Sparkling Twilight
Her day began with a deathly quiet calm within her tiny apartment.
Though the night hadn’t been kind to her, tired teal eyes flitted about, glancing at her sitting room, and old habit Fizzlepop doubted she’d ever break. But, at the same time, one she wasn’t entirely certain she wanted to break.
It had once been her jumping out to ambush, after all. Who was to say it couldn’t happen here, in Ponyville? Canterlot was only a short flight away, and there was a certain princess’s castle just down the road.
Fizzlepop shook her head, running a raspberry hoof through her magenta mohawk and blowing a deep breath through her nose. She took another glance about her sitting room, the barren walls, the old cream couch situated by the far wall. Her eyes hardened, lingering on that couch. The old spell floated to the forefront of her mind, blue and pink sparks buzzed and drizzled from the stump on her forehead. If there was a place for a pony or two to hide, or even a smaller minotaur, that was it.
Then she let out a sharp gasp and took several steps back, her chest heaving as though she’d just run a marathon. She could feel her very heart hammering in her chest, each beat like a cannon’s retort in her ear. What in Equestria was she doing? Ponyville wasn’t a battlefield!
Squeezing her eyes shut, she began her mantra. “I’m not Tempest Shadow,” she whispered. “I’m Fizzlepop Berrytwist. I’m not a soldier, I live in Ponyville and I’m … I’m …”
What was she now? A civilian, yes. But what did she do now? Other than sit in her apartment and stare at the barren walls, lost in her own thoughts, that is.
Her days as the commander of conquerorsconquerers had come to an end. That hated black armor bearing the Storm King’s emblem had been stuffed and locked within a heavy trunk, and stashed beneath her bed, hidden from anypony who might come looking. Anypony but herself.
It burned her to the core, but it was there for a purpose. A reminder, a warning of the darkness she’d wrought out of desperation and free.
Fizzlepop’s ears twitched. “Tea,” she murmured softly, turning to trot over and grab her keys from the hook by the door. “I’m meeting Twilight for tea at eleven hundred. Tea will help.”
Tea with Twilight always helped.
It at least kept her nerves low and manageable. The cool, calculating soldier within her liked to pretend it was more the tea than the company. But Fizzlepop Berrytwist, the civilian, could always see straight through those tired eyes staring back at her in the mirror hung by that hook. Straight through the soldier lurking just beneath the surface and into those of a nervous young mare, weary and lost for what to do with her life.
A feat only one other had managed.
She let out another sigh, then pushed the door open and set along her way. That her heart raced again was mildly disconcerting, but the warmth in her chest, at least, was pleasant.
Tea with Twilight always had a way of bringing that out in her. Then again, why shouldn’t it?
If she was lucky, this one would begin with a kiss. Something good had to come of such a dreadful morning.
Fizzlepop sat up straight in the small booth, her hooves folded neatly on the table and her ears erect. Though her instincts demanded she stay on high alert, watching for any sign of threat to herself or the mare coming to meet her, she allowed herself a moment of indulgence. Her eyes wandered about Sugarcube Corner’s cozy interior, flitting between the colorful walls, the display cases full of beautiful sweets, Pinkie Pie beaming and bouncing behind the counter, and …
Well, more specifically, her gaze lingered on the patrons. Those happy faces of ponies, young and old, all so bright and chipper. Their laughter was musical and merry as they chattered away without a care in the world, lost in the joys friendship gave them. Some even offered a wave and called out a happy, “Good morning, Fizzlepop!” when they caught her wandering eyes.
Kind gestures which spoke of the kinship and warmth with which they’d received her, on Twilight’s recommendation, of course. Let bygones be bygones just as they had for Starlight Glimmer and Trixie, as she might say.
Fizzle offered the tiniest smile and nod in reply, coupled with a little raise of her hoof, a lazy wave. A gesture they accepted before returning to their own company.
How odd the way they looked at her. And how strange it was to be welcomed. Why, the minotaurs hadn’t warmed up to her until she’d made it clear she could take any of their tribe leaders in combat without issue.
