After an unexpected free fall into Everfree Forest and crashed into Twilight Sparkle, Carson, now Wishing Star, must adapt to this new world and help the soon-to-be-Princess-of-Friendship, and earn his own Cutie Mark.
High School student Carson Andrews was in for a world of life and unexpected turns when he got himself transformed into a Earth Pony and free fallen to Everfree Forest and literally crashed into his favorite character from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Twilight Sparkle while she was on a expedition. Despite how much of a fan he is of MLP:FIM, he can't help but feel scared and on edge as to what kind of consequences his presence might bring on account of his knowledge of a fictional cartoon show.
Now under the name of “Wishing Star,” he must adapt to the world around of him , blend in with every pony else, and earn his own Cutie Mark. But what happens when he falls in love with the soon-to-be-Princess-of-Friendship and make changes to the world around him?
Sigh... Why does my school life always has to be difficult?
It’s the same question that Carson Andrews had to ask himself every single time he walked out the school doors. Everyday was the same routine: get up, freshen up, collect his school books, walk out of his apartment, go to school, get through his classes, walk out of school and go home, go to bed, repeat for the next day.
It was a particularly cold day in Wisconsin, snowflakes started to drift down from the light gray clouds, covering the ground in white and making the blacktop of the highway into black ice. As he looked at the vehicles that were passing by him against the traffic, he’s at least thankful that his car wasn’t functioning, not that he wasn’t a reckless driver, but cautious about getting into an accident and walking back to his apartment from his school was a better call.
On the one hand, he would have less trouble with crazy drivers that would speed down the highway, but on the other hand, this also means that he has to walk to his apartment in a eleven mile walk. It’s a good thing that he called in for pizza as soon as he was five minutes away from his home.
Carson never made any friends throughout his personal life, or in his childhood days, the only people he had in his life were his father and his grandfather. He would have many conversations with his loved ones, talking with his grandfather about his father in his days as a soldier in World War Two, and watch documentaries about the one woman absent in his life... his mother.
Not much was told to Carson about his mother, but all he knew was she is the woman his father cared for up until her death from child birth. He even asked his father that if he would ever find other girl like her, to which his answer is always never, she was the only woman for him as he was the only man for her.
Carson chuckles at the thought of being in love. I wonder what it was like for him when he met mom for the first time, he thought to himself, Probably a socially shy guy like me. Why can’t I just have the one moment when I find true love? He looked at the ground in shame of himself, as confident as he is when doing his homework, he’s been entirely shy to other people, except for his peers. He would turns in his work and moves on to the next assignment, no questions asked, no nonsense.
As the young man reaches the Foxhaven Apartments, he took his key out of his backpack, unlocked the door, and went inside. He took his black beanie hat off of his head, revealing his curly blonde hair, then taking off his red jacket and his black shoes, placing them by the door. The apartment wasn’t anything too fancy, but not too typical either, a large living room, small kitchen and bathroom, bedroom... yep... not too typical at all.
Well, at least I can restart my binge watch on My Little Pony, he thinks to himself positively, he grabs out the first season DVD case off from the shelf. Looking at the shelf, seeing MLP seasons two through nine, nothing seemed to be out of place... except for one object that is placed on top of season two and three’s cases.
The object seems to be like a necklace, it was nordic gold in color, the main center piece of the necklace was gold star with a turquoise gem in the middle. Funny... he thought, I don’t recall ever owning a necklace like this. He shakes his head and places the necklace on the couch, thinking he’ll return the necklace to whoever owns it. He places the disc in the DVD player and turned on the TV.
As he begins his nostalgia trip, he can’t help but kept thinking about his little thoughts about love. Seeing his favorite character, Twilight Sparkle, on screen made him ask why can’t he have someone like her? What’s truly stopping him from asking a girl out to go on a date? Is it probably because of the fact he watches shows like this? He sighs in sadden and shook his head.
How can he find a reason to not like the show? The characters were enjoyable, the writing was well-thought out, and the creators of the show had huge fan services. He hasn’t been to any of the conventions that has been held in big cities like Chicago, Los Angles, or Orange County, but he always wanted to do something among the line of other MLP related activities.
He then took his gaze off from the screen and looked at the window, stars appeared in the black night sky, shining brightly as they could. One of them was bigger than most of them. Is that a wishing star? he thought to himself as he looks at the star, then he shook his head again with a smile, Oh, that’s silly, such things like that only happens in fairytales. It’s not going to make me wish for something ridiculous like looking for adventure, or for love. Sorry little star, but I’m not gonna fall for it!
He crossed his arm as he refocused his gaze at the screen... only to look at the star again few minutes later, caught in it’s glowing trance. He sighs and says, “Okay wishing star, you win.” He got up from the couch, went to the back porch, looked up at the star, and begins to speak out his wish.
“If you really are a wishing star, then I wish that I would find happiness and the courage to be a hero of my own story.”
At first nothing happens, making him sigh and drop his head in sadness, knowingly well how foolish it is for believing such fairytale. Then, a bright glow emanated from behind him. Looking back at the glow, it was the necklace that was enveloped in a turquoise orb, shining brighter and brighter towards him. He shields his brown eyes from the glow, but he was too occupied as he questioned himself as to why he wasn’t running away from this light.
Before he could hit the deck and make a break for it, the turquoise orb then absorbed him, enveloping like a warm blanket of a soothing fire in it’s fireplace. He began to panic and hyperventilating, trying to wrap his head around to the situation.
“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!” He panicky shouts as he gets engulfed by the light.
As he uncovers his eyes as the dissipates away as he then finds himself a breeze from below him, seeing that he was no longer human.
“Gah!! W-What the hell is going on?!” He asks himself as he looked at his turquoise hoofs, “Where are my hands?!” But a more shocking discovery is that he’s plummeting down to some kind of forest. He screams so loudly that practically anyone could probably hear him, waving his new appendages around trying to slow his fall somehow.
At two minutes in his free fall, he then sees something the middle of the clearing, at least three to four different pastel colored ponies were right where he’s going to land. “Oh god...” he says breathlessly, then begins to shout, “OUT OF THE WAY!!!”
Unfortunately, the individuals below him had got out of the way... expect for one. Does that creature have some sort of death wish? He screams at the top of his lungs to tell whoever this is to move, but it doesn’t move. Like a bullet train, he slams into the purple creature and blacked out.
Carson gain half of his consciousness as he began to hear voices... voices that he seemed to recognize.
“Darling! Are you alright?!” The first voice asked in concern and worry, from how she sounded, that was undoubtedly Rarity.
”Ah’ve fallin’ stars before, but never a fallin’ Earth Pony!” Yep, that’s Applejack.
”Are you okay Twi?!” another voice asked, from her tomboyish tone, it’s no mistake that it was Rainbow Dash.
