When Dash and AJ make an important trip, somepony has to watch their daughter. Can Twilight?
Set after "My Old Apple Acre Home". When an opportunity to make a dream come true opens for Rainbow Dash, Applejack wants to go with her and give her support. However, she knows they can't take thier young daughter Apple Blitz with them. When Twilight Sparkle steps up to take care of the filly in their abscence, will it prove to be too much for the purple unicorn to take? More of a light-comedy tag, as it's not really reliant on jokes.
To really understand everything going on you should read the first fic, My Old Apple Acre Home. It'll really help. Special thanks to Zev, for another great cover image!
(Author’s Note: This is a fic that takes place in the same timeline as my previous fic, My Old Apple Acre Home. Yes, Applejack has a daughter in this fic, and she is dating Rainbow, but it is not Rainbow’s filly. If you would like to know how this came to be, I’d suggest checking out my previous fic before reading this. It also sets up some of the other relationships that are already going on during the time period this takes place. Hope everyone enjoys!)
Prologue
The sun streamed through the small windows of a certain library in the heart of Ponyville. The room that had once belonged to a purple baby dragon was once again the home of a pair of lovers who had nowhere else to go with their newborn daughter. Nopony minded them there, and everypony who visited the library often enjoyed the sounds of the two mares and their filly living happily together. It was something the friends of the mares had heard quite a bit in the last few weeks, but hadn’t heard at all in the last three years.
Applejack was the first to stir, raising her head from the pillow and yawning deeply. She rubbed one of her eyes with her hoof, and rolled on to her side so she was able to look at the other ponies she was sharing this beautiful morning with. Next to her in the larger bed they had managed to acquire recently, a rainbow-maned Pegasus slept easily, not a bit bothered by the light that had begun filtering into the room. Beyond the bed, a small white crib, embroidered with the marks of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, held a sleeping little cyan filly that was just now five months old. The crib had been a gift from the Royal Pony Sisters on their last visit to Ponyville, something Applejack was sure Twilight Sparkle had had a hand in arranging.
Applejack smiled as she sat and just watched them sleep. The ever quiet sleep of Rainbow Dash was easily balanced by the unusually loud snoring of Apple Blitz, something Applejack would never be able to figure out, especially considering the filly’s tiny size. Applejack probably would have sat there all morning if the letter hadn’t shown up minutes later.
“They what?!” Rainbow Dash cried out with excitement.
“Ya heard me right, Sugarcube,” Applejack said back, bending down and picking up the formal letter that’d arrived with her teeth.
Dash read it once, then again, and then yet again. Each time she read it, her eyes and smile got wider. Finally her face could barely stretch more in either direction.
“OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh!” Dash cried out in excitement, not taking into account that the little earth foal was still sleeping not far from the bed.
Apple Blitz lifted her tiny head with a look of surprise, and began to tear up from the shock. Applejack dropped out of bed and trotted over to the little filly before she could begin a full wail. Applejack leaned down and scooped her between her forehooves, cradling her with one arm as she walked back on three legs to the bed. Apple Blitz calmed down a little in her mother’s embrace, and proceeded to look at all of her surroundings as she did every day. Applejack sat her up on the bed close to Rainbow, and got back onto her side.
“Sorry Blitz, didn’t mean to shake you too bad,” Dash chuckled and gave the filly a small tap on the shoulder.
Blitz, who was still unable to stand for very long, toppled from her sitting position, the right side of her head landing softly on the mattress as she looked confused about her new position. Dash quickly sat her back up, chuckling to herself a little more. She then focused her attention back to Applejack.
“Ah know you’re gonna go, Rainbow. It’s yer dream after all,” Applejack said sweetly, wondering what Rainbow was thinking about.
“After I left that day, dropped the Wonderbolt tryouts to come back here to Ponyville, I thought maybe I had other dreams to fulfill first. Like seeing you again,” Dash frowned, thinking back on her mistakes for a moment.
Applejack put her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder, and said “Ya know Sugarcube, that dream came true Why not try an’ make another one happen?”
“But what about you, AJ? And Blitz here? If I do make it, I can’t always be here ya know.”
“Ya know Ah ain’t stupid, Rainbow,” Applejack replied, “but we can manage if ya make it. And with the bits yer sure to make, we’d be able ta make our own place again, maybe try building the farm back again.”
Dash was amazed at how understanding Applejack was about everything. She was sure AJ just wanted to see her happy, and after finding out that the Wonderbolts had decided to not only hold another round of tryouts, but had invited her personally, she didn’t want to turn down the offer.
“Are…are you sure AJ?” Dash asked with a hint of concern, sure Applejack was probably harboring at least a little bit of fear of Dash leaving again.
“Do Ah ever lie to you Dash? Ya need to go and try your best!” Applejack raised a hoof in the air, much like one of Pinkie Pie’s cheers.
Between them, Apple Blitz looked at Applejack’s motion and tried her best to throw one of her weak little legs into the air like her mother. Both mare’s smiled warmly at the sight.
“Ah love ya Rainbow Dash, and Ah just want to see you happy.”
“I love you too, AJ,” Dash told her back, and leaned over Apple Blitz to plant a loving kiss on Applejack’s lips.
For a moment they embraced, all the while the little filly between them tried to bat at their manes that hung down above her. After a moment Dash, pulled back, and looked into AJ’s deep, loving eyes.
“I want you to come with me,” Dash told Applejack, hoping the orange earth pony swould ay what she wanted to hear.
“But aren’t the tryouts in Cloudsdale? Ah’d have to get all magic-ed up by Twilight again,” she told Dash, “But…Ah’d love to see you tryout. But what about Apple Blitz?”
“Well, she would be a handful to try and keep calm at the event,” Dash said, putting her hoof to her chin to think for a moment.
“Babysitter!” Dash exclaimed after a few moments.
“Do ya know any off hand Rainbow?” Applejack asked, full well knowing the answer already.
“Well…no, but I’d bet one of our friends could help. Fluttershy I’d bet would be great with kids. Or Rarity, since she sometimes watches Sweetie Belle anyway. Pinkie Pie….well, I’d just be afraid we’d get our daughter back in cake form by accident.”
Applejack laughed for a moment, then nodded at Rainbow’s ideas.
“Alright hun,” Applejack grinned, “Let me feed the little one here, and then we’ll go out and visit a few ponies.”
“Oh goodness, I’m so sorry Applejack, but I’m just far too busy with these new designs for Fancy Pants to watch such a little filly,” Rarity said, looking sad at having to turn her friends down.
“Ain’t nuthin’ Rarity,” Applejack smiled back, “We know ya gotta lot of work these days. How’re you and Twilight, if ya don’t mind me askin’?”
“Oh, just fine darling,” Rarity replied as she bent down and stroked Apple Blitz’s mane, who was now riding in her carrier bag atop Applejack’s back, eliciting a small smile from her. “But I’ve been so busy; we’ve hardly had the time to do anything together in days.”
“Well, we won’t keep you any longer then,” Dash said, then asked, “Hey Rarity, you happen to know if Fluttershy is home?”
“Afraid not,” Rarity told her, “Seems Big Macintosh wanted her to come with him for his visit back to Appleoosa, and they won’t be back until tomorrow evening.”
“Mah brother went back to Appleoosa and didn’t even tell me?” AJ butted in quickly.
“I guess so,” Rarity was taken aback a bit by Applejack’s sudden outburst. “I didn’t know it was a secret or anything.”
“Well, not yer fault Rarity. We’ll let you get back to your work.”
Rarity patted Apple Blitz on the head, eyeing the little filly with thoughts on filly fashion suddenly running through her head. With a smile and her head full of ideas, Rarity went back inside as the two mares trotted away from her door.
“Well, maybe bringing her along won’t be so trying,” Dash tried to tell Applejack, hoping she’d still come with her to the tryouts.
“Ah don’t know. Ah’m already afraid of Twi casting spells on her at such a young age, let alone if somethin’ were ta go wrong while we’re way up there.”
The two had already gone back to the library and were standing at the front door talking.
