

“Don't scare us like that, darling”, Rarity said. 

“We're all worried”, Pinkie said. 

“I just...”, Rainbow Dash sat down. 

“What is it?”, asked Fluttershy, walking over to her. 

“I...I might have..figured out what's wrong”, Rainbow Dash admitted then. 

All the girls crowded her then. 

“You do?!”, cried Pinkie, anxiously. 

“Tell us!”, Applejack said, urgently. 

“I...feel terrible for thinking this. But...the way she acted. And...her broken wing, and the bruises...but most of all it was her eyes. They looked....different”, Rainbow Dash started, hesitating to say it. 

“You don't reckon...”, Applejack started, nervously. 

Rainbow Dash looked towards Canterlot. 

“What if...Flash...”, she started. 

“Hurt her?”, Pinkie Pie finished Rainbow's sentence. 

Rainbow looked at her. 

“To be honest...I thought about the same thing, but I didn't know if any of you would agree”, Fluttershy spoke up, softly. 

“It seems...we all figured it out”, Rarity added, worriedly. 

“If he's...really abusing her, why hasn't she just come to us?”, asked Rainbow Dash, fearfully. 

“Something wasn't right with Twilight...it was like she was broken”, Fluttershy said. 

“Well duh! Her wing was broken!”, Pinkie Pie said then, cluelessly. 

“No, sugarcube. We mean her spirit seemed broken”, Applejack explained. 

“The way she constantly held her head low...almost like she was constantly submitting...”, Rainbow pointed out. 

“And her ears were always folded back, and she looked almost terrified”, Rarity said. 

“And her smile...was not her real smile. It was forced...”, Pinkie Pie added. 

“She almost started crying when I talked to her. I could see it in her eyes...”, Applejack said. 

“Same with me”, Fluttershy added. 

“So what do we do?”, cried Rarity. 

“We'll have to go to Canterlot tomorrow morning”, decided Rainbow Dash. 

“But...any time we've tried visiting her before, she was always busy”, said Fluttershy, sadly. 

“And wasn't it Flash who always sent us off?”, Applejack recalled, glaring. 

“How could all this be going on under Princess Celestia's nose?! How hasn't she even noticed?”, asked Rainbow, frustrated. 

“The only thing I can think of is Flash Sentry must have done something to ensure Twilight keeps it a secret. It's easier for her to break in front of us, than Celestia”, Rarity figured. 

“Then it's settled. Tomorrow, we go to the Princess and tell her”, Applejack said. 

The girls parted for the evening. Rainbow Dash and Soarin returned to CloudsDale for the evening. 

“So you're going to Canterlot tomorrow?”, asked Soarin. 

“We have to. Twilight needs us”, Rainbow replied, as she got into bed, being careful with her swollen belly. 

Tank climbed up beside her, smiling slowly. 

“I can come with you if you want”, Soarin offered, worriedly. 

“The wonderbolts need your help tomorrow, we'll be fine”, assured Rainbow, as she petted Tank. She wore her Tank slippers, while Tank wore his Rainbow dash slippers. 

Tank nuzzled Rainbow's stomach sweetly, and Rainbow dash petted him. 

“Spitfire can handle it, if you need me to come, I will”, Soarin said worriedly. He climbed into bed with Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash was currently on maternity leave, but she still was part of the Wonderbolts team. So was Soarin. 

“It's really fine, Soarin. But thanks anyway”, Rainbow smiled softly, as the two Pegasus lay by each other. 

Tank climbed to the bottom of the bed, and yawned. He fell asleep. 

“If you're sure, Dashie...I don't want you too stressed right now”, Soarin pointed out, worried. He gently placed his hoof on her stomach. 

“I know, but Twilight needs us”, Rainbow replied, her ears folding back, the twin foals both kicking a the same time. 

The train arrived at Canterlot. Twilight walked out with Spike. She yawned, tired. 

“Twilight, how's your wing?”, asked Spike, concerned. 

“It still hurts, but it'll be fine”, Twilight assured him. 

“But Twilight...”, Spike suddenly yawned, just as tired. He passed out then. 

Twilight smiled softly. 

“Let's get you to bed, Spike”, she lifted him up with her magic, and placed his sleeping form gently on her back.  

She went to walk forward, but then froze, seeing Flash. 

“You're late”, he growled, walking up to her. 

“I'm sorry...my friends just really missed me”, Twilight explained, she held her head low, as she walked passed him. 

Flash glared, as he followed her. The two entered the castle, and saw Princess Luna. 

“How was your visit, Twilight?”, she asked kindly. 

“It went really good, I missed seeing them”, Twilight forced a smile. 

“It was good for her to get out”, Flash added. He put up an amazing act, as he gently wrapped his wing around Twilight's shoulders. 

Luna blinked then. 

“What happened to your wing, Twilight?”, she asked. 

“Oh...I crash landed last night”, replied Twilight. 

“I got her to the doctor, he said it should heal within a few days”, Flash added. 

Luna looked at them both. 

“I don't recall seeing you flying last night, Twilight Sparkle”, she pointed out, a look of suspicion in her eyes. 

“Really? I was in the garden”, Twilight lied. She started to sweat. 

It would have been easier to convince Celestia, since she slept at night. 

But Luna, being the Princess of the Moon, was up all night, and watched over the kingdom while her sister slept. 

“Well...if you say so”, Luna said. 

“Don't worry, I'll be okay. Goodnight, Luna”, Twilight smiled softly, as she and Flash began walking upstairs. 

“Goodnight, Twilight Sparkle”, Luna watched them go. She looked concerned. 

“You didn't say anything?”, Flash asked once they were close to their bedroom. 

“To my friends...?”, asked Twilight, tired. 

“No, the ponies of Las Pegasus!”, Flash snorted, sarcastically. 

Twilight glared. 

“No, I didn't say anything. It's not like this broken wing wasn't a dead give away”, she snapped, she used her magic to gently tuck Spike in. 

Flash glared. He suddenly shoved Twilight, causing her to lose her balance. 

Twilight cried out, and as she hit the floor, Flash stood over her, stomping his hoof on her good wing. 

Twilight flinched, grimacing in pain. 

“It will be TWO broken wings, if you don't lose that attitude”, he growled, dangerously. 

Twilight fell silent, a look of fear in her eyes. 

“I'm sorry...”, she said quietly, looking away. Flash glared, as he got off her. 

“Be sure to get up early, like the Princess expects”, he then left, slamming the door. 

Twilight got up, she just realized she was shaking.  

She looked down, and climbed into bed. Her good wing felt sore, but wasn't broken. Yet. 

I didn't get any sleep that night. I felt so tired...but I couldn't stop worrying. Every night, I lived in fear Flash would do something to Spike, when I wasn't looking. 

What would stop him? I couldn't bear it. 

After Princess Celestia raised the sun, the train arrived early to Canterlot. 

Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack got off. 

“Remember, ya'll. We have to talk to the princess”, Applejack said. They walked toward the castle. 

Flash watched from the window. He glared. 

“Them again”, he said, irritated. 

“Who..?”, Twilight asked, tiredly, as she got out of bed. Spike had left to get breakfast already. 

“Your stupid friends, from Ponyville!”, yelled Flash, angrily. 

Twilight's heart sunk. They were here??

“And it looks like they're going to Princess Celestia”, Flash added, glaring. 

“What...?”, she cried. She should have known...they figured it out. She would have felt relieved...except Princess Celestia had to suddenly leave this morning, on urgent business in ManeHatten. 

“You told them something, didn't you?”, Flash asked then, his tone dangerous. 

“I didn't! You really think I'd risk King Sombra's return?!”, Twilight yelled back. She felt scared, angry, and frustrated all at once. 

“Would you?”, Flash demanded, glaring. 

“No!!”, Twilight yelled, somehow...with her friends close, she felt less scared. 

But the look in Flash's eyes told her that was a big mistake. 

Flash glared at her. 

“What did I tell you...?”, he asked. Twilight didn't answer, still glaring. 

Flash suddenly slammed her against the wall. Twilight cried out loudly in pain, from her wing. 

“Do you want eternal winter? Is that it?”, Flash threatened. Twilight's heart sunk, the fear returning. 

“No...!”, she repeated, shaking. 

“I just can't keep you quiet, can I?”, Flash suddenly slammed his hoof into her bruised shoulder. 

Spike was walking down the empty hall, carrying his Rarity plush, and dragging his blanket. 

“Those pancakes were delicious!”, he said, happily. 

He got closer to the bedroom. 

“I wonder if Twilight's awake?”, he was about to turn the knob, when an ear splitting scream was heard. 

The scream was horrifying...like somepony was being tortured. 

Spike jumped back, startled at first. His heart sunk then. 

“T-Twilight....?”, he recognized her voice. 

And then...another voice. 

“SHUT UP!”, Flash's angry voice was heard. Spike's eyes grew wide, as his heart sunk. He then heard what sounded like...somepony was hitting another. Violently. 

And then Twilight crying out in pain and fear again. 

“What's...going on?”, he continued to listen, his eyes wide in fear. 

“One more...just ONE MORE stunt like this...and you can kiss the Crystal Empire goodbye!”, Spike heard Flash warn. 

“What?! The crystal empire?”, Spike blinked. 

“I'm sorry...just please stop...before Spike comes back...”, Spike heard Twilight plead. Her voice sounded very shaky. 

“Is that all you care about? That stupid dragon of yours?!”, Flash sneered. 

Spike then heard somepony approaching the door. He quick hid, and saw Flash exiting the bedroom. 

“Now I got to get rid of those stupid friends of hers...again”, he complained, as he left the hall. 

Spike looked back to the bedroom, hearing Twilight crying softly. 

“Twilight...”, he carefully approached the room. 

He quietly entered, and he froze. 

“Twilight...!”, his eyes filled with horror, seeing it. 

“Spike..!”, Twilight was laying on the floor, she had been curled up, crying. 

Her shoulders, legs, neck, and side were all bruised up. Her already broken wing suddenly looked worse, the bandage off. 

Her other wing appeared bruised, and there was also a bruise under her left eye. Her entire body was shaking violently. 

“Spike...you heard....”, Twilight realized. 
> An Urgent Situation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike was speechless at first, unsure what to say. Twilight was so battered, and bruised. Her body was covered in bruises, and her whole body was visibly shaking. 

He never thought in a million years he'd see her like this. It terrified and angered the young dragon. 

“Twilight...!”, he ran over to her, worried.  

“Spike...you heard it all...?”, asked Twilight, fearfully. She struggled to sit up. Spike helped her very gently, he was afraid to touch her almost, not wanting to hurt her more. She seemed so delicate. 

“Why didn't you tell me?! Or our friends? Or Princess Celestia?!”, demanded Spike, worriedly. 

“I wanted too...but I couldn't”, Twilight started, she flinched then, hurting bad. 

“Twilight! Take it easy...just lay down”, Spike fretted. 

Twilight blinked tears from her eyes, the pain in her broken wing the worst. She breathed shakily, as she struggled to climb onto her bed. 

“I'm sorry Spike...you shouldn't have heard any of that”, she cried then, tearfully. Spike looked at her shocked. She had just been hurt...and all she cared about was Spike seeing it?

“Twilight...! Don't worry about me...you're the one who was hurt!”, he cried, urgently. 

“I'll be fine...”, Twilight sighed weakly, lay down weakly, still shaking. 

“No you won't! Not until we get help!”, Spike glared, worried. 

Twilight's ears perked, and her heart sunk. 

“No, Spike! You can't tell anypony!”, she cried, urgently. 

“What?! But Twilight...”, Spike started. 

“Please Spike...he told me...if I tell anypony, he knows how to remove the Crystal Heart”, Twilight explained. 

“What?!”, Spike looked shocked. 

“If it wasn't for that...I would have went to our friends...but..”, Twilight's ears folded back, as she looked down. 

“But Twilight...what if he's just saying that stuff?”, asked Spike, worriedly. 

“I can't chance it, Spike. The Crystal Empire, Shining Armor, Cadence, my niece...all of Equestria”, Twilight said, grimly. 

“Twilight...”, Spike looked at her, horrified. She was truly broken. Broken by fear. 

Spike clenched his fists then, his claws digging into his palms. 

“How long?”, he asked, shakily. 

“What...?”, Twilight looked at him weakly. 

“How long has he been doing this to you!?”, demanded Spike, raising his voice a bit. 

To his horror, Twilight flinched at his tone.  

“Twilight...no! I'm not yelling at you...”, Spike cried, as he hurried to her side. 

“I'm sorry Spike, I know you're not. For...two years...”, Twilight answered him, still shaking. 

Spike glared...for two years, Twilight suffered. Suffered in silence. And had the fate of Equestria on her shoulders. 

He couldn't let this continue...Twilight was like a mother to him. 

“Spike...promise me. Promise me you won't say anything”, pleaded Twilight. 

“I promise, Twilight...”, Spike crossed his fingers behind his back. 

He didn't want to lie to Twilight, but at the same time he knew he had to get her help. 

“Just try and get some rest...”, Spike gently tucked Twilight in. Twilight was still shaking, but she felt somewhat soothed by his presence. 

Spike watched her drift into a restless sleep. 

“I can't keep that kind of promise...I'm sorry, Twilight”, he said quietly. He hurried out. 

Downstairs, Flash was seeing Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy off. 

“...Like I said, her wing is not doing so good today, so she really needs her rest”, he explained. 

“Well if her wing's THAT bad, why isn't she in the hospital?”, demanded Rainbow Dash. 

“I was going to take her there right now, but then you all showed up”, Flash shot back. 

“We're just really worried about her...”, Fluttershy explained, softly. 

“Well you don't have to!”, Flash snapped then. Fluttershy flinched, tears sparkling in her eyes. 

“HEY! Nopony talks to Fluttershy like that! She might be more sensitive while pregnant, but I'm not! I'm more angry!”, Rainbow yelled, she even snorted, ready for a fight. 

The difference between their hormones was night and day. 

“Easy, RD...”, Applejack pulled her back by her tail, gently. 

“Excuse our friend, as you can see, she has hormones...”, Rarity started. 

“IT'S NOT MY HORMONES!”, Rainbow yelled in her face, the volume so loud that it straightened Rarity's mane. 

“Whoa nelly...take it down a notch, Rainbow”, Applejack pulled her away more. 

“What is with you, AJ?! We know what this jerk is doing to Twilight!”, Rainbow growled, the two had backed away, while the rest continued talking to Flash. 

“If we really want to see Twilight, we got to be nicer...let Rarity and the rest handle it”, Applejack explained. 

Rainbow glared, impatient.

“...so you see, we're just very worried about our friend, and we'd be oh so grateful if you'd let us just see her”, Rarity said. 

“Even if it's just for a few minutes! Or a minute! Or half a minute! Or...”, Pinkie babbled. 

“We won't bother anypony”, Fluttershy added, quietly. 

Flash stood firm. He had to put on a better act. 

“I'm sorry, but she really isn't feeling well. I apologize for my rudeness, but I'm just worried about her”, he said, in the kindest tone he could make. 

Rarity and Pinkie both glared, while Fluttershy looked down, sadly. 

“Are you kidd!-”, Pinkie started to yell, when Rarity grabbed her, covering her mouth with her hoof. 

“We understand, thank you anyway. We'll come back another time..”, Rarity said, they walked away. 

Flash glared, and closed the door. 

“Well?!”, demanded Rainbow, anxiously. 

“No good...”, Rarity replied. 

“We should just barge in there! There's five of us!”, Pinkie shouted, frustrated. 

“We're being too nice! I'm getting in there, even if I have to use the Sonic Rainboom!”, Rainbow growled. 

“In your condition? Rainbow Dash, you know you can't...”, Fluttershy pointed out, worried. 

Rainbow's ears folded back, a look of frustration on her face, as she looked at her swollen belly. 

“What do we do then?! Twilight's our friend! We can't just abandon her!”, Rainbow cried. 

“Since Princess Celestia isn't back yet, we go to Princess Luna. Tonight”, Applejack said. 

Flash walked down the corridor, he sighed, annoyed. 

“It took forever to get rid of them”, he complained. 

He then paused, seeing Spike standing in the middle of the hall. The little dragon was glaring, his fists clenched. 

“Oh hey Spike, how's my buddy doing?”, Flash faked a smile, as he trotted over. 

Spike glared. 

“I'm NOT your buddy”, he growled. Flash frowned at him. 

“What's got your tail in a knot?”, he asked. 

“I saw what you did to Twilight...and as long as I'm around, nopony....NOPONY treats her like that!”, Spike snapped. 

“Oh, and what are YOU gonna do about it?”, Flash asked, he smirked evilly. 

“I'm gonna...gonna...”, Spike panicked, but then he glared and tried to breathe fire at Flash. 

But only a weak little green flame came out. 

Flash glared, he then picked Spike up by the tail. 

“Hey! Put me down!”, Spike yelled, as Flash walked out onto the balcony. It was a 30 feet drop. 

“What are you doing?!”, Spike panicked, scared. Flash held him over the balcony's edge. 

Spike's heart sunk, as his eyes grew wide in fear, seeing how far down it was. Nopony was there, it was just the ground, some trees and a fountain. 

“You're not around anymore”, Flash sneered, he then let go of Spike. 

Spike screamed, as he tried to grab anything, but continued to fall. Flash glared, and walked back inside. 