Wait... Twi? As in Twilight Sparkle?! he thought to himself in shock, Uh-oh, I hope I didn’t really hurt her!
“Ugh...” Twilight groans, “I think he hit my horn on impact...”
He then groaned out of pain as then Applejack said, “Look! He’s coming around!”
Once his eyes are opened, his blurred vision begins to see familiar shapes and colors: a face that was upside down, her fur is a light purple, her hair a beautiful is a dark indigo with purple and pink streaks, and amethyst eyes. At last, his eyes have regained their clear vision, and right before his very eyes is the very same unicorn in the show he adored so much, the soon-to-be-Princess-of-Friendship herself!
Everfree Forest has known to have an “unnatural” reputation, plants and greenery that grown with any source of water in sight, animals known to take care and fend for themselves like the stalking Timberwolves and the vicious Cragadiles, and lives a shaman zebra who speaks in rhymes and calls the forest her home.
“Remind me again as to exactly why we’re here?” The light blue mare Pegasus asked impatiently, looking at the dark trees, raising a brow.
“Ugh,” the lilac Unicorn sighs in annoyance as she continues to shine her magical light to clear away the darkness, “I told you before Rainbow, Zecora wanted us to find the clearing of the Saltatio Imaginis.”
“The Saltita whatnow?” The prismatic maned Pegasus asked in confusion.
“The Dancing Spectra,” The white Unicorn clarifies to her speedy friend, “They’re known to grow here in Everfree Forest and is said to be cures for some who has illness and depression. Not to mention the smell! Sweet Celestia, they say that they smell absolutely divine! Oh, Twilight, just think of the possibilities they could provide for my boutique!”
As she was discussing this however, Rarity was trying her best not to step in the many puddles of mud and leaves which dot the track, but the orange farmer Earth Pony, Applejack was behind Rarity, stepping in anything and everything that got in her way — much to the seamstress’s unamusement.
Rarity sighs in annoyance, turning to face her, "Applejack, darling, could you please stop stomping in the mud like that? You'll get my coat dirty!" She pleaded, putting on her biggest puppy-dog eyes.
“Well shoot Rars,” The farm pony replies with a chuckle, “Ah would, but there's plenty more mud ahead of us, so it's gonna be a might bit hard for y'all to stay clean." Rarity sighs yet again, earning another chuckle from Applejack. “Oh, and Rarity?”
“Yes darling?” The white Unicorn asked, turning to her again.
“Ya’ll got something in yer mane.”
The seamstress purple eyes shrank as she shrieks in fright and distress, “WHERE?! OH, I’VE SPENT HOURS KEEPING IT CLEAN!” she looked and scoured through her beloved purple with her hooves, which were covered in mud. She stops in realization and looked at her hooves, then back at her mane, then at the chuckling Applejack, giving her a glare, she then said in a deadpan expression, “Tartarus is filled... with ponies like you.”
“Oh relax,” The light blue Pegasus said, rolling her eyes, “Going through mud isn’t that bad. I mean you’ve used mud masks before so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.” She leans back against what she thought was a tree trunk, but then fell backwards into a bush, with a audible oof! the only sign of Rainbow Dash were her hind legs. “Oh! Hey Twilight! I think I found it!” She calls out.
The light purple Unicorn gasps in excitement and follows the source of her winged friend and behind the bushes that Rainbow Dash accidentally stumbled into were patches and patches of six petaled, rainbow colored flowers. “This is great!” Twilight exclaims in joy, “We just need to collect just the right amount of the Dancing Spectras and deliver them to Zecora!”
Twilight grabs out a hoofheld shovel from her saddlebag and delicately digs under the soil as to not tear the roots on accident. As she does so, the sweet euphoria of the flower hits the mares nostrils, the smell itself is something that could be use to make sweet perfumes or house refresher sprays.
“Mmm... such a lovely scent!” Rarity remarks in bliss.
“Ah’ll say,” Applejack agrees, “Shame that these are the only patches of these kinds of flowers that can only be grown and found here.”
“Well, it doesn’t have to be the case,” Twilight explains as she carries one of the flowers out from the ground and then places it in a clay pot, “The Dancing Spectras use to grow everywhere in Equestria, but I can only guess that after the Castle of the Two Sisters were laid in ruin and the Everfree Forest was created, some of these flowers had wilted away while others were reserved here.”
Rarity placed her hoof on her chin, caught in her train of thought, “Well, this may come as a suggestion, but if there are enough of them, would it be possible to a couple to Princess Celestia? I mean, she could plant some in her garden! Possibly for the next Grand Galloping Gala no less!”
Curiosity struck the prismatic maned mare as she got a good whiff of the plant... perhaps a sniff too many as the scent tickled her nose, threatening her to sneeze. Nopony caught of sight of her as they were too busy in their own discussion.
”A-ah...”
“I’m not too sure if Princess Celestia would be too keen on having such flowers like these in her garden,” Twilight says to the seamstress Unicorn, “Besides, it might’ve triggered some memories during Luna’s exile to the moon.”
”A-ah...”
“The Princess had already forgiven her already,” Rarity reminds her, “Surely, such flowers like that wouldn’t be that traumatic.”
”Ach-“
Rainbow’s sneeze was cut off by a sudden explosion of light in the sky, right above the group... all expect for Twilight, who was too busy examining the next flower using her magnifying glass.
“What in tarnation was that?!” Applejack cried out looking above.
“I didn’t do it!” Rainbow Dash says defensively, making Appljack and Rarity look at her in confusion, then back at the sky as the light then fades away followed by panicked male’s voice shouting.
“OUT OF THE WAY!!!”
Applejack took the message and then shouts, “Hit the deck everypony!” The three of the four friends got out of the way in time, but Twilight was too distracted by her examination, she didn’t even know what was even going on.
“Hmm... this one has a little bit of turquoise on every tip of it’s petals,” She mumbles to herself looking at it closely, “This is very strange... Now why would it-“
“Twilight! Move out of the way!” Rainbow calls out to the light purple Unicorn.
“Huh?” Twilight looked up and sees her friends behind the trees, looking very confused, “Why are you guys hiding?” She then began to hear the warning shouts from above her. She looks up to see something, or rather somepony coming at her. “Oh no.” She says to herself as she couldn’t get out of the way in time as her horn got slammed into falling pony, causing to form an imprint of herself and the pony that crashed into her, yelling in pain.
“Twilight!!!” The three friends shouted in panicked unison as they rushed to their friend’s aid.
“Darling! Are you alright?!” Rarity asked her friend as she and Applejack carefully moved the turquoise earth pony off of her.
Twilight groans in pain as she held her horn, which thankfully didn’t broke off from the the falling pony’s impact, nor didn’t puncture him into swiss cheese.
