What do Wondercolts get up to on the weekends? An EQG anthology!
What do Wondercolts get up to on the weekends?
New: It's Sunday, and Twilight has yet another nightmare about Midnight Sparkle. To clear her head, she meets up with Sunset in the Park. They talk, and heal, together.
On a Saturday morning, Sunset Shimmer accidently discovers Rainbow Dash's collection of "Pretty Pastel Ponies", and both of them learn about looking at things you aren't meant to see.
It's Friday night and, with their other friends busy, that means a “Just Us Two Girls Night" for Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Anyone else would call it a date.
Sunset pulled the tie of the pink bathrobe tight around her waist and wiped the fog from the mirror. Sighing, she cringed at the bag-eyed figure that met her there. She’d been up far too late, and by the end of the night, Dash’s PlayBox’s monitor had burned out her eyes. Next time she’d ask her to change the screen brightness. Still, it made for an awesome livestream no-sleepover. Gathering up her wet hair and slicking it back, Sunset shuddered as rivulets ran down her back. Groping blindly for a towel, she found nothing but a bare towel bar. Grumbling, she stuck her head out the bathroom door. “Rainbow? Where are the towels?”
“Hall closet!” came the answer from the bedroom.
Sunset rolled her eyes. The hall was lined with doors. She scanned the nearest three, and settled on the one to the right of the bathroom. Surely that was the one Rainbow had meant.
Inside a single lightbulb illuminated a row of shelves running front to back, revealing a room deeper than Sunset expected. But that wasn’t what had made her jaw drop. It was the tens, hundreds— no, innumerable, “Pretty Pastel Pony” figures in every color of the rainbow. Posters of ponies plastered the walls, and the remaining space filled with plastic storage boxes, and there wasn’t a speck of dust on any of it. Sunset closed the door, hair still dripping water onto the wooden floors.
Dash opened her door, and walked out into the hall. “It’s the door on the…”
She turned to face Dash.
“Oh,” Dash’s face flushed.
“I… I…” Sunset stepped towards Dash, arms outstretched. “I didn’t mean to snoop. I only peeked. I’m sorry.”
“I know that,” Dash snapped and shot a glare Sunset.
Sunset paused and put her hand to her cheek. For a moment, her body stiffened. Then it relaxed, and she chuckled. “Oh, Dashie, it’s okay. You like girly things, so what? No reason to be embarrassed.”
“That’s not… You don’t—” Dash turned her back on Sunset, body quaking. “I am so not even talking with you right now, Sunset Shimmer!”
Confusion flashed across Sunset’s face. “What did I—”
“Just stop talking!” Dash stamped off down the hallway back to her room and slammed the door.
Sunset sighed and opened the correct door, the one to her left. There wasn't much she could do now, except dry herself off. This situation didn’t need to get any worse than she’d already made it. She just needed one more thing. Wrapping a towel around her hair, Sunset tiptoed down the hall and rapped on the door. “RD?”
There was no reply, only the sounds of angry, shuddering breaths. She drew a breath herself and knocked again. “Uh, hey, RD? My dress is in there, so if…”
“So what? You’re wearing my bathrobe,” Dash growled. The door locked with a deafening clack.
Sunset stared at the embroidered blue monograph on the breast pocket of the robe. Of course the bathrobe had her name on it. Honestly! So egotistical; worse than Rarity. Everything always had be about her! She clenched her fist and raised it above her head, ready to pound on the door.
Instead, she grabbed her arm and brought it back down again. Easy, Shimmer, easy. Deep breathes. Think this through, see it from the other pony’s point of view, just like Twilight taught you. She tried, but her mind’s eye was clouded by ponies, row after row of them neatly arranged on risers like a cavalry regiment at attention. She shook her head to clear it. What was it about them that was a problem?
Sunset sighed. The problem wasn’t the ponies, it was herself. Whatever it was that was bothering Dash; she had caused it and she’d have to patch things up, even if she didn’t understand. Glancing back at the door to the private hall closet, Sunset smirked. Maybe? Maybe it could help.
~~~
Dash glanced down at her phone. It’d been twenty minutes, and Sunset still hadn’t knocked on the door.