“I really want you there AJ, and you know I’d love to have her there too if it wasn’t too much trouble.”
Applejack sighed. Her motherly instincts told her she should be afraid of taking Apple Blitz to Cloudsdale, just in case. Her love for Rainbow Dash, however, began to tell her she needed to be there for her lover no matter what.
Deciding they didn’t want to discuss things in front of all of Ponyville, they walked up to the door, and, deciding to be polite, knocked on the door to be let back in. When it opened, Spike was standing in the doorway, his eyes narrowed at the mares.
“Oh, it’s you guys. Any chance of me having my room back sometime this centu-“ he was cut off as Twilight slid up into the door, kicking Spike out of the way and into one of the walls.
Spike fell from the impact zone and walked away grumbling.
“Sorry girls, come in. You live here you know, you really don’t have to knock.” Twilight grinned.
“Just bein’ respectful,” Applejack said as they trotted into the main reading area.
Before their conversation could continue, Dash spoke up, “Hey Twilight, remember that cloud walking speel you used back at the Best Young Flier Competition?”
Twilight nodded.
“You think you can do that again so Applejack can come with me to Cloudsdale?” Applejack cut in before Twilight could reply, “Ah know I don’t want Apple Blitz goin’. I’m just too worried about havin’ her all the way up there, so maybe Ah just can’t go,” Applejack sighed when she finished.
“But AJ…” Dash trailed off.
“I’ll watch Apple Blitz!” Twilight spoke up quickly, “She’s so cute and well behaved for such a little filly, I don’t mind.”
“Uh, Twilight?” AJ asked, “Do you know anything about raising a filly?”
“Well, not personally, no. But I have a ton of books and I’ve seen you and Applebloom and Rarity and Sweetie Belle, and you both had to be like parents sometimes.”
Dash and Applejack glanced nervously at each other, wondering if it really was a good idea.
It was early in the afternoon by the time Applejack and Rainbow Dash had finished their preparations for the trip to Cloudsdale. Twilight was waiting in the library, a single book open to the spell she’d used so long ago to allow her and her friends to walk amongst the clouds. Rainbow was currently pulling the crib from their small room out into the library, trying to fit it through the doorway so she could take it up to Twilight’s room.
“Was it really this bad the first time?” Dash struggled with the wooden frame, trying not to apply too much force as she pushed.
“Ah think Celestia just teleported it on in the first time, remember Sugarcube?” Applejack chuckled as she replied, making Dash even more frustrated as she tried to slide it through.
Applejack was watching near Twilight, sitting on a fluffy cushion on the floor with Apple Blitz rolling around blissfully next to her. Applejack leaned over and put her hoof under the little filly’s stomach, and lifted her so she was standing on all four hooves, but supported by her mother. Gently, Applejack removed her hoof so the little filly was standing all on her own. This lasted for about two seconds, and Apple Blitz crashed down onto the ground, her front legs sprawling in front of her along with her back legs. She looked up at Applejack, her big green eyes welling with tears. AJ quickly pulled her in close and nuzzled her, calming the little filly down before she could get too upset.
Twilight watched in wonderment at the mother and daughter snuggling on the floor. Twilight couldn’t help but be a little excited. She was sure she would be great at this filly-sitting thing. She’d pulled all the books from the reference section on fillies and parenting, and had been reading them all day. She was sure her best books would provide her with the best knowledge in raising a foal she could ask for.
At the doorway, with a slight creak and a a pop, Dash pushed the crib through the doorway, sliding It loudly across the floor. Apple Blitz’s head popped up quickly, confused by the loud sound that had invaded her little ears.
“Finally,” Dash breathed a sigh of relief and wiped her brow with her foreleg.
With the crib finally out, Dash flew over it, hooking each of her hooves through a bar on each side and lifting it up Twilight’s steps.She dropped it lightly outside of the door into Twilight’s room. It was more spacious, and Dash had little trouble sliding it inside from there. She carefully maneuvered it next to the purple unicorn’s bed. Afterwards, Dash, fluttered back down to the spot where her lover and their foal were laying.
“Twi?” Applejack looked up from the cyan filly for a moment, “Are ya’ll sure ya can do this?”
“Why of course Applejack! I’ve gotten everything I need to know and much more. She’ll be just fine when you get back,” Twilight closed her eyes and smiled big.
“It’ll be mah first time away from her,” Applejack said sadly, her eyes being drawn back down as the little filly rolled herself over and over in her arms.
“You can stay if you want,” Dash said, clearly afraid Applejack would take her up on the offer and that Dash would have to go back to the competition alone.
“A’course not!” Applejack cried out, “Ah wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
Dash came closer to Applejack and nuzzled her neck, the two mares enjoying the feeling of being so close. They heard a tiny giggle and looked down to see Apple Blitz, once again sprawled on her stomach, looking up happily at the two.
“Awww, don’t be doin’ that hun,” Applejack told her daughter, “Ah ain’t never gonna want ta leave ya.”
Dash pulled away from the two for a moment, and walked over to the window. She could see several of Ponyville’s buildings nearby, and they were all now being cast in the warm glow of Celestia’s setting sun. Dash turned back and nodded when Applejack looked back at her.
“Just let me feed her before we get goin’. I also gotta make up some of them bottles fer Twilight, since she can’t very well feed her like Ah can.” Applejack stood up and lifted Apple Blitz off the ground and on to her back. She trotted back to their room and closed the door behind them.
Twilight meanwhile was left in the library with Rainbow Dash. The two mares still felt a little awkward being alone near each other these days. Many of their problems had been put to rest, but the two still feared that they may still have some lingering affection for one another beyond their friendship. Dash was certainly not willing to chance even giving Applejack a reason to believe that she was doing something behind her back. Finally, Twilight broke the silence.
“Rainbow, are you sure you’re ready for this competition?” she asked the cyan mare , but attempting to not look her directly in the eyes.
“Twilight, have you ever known me to back down from a challenge? Even when I was sure I was going to fail at the Best Young Flyer competition, I still went out there anyway. I’m ready as I’ll ever be!” Dash announced confidently. “And uh…” Dash lowered her voice, “If I could make that awesome Wonderbolt pay, I could rebuild everything and make a new farm for AJ. A place for us to live as a family.”
Twilight smiled. There was a time when Twilight had thought that Rainbow Dash’s loyalty should have been called into question, but Twilight had come to realize that Dash had always been loyal to her loves even more than her friendships, and that anypony can make mistakes even at what they are best at.
“Well that’s very admirable of you Rainbow Dash,” Twilight finally faced her.
She admitted, staring into those violet eyes, she felt a twinge of regret shoot through her heart. It wasn’t that she still loved Rainbow Dash, she was quite happy to be with Rarity when the white unicorn wasn’t so busy, but Twi still wished things hadn’t been such a disaster during their time together. In fact, for all the drama it caused, she still wished she’d never even kissed those cyan lips to begin with. Then she realized that had everything not happened, she likely wouldn’t have been watching one of the cutest fillies she’d ever seen for the next couple days.
“Twilight…Twilight?” Dash waved a hoof in front of her face.
Twilight snapped back to reality. She’d drifted off into her thoughts for several minutes, leaving Dash more than a little confused.
“Oh my, I’m sorry Rainbow Dash. Just thinking, that’s all,” Twi told her, trying to shake off the dreamy feeling that came with her deep thoughts.
“Sometimes I think if I thought as much as you Twilight, my brain would explode. Maybe twice,” Dash joked, getting Twilight to chuckle a bit as well.
Before long Applejack came back, Apple Blitz resting comfortably on her back, and a basket with several bottles of milk hanging off of her right shoulder.
“Sorry it took so long,” AJ apologized, to which Twilight waved off as not being a problem.
“It’s getting close to sundown AJ,” Dash told her, glancing out at the darkening sky. “The tryouts begin early tomorrow. We’ve gotta get going to Cloudsdale.”
Applejack nodded, and walked over to the cushions on the floor, where she laid Apple Blitz to play. She then trotted back to the table as Twilight prepared the spell for Applejack.