Applejack looked at the falling stallion in question, his pelt all turquoise in color along with reddish-brown, short, curly and unkempt mane with golden yellow streaks, a short tail with the same colors, and the most surprising of all, he lacked a Cutie Mark. “Ah’ve heard of fallin’ stars before,” she says as she looked at the sky where he fell from, “But never a fallin’ Earth Pony!”
“Are you okay Twi?!” Rainbow Dash asked in worry helping Twilight back onto her feet, still holding her horn.
“Ugh... I think he landed on my horn on impact...” she groans.
“Let me see,” Rarity chimes in, upon close exam on her friend’s horn, there were no cracks, splints, chipped off pieces or any signs forced trauma.
“How bad is it?” Twilight asked her in worry.
Rarity shook her head, “Well, you didn’t have it broken off, if that’s your concern.” Twilight sighs in relief, but she could still feel the pain from the impact to her horn.
“Who even is that?” Rainbow asked turning everypony’s attention to the unconscious stallion.
“I don’t know.” Twilight shook her head as she got closer to get a better at look at him. She waved are hoof in front of his face. “Hello? Are you okay?” She asked him, trying to get him awake, poking his forehead once, causing him to groan in pain.
“Look! He’s coming around!” Applejack exclaims. The stallion’s light yellow eyes began to open, trying to dilate his vision at first. Once his vision came back, he was suddenly star struck and gasps softly at the sight of her.
Present Day
Carson couldn’t believe what, or in this case who, he is seeing as his eyes were locked onto Twilight’s. This... This can’t be real! he thought to himself as he kept his eyes on her’s, Holy shit, this seriously can’t be real! Twilight is real! His heart beating five times faster than rabbit after it lost sight from it’s predator.
“Oh thank goodness!” Twilight sigh in relief, “You’re awake! Are you hurt?”
Carson’s first reaction would’ve been, “Yeah, I’m okay.” But instead he screamed at the top of his lungs and tries to get up, only to accidentally ram the top of his head into Twilight’s horn once again, causing the both of them to shout in pain. They got away from each other, Twilight stumbling backwards as she held her horn again, while Carson backed himself up to a tree.
Rarity and Applejack saw the event unfold before them and immediately rushed to Twilight aid’s, while Rainbow Dash went to the turquoise stallion and began to scold him, “Hey! What was that for you jerk?! She was trying to help you and you ended up smack her horn?! What is wrong with you!?”
He noticed the angry pegasus, then back at Twilight, who is being comforted by her friends and checking her horn. He gasps, got up as quickly as he could in a panic, and apologized in a frenzy, “Gah! I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!” He stumbled himself a couple of times, but he got to her and checked on the light purple Unicorn. “I’m sorry about this! I didn’t mean to do that! It was an accident! I swear!”
She could see the instant the panic and the immediate fear Carson showed on his face, seemingly apologetic. She calms him down and reassures him, “I-It’s okay it’s okay!” She places her hooves and his shoulders, she could see he was hyperventilating, so she instructs him, “Take a deep breath.” She breathes in deeply, Carson follows suit and they both breathed out together.
“Better?” Twilight asked with a very gentle smile.
“Yeah, thanks Twilight,” Carson nods, but then began to worry a little, “You’re sure you’re not hurt?”
She giggled a little and reassured him again, “Trust me, I’ve been through worse than that.”
I guess that’s true, he thought as he smiles at her, I mean she could take a beating from falling objects that were dropped by MailPonies and walk away from it no problem... considering the fact that she was strapped in a wheelchair. Oof.
Rainbow was shock in an instant as something just clicked inside her head. “Whoa, hold on,” she says suspiciously, “How did you know her name?”
Uh-oh! Carson thought in a panic, I shouldn’t have let that slip out! “Oh, w-well-“ he started, but then was cut off by Rainbow Dash again.
“You sure you’re not a spy?”
Come on man, you can bullshit your way out of this! Think! his mind yelled at him, then that’s when he came up with an idea. “Well, I’m actually a...” he started, but Rainbow’s suspicious stare made him feel uneasy, “I-I’m a...”
The Pegasus was getting impatient and shouts, “Spit it out already!”
“Rainbow, darling! Have a care!” Rarity snaps at her, then turns her attention to Carson sincerely, “I’m terribly sorry about that dear, she can be impatient sometimes. Just take your time.”
Gracious with Rarity’s generosity, the stallion obliges, “Th-thanks... ahem... Well, for starters, and this is kinda embarrassing... I’m actually a runaway.” The girls gasped at him as he nods and continues, “I know, but I honestly didn’t have a choice. My mother died after I was born, and my dad did everything he could to raise me before I...”
The look on the girls faces were a mixed bag, Twilight and Rarity looked like they were going to cry, Applejack’s face showed sadden, but he’s getting the feeling that she may not buy into that lie, knowing her as the Element of Honesty, and Rainbow’s suspicion stare returned once again.
There was an awkward silence from the five ponies, but Rainbow Dash broke through the silence and asked, “Is that why you don’t have a Cutie Mark?” She pointed at his empty flank. He looks behind him, she was right. He has no Cutie Mark, but this gives a pretty good poppycock excuse for having a lack of one.
“Y-yeah...” He says, pretending to be embarrassed and blushes, “After I got so angry with him for not helping me finding my special talent, I ran away from home... I’ve been alone ever since, looking for somepony to help me out with my Cutie Mark problem.”
“Did yer dad ever try to find ya?” Applejack asked him, which made him shook his head, “You two sure sounded like ya’ll didn’t had a good relationship with each other.”
He nods and in his head he knew that he was making a bad name for his father in his world. Sorry dad.
“That still doesn’t explain as to how you know my name.” Twilight corrects him.
He raised up his hooves in defense and says, “Don’t worry, I’m getting there.” The girls payed close attention, especially Rainbow Dash, but Carson, knowing the aerodynamic Pegasus, wants to keep it interesting, but too far out there to stretch out the truth too much, so he continues on, “After I left, I went to go to Canterlot to see if anypony was willing to help me, but some of them were high ranked ponies, so when I asked them, they just stared or laugh at me and say somethings like, ‘Oh, a pony who wishes to find a Cutie Mark? Absurd!’ or, ‘I don’t think you would qualify for getting such a Cutie Mark like mine, peasant! You’re not fit for my assistance, begone!’ So, for as long as I could remember, I’ve been living in the alleyways. For years, I kept hoping somepony would just for once look and me and think, ‘You know, this guy might need help,’ but apparently they don’t have time for a grown stallion for getting a Cutie Mark.”
Twilight could see the resentment and hurt on Carson’s face, falling for the story that she and the girls were told. In Carson’s case, he was at least hoping that it worked, to his surprise it did as Rarity became enraged.