Spike landed in the fountain, water splashing everywhere. 

Spike surfaced, gasping for air. He climbed out, groaning. His head hurt bad, and so did both of his legs. 

“I gotta...save Twilight...”, Spike struggled to stand, but then yelled out in pain, collapsing back down.

Both of his legs were broken. 

“No...! Come on!”, Spike tried again, but his legs hurt too much. He would normally be screaming in pain, but all he could think about was saving Twilight. 

His worry for her distracted him from the majority of the pain. 

His heart sunk, being a child dragon, he panicked. 

“Oh no...I'm gonna be stuck here...forever! And Twilight...!”, Spike panicked, when suddenly he heard somepony entering the courtyard. 

“Oh...its a public courtyard...”, Spike blushed, embarrassed. 

“Hey! Help!”, he called, urgently. 

To his relief and happiness, it was somepony he knew. 

“Spike?! What happened to you?!”, MoonDancer galloped over, worried. She was wearing her mane like Twilight's, wearing her dark gray sweater. 

“MoonDancer...thank Celestia! Twilight's in trouble...!”, Spike started, he winced in pain. 

MoonDancer blinked, and then she suddenly frowned. 

“Oh..I see”, was all she said. She then turned her back on Spike. 

“MoonDancer?!”, Spike cried, panicked. 

Ever since Twilight married Flash, she had distanced herself from everypony due to the abuse. And couldn't tell anyone why. 

MoonDancer, having been bitter towards Twilight in the past, was the most hurt about it all. Of course she was oblivious to the what was really happening. 

“Now she needs my help? She didn't seem to need it for the passed two years”, MoonDancer snorted. 

“No, you don't understand! Twilight's in trouble! She hasn't been purposely ignoring you!”, Spike started. 

MoonDancer blinked then. 

“How did you break your legs?”, she asked, mildly concerned. 

“MoonDancer, listen! Flash has been hurting Twilight!”, Spike yelled. 

“Oh that's rich...did she come up with that herself?”, MoonDancer snapped. 

“I'm SERIOUS! Flash has been abusing Twilight all this time! She couldn't even tell her friends in Ponyville, or Princess Celestia! Not even her family! She didn't even tell me until I found out!”, Spike yelled, urgently. 

MoonDancer starred at the young dragon. She noticed his head had a bump on it, and he was even crying at this point. 

Her ears folded back...was this..true? 

“Please...! She needs help...!”, Spike sobbed, tears in his eyes. 

MoonDancer hesitated, but she kept getting a sinking feeling. 

“Where is she...?”, she asked. 

In the castle, Twilight sat on her bed, her head low. It was dark in the room. 

The door suddenly opened. Twilight flinched, thinking it was Flash, she didn't even turn to look. 

“Twilight...?”, MoonDancer's soft voice caught her ear. Twilight's heart skipped a beat...she hadn't heard her old friend's voice in so long. 

She turned to look. MoonDancer stood there, an unconscious Spike on her back. 

“MoonDancer....!?”, cried Twilight. 

MoonDancer walked over, and gently set Spike in his bed. She got a good look at Twilight, and her heart sunk. 

Twilight was all bruised, and she was visibly shaking. And her wing...it was a gruesome sight. It was twisted in an unnatural way, some feathers have even fallen off. 

“It's true...you really are...”, MoonDancer's heart sunk, tears appearing in her eyes. 

Twilight felt such relief fill her, seeing MoonDancer here. It was the same relief she felt when seeing her friends in Ponyville again. 

Her eyes filled with tears. 

She got off the bed, and limped over. MoonDancer didn't make her walk over, she rushed over, and the two ponies hugged. 

Twilight instantly broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. 

“Why?! Twilight, why didn't you tell me?! Or anypony?! Your brother! Princess Cadence!”, asked MoonDancer, crying herself. She stroked Twilight's mane gently. 

“I...I couldn't! Flash knows a way to remove the Crystal Heart...”, Twilight went on to explain his threats to MoonDancer, in between sobbing. 

“You had all this on your shoulders...?”, cried MoonDancer, once Twilight finished. 

“I couldn't risk any of that happening...so...I suffered in silence”, replied Twilight, still crying. 

Spike stirred weakly then. 

“Twilight!”, he went to move, but winced. 

“Spike...! What happened?!”, cried Twilight, fearfully. 

“Flash threw him off the balcony...”, replied MoonDancer. 

Twilight's heart sunk...Spike must have confronted Flash. 

“Twilight...I know you're scared. But you're my best friend. I won't let this continue. We have to go to Princess Celestia”, MoonDancer said, firmly. 

“We're not taking no for an answer!”, Spike added, clutching his legs. 

“I know...and you're both right. We have to go to the princess”, Twilight said then. 

Spike blinked, shocked she agreed so quickly. But also relieved. 

“Really?”, he asked, glad. 

“Yes...because I can't let you get hurt again, Spike...”, Twilight replied. 

“And...not just for you”, she added. 

“For your sake too”, MoonDancer said. 

Twilight's ears folded back, she closed her eyes, a grim look on her face, as she sat down, turning her back to them. 

“Twilight...?”, asked MoonDancer, worried. 

“It's...not just me...”, Twilight started, weakly. Spike looked at her, confused. 

“I thought I could continue to suffer in silence...to protect the Crystal Empire, and all of Equestria...but things have changed...”, Twilight explained. 

“Because of Spike getting hurt?”, asked MoonDancer. 

“That...and...”, Twilight looked at them. 

“I'm pregnant...”, she revealed then, grimly. 
> Safe
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

MoonDancer froze, she was speechless at first. Spike looked confused, not understanding. He scratched his head. 

“What...?”, MoonDancer asked, shocked. Twilight faced them, an anxious look in her eyes. 

“Are...are you sure?”, stammered MoonDancer. Twilight looked down. She got up weakly, and turned a light on with her magic. 

“Look....”, she said, softly. It was subtle, but Twilight's abdomen was just starting to swell. 

MoonDancer's ears folded back, her eyes filled with worry. 

“You're already showing...?!”, she cried, anxiously. 

“I had symptoms...but I just thought it was stress. Until...I looked in the mirror”, Twilight explained, weakly. 

“I don't get it, she just put on some weight”, Spike spoke up. 

“No, Spike. Twilight's going to have a baby...”, MoonDancer explained, gently. Spike starred at her blankly, and then his eyes grew wide. 

“WHAT?!”, he asked, in shock. 

“I don't even know how far along I am...I know I can't be more than three months”, Twilight added, worriedly. 

“Twilight...if Flash hurts you again...he could hurt the foal, right?”, Spike asked, urgently. 

“He could, and he will. He hurt you, Spike”, Twilight replied, worriedly. 

“We have to go to Princess Celestia right now”, MoonDancer said, worriedly. Twilight nodded weakly, but just as they went to leave, the door opened. 

Standing there, was Flash Sentry. 

Twilight instantly backed up, holding her head low. 

“MoonDancer? It's rude to drop in uninvited”, he commented. MoonDancer glared. Her horn suddenly glowed, and she blasted magic at him. 

Flash dodged it just in time, and he glared. 

“Back OFF!”, MoonDancer growled, she counted her hoof into the floor, protecting Twilight and Spike. 

“I see...”, Flash sneered. 

“So Twilight told you everything”, he concluded. 

“Your threats aren't going to scare me, or keep my mouth shut. I'm not a princess who's responsible for Equestria. You put that weight on my friend's shoulders all this time...”, MoonDancer glared, magic still sparkling from her horn. 

“You're going to let us pass...or you'll regret it”, MoonDancer warned. Twilight didn't make eye contact with Flash, as she started to follow MoonDancer out. 

She was holding her breath, terrified. Spike was on MoonDancer's back, glaring at Flash. 

They were about to exit the room, when Flash suddenly bucked it shut, locking it. 

“Let us go, Flash!”, MoonDancer yelled. 

“I'm afraid I can't do that”, Flash sneered. 

MoonDancer glared, she suddenly shot a blast of power at him. Flash dodged it, flying up. He was lightening fast. 

MoonDancer shot more beams at him, as he suddenly dived down, headed for Twilight. 

MoonDancer stood in front of her, glaring. Flash's armor helmet suddenly fell off, and on his head...was a horn. 

“What...?!”, Twilight's breath caught in her throat. How did...Flash become an Alicorn? It wasn't possible. 

MoonDancer stood her ground, not moving. 

Flash's horn glowed green, and he shot dark magic at her. 

“Twilight!”, MoonDancer's horn glowed, and she teleported Twilight across the room, out of harm's way. 

“MoonDancer!”, Twilight cried, fearfully, halfway across the room.

The dark power hit MoonDancer. She screamed in agony, as the green magic surrounded her. 

“MoonDancer, no!”, Spike cried. 

Flash grinned evilly, his eyes green. 

“STOP! Let her go!”, Twilight yelled, urgently. Flash ignored her pleas, and with his magic threw MoonDancer across the room. 

She hit a bookcase, her glasses falling off. 

“MoonDancer...!”, cried Twilight, fearfully. MoonDancer was motionless. 

“No...!”, Twilight pressed her ear against MoonDancer's lungs. 

“Is she....?”, Spike asked, shakily. 

“She's breathing...”, Twilight exhaled in relief 

“Twilight...what do we do?!”, asked Spike. Twilight glanced up at Flash, who was glaring at them. She lowered her voice. 

“Spike. Take a note”, she said then. Spike's eyes grew wide..he then grinned, understanding. 

After seeing her friend hurt, Twilight gained some of her bravery back, and she could even think clearer. 

“With pleasure”, Spike whispered. 

“I'll distract him”, Twilight said. 

She then glared up at Flash. 

“What did you do?!”, she demanded, shaking. Not with fear anymore...with rage. 

“I just got her out of our way for a bit”, Flash growled. 

“How?! How do you have Alicorn magic!?”, Twilight asked. 

Spike grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. 

“See for yourself”, Flash removed his chest armor, revealing a strange amulet, hanging from a chain necklace. It was a circle, but in the middle was a black alicorn shape. 

Twilight's ears folded back, and her heart sunk. 

“What is that?!”, she demanded. 

“It's an old relic of King Sombra's. It has the ability to turn anyone into an Alicorn, and give them unlimited power”, Flash replied, glaring. 

"What...?!", Twilight's heart sunk. 

"You see...1000 years ago, before he was defeated, King Sombra created this amulet with his magic. He was going to use it to turn himself into an Alicorn...but it failed. He realized, he needed to steal magic from another Alicorn, in order for it to work", Flash explained. 

"But those Princesses defeated him...he planned to drain Princess Cadence's magic, but YOU defeated him", growled Flash. 

Spike wrote a message on the parchment fast, and approached the window carefully. 

Twilight glared...she saw his eyes were glowing green.

"If you need Alicorn magic to become one...", Twilight froze then. Flash grinned. 

His horn glowed, and the amulet glowed. Twilight suddenly cried out, feeling her magic slowly being drained. 

She collapsed, weak. 

"I understand now...", she realized why she was so weak...it was just because of all the abuse. He was slowly draining her magic, little by little. 

"There was no contact with Queen Chrysalis, all I need to remove the Crystal Heart, and bring King Sombra back, is YOUR magic!", Flash sneered. 

“Why? Flash...why?”, Twilight cried.  

“I wanted the power...it's as simple as that”, Flash replied, glaring. 

Spike breathed green fire, and he sent the letter. 

“But enough of this..!”, Flash glared, as his horn glowed green. 

Twilight backed up, her ears folding back. 

Flash spread his wings, and shot dark magic down at her. 

“Twilight!”, Spike ran over to her. Twilight's horn glowed, and she created a barrier around them, and MoonDancer. 

“Twilight..! Are you okay?!”, Spike asked, worriedly. 

“I...I'm fine...but I can't keep this barrier up for long...”, Twilight replied, shaking. 

Flash grinned, the amulet glowed again. Twilight cried out in pain then, feeling her magic being drained again. 

“Twilight?!”, Spike cried, fearfully. 

Twilight couldn't answer, as she grimaced in pain, the barrier dying. 

“What are you doing to her?!”, Spike yelled. 

“All this time, I've been very slowly draining her magic. I tricked her into thinking I already had the power to remove the Crystal Heart! When in reality, I am getting it from her! So I'm just taking the last bit of it”, Flash replied. 

Twilight gritted her teeth, as more magic drained from her. The barrier suddenly vanished. 

“Twilight..!”, Spike cried, as Twilight collapsed onto her side, suddenly feeling extremely weak. 

The amulet closed, and Flash's eyes glowed green, his wings suddenly became more bat like, and his horn grew longer. Two devil like dark purple horns grew from his head, and his coat turned darker. He grinned evilly. 

“Now it's mine...!”, he growled. 

“No...”, Twilight lifted her hoof weakly, unable to move. 

Flash laughed manically, when suddenly a blast of magic hit him. 

Flash yelled, as he hit the floor, the amulet falling off. 

As soon as it was off, his horn vanished. He looked normal again, but he glared. 

“What...?”, he growled. 

Standing in the doorway, was Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Shining Armor, and Cadence. 

“You...bastard”, Shining Armor suddenly ran over, and punched Flash right in the face. 

“Twilight!”, Cadence hurried over to her sister in law's side. 

“C-Cadence...”, Twilight couldn't lift her head, too weak. 

“Her magic's gone...!”, Cadence realized, fearfully. 

“It's in here!”, Spike brought the amulet over. Princess Celestia opened it, and a burst of Alicorn magic emerged from it. 

So much, that the force shattered the windows in the room. 

It went back into Twilight. Twilight cried out, as she was lifted off the floor by the force, her eyes glowing bright white. 

She gently landed back down, and felt dizzy. 

“Twilight...!”, Cadence cried, worriedly. Twilight struggled to stand, as she sat down weakly. 

“Why?! Why didn't you come to us?! All this time?”, cried Cadence, tears in her eyes. Twilight looked at her weakly. 

“I couldn't...I couldn't risk you, or Flurry Heart...”, Twilight replied, weakly.

Cadence's eyes filled with tears, as she gently pulled Twilight into a hug. 

Shining Armor glared back at Flash. 

“I could kill you...”, he growled. 

“Shining Armor, your sister needs you. Let us deal with this traitor”, Princess Luna said, walking over. 

Shining Armor hesitated, glaring still. But finally he walked over to his sister. 

Flash backed up from Celestia and Luna., but he glared still. 

"Just wait...I will bring him back. King Sombra will return", he threatened. 

Princess Celestia glared, and put him in a magic bubble. 

“To the gates of Tartarus?”, asked Luna. Princess Celestia nodded, the two hurried out. 

“Twiley...!”, Shining Armor hugged her gently. 

“Cadence...can you get MoonDancer and Spike to the hospital?”, asked Twilight weakly. 

“Of course”, Cadence left, taking MoonDancer and Spike with her. 

“Twiley, why?! You could have came to us!”, Shining Armor asked. 

“All I could think about was his threats...I couldn't risk you, or Cadence, or Flurry Heart..”, Twilight replied, weakly. 

“Twilight..”, Shining Armor was at a loss for words. His little sister suffered all this time...and he didn't even realize it. 

“I'm so sorry...I should have known”, he said, sadly. 

“It's not your fault, Shining Armor”, Twilight said softly. 

“But it is! Out of everyone, I should have noticed something was wrong!”, Shining Armor said, feeling horrible. 

“Shining Armor...”, Twilight cried, worriedly. 

“We have to get you to the hospital as well...”, Shining Armor added then, worried. 

Twilight nodded weakly, she limped forward. 

Shining Armor carefully lifted her onto his back then. 

“I'm not too heavy?”, asked Twilight weakly. 

“Not at all”, Shining Armor assured her. He walked down the hall, as Twilight weakly rested on his back. 

There were two guards standing by the entrance of the hospital. 

One of the guards was clearly new. He was a unicorn, and he had a white coat, and a red and blue striped mane and tail, and red eyes. 

He looked a little nervous, it was clearly his first day. His Cutie mark was fireworks. 

He saw them coming over, his heart sunk, and he even gasped at Twilight's condition. 

“Is...is she...Princess Twilight Sparkle?”, he asked. 

“Yes...she's hurt badly. Open the doors!”, ordered Shining Armor, urgently. 

“Y-Yes, right away!”, the guards quickly opened the doors. 

Twilight was half conscious, her wing hurting badly, plus she felt very weak. 

The new guard watched her, worried, as Shining Armor carried her into the hospital room. 

“What happened to her?”, he asked the other guard. 

“Something big happened, because I heard Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were taking someone to the Gates of Tartarus”, replied the guard. 

Twilight lay in bed weakly, she had drifted to unconsciousness, and wasn't sure how long she had been out for. 

It was night, but a small light was still on. The room was mostly dark though. She stirred weakly, opening her eyes. She winced, her wing was in a bandage. 

“Easy...”, Cadence was at her side, worried. 

“Cadence..where's MoonDancer? And Spike?”, asked Twilight, weakly. 

“They're in their own rooms. They'll be okay”, Cadence assured her, softly. 

Twilight's heart sunk then, as she sat up more. 

“Is my foal okay?!”, she asked, fearfully. 

“Yes...the doctor said your foal is fine. You're three months along...”, replied Cadence, softly. 

Twilight relaxed, her heart beat slowing back down. She lay down weakly. 

