> Twin Fates Season 1
>  by Violet Echoes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Starlight comes to town
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A purple pony sat at a desk in her tower pouring herself over many old books. She would read one, grab another, throw a third, and repeat until finally she was sure. Something bad was coming. She had seen the signs in her story books and fairytales of old and cross checking them with historical documents told her everything she needed. 

She ran out of her tower as quick as she could and made a path straight for Celestia’s castle. Only as one as intelligent and grand as her teacher could understand the danger here. She knew knew that if nothing would be done then the vile Nightmare Moon would surely be resurrected soon, just not where or how. She ran past many of the upper class doing little and the guards doing even less. Up the castle steps she galloped before coming to a stop at the grand doors of the castle. Throwing a hoof to her face she realized she had forgotten to bring her research. “Evidence is always the most important part.” She muttered as her horn flared up. Her body was wrapped up in a web of light and she popped out of reality for but a moment, only to reappear at her tower. Using her magic she grabbed and filled her saddle bags with everything she had been studying before once more running out of the tower.

Out of breath but now ready she opened the castle’s doors. Up the stairs she trotted and around several corners she went in search for her beloved teacher. She was not in the gardens where they would bask in the sunshine with picnics nor was she in the library where they would read fantastical stories. With the fun places checked she headed for the throne room instead. Gently opening the doors and poking her head into the large room she found Celestia writing some paperwork on the throne. Happy her search was over she entered. 

“Princess Celestia, I have urgent news!” She called out loudly. 

“Oh Starlight Glimmer, I have some important news as well.” Celestia replied with a warm smile. 

Starlight wanted to tell her the important news but she could never talk over her teacher or interrupt her either. She instead sat on the red carpet and listened to everything Celestia had to tell her.  Just as Celestia was finishing with the information, one piece stood out. “What do you mean I am moving to Ponyville?!” Starlight shouted before throwing a hoof over her mouth. 

“Never fear, it will be only for a short time. They are taking care of the summer sun celebrations and the town has been growing so much of late that I thought it good to have a change of scenery. I want you to oversee the preparations.” Celestia explained as she walked along the halls of the Canterlot palace. Leaning down she whispered, “Do have some fun and make some friends while you are there.” 

Starlight nodded and agreed. What else was she supposed to do, say no to the princess of the country that also was an immortal god that literally rose the sun every day? Oh no no that could not do at all. The princess had gave her a goal and she had to go and see it through. Running back to her room her horn lit up and in an impressive show of magical skill she pulled objects, clothes and mementos all to herself before shrinking them down and fitting everything she owned in a single large suitcase. Starlight was so quick that the royal escort had only just gotten the carriage ready for her when she popped up ready to go with a smile. 
Flying down from the mountain city of Canterlot to the small rural town of Ponyville below she had much to think on but what distracted her was that the “small rural town” was in fact much bigger than she remembered. There were clearly new buildings here that were more modern and larger than the rest and the town border had pushed so far in some directions that it now bordered the Everfree Forest. 

“That can not be right.” Starlight muttered to herself. “I saw Ponyville only some years back and it did not look anything like this. 

The flying carriage landed near the town center. After giving the pegasi drivers a wave goodbye Starlight pulled a long list out of her saddlebag. There were many things to do and she would rather get them done now rather than later. The first thing to check on was the apple orchard on the east edge of the town that would be taking care of catering. Rolling the scroll up she suddenly was sent flying to the ground as a jogging purple pony collided with her. 

“Sorry.” The purple pony said. 

“It’s fine. Ehm, how do I get to Sweet Apple acres?” Starlight asked. 

The purple pony simply swept up the scrolls she had dropped and pointed in a direction. Before Starlight could ask more the purple pony had already ran off. She shrugged. It would be rude to keep a pony who was clearly very busy doing something. Heading in the direction she had been given Starlight quickly found the houses thinning out. In their place sat patches of construction, noisy places with many ponies rushing around to build things as quick as was possible. The skeletal structures of these buildings were impressive even now as many stood taller than most other buildings in the town and some others were so wide that you could fit several houses in the space. As she turned a corner Starlight found these patches to end suddenly, as if an invisible line had been drawn between town and outskirts. 

These outskirts stretched on ahead of her for a great distance and even from here they were truly beautiful. The very air seemed to smell like fruits and flowers all in bloom while the grass grew thick and lush. She passed several ponies sleeping in the shade and having picnics along the hills while several others in simple uniforms worked to pick the trees overflowing with large apples. Peaceful could not even full describe the mood here and it made her wish she could just lay down and spend the entire day under the shade of these trees. The stone road quickly turned to packed dirt and the trees grew denser. So much in fact that it reminded Starlight less of an orchard and more of a great forest. With a large farm and several buildings coming up she took a right onto the property. 

“Well how do you do Miss Starlight, name’s Applejack and here at Sweet Apple Acres we sure do love making new friends.” An orange pony called out with a wink.

“H-how do you know my name?” Starlight answered as she tried to stop her legs from shuddering.

“Pays to be in the know and know who from who!” Applejack replied while pushing Starlight further into the farm. “I hear you are the one checking on the celebration so I figure you would be wanting to sample our food?” 

“Well… Yes.” Starlight replied as she got pushed onto a chair that has been laid out in front of a massive table. It was quite the scene and being in the shade of a huge tree was quite nice as well. Applejack rang a triangle hanging on a post and just like that dozens of ponies with apple based cutie marks appeared from seemingly nowhere. 

“Now, why don’t I introduce you to the apple family. Each one has a signature recipe that they would sure love to use in the celebration so no pressure!” Applejack explained as the hoard of ponies lined up without a word. “You got Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red and Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Cobbler, Apple Brioche and Apple Cinnamon crisp!” She listed out as each put a plate of fresh food matching the name down on the table. “There is also my sister Applebloom, my brother Big Mac and of course Granny Smith.” 

“Well I see that food is handled so I should be going…” Starlight spoke up just as Applejack shoved a piece of pie in her mouth. 

“Aw come now what about tasting? And we need to sort the orders out too.” Applejack quickly added. Starlight admitted there was a lot of food and since it was her job she did have to make sure it was all up to standard. As they ate however Applejack started to talk more and more about the costs of things, catering is hardy cheap and you had to balance so many things lest you be wasteful in one way or another. Starlight tried to listen but between all the family members and taking notes on each of the dozens of meals she found herself swept up in so much chatter. “I was thinking of doing a reverse bi-standard order of 3 for 2 over a set amount of… Tsk where is my manners. How about you just sign this here invoice so we can let you get back to work.” Applejack said while putting a piece of finely cut and gold trimmed paper down on the table. 

“Oh sure let me see.” Starlight replied but a second later the young filly Applebloom caught her attention. 

“Sorry we were taking so long.” Applebloom spoke with large and adorable eyes looking up to Starlight. “We really do need to get back to work. It is harvest season at the same time as the celebration and we are all tired.” Starlight looked from pony to pony and came to the conclusion that she had been rude, taking up so much time and not even telling them what food was good. She had so many more to test… Nodding she signed the paperwork and slid it back.

“Thanks. Sorry for taking so long, all the food was nice so just order it all.” Starlight spoke as began to trot away from the crowd of Apples. Applejack bid her farewell and much thanks for understanding. 

“Did I do it right?” Applebloom asked her big sis once Starlight had gone.

“Perfect, easiest deal we made and now we can invoice Canterlot enough to pay for several new acres!” Applejack replied with a grin. 

With catering now sorted out the next thing on the list was to check the weather ponies. The celebration needed both a sunny day and a calm night and so even a single stray cloud would not do. She knew that they would be somewhere above ponyville but once more she found herself lost in this sprawling town. As she entered from the south she spotted a pink pony with a single cherry inside of a heart for a cutie mark standing outside a rather large and ornate looking building. Waving to her she trotted over to get some help. 

“Hello, my name is Starlight Glimmer. I am looking for the weather team?” She asked. The pink pony looked her way slowly. She blinked almost lazily. Those eyes had so much weight and Starlight could feel herself being made small under them. 

“You are new to ponyville hm. It can be quite confusing, most still expect a bunch of houses in a field.”  The pink pony walked over to her with a slight swing to the hips and a rhythmic waltz to her steps. “Pinkie Pie, the pleasure is all mine.” 

“Ok.” Starlight replied as Pinkie circled her. Those eyes looked everywhere while her hoof steps were as soft as silk upon the ground. 

“Come.” Pinkie said as she moved around and into the huge building behind her. 

Starlight found the inside to be amazing. The entrance was a huge room that had plush seats and sofas set up around coffee tables, a large desk further into it and twin grand staircases curving up and around. Everything was pink, purple, black and gold. Even the lights seemed to have a red tint to everything. Oh and the air. It was thick and spiced thanks to several hanging censers but through it was this slight almost sweet scent that made Starlight’s body feel all warm. Pinkie lay herself down on a sofa that sat away from the other crowds of ponies and gave Starlight a wave to join her. “Is this some kind of restaurant?” Starlight asked.

“You could say that, everypony who comes to the Cherry Pie arrives hungry but always leaves satisfied.”

“Uh-huh, sounds nice but it sure does look expensive.” Starlight commented as she looked around the gilded halls and decorations. 

“We are very accommodating.”  Pinkie replied with a smirk. A peach colored pony with red and yellow hair came to them in an instant. She dropped off two shapely glasses full of tropical looking juice, topped with ice, and complete with slices of strawberries. “Thanks Sunset.” Pinkie said with a wink before giving a nod to Starlight to try some herself. Starlight took it with her magic and took a sip. An avalanche of fruit flavors washed over her, leaving her shuddering and head spinning. Despite the effects she quite enjoyed it and so took a bigger sip. 

“So ehm, why am I here again?” Starlight asked.

“Wanted to welcome you to the town. Heard you are overseeing the celebration.” 

“Oh right, do you know where the weather ponies are?” 

“Relax. It is not even noon yet.” Pinkie replied as she took a long drink of the fruit punch. “Why don’t you tell me a bit more about yourself.” 

“Grew up in Canterlot. I am Celestia’s pupil and current star of her school for gifted unicorns. Currently I am here to check on the celebration and my word does this drink tastes nice.”

Pinkie let out a small laugh. “You need to slow down sweetie. See the sights while you are here, we have a lot to offer. Both us and this town.” Pinkie spoke slowly and true to her words. Pausing for another swig of her drink she continued. “I know that I do love my work but even I have to drag myself out of my bed sometimes. What about you?” Pinkie asked. 

“I prefer to study or get work done and then return to study.” 

“Oh, you enjoy hitting the books. I do love a mare that knows how to enjoy the grind.” Pinkie finished the drink just as Starlight was realizing that it was not normal fruit juice. “Do tell, are you more of a hardcover or soft?” 

“I… what?” Starlight replied as she began to get lost in the sea of warm sensations her body was feeling. 

“You know. Cheese or crackers? Sausage or gravy? Long walks on the beach or short walks in the woods? Screws or bolts? Glazing donuts, petting the bunny, chewing the fat?” Pinkie continued as her sly smile got wider and wider. 

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Starlight replied with a loose roll of her head. 

Pinkie leaned in close to her and waved for Starlight to get closer. She just managed to lean a bit closer without falling off the seat. “Do you like cock or pussy.” Pinkie whispered into her ear. Starlight sat frozen for a second before her face turned the brightest shade of crimson and she shot to her hooves. Falling over the table she got up and scoffed.

“W-what kind of… Of all the questions… Such a bad word… I have never…” Starlight ranted as she made for the door in staggered steps. 

“Hey sweetie, town hall has maps. Do take care of yourself.” Pinkie shouted as she finished Starlight’s drink. Watching Starlight stagger out of the door in a huff Pinkie could only giggle. “Oh she is just a treat.” 

After throwing her head into the town lake for a moment Starlight managed to pull herself to the town hall. Sure enough she had somehow managed to miss the giant signs pointing to the visitor’s section. One bought map later and she was back on track with the preparations. The weather team tended to circle from one side of the town to the other and they should be around the west side currently. Taking a look to the sky and finding it was still before noon, just as Pinkie had said, she decided to go check on them later. The decorations and main celebration was taking place at the ground floor of the town hall after all so it would be smart to do things closest to farthest… It also did not help that her head was spinning so hard that Starlight did not know if she could make it across town. 

Heading down from the visitor's section she and across a few halls she exited out into a huge ornate room that had a balcony overlooking a large area. It already looked quite nice but since later today Celestia herself would be giving a speech here Starlight wanted to make sure the decorations were perfect. “Hello, my name is Starlight Glimmer.” She said to a white unicorn who had a single diamond for a cutie mark. She stood looking over a large box of gemstones. Pushing up the glasses she wore, the white unicorn gave Starlight a look through her long mane and turned away shyly. “What is your name?” Starlight asked. 

The pony gave some quiet muttering back and continued to pull out gemstones, only to then put them back into the box. Starlight gave a cough to try and break the silence and a quiet “Rarity,” was finally given. 

“Nice to meet you rarity. Are you in charge of decorations?” 

“No.” Rarity replied as she adjusted her glasses. 

“Ah well, do you know who is?” 

“Yes.” 

“Hm. Can you tell me where they are?”

“I can.” 

“So… Are they here?”

“No.” 

“Great, ahem, so what are you doing?”

“Finding Dazeinite.” Rarity replied sounding the most confident yet. She picked out the last of the gems from the huge box and left them on a nearby table for the others. 

“Do you need help with that?” Starlight asked, trying to be nice. 

“Nope.” Rarity answered as she used her magic to lift the massive box full of large stones straight onto her back with ease. “Good bye.” Rarity added as she left through the larger doors. 

After waiting for the head of the decoration team to come back she did a quick check before promptly leaving to go see the weather team, followed by the music team and a few others. With everything working perfectly she decided to head to her new home for some rest. It was nice enough home to be fair, a large and well built house sitting on the edge of the river that flowed through the east side of the town. It had tons of books in the upstairs bedroom area and the downstairs was very well furnished, having some things that even Caterlot did not have. So much so that there was even a booklet on the new and fancy additions as well as how to use them. Flicking open the book she skimmed through it before stopping to read a page a few times over. 

Curious, scared and more than a little doubtful she read the passage for the tenth time before putting the book down. Scanning the walls she found it. A switch near the front door. Slowly stepping over to it she raised a hoof and hesitated for a moment before flicking it. The lights came on above her and she instantly flicked it back off. 

“Lightning… In the walls?!” She barked terrified. Sure some places had gas lighting and central plumbing but a full city sized electrical grid? Witch craft… crazy pony hubris! Too tired to deal with such ideas for the time being she lit up some good old normal candles for when it got darker and took one upstairs to check out the bedroom. Placing the candle on the stand she found the bed to be impressive. Easily a double and a half and able to fit three ponies if they so wished to share the space. Laying down on it her eyes felt heavy all of a sudden. Not realizing how drunk she still was she only had to close them for a moment to fall asleep. It was a quick rest but a deep one and by the time she woke up it was very late. She had no doubt missed a good part of the day celebration but the night half would be starting soon and that had Celestia’s important speech. A quick brush of the teeth and mane later and she was ready to take on the night. 

The sight she was greeted by however shocked her. The entire area around town hall had tents selling food, areas to dance and small games to play. The heat and bounce of the celebration was beautiful, spectacular even. Lamp post like pillars used carved crystal bulbs to shine bright but soft light over wide areas allowing ponies to play in the cool dim of night as if it was still daylight. Spotting Pinkie pie talking to a few large stallions that looked surprisingly nervous and shy she stopped in her tracks. Pinkie only gave her a single glance before Starlight decided to take the nearest right down the cracks between some tents. Popping out she continued her slow trot to the town hall but found herself in quite the line of others waiting to get in. 

“Busy eh?” A voice asked from behind her. Turning she found a blue pony with a bright rainbow mane, and a rainbow quill cutie mark to match. 

“More so than I expected.” Starlight replied. 

“Everypony wants to see Celestia. I am looking forward to the speech myself.”

“I am sure a lot are.” 

“Durr but did you know that 600 years ago the celebration used to have jousting and live combat to see who would win the grand prize?” Dash randomly told her. 

“I didn’t but those were common activities of that time period.” 

“Oh oh, do you know that the grand prize was suncake? There is not even a record of what a suncake is!”

“I… what?” Starlight asked as her train of thought had been tossed off a cliff. 

“Name’s Rainbow Dash. The library has all kinds of silly, dusty, story books you know... Oh hold that thought, my soup is ready.” Rainbow said before suddenly skipping off into the crowd of ponies. 

Starlight could only shake her head at the strange pegasis and thankfully the line was moving pretty quickly. Within a few minutes she entered into the main room of the town hall to find it all lit up beautifully with more crystal lights. Just as Starlight had slipped into the crowd the show had started. A line of musicians loudly played the introductory royal tune and the lights started to dim. Just as it all faded to black a spotlight lit up on the mayor of the town.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” She paused to let the crowd cheer her on before continuing. “In just a few short moments our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year. Without any delay, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who rises the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria… Princess Celestia!” The mayor waved a hoof up and the spotlight rose on the balcony above but when the curtains were pulled back there was nothing. The crowd quickly fell into quiet murmurs and whispers.

“This can not be good.” Starlight muttered to herself.

“Remain calm everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation.” The mayor spoke. 

“Maybe she is eating suncakes.” Rainbow whispered into Starlight’s ear, causing her to accidentally bump into the ponies next to her. Giving a shy smile as an apology the crowd began to murmur something louder and all eyes were drawn up to the balcony. A blue mist started to form and swirl, it looked as deep as the night sky and was even studded with shining stars. It spun and stirred before suddenly disappearing with a poof. In its place stood a jet black mare with royal looking blue armor. 

“Nightmare Moon…” Starlight spoke out loud in fear. 

“Oh my beloved subjects. It has been so long since I have seen your precious little sun loving faces…” Nightmare Moon said. Her voice was quiet as the cold wind of the night and as elegant as any queen.

“What did you do with our princess?” A voice shouted out from the crowd. Nightmare Moon let out a small laugh. 

“Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am?” She replied with a glare that left everypony feeling small, and scared. 

“Anti-Celestia? Queen Licorice? Oh what about... “ Dash listed before Applejack crammed a small cake in her mouth to keep her quiet.

“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legends, did you not see the signs?” Nightmare moon asked as her misty night sky like hair coiled around her. 

“I did and I know who you are.” Starlight called out. “The mare in the moon, Nightmare Moon!” The crowd loudly gasped and whispered to each other over this most dire of news. 

“Well well well somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I am here?” 

Starlight stepped forward from the crowd. “Yes and I won’t let you.” Her horn flared up with brilliant sparks of magic but Nightmare Moon simply laughed at her. 

“You would challenge me? The one who defeated even Celestia?” Nightmare Moon asked as she looked down to Starlight. She hesitated and her magic faded. She knew she was nowhere near as strong as Celestia, she was the greatest and most powerful after all. “That is what I thought. Remember this day you foals for it is your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” With that her misty mane started to swirl and spin into a storm, lightning crashing against the walls of the town hall. Windows shattered and ponies ran in all directions to escape.
> Nightmare's end
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Screaming. Chaos. Ponies ran in every direction, down the alleyways, down the streets. Heavy hooves hitting solid stone formed a thunderous chorus to the terrified bodies crashing there way to safety. Town hall had fallen. Using magic Starlight bounced from one rooftop to the next at speed. Teleporting up high onto a tall building she scanned the illuminated streets of Ponyville for a special kind of tree, the library. She had thought she could win, just fight her off using the powerful magic that Celestia had refined and taught her but when that time came she could not do it. 

Teleporting down to the massive oak tree turned library she ran inside the heavy doors to find a huge circular room with hundreds of books lining every wall. It was simply impressive. From cure alls to history to magic of every kind, there was even first edition books here dating several hundred years ago. Surely there would be something to help her in such a vast collection. The question of course, was what? “Well, well, well what are you doing here at this hour?” Rainbow asked as she rotated around in a large comfy looking chair. In her hooves she indeed held a bowl of odd colored soup. 

“What do you mean, I am looking for a way to stop Nightmare Moon!”

“Ooo that sounds important.” Rainbow spoke as she did a spin in her chair. “Why not try magical weapons or ancient tactics or mysterious pony artifacts?” She suggested on each rotation. 

“Why would I ever try something like… That. Do you have a copy of elements of harmony?” 

“It is under Eeeeee.” Rainbow called out her spinning started to reach a rapid speed and yet somehow not a drop of soup was spilled. 

Starlight looked through the books and sure enough found a huge one on a high shelf. She had heard the legends from long ago but so did most ponies. The elements of harmony had been used many times to defeat great danger and were once used to seal Nightmare Moon away. Slamming the book down on a table she quickly flicked through the many pages. “Starlight?” Another voice called out. She found Applejack and Rarity following behind a purple unicorn that had one of the sternest expressions she had ever seen. “You seem to know a lot about what is going on and I want answers.”

“And who are you?” Starlight asked.

“Twilight, Twilight Sparkle. The town’s… Architect so to speak and in times such as this one in charge of keeping everything together.” 

“Oh thank Celestia for that. Well, I just know that Nightmare Moon would be returning and that the only thing that could possibly stop her is the elements of harmony… But I don’t know where to find them, what they do or how to use them even if I did find them. So I came here to find answers.” 

Twilight’s expression softened and she gave her a nod. Looking over the book on the table she flicked page after page with her hoof before stopping at a part that seemed promising. Starlight stood closely and made sure to read quickly, she gasped, and Twilight gave her a confirming murmur. 

“There are six elements but only five are known and they are Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery however it does say that the last known location of the five elements is in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters… But where is that?” Starlight read outloud. 

“I have heard of it.” Twilight answered. “A ruin far east in the Everfree forest. If we are quick we should make it before sunrise.” 

“Should be easy with the night now lasting forever.” Rainbow cut in with an eye roll. 

“You are coming with me?” Starlight asked while ignoring Rainbow. 

“Of course. I am not about to entrust my town with any one pony and I am not alone, right girls?” Twilight asked with a glance to the others lazing about.

“I am not really an outdoors sort of pony but this sounds really fun, count me in.” Rainbow spoke first.

“You know you can always rely on me after everything you have done.” Applejack added.

“Same.” Rarity then finished quietly. Unknown to them Nightmare Moon had been listening in the form of a misty fog swirling around the library. She had been weakened by her time on the moon and so had the perfect plan to get rid of them before they became too much trouble. As she raced to the Everfree the others stayed to work out a plan all of their own. 

They left the library to find a Pinkie waiting for them. “It’s happening?” Pinkie asked and with just a nod from Twilight the group of five became six. Together but not yet ready they headed onwards to the Everfree Laboratory. Starlight did not understand the reason but Twilight assured her that she would only be a moment. Keeping her word Twilight came out shortly with a pair of metallic saddlebags around her back and a silver ring on her horn. 

“This really does not look safe.” Rainbow admitted as they entered into the forest. The trees looked so old that they could collapse into dust at any minute and the air kept getting unnaturally colder. The group continued further in and around the north cliffside. Even the stone felt strange here as if shaped by entirely different means to the rest of the world. 

Unseen to them, as they talked and made small jokes, Nightmare Moon’s mist had found them. It seeped into the cracks of the stone and chipped away at the foundations of the hillside until the rockface suddenly gave way. The group slid down the steep hillside as several large chunks of stone rained down around them. 

“Keep calm and jump!” Twilight called out just as Starlight managed to get her magic going. Twilight got her footing and only sped up her sliding which caused her to go flying off the edge but Starlight had no faith and instantly teleported away. Popping up at the bottom she jumped back as a glass flask smashed into the floor right next to her and a giant jelly cube instantly sprang from the ground. Twilight and then the others one by one safely landed within the cube and just as soon as it had appeared it began to dissolve away. “You really need to trust me more.” Twilight said with a glare towards Starlight.

With the cliffside still unsteady they moved away and headed deeper into the woods but they were not alone. Nimble yellow wings fluttered quietly in the dark of the forest. The agile watcher bounced from one tree branch to the next without a sound as if they did not weigh anything. They looked over the fallen chaos and scraps of goo and despite it being the dead of night managed to easily see the faint hoof prints in the dirt. As quick as they arrived they left in pursuit of the group. They watched from a distance as the group cut a path through her forest, every noise they made done without care to the surroundings or potential dangers. Curious and angry the watcher crept on ahead and waited for them to arrive. 

Starlight and the others came to a small clearing in the woods where the trees grew thinner and the rocks taller. “Are you sure?” Twilight asked as they continued to put on fake smiles. 

“Yes.” Rarity replied as she adjusted her glasses. “My caves are much darker than these woods.”

“I know you are there.” Twilight called out into the darkness as the group stopped and formed a circle with tails all touching. There came a noise, a rustle here and a twig snap there. Out from the shadows of a tall stone came… A bunny. Small and grey but with odd black markings the group relaxed. Only for a second to appear. Then a third. In but a moment there were dozens of bunnies all painted in the same black markings, each staring the group down. On the top of a tall stone a yellow pegasus appeared wearing a wooden mask. 

“You break hill?” The pegasus asked bluntly. Her voice was rough but strained as if trying to remember how to talk at all. 

“No no, it was not us, we are looking for a castle.” Starlight replied quickly.

“You… You are the one who has been raiding the bakery’s bins at night right?” Twilight asked as stepped forward. The yellow pegasus gave a huff. “You don’t have to worry about us, we have known about you for some time.” 

“Ponies not bring mist?” She asked while lifting the wooden mask up to the top of her head. The group looked around to each other before realizing what she meant. 

“No, we are trying to stop the… Mist.” Starlight replied. “Again, do you know of a castle? A big stone thing?” She asked but the yellow pegasus seemingly ignored everything she said. Putting the mask back on she fluttered down from the rock. 

“Mist hurt warren, ponies stop mist. Fluttershy help ponies.” She spoke as a white rabbit hopped onto her back. “Big rock thing this way.” 

“So who is this exactly? She looks kind of, sort of, terrifying.” Starlight asked. 

“I have heard about her for a while. Some wild pony of the Everfree that has a soft spot for a lot of leftover cake. She has never done any harm so we have left her to do her own thing for the time being.” Twilight explained. 

“A pony living in the Everfree forest? I would have at least tried to help her.” 

“Do you think she even needs help?” Twilight replied. Starlight looked the wild yellow pegasus over. She sure did seem to fit a creature of the Everfree more than anything from pony society. Her body was strong, her hoofsteps as light as a feather. She moved through the woods as if she was apart of it. 

“Still seems wrong to leave her out here…” Starlight muttered. Watching Fluttershy trot she started to notice something strange, she did not leave any hoofprints. Every step she took had a silent flap of her wings that reduced all the weight of her body and as such she was more bouncing off the ground like a balloon more than walking on it. 

Heading north-east they found the cliffs to return on both sides of the path. Passing through a narrow gap in the stone and under an archway they came to a sudden stop as a giant beast with the body of a lion, wings of a bat, and the tail of a scorpion blocked the path forward. It roared and charged at them with intense bloodlust. The group scattered. Starlight quickly teleported away like before. Rainbow all but casually bounced away with a laugh and Fluttershy jumped straight up into the treetops. Rarity used her magic to bring up a stone dome around herself and Pinkie, where in she sat down and hoped it did not come looking for her. Twilight and Applejack meanwhile used the dome as cover to work out a plan. The beast was massive and vicious so whatever they did it had to be quick and careful. Twilight’s horn sparked with magic but it faded away and the faint glow instead flowed around the metal ring she wore. “I might have something that could help but I never tested it on a manticore before.” Twilight said to Applejack. 

“I am pretty sure I can not fight something that big either but we got to do something.” Applejack replied as she peeked out to find the beast clawing at the stone cover.

“This not right.” Fluttershy added as she silently appeared from behind the two, making them nearly jump clear of the ground in surprise. “Snarl beast day hunter. No hunt pony. Lazy beast. Something not right.” She explained and Twilight had a thought. Pulling AJ closer she whispered her plans to the pair. 

Twilight and Applejack ran out from both sides of the dirt circle Rarity had made. Running past the beast they taunted it and kept some distance as it roared and ran after them. The manticore’s claws just managed to miss Applejack and its scorpion tail missed Twilight by an inch but they continued to run circles around all the same. With a whistle from Fluttershy they fled into the woods. She hopped down from on high and stood staring at the beast down with a fierce gaze. It charged but stopped before hitting her. They locked eyes, both beasts in different ways, and Fluttershy raised a hoof to it. The manticore in turn raised its paw to her. Carefully she plucked a thorn from its flesh and the beast snatched Fluttershy up to give her several licks of affection. 

“How did you know to do that?!” Starlight shouted from her perch at the top of a tall tree. 

“Fluttershy could sense something was wrong with the situation, it is true that not all fights can be won with strength alone. Sometimes you have to find a different path.” Twilight explained just as Starlight teleported back down to the ground. Knocking on the dome Rarity undid the spell and once more they continued onwards. None of them noticed that the discarded thorn had dissolved back into the mist it was created from. 

The forest up ahead only grew deeper and darker and so Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie took the lead. The former because they could see the best in the dark and the latter because she had many questions about Fluttershy’s… Situation. The forest kept getting darker and darker to the point of it being unnatural. The path ahead blurred and disappeared. A creeping feeling of unease spread across the ponies as the light disappeared completely and they were thrown into an endless void of darkness. Nothing but vague noises could be heard but they could not work out what lurked around them. From the dark came visions, twisted faces snarling at them and other terrifying sights everywhere. They were all frozen in fear, enchanted by the twisted apparitions circling around. They could not move, they could not even think. This unnatural fear gripped every sense they had and brought them to the floor. Until a voice pieced through the fear. It was quiet but nagging and so very familiar. 

“Just keep walking.” It said. Simple but comforting, guiding even. “Just keep walking.” It repeated. Drawn to it the others began to stand and follow the voice. The fear dulled and the darkness waned the further they moved away from the dark glade. It only took them a short walk to find there way out of the blackness and to find it was Rarity that was leading them the entire time. They thanked her greatly and were all quite impressed that she could keep such a calm head despite such intense and fearful magic. “I am not afraid of the darkness.” She would say. “It is what I can see that is far more scary.” 

Determined to keep pushing on they turned the corner away from the deeper woods to find themselves in front of a wide and raging river. It would be quite difficult to cross to say the least but they had to do so quickly on top. They decided to follow it upstream to see if would either get more calm or more shallow. As they followed the river it oddly only got more and more intense until they came upon a strange scene. A large serpent like creature was having a complete bitch fit and his trashing was causing the river to become so unruly. “What a world” He kept shouting as he would punch and smash the water.

“Ehm, excuse me sir but why are you crying?” Starlight asked.

“Oh I don’t know, I was just sitting here minding my own business when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved moustache clean off! And now I look simply horrid!” He explained before throwing himself into water with a great splash. Soaked the group looked to each other in annoyance. 

“Well now what?” Starlight asked Twilight who shrugged. 

“Let me try something.” Applejack spoke up as she moved closer. “Excuse me my good sir but we are in mighty need of getting past and we would very much owe you if you could just let us cross?” She spoke smoothly but the serpent would not be so easily talked down. Thinking for a moment she got an idea and cleared her throat. “I just don’t see the issue myself, those beautiful amethyst scales are far more exotic than any mustache could be. Right girls?” 

“Oh, indeed they are.” Pinkie continued as she waltzed over to the sea dragon. “I know I have always enjoyed my men to be neat and tidy.” She spoke softly with heavy eyes thrown over him.

“My, my. Well it has been such a long time since I really refined my style.” The sea dragon replied smoothly as he ran a hand along his already perfectly styled hair. 

“Then, how about you let us help.” Starlight spoke up next as she trotted over and used her magic to suddenly remove any facial hair the sea dragon had. “Much better already but I will eh leave the hair up to you.”

“Of course darlings ah my I feel centuries younger!!”

“You do look simply delightful.” Applejack added all smiles as she stepped into the shallows of the now calm river. The sea dragon’s long body scooped her up out of the water and curving around he formed stepping stones for them to cross. With a thanks given they finally caught sight of the castle just up ahead. All they had to do was cross a large ravine that had so much mist they could not even the bottom. The once sturdy wooden bridge had long since fallen into ruin as well but thankfully this was an easy fix. They looked to fluttershy to help them out but she gave a shrug and continued to keep watch at the rear.

“Rainbow, go fly across and fix the bridge.” Twilight decided.

“I could just teleport us across…” Starlight added but Twilight shook her head.  

“I don’t trust teleportation.” Twilight explained as she turned her attention to the bridge.

Rainbow Dash gave a sigh. She hated flying. It made her heavy wings ache but at least the distance was not too far. Fluttering up to speed her hooves left the ground and she began to slowly buzz over the revine. The mist grew thicker the further she flew and as she landed on the other side it had become too dense to see the others. Grabbing the broken rope she gave it a pull but an odd noise began to distract her. The sounds of wings grew louder and louder until a group of pegasi in black outfits came out of the pale fog. They seemed familiar somehow but Dash could not quite place where from. 

“Rainbow…” They spoke in unison. “We have been looking for you. Somepony who would be brave and smart enough to help us.”

“Well I am pretty awesome.”

“Yes you are. We need you to come with us to Marestonia and defeat the great Hurricane Emperor!” They explained while slowly walking circles around Dash. 

“It is just like one of my fanfics! In fact it IS my fanfics!” Dash called out with a squeak to her voice. “Oh oh could I have a giant sword that shoots lightning?” 

“Of course, anything you would…”

“How about a seat on the council of the 7 spectrum knights?” 

“Yes yes, you could do anything…”

“Could I ride a frost dragon through the magma mines of moledune with a fabulous princess?”

“I… I think so, yes I mean of course. Everything you could possibly…”

“Whaaaat about several princesses? And a prince? And like, a pile of hayburgers.”

“If you could just agree to…”

“Oh please tell me they still have Hayburger, every since that place opened up in town I have been sneaking out every night for more. The food is amazing, you know, like a waterfall of deep fried tomatoes falling into a bottomless pit of cherry soda.” 

“...” The pegasi could only watch in sheer confusion as Dash got increasingly colorful with her questions, and metaphors, until they were not sure what realm of existence she was even describing anymore. 

“Have you ever heard of a Suncake? Celestia alive, I would love to bury my face into one of them one day.” Dash added as she changed the subject. 

“How do you know of that?!” The pegasi called out with a thick blush crossing over their faces. Throwing a hoof over their mouths they gave out a cough. “I mean, Y-yes even that.” They sighed.

“Awesome.” Dash chirped. “But I got a lot of soup back at home and it would be a shame to waste it. Maybe next time!” With that she took up the rope for the bridge and tied it around the stone pillar. The pegasi in black bowed and silently faded back into the mist but as they did the mist itself also started to weaken and grow thin. Waving to the group to cross Dash quickly began to tell them all about the odd encounter she had just had. Even if some of it was already being exaggerated. 

 At long last they had reached the old castle of the royal sisters. The steps were huge and grand and unlike the rest of the crumbling ruins had not worn down an inch in thousands of years. Trotting over the massive oak door that had fallen to the floor Starlight found the place to be quite impressive. So many doorways and archways, so many towers and rooms. Despite the collapsed ceiling and the overgrown flora the old building had this immortal air of royalty to it. 

The group crept deeper into the cold castle. Down the once regal halls and across the long dead dining rooms to the throne room. It lay shattered more so than most other places but there was nothing of note here either. Moving on, they climbed one of the tall towers behind the throne. It was in this crumbling tower in fact that they found the elements. Or at least something that looked close. Spread over an elaborate stone pedestal they found five large stone balls with each bearing a different gem like symbol.

Fluttershy and Dash flew up to collect them as Starlight and Twilight looked them over. “They do not seem very magical.” Twilight said out loud as she tapped one of them with her leg. 

“Maybe they are just hiding so any bad ponies did not know what they could do?” Starlight replied. Using her magic she lifted one up and spun it loosely around in the air. “Hello, elements, we kind of need your help.” She spoke to it causing Dash to snicker. 

“Do you need to be alone with your elements?” Dash mocked.

“Yes, I need to concentrate and work out how to activate them.” Starlight replied causing Dash to look to the others bemused. With a shrug Twilight and the group left onto the balcony for some fresh air. The moon was lovely if strangely still as it hung at the highest point in the sky without an inch of movement. Starlight wrapped the stone orbs up in her magic and focused her hardest to cause a reaction out of them. With her eyes clenched closed she did not realize that the purple smoke that had been following them had crept into the room. It weaved across the floor and began to swirl around both the elements and Starlight. Twilight came running but could only call out just as the smoke teleported away with Starlight and the elements. Catching a flash of light in the nearby tower the left behind group started to give chase. 

In that nearby tower Starlight found herself face to face with Nightmare Moon who now had the elements at her hooves. Starlight’s horn flared and she lowered her head defensively but Nightmare Moon simply laughed. “Come now Starlight, you are better than this.” She spoke with regal tone. “I could sense it this entire time. Your abilities, your magic, it is far more powerful than what you let on. So much so that I fail to understand, why did you not use that magic to help the other ponies even once?” 

“Celestia taught me to use my magic only when it is needed and the others did not need help!” 

“Oh you poor foal, listening to such nonsense. If you never use your magic then it will never grow and you will never realize your true power. Don’t you wonder what your destiny is?” 

“My destiny?” 

“Everybody has one. From raising the sun to planting seeds. You have sat and studied under Celestia for so long but to what end? She doesn't even want you to use the thing you can do better than everypony else.” 

“That’s not... “ Starlight trailed off as her thoughts got the best of her. 

“Join me Starlight. I can teach you magic that Celestia would have never dared to teach, you could learn to use your magic for the good of everypony. Not for the day but within my glorious night!”

“For the good of everypony.” She repeated before letting out a snort. “Like I care! This entire day has been the worst of my day. Do you think I like having to parade around the entire day with those freaks? The only reason I put up with any of this is because it is my mission.” Starlight shouted. “I am tired and talking to all these ponies is so annoying. I just want to be home in bed with my books but no I have to be in the middle of a scary woods fighting an alicorn demon.” Starlight continued getting louder and louder until she smashed her hooves into the stone in anger. “I thought that I could at least use them to power the elements but no, there is no reason...” She stopped as the door behind her fell off the hinge to reveal that the others had been watching. Starlight stood with wide eyes and a shameful blush. 

“You are right.” Twilight said walking into the room. “Everypony has a destiny and everypony has a role to play but if you are so willing to throw away those who can help so quickly then you will find yourself alone when it most counts. Forget the elements.” She ran forward with the others following behind. Throwing smoke bombs from her bag AJ and Fluttershy flanked from the sides but it did not matter. Nightmare Moon was far stronger than them. No matter what gadgets Twilight could use, no matter how strong one like Fluttershy may be. They could not match her. 

Starlight sat watching as each was blasted, beaten and tossed to the ground. Even if she wanted to fight she found her body not wanting to move. Nightmare Moon was too close to Celestia in form and a lifetime of training under her stopped any spark of aggression before it even started. Throwing her head down she let out a sigh. It had been years since she last used even half of her power anyway, what could she do in such a state anyway. 

“D-don’t give up.” Twilight called out as she forced her bruised head of the ground. “There has to be another way, something we could try.” 

“No, there isn't.” Pinkie replied from across the room. “We have no chance of winning, or running but we can at least go down together.” She spoke while spitting blood from her mouth. She did not have anger in her eyes or fear in her heart. Pinkie simply accepted that this situation was impossible and before any emotions could find her, she moved on from them. Twilight’s eyes grew wide. 

“Harmony.” Twilight muttered. “Harmony is not friendship, it is what binds us all together. Harmony can exist in even the darkest of hearts or the most undeserving of ponies.” She spoke getting louder while a faint glow started to form around her. “The structures of a society are a harmony of their own. I have sought to bring Innovation to all, to remove ignorance, to bring an equal way of life to all cities. Just to help others, not to help any single one but to help all!”

“What are you…” Nightmoon Mare tried to speak as she covered her eyes from the light. 

“Fluttershy showed experience and Instincts in the most dire of situations. Rarity never gave up, no matter the fear, no matter how dark, she had true Dedication. Applejack however had smarts and found a Compromise that nobody else could see. Rainbow Dash kept her Imagination and it let her ask all the questions, even if they are not all useful, which led to the truth. And Pinkie. She would rather Accept that the bad happens and move on instead of clinging to false hope. They are not THE elements of harmony but they are harmony all the same!” The elements exploded into light, the blast sending Nightmare Moon crashing into the stone wall behind her. They each shattered and fused back together to form six pieces from the five. To each of the ponies Twilight had mentioned they flew and began to orbit rapidly. Wounds healed and each found new vigour to keep going. “I have never wanted to use magic, not even these, but if it means seeing the sun rise once more then I will give it my all!!” She screamed as the ring around her horn glowed white hot and shattered. Her body, her horn, she glowed with a pure radiance as enough magic to drown a city flowed freely. 

Each of the six were pulled close and together a wave of light both brilliant and terrible exploded outwards in every direction. The stone walls of the tower were torn asunder under such powerful energies and Nightmare Moon got struck with the full force of its power. As they six came back to consciousness they found the tower to be gone and Nightmare Moon with it. In her place lay a small foal of blue fur, an alicorn. Before they could do anything the sun came up on the horizon and with it a blinding ray of light shone down onto the broken tower. In its place they found Celestia standing unharmed. 

“Princess Celestia!” Starlight called out as she ran over to the pure white alicorn standing so perfectly with the sun to her back. 

“Starlight Glimmer. My faithful student, I knew you could do it.” 

“But I…” Starlight replied looking away in shame. 

“Are you going to introduce me to your new friends?” Celestia asked. 

“I… Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity. They used the elements, not me.” Starlight replied sadly as she pointed to each of them. 