“What?!” The seamstress cried out, “They absolutely should have the time! Ugh, the nerve of some ponies! I may not know what it’s like living such dark places, but to not turn to them and offer a helping hoof? It’s so... so-“
“Uncouth?” Carson butts in.
“Exactly!” She nods, “Such high class ponies like them have no education in offering friendship!” He couldn’t help but smile as the fashion pony’s rant and did make some good points. Carson then decided to continue on his explanation.
“Anyway, back to my story, seeing as waiting for a pony to show up wasn’t working, I decide to go to the Canterlot library, seeing if there was any to help me with my case. While there, I heard two little foals talking about how the Elements of Harmony was able to defeat this dark entity called Nightmare... something,” he was obviously faking to remember the name, but the girls knew exactly who he’s referring to, “So to hear the name ‘Elements of Harmony,’ I knew I had to find out who those ponies were, and that’s how I found out about you Twilight.”
The lilac pony’s brows raised, so she decided to test him. “So, you’ve done your homework, huh?” She asked him with a smirk, to which he nods, “Okay, if you know so much about me, name three of my accomplishments.”
“I shall indeed,” he bows his head as he obliges to do just that, “I know that you’re one of the Elements of Harmony, which in this case, yours is Magic. I also know that you’ve earned your Cutie Mark by hatching a dragon and an explosive burst of a rainbow, showing your special talent for magic.”
Twilight was smiling and beginning to blush on the second fact, which made her turn her head away, “Okay, and what’s the last accomplishment?”
He then decides to bring in the big guns, or in this case in their world, crossbows, “I also know you’re Celestia’s top student...” He could see Twilight’s prideful smile and raised her head high, that’s when he jokingly turns it on its head, “Or is it bottom?” The look on Twilight’s face, including Applejack and Rarity, were absolutely priceless, he then fell down and exploded into laughter.
Even Rainbow Dash got the joke and snickered, Rarity and Applejack looked at her with disapproval. “What?” She asked them as the stallion’s laughter continues on, “It was a good joke.” Carson’s laughter died down and calmed himself, and then it was Rainbow Dash’s turn to quiz him, “Okay wise guy, if you know so much about her, do you know everything about me?”
“Darling, honestly...” Rarity shook her head.
He chuckles at the aerobic Pegasus’s question, “Well, duh! Of course I know who you are! You’re the Rainbow Dash! The most incredible Pegasus who’s one of the best flyers of all time! Not to mention the only one who has ever been able to pull off the legendary Sonic Rainboom! There’s probably nopony here on Equestria that hasn’t heard about you and all of your amazing accomplishments!”
From all of that praise he’s giving to her, Rainbow Dash smiles widely as she holds her chest and head up high with pride for all of her feats he has acknowledged. In spite of it, Rarity just sighs and Applejack shook her head, knowing full well that some of that praises would get into her friend’s head.
Then Carson turned his attention to the white Unicorn, “And how can I forget about Equestria’s well known fashionista, M’lady Rarity?” He took a bow, taking her hoof and kissed it, speaking French, “Bonjour Mademoiselle, comment allez-vous?”
She became taken aback by his sudden politeness by the stallion, thankfully for him, taking French speaking classes became one of his many saving graces. “Oh! Hehe, such a gentleman.” She remarks and spoke in kind, “Je vais bien, merci.”
“Well, stranger, since you know our names,” Applejack cuts in before they exchange more “crazy fancy speak” as she would call it, “How’s ‘bout you tell us yours.”
“Oh! Right, my name is...” He immediately stopped himself, he can’t tell them his human name, it would be unheard of to have a human name in Equestria and can’t get caught! And on a much lower note, he isn’t good at making up names, even an Equestrian one for that matter!
The girls were waiting patiently, kind smiles were expressed on them. Come on Carson! His mind encourages him, If you’ve bullshited your way out of one situation, then surely you bullshit your way out this one! Just think of a name a good name!
“Wishing Star.” He answers them, “My name is Wishing Star.” Their smiles instantly went away within a second of his response. In his mind, he once again began to panic Oh shit, I screwed myself over, didn’t I?
“Wishing... Star?” Twilight repeated to herself, placing her hoof on her chin and tilting her head to the side.
Yep! You’re fucked! Face it! Twilight’s probably figured you out already and can see that’s a lie! Even Applejack probably knows it! There’s no way they’re gonna fall for a bullshit name like-
"It's nice to make your acquaintance Wishing Star." Twilight replies to him lending out her hoof.
He's shocked that not only that they believed his story and name, but they trust him completely! Holy shit, I can't believe that worked! “O-oh, it’s nice to make yours as well.” He says to her humbly.
“So, how did you even get here?” Rainbow Dash asked, “And what was the light show all about?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Carson, or this case, Wishing Star explains, “I’m kind of lost actually. You see, I was resting in an alleyway, I saw a star and wished for finding happiness, then a strange, magical light teleported me, and somehow I ended up here.”
Twilight looked at Wishing, placing her hoof on her chin again. “You wishing to finding happiness and ending up here in Everfree Forest? Not exactly what I call finding happiness here.”
Applejack chimes in, “Not to mention free falling from that high. Yer very lucky ya’ll weren’t too banged like an apple cart after rolling down a hill!”
“Heh, I’ve been through worse.” He reassures them.
“Still,” Rainbow sympathizes, “That kind of sucks to know what you’ve been through and no luck on getting a Cutie Mark, especially nopony helping you.”
Wishing just sighs, true that he doesn’t have a Cutie Mark of his own, made up story or not, knowing on how he has to earn his is still unclear to him. There were a couple of talents he is good at like writing and chess playing thanks to his grandfather, but he has yet to extend out on those horizons, due to him not having any friends of his own. But now that he’s here in Equestria, he could start his friendship circle with Twilight, Spike, and the rest of Mane Six.
“Well...” He starts hesitantly, “M-maybe you girls can be my first friends?”
Twilight gasps in excitement and begins to bear hug the stallion, “Yes! Yes! You can def-“ Realizing that she was hugging him too tight and trying to breathe, she loosens her hug, clears her throat, starting from the top,”You’re more than welcome to be your first friends Wishing Star.”
The turquoise Earth Pony starts to notice a blush on Twilight’s cheeks, he’s getting a sneaky suspicion that she probably might want him more as a friend. Does she have a crush on me already? he asked himself in his thoughts, No, she couldn’t be! I mean we just met and it isn’t even been like an hour!
It was then Rarity’s turn to gasp, “Oh, sweet Celestia! We’ve nearly forgotten about Zecora’s potion! You think we’ve gotten more than enough of the Dancing Spectras?”