“How long did you know you were pregnant?”, asked Cadence, worriedly. 

“I just found out today”, replied Twilight, she didn't take her eyes off of her belly, worried. 

“Oh Twilight...”, Cadence hugged her sister gently. Twilight returned the hug, feeling safe and secure. 

“I can't believe...I'm going to be a mom...”, Twilight admitted, weakly. Cadence smiled softly, as they gently broke apart. 

“Are you...okay with this though?”, she had to ask. 

Twilight's ears folded back. 

“Yes...it's not the baby's fault that her or his father is...who he is”, Twilight replied. 

“The Princesses took him to Tartarus...you don't have to worry anymore”, Cadence assured her. 

“Once you feel better, I've arranged for you, me, Spike and Flurry Heart to move to Ponyville, in your castle”, Cadence revealed then. 

“Really?”, Twilight asked. 

“Yes. Shining Armor will watch over the Crystal Empire. Just until you have your baby. I don't want you living alone during this. I promise to be there to take care of you, Twilight”, Cadence explained. 

Twilight smiled weakly, relieved. 

“Thank you, Cadence...”, she said softly. 

Cadence smiled softly. She gently nuzzled her sister, as Twilight drifted back to sleep. 


> Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sister...this makes no sense. How could King Sombra have the power to turn anypony into an Alicorn?”, asked Luna. 

The sisters had just returned to Canterlot, aftering banishing Flash Sentry to Tartarus. It was the middle of the night. Things were peaceful. Twilight slept in the castle's hospital, with Cadence watching over her. 

Twilight's friends had already been told of everything, and planned to meet her in the morning at Ponyville. 

“We knew King Sombra was powerful, but we didn't realize how powerful. This amulet...that he wore on a necklace, holds dark magic. But unlike any magic we've ever encountered”, Celestia replied. 

“But how? To turn any pony into an Alicorn...”, Luna pressed, not understanding. 

“It seems this amulet can only turn ponies who already have negative feelings and emotions...it takes whatever good inside they had left, and slowly turns them into monsters. The alicorn they become...isn't a real Alicorn. But an Alicorn of evil and destruction”, Celestia explained. 

“Was Flash...good?”, asked Luna, nervously. 

“Perhaps there was a time when Flash Sentry cared for Twilight. But...he did harvest negative feelings from the beginning of their relationship”, replied Celestia. 

“Such as...?”, asked Luna. 

“For one thing, Flash was always jealous of Shining Armor, for being Captain of the Royal Guard. And I know in this world, and the other dimension, of humans, Flash seemed to always be ignored by Twilight”, replied Celestia. 

“But...those are such trivial problems”, Luna pointed out. 

“That's all it takes for King Sombra's spirit to lure someone to the amulet. A long time full of inner bitterness, even if its over the mildest of things, gives him power”, replied Celestia. 

“But sister, surely Flash isn't the only pony like that”, Luna said. 

“No, but perhaps...he's the only one who didn't fight Sombra's temptation. Sombra most likely promised Flash everything, but in the end, the amulet turned him evil. It consumed his very being. Sombra needed Flash to destroy the Crystal Empire, with Twilight's magic, contained in the amulet. With that, Sombra could return, with an eternal winter”, Celestia replied. 

“He had planned on using Twilight's magic, to destroy the Crystal Heart...but failed”, she continued. 

“Twilight Sparkle is a powerful Alicorn. All it would take is her magic...”, Luna said. 

“But...is it possible Flash can be...?”, Luna started to ask. 

“Out of the question. If he could be so easily tempted by Sombra, then he is not to be trusted. Besides...he didn't express any regret”, Celestia cut her off, sharply.

“He is dangerous, if he was able to fool you, me, everyone..but as long as he doesn't hold this amulet, we are safe”, Celestia replied. 

Luna looked at her sister, worriedly. It was clear in her eyes. Celestia blamed herself for letting this happen. 

“What shall we do now? With the amulet, sister?”, asked Luna, softly. 

“We've tried to destroy it. All we can do is lock it up, heavily guarded. It should be safe”, replied Celestia. 

“And what if...somehow, Flash were to get it back?”, asked Luna. 

“If Flash ever succeeded to getting the amulet back, and draining Twilight of her magic one more time...it would be the end of Equestria...and Twilight herself”, Celestia replied, grimly. 

“Of Twilight Sparkle?”, asked Luna, anxiously. 

“Twilight's magic was removed once before. By Tirek. And now, it happened again. Luckily, we were able to restore it right away...but...if an Alicorn's magic is removed three times, they become extremely weak. And...in her current condition, it would be tragic”, Celestia explained, fearfully. 

“So we must make sure to protect Twilight, and keep the amulet locked away”, she said. 

“Princess Cadence will be staying with Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville, until she foals, so she won't be alone”, Luna said, softly. 

“And her friends will be there as well. In the meantime, we triple the security. Here and at the Crystal Empire”, Celestia said. 

Soon, morning arrived and Princess Celestia raised the sun. 

Twilight was getting ready to leave, to return home to Ponyville. 

The doctor wanted her to stay longer, but she was anxious to go home, where she felt most safe. 

“I can't wait to go back home!”, Spike was excited, but he was in a little wheelchair due to his legs. 

“Spike, as soon as we get to Ponyville, you need to stay at Ponyville urgent care for a few days”, Cadence said. 

“Aw, come on!”, Spike complained. 

“Sorry, Spike. But you're really injured...”, Twilight said, softly. She limped over, weakly. 

“Twilight, YOU should be staying in Ponyville urgent care with him”, Cadence said, keeping a worried eye on her.

“I just...want to get back to my castle in Ponyville. I haven't been in it in so long...the doctor said as long as I take medicine, I'll heal”, Twilight replied, weakly. 

The only injury that was really hurting her was her wing, but it was already starting to heal. 

Right now, she was exhausted. Mentally, emotionally and physically. 

She was starting to heal physically, but emotionally...that had just begun. 

“Is that everything, Twilight?”, asked MoonDancer, she was helping pack as well. 

She had a bandage around her head, but other than that she was okay. 

“I think so, thanks MoonDancer”, Twilight smiled weakly. 

“Great!”, MoonDancer had her own bag. Twilight blinked. 

“You're...moving to Ponyville?”, she asked. 

“Of course...you're my best friend, Twilight. And the fact you're going to have a foal..I want to live close to you, in case you need me for anything”, MoonDancer replied. 

Twilight beamed, tearfully. 

“That makes me so happy, MoonDancer”, she said. Cadence smiled softly, as she finished packing Twilight's things. 

“We're gonna stay at Auntie Twilight's?”, asked Flurry Heart, as she flew around the room, excited. 

“That's right, just until your cousin is born”, replied Cadence, softly. 

“How long will that be?”, asked Flurry Heart. 

“Eight months, sweetie”, replied Twilight, softly. 

“YAY! We get to stay with you for eight whole months?! That's like...forever!”, Flurry Heart cheered, as she hugged Twilight. 

“Careful, sweetie. Auntie's still hurt”, Cadence fussed, worriedly. 

“It's all right, Cadence. She's being gentle”, Twilight assured her. She gently nuzzled Flurry Heart. 

The four ponies and Spike exited the castle, and saw Princess Celestia standing by the train station. 

“Princess Celestia?”, asked Twilight, weakly. 

Princess Celestia was quiet at first, Twilight's eyes grew wide then, seeing tears in her eyes. 

Celestia pulled Twilight close, in an embrace. 

“I'm so sorry, Twilight...”, she said, tearfully. 

“Princess, it's not your fault”, Twilight cried, not wanting her to blame herself. She didn't want anypony to blame themselves for this. 

“We've made sure you are safe now. We won't let this happen again”, Celestia assured her.

The train ride home was surprisingly short, Twilight sat by Cadence, while MoonDancer read a book, Spike by her. 

Flurry Heart was playing with a teddy bear, sitting by Cadence and Twilight. 

Twilight had fallen asleep, exhausted. 

She was laying down, and Cadence was gently petting her mane. 

“She's exhausted...”, MoonDancer said, worriedly. 

“After all she's been through, it's no wonder”, Cadence replied, not taking her worried eyes off of Twilight. 

The train finally stopped, at Ponyville Train Station. Waiting there was Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity. 

They decided their mates and Pinkie's foals wait at home, since they didn't want to overwhelm Twilight.

“Twilight...sis, we're here”, Cadence gently patted Twilight awake. 

Twilight stirred, she yawned tiredly, exhausted. 

“Already...?”, she asked. 

“Yep”, replied MoonDancer. 

They boarded off the train, and saw their friends. 

“Twilight!”, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie all hugged her gently. 

“Hey girls...”, Twilight smiled, tiredly. 

“We heard everything”, Applejack said, a worried look in her eyes. 

“We're so sorry Twilight...we should have noticed...”, Fluttershy said, looking down. 

“Princess Celestia sent us a letter last night to let us all know”, Rarity added. 

“We're just so glad you're okay”, Pinkie hugged Twilight gently again, worried. 

“I'll be okay, girls. And please...don't blame yourselves. This was all Flash's fault”, Twilight assured them, weakly.

“How are you feeling? I mean...you know”, Rainbow asked, softly, she glanced, noticing Twilight was showing a little already. 

“I'm okay, and the foal is too”, replied Twilight, she looked at her stomach, lovingly. 

“I can't believe three of you are pregnant at the same time”, Applejack admitted. 

“I've missed you girls all so much...but right now I just want to get back to my castle and rest”, Twilight said, she yawned, looking half asleep. 

She staggered then, nearly falling. MoonDancer stopped her from falling. 

“Whoa, Twilight...don't fall! You got a baby in there...Twilight?”, MoonDancer said, urgently. 

Twilight had fallen asleep, leaning on MoonDancer. 

“Twilight...?”, asked Spike. 

“...sorry girls, I need a little...nap...napkin! Just put the baby in the pie and eat the cupcake..”, Twilight babbled, about 90 percent asleep. 

“She's really out of it”, Spike said. 

“Auntie Twilight's funny!”, Flurry Heart giggled, cutely. 

“She's exhausted...but you can all visit in a few days after she gets some sleep”, Cadence said. 

“Of course”, Fluttershy understood, the rest all nodding. They were a mix of relieved, and worried for her. 

“...remember to dust the books...”, Twilight continued to babble, tiredly. 

“Come on, you”, Cadence used her magic to hover Twilight and place her on her back, carrying her. 

MoonDancer, Flurry Heart and Spike followed. 

“I'm so glad she's home”, Fluttershy said, watching them go. 

“I just can't believe what that jerk did to her!”, growled Rainbow Dash. 

“We'll visit her in a few days, and bring some Get Well gifts”, suggested Rarity. 

Pinkie Pie suddenly gasped dramatically, startling everypony. 

“Uh...what was that?”, asked Applejack. 

“I don't believe it! Now I got THREE foal showers to plan!”, Pinkie cried, excited, smiling wide. 

“Uh, Pinkie Pie, we had mine last month”, Rainbow reminded her. 

“Oh...well, still, TWO! I got to plan Fluttershy's, and Twilight's! Oh, I got so much planning to do...I got to get to Sugar Cube corner!”, Pinkie took off. 

“Actually...I'm glad Twilight and I are going to experience pregnancy at the same time”, Fluttershy admitted, softly. 

“Um, me”, Rainbow snorted. 

“Oh...I know, but you're going to foal in only a month. Twilight and I will be able to be there for each other for quite a few months”, explained Fluttershy. 

“I think that will be lovely for you both”, smiled Rarity. 

“I guess that's true”, Rainbow said. 

At the castle, Twilight slept in her bedroom. She was exhausted. Spike was in Ponyville Urgent care. 

MoonDancer was with him, giving him company. Cadence watched over Twilight, while Flurry Heart played downstairs. 

Cadence closed the curtains with her magic, and she was surprised to see how clean the castle was. 

Twilight's friends must have kept it clean for her all this time. 

Twilight stirred weakly then. Cadence blinked, worriedly. 

Twilight turned onto her side, her sleep suddenly restless. 

“No...stop...”, she cried, fearfully. 

“Twilight...sweetie...”, Cadence gently patted her awake, worried. 

“H-Huh? Cadence...?”, Twilight asked, tiredly. 

“You were having a nightmare, sis”, Cadence said, worriedly. 

“Oh...”, Twilight almost instantly fell back asleep, exhausted.

Cadence watched her, worried. 

She then went to exit, just to get Flurry Heart some lunch. 

“NO! Stop! Please...!”, Twilight was having the nightmare again. She rested fitfully, tossing and turning. 

“Twilight!”, Cadence hurried back over. 

“No...please...! No more...!”, tears appeared in her eyes. 

“Twilight! Wake up!”, Cadence cried. 

Twilight screamed, as she bolted up, soaked in sweat. She was visibly shaking. 

“Cadence...?”, she looked at her, her eyes wide in fear. 

“Easy...deep breaths...it was just a nightmare”, Cadence assured her. She gently placed her hoof on Twilight's stomach. 

Twilight breathed in and out shakily, still trembling. 

“You can't get any decent sleep like this...here”, Cadence gently helped Twilight lay back down. 

“What are you going to do?”, asked Twilight, tiredly. 

“I know a spell that gives ponies dreamless, peaceful sleeps”, Cadence replied. 

Her horn glowed, and a gentle magic waved over Twilight. 

Twilight instantly fell asleep..and didn't have another nightmare. 

Cadence sighed in relief, and gently tucked Twilight in for the day.  

> Healing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three days went by, and things were peaceful. Spike was home from Ponyville Urgent Care, he was fixing Twilight's library up. 

MoonDancer was upstairs with Twilight, the two eating lunch together. Cadence was downstairs, getting Flurry Heart lunch. 

“I haven't had hayburgers in so long, I forgot how good they were”, Twilight admitted, as she ate, holding the hayburger up with her magic. 

She had a tray over her lap in bed, Cadence and MoonDancer fussing over her, due to her wing. The doctor ordered bed rest for at least five days. 

Since she was eating for two, she had five hayburgers, horse shoe onion rings, and soda. MoonDancer was having two hayburgers, hay fries and a soda. 

Twilight's wing was still in a bandage, and even after three days it remained sore. 

“When you asked for lunch that wasn't homemade today, it was the first thing Cadence and I though of”, admitted MoonDancer, smiling. 

She ate her own hayburger. 

“I feel a bit better now that I got some sleep, I just wish my wing would heal faster”, admitted Twilight, softly. 

She spread it out gently, but then winced, getting a bad cramp in it. 

“Ow...”, she grimaced, and folded it back down. 

“Easy, Twilight. Don't move it”, MoonDancer fussed, worried. 

“It feels so stiff though...”, Twilight said. 

“I know, but you have to be careful. As it is, the doctor is worried you'll suffer permanent damage...since it was delayed any real treatment”, MoonDancer said, worriedly. 

Twilight looked down, softly. 

She still couldn't quite get over what all happened. Even though Flash was banished to Tartarus, and the amulet was locked away by Princess Celestia, she still couldn't rid herself of her fear. 

Especially considering she was pregnant. 

“Hey...”, MoonDancer saw her friend's worried look. Twilight looked at her. 

“Don't worry, you're okay now”, she assured her. 

“I know...I just don't want anything to happen to any of you, or my foal...”, Twilight replied. 

“It's behind us now. You don't have to worry. Flash never had the power, he tricked you. He never even met with Queen Chrysalis. The only things that have the real power to take away the Crystal Heart, is Alicorn Magic”, MoonDancer assured Twilight. 

“Without my magic, King Sombra can't return. He needs it to shatter the Crystal Heart...but still”, Twilight's ears folded back. 

“It's all right, Twilight. King Sombra won't return...he never will. You should be focusing more on something else”, MoonDancer said sweetly, as she gently placed her hoof on Twilight's stomach. 

Twilight's ears folded back, as she blushed a bit. 

“You're right...in the middle of all this...I still haven't got over the shock. I'm...going to be a mother”, Twilight said, she looked at her stomach, tenderly. 

“I know...I'm so excited for you”, smiled MoonDancer. 

“But...what if I'm not a good mother?”, Twilight asked then, paranoid. 

“I had that same fear when I was pregnant with Flurry Heart”, admitted Cadence, as she entered the room. 

“But you're a wonderful  mother. What if...”, Twilight worried. 

“YOU will be an amazing mother”, Cadence gently wrapped her hoof around Twilight, pulling her close. 

Twilight smiled softly and blushed at her sister in law's sweetness. 

There was a knock downstairs then. 

“I'll get it”, Cadence exited the room. 

“Just do what you do best Twilight, study it”, MoonDancer suggested. 

Twilight suddenly beamed. 

“That's it...! Can you bring me some books on pregnancy and foaling?”, asked Twilight, she was so excited to read something. 

When with Flash, she was too stressed to focus to read much of anything. 

“Sure!”, MoonDancer hurried into the library, where Spike had finished rearranging the books. 

“Spike! Twilight needs some books on pregnancy and foaling”, MoonDancer said. 

“Oh! Okay, I put them over here”, Spike climbed up on the ladder. 

He got four for MoonDancer. “Thanks, Spike”, she went back to the bedroom. 

“These are perfect, MoonDancer”, Twilight opened “First Time Pregnancy in Mares” with her magic. 