“I could sense Nightmare Moon’s return myself. I knew that you would be able to do what I could not, you just needed to find yourself some friends to make it happen. I am proud of you Starlight.” Celestia said while reaching down to give her prize student a small hug but Starlight remained silent. “Now I only hope another can forgive me.”

Celestia glanced to the blue foal and began to walk over. “It has been a thousand years since I have last seen you like this. It is time to put our differences behind us, we were meant to rule together little sister.”

“Sister?” The others all gasped in surprise. 

“Will you accept my friendship?” Celestia asked. 

“No! I, what is this. How did you do this to me. I… I can not use magic, even my alicorn powers have been lost.” Luna began to call out as she backed away weakly from her much larger sister. “I won’t… I cannot…” Her words faulted as Celestia used her own magic to put her to sleep. She lowered her head for a moment but stood up tall nonetheless. Looking to Twilight she found the unicorn to not back away from her gaze.

“Magic is the source of many problems so I removed it from her. Still, I fear it will one day return.” Twilight explained. Celestia gave her a look, knowing, understanding, and picked up her sister with her magic. 

“I am just happy to have her finally back with us. And now we can more properly talk.” 

The battle had been won and the day had been saved. Celestia escorted the others back through the forest and once they had returned to Ponyville a celebration was quickly set up. Taking everything left over from the summer sun celebration the entire town was quick to come to the party. Luna was taken safely back to Canterlot but Celestia stayed for some time to enjoy herself. Starlight however could not find any happiness. 

“What is wrong with my precious pupil? Why so glum?” Celestia asked. 

“I have so much to learn. I made so many mistakes.” 

“Yes but you grown quickly because of them. It takes a lot of courage to admit your faults as well… Starlight, would you prefer to stay here in Ponyville where you may be close to your new friends?” 

“Yes… Yes! I have so much to learn from them.” Starlight agreed as she watched Twilight standing on the edge of the party overlooking everything. Her eyes narrowed. “So much to learn.”

“Excellent. Then your mission shall be a new one. Report to me all your findings on friendship.” 

“I shall Princess. I will not fail you…” Starlight gave her a wide smile before trotting off into the party. She did not join in the dancing, she did not enjoy drinks with Applejack or join Pinkie in her conquests for new and interesting stallions. She left the party and headed towards her home with new fire in her heart.
> Ticket to Friendship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight was out enjoying the sun in her garden. Using her magic she lifted several balls of water up out of the river and spun them around her. Concentrating she turned them from ice to water to steam and back again before combining them together and transmuting the entire thing into sand. Her horn glowed hot and she panted in effort but the spell prevailed. Proud of her efforts she lay down on the grass and took in the warmth of the sun. It had been a while since the incident with Nightmare Moon and having dedicated so much time to increasing her studies she really did need to take a break. That is until the bracelet around her hoof started to give out several faint flashes. Pulling herself up she headed inside her home. 

She had still not fully gotten used to living in Ponyville and the fact her new house was just so much smaller than the grand tower she once resided in did not help either. Still, her mission was to report on her studies of friendship and so she was determined to get used to it. The fact it overlooked the town’s river was quite nice at least and the several floors gave her a decent amount of space. From the garden she entered through the backdoor into the kitchen and from there into the main living room of the building. It was large, taking up most of the ground floor, and was fully furnished. It even had a solid stone fireplace. Over on the large oak table sat an ornate white and gold lantern that had a small green flame flickering within.

Starlight lifted it with her magic and opened the small glass door to let a wisp of smoke come out, it twirled and formed a stamped letter that landed on the table softly. Picking that as well she opened the scroll and began to read. 

“Hear ye, hear ye. Her grand royal highness, Princess celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce that the grand galloping gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot on the 21st of…” Starlight trailed off as she skimmed over all the boring parts. “...She cordially extends an invitation to Starlight Glimmer plus one guest.” Within the scroll there was also two golden tickets. Starlight was excited, she had never gone to the gala before due to having far too much studying and tests to do but now she could finally have a chance. Oh but only one friend could come with her? That would surely be trouble as she had not yet made a single real friend but Starlight realized that she did not need to be friends with a pony to give them a ticket.

Thinking Starlight placed the other ticket into a scroll and began to write. “Considering the events of Nightmare Moon I can think of none other than six who deserve to go with me but with only one ticket choosing who would simply be too difficult. I would rather not have them fight over it and so I am requesting several more tickets, or none.” With that she rolled it up, tied it with a piece of purple ribbon and tossed it into the lantern. As soon as she had placed it down however it started to flash and once more a letter wrapped in red came through. Opening it she found herself with six tickets instead of one, as well as some praise from Celestia for choosing her friends needs.

“Now I just need to give the tickets to the others.” Starlight spoke to herself. “If they want to go… Or if they will even talk to me after that outburst… Oh no.” She realized just how deep of a hole she had dug herself into. Starlight could not even return the tickets now Celestia knew who they were for. She sighed. This was going to be a long day. 

Starlight knew a lot about apologies. She had read all the guides and done a number of practise tests… On herself via a mirror late at night… But this would be the first time on other ponies. With saddlebags heavy with gifts she entered into the town hall and asked where she could find Twilight. To her surprise she found that Twilight lived in the penthouse at the top of the building, not even the mayor had such a central and grand home as that. With permission given she entered into the elevator and went up several floors to find that the penthouse was far more grand than she expected. Carved wood, expensive paintings and luxurious tapestries were just a few decorations that stuck out to her. With thick velvety carpet under her hooves she walked down a short corridor to where two gilded doors stood. Pulling them open she found the large room inside to be nothing like the entrance. It was a mess with books, scrap and small crystals everywhere. On a huge table to the right of the entrance was something metallic and indescribable all tied together with what must have several rolls of grey tape while on the left was a staircase curving upwards.

“Welcome.” A voice rang out ahead of her. A small purple dragon with a bright green head crest jumped down from a chair placed in front of the fireplace and ran over to her. “Name’s Spike. Are you looking for Twilight?” He asked. Starlight just stood amazed. She had never seen a dragon in person, let alone a baby dragon.  

“Ehm, yes.” Starlight replied as she lifted him off the ground and rotated him in the air. “Fascinating.” 

“If you don’t mind, I am getting dizzy.” Spike called out causing a blushing Starlight to drop him. Giving her a wave to follow him they both headed to the staircase leading to the upper floors. 

The upstairs was truly nothing like the bottom. For one it was smaller but also much more neat. With a solid desk stacked with notes and journals and a king sized bed taking up a good portion of the space the rest of the room was clean and tidy. Even the shelves were in perfect order. Twilight herself sat at the solid desk scribbling something down thanks to a pencil attached to her hoof via an odd contraption. It was a tidy desk, with a photo of a very young Twilight standing next to an older looking colt and tall stacks of paperwork all over the place. 

“Hey Twilight, you have a visitor.” Spike called out before promptly heading back downstairs. 

“Oh Twilight I simply felt terrible about what I said and wanted to tell you that I am sorry.” Starlight began as she used her magic to open her saddlebags. 

“No you are not.” Twilight replied while glancing her way. “You don’t care about me or the others and if you wanted to try and make up with us then you would have to be honest about your feelings. So, what do you want from me?” Starlight was taken aback by her logic.

“I am not good with this stuff alright but I did mean it. I even got you sweets from the bakery because that is supposed to be the nice thing to do or whatever.” 

“Gee thanks.” Twilight said with an eye roll. 

“Ok. Ok… How about a ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala instead?” Starlight then asked as she placed the ticket on the table for Twilight to see. Twilight stopped her writing and turned to face her. 

“Ah I see. You need me to go for some reason and so despite having all the chances to say sorry you wait until now to do it. Right?” Twilight asked while cracking a grin. 

“Yes.” Starlight sighed. 

“Great. I will go.” 

“Wait, really?”

“Do not get me wrong, I do not like you Starlight or your kind but I am not one to hold a grudge.” Twilight shrugged. “I do have a reason to go as well, the Galloping Gala is wall to wall with the rich and powerful as you know.” 

Leaving with one less ticket and a point in the right direction Starlight could not help but feel somewhat confused. That was nothing like her books had told her and at the same time it did work, sort of. This kind of grey area was simply not covered by her studies and it left her with much to ponder on. The one thing she could be sure of was that Twilight had helped her greatly. 

Starlight walked north from the town hall and across the market street. It was quite busy as it normally is and there were ponies rushing all around to get things done. Others still stood talking to each other pleasantly. Starlight never did like hanging around here, it made her anxious. Continuing on over the north bridge she quickly reached where the library sat. She had walked past it a few times since moving here but had never gone inside more than once during the summer sun celebration. Taking a better look at it she had to admit it was quite impressive. A huge enchanted tree that had been hollowed out to form a library, the construction and style of it harked back to ancient unicorn magic and she had no doubt that it must be as old as ponyville is, if not older. There were multiple floors and several balconies all the way up. The solid wooden door had fresh paint and the library had clearly seen several renovations in recent years but under it all the same worn wood stood strong and proud. The inside was just as naturally beautiful as the outside, with dozens of tall shelves having been carved into the round inside wall of the tree. 

“Heya Starlight, I am Dewey the dutiful book keeper!” A small tan earth pony called out to her from the bottom of the stairs. “Are you looking for something in particular?” He asked. 

“I am looking for Rainbow actually. Wanted to talk about something.” 

“Hmm Mrs Dashy said not to let anyone bug her unless it was important.” The colt replied. 

“Oh but it is very important. I have to give her a ticket to the Gala.” 

“Wow, THE Gala?” Dewey gasped. “That is important. Go on upstairs.” 

Thanking the young colt for his ‘help’ she headed up the carved stairs and though a smaller door to find quite the scene. The room was a messy pile of papers, ink, books, junk food and clothing while the walls were pasted all over with notes and string connecting things.  Dash herself was laying on her back in what looked like a giant padded nest of blankets and pillows. Her eyes lazily staring up into nothing. 

“Back alrea… “ Dash spoke as she turned her head towards the door closing. “Oh Starlight, what are you doing here?” Dash spoke as she suddenly sat up straight. 

“I wanted to give my apologies to what I said during the Summer Celebration and also offer you a ticket to the gala.” Starlight replied as she wrapped herself up in a magic glow and levitated over the sea of mess on the floor. 

“Ooo… Which gala?” Rainbow asked. 

“The Grand Galloping Gala.” Starlight replied.

“Ooo… Never heard of it.” 

“What. How can you not have heard of the GGG?!” Starlight called out. 

“I don’t exactly go to many parties. Not my thing.” 

“I can see that.” Starlight sighed. “But there will be tons of fun things, like eh dancing?”

“Meh.” 

“Singing?”

“Nah.” 

“All sorts of famous ponies will be there, surely you have a hero you would love to meet?” 

“Hmm… Not that I can think of.” 

Starlight began to sweat. Looking around the room, her eyes fell on a drawing of what seemed to be a cake on fire. The string that was pinned to it led to several others including odd ancient cake recipes and odd alchemy symbols. “What about the, ehm, ah, the suncakes?”

Dash’s ears perked up. “Go on.” 

“Celestia herself would at the Gala and you did say that she was the one to give out those cakes long ago. Maybe you could ask her directly?” Starlight cringed a bit at having to use Celestia as bait. 

“Genius! Much better than my latest idea of communicating with the ghosts of pony knights although I do wonder what I am going to do with that helmet… Never mind. I will gladly accept the ticket.”

“Do you also accept my apology?” Starlight asked with a wide smile.

“For what?” Dash replied with a head tilt. 

“N-nothing.” Starlight stammered as she floated the ticket over to Dash and made her escape from the room. She took a deep breath and tried to shake off that warm musky smell she had been suffocating in. “Dash really needs to clean up more.” She muttered. 

Starlight headed back down to the town center and then west past the Ponyville lake to the very edge of town. Right on the border of Ponyville sat the Bejeweled Bridle, with beautiful gemstones adoring the outside and a sign all written in gold. Starlight had heard of it a few times as she walked around town as everypony wanted one of the Mythril Roses or other such decorations. Walking inside she was greeted by the sight of dozens of display cases all showing off gems so pure that they gave off a faint radiance or elaborate accessories made of gold and silver. Oddly though the entire building felt noticeably warmer than outside. 

“Welcome, I can tell you have quite an eye for the finer things.” A unicorn of pale colors spoke from behind the counter. 

“Oh no no, I am just here to talk to Rarity. I heard she worked here?” 

The pale pony’s eyes narrowed. “Are you Starlight by chance?” She asked. 

“Yes… Everypony seems to know me for some reason around here.”

“I am afraid we are closed.” The pale pony suddenly stated as she began to magically push Starlight out. 

“What, wait, I need to talk to Rarity!” Starlight protested as she braced herself against the door. 

“She is busy.” 

“I just want to apologize!” 

“You do?”  The pale pony spoke with a glare. 

“Yes, I do feel bad for what I said and I am going around making amends. I even got gifts.” Starlight explained with a nod to her saddlebag. Pulling out a box of sweets she handed them to the pale pony. “You can have these as well.”

“Well now that is mighty kind of you.” Lilly replied with a smile before becoming stern again. “Listen. I am Mythril Lilly, Lilly for short, and I am the one who is in charge of keeping Rarity safe. I was real proud of her having gone to help others and even saving Celestia but ever since she came back she has been hiding away from everypony again. Something that a ‘Starlight’ had said?” Lilly explained causing Starlight to sheepishly step back away. “If you want to go say sorry you can find her down west of here in the ravine but you better be extra nice you hear.” 

“I hear! I really do feel bad about all of this.” Starlight spoke in half truth. She did feel somewhat bad for having hurt someone so much but a part of her just found the whole situation to be quite annoying. “If you do not mind me asking, what is wrong with Rarity? I just mean that normal ponies don’t get special helpers right?” 

“You are not from around here I take it?” Lilly asked, Starlight nodded. Sitting down behind the counter she looked Starlight up and down. “Ponyville is not like Canterlot. It is not like most places to be honest. Twilight helped bring this town back from ruin and lets just say she helped bring a good number of the ponies that live here back from ruin as well.” Lilly stopped to give a small chuckle to herself as her thoughts ran by. “You go give your apology, if Rarity ends up trusting you then we can talk more next time you visit.” 

Leaving the shop Starlight headed west through the fields of grass to find herself standing on the edge of a surprisingly hard to spot canyon. It ran deep and wide with dozens of mine tunnels sprinkled across its rocky walls. Starlight thought it would be quite a nightmare to find one pony in such a maze but then she noticed a sign that had been stuck just down the way. It pointed to a wooden platform that led down the cliff face and from there she found another sign that led across a bridge and then down some stairs, another bridge, and then into a mine. With odd crystal lights showing her the way Starlight found that the caves kept getting bigger the further she went. Eventually, down in the depths where even the light of the crystals was dim, she heard a faint noise.

Following the noise Starlight found Rarity sitting chipping away at a rocky wall that had a pony sized gemstone embedded into it. More surprisingly though was a minecart just nearby that was already filled to the brim with other gems and crystals. She was about to call out, even make a joke, but she could not find the right words. Rarity truly looked too miserable.

“H-hey.” Starlight eventually managed to say as her voice cracked nervously. Rarity did not seem to notice, or care, and just continued to chip away at the rock. “I wanted to come say sorry. I was stressed and I said some terrible things that I really feel awful for.” The faint clicking of magic hitting rock stopped. Starlight might have much to learn about ponies and emotions but the look on Rarity’s tired grey face as she turned to face her was enough to make her heart ache. 

“You do?” Was all Rarity managed to say before breaking out a smile and standing up. “I-I forgive you, I think that is what I am supposed to say right?” 


“I think so. Oh and I also got… A ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Starlight cheerily spoke as she pulled the gold ticket from her bag. 

“Um, thank you… But I… Um… “ Rarity stammered out now looking shy again. 

“Let me guess, you don’t like being around other ponies or a dozen other issues?” Starlight sighed. 

“I did not want to go without Lilly.” Rarity admitted causing Starlight to pause. That was a new issue she had not expected. Thinking quickly she remembered what Lilly had told her. 

“Wouldn't Lilly want you to go on your own? To… prove that you can?” Starlight asked. 

“Oh, oh yes. That would be good.” Rarity quietly spoke as she gently took the ticket with her magic. “Thank you.” She added before turning to the gem stuck in the stone and in one surprisingly powerful show of force, broke half the rock wall away in a single blow. 

Starlight decided to leave Lilly’s explanations for another time as it was now past noon and she had plenty more to do, including the pony she dreaded the most to talk to. Pinkie Pie. The Cherry Pie was just down the road from the Bridle and so there was no way to escape it. It loomed on the horizon and it seemed to be much bigger than she remembered from the first time she had visited. The inside though was the same. Royal looking with purple and gold. That same incense burning in the air that caused her to feel so warm and loose. Heading to the desk she asked where Pinkie could be found and they pointed her down to the right. The lights grew dimmer as she went deeper into the building and just as all light had faded Starlight passed through a thick curtain into a huge room. A stage stood front and center with dozens of tables and seats all around, including several balconies on higher floors, and completing the room were two bars that flanked the right and left. The music here bounced with enough energy to shake the floor but quiet enough to leave ponies talking to themselves while the air did not have the same incense as the entrance but rather rich and heady smells of food and drinks. 

Starlight felt herself moving as in a trace. Everything was so stimulating, the noise, the lights, the smells, and before she knew it she was sitting at a table on the far edge of things just trying to catch her breath. 

“Oh hello again.” A familiar voice chimed in. 

“Oh it's you, eh, Sunset?” Starlight asked causing a giggle from the small mare.

“Strawberry Sunset. What can I get you?” She asked. 

“Oh please, not that drink you gave me last time. I could hardly walk.” 

“Well you are only supposed to have a couple throughout the night, not drink one in a minute.” Sunset cheerfully said with a wink. With a growl from Starlight’s stomach, and a touch of blush to compliment it, Sunset giggled again.

“I kind of missed lunch, do you do food here?” 

“I got exactly what you need, stay here and enjoy the show in the meantime.” Sunset replied before trotting off into the crowd and as she did so Starlight could have sworn she heard the faint ting of a bell. 

Looking around the room Starlight could spot many of the town locals and others that were from elsewhere. At a rough count there had to have been a good 50 at least just on the ground floor and plenty more up on the higher floors. Suddenly the once quiet stage came to life, the curtains rose, and the spotlights rotated around to illuminate Pinkie Pie. 

“Good evening everypony. Welcome to the opening week of the new and improved Entree theatre, we have several delightful performances coming up and discounts on all the tasty treats you could want. Do give a warm welcome to Madam Champagne and her performers.” Pinkie called out the crowds before exciting just as an older looking mare came on to replace her. 

Sunset came back just as the upcoming schedule was being explained. On her back she carried a steaming hot drink in a thick wooden mug. It smelled rich, creamy and had a thick foam despite the boiling liquid.

“On the house.” She explained as she set it down and quickly left to check on other tables. Starlight sat stunned by the odd concoction before her as she was expecting a hot meal or something more traditional but instead she got something altogether different. Using her magic to hold the mug she took a sniff and then a sip to find it delicious. The finest of creams and spices mixed beautifully together and even after a single mouthful Starlight could tell just how filling it was too. Before she knew it she was simple sitting staring at the stage in a satisfied stupor, the sensory overload around her leaving her unable to do much but enjoy all the different pleasures. The act going on she knew was some kind of musical. It had dancers, two of matching colors wore stripes, while several others had feathers and bells. She could definitely hear bells but not work out where they were. 

“Nice to see you return.” Pinkie spoke from the seat next to her causing Starlight to nearly inhale her drink out of surprise. “Just in time to enjoy our little theatre as well, how lovely.” 

“Pinkie! Where did you come from!?” Starlight called out in shock. Pinkie gave her a sly look and took a breath to speak when Starlight raised a hoof. “Don’t answer that. I came to apologize for what I said during the Summer Celebration.”

“Darling I get called worse than that on even the most boring of nights.” Pinkie spoke while leaning in closer. “I  hear in fact that it can be quite cathartic you know, to be vulgar and honest, swearing, screaming, letting all your little pent up secrets out.” 

“I… Not again…”

“If you never need a little relief then do give me a visit, you can call me whatever you would like.” Starlight downed the rest of her still hot drink, let out a gasp as the pain woke her up fully and then stood right up so quickly that her chair skidded across the floor. 

“I am glad you are not upset and I got you this ticket to the Gala and some sweets, please just accept so I can leave.” Starlight quickly explained as she snatched it out of her Saddlebags. 

Pinkie reached over and slowly took the ticket with her mouth before doing the same for the box. Placing them down on the table she gave Starlight a long, soft look. “I will go, if you can tell me why you would think I would want to.” 

“You want to party?” Starlight asked already blushing. 

“Hm in a way, go on.”

“Dancing, singing, eating food and having a laugh?”


“Oh I will be laughing but anyone can do that. What would I, Pinkie, be doing?” 

“Y-you would… You are going too…” Starlight trailed off.

“You will have to speak up, the music is quite loud.” 

“Y-you are going to…” Starlight’s voice kept giving out on the last few words. 

Pinkie leaned in real close. “Do you need to whisper it into my ear like a good girl?” 

Starlight’s entire face had gone from purple to red. She looked to the ticket on the table and swallowed the lump in her throat. Leaning closer to Pinkie she gave an apology to Celestia in her mind before very quieting speaking a few words. Pinkie started to laugh. And she only got louder. 

“I will see you at the Gala.” Was all Starlight needed to hear before she ran away from the Cherry Pie for the second. Pinkie kept giggling to herself for a moment more. “All that and the best she can do is ‘smooch the boys.’ Ah Starlight you are a treasure.” Getting up from the seat Pinkie waltzed over to the left bar. Leaning on the counter she waited just a moment for Sunset to appear.

“Hey Mrs Pie, do you need me to take another break?” Sunset asked seeing Pinkie chewing her lip. “Starlight really has that… ehm, effect on you hm.” 

“Sugar, darling. I need you to take the rest of the day off and be in my room with a new bottle of whatever we have on the top shelf. Starlight has ALL the effects on me.” 

Starlight meanwhile was running as far away from the Cherry Pie as possible. This time for sure she swore to never return, especially considering every time she did it would only get even more intense. First it was drinks that left her barely able to walk and this time she could not even think straight. Who knows what kind of madness would befall her on a third visit, just thinking about it made her face once more become red. Her hooves took her well out of town and all the way down into the countryside before she stopped for a rest. Looking up she only now realized. She had been in there for a few hours… “Pony feathers.” Starlight muttered. 

Trotting further into the orchard, she found that the quickly cooling air combined with the lush natural smells around her helped to put her at ease. Ignoring a large red stallion arguing with a tree she continued straight on to the farm house in search of Applejack. Starlight rose a hoof up to knock on the door but before she did she caught sight of the pony in question heading her way through the trees. 

“Hello Applejack, been looking for you.” Starlight spoke joyfully. 

“Uh huh.” Applejack replied as she continued to march on. 

“I want to say sorry and…” 

“Listen bud, it is harvest season and right now all I want to do is throw myself into a real hot bath.” Applejack replied wearily. Starlight had not even noticed the leaves in her mane and the grime on her fur until now. 

“Well I just need to give you a ticket to the Gala and say sorry, won’t take a second.” 

“Look…” Applejack sighed. “Are you really, honestly, sorry?” 

“Of course. I have already visited most of the others today.” 

“Then you can come help at the farm for a few days to prove it.”

“No problem! Here is the ticket and some candy.” Starlight replied as she handed them to her. Applejack did not hang around another moment and closed the door to the farmhouse with a firm slam. Starlight did not mind, a few days of apple picking surely could not be that hard after all. 

With Applejack quickly sorted there was only Fluttershy left to track down. Starlight remembered that she lived in the Everfree but it was already late in the day and hiking through the forest at night was never a good idea. She let out a huff. It was annoying to not get everything planned done on time and tomorrow she had to go help Applejack but she had time, plenty of time.

Stretching out her legs she began the long walk back to town but found herself distracted by that stallion from before glaring at a tree. She watched for a moment as an applecore dropped down and just missed the stallion’s head. He shook his head disapprovingly at the tree and began to walk away. Curious now Starlight went to take a look. Once she stood under the rich emerald leaves and craned her head up high she found that it was not the tree the guy had been arguing with, but rather a yellow pegasi in its branches.

“Ah I was just thinking of you.” Starlight called up to Fluttershy. 

“Who?” Fluttershy asked as she pulled another apple of a branch and took half of it in a single bite. 

“S-Starlight. I helped a while ago with Nightmare Moon?” 

“Purple point.” Fluttershy muttered. 

“Yes… Ehm. I want to apologize for what I said and offer you a ticket to the Gala.” Starlight only now had the realization that she was inviting a savage from the Everfree to the most regal event of the entire year. She shuddered and seeing no reply from Fluttershy continued. “The Gala is a super important party in Canterlot. There will be important ponies, things you won’t see elsewhere, ponies will be proud of you for going…” Starlight listed but could not get a reaction. “Ehm there will also be plenty of activities, the entire royal castle is on offer to you.”

“Royal… Food?” Fluttershy asked after a moment of thinking. 

“Yes, there is a wide selection of free food and...” At that Fluttershy jumped down with only a light pomf of her wings breaking the fall. Starlight took the ticket out of her bag and fluttershy nabbed with her wing. Spreading both wide she leaped up and like that was gone. Starlight stood a moment more before shaking away the unanswered questions in her head and turning tail for home.

With the moon rising Starlight let out a comfortable sigh within her bath. Levitating a quill and a piece of parchment she thought for a moment and then began to write. 

“Dear Princess Celestia, 
Today I learned more than I was expecting. It is not wise to make plans for your friends without telling them and you should be honest with apologies as well or else they do not come off as sincere. Also that a moment of not thinking really makes your entire day much harder than it has to be, to say the least…”

Starlight stopped writing. Reading it over she screwed it up in a ball and threw it to the ground with several others. “Maybe I will just send one lesson at a time so I have more time to myself.
> Gilda the griffon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a warm summer night. That special time of the year where the fireflies burn the brightest, the moon is the richest and fullest it can be and you find yourself restless. Ponies wander the streets looking for something to experience and luckily for them one place never sleeps. The Cherry Pie welcomes all no matter the hour, age, or gender and will guarantee something to do. The night watch is quieter than the day but some prefer it, for one it is more intimate and less crowded letting those who brave the night find more company and attention easily. 

Pinkie Pie herself was just as restless. She lay on a bed so grand that even a king would be envious. A stallion, young but strong and full of viger, rested his hooves on her back and slowly slid his erection into her wanting sex. The medial ring of his mottled cock tapped her privates repeatedly and teasingly but he never let her enjoy more than half of what he had to offer. Pinkie groaned. He was new and so very hungry but he knew enough to keep his mare shaking and pleading for more. She pawed at the bed and let her voice be known loudly and proudly. In reply he pushed her into the depths of the silk and pillows and struck hard and fast. A muffled furry smack of hips rang out, her cutie mark bouncing from the force of every hit he gave her. He breathed into her ear and spoke a sonnet of sweet nothings before biting down and continuing his long and lurid march towards release. 

Pinkie however had different ideas. She turned her head and whispered a few words and he stopped instantly in an impressive show of control. He sat up and then fell back into the bed with a small pomf. Pinkie was quick to take up the lead as she stepped over him and slipped her mouth onto his. She teased the head of his cock just a touch to let the heat of the moment continue but to also prolong it. Breaking the breathless kiss she spoke and a second later the bed shifted in reply. A second male joined the party. Pinkie stopped her teasing and slid her way all the way down the first but once there she stopped and rested to let the second wrap his hooves around her shoulders and drive his own cock under her tail. She shuddered and moaned deeply but was more than ready for him to do so. The sexual waltz had become a tango as she would twist and grind herself deeply on her first partner as the second freely made long and hard thrusts against her. She panted wordlessly and hotly. 

Long pink mane now sticking to her sweating face she put her head down on the chest of her enduring first stallion as the second above hugged her body. While keeping as deep as possible they rolled over so that the group was now laying on their sides. Many hooves grabbed Pinkie’s plump body and the pair of stallions continued at whatever pace they wanted. So small was Pinkie between them that they could even feel one another if they pushed just right. She loved it. No longer needing to control or work herself she drifted off into a pleasant sexual high. The warmth of the two large stallions flanking her was comforting as a mother’s embrace while the delightful ache of the large cocks forcing their way into her over and over left her in bliss. 

She felt a shudder from her first and his pace became rapid, sloppy. She hugged him back and breathed hot, sticky thanks into his ear. Compliments, praise, and demands to give her everything he had left to give. His grip tightened and his erection swelled as he came to a hard stop as deep inside as possible. A shower of thick cum flowed forth and filled her starving pussy causing Pinkie herself to shudder and squeeze him back. Strong practised muscles milked him for all he could give so much in fact that he was unable to even move or pull out until she deemed his orgasm to be complete. It took a long and intense minute for her to let him finally leave. He rolled away from her and with his restful panting filling the room she turned her attention to the second still feverishly pounding away at her tail. 

He was demanding and pushed her face down into the bed just as the first had done. The once complicated dance of give and take had again broken down into a simple slow waltz of pleasure. He was louder than the first and much more rough with her. His hooves lifted up her waist and pushed her shapely behind higher to meet him more fully. Pinkie squeaked and moaned and drooled so happily onto the ruined bedspread. Tired of carrying her weight he dropped her onto the bed and plunged himself hard into her causing both of Pinkie’s legs to twitch. He bit down on her neck and kept thrusting as fast as he could keep a rhythm. Then came a knock.

“Mrs Pinkie?” Strawberry Sunset asked as she entered the room. Pinkie let out a word and the relentless pounding of her current partner changed instantly. He became slower and reserved at least for the moment.

“Yes Sunset, are you wanting another turn?” She breathed without a hint to how hard her body was being rocked.

“Perhaps but you have a guest. A Rainbow Dash, she is looking for a place to stay the night and wanted to see you.” 

“Hm. Give her one of the gold rooms and make her feel welcome. I will be with her in 20…” Pinkie trailed off as she felt the male shudder slightly. “Make that 15 minutes.”  Sunset gave a small bow with her head and left Pinkie to her enjoyment. She sighed. “Last call, you have 10 minutes.” She called out to the near dozen dozen males scattered around the giant bed and floor. Several perked up and two was quick to come running. It was not often they get to throw timing and pacing to the wind and fuck her as hard as they could for a few minutes. The one pounding her tail did the same and within only a moment had left his warm mark within her. He politely left her embrace to let another three stallions bury themselves in whatever wanting hole they could reach first as another two waited for the chance to jump her.

10 minutes, 45 seconds. Pinkie entered into the private room Dash was staying in still wet from the shower but the luxury towels were quickly drying her peachy fur. She found the rainbow crested pegasis to be laying on a huge bed reading a book but she had no other belongings with her. Drying herself a touch more she placed the towel down on the bed and sat down next to dash. Her smile was comforting and her expression relaxed. 

“Hey Pinkie, sorry to come crashing on you like this but needed a bed for just tonight and I thought who had the most beds in all of Ponyville?” Dash explained. 

“Something wrong with the library?” Pinkie asked to the point. She noticed that despite Dash’s smile and casual appearance there was the slightest flicker in her eyes when she heard the question. 

“An old friend needed a place to stay and I didn’t have another bed ready. No big deal you know.” Dash retorted as she kept her eyes on the book. 

“And here I was hoping you just wanted to see me.” Pinkie replied with an eye roll. She leaned in. “All my beds and services are always open to you Dashy, if you ever need anything.”

“Well.” Dash began as she put the book down. “Do you mind if we hang out tonight?” 

“Depends, do you like hot buttered beer and spicy food?” Pinkie replied with a smirk.

“What kind of mare does not like something hot and creamy? But oh do tell me you got deserts, I love to wrap my muzzle around something soft and sticky.” Dash replied far too casually. Pinkie was stunned and then she started laughing. 

“I can tell this night is going to be special.” She replied with the warmest of smiles.

Pinkie could tell that Dash was keeping secrets but she did not mind. If it meant an excuse to order tons of room service and have a wild if brief night at the Entree theater with a new friend then Dash could keep all the secrets she wanted. Come the next morning, after they had each had a shot of an odd concoction that tasted like spicy gravel from the in house zebra twins to more fully wake up, they headed into town together. Sitting on a bench near the lake they took a moment to breath. 

“Do you like reading? I figure you are too busy but surely you must like something you know, everybody loves reading something?” Dash spoke with wandering words. 

“I do have the entire Edgesea series.” Pinkie replied causing Dash to gasp.

“You have to be plucking me, you like pirates?!” 

“Well. Exploring new and interesting places with all the freedom in the world, settling down for a week at a time somewhere to sample the local flavors and culture and moving on with a few new souvenirs or friends. It does sound nice.” 

“That is does. Well, if you ever decide to tie a billion balloons to the Cherry pie and float away to a far away land do make sure to sweep me up first.” Dash joked causing Pinkie to snicker. 

“Yo Dash, there you are.” A voice suddenly called out to them. Dash’s normally permanent smile faded for just a second before she turned to give a wave. “Thanks for the place to stay but shame you ran out on us so quick.” She continued. Pinkie had not seen her race before, a mixture of bird and cat seeming divided down the middle, with shades of brown fur or feathers all the way along and some stark white from the head down to the neck. 

“Ah well did not want to cramp your style G.” Dash replied as she got up off the bench. “Will cya later Ponk.” She threw to Pinkie before slowly taking off into the air and following Gilda. Pinkie sat watching the pair leave until they were out of sight. Only then did she get up herself and head east towards the town centre. Something about Gilda did not sit right with her and when it doubt she always had one pony to turn to. 

“A griffon?” Twilight asked amazed as she put down her paperwork. “Tales of griffons leaving the home city is rare and even then we know nearly nothing about them in modern terms.” 

“Head like a chicken and the ass of a cat.” Pinkie repeated. “And between us. That look she gave Dash was not something I have seen many ponies do.” 

“While I would love to ask her some questions I would not want to be pushy.” Twilight tapped her hoof on the table thoughtfully. “Spike, do we have anything on griffons?” She called out. Sure enough Spike soon came a running from downstairs with a book in hand. 

“We have a history book.” He answered as he handed it to her. 

“I will keep looking into them and if you are worried Pinkie then go check on Dash, can not hurt to have another friend around right?” Twilight was already starting to lose herself in research and Pinkie knew she would not be of much help anymore. She nodded to herself and left. 

Dash and Gilda meanwhile were walking through the shopping row of Ponyville having a laugh about flight school when they were younger. All the races they used to do, all the pranks. Ah back in the day it was just them against everything, until the accident and then they began to drift apart. Sure, she did return for a time later on but again she left just as quick. Dash had to admit it was nice to see her again after so long even if they did not quite have the same interests anymore. 

“Hold this.” Gilda suddenly stated as she pushed a bunch of flowers to Dash. 

“Where did you get these?” Dash asked.

“The florist, now keep still.” Gilda said with an annoyed hiss. She poured a pink dust all over the inside of the flowers and snatched them back once done. “Want to see something funny?”

Hearing a knock on the door a pony opened the top half of it to find a bunch of beautiful looking flowers standing on the floor. Blushed by the idea of a secret admirer she leaned down to take a sniff but something was off. Her eyes watered, nose burning. The pony sneezed and sneezed again. Slamming the door closed she continued to sneeze and paw at her already sore nose to no avail. Gilda and Dash however sat in the bushes only laughing at what they had seen. The idea now set Gilda had plenty of other plans in mind for having a bit of fun around the town and Dash did not see the harm in it. 

After they raided the joke shop for a sizable amount of supplies, that Dash paid for, they hit the town running. The first thing they did was head to the town hall and sneak into the basement where they stored the ink. With Dash keeping watch Gilda ran in to switch them around with vanishing ink instead. Sure enough once they had perched outside a window to watch they had a good laugh at how the secretary would write down notes, put them aside, and then get confused when those notes disappeared. Next up was gathering some storm clouds and leaving them around ponyville so when random ponies walked by they would get a loud flash and bang, no doubt giving them a quick scare. Lastly they decided to cover dozens of trees in the orchard with super sticky glue so that when the apple buckers come to collect they would get stuck! While they could not stay to watch the last one they still had a good bit of fun just imagining the chaos. 

Lazing about on a low hanging cloud just above Ponyville the pair were taking it easy. Gilda sat drinking and looking over the town and Dash was rubbing her sore wings from the long day flying about. 

“You are not going to run away this time right?” Gilda said as she tossed a bottle to Dash. “Been real sweet to catch up and it would be uncool to have you disappear again before the party starts.” 

“Heh yeh, you know me always got something going on.” Dash replied as she tapped her bottle. 

“Tell me about it.” Gilda replied before taking a drink. Seeing Dash not repeating the action she gave her a glare. Sure enough Rainbow took a sip, then a swig, then a mountful, more and more until Gilda stopped looked at her. “Come on, let's head back to-” Gilda was cut off as a loud pony began shouting something from below. Poking her head out she found a small crowd. 

“Gilda, we need to talk.” Twilight shouted again. 

“What do you dweebs want.” Gilda replied while landing in front of them. 

“I don’t suppose you two know anything about all the crazy things around town?” 

“Pfft maybe.” Dash replied with a nicker.

“It is not funny Rainbow.” Twilight snapped.

“What is the harm, just some small pranks.” 

“The harm is that we have ponies stuck to trees with industrial strength glue, two years worth of ink has been tainted which is going to cost everypony to replace and one poor mare was hit by lightning from an ally!” Twilight listed and the crowd agreed in a chorus of murmurs. 

“But we used joke shop stuff and I am a teeny bit sure they are not that effective.” Dash spoke to herself before looking to Gilda.

“What. That pony joke stuff is weak, this way you get way better results!” Gilda explained with a rude smile. 

“I can overlook this if you help to clean up and apologize.” Twilight said as she stepped forward. Gilda in turn moved to contest her, the pair staring each other down mere inches away. 

“Lame, come on Dash lets go have our own fun.” She spoke as she gave Dash’s tail a pull. Gilda took off into the air and slowly Dash did the same. Looking over to Pinkie standing next to Twilight she saw the pink pony shake her head towards her. Her wings slowed and dropping to the ground she was caught between the crowd and Gilda. “Dash, I said we are leaving.” Her old friend snapped. 

“No.” Dash spoke quietly as she let her smile drop. 

“Excuse me?”

“We should at least help them out since we did make one heck of a mess, I never meant for anypony to get hurt.” Dash explained meekly. 

“Oh I see it as it is. Now you want to go prance off because you got new friends and you are going to leave me like last time, is that it?” Gilda spoke angrily towards Dash. 

“I wasn’t the one who left last time…” 

“Uh fine whatever, you know what. When you decide to stop flip flopping and want to be really cool then give me a call.” Gilda barked before leaping off into the sky and quickly flying away over the houses. 

“I didn’t think this is how my old friend would have acted. I am sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize for what Gilda did. She was the one in the wrong here.” Twilight replied as she patted Rainbow on the back. “Are your wings alright?” Twilight asked as she felt Rainbow twitch everything she even lightly brushed them.

“I will be fine.” Dash replied already smiling again.

“I think I have an idea to make them feel better.” Pinkie added as she stepped forward. “We have some rather large baths at the CP, you are welcome to come hang out again if you want.” 

“That sounds nice Pinkie, sure, lets go.” 

As Pinkie and Dash left Starlight sat furiously writing down what she had seen and overheard from a nearby cafe's table. “Today I learned that old friends do not always have the best intentions in mind and because we are always growing and changing those who you used to be able to trust and connect with can suddenly become less than ideal. It can be hard to say goodbye to a bad friend who used to be a good one but you can not let your fear of moving on affect your behaviour.” 

“I think I am getting the hang of these.” Starlight proudly smiled as she rolled up the scroll.
> A shy and rare friendship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was as pleasant as a day as it could be in the Everfree forest and the Mulberry Warren was enjoying the sunshine. Located on a small cliff overlooking the east side of Ponyville the rabbits had taken full advantage of a huge and ancient tree that had several berry bushes growing all around it. Fluttershy herself was enjoying the quiet day. She lay on a leafy wooden throne in the shade, as a whtie rabbit happily fanned her with a large leaf for good measure. 

The rabbits around the clearing were all slowly picking the ripe berries while others kept watch from the outskirts. As soon as they got a good bowl full of the fruit they would present it to Fluttershy that in a glance would then see how well they did. The ones that did good were pointed to her sleeping chambers for later, while the ones who did not do good had to go do even more work to make up the slack. It was an old system of hers but a good one as it kept them organized and focused on whatever task they needed to do but also educate them in doing it right. Suddenly the peace was broken as several scouts came running in. They all squeaked and yelled causing Fluttershy to spring up but before they could explain the light was blocked out. Fluttershy looked up but only caught a passing glimpse before a thick cloud of black smoke flooded the the warren. 

Meanwhile in Ponyville a crowd had formed around the town square as a simple looking wagon had recently rolled in and started blaring all kinds of promises to see wondrous sights. 

“Come one, come all, come and witness the amazing magic of… Trixie!” The voice shouted as the wagon shuddered and suddenly split open to form a wide stage with a simple backdrop of stars and moons. In a puff of light and smoke a blue unicorn appeared in the center wearing a matching hat and cape with the same stars across it. The crowd was in awe from the showmanship on display and they let out cheers appropriately. “Watch in awe as the great and powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed with pony eyes!” She shouted across the crowd as fireworks shot into the sky and trumpets played a tune on command. 

“What a showoff.” Starlight whispered. “Nobody is better at magic than Celestia. I bet even I could do far more than the ‘great and powerful’ Trixie.” 

“It is just an act, let’s see where it goes.” Twilight whispered back. 