“Alright Applejack, close your eyes,” Twi told her, making her glance at Dash for amoment.
“Mah eyes? We didn’t need ta do that last time,” she said wilth mild protest.
“It’s not going to hurt you Applejack, just please do it,” Twilight smiled, trying to get Applejack comfortable for what she was going to do.
Sighing, the orange earth pony shut her eyes and waited. Soon, she felt her body wrapped in energy, energy that was slowly lifting her off the ground. Dash backed away, unsure of what spell Twilight was casting. Any of the other ponies would have recognized it, but Dash hadn’t seen it the first time. Apple Blitz, laying on the cushion, stared upwards with her large green eyes transfixed upon the light surrounding her mother. Her tiny mouth hung open in amazement.
With a flash, the spell was completed, and Applejack descended to the floor, now sporting a large pair of Butterfly wings. They were much more earthy colors than the one’s Rarity had once wore, with patterns of brown and orange, and swirls of dark green and grey. They were still a sight to behold. Applejack looked back at the wings, amazed at the work Twilight had put into them.
“Tarnation Twilight, ya’ll didn’t have to go ta this kinda trouble,” AJ thanked her, “But aren’t these wings temporary? Ah remember Rarity’s were supposed to have only lasted fer a day.”
“Rarity’s were that temporary, but I’ve had a lot of time to work on some of my spells, and these wings should last a little over three days. Just don’t go showing them off too much,” Twilight grinned, remembering how her marefriend had been so foalish those years ago. “I just thought maybe on this occasion, you’d like to fly side by side with Rainbow for once.”
Applejack moved towards her and gave Twilight a big hug. Twilight blushed happily, grateful Applejack liked her gift. When they stopped hugging, Applejack turned back to Dash, who was now pulling on her saddlebags that were filled with a variety of items they’d need for their stay. Applejack went over to her lover, and tried to help her adjust them.
“Ah guess Ah could’a taken some of that, now that ya don’t have to carry me all the way ta Cloudsdale.”
“Naw, I got this AJ. Besides, you still got one little filly to say goodbye to before we get moving,” Dash nodded toward Apple Blitz, who after taking in the site of Twilight’s spell had promptly fallen asleep on the cushion she was lying on.
It was the moment Applejack had been dreading. She knew Dash loved Apple Blitz, and would hate to leave her too, but she hated that it was so much easier for Dash to go and leave the little filly here with Twilight. Applejack knew it was just her motherly instincts kicking in, but they were a powerful force against her mind.
Gently, Applejack leaned down next to the sleeping filly. She stroked her red-streaked blonde mane, running her hoof all the way across her cyan coat. Apple Blitz didn’t stir at her mother’s touch, and continued snoring loudly as she usually did. With that, Applejack lifted her up,with Twilight in and Rainbow in tow, and carried her up the stairs to her crib in Twi’s room. She laid her down gently and covered her with a single blanket, and stood just watching her sleep for a moment. With a single kiss on the top of the little filly’s head, Applejack turned back toward the door.
With visible tears in her eyes, Applejack said, “Ah- Ah’m ready ta go Rainbow.”
Dash nodded, but went over to the crib and also gave the sleeping filly a kiss. Twilight was nearly pushed to tears herself from the sheer adorableness of the situation. Quietly the three exited the room and headed back down to the front door.
“Are ya sure you’ll be ok?” Applejack asked Twilight again, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Of course Applejack. I won’t let anything bad happen to her,”Twi levitated a stack of books over to her. “I pulled out all the best reference guides for parenting and taking care of a filly. I’ve got this covered!”
“It takes more than some fancy learnin’ books to raise a little one,” Applejack’s concern shown through her voice a bit.
“I think Twilight’s got this AJ,” Dash tried to comfort her, and nuzzled her cheek.
Feeling the warmth of her lover, AJ managed a smile, and turned with Dash to the door. They went outside into the warm night air, Twilight following them.
“Good luck Rainbow Dash!” Twilight gave a small cheer.
Dash grinned, “Psh, who needs luck. I’ve got the skill.”
“Well come on Mrs. Skill,” AJ said playfully, “You said it yourself, we gotta go.”
With that, Twilight watched as the two stretched out their wings, and lifted off into the air. She kept watching as they flew higher and higher, stopping high over Ponyville and pulling each other into a long embrace. They then streaked off into the waning light toward the city of Cloudsdale.
Twilight’s night had been a peaceful one. She’d gotten some reading done, cleaned up the library, spent some overdue time with Spike, and finally passed out peacefully under the covers of her bed. The last thing she’d seen before sleep overtook her was the little cyan filly, snoring in her crib next to the bed. Twilight had smiled at the sitght and drifted off into great dreams.
Her sleep was broken early the next morning, just as the rooster belonging to Fluttershy crowed at the rising sun. A loud wailing awoke Twilight with a start. She quickly sprang up, still quite groggy and unable to react to the best of her abilities. She turned her head toward the sound and rubbed her eyes, her blurry vision soon clearing to show that little Apple Blitz was screaming. Quickly, Twilight hopped out of bed, and walked around to the side of the crib. She scooped the little filly up in one arm and started rocking her back and forth. The tears slowed their flow from the little filly’s eyes, but did not stop completely. Nearby, Spike stirred in his basket.
“Ugh, Twilight, some of us are trying to sleep,” he said with one eye open, before pulling his sheet over his head and falling back asleep.
“Spike, you know a foal this young needs a lot of attention,” she said, sure he didn’t hear a word she said.
Twi carried Apple Blitz out of the room, Apple Blitz still sniffling as tears still dripped from her big green eyes. The two headed down the stairs, Twilight trying to be extra careful as she walked on only three hooves. The purple unicorn reached out with her magic, levitating a bottle of milk from a refrigerator in her kitchen as she also brought over a book about the proper way to feed a foal. Holding the bottle just out of Apple Blitz’s hooves, she sat the book down on her table and flipped it open. The first images were all the natural ways to feed a foal, which only made Twilight think about how Applejack fed her, quickly making Twi blush and flip the book to the section on bottle feeding. She scanned the pages for a moment, then with a grin, flipped the bottle over and set it gently between Apple Blitz’s hooves. The cyan foal lifted her head and began to nurse at the bottle. The tears in her eyes began to dry up, and the little filly seemed to be quite content for the moment.
“See Twilight, you just knew this wouldn’t be so hard!” Twilight proclaimed to herself.
It was at that moment Twilight realized why the book made sure to stress checking the lids of the bottles for feeding. As Apple Blitz continued to nurse, she gave a tug so that Twilight would lower the bottle a little closer to her. The tug caused the lid to turn just slightly enough, and suddenly cold white milk drenched the surprised little filly. Twilight suddenly felt her hoof soak, and looked down with a similar surprised look. Twi’s eyes met the large watery eyes below her, and soon the loud wailing started all over again.
“Shh, shh,” Twilight tried to calm her down, putting Apple Blitz over her shoulder and patting her back.
She carried her back to her bath tub, and ran a small, warm bath, all the while the small cyan earth pony cried loudly into Twilight’s ear. She dumped some bubble bath into the water and waited for it to fill. Finally, she shut off the water and removed Blitz from her shoulder, plopping her into the shallow water. Twilight rubbed her left ear, the one that had been screamed into for the past several minutes, waiting for the muffled sound to clear.
Blitz meanwhile sat in the warm water, surrounded by many large clumps of bubbles. She stretched out a shaky hoof and touched one of the bubbles near her. Having never been given a bubble bath by Applejack, she recoiled in surprise when the pink orb popped in front of her. Unable to escape from them, she began to tear up again, when suddenly many more of the pink bubbles started to surround her. Apple Blitz looked up to see Twilight pushing the bubbles into her, then began rubbing them into her cyan coat. The little filly’s eyes darted every which way, not quite able to comprehend everything.