Downstairs, Cadence opened the door to see Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity. 

“Oh, hey girls”, smiled Cadence. 

“We came to see Twilight!”, Pinkie bounced, excited. 

“How's our girl doing?”, asked Applejack, worriedly. 

“She's still quite weak, but she'll be so happy to see you all”, Cadence let them in. 

“How's her wing doing?”, asked Fluttershy, softly. 

“It's still sore, but it is healing...unfortunately though, the doctor thinks she'll have permanent damage”, replied Cadence, as they headed upstairs. 

“So...will she be able to fly again?”, asked Rainbow, worried. 

“Yes, but she just has to be careful”, replied Cadence. 

“How has she been resting?”, asked Rarity, worriedly.

“Well..I've been having to cast Dreamless sleep spells every night, since she keeps having nightmares”, admitted Cadence, worriedly. 

They entered the room. 

“Twilight...!”, the five ponies cried. 

Twilight looked up from her book, and she beamed tearfully. 

“Girls...”, she smiled. 

“How ya feeling, sugar cube?”, asked Applejack. 

“I've been better...I'm just so glad to be back home, with all of you”, Twilight replied. MoonDancer and Spike were in the library, finding Twilight more books. 

“We brought you Get Well gifts!”, Pinkie cheered, happily. 

She set a bakery box on the nightstand, it was a whole sheet cake, saying “Welcome Home, Twilight!”. 

“I made it special for you from Sugar Cube corner! The foals helped!”, Pinkie said. 

“That's so sweet, Pinkie”, Twilight smiled. 

“I got you a new book to read”, Fluttershy said. 

“Thank you, Fluttershy! You read my mind!”, Twilight beamed, her face lighting up. 

“And I got us each a free special for the Ponyville Spa! When you feel better, the two of us have a full day of pampering there!”, Rarity said. 

“That sounds perfect, Rarity”, Twilight said, smiling. 

“Here ya go, Twi”, Applejack placed beautiful flowers in a vase for her. 

“Applejack...that's so sweet”, cried Twilight, her ears folding back. 

“Look a little closer”, Applejack hinted. 

Twilight blinked, and noticed a piece of paper. With her magic, she lifted it, and read it aloud. 

“You're Invited to the Wedding at Sweet Apple Acres of...”, Twilight gasped then. 

“Big Mac and Marble Pie?! They're getting married?!”, she cried, beaming. 

“Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! We're gonna be sisters in law!”, cheered Pinkie Pie, as she pulled Applejack close. 

“It's not for another year, we need to take the year to save up money for the biggest wedding Ponyville's ever seen”, Applejack explained. 

“That's wonderful, you can give them my Congratulations”, Twilight smiled softly. 

“Rainbow Dash? Didn't you have a get well present for Twilight?”, Fluttershy noticed the blue pegasus's eerie silence. 

“Huh?”, Rainbow blinked, she seemed distracted this whole time. 

“Are you okay?”, asked Twilight, concerned. 

“Yeah, sorry everypony. Went off in a daze there, anyway, here you go Twilight”, Rainbow a present on the bed. It had Daring Do wrapping paper. 

Twilight opened it, and her jaw dropped. 

“It's the newest Daring Do books”, Twilight realized, touched. 

“And tickets to the next convention in 3 months”, added Rainbow. 

“Oh Rainbow...thank you”, Twilight smiled. 

“I knew you'd want the newest copies”, Rainbow said. 

Twilight blinked softly...she couldn't place it, but something seemed off about Rainbow. 

“Are you sure you're feeling okay?”, she repeated, worried. 

“I'm fine, Twilight. You're the one with the broken wing. Just felt a bit tired today”, Rainbow Dash reassured her. 

The girls exchanged worried looks, all knowing Rainbow was only due in a month. 

“You sure?”, asked Applejack. 

“I'm fine girls, really”, Rainbow Dash said. 

Soon, the five had to head to their homes. It was dark out, Princess Luna had raised the moon already. 

“It was so great to see them again”, Twilight said softly, as she settled into bed. 

“I know...especially Rarity”, Spike said, blushing. 

Twilight rolled her eyes at him, but smiled, seeing him head to his bedroom. 

“How are you feeling, Twilight?”, Cadence entered. MoonDancer was already asleep. 

“Just tired...”, Twilight yawned, placing her hoof over her belly. 

“You've been through a lot, sweetie. Of course you're still exhausted”, Cadence soothed. 

Her horn glowed, and Twilight drifted to a peaceful dreamless sleep. 

Cadence already tucked Flurry Heart in for the night, so she lay down in the bed by her sister in law, drifting to sleep. 

It was extremely early in the morning, Celestia hadn't even raised the sun yet. Three in the morning to be specific. 

Twilight stirred, she kept thinking she was hearing a voice, despite the dreamless sleep spell. 

“Twilight...”, the voice was faint at first. 

Twilight groaned. 

“TWILIGHT!”, the voice was loud this time.

“OUT HERE! WINDOW!”, now it was obvious the voice was Pinkie Pie's. 

Twilight groaned again, but opened her eyes. 

“W-What...? Pinkie Pie?”, she asked, out of it. 

“OUT HERE!”, Pinkie Pie yelled. 

Twilight blinked, seeing Pinkie Pie starring urgently in her window, and then she fell back down. Then she bounced back up. 

She was bouncing on a trampoline, so she could keep reaching Twilight's window. 

“What the?”, Cadence woke up, seeing. Twilight got out of bed, being careful with her wing. She opened the window. 

“Pinkie Pie? What is going on?”, she asked.

“TWILIGHT!”, Pinkie bounced back down. 

“IT'S!”, she bounced back down again. 

“AN!”

She bounced again. 

“EMERGENCY!”

She bounced down again. 

Twilight facehoofed. She used her magic to keep Pinkie hovering by the window. 

“What emergency, Pinkie?”, she asked. 

“Rainbow Dash had her twins!!!!”, Pinkie yelled, urgently. 

“What?!”, cried Twilight urgently, dropping Pinkie. 

“But...isn't it early?”, asked Cadence, worriedly. Pinkie Pie continued to bounce on the trampoline, listening to their conversation. 

“We have to get up to Cloudsdale!”, Twilight cried, her heart sunk, worried for her friend. 

She hurried downstairs, Cadence following. 

She quickly let Spike and MoonDancer know, so they could watch Flurry Heart. 

“I'll catch up!”, Pinkie called. 

Twilight exited the castle. She went to spread her wings, and then instantly cried out in pain, flinching. 

“Twilight!”, Cadence galloped over, worriedly. 

“Forgot...it was broken...”, Twilight winced. 

“Climb on”, Cadence said softly. Twilight got on her sister in law, and they headed up to CloudsDale. 

They landed on a cloud, seeing Fluttershy, GoldenFeathers, and the Wonderbolts waiting outside Rainbow Dash's and Soarin's home. 

They then saw, an extremely freaked out Soarin. In fact, freaked out was putting in mildly. Twilight realized he looked just like her brother, after Cadence had Flurry Heart. 

His mane was a mess, and his eyes looked crazy. 

But one thing was different, his one hoof was completely bandaged, and he wasn't putting any pressure on it. 

“Soarin! What happened?! Is Rainbow okay?”, cried Twilight, hurrying over with Cadence. 

“Ohhh...she's fine, it just happened so fast and sudden, I didn't know what hit! She woke me up, saying the twins were coming, I panicked, and she told me not to panic, but I panicked anyway...!”, Soarin babbled. 

"So...are the foals okay?", asked Twilight, anxiously. 

"I kept panicking, and it happened so fast, I never knew becoming a father started out this...stressful! Amazing, confusing, but stressful..!", Soarin continued to babble. 

Spitfire shook her head, and slapped him across the face. 

“Get a hold of yourself, Soarin!”, she yelled. 

Soarin shook his head, snapping out of his shock a bit. 

“Sorry...what happened was, Rainbow went into labor suddenly. I panicked, but I knew first time foals always take a while to come. She was really scared, and kept saying the foals were coming NOW! And I just kept trying to assure her the doctor was coming and well...next thing I knew, she had the first one! Within about 5 minutes...from there it's all a blur”, Soarin explained. 

“But is she okay? What about the foals?”, repeated Twilight, worriedly, wanting to be sure. 

“They're all fine, Rainbow had the second foal only about 2 minutes ago, I just came out to let everypony know”, replied Soarin. 

“And what happened to your hoof?”, noticed GoldenFeathers. 

“Oh...well, you know my Dashie...she's got a strong grip”, replied Soarin, as he held his bandaged hoof up. 

“Ouch...”, Goldenfeathers looked scared, since Fluttershy was expecting. 

“I'm just glad they're all okay”, Fluttershy said, she had looked quite worried. 

“Can we see the foals?”, asked Twilight, relieved her friend was okay. 

“Sure, but they're sleeping”, Soarin led them in. 

Twilight entered the room with the rest.

“Rainbow...”, she smiled, seeing an exhausted looking Rainbow Dash resting in bed. 

“Hey guys...”, she gave a tired smile. 

“How are you?”, asked Fluttershy, worriedly. 

“I'm fine, I think Soarin's the one you should be more concerned about”, joked Rainbow. 

“I'm glad to see you're well enough to be making jokes”, Twilight said, relieved. 

Twilight then froze, her heart skipping a beat. 

“Oh Rainbow...they're beautiful”, cried Fluttershy, tearfully. 

In two cribs, right by Rainbow's bed, slept two newborn foals. 

Both were Pegasus. 

“Here's our colt, Skylar”, Soarin introduced. The colt was light blue, with a dark blue and light blue mane and tail, matching his father's. 

He also had green eyes like his father. 

“And our filly...Winter Rainbow”, Rainbow Dash said, softly.

The filly was extremely beautiful. She had a snow white coat, but had a rainbow mane and tail, and her mother's eyes. She was noticeably smaller than her brother. 

“Oh Rainbow...they're so beautiful”, Twilight cried, tears in her eyes. 

“Simply gorgeous”, added Cadence, smiling. 

“I'm just so glad you're all okay”, Fluttershy added, tearfully. 

Cadence blinked then, seeing Tank was hiding in the closet. 

“What's wrong with Tank?”, she asked. 

“Oh...poor guy heard it all. He's a little freaked out...”, replied Rainbow, worriedly. 

“Tank...it's okay, Rainbow's all right”, Fluttershy gently coaxed the tortoise out. 

“It's okay fella, I'm okay”, Rainbow assured him, as Tank climbed onto the bed, worried. He then smiled slowly, at Rainbow's foals. 
> A Cloudy Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




It was a beautiful early afternoon. The sun was shining, and it was also quite hot. In fact, the Pegasus planned a down pour later that afternoon. 

At Fluttershy's cottage, the birds chirped happily, and Angel was fussing once again over his lunch. 

“Now come on, Mr Picky Pants. You love carrots”, Fluttershy softly said. Angel pouted, crossing his arms and refusing to eat. 

Fluttershy sighed, frustrated. 

“Pretty please, Angel?”, she begged. Angel shook his head, turning his back to her. 

“Well...what will you eat then?”, asked Fluttershy. Angel glanced at her, and then showed her a picture from a cook book, of a fancy carrot cake. 

“Oh Angel, I don't have time to make that today. I could make it tomorrow”, Fluttershy said. Angel glared. 

“Well...I guess I could...”, Fluttershy started, when GoldenFeathers entered the cottage. 

“Fluttershy, baby girl, just make him eat his carrots! You can't be on your hooves constantly for him!”, GoldenFeathers said, worried, as he walked over.

“But..he has to eat”, Fluttershy pointed out, softly. 

“He'll eat when he's hungry”, GoldenFeathers told her. He gently nuzzled her then. Fluttershy blushed, nuzzling him back. 

Angel stomped his foot, crossing his arms. 

“You need to take it easy, baby girl. You're already eight months along”, GoldenFeathers added, worried. 

“I know...besides, I promised Twilight we'd go to the spa together”, Fluttershy said. 

Two months went by, and things were going a bit better for everypony. 

Twilight's wing had finally healed, and her spirit was even beginning to shine again. But she still suffered nightmares almost every night. 

But Cadence used her magic to help her little sister sleep. 

Rainbow Dash and Soarin had their hooves full with the twins. 

“Are you sure you feel up to it, love?”, asked GoldenFeathers. 

“Oh, yes. I've been looking forward to today. Twilight has too”, Fluttershy smiled. 

“I'm sorry I can't watch the animals...they need me up in CloudsDale to help prepare the rain storm”, GoldenFeathers apologized. 

“It's fine, Applejack will be coming over to watch them for me”, assured Fluttershy, as she nuzzled him. 

Angel continued to stomp, glaring. 

“I better get going...I'll be home once the storm starts”, GoldenFeathers said. 

“Same here”, Fluttershy smiled softly. The two nuzzled once again, and GoldenFeathers gently nuzzled Fluttershy's swollen belly, the foal kicking softly. 

Fluttershy blushed, as GoldenFeathers kissed her softly, and left. Angel stomped louder, glaring even more. 

“I'll see you later, honey”, Fluttershy waved, as her husband flew up towards CloudsDale. She then heard Angel stomping, and turned. 

“Angel, just eat your carrots. They're really good”, Fluttershy smiled. Angel glared at her, and continued to fuss. 

Fluttershy frowned, and sighed softly. She then heard a knock at the door. 

“Oh, that must be Applejack”, she walked over, opening the door. 

“Hey Fluttershy!”, Applejack and Twilight arrived at the same time. 

“Oh, hi girls”, Fluttershy smiled softly. 

“We ran into each other on the way over here, I hope I'm not too early”, Twilight explained, as she walked in with Applejack. 

“Oh, not at all. Applejack, are you sure you got this?”, asked Fluttershy. 

“You betcha'! I got your 10 page list. All's under control”, Applejack assured her. 

“Okay...well, if you can, please try and get Angel to eat. He's fussy today”, Fluttershy said. 

“Sure thing, Fluttershy”, Applejack smiled. 

“You ready to go?”, asked Twilight. 

“Yes, we'll be back by late afternoon”, Fluttershy told Applejack. 

“All's covered!”, Applejack assured her. 

Fluttershy and Twilight left, closing the door behind them. 

Applejack turned to Angel. 

“All right, ya little cotton tail. Eat your lunch”, Applejack pushed the bowl of carrots towards the white bunny. 

Angel glared, and then threw the bowl up, it landed on Applejack's head, carrots falling out. Applejack frowned, and snorted. 

In town, Twilight and Fluttershy arrived at the spa. 

“So your wing's all healed?”, asked Fluttershy, softly. Twilight ruffled her wings a little. 

“Well, yes. But I the doctor said I have to be careful when I fly...there is sadly permanent damage”, replied Twilight. 

“I see...you'll be able to fly again, right?”, asked Fluttershy. 

“Eventually, right now I'm just glad it's all over”, Twilight admitted. 

“I am too...for your sake”, Fluttershy smiled softly. They started with a relaxing bath at the spa. 

“So Pinkie Pie said she has your shower planned for next month?”, asked Twilight, the warm water felt really nice. Her body, even after two months, still felt sore from all the bruises she had. 

“That's right, she's really excited”, smiled Fluttershy. 

“Speaking of...how have you been feeling?”, asked Twilight, concerned. 

“Oh, I'm okay. A little tired, but for the most part its been surprisingly easy”, admitted Fluttershy. 

“But what about you, Twilight?”, Fluttershy's eyes turned worried. 

“So far...pretty well. I'd be lying if I said it was really easy”, Twilight replied, her ears folding back. 

“The nightmares...?”, Fluttershy guessed. 

“That's...the only problem. If it wasn't for Cadence's Dreamless sleep spell, I wouldn't be able to sleep at all. It doesn't help that pregnancy gives mares nightmares as it is, no matter how good things are going”, Twilight explained. 

“I know that...I had a horrible nightmare the other night. It was Nightmare Night, but my cottage was gone! I had no where to hide from all the scary things!”, Fluttershy said. 

“What...what do you dream of?”, she asked then. 

“Nothing...much”, Twilight sighed. 

“Just the end of all Equestria, King Sombra's return...”, she said then, needing to get it out. 

“Oh Twilight...”, Fluttershy's ears folded back, worried. 

“I just...worry. What if...it's not over?”, asked Twilight. Fluttershy moved closer to her friend, placing her hoof gently on Twilight's shoulder. 

“It's over. Flash Sentry is in Tartarus, and the amulet is heavily guarded by the Princesses. You don't have to worry about it anymore”, Fluttershy comforted her. 

Twilight's ears folded back. 

“I hope you're right, Fluttershy”, she said softly. They soon got out of the bath, and dried off. They would next be getting hooficures. 

Twilight slipped on her comfy, warm white sweater, that she wore at the spa before, she then blinked softly, feeling the foal kicking softly. Her ears folded back, as she smiled gently. 

“Twilight?”, asked Fluttershy, worriedly. 

“I'm okay, the foal's kicking...”, replied Twilight, blushing. Fluttershy smiled then. 

“Oh, really? Is it the first time?”, she asked, excitedly. 

“No, but it is only the third time”, admitted Twilight. 

“Oh, is it okay if I feel...?”, asked Fluttershy, kindly. 

“Of course, Fluttershy”, Twilight smiled. 

Fluttershy gently felt Twilight's swollen belly with her hoof. Sure enough, she felt a small kick. 