Trixie raised her hooves and waved them around as a ball of glowing light formed in the air. It burst in a shower of light and sparks and from it flower petals rained down all over the town square. The onlookers cheered once more and several of the younger laughed at the sight. 

“That is just a basic illusion with minor teleportation.” Starlight spoke louder this time as she rolled her eyes. “Any student past a year could do better without trying.” 

“Well well well, it seems we have some neigh-sayers in the audience. Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the great and powerful Trixie?” 

“I am!” Starlight called out as Twilight threw a hoof over her face. “And I can do anything you can do but better!” She continued. 

Just before Twilight could say anything she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Leaving Starlight to go make a fool of herself Twilight moved around to find a black pegasus glaring at her. 

“Hello? Do you need something?” Twilight asked. 

“We have a problem.” Fluttershy replied as she wiped a thick layer of soot off her face. 

With Starlight and Trixie left to argue the pair headed to town hall to discuss the smoke that was starting to cover the sky. Fluttershy repeated her story, that a huge red Dragon had recently flown over the Everfree and was causing a lot of trouble for her warren, and she wanted Twilight to sort it out since she was the one to sort out the last crisis. Twilight thanked her for the haste in delivering the news as a nesting Dragon could soon become a danger for the town as well, something had to be done and it had to be done quick.

Putting a simple plan together the pair broke off around town to get the group together, with Fluttershy bringing Rarity and AJ while Twilight went to find Rainbow Dash and Pinkie. Once they were all together Twilight sat down to go over the plan. 

“The Dragon is nesting in the east mountains. Since it will be only a few hours hike and directly upsetting it could be dangerous, I suggest we go just ourselves to try and talk or move it. Spike will be staying behind to keep the peace.” Twilight explained as Spike gave a salute behind her. “Any objections or questions?” 

“I have one.” Rainbow spoke out as she raised her hoof. “What do you expect me to do to a Dragon, throw books at it?” 

“Each of you showed loyalty and bravery during the Summer sun celebration, as well as several skills. Even if you can not directly fight a Dragon does not mean you can not help out.” Twilight explained. 

Agreed and understood they each packed a different bunch of supplies and met up near the Bejewelled Bridle. They paused for a moment as what seemed to be a massive firework exploded over the town square and a bird made of fire appeared for just a moment before exploding itself into rainbow sparkles. Applejack raised an eyebrow to Twilight but she just shook her head. 

“The ravine might prove to be time consuming, any suggestions?” Twilight asked. 

“Straight.” Rarity quietly replied. 

“Straight. Right… Well, it is your mines so lead on.” Twilight spoke.

True to her word, they went straight. Straight down the winding path of the cliff face, straight over a long rope bridge and straight over a collection of stone pillars that served as rather dangerous stepping stones. Fluttershy meanwhile just bounced or flew overhead. Twilight had to admit it was faster than any other route, even if hopping over massive pitfalls was hardly safe. Close to the end however they hit a roadblock. A small rockslide had blocked the main path forward and in particular a massive boulder was stuck.

“Rarity dumb, no path here.” Fluttershy barked as she stood on the huge rock. Putting a comforting hoof on Rarity’s shoulder Twilight gave Fluttershy a knowing look. Turning her eyes to the giant rock ahead of them she had an idea. Twilight’s horn glowed and the magic transferred into the silver ring she wore. Her saddlebags opened and a disk shot out, in a second it extended into a long metal pole. Grabbing it she rammed it under the boulder and waved the others to come help. The other four took a spot at the pole and counting to three they pulled down at once, the giant rock shuddered and shifted an inch. Once more Twilight counted down and on the second push it came loose and started to roll down the canyon. Fluttershy simply huffed and continued on ahead of them.

Ravine passed quickly they entered into the east grasslands that would take them directly to the base of the mountain. It was a long walk but the grass was manageable and they had plenty of time thanks to Rarity’s rather direct shortcut. With Dash and Pinkie hanging back to talk about zucchinis, AJ and Twilight took the lead. Getting the map out of her bags Twilight unrolled it and began to go over it another time. Pointing out the areas that they should avoid AJ helped give a second opinion on the route and together they had worked out what seemed like the perfect plan. 

That plan quickly fell apart when they reached the base of the mountain. While the others were alright to start climbing up the steep slope Rarity found herself barely taking a step at a time. As the others reached the top of the steep hill she was still trying to get up the start of it.

“I think she needs some help.” Applejack said concerned. Twilight nodded and slid down the hill.

“What is wrong?” Twilight asked softly. 

“It is too… Tall.” Rarity quietly replied as she slowly crept forward. 

“Just keep moving, ah which you are… Just keep trying I know you can do it. Right girls?” Twilight called out to the others up above. They began to cheer her on as well and for a moment Rarity started to move just a bit quicker.

“Move already!” Fluttershy suddenly shouted as she landed on the slope. Rarity flinched. Losing her already slow momentum she slipped and gently slid all the way back down to the start. Fluttershy snorted at the display and took off into the air once more. Twilight sighed but trotted down to help Rarity again. 

It took some time for the pair to finally get up that first slope and while the others were enjoying playing card games or charades to pass the time they did admit that they needed to get a move on. Thankfully the next stretch of the path was far easier to deal with, nothing but a gentle incline that headed up and around the cliffs of the tall, snow speckled, mountain. It grew colder as they went and the wind had started to pick up too. The further they travelled the more the path became weathered and unstable. It was after a good hour of hiking that they reached a wide open space between a sharp rise and an intense fall.

They stopped for a moment to rest as some like Dash were terribly out of shape, not that she would ever admit it. As they sat snacking and chatting Twilight stood overlooking the area. Taking out her map she checked where exactly they were and suddenly gasped. Running over to the group she shushed them and slowly looked to the rocks. 

“This entire area is an avalanche zone, so not a peep.” She whispered.  

Slowly they began to pack up and get moving again for it would be wiser to take a break when there was not tons of unstable rocks above you. They crept forward slowly and carefully, every hoofstep double checked just in case anything went wrong. Fluttershy hopped as graceful as a feather ahead of the group, from rock to rock or branch to branch. As she bounced off a stray tree a sprinkle of pollen was knocked loose and as Applejack walked past she got a face full of it. She sneezed sharply and threw her hooves over her face. The noise echoed. The rocks shuddered and a few pebbles rolled down the cliffside but nothing else. The group relaxed and sighed and only then did the cliffside suddenly crumble. As giant pieces of stone rolled and rained down all around them they began to run.

Twilight and AJ were ahead of the rest and they managed to duck and weave decently while Rainbow and Pinkie were just behind trying to dodge the smaller stones. Rarity was struggling. While she had strength she lacked speed and her shyness kept her from pushing on. The main rockslide was coming and she was too far from the others. Thinking quickly she ducked into a hole just as the entrance got blocked with tons of stone.

Using her magic for light Rarity found herself to be in a small cave that went deeper into the mountain. It was warm, dark and cramped which suited her perfectly. Getting up off the floor she straightened her mane and headed further inside. 

“What you doing here?” Fluttershy asked suddenly from the dark. 

“Going to the exit.” Rarity replied flat and literal. 

“Why not dig us out with magic?”

“Rocks are weak here, could cause a collapse.”

With a sigh Fluttershy accepted the explanation and began to trot on ahead but remembered she could not see in pitch blackness. She was annoyed but had no other choice than to trot alongside Rarity. 

Shortly ahead they ran into a small problem. A high ledge with no path up to it. Rarity could use her magic to form stairs or manipulate the earth around her but that might cause a cave in and they did not have anything to make it easier like ropes. Kicking the dirt Rarity turned to Fluttershy.

“Could you fly me up please?” Rarity asked meekly. 

“No.” Fluttershy bluntly answered as she bounced up herself. “We are not carrying you.” 

With no other option Rarity started to climb. It was dark and she had no idea how stable the rocks would be but thankfully the cave was rough and there were many holes and ledges to find grip on. With all the grace of a goat more than a pony she continued to climb and prance up the stones. She slipped only once but caught herself before she fell. Flipping her hair out of the way she continued to pull herself up and up until she reached the top. Panting Rarity sat catching her breath but feeling proud. 

“Bring light, come.” Fluttershy barked as she stood impatiently in the dark. 

Picking herself up Rarity began to follow as quickly as she could. Down the caves and around the tunnels they moved until they ran into a small underground lake. Glowing crystals at least provided light but because of it the pair could see that the water was deep and there was no way around. Fluttershy of course just flew over without an ounce of effort but Rarity stood looking even more pale than normal. 

“What now?” Fluttershy called over with a huff. Rarity did not reply and instead stood staring into the deep blue of the pool in front of her. She could not feel her legs. The inky depths in front of her just seemed to stretch on forever and deep down she could not pull herself to move closer. “Swimming easy, it small.” Fluttershy shouted across. 

“No.” Rarity managed to say as she shook her head and backed away. 

“You scared?” Fluttershy asked as she skimmed across the water. 

“Very much so.” Rarity replied. 

“We are too.” Fluttershy admitted more quietly. The surprise snapped Rarity out of her fear for a moment and she looked towards Fluttershy in confusion. “We hate the dark.” 

“But you don’t look scared.” 

“Being scared does not get anywhere.” Fluttershy explained before more softly sighing. “Being weak makes it hard for others. Better grow now than never.” 

Rarity thought over her words. They were blunt and bitter but truthful. Standing up straight she closed her eyes and began to walk forward. Rarity’s whole body was shaking when she reached the water but she did not stop. The water got deeper and deeper but then stopped at her knees. Prying her eyes open Rarity found that the deep blue was an illusion, a trick due to the stone under the water. A laugh escaped her and Fluttershy began to join in. 

Shaking off the water they reached a fork in the path. The two tunnels looked much alike and both were too dark to know which way they led. Rarity stepped up and after looking over both used her magic to send out a small ping. She repeated the magic a few more times and then pointed to the right. 

“You sure?” Fluttershy asked. 

“Yes.” Rarity answered simply while already heading down the tunnel.

It curved upwards and bent around several times but after some hiking through the dark and dust they reached a small room. Huge crystals lined the long corridor like cave and the ceiling was so low that they would have to walk with ducked heads to go any further but Fluttershy was the one to stop dead in her tracks. 

The entire floor was littered with small caterpillars all slowly worming their way along. Each of them had a mossy hide and tiny gemstones studded into them. Rarity stepped down and waited for Fluttershy but she did not move. Her face turned red and coughing she turned around. 

“Maybe we should go the other way. 

“The exit is ahead, my magic can sense it.” Rarity replied. She narrowed her eyes and a small smile started to form. “You don’t like crystapillars? They are harmless you know.” Rarity could not help but wear a smug expression as Fluttershy beat her wings and huffed about proudly. 

“We don’t like little fuzzy worms.” Fluttershy eventually admitted.

“Oh no?” Rarity took a look towards the exit and back to Fluttershy with wide and playful grin. “Well, would sure be terrible if I left with the light wouldn't it.” 

“You wouldn't.” Fluttershy squeaked as she spun around. 

Rarity took up a hoof, licked it and put it to her horn much like you would do to snuff out a candle. The cave fell into darkness and a high pitched squeal like a boar in heat getting stuck with a hot iron rang out. A soon as the noise had faded away the lights suddenly came back on. Rarity stood next to Fluttershy with a sly and disgusting expression, a knowing one that was having far too much fun. Still, she stood close and was comforting. 

“I understand. You… grew up in the Everfree so you had to support yourself. I had many… friends in the mines but they only pushed me further down.” Rarity admitted as she tried not to get too emotional. “We have each other now, you can lean on me if you don’t mind me doing the same.” Fluttershy was blushing hard and tried to stand proud but did extend a wing and wrap it around Rarity all the same. One step at a time they ducked down and began to cross the river of small fluffy caterpillars. 

Marching on they found light at the end of the tunnel. Exiting the cave they found themselves to be much higher up than the entrance and as the pair stood looking over the snowy cliffs they heard a noise on the wind. Fluttershy flew up to scout it out as Rarity formed stairs along the rockwall. Within a few minutes they had found themselves back with the rest of the group and near the top of the mountain. 

“Rarity! Fluttershy!” Twilight called out as she and the others all rushed to check on them. “I had faith… but I am so happy to see you two again.” 

“Fluttershy better have not been too hard on you.” Applejack added as she looked up the pegasi flying overhead. Rarity shook her head and gave her a smile.

Now reunited and near the top they continued the climb. The path here was winding and cracked but solid and simple to follow. Even the wind had managed to calm down. As they were reaching the peak they came across a small gap in the path over a huge drop. One by one they hopped over until it was only Rarity and Pinkie left. Pinkie offered to help but Rarity refused. She took a glance towards Fluttershy standing aloof and took a breath. Taking a small run up she hopped the tiny gap. The others did not seem to understand but Rarity felt proud all the same. 

Reaching the entrance to the Dragon’s cave they found it to be a huge natural formation that it had cleaned out and filled with treasure. Despite the crisp evening air the inside of the mountain felt noticeably warmer as if heated by some great furnace. It smelled strong as well, a mix of heated metals and sulfurous chemicals but Twilight helpfully informed them that this was just what a Dragon who has not showered enough smells like. Placing her saddlebag down she used her magic to fuel the ring which in turn activated the bags. They unfolded and expanded to form a large gazebo complete with a metal box at the center and stools to sit on. 

“Here is my plan.” Twilight began as she sat down and placed the map on the box. “Thanks to Rarity’s industry I have brought the biggest and shiniest gems from the vault. Pinkie and AJ will go in and smooth talk him, butter him up, make him soft. I will go in with the gems and make an offer for him to move in trade while Fluttershy watches my back. Rainbow you keep a watch on things out here.” She explained while taking a ruby the size of a Pony’s head out of the metal box. It gleamed like fire in the sunlight. So smoothly polished that it was mesmerizing to look at.

“That suits me.” Rainbow said with a happy shrug as she took a seat herself. 

Plan set and agreements made Pinkie and Applejack moved deeper into the cave. With so many glowing gemstones and piles of gold the entire nest was lit up in a pale golden light. Resting on top of this hoard of treasure was an impressively large red Dragon, as big as two houses with teeth like daggers and scales like shields. The heat coming off him was fierce and the pair could not help but feel intimidated by such a sight. Huddling together they began to whisper the plan. 

“Excuse me mr Dragon?” Applejack started. “Terribly sorry to interrupt your sleep but I wanted to let you know that your smoke is causing quite a bit of havoc and we would all very much appreciate you finding somewhere else to sleep.” She spoke smoothly. The Dragon pried open an eye to look at her. He snorted and sent a cloud of thick smoke billowing through the cave. AJ coughed but stood her ground. “Yes, I am sure we could find a better cave than this for you to sleep.” She added but the Dragon simply yawned and ignored her. 

“Now now darling, I don’t think such a handsome Dragon should even be sleeping in a cave. Just look at this polished scales, each one is more beautiful than the treasure that they lay on.” Pinkie added as she playfully pushed AJ to the side. The Dragon took notice of her sweet words and sat up with a modest grin. “To see such exotic beauty going to waste in some hole is simply a crime.” She continued as the Dragon lowered his head down to take a better look at her. “And between us, I love my men to be big but you are too much for me to handle. A shame, I would have been more than happy to explore those scales myself.” Pinkie ran a hoof along his chin and threw a wink for good measure. The Dragon blushed. 

“You two must behave yourselves.” Twilight called out playfully as she walked up next. “I do apologize, Applejack is such a loyal protector of our fine town and Pinkie has an eye for good taste.” She paused to softly chuckle to herself. “I came here to offer you this modest gemstone and see if you could find it in your heart to keep the smoke out of town?” 

The Dragon’s warm smile and blush quickly faded and once more he retorted with a puff of black smoke. Twilight did not expect that and Fluttershy was primed above to get them out if it turned south but as they continued to try and talk the Dragon to leave Rarity noticed something. Trotting up to the others she gently moved past and stared up at the Dragon. 

“We are sorry. We really did not want to bother you while you were sick but it was important to us.” Rarity called out causing the others to fall quiet in surprise. “Must be terrible living in a cave like this despite how wealthy and powerful you are. You must run away a lot to get away from treasure seekers or Dragon hunters?” She paused to catch her breath and think her words over. “If you come down with us we can get you some soup and maybe find you a place to live that is much safer. Twilight has always said that Ponyville welcomes everybody and that includes homeless Dragons.”  The Dragon lay stunned as well but then started to tear up.

“N-nobody ever asks how I am feeling. It is always ‘ah a Dragon’ and not ‘oh hello a dragon’ you know?” He admitted while crying. 

“There there.” Rarity cooed as she gently rubbed his arm. “If you can please give us a lift back down then we could find you somewhere much warmer to spend the night.”

“Y-you are so… so… Nice!” He continued to bawl. 

“How did you know he was sick?” Twilight whispered as she stood in shock. 

“That Dragon you have, Spike, he has never smoked before and this guy has been living in the wild so it must have been not normal.” Rarity explained. 

The Dragon wrapped up all his treasure in a huge tarp he had in the back of the cave and with the six of his new pony friends safely on his back he flew down to the town. The guards were ready and strangely waiting for him but Twilight gave them a wave and they stood down. 

“This lovely fellow is the newest member of our community and is very valuable. Get him down to the mine’s foundry and fetch everything he needs, blankets, a gallon of soup, I don’t care. Make him comfortable.” Twilight instructed. The guards saluted and broke into two groups, one to take care of the ill Dragon and the other to get those supplies ready for him. The rest stretched and sighed. It was sunset and the efforts of the hike was starting to catch up on them all. Waiting to reward her friends for the excellent work she pushed them to go relax at the spa and the Cherry Pie later with the promise she would catch up. 

Heading down the dim roads towards the town hall Twilight was stopped by the chaos in the town square. Floating rocks slowly spun in the air as rabbits made of clothing ran about as they pleased. There were craters in the ground and part of the town hall had been… turned into cheese. She stood jaw loose in complete confusion before remember this morning’s events. Growling she trotted through the warzone to find Starlight and Trixie passed out in each others hooves. Kicking Starlight non to gently the purple unicorn snapped awake and quickly pushed Trixie off her. 

“I will… Will.. I won’t be beaten by you!” Starlight shouted sounding delirious. 

“The preat and gowerful Trixie has yet to start!” Trixie replied with her eyes rolling about her head like two loose marbles. 

“Enough!” Twilight yelled. “I leave you two for one day and this place looks like a warzone.” 

“Twilight?” Starlight asked as she finally came back to her senses. “I can explain…”

“No you fucking can’t. I come back after hiking up a mountain and defeating a Dragon to find that I can not even take tomorrow off because of you? I swear to the moon I will…” Twilight grit her teeth and cracked her neck. 

“L-language.” Starlight muttered quietly. Twilight went from purple to red but just before she could let out her rage Trixie’s wagon started to pack itself up.

“You have not seen the last of the great and powerful Trixie!” She shouted before speeding off down the road. Twilight’s rage broke and like a deflating balloon she let out a long sigh. 

“You are cleaning this, all of it. I will be in the Cherry Pie when you are done.” Twilight simply stated with a glance so vicious Starlight thought that she was about to be eaten. Starlight nodded. Looking around the carnage she rubbed her paint stained neck and winced. She had not even managed to learn a friendship lesson out of it all either… Her eyes shifted down the road. She might have not learned something from Trixie but she was sure that the others learnt something in the mountains. Surely Twilight would not be mad if she just took a quick break to go visit them.
> Not all black and white
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The wind was strong in Ponyville, the air much cooler than it had been in some time. Starlight stood on top of a tall ladder using her magic to scrub a window, she sighed. It felt like she had been cleaning up the town for a week but she had to admit she brought it on herself and “never sneak away from punishment” sure made for a simple friendship lesson. 

Climbing down the ladder she threw the sponge into a bucket. Stretching out her legs she looked over the many rows of houses reach with many windows. Only a few of the hundreds she had cleaned but now at long last she was done. Packing up the cleaning supplies she trotted off to report back to Twilight. On the way she passed by an alleyway cloaked in shadow and standing at the end of it was a robed pony digging a hole. Nothing odd so she moved on but slowly came to a stop some strides down the street. Maybe it was not as normal she passed it off to be, at the very least there was something about it that bugged her. Heading back Starlight crouched around the corner to the alleyway and peered down into the shadows. The pony was in fact not a pony but a zebra. They were just standing scraping a hoof into the dirt to make a small hole. The zebra stopped and began to mutter some strange rhyming verses before covering up the hole.

“What the…” Starlight muttered as she watched the odd zebra adjust his cloak and leave down the other end of the ally. Placing down the window cleaning equipment she followed quietly. Starlight did realize that this was not the first zebra she had seen as the rest were also wearing cloaks. “What are they hiding?” She whispered to herself. 

The zebra led her around a good quarter of the town. Walking down dark alleyways and along the backside of markets as if trying to hide away from the rest of the world. The more Starlight followed the more she became suspicious. Finally the zebra left the town altogether and headed casually into the Everfree. Not wanting to follow him Starlight instead sat watching for quite some time before realizing that he was not coming back anytime soon. Now convinced something was not quite right she swore to find out what is up! As soon as she returns Twilight’s cleaning supplies. 

“There is nothing odd about them Starlight.” Twilight explained as she sat at her desk. “A few months ago a group of them came to visit and were just about to go home when I managed to win the town over. They have been locals ever since.” 

“But what do they do? And why do they always wear cloaks and the digging?!” Starlight blurted out as she paced around the room in thought.

“They come from a different culture to us.” Twilight sighed but also smiled. “Go to the south east of the Everfree and take a look yourself. A day in their world will solve all your questions.” 

“Maybe you are right.” Starlight replied as she calmed down. “Does that mean I am done with all the apology chores?” 

“For now, at least my office does not smell like cheese anymore…” Twilight replied with a sharp look. Not wanting to anger her Starlight left quickly. 

Deciding to follow Twilight’s advice she headed down and out of town towards the Everfree without any hesitation. In truth she wanted to find out if they were innocent or not and going to where they live was a good first step in finding out any hidden secrets. 

Outside of town she headed down the rough path to the south side of the Everfree and from there she entered into the dark woods. While subtle and small there was a path cut through the thick foliage. It wound deeper and deeper into the Everfree, around trees and past seemingly innocent clearings, but Starlight refused to step away from the path for even a second. She could not trust anything she saw. No matter how sparkling or glowing a flower looked or how peaceful a glade might appear to be she knew deep down that it had to be a trap. Her fuzzy ears twitched as she heard a faint noise on the wind and with it came an odd scent. Drawn in closer Starlight poked her head through some bushes to see that the zebra encampment was strange, even otherworldly, as each home was made out of a tall gnarled tree around a huge bonfire. She sat wide eyed as she watched several zebras dancing around a fire all painted in green with large wooden masks. They chanted and threw spicy smelling powders that caused the fire to crackle and flash with various colors. 

As the ritual grew Starlight found herself transfixed. She sat for who knows how long just watching dumbly until she noticed a zebra call out of something and suddenly walk towards the bush. Starlight slowly backed away and ran for it. Freaked out she forgot the path and simply ran through anything in her path be it strange glades or across flower fields. She just managed to make it back to town before she had to sit and catch her breath. 

“That is not natural.” Starlight spoke out loud. Raising her head up she swore to find out what those freaky folkpones were doing… After some lunch and once she caught up on her studies. Her promise did not go too far as all the chores Twilight had given her had left Starlight needing to catch up on more than she realized. By the time she had finished everything it was late and sleep was more important than chasing zebras. 

Come the morning Starlight found her head to be ringing. Pulling herself out of bed she found herself barely able to walk. Stumbling across the room she fell into the bathroom and threw some ice water over her bloodshot eyes. It soothed them somewhat and cleared her head but the rest of her body did not feel quite right. With her eyes now cleared she stepped over to the full body mirror and then let out a scream.

“What did they do!? This is disgusting!” She shouted as she tried to keep herself from throwing up. Pulling herself away from the mirror she ran to the closet and picked out a longer dress to throw over herself, before then doing the same with a long rain cloak for good measure. “I have to stop them before they do this to any others!” 

Even with the layers of clothing Starlight felt ugly, small and quite smelly. Sneaking from shadow to shadow she slowly made her way across the town and towards the Cherry Pie. While it was true she hated everything about that naughty and degenerate building she did recall that two zebras worked there. A good enough start as any. 

Sneaking away from the main entrance she headed around the sides of the building and down the back routes to where the resupply carts would drop off any supplies. Flaring up her horn she focused and in a flash of light her entire being was turned not invisible but transparent. Heading inside she held her breath and trotted as quiet as she could manage. Thinking back Starlight knew that the zebras normally worked in that odd theater area so she just had to cross the building to find them. 

The back halls of the Cherry Pie were quite different to the front as there was much less decoration and the halls were made wide and tall for supplies to be moved about. Heading down some stairs she heard a faint noise. Following it she went further down into the basement. It was dark and the many rattling pipes let her know that this was where the building got all the heat. Peeking through an older looking door that had a small window on it she caught sight of Pinkie Pie struggling with a squirming bag. Squinting Starlight noticed that something escaped. A small thing, like an odd colored ball with tiny wings, but Pinkie snatched it up and stuffed it back into the large bag without pause. Tying the opening tightly Starlight watched as Pinkie swung open the raging furnace and tossed the entire sack inside before slamming the door shut. The noise returned. A sound like a hundred balloons being slowly deflated. Fur standing on end Starlight made herself a promise to forget whatever she just witnessed. 

Going back up some levels and heading down some supply tunnels Starlight found herself on the other end of the building. The halls were quiet, so much that she felt it was unnatural, but worse was a thick and intoxicating fog that hung around the many hotel like rooms. It was worse than the incense they burned and her head was already starting to spin. She tripped and froze incase anypony heard. Getting back up Starlight shifted from leg to another.

“The curse is getting worse the further I go into here…” Starlight muttered. 

Past the dozens of rooms. Down the long and gilded halls. Past the all natural gardens where she dared not even glance. Starlight eventually arrived unseen at the backstage of the theatre. Her legs ached and her body dripped with sweat but even so she was determined to not give up. While the transparency spell let her stand unseen it was far from perfect and movement could easily give her away. She had to be careful. Opening a dressing room door a crack she peered in but found nopony around. Heading to a second door she repeated her searching but again there were nopony.

Looking at the doors she sighed as she only now realized each one had a name or job wrote on it. Dancers or actors of every description were written across the dozens of rooms but finally she found one that matched. Ebony and Ivory, the exotic zebra dancers from the far east. Cracking the door open a thick purple mist rolled out and flooded the hallways. The lights were dark and voices rang out rhythmically. 

“Give into us…” They spoke slowly and with a hiss. 

“Let yourself go.” Another chanted.

“Yes… My mistresses…” A third replied sounding drunk and hazy. 

“Twilight?” Starlight whispered to herself. Looking past the fog and lit candles she found Twilight to be kneeling with odd painted symbols drawn all over her. Her eyes were unfocused and dream like. Around her the pair of zebra twins slowly circled and ran their hooves over her. Down her back. Along her eyes. Twilight seemed to be completely out of it. “No, not her!” Starlight said silently. “They have taken her mind like some kind of evil entrantress… Enchantresses!” She added as she began to run for it. While the staff got a glimpse of something she moved too quick for them to really pin down what. 

Hiding around a tree some distance from the Cherry Pie she cried softly and tried to calm herself but her body was getting worse. She stank and the smell kept getting worse. It burned her nose and made her head sort of spin like the hallways had… Oh no, it was transforming her into something… Not wanting to find out what she threw herself into the nearest pond to douse the scent and started to run for the Everfree. She refused to let this be how her adventure ended. If she did not stop the zebras here and now they would take over the town or worse they would come for her dearest teacher Celestia! It would not stand. 

She needed to be ready and if that meant raiding most of her alchemy supplies then it was a small price to pay. Placing several magical artifacts over her ears and neck she filled her bag with ingredients and quickly made head way for the forest. Stepping into the woods her magic flared and she teleported some strides at a time. Bouncing along the tops of the forest Starlight breathed deep and steadied her shuddering cursed body. This would be the hardest day of her life but no, she was ready to do whatever it took to end those striped menaces before they got too far. 

Landing on the verge of the grove she magically took hold of a huge bag of chalk dust and began to run around the edge of the clearing. Thanks to the invisibility spell and a few speed enhancers she made the entire huge lap in only a few moments. Throwing the bag to the side she stood up on top of a small hill and dug her hooves deep into the ground. Gritting her teeth her horn flared up in a pale blue energy. It grew bigger and bigger, brighter and brighter. Sparks flew and the glow grew to a hot white before finally the chalk sparkled and a massive spherical barrier formed around the entire encampment. It hurt her head but Starlight just forced the pain down and continued until the entire ritual was finished. There was no way out now unless she and only she removed the force field. 

“Zebra demons! Hear me, I am the greatest pupil of Celestia and she who defeated Nightmare Moon. Your traitorous ways stop here and now and you WILL turn me back to normal!” Starlight screamed. The zebras stopped whatever dance they were doing while others came out of the gnarled tree. One by one they all met together on the edge of the barrier to look up at Starlight. Those wooden masks all painted with unblinking eyes, it was terrifying. “I said now! You hear me!?” She shouted again. 

Pinkie meanwhile was sorting out the strange ‘ghost’ that had been seen running about in the Cherry Pie. She had seen a glimpse herself and while there was something very familiar about its scent Pinkie also found it to be quite wrong, altered somehow. Just to be sure she was asking any other witnesses about the strange appearance. Following the trail back she ended up at the loading docks for the carts and sure enough one of them let know they had seen a purple unicorn in a heavy cloak doing something odd with magic but then she disappeared. 

“Starlight…” Pinkie sighed. “What are you up to now.” 

Pinkie continued to reverse the steps that Starlight had taken for as sneaky as the purple mare thought she was being, it turns out a heavily cloaked figure doing rolls and leaps is not exactly a normal sight. Her search led her all the way back to Starlight’s home. Looking around she knocked on the door but did not get an answer. Trying the handle Pinkie found it to be unlocked.

“You here?” Pinkie called out as she headed inside the large house. Taking a look at how the place had been trashed, with loose boxes and paperwork scattered about, a table knocked over, and even several cupboards left ajar Pinkie began to worry. Heading upstairs she also found the bed to be a mess. Running a hoof along the covers she sniffed around the air and her hoof. Her eyes narrowed. Pinkie’s nose was one of the sharpest in Equestria and that let her know right away that something was wrong here. Fearing the worst Pinkie fled the house and continued her search. 

Everybody had a different story to tell and while there were consistencies there also many conflicts. The one fact she could put together was that Starlight had been seen running towards the Everfree and that a rough looking pony in a long cloak had been seen heading that way as well. Not wanting to get into a fight or dangerous situation on her own Pinkie made a tactical retreat back to her Cherry Pie for some help. 

“Stop speaking in tongues and undo the foul magic!” Starlight shouted from the hilltop. She was getting impatient and nothing the zebras said made any sense to her. They were trying to trick her or curse her even more she was sure but no she would persist even if it cost her everything. “If you will not listen then I will make you do it!” She called out. Her horn glowed hot once more and the barrier began to slowly shrink inwards, from the edge of the clearing it pushed all the way to the houses. The zebras started to split up and many run back to their homes, a reaction at least but not the answer Starlight wanted. 

“Is everypony ready?” Pinkie asked the group she had managed to pull together, they nodded and agreed and with that they left the Cherry Pie. Together they had worked out that Starlight must have gone to the zebra encampment but why exactly or what had happened was still a mystery to them all. Making good pace they were out of the town within minutes and into the Everfree in moments. It was dark and the sun was setting soon so they had to keep moving. 

Along the way they came upon a piece of long dress that had been caught on a thorn bush. Taking the scrap Pinkie looked it over and realized it was belonged to Starlight, only she would wear such a boring looking dress after all. Once more it smelled wrong and once more it made Pinkie worry. Tossing it away they continued the trot along the winding path ahead.

Suddenly several beams of light shot up from under the fallen leaves and two of the group got caught inside. The rest moved away and scrambled which in turn only caused barrier traps between trees or other glowing marks to go off. Pinkie pranced and dodge what she could but found herself watching as so many others got stuck. Thankfully one of them had good advice, a barrier spell like these could only remain working as long as the original rune, circle or symbol was complete. Snapping a branch off a tree Pinkie used it like a broom to sweep away the leaves and mess up the symbols. One by one she would free those caught and knock down the simple barriers between the trees. Still, while no harm had been done she could only wonder to what terrible thing had been chasing Starlight.

They marched on and took a few short cuts through some glades but made sure to go around others. It was not wise to go running through strange fields after all, who knows what it might do. Reaching the end of the pathway they ran into another issue, another barrier. This one was simple but bigger than the traps before and it only blocked the way forward like a ring of sorts. The group huddled and talked it out, just ahead was supposed to be the zebra encampment so maybe an enemy from the old country had found its way to Ponyville? Surely not. Hopefully not. Whatever it was they had to get past the wall of light and unlike the other simple symbol based traps this one was protected on both sides. The unicorns did not have the magic to cross it and nobody else was strong enough to break it. They continued to discuss until one smaller pony had a suggestion. Why not just dig under it? Looking between each other the group realized how blind they had been and began to dig. 

Starlight sweat and her heart pounded. She had pushed the inner barrier all the way down to the firepit and pushing it any further… She stood strong. It was not her fault that they refused to listen. That they talked in strange words and had cursed her. It was all their fault. The words repeated and buzzed around in her head like flies. She would find a cure even if she had to… 

“Starlight?” A voice called out.

“Twilight?” She replied. Turning around Starlight found a group made up of Pinkie, Sunset, Twilight, the two zebra twins and a few others. “No, you will not stop me. I am doing this for your sake as well.” She called out as her horn flared and she traced a wall of fire across the hill. 

“Darling, I need you to take this 10 down to about a 3.” Pinkie shouted but Starlight just gave her a look of complete paranoid madness. “Ok she has legit lost it.” Pinkie mentioned to Twilight quietly. 

“You just need to talk to us Starlight. What is wrong?” Twilight asked as she walked closer.

“Stay back, you are one of them now. You all are!” Starlight shouted causing Twilight to stop and look towards the others. They had no idea either. 

“I am Twilight, you remember me right. Just normal Twilight.”

“No not old Twilight, new Twilight. Sneaky zebra Twilight!” 

“I can assure you I am not… Look, do I have stripes?” 

“No… but, but they took over your mind. I saw that ritual at the theatre place.”

“That… That was not a ritual. I go every week to relieve myself of sexual tensions.” Twilight explained without any shame but Starlight lit up in red and groaned. 

“That was not s-s… Not normal. It was weird and, and, well, two mares can not even do that sort of stuff!” Starlight shouted back causing Pinkie to snicker hard. 

“Starlight, honey, I would love to explain to you how homosexual relashonships work all you want if you can just calm down and put out the fires ok?” Twilight tried to reason with a forced smile. 

“How can I trust you?!” Starlight screamed as she began to tear up. “My body aches so much, my head Twilight it hurts. I can not… I won’t let them win.” 

Backing down Twilight returned to the others and whispered something to them. The zebra twins were taken aside and Starlight watched as they tied the pair up tightly. Once they were then tied to a tree for good measure Twilight returned with a soft smile. Starlight relaxed and let the fires lower for just Twilight to cross them safely. 

“Now what is wrong?” Twilight asked as Starlight hid herself in her cloak. 

“I can not say…” Starlight replied with a red face.

“Must be pretty huge for you to go this far, you can trust me alright.” 

“I cannot, it is not… normal.” 

“Just give me a hint, a clue? You don’t have to face me when you say it.”

“I was taught to be polite, I was taught things that make sense. This does not do either of those.”

“Well, fuck, we are all a bit rude sometimes Starlight and we can not help you if you don’t let us.” Twilight tried to get closer but Starlight backed up to the edge of the hill. The drop was not large but it would not be pleasant if she fell. Starlight swallowed the lump in her throat and let the fire down completely. 

“Do you know what is happening?” Pinkie asked.

“Something is wrong with her but she refuses to let me see or hear what it is.” Twilight explained. Pinkie looked over to Starlight and narrowed her eyes. Sniffing the air she began to chuckle, then laugh. The both of them were surprised and then confused as Pinkie laughed herself into a fit. 

“What?” Starlight asked. 

“You have a dick!” Pinkie replied in an uproar. “Like holy fuck I thought you was running off with a handsome stallion for how ruined your bed was but no here you are with this big old floppy slab of love meat just waving in the wind!” Pinkie laughed herself to the point of coughing before pulling herself off the ground and staring straight into Starlight’s soul. “God I want to cram that thing inside me so hard you will be calling me the next princess.” Starlight’s entire face went pure red, her nose began to bleed, and then she fainted forward onto the grass. “I guess that was too much for her.” Pinkie added as she tried to stop the crazed laughing. 

When Starlight came to she found herself sitting somewhere awfully hot and wet and yet it felt quite nice. As her eyes opened she found herself face to face with Pinkie. She flinched and yelped which caused her to fall backwards into a bath. Pulling herself to the surface Starlight found herself to be sitting in a huge spa bath, in the town spa in fact. All the aches and pain had gone and after blushing intensely she found that her other problem had also gone. 

“What happened?” Starlight asked.

“Well as far as I can tell, you somehow convinced yourself zebras were evil based on seeing them do a native autumn dance and having a threesome with Twilight. Speaking of which, did those two finally make you break that serious mask you wear to bed?” Pinkie spoke. 

“Maybe.” Twilight replied from a nearby massage bed. Pinkie could not see her face but she could tell she was blushing at least slightly. 

“Anyway. As you were running away from the autumn ritual you went straight through a lot of… What did you call it?” Pinkie asked to a zebra sitting across the room. 

“Poison Joke. It can be ironic, or karmatic, but the effects are often more playful than malicious. Seeing such a strong reaction you must have touched half of the Everfree!” Ebony explained. 

“So there is no curse… I am so sorry.” Starlight spoke out as she swam across the huge bath to the zebra. “I almost did something terrible, I am so so sorry!” She repeated. 

“Mistakes happen young pony, lessons to learn. But surely some bonds have formed and you will one day return?” Ebony spoke happily. Starlight nodded and leaned over the huge tub. 

“And I will make sure I am with you this time. Just in case you get cold hooves along the way.” Twilight added as she lifted her head up off the bed. 

“That sounds good Twilight, thank you and sorry. Oh but at least now I have another friendship lesson or two to write to the princess, does anyone have any paper or ink?” Starlight happily asked causing Pinkie to start snickering again. 

“Oh Starlight.” Twilight sighed with a shake of her head.
> Blank fillies flock together
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a cool fall morning and the Ponyville school was a bustle with activity. Due to the newly built classrooms and expanded teachers every kid and teen in the entire town was getting a proper education and it showed. In the class of 1a Applebloom, a pale blonde filly with fiery red hair, sat looking out the window and waiting for the teacher as the other foals ran about and caused some havoc, as they do. 

Taking her oversized cowgirl hat off she fanned herself with it, smoothed down her hair, and returned it to her head. It slipped a touch and she adjusted that as well. The central heating that many places were now running made the fall and winter months much more enjoyable but they really did need to tweak how hot it made some rooms. The door opened and the teacher walked in. As she did so the entire class took notice, quietened down and started to head to their seats. Mrs Cheerilee loved her students and it showed! 

“Good morning class.” She greeted as warm and cheery as the sun. 

“Good morning Mrs Cheerilee.” The whole class replied in unison. 

“Today we have a very important lesson to get to. We will be talking about cutie marks.” 

“Boring…” Diamond Tiara muttered, her own cutie mark matching her name. 

“You can all see my cutie mark can’t you?” Cheerilee asked as she turned slightly to show off the three smiling flowers on her flank. “Like everypony else, I was not born with a cutie mark.” She paused to flip over a picture on the board. It showed an adorable picture of herself as a foal laying on a pillow. “My flank was blank but one day when I was your age I woke up to find that a cutie mark had appeared.” She paused again to show another picture of herself as a teenager. Her mane was wild and dyed different colors, her outfit loud and garish, but sure enough she had her cutie mark. 

“Look at her hair!” One of the kids called out causing the others to start laughing.

“Yes yes I know but honestly that is how everypony was wearing their mane back then. I had decided to become a teacher and the flowers you see symbolized my hope that I could help my future students bloom if I nurtured them with knowledge. The smiles represented the cheer I hoped to bring to my little ponies as they were learning. Now, can anyone tell me when a pony gets his or her cutie mark?”

“Oh oh! When she discovers that certain something that makes her special!” A white filly with a lisp called out. 

“That’s right Twist. A cutie mark appears on a pony’s flank when he or she finds that certain something that makes them different to every other pony. Discovering what you makes you unique isn’t something that happens over night…”

“Psst.” A voice next to Applebloom whispered. 

“... And no amount of hoping, wishing or begging will make it appear…”

“PSST” They repeated. 

“What?” Applebloom asked quietly as she turned to Diamond Tiara. The purple filly took out a note and reached out to meet Applebloom half way. Looking across to her other side Applebloom found that Silver Spoon was waiting for her. Sighing she leaned over and grabbed the note.

“Applebloom! Are you passing a note?” Cheerilee called out. Applebloom dropped the note on the floor out of surprise. “What could be so important it could not wait until after class?” She asked but looking down at the paper she found nothing. “It’s blank?” 

“Remind you of somepony?” Diamond Tiara joked with a sneer before quietly laughing. Silver Spoon quickly joined in and Applebloom shrank in her seat. 

After a productive day at school the fillies and colts ran out of the school to find something more entertaining to do. Applebloom threw on her saddlebags and adjusted her hat before going herself. The sooner she got to the farm the sooner she could get her own daily work done and with that she could get her allowance faster. 