Twilight looked at the packed saddlebags that were filled with the multicolored petaled flowers, including the turquoise tipped Dancing Spectra. “O-oh! Yes, I do think this would be enough. We should head to Zecora’s before we lose daylight.”
“Um, what are you girls talking about?” Wishing Star asked with half confusion and half fake curiosity as to he knows whom they were speaking about, “And who is this Zecora? That’s isn’t a pony name that I’m familiar with.”
“Oh, that’s because she isn’t a pony,” Twilight explains, “She’s actually a Zebra. She’s known for living here in Everfree Forest and makes some potions and concoctions of spells. She’s tasked us on getting these, the Saltatio Imaginis.”
“Saltatio Imaginis.” He repeated back, “That translates to the Dancing Spectra, right?”
She nods in confirmation, “You see, she’s working on a potion that would give them eternal happiness and bring good luck to them.”
This caught him by surprise from the information. Eternal happiness? As in a way to cure depression? “That sound pretty cool!” He says excitedly.
“I know!” She says in the same tone as Wishing Star, “Just think about it! We could help cure sadness and bring so much more joy around Equestria!” He chuckles a little at his new friend’s excitement, but then he notices a red mark just below the base of Twilight’s horn. She could tell that he was zoned out and said, “Wishing? Are you okay?”
“H-huh?” He shook out of his mesmerized state and saw the worried expression on her face, “Oh, yeah, yeah I’m okay.” Far from it unfortunately, he felt terribly awful for falling onto his favorite heroine and really wanted to make it up to her in someway.
“Well then, we should probably head back to Zecora’s.” She placed her saddlebags on her back and heading back to the direction where the girls came, she looked back at the sitting Earth Pony. “You coming?”
Wishing Star looked down at his body, nervous as his ability to walk like how a normal pony would. He tries to get up at first, seeing his legs shaking violently for trying to keep his weight and balance up. He could hear Applejack warning him about something, though he was too distracted by trying to get himself up when all of a sudden he lost his balance near fell, if it wasn’t for Twilight’s magic holding him in place.
“Ah’ve guessing that fall must’ve taken a lot out of ya.” Applejack says with a chuckle, Wishing was going to say something in his defense, but then again, he knew that this could be a perfect excuse for being able to walk. She walks up to his side, wrapped his left for fore leg around the back of her neck and allow’s Twilight’s levitation spell to dissipate. “Ya’ll go on ahead to Zecora’s, I’ll take this rodeo rough rider back to Sweet Apple Acres.”
“Oh no no,” Wishing says to her, “You don’t have to do that! I don’t wanna be a burden to you.”
“Trust me sugarcube,” Applejack says to him with a kind smile, “Whenever there’s a pony in need, we ain’t gonna take ‘no,’ for an answer.”
The turquoise stallion smiles back at her, despite not being able to walk, nor not having the chance to see Zecora’s potion making in action, he knew that rest was the number one priority as of right now.
“Will I be seeing you again Twilight?” He asked the lilac mare.
Twilight nods, “Absolutely.”
This made Wishing Star smile as both he and Applejack made their way leaving the clearing and out the forest, while Twilight, Rainbow, and Rarity make their path to Zecora’s hut. As they go their separate ways for now, Twilight was unknowingly blushing with a rosy red hue on her cheeks.
“I must say, that Wishing Star fellow is quite an interesting stallion,” Rarity expresses, “He seems very charming and understanding, though I wondered why he was teleported to Everfree?”
“He obviously not telling us something,” Rainbow Dash implies to the fashionista, “Color me odd, but am I the only one that he knows us in spite that it’s been about like, what, a week before Nightmare Moon’s defeat? Also, how the hay would he have heard two foals talking about and just so happened to be there at the exact same time?”
“Oh Rainbow, don’t be ridiculous,” the fashion pony says to her friend with her eyes rolled in annoyance, “He did said that he overheard the foals’ conversation.”
“Exactly!” She retorts, “He’s been eavesdropping! I’m starting to think he’s not who he’s saying he is.”
“Well, I for one don’t see him that way.” Rarity argues, “Besides, Wishing Star seems like a kind soul who’s in need of help.”
Rainbow Dash then rolled her eyes, still not even convinced, despite the joke he made earlier and his opened personality, she could tell that there’s more to this “Wishing Star,” that they’re lead to believe. “What do think of him Twi?” She asked the librarian pony.
Twilight wasn’t even paying attention to the conversation that was being discussed, she was so lost in thought about Wishing Star, how he knew about her, but other than his personal life he had told them, she too began to question as to who he really is. But why bother figuring him out? He seems like a nice stallion to be somepony to pull a fast one as a made up story, he was really sincere and kind to tell why he was here, even if he has no idea how he got here. The one thing that kept on nagging her was the explosion of light that transported him to Everfree Forest, why would it bring him here? But then a thought occurred to her.
What if he like he was trapped in his own guilt about leaving his father? she asked herself, What if he still felt awful even now after all that has happened? Maybe the forest represents where he is now currently?
“Twilight dear?” Rarity asked her friend snapping out of her own thoughts.
“Huh?” Twilight blinked looking at the white Unicorn
“You okay? You seemed like you were in a trance and you haven’t answered Rainbow’s question.” Rarity could she the visible blush on Twilight’s face, which was now a pinkish red. It didn’t take long as to what she was really thinking about. “Oh now, darling, I know he does seem rather attractive, but I do believe that you’re rushing thing here.”
“Wh-what?!” She shrieked, blushing harder than ever, trying to use her mane to hide her rosy cheeks, “I-it’s not like that!”
The aerodynamic pegasus just rolled her eyes and joked, “Oh, come on, if you just wanted to ask somepony on a date, just ask.”
“IT’S NOT LIKE THAT!” she shouted in annoyance to their constant dating nags, but she recomposes herself by taking a deep breath, “It’s just that, maybe he was brought here was probably that he might’ve still feel bad for leaving his father for trying to earn his Cutie Mark.”
“Don’t tell me you believe him.” Rainbow shook her head in disappointment.
“I do,” Twilight said, “And if he needs help getting a Cutie Mark, then I’m more than happy to lend out a hoof.”
The prismatic maned pegasus just continued to shake her head a bit as they continued on the path. As they do, Twilight was once again lost in thought with shy smile. I-I guess... I guess he does look attractive.
Carson couldn’t keep his head out of the clouds as he and Applejack walked out of the dark forest, he kept looking behind him, hoping no one else was following them or dangerous creature were hunting them.
“You okay there, sugarcube?” Applejack asked out of concern, “You’ve been twitchy than Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense goin’ off.”
The turquoise stallion looked back at the orange mare and asks, “You think they’re gonna be okay in there by themselves Applejack? I’ve heard some scary stories about that place.”