Then again, that wasn’t the case. It was she who was the oddity, as far as ponies went. From the stump atop her forehead to her life as the commander of a conquering army, she was the odd mare out—certainly not them.
The melodic chime of the doorbell rang through the air. Fizzlepop’s head snapped about, her eyes locked on the newcomer, ready to take their stock. The soldier within was ready to leap forward if they proved a threat to those seated inside.
Princess Twilight Sparkle stepped through the open doorway with that bright smile, the same she wore that night she’d invited Fizzlepop to stay. Her mulberry coat was brushed to perfection, her tricolored mane combed so not a single lock was out of place.
That smile never failed to bring butterflies to flutter about within Fizzlepop’s chest.
When those lively purple eyes met hers, Fizzlepop felt her heart skip a beat. She slid out of the booth and rose to her hooves, ready to greet the young princess.
Twilight fluffed her mulberry feathers and trotted over, her steps so light and nimble one might have thought her prancing. Her dazzling smile shone like the sun as she reared up and caught Fizzlepop in a tight embrace.
“Good morning, Fizzlepop,” she greeted, squeezing as best she could.
The left corner of her mouth twitched and slowly tugged into a tiny, crooked smile. Fizzlepop wrapped a hoof around Twilight’s shoulders and nuzzled her nose. “Trying to break my ribs already?” she murmured teasingly.
Laughing, Twilight pecked her lips. “Maybe,” she replied, eyes fluttering. “Have you ordered?”
“Earl Neigh, lemon, and waffles, since you probably haven’t eaten,” Fizzlepop recited. “And jasmine tea with ginseng for me.”
Mulberry ears twitched. Twilight drew back, frowning as she searched her face for explanation. “You aren’t hungry?”
Her tone drew a wince. Fizzlepop glanced back at the booth, then down to her hooves. “Don’t really have an appetite. It’s fine.”
A low hum came in reply. Twilight flicked her tail once, a telling lash which told of the brilliant mind behind those purple eyes running at full gallop to solve the problem laid out before her.
Coughing, Fizzlepop gestured to the open seat across from hers. “Would you like to sit?” she offered.
“Yes, thank you.” The smile returned as if it had never left her beautiful face. Twilight released her embrace and trotted around to take her seat while Fizzlepop returned to her own. The Princess of Friendship rustled her wings—subtly showing off a set of soft, expertly preened feathers—and propped her chin up on her hooves. “So, how did you sleep after the show, Fizzle?”
Fizzle. Pinkie Pie’s little pet name for her had stuck quite fast, the mere mention almost forced her to smile no matter her mood. It was at least more preferable to the teasing little one Twilight favored—mercifully reserved for when they were alone and out of the public eye.
As for how she slept …
Images flashed through her mind. Suffering, rage, the rush of adrenaline battle sent through her veins, lines of enslaved races caged upon her command …
She swallowed. “Well, thank you.” Forcing her smile wider, she added, “Like a rock.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that!” Her tail swished merrily. “I admit, traveling all the way to Manehattan and back was rather tiring, but I think watching Rainbow’s latest Wonderbolt show was well worth it, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Agreed. She’s—” An excellent flyer. With proper training, she would make an ideal addition to the Equestrian Flight Cavalry or the Navy. A little time in the break that ego and craft a soldier would serve her well. Fizzlepop blinked twice and quickly amended her statement. “I don’t think I’ve seen a pure flyer like her in all my travels.”
There. Diplomatic, and complimentary. She could function after all.
“I’d have to agree. You know, her captain, Spitfire, confided the same in me once. Some time ago, actually.”
“Oh? Then why isn’t Rainbow an officer yet if that’s the case?”
Twilight lowered her voice and said, “Because Spitfire wants to deflate her ego a little and build her up into a proper team player. ‘Trust the process,’ as it were.”