“It's such a wonderful feeling, isn't it?”, smiled Fluttershy. Twilight's ears folded back, smiling softly. 

“It really is...”, she agreed. 

“When my foal first kicked, I was startled at first, but then I got so excited”, Fluttershy admitted. 

Twilight blinked then. 

“Fluttershy, have you and GoldenFeathers come up with a name?”, she asked, curiously. 

“To be honest, not yet. We don't know if its a filly or a colt. We want it to be a surprise”, replied Fluttershy, sheepishly. 

“That's okay...I can't find out until my seventh month”, Twilight said. 

“Oh, you want to know?”, asked Fluttershy. 

“I am too excited to wait until he or she is born..”, Twilight admitted, blushing. 

Back at Fluttershy's cottage, Applejack had the animals outside in the back yard. 

“Okay Angel, I got you lettuce, carrots, apples, oranges, berries, and even watermelon! Out of all this, there's gotta be one thing you'll eat!”, she said. 

Angel sniffed the food, and sulked. 

“Come on, Angel! It won't kill ya!”, Applejack sighed, annoyed. Angel glared, he then suddenly ran off. 

“Hey! Angel! Get back here!”, Applejack galloped after the quick rabbit, into the Everfree Forest. 

Angel hopped over a log, and turned sharply, deeper into the forest. Applejack was about to leap over the log, when she suddenly skidded to a stop, hearing growling. Timber wolf growling. 

“Whoa nelly...”, she froze, and ducked down behind the log. It was eerily silent for a few seconds, when suddenly she heard a violent sound. 

Of what sounded like an animal attack. There was growling, snarling, biting...whimpering. 

Applejack shut her eyes tightly, shaking, waiting for it to end. She was paralyzed in fear...her parents having been killed by timber wolves. 

It got quiet then. She heard the wolf leaving. 

“Angel...?”, Applejack peered over the log. She climbed over, holding her head low as she walked slowly around the sharp turn. 

“Angel...?”, Applejack looked, and she froze, her heart sinking. 

“No...”, she cried, her eyes wide in horror. 

It was getting close to late afternoon, the Pegasus were already forming the clouds to get the rain storm started. 

Twilight and Fluttershy walked through town, having just left the spa, and headed back to Fluttershy's cottage. 

“I feel so relaxed...”, Fluttershy admitted. 

“I don't think I've felt this at ease in...a long time”, Twilight said. Fluttershy smiled, glad for her friend. 

Twilight then froze. Her heart sunk. 

“What's wrong?”, asked Fluttershy, worriedly. 

“Oh no...I forgot my book!”, Twilight panicked. 

“You mean you left it at the spa?”, asked Fluttershy. 

“I can't believe I left it there...!”, just as Twilight went to turn to go back, there was a Unicorn stallion hurrying towards them, carrying Twilight's book with his magic. 

Twilight blinked, surprised. 

The Unicorn's coat was white, and he had a red and blue striped mane and tail, with red eyes, and fireworks for a Cutie Mark. 

“Princess Twilight Sparkle! Found you...”, the stallion said, relieved. 

“You found my book...”, Twilight realized. 

“I saw you take it in the spa with you, and when you left, it wasn't on you so...”, he explained. He had been eating at the Hayburger, outside, by the spa. 

“I see...thank you so much”, Twilight took it with her magic. 

“I'm...glad to see you're feeling better”, the stallion commented then. Twilight looked at him, confused. 

“I'm sorry, have we meant?”, she asked. 

“Not officially...I'm a guard at Canterlot. And well...I saw you, when you were attacked by Flash Sentry. Your brother was carrying you to the hospital”, explained the stallion. 

“Oh...”, Twilight's ears folded back, not wanting to be reminded of any of that. 

“So...I'm glad you're doing better”, the stallion gave a kind smile. Twilight looked at him, and she felt a sinking feeling in her gut. 

Even though, it was clear this pony was kind...it reminded her so much of how Flash was...when they first met. 

She held her head low, her ears folding back. 

“Thank you again, but we're in a hurry”, she said. 

“That's okay”, the stallion said softly, understanding. Twilight trotted away with Fluttershy. 

“Are...you okay?”, asked Fluttershy, worried. 

“Yes...sorry. I just...that was weird”, was all Twilight could say, not wanting to talk about it. 

It started raining, there was a clash of lightening, it lit up the whole sky. 

Fluttershy and Twilight just arrived back at the cottage. 

“They weren't kidding about a strong storm...!”, Twilight struggled a bit, the wind strong. 

The two hurried inside. It took both of them to shut the door, the wind blowing hard. 

“GoldenFeathers should be home soon...”, Fluttershy blinked then, while Twilight shook her coat dry. 

“Fluttershy...?”, Twilight noticed her friend's silence. 

“Where's Applejack?”, Fluttershy noticed she wasn't inside. Neither was Angel. 

“Maybe she's upstairs?”, asked Twilight. 

“I'll go check”, Fluttershy went up. Twilight then blinked, looking out the back window. She froze, confused at first, but then her heart sunk. 

Something was very wrong. Applejack was sitting outside, soaked from the rain. She held her head down, tears in her eyes. 

Twilight hurried out back. 

“Applejack!”, she cried, hurrying over. Applejack's ear perked, she looked to see Twilight approaching her. 

“Applejack, what's wrong? Why are you out here? And where's Angel?”, Twilight asked, urgently. 

“It's Angel....”, Applejack's voice cracked, she was unable to look at Twilight, tears filling her eyes. 

“What happened?”, asked Twilight, her heart sinking. 

Applejack couldn't answer, she simply pointed to something. Twilight followed her friend's direction, and noticed a blanket laying by the bush. 

It was light blue, and something seemed to be wrapped inside it. Twilight suddenly felt sick...she saw red spots staining the blanket. Blood. 

“Applejack...please don't tell me...”, Twilight walked over to the blanket, while Applejack remained silent. 

She lifted her hoof, and unraveled the blanket. Her heart sunk then, as her eyes grew wide in horror. 

Angel lay motionless in the blanket, his eyes closed. He was torn to shreds almost, blood everywhere. 

One of his ears was bit off, and his stomach was ripped open. 

“Oh no....Angel...”, Twilight cried, her heart sunk then. Fluttershy....

“Applejack...what happened?”, cried Twilight. Applejack sat there, the wind breezing through her mane and tail. 

“It's all my fault...”, she sobbed then. 

Twilight's ears folded back, she gently wrapped Angel's body back up, and carried it over with her magic. 

She gently set it down beside them. 

“There was a timber wolf...and it got Angel! I...I was too scared to do anything! After what happened to my parents...I...”, Applejack sobbed, shaking. 

“Oh Applejack...it's not your fault”, Twilight hugged her friend gently. 

“How...?! How can we tell Fluttershy?! Poor thing's expecting a foal, and she has to deal with...this?!”, Applejack cried. 

“Applejack? Twilight?”, Fluttershy's voice caught both their ears. 

Twilight's heart sunk...how could she tell her? 

“Fluttershy....”, she cried. 

“What's wrong? Why are you both out here...?”, Fluttershy walked over. 

Applejack couldn't face her. 

“Fluttershy...there's been a horrible accident...”, Twilight's ears folded back. She didn't have the heart to make Applejack tell her. 

“What...? Where's Angel...?”, Fluttershy asked, nervously. 

“A...timber wolf was close by. And...”, Twilight gently pushed the blanket towards Fluttershy, with her muzzle. 

Fluttershy stood there, she seemed to go numb. Her eyes also seemed to go dark. But she slowly lifted her hoof, and unraveled the blanket. 

First she saw the white ear, and then the rest. 

Fluttershy's dark eyes suddenly flooded with tears, her pupils growing tiny, in shock and horror. 

“A-ANGEL!”, she cried, tears flooding down her face. 

She instantly cradled his motionless body in her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. 

“I'm so sorry Fluttershy....I...this is all my fault”, Applejack cried, still unable to look at her. 

Fluttershy couldn't answer her, sobbing too much, as she held Angel close. 

Twilight gently wrapped her arms around Fluttershy, tears in her own eyes. Fluttershy cried in Twilight's arms, nonstop. 

> Smitten Stallion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

GoldenFeathers helped Fluttershy bury Angel, as it continued to rain.

They had him in a box, his grave right by the cottage. GoldenFeathers shoveled more dirt into the hole, as it continued to rain. His ears folded back, sadly. 

Fluttershy came over, tears still in her eyes. She carried lavender flowers. 

She gently set the flowers down, once GoldenFeathers finished burying the rabbit. There was a stone. It was engraved with “Rest in Peace, Angel Bunny” 

It was engraved in by Twilight's magic. 

“This is all my fault...”, cried Fluttershy then. 

“No, baby girl, no! It's not!”, GoldenFeathers held her close, worriedly. 

“I should have paid more attention to him...he must have felt so neglected”, sobbed Fluttershy. GoldenFeather's ears folded back, he held her closer, petting her mane. 

“You never neglected him, Fluttershy”, he soothed her. 

Inside the cottage, Twilight made hot tea for everypony, wanting to help anyway she could. 

Applejack sat in the living room, a blanket around her shoulders. 

“Applejack...”, Twilight approached her, worriedly. Her friend's green eyes were dark, tears still in them. 

She gently placed her hoof on Applejack's shoulder. The cottage door opened, GoldenFeathers and Fluttershy came in. 

Applejack looked up. 

“Fluttershy...I'm so sorry. This is all my fault”, Applejack cried. 

“It's not your f-fault, A-Applejack...it's mine”, Fluttershy cried, as the two hugged. 

“How is it your fault?!”, cried Applejack, worriedly. 

Fluttershy sobbed softly. 

“All he w-want w-was a c-carrot cake!”, Fluttershy cried, feeling horrible. 

“Oh Fluttershy...there, there, it's not your fault”, Applejack petted her mane, her ears folding back. 

“Thank you, Twilight. For staying...you and AJ”, GoldenFeathers said, as he walked over to her. 

“It's fine, GoldenFeathers. I just hope Fluttershy will be okay...”, Twilight said, worriedly. 

“I know she's gonna keep blaming herself...”, GoldenFeathers sighed, worriedly. 

“Is there anything else we can do?”, asked Twilight. 

“Could you let Soarin know I won't be able to help out with the weather tomorrow morning? I have to stay up with her tonight, I know she won't be able to sleep”, GoldenFeathers asked. 

“Of course, and if you need anything else, you know where we are”, Twilight assured him. 

“Thank you, Twilight”, GoldenFeathers walked back to his wife, as she continued to sob. 

“We'll come back tomorrow”, Applejack promised. 

She and Twilight soon left, it was dark out already. 

Fluttershy continued to sob in GoldenFeather's embrace, nonstop. He gently kissed her forehead, rubbing her swollen belly, doing all he could to calm her. 

“Applejack...don't blame yourself. Please...”, Twilight cried. Applejack was walking her home, since her castle was on the way to Sweet Apple Acres. 

“I...can't help it, Twi. I should have done something”, Applejack said, grimly. 

“But it's not your fault! Accidents happen...we can't always prevent them”, Twilight said, softly. Applejack looked down. 

They arrived at Twilight's home. 

“I'll see you at Fluttershy's tomorrow, Twilight”, was all she said. 

“Applejack, wait!”, cried Twilight, worriedly, but her friend was gone. 

Twilight's ears folded back, worriedly. She didn't want her friend blaming herself for this. 

She felt her foal kicking softly against her abdomen, sensing its mother's worry. 

Twilight looked at her belly lovingly. 

“It's okay, little one”, she soothed softly. She sighed worriedly, walking inside her castle. 

A month soon went by, Fluttershy was naturally still grieving, but GoldenFeathers never left her side. Her friends visited as much as they could. 

Rainbow Dash and Twilight were hesitant about leaving to the Daring Do Convention, but Fluttershy urged them to go, she didn't want them to miss out on it. 

Soon the two arrived at the Convention. 

“I gotta say, I really needed a break”, Rainbow Dash admitted. 

“Are the twins driving you and Soarin crazy?”, asked Twilight. 

“Actually, it's mainly Skylar. Winter is an angel. She's so...calm. But Skylar is all over the place!”, Rainbow replied. 

“Babies do tend to explore..”, Twilight started. 

“No, Twilight! I mean he's literally all over the place! He's FLYING already!”, Rainbow explained. 

“Oh...! Already?”, asked Twilight, surprised. 

“We can hardly keep a track of him. He almost flew to Canterlot once! His wings are so weirdly strong”, Rainbow Dash said. 

“It'll be okay, Rainbow. You know, Pound Cake flew early too. But you're able to fly after him, the Cakes can't”, Twilight pointed out. 

“I guess you're right, I just worry about him”, admitted Rainbow. 

Twilight's ears folded back then, smiling at Rainbow. 

Rainbow Dash frowned. 

“What? What's that look?”, she asked. 

“Sorry, I just never thought I'd see your soft side this much”, admitted Twilight. 

Rainbow looked away, embarrassed, choosing not to comment on that. Twilight smiled softly. 

The two walked through the Convention, seeing many other fans there. 

“Wow...to be honest, I expected to see more younger fans”, Twilight noticed most of them were adults. 

“It's nostalgic for us, foals today really can't fully appreciate Daring Do”, Rainbow said. 

“Hey! Rainbow Dash! No way!”, a familiar earth pony waved towards them. 

Rainbow blinked, and her jaw dropped then. 

“Quibble Pants?!”, she gawked. 

“I don't believe it!”, he hurried over, and the two hugged. 

“Where have you been?!”, he asked her, once the two broke apart. 

“I've been really busy lately”, admitted Rainbow, happy to see her friend again. 

“Oh...this is Quibble? The adventure critic?”, asked Twilight. 

“Princess Twilight Sparkle! I can't believe I'm meeting you”, Quibble said, smiling. 

“Yep, the adventure critic. I'm shocked you still come to these, considering this one is only for the newest books”, Rainbow admitted. 

The two had formed a brother/sister relationship. 

“Well...”, Quibble hesitated, biting his lip. 

“The truth is...well...”, he stammered. Rainbow's eyes suddenly lit up. 

“No way! You LIKE the three new books?!”, she asked, excited. 

Quibble turned away, unable to admit it. 

“I don't believe it! That's so awesome!”, Rainbow cried. 

“Okay...fine. Her last three were...really well written”, admitted Quibble. 

“Quibble! Wait up! You left me back there with that creepy Daring Do body pillow seller...”, a pony came running over. 

Twilight froze, and she unknowingly blushed. It was him again. 

That white Unicorn stallion, with the red and blue mane and tail. 

“Hey, I wasn't gonna wait”, Quibble said back. 

“You two...know each other?”, asked Twilight. 

The white stallion saw her, and he instantly blushed, his ears folding back. 

“Princess Twilight...we meet again”, the stallion chuckled, surprised. 

“Again, indeed”, Twilight looked away. 

“I never did introduce myself...my name is Firework”, the stallion revealed. 

“Are you following me around or something?”, Twilight asked. She couldn't look him in the eyes. Every time she saw him, her heart skipped a beat, and she felt nervous. 

The same feelings she felt...when she first met Flash. 

She also could tell Firework liked her. But...she didn't want to get hurt again. 

She...couldn't trust again. 

“It must feel like that, but nope. I'm friends with Quibble, and we just happened to come here as well”, replied Firework. 

“Well, Quibble and I have lots of catching up to do”, Rainbow spoke up then, she could clearly see them both blushing. 

Twilight's heart sunk then. 

“Wait, Rainbow!”, she cried, panicked. But Rainbow and Quibble had taken off, vanishing in the crowd of Daring Do cosplayers. 

“So....you like Daring Do, as well?”, asked Firework. Twilight hesitated, looking away. 

“Yes...I'm a long time fan”, she replied. 

“Really? Same here!”, Firework said, smiling. Twilight continued to look away, her head low. Firework gave a worried smile. He knew what happened to her. 

“Hey...you want to hang out a bit?”, he gently asked. Twilight glanced up at his kind smile. 

She gave a small nod, and followed him. 

“So, what's your favorite out of the series?”, asked Firework. 

“I guess that would have to be the Griffin's Goblet”, admitted Twilight. 

“A classic, it was one of her more darker novels”, Firework said. 

“So...how long have you been a guard at Canterlot?”, asked Twilight. 

“I'm still new to it. I was in training for a few years, but I finally got accepted”, replied Firework. 

Twilight glanced at his Cutie Mark. 

“That's a really unique cutie mark”, she noticed. 

“I get that a lot...I have the magic to conjure limitless fireworks”, Firework's horn glowed red then, and he shot up a few. 

The loud booms startled some of the other ponies. 

“HEY buddy! This is an INDOOR convention! Get a grip!”, a pony yelled, angrily then. 

“Yikes...sorry. Conventions aren't what they used to be”, Firework blushed, embarrassed. 

Twilight blushed at him, she even smiled slightly, without realizing it. 

“Guess I got a bit carried away, forgive me Princess”, Firework said then, respectfully. 

Twilight's ears folded back. 

“Oh, you don't have to apologize”, she assured him. 

“But as a guard, I have a duty to respect all the royals of Canterlot”, Firework said. 

“I'm not...all that special”, Twilight looked down. 