“Hey…” Tentatively, Dash cracked the door open, peeking out. Sunset wasn’t in the hall where she expected her. But the door to the right of the bathroom was wide open. Why that… After I just! But why? Dash eased the door shut, and with her back against it, crumpled to the floor.
The distinctive flat patter of wet, bare feet on hardwood floors broke the aching silence. Dash crossed her legs and straightened up. “Well at least she’s got good hearing.”
“I’m a horse, remember?” came the muffled response from beyond the closed door.
Dash bit her lip. “Sorry… I forgot.”
A sigh came in reply. “Look, that’s not what this is about, is it? I mean the real horses here kinda weird me out, but it’s not like your toys…”
“Nah,” Dash wrapped her arms tight around herself. “That’s not it.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Dash clamped her eyes shut, but in spite of herself she shook her head. “Not really.”
“Okay.” The pause between Sunset’s responses were momentary, but to Dash they felt eternal. “Well, then, can I come in? I still need to get dressed.”
Dash stood up, then collapsed face down on her bed with a groan. Hugging her pillow, she rolled her head towards the door. “Yeah, sure. Come on in.”
The door eased open, with a gentle squeak of the hinges. Sunset’s head, hair still damp from the shower, appeared from around the frame. “Hey.”
Dash bit her lip. “Hey.”
The rest of Sunset slipped through the doorway. Dash saw she cradled a small plastic pony toy, a white bodied one with aqua hair. Although she couldn’t see it, she knew its outsized hindquarters were emblazoned with pink flowers.
“So…” Dash smirked. “You brought Queen Mary Lee?”
Sunset sat cross legged on her sleeping bag and handed the pony to Dash. “Morale support?”
Dash extended her hand towards the toy, but quickly withdrew it. She rolled over, turning her face to the wall. “I’m good; you can hold her.”
Dash felt the mattress sag as Sunset sat on the edge of the bed. She ignored her and continued. “She’s really old, ya know. Came in the first playset.”
“Huh. So she was your first?”
“I was just a dumb kid, and that playset was so stupid. It was a stable! What kind of queen lives in a barn?”
Sunset laughed. “None I know of.”
Dash laughed nervously and rolled over to face Sunset. She wanted to talk to Sunset about it, but couldn’t; the words weren’t there. How could she admit to being that uncool? Instead, she muttered, “You know, if you pull her tail—uh—she sings.”
Sunset glanced quizzically at the toy, then looked back at Dash. “Uh, that’s… Okay then.”
“Yeah, kinda weird. Dunno who thought that was cool.” Dash held out her hand, and Sunset placed the figure in it. Sitting up, Dash pulled the familiar toy’s tail. The pony’s head moved from side to side, eyes blinking slowly. Its mouth flapped unconvincingly, out of sync with the words it sang in a sugary voice:
Don’t be sad! Be happy!
Let’s sing The Happy Song and cheer up!
That song: Dash had heard it so many times that she closed her eyes and, unconsciously, mouthed the words.
Happy, happy, happy! My name is Marry Lee.
Happy, happy, happy! I sing so cheerfully.
Happy, happy, happy! I love everybody.
Happy, happy, happy! Is how I want to be.
“Ugggh…” groaned Dash as she held her head. “I am such a loser!”
Sunset laid her hand on her back. “Dash, you’re not—”
“Yes, I am.” Dash spoke to the floor. “Here I am, hanging with the coolest person I know, and I’m still doing this kid-stuff. Total loserdom!”
“Dash…” Sunset cracked a smile. “It’s alright. Liking kid-stuff doesn’t mean you aren’t cool.”
“I”—Dash’s voice wavered—”I guess, but it’s weird, isn’t it? Nobody still likes ponies, but me. Guess I’m still just a dumb kid.”
“Dash…” Sunset put her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “You aren’t a dumb kid for liking ponies. You know everything about them. That’s not dumb at all. In fact, it sounds pretty cool to me.”
Dash looked up. “Really?”
“As the coolestpony you know,” Sunset chuckled “you have my word.”
Dash smiled. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
Sunset stood and offered Dash her hand. “Plus, your ponies are pretty cute.”
“They are, aren’t they?” Dash rose from the bed and started towards the door. “Well, uh, I’m gonna grab some breakfast.”
Sunset nodded, bending down to unzip the duffle bag laying on the floor. “‘K. Be dressed and down in a bit.”