Twilight was unaware of the fear and confusion that Apple Blitz was experiencing, trying to be playful by tossing more bubbles around her. After a few minutes, Twilight began splashing her with the warm water, trying to get all the soap and any milk that might still be in her coat out. When she was sure Apple Blitz was clean, Twilight lifted her from the water with her magic and sat her on a table next to the tub. The little filly instantly began to shiver, and Twilight grabbed a towel and quickly wrapped her in it. She rubbed it gently all over her, making sure to dry every inch. Twilight then sat her down, still wrapped up, and began to brush her red-streaked blonde mane, trying to keep out the tangles. Blitz meanwhile tried her best to wriggle out of the towel. Eventually, the folds fell away, and Twilight couldn’t help but laugh at her fuzzy coat that was sticking up in many places. It reminded Twilight of some of the pictures she’d seen on Rainbow Dash as a filly, who always seemed to have an unkempt look about her.
Finally finished, Twilight picked the little filly back up with one of her legs and carried her back into the library, just as somepony began to knock on the door.
“Come in!” Twilight shouted across the room.
With a bit of noise, the door opened, and in walked Fluttershy, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom.
“Hey Twilight,” Applebloom smiled big, “I jus’ dropped in ta say hi! I gotta meet up with the other Crusaders. Today we’ll get our Cutie Marks fer sure!”
Applebloom took a moment to say hi to Apple Blitz, making a few faces and tickling her, which made the cyan filly smile and giggle a bit. Soon Applebloom had dashed out the door and onto another adventure. Big Macintosh and Fluttershy next began to play with Apple Blitz.
“I heard from Pinkie Pie that you were going to be watching Apple Blitz for a couple days,” Fluttershy told Twilight.
“Yes! No one else was available, and I’ve got everything I need to learn what she needs, when she needs it.”
“You know Twilight, Big Mac and I can take her, if you want. She is his niece after all,” Fluttershy said gently, watching as Big Macintosh sat Blitz on one of the floor cushions, and sat down beside her.
“I don’t mind watching her at all, Fluttershy!” Twilight told her, “Although this morning hasn’t started out great, Applejack and Rainbow Dash asked me to do it, and I’m ready to prove just how capable I am.”
“Well, if that’s how you feel. Is-is that ok Big Macintosh?” Fluttershy asked the big red pony who was now on his back, balancing Apple Blitz on all four of his hooves.
“Eeyup,” he shifted his gaze towards them for a second.
Fluttershy figured she really couldn’t make Twilight stop watching the foal, it wasn’t their child either, and Applejack trusted Twilight enough to take care of her. That should have been enough to not make Fluttershy worry. Despite her thoughts of Twilight and her qualifications for maintaining a filly, Fluttershy tried to put it out of her mind, and scooted up next to the big red pony she loved, and began to play with him and his niece.
After a few hours, Big Mac and Fluttershy left the library, satisfied by the time they’d spent with Apple Blitz, and ready to relax after the long trip to Appleoosa. Macintosh needed all the rest he could get, as he’d be returning to work at the nearby carrot farm, the one that bordered the land that had once been Sweet Apple Acres. Without the money to rebuild the land, Mac had used his friendship with Carrot Top and Golden Harvest to secure a work position, and he had managed to keep Fluttershy, Applebloom and himself happy and supported since coming back to Ponyville.
Twilight watched them as they cantered slowly off towards Fluttershy’s cottage. She always loved how perfect they looked together, both strong of heart but generally timid by nature. Twilight glanced back towards the cushion on the floor, where Apple Blitz had passed out from her extensive playtime with her uncle. Not wanting to risk another round of crying, Twilight levitated a blanket that was folded at the top of the stairs, and brought it down over Apple Blitz. With a sigh of relief, Twilight trotted over to the table near her, and pulled a book close to get some more reading in. She glanced up once before beginning to read to check the time. It was just barely eleven in the morning.
For the next hour, Twilight busied herself with her usual study, stopping briefly every few minutes to check on Apple Blitz. It wasn’t long before Spike emerged from their room, his arms stretched high as he tried to wake up. The small dragon walked down the stairs and headed over to where the purple unicorn was sitting.
“Ahhhh, morning Twilight,” Spike yawned, his eyes still looking heavy.
“It’s just past noon Spike,” Twilight motioned to the outside where the sun was in full shine.
“Oh, yeah,” Spike said. “I had to get up, I promised Rarity I’d run some errands for her while she worked.”
“Spike, you know if you’re still doing it because your jealous of my relationship with rarity…” Spike cut her off quickly.
“Nonononono, Twilight. I…well I managed to get over that a while ago. Mostly.” “ Well, if you want to, go on ahead,” Twilight smiled, “And tell her I better see her soon. Canterlot’s finest can wait a little longer.”
“Will do, Twilight,” Spike smiled, and headed around the side of the table. He kept his eyes on Twilight, and not paying attention as he headed towards the door.
“Spike look out!” Twilight cried out quickly as she saw where he was walking.
Before he could stop he tripped over the cushion Apple Blitz was sleeping on. Luckily, Spike fell over the cushion, landing hard on his face. The cushion however flipped over, startling the little filly awake as she too landed on the hard floor, and the cushion crashed down on top of her. Although a bit muffled, fresh wailing escaped from the scared foal under the cushion.
“Ouch!” Spike rubbed his face. “Aw shoot, I’m sorry Twilight.”
Twilight had already galloped over to her and was pulling the cushion off. With her magic she tossed it away, the cushion slamming into Spike after he’d just gotten himself back up, knocking him sideways onto the floor again. With a wave of purple magic, Twi lifted Apple Blitz into the air and put her over her shoulder, and began to comfort her with a few hoof pats. She could hear the sobs begin to slow, but the tiny tears still continued to soak her coat.
Spike stood up again,“Uh, sorry again Twilight. But, I gotta go now!”
With that Spike dashed as fast as possible out the door, slamming it shut behind him. The loud noise caused Apple Blitz to jump in surprise again, and begin sobbing heavily anew. Continuing to pat her, Twilight could feel a wave of stress rushing over her. She clenched her teeth together, and could feel the hair on her head begin to ruffle.
“No, no,” Twilight said between her teeth, “It’s not so bad. It’ll all be…fine.”
Holding her frustrations back, she ignored her feelings and continued to comfort Apple Blitz.
After a bit, the filly had finally calmed down, Twilight looked out the window across Ponyville. She decided she hadn’t had the chance to visit Rarity in some time, and she really needed to see her. She lifted Blitz up with her magic again, and sat the teary-eyed filly on her back.
“Want to go see Rarity?” Twilight asked, a small smile gracing her lips.
Apple Blitz just stared with her wide green eyes which still had a few tears clinging to them. She still seemed to be adjusting to the purple pony that was most definitely not her mother. Twilight watched for a moment as she laid on her purple coat, glancing around at all the colored books around her. She certainly managed to try and take in everything she could see. Twilight could only imagine once she started walking, what kind of trouble she’d be able to get into. She also imagined once she started talking, how many questions she might have. The thought of being able to help a new filly learn excited Twilight.
“Oh Twilight, darling come in! Oh I’m so sorry I’ve neglected to spend any time with you recently. The orders have just been piling up!” The white unicorn snuggled close to Twilight, rubbing her muzzles against Twilights neck.
“I understand,” Twilight told her, following Rarity inside, glancing back to make sure Apple Blitz was still snuggly secured in the carrier saddle she’d borrowed from Applejack.
The normally clean boutique was in complete disarray. Cloth and thread were strewn everywhere. It was quite a jarring sight for anyone who normally knew how Rarity kept her shop. “Do you need any help?” Twilight asked her politely, “I’m sure there is something I could do.”
“No, Twilight. It is of great importance I work on these myself! And I don’t need anything else, I already sent Spikey out to get some more thread and ribbon before the shops close up. It looks like you’ve got your hands full as is.”
“She’s really not been that bad. We’ve just encountered a few…mishaps.”
Rarity had begun to stare at the out of place hairs springing from Twilight’s mane. She tried to smooth them down with her hoof, but they continued to pop back into their unruly place. Rarity glared at them for a moment.