“I don’t know why we had to sit through a lecture about getting our cutie marks.” Diamond Tiara spoke to Silver Spoon from behind Applebloom. “I mean waiting for a cutie is soooo last week. I have mine, you have yours. We all have them already…” She snickered and rushed past the farm pony before looking back. “Well, almost all of us anyway… Oh but don’t worry Applebloom you are still invited to my cute-ceañera this weekend.”

“It’s going to be amazing!” Silver Spoon added.

“It is a celebration of me and my amazing cutie, how could it not be?” Diamond Tiara said smugly. “Cya there, blank flank!” She and Silver Spoon both added in unison before bumping cutie marks together and running off giggling. Applebloom sighed and started to head home with much to think about. 

“It is just not fair I tell yeh.” Applebloom whined to Applejack as she went around collecting loose apples. 

“Don’t sweat the small stuff, you will get yours soon enough.” 

“But I don’t want mine ‘soon enough’ I want it now! I can not go to Diamond Tiara’s cute-ceañera without one either. I just can't!”

“Of course you can.” Applejack spoke up as she stopped her work to focus on the young filly. “Listen, I was the last one in my class to get a cutie mark, same with Big Mac and well everybody in our family but we have always known what our cutie marks mean and what we want to do. Pretty good trade off.” She explained. 

“And what does your cutie mark mean again?” Applebloom asked as she pointed to the pair of playing cards stamped with apples on Applejack’s face. She seemingly went pale for a second, lost in thought as a bead of sweat ran down her brow. 

“I know when to raise and when to fold, so trust me when I say that you need to hold your cards close to you right now. It will be alright, you got your entire family to support you so that has to be worth more than some filly’s opinion.” 

“My family…” Applebloom’s ears shot up as she realized. “You have a cutie mark with apples and you were living in the city so apples must run in the family!” She called out happily as the plan started to come together in her head. “I just need to do everything apple related.” Applejack bit her lip. She did not have the heart to tell her little sister that she had already tried practically everything on the farm due to chores or playtime. 

“Why don’t we hang out together and see what works? I do have to tend the market stall soon.” Applejack spoke up as she started to get some ideas together on how to reconnect with her sister. 

Later at the market stall. Applejack was doing her usual haggling and already managed to sell several bushels of apples for more than they were worth. Applebloom at first was paying attention and even helping out with her cute innocent looks however she found herself becoming bored. Looking around she noticed that many of the poneis around the town square were doing something far more interesting. Painting, playing tennis, tossing a disk around… On top of all the shoppers it did make for quite a hectic scene. 

Leaving Applejack to man the cart for a while Applebloom grabbed a canvas that had been left out and a bunch of apples. If everybody in the family had apple themed cutie marks and Applejack had playing cards then that means anything could be apple related! A decent idea in practise but as she tried to mash up and create some art with the fruit it just started to make more and more of a mess. There is not much color you can make with mashed apples after all. Giving up her artistic career before it began she grabbed a tennis racket instead. Swinging it a few times Applebloom tossed up an apple and smacked it hard. It exploded and in turn a rain of apple juice went everywhere! Apologizing to the other shoppers he left her mess where it is and hummed to herself. Getting a cutie mark was not as easy as it seemed. 

“Have fun?” Applejack asked her sister but she got a sad glance back. “Oh…” 

“I am going to go home.” Applebloom sighed as she tossed her apron into the cart. 

“Fudge muffins… There has to be something I can do.” Applejack muttered to herself.

“Heya Applecore.” Rainbow Dash spoke up suddenly causing AJ to flinch. 

“Celestia’s fucking wings, don’t sneak up on me like that!” AJ called out.

“Ooo sorry, you just looked like someone replaced your apple juice with pear juice.”

“Hmm, nothing wrong with me. It is my sister, she is fretting over getting a cutie mark.” 

“Darn, I was hoping she had invented a fruit based sport.” Rainbow said while holding up the tennis racket AB had left behind. 

“Eesh. I just don’t know what to do Rainbow, being supportive did not do much and I am too busy to hang out as much as I should.” Applejack said sadly as she sat down. 

“Durr. Applebloom needs to find other fillies that are cutie impaired, so they can all go make the fruit based sport of my dreams.” Rainbow explained.

“That is… Actually a good idea… I didn’t know you were so good with foals.”

“I am a mare of many talents. Oh oh, could dewy be one such friend?” Rainbow asked with a small flutter of her wings.

“That colt from your library? Hm a bit too old I think for Applebloom… But that is still a great idea, thanks Rainbow you really pulled me out of a pickle.” 

Applebloom was feeling down and even after getting most of the afternoon free come the next morning she was not feeling any better. A cutie mark was such an important event in any young fillies life and if she had to wait years more it would drive her insane. Burying her face into the bed’s pillows she huffed.

“Maybe I could get a cutie mark for sleeping forever…” She whispered to herself. 

“Applebloom, come on downstairs I got a surprise for you!” Applejack shouted.

Groaning Applebloom pulled herself out of her bed and slowly trotted down the stairs to find something smelled really delicious. Pancakes with an apple syrup. Slightly burned around the edges but the best ones that Applejack had made yet. A nice surprise and one that took her mind off the cutie mark worries quite quickly. 

“Thanks sis.” 

“Don’t thank me yet. See, Rainbow helped me find some other fillies who I think you might enjoy and I set up a little playdate.” Applejack explained. At first Applebloom was dubious of the idea but having more friends than Diamond Tiara alone sounded like a good thing. 

Once she had eaten her slightly crunchy pancakes she got herself tidied up and her hat on straight. Heading out with Applejack they headed through the orchard to a northern spot that housed a small but very run down treehouse. 

“What is that?” Applebloom asked.

“An old treehouse that me and Mac once set up before I left. If you want to try new things then why not spruce it up with the others?” Applejack slyly stated. She had a good feeling that having the fillies work together and be constructive would no doubt help them to find common ground. Just on time as well came Rarity and her young sister Sweetie Bell.

“Are you sure you will be alright on your own?” 

“I am sure.”

“Ok then sis but make sure you get some lunch.” Sweetie spoke as Rarity used her magic to move the bushes out of the way for the pair. “I will be back by sundown, so no worries?”

“No worries.” Rarity nodded with a small smile. 

Sweetie Bell was a young white unicorn with a long pink and purple mane all done up in curls. She bid farewell to her older sister and even waved her off in an odd reversal of roles. Joining up with Applejack she expressed a few doubts about this whole thing but AJ was adamant that it would be good for them to get some friends of their own age. The next pair came shortly after. 

“I like the idea but did we have to meet up out here? We have been walking for hours.” Scootaloo sighed. She was an orange pegasis with purple hair all dressed up in a Filly Scout uniform. While simple the design had been changed several times with the budget increases. It sported a visored cap, short skirt, sash of badges and saddlebags full of who knows what. 

“I like to take the… scenic route.” Rainbow replied a short distance behind her. She spoke casually but had clearly worked out a sweat compared to the young filly. Spotting AJ she easily passed Scootaloo and gave a look to the other two. “Getting quite the fruit salad going on here I see.”

“Indeed, I think… Um, I left some paint and tools for you girls to use but remember to have fun. We won’t keep you.” Applejack said before giving a nudge to Rainbow and leaving. 

Scootaloo dropped off her bags under the tree while the other two looked over the treehouse above.

“Ehck such a filthy thing. Do we really have to fix such a disaster?” Sweetie asked. 

“It won’t be that hard if we all do a bit of work. I know plenty about carpentry from helping Big Mac out when I was younger… Hey Scoots what can you do?” She called out. 

“What can’t I do!” She shouted excitedly as she showed of her long sash of badges. “Rock climbing, canoeing, first aid, herblore, fire safety…” She listed with each badge. 

“Anything about fixing a house?” Applebloom asked.

“Ah… No.” Scootaloo replied with a tint of blush. “But I learn quick!” 

With Applebloom taking care of the hardest repairs and Scootaloo doing small stuff Sweetie Bell took care of the insides. It needed quite a clean, several planks to be replaced, and furniture to be replaced but they got to it and had several laughs along the way. Now clean and free of drafts the rug and curtains proved to be nice additions. 

“It is a bit small though…” Sweetie fussed. “I could bring in some more hardware if you two would be up to making this place a more respectable boudoir. 

“That does sound mighty nice but I think we have done a great job so far.” Applebloom proudly replied but glancing at her flank she found no cutie mark to be found. Leaning on an upturned fruit crate that had a tiny table cloth draped over it she looked out the cracked window to the orchard. “Are you two going to Diamond Tiara’s party tomorrow?” 

“Uh please and thank you no. That detestable little filly runs me up the wall.” Sweetie spoke with a flourish to her hair. 

“I know that. Her dad once made her join our group and she just spent two days whining to the point we had to kick her out. And she then complained to her dad that we were being mean! If it was not for Twilight’s funding we might have been shut down.” Scootaloo added with a clack of her hooves. 

“Want to go camping? I have always wanted to do that but I eh never had others to go with.” Applebloom then asked as put some ideas together. 

“Camping? Oh I love camping, where you girls going?” Rainbow Dash said as she poked her head through the skylight. The girls jumped clear off the floor in surprise. “Hmm no wait don’t tell me it's your little party after all.”

“Rainbow, you gave us all a heck of a scare. What you are doing up there?” Applebloom asked. 

“I… I was in the orchard nearby when I heard all this hammering and clambering going on so I went over to see what was up when I saw this adorable little house. Very druid.” She explained. “B-but yeah, I gotta go. You girls have some fun now.” Rainbow said with a wink before closing the skylight and fluttering away.

“Anyway… I may be the queen of camping but where do we pitch our tent? The orchard? The Ponyville park?” Scootaloo asked as she pulled out a map and put it over the table. Applebloom shifted around to take a look at it and eventually she put her hoof down on the east side.

“What about the Everfree? I bet there are all kinds of cutie mark adventures we could do!” 

“I really do not think that is such a good idea…” Sweetie protested but Scoots and AB both had that telling adventurous look. She sighed and cracked a smile. “Fine but we do it right. Scoots you get me a list of supplies and I will buy them, go crazy. Applebloom can bring the food as I figure she knows what is best.” 

With nods all around they agreed to meet up tomorrow in the afternoon. Sweetie told Rarity and Lily that she would be out camping with her new friends and that she needed to buy some supplies. Scootaloo returned to her empty home excited to go camping with other fillies that was not just part of her group. And Applebloom worked with her sister late into the night to get freshly made treats ready. Each one of them told the adults that they would be camping somewhere in the orchard but they had not worked out where yet and amazingly the adults believed it. 

Meeting up around the back of Rarity’s Bejewelled Bridle they began to get everything ready. Sweetie Bell sat on a box full of stuff as Scootaloo and Applebloom went over and organized it all into packs. Rope, band aids, trail mix, snacks for roasting over a fire later, a map, about 3 cans of bug spray for Sweetie Bell alone. 

“Wow Sweetie this tent is really high grade.” Scootaloo noticed.

“Only the best for my companions… I wish I could have got the automatic pitching one though but your instructions did quite clearly say to not do that… Lovely fetching color of red ink I will say even if the font was a bit big.” Sweetie mocked. 

Sharing a laugh and then laughing for a second time as Sweetie seeming deflated under the weight of her saddlebags they set out on an adventure to find something that would give them a cutie mark! Sneaking around the town so that nobody noticed where they were going they headed into the Everfree without a care in the world. Following the map and inspired by what they had heard of the Summer Sun Celebration the girls went along the north path. First around the rocky cliffside and then down into the dense woods before coming out at the river. Not only was this one of the least dense areas of the forest and a place that got the most amount of sun but the river also gave them more activities to look forward to. 

Sweetie was not looking the best as well and she was the first to throw down her bags to catch her breath. As she took a quick trot in the river to freshen herself up the other two placed down their own saddlebags and took a look around the area. 

“Ooo never seen half of these plants before.” Scootaloo admitted. 

“Do you think they are dangerous?” Applebloom asked in return. 

“Who knows.” Scootaloo shrugged. “Let's get the tents up first, it will be dark soon.” 

Surprisingly Sweetie was good with rope tying and with her organization she had the basic support structure up fairly quickly. Apple Bloom however was in charge of putting up the walls and floor which she rushed and ended up making something akin to an abstract rendition of a pancake. Shaking her head Scootaloo came in for the rescue. The tent was big. With it having enough space to house four adult ponies the three fillies felt like they were camping inside of a padded mansion. 

Home base set up they ran out to try everything they could to get a cutie mark. Swimming in the rivers, climbing trees, basic rock climbing, starting a fire… How to quickly put out a fire… Fire safety 101 thanks to Scootaloo. They even managed to get enough stray wood together to form a small raft but with everything they tried they did not a cutie mark. Annoyed but in good spirits they just kept trying one thing after another until the sun had gone down and Luna’s great moon had started to rise over the horizon. With a mighty fine, and extra safe, fire pit also lit they sat warming themselves up. 

“Oh I am famished. Do tell what you packed us for the fire AB.” Sweetie dramatically spoke. 

“Big Mac helped teach me an old recipe of sorts he used to do when he was younger.” Applebloom explained as she rummaged around the inside of her bag. Surprisingly, she pulled out several oranges of all things and tossed one to each of her friends. “It’s real easy. Just cut in half and eat the inside of it.” She instructed as she did so herself. “Then you fill the halves up with this muffin mix I got from sugarcube corner. Stick the halves together, wrap in foil, and put over the fire. And you have hot orange zest muffins in minutes!” 

“Wow Applebloom, that is quite an impressive idea.” Sweetie complimented as she fumbled with the foil. 

“Fair warning to y’all, I have never tried this before.” AB added with a grin. 

“I figure they will need time. If you excuse me, I need to use the little filly’s room… Ehm, bush.” Scootaloo said as she quite quickly left the fire and headed into the woods. 

“So what should we do while we wait?” AB asked.

“Well, I have been curious about something I saw Rarity doing during one of her tea parties.” Sweetie replied with a touch of blush. 

Scoots meanwhile had ended up deeper into the woods than she had meant to go. The moonlight above barely squeezed through the thick leaves and the darkness was closing in all around her. Trees groaned under the whistling wind and small branches snapped. Then she noticed that it was not the tree branches that was cracking but rather the stray pieces that littered the floor. Her trot became a canter. The Everfree sure seemed a lot more friendly when you are by the safety of a river and the light of a hot campfire! Driven by fear and a touch of paranoia Scoots could not tell if something was following her or not but she did not want to find out. Eventually breaking out into a gallop she leapt over logs and crashed through bushes as quick as her tiny hooves could carry her. 

“Girls, I swear something is…” Scoots came to a skidding stop as she ran into the clearing. “What are you two doing?” She asked as she came upon the two sitting next to each other and pressing their muzzles together. 

“Nothing!” AB called out as she pushed Sweetie clear off the log. “What are YOU doing?” 

“Running from the… The…” Scoots stammered, frozen, as she remembered why she was running in the first place. Slowly turning around she saw it. A chicken’s head. It poked out from the bush and had its eyes closed. “That.” Scoots sighed but suddenly the chicken rose up to reveal a scaly and almost dragon like body. Blood red eyes snapped open and the creature balked menacingly. Scoots stood frozen in fear and her legs simply refused to move but the more she stared the more she came to realize that her legs felt numb. Looking down she only caught a glimpse of her body before she petrified completely. 

“Scoots!” The pair watching cried out. Looking away from the creature they were too scared to run and instead hid behind a log in fear. The creature however slithered out of the bush and started to slowly creep closer to the fire. 

Just as the beast reached the fire Fluttershy pounce from above. She knocked the creature straight through the fire and in turn the clearing was plunged into darkness. Applebloom and Sweetie could not dare to look as the yellow pegasis fought the beast back and even more amazingly started to argue with it! Even as her body was slowly being turned to stone she demanded that it free Scootaloo and if it did not then there would be some seriously dire consequences. She had a look in her eye, a stare that pieced the very soul, and the beast quickly crumbled under her intimidating glare. The petrification across Fluttershy’s legs also fell apart and Scoots was freed. With the beast running off the other pair came out from behind the log. 

“Eh… Thanks Fluttershy. I know, I know, we are not supposed to be here…” Applebloom spoke up but Fluttershy shook her head. 

“Rarity’s kin and friends are always welcome here.” She explained with a smile that was trying to be kind. 

With the fire reignited and a few Fluttershy’s rabbits keeping watch of the clearing the trio continued to enjoy themselves. Even if the Everfree was dangerous this night had been some of the most fun they have ever had. In the end they decided to give themselves a name and while the three of them had several interesting names they all decided on one most fitting. The Cutie Mark Crusaders. Who would adventure and seek out cutie marks together!
> Friends fall together
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was deep into Autumn and Fluttershy lay on a tree branch overlooking the apple orchard, her rabbit Angel doing the same just above. She had been coming around a lot to snatch up some apples but recently had found that all the fruit had slowly been drying up. Even so, she found these trees to be much more comfortable to hang around on and as long as she kept away from the worker areas she could also bring much of her warren to pass the time. 

Keen eyes spotted Applejack heading out of the farmhouse. Curious and not having anything better to do she began to silently follow. AJ headed around the house and onto a bare patch of yard where several stakes and pony shoes had been left around. Picking up one she twirled it in her hoof and flung it at speed. With a loud clang it struck the post and spun around it before coming to a stop on the ground. Applejack cheered herself and picked up the next. 

“What are you doing?” Fluttershy asked as she fluttered down to the ground.

“Practising, been a real long time since I last played.” 

“Played what?” 

“You never played shoe toss? Ah well, of course not. Want to try?” Applejack asked with a nod to the other blue colored shoes next to her own orange.

Picking up a show Fluttershy took a long look over at the two stakes and then to her metal shoe. Copying Applejack she threw it with force but it missed by a mile and embedded itself in the ground behind the posts like a throwing star. AJ could not help but snicker and Fluttershy huffed. Picking up another she adjusted her aim and threw another. It struck the post but bounced off with a great clunk.

“Dumb post!” Fluttershy shouted angrily as she tossed a shoe so hard it bounced off the floor and smashed into the house. 

“Easy girl, it is only a game.” 

“Fluttershy does not lose!” She called out still seething. 

“Calm.” Applejack replied as she placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Listen, we got the running of the leaves tomorrow so why not come down and help us? It is a lot more fun than this game is.”

“Running on leaves?” Fluttershy replied now curious again.

“Ah, yes. Every year we run through the forests to make all the leaves fall, which is why autumn is often called fall in many places. Once we do then the others can bring it winter.” 

“Pony seasons sound hard, not like Everfree which don’t need work.” Fluttershy hummed and nodded. “We will race and win!” 

“It is not about winning girl. You will see.” Applejack smirked. 

The wind was getting cooler. The trees were heavy with leaves. This would be one of the last days of fall and everypony knew it. While it is true the races were done out of need and tradition than competition there were still medals and prizes given as an added bit of fun. And of course, with every competition or large event Twilight was busy making sure Ponyville stood out from the other towns as doing it bigger or better in some way. This year she was making a whole spectacle out of the running path, with gold and silver medals, special prices for those who run the track more than once and more. Back at town there was also tents and booths set up with hot drinks and plenty of comfy places to sit. She had something grand indeed in mind. 

“Is it ready yet?” She asked the engineers wearing green lab coats. Each one of them had an odd symbol stamped on the arm, an acorn wrapped in a vine with the words ‘TSERT’ under it. 

“Almost, almost.” A young mare with frizzy hair replied as she fiddled and clanked around a large machine that had been set up at the base of the town hall. Suddenly it came to life and started to whirr quietly. “There it goes!” 

“Excellent.” Twilight grinned. With a flare of her horn the energy moved to a headset she was wearing. Pressing the button the side she tapped the microphone a few times. “Can you hear me spike?” 

“Loud and clear!” He called back from the other end. 

“How is it on your end?” 

“All good and I have to say, thank you so much for letting me do this.” 

“Anything for my number one assistant. Start her up when you want.” Twilight replied and no sooner than she did the machine loudly started to shudder and spark. Several beams of light shot up out of the machine and hit small crystals that had been set up on the outside of the town hall. They bounced and flickered before coming together to form a large green square that hovered in the air. It shifted and slowly it formed a picture made up of grey, black, white and green shades. Twilight’s grin was a mile wide and her eyes intense. “The first live showing off an event over distance!” She muttered wildly. “The first working holovision screen and the first time the holocamera has worked. This is excellent. So very excellent.” 

Spike was flying over the forests the runners would be going through in a large hot air balloon. Attached to the basket was a huge camera like device that had several glowing crystals around the outside of it. Spike could move it freely and anything he could see through its huge telescope like barral would be transmitted to the screen at the town square. It was an important job and he would go down in history as the first pony… Um, creature to operate such a device. While sound was impossible for the holocamera, for now, he did have a microphone of his own that would transmit his narration over the loudspeakers set up across town square and the forest. 

Twilight had no doubt that the other cities would be envious of such cutting edge technology and while it was a shame the running of the leaves lasted only a day she had plenty of other events with the device in mind. Each one would push its popularity, each one would make her tons of bits in tourism and that would go into upgrading and refining it. In the end she hoped to have it be able to record and then play back the images later much like the old projectors they have but moreover she wanted it to have a full range or color and sound first. It had limitless possibilities! 

Looking up the screen she blushed. “Spike, watch where you are looking.” Twilight said through her headset. She heard a gasp in reply and the image suddenly moved away from what was clearly Pinkie enjoying a different way of making the leaves fall. Thankfully the town square was only just starting to ponies coming in as the races did not start for a few hours more. Stretching out her legs she gave the headset to the head engineer and went off to prepare herself for the race. It was only fitting after all that Twilight Sparkle herself showed off her skills. 

The morning ticked on and ponies were flocking to the square to see the new technology in action. Locals and visitors alike were both quite impressed with the clear view of the landscape and path that the runners would be travelling while those less interested in the tech stayed for the food. If there was one thing Ponyville had on the regular was thriving festivals that were always pulsing with life and many travelled down to the town whenever they caught wind of any gathering going on. 

The races started with a special event, for special ponies. They were not the fastest but having the first lap of the event be just between them felt quite nice indeed. Leading the pack as well was a grey pegasi with a yellow mane. She seemingly could not move in a straight line but was able to stay ahead of the others all the same. It warmed everypony's heart just a touch to see such happy faces in that crowd and it set up the rest of the day perfectly. 

The next group was the hardcore runners. The ones who train for months to take as many laps as they could go for and for several of these ponies they would be running for hours and hours. For one such pegasis he looked like he had a bit too much training. His wings were tiny yet his legs were almost grotesquely massive, he really did look like he was bench pressing anvils in his spare time. After each were given a number they lined up at the starting point and with a ring of a bell they were off! Each one of them was faster than the average pony and everypony knew that this was them starting slow on top. It would be a long and proud day for them all. 

A few more packs had started and the hardcore runners had finished a lap when the next group was just getting started. Applejack and Fluttershy arrived at the starting point to find Twilight already warming up with some surprisingly intense stretches. 

“Nice to see you running this year AJ.” Twilight spoke up between her warm up. 

“Thanks and I brought Fluttershy too… Hoping I can teach her a few things about going with the flow.” AJ replied quietly. Twilight gave her an understanding nod and trotted up to the starting line. Fluttershy stood nearby looking over the other runners. At a glance she could tell how fit most were from how they stood, the muscle structure or how they breathed and out of all of them she found herself staring at Twilight. There was something unusual about all three of her aspects. 

“Are you ready?” Spike called out causing the runners to more properly line up. Fluttershy snapped to attention as well. She had defeated great beasts and gone on hunts for hours since she was young but she was still going to put every ounce of effort into this race. To prove her strength, to dominate the weaker. Her wings fluttered in excitement. “Go!” Spike shouted as a bell rang. 

Fluttershy ran forward at impressive speed. Her hooves broke the ground and the air strained against her sheer force but her cocky grin faded as Twilight bolted ahead at twice her speed. It was as if Fluttershy was running in slow motion and here she finally understood the oddities of Twilight’s biology. She did not have the same muscle size as herself no, she had density. The same exercises done every day to the point of breaking and beyond. Unlike Fluttershy as well who had used her wings for so much of her life Twilight was all legs. 

With Twilight powering off into the distance Fluttershy slowed down to pace herself and within a few minutes already found herself only some steps ahead of the others. She could see almost in complete darkness, sniff out food from a literal half mile away and run straight up a cliff wall but try as she might she could not run better than most others.

“Not so easy is it?” Applejack spoke up as she saw the struggles her friend was going through.

“We don’t understand. Why are we so slow?” Fluttershy replied. 

“How many races have you actually ran? AJ asked and Fluttershy slowed down a touch to think. Sure she had been on great hunts and fought strong things but never before had she had to put speed over stamina.

“I am weak?” Fluttershy spoke barely louder as a whisper. 

“We all are. Nopony is perfect but that is not the point of the race.” AJ panted as she tried to keep up. “Ponies put money towards the… Runners and events and that… That… Can we slow down a second?” AJ wheezed. Realizing that they were both well ahead of the others Fluttershy indeed took the gallop down to more of a canter. “Thank you. Ah ok. So the money goes towards the winter prep and fall clean up with leftovers helping the town. So it is not about winning, it is about doing.” AJ finally explained. Seeing Fluttershy mull over her words made her happy and she started to slow down a touch more which she appreciated but then she turned her head to look at her. 

“But we want to do and win.” Fluttershy simply stated before locking her eyes forward and sprinting forward faster than ever before. AJ did try to catch up but it was just too much for her. 

The ponies in the town square was loving the action. The town planner and local genius showing that she was just as fit as she was brainy got some fierce cheers from the residents while Fluttershy’s head strong refusal to be beaten got the crowd fired up on all sides. Some had even started to take bets on who would win.

Surprising even herself Fluttershy had started to catch up to the purple unicorn but when she did she noticed that Twilight had slowed down a lot. The once impressive burst of speed had quickly worn off and left her needing to recover. Seeing her chance Fluttershy caught up and while she was feeling the burn for the first time in a long time she kept going forward. The pair were neck and neck for many strides as the golden leaves rained down around them. 

“Not bad Fluttershy.” Twilight shouted with a wide grin. “I have been training for years to pull a sprint like that off and you caught up easily.” 

“Fluttershy has eaten things tougher than you!” She replied harshly but Twilight just laughed. 

“Yes, yes you have but have you eaten things faster than me?” And with that she put her head down low and began to pick up speed again. Fluttershy grit her teeth and began to push forward but suddenly tripped. She tumbled and spun along the ground before finding herself in a daze. 

“Oooo and Fluttershy is down!” Rainbow Dash called out causing Spike to nearly jump out of the balloon in surprise.

“What are you doing here?” Spike asked as he corrected the spinning camera. 

“Everypony knows that sports needs two commintaters. The nerd and the jock, the dry and the whit, the pony and the dragon?” Rainbow listed with a sly smile. 

“Alright, that does sound cool.” Spike replied with a fist… To hoof bump. 

“And it looks like Fluttershy is not down for the count quite yet folks” Rainbow shouted into the microphone. “And she is off again, quite the pace for a pegasus but to be expected from the wild champion of the Everfree herself.” 

“What a race indeed! Twilight, the architect, Sparkle vs Fluttershy the wild one. It is anybody's guess who will yet win.” Spike added loudly. 

Applejack meanwhile had been doing her best to catch up to the two ahead. It was her idea to get Fluttershy involved after all so to not be there for her did not sit well for the farm pony. Try as she might she could not quite get near them. Fluttershy was overflowing with stamina and Twilight had the speed of a sugar rushed pegasis for some reason.

“Huh.” AJ spoke out loud as she started to slow down and pace herself. “So that is what she is up to.” 

The racers had started to enter the second of four parts to the race. This one went around the north forest area and the rocky hills. With babbling brooks and plenty of wildflowers it was quite the scene for any runner to take in. Twilight came to a stop and began to pant heavily as she looked around. Fluttershy was still catching up and she had at least a few minutes to herself. Reaching a fork in the road Twilight got a sneaky idea. Flipping the directional arrow around she jumped into a bush and sat for a moment to rest. With the sound of light hoofsteps coming closer she peeked out just in time to see Fluttershy go the wrong way. Grinning she fixed the arrow and started up again with a strong gallop. 

“Oh sneaky sneaky, looks like Twilight is putting that big brain of hers to great use!” Rainbow called out. 

“Indeed she is. Since the race is done as part of a holiday event there is little to no rules involved with it after all. Anything goes in the Running of the Leaves!” Spike explained. The crowd watching was losing all composure and the betting was reaching a fever! 

Fluttershy meanwhile could tell something was wrong. While the path was still within the forest the ground was not clear of smaller debris and soon enough she came upon a wide river in the way. Not stopping for anything she fluttered her wings and bounced along the surface like a skipping stone. With a shower of water leaving rainbows in her wake she took a right and jumped directly into the brush of the woods. 

“Oh bonus points for that last move.” Rainbow added to which Spike snickered. 

 Twilight thought she had all the lead in the world when suddenly Fluttershy burst out of the bushes. She nearly yelped in surprise and began to laugh instead. Fluttershy was not playing around and she finally overtook Twilight for the first time in the race. They were still so close though and the lead could easily change at any minute! 

“Enjoying the race?” Twilight called out.

“It is much more enjoyable than we thought it would be. The sign was a good trick.” Fluttershy admitted. 

“Oh you knew it was me, good to see you having fun.” 

“It makes the hunt all the more enjoyable when there is a challenge.” 

“Excellent, cya at the finish line then.” Twilight smirked. Fluttershy was confused at what she meant when all of a sudden she stopped dead in her tracks. Pulling at her stuck legs she found that one of the sap collectors had fallen over and half the track was a sticky trap! The goop was so thick that even with all her strength she could barely managed to lift her hooves slightly. Twilight gave her a wink and ran off laughing. 

Aj and the others had been having a pleasant jog through the countryside so far. They saw some rabbits and flutterflies. The clouds were nice too and all the golden leaves slowly showering the track never got boring. AJ could not help but snicker however as she found a rather grumpy Fluttershy seemingly stuck to the floor. While the others went on ahead Applejack stopped to help. Pulling down a long branch from one of the trees she heaved and eventually managed to unstick her.

“You are going to have to run really hard to catch up.” Applejack stated with a sly look.

“Twilight is fast but slows down often. She must be mocking me.” Fluttershy replied as she ran along with AJ to warm her legs back up. 

“Oh yes that must be it.” AJ replied barely keeping her laughter in. 

Not able to hear the sarcasm Fluttershy sprinted away. Past the others that had gone on ahead. Over the river’s bridge and across the meadows. The third section of the path was coming up soon and that one was the hardest area. It had many winding roads and split paths making the quickest route forward to be a guess to all but the most practised of runners. Like, Twilight for example. Fluttershy groaned but had an idea. She could do one thing that surely no other could do, keep a sprint up regardless of the terrain. 

When the first split in the road came up Fluttershy did not take either choice and instead hopped over the sign and into the woods. She could bounce between trees, over rocks and through bushes just as easily as a pegasi could fly through clouds!

“Impressive off-road skills being shown today.” Rainbow spoke up from a small couch that had somehow found its way into the balloon.

“Indeed my prismatic narrator. These two have been some of the most impressive runners Ponyville have had in years.” Spike replied as he took a sip of his tea. 

“What is coming up next?” Rainbow asked.

“After the winding forest paths it all connects back together on the edge of the Everfree. It is a long straight and quite easy to follow thankfully, it is here that most of the professional runners put everything into one last sprint forward.” Spike explained. 

“Insightful! And as we have seen Twilight is the queen of hard sprints.” 

“Nothing is more true but as we keep seeing Fluttershy can make any kind of come back.” 

“So it is anyone’s bet to the winner so far?” 

“Exactly that.” Spike nodded. 

Fluttershy burst through the brush and skidded back onto the path. She was sweating, mane a mess, and her wings fluttered gently to try and cool her off. Her eyes caught sight of a purple dot slowly jogging up ahead and she powered on forward to catch up. She was going to win if it was the last thing she did. She knew all too well of Twilight’s burst speed by now too so if she was going to find victory it had to be done quickly. Putting everything into a push forward she caught up to Twilight who looked quite surprised for the first time. 

They kept up neck and neck until they finally left the dense and winding roads and entered out onto the clearer Everfree verge. Fluttershy buzzed her wings and growled in a clear sign of aggression while Twilight kept her eyes forward and focused. They approached the area for the final sprint. Hooves pounding as hard as their hearts Fluttered snapped her wings closed and got ready to prove her strength when suddenly Twilight faulted and collapsed. Crashing hoof over head across the the ground Spike had just managed to cut away before the fall.

“As our two champions get ready for the final push, let's go see what those in the back are doing!” He quickly stammered out. Rainbow herself was confused but went along with it all the same. 

“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked as she came to stop. There was no response. She just lay on the ground with labored breaths. For the first time in a long time Fluttershy felt scared. Rushing to Twilight’s side she fanned the purple unicorn with her wings. “What is wrong, you are the strongest and smartest and, and… You tricked me.” 

“Sorry.” Twilight quietly spoke. “I know it is boring to win every time so I tried to give you a challenge. For you and for the town.” She explained. Fluttershy was stunned and impressed but more than anything she felt silly. 

“It is not about winning, we see. Come on Twilight we have a race to run.” She helped Twilight to stand and together they began to trot along at whatever speed Twilight could move. The others were so far behind them that they could walk to the finish line and still have several minutes of a lead. And that is exactly what Fluttershy was counting on. 

“Looks like Twilight is out well in front!” Spike announced as he returned to the last length of the race to find Twilight slowly making her way towards the finish line and Fluttershy was keeping some distance behind. “The pair looks all kind of tired but Fluttershy is catching up once more. Oh it is going to be a close one.” 

“That it is spike, that it is but oh man what an impressive race it has been. From Applejack’s rise, fall and rise again at the main pack to the intense combative love blooming between Twilight and Fluttershy. Simply electric.” Rainbow added. 

The race was a draw. Fluttershy had managed to catch up at the last minute and tie perfectly with Twilight who had been seen dominating the entire way through. The town square however was going ballistic, completely nuclear in fact. There was screaming and crying and pieces of cake being thrown everywhere. In that day money had been made, money had been lost, but in terms of history it would be known as one of the greatest moments in the Running of the Leaves. 

The pair of them returned to the town to find themselves being showered in praise and cheers like old heros. Several of the winners offered to buy them a drink or a day at the spa, anything they could desire, and Fluttershy was not about to pass up the chance. With Twilight agreeing that a spa trip would be an excellent idea the pair of them stopped only to pick up Rarity from her crafts booth. Quite literally, Fluttershy would not take no for an answer when it came to hanging out with her friend. 

Unknown to them Starlight had been following behind ever since they returned to Ponyville. She listened to every word they said and took notes on everything they had done from the shadows. 

“Oh yes, yes, now that is some real friendship.” Starlight muttered as she hid behind a food cart furiously scribbling down notes on a long scroll. “Sometimes the most unlikely of ponies can become good friends, even if they fight, even if they don’t see eye to eye for the most part. Friendship will always reveal itself.” She added proud to have another few friendship lessons for her dear teacher Celestia.
> Frayed ends and new ties
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It all started with what seemed like a beautiful winter morning. The sky was as clear as a diamond and the wind sent puffs of snowflakes dancing along the town’s roads. Winter had come strongly but fairly and for every cold day they had there was twice as many chances to get warm later on. Twilight herself always proudly said that keeping the same level of traffic in the winter compared to the summer was the true test of a town’s resources and planning and if that was true then Ponyville was truly on its way to being one of the best.

Starlight never did like the cold that much. While Canterlot was built on the top of a high mountain, the sun always shone so strongly around that area that they never had to worry about intense winters. Down here in Ponyville she trotted through the pure white treats bundled up like the most precious of packages. Fluffy hats, thick scarves and extra long socks were but a few of the pieces of clothing keeping her cozy. 

Heading down to the south end of the market roads she stopped and brought out the letter she had received just that morning. Reading it over once more she reminded herself that she needed to go pick up Rarity and then head down to the clothing store for the gala dresses to be fitted. It sure sounded like a nice way to spend an afternoon and getting a discount on such a classy outfit is never a bad thing either! 

Going down the market roads she waved good day to a pair that were talking on a bench. They waved back and she continued on along the many lit up store fronts. The market streets still left her feeling anxious but with many more now indoors it at least made it much easier to get around. There were even a few foals making snow ponies along the streets and she never got to see that kind of joyful behavior in Canterlot. 

Going all the way down to Rarity’s store she peeked through the frosty glass to find the lights out and nobody around despite the sign clearing saying it was open. While she knew it was rude to intrude the situation did seem a little strange to Starlight and so she slipped inside to find that the central heating was at least on. She almost purred contentedly at the feeling. While she could never trust the idea of a powergrid and all that lightning buzzing around in the walls the very concept of hot flooring and cozy rooms all year round was beautiful. 

“Hello?” Starlight called out as she quietly trotted further into the dark room. Looking around the display cases all the masterful accessories were still locked in place so nothing bad must have happened. “Maybe she overslept?” She muttered. 

Going into the back rooms Starlight found the lights to be off as well. Using her horn she caused a small orb of light to form and follow above her. To be polite, she headed up the stairs quietly as to not wake anypony up if they were maybe sick or needed the extra rest. As the stairs curved around Starlight found a flicker of light in the darkness, a crack of it coming from underneath a doorway that stood at the end of a neat corridor. Relieved that there was somepony home she trotted over and flung open the door without a care only to get a full on sight of Rarity burying her face into Fluttershy’s fluffy lion like mane. Her hips rose and fell with rhythmic smacks as she buried an exceptionally well endowed replica of a stallion’s pride straight to the hilt. Over and over again. The pair were simply insatiable. Starlight stood in shock as the two copulating mares did not notice her. They were lost to each other and Rarity was not holding anything back as she pushed her pegasis lover harder and harder into the creaking bed. Backing out Starlight politely closed the door with a click and turned tail.  

Trotting awkwardly down the road she headed straight for Cashmere Comb’s clothing store. 

“Oh hey Starlight, you are looking a tad tomato today.” Rainbow dash commented as Starlight wobbled inside. “Might want to put on less layers if they are that cozy, you look like you are starting to boil over!” She added with a smirk. 

“Good morning Starlight.” Twilight greeted as she came out from behind several rows of dresses. “Have you seen Rarity? I thought you were the one to go get her.” 

“She is busy.” Starlight snapped as she took her hat and scarf off. 

“Uh huh. Well, any ideas for what kind of dress you want? Cashmere is quite trendy.”

“Cashmere Combs? I thought that he gave up fashion after Manehatten ruined his business.” Starlight spoke out loud as she recalled a few things she had read in the papers. Looking over the designs though she could not believe it. The options were wall to wall and each article of clothing had this same air of minimalistic charm. Running her hoof over one she found the material soft enough but stronger than most other fabrics she had felt. “How could this have failed in such a fashionable city?” She asked herself. 

“Not in style apparently. Most cities prefer complex and heavy layered outfits.” Twilight explained. 

“Well I know I would prefer to get this all over with so I can go read at home. Where is Cashmere?” Starlight asked as she looked around.

“I’m pretty sure he was in the dressing rooms but that was a while ago.” Rainbow pointed out. 

“Maybe he is stuck?” Starlight suggested as she trotted over to the dressing room doors. Grabbing the handle with her magic she gave it a sharp tug. The door opened with a click to show it was not even locked. Starlight stood as pale and frozen as a statue as she saw for the second time a lurid scene. Pinkie simply stood up right leaning against the side wall of small dressing room as the tailor quite energetically gave it to her. The sheer mess already splattered across the floor told the others that this was not the first round either. 

“Woops, sorry girls I missed breakfast and you know how hungry I can get.” Pinkie joked with a wide smile. 

“Oh Pinkie.” Twilight stated as she averted her eyes but still laughed alongside Rainbow. 

“Well we are here for a ‘private fitting’ after all.” Rainbow then added causing them all, even the tailor who was in the middle of fucking the young pink mare, to laugh all the harder. Starlight however was not laughing. She was pale and slowly backing for the door when it made a ding. In complete horror she found Fluttershy with a wing around Rarity blocking the doorway. 

“Sorry we are late.” Rarity spoke up.

“It’s perfect fine, we are just waiting for Pinkie to finish up herself.” Twilight added with a nod to the dressing room. “Did you two enjoy yourselves?” 

“It was most pleasurable…” Rarity quietly admitted causing Twilight to grin widely. 

“I knew you two were a thing! Congrats, I am so happy to see you out enjoying yourself.” Twilight said with a clap of her hooves. 

“Yeh, good stuff Rares. It can be difficult to admit what you… like.” Rainbow added with a slight blush across her blue fur.

“It is nothing serious. We share many similarities in upbringing and while we both have a long sexual history we are both new to mares.” Rarity explained causing the others to nod understandingly. Starlight however was shaking. Fluttershy locked eyes with her and a small smirk formed. Slowly she extended her tongue and drew a long lick across Rarity before giving Starlight a wink. She knew that Starlight had seen them… She was… Starlight’s head began to spin. 

“I am sorry.” Starlight called out before violently throwing up all over the floor. A dead quiet fell over the room and Twilight stood jaw hanging as Starlight started crying. Before anything could be said she teleported away. 

“Was it something I said?” Rarity asked looking ashamed.

“No no.” Fluttershy cooed as she held Rarity tighter. 

“I think it is about time we give her the talk.” Twilight sighed as she looked over to Pinkie cleaning up Cashmere with her mouth. “I think you should go do it. You helped most of us become more comfortable after all.” Pinkie nodded understandingly.

“Hey y’all… What, what is going on here?” Applejack asked as she walked in to find Fluttershy hugging Rarity with the occasional kiss, Pinkie straight up blowing the tailor in an open dressing room as Twilight sat nearby and the huge mess on the carpet only added to the scene. “Or do I not want to ask?” 