Dash opened the door and stepped into the hallway. But instead of trotting downstairs, she paused. There was one last thing she had to say, so she stuck her head into the room once more.
“Hey, Sunny. Thanks for being 120% awesome!” Dash spotted the bathrobe lying at Sunset’s feet a second too late. A blush spread across her face.
Sunset clutched her shirt to her chest. “Damn it Dash, no peeking!”
“Sorry!” Dash spun around and hurried down the stairs. “Next time, I'll knock!”
"So what’s this about girls' night?” Rainbow Dash crunched into the bell pepper, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, crumbs falling in every direction.
“Oh, um… the girls sent me a text to say they wouldn’t be coming this week.” Fluttershy stroked her long, light pink hair as she spoke.
“What, like, all of them?” Dash raised an eyebrow. She put her sandwich down on the napkin Fluttershy had insisted on giving her at the beginning of lunch.
“Well, um, sort of?” Fluttershy looked down at her phone. “Pinkie says she would've come, only she’s got a birthday party booked tonight.”
Dash rolled her eyes. Pinkie always had some party to go to. But since she’d started work at the cafe, all of them were for six year olds. “What about AJ & Rarity?”
“The fashion show?” Fluttershy frowned, and her eyes narrowed. “They mentioned it yesterday at lunch. Weren’t you paying attention?”
“Heh.” Dash rubbed the back of her head. She hated when Fluttershy gave her 'the look'. “Guess I zoned out? What’s AJ doing there, though?”
“Oh, um, I think she’s working catering?” Fluttershy looked down at her phone again. “Plus, remember what happened the last time Rarity tried to run a fashion show without help?”
Dash shuddered. That weird windowless white room still gave her nightmares. To say nothing of the roller coaster ride. She took a swig from the straw of her soda. “So let me guess, Twilight and Sunset are studying? For a test?”
Fluttershy nodded. “On Monday.”
Dash facepalmed. “On a Friday night! They do know there are like, two more days in the weekend, right?”
Fluttershy sighed. “They said it was for AP Chemistry.”
Dash rolled her eyes. “Yeah… and that’s why I don’t take AP classes!”
“You could.” Fluttershy picked her backpack up, and put it on the seat beside her. “If, um, you really wanted to.”
“Yeah, right.” Dash looked down at her lunch tray, rubbing the back of her head. Awkward. Time to change the subject.“So, uh, do you still want to, maybe like…”
“Um, I suppose? If you aren’t doing anything else, that is.”
“Nah, my schedules pretty open.” Dash took a swig from her drink. Usually, on nights like this, she’d just chill at home and play games. But, hey, it’d be nice to not be alone for once.
“Oh, that’s perfect!” Fluttershy grinned and took her phone from her purse. “Um, do mind if I pick what we do tonight? Usually the girls have already have a few things they want to do.”
Dash snorted. “We could do more things, if you weren't so shy.”
Fluttershy frowned, and turned her attention to her phone.
Damn. Dash bit her lip. You screwed up. Come on, Rainbow, you can fix this. Say something! “Uh, I mean... but I’m, like, cool with doing whatever.”
“Oh. Okay then.” Fluttershy ran her fingers through her hair, brushing it out of her face.
Dash’s face flushed, and she turned her head away. Like, seriously? Does that girl even know how cute she is?
Fluttershy was looking at her now, and put down her phone.
“Well... if you’re alright with it, I’d like check out that new jazz club downtown. Unless that's too fancy?”
“No, uh, t-that’s fine.” Dash laughed nervously, and turned her head. “So, ummm, what time?”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.” Fluttershy leaned over, and threw her arms around Dash. For a moment, she had her friend locked in her hug, but then she drew back slightly. “If, um, that’s ok?”
“Yeah, of course.” Dash nodded. I always forget Shy is a few months older than me. “Man, I wish I had my license.”
Dash winced as the period bell rang loudly. “We’d better get going, ‘Shy.”
“Oh, right!” This time, Fluttershy blushed. She rose to her fee, and tossed her phone in her shoulder bag. Turning her head, she nodded to Dash. “Well, I guess I’ll see you for our Just-Us Girls' Night, then.”
Dash smiled, and waved off her friend as she trudged to her sixth period class. “Yeah, see’ya round! Don’t be ‘shy!”