She looked back at the entrance to the forest, then back at Wishing Star, who seems to have a little better balance for him to walk. She gave him a reassuring smile and pats him on the back. “Ah wouldn’t worry too much there sugarcube,” she said to him, “Twilight is one of Princess Celestia’s star pupil, she can handle anythin’ that’s been thrown at her.”
“You think so?” He asked in concern.
“Ah know so,” Applejack replies, “Ah’ve even seen how talented she is with her magic. One time an Ursa Minor came through Ponyville and nearly wrecked the town, and had Twilight conjured up that pacifier and bottle for that frighten fella, it would’ve caused damage not just to the town, but to itself.”
“Wow,” he whistles, “It’s a good thing that she did.” Though Carson knows how well the lilac unicorn’s magic abilities are and how strong they’ve become down the road as an Alicorn, he still can’t help but admire the way how her friends are able to tell it in their own unique and positive way. That reminded him that he just met four of the six of the Elements of Harmony, if he knew them, Fluttershy would likely be at her cottage and Pinkie Pie doing... well, whatever Pinkie Pie does best.
“Umm… forgive me if I ask you this.” He inquires sheepishly, “But where exactly is Sweet Apple Acres?”
She chuckles at his silly question, “Keep up and ya’ll find out!” She then started to trot and pick up speed in a full run.
He could see where she was going with this and playfully whines, “Hey! You gave yourself a head start!” He starts to charge and tries to keep up with the country mare. He could feel like he’s more energized with the wild and carefree spirit as his hooves planted on the ground as he gallops.
🎵Is this what it feels like to run free? Is this what it feels like to be me?🎶
🎶I felt like I found the key to unlocking this cage The freedom that I feel is exciting to engage Going on forward, no, I’m never gonna stop! Breaking free from the shell, feeling off of my shoulders they drop! Like a arrow piercing through the wind I’m thanking my lucky star that they were kind🎵
To me!
🎵I’m living my little dream world that I call my own Gonna show them what I got, let it be known! I’m living my little dream world of fate’s design Don’t know how long I’m gonna stay, but it’s fine!🎵
🎶I can’t believe that this is all real Everywhere I look around it catches my eyes appeal Gonna live my life in a way I can! It’s a destiny I make, by my command! I was brought with a purpose, but why? Will I someday touch the sky🎶
And be free!
🎶I’m living my little dream world that I call my own Gonna show them what I got, let it be known! I’m living my little dream world of fate’s design Don’t know how long I’m gonna stay, but it’s fine!🎵
Oh, am I thinking out loud? I just feel so endowed It’s everywhere I look and feel This should be a dream, but it turned on it’s heel What are the odds that a wishing star would’ve brought me here? So if someone wants to slap me to wake up, come and try if you dare! I’m a dreamer and I’m living a world can be fulfilled by good deeds The wish that I made may not be the beginning that I want, but probably what I need! I’m gonna make all of the walls of doubt and worry seem passable And if they to make their own wish come true, I’ll make it possible
🎵Give me hope... Give me faith... Give me a reason to make my heart sing🎶
🎵I’m living my little dream world that I call my own Gonna show them what I got, let it be known! I’m living my little dream world of fate’s design Don’t know how long I’m gonna stay, but it’s fine!🎶
🎶Don’t know how long I’m gonna stay, but I don’t care Their kindness will be made for, I swear! I’m living my little dream world...🎶
As the two made their way up the dirt trail, they were both out of breath, sweat were dripping down from their foreheads and brows. This was the longest run that Wishing Star had ever done and that wasn’t even compared to the lap runs he did back in school, it was like an actual triathlon! The stallion’s legs were shaking from that sprinting workout, showing a lot of effort to stay up.
“Looks like your body ain’t the only thing that was in rough shape.” Applejack chuckles, pointing at his shaking legs.
“I’ll... say...” he gasps until he collapsed to the ground and panting very hard. She helps him up and earned each other a laugh. “Thanks AJ, I seriously needed that.”
She kept that smile on her face by his compliment. “Well shoot, no need to thank me Wish,” she replies, “If you want to, you should join in the Iron Pony Competition.”
He chuckles, he knows exactly as to what she was referring to. “I’ll definitely think about it.” He said, then suddenly, they heard his stomach growling loudly, this made Wishing Star blush, “Hehe, speaking of thinking, I’m thinking as to what I should eat right now.”
“Well let’s get on in then!” She exclaims opening the gate to her home. Wishing Star couldn’t help but have his eyes wonder around the outside of the big red and white barn, he was breathless at the sight of the orchard, probably bigger than a football field!
“Come on Wishing Star!” Applejack calls out to him, snapping out of his sight seeing and back into reality. Entering the home, it was exactly like it was in show, a country rustic and home comfort feeling washes over him entirely. He and Applejack then walked into the dining room, and there were five ponies at the table three fillies, a stallion, and an elderly mare.
Carson could instantly recognize the young light yellow filly, with her long red mane and pink bow, this is AJ’s little sister, Applebloom. She is the first to greet Applejack, “Howdy there big sis!” She went to give her a hug, “Dinner’s been made! Scrambled Eggs, Hay-con, and Apple Turnovers!”
“Aw, thank ya AB,” AJ says cooingly, rubbing the top of her head, she then turned her attention to her older brother, “Big Mac, did ya make sure that some of her chores were done?”
“Eeeyup.” Said Big Macintosh, the red stallion was taller and stronger than Wishing Star.
The other two fillies, a white unicorn with pink and light purple mane, and a orange pegasus with smaller wings and a magenta mane, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo respectively, caught sight of Wishing Star.
“Whoa, that’s a wicked mane!” Scootaloo remarks as she points at his head, Carson was confused at first, “The colors, they look awesome! I wish I had colors like that!”
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes and teases her, “Scoots, I think if you had colors like that, you would be referred as Carameloo.”
“Oh, ha ha.”
Wish chuckled a little at the play on words that the young unicorn made, then replies back to Scootaloo, “Well, thank for the compliment... I’m sorry, what are your names again?” He didn’t want to come off as suspicious to the fillies, including the Apple family, he knew that they weren’t the ones for liars, or to be around them for that matter.
“Scootaloo! This is Sweetie Belle,” she points at her fellow Crusader, then at AB, “And this is Applebloom.”
“Hi!”
“Howdy!”
“Hello there to you as well,” He greets with a wave, he then caught a whiff of the food, “Wow, what smells so good in here? Was there a dinner convention and I wasn’t informed about it?”
“Nah, but it would be somethin’,” Applejack remarks with a chuckle, “It’s just some breakfast that we’re havin’ for dinner tonight.”
“Breakfast for dinner? That’s my kind of mealtime!” He exclaims.
“Now now youngin’,” Said the apple green elderly pony, “Ya can’t forget your table manners.”