“Are you kidding me? You did so many wonderful things! You defeated Nightmare Moon, and brought Princess Luna back. And you helped defeat King Sombra! You even stopped Tirek! And that's naming just a few!”, Firework said, smiling. 

Twilight blushed again. 

“My friends helped me all those times...I never did any of it alone”, she said. 

“Well, you are the Princess of Friendship. You inspire so many ponies”, Firework pointed out. 

Twilight's ears folded back. 

“I haven't inspired many ponies”, she admitted. 

“That's not true! Twilight, you have no idea how special you are”, Firework pressed, he went to place his hoof on her shoulder. 

Twilight suddenly flinched, and even backed away. Firework didn't look surprised, but he did look worried. 

“I'm sorry...it's not you...”, Twilight apologized, she was visibly shaking. 

“It's all right”, Firework assured her gently, worried. 

“I think it's best we don't..talk anymore”, Twilight felt a lump in her throat as she said this. 

“Princess...”, Firework started. 

“Please, I don't want to get hurt again...”, Twilight backed away. Her horn glowed, and she teleported outside. 

“Oh Princess...”, Firework's ears folded back, worriedly. 

Tears were sparkling in Twilight's eyes, as she walked away from the convention building. 

“Twilight! Hey, where you going?”, Rainbow saw her, and she flew over. 

“How could you do that?!”, Twilight snapped then, glaring. 

“Do...what? You two were totally gushing over each other!”, Rainbow pointed out. 

“Do you really think I'm ready to trust again?! After what happened?!”, Twilight cried, she was still glaring, but tears were in her eyes. 

Rainbow Dash's ears folded back, a look of regret in her eyes. 

“But...you were blushing!”, she cried. 

“I didn't even realize I was. I...I just don't want to get hurt again”, Twilight cried. 

“And...I didn't want to reject him like that. He looked devastated”, she added, feeling horrible. 

“Twilight...I'm sorry. I just...”, Rainbow looked down, feeling terrible. 

“I'm not mad...I just...please, don't do that again”, pleaded Twilight. 

“I won't...I promise”, Rainbow assured her, worried. She noticed Twilight was still shaking. 

Back in Ponyville, Applejack sat on a hill, under an apple tree. It was sunset. She still blamed herself for what happened to Angel. 

Applebloom saw her older sister. The filly was in her teens now, and much bigger. 

“Applejack...”, her voice sounded older as well. 

Applejack's ears perked, and she looked. 

“Applebloom, what are you doing up here?”, she asked. She fought back tears. 

“Sis...you got to stop blaming yourself over this. It ain't your fault”, Applebloom cried, worriedly. 

“But...I...”, Applejack couldn't answer. 

“Mom and dad wouldn't want you blaming yourself for this...”, Applebloom said then. 

Applejack looked at her little sister. 

“You...saw it, sis. Didn't you...?”, Applebloom asked then. 

Applejack's heart sunk, as she fought back tears. 

“How did you know?”, she asked. 

“Big Mac told me...you saw it. When the timber wolves killed our parents. He technically saw it too, but only the end of it...”, Applebloom replied. She gently sat beside Applejack. 

“I'm just glad you were just a baby, and didn't see it...”, Applejack admitted, sniffling. 

“Sis, Fluttershy doesn't blame you. You can't keep blaming yourself”, Applebloom said, softly. 

“But...how?”, asked Applejack, sadly. 

Applebloom thought for a moment. 

“I have an idea!”, she cried then, smiling. Applejack blinked tears from her eyes, looking at her sister. 

The two went to the PonyVille Animal Shelter. 

“Are you sure this is a good idea...?”, asked Applejack, worriedly. 

“Of course! A new pet is just what Fluttershy needs”, Applebloom replied. 

Applejack blinked then, seeing some baby bunnies. 

There were white ones, brown ones, gray ones, and even black ones. 

She noticed one that stuck out, it was a gray baby bunny. He stuck out because, oddly, he had an eyepatch over his left eye. 

“What's wrong with this one?”, Applejack asked the shelter volunteer pony. 

“Oh, that's Captain Cotton Tail. Or just Captain for short. Poor little fella got his eye scratched out by a nasty cat...”, replied the pony. 

“He's a really sweetie though”, she added. 

Applejack looked at the bunny. The little bunny looked back up with its one eye. 

“Why not?”, asked Applebloom. 

The two soon arrived at Fluttershy's cottage. There were fresh flowers at Angel's grave. 

Applejack hesitated, nervous. She then knocked softly. 

After a few seconds, the door opened. 

“Applejack? Applebloom?”, Fluttershy's eyes were red and puffy. 

“Hey sugarcube...”, Applejack smiled softly. 

“We brought you something”, Applebloom smiled. 

“Come in”, Fluttershy let her friends in. Applejack saw a whole box of tissues by the couch. 

Applebloom carried the box, with air holes in it. 

“Fluttershy...truth be told, I still feel horrible about what happened to Angel...”, Applejack started. 

“Applejack, it wasn't your fault”, Fluttershy cried, worriedly. 

“I know...but I just...felt responsible. So...Applebloom and me, went to the animal shelter”, Applejack admitted. 

Applebloom set the box down, and opened it. 

Fluttershy blinked, and she then froze, seeing the bunny inside. 

“We know it won't replace Angel, but...”, Applejack explained. 

The gray bunny looked up at Fluttershy, and suddenly leaped into her arms, snuggling against her. 

“Oh Applejack...”, Fluttershy's eyes filled with tears, but she smiled. 

“Thank you so much...!”, she cried, as she cuddled the baby bunny close. 

Applejack smiled in relief. 

“You're right, he could never replace Angel, but...he's still a baby bunny. And he needs a momma”, Fluttershy smiled, as she cuddled the bunny close. 

The bunny cuddled her back. 

“We're so glad”, Applebloom said. 

Applejack smiled, relieved. And also glad she could bring Fluttershy's spirits back up. 






> Fluttershy's Foal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




“Earth Ponies and Pegasus really have it easy. I never realized how complex Unicorn and Alicorn pregnancy was”, MoonDancer was studying it with Twilight. 

It was a relaxing afternoon, both of them in her room in the castle. Cadence went out with Flurry Heart and Spike to get lunch from the Hayburger.

Twilight lay on the bed, mostly on her side, her head and neck propped by pillows. She struggled a bit to get comfortable, but managed. 

Since hitting 8 months, her belly was getting too big for her to be able to lay on her stomach or back, so she was most comfortable on her side. 

But she didn't get real big either like Rainbow. She looked quite natural, delicate and even cute. It suited her. 

She also found out she was having a filly. 

MoonDancer sat at the bottom of the bed, with her own book. 

“It's safe to teleport and perform simple magic as long as you've studied magic for a long time. It's important to mainly avoid using difficult spells...and flying in my case”, Twilight glanced at her wings. 

The permanent damage her wing suffered caused it to suddenly hurt when flying. 

It would happen at random, so Twilight didn't feel it was safe to fly at all during her pregnancy. 

“This book is really good though. It even lists which spells are okay to use, and which spells aren't”, she said, she used her magic to turn the page. 

“So...three more months is all”, MoonDancer commented, a hint of worry in her tone. 

“Yeah, just three more months and she'll be here”, Twilight smiled tenderly at her belly. 

“Are you...well, nervous?”, asked MoonDancer, concerned. Twilight's ears folded back. 

“I'd be lying if I said no. But Cadence will be there with me, and so will you, Spike and my friends. It's been decided I'll be foaling in Canterlot. Since it's custom for the Princesses of Canterlot”, replied Twilight. 

“Are you comfortable with...well, giving birth there? With all those bad memories of...you know”, asked MoonDancer, worriedly. 

“Even though I have bad memories there, I still have good memories there as well. Meeting you, when I became Princess Celestia's student, the Gala...and of course its where Cadence and I first met”, Twilight replied. 

“As long as you're comfortable, that's all that matters”, MoonDancer smiled. 

Cadence, Spike and Flurry Heart were coming back from the Hayburger. Spike carried around 20 bags of food, while Cadence carried 10, and Flurry Heart carried 1. 

“Why do we need so much?!”, complained Spike. 

“Because Twilight is eating for two. She's due in only 3 months, Spike. We have to take good care of her to have a safe delivery, and if we want her foal to be healthy”, Cadence replied, there was obvious paranoia in her voice. 

It was clear Cadence was becoming anxious for her sister in law, as the birth approached closer each month. 

They made it back, and Cadence froze. 

There was some flowers and even a treat from Sugercube Corner in a bakery box left on the doorstep. 

“Looks like Romeo's at it again”, Spike commented. 

Firework, since the Daring Do convention, had been leaving gifts for Twilight every week. 

Since Twilight was still unable to trust, she didn't accept any of them. She was too scared to become hurt again. 

“Oh Spike...I wish she'd give him a chance. He's really nice. I even know him personally since he's a guard at Canterlot”, admitted Cadence, sadly. 

“Does Shining Armor know him?”, asked Spike. 

“He does. Says he's just a big softie, and a hopeless romantic”, Cadence replied. 

“Clearly”, Spike smirked, as he picked up the flowers and treat box. 

The two entered the castle, and went upstairs. Spike put the gifts from Firework in his closet, where he's been keeping them for Firework just in case. 

“Hey mommy”, Cadence said sweetly, entering the bedroom. 

“Oh Cadence, you're back! You wouldn't believe all the stuff MoonDancer and I have been learning in here”, Twilight smiled. 

She blinked then, seeing all the food. 

“Wow...that's alot”, she admitted. 

“Well, we want your foal to be healthy and strong, and need you to be as well for when you foal. I just want to make sure you're getting enough to eat, and enough rest”, Cadence replied. 

Twilight smiled softly. 

“It's okay, Cadence. I'm doing fine. We should really be more worried for Fluttershy. She's due any day now”, Twilight admitted, worriedly. 

“Rainbow Dash seems really worried about her”, Spike mentioned, as he entered the room. 

“Of course she is, those two are like sisters...what are you carrying a pillow for?”, Twilight tilted her head.  

Spike climbed onto the bed, and then lifted Twilight's back hooves up, and then set them on the soft pillow. 

“I read you have to keep them elevated”, he explained. 

Twilight's ears folded back, and she smiled. 

“That's so sweet, Spike”, she gently nuzzled the baby dragon. 

“You know Spike, you'll be like a big brother to Twilight's foal”, MoonDancer pointed out. 

“Really? Gosh...that's right”, Spike realized. 

“As her big brother, you'll be there to protect her, and help take care of her”, Twilight smiled. 

“It's seems like such a big responsibility...what if I misplace her?! Say we're at the park, and I lose her in the sandbox!”, Spike panicked. 

“Spike, you don't have to worry. Nothing like that would happen”, Twilight assured him. 

“But...what she doesn't want me as a big brother?”, wondered Spike, anxiously. 

Twilight looked at him worriedly. She then pulled him close, in a loving hug. 

“Hey...she'll love you. You're not just my number one assistant, Spike. You're family. I'm the one who hatched you. So...in a weird way, you're like my son. And I know she'll love you”, Twilight comforted him. 

Spike gently had his hand on her belly, being very careful with his claws. 

“But still...I'm a dragon. What if I scare her?”, he wondered. 

“You know...she'd be the only foal to have something as awesome as a dragon for a big brother”, MoonDancer pointed out. 

“She'll never be bullied, and she'll have the coolest brother”, she added. 

Spike blinked then, he then grinned. 

“Yeah! I guess she will!”, he said, feeling better. 

“Thanks, MoonDancer”, Twilight said, as Spike left to go make lunch. 

“It's no problem. This is a big deal for Spike as well as you, and all of us”, MoonDancer said. 

“I was honestly worried he'd be jealous...or think he was being replaced”, admitted Twilight. 

“I think given the circumstances, and everything that happened between you and Flash...Spike is just happy that you're safe and happy again”, Cadence pointed out. 

Spike went downstairs, walking down the castle hall. 

“Let's see, Twilight's cravings today are blueberry pancakes, muffins, hay fries, oranges and...popcorn?!”, Spike read the list. 

“Well, okay then”, he shrugged. He was about enter the kitchen, when there was urgent knocking on the front door. 

“Coming!”, Spike hurried over. 

As soon as he slightly turned the knob, the door flew open, and a flash of rainbow zoomed passed him, causing him to spin rapidly, and then knocking him down. 

“TWILIGHT!”, Rainbow Dash never flew that fast before in her life. She stood in the bedroom doorway, out of breath. 

“Rainbow Dash...!”, Twilight got out of bed, with Cadence's help, already knowing. 

“It's Fluttershy...”, panted Rainbow, she never looked so anxious before. 

“Say no more, let's hurry”, Twilight said, urgently. 

They soon arrived at Ponyville Urgent Care. 

They entered the building, and Rainbow zoomed over to the front counter. 

“We're here to see Fluttershy!”, she said, panicked. 

“What ward?”, asked the pony receptionist. The earth pony seemed distracted by a magizine she was reading. 

“What ward?! How can you not..! Ugh! Maternity!”, Rainbow yelled. 

Just then, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Soarin (carrying the twins) came in. 

“All right, calm down. Let's see...oh okay, the Pegasus, are you family?”, the receptionist asked. 

“What does that matter?! We're friends!”, Rainbow demanded. 

“Sorry, only family's allowed in”, the receptionist said. 

“But we ARE like family! She's like my sister! If you don't let me back there, I'm gonna use a Sonic Rainboom-”

“Whoa, nelly! Calm down, RD!”, Applejack pulled Rainbow away from the counter. 

“What in tarnation has got into you? You're acting like you're the father!”, Applejack said, surprised. 

“Aren't any of you worried?! I know what this is...and Fluttershy is so delicate!”, Rainbow said, worriedly. 

“Of course we're worried, Rainbow Dash. But you need to calm down. Fluttershy needs us all to be level headed”, Twilight replied. 

“”But they won't even let us see her!”, Rainbow cried. 

“Oh they will”, Twilight walked up to the counter. 

“Ahem”, she cleared her throat. The receptionist suddenly blinked. 

“Oh, Princess Twilight! What can we do for you, your highness?”, she asked. 

“Please let myself and my friends see Fluttershy”, Twilight said, sternly. 

“Oh...of course, yes, go right in”, the receptionist opened the ER doors for them. 

“Thank you”, Twilight said. “Room 32 on floor 3”, the receptionist added. 

“Why didn't I think of that?”, Rainbow asked, a little embarrassed, as they got on the elevator. 

“It's fine, you're just worried. But don't worry, she'll be fine”, Pinkie smiled. 

Soarin remained in the waiting room with the twins and Cadence. MoonDancer had stayed with Spike at the castle. 

“Looks like we're here for the day”, Soarin said. Winter and Skylar both giggled cutely, and played with the toys in the waiting room. 

“We don't want to overwhelm her girls, we don't know how well she's handling the labor”, Twilight said. 

“Of course”, Rarity agreed, the others nodding. 

Twilight opened the door to room 32 with her magic. 

“Fluttershy?”, Twilight entered first quietly. 

“Oh girls...!”, Fluttershy looked happy to see them. Twilight smiled, as she and the rest entered. 

“How are you?”, asked Twilight, worriedly. 

“I've been better”, admitted Fluttershy. She did look quite tired already. 

GoldenFeathers was by her side, holding her hoof. 

“Thanks so much for coming”, he said. 

“So how long do they think it will be, sugarcube?”, asked Applejack, gently. 

“Well, it could be several more hours. They aren't sure yet”, replied Fluttershy. 

“When I had Cherrypie, it took THREE days!”, Pinkie admitted. 

“Pinkie!”, hissed Rainbow, glaring. 

“Sorry”, Pinkie piped down. 

“It's okay Rainbow, I already know that's a possibility”, Fluttershy assured her. 

“Are you sure you're okay, Fluttershy?”, asked Rainbow, her ears folded back, worried. 

“Don't worry about me, girls. GoldenFeathers is here with me...and I'll be okay”, Fluttershy's breath staggered a little as she spoke. 

“We're all here for you, Fluttershy”, Twilight assured her, gently. 

“I know”, Fluttershy gave a weak smile. 

The doctor came in then. 

“I apologize, Princess...but we can't have the room crowded for too long”, he said, he was kind in his tone. 

“We understand, sir”, Twilight replied. 

“We'll be in the waiting room, sugar cube”, Applejack assured Fluttershy. 

“Just think happy thoughts!”, encouraged Pinkie, sweetly. 

“We know you'll do wonderful, darling”, added Rarity. 

“Thanks girls”, smiled Fluttershy. 

Rainbow was the last to leave the room, she hesitated at first. 

“Rainbow...you don't have to worry, I'll be okay”, Fluttershy gently held Rainbow's hoof then. 

“I know...I'm just worried. You're like my little sister”, Rainbow admitted. 

Fluttershy's ears folded back, she smiled softly. 

“I'll be okay, Rainbow, I promise”, she assured her. 

Rainbow gave a worried nod. 

“If you need any of us, you know where we are”, she smiled softly. 

Soon the five were waiting in the waiting room with Cadence, Soarin and Rainbow's twins. 

Twilight sat next to Cadence, she was reading a book to keep herself distracted from worry. 

But her eyes said it all. 

Rainbow Dash flew back and fourth through the waiting room, nonstop, while Applejack paced on hoof. 

Rarity kept biting her hoof, nervously, trying to distract herself with a fashion magizine, ironically one about her shop in Manehatten. 