~~~
Is this the only fancy dress I own? Dash admired her best dress, the one she’d worn to the gala, in the mirror. I hate to admit it, but I really gotta get more outfits. Kinda embarrassing to only have one really good one.
She ran her hands down her sides. Eh, it’ll have to do.
Her phone vibrated, waltzing gracefully across the smooth black surface of the vanity. The doorbell echoed through the house. She’s here, she’s here, grab everything and go, now!
Dash rushed down the stairs, purse and boots in hand. “Com~ing!”
She fumbled with the lock, and opened the door. Fluttershy stood on the stoop, frozen mid knock. Dash teetered, struggling to pull on her right boot while her coach bag slid down her arm.
Fluttershy giggled, hand held in front of mouth. “I’m sorry, Dashie, I didn’t mean to rush you.”
“Huh?” Dash looked up. “Nah, it’s, um, I must have missed yer text.”
“Oh, I see.” Fluttershy motioned to Dash’s purse. “Do you want me to hold that for you?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, sure.” Dash sheepishly handed the bag to her friend, and freed of its encumbrance finally succeeded in pulling on her boot. As she bent over to zip it up, her unruly mane fell forward. She muttered under her breath. “No, bad hair!”
“Hmm?” Fluttershy cocked her head to the side, and leaned forward slightly. “Is something wrong?”
“It's fine, just…gah! Hair!” Dash stuttered, blowing strands of her rainbow mane from her face. Ugh, I must seem like I just rolled out of bed. So much for all that preening earlier.
“Oh, here.” Fluttershy rummage through her purse, and produced a plastic aquamarine hairbrush, and handed it to Dash. “You can use this on the way.”
Dash took the brush, and followed Fluttershy to her car. She opened the passenger door, and sank into the black leather seat. She cleared her throat. “T~thanks, ‘shy. You’re a life saver.”
Fluttershy smiled, and she pulled her seatbelt across her chest. “Buckle up, now!”
“'K.” Dash smirked as she put on her belt. Fluttershy was such a 'Safety-First' driver.
Her friend adjusted the mirrors, and slid the car into reverse. The sedan slipped gracefully out into the street.
Dash flipped down the vanity mirror, and combed her hair back into place. She stole a glance at Fluttershy, face furrowed with concentration. Wow, she looks like I do when I'm running...
Ahead, a stoplight shone red. Fluttershy eased the car to a halt, and turned towards Dash. Her face flushed red, and she looked away. I'm staring at her. Say something. “I, uh, you look nice.”
Dash ran the comb through her hair again. “Dunno. I guess?”
“It's okay.” Fluttershy laid her hand on Dash's arm. “Unlike a certain bunny, I don't bite.”
Dash bit her lip. “Uh, 'Shy?”
“Hm?” Fluttershy smiled at Dash, her eyes have open. “What is it, Dashie?”
The car behind them blared it's horn.
“We can go now. The light is green.”
“Oh.”
~~~
The club was in a old corner storefront: the two-story, brick-built kind from the previous century. It's faded red and green paint gave it a subdued look, that blended into the gloom of the city night. Only the warm orange neon sign in the window proclaiming “Louie’s Jazz” made the building stand out amongst the other, equally ancient buildings in the trendy part of the downtown.
Fluttershy brought the car smoothly to a stop in front of the club, and hopped out onto the curb. Dash cracked her door open, and awkwardly slid out, sticking close to the car as traffic whizzed past on the busy city street.
“So this is the place?” Dash scanned the clubs facade. It revealed nothing extraordinary, simply the softly lit interior of a average looking restaurant.
“Shall we?” Fluttershy deposited her last quarter in the parking meter, and nodded her head towards the club's front door. She held out her hand to her friend. Dash gave her right hand, and stepped up onto the sidewalk. Fluttershy pulled her close as she strode into the club.
Dash stared at the ground as they walked. Gah! 'Shy...you're too close!
A smartly dressed waiter greeted them, and ushered them towards a small round table in the front corner of the club. It was one of many identical, mostly empty tables in the room, which stood before a worn wooden dance floor and the dimly lit stage. The waiter handed them their menus, and with a nod departed for the front desk.
Well, we’re here. Now what? Rainbow Dash plopped herself down in the chair as Fluttershy eased herself into her own spot up against the wall. Behind them, the band shuffled onstage, and began to softly play.