“You know Rarity, I haven’t seen too many fashion lines for foals out there. You ever think about doing any designs for them? I bet it would be a hit among the more paternally inclined of the Canterlot elite. I’m sure Applejack would be willing to let you model her a little if you wanted her to.”
“Twilight, darling, you know I love you very much but…” Rarity glanced at Apple Blitz as she spoke, inspecting the little filly. Rarity’s eyes lit up suddenly like diamonds. “Well…that’s an amazing idea! I could be Rarity, master of the art of dress for the young and old!”
Rarity put a hoof to her mouth as she grinned. Twilight could imagine that if it were possible, her head could have inflated to fill the room fto match her ego. Before Twilight could say anything else, Rarity unstrapped Apple Blitz from her pack and plopped her down via magic on one of her tables. Apple Blitz never seemed to enjoy the tingling sensation that crept across a pony’s skin whenever they were gripped by another’s magic. It wasn’t enough to upset her, but she clearly tried her ebst to struggle with her weak little limbs in an effort to escape its grasp.
“Oh Twilight, I can just imagine how cute this will be! IT will be all the rage and maybe even some will want to have a foal of their own, just so they could her one of Rarity’s Foal Fashions!”
Twilight smirked at how suddenly Rarity had wanted to take on this new project. Studying Blitz, Rarity began to draw sketches on a paper pad, noting details, colors, and the shape of the filly. She wanted this to be just perfect. With her magic, she lifted Apple Blitz into the air once again and began to take measurements. Again Blitz tried her best to struggle, but with legs not able to support her weight yet, she was helpless against the grip of the fashonista. After a moment, Blitz was dropped with a small thud back onto the table as rarity hurried away to find the fabric she needed for her design.
Twilight stared in disbelief at how fast her marefriend was moving on such a new idea. Behind her, she noticed the door as it creaked open. Spike trotted in with several bags of various fabrics and ribbons, perfect for Rarity’s designs.
“Oh hey Twilight, I see you got everything solved from earlier. Where’s Rarity?” he asked.
“Oh my wonderful Spikey!” Rarity cried out as she came from the back, several pieces of fabric floating behind her. “Thank you ever so much! But now I need you to run back and pick me up everything on this list,” Rarity dropped a small piece of paper into his hands.
“Uh, sure Rarity,” Spike looked disappointed that he was again being sent out for Rarity. He turned around and headed back out towards town. When he was gone it was just the two mares and the foal again.
----------------------------------
After another hour and with the limited supply she had, a very rough version of Rarity’s design was now worn by Apple Blitz. Rarity was already proud of this design, and she was sure to improve upon it once she had all the components. Apple Blitz meanwhile tugged at the dress with her teeth, not enjoying being shoved into the frilly piece of clothing. Rarity quickly tapped her on the head to keep her from tugging at it further.
“Rarity you don’t have to be mean like that. She is just a foal,” Twilight told her.
“Of course not dear, but she needs to be taught not to mess around with art!” Rarity exclaimed.
Blitz meanwhile had taken to pulling at the dress once again. Rarity gave her another small smack on the head. Several tears came to the filly’s eyes, but she didn’t scream like before. Rarity decided to remove the dress a moment later, and set it aside, moving Apple Blitz one more time off the table and setting her gently on the floor. A large spool of ribbon had been dropped right next to her, and Blitz began to unravel the loose strand with her hoof.
Twilight kept a close watch on her, making sure that a repeat of Spike’s fall wasn’t sure to happen again. Just as soon as she thought about him, Spike wandered in through the door, more large bags of varying shapes and sizes accompanying him.
“Well, seems since Spike is back and you have everything you need, we should probably get going. No need to hold you up any longer,” Twilight tried to tell her.
“No, no, stay Twilight! Unless of course you’re willing to make up some of our time apart in…other ways?” Rarity batted her eye lashes seductively at Twilight.
Twilight could feel her face burning at the mention, and tried to calm herself quickly. Rarity meanwhile was assembling various piles of fabric to start her next outfit. She noticed the ribbon that Apple Blitz was now wrapped in, lying on her back and tossing it up into the air on her tiny hooves.
“Oh dear, there’s that ribbon!” Rarity exclaimed, and pulled the ribbon from the filly quickly, ending her fun.
Apple Blitz’s eyes widened, and a new group of tears flooded into her eyes. This time there was not going to be any holding back. Apple Blitz began tow ail at the top of her lungs, upset her new plaything had been taken from her.
For several minutes Twilight tried to calm her down. She gently lifted her up and down with her magic. She held Blitz close and patted her back. She tried several ideas but nothing seemed to work.
“Oh Twilight, that is awful!” Rarity cried out, “What ever is wrong with her?”
“I don’t know!” Twilight quickly levitated some books as well as a bottle of milk out of her saddlebags.
First she tried shoving the tip of the bottle into AB’s mouth. Blitz coughed and pulled away quickly, not in the mood for a meal. Shaking her head as she caught her breath, she tossed backwards, tumbling head over hooves, and ending up on her back again. The little filly screamed harder. Twilight began flipping through her books, trying to find a reason for her to be crying.
“Oh Twilight, please just take her outside. I can’t concentrate with all this noise!” Rarity whined, after only a few mintues had passed. She quickly walked up close to Twilight and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’m sorry Twilight, but I’ve got so much work to do.”
“Alright,” Twilight smiled at her lover, and quickly scooped Apple Blitz, still wailing as loud as ever, with one leg. She didn’t bother to put her right back in her carrier, opting instead to drape her over her back.
“Please, Apple Blitz, calm down. Be quiet,” Twilight pleaded as she headed out into the Ponyville streets.
Not understanding any of those words, the cyan filly continued to dry out. Unaware of her stress levels rising further, several more strands of hair from twilight’s mane sprung up across her head. Briefly, Twilight twitched, jolting Apple Blitz back and forth, surprising her but doing no good to calm her down. Twilight quickly shook herself out of the twitches and decided to head back to the library to find Apple Blitz something to play with.
The purple unicorn trotted home in the setting sun, the cyan filly strapped to her back continuing to wail. Her brow furrowed and her mane in disarray, Twilight tried to avoid contact with anypony as she moved towards the library. She hurried by several of Ponyville’s residents, attracting stares and hushed comments as she went
“Come on, you can do this,” Twilight grumbled to herself. “You’ve got to show Applejack you can do this. You don’t need Fluttershy or Big Macintosh or anypony else to help you.”
Suddenly a big pink blur darted past her, nearly knocking Twilight over. She cried out and nearly cursed at whoever had been so careless. In a strange way even Twilight was incapable of explaining, the blur reversed itself and froze back in front of Twilight. Suddenly Pinkie Pie focused her figure in front of Twilight.
“Oh, I’m sosososososososo sorry Twilight!” Pinkie apologized, “I was just in such a hurry. I realized I was all out of ballons for my next party. Although I wasn’t planning on having a party right now but you can never have too many ballons, and some balloons are better than no balloons because I just love balloons sooooooo much!”
Twilight groaned. She loved Pinkie as much as any of her other friends, but she was just not in the mood for the party pony’s antics today. Pinkie stopped talking for only a moment as she quickly peered around at the whining filly strapped to her friend.
“Oh Twilight, you really shouldn’t let a filly cry like that. It’s not good you know!” Pinkie’s answer was very obvious.
“Of course it’s not good Pinkie Pie. But I think she’s bored and wants something to play with, so we’re heading back home,” Twilight responded.
“Bored? What cutesy wootsy little filly could ever be bored? Ooooh, I know what she needs. She needs a party!” Pinkie grinned, giving her answer to almost anything.
“Pinkie, I don’t think that’s what she needs. She’s just now calming down and I think maybe I should be trying to get her to-“ she was cut off by the party pony.
“Nonsense Twilight, even foals as little and cute as her can appreciate a good party! And she looks like she needs one to raise her cute little spirits!” and with that, Pinkie grabbed Apple Blitz from Twilight’s carrier and dashed off to set up her party.
For a moment Twilight stared in disbelief. Several more of her hairs stood up on her head, and she twitched for a brief moment as her brain caught up to what Pinkie had just done. She could hear the little filly cry out loudly from the surprise of a new pony taking off with her.