Fizzlepop hummed, nodding once. Sensible. “Rapid promotion isn’t always a good thing. I saw … plenty of that during my time as a soldier.”
If Twilight noticed her split-second hesitation, she either chose not to comment or simply paid it no mind. A small mercy. “Agreed. She’ll get there though.”
“You betcha!” Pinkie’s bubbly voice chirped in Fizzplepop’s ear.
She jumped sideways, her knees banging against the underside of the table. “Bloody balefire!” Fizzlepop cried, her horn drizzling a shower of angry sparks while she fought to bring her heartbeat down to normal level. “Pinkie Pie!” she ground through gritted teeth. “What. Did. We. Talk. About?”
Pinkie giggled unabashed. Her sky blue eyes shone with mirth. “Not to surprise you because you get sparky,” she recited. The mare’s fluffy pink mane bounced as she tilted her head to one side. “But your sparks are pretty! Almost as much as your fireworks!”
Fizzlepop breathed deep through her nose. Slowly, the angry buzz and drizzling sparks died off, prompting a relieved sigh. Crisis averted. Then, her eyes hardened. “Pinkie,” she growled, ready to lay into her friend with all the fury she used on her soldiers.
She stopped short, blinking again. A look at her friend’s sunny, innocent smile stopped her right in her tracks. She wasn’t a soldier, and Fizzlepop certainly wasn’t her commander.
Why in Equestria was that so hard to break?
She took another deep breath, reminding herself that Pinkie didn’t mean to cause trouble. Just fun. Always fun. Never trouble, anger, or sadness.
Just. Fun.
“Pinkie,” she said slowly, “I don’t like sparking like that. I especially don’t like—”
“Being startled,” Twilight cut in helpfully.
“That. Yes.” Fizzlepop grimaced. “Or surprised. I don’t do surprises very well.” For obvious reasons, that cold, cutting soldier within her spat.
Again, images flashed through her mind. Explosions, cannon fire, mothers screaming in horror as they threw themselves to cover their children’s bodies, begging for the Storm King’s soldiers not to put them in chains. Pleas which went unheeded until six ponies stopped his conquest.
One of which was quite blissfully unaware of her plight.
Pinkie Pie’s ears drooped. She fixed Fizzlepop with a most pathetic pout and the biggest, most watery eyes she’d ever witnessed. “But how will I plan your big surprise birthday party, then?”
Fizzlepop stiffened. “I’d rather you removed the surprise element entirely.”
“But—”
“Maybe just a small one,” Twilight suggested. She locked eyes with Fizzlepop and offered a smile. “No more than twenty?”
Twenty ponies shouting at her, at the top of their lungs. And Pinkie had that cannon …
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Only if that cannon is out of my sight and fired off long before I arrive.”
Pinkie feigned a whine. “Fiiiiiiiiine! I’ll be good.” There was a little clatter of glassware, the sound of cups and a plate being set upon the table.
Finally. Tea. Sweet, relaxing tea.
“So,” Pinkie babbled as though Fizzlepop hadn’t just deflated her proverbial balloon, “have you thought about that thing I offered, Fizzle? Your fireworks spells be a really fun addition to parties!” Even with her eyes closed, Fizzlepop knew Pinkie was fixing her with that bright smile and impossibly wide eyes. “And for the big Gala coming up in Canterlot!”
A chill ran down the back of her neck. Fizzlepop met Pinkie’s eyes and tried to feign a smile. “I’m—ah—still thinking about that one. We’ll see.”
“O-kaaaaaaaaaay!” Pinkie sang, blowing a teasing raspberry at her non-response. She turned with a swish of her fluffy tail and flounced back to the counter, calling over her shoulder, “Enjoy the tea and food, lovebirds!”
While Twilight sputtered and flushed a deep purple, Fizzlepop calmly picked up her tea and took a long drink. A wave of warm relief washed over her.