Dash sighed as she unfolded her napkin and arranged her silverware. Everything here is so chill. Not too many people, soft music. No wonder Shy likes this place.
Fluttershy took off her jacket, laying it across the back of the chair, and sat down with her leg demurely crossed.
“This place is nice…”
“I’m so glad you like it…” Fluttershy smiled sheepishly. “I, uh, was afraid you’d think it wasn’t cool enough.”
Dash looked around the room. This wasn’t exactly the kind of place she’d pick. But it was a Fluttershy kind of place, so she didn’t mind. “Well, it’s more like... Zen, I guess? But that’s totally cool.”
“Zen. Hmm.” Fluttershy leaned forward slightly and smiled. “Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Yeah.” Dash turned her head away, tossing her hair. “So, like, what do you wanna get?” She gestured to a menu.
“Let’s see.”
Fluttershy silently flipped through her menu. Dash hesitated, then squinted down at her own. This place has way too much stuff on the menu. Maybe I’ll just go with whatever’s cheapest?
“Do you... do you want to share?”
“Huh?” Dash looked up to see Fluttershy pointing at a picture of a large salad on one of her menu’s pages.
“Uh, sure, let’s split the bill. This place is kinda pricey for me.”
“Me too. Sorry, I've never been here before, I had no...”
“Eh, it’s fine 'Shy. We just came for the vibe anyways, right?”
Just then, waiter reappeared, guiding another party. Fluttershy cleared her throat. “We’ll split the Waldorf salad.”
The waiter extended his hand. “An excellent choice.” The girls handed him the menus, and he was off again, heading toward the kitchen.
Dash looked back at her friend across the table, and bit her lower lip. Crud. We’re always talking at lunch. Usually about the other girls. What are we even going to talk about?
“Isn’t it romantic?” Fluttershy looked towards the stage.
“Jazz?”
“Yes.”
“That’s weird.”
“Why?” Fluttershy pouted, as if the words were a bee sting. “There's plenty of Jazz music about people in love.”
Oh no, that was a mistake. Dash grimaced, but continued. “Well, ‘cause, for me Jazz always makes me think of, like, those old detective movies Rarity likes to watch? Like some sad saxophone music or something.”
Fluttershy leaned back in her chair, and mimed pulling a fedora down over her face. In her best deep and growling voice, she muttered “I knew the dame was trouble the moment I saw her. She had rainbow hair, and looks that could kill.”
Dash clamped her hand over mouth, and doubled over in laughter. She gasped for air, and wiping tears from her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, just like that!”
Fluttershy beamed. “We have to watch Casablanca sometime. It’s a love story... but also kinda like those other movies too. I think you’d like it.”
Dash cracked a grin. “Sure, that sounds great.”
The waiter reappeared, and wordlessly deposited the girls' salad between them, before scurrying once more.
Fluttershy sighed contentedly, prodding the salad with her fork absent-mindedly.
Gotta get her talking again. Dash looked down at their salad, glistening seductively in the low light. But what to say?
“So, uh, played any good video games lately?” Dash winced at her own question. Of course she hasn't, you dummy! That's so not her thing.
“Oh! Funny you should ask,” Fluttershy laid her fork aside, “Lately, I've been borrowing some retro games from Sunset. They're so much more wholesome than modern games, you know?”
“Oh, yeah, didn't you play Sunset on that livestream that one time?” Dash rubbed the back of her head. How could I forget that?
“Mmmhm,” Fluttershy cracked a wry smile. “And I kicked her butt.”
“I remember that!” Dash guffawed, half choking on her food. Why was I so angsty? ‘Shy’s awesome as ever!
The band struck up a new number, dulcet tones flowing across the room like a gentle wave.
“Want to dance?” Fluttershy whispered, bending forewords over the table.
“Dance?” Dash froze, eyes wide. What? “I mean, I can dance but like, not that kind of...”
“Please?” Fluttershy laid her hand on top of Dash’s. “Don’t worry, I’ll lead. You just have to follow my steps.”
“But...” Dash gulped. 'Shy was making her 'eyes' at her. Nobody could resist those eyes. “Won’t it be weird, ‘cause we’re both girls?”