“P-p-p-Pinkie!” Twilight shouted and took off after her before Pinkie being Pinkie scared the little filly to death.
It didn’t take Twilight long to make it to Sugercube Corner, the place she knew Pinkie Pie would be throwing her party. It was rare that she didn’t throw them there. Twilight hurried to the doorstep, afraid of the state she may find Apple Blitz in. She imagined the party pony burying her in streamers, lost in an endless sea of colors, scared and alone until Pinkie cleaned things up later that night. She imagined Pinkie tying her to balloons, and letting her soar like Rainbow Dash…right out one of the windows. Twilight could imagine her going higher and higher, before the balloons popped and…. Twilight decided she didn’t want to think about it. She was driving herself mad as it was. She burst through the door, past a very surprised Mrs. Cake towards the area Pinkie usually had her parties. She burst into the room, huffing and puffing like a crazed bull.
What Twilight saw next both calmed and confused her. Apple Blitz was lying on the floor, her legs stretched in all directions as she giggled at Pinkie Pie, who was blasting up streamers and balloons with her Pinkie party cannon. It was the most response Twilight had seen out of the little filly that wasn’t some sort of crying. Twilight was more than happy to see it.
“Oh good, you’re here Twilight! I didn’t think you were going to come! Or maybe I did, you never miss a party! Except that one time you did, and I was sooooo sad. But then you came to my next party and everything was ok again!”
Twilight chuckled, “I admit, maybe you were right about this party thing.”
“You can never go wrong with a party! EVER,” Pinkie got deadly serious on her final word.
“O-ok,” Twilight said, taken aback by her sudden turn in demeanor.
Suddenly Pinkie was back to her bubbly self as she hopped into the kitchen to retrieve some treats Mrs. Cake had been baking.
“Pinkie, we’ve been here like ten minutes, how in Equestria did you have treats baked?”
“Oh Twilight you silly billy willy filly, I always ask Mrs. Cake to bake some extra treats before we close, just in case I decided to throw a whatever for whatever party. The cost is included in my rent!” she smiled in a way only Pinkie could.
Twilight didn’t say another word. This was just Pinkie being Pinkie as usual. She waited for her to come back in and levitated a cookie off the tray.
“Ok Blitzy, get ready to try the best cake of your life!” Pinkie squeed with excitement.
Before she could bend down and pop a piece of the cake into the filly’s mouth, Twilight, levitated Pinkie away quickly.
“Well what the hay Twilight? It’s a party!”
“Pinkie! A filly her age can’t eat solid food yet!”
“Cake isn’t a solid food, it’s cake!”
Twilight face-hoofed at Pinkie’s declaration. She knew she meant well, but she had to be taught. Twilight couldn’t imagine Pinkie being a mother someday, but she should learn all the same. Twilight had noticed she’d been very close with Caramel over the past few years though.
“Please Pinkie, just let her enjoy whatever else you have planned. She seems to be enjoying everything so far,” Twilight tried to regain her calm demeanor.
As the afternoon waned into night, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Apple Blitz managed to have a great deal of fun. Twilight made the little filly dance with Pinkie with her magic, eliciting giggles from her. They tried their best to let her play several party games. Twilight had to help her with those as well. Even so, things were going well. Twilight’s stress had faltered, but her slightly ragged appearance had yet to change. Pinkie didn’t seem to take any notice of it.
Soon Apple Blitz began to whine, this time opening her mouth as if to suckle, giving Twilight the hint she was hungry.
“Oh, can I feed her Twilight?” Pinkie cried, looking as excited as ever.
“I guess so,” Twilight looked a little worried, but figured Pinkie couldn’t do too much harm.
With her magic, she lifted a fresh bottle of milk from her bag with her magic, and floated it over to Pinkie. Pinkie meanwhile scooped up Apple Blitz and cradled her in one leg, while she grasped the bottle between her teeth. For a moment she turned away from Twilight, looking as if to situate herself. When she turned back, Apple Blitz was nursing happily on her bottle. Twilight smiled and sat down to rest for a moment. She was feeling very tired from the day’s excitement.
What the purple unicorn didn’t realize was that Pinkie had secretly switched the bottles. She’s snuck and empty bottle from Twilights saddle bags sometime during the party. When she had left to use the bathroom for a moment, she’d actually blended up a piece of her delicious cake into mush and poured it into the bottle. When she turend away from Twilight, she’d snuck the cake bottle from her poofy pink mane, and hid the other where the first had been nestled. Only Pinkie Pie could have pulled off such a move.
The night didn’t go on for much longer, and soon it was time for Twilight to take Apple Blitz home for bed. She’d kept her out far longer than she should have, but she hoped the excitement would let the filly sleep far into the next day, maybe even until Applejack and Rainbow Dash returned from Cloudsdale.
Twilight brushed some glitter out of Blitz’s red-streaked mane as she settled her back into her pack for the trip home. She couldn’t tell for sure, but Blitz was looking a bit sick, and Twilight could swear she heard tiny rumbling coming from her stomach. Ready to go home, Twilight decided she’d worry about it later. She thanked Pinkie Pie and headed off towards the library. Pinkie shouted several goodbyes into the night behind them.
“Alright Apple Blitz, it’s time for a nice rest! Tonight turned out pretty good after all. Your mommy and…” Twilight stopped for a moment.
She actually wasn’t sure what to call Rainbow Dash. She wasn’t exactly a Dad, but it would seem strange to have two moms. Twilight thought on this for a while as she trotted home.Finally they arrived at the library.
“Home sweet home,” Twilight sighed happily, “Well, after everything today, I can’t imagine things getting worse from here!”
(I haven't given enough credit this time around, so thanks once again to my awesome pre-reader Zev for all his hard work! Hopefully he sticks with me through the rest of this fic and many more to come!)
(Author’s Note: I’m kinda using human lifespan and such for the ponies in my fics. So it’s assuming that with Apple Blitz being roughly 5 months, she has the capabilities of a 5 month old human, etc.) I now know this is wrong, but see my note at the end for more info.)
Fillystitting Day 3
Twilight gritted her teeth. It was all she could do to keep herself from screaming into the darkness around her. She was sure it wouldn’t reach anypony else over the sound of the foal screaming beside her. It was going on two hours now, and Twilight had tried everything. Apple Blitz wasn’t hungry; she certainly didn’t act very sleepy; but still for everything Twilight tried to do, she continued to scream.
Now Twilight sat at a desk in her room, a single light flickering as she flipped frantically through book after book, hoping to find something that would tell her what she needed to do. Every book had offered similar advice, including that excessive crying always meant something. Every time she read a similar statement she let her face crash into the book. There seemed to be no information that would help give Twilight some relief.
“Apple Blitz, please,” she pleaded not facing the foal, “I don’t know what’s wrong!”
The only answer she received of course were fresh wails before Apple Blitz broke out into a fit of coughing due to overexerting herself from crying. Twilight spun around and lifted her up, and began to pat her back. After a few moments she calmed down…only to begin screaming anew. Twilight began to rock her in the air with her magic. Twilight began to twitch, her patience and understanding nearly gone as she tried to decide what to do. Twilight lifted her up, and stared into the little filly’s face, trying to get some understanding of what might be causing her trouble. And then Blitz vomited up Pinkie’s liquid cake straight into Twilight’s face.
Thankfully Apple Blitz had missed getting anything on herself, and with a little clean was finally calmed down and rolling around in her crib much happier than before. Twilight on the other hand had spent nearly an hour trying to get disgusting mush the filly had expelled from her coat and mane. Looking in the mirror at herself, she was a complete mess of a pony, and not just because of the mess that had adorned her not long before. She could feel herself slowly losing her grip on things, her mind was blurred by the thoughts of having to be the best fillysitter she could be. She had to be the best, her books had told her how.