“Eeeyup.” Big Mac said.
He looked at everypony at the table and laughed sheepishly with a blush, “S-sorry, I guess I haven’t had food like that for so long, I guess I got caught up in the moment.”
Both Applejack and Applebloom giggled at Wishing Star’s sheepish composure, then replies to him, “It does look yummy huh? Granny Smith, Big Mac and Applejack are good at making food around here, especially with Pinkie Pie.”
“The Element of Laughter?” He asked with his head cocked to the side.
Applejack chuckled and nods, “Eeeyup, that’s her. She’s actually not just that, but she has a reputation for her parties and baking many goodies. She’s actually made a cake for a Cute-ceañera a few days ago, and Ah’ve not kiddin’ when I tell ya this, but it was so big, it could barely get in through the front door, so they had to have the cake outside!”
“Whoa,” he says with eyes going wide, “She sounds like she’s really dedicated to her work.”
“Oh you wouldn’t know the half of it sugarcube.” She chuckled again, shaking her head, she then passes a plate to the turquoise stallion, then to herself. Carson had grabbed two pieces of hay-con and a good small portion of eggs, despite some difficulty with holding the silverware and the hay-con themselves, but the flavors that danced in his mouth, oh, it was indescribable! How anyone back on his world never made eggs that good is beyond him.
He heard a little giggle from the fillies, he looked at them confused, then Sweetie Belle says, “You got a little bit of hay-con crumbs on your chest fur.” He looked down and there are tiny pieces of the strip and realized that he once again forgot his manners, so he quickly grabbed himself a napkin and wiped his mouth and chest off.
“I-I apologize again,” he embarrassedly said.
“Oh, no need for apologizin’ sugarcube.” She reassures him, giving him a pat on the back. He smiles, then took a much politer bite from the scrambled eggs, then he heard AJ ask, “Say Wish, since ya’ll don’t have anywhere else to go at the moment, why don’t ya stay here for a while?”
He looked in shock by the country pony’s offer, looking at her as if she told him that she ran somepony over with a buffalo stampede.
“Somethin’ wrong sugarcube?”
He looked confused for a moment, but then he remembered what she asked him earlier, so he says, “Me? Staying here?” He looked at the red stallion and the elderly mare, then he looked at Applebloom, then back at Applejack as he then continues on, “I don’t know AJ, I mean, I don’t really... stand out from you guys.”
“What are ya talking about?” The orange mare asked in concern.
“Well, for one, I don’t have a Cutie Mark.” He explains, pointing at his flank, “Plus, you wouldn’t want somepony like me in your home, I mean I’m just... I’m nopony special, I’m not strong like you, or a fast flier like Rainbow Dash, or a spell caster like Twilight.” He hung his head in shame and sadness. “I’m nopony special.”
“Aw, c’mon now,” AJ punches his shoulder, “Who says that ya’ll have to be special to stay with somepony is big fat liar. To me and mah friends, you’re already special.”
“Y-you think so?”
“Ah know so.” She confirms.
Well... I could stay here and help out with the Apple Family, Carson thought to himself, But what about the others? Surely they could use some help too... well, except for Rainbow Dash. I could take multiple jobs here, the farm here, Sugarcube Corner’s bakery and Rarity’s boutique shop are good places to start. Okay, Wishing, what’s it gonna be?
“Well...” he starts as he thought it over, “If you’re so sure AJ, then I’m more than happy and thankful to stay here.”
A gasp from Applebloom could be heard and then asks, “Are you really?!”
“As long as he needs.” Applejack confirms.
“HOORAY!!” she cheers, then she turns to her fellow crusaders and whispers something to them, Wishing Star couldn’t make out as to what they’re saying, but he knows that he might be involved in this. He payed no mind to them and resumes eating, as he does though, the one nagging question kept bothering him, did that star really did brought him here? Or was it something else? If that’s being the case, who brought him here?
It was getting late, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were way too excited for something that Wishing Star can’t figure out what it is, he suspects that they might make him as a Crusader himself, but then again, their world is full of unexpected surprises, anything can happen.
Once again paying no mind, he tries to get some sleep, but then he was shaken awake by Applebloom. “Mph...” he groans awake, seeing three excited and hopeful faces, “Is something wrong Applebloom?”
“No, but we were talkin’ and thinkin’,” she explains, “That maybe that you could come along with us to a field trip to the Sculpture Gardens!”
His eyes went wide, he knows exactly what they were trying to do, but he also knows that this leads to the first episode of season two, “The Return of Harmony.” He never thought that he would have a role to play in this! Oh no, they’re asking me to go with them, but this would result to Discord being released from his statue form! Okay, remain calm Carson, remain calm, all you gotta do is to avoid the Crusaders having that fight and Discord won’t get out. If that doesn’t work, inform the girls, find the Elements of Harmony in the library, and use them on Discord.
“Are you okay?” Sweetie Belle asked him, making him snap out of his train of thought.
“Huh? Oh, I’m so sorry,” he said sincerely, “Well, was it okay with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity?” The three nodded, giving himself a second to think, then says, “Alright, I’m more than happy to go with you.”
“YAY!!!”
“Only if Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash says that it’s okay.”
“Aww...”
“And if I do go girls, I need you three to promise me one simple thing.” He warns them, “Don’t argue or cause any chaos around the statue of Discord.”
The Crusaders were confused by his request. “Why would we do that?” Scootaloo asked tilting her head in confusion.
“It’s been said that if any cause of chaos is presented in front of the statue, the Master of Chaos himself will be freed from his prison.” He says in a serious tone, “If he does get out, I don’t want you three to be held responsible for his return.” The three Crusaders gasped and got scared, he could tell that he frightened them. Okay, that was a little too rough there Carson, he thought to himself, They asked you to if you can go with them to a field trip, and you scared them... real smooth, dip shit.
“W-we won’t argue Wish, we promise!” Applebloom says, he could see the frighten look in the green, purple, and yellow eyes in each of the Crusaders.
He sighs in regret, he put such terror into them and he feels completely awful about. But then a thought came up, and in his mind it was crazy, but it has to work, it just has to! “You know what? How about I talk to your teacher and I ask her if you three can take a day off.” The three once again were confused, but interested as what he wants to do, “I heard once that there was an old wishing well that’s hidden somewhere in Equestria.”
All three sets of eyes went into curiosity, he then continues, “Legend has it that if you toss a coin into the well, a wish that you desired the most will come true. Nopony has been able to figure out where it is, and it’s been a foalhood dream of mine in finding it. Besides, what’s so fun at looking at pieces of history if we can go out and try to find said pieces of history?”
This gotten them hugely intrigued and excited by this sense of this adventure.