“Oh, no. We do it all the time in swing class. And besides...” She gestured to the few older people seated in the rest of the restaurant. “I’m the best partner for you.”
“Uh, ok then.” Dash found herself standing up now. What am I doing!? She held out her hand. “Sure. Let’s dance.”
Fluttershy took her hand, and they walked together to the dance floor.
'Crazy, I'm crazy for feeling so lonely...'
Time was moving as slowly as the song that was playing, the world seemed blurry to Dash. When it snapped into focus, Fluttershy had her in a dancing position, and they were swaying rhythmically back and forth.
'I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so blue...'
The song made speech; thought unnecessary. She was close, too close to Fluttershy now and they were both blushing, but she didn’t really care. She was thinking only about matching her feet’s movements with her partners.
'Worry, why do I let myself worry?'
I think I like this. Rainbow beamed at her partner.
'Wondering what in the world did I do?'
Fluttershy closed her eyes, and sighed. Their movements were becoming more closely linked, and she squeezed her partners waist tightly.
“I really like this, ‘Shy.” The words poured from Dash's mouth, without thought. She felt as is she were overflowing. Taking a deep breath, she haltingly continued. “Dancing, I mean. Can you... can you teach me some of your moves later?”
“I'd love to!” Fluttershy spun the pair around.
Dash pressed closer to her partner. “So, what do we want to do after dinner?”
“Do you want to spend tonight at my place?” Fluttershy blushed, and bit her lip. “Gaming, I mean?”
Dash smiled. “I thought you'd never ask.”
~~~
Dash leaned her head against Fluttershy shoulder. Her friend was transfixed by the game on the TV screen, but pulled the blanket wrapped around them closer.
“Hey, ‘Shy?”
“Mmm?”
“Can we... do this more often?”
“Oh?” Fluttershy laid the joy stick on the coffee table, and turned to face her.
Dash could feel a lump growing in her throat. But she felt her friend squeeze her hand, and somehow that made things better. “I mean, we still hang out.” She sighed, and sank deeper into the couch. “But only when we’re with the other girls, lately. And we used to hang, like, all the time.”
“Oh, Dashie, it’s not like it doesn’t count just because we’re with the girls.”
“Yeah, but, I mean, then there’s nights like tonight...”
“What about them?”
“Well, I kinda keep to myself when the girls aren’t around...” Dash looked at her feet. Her eyes were starting to water. “But it doesn’t mean I want to be alone, ya’know? Sometimes, I just want to spend time with you.”
“Oh, Dashie.” Fluttershy wrapped her arms around Dash. “I’m sorry. If I’d known, I would have...”
“No, I’m sorry.” Dash wriggled free of her friends hug. “Should’ve said something forever ago. I’m not supposed to be the shy one, ya know?”
Fluttershy pulled her legs on to the couch.
“Ugh. I’m super bad with all that touchy-feely stuff.” Dash moaned and threw her head back.
“Rainbow?”
Dash turned her head. Fluttershy rarely called her by her full first name; that wasn’t good. Darn it, why’d I go and ruin a perfectly good night out with being honest. Who am I, AJ?
“Will you promise that, um, the next time you feel lonely you’ll just text me?”
“Uh, yeah, sure?” Dash blushed. “But like, if you wanna hang, just the two of us, will you text me too?”
“Of course.” Fluttershy wrapped her arms around Dash. “I’d like that a lot, Dashie.”
Dash sighed, tension melting away into exhaustion. What a relief. Glad we cleared that up, another victory for friendship. Everything’s back to normal. Wait, no, better than that. Sooo much better. Hang on though. Does this? Are we?
“Hey, uh, ‘Shy?” She intertwined her fingers with Fluttershy’s.
Only the sound of hooves echoed through the stillness of the night as Twilight stumbled along the rutted dirt path. She stole glances at her invisible pursuer, but only opaque darkness created her gaze. The pale rays of moonlight that bathed the spot on which she stood like a stage light, following her every move. She took a hard right, off the road and into the surrounding thicket. The woods here were deep, dark, and overgrown. Branches bit at her hands and clawed at her clothes as she pushed them aside. The scrabbling of disturbed animals and the flap of angry birds taking wing filled the night as she went crashing through the brambles.
Not very stealthy… but at least no one can possibly ride through that mess. Twilight bit her lip as she groped towards a growing light ahead, a clearing in the brush.