Pinkie Pie was playing with Winter and Skylar. 

“Dashie...she's going to be fine”, Soarin tried to assure his wife. 

“Uh huh”, Rainbow didn't appear to be listening, flying back and fourth, nonstop. 

“It's been several hours...”, Cadence commented, worried. 

“I know...but we all knew it could take a while”, Twilight said, worriedly. 

“Ya don't reckon there's...a problem?”, Applejack asked, nervously. 

“I'm sure everything's fine”, Twilight said, although she looked worried. 

“We don't have to worry, some foals just take a while”, Pinkie said, cheerfully. 

“I think we're all worrying for nothing. It's quite natural, and mares do it every day”, Rarity added. They were all really trying to assure themselves, rather than each other. 

Finally, the ER doors opened. Rainbow Dash froze then. She flew down. 

“How is she?!”, they all asked at once, causing the doctor to back up a bit. 

“Well, it seems some complications are arising...”, he started. 

Twilight's heart sunk. 

“What does that mean?!”, asked Applejack, worriedly. 

“The actual foaling started about an hour ago...and she's been struggling quite a bit”, replied the doctor. 

“So what now?!”, demanded Rainbow Dash, anxiously. 

“It simply means it's going to be a more difficult delivery..worst case is she'll need to have a C-section. I just knew you all needed an update”, replied the doctor. 

“But..she'll be okay, right?”, asked Twilight, worriedly. 

The doctor hesitated. 

“Well?! Will she or not?!”, demanded Rainbow. 

“Most likely yes...but we don't like to promise anything in situations like this”, he replied. 

All the ponies looked horrified then, their hearts sharing the same fear. 

Pinkie saw the devastated look on Rainbow's face. 

“Winter, Skylar, let's go get some snacks, okay?”, she said softly. She picked both foals up, carrying them out. 

Soarin gave her a grateful look as she left. 

“Look, don't get upset. This kind of thing happens often. She is quite small and fragile, so this isn't a surprise. I'll give you all another update as soon as I can”, the doctor said. 

“Thank you doctor..”, Twilight looked down, worriedly. 

Cadence gently placed a comforting hoof on Twilight's shoulder. 

The doctor went back behind the ER doors. 

The ponies were grimly quiet, unsure what to say. And too scared to even think. 

“What now, ya'll?”, asked Applejack, worriedly. 

> Giving Love a Second Chance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“We can't do anything but wait...”, Twilight said sadly. 

“That's not good enough!”, Rainbow yelled, tears appeared in her eyes as she said this. 

“Dashie...”, Soarin pulled her close in a tight hug, as Rainbow cried softly, hiding her tears from her friends. 

“Look ya'll...we can't dread the worst. I know what the doctor said sounded grim but...it's not over yet”, Applejack pointed out, although she looked worried. 

“Applejack's right, we should all calm down and stop expecting the worst”, Rarity agreed. 

Twilight's ears folded back, her own unborn foal was kicking like crazy, sensing her mother's stress. 

“Twilight...?”, Cadence asked, worriedly. 

“I need to take a walk...”, Twilight said, softly. Her voice sounded cracked, as she walked down the hall, needing a breather. 

Cadence looked worried, watching her go. 

Twilight walked down the hospital hall, she didn't even want to think about it. But the very possibility kept haunting her. 

What if...something happened to Fluttershy? Or to her foal? Or...to both of them? Twilight closed her eyes, shaking her head. 

That couldn't happen. It wouldn't. 

She then opened her eyes, her ears perking. 

Pinkie Pie was in the hospital play room for foals, with Winter and Skylar. Skylar flew around the room, as Pinkie tried to grab him.

“Get down her, young colt!”, she yelled, reaching for him. Winter played quietly with the toys on the floor, unable to fly yet. 

Skylar flew fast, as other foals in the room watched in amazement. 

“Darn it! Skylar!”, Pinkie leaped up again, but missed him. 

When suddenly magic froze Skylar. 

The foal frowned, still flapping his wings rapidly, but not moving. 

Twilight's eyes grew wide then, seeing it was Firework. 

“Come on little guy, you've caused enough ruckus”, Firework gently gave Skylar to Pinkie with his magic. 

“Hey, thanks!”, Pinkie smiled. 

Twilight entered the room. 

“Seriously?!”, was all she could say. It was starting to feel like he was stalking her. Firework blushed, his ears folding back. 

“Oh, Princess Twilight”, he greeted. 

“Are you following me?”, Twilight accused, frustrated. 

“Of course not, silly! Firework's a Volunteer here at the hospital! He foalsits for everypony here!”, Pinkie explained. 

Twilight blinked, looking at him. 

“I've always loved foals, so I volunteer here twice a week to help out. A hospital can be a pretty stressful and scary place, and while their parents deal with whatever they're here for, I keep the foals in here where it's quiet and they can play”, Firework explained. 

“Firework! That white Pegasus is hogging the dollhouse!”, complained an Earth Pony filly, pulling at his mane. 

“Well remember sweetie, she's a lot younger than you. I think I can find you a new one in the closet”, Firework said softly. 

Twilight's ears folded back, watching how good he was with the foals. 

Firework opened the closet door with his magic, and found another dollhouse. 

“Yay! Thank you!”, the filly played with it. 

“Firework! The wheel broke!”, cried a little Unicorn colt. 

“Let me see”, Firework used his magic, and repaired it. 

“Awesome! You're the best!”, the colt cried, happily. Firework smiled softly, he then blinked, seeing a filly was off to herself, tears in her eyes, an Earth pony. 

“Hey, what's wrong sweetie?”, he asked gently. 

“I'm worried about my little sister, Firework...mommy and daddy seemed so worried when they brought her here...”, the filly replied tearfully. 

“Hey, she's going to be okay, sweetie. As long as she has such a loving big sister as you”, Firework assured her. 

The filly looked at him, as Firework wiped her eyes with his hoof. 

“She'll be better in no time, kiddo. Keep your chin up”, he said kindly. The filly smiled softly, nodding. 

Twilight's eyes softened, she even felt touched. 

“Firework...you're really good with kids...”, she admitted. Firework's ears folded back, looking a little embarrassed. 

“They're a lot of fun”, he said softly. 

“Do you...have any? You're so good with them....”, Twilight asked. 

“No...I never have. But I always did want a family”, admitted Firework, blushing. 

He then blinked. 

“Hey...why are you here? Are you sick?”, Firework asked, worriedly then. 

“No, it's not me. I'm here for a friend, Fluttershy”, replied Twilight softly. 

“Can I ask what's wrong with her?”, asked Firework. 

“She's...having her foal today”, Twilight replied, simply. 

“That's wonderful!”, Firework started to smile, but he saw Twilight's grim look. 

“Is...something wrong?”, he asked, worriedly. 

“It's not going very well. The doctor was vague but...it didn't sound good”, Twilight replied, looking away. 

“Vague, huh....that's never good”, Firework admitted, worriedly. 

Twilight looked down sadly, a heavy lump in her throat. 

Firework looked worried, quiet at first. 

“Does she have a husband?”, he asked softly. 

“Yes, he's with her”, replied Twilight. 

“They love each other, right?”, Firework asked. 

Twilight blinked at his question. 

“Of course they do”, she replied sternly. 

“Then, I'm sure she'll be okay”, Firework said. Twilight blinked, confused. 

“How can you be so sure?”, she asked. 

“This may sound cheesy, but...I believe if two ponies love each other enough, anything is possible”, Firework replied. 

Twilight starred at him, what he said reminded her of Shining Armor and Cadence, and how they defeated Queen Chrysalis with their love. 

“It's not cheesy at all...but still, Fluttershy's always been so fragile. What if she...”, Twilight couldn't finish her sentence, not wanting to believe it. 

“Hey...she'll be okay”, Firework assured her softly. Twilight looked down, wanting to believe him, but she felt so scared for her friend. 

“Twilight!”, Rainbow Dash suddenly flew in the play room. 

“Rainbow? What is it?”, Twilight asked, urgently. 

“Fluttershy had the foal...”, Rainbow replied, breathlessly. 

“She did...?! I'm coming...!”, Twilight quickly followed Rainbow. 

“Hey! Wait for us!”, Pinkie shouted, carrying Winter, while Skylar flew alongside her. Firework stayed with the foals, but looked concerned about the whole outcome. 

“Well?! Talk to me, Rainbow! Is she okay? What about the foal?”, asked Twilight, urgently. 

She couldn't go any faster than trotting, being with foal. Rainbow flew above her. 

“I don't know! Right when we heard the foal crying, I zoomed out to get you!”, replied Rainbow, worriedly. 

Rainbow and Twilight made it back to the waiting room. 

“Is Fluttershy okay?!”, cried Twilight, anxiously. 

The doctor backed up again, being practically mobbed by them all. 

“Calm down, everypony”, he said. 

“Well!? Is she okay or not?!”, Applejack demanded, urgently. 

“Everypony relax. Fluttershy has successfully foaled a healthy filly”, the doctor replied. 

“A filly?”, Twilight's eyes lit up, her ears folded back. 

“Oh my goodness!”, cried Rarity, happily. 

“A filly!”, Pinkie cheered, happily. 

“But...they're both okay, right?”, asked Rainbow, worriedly. 

“I won't lie to any of you. It was a very difficult foaling. Fluttershy is very weak right now, and she'll take longer to recover than normal. But she will be okay. However...”, the doctor explained. 

“However...?”, Cadence asked. 

“I've already told her and GoldenFeathers. It's best she doesn't have any more foals...it could be fatal to her”, the doctor said. 

“I see...can we see her?”, asked Twilight, worriedly. 

“She needs her rest...for now only one of you can go in”, the doctor replied. 

They all hesitated. 

“You go in, Rainbow Dash”, Twilight said, kindly. 

“Are you sure?”, asked Rainbow, she was actually sweating with worry and distress for her friend. 

“You've been more worried than any of us, sugarcube. Go on”, Applejack assured her. 

Rainbow Dash smiled relieved, she followed the doctor to Fluttershy's room. 

“Only a few minutes, she really needs her rest”, the doctor advised the pegasus. 

“I understand”, Rainbow said softly, she gently pushed the door open. 

“Fluttershy...?”, she asked quietly. She then froze, her breath catching in her throat. 

Fluttershy was hooked up to all kinds of medical machines. She had an IV in her front left leg, and she also had an oxygen mask on. 

There was also a heart monitor on, it beeped steadily. 

“Rainbow, it's okay, you can come in”, GoldenFeathers saw her. His hoof was bandaged, like Soarin's was. 

Rainbow entered slowly, worried. 

“Fluttershy...?”, Rainbow whispered, worriedly. 

“She's already asleep”, GoldenFeathers said softly. Fluttershy was limp, she looked extremely exhausted.

Her mane was a bit of a mess, and she was soaked in sweat. GoldenFeathers kept dabbing her face with a cool wet cloth. 

Rainbow smiled softly, she gently held Fluttershy's limp hoof. 

“You did it, Fluttershy...”, she said softly. She gently stroked her friend's mane, feeling a mix of worried and proud. 

Fluttershy was always like a little sister to her. 

A couple hours later, Nurse Red Heart led the group to the window to see into the nursery where the filly was. 

They had to walk passed Fluttershy's room. 

Twilight paused, she peeked in, seeing Fluttershy was awake. She and GoldenFeathers were nuzzling close. 

“I can't believe she's here...”, Fluttershy mused, weakly. 

“You did wonderful, baby girl. I'm so proud of you”, GoldenFeathers said sweetly. 

The two nuzzled softly. 

“We're a family now...you, me...and AngelShy”, Fluttershy said softly. 

Twilight felt tears in her eyes. Their love was so true...so beautiful. 

Her ears folded back, as she followed the rest.

“Where is she?! Where is she?!”, Pinkie looked around the nursery through the window, anxiously. 

“Right there...it's obvious”, Twilight smiled, seeing. 

“Wow! She looks so much like Fluttershy!”, cried Rainbow. 

“Oh..so beautiful!”, beamed Rarity. 

“Aw...well I'll be...”, Applejack took her hat off, fighting back tears. 

Among the newborn foals, a yellow one stuck out. The Pegasus filly yawned. She had yellow fur like her mother, only it was a little darker. 

She had a light pink mane and tail, and she had her father's golden eyes. 

“She's so beautiful”, cried Twilight. 

“Makes you excited for your own filly, doesn't it?”, Cadence smiled softly. Twilight's ears folded back, tears in her eyes. 

“It does...”, she admitted, as she looked at her swollen belly, lovingly. 

“So...everything okay?”, Firework asked, as he walked over. Twilight's ears perked at his voice. 

“Firework...”, she said.

“Yep! All's good!”, Pinkie then went inside, and leaned over AngelShy. 

“We need to celebrate your birthday, AngelShy! You were just born today!”, Pinkie cheered. 

Red Heart shushed her, glaring. 

“But...”, started Pinkie. 

Red Heart threw her out then. 

“Just like Pound and Pumpkin all over again”, chuckled Applejack. 

“I'm glad”, Firework said kindly. Twilight looked down softly. 

“Can we talk...?”, she asked then. Firework blinked, surprised. But he nodded, smiling. 

The two walked out. Cadence blinked, surprised with the rest. 

Firework and Twilight walked outside, in the front yard of the hospital. 

“I'm glad your friend's okay”, Firework said softly. 

Twilight looked down. 

“Firework...I know you like me. And I...”, Twilight closed her eyes then, looking away. 

Firework was quiet, he was blushing, but there was a worried look in his eyes. 

“I...I like you too. But...I'm too scared. I don't want to be hurt again. I don't want my foal to get hurt!”, Twilight cried. 

“Princess, I understand how you feel”, Firework said softly. 

“How could you possibly understand?!”, Twilight cried, looking at him, as he walked passed her, unable to look at her. 

“I should have told you this when we first met...”, he started. 

Twilight blinked, listening. 

“When I was just a colt...my older sister and I were constantly pushed by my father. Black Blood. He was the most powerful Unicorn in FillyDalphia. Everypony idolized him”, Firework went on. 

“And...your mother?”, asked Twilight carefully. 

“She died after giving birth to me”, Firework replied, grimly. Twilight's ears folded back. 

“Her death...my father blamed me for it. So he pushed me and my sister, day and night, to be as powerful as he is. When we didn't live up to his expectations, he beat us...”, Firework revealed. 

Twilight's heart sunk, she even felt light headed at Firework's confession. 

“He abused us physically and emotionally. He broke us down mentally. We were too scared to tell anypony. Finally...when my sister was old enough, she ran away, leaving me behind. I heard she relied on boasting constantly, and became a show off. She learned that of course from our father...”, Firework continued. 

If Twilight hadn't been so shocked about learning all this, she would have realized who Firework's sister was. 

“I finally ran away, but I was just a colt still. I hadn't even earned my cutie mark yet. I traveled to Canterlot...but I was so scared, and hungry...I didn't have the courage to continue. I was going to return to my father...”, Firework said. 

“But then...I saw a Unicorn filly. She was so beautiful...and she already had her cutie mark. She was so talented at magic, I'd never see anything like it. She sparkled...she made making your dreams come true look so easy”, he continued. 

Twilight was silent, as her eyes grew bigger and bigger. 

“I didn't want to stop looking, I watched her perform amazing spells under the watchful eye of Princess Celestia. I got so excited, I actually conjured up fireworks by accident. And...I got my cutie mark”, Firework revealed. 

“That filly...was you Twilight Sparkle. You inspired me to set out my own dreams, and you even helped me get my Cutie mark. Without even realizing it...”, Firework said. 

“What...?”, Twilight was speechless. This was uncanny...they were connected, ever since foals. Soul mates...

“I never wanted to see you suffer the way I did...when I found out what happened..I couldn't believe it”, Firework said. 

He gently held his hoof out to her then, facing her. 

Twilight hesitated at first. 

“I want to see you shine again, just like that filly I saw all those years ago. I...I love you Princess. Please...trust me”, Firework said gently. 

“Firework...”, Twilight slowly held his hoof then. 

He was gentle with her, as they looked into each other's eyes. 

“I don't expect you to trust so quickly after what you went through. But you helped me trust and believe again...let me do the same thing in return, Princess Twilight”, Firework pleaded. 

Twilight's ears folded back, as she blushed. 

“Just...call me Twilight”, she requested softly. Firework smiled softly, blushing. 

He gently pulled her a little closer, as their eyes kept looking into one another. 

“I love you, Twilight...”, he mused. 

“I know we haven't know each other long...but I can't deny it. I love you...but, it feels different than with Flash. It feels...real”, Twilight admitted, blushing. 

“But...you know this foal isn't yours. Could you still love her...?”, Twilight asked, worriedly. 

“Are you kidding? Of course I could...she'll be as beautiful, talented and kind as her mother”, Firework said sweetly. 

Twilight's ears folded back, as her heart skipped a beat. Flash never said anything like that to her. He was never sweet or gentle to her. 

“Oh Firework...”, Twilight blushed, smiling softly. 

Firework gently stroked her mane, and the two inched closer. They closed their eyes, and felt their lips press against each other, in a soft but loving kiss. 





> Foal Shower
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




“Everything has to be perfect!”, Pinkie pie said, she paced around the nursery. Pumpkinpie was in his crib, babbling cutely. 