Pinkie was the first to get her measurements and give some ideas for the dress design. Once done she adjusted her thick boots and headed out into the snow in search of Starlight. Pinkie knew from past experiences that Starlight never teleported a long distance and anypony would go somewhere they find safe or comforting. Knowing that she went straight towards the riverside houses. Giving a wave to a pair of ponies getting frisky on a bench she passed along side the many shop fronts and down towards the town square. A smile graced her as she saw a pair of young ponies being nervous and romantic, no doubt the first time asking each other out on a date. Ponyville was always full of life and romance, even in the depths of the night, even in the coldest of winter mornings and she wanted Starlight to enjoy that just as much as she did. 

Reaching Starlight’s home however she did not find anypony around. Knocking on the doors, peering through the windows, Pinkie found all the lights to be off and nobody in sight. Looking down the street she noticed several snowy hoof prints that led from the back of the home and away into the back alleyways. Following them Pinkie found that they swerved left and right and moved from one house to another as if completely lost, or drunk. The snowy hoof prints continued to trace up down and all around the town until they finally stopped at a small inn on the north east side of the river. The Salty Saddle.

It had been a while since Pinkie had last been inside this old inn. Despite the age it had been rebuilt at one point due to a fire and the town had spared no expense at making sure it kept the rustic and lived in charm. A great fireplace crackled and sent a waft of charcoal through the air. This mixed with the scents of ponies enjoying roasted seasonal vegetables and heart seasoned soups beautifully. Laughter could be heard of all ages and the small patter of foals running around on the thick carpet. The Cherry Pie might be one of the greatest features of Ponyville but the Salty Saddle was simply wholesome and much more friendly to families and the teenage crowds. By filling both ends of the population’s needs they never had to fight for business either. 

“Afternoon.” An older gentleman greeted Pinkie with the tip of the hat. “Is the grindstone a turning by any chance?” He asked politely. 

“Not on this hour.” Pinkie replied with a small shake of her head. 

“Ah many pardons. Do enjoy yourself miss.” He replied in turn with a small bow of the head. 

Knocking the snow off her boots Pinkie trotted up to the bar and tapped her hoof a few times on the weathered mahogany bar top. Within a moment a cheery looking older unicorn mare appeared with a notebook floating just behind her. 

“Hey Mrs Spurs.” Pinkie said as she looked around the room. 

“Pinkie deary oh it has been a while. I do hope you are good.” 

“Been quite the busy year, very… Fun.” Pinkie admitted with a telling smile but soon dropped it. “I am looking for Starlight, a purple unicorn that came from Canterlot ages ago. She is not the type I expected to be around here.” 

“Starlight… Starlight… Oh yeh, she is around the back with her third milkshake of the night.” 

“Milkshakes, that is Starlight alright.” Pinkie sighed as she saw the humor in this whole thing. “Get me whatever Starlight has been having.” Pinkie ordered before reaching into her boot and placing a shiny white bit down on the bar. “Keep the change.” 

With that Pinkie got up and headed around the central bar. Heading right she entered into the main dining room like area before heading further down to where smaller tables sat. On the furthest side of the bar, right in the back of the building, sat Starlight sipping on something that looked like a day’s worth of sugar and cream stuffed into a huge glass. Taking a seat on a stool next to her Pinkie did not say anything at first. The air between them did not feel awkward and yet Pinkie could almost taste a faint tension. 

Not a word was passed apart from a thank you from Pinkie once her order had arrived. Taking a sip of the bizarre looking mix she found it to be almost like liquid ice cream with small chunks of white chocolate floating around. Delicious to be fair even if it lacked the bite her own exotic drinks normally had. Taking the cherry on top she threw it into her mouth and looked to Starlight. 

“I am sorry.” Pinkie admitted at last. 

“Don’t be. I don’t want you to be sorry.” Starlight replied causing Pinkie to do a double take. She sighed and finished the last of the icey milkshake. “How long have I been in Ponyville so far?” 

“About three quarters of a year.” Pinkie answered honestly. 

“And in that time I have done nothing but hide in my house and spy on others to write up friendship reports for Celestia…” Starlight spoke. She glanced Pinkie’s way and clearly wanted to say more but the words were difficult.

“Come on, it is time we had a talk.” Pinkie said as she got up and took the still full glass with her. Starlight hesitated for a second but started to follow. Just before they left Pinkie dropped her milkshake on a table where a bored looking filly was waiting for food. Her smile was bright and Pinkie gave her a small wave goodbye in return. 

The wind had died down and the sun had been up long enough that it had started to get a touch warmer but the snow was still quite thick. Starlight followed closely behind Pinkie as she left the inn and started to trot down the road in silence. The pink mare walked up and down the town with ears turning and eyes scanning but every time she got arrived somewhere she would just listen and start to walk again. 

“Where are we going?” Starlight asked now curious to what she was up to.

“You will see.” Pinkie simply replied as she crossed the north river and headed down the market row towards the town square. She headed west from here eventually ended up at the north east side of town, the Ponyville lake. Despite the name it was more of a park and the water feature itself was artificial. Despite being right next to the markets and many bigger shops as well the area felt completely tranquil.

Taking a quick look around Pinkie sat herself down on a snow free bench that stood under a wide tree. Starlight looked around herself but could not tell why she wanted to talk here of all places. Sitting down the bench was oddly not as cold as she was expecting either. 

“What now?” Starlight asked. 

“I find taking a walk and getting some fresh air helps clear the head. You think you can tell me what you wanted to say before?” Pinkie asked back with that permanent small smile hiding what she truly thought. “Just breathe and take your time.” 

“I have not grown an inch.” Starlight admitted after taking a lung full of frozen air. “Fluttershy has been going to Twilight’s classes and has grown close with Rarity for example. The pair of them have done so much in the time I have been here. Same with you and Twilight. You two are always so busy helping everypony else.” 

“You want to help us more?” Pinkie asked. 

“No, well yes but not just that… I want to grow up. The reason I did not want your apology is because you did nothing wrong. Ponies flirt, they love, they um, you know. It is normal and everypony in this entire town does it. Except me.” Starlight explained. 

“No, you are not the only one.” Pinkie replied. “Equestria is dying Starlight. Falling apart one piece at a time.” 

“What do you mean?” Starlight asked shocked by the claim. 

“The reason, Starlight, that we all follow Twilight is because we have seen the worst of this country and the best that ponies can be. There is peace but no unity. Freedom but no protection. The same ponies that can not handle flirting or sex are the same ones that would sell a pony to a dragon as food.” Pinkie spoke sharply and while Starlight found it harsh she dared not argue. There was a truth to her words and her eyes burned with a strength that Starlight could not hope to overcome. 

“And that is why she does not like me?” 

“Partly. Twilight is complicated but not perfect, you should talk to her yourself if you want to kiss and make up.”  Pinkie explained with a bob to her head. “Now, if you want to grow up then I know the first step to that.” 

“Do tell, I never want a repeat of how I acted before.” 

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely, I will do anything.”

“Then I want you to listen and tell me what you notice about this park.” 

Starlight was confused at first. She had not seen anypony around the entire time and she did not hear a single thing either. Looking to Pinkie she was just sitting comfortably watching her with a warm and welcoming gaze. Turning her attention to the park around her Starlight looked everywhere, from the icles on the trees to the frozen lake and back again but she could not see some key to her maturity. Well, Pinkie did say listen more than look after all. Closing her eyes she listened hard for whatever magical noise adult ponies are supposed to hear. Seconds ticked on but nothing came.

“I don’t hear a thing, Pinkie.” Starlight finally said with a sigh. 

“Then why are you shaking?” It was a simple question but one that took her by surprise Her hooves were indeed shaking, a cold sweat ran down her muzzle. Even her heartbeat was heavy. “Take your time, I did not know you were suffering this much.” Pinkie then added as she placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. 

Suffering. That word stuck with Starlight. Suffering from what? Why was she shaking, why did she feel so hot and frustrated and… She finally realized. There was plenty to hear going on but her sheltered ears refused to accept reality. She felt sick but this time was determined to keep pushing forward. She focused on that noise, that small noise that only grew louder. She knew exactly what it was because she had heard it so many times before. 

“O-ok I hear it.” She quietly admitted to which Pinkie surprised her with a hug. 

“See, it is fine. Nopony is going to get mad at you, you are not in trouble.” Pinkie whispered into her ear as she rubbed her back. “When you feel like you are ready, just tell me what the noise is. Any words you want.” 

“You know, I get it.” Starlight began to talk. “I am Celestia’s star pupil. I have studied every field of magic and many of the alchemic. I know enough to realize that I am on the verge of a panic attack, and yet, despite every attempt to rationalize what is going on, I find myself unable to help myself.” She sighed and returned the hug to Pinkie. “I don’t remember what caused this. Something when I was young or subtle changes over my life, no doubt an interesting thing to study.” She gently pushed Pinkie out of the hug before looking up at the clear sky above. “Two ponies are having sex.” 

“There you go. First step is the hardest but now you are aware that such things are happening you can start dealing with them instead of letting them pile up on top of you.”

“That sounds like something Twilight would say.” 

“Ah well, she did help me become a teacher.” 

“A what?” Starlight snapped her head down from the sky in surprise. 

“Cherry Pie has three main functions. Entertainment in the form of the Entree theatre, services as in the natural gardens and many open rooms and education. Have you been given the talk yet?” 

“Oh I knew that was coming but yes I have actually.” 

“What did it include?” 

“Biological processes, naming conventions and estrus prevention.” Starlight listed and Pinkie had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing out loud. It worked but Starlight still noticed. “What?” 

“Do you know how to date? Did they teach you how to attract someone you like? Do you know how to kiss or how to not hurt your partner when the time comes? Starlight, darling, do you even have the slightest idea of how your own body works or the things it likes?” Pinkie asked unable to not chuckle a bit. 

“Oh…” She whispered with wide eyes. 

“That is a few things the Cherry Pie teaches. Confidence, practical knowledge and how to have fun with it. I mean fuck, can you imagine if every pony in Equestria reacted to these things with the same panic and fear as you do?”

“They do though, don’t they...” Starlight spoke out loud. She shook her head and pulled the thick scarf off her neck to get some more cold air. She finally understood. “The reason you flirt with me is because you were trying to get me to loosen up, not to mock me! I have been hiding in my house for months because the entire town is alive with confident and normal ponies doing things like um dating and kissing right?” 

“Exactly and I will say you have been one of the most difficult to educate, we were getting kind of worried but this kind of thing has to be your choice to fix.” Pinkie stated with a wave to her hoof. “Keep your eyes and ears open, everything else will come in time.” 

Starlight felt light. A lifetime of tension and fears had finally left her body and while some of the demons still remained deep inside of her she could finally feel confident to take them on. It started to snow across the park and the wind had made a return too but was quite gentle. Starlight normally disliked the cold but right now she found it to be simply refreshing. It made her feel so full of life. 

Pinkie and Starlight both sat watching the park for some time. It might have been winter but there were still plenty of ponies going one way or another and Starlight was seeing most of them in a whole new light. One pair in particular she could not help but watch as they talked and trotted across the park as happy as could be. 

“They are dating?” Starlight asked Pinkie. 

“Yep. Not sure how serious it is though.” She replied with a nod towards them. 

“Yeh, I mean I can see it too. Like, they are cute together but the guy is more interested in her back half I feel than the front… Hmm b-but then again she is, like, letting him be interested. She is um, inviting him?” Starlight commented with a nod towards a pair of foals playing around in the snow. 

“Nice.” Pinkie added with a nod. 

“I feel a bit hot but better, am I an adult now?” Starlight asked in jest.

“You sure are.” Pinkie replied as she pulled a small out a tiny wood and gold flask from one of her boots. “Muzzle tov.” She then added as she handed to Starlight. Embracing her new adulthood she confidently took a swig before violently coughing it back up into the snow. Pinkie could not help but laugh as Starlight crammed snow into her mouth to get rid of the taste. 

Returning to the clothing store they found a new kind of chaos going on. Fluttershy was standing on top of a pile of clothing hissing at Cashmere while Twilight and Applejack were both trying to shout something at her. Starlight could not quite tell what. Cashmere and Rarity both were digging around rack after rack of dress options but they could not decide on anything. Starlight broke a wide grin and trotted over to the racks. Magically sorting through them she took up a shorter black dress before casting a teleportation spell to place it on Fluttershy. She paused instantly and seemingly melted into it. 

“How did you do that?!” Twilight called out in surprise. 

“I remembered a few things from all the friendship reports I have been sending. Fluttershy is a strong mare that has never worn clothing before so going for a heavy material that has a lot of freedom of movement would be the best. And I figure black for stealth?” She explained. Fluttershy in turn gave a confirming noise that nobody had ever heard a pony make before. “Personally, I wanted something traditional with several stars in the design.”

“I think I have something in mind. I would give a discount for helping out but you sort of ruined my carpet.” Cashmere replied causing Starlight to blush. “Come, lets get your measurements.” 

“You know. I think I learned a lot today and while I will need to work out how to put any of it into reports I am sure this is only the start of my time in Ponyville.” Starlight thought to herself as she stood getting every inch of her body looked at from Cashmere. “Celestia will surely be proud of me for taking such big steps.”
> A diamond by any other name
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight was having a truly wonderful day. The past week or so of flurries and freezing weather had finally passed and in its place the sun was burning strong. Wrapped up with just a scarf and hat she trotted down to the town hall to see if there was anything she could do for the town, for Twilight, or for anyone else. 

“Morning Spike.” She happily greeted as she bumped into the young dragon heading out himself. 

“Morning Glimmy.” Spike replied with a wave. 

“What are you up to?” She asked curious as she had hardly ever see him leave the building.

“Twilight gave me a week off so I am going to go help Rarity gather some of those delicious gemstones.” He explained already drooling. 

“That sounds nice… Oh, oh no. I forgot to go back to Lilly!” 

“No worries, when were you supposed to meet up?”

“Nearly a year ago!” Starlight exclaimed. 

“Oof… Well, it is never too late to try again… Maybe.”

“True enough Spike and it does seem like a great opportunity to reconnect with those I did not give the time.” Starlight confidently stated as she remembered a few friendship reports. Following the young dragon they both headed down to the west side of town to the Bejeweled Bridle. After the recent events even walking through the door made her heart flutter but she took a breath and continued on inside all the same. Spike meanwhile headed around and towards the mines in search for this most delicious of minerals. 

Mythril Lily sat behind the main desk of the shop focusing on her craft. Using her magic she pulled thin threads of white gold across the air and together with pristine cut jewels bound both together in floral patterns. Gold roses studded with emerald dew. Silver lilies streaked with rubies. Starlight could not help but stand and watch her work in awe. The box full of materials next to her was enough to buy a castle with already but along with her skills it would all sell for several times that in the end. Each a masterpiece.

“Do you need help with something?” Mythril Lily asked without looking up.

“No I am fine.” Starlight replied as got closer. “I can come back later if you are busy.”

“I have all the time in the world but I do love your sense of humor to come back this many months later and ask if I am the one who is too busy to talk.” Lily retorted with a smirk. “Good to see you again.” 

Heading into the back rooms Starlight sat down in the cozy living room while Lily went to put some tea on. Looking around it was a modest home. The carpet thick and clean yet the door mats heavily worn and dusty. Likewise, the open fire did not seem to ever be used but the central heating was always burning away underhoof. Lining the walls were several family photos and paintings while the shelves all held various rocks or geodes. Even the air had a sweet scent to it.

“How has Rarity been?” Starlight asked as Lily came back. 

“Better than I expected.” Lily replied as she made herself comfy on the large sofa. “Fluttershy has really helped her come out of her shell, and mines.” 

“Yeh, I… Noticed.” Starlight muttered before taking a sip of her tea. “I have been curious about Rarity for a while now to be honest and since I am now making an extra effort to catch up with my friendship studies I would love to know everything.” 

“I don’t think it is quite right to go so much into her personal life but I do have a few tales.” Lily began. 

It was about two years now nearly. I was up in Canterlot working as a goldsmith. Everyday I would take the precious metals from the elite and bend it into beautiful designs, the thing is though, is that the designs were always the same. It was boring as sin, if not soul crushing. One night, if I remember it clearly, the moon was high overhead and I was wandering around the town in a sleep deprived state after making another hundred brooches. As I was stumbling around those streets I ended up overhearing some late night workers on their way home talking about Ponyville. Apparently some unicorn had moved in like a damned storm and brought the place from ruins to riches in only two years!

I stood amazed by the words I was hearing. Ponyville was practically throwing bits around and if you were willing to work yourself into the ground then you would find riches and wonders well worth the time. Many from other towns and cities had started to flock and even the pair I was listening to were thinking of moving on town as builders. I liked the idea. No, I loved the idea. A place where I can be creative and find some challenges while also making more money than I could imagine? It sounded almost too good to be true. 

I quit my job the very next day, slept for two days after that, and then took the first train to Ponyville. I did not care. I had enough money to not have to work for several years at this point so finding something much more enjoyable took priority. Arriving in Ponyville I found the town to be… Interesting. Half of it was under construction, roads were being redone, pipes and wires being laid under every inch of the ground too. I did not understand any of what was going on but it looked expensive… And fascinating. I moved with a large group to the town hall to find tents sent up around it and pones in uniforms everywhere. The next 7 hours were a blur of paperwork, tests, form signing, more form signing and several inkpots worth of writing. Back then I swore whoever came up with such a system was insane, and obsessed with organization, and knowing Twilight now I can say that both are true. 

I got to admit. I expected some kind of boom town where I would roll into the place be given piles of gold from some newly tapped mine and I could do whatever I wanted for the local hicks. What I did not expect was to be put into the iron foundries for several months to make more metal goods than I knew what to do with. I will say, I did not hate it. Ok tell a lie I did but only at first. The other workers were mostly unicorns much like myself, you know the wealthy types from upper class cities that have had piles of money thrown at them for easy magical related tasks. We bonded quite nicely in how much it sucked but as time ticked on we found a routine, our magic grew stronger and most of us really came to like this blue collar lifestyle.

Several months passed by quickly and the town had grown massively even in that short time. The next surprise I got was when we were all told we were going to school for a week. Apparently the ponies over at town hall really liked school and book stuff and watched to make sure everypony in Ponyville at least passed the basics, then the not so basics. In the end I was given a small stack of papers that proved everything I knew, how smart I was, my magical skills and spell list, my specific talents and the knowledge of such. We were also given the option to find new work for ourselves based on what those papers proved. Nobody really understood all that much at first but we got used to it and once again I found myself on the up and up. 

“That is really interesting but what does it have to do with Rarity?” Starlight asked. 

“I am getting to her don’t you worry.” Lily replied with a shake of her head. “Now where was I…” She muttered. 

I was about to be given my own shop where I could get back to all the goldsmithing I wanted to do. Funny phrase that, gold smithing. There was always blacksmiths in Equestria but then someone decided that they wanted, you guessed it, more organization so now there is like a dozen smiths of every color. Anyway, as I was going to the town hall to get my keys to the shop and more papers I suddenly got called in for a meeting with the mayor and the architect, an odd mix I thought. They told me that they needed a caring, well spoken, and kind unicorn who was very good with precious metals and that I was being offered a special job. I listened to them closely, read over the files and could not believe it at first. A young unicorn had recently been rescued from some monsters and they needed someone to help her with, well, practically everything. I did want a challenge and I used to look after my younger sister so I accepted. How hard could it be, I thought. 

Turns out it was going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. We both moved into this shop and Celestia above I was lost for a while on how to help her. Rarity really was a mess. She had lost all ability to do anything for herself, I even had to order her to eat or she would starve herself. On top of all that I had to run the shop itself and make bits. I think that one month aged me a year or two alone but I did it and I did it well. I came to understand why Twilight wanted a unicorn who was skillful at goldsmithing as well. Rarity only found comfort when she was underground or digging and with her skills there was tons of gems and metal being pulled up. No literally, tons of it, a day. All the iron and buildy stuff got sent down to a big foundry north of the mine while all the pretty stuff got sent to me. It took a long time but Rarity began to speak, she began to think on her own. Once the job was done though I refused the choice to leave. Rarity was important to me by then and we worked together fantastically. Twilight had such a great smile and was very understanding. Of course the mountains of bits our designs began to make also made her happy…

“Wow, you two really are close.” Starlight commented as Lily stared off into nothing. “Tell me, what were the monsters like? How did Rarity get rescued? I have so many questions!” 

“Ah sorry I don’t have much time left.” Lily said as she stood up. “Feel free to ask Rarity any questions you have but do be gentle, she has still not gotten over her time.”

“Hm well I know she is busy with Spike.” Starlight replied as they headed into the shop front.

“Try Big Mac then, I heard he helped out as well.” Lilly explained as a few customers entered. 

With the snow starting to fall once more Starlight put up a magical wall to act like an umbrella and set out down the path towards the apple farm. Brimming with curiosity she trotted quicker and quicker before finally giving into her inpatientance and teleporting straight to the orchard. The flurry of snow was silenced for a moment as the bubble of magic and light burst just outside of the apple family’s household. Banging her hoof firmly on the door she called out to see if anybody was around and in turn she heard a faint noise from the other side. She banged again. Not wanting to be rude Starlight then waited another minute or two before raising her hoof up but just before she could knock for the third time the door opened. 

“Hey sugar cube, come for a visit?” Applejack asked. She stood with her hair wet and a towel around her strong neck. Shivering she nodded for Starlight to come inside. 

“I came to ask your brother a few things actually, do you know where he is?” Starlight asked. 

“He is upstairs. Should be down in a bit.” 

Sitting down in the living room the old farmhouse Starlight found the place to be quite rustic and surprisingly warm for how simple the construction was. No, the more she looked around the more she noticed that the windows were double thick and several parts of the walls had been painted in the past few months compared to the much more weathered patches. It made sense to her as the orchard provided a massive amount of high quality food items for most of the year, although she was curious to what they did in the winter time.

Hearing the stairs creak Starlight turned her head around to find Big Mac trotting downstairs. Much like Applejack his hair was wet and he had a towel all the same. 

“Oh Big Mac. I have been dying to ask you about Rarity.” She called out. 

“Rarity?” He questioned as he dried his hair. 

“Mythril Lily had told me about how they met but I wanted to know more about her for friendship related studies and she did inform me that you helped rescue her, I think?” 

“Not quite.” Big mac spoke. “While I did help lead the charge on the Diamond Dog mines I was never put into the main group myself.” Applejack came back with some fruity tea and sat down to listen as well.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The farm was going through a right mighty storm of planting and building the likes of which even our first settlers would be proud off. Applejack had only recently come back to us after living in the city for most her life and while she was real eager to help she had little idea of which way to bury a fence post let alone real farm work. Still, having her take care of Applebloom was mighty handy. Anyway. I was out mending some fences in the east field when I saw a whole bunch of the Ponyville guards marching up from the town…

“Ponyville has guards?” Starlight asked. “I have never see any guards.” 

“That is because they don’t act like guards. Fancy bunch, sneaky too. Calling themselves ‘police’ they dress and talk all normal but if they spot trouble they flock together like a murder of crows!” Mac explained dramatically. 

Anyway. On this day you could tell that they were looking for something a tad bit bigger than a cart pincher I tell you. Each one of them was clad in some real fancy looking armor and were marching along in neat lines. Do you know who I saw leading that rabble? Twilight. Barely 18 she was but that look in her eyes, I tell you, she looked like she could pull up a stubborn tree stump with her teeth on that morning.

She told me something mighty worrying. Foals were being taken! We had all heard of the dangers to the west and east. The Everfree forest full of nasty critters and the Ghastly Gorge full of even worse monsters. Well, that is what we used to call the canyons over yonder. They had heard of my rugged strength apparently and wanted me to join them on a mission to get the foals back. Being as noble and honest as I was I could not refuse such a task…

He stopped for a moment as Applejack snickered to herself but he ignored her and carried on.

I was given some armor and together we took a long path down to the canyon. It was an awful place even on the outside, smelly, and in every hole you could swear there was eyes staring back at you from deep under the ground. I will admit, I was scared but so was all the so called trained ‘police’ so I did not feel bad about it. Twilight led us down to this big main tunnel at the very bottom that was all lit up with spooky crystals. The plan was pretty simple to be honest with y’all, we were going to break into three teams and go running in. Alpha team would go straight down deep to where the foals were being kept while Beta and Gamma teams would keep any of the other Diamond Dogs busy.

“You ever saw a Diamond Dog?” Mac asked directly. 

“I have heard of them in stories but not much.” Starlight replied on the edge of her seat. 

“Vicious things. Not really violent but nasty all the same. They talk and walk like any pony could but they care nothing for us. All they want is gems, crystals, shiny rocks alike and will do anything to get it… Even capture young ponies to dig for them.” 

“That is terrible…” Starlight muttered with a soft shake to her head.

Anyway. Alpha went in first with Twilight being flanked on all sides. That mare really is crazy, she refused to use magic and had some sparking metal box thing on her back instead. Looked a bit dangerous but that is good news when you are fighting monsters I reckon. I was part of Beta team. Go in loud and knock some heads. I have not been in a fight to be honest but I have bucked enough trees that even a single tap can send any dog flying. Every bunch we beat went running while plenty more we managed to tie up. I heard myself that Rarity was with the foals but she was a might bit older than them, poor girl could not even speak for how long she had been down in those tunnels.

We wanted to clear the place out and take all the gems and good stuff for ourselves but just as we were getting progress a shout came from deep down. A whole bunch of foals with some of the guards came running like a bat out of tartarus and followed just behind was Twilight with this real skinny looking unicorn on her back. I did not stop to ask as I had noticed that the cave was starting to collapse. Most of the treasure was lost that day under a mountain of rock and rubble but those dogs never came back. Seeing all those happy foals and Rarity herself though I think was the best treasure we could have gotten… Plus I became quite the town hero. 

“A real knight in shining armor.” Applejack added with a roll to her eyes. 

“Between you and Lily I am starting to get a clear picture now but I am still curious about the rescue that Twilight pulled off.” Starlight spoke out loud. Finishing her tea she quickly headed for the door.

“Do take it easy, that snow is getting wild.” Applejack pointed out. 

“I will… Um before I go, was you, you know… With, um, and he… Never mind. Have a nice evening.” Starlight said before putting up a shield and trotting out into the increasingly rough snow storm.

What had started as a flurry had quickly gotten worse and worse. Cursing the pegasi weather team for whatever they were up to Starlight struggled against the freezing wind as she made her way back to town. She tried to teleport but found it too difficult to concentrate, even the shield she had up to protect her from the wind and cold was losing strength by the minute. By the time she had finally gotten into the town square the snow storm had formed into a small blizzard. The receptionist who sat at her desk, all warm and cozy, had quite the sight as what seemed to be a large snowball rolled into the building. It burst sending cold water everywhere and in the middle of it was a frosty looking Starlight.

“S-s-sorry.” She stammered. “I-is Twilight here?”

“Aye. Feel free to go on up Miss Starlight, if you were out in such weather it must be important.” 

“Q-quite important yes…” Starlight stated as she shook the frost off her mane. 

One quick trip up the elevator and Starlight was simply bursting with curiosity. She was finally about to get the last piece of the puzzle and at the same time spend some of the day out of that cold. She found that it was much more tidy than the last time she had came although the duct tape monstrosity that had been laying on the table had only gotten worse. While nothing seemed to make sense she could make out what appeared to be two wheels made of a black material and a helmet among the chaos. Ignoring it sat down by the lovely yet oddly green fire to thaw. 

After making herself some coco with what bits she found in the kitchen, at least she thought it was a kitchen, she waited for Twilight to come down to greet her. As the minutes ticked by however it was clear that Twilight was in no rush to come to her and at the same time Starlight was not in a rush to go find her. Laying on a luxury couch with thick and creamy hot chocolate as it snowed and howled outside was not the worst way to spend some time but as the minutes got longer and longer her need for the story to come to an end started to annoy her. 

Just as she was losing patience Twilight came down the stairs. Sitting herself down she took one look at the raided kitchen and the expensive chocolate that had been defiled to make Starlight’s huge mug of a drink before taking a breath. 

“So, you wanted to see me?” Twilight asked already annoyed. 

“Celestia yes! Ok so at first I went to walk with Mythril Lily about Rarity because I had forgotten to go back like nearly a year ago and that led me to learn a lot but not enough and Big Mac had a lot more of the story but I just need to know the rest of that rescue mission.” Starlight explained quickly. 

“Hm. Listen Starlight, there are two versions of that story. The official report that got spread all over and the truth. If you want to know the truth then you have to promise to keep it between us.” 

“I promise… Oh my first friendship promise, I should write this… No wait. Yes yes I promise.”

“Fine.” Twilight sighed at how excitable Starlight was being.

Let me start by saying that the official reports were changed because Equestria could not handle the facts and Celestia herself was none too happy about it either. Everybody was told this tale about how Rarity was captured a few years back but put on a brave face and soldiered on no matter how hard it got, while the foals that were captured recently was how we found out about them and thus rescued them all in one go. That is false.

The truth of this matter was that Rarity was captured when she was a foal herself. While exploring some of the ravines and mountains for gems she got snatched by the Diamond Dogs. The search teams looked all over but were not able to go jumping down dangerous holes and they quickly gave up. A bit too quick for my liking anyway. They had seen she had some blossoming ability to find minerals with her magic and refused to let her go no matter what. I cannot recount how cruel they were but over the years she became a servant, nay, a slave to them. She worked hard every day pulling up large amounts of the crystals and gems they sought and in turn they would give her treats like a pet. Being treated like an animal for so long has long lasting effects on any pony but the day I went to rescue those foals I had no idea what I was in for. 

The Diamond Dogs had grown too large. The crystal kingdom that they were constructing had become huge and in turn one ponies ability to find the minerals was not enough. They needed more and they knew that if they repeated what they did with Rarity then surely they would get all the help they needed. In the middle of the night they crept out and stole a handful of unicorns from around Ponyville. Parents took notice and there were several eyewitnesses who saw them fleeing as well but we had an idea even without them. The dogs had always been a danger, with that kingdom growing under our very hoofs nobody dared to go near the west canyon. I wanted to get rid of them myself for some time but never had the excuse to spend so much time, bits and effort without a cause. On that night they gave me all the cause I could want. 

The police that I had been training were new, young, but there were several ex-guards from Canterlot who had jumped ship and several other strong fighters who never found themselves fitting in elsewhere. With the help of some other strong locals, like Big Mac, we were ready within hours. 

Heading deep down into that rat nest of a kingdom taught me a few things about expectations and the value of planning several steps further than you think is needed. The dog guards were easy but almost too easy, several of the old guards pointed out quickly that any pony with enough time could escape from here unless they had a much more confined prison further down. We agreed that just meant we had an idea of what to look for and we continued all the way to the deepest levels. We heard a whole bunch of noise coming from the scouts ahead and rushed to catch up. It was strange, there were signs of geomagical rituals and transmutation all over but as far as anypony knew Diamond Dogs could not use magic at all. It was difficult to navigate an underground maze of tunnels when the tunnels themselves keep changing but a few bombs later and we found the central room. 

It was here I learned something that all of Equestria had never considered. Rarity was not a prisoner. She was a slave yes, a pet even, but not a prisoner. The many years of conditioning and training had eventually broken her down into liking her captors, even loving them. She had no desire to leave and she was willing to fight to the end to keep them safe as well. We understood why she had never managed to escape now and while we were all in shock we had made a promise to rescue everypony in that mine. It was hard and she was not listening to a word we said but as we pushed them back further and further into the tunnels Rarity herself eventually learned something herself. She was not an equal. In an attempt to save themselves they left her to die in a cave in, of course they did not realize how strong her magic was and while she was injured she did not come close to death. Skinny, abused, unable to talk, I saw her sitting in the dirt with such pain in her eyes over being betrayed by those she had once loved so dearly but she made the right choice and came to her senses in the end. 

The reports had to be faked because such a story would cause chaos across the country. A foal being left in such conditions for so many years, the fact that a pony could be hurt to that point of betraying their own race. It was too much for the public to handle and so we had to create a much nicer story instead. 

Starlight sat horrified and shocked at what she had just heard. With all the pieces put into place it now made so much more sense why Lily was so protective over Rarity and while Rarity herself had some issues in communicating to others. While chugging down a quarter of the still warm chocolate mess that was her drink Starlight remembered something. Her ears shot up and she sharply looked towards the window. 

“Thank you Twilight so much but Rarity was still in the mines when the snow was coming down, I should go check on her.” She explained.

“If you plan on teleporting, I have a favor to ask…” Twilight mentioned with a smirk. 

Standing in the middle of a metal ring Starlight could not help but feel somewhat in danger. The exposed wires sparked and the machine it was connected to had this awful rattling but Twilight would reassure her time and time again that it was safe, safe enough anyway. Flaring her horn up Starlight closed her eyes and focused on the mines, on spike. There were several types of teleportation with instant moving to where you are looking at the bottom of the list and teleportation to a location you see in your mind near the top. The difference in power was staggering but with a blinding flash of light she disappeared from Twilight’s home. 

With a sharp pop Starlight appeared waist deep in a hot pool. While the entrance to the mine had no doubt been snowed over Spike and Rarity had seemingly found some of the underground hot springs. By the look of the pair they had been enjoying quite a nice day together as well. Spike himself was relaxing with a huge bowl of extremely high quality bi-colored emeralds while Rarity lay with her head on the side of the pool gazing dreamingly at him. 

“Oh hey Starlight.” Spike called out as he threw another emerald into his mouth. “I hope you did not come to pick us up yet, we were planning on spending some of the week end down here.” 

“I admit I was a tad worried but it looks like you two have it covered…” Starlight admitted as she looked around the cave. There was fruit chilling in piles of ice, an underground river no doubt full of mineral water flowing through. Rarity herself must have been spending some time down here because there were plenty of blanks, pillows, tables, chairs and other small furnishings to make it comfy for anyone to camp out for days at a time. “Mind if I stay a while myself? I do have a report to write but after the day I have had this does feel quite nice.” She asked while sinking a little deeper into the water.

“Take all the time you want Glimmy, I know I am.” Spike replied.
> Apples don't fall far
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The badlands. A rocky little spot way down in the south end of Equestria where the sun burned hot and the winters never dared to appear. It was in this normally hard to live area that a small town had been set up, the rather prosperous settlement of Appleloosa. Named such because it had been funded and built by the apple family purely for the special apple trees it was growing. Once they had everything set up and running real tight those trees would produce food all year round, not only being the first to do so but also the only one to do so. 

Applejack herself was excited to go see how it was all progressing for the first time and being able to ride along in the newly built steam locomotive was also a treat. It had taken quite some time and a pile of bits to take the outdated design of the first generation trains and make something more modern out of it but it was worth it. From simply upgrades like heating to complicated reworks to the coal fed engine it was faster, cleaner and smoother than ever before! A perfect contrast to the ancient rails that ran along to every corner of Equestria. 

At the back of the train in a large private cabin lay several trees from her own orchard. Each one had been placed in a bed to protect the branches from the hard floor but the sight of it still proved comedic. Applejack’s constant checks on them like a worried mother did not help either and Rainbow had quickly ran out of jokes to make before the first hour had gone by or at least that is what Applejack had hoped. That is until she saw her get that telling grin across her face.

“Ok ok I will stop.” Rainbow spoke as Applejack glared at her. “I got to use the little fillies room anyway.” With that she hopped down from the top bunk of her bed and trotted away. 

“Why did we have to take her along anyway?” Applejack asked out loud. 

“Because she brings light and joy to our lives.” Starlight replied sarcastically from one of the top beds. “Or maybe she is just wanting a few days away from the winter weather, since the badlands are summer all the time.” She then added. 

“I know what I am going for.” Pinkie called out from her bottom bunk bed. 

“I am sure we all know that.” Starlight called back before Pinkie could continue, leading to a few laughs to follow. 

“Come on girls, it is late already and some of us do have a lot to do tomorrow.” Twilight then spoke up herself with a yawn. 

Stretching herself out on her bed Applejack started to notice that Rainbow had been gone on her bathroom break a little too long… Getting up she sighed and headed down the train to the back cabins to go look for her. Just as she had expected she found Rainbow to be sitting in between two of the trees with a story book. 

“What, I figured they might appreciate a nice relaxing tale before bed since they do have such a long day tomorrow.” Rainbow said with a wide smirk. Applejack rubbed the side of her head and sighed. “Do you want me to tuck you in and read a story too?” She added. 

“I swear to Celestia if you don’t go to bed I am going to tie you to the roof of this train.” Applejack snapped but her grin as she ducked out back to the sleeping cabins told Rainbow a lot. The blue pegasus did agree it was getting real late though and getting plenty of sleep so she could properly enjoy her time off doing nothing was always a nice idea. After a few more jokes between Pinkie and Dash it finally quieted down and the group found some rest. The train rolling on into the night carrying only the few girls from Ponyville and many boxes of supplies.

Come morning Starlight found herself roused awake as the train rattled sharply. Sitting up with blurry eyes she looked around confused before another greater shake threw her straight out of her bed and into Rainbows.

“Everypony wake up, something is up.” Twilight shouted as Rainbow woke to find herself face to face with Starlight. Embarrassed the unicorn rolled straight out of her bed and onto the floor. 

“What is going on?” Starlight asked as she magically tidied her mane.

“Look over here!” Twilight called out causing Starlight, Rainbow and Applejack to rush over. Looking out of the window they find that one of the Buffalo tribes was stampeding right next to the train. Each one of them was noticeably bigger than the ponies and had enough speed to keep up with the train for at least a short while, each had the same two or three white and black feathers tied to a headband. The biggest at the head of the suddenly swerved and slammed hard into the cabin of the train, the sheer force nearly knocking it off the rails. With the girls bouncing around a smaller female buffalo jumped and hopped up onto the roof of the train. 

Running down the length of it she had her sights on the end cabin with the trees but before she could get close one of the skylights flung open and out climbed Twilight. 

“And where do you think you are going?” She snapped but the young buffalo dodged around and jumped from one cabin to the next. Turning around Twilight twisted her neck from the left to the right in circles. Bending down low the joints in her legs creaked before she shot forward. Her hooves barely skipped across the metal of the cabins as she went flying over the young buffalo. “Hang on, I just want to talk…” She tried to talk but surprisingly the young buffalo jumped clear over her in a series of graceful spins. 

Annoyed Twilight took off at full speed. She quickly closed in but the buffalo dropped low and skid across the rooftops. Unable to stop Twilight was tripped over and went flying off the back of the train. Slipping down to the gap between cabins the young buffalo unhitched the connector and whistled. The pack broke off from the train and took all sides of the now slowing cabin. The girls left behind in the main part of the train watched as the buffalo began to take it away back down the tracks.

“My trees!” Applejack shouted angrily. Catching a face in the window she then gasped. “Pinkie?!” It was too late to stop and the train only sped up to get away from the attackers. With Twilight lost in the wilds and the trees now stolen they had no choice but to wait for the next stop to come up.

Appleloosa thankfully was not far and as soon as the train had halted they rushed out to get further help, only for Applejack’s cousin to interrupt them.

“Hey there. Welcome to Appleoosa!” He happily shouted with a massive yet forced smile. 

“Braeburn, listen, something terrible has happened… ” Applejack began.

“You are telling me, you train is a full 4 minutes late. That is four minutes less for you to delight in the pleasures and wonders of… Appleloosa!” Braeburn continued began Applejack threw a hoof over his mouth.

“Can the sales pitch cousin, Twilights lost out there and our trees have been stolen!” Applejack explained.

“Oh, really… That is quite the issue.” Breaburn replied now suddenly nervous.

“A huge issue! Those buffaloes were all kinds of vicious and Pinkie has been taken by them. Oh I can only hope she is doing alright… Or is not going native too quickly…” Starlight added. 

“I am mighty sorry to hear. Those dang blasted beasts showed up months ago demanding we take all the apple trees down and leave but we need them to feed ourselves, and keep our business running.” Braeburn explained. 

“Do you have any idea why?” Starlight asked. 

“Beats me. They never want to talk or work out an agreement, it is just one thing after another with them.” He sighed. 

Out in the middle of nowhere Twilight plucked a piece of cactus off her flank and winced. Taking a deep sigh she straightened down her hair and started to march on across the hot dusty plains in search of the lost trees and the buffalo camp. Sneaking from one rock to another lest any scouts or spies see her she noticed in the distance a small plume of smoke rising up. Being sure that was where the camp lay she continued to creep forward with plans forming in her mind. 

“Hey Twilight, what are you doing?” Pinkie asked. 

“I am tracking the…” Twilight paused. Looking to her right she found the young pink mare to be sitting next to her with a sweetly innocent look. “How are you here?”

“Oh, they let me come with them.” Pinkie replied with a nod. Looking behind her Twilight only now noticed the dozen buffalo watching. 

“Oh, heh well you don’t say.” Twilight said as the bufalos formed a circle around them.

“I do say, they are quite friendly.” Pinkie stated as she ran her hoof along the chin of one of them. Seeing this Twilight relaxed herself and smirked.

“Good to know your charms work on any guy.” She joked.

Escorted back to the buffalo camp the two mares sat on either end of a fire and were even given a bowl of… something. Twilight winced at the sight of it but Pinkie had no issues pouring the mushy stuff into her mouth. 

“It is not as bad as it looks, a bit tangy and yes a little wild but if you close your eyes and get yourself in there you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.” Pinkie said with a glance to one of the buffalos sitting nearby.

“I will take your word for it and while I do like to be open minded, are you sure you can trust them? They did rob Applejack and attack us at the train.” 

“They had a good reason for that and there is someone who would like to apologize.” Pinkie spoke with a nod. Just on time a young and familiar looking female buffalo stepped out from around one of the tents. Twilight’s eyes narrowed. 