I’m through! But her elation was short-lived. Her hiking boots caught on a gnarled root, and she went sprawling arms outstretched into the blackness of the night.
Her eyes fluttered as she regained her sight. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the star-speckled sky. The air was still and cool.
Then she heard it again. The clip-clop, clip-clop of hooves beating out a steady rhythm. A twinge of pain from her ankle confirmed her worst fears. Sprained, probably. I’ve got to stay still; try to hide.
The hoofbeats slowed and came to a stop. For a moment, all Twilight could hear was the beating of her own heart. A voice pierced the heavy silence.
“Twi~light? Where are~you?” The sing-song voice was echoey and distant, as if it were the utterance of a spirit.
Fear is the true enemy. Logic must rule over emotion.
Yet, in spite of her efforts, Twilight’s eyes remained shut, tightly. She curled into a tight ball, unable to move. Then a wave of shivering coldness washed over her. It was the same tell-tale chill she’d felt once before.
No. Please no! Not again. A distant thunderclap resounded in the air as the wind began to howl.
Twilight’s whole being trembled, power surging through it. Her eyes snapped open, feeling as if they were ablaze with lime light. She felt her body move on its own, getting up off the forest floor. Slowly she began to float upwards. She unfurled her raven wings, tips flapping in her peripheral vision. A cloud covered the moon, and darkness obscured her vision. The cloud passed; the pale moonlight shone once more. But by then, Midnight Sparkle had overcome her.
A dark form exploded from the brush into the clearing. The dim light revealed a lone pony who looked about in confusion. Its coat was pink and its mane curly, in a way which was dimly recognizable. In fact, Midnight noted cooly, they bore a striking resemblance to Twilight’s friend Pinkie Pie, albeit in equine form.
“Twilight, there you are!” the pony said in an unmistakably familiar voice. “I almost lost you, ya silly billy!”
The grim visage of Midnight Sparkle glowered down at the little pink pony.
“LEAVE ME BE!” the demon growled, and with a snap of her fingers, the pony disintegrated into a shower of pixels.
~~~
“Gah!” Twilight awoke from the nightmare suddenly, almost falling out of her desk chair. She lifted her head from the desktop, wiping the cold sweat from her brow. Staring down at her English Literature textbook, she grimaced. Must have dozed off again… that’s enough Wordsworth for one day.
She turned in her chair and gazed at the alarm clock, its LEDs blinking across the darkened bedroom. 8:30… too early for bed. Not that I could sleep after… that. Twilight shuddered. She had to talk with someone, one of her friends. To get her mind off… that. But who was free on a Sunday night?
Twilight got up and hopped onto her bed, retrieving her phone from the bedside table, where she left it whenever she was studying. She pressed “contacts”, and a list of her friends flashed onto the screen. She blinked and rubbed her eyes. Let's see… Pinkie’s right out. Probably still working anyways. It’s Fluttershy and Rainbow’s date night…
Sunset’s profile picture stared back at her. Should I really bother her with this? Twilight shook her head. No, I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right. She’s my girlfriend; she’ll worry.
Yet she found herself tapping on the photo, typing Hey. Wanna hang out? into the messenger, and pressing send.
The text hung in the air for a second before sprouting the addendum seen 8:40 pm. Then, a trifecta of dots began to dance underneath it.
K. Hang @ Park?
Twilight sighed in relief.See you soon. With that, she tossed her phone aside and walked across the room to where she’d discarded her sneakers hours before. Meanwhile, unseen, an emoji flashed across the screen in response, a pulsating red heart.
~~~~
The park in the center of the city was quiet and still. Twilight walked slowly along the sandstone sidewalk, and turned into the park. She scanned beneath the old oak trees which filled the space carved out of the metropolitan sprawl of the city long ago. Ancient streetlamps flickered their dim lights through the gloom, revealing the iron park bench where Sunset Shimmer sat, her long gold and scarlet locks draped over the backrest. She leaned her head back, and spotted Twilight.
“Heya, Twi! Over here!” she called out, springing to her feet and waving her hand.
Twilight wandered over, kicking aside a stray rock . “Hey, Sunset…”
Sunset’s wide grin faded, replaced by a furrowed brow and a pout. Then her features softened, and she smiled once more. “What’s the matter?”