“No mistakes, no delays! It has to be the most super, perfect foal shower ever!”, she continued. 

It was very early in the morning, only 6:58 AM. In just two minutes, the stores would open in Ponyville. 

Pinkie had a list about 3 feet long. 

“We need balloons...PINK balloons! Streamers, desserts, music...”, Pinkie continued to pace. 

“Don't forget a location, mom!”, CherryPie added, she was the only foal awake. Applepie and Cheese Sandwich were still asleep. 

“It will be in her castle, of course! That's easy peasey, CherryPie. We have bigger things to worry about!”, Pinkie said, urgently. 

“You're the best party maker ever mommy! It will be amazing!”, CherryPie pointed out. Pinkie smiled, her ears folded back. 

“Oh Cherrypie, you're as sweet as...hey! As CherryPie! No wonder I named you that!”, Pinkie giggled. CherryPie laughed as well. 

She then frowned. 

“But...what can I do? I don't even have my Cutie mark yet”, she said, sadly. 

“Aww, don't worry sweetie. You'll get it soon enough! You're gonna help me plan this shower”, Pinkie smiled. 

PumpkinPie babbled cutely in his crib, reaching his hooves out. 

“Awww I wish you could help too, Pumpky, but you're still too little”, Pinkie let the colt hold her hoof with his. 

Her watch suddenly beeped, it was 7 AM. The sun was fully risen now. 

“Time to go!”, Pinkie zoomed out with CherryPie. 

“Cheese Sandwich!”, Pinkie hissed, opening the bedroom door. 

Cheese Sandwich slept soundly, snoring. 

“Hey! Get up!”, Pinkie pulled the blanket off him, opening the curtains. 

“Pinkie...it's early”, Cheese groaned, putting the pillow over his head. 

“I need you to watch PumpkinPie and Applepie while Cherry and I prepare Twilight's foal shower”, Pinkie instructed. 

“We got time...”, Cheese grumbled, tiredly. 

“No we don't! What if the stores ran out of balloons?! Or streamers?! What if Sugar Cube Corner's oven wasn't working?!”, Pinkie panicked. 

“Pinkie...easy, sweetie. None of that's gonna happen. I'll get up”, Cheese assured her. 

“Great!”, Pinkie rushed out, CherryPie right behind her. 

“First stop...decorations!”, Pinkie hurried into town fast. 

She galloped through town, and accidentally splashed mud on Cranky's newspaper. 

“Pinkie!”, Cranky yelled. 

“Sorry, Cranky! I'll get you a new paper later!”, Pinkie yelled, as she continued running. 

“There's the party shop!”, CherryPie cried. Pinkie galloped ahead, and practically flew into the store. 

“Oh, hey Pinkie! Another party?”, the shopkeeper asked, an Earth Pony stallion. 

“This is extremely important! I need pink streamers, pink ribbons, and pink balloons! I also need stuff to make a banner!”, Pinkie demanded. 

She emptied her sack of bits. 

“All right, coming right up”, the earth Pony set all the items on the counter. He then went to get the pink balloons. 

He then froze, seeing none. 

He sweated, nervous, but walked back to the counter. 

“I'm sorry Pinkie Pie, but we're all out of pink balloons...”, he started. 

Pinkie's eyes grew wide, panicked. Her eyelid even twitched. 

“OUT?! Don't you have any in the back?!”, she cried, urgently. 

“I'm afraid not...we won't get anymore until next week”, the pony replied, nervously. 

“But...but...!”, Pinkie cried, panicking. 

“Well...maybe some blue balloons?”, suggested the pony. 

“I can't use blue! Twilight's having a filly! It HAS to be pink!”, Pinkie yelled. 

“It is for Princess Twilight, maybe you could get the shipment to come faster?”, asked CherryPie. 

“Wish I could...but I can't. I'm sorry Pinkie...”, the pony apologized. Pinkie sighed sadly, hanging her head low. 

“What am I going to do? We can't have a party without balloons!”, she cried. 

“Don't you have any laying around at home, mom?”, Cherrypie asked, as Pinkie payed for the other stuff. 

Pinkie blinked. 

“You're a genius, Cherry!”, she hurried out with her filly. They hurried home. Pinkie ran upstairs, digging through everything. 

“Where are they? Where are they?!”, she threw all kinds of stuff out of the closet. Her party canon, an old doughnut, toys, clothes, streamers, even wrapping paper and ribbon. 

“Blue, white, green, red....purple...no! There's no pink!”, cried Pinkie, as she dug through the balloon packs. 

“How could I not have pink balloons?!”, she cried. 

“Pinkie, didn't you use them all for Cherry's birthday?”, asked Cheese Sandwich, coming in. 

“Why didn't I buy more?!”, Pinkie cried. 

“Calm down, sweetie. Did you get all the other decorations?”, asked Cheese Sandwich, worriedly. 

“Well yeah, but I can't throw a foal shower without balloons!”, Pinkie replied. 

“I'll tell you what, I'll figure something out, but you need to get to Sugar Cube corner so they can get a head start on baking”, Cheese said. 

“Thanks...but remember, they have to be pink!”, Pinkie zoomed out then, leaving dust behind her. 

Cheese stood there, frowning. She suddenly ran back in, and kissed him on the cheek. 

“Sorry, Cheese”, she blushed, forgetting to kiss him, like she always did before leaving. Cheese smiled, blushing. 

“I'll take care of the balloons, Pinkie. You get to Sugar Cube”, he smiled. 

Pinkie smiled, she then ran out with CherryPie. 

“I got the dessert list, mom!”, Cherry said. 

“Great!”, Pinkie hurried to the bakery. 

“Let's see...cupcakes, brownies, pies and the sheet cake”, Cherry read. 

“Applejack will be taking care of the pies, but we need to have the rest done here”, Pinkie hurried inside, Cherry close behind her. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Cake!”, Pinkie ran up to the counter. She blinked, seeing nopony there. She glared, and repeatedly hit the bell. 

“Peoples! Hurry, hurry!”, she cried, urgently. 

Cupcake came out of the kitchen then. 

“Oh, Pinkie!”, she hurried over. 

“I need a sheet cake, cupcakes and brownies, its for Twilight's foal shower!”, Pinkie handed the list to Cupcake

Cupcake suddenly froze. 

“Today?! You need it all today?! For Princess Twilight?”, she cried, fearfully, sweating. 

“Well DUH! She's already 9 months! We can't wait any longer! She's due in just two months!”, Pinkie replied. 

“Oh dear..”, Cupcake panicked. 

“What's wrong?”, Pinkie tilted her head. 

There was suddenly a loud explosion from the kitchen. Some cake batter flew out, and smoke was suddenly pouring out. 

“Carrot Cake!”, cried Cupcake, urgently. They heard the fire extinguisher going off, the smoke clearing. 

Carrot Cake came out, his face covered in soot. He coughed, smoke in his mane. 

“No luck?”, Cupcake asked, biting her lip. 

“I'm sorry honey bun...the oven is completely shot! I only ruined it more from trying to fix it”, Carrot replied. 

“WHAT?!”, Pinkie's eyes grew wide in horror. This couldn't be happening. 

“We have to fix it! Princess Twilight's foal shower is this afternoon! And Pinkie needs an order today!”, Cupcake cried. 

“Well, can't you use somepony else's oven?”, suggested Carrot, as he wiped the soot off of him. 

“But it has to be perfect. Everypony knows you two have the best oven! I can't risk burning or ruining anything! Besides, everypony else is busy buying gifts for the shower!”, Pinkie replied. 

“It's not going to be here, I can't fix that old thing...and buying a new one, well it would take all day to find the right one, and then at least another day to have it delivered”, Carrot said. 

“What are we going to do, mom?”, CherryPie asked, worriedly.  

Pinkie bit her lip, her ears folded back. 

“We have to go to Princess Cadence and let her know”, she said, urgently. CherryPie nodded, following her mom out. 

“We're really sorry, dear!”, Cupcake called out sadly, but Pinkie was gone. 

Pinkie ran into Twilight's castle. Cadence was in the front hall with Spike. 

“Oh, Pinkie! Do you have everything ready?”, asked Cadence, smiling. 

“NO!”, Pinkie cried, panicked. Cadence blinked. 

“I have everything...except the two most important things!”, Pinkie said. 

“Pink balloons and the desserts! The shop's out of pink balloons, and I don't have any! And the Cake's oven died today!”, Pinkie explained. 

“What..?! Well, we could use Twilight's oven...”, suggested Cadence. 

“But, it's supposed to be a surprise! Isn't Twilight here?”, Pinkie asked. 

Cadence smiled. 

“Nope. MoonDancer and her went to the spa for the day, so we'd be able to plan in secret”, Cadence replied. 

“Oh...that takes off some pressure. Why didn't you say so?!”, Pinkie demanded. 

“Calm down, Pinkie. The shower isn't until 3 in the afternoon. It's only 9”, Cadence assured her. 

“But...what about the balloons?”, CherryPie asked. 

“We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We got some desserts to bake!”, Spike grinned. They hurried into Twilight's kitchen. 

At the Ponyville Spa, Twilight and MoonDancer shared a warm bubblebath. 

“This spa is so much better than the one in Canterlot...who knew”, MoonDancer admitted, relaxing. She had to keep wiping her glasses though, as they kept getting foggy. 

“I know, I always love coming here. So does everypony. Even Rainbow Dash”, Twilight smiled. 

“Rainbow Dash?!”, MoonDancer gawked. 

“Rarity and Applejack caught her here once”, Twilight admitted. 

“I don't blame her, it's so relaxing here”, MoonDancer smiled. 

Twilight leaned back a bit, sighing softly. 

“So...Firework's picking us up?”, MoonDancer grinned a bit. Twilight blushed, looking away. 

“Yeah...”, she replied. 

“Twilight...you and Firework really care about each other”, MoonDancer smiled, happy for her best friend. 

“We really do...I knew once he told me about his Cutie Mark, we were connected. The same way me and my friends are connected”, Twilight replied. 

“Twilight...I just am so glad. And happy for you. You...went through something horrible”, MoonDancer's ears folded back, as she said this. 

“I know....but it's over. I'm able to not think about it too much. Thanks to my friends, Cadence, Firework...and my foal”, Twilight looked down lovingly at her belly. 

“But...does it still, well effect you?”, MoonDancer asked, worriedly. Twilight looked down. 

“I still have nightmares from time to time...”, she admitted. Emotional scars took longer to heal than physically ones. 

Everypony, including Firework, could still see a dark glimmer in Twilight's eyes sometimes. 

Back at Twilight's castle, Cadence and Pinkie just finished the cake. Spike went to open the oven, but a bunch of smoke came out. 

“What the...?!”, Spike coughed. 

“I don't understand...I set it at the right time!”, Pinkie cried, as Cadence used her magic to lift the burned cake out. 

“This oven is different from the Cake's...”, she said. 

“We don't have time to keep trying until we get it right! There has to be a quicker way!”, Pinkie cried. 

“But what else can we do?”, Spike asked, worriedly. 

Pinkie looked down sadly, trying to think. CherryPie blinked then, as she watched Spike take his oven mits off. 

“Couldn't Spike bake it?”, she asked then. Pinkie blinked, her ears perking up. 

“Spike?”, Cadence blinked. 

“Huh? Me?”, Spike looked confused at first. 

Pinkie's eyes lit up then. 

“That's it! Spike, you can bake it!”, she realized. 

“Oh yeah! Make a new one, I got this!”, Spike grinned. 

Cadence and Pinkie Pie got the new batch ready. 

“Cherrypie, that was genius!”, Pinkie smiled, as she mixed the batter. 

They soon finished mixing the cake batter, and dipped it into a sheet cake pan. Cadence and Flurry Heart prepared the cupcakes next. 

“Okay Spike!”, CherryPie said. Spike breathed green fire over the cake, baking it perfectly. 

“It's perfect! We'll have the desserts ready in no time”, Pinkie's face lit up. 

“But...we still need balloons”, Cadence pointed out. 

“Oh yeah...”, Pinkie thought, panicking again. CherryPie blinked then, getting an idea.

“Mom, you have white balloons, right?”, she asked. Pinkie blinked. 

“Yes...”, she replied understanding. CherryPie smiled.

“I have an idea!”, she declared. 

She hurried out, and got buckets of pink paint. Pinkie froze, her eyes lit up then. 

“Of course!”, she blew the white balloons up, and dipped them in the pink paint. 

“Now we can decorate!”, Pinkie cried happily. Just then, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack came in. 

“We just got finished shopping! We're here to help decorate”, Rarity smiled. 

“All right!”, Pinkie cheered. The girls placed their presents for Twilight on a table, and they started decorating. 

Pinkie put up the balloons with Fluttershy, while Rainbow set up the streamers. Applejack helped Cadence, Flurry Heart and Spike with the baking. 

Rarity set up pink ribbons, and placed a white tablecloth over the dining table. She then set up pink plates, pink paper cups, pink napkins and silverware. 

Pinkie hung pink balloons above the table, while Rainbow decorated the room with streamers. 
Applejack brought out the cupcakes and brownies, setting them up nice on the table. 

Rarity tied pink ribbons around the back of the chairs, while CherryPie helped Flurry Heart carry the pies in. 

“Punch!”, Pinkie cried, as she brought in the bowl. 

CherryPie and Fluttershy set up the present table. 

Rainbow bought a Cloud mobile, Applejack made an apple themed blanket, Fluttershy bought a bunch of stuffed animals, Rarity bought beautiful pink curtains for the nursery, while Pinkie bought toys and a rocking chair. 

Cadence bought the crib, while MoonDancer bought the foal bottles, and a foal swing. 

“Here comes the rest of the guests!”, Spike noticed. Shining Armor, Twilight's parents, Lyra, Bon Bon, Lemon Drop, Twinkie Shine, Colgate, Derpy, Doctor Whooves, and Berry Punch. 

“We're not quite done setting up, but could use the help!”, Pinkie invited them in. 

“We'll all be happy to help”, smiled Shining Armor. 

He bought a dollhouse for the filly, while the rest bought different toys, clothes, blankets, and other stuff. 

Derpy sewed a plush muffin. 

As the presents piled up, Shining Armor and Cadence brought the cake out, using their magic. 

They carefully set it in the center of the table. 

“I can't believe it...my little sister's going to be a mother”, Shining Armor's ears folded back, as he fought back tears. 

Cadence nuzzled him softly. 

“All that's left is the banner!”, Pinkie announced, as she started working on it. 

She worked on it with Rarity and CherryPie. 

It was white, with the words written in pink “It's a girl!” on it. 

“Hmmm...it's missing something”, CherryPie then drew pink stars on either side, and a newborn filly wrapped in a blanket. 

“It's beautiful, CherryPie!”, Pinkie beamed. Cadence used her magic, hanging the banner up. 

“We're all set!”, Applejack smiled. 

“It's perfect!”, Cadence cried. 

“Couldn't have done it better, myself!”, Spike agreed. 

“This was your party planning, CherryPie. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have balloons, or a cake, or this beautiful banner”, Pinkie smiled, as she nuzzled her foal. 

CherryPie smiled, when suddenly a light shined from her flank. 

Pinkie froze, and her eyes suddenly filled with tears of happiness, her eyes big. 

“What?”, Cherrypie blinked. 

“No way!”, Rainbow grinned. 

“Your Cutie mark, sweetie!”, Pinkie cried. 

CherryPie gasped then, and looked at her flank. It was a party hat. 

Her face lit up. 

“I got my Cutie mark!”, she cheered. Pinkie pulled her filly close, in a tight hug. 

“I'm so proud of you!”, she cried. 

“Guys, Twilight's coming!”, Fluttershy cried, urgently, looking out the window. 

The ponies all quickly hid, turning the lights off. 

Twilight entered with Moondancer and Firework. 

“Why's it so dark?”, Twilight asked. Firework and Moondancer exchanged grins. 

“Hmmm...who knows”, Moondancer then turned the lights on with her magic. Twilight's vision adjusted, and her eyes grew wide, at the beautiful set up. 

“SURPRISE!”, everypony cheered. 

“Surprise!”, Derpy cheered late, she blushed. 

“You all did this...?”, Twilight asked, touched. 

“It was mainly Pinkie and Cherry, but we all helped”, Applejack replied, smiling. 

“My little sister's all grown up...and it really just sunk in for me I'm going to be an uncle in two months”, Shining Armor smiled tearfully. 

Twilight's ears folded back, as she hugged her brother. 

“This is so wonderful, everypony! I couldn't ask for better friends and family”, Twilight cried, tears of happiness in her eyes. 

She then hugged Cadence, and Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Spike and MoonDancer joined in the group hug. 

“We're so happy for our little girl”, Night Light said, as he and Twilight Velvet stepped forward. 

Twilight smiled, hugging her parents. 

“We know your baby is going to be as beautiful and smart as her mother”, Velvet smiled, tearfully. 

“One more thing...”, Firework then set off fireworks, above the castle, all pink heart shapes. 

“Oh Firework...”, Twilight nuzzled against him. Firework held her close, stroking her mane. He gently placed his hoof on her belly, feeling the foal kick. 

“Come on, everypony! Let's party!”, Pinkie cheered, as she put music on. 

Twilight smiled tearfully, as she joined her friends. The fireworks continued well into the night.