Spike meanwhile had not managed a wink of sleep either. Blitz had begun her crying spell after 10 that night, and had continued until at least 1 in the morning, when she’d emptied her stomach. Now it was 2, and the baby dragon wasn’t the least bit happy that he wasn’t dreaming, himself. He walked into the bathroom where Twilight was trying her best to fix her frizzled mane.
“Ugh, Twilight,” Spike groaned as he approached her.”
“Yeeeeessss,” Twilight nearly hissed, her appearance causing Spike to jump back.
“Yikes. Say Twi, I’d like to get some sleep, you know, sometime in the next century. You almost done so I don’t have to keep an eye out anymore?”
“A-almost,” Twilight twitched, shaking herself and trying to keep her normal composure.
“Sheesh Twilight, you don’t look so good. Why don’t you just take her to Fluttershy and Big Macintosh. Her and uncle and what’s basically her aunt should do just fine with her,” Spike told her.
“Fluttershy…of course! She could use the stare on her, and then she’d never cry or whine or be a little cyan monster ever again!” Twilight chuckled strangely.
“That’s not exactly what I-“
“You’re brilliant sometimes Spike. I’m done here. Go to sleep,” and with that, Twilight left the bathroom, leaving Spike quite worried as she tried to curl up into bed next to the crib and get some sleep.
Apple Blitz giggled as she rolled back and forth on her back, making Twilight snap to attention for a moment.
“Alright Blitzy, how about you go to sleep for me now, ok?”
Blitz stopped for a moment and stared at Twilight, looking confused at the near-frightening sight of Twilight. Then she went back to her playful mood, giggling and kicking her wobbly legs in the air.
“Oh no,” Twilight slumped back onto the mattress and pulled a pillow over her head.
“Please Fluttershy, please give her the stare!” Twilight pleaded with the yellow Pegasus. “Just so she won’t cry anymore. Or scream. Or be a bad pony. And she hasn’t slept. All. Night.”
Fluttershy had nearly run off at first when Twilight had come to her. Her appearance was worse than when Celestia had given all her friends the chance to write friendship reports to her. Twilight had shown up bright and early at around 8 that morning. If Fluttershy hadn’t noticed Apple Blitz looking as cute as ever strapped to Twilight’s back, she’d have retreated into her house quickly.
“But Twilight, she’s just a baby. That’s what they do. And my stare…it doesn’t really work that way. I can’t hypnotize them. And who would want to do that to a poor sweet little foal like this one?” Fluttershy lifted her from the carrier and fluttered up into the air with her.
Apple Blitz giggled as Fluttershy spun gently around with her, and proceeded to tickle her stomach.
“But the books…and the manuals…and they said everything. And…nothing worked…”Twilight was at a loss for words.
“Well not speaking from experience Twilight, but no two animals are the same. So I’m sure whatever foal your books were written about, Apple Blitz is different from them. I think, but I might be wrong of course,” Fluttershy tried to be modest.
For the smart mare that Twilight Sparkle was, she suddenly felt very stupid. Fluttershy was right, and she realized Applejack’s words before she’d left rang much truer than ever.
“A foal is a learning experience in itself. Those books are good guidelines, but they aren’t everything! Oh, I understand now!” Twilight jumped into the air, and her disheveled appearance began to miraculously fix itself.
“Yes,” Fluttershy squeaked, Apple Blitz wriggling around in her arms.
Twilight looked like a completely different pony from what she’d looked like not five minutes ago. She felt any stress she’d built up drain away from her.
“You know Twilight, I can still take care of her if you’d like. Rainbow Dash and Applejack should be back sometime tonight. I don’t mind,” Fluttershy tried to convince Twilight.
“I think things will be fine now, Fluttershy. I think I can handle the rest of the day with her.”
“Well, Big Mac and I-“
“Where is Big Macintosh?” Twilight asked, noticing she hadn’t seen the red Earth pony since she’d arrived.
“Well, he said the time was right and he had a plan that would raise the money so that the Apple Family could finally get Sweet Apple Acres back.”
“Nopony else ever bought the land? I know Ponyville itself had claim to the land after Applejack and Big Mac left way back when, but I figured another family would have tried to build a farm by now.”
“Oh no. Apparently Granny Smith still had complete right to the land until she passed away. After that, the land was still considered under ownership of the Apple Family, and the bank of Ponyville just kept the title to the land until one of the other members reclaims it whenever they can afford to rebuild all they lost,” Fluttershy laid Apple Blitz down on her couch for a moment so she could continue talking to Twilight.
“Well, thanks for everything Fluttershy,” Twilight nodded, “I think I’d better get back though. Never know when somepony might need a book, or when Applejack and Rainbow might be back.”
At that moment in one of her playful fits, Apple Blitz rolled too far and tumbled off the couch, and bumped her head as she landed. Tears welled up in her eyes, but before the screaming could start, Fluttershy had darted over to the little filly and begun to intensely comfort her.
“Shhh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to let you get hurt,” Fluttershy comforted her.
Twilight smiled. “Well Fluttershy, maybe we can stay a little longer.”
Once things seemed to be back to normal, Twilight once again loaded Apple Blitz up into her carrier, and bid Fluttershy goodbye. Twilight trotted back to the library in hopes that AJ and Dash would have returned by then. Sadly, they were still gone when the pair made it to Twilight’s library. Even so, Twilight looked back to see the little filly, who was now curled up as best she could, and for the first time not snoring nearly so loudly. Twilight sighed happily. She knew Apple Blitz would have had to get tired eventually, tossing and tumbling and giggling all night long. Twilight tried to hurry herself back to the library. She wanted to get Blitz laid down and out of the way from anything else that might wake the foal once again.
Twilight sighed and wiped her brow, relieved to finally have some peace to herself. She wondered just how Applejack did it. She’d never taken the Element of Honesty for the motherly type, but she seemed to be pulling it off quite well. Lost in her thoughts, Twilight took one last look at Apple Blitz, before curling up on her own bed and drifting off to sleep. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One peaceful hour later, Twilight heard a furious knocking at her door. She looked up groggily trying to decipher what was happening.
“Spike!” she mumbled loudly, forgetting the filly next to her for the moment.
No answer came. She assumed he was gone again, but she couldn’t remember if he’d mentioned it. Twilight put her head down, hoping whomever was outside would decide to come back later. She began to drift off again when she heard a loud crunching sound from outside. Somepony was dragging something heavy across the ground near the library. Apple Blitz seemed to become a bit restless, but Twilight didn’t notice, nor was the noise enough to wake the sleeping foal.
“Ugh,” Twilight groaned, and pulled a pillow on top of her head, trying to drown out the sound.
The next thing the purple unicorn heard was a sound that could only be described as springy. The first few sounds were faily light, but by the fourth or fifth, she could hear the impacts hitting harder and the time between sounds longer and longer. The sounds didn’t stop there however.
“Twilight” the voice of a familiar pink Earth pony shouted through the window.
She fell back down. Then the springy sound again.
“Hey Twilight, you-“ her voice trailed as she dropped back down again.
*Sproing!*
“awake now? It’s-“
*Sproing!*
“too late to be sleeping silly!.”
This time she heard the springy sound be stopped by something. No Pinkie followed this time. Twilight let out another sigh of relief, hoping Pinkie had gotten the idea not to disturb them.
It didn’t take long however till the sound of somepony climbing back onto what Twilight assumed was a trampoline. This time it seemed to take several more jumps before the party pony reached any sort of height at all. Twilight continued to try to ignore her and drift back off.
After several bounces, “Twilight! I made-“
*Sproing!*
“a new cupcake! You need-“
*Sproing!*
“to wake up silly!*
*Sproing!*
“Alright, you made me-“
*Sproing!*
“do this!” Pinkie began to remove the large object she’d strapped to her back during the time she’d grounded herself.
On the next bounce up, Pinkie took aim with her party cannon. She made sure to hold it firm as she began to fall again. Finally, on the next bounce, as soon as she was at the window, Pinkie blasted a mass of streamers and confetti into the window. Twilight bolted up immediately. Apple Blitz continued to snore next to her. Pinkie flew up to the window once again.
“You’re awake!”