Much better. Her lips twitched into a ghost of a smile. Tea and her favorite pony were the perfect remedy to her woes. Meanwhile, across the table, Twilight had buried her face in her wings to hide her blush. The princess grumbled what Fizzlepop could only imagine to be promises to get Pinkie for her teasing later.
That little smile spread. Clearly, it was Fizzlepop’s cue to indulge a little hobby of hers. Not every practice from soldiering had to be done away with. “Food’s going to get cold if you keep blushing like a school filly.”
“Sh-Shut it, you!” came the muffled reply.
“Can’t hear you when you’ve got your face buried.” Her voice dipped an octave. “Or were you hoping I’d come over and nuzzle them apart?”
A little squeak sounded out from beneath those soft feathers, but Twilight only brought them up higher, covering all but the top of her head.
Not enough yet? Stubborn as always. “I could always make it worse, I suppose … your ears look quite vulnerable, and you know how much I just love playing with them.”
Twilight jerked her head out of her wings. Her face was flushed to the very nape of her neck. “Excuse you!” she squeaked. “There’ll be none of that in public, thank you very much!”
“After, then.” Fizzlepop’s smile took on a wicked edge. “You do squirm so once I have you in my hooves, especially when I nip—”
A bubbling raspberry glow forced her mouth shut. Twilight tried to fix her with a stern glare, but the effect was ruined by the twitching of her tail and telltale fluff in her feathers. Betrayed by her own body language and not-so-secret desires.
“Hush,” she commanded. “Or I’ll … I don’t know, but I’ll do something!” A derisive snort earned a furrowing of her brows. Cautiously, Twilight cancelled her spell, her eyes never leaving Fizzlepop as she took up her utensils and began lathering her waffles with syrup.
Fizzlepop took a moment to rub at her jaw, smirking as she brought her cup to her lips once more and drank in a deep sip. A small victory and little taste of fun. Was this what the quiet civilian life was like?
It was … nice. In a quaint sort of way. But she lived for those little moments, the bits where she could make Twilight squirm or laugh, or the thrill of watching Rainbow fly during her shows. Pinkie’s jokes and pranks, even. Despite how she so hated being startled and sparking all over the place.
Twilight found her voice again, cutting through her thoughts. “Are you sure you’re not hungry?” she asked softly.
“I’m sure.” Fizzlepop took another deep sip, then frowned. Her tea was already almost gone. She’d have to get Pinkie’s attention shortly. “Thank you for asking, though.”
“I see.” Another flick of her tail. Twilight cut off a generous bite of waffle and speared it into her mouth. Her eyes never left Fizzepop’s all the while.
The former soldier licked her lips. “Is something wrong?”
“I was going to ask that myself.”
“Oh?” Her raspberry ears twitched. “Why would you think to ask that?”
“Because the only time you don’t eat is after you’ve had a rough night.” Twilight raised her brows. “And your rough nights tend to lead to you dwelling on things in the morning.”
Dwelling on things. What a delicate way of putting it.
Fizzlepop sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth. A flurry of curses leapt to the tip of her tongue.
She knew. How could she not? Each of their friends knew her tells. Twilight, though, was impossible to hide from. She knew better than any of the girls, and quite unlike them, she had certain … advantages.
It was rather difficult to hide away from one’s own girlfriend. More so when she happened to be a master mage who trained under Princess Celestia herself. One episode with a teleportation spell constantly popping her back to Twilight’s side until she tired of running had been quite enough.
Fizzlepop let her gaze fall to her near-empty cup. “I dreamed of one of my old battles,” she said simply.
Twilight sighed. Her face fell as she laid her fork down upon the edge of her plate. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her tone wasn’t quite accusatory, but Fizzzlepop still felt the sting, like a slap across her face. Her head hung lower.
Silence fell upon them. Heavy, oppressive silence the likes of which always filled her head with such terrible free time to wander back.
Too much time to remember.
After a moment of that heavy, terrible silence, Fizzlepop felt a gentle hoof touch her own. “Fizzle,” Twilight said softly. “Talk to me. Please.”