“I do hope you can accept my apology. Believe me when I say that we did not mean for anyone to get hurt, we was just after those trees.” 

“Even if I did believe you, robbing ponies and all is not good, miss… ?” 

“Strongheart and we have a good reason! Those settler ponies are taking over the land, planting trees everywhere and because of their thoughtlessness we can not even run over our traditional stampeding grounds.” Strongheart explained.

“They did?” Twilight asked before letting out a long sigh. “I know how air headed some ponies can be so let me promise you that I will get to the bottom of all this.”

“I can not thank you enough but at the very least let us celebrate our new friendship as you rest for the night.” Strongheart offered and Twilight accepted. She did not know the most about buffalo tribes and would hate to pass up a front row seat to experience their culture directly. Looking at the bowl of mushy stuff though she shuddered. Some cultural bridges were easier than others. 

Come the next morning Starlight, Rainbow and Applejack were all raring to get going. With packs heavy with camping equipment and snacks for long road they set out east from the orchard in search of Twilight and Pinkie Pie or the buffalo camp. They had no doubts that it would be a long and difficult hike across rocky cliffs and scalding sands but even if it suddenly turned into a blizzard with hail the size of wagons they would save their friends if it was the last thing they did! Only for them to run into the pair just down the road. 

“Sup.” Pinkie said. 

“Twilight? Pinkie? How did you escape those buffalo?” Starlight asked as Rainbow gave Pinkie a welcoming hug. 

“We didn’t.” Twilight replied as Strongheart came out from behind a rock. “We brought one of them to talk about the cockamamie plan your family has been doing, Applejack.” 

“My family ain’t done nothing wrong. We scouted out this area for months without a peep from those buffalo but now we start to bring food and houses and suddenly they have an issue?” Applejack snapped back.

“Did you at least talk to them before building? Because I happen to know that you built the orchard on ancient buffalo grounds!”

“I am sure they had a good reason to, we have not been here a day and I would rather trust my family than some random cow folk.” Applejack snapped with a huff to which the others gasped.

“I think we need to go have a talk with your cousin.” Twilight stated with a sigh.

Returning back to town Twilight took a moment to look around as they headed to the orchard. The buildings were strongly made and neatly organized, good foundations for expansion. Apart from all the industry focused buildings such as storage and processing there was a number of commercial and residential on top. Amusingly, the Salt Lick bar seemed to be the most popular place in the entire town as there were ponies coming and going all the time. It had been built wisely with the main commercial reason for the town existing being set up first for when the machines and factories would one day grow, in the meantime however it put a focus on pleasurable and interesting locations instead. It felt alive, not like a workplace but a community. Twilight passed by ponies drawing and painting, others dancing and singing. It was nice. 

They found Braeburn out at a storage barn that sat between the orchard and the town looking over a few barrels of apples. Seeing the group coming up the path he gave a wave with his hat. 

“Well shucks cousin, sure glad you managed to rescue your friend so quick.” He called out. 

“Twilight rescued herself.” Applejack replied. 

“Oh.”

“And she is working for the buffalo now.” 

“Oh…” 

“I am not working with them, I am taking their needs into consideration. Something that you two should have done before you decided to invade their land.” Twilight replied with a huff.

“I keep telling you we did not invade anything, right Braeburn?” Applejack added. 

“Well not intentionally at least.” He awkwardly chuckled. “Look, we knew that there was buffalo tribes in the area but this was the only flat land for miles and besides we have built too much to pack up and move.”

“That is what I keep saying, surely you saw that as well?” Applejack said to Twilight.

“The foundations of the town are quite amazing but that is no excuse to steal the land of others.” Twilight pointed out.

“It sounds to me that they both have good points.” Rainbow Dash spoke up between the arguing causing all of them to look her way. “The Zebra have a camp outside of Ponyville and they are fine, why not just do the same here?” She explained simply. 

“Well, that is not ehm quite the same… Right AJ?” Twilight said as she did not know how to reply.

“Yeah, that is… different and stuff.” AJ replied with a nod, and a shrug.

“Still, it might be a good idea to at least get the leaders to talk it out with us to help them get along better.” Twilight then spoke up feeling embarrassed over Rainbow being the smartest mare in the room for that one moment. Looking to Applejack she did not reply but gave an understanding nod. Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie and Starlight all left to go find the town mayor but Applejack stopped Braeburn as he went to leave. 

“You had better not ruin this for me.” She whispered with a glare. “I did not break my back every day to fund this first step only for it to stumble because you decided to not look where you were treading.” Getting up in his face she continued to glare before giving a huff and heading out of the barn to catch up to the others. 

They all headed down to the Mayor’s office in awkward silence only to find that he was busy with several important meetings and would only have some time later that evening. Annoyed they split apart to pass some time.

“I am going to go see the sights.” Pinkie said with a wave as she headed straight to the Salt Lick.

“Well, I am going to get to know Strongheart more in the orchards. If you excuse me.” Twilight spoke up next before leaving with a flick of her tail. 

“Fine with me, come on Braeburn let's talk business.” Applejack added last as she gave her cousin a push to get moving. In the end that left Starlight and Rainbow standing awkwardly in the streets.

“This really has not gone the way I expected.” Starlight sighed. “Sure the sun is nice but I did not think we would be stuck between diplomatic debates, you know?” She asked to Rainbow as they began to walk down the road with nowhere to go. 

“Eh I find it quite interesting myself. I always thought that two kingdoms wanting the same spot of land would be all... Raining magic swords down from the skies as the women and children run screaming for cover. The feudal lords of each respectful castle laughing to each other and playing checkers over who would win the rights to the slave mines and featherum golems until, boom! Plot twist, the adviser of each kingdom that they had been trusting so heavily this entire time turns out to be the same handsome and young stallion who betrays them both thus taking all for themselves in a glorious display of power! You know?” Rainbow spoke loudly as she waved her hooves about to copy some actions.

“Totally.” Starlight replied with a shake of her mane. Stopping in her tracks she gave Rainbow a smirk. “In fact you are right, that is a good idea. You are really on point today, Rainbow.”

“When am I not?” She asked just cute enough that Starlight could not tell if that was sarcasm.

“Good… Point. Do you still have that notepad, the one that you keep writing stuff down on when you think nobody is looking?” Starlight asked to which Rainbow went a touch red. 

“Oh yeah, let me just…” She replied while bringing it out from under her wing and flicking it open. “Hmm not that… Or that…” Rainbow muttered as she flickered through the pages. “Spoilers, spoilers, Star… I mean, Twilight crackships…” After about half the pages were gone through she folded them away and brought out a pencil with the other wing. “What did you need again?” 

“We are making a plan and I want you to write down everything we find.” Starlight instructed. 

After taking a peek into the Saltlick to find Pinkie dancing on a table with two stallions while already wearing some kind of old fashioned feathered outfit that had a far too short dress and some rather interesting leggings they promptly moved on. Leaving town they were hot on the trail of Twilight and Strongheart and after only a quick trot they spotted them walking into the orchard. Ducking from tree to tree Starlight listened to find them talking about buffalo culture. Something about a long history that went generations to do with the stampeding ground being something something… Starlight had stopped listening at that point due to Rainbow literally just walking behind the two as casual as could be. Using her magic she gently picked her up and levitated her around to the tree she was hiding behind. Throwing her hooves up she gave Dash an exceptionally annoyed look and in response Dash gave her an, ‘oh sorry’ motion back.

Now following more stealthily they watched Twilight and Strongheart take plenty of time to casually see the sights of the orchard. Twilight would point out some facts about the trees and fruit, to which Strongheart seemed quite interested, and in turn Strongheart would tell her more about the culture of her people. They would repeat this for some time while wandering around the trees lazily until finally they both sat down to take it easy. Starlight watched carefully as Twilight eventually snatched up a few fallen apples and offered a few to Strongheart. Being so curious about pony ways and the land they inhabit she took them gratefully. That first taste of juicy apples grown with the love and care of earth pony magic was special, Starlight could practically see the stars in her eyes. It gave her ideas as well.

Taking an apple or two with her Starlight trotted down from the orchard to the town with plans already brewing in her mind and Rainbow hard at work writing down everything she had seen. Taking a bite into one such apple she looked around in wonder of where Applejack and Braeburn had gone. Her eyes caught sight of the Salt Lick where a stallion stumbled out wearing what she could have sworn were Pinkie’s net like stockings… He walked as if his legs had all been randomly switched around and promptly fell over into a trough of water. For a moment Starlight was curious but getting closer picked up the sound of what could only be described as giggling, chanting of some kind of word she had never heard before, and… Well, the only way she could describe the noise was a half dozen ponies doing the tango through a mile of honey. She dared not look and took an instant 180 instead. 

There were not too many places that Applejack could have gone so Starlight started with the closest building first, the general store. Asking the store owner she found that he seen Applejack heading down to the hotels. A good lead. With Rainbow still following closely behind Starlight headed down the streets and around to where the main hotel stood. It was a big one, designed to keep any and all visitors happy for some time. Going inside it was rustic and had a lot of wood with simple cloth furnishings but it felt warm and welcoming all the same.

“Good morning, my name is Starlight Glimmer. I am looking for my friend Applejack?” She asked the older looking mare behind the desk. 

“What a polite girl, your friend is up in her room. Let’s see, 302 but she did ask to not be disturbed.” The old mare replied. 

“I will make sure not to bug her too much. Thank you.” Starlight said back. Giving a nudge to Rainbow they made their way to the stairs and headed straight up to the third floor. Quietly she knocked on the door of 303 and tried the handle to find it unlocked. Going inside she went across the room and opened the window. With a flick of her horn and a nod of her head a glowing path appeared outside connecting her window to the next room over.

“Oh this is just like when Mistress Mullthorn used the fourth crystal of Zanith to create a light bridge in order to sneak up on the pudding trolls.” Rainbow admitted with a squee as she bounced through the window almost too enthusiastically. 

“Just keep quiet, we are supposed to be spying remember.” Starlight said with a hiss. 

“Don’t worry, I will be as silent as… Oh.” Rainbow spoke up as she poked her head around the corner and looked into the other room. Getting the note pad out she began to furiously scribble down several notes which in turn left Starlight quite curious. 

“What are they doing?” Starlight asked as she placed her head on Rainbow’s back to try and get closer. 

“Getting right down to business.” Rainbow replied with a giggle. “I knew that AJ was the aggressive type but damn diddly donuts I did not know she was that kind of gal.” Rainbow then muttered to herself causing Starlight to stand perplexed. Using her magic she lifted her back hooves up to lay on top of Rainbow, pushing her head down she looked around herself to find Applejack standing around a table and whiteboard full of maps and papers. Breaburn looked stressed already and AJ was practically sweating with how intense her scheming was being. 

“Oh you mean literal.” Starlight said relieved. 

“Heh yeah, sure. Literal.” Rainbow quietly said back. “They are cute together…” She added as a whisper. 

Ignoring Rainbow’s overactive imagination she used her magic to hear what they were saying. Apart from some heated back and forth about relocation costs and time management the biggest thing they were trying to work out ways to maximize further profits in the future when taking buffalo relations into account. They were prepared to give gifts and delay construction all over if it meant at least finding some small truce, although the reason was less about noble goals and more about keeping the project on pace. 

Seeing that Twilight was focused on the traditions and care of the buffalo tribes while Applejack was all about the industry and care of the pony town Starlight started to now see some middle grounds that could hopefully work for both of them. That was her grand plan after all. Spy on both sides of the argument and see the best way forward that biased minds could not. It was genius and now she had all the information they just needed to work out the small details. Flaring up her magic again she shrank the light bridge down and lowered the square Rainbow was standing on to the ground. Hopping off her back she returned to the otherside of the hotel, this time to get a room so she could put it all together in peace. 

Several hours passed by quite quickly. With the evening sun high up in the sky, it was finally time to meet up with the mayor and as they all returned to the town square they found Starlight waiting for them. She gave them a wave and had a large noteboard set up just outside ready for her presentation. 

“What is going on?” Twilight asked as she got closer. 

“I have come up with the perfect answer to all our issues my dear Twilight.” Starlight replied confidently.

“What about the meeting with the mayor, or the buffalo chief?” Twilight asked raising an eyebrow.

“They never agreed on anything for months anyway, so why not just sort this ourselves. Braeburn and Strongheart are both pretty high up representatives too!” Starlight pointed out and they had to agree on that at least. Flipping the board over she cleared her throat and began. “It is simple. Based on research I did with Rainbow into the wants, needs and goals of both pony and buffalo I have come to a realization that the middle ground is simple. We will give them food, health care and housing the likes of which they could only dream off and for free too, in turn they will put that tribal strength into making up the cost back from working the fields. I am sure Strongheart knows just how wonderful our fruit is but something like apple pie is 10 times better! Now before you ask, yes I know one such issue was the stampeding grounds but that is simple. Much like our running of the leaves we will allow you to run along the paths during harvest seasons, that will cover a lot of work in advance while also doing your traditions. Everybody wins.” Starlight explained while pointing out one thing to the next on the board. Looking around the reactions were a touch mixed, like how Strongheart seemed into the idea while Braeburn was still thinking it over. Twilight though seemed embarrassed and was grinding her hoof into her face for some reason. “I know Twilight loves paperwork so we could even get little contracts and things going.” She added. “I got the idea mostly from watching you lot, what do you think?”  

“Glimmy, honey, no.” Twilight said as she quickly marched over, wiped the board clean in a couple hasty strokes and then pulled Starlight to the side in a headlock. Whispering into her ear Starlight went from confused, to understanding, to embarrassed really quickly as she explained what exactly she had just proposed. Standing up straight she coughed. 

“I think it sounds pretty good.” Strongheart spoke up causing the others to look towards her in unison.

“Do you even know what she just said?” Twilight asked questioningly.

“I am not dumb, she said that we can use the stampeeding grounds and that helps your apple trees so we can both enjoy the eh things that come from it.” She explained simply. Too simply.

“Yes, yes that is exactly what she meant. The harvest season is twice a year but it won’t harm the trees to do more than that so you are all free to come and go as you please, right Applejack?” Twilight asked her friend who, for just a minute, could see the light fade from her eyes as hours of intensive scheming was made pointless.

“Eyup.” Applejack said dryly. “Glad we could all come to such an easy solution.” She added causing the others to all give out a small and nearly forced laughter to break the mood. Tidying up her hair a touch she offered a hoof shake to Strongheart who accepted politely. “If you do want to make some money then feel free to come down anytime, this town is going to need every strong leg it could find.” She then added.

“Speaking of apples, how about I treat y’all to some cider and apple pie at the Salt Lick? I think we could do with a pint or two after such a day.” Breaburn added in an attempt to lift the spirits and give Strongheart some better memories of pony culture. 

“You have cider? In the winter?!” Rainbow called out as she practically bounced clear over Braeburn in excitement.

“Cold and crisp just like the Apple family is known for. Why do you think we are building here in the first place, it is one of the only spots in equestria where fruit trees grow all year round!” He explained as they headed down to the local bar for some real relaxation under the hot evening sun. As they approached however two rows of ponies marched out from the bar in neat lines. 

They formed a parade like group with each one of them dressed in a mixture of dancer clothing and traditional cowboy apparel. On a large tabletop that had been broken off and decorated with red cloth and pillows, much like that of royalty, they carried Pinkie who was practically glowing with a relaxed, warm, aura. Her mane had been tied up neatly while her tail pooled around her body like fine red wine. Standing on the table with her were two others that fanned her with giant leaves, although Breaburn wondered where exactly they even got those leaves from. The entire parade was chanting something and marching in unison, each one of them clearly drunk to the point of not knowing what day it was and yet on that razer’s edge of being lucid enough to still do things. As they strode past the stopped and formed into a group so Pinkie could look over the slack jawed others.

“Do you know that your workers are, or I should say were, some of the most pent up ponies I have ever met? Because they were and you know, as I was so charitably helping them to unwind… Two or three at a time… I came up with such a nice idea. A business proposition of sorts that could really help morale, the Cherry Soda! I can see it now. Stained wood and red carpets serving cider and special beers all year round with the most delicious of company.” Pinkie said slurred with a roll of her head. Tapping her hoof one of the ponies holding the table threw up what must have been a gallon jug filled with cider, that she began to drink from. Applejack did not know how to respond, Braeburn was scared and aroused all the same since he knew that there were at least 100 stallions in this town, Rainbow had the biggest grin as she watched Pinkie chug down that entire bottle and Starlight? She just smiled. God damn it Pinkie.
> Two's a crowd but three's a party!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a warm winter day befitting the spring time soon to come and everypony was trying their hardest to get the winter wrapped up not just on time but before any other town.The pegasi flew through the sky in graceful teams to tear down the snowy clouds and bring warm, clear skies for everypony to enjoy while the earth ponies cleared away the snow into pits where it would melt into large water supplies for the fields to come. Even Fluttershy had pulled her away from her rabbits to go help the others in waking up the much softer critters that ran about the land. 

Starlight had never been a part of the winter wrap up before and while she had woken up early to help out she found most of the unicorn teams were in charge of supply lines, repairing tools and machines for the upcoming year or other such tasks. All of which were important jobs but not what she had expected unicorns to be doing, she had all kinds of experimental magic ready to go just for this week too. 

Sitting in the middle of the already cleared town park Starlight tapped her hooves along the benches that had been left out for the springtime in thought. Winter wrap up normally lasted nearly a week and the entire time it was like a festival of cleaning and preparing for the new year but here she sat not doing anything. With the pace of Ponyville as well they would be done in barely a few days. For a moment she thought that maybe she could go down to the town square and enjoy the bonfires and hot drinks that Pinkie was helping to run, but on the other hoof, that would mean talking to Pinkie and Starlight already had too much of that recently. 

Peering up at the sky she did notice that the pegasi team was being the slowest but that made sense, there was a lot of clouds and Twilight had ordered more snow than ever before for some technical reasons. Sitting up straight, she got off the bench and looked around the empty park before throwing her eyes upwards. Maybe they just needed a practical example of how much good some traditional magic could do for the holiday clean up… Flaring up her horn she poured vast energies into it before shooting a huge beam into the clouds above. 

“That should do it.” Starlight spoke to herself as she watched the clouds start to swirl and thin out across the sky. The wind died down and a peaceful calm could be felt all over Ponyville before suddenly a crack of lightning danced across the sky and a massive gust of wind almost took Starlight off her hooves. A moment later a sheet of rain washed over the area and a cold snap after that, finally it started to hail down snowballs! Putting up a shield Starlight made a run for it. 

The wind howled and wet ice flooded the streets as the unnatural storm rose ever more in intensity. Reaching the raging river Starlight could barely see two inches in front of her and even breathing was becoming hard as the temperatures started to drop ever lower. Not sure where she even was in the town anymore she stood on the interaction of the north bridge trying to get her baring when suddenly Twilight rushed past and nudged her to keep moving. Heading up north over the bridge they dashed inside the library for safety. Dry and much warmer than outside Twilight broke the ice off her tail as Starlight caught her breath. 

“T-thanks for the assist Twilight.” Starlight said shivering. 

“Don’t mention it. Hm, I don’t suppose you have any idea which uppity unicorn decided to ruin everything do you? I saw a light on the other side of town but could not get close enough.” She replied annoyed as she crushed a piece of ice between her hooves. 

“N-no clue…” Starlight replied nervous but too cold to sweat. Trotting over to the fire she threw a few more pieces of wood onto it and sighed as the warmth soaked deep into her fur. Twilight hummed and took a look out of the window to find nothing but white as far as the eye could see.

Noticing that the lights were on and the fire had long since been lit Twilight left Starlight to wiggled herself in front of the fire. Going up the stairs to the bedrooms she tried the door but it was locked. Knocking loudly she put her ear to the door to hear at first the shuffling of ponies coming to a quick silence before a rush of movement, crashing and banging echoed out. After much whispering the door unlocked and an out of breath Rainbow poked her head out.

“Hey… Twilight…” She said. 

“I was wondering where you had gone to, what part of everybody must help, did you not get?” Twilight replied at first with an annoyed glare before sighing and relaxing her expression. “At least you are safe from the storm.”

“Storm? Oh right yeah that storm, I was making sure all the windows up here were closed and stuff.” Rainbow said as she ran a hoof through her matted hair to straighten it again. Leaving the room she closed the door behind her and followed Twilight downstairs. Seeing Starlight already sitting by the fire and the windows were caked with ice she took a hard right. “Going to go to, ehm, the bathroom and stuff.” She called out before trotting quickly into a side room and slamming the door shut.

“Was that Rainbow?” Starlight asked as she glanced to the door. 

“Yeah, she was supposed to be helping out but I swear that mare is much more sneaky than she looks.” Twilight replied as she sat down at the fire and put her hooves out towards the warmth. 

“I know what you mean, I swear I have seen her at both ends of Ponyville at the same time before now.” Starlight added causing the both of them to chuckle warmly. 

“Nice to see you two getting along.” Rainbow spoke up from behind them causing both to flinch out of the surprise. “And I have the perfect little idea for what three mares could do during a long and chilly blizzard.” She added before trotting to a bookshelf and pulling down a large brightly colored tome. “A sleepover!” 

“Really? We should be organizing supplies in case it lasts for more than a day.” Twilight argued. 

“I think it is a wonderful idea, I have never been to a sleepover before.” Starlight argued back.

“Fine, at least this way we can pass some time to see how the storm fairs.” Twilight sighed. 

Since it was early into the day and sleep overs only really started until later in the evening they had plenty of time to kill before getting to the main events. Rainbow as well was being surprisingly organized and had read the guide to sleepovers several times over before getting to anything else. It worried Starlight and Twilight both to great amounts to see her so focused. Passing around some loose t-shirts for them to wear Rainbow got out an old classic between nerdy ponies who had little life outside of their room, Stallion Settlers. The best way to pass several hours and yet get nothing done, complete with various levels of historical accuracy and handsome guys on every card… Even the ones that did not have anything to do with settlers. 

The rules were simple enough. Each pony race made up a different kind of specialization, like how the Earth Ponies focused on defences and slow growth to huge payoffs vs the Pegasi’s rapid growth but with risks dotted throughout. Each player would create a deck using these cards, magical relics, land cards and others and then enter into a long battle of grabbing land, finding items, and doing small wars with each other until the last player is left standing. Starlight made up a strong arcane deck made with many unicorns and magical effects, Twilight set up a balance of earth ponies and pegasi and Rainbow went with a land heavy deck and few settlers. 

While Starlight and Twilight were newer to the game than Rainbow they still doubted what she was doing half the time. Ignoring her for the time being the other two focused on each other, as Twilight was putting some early game focus into building up her land and space at cost while Starlight was spreading out scouts all over to find relics. They were pushing on each other’s tiles at every turn but it wasn’t until they both wanted to claim a spot that the first fight happened. Twilight had the home advantage but Starlight’s unicorns were far too powerful and she ended up winning one of the six runes of unity. 

“Should have gone unicorns Twilight.” Starlight said with a smirk. 

“And you should have put more food tokens into the pool because you just ran out.” Twilight replied while pulling her tongue at her. 

“What?! Ahem, I will offer you a trade of scrolls and crowns for some of your tokens.” Starlight offered. Twilight hummed to herself in thought, rolling her head around sarcastically in thought.

“Hmmmmmm no.”

“Fine! Rainbow about about you?” She asked.

“I will trade some of my cake for your scrolls of dirt summoning.” Rainbow replied. 

An odd deal but Starlight accepted to avoid an early loss. Now keeping an eye on the rest of her supply tokens she continued to spread out to the far reaches of the board, her unicorn magic stacking coming in useful to overcome most challenges that she met along the way. Each time she did so she would give a smirk to Twilight but Twilight was playing it cool. With most of the board cleared away it was coming close to the war half of the game and Starlight felt confident. She had secured the runes of unity and many other powerful relics, surely nothing Twilight or Rainbow could do could counter them. 

Striking first in a surprise attack she had high rolls and powerful damage but Twilight’s defences were strong and they ended up in a stalemate. It would have to break eventually. 

“Give it up Twilight, magic is far too powerful and I have more spells that I know what to do with.” Starlight proudly stated.

“You do, but each takes time and the costs mean you can not use all of them anyway.” Twilight retorted. 

“Oh I see you read the rule book, figures you would be good at that.” Starlight muttered. 

“Well someone had to be the mature one and follow the rules while others were off adventuring with glowing rocks.” Twilight mocked.

“They are the runes of unity and they are going to let me win all of this!” Starlight replied in a huff.

“And you just told me that you have all of them, which means that I can use this eye of the storm to set up a ten turn barrier around my main castle.”

“That won’t help, I combine control clouds with high wind and triple lightning to turn your stormy barrier against itself!” 

“Well I use Sir Beefcake’s catalysts of cloudy cake rain to turn the storm’s damage output into food tokens!” 

“Oh so that is how it is going to be?!” Starlight shouted as they continued to argue back and forth fruitlessly. Cards were sent flying, tokens scattered all over the board as counter over counter over counter was used to no end. As voices were raised and hooves slammed onto the table Rainbow threw down three cards onto the board. Both stopped to look her way as they had forgot she was even playing.

“I use scrolls of summon dirt to move all the dirt under your castles to these spots near mine, that removes all defences and instantly destroys anything in an A3 area radius. With the earth pony relic of golem creation and the pegasi special relic of Stormheart I then turn the mountain of dirt into an army of giant lightning throwing clay soldiers. Which wipes you two out.” Rainbow explained causing the pair to sit slack jawed. 

“Dang.” Twilight finally said. Breaking the silence they all began to laugh at how silly the situation had gotten. 

“Want some cider? I got some left over.” Rainbow asked as stretched her legs.

“That would be lovely, thank you.” Starlight replied as she chuckled to herself. Leaving the board as it was they sat down next to the fire and took it easy. The game had run on for a few hours without them even noticing it and they still had the rest of the day to contend with on top. She sighed and for a moment even regretted her actions, just for a moment, and then she was already starting to think on a new spell to fix things.

“Here you girls go. Let me just go sort some… Things.” Rainbow said as she slid a tray of cupcakes and cider across the floor to the front of the fire. Surprised by the odd way of delivering them Starlight looked around only to catch a glimpse of Rainbow running upstairs. 

“She really can be quick when she wants to…” Starlight said under her breath with a smirk. 

With Rainbow stomping about upstairs Twilight sat down next to Starlight to get some hot cider. Gently lifting it up with her hooves she blew across the top and took a slow, savoring sip. She did not say a word to Starlight and in turn Starlight did not say a word back. Despite the laughter of before it still felt awkward between them and each noisy sip did not help the matter one bit. 

“She is really making a mess up their.” Twilight eventually said. 

“Yeah, I hate to think what she is making for us.” Starlight replied. Twilight gave a nod and continued to sit stone faced, her eyes looking past the fire, before taking another sip. Starlight sighed. 

“Sorry about that, so who is up for some scary stories?” Rainbow asked trotting down the stairs out of breath and with her mane all messy. 

“I am!” Starlight called out relieved to get away from Twilight’s cold aura. 

“Excellent.” Rainbow purred before clicking her hooves together. The lights suddenly went out just as the wind picked up and the low rumble of thunder rolled across the town. With the light of the fire casting long and deep shadows across the room Rainbow let out an ominous laughter. She walked in front of the fire and look to the two mares, one already on edge, and the other amused. “This is the story of the shapeless mare, a mysterious figure seen all over Equestria yet nobody knows what she looks like. With fur as black as night and eyes like burning fires she stalks the shadows in endless search of her long lost love.” She paused for a moment to see the reactions of the two. “They say when the weather turns cold and ponies are all huddled up inside their homes she will come a knocking, asking for a place to stay. Her voice as sweet as honey, her form that of some very attractive mare indeed. But if you let her in… It begins…” Rainbow spoke causing the two to get worried. “You start to hear things around your home. Little things in the night. The Shapeless mare never sleeps you see and she loves to wander the halls but you must never go after her…” Starlight flinched as she was sure she heard the stairs creak behind her. “For if you do go after her, if you find her all alone in your living room in the dead of night… You will never be seen again!” Just as Rainbow called out something tapped both Starlight and Twilight on the back. They screamed. Twilight jumped 12ft into the air and Starlight teleported away in a shower of light sparks. With a click of her hooves the lights came on and Twilight saw it was Dewey. 

“Great moonpies of above, you scared the living fuck out of me.” Twilight panted. 

“Watch your language.” Dewey replied while sticking his tongue out at her. 

“Sorry, ehm, where did Starlight go?” She asked. 

Looking around they did not see her anywhere in the living room. Dewey checked the stairs and upper area to find nothing and Rainbow looked into the kitchen. With a rattle from the fridge they opened it to find her upside down and covered almost completely in mustard. 

“Why do you have so much of this stuff?!” She moaned as she fell out and slid across the floor. “On second thoughts, don’t answer that. I am going to go take a shower.” With every hoofstep leaving a glorp noise she left the kitchen, ignored the snickers from Twilight, and headed up the stairs past Dewey into the bathroom. While she had only just started to warm up to some of the modern technology Twilight has brought to the town she did have to admit that on demand hot showers were a blessing. Looking over the two racks full of a wide range of hygienic products she picked one that sounded nice and began to wash the mustard from her coat. After two does though she could swear there was still a slight spicy after smell, eh good enough. 

Rubbing herself down with a towel she left the bathroom but paused at the top of the stairs. Dewey was here the entire time, she thought to herself. Him and Dash were here the entire time, making all that noise, constantly going back upstairs. Glancing down the stairs to find nobody around she quietly stepped over to the door and opened it a crack when she heard hoofsteps trotting around down the stairs. Closing it she continued to dry herself casually before tossing the towel into the bathroom and heading downstairs herself. 

“Come on Glimmy, the first round is about to begin.” 

“The first round of what?” She asked while looking Rainbow up and down.

“A little something to pass the time since Twilight and you just love to rub horns.” Rainbow explained before pausing. “Is that the correct way to say argue or was I thinking the other thing?” 

“It's close enough.” Starlight said with a shrug.

“The name of the game is simple… Well, the rules of the game are simple. I am still working out the name. Anywho, it is some games to see which one of you has the best skills and first up is snack making.” 

“Better than sitting in silence for the night.” Twilight spoke up before taking a loud sip of cider. 

Dash and Dewy worked together to a tray of ingredients together, marshmallows, chocolette, biscuits and little additions like caramel. All that Starlight and Twilight had to do was mix up whatever best snack they could in 10 minutes, and then they could all enjoy the result, with the best snack winning a point. 

With the turn of an hourglass to count the time they began with haste. Starlight used her magic to snatch up a lot of chocolate and caramel while Twilight took up a bunch of biscuit, marshmallow and only a pinch of the sweets. Placing a pot over the fire she began to melt down the chocolate and caramel into a rich golden brown syrup while warming up the marshmallow nearby. Her idea was a classic take on smores, that did seem to be what Rainbow was hinting at after all. With the sweet, salty, goop starting to take shape she gave it a small taste and looked to the kitchen. With a moment of inspiration she trotted away to get an extra something. 

Starlight meanwhile used her magic to break up the chocolette and bend the caramel into shape. With a fluffy marmashow core she then put them all back together to form a three layered ball, with a gooey center, a caramel inside, and a chocolate shell. With the first one looking great she began to repeat the action with the rest of the ingredients, one by one, until she had an entire bowl full of them. 

“Looks like I win Twilight, you were just too slow.” Starlight smirked.

“Not quite!” Rainbow called out as she popped up suddenly. “The rule is best snack, not fast, but I will give you an extra point for easy they are.” She explained before taking one of the small balls and putting it in her mouth. It was sweet and the speed to make them was a bonus but chewing was impossible. No matter how hard she gnawed at the lump of confection it would not break apart. 

“Seems you forgot that no heat and several layers makes them rock hard.” Twilight replied sounding disingenuously innocent. After throwing a pinch of her something from the kitchen into the pot she put a layer of the soft marshmallow fluff on either side of biscuit and poured a dollop of the thick, rich, syrup between.

“Slower but it smells… Mmm.” Rainbow drooled. Throwing on whole into her mouth, her face contorted into one of bliss. “Oh that is GOOD.” She murmured. “Points, all the points. Just keep making them, oh Celestia’s sweet suncakes that is nice.” 

“They can not be that good, it's just warm chocolate, caramel… A basic smore.” Starlight scoffed but when she tried one herself she paused. It was rich, sweet with such a deeper flavor than her balls. “How?” She asked.

“Coffee. A pinch of it makes chocolate taste far better, with none of the bitter flavor that coffee normally has. Something I learned from the many festivals and bake sales the town puts on.” Twilight explained with a smirk. Starlight narrowed her eyes at her but could not stop herself from continuing to eat the smore.

“The balls are nice too, just gotta suck on them all gentle like.” Dewey added causing Dash to snicker. 

“Ahem, I think Twilight wins this one. Slower but way worth the time.” Rainbow said. 

With a pile of sweet snacks made up for everybody to enjoy, they began to clear away the central table and other things around the room for more space. From upstairs Dash and Dewey threw down dozens of pillows of different shapes and sizes, including one that seemed to have a full body picture of Rainbow across it, but Dewey made sure to return that one before the others saw. The name of the next game was a classic, pillow fight. Neither of them could go past a line made on the ground with tape and they would need to toss pillows back and forth to try and land hits. First to three to win. 

With each of them starting out with a large pile of pillows the chance of getting an early point was low but the two still threw back one soft furnishings after another. Twilight had a hell of a strong buck and so even without magic she was able to knock other pillows off the fort, Starlight meanwhile had magic that let her pick up and throw more than one. The pillows rained down like mortar shells on both sides, some scattered and left in the no man's land between them. What had once been two organized pillow forts was now a chaotic pile that slowly but surely began to lose more and more padding.

Dewey and Dash sat chewing on Starlight’s balls as they watched the scene unfold. The two mares were silent but getting increasingly heated as the throws became harder. Starlight’s magic rain of fabric turned into a storm as she gave up even looking and just threw every pillow on her side over to Twilight. Taking cover Twilight hid in her pile as the others began to fall heavily all around her and with the pile being broken by a lucky shot, the first pillow hit her… On the ass. Dash called out the point and Starlight cheered, for a moment. She was sweating now, panting too, and had not realized she had thrown away nearly all of her pillows. 

Twilight rose from the now massive pile of furnishings like a mighty, elegant, phoenix. Grinning, nay, laughing like a madmare she began to pelt the other side of the field like something possessed. Starlight ran, ducked, dived and tried her hardest to dodge the pillows as they fell all around her. Flump, flump, flump, her tail was knocked astray a few times but eventually her luck came to an end and a large white pillow smashed into her face so hard she was sent straight to the floor. 

“Ohhh dang!” Dash and Dewey both cheered. 

Pulling herself off the floor she glared at Twilight and flared up her horn. Every single pillow on her side rose up off the ground. It was too much for her to move but with the blizzard of soft padding she did not need to, just spinning them around herself was enough to protect her from any throw Twilight could try. Sensing her doom Twilight hunkered down just as the barrage started but Starlight learned from her mistakes and stopped once she had used up a chunk of her ammo. Standing proud and sure she must have landed at least one hit she did not see a pillow blindside her from a smaller pile that had formed on the other end of Twilight’s side. It landed with a thump but Starlight was ready and quickly through one straight back, leading to a draw.

Two vs two, the last hit would end it all. Dash and Dewey were watching enthralled by the fluffy warzone happening in front of them. Twilight had made sure to pull some more pillows to her side fort but it was in no shape to keep a defence for long. Starlight meanwhile put some of her ammo down to at least make some cover. With just her eyes peeking out from the pillows Twilight stared down Starlight, who in turn stared her down right back. 

“You are better at magic than I thought.” Twilight called out. 

“I didn’t become Celestia’s star pupil with just my impeccable calligraphy skills you know. Starlight replied sounding tired. 

“Oh I am sure, I bet you could even do weather magic if you wanted to.” 

“Any school of magic if I wanted to, they are all the same in concept.”

“Except that magic specific to earth ponies or pegasi are done with different arcane alignments, like how if a pegasi manipulates a cloud enough it’s magical properties are then changed enough that a unicorn’s spells may have side effects and hm while I am at it… What do you think would happen if said unicorn tried to effect every cloud, each with a different arcane alignment?” Twilight explained at length.

“Oh my, how did I forget…” Starlight muttered as she dropped some of the pillows. As soon as she did one gently flew through the air and tapped her on the side. 

“There. Now if we are done with the exercise, do you think you can fix your mess before Ponyville is completely frozen?” Twilight asked as she stretched her legs. 

“You knew. But why didn’t you say anything, you could have helped me fix it hours ago?”

“I wanted to see if you have learned anything about honesty or admitting your mistakes but at this point I figure you would let us be snowed in until you started to starve.” 

“Only a day or two... “ Starlight admitted quietly. “Magical alignments… How am I supposed to calculate the right arcane angle in a storm when everything is scrambled?” Starlight then asked. 

“Your magic already mixed together all the angles and the storm has given it time to settle. Since it originated from you, you should be able to feel it out and then cancel the spell as a whole.”

“Brilliant but how do you know all of this, I don’t think I have seen you even use any magic, let alone show any want to use it.” 

“I used to be a prodigy just like you, was on the road to being Celestia’s star pupil but in the haste I took the exam a few years younger than most and the random testing committee ended up giving me one of the harder tests. I don’t think most full grown unicorns could have passed it but you know what did pass it? Science. Spike is the proof of that.” Twilight said as she and Starlight headed up the stairs and out onto the high balcony. 

The wind was fierce but refreshing on Starlight’s sweaty body. She breathed in the cold air and fired up her horn. A small beam shot out into the clouds to test, and feel, the energies swirling above and then a moment later she braced herself and shot up a huge ball of magic along that beam. At first nothing happened. Then suddenly the wind stopped, the snow came to an end and the sky very suddenly dropped. All the snow above covering half the town in tons of soft, icy, pillows. It was a mess, a big mess at that, but the storm was over and the sunlight was comforting. 

“Thanks for the help Twilight. I should trust you more.” Starlight admitted shyly.

“I should do the same, your magic is strong and valuable so I should at least try and find a way to use it safely.” Twilight admitted back. “Speaking of which, we need someone to try and get rid of the snow before it melts and floods the place. Do you think you could do something about that?” 

“Hmm it is getting late, the sun will be down soon so we don’t have to worry about thaw until tomorrow… Want to go see what else Rainbow has on the sleepover list?” Starlight asked causing Twilight to snicker. 

“Why not, but I would prefer something a bit easier than wargames.” Twilight said in jest as she went inside. Starlight let out a yawn and quickly followed but paused once more in front of Dash’s bedroom door. With curious thoughts coming back to her she opened the door at took a step inside to find the entire room spotless. Cleaner and fresher than she had ever seen it before, while does of bags and boxes no doubt held the trash from a long clean up. She sighed and chuckled to herself. Of course they were just doing some spring cleaning, what did she expect to find in here… Her mind wandered for a moment but she shook it away. 

Closing the door gently she returned downstairs to enjoy the rest of the sleepover in peace.
> Buy some apples
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a hot summer day in Ponyville, the hottest day of the springtime so far. Everypony was looking to cool off and for Applejack that meant easy money. Setting up a large stall at the central markets she sat enjoying the crip feeling of the refrigerated storage all around her, the smell of apples mixing into fresh frozen treats and of course the clink of bits from satisfied customers rolling in. What little there was anyway. Despite the idea being so good and the delicious treats being made with the latest of technology there were few customers coming around. It did not bother Applejack. She just counted it as being a side effect of the new technology, it does take time for ponies to get used to something new and strange after all. 

Stretching her legs she looked around the town square and then to the clock ticking away in her stall. It was almost time for her to go check on the newly build factories over at the Orchard, as well as train schedules and so many other new things that came with industry. The issue was that she did not have anyone to cover as Applebloom had to run off suddenly for some meeting with her friends.

“Hello.” Rarity asked as she poked her head up to look into the cart.

“Oh hey, you want something? We got apple crushies, apple ice cream, crisp apple treats of all kinds.” Applejack said as she nodded to the board of options behind her. 

“Do you have something called… Double caramel apple crisp ripple?” Rarity asked as she read off a small bit of paper.

“Yes we do, treating yourself eh?” Applejack asked as she got to work. 

“It is for Spike. He was helping me out and I wanted to get him something he liked.” Rarity explained. 

“That’s nice, I wish I had someone to help me out. Got a meeting soon but nobody has offered to help me cover the stall.” Applejack spoke casually. “Sure do wish someone could help.” 

“I guess I could help once I am done with spike.” Rarity offered.

“Oh would you? That would be great thanks.” Applejack replied as she handed her friend the ice cream. Leaning on the counter she watched as Rarity took it with her magic and trotted down to the shadow of the town hall where she gave it to Spike. The cold stone mask of emotion that she wore at all times cracked slightly and a genuine smile leaked through but Spike did not notice. He was thankful though and after bidding her farewell he headed inside to get on with his day. Rarity however lingered by the door a moment more before slowly turning around and heading back to Applejack. 

“What do I do?” She asked flatly. 

“Simple as can be. Just ask what they want, one scoop or two, and then give it to them… Make sure you get the money though, right?” Applejack explained. Rarity nodded. “Great, I will be back in an hour or two.” 

Tossing her the apron and small hat she was wearing Rarity put them on and headed through the side door into the stall. It was cool inside and had plenty of shade so as far as a sudden job went it could have been much worse. There were not many ponies around either which was nice. 