“Pinkie Pie! I was trying to sleep!” Twilight screamed on the pink pony’s next trip up.
And Twilight herself screaming was all it seemed to take to wake the sleeping cyan filly.
“Waaaaaaaaahhhhhh” Apple Blitz began to wail.
Twilight saw Pinkie rise up to the window one final time, an innocent “oops” smile on her face. Pinkie waved goodbye as she descended down. The sounds of Pinkie pulling her things away at super speed could be heard shortly after.
“Apple Blitz. Apple Blitz. Shhh,” Twilight picked the filly up and tried to rock her back to sleep.
For a moment her wails stopped, her big green eyes remaining teary. Twilight rocked her back and forth trying her best to keep her calm. Lifting the bag containing the things her mother had left with her magic, Twilight frantically searched for a bottle to feed her, hoping some milk would calm her down.
“Are you hungry maybe? Or still just tired,” Twilight was becoming frantic already, her lack of sleep mixing with the quickly returning anxiety Fluttershy had helped keep at bay hours earlier.
With a little magic, Twilight made the milk inside warm up and quickly stuck it into her tiny mouth. Blitz quickly rejected the bottle, shaking her head until she was free from the mighty nipple, and began to sob again, not as much from her fear previously, but from the forceful nature Twilight had suddenly taken. Slightly angered, Twilight tossed the bottle to the floor, and started rocking her again.
“Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep so I can too,” Twilight sang through her clenched teeth.
The little filly continued to sob more and more, now somewhat scared of the purple unicorn holding her.
“I’ve got it! Maybe you want a toy. Oh, but I think they are all downstairs. I’ll go get one!”
Twilight quickly sat Apple Blitz down in her crib, and began to dash toward the door, hoping this was her answer.
What Twilight didn’t see was the bottle she’d thrown down moments earlier. Her foot slipped across it, causing her to flip forward. Twilight crashed into her door, with it swinging open from the impact, and sending Twilight tumbling down her stairs.
“Ugh,” Twilight laid at the bottom of the stairs, her body aching from the impact.
“Hey Twilight, what’s all the noise?” the voice of a certain baby dragon called from another room.
Spike yawned as he came out from Applejack’s room, taking a moment for his sleepy eyes to adjust. As soon as he saw her, he rushed to Twilight to see if she was alright. He could hear the sobs of the scared filly drifting down from the room upstairs as well.
“Twi, you ok?” he asked quickly.
Twilight simply nodded, waiting for the pain in her back to go away.
“Spike,” she finally choked out, “ Can you go…get Apple Blitz. Just bring her down here. I give up getting her back to sleep.”
Without another word, Spike walked casually upstairs. Within a few mintues no more crying could be heard. Instead, shrill giggles replaced any other noise, and Spike came back down, cradling the foal in one arm and tickling her with the other.
“I don’t see what’s wrong?” Spike asked. “She seems fine to me.”
“Put her over there,” Twilight had begun to get up and motioned toward one of her cushions.
“Alright Twi. Are you sure you’re ok?” Spike spoke quickly, but he was seriously concerned.
“I’m fine Spike. Go back to bed.”
Seeing Twilight, once again a complete wreck in appearance, Spike laid Apple Blitz down and quickly darted off, this time opting for his own bed in their room. Twilight looked around, finally finding a few stuffed animals, not thinking about the fact Apple Blitz was still quite unable to walk on her own, let alone play with many toys.
“Now Apple Blitz,” Twilight once again was speaking through her teeth, “Its time…to sit here…and play….nice.”
A knock at the door startled Twilight Sparkle. She craned her neck with several jerky movements towards the door and stared at it’s wooden frame for a moment. Another knock came followed by some muffled voices. Twilight quickly glanced back to Apple Blitz, who was now smiling and giggling at Twilight’s once again horrifying appearance. Twilight twitched and tried to not look so angry.
“Come in!” she called hoarsely.
The door swung open and Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted inside. Applejack looked very happy, but Dash looked rather melancholy. A white sling was strapped around her and held up her front right leg, and some bandages held down her wing on that side as well.
Applejack ran quickly to the cyan filly lying on Twilight’s cushion. Apple Blitz’s eyes lit up when she realized who was galloping toward her. Applejack scooped her up with her hooves and pulled her close to her chest, dropping to the floor on her flank and hugging Apple Blitz warmly. Blitz snuggled close into her mother’s coat. Dash couldn’t help but smile, despite her demeanor.
“Hey AJ, where’s Twilight? She was just here,” Dash asked, noticing the purple unicorn had disappeared.
“Ah don’t know sugarcube. I’d figure she’d want ta hear all about the trip ta Cloudsdale,” Applejack looked worried. “Ah hope AB wasn’t too much trouble fer her.”
Dash climbed carefully up the stairs to Twilight’s room.
“Hey Twilight, you in there?” Dash called out through the door.
“Yeeeeaaaahhhh. I’m not feeling so well, so your room is still open down there. Go on back in, I’ll see you guys later.” Twilight finished and tossed herself onto the bed. She’d had enough for a while.
Before anymore could be said, Rarity burst through the front door.
“Oh, Applejack, Rainbow Dash! So good to see you! How did things go with the Wonderbolts?” she asked before noticing Dash’s bandages.
“Eh, could have gone better. They want you to practice flying with in a group like the Wonderbolts and pair you up with other hopefuls. Big grey Pegasus messed up one of the tricks and slammed through Cloudsdale and straight into the side of a mountain. Not my best day,” Dash looked sad as she spoke.
“They invited ya back sugarcube. Ya got that at least,” Applejack walked over to her and wrapped her leg around her marefriend, pulling her close and kissing her on the cheek.
Apple Blitz, who was riding happily on Applejack’s back giggled at the pair. She always seemed happier when AJ and Dash were together.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. But I must ask, is Twilight around?” the white unicorn said.
Spike had just left Twilight’s room, and upon seeing Rarity dashed down the stairs as fast as his dragon feet could carry him.
“Hey Rarity! Looking for Twilight?” he got close to her.
“Of course Spikey. Is she in her room?”
“Yeah. But I’d watch it if I were you. It isn’t pretty,” Spike tried to make a scary face.
“Well, if ya don’t mind, we’re gonna go unpack and take a nice long rest,” Applejack said to Rarity and Spike. “It feel like ah’ve been hit by several apple carts.”
Applejack and her daughter, as well as Rainbow Dash said their goodbyes and retired to their room for the evening. Meanwhile, Rarity headed up Twilight’s room.
“Twilight?” she said, cautiously pushing open the door.
Seeing Twilight’s worn out, constantly twitching form in the dark made rarity scream in horror. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Ignoring whatever Rarity was screaming about moments later, Applejack laid on the bed with her daughter, watching the little filly roll around, constantly trying to pick herself up but always falling right back down. Her legs were still too wobbly.
“You think Twi handled her ok?” she asked Rainbow in a serious voice.
“Ah, I’m sure Twilight didn’t have too much trouble. I mean, how could something that cute be that horrible?” Dash had a good laugh.
“Well if ya helped with her a little more Rainbow, ya’d know just how much work goes into this little filly,” Applejack gave a sly grin and pulled Rainbow close.
The two kissed long, their lips locking tightly as if made only for each other. Despite all their time in Cloudsdale, Rainbow had been so tired from each round of the tryouts that she’d crashed shortly afterward every night. Applejack hadn’t minded too much. Finally pulling apart, Dash climbed onto the bed at the foot, while Applejack made herself comfortable at the head of the bed. Apple Blitz sat between them, suddenly yawning and seeming very tired. She laid her tiny head down and within moments was asleep. Both Dash and Applejack scooted as close as they could, making a small area between them for the foal. Their foal. Soon both mares were asleep, dreaming of the happy times they hoped they still had ahead of them.
(End Note: So I did finish it after all! I hope everyone enjoyed it, and will come back. I've got one fic currently running already posted, but two sequels are coming to My Old Apple acres Home, so keep watching! Thanks Zev, the best pre-reader ever! And thanks to all my readers, even if there weren't many of you on this fic.)