No use hiding it any longer. Fizzlepop opened her eyes and met hers, without raising her head. “Just memories,” she whispered. “Old battles, habits of checking for ambush, all the pain I caused, all the things I did to them, to ponies—” the hoof Twilight was touching twitched “—to you.” Again, she licked her lips. “And … I started to fall back into them again. Everything I was is still there.”
Just beneath the surface.
“Go on,” Twilight prompted.
Fizzlepop dared to grip her hoof in return, like a safety blanket of sorts. “I don’t want to go back, but there’s just …” she trailed off, her tail twitching. “I just miss feeling a rush. And I hate that I keep thinking back to those memories to get it! I love the quiet, the peace, the friendship, everything you’ve given me!” Her breaths came short and ragged, she felt an angry burn to her very core. “But I just can’t let go,” she said, barely above a whisper.
Selfish. She’d always been selfish. Her horn over their freedom. Her wants over the piece and love Twilight gave. Never enough.
Always more.
Twilight’s hoof gripped hers tight. “Nopony ever thought you’d just change overnight, Fizzle,” she said, her voice soft and soothing. “What you need, from what I can tell, is something to grab you. Something to give you that rush and make you smile, right?”
“Oh, yes,” she replied fervently. “You have no idea.”
“You’d be quite surprised.” Those purple eyes danced. An idea had been birthed in her brilliant mind. “Would you mind if I chipped in my two bits?”
“Honestly?” Fizzlepop gave a self-deprecatingdepreciating laugh. “I think I’m lucky you don’t care interest for advice.”
“Who says I don’t? Maybe you make payments without realizing it.”
She snorted. “Touché. Go on.”
“Thank you, I thought you might like that one.” Twilight leaned in close, her smile spread into a full grin. “Take Pinkie up on that offer.”
Fizzlepop’s heart leapt into her throat. Her tongue felt like sandpaper. Already, she could feel her blood running cold. Her fireworks show was unrivaled. Nopony could ever hope to imitate it, after all. For little events in Ponyville, they would be easy enough.
But high-end parties? In Canterlot?
Her tail lashed nervously. “Er … do you think that’s wise?”
Chuckling, Twilight closed the distance between them, sealing her lips in a deep kiss. Her warm tongue teased and probed along Fizzlepop’s lips, drawing a sharp gasp and quiver within her belly.
All too soon did it end. Twilight pressed their noses together, nuzzling gently. “Yes. Because,” she said, “I remember how you smiled that night. And if Canterlot can forgive Discord and the changelings for what they did, if Celestia, Luna, and Cadence can see good in them, then you won’t be the one who doesn’t get a second chance. So take it, Fizzy.”
“Oh, please, not that name!” Fizzlepop groaned, trying to shove her away. But Twilight’s hooves caught her around the shoulders, holding her in place. “Anything else!”
“You have,” Twilight repeated brightly, each word enunciated with such wicked deliberation, “a second chance, Fizzy!” She darted forth and kissed her nose. “So make the most of it. We’ll all be here.” With a little waggle of her ears, she added in a whisper, I’ll be here for you.”
The butterflies in her chest took wing in a frenzy. Fizzlepop closed her eyes and smiled as she leaned into her touch.
“Okay,” she murmured. “Okay.” After a second, she returned Twilight’s kiss with a peck on her nose, then opened her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Now, as for that interest—Pinkie!” Twilight called.
Pinkie Pie was at their table in a blur of pink. “Yeeees?” she drawled.
“Fizzle will have an order of waffles as well. A full order.”
The mare produced a sailor’s cap from within her mane and set it atop her head. “Aye-aye, Captain!” she said, snapping a quick salute, then scarred off to see to the new order.
Fizzlepop could only stare in dumb fascination, the sound of Twilight’s giggling drew a murmured, “I’m going to have to get used to that if I’m working with her, aren’t I?”
“Used to Pinkie?” Twilight threw back her head and laughed. “Fizzle, honey, I wish you luck with that.”