Applejack had no doubts that Rarity could take care of an ice cream stall that had barely any customers and so took her time heading back to the Orchard for the meeting. It was short and more of a technicality which gave her some time to take a look over the new factories built behind the farmhouse. They were three large buildings, shiny, with lots of glass and metal to contrast the normal wood or stone buildings that Ponyville commonly used. Most of the machines were not in use yet as Appleloosa had lots of room to grow and they still needed to set up shops in other towns or cities to guarantee a profit. Until then she would take small steps, like setting up an ice cream stall during a spring heatwave that used these new machines to prove the quality of them. 

With the meetings done and the factories visited Applejack made her way back leisurely to the town square. For a moment she debated visiting Twilight or just taking it easy for a bit but no, she had already spent long enough away and did not want to give Rarity too much to do. That girl was always a bit shy in social areas. Reaching the town square however she was met with something unexpected, a large crowd all around the stall. Quickly trotting around the group she slipped into the back door to find Rarity smiling, and the bits chest to be nearly full already. 

“You look like you are having fun.” Applejack said with a smug smile. “What is going on?” 

“I did what you said. They really like the single scoop apple twist.” Rarity replied. 

“Really, because in the past three days I have sold only a pinch of anything. What are you doing differently?” Applejack asked. 

“I don’t know. I just did what you said.” Rarity said again. 

“Show me.” Applejack commanded as she stood close to watch her every move. Rarity nodded.

“Next!” Rarity called out to the crowd. A young dark furred stallion with a streak of gold in his mane stepped forward. “What do you want?” She asked. 

“Same as last time.” He said smoothly with a flick of his eyes. 

“Give me the bits.” Rarity replied and he tossed over a clattering of coins, more so than any single scoop should be worth. She put them into the chest and them using her magic took a single scoop of apple twist and shoved the ball into his mouth. He smiled, tail wagging, and then trotted away. Applejack was stunned. “Like you said. Ask what they want, get the bits and give it to them.” Rarity said casually.

“C-can I get a crushie?” A mare asked next while putting the bits onto the counter. Rarity nodded and filled up a cup full of the nearly frozen apple juice like drink, so cold that it was more like liquid ice. The mare was blushing and when Rarity offered to her she opened her mouth wantingly. Rarity blinked and then started to pour it right in. It was messy, so cold that the mare was shuddering and that only got it all over her face as well. Once it was empty the mare licked her lips and gave a meek, “thank you,” before leaving. 

“It is really fun, they are very nice as well.” Rarity said back to Applejack who was standing in complete awe. “Am I doing it wrong?” 

“No, nope, not at all. You got a special kind of… Cold touch that seems to fit the warm weather is all. Keep it up, I am going to go get some more stuff.” Applejack said quickly before emptying the bin of bits into a sack and running off to replace any supplies.

The rest of the day moved exactly like that. One after another Rarity would deal with the crowd while Applejack made quick trips to drop off money and restock supplies. Between them they had served dozens upon dozens of ponies every hour and eventually the crowd faded away to nothing. Once there was nobody left Rarity waited for Applejack to return from the last trip before hanging up her apron and hat.

“That was fun.” Rarity admitted.  

“Very fun. Would you be up to helping me out tomorrow as well?” Applejack asked.

“Ok. I don’t have anything else I need to do.” She replied.  

“Great! Say, let me treat you to something to pay you back for helping so much. Feeling hungry?” Applejack then asked with a sly smile. 

“I am.” She replied flatly.

“Where do you want to go, it can be anywhere you want. Anything you like.”

“Pinkie’s place has the best roast vegetable platter. I don’t like staying inside though.” Rarity replied.

“How about I order up some food and get it delivered somewhere, maybe Fluttershy’s little warren? I hear it has a great view of Ponyville.” Applejack asked with glances looking over Rarity. 

“That sounds nice.” Rarity said in turn as they stopped just nearby Ponyville’s west park. 

“Excellent. I will get two platters, with all the extras as well, sent up her way. So go get yourself tidied up and have fun.” Applejack said happily. Rarity nodded and quickly trotted down to her home to no doubt do just that. Applejack meanwhile turned towards the Cherry Pie to get things sorted on her side.

Once everything had been ordered and sorted Applejack made quick pace to return home. She had plans and ideas of how to exploit this new found popularity but not a lot of time left to do it. Thankfully she found both Applebloom and Big Mac had returned home from whatever they were up to, with the three of them putting effort into things she would have plenty of time to get it all done. A heat wave, or a pretty face, won’t last forever after all. 

Come the next morning Rarity woke up feeling great. The long picnic last night with Fluttershy and her rabbits was delightful and getting to enjoy her favorite food in all of Ponyville without the anxiety that came with sitting in the Cherry Pie only made it better. She did not need a single reminder this morning to get a shower or brush her hair as well. By the time Lily came downstairs she was stunned to find Rarity even making herself breakfast. 

“You are in a good mood today.” Mythril Lily spoke as she went to get herself something as well. “Made a new friend, or a new… ‘Friend’?” She asked but Rarity shook her head. 

“Yesterday I helped Applejack with her ice cart and there was so many ponies who really liked me. Everypony was so happy and because I did such a good job Applejack got me my favorite thing and…” She explained but found herself running out of breath. 

“Well well, a part time job and a lot of happy customers I hear. Very good Rarity.” Lily complimented as she sat down. Using her magic she cleaned the crumbs of her face before letting her continue. 

“I am going to go help again today.” Rarity stated looking happy and even excited. 

“I won’t keep you. Just remember to eat and keep plenty of water on you, these days have been terribly warm.” Lily instructed causing Rarity to nod. 

Rarity left her home and went down to the town square to find that the stall had been changed noticeably over night. A second cart had been pulled up and a large tent like covering hung over them to give the appearance of a single massive stall instead. The entire thing was painted in whites and purples to match Rarity’s colors and there was even the soft notes of music playing too. Despite the fancy changes it was clearly rushed in a few places, something Rarity chalked up to it being done in one night. Going behind the stall Rarity found Applejack doing a stock check on everything.

“Morning Rarity, up for another fun day?” Applejack asked happily. 

“Yes.” She replied.

“Excellent, now I will say we have a much bigger menu to sort and some new rules. Nothing you can not handle, I am sure, it is just not everypony is going to appreciate your charms. So when someone mentions ‘cone’ or ‘cup’ in their order you just give it to them normally, with a smile too.” Applejack explained. Rarity nodded. 

Going up to the now much bigger stall she looked over the menu to find a dozen new options, as well as combos and other food items on top. It all looked a bit confusing but no, she welcomed that. A bit of a change, a bit of a challenge, what could be the harm. The first one to come was a black stallion with a streak of yellow that seemed quite interested in the new menu, in fact he stood looking it over until several others had come. They did not take as much time to choose what they want and thanks to the bigger area Rarity could handle them in threes or fours. 

The crowd of yesterday did not have time to form and for a while it became quite boring but then suddenly the lunch rush happened. Everypony had a different order to give and nobody was wanting to wait around for it either. Having to keep track of multiple orders, changing from smiles to cold and back again so much, it became confusing and deeply tiring. When the time for her own break came Rarity did not feel like doing anything anymore. Weakly leaving the back of the stall she found Applejack going over some boxes. 

“You alright darling?” Applejack asked.

“Tired.” Rarity replied as she let out a yawn. In a snap AJ stopped what she was doing and grabbed a small pouch to fill with a pinch of the bits that had yet to be moved to the Orchard. “Go to the spa, take it easy. I won’t be able to do much on my own, we don’t all have magic after all but it will be fine for a bit.” She said.

Rarity took the pouch without a word, left her uniform on a box, and headed out. Going around the back of town hall she went towards the west side of town but did not stop at the spa, instead she popped into the candy store for a moment to a bag of simple milk candies. After that she continued onwards to her home where she slipped inside and headed straight up to her bedroom. Throwing herself under the heavy blankets she curled up and yet out a soft yawn. Hidden in the heavy warmth of the fabric she lay just between the comfort of rest and hardships of waking in debate with herself. She could not decide if restful sleep was worth abandoning Applejack to a day of hardships without her, that temptation lingered for a moment but eventually she pulled her head out of the covers and popped a milk candy into her mouth. Watching the clock tick by she made her choice and stretched for a moment before sliding out of bed. 

Applejack needed her help and it would not be fair for her to give up with the job only half done so at the very least she wanted to get the rest of the day done before quitting. Enjoying the smooth taste of the milk candies as they melted inside her mouth Rarity shook the need for sleep from her eyes and headed back downstairs to get some water. 

Leaving her house she marched on across town with heavy hooves and slow steps. Climbing the mountain near Ponyville was easier than this, facing fears at least proved intense enough to keep interest, but the monotony of work was truly difficult. Returning to the stall she found Applejack missing so she took the chair that had been left near the supplies and took it inside to sit on. The cool air from all the ice filled machines felt nice on her fur, better than sitting in the sun by far. Rarity waited until others started to come and then she would deal with them, just one at a time at her own pace, until the day was done. When she went to leave though she found AJ waiting. 

“I am going home, I am tired.” Rarity stated flatly as she tried to move past. 

“Sure you don’t want to stick around, I am having a little get together with some of the others tonight?” AJ asked but Rarity shook her head. “Alright hon, I will see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Rarity asked.

“Mhm, and the day after that. You were helping me during the first week of the new business right?” AJ explained. 

“Oh, right.” Rarity replied.

Rarity did little more than trot home and collapse into her head that night and come morning she was already feeling the weight of the next day ahead of her. At least it was only two days, she would tell herself. At least she was being a good friend and helping AJ, she would repeat. A quick trip to the shower and some breakfast later and Rarity was heading back down to the town square with nothing but her leftover milk candies to keep her company.

Rarity was surprised however when she found the grand stall to be missing, and a new cart that was even smaller than the first one to be standing in its place. The design was fancy, the paintwork and decorations a lot less rushed but it was tiny. Getting closer she saw AJ wave to her from the inside of it. 

“Morning sugarcube, how do you like the new stall?” AJ asked. 

“It’s small.” Rarity stated as a matter of fact. 

“That’s because its advertising, and I have a nice surprise for you too.” AJ said as the shutter suddenly closed and she excited out the back. She led Rarity away from the town square and up to the northern shopping districts where a familiar looking shop front all dressed in white and purple stood. The doors opened automatically as they approached and a waft of refreshingly cold air washed over them. The shop was huge, all fancy and white with tiled floors and metal shelves. “Been in the works for a while and this week was the finishing touches. It is like a dedicated market for all things apples, a supermarket even!”

“Its big.” Rarity replied and it was true. The building was at least twice as big as any other food shop and had a very wide selection of food items including many that were not based on apples. 

“It really is and I got another surprise too.” AJ continued as she happily trotted across the cool tiles to the checkout desk where something under a white sheet stood. Taking hold of a corner of it with her teeth she whipped it away to reveal, a mare. One with purple hair and white fur.

“Well howdy to ye.” She greeted all smiles and bounce. “Name’s Vanilla Dreams but my friends call me Villa. Sure as sugar in a plum casserole to make your acquaintance.” 

“Same.” Rarity replied causing her to laugh loudly. 

“Oh you are a treat, so serious, so cold. Exactly what I expected!” Villa laughed. 

“Great to see you two getting on so well. Vanilla here will be handling the main register which you, Rarity, will be handling the ice cream desk down that way.” AJ explained while pointing to the other desk a bit further down the store.  

Getting dressed in the uniforms they took their places and waited for the store’s official opening. As soon as those doors opened there was a rush of ponies, more so than even yesterday but thankfully Vanilla was the one to take the brunt of the shoppers. It was still tiring to Rarity as the fun or challenge of the past few days had worn away to nothing and now only a slow irritation was left. She longed for her mines, her caves, where she could dig and sleep as much as she wanted to but no, Applejack came first and she only had a few days of helping out left. 

The customers and shoppers came and went and eventually the two mares was left with nobody but each other for company. Rarity sat with her head on the cold countertop listening to the minutes tick by while Vanilla was still standing ready and waiting. Rarity glanced her way and for a moment felt a bit bad. Once she had helped out for the week she would have to take care of both stations all on her own. 

“I am sorry I will only be here until the end of the week, you must have so much to do.” She said. 

“Aw think nothing of it and sorry to hear you are getting fired so soon.” Vanilla replied.

“I don’t work here, I was just helping.” Rarity said causing Vanilla to turn her head.

“Because it is the first week right and she is so very busy so it is the nice thing to do?” She asked. 

“Yes, exactly.” Rarity said causing Vanilla to squint, the gears in her head turning. 

“Hey you, how long you been working here?” Vanilla called out to a repair pony that was doing a last minute touch up across the store. He turned and stepped down from the short ladder. 

“Oh I don’t work here, I was just owned a favor or two.” He replied. 

“Oh that dog gone feather ruffling…” Vanilla began to loudly mutter as her face snapped to anger. Throwing her hat down onto the ground she marched off towards the exit while Rarity began to follow. She went all around. From the delivery ponies, to the painters, to the repairmen, everypony was just helping out or doing AJ a favor. Some had even done more than a week’s worth of work as well, and have seen only a lunch or small gift given in return. “I can not believe her, I have half a mind to go right stormin up to that milk eyed snake of a lass and-” Vanilla ranted before being cut off by Rarity.

“AJ is the best talker I know, I am sure she asked me to help because she knew exactly how popular I would become as an example so getting into an argument with her won’t work.” Rarity explained.

“You… You are right, I don’t even remember why I was helping her.” Vanilla admitted with a sigh. 

“I have an idea.” Rarity said with a crooked smirk. 

Over at the Orchard Applejack sat in her office counting over the piles of riches she had made in the past week. With a sigh, she got up and headed over to the window to look out at the factories humming away across the way. Smiling she decided to go see how her new market was doing and so after locking the door behind her she left the farmhouse with a spring to her step. The days were warm, the profits putting her mind at ease but still she could not help but shake her worries. A new business and one founded on such new ideas was volatile and no matter how much she told herself to not dwell on it she could not help but keep checking things over and over. 

When she got to the town square her smile dropped as she found nobody in the smaller advertising stall. The shutter down and the doors locked up at least but it left her wondering where the stallion she had left in charge had gone to. Becoming worried she quickly ran to the supermarket in check the others, only to find nobody around other than some annoyed shoppers. Snatching up the hat of a uniform that been tossed onto the counter she put it on and headed behind the counter to sort out the small group of muttering customers who had seemingly been waiting some time. The rabble were impatient and chaotic to sort out but AJ did her best all the same. 

With a headache forming and hair out of place AJ got the last of the shoppers sorted. She sighed and threw the hat down with a huff. 

“What is going on around here.” She said. Fixing her hair she took a breath and trotted down the store to the back rooms where she found several of the workers, including Vanilla and Rarity, sitting around a big box playing a card game. 

“Hello Applejack. Do you want to join us?” Rarity asked. 

“I want to know what you are all doing! There are still customers to sort out and construction to do.” AJ said.

“Oh we know but I was only doing some charity work you know, bit of friendly hoof grease for a friend and well Rarity had to go for an emergency, the boys over there had actual jobs to do and I could not just hang around here all day when I got… Stuff to do.” Vanilla said casually while putting her cards down. “So when we returned we decided to wait for the employees to come and switch over for us.” Vanilla then said causing AJ to shrink back. 

“Ah well, they are busy today. It is why I asked you all to help out this week.” AJ said calmly.

“Your employees are busy the whole week? Sure does not sound like good workers to me.” One of the stallions sitting across the table said. 

“Well… Um… You, you know don’t you?” AJ finally asked. 

“We ain’t as dumb as you would like.” Vanilla replied. “And while I do have some halves of a mind to go calling the police on this little racket of yours I figure it's pretty to hear your yarn first.” Vanilla replied as she leaned onto the table. AJ looked away ashamed. 

“I didn't mean to take advantage, really. It is just that Appleloosa was ahead of schedule thanks to the buffalo and the new factories were so tempting to use that I started things before I hired anyone. The stands I had all over Ponyville then became way too popular way too fast that I did not have the time, or money, to keep it all going.” AJ explained.

”I believe ye but that is still no excuse to lead on everypony, why not just ask for… Oh.” Vanilla said as she came to a realization.

“Everypony is so quick to help, I just got carried away.” AJ replied with a shrug.

“Alright I see things from your field alright but you still gotta make right, pay everybody for their time and find real workers as soon as a salt is licked you hear?” Vanilla asked. 

“That is a lot of bits… “ AJ replied before rolling her head and sighing. “But it is the right thing to do.” 

After sitting in for a round of cards they all talked about what to do and how to do it. Some like Rarity prefered to leave as soon as they could while others like Vanilla were more than ready to keep going. Vanilla in fact was so excited to work at the supermarket that Applejack had no choice but to hire her on full time and while the rush caused by Rarity’s fans quickly faded the market only grew more popular with every day. It was barely a week later that it had become to go to location for much of Ponyville.
> Origins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you sure about this, Scootaloo?” Sweetie belle nervously asked as she looked down at the pool of water far below them.

“Of course, it is perfectly safe.” Scootaloo replied with a grin.

“And we have yet to try diving, swimming or other watery things for cutie marks too. Let’s go!” Applebloom then added before tackling both of her friends from behind and throwing them all off the top of the high cliff. They let out a chorus of screams both excited and fearful before hitting the water with a great splash. A few bubbles rose and a second later they surfaced, the floating jackets they had been so wise to put on keeping them from sinking. 

“That wasn’t so bad.” Scootallo admitted as they bobbed along gently in the cool river. 

“Mighty shame we didn’t get no cutie marks though.” Applebloom added with a sigh. 

“Maybe we need to go higher?” Scoots asked. 

“Naa, what about something more fancy like swimming in line?” AB replied. 

“Um… Girls…” Sweetie spoke up.

“You mean synchronized swimming?” Scoots asked. 

“Yeah that, could not be too hard.” AB replied. 

“Girls I think we should… “ Sweetie said a bit louder. 

“What about underwater stuff? I always wanted to go look for treasure.” Scoots asked. 

“Oh that sounds fun but what about-” AB said before Sweetie cut her off. 

“Girls! Look!” Sweetie bell called out causing the others to turn their heads just in time to see the waterfall before all three of them went tumbling down it. They let out another scream as the sharp rocks below approached but just before they hit the bottom Futtershy dashed out from the trees and caught them. She made a loop, turned and landed gracefully on the ground.

“Fillies should not be in the Everfree.” Fluttershy said as she rose an eyebrow. 

“Oh, heya, Fluttershy. Was just out having a swim.” Applebloom said meekly. Fluttershy’s look softened and she fluttered her wings to straighten the feathers. 

“Still hunting for cutie marks yes?” She asked. They nodded. “We can respect the dedication of a long hunt, it was how we got our cutie marks too.” Fluttershy said.

“You did?” Scoots asked as they perked up in interest. 

“Yes, now come. Fillies must leave woods or we will not be getting any bread.” Fluttershy said as she pushed leaves out of the way for them with her wings. 

“But we want to hear about your cutie mark!” Scoots called out as she pranced over. 

“Yeah yeah, if we hear how others got their cutie marks maybe we can learn how to get ours” Applebloom added as she gave Fluttershy her cutest little smile. 

“Fine but only if you come with us and leave the forest.” Fluttershy said. “It all started when we was but a filly…”

 It was a cloudy day in the Everfree and the rabbit gatherers had started to come back from their daily fruit hunt. Fluttershy was hard at work going over the selection to see what was good, what was bad, what could be used for other things like paint or juice. It was an important task and with fall coming soon they would need to have it all done lest they not have enough food to make it through the harsh Everfree winters…

“But why were you in this horrible forest in the first place?” Sweetie Belle asked. 

“We have always been in the forest.” Fluttershy replied. 

“Born in this dreadful place? But darling I thought nobody lived here?” Sweetie then asked.

“We… I… “ Fluttershy paused for a moment. “We remember the sky. Clouds and hoops but then we fell down to the forest and we found animal friends. They took care of me.” Fluttershy said before shaking her head. “Anyway…” 

At first everything seemed to be going great. Almost everything that the rabbits had collected was usable, or edible, and many had managed to find rich spots just bursting with tasty extras but with the Everfree nothing is easy. A few of the rabbits had not returned home from the gathering trips and the scouts had not seen them in the nearby areas either. Worried about them Fluttershy set out to see if she could find them in some of the further areas, her wings allowing for a much greater field of view than those on the ground. She looked all over, from the shady river spots that the rabbits liked to rest at the many secret hidey holes that only natives to the forest can spot but she found nothing. 

It was only when she landed on the ground to rest that she noticed some tracks. Her keen pegasi eyes were sharp but in the seas of brown and green something as the light paw print of a bunny could be easily missed. As the sun ahead was blocked out by the clouds she set off on the ground in search for her missing friends. Her young wings were weak and her legs not much better but the desire to see her warren whole again was truly mighty. 

Fluttershy tracked those rabbits a good mile, across rivers, over logs and around trees. She did not slow, she did not stop, and without knowing it had started to embrace the wilder side of the world in new ways. It was not just a rescue mission, it was a hunt. If she rested then they would get further away from her, if she did not keep focused at all times then she could lose the tracks. It was intense and exciting. While Fluttershy had several mistakes along the way she did her best and eventually found them. It turns out the silly things had gotten lost and in their panic had been running all over the place blindly. For completing that first hunt she had earned her cutie mark.

“Happy now?” Fluttershy asked as she pushed the bush out of the way for them to leave the forest. Her cutie mark of a butterfly inside of a paw print making more sense now. 

“Not what I was expecting to be sure.” Applebloom commented but left without a complaint. Now safe from nature again the girls headed into town with much to think about. They had not expected a cutie mark could come from something as simple as tracking an animal down, or something as abstract as that anyway. Deciding to make a plan they popped into sugarcube corner for a break and something sweet. 

A round of milkshakes and cupcakes later, thanks to Sweetie’s allowance, and they had decided on what to do next. Applejack. Unlike most of the others she was almost always at the farm so finding her would not be difficult and on top of that Applebloom had long since been very curious about her sister. She did leave the farm at a young age and only come back in recent years after all. With the others agreeing they took some extras for the road and headed down the cobblestone back towards the orchard. 

They found many of the farmers along the road to the farm already hard at work to get the springtime chores done but Applejack was nowhere to be seen. Heading further up they popped into the farmhouse for a moment but again did not see her around. Applebloom let out a hum and thought for a moment, ah, if she was anywhere it would be the factories. Going around the house they stopped as they found Starlight also heading down that way. 

“Oh, morning girls.” She greeted happily.

“Morning Starlight.” Scoots replied. 

“What are you lot up to, you sure do look like you are on an adventure?” She asked.

“We are tracking down Applejack and her companions to learn more about how they got their cutie marks so that in turn we may get ours as well.” Sweetie explained. Starlight’s eyes lit up and she pranced over closer. 

“Oh I have a story for you then! It all started when I was but a small little filly and…” Starlight spoke without noticing that the girls had left her talking to the air. 

The girls entered into the tall factory buildings and were promptly stopped by a guard at the front desk. He recognized Applebloom right away but still had orders not to let anyone other than workers in and especially not any foals. They quickly explained that they were looking for Applejack and just like that his stern expression turned to one of a warm smile. He pointed them down the corridors away from the production floors and into the offices. With a thanks given by Sweetie they picked up the pace and began to trot. 

“Applejack!” Applebloom called out as they burst through the door to find her sitting in a chair mulling over piles of paperwork. 

“Applebloom!” She called back just as enthusiastically before letting out a small giggle. “You came to visit your big sis?” She asked already stepping away from the desk. 

“Sure did, we wanted to hear how you got your cutie mark.” Applebloom replied already getting excited but Applejack’s own smile disappeared. Her eyes glazed and for a moment she seemed to be seeing nothing at all but she shook it off. 

“Aw we do you want to hear an old story like that. We could do anything else.” Applejack spoke as she turned away from them and walked slowly towards the window to let some air in.

“Come on sis, you have never told me, Mac or even Granny how you got your cutie mark. We all want to know!” Applebloom replied innocently. Applejack gave her a glance and then threw her head out of the window to take a deep breath of the refreshing spring breeze.

“Alright.” She replied. “If I remember…”

I was a little filly, even more little than you girls were, and I got the idea into my head that there must be more to life than the farm so I decided to go see uncle and aunt orange in the big city. They were nice, giving me my own room and letting me sit at the adult table whenever their many, many guests would come over for parties but I never really felt like I fit in much. They spoke all fancy and had multiple meanings to everything they said, even the smiles and laughs were fake I think, but back then I did not know that. 

I remember one day sitting up in my room and looking out the window almost imagining that I was back at home and I will say that I had never felt more homesick but I toughened up and decided to stick with my choice. I don’t regret that. The schools of the city were hard, both in teaching and how the others acted but that just builds character. I learned to look after myself right quick and in turn how to deal with others even quicker. 

Anyway so one night I heard something real strange coming from the other bedroom. Being the curious little filly I was at the time I crept out of my room and down the halls to see what was going on. I tell you that night changed my life. As I slowly opened the door and took a peek inside I found aunt and uncle orange with a few other ponies all playing card games. Fancy card games at that, the type with disks and a lot of numbers going on. I was amazed and uncle was so nice to introduce me to his friends, even teach me how to play. Turns out I have a knack when it comes to being lucky or maybe I just know what to say and when. Either way that is how I earned my cutie mark. 

“See, just a boring story.” Applejack said as she looked to the apple stamped playing cards on her flank. She smiled, wide and cheery and being happy with the story the cutie mark crusaders thanked her for the time and left to chase down another of her friends. Applejack waved them off and once they were out of sight she sat down on her leather chair and sighed. Pulling out the bottom drawer of the desk she slammed down a large bottle of heavy cider.

“Not as crazy as I was expecting.” Scoots commented as they headed past the farm house.

“Yeah, bit strange though. I have never heard of an aunt or uncle orange being in the family before.” Applebloom added with a shrug. 

“...And that is how I managed to turn several hundred pounds of icing into a single, perfect, ruby...” Starlight said just as the girls walked past her without a pause.

Returning to town they caught sight of Pinkie making her way down the street and so gave chase. She turned a corner and they followed but as they did so they only caught sight of her tail going around another one further down the way. They followed but everytime they thought themselves getting close to her she would always end up even further away. They went down streets, through shops, over market stalls and around more allyways than they could count until finally Pinkie disappeared fully. They stood confused but it was fun and no harm had been done. 

The young fillies looked around the town square to see if they could spot the elusive pink mare but instead they caught sight of Rarity. Trotting over they were interrupted by Starlight who teleported in out of nowhere. 

“Hey girls. What you are doing.” Starlight asked. 

“Going to talk to Rarity.” Scoots replied as a matter of fact. 

“About her cutie mark right, well I can tell you a few things about her past.” Starlight said. 

“You know how she got her cutie mark?” Scoots asked. 

“Well… Not exactly…” Starlight admitted. 

“Cya later, Starlight.” Scoots then said with a wave of her hoof. Continuing on over the girls happy asked Rarity about how she got her cutie mark but at first she did not reply back. She stood thinking for a minute and then two before looking down at them.

“Why?” Rarity asked.

“So we can get ideas on how to get our own cutie mark.” Scoots replied. 

“Why?” She asked again.

“Because getting a cutie mark is the most important thing ever of course!” AB spoke up.

“It is?” Rarity asked.

“Of course darling, it means everything.” Sweetie belle then added. 

“Oh. I got mine when I found a diamond one day.” Rarity then said causing a quiet to fall between them. 

“That’s it? No big adventure, no great mighty monsters. You just dug up a diamond?” AB asked. 

Rarity blinked and looked around in thought. She was not the youngest of fillies when she got her cutie mark and had been a servant of the diamond dogs for quite some time before it happened but that did not seem the slightest bit strange to her. It was a day like any other, she had failed to find her daily quota of gems and crystals for a while and was near starving so she tried harder than normal to catch up. She found the diamond and things got easier, and at the same time she got her cutie mark.

“That’s it.” Rarity replied. 

“Well at least we know that a cutie mark can be easy.” Scoots said with a shrug. 

“True, but we still need to find Pinkie and others.” AB replied. 

“You mean that Pinkie?” Rarity said while pointing across the market. Following the direction the cmc found that Pinkie was indeed standing behind a market stall talking to a mare. Thanking Rarity for the help they dashed off. 

Pinkie had just finished talking to the mare and as she went to leave she found Applebloom standing with a cute smile. With no reaction given she turned straight around and headed out of the market stall via the other side but was stopped as she found scootaloo also blocking her way. Again she tried to not give the young fillies any mind but when she went for the last route she found Sweetie belle blocking the way. Her eyes looked all around to try and find a way out of this sticky situation but there was no escape routes left and she knew that they would only keep hunting her down if she did manage to slip away. She sighed. 

“H-hey girls, what are you up to?” Pinkie asked with a crack in her tone. 

“Hearing stories. We really want to know how you grew up, you hear, and how you got her cutie mark too!” Applebloom said. 

“O-oh, oh… Oh.” Pinkie murmured as she looked over her shoulder for a moment. “Well, that is a um how to say. A long story?”

“Please?” Scoots asked as they three gave her a cute look. 

“Um, alright. I suppose…” Pinkie muttered as her eyes darted around the town square for a moment. Right on que the three girls moved to sit down in front of her, all ready to hear her story. She coughed, a bead of sweat running down her brow as her mind raced for the words...

There was once a small farm in the middle of seemingly nowhere, it was a boring little farm for boring little fillies. Everypony who worked their were all the same as well, grey fur, grey eyes and a grey heart but for one little filly she found herself different. Deep down there was this tiny little spark of color, something nopony else had nor they could understand. Sure the others would play with her, they would be kind and friendly as much as any other but they never could truly understand the little colorful filly. 

One day, now a big filly but a filly all the same, she was finally allowed to leave the grey farm and come with her parents to the grey town down the road. It was a wonderful place and despite the grey buildings the ponies here had some spark of color to them all the same. Some were strong, some just a flicker but for the colorful filly it was beautiful to see. As her grey parents would go to see their grey stones she would be left to wander, to explore and to play which she did with much joy. It was from this joyful wandering that she met a most delightful friend. He was full of color unlike any she had seen before and had a smile like a rainbow. As quick as a snap he showed her a special place behind the houses that was full of green and blue, a beautiful place where fireflies danced and the sun shone in golden threads. The colorful filly had never known such overwhelming, deep, joy. 

Every week the colorful filly and her colorful friend would play together, for hours and hours, under the golden sun and across the heavenly grass. Oh the singing they would do together, such sweet harmony. But her grey parents did not like her colorful friend, no no not at all. They saw him as strange and told her that all ponies should be just as grey as they were but the colorful filly did not understand why. He had never done anything bad. Quite the opposite, every moment that they enjoyed together was such bliss and she tried to tell her parents this but they only got more and more mad the more she admitted. Not just at her colorful friend, but at herself too. The next morning she found herself not heading down to the grey town but rather much further than they had ever gone before. The grey towns slowly turned colorful, the ponies so much more sweet. It was in one such town of many hues that they dropped her off at a big old building. And with but a glance, they left. Never to be seen again. 

The colorful filly was sad. Her parents were grey but they were kind and still her parents all the same and yet they left her so easily. The question ran long in her mind, why? Because she had a colorful friend? Because she refused to be grey? She did not know.

It turned out the big old building was a place for those who had no family to go to but they were not sad, oh no, the walls were bright, the faces colorful and the new dad of them all was the most colorful pony that the little filly had seen. Every word sparked joy. Everything he did was full of light. It did not take long however for her to learn that for every light there is a shadow. This colorful dad was cursed in that everytime he touched a filly a dot of darkness would sneak inside them. It was not fun at all. The brave and colorful filly however was strong and she wanted to help the colorful dad overcome the curse so that he could play sweetly with the other fillies. It was hard and it was long, much more so than anything else she had done, but she managed to take all his darkness inside of her… Only when she did, she realized she was no longer a filly at all but rather a colorful and strong mare. 

Colorful dad now free from the curse and all her colorful friends singing sweetly she left to find a colorful place to settle down. Along her many travels she found many colorful ponies who would play, sing and dance so sweetly with her but eventually she found her place in the world. A lovely little cherry farm. A sweet place with the most candy of fruit all juicy and delicious. Her road so far had been a long one, and a hard one, so very long and hard, but it was here that she knew she had found her place in the world.

“And that is how you got yer cutie mark?” Applebloom asked as she looked to Pinkie’s flank. Sure enough, she had a cherry sitting inside of a heart. What else could that mean? “Cool!” Applebloom then said. 

“Delightful story indeed and it makes me feel all warm inside to know that a cutie mark can come just as soon as you find that one thing where you belong.” Sweetie added to the nods of the others. “I must say, it is getting late. We must find the others quick!” She then called out causing the others to bid Pinkie a farewell before dashing off. Pinkie sighed and pulled a flask out of her boot. She downed most of it until her legs stopped shaking. 

“I am so never having kids.” She muttered as she trotted in the direction of the Cherry Pie. 

Rainbow Dash was doing what she did best, napping in the middle of the day and dreaming up new situations for her latest book, when all of a sudden a loud knocking shook her from her rest. Pulling her head up off the straw nest like bed she crawled over to the window and looked down to who was making all the noise. Peering down to the ground she found the cutie mark crusaders tapping hard on her door. Immediately she perked up and shook the sleep from herself. 

“Hey girls!” She shouted down to them with a smile. “Up here!” 

“Oh hey Rainbow, we wanted to ask you about your cutie mark!” Scoots shouted back. 

“Awesome, come on in!” Rainbow then shouted before ducking inside. The girls looked at each other and gave the door a nudge to find it now strangely unlocked. Moving on they headed inside to find the library had a lovely cool breeze running through it. The many old books and aged wood giving it a refreshing scent too. For a minute they wondered why they did not come over more but then realized it was because books were boring. 

Rainbow appeared but a moment later with freshly brushed mane and a coat still sparkling from a splash of water. She offered them a chair but they were not interested in staying for too long. 

“We just wanted to hear about your cutie mark.” Scoots said.

“And your past too, that has been a right bit of fun to hear about.” Applebloom added.

Rainbow’s eyes lit up at the question and before she said a word she picked up the girls and placed each around the fire, which then lit up with a clack of her hooves. With a flutter of her wings she cleared her throat. 

“Let me guess. You are all young and energetic girls looking to get your cutie marks as soon as you can?” Rainbow asked and the girls agreed. “Well then, I have a few pearls of wisdom for you and it all starts with this. Never think that whatever you are doing now could be your entire future. When I was but a little filly I was into sports and racing and going fast and you know what happened to all those dreams?” She asked but before they could answer she tapped the main feather of her wing and in turn it made a slight metallic ding sound. They were stunned. “I thought I would be a wonderbolt, a champion, but then I took one bad fall and it all fell apart… Like my wings did. And yeah sure I was upset for a while, lost with no idea of what to do, but then writing found me. All those fictional worlds, the things I could imagine and create. I am so glad that I took that tumble because if not I would not be Rainbow-Dash, quickest writer in equestria!” She said with a content smile. The story was short but it told them a lot including why her cutie mark was a rainbow colored quill. 

“Wow. I have always loved your books but I never knew you used to be sporty.” Scoots said amazed. 

“Yup. Anything can happen, anything can change. Your destiny might be in a place you could never even imagine.” Rainbow added. 

“That’s strangely profound of you.” A new voice spoke up. 

“Twilight! What are you doing here?” Rainbow asked.

“I heard that three curious fillies were running all over town for stories, so I thought I should come to them and see what was up.” Twilight replied.

“This is perfect, now we don’t have to chase her down.” Scoots said to her other friends who all happily agreed, they would have to go home soon after all and leaving before an adventure was done was never any fun. 

“Miss Twilight, can you tell us how you got your cutie mark?” Applebloom then asked. 

“I would love to and it's very smart of you girls to learn from your elders.” Twilight complimented as she took a seat. Clearing her throat she began as if reading from a book in her head. 

Rainbow Dash was very much correct in that your destiny may not be what you were expecting. My own cutie mark I feel was much of the same but with a few key differences. See, while Rainbow’s cutie mark and purpose was found due to an accident while she was younger mine was found due to the acceptance of reality. When I was young, a little filly like you three are now, I studied long and hard in everything magical. For a time I even became quite good at it. Ponies called me talented and arcane and my parents took notice. Despite being younger than normal they signed me up for Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns, an attempt to better use my talent. 

Even now I remember spending every minute reading, practising, learning new spells and history but in the end it is only one test that will get you into the school or not. I had to hatch a dragon egg. Now even then I knew this was silly as dragons are full of old magics that make them resistant to most spells but also the magical school of altering life was one of the hardest. To do both, as a filly, would be impossible. Still, I tried. Over and over I tried until I could not try anymore and in my frustrations I ended up teleporting out with the egg in hoof. I just needed to find a way to do it even if the test was over. My parents understood and helped me keep the egg. 

It was over many months of magical study and practise that I finally realized however, not everything can be solved with magic. It was when I started to research into biology and physics that I started to understand that there are many ways to hatch an egg and sure enough after many more months I figured it out. All a dragon needs is heat. It took me a long time to build something with the heat needed I admit but I still did it and by doing so that is how I got my cutie mark. Not by accident, not random, just because I took the time and effort to try every option and find the right answer in it all. 

“Do you girls have any questions?” Twilight then asked once she was done talking. 

“That was not what I was expecting to be real.” Applebloom said. 

“Makes sense though, kind of a standard way of doing it.” Scoots added. 

“Hey girls, I finally caught up with you!” Starlight called out as she popped her head in through the window. “You left before I could tell you the rest of my story.” She said with such an innocent smile to her. The girls gave a look to each other and sighed.

“Ok, let’s hear what you have to say.” Scoots said as the girls went to get a seat. Starlight scrambled inside and bounced along to the fireplace ready to give her tale. With one big breath, she began.
> Hangover in Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Late morning, Ponyville. The air was golden with the sounds and scents of springtime. Fillies and colts ran around playing with nothing but joy and cheer on their faces. It was shaping up to be a perfect day for the Grand Galloping Gala, an event that Starlight and her friends had been looking forward to. Mostly. 

Fluttershy was still not fully convinced on the gala. She had never really been to a wide scale party of this level before and with all the fancy dresses, fancy speak, and even fancier ponies she found it all a bit overbearing. Still, she had made a promise to Starlight to go and the food was just tempting enough to keep her from ducking out early. Pinkie however was excited. She had managed to score a deal to fund an entire fountain of Cherry Rosé, the newest and most special of wines made by lovers, for lovers. It was sure to bring a kick to the party and provide quite some level of advertising at that for the Cherry Pie without it being too… On the nose. 

Starlight had woke up only recently. She spent some time lazing about in the shower, in the kitchen and on the sofa just getting ready for the no doubt all night long party soon to come. Stretching her legs out and she glanced to the clock for the third time that hour. It was time she felt to go get her dress picked up. The trip to Canterlot after all would take some hours and it was always smart to come early. Pulling herself up she shook the laziness from her body like so much heavy fluff and headed for the door wearing just a grin. 

“Sup Stary.” Rainbow greeted just outside her house. 

“Sup. You were waiting for me?” Starlight asked as they started walking together. 

“Thought it would be more fun to go together, besides it was you who convinced us all to go so you might as well lead us on up to the place.” Rainbow replied. 

“I think Pinkie might have something to say about that, I heard she got us some kind of carriage.” Starlight said with a smirk. 

As the pair reached the tailor’s store they found Rarity and Twilight already waiting for them although Twilight was so focused on her paperwork and notes that she did not notice them as they walked inside.

“Sup, you seen the others?” Rainbow asked. 

“Fluttershy and Applejack are in the back.” Rarity replied.

“And Pinkie?” Rainbow then asked.

“I saw her earlier today, she mentioned getting something ready.” Rarity answered. 

“That fits, Starlight did mention her sorting out some kind of big carriage.” Rainbow said as she moved on across the shop and into the backrooms. 

Inside the private dressing rooms they were met with the comical sight of Applejack and Spike trying their best to get Fluttershy ready for the Gala. She was not fighting them but her refusal to stand still for even a moment only made it all the harder to get everything to sit on her just right. The soft green fabric with design notes of nature and the everfree, such as vines and butterflies, did look incredibly nice on her though.

“If you think this is hard wait until we gotta straighten her hair.” Spike remarked. 

“Good luck, I gotta get myself ready first.” Applejack replied with a smirk as she finished off the flowery collar. Giving a nod to the others she headed over to get her dress from the rack. Starlight smiled back and made her horn glow. Picking up a dozen tools from the mirrored desks they danced around Fluttershy in a storm of beauty products. Within minutes her fluffy rat’s nest of a mane had been made neat, soft, and decorated with several flowers. Fluttershy was surprised as she looked at herself in one of the mirrors but a part of her did almost like it. At least others would not be staring at her as much.

“Thanks Starlight, I have been trying to get her ready all day.” Spike said. 

“Least I can do. I want this night to be perfect.” Starlight replied. 

As Applejack got her own dress sorted out Starlight and Rainbow went to get their hair done up first. As they did Rarity and Twilight finished whatever they were doing in the front and joined everypony at the back. The night was finally on its way to getting sorted, all they needed to do was find Pinkie and take the carriage up to Canterlot. 

Spike sat looking over the girls as they all got dressed. Fluttershy was wearing a green dress all done up in the styles of nature. Rainbow was of course wearing a silk rainbow with gold shoes and a matching gold laurel headdress. Applejack was going rustic as ever with a tasteful leather dress all done with apple shaped decorations. Rarity had gone with silk and see through leggings but the amount of gems on the dress itself bordered on being too flashy. Lastly Twilight and Starlight had gone with similar designs as Twilight’s dress used blue and stars much like the night sky while Starlight had gone with a surprisingly beautiful mixture of black and purple. Spike’s tuxedo in comparison seemed almost quaint but he did not mind, being able to watch them all getting dressed was quite fun as well. With a few touches of makeup to really polish up everything they headed out to find Pinkie waiting for them just outside the store, oddly wearing sunglasses and a black dress that barely hung down to the knees. 