“Long story.” Twilight sank heavily onto the bench.
Sunset joined her, perching daintily on the edge of the hard wooden slats.
“Tea?” Sunset produced an insulated paper cup bearing the legend Sugarcube Corner, and held it out to her friend. “It’s camomile, it should help you sleep better.”
Twilight blinked, and gingerly took hold of the cup. “How did you...”
Sunset laughed. “I don’t need to be an empath to know when you’re getting frazzled.”
“Is it that obvious?” Twilight bit her lip and stared at the ground. “I... must look terrible.”
“No, no, you’re fine.” Sunset put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “It’s just... Well, when was the last time you text me the night before a test?”
Twilight laughed awkwardly. “I suppose it is a little out of character.”
Sunset grinned and reached over to the brown paper bag beside her. She placed it on her lap and opened it.
“Pinkie and I figured you could use something to cheer you up, so I got some of these.” She produced a pair of frosted donuts, made to resemble cats.
Twilight took one from Sunset, and held it gently in her hand, studying it as if it were a scientific specimen. These are so cute...I almost don’t want to eat them!
“Mmmphf!” Sunset took a massive bite out of her donut, bisecting it. Her cheeks bulged a little as she slowly chewed it. She swallowed and took a swig from her coffee cup. “The heads are the best part!”
Twilight sighed and nibbled at the donut experimentally. The perfumed, bittersweet taste of rosewater filled her palate.
“Do you not like it?” Sunset pouted, gesturing to the barely consumed confection.
Twilight swallowed quickly and sighed. “No, it’s delicious… I’m just not that hungry right now.”
Sunset nodded slowly. Her hand brushed Twilight’s, then retreated.
Twilight stared into the night sky at the stars twinkling high above. It was quiet in the city at this time of night, frighteningly so.
Compared to them, we’re nothing. A single living planet, alone in the universe.
“So… uh... are we going to talk about what’s eating you?” Sunset asked.
“Maybe.” With her finger, Twilight traced the embroidery on her skirt.
“Can I take a guess?”
Twilight gulped. “Sure.”
“You’ve been having nightmares about turning into Midnight Sparkle, again. You know it can’t actually happen now, but no matter how much you tell yourself that they still keep happening.”
“OK, that time you definitely used your empathy powers.” Twilight crossed her arms, smiling slyly.
“Yeah, you got me there, Twi.” Sunset chuckled and rubbed the back of her head. “Sorry I cheated.”
Twilight smiled, but looked away.
“Sunset?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you still… does... it ever get better?”
“Probably.” Sunset took a deep breath before exhaling heavily. “But I still have nightmares too, sometimes.”
“How do you stand them?”
“I write them down.” Sunset drew a small notebook from her jacket pocket. “Sometimes, I rewrite them, with better endings. It helps me.”
“I’m… I’m afraid.” Twilight could feel the tears rolling down her face. “Afraid of that side of me. Of hurting my… our friends.”
Sunset’s arms wrapped tightly around her. Their warmth enveloped her, sheltering her from the cool night breeze.
“I understand. Once you’ve seen that side of yourself, it’s hard to unsee.” Sunset’s voice quavered. “But we'll… you’ll heal. It will take time, but you'll get there one day. Eventually, you’ll forgive yourself.”
Twilight opened her eyes, clouded by tears, and looked over at Sunset. Her girlfriend’s eyes were shut tight, her breathing slow and deliberate. She lent her head on Sunset's shoulder. Sometimes, I forget she’s hurting too…
Twilight wriggled closer to Sunset, putting her arms around her waist. “I am now. You?”
Sunset exhaled heavily. “I’ll be alright.”
The cicadas rattling filled the park, serenading the fireflies which danced through the air. The heavy, honied fragrance of magnolias wafted through the small park, the languid air hanging heavily on the ground. Dew glittered on the blossoms of clover growing beneath the antique lamp lights of the park.
“Times like this, I’m glad we have each other,” Twilight whispered.
“Mmm.” Sunset had her head raised again, and was staring up at the moon. “Twi?”
“Hmm?”
“Earth would be awfully lonely if it weren’t for the moon, don’t ya think?”
Half asleep, eyes closed, Twilight raised an eyebrow. She murmured a reply. “Fascinating…”