“Sup.” Pinkie greeted. “You ready to crash a Gala?” She asked with a wide grin before whistling loud into the warm spring air. Before they could say anything the ground began to rumble and a huge carriage as long as three houses came barreling down the roadway. Being pulled by six muscled stallions all wearing black and bowties it came to a sharp stop. The entire group was slack jawed and bug eyed but when Pinkie opened up the double doors they nearly fainted. The inside was decked out in pink and gold. A wine fountain, hot tub, stallion servant and mini-dressing room was only a few of the luxury additions waiting for them. “Canterlot is several hours away, so I don’t think you lot will mind getting dressed again right?” Pinkie asked. 

Rushing inside they were amazed with how much room they had to move around, in fact it seemed like it was bigger on the inside than the outside. While Starlight had some explanations of illusion enchantments nobody was paying her attention. Rainbow instantly crashed on a plush leather seat with a wide mini-bar full of things to try out, to which both Fluttershy and Applejack quickly joined her. Rarity and spike was quick to hop in the hottub together for a bit of rest and relaxation before the big night. Pinkie sat down as cool as ever next to their stallion servant of the night, which everypony expected. This just left Starlight and Twilight to find something to do. Between Twilight’s difficulty in having fun and Starlight’s awkwardness however they ended up sitting next to each other away from the others. It was quieter and they preferred that. 

“How much do you think something like this costs?” Starlight asked as she sat looking around. 

“More than I make I feel… Trust Pinkie to know how to spend a night.” Twilight replied. 

The private party within the carriage bounced on for hours until they had lost track of time but with the sun dropping low in the sky and the roadways becoming lined with bricks they knew it would soon be over. 

The Gala was well known across equestria for being a truly royal party. It was as VIP as you could get as various royals, nobles, millionaires and ponies with all types of power would meet up and rub elbows until the sun rose. The food was the best in the country, the music provided by only the most talented. Everything was luxury, everything was wealthy. Even Celestia, and now Luna, would make an appearance. In this golden ocean of power and money Pinkie’s entrance still stood out. When the carriage rolled up everybody stopped to stare. A crowd quickly formed to see what kind pony could afford such an insanely lavish contraption and when the group came forward the crowd was surprised. Sure, there was the star pupil of Celestia, the owner of the Bejewelled Bridle and of course the Cherry Queen herself but the rest they had never even heard of. 

Heading down the polished pathway they entered into the grand gardens of the Canterlot castle just as the wonderbolts flew over head in skillful tumbles and patterns. A flash and bang of fireworks went off soon after. In the center of the gardens they found another surprise. A giant fountain of sweet smelling pink juice. Pinkie’s grin told them much.

“Surprise, the Cherry’s pie very own Cherry Rosé! It was a rush and half to get the mixture right but well worth it. I want you all to be the first to take a test.” She explained as she waved off the waiter that was looking after it. With eight crystal wine glasses filled with the bubbling pink liquid Pinkie stood up on the edge of the fountain and raised hers upwards. “To the best night ever!” She called out. All at once they put it to their lips to find a smooth, fruity and surprisingly powerful drink that made their entire body feel light merely seconds later. Things spun a little, hooves feeling strangely tingly. Starlight laughed. 

Sunlight. Birds. Starlight rolled over with a groan as her head felt like a lead anvil being pounded by a dragon. Sitting up she coughed violently and pulled apart her sticky eyes to find herself in a large bed. Lifting up a hoof she found it wet. And then she realized the bed was inside of a pool. She sat with no clue how she got here for a moment before pulling open the other eye. Slowly she turned to the other pony who was laying next to her. She swallowed the bitter lump in her throat as she was met with the seductive half lidded eyes of Pinkie, who then wiggled her eyebrows for effect. 

“Please, oh Celestia no…” Starlight whispered with a dry cracked mouth.

“Hmm not what you was saying last night.” Pinkie replied with a wink.

Starlight’s eyes looked all over the pink mare laying next to her. She could not believe it, so she chose not to. Quickly she got out of bed but in doing so she fell into the pool with a great splash. Now much more awake she paddled over to the pool’s edge to find it only half filled. Pouring magic into her horn her head painfully shook and the magic escaped her. Swimming over to the ladder she climbed out to find herself not even in the castle. It seemed like they were in some random mansion’s backyard. 

“Starlight, hey. Hey, over here. Fun party!” A blue mare called out from the back of a huge inflatable swan that was slowly circling around the pool. Starlight for a moment did not even know who she was but then she noticed the wings and horn. Princess Luna?!

“How did I get here?!” Starlight shouted before another retching cough caught her. 

“I have no idea!” Luna replied before giggling herself crosseyed. 

In a staggered stupor Starlight trotted around the large marble pool and up to the mansion that had all the backdoors wide open. Heading inside she found a long trail of blue petals all over the floor and the walls were covered in some kind of pink paint, or goo. Ignoring the goo for now she followed the trail across the kitchen, down the hallways and into the living room where she found Applejack wearing Celestia’s crown. She was asleep on what appeared to be several thousand bits piled up into a massive heap. There was even some gems and other treasures scattered about. Starlight wished so much that she knew how this happened but nothing came to mind for this situation either. 

Climbing up the pile of bits she gave Applejack a shake. Slowly she opened her eyes. With a yawn she shook her head and several more bits came flying out. Gazing to Starlight with empty eyes she looked down to the bits and then up to the luxurious mansion all around her. 

“Please tell me you know what is going on here.” Starlight said as Applejack rolled to her hooves. She said not a word and instead started to walk. “I just woke up in what I think is princess Luna’s bed, with Pinkie, and I just got no idea how I go there you know?” Starlight continued. “I don’t think anything really happened but the fact I don’t remember anything of yesterday just really is a bit worrying you know?” Starlight kept talking. 

Applejack did not seem to pay her any attention and continued to trot all the way down to the kitchen where in she began to open up each cupboard and drawer in search of a blender. Finding one she began to take a little of this, a little of that, and more than a touch of liquor to fill it. With a whir that drilled painful vibrations into her brain she poured out several shots of it into small glasses and slid one to Starlight. Starlight gave her a look and found Applejack downing one already. Curious she did so herself. For a moment it felt like someone had just smashed the back of her head with an entire fruit tree but then it cleared, no pain, no blur in her eyes.  

“Better. And no, I don’t remember a thing either.” Applejack said. 

“That better be your Ambrosia, AJ, because my head has not hurt this much since highschool.” Pinkie spoke up as her and a giggly Luna entered into the kitchen. 

“Help yourself… Any idea why Luna is here, or why I am wearing this crown?” Applejack asked.

“I got no idea.” Pinkie replied as she took a shot of the mix with a wince. 

“Ah so you don’t remember anything either!” Starlight said with a squint. 

“Oh I remember some things alright.” Pinkie said with a smirk.

“Sure you do, like us waking up together. I am sure that happened, next you will tell me that Applejack was crowned the next princess of Equestria and that Luna has become a stripper.” Starlight spoke. 

“Stripper?” Applejack asked as she rose an eyebrow.

“The outfit.” Starlight said as she pointed out that Luna was indeed wearing a pair of slightly torn stockings. 

“Huh, I don’t know how I missed that. Looking good Luna.” Applejack replied causing Luna to giggle all the more in reply. Sliding Pinkie another shot she helped Luna to drink it between the crazed giggling. As soon as managed to get it down her she stopped giggling. Her fuzzy eyes looking around the room before sliding onto Applejack. Suddenly they went wide. 

“Celestia!” She called out so loud that Starlight felt it in her bones. “Oh heavens how did I get swept up in that chaos, we have to find Celestia.” Luna said. 

“What is wrong, what happened last night?” Starlight asked.

“I can not remember everything but my annoying sister disappeared sometime during the eventide. I tried to find her but the pannychis swept me up in its madness. Alass, I think I broke the sun as well…” Luna explained much to the stares of the others.

“What do you mean, you broke the sun?” Starlight asked now worried. Looking outside they did indeed notice that the sun and moon were both hanging up in the middle of the sky. Looking to Luna she let out a huff.

“The sun was as heavy as my sister and I feel that I used all my magic to raise it as much as I did. So much so that I have naught the strength to move even my moon.” Luna explained. 

“Damn, never had a party get so good that I lost a princess and broke the sky before.” Pinkie remarked. 

“Yes yes we are all impressed but we gotta find Celestia. Applejack, you got her crown so do you know anything?” Starlight asked but AJ shook her head. “There has to be something, how did we get here? Where even is here?” Starlight then asked. 

“I believe this is the lowly home of one of the so called nobles. It is on the edge of Canterlot.” Luna said. 

“Great, we so somehow dragged your bed several miles through one of the most busy cities in Equestria before dumping it in a half filled pool… And I don’t even know how Applejack got here or where she got all the bits from.” Starlight sighed. 

“You did what to my bed?” Luna said with a glare. 

“W-well someone must have seen us do that, and I have Celestia’s crown so I must have been with her at one point. We just need to retrace our steps.” Applejack said while ignoring Luna’s cold stare on her. 

“Everypony spread out and look for clues, there has to be something else around here.” Starlight spoke up as Luna trotted outside to find her bed sinking into the pool. The others decided to leave her alone lest she throw them into the sun, or eat their souls. Upstairs Starlight found little outside of a few trashed rooms and a giant bathtub filled with whipped cream and some stray pink and purple hairs. Retreating she decided to help the others check downstairs. 

With Applejack quickly taking a shower the rest searched every room of the impressively large home. There was luxury and things to see all over but hardly any clues to what had happened last night or where they had gone to, that is until they reached the 3rd bathroom. Starlight got quite surprised as she flung open the door to find herself face to face with an incredibly large snake. It coiled around the entire bathroom despite the room itself being impressively large and while Starlight was understandingly scared at first it did little but flick its tongue at her lazily. She closed the door quietly. 

“Hey Starlight, found something? You look pale.” Pinkie asked.

“Snake.” Starlight replied. 

“Snake?” Pinkie asked. Raising an eyebrow Pinkie opened the door a crack, peered inside, and then slowly closed the door. “Snake.” She repeated with a blink. 

“Canterlot has a zoo right? We must have done something.” Starlight pointed out. 

 “Not the worst idea.” Pinkie agreed with a nod. 

Once Applejack had finished cleaning herself up from last night and Luna had changed they set out together into the city. The cold iron gates just outside of the mansion were not unscathed either as a multicolored stream of confetti and ribbons hung all over the entrance. Puddles of what they could only hope was alcohol also dotted the road forward. With Pinkie giving a smirk about the irony of the situation they began to follow the scattered trail back into the city. 

Every step they took revealed to them the same scene. Passed out pegasi, drunken unicorns and dazed earth ponies strewn all over the streets. With each they still were holding, or rather cradelling, various kinds of wines, spirits and booze.  Some were wearing torn dresses and tuxedos while others had strange costumes as if they had been mixing and matching half of a party shop. The once beautifully maintained white marble that Canterlot was built on had stained every color of the rainbow and every house or shop seemed to have been met with the same fate. It made Starlight all the more worried as they travelled, if a city as large and as organized as Canterlot had been trashed so completely then what could have happened to Celestia. Was anyone injured? What else did they do last night? Such questions would continue to haunt her all the way up to the zoo where they found broken gates and many animals still running about all painted in green and yellow. 

“That paint is Fluttershy’s all right.” Applejack spoke up as she stepped in a puddle of it. 

“We can not say for sure, I mean… Um… Why would Fluttershy break into a zoo?” Starlight asked but then sighed. “Don’t answer that.”  

The zookeepers were quite glad to see help arrive and although none of the group were animal experts Starlight’s ability to teleport loose creatures or fix broken cages both proved to be useful. As they searched for more clues they eventually ran into an odd scene. The Cragadile’s pits were studded with gem and crystal formations and one of the beasts was even wearing lipstick.

“I think Rarity helped out Fluttershy.” Pinkie said. 

“Because of the lipstick?” Starlight asked.

“No, but yes.” Pinkie replied with a point of her hoof. Following it Starlight noticed that the Cragadile had ‘Spike 01’ written on its side. Rubbing her face with her hoof she groaned at the mess they had left. 

“You know, I am going to blame you for this. What was even in that wine of yours?” Starlight asked.

“It is Cherry Rosé and it should not have had this kind of effect, well, unless that in the push to get it ready on time the vintner and the alchemist got one of the ingredients mixed up.” Pinkie said.

“Why does a rosé need an alchemist?” Starlight then asked. 

“You think award winning drinks known all over Equestria can be made without one?” Pinkie replied with a grin. 

After a bit of clean up and the last of the animals returned they ended up standing next to a large metal pipe that went far up and into the mountains above. Several areas had been painted and various bottles left all over but more oddly was that a large panel had been removed allowing anyone to see inside. Starlight did just that and found that there was a shallow amount of water running down underground towards Canterlot. 

“Excuse me, I am here to repair that.” A young stallion with grey fur and a crooked wrench cutie mark spoke up. 

“Oh, sorry. We are trying to work out what happened last night.” Starlight replied. 

“I do not know your personal lives but if I had to guess, you went down the pipe.” He said.

“Down the pipe?” Starlight asked.

“Down the pipe. As a professional and licensed engineer I have to state that doing so is a dangerous idea that could contaminate the water supply…” He said but he had a look to his strong blue eyes that made Starlight pause. 

“But?” She asked in an attempt to get him to say more. 

“As a young engineer who is not being recorded, going down the pipe is like wicked awesome and you can shred all the way down to the city centre in minutes. Totally a rush.” He explained with a thick accent before coughing. “Now I need you to move so I can repair the pipe.” 

“Yeah Starlight, we should move.” Pinkie said as she threw a hoof around Starlight’s neck.

“You better not.” Starlight said with a glare.

“Do what?” Pinkie replied innocently. 

“Go down that pipe.” Starlight said.

“That sounds fun, thanks for suggesting it.” Pinkie said before all but tossing Starlight into the water with a wide smile. Giving a nod to Applejack and Luna she jumped in herself. With an echoing chorus of screams and giggles echoing all the way down the two left behind gave a look to each other. 

“It is most unbecoming of a princess to do such things.” Luna muttered.

“Can not be any worse than what you did last night.” Applejack replied as she put her head into the pipe.

“What do you mean, do you remember something?” Luna asked.

“Maybe.” Applejack replied just as she jumped into the water and was swept off at speed. Luna stomped her hooves and let out a groan at the annoyance but then sighed. Stepping closer to the pipe she stopped to look at the engineer. “You saw nothing.” She spoke before hopping into the water herself. 

They tumbled and slid at great speed down the dark pipe, over and under it would twist causing some of them to laugh joyfully while others would let out loud and echoing screams. The ride however only lasted so many minutes until they were thrown back into the sunlight of Canterlot. Starlight and Pinkie both landed in a huge pool of water and once they had swam back up to the surface found themselves confused. The roads and buildings around the city centre had all been barricaded by rock and crystal, and the central area flooded in order to turn it into a giant swimming pool! 

Using her magic Starlight created a floating platform out of ice for Pinkie and herself to walk on. Looking around they noticed that this was not just a pool but the remains of a large pool party. There was even large tables still floating about with food and drink from the previous night. Spotting Rarity on the back of what appeared to be a green pool toy Starlight used her magic to form an icy bridge over the large pool area towards her, just as Applejack and Luna came out of the pipe themselves. Using a shot of Applejack’s hangover cure, which she had apparently took with her when they left the mansion,

“Is that Princess Luna?” She asked still groggy as she sat up.

“Long story, turns out Pinkie’s special fountain was a bit too special and Celestia has disappeared due to whatever crazy events happened last night but nobody can remember anything.” Starlight explained. 

Rarity yawned and stretched out her legs which caused the pool toy she was sitting on to move and shudder. They realized it was not in fact a pool toy but rather an escaped Cragadile from the zoo. As it raised its head up they could see it was wearing lipstick and had a ‘Spike 03’ written across its forehead as well. 

“Don’t worry about um, Spike here, he is very friendly.” Rarity said while giving him a pat on the back. “Oh and there is the other Spike.” She added with a glance across the pool. 

Sure enough, they watched as the real Spike came out of a top floor window to one of the shops and hopped from one table to another over to where Rarity was floating. On one hand he deftly balanced a tray with breakfast and coffee, not a single drop out of place as he bounced over to them. 

“Morning Starlight, was wondering where you girls went last night.” Spike said.

“Ah so you remember what we did?” Starlight asked. Spike took a look over to Rarity and then slowly turned his head back towards the others. He coughed.

“Nope, I was not with you all for most of the night…” He said quickly as he put the tray down for Rarity. 

“Dang, have you seen the others where any of the others are at least?” Starlight asked. 

“I saw a bunch of guards running down towards the embassy, something about escaped animals?” Spike explained after thinking. 

“Ooo looks like Fluttershy knows how to party after all.” Pinkie added with a grin. 

“Before that though, can you do anything about all this water?” Starlight asked. Rarity looked around and gave a slow nod. Focusing her magic she took hold of the rocks and crystals build up around the city centre and slowly let them sink back into the ground. Bit by bit the water drained away, rushing down the streets and into every drain they could find. Eventually all that was left of the pool party was heaps of chairs and tables or piles of soggy and yet blackened debris. The local tavern as well seemed to be missing several windows while the woodwork was charred in several places. “Was there a fire?”

“Yes.” Rarity replied.

“And that is why you made a pool?” Starlight asked.

“Yes.” Rarity repeated.

“Who started the fire.” Starlight then asked. 

“I don’t know.” Rarity said. 

Starlight sighed and gave a wave for the others to follow. It would be wise to keep moving before the guards came after all and they still had to find Celestia before too many woke up and realized the sky was broken. Heading out of the city centre they moved in the direction of both the royal castle and the embassy in search of what they believed to be Fluttershy. 

The sudden rush of water had cleared away so much of the party debis while also helping many of those passed out to wake up, be it in a direct and none too comfortable way. Apart from repainting several places of the town and fixing some broken pipes or furniture it seemed like the party would have no long lasting effects at all. That was what Starlight, Luna and some of the others hoped at least. 

About halfway to the embassy however they were stopped as a long line of young colts and fillies were crossing the street. The group waited as they crossed and did not think anything of it.

“Don’t you think this is strange?” Applejack asked.

“What do you mean?” Starlight replied. “They are just going to school.”

“Except for the tiny little fact that the Grand Galloping Gala was on Saturday. So either we partied for two days straight or it is still Sunday.” Applejack said.

“We should take a look.” Starlight said with a nod as she started to follow the last of the line. The long group headed around several buildings and over a bridge before looping back to the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns. While many were going through the back and side doors, others were teleporting back inside using magic or simply floating themselves up to windows.

“Well, that is odd.” Starlight said. 

“We should go take a look, maybe we did something last night.” Pinkie added. 

“Pinkie, Rarity and I will go take a look. You lot continue up to the embassy and see what is going on.” Starlight said. Split into two groups Starlight’s now smaller party headed around to the side of the building. Keeping quiet they snuck along the bushes and gardens before stopping next to a window. Using her magic to get a bit more height she peered inside to find little more than an empty classroom without even the lights on. Continuing they repeated the actions and in every classroom found nothing but dark rooms with nopony in sight. Just before they were about to give up and head back they caught the sound of music drifting out of an open window on the second floor. Looking to Rarity she used her magic to cut a circle out of the ground and lift it up to take a look. 

Inside they found a large recreational area filled with young colts and fillies on the verge of their teenage years all hanging out and having what seemed to be a simple party of all of their own. Despite it being early morning there was still juice and pizza being served and sitting at the back, surrounded by a dozen of the young ponies, was Rainbow Dash. She lay on a huge bean bag talking to the crowd but Starlight was unable to make out what she was saying.

“Um excuse me, can you get Rainbow for me please?” Starlight asked a young colt who nearly jumped off the floor in surprise. He looked over to Rainbow and then back again. Shrugging he trotted over. After exchanging a few words Rainbow perked up and caught sight of her friends. Waving she got up and staggered over.

“Ay, what are you girls doing here?” Rainbow asked.

“Was about to ask you the same thing.” Starlight replied. 

“Oh well. I woke up a while ago and I was apparently in the middle of reading to a class on the metaphysical nature of magical botany which is how I met all of these nice foals. They keep saying that I was the most fun they have had in years but refuse to actually tell me what happened last night, which I figure is because they find it funny that I don’t know how I got here. So anyway, after throwing a bucket of ice over my head and waking up I found that I had promised them to have more fun tomorrow too because ‘the rainbow train does not stop’ or something so I had to set up all of this.” Rainbow explained with a nod to the party going on behind her. “To be honest, apart from the chewing gum stuck to my tail and leading a hundred foals across town so we can set up a party back at the school it has been a great time.” 

“Somehow I am not surprised, at least you did not break anything.” Starlight said with a sigh.

“Where were you reading the book if you had to lead them across town?” Pinkie asked causing Starlight to give a confused look to Rainbow. 

“Oh, we were in the sewers. There was this little hidden base set up down there, I think, it was pretty trashed when I woke up.” Rainbow explained.

“Wait, so you woke up in a sewer, reading an advanced magical textbook on plants, to a hundred foals, in the early hours of the morning?” Starlight asked amazed. 

“Yeah, weird right.” Rainbow said as she climbed through the window. “Have you seen the others around?” 

“Eh, well, Spike, Luna and Applejack went to the embassy to see what Fluttershy is up to.” Starlight explained.

“And you call my adventures strange.” Rainbow said with a cheeky smile. 

“She has you on that one.” Pinkie added just as amused. 

“Listen up class!” Rainbow called out causing all the foals to turn her way. “My time with you is at an end but fear not for the rainbow train is everlasting. We will meet again at a different station I am sure. Until then, you stay awesome.” Rainbow said causing cheers and passionate replies to echo back. As Rarity lowered them down to the ground many rushed to the window to bid her farewell. “Ah I will miss them.” Rainbow added as they left the school. 

“You could visit them next year, what are their names?” Starlight asked.

“I have no idea.” Rainbow said causing Pinkie to start laughing. 

Moving on and with Rainbow Dash in tow they headed back down to the main street and up towards the embassy to join up with the others. As they approached however they found a wide ring of Canterlot guards and armored carriages surrounding the outside. Even from a distance they could tell that the building had been fortified with windows barricaded using furniture and doors sealed off allowing only the front entrance to be used. In the gloomy cracks of the windows tiny little eyes glinting in the darkness could be seen watching everything. 

“Are you Starlight?” A guard wearing different colors asked as they approached. 

“Um… Yes?” Starlight replied after glancing to the others.

“Princess Luna told us to let you all pass if you wish but before you do, could you go inside and look for her? She has not returned for some time.” The guard explained. 

“Will do Sir.” Starlight replied as she put on a smile and led the others through the blockade of guards. Once they stood at the entrance however she let her smile drop. “This is really starting to worry me a bit.” She said to the others.

“What is the worst that can happen?” Pinkie replied. 

“There could be a swarm of vicious demonic hedgehogs that trap us inside and in the panic and rush cause a fire that will trap us at the top of the building, giving us three painful ways out but no way to survive.” Rainbow replied. Starlight shot her a baffled look, Pinkie’s muzzled twisted into amusement and Rarity just blinked. 

Inside of the embassy they found the large entrance room to be in complete disarray and the large marble topped desk to be tossed against the back wall. With the lights not working as well they only had the light of small fires that had been set up in various metal bins, and Starlight’s magic, to see. Creeping deeper into the large tower of heavy bricks and soft, fancy furnishings they found not a peep of life. No unicorns, no pegasi, not even a stray mouse. It was all deafeningly quiet.

Suddenly they heard something, the slight rustle of fallen paperwork. Bringing the ball of light she had summoned around they found nothing save for a few pieces of paper blowing slightly in some unseen draft. Continuing they headed upstairs to the second floor where they continued to find knocked down paintings and heaps of furniture forming little blockades across the hallways. It was on the third floor they started to find some sign of life. An ominous stomping sort of noise and faint murmurs could be heard blowing in from down the hallway.

As they got closer the noises got louder and louder until they were face to face with a set of large double doors. Opening it a crack they looked inside to find a tired looking Fluttershy laying sideways on a throne made up of a couch, desks and many tablecloths. Several other clothes were strung up and along the ceiling to give half the room an almost royal like appearance. In the middle of the room was a roaring fire fueled by stacks of paperwork where city vermin and exotic animals both danced and cheered without a care in the world. Starlight and Pinkie then both noticed the cage to the right of the room. Make shift but well guarded it has several noble looking ponies inside, including Princess Luna and the rest of their friends. 

Not sure what to do they backed away from the door only to realize that they were surrounded by large cats wearing green bandanas. Not wanting to start fight they let the cats lead them inside. 

“Been waiting for you.” Fluttershy said to Starlight, Pinkie, Rainbow and Rarity. 

“Morning, um, what is going on?” Starlight asked.

“Base camp. A hoofstep in the heart of the city where we may strike back against the enemy.” Fluttershy replied simply.

“Uh huh. Rarity, can you do something about this?” Starlight asked and Rarity nodded. Stepping forward she thought for a moment and then shrugged. 

“Hello. Can you please stop?” Rarity asked causing Starlight to facepalm. 

“We would like to but it is out of our control.” Fluttershy replied. 

“Wait, what do you mean?” Starlight then asked interested by the phrasing. 

“My animals friends do not know everything about yesterday, and we can not remember much ourselves but the facts are clear. The Prince of Canterlot has waged war on us all.” Fluttershy explained. Starlight paused as she heard this and thought long for a moment. 

“But Canterlot does not have a Prince. The Princesses, Luna and Celestia are the only direct royalty of the city and all the other alicorns are female.” Starlight explained. Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at her words and with a beat of her wings leapt off her throne. 

“Are you sure of this?” She asked. 

“Completely. You can trust us Fluttershy, whatever chaos we have caused can be fixed.” Starlight reassured. Fluttershy stood thinking for a moment, and then another, before calling out something to the animals around her. They all stopped to listen to her and with a chorus of animalistic noises she spoke to them for a few minutes until heads were nodded, fur shook and hoofs stomped. As if by some magical force they scattered, fires put out, lights coming back on and furniture being put back in order. The damage to the walls and floor would take much more to fix, and the vast paperwork that had been destroyed would no doubt be a massive headache to fix but at least they were trying to make things right. 

“We trust our friends.” Fluttershy said with a nod. Looking to the cage several giant rats undid a few ropes and they entire thing fell apart. The nobles scattered as quick as their podgy bodies would carry them, while the others gave sighs of relief. 

“I should have thee exiled from our fair city but Celestia would only nag me until I turned a deeper shade of blue, so for today I shall be forgiving.” Luna spoke with head kept high. 

“Thank you Princess.” Starlight said with a slight bow of her head. “And I would hate to ask, but could you help us out here? If there really is some noble or Prince causing trouble then we will need your help.” 

“I shall help thee but not because you asked. I quite simply refuse to have my seat taken by some so called Prince who thinks he can do whatever he likes simply because the throne is empty for a day.” Luna said with a huff. 

Returning to the outside the guards moved in towards Fluttershy but Luna stopped them. After explaining about the mix up, and the possibility of a coup the guards snapped to attention and were sent out to find this so called Prince of Canterlot and put a stop to whatever he was doing. In the meantime the group took a moment to talk between each other to see if they could work out anything of the night before. Alass memories seemed to still be scattered like so many leaves on the wind. Whatever small fragments they could put together only made it more confusing as well. From a great fire in the city centre, and the flooding of it to put it out, to Fluttershy leading some kind of crazy attack on the zoo in order to bolster her army against Canterlot. Nopony could work out how they got here, or where it had all gone so wrong. The only connection they had, the one agreement that they all share in this time of madness. Was to blame Pinkie. 

After some talk and the realization that they still could not work out anything about the events of last night they were about to head up to the castle when the guards suddenly returned with a unicorn. He had pure white fur and golden hair but was covered in various bandages and scrapes, the tattered remains of his white suit as well looked like he had gone through a warzone. 

“Princess, we have found the one claiming to be Prince.” One guard said with a salute. 

“Ah finally, one with some real status.” He said with a haughty tone. “I have several complaints and…” He paused as he caught sight of Fluttershy standing behind the princess. Leaping behind a guard he pointed to her in fear. “That one! I demand her exile for assaulting a member of the royal family!” He screamed. 

“My family, for better or worse, is my dear sister Celestia. Prey, state your name.” Luna demanded. 

“Oh where are my manners. I am Prince Blueblood of Maresbury, the first born son of…” 

“Duke.” The guard interrupted. “Duke Blueblood.” 

“Prince, Duke, a title of equal meaning I am sure you would agree.” Blueblood scoffed. 

“No, I don’t.” Luna replied. “And pretending to be part of the royalty is a serious offence.” 

“Oh come now, every year the fellow nobles of Canterlot come up with a new title or subtitle if you do not mind a bit of friendly banter.” He said as the guard moved out of his way. 

“Enough! Tell us what happened last night.” Fluttershy interrupted loudly, causing him to cower slightly. 

“Such a brute.” Blueblood huffed as he turned his nose up to her. Fluttershy let out a growl but Applejack and Starlight kept her from moving towards him. “I shall tell my story of woes only so the Princess may pass her wonderful and wise judgement on you.”

“I am honored, now speak.” Luna said. 

“I remember it like it was yesterday. I was busy informing the so called ‘Equestria renowned chef’ that the so called hors d'oeuvre was lackluster at best, quite befitting the drab party. I do say, for being the elite of the Canterlot orchestra those musicians have no taste in the classics as well…” He began to drone on when Luna gave him a glare. “Anyway. I was taking a walk through the royal gardens, enjoying what must have no doubt been the efforts of the life giving mares of the heavens themselves, when I came upon the most curious sight. A yellow pegasus in a delightfully droll dress. She sat in the midst of several of the royal garden’s exotic animals such as the sun bears but their golden markings had nothing on her rich fur. Ah the way it shone all bathed in silver moonlight, those rich blue eyes as vast as the sea itself. Such beauty, such charm. The way she sat tearing an entire roast apart… Ah it set my heart on fire! I had never seen such a mare as her. The strong and protective legs, that well defined neck and those powerful, commanding eyes. I felt like a young schoolboy again…” 

“I feel like I am going to throw up.” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie causing her to snicker.

“I felt hot and weak, like a fragile flower wilting under the fierce summer sun but still I knew I had to say something to this rugged mare…” Blueblood continued.

“Can you speed this up a bit.” Fluttershy said causing him to sigh. 

“Fine, it is not a flaw to be a romantic you know. Ahem. We sat under the moonlight talking for what seemed like hours. My young fragile heart beating so loud to whatever few, stoic, words she would say. I was so enamored that I let all my defences fall and then before I knew it she had whisked me off across Canterlot. Raving about animals and liberation as she all but threw me across the rooftops! It was the most undignified moment of my life.” Blueblood explained.

“And that is why you, eh, ‘waged war’ on her?” Starlight asked. 

“Oh no, that is because she took advantage of me!” Blueblood called out. 

“What?” The entire group said in unison. 

“My mother always said to be wary of strange mares, they only have one thing on their mind she said, but I was a fool and had eyes full of gold fur that night.” Blueblood continued. Several looked to Fluttershy who gave a confused look back, and a shrug.

“He is… Not our type?” She said. For a moment Starlight’s eyes flicked to Rarity. 

“I can believe that.” Starlight said. 

“Well it does not matter what any of you peasants believe. By the time I knew what was happening I woke up in the zoo, ah my injuries alone should be proof enough of her savagery.” Blueblood said with his nose up high. 

“I have seen Fluttershy do some crazy things, but she does not have claws.” Pinkie said with a point to the scratch marks on his leg. 

“Waking up in a zoo would indicate an animal attack. Dreams can be nonsensical but often have mixed elements to do with emotional and physical stress. I believe his attractions and mauling made him having an odd dream.” Rarity stated flatly. Several snicked, Pinkie barely able to not laugh out loud at the idea. 

“This is ridiculous, how do you explain the yellow fur that I found on my person? Fluttershy was the only golden mare that I was with that night.” Blueblood then said and Fluttershy’s eyes fell to a squint. Something clicked. Trotting over he tried to step back away from her but she closed the gap quickly. Pulling his head around she whispered something into his ear that caused him to stop his wiggling and listen. A long moment passed as his face grew redder and his jaw fell open before she let him go. “We will never speak of this again.” He said before turning and walking away. 

“Guards, as temporary Princess while my sister is… indisposed I want you take Blueblood to the prison so that I may sort out his certain royal claims later.” Luna ordered. The two guards gave a salute and marched off.

With Twilight and Celestia being the last pieces to put together they all turned their eyes towards the royal castle and began the last stretch of the journey. The second they passed through the front gates and moved through the gardens they could see the effects of the party. Trash, destruction, passed out nobles and peasants alike. There was nothing royal about these gardens anymore and the further they went the worse it got. While there were many maids and servants trying to restore some kind of order to the gilded halls the group could tell that most of them were just as tired or hungover. 

“So where should we start?” Starlight asked.

“Splitting up would be mighty smart.” Applejack suggested.

“Aw but we just got back together.” Pinkie smirked as she pulled Rainbow and Applejack closer. 

“It’s not a bad idea though… Oh, is that Twilight?” Starlight asked as she caught a glimpse of the purple unicorn heading from one room to the next down the far hallway. 

“You girls go after her. I shall start to look for Celestia.” Luna said. 

Agreeing they split up and the main group went after Twilight. Running down the hallways they stopped at a four way crossroads where in they caught sight of her tail going around a corner off to the right. Following it they only managed to catch a glimpse of her purple going into a door at the very end of the hallway. They were about to continue following when Spike pointed out that she was also up on top of the balcony. 

“Is she teleporting?” Starlight asked as they tried to track her down from one random location to another.

“Twilight, using magic?” Spike replied. 

“Fair point.” Starlight agreed. 

Left and right, up and down. They chased Twilight from one room to another, from one hallway to the next. Everytime they thought they were getting close she would seemingly disappear and pop up in another place. From one end of the giant castle to the other they ran after her until finally they found her walking out of a room and were able to sprint down to catch her. With a resulting crash of nearly a dozen bodies colliding they had finally got her. 

“Twilight! The fuck is going on?” Applejack asked. 

“Oh hey girls.” She replied with a yawn.

“I was getting worried, we have been chasing you all over the place!” Starlight said. 

“Sorry about that.” Twilight said as she looked the group up and down. “I like your collar Starlight.” She complimented.

“Wha?” She said as put a hoof over her neck to find she was wearing Pinkie’s choker. Blushing heavy she fell back and began to pull at it with her magic. “How long was I wearing this?!” She called out causing Pinkie to snicker.

“I thought it looked cute on you.” Pinkie said, now causing Rainbow to crack a grin.

“I see you two had some fun last.” Twilight mused. “Ah, try not to panic but I need you to go in there.” Twilight said nodding to the room she had left. 

“Why, what is in there?” Starlight asked.

“Answers.” Twilight said before letting out another yawn. “Better hurry.” She added before giving a smile and disappearing suddenly in a poof of purple dust. The girls sat surprised and after looking between each of them stood up. Grasping the handle with her magic Starlight threw open the door to find it was a ruined bedroom. The use of blacks and blues, the decorational crescent moons, it was Luna’s bedroom. The entire place was in shambles and half of the far wall had been demolished, the giant hole in the wall giving a great view of the Canterlot cliffs and in the distance they could see the mansion they had woken up in. All of this would be fine. If there was not a dozen Twilights lazing about.

“Oh hey girls.” Several of them said in unison. 

“What the…” Starlight muttered. Applejack’s jaw hung loose, Pinkie had a crazed smile and Rainbow was barely able to control herself over the ideas rushing into her mind. 

“Before you ask. Because I know you are going to ask. No, I have no idea why there are so many of us. I do not know if it was magic, science or that wine but none of us can remember anything about yesterday or who the real one of us is.” One Twilight nearest to them explained.

“It seems to have a time limit though so we are waiting to see who poofs.” Another added just as another Twilight did indeed poof. 

“This could be handy. Can you help us find Celestia?” Starlight asked to the clones.

“Sure thing, we should go to the main hall and search each floor from there.” The Twilights said. 

A dozen Twilights now found they headed back down to the main hall as another one of them poofed into dust. As they reached the grand hall, complete with giant double staircase, they found Luna waiting for them.

“Good news, I have found… Twilight.” Luna said as she caught sight of the many others. 

“Don’t ask.” Starlight sighed. 

Together they began the search. The hoard of Twilights rushed out to check every room, every secret hatch, every tiny closet, while the others went out to search the ground and upper levels for any trace of Princesses Celestia. As time ticked on the Twilights slowly poofed, one by one, turning to dust. When they had all decided to meet back up at the main hall there were only a few of her left now. Worrying they had yet to find any sign of Celestia.

“Maybe she is not here?” Fluttershy said with a sigh. 

“Luna was with us so it is possible, but where in Canterlot do we go?” Starlight asked. 

“My sister is not one to leave the castle for small matters, and she is far too… Robust to let any wine impair her judgement enough to say otherwise.” Luna replied as the Twilight’s faded away. 

“Maybe we are missing something?” One of the two Twilights said to the other. 

“This clone spell does seem to be of alicorn level magic, Celestia must have used it on me. But why?” The other Twilight said just as she poofed. 

“Heh that reminds me of something. A fuzzy little memory I have about… Oh. I know where she is!” Twilight said all excited, just as she poofed. 

The others stood in shock. There was no Twilight. No answers. Starlight felt a heat spread up through her and she threw her hooves down onto the ground enough to let out an echoing crash ring out. 

“What is going on!?” She shouted now angry. “Twilight, Celestia, where are you!?” Starlight shouted louder. Letting her head drop forward she felt a comforting hoof on her shoulder. 

“I promised not to say but Mythril Lily once said that a promise that hurts others is not a good promise.” Rarity said softly. “I know where she is.” 

“What, a promise?” Starlight asked.

“Yeah, Twilight made me promise not to say where she was going last night.” Rarity explained.

“So you remember last night?!” Starlight called out as the others gasped. “Why did you not say anything?” 

“You never asked.” Rarity said flatly. The others groaned, throwing their hooves over their faces. 

“A-ah. Ok, ok, we are not mad. Rarity, if you can be so kind, we need to find the princess. Can you show us where she is?” Starlight softly asked. Rarity nodded. 

She led them downstairs to the older, more rustic kitchens, where a lot of produce were stored and prepared before being moved up to the more fancy kitchen above. It was here that she dragged a hoof across the old stone walls of the basement, and pressed one in, causing the entire wall to magically unfold to reveal a doorway. 

“I had no knowledge of this.” Luna said amazed. 

Heading inside they went down a flight of roughly cut stone steps to a large secret room in the very depths of the mountain. It was here that they found Twilight and Celestia. The pair of them were sleeping soundly in a giant pool filled with what appeared to be tons of cake, cream, batter and other baked goods. The chains on the wall seemed to imply an old dungeon of sorts, or at least that is what Luna hoped it was. She breathed a sigh of relief at finding her sister once more. 

Luna and Celestia were left to sort out royal duties and to get the town back in order. Twilight, Starlight, Spike, and their friends departed down to the coffee shop near the train station for a bit of peace before the long ride home. They had much to talk about, and Rarity had much to tell them about the events of last night although she was not present for everything and many spots of that night would truly be lost to time. They all shared a laugh as the events unfolded. How Applejack had won Celestia’s crown in a card game. How Applejack and Rainbow had sent the tavern on fire, and Rarity flooded the place to fix. Fluttershy’s animal liberation across the city. Pinkie and Starlight’s crazed parting that blew through the entire city for hours and hours on end.

Celestia was not even mad at all of this. While it was not something she could admit to the public, she did let it slip that she liked when the normally boring high class parties she was forced to attend turned to the wilder and crazy side of things. The Princess also had respect for her sister Luna, as she had yet to be reformed and the fact that she did not take over in her absence was a great step forward for her. 

The train came and it was time for them to go home, to unwind, to clean up, to get ready for work in a few days. They all took their seats, some like Applejack and Rainbow raiding the food cart while others like Twilight and Spike sat down to take it nice and easy. For Pinkie, she sat in the back corner of the first class wagon stretched out on the seat. 

“You don’t remember anything, do you.” Starlight said as she sat down across from her. 

“Sorry if I wound you up.” Pinkie said with a soft chuckle. “I could not resist seeing your expression when I made up that bit about us.” Starlight laughed as well, a soft, reflective laughter before turning to look out of the window. 

“Did… Did you mean it, when you said that I look cute in that collar?” Starlight asked, blushing. 

“Of course. You are simply adorable. “Pinkie mused with a grin but seeing Starlight’s look when she turned back to face her it fell. There was a deep pain behind Starlight’s eyes, something she had been hiding. “Starlight?” Pinkie asked. 

“The others remember little glimpses of last night, with Rarity’s descriptions they are made much clearer… I remember a few things myself.” Starlight quietly spoke. She raised her head. Eyes staring deep into Pinkie. “It was not a joke. At the time I did not want to believe it, so I simply chose not to. To push it away, to ignore it. To deny it. But… It happened.” She said. 

“Starlight… I am, sorry?” Pinkie said, but Starlight shook her head.

“It was not your idea.” Starlight admitted. “They say, alcohol can not make you do things you don’t want to do. It just makes you more freely open to doing what you have always wanted to do.” Starlight stood up. She sighed. Using her magic to straighten her hair before giving a look to Pinkie. “I need time.”

“As much as you need. I am here for you if you need anything.” Pinkie said as her teeth began to chatter and a nervous drop of sweat ran down her back. 

“Thank you.” Starlight said as she gave her one last smile before walking away.