“Wouldn’t we have to talk to the adults first?” Sweetie Belle asked him.
He puts a hoof on his chin, giving it some thought. “Yeah, you might have a good point. I may have to and they may say no,” the pouts on their faces were too cute to even look away, but he continues, “But, I think I can try to pull a few strings on them, and if it goes well and if we’re lucky, we could be good to go.”
The bright looks on their faces was the nailing point that he needed after that moment of fright he accidentally gave them. “Well, I don’t know about you girls, but now I really want to find that wishing well!” Scootaloo proclaims, “Who knows? Maybe we can wish for our Cutie Marks to appear!”
“Girls, I don’t know if wishing for-“
Then the three Crusaders cheers in unison, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS WISHING WELL FINDERS!!! YAY!!!”
He forgotten how loud the three can be, but then again, he placed this idea into their heads, so it’s best to not spoil the moment for them. He looks outside and sees the clear night sky, chuckling to himself. “Well, we should probably get some sleep girls, we don’t want to have any tired adventurers here, do we?”
The three Crusaders said their goodnights and head off into Applebloom’s room, giving himself a sigh of relief, he felt at ease that this could potentially may be an avoidance of one of the most important episodes, but he’s at least that this crisis is averted.
But on that side of things, he’s still worried, what if this plan fails? What if this was for naught? Is Discord’s return really that inevitable? Only by tomorrow, time will only tell.
Hearing the sound of the rooster’s cawing, the morning light crept through the crack of the curtain’s gap, and the turquoise stallion groans in trying to wake himself up. As his grogginess starts to subside and gain his vision, he looks down at himself. He sighs as he looked at his hooves. Still the same Earth Pony. Still in Equestria. Still no answers.
He kicks off the blanket off of him and gave himself a recap as to what the plan was he set himself up last night. Okay, so the girls told me of the field trip, then I suggested a field trip that came up with on the spot, so I need to get the girl’s approval to go on this little adventure, and hopefully this won’t have Discord fucking up the Equestrian days of their daily routines... I seriously hope the can buy into this bullshit excuse.
As he went downstairs, he could see Applejack, coffee pot in hoof. “Mornin’, Wish!” She greets him in a cheerful tone. “How’d you sleep last night?” His tiresome groan answers her question for him, which made her chuckle, “Well, I gotten just the thing to get ya’ll up and movin’ again.” She pours the coffee in a mug, and then asks, “Care for some cream and sugar?”
“Sure,” he says, his voice sounded very tired as he took a seat at the table, “I could use some sugar to go with that coffee.”
“Black, but sweet huh?” She chuckles again, grabbing a tablespoon of sugar, placing it inside the mug of coffee, and giving it a stir until the sugar dissolves. She placed the mug next to Wishing Star and sat next to him at the table.
He looked around the room in search for the Crusaders after he took sip. “Thanks AJ, Black Bean Juice what I seriously need to start the day.”
The country pony was laughing her head off by the name he called the drink. “Black Bean Juice?” She asked after a few giggles escaped her lips.
“Oh yeah, I’m real fun at coffee shops,” he explains to her with a smile, “Every time when I walk in to a coffee shop, I always walk in with this Celestia awful look on my face, tired as I am, and I would shout to the counter where the employees are working and say, ‘HEY! WHERE’S THE DAMN BLACK BEAN JUICE?!’” This made Applejack laugh harder, so hard in fact, she nearly fell over to her right side to the floor. At least he’s got somepony to entertain himself with and to hear some laughter going through the day.
“Oh man Wishin’,” She says to him wiping the tear from her eye with her hoof, “I never laughed that hard in mah whole life! How come ya'll haven’t moved down here to Ponyville? We need somepony like you to enlighten the day.”
He smiled when she said that and appreciated the compliment, taking another sip of his coffee. He then looked around for any signs of the three fillies.
"Where are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" He asked Applejack, "Shouldn't they be awake by now?"
"They should be up and ready for school." She says looking the direction where Wishing Star is staring at, "Why? You plannin' on taking them?"
“Well, uh...” he starts, but he didn’t want her to suddenly get suspicious like Rainbow Dash is on to him, so he sighs and explains the situation, “Here’s the thing AJ, last night the girls asked me that if I could be a part of this field trip to the statue museum. One of those statues, as you may know, contains Discord the Lord of Chaos. If something were to cause such chaos in front of the statue, he’ll be free. So I suggested an alternative and take them on a field trip of my own.” Applejack was taken aback by the information the turquoise stallion gave out to her. “I know! I should’ve came to you first last night,” he continues, “But I was scared something would cause Discord to return, so I wanted to-“
“Hold up partner,” she says suspiciously, he knew that the plan isn’t gonna work and now he’s preparing for the worse, “Are ya saying that because the Crusaders told ya as their excuse to not wantin’ to go to school?”
“What?” He asked in confusion, in secret though, he was thankful he wasn’t taken in for a lie detection test, “No, of course not, I just wanted to have them to take day off from the school’s norm and have a change of scenery for once.”
She gave it some thought, then she gave another question, “Exactly where are you taking them?”
“Well, there’s a story I was told when I was a colt, about a wishing well that make your wishes come true.”
Her eyes went wide, jaw hanged open in shock. “ARE YA’LL TALKIN’ ABOUT THE FOUNT WELL OF WISHES?!” Wait, that wishing well has a name? he thought to himself, then proceeds to nod yes. She then busts out laughing, “Good luck on findin’ it! That there Fount Well of Wishes hasn’t been found in years!” She calms down from her laughter, and just gave him a smile, “Ah appreciate that ya’ll want to give em a day off Wish, but you they still need to get their history assignments done, it’ll be due til’ tomorrow.”
In his mind, Carson’s gears and brain juices were flowing through, coming up with a plan. “I propose a deal then.”
“Oh? What’s on yer mind cowcolt?”
“If the Crusaders and I can’t find the Fount Well of Wishes, then I will every single chore around the farm, including plowing the fields and apple bucking the trees.” He says, “But if we find it, I get to choose who’s going to toss their coin into the well first.”
She gave it some thought, at first it sounded like an absolute redundant bet, but she’s willing to take chance and play along. “Okay partner,” she says with confidence, “It sounds like a deal, but Ah’m goin’ to sweeten it, not only will ya’ll be doin’ every single chore, ya will also help with Applebloom’s homework.” She extended out her hoof and then says, “Assumin’ of course, ya ain’t stallion enough to take on every single chore by yerself?”
“AJ, you’re talking to a surpassed high school student,” he says proudly, “I can take anything that you throw at me.”
“So, that means we have a deal?”
“Damn straight.” He shook her hoof and the bet was set.
“Good,” she says, “Well, in the meantime, why don’t ya’ll go see if the fillies are ready? Ah’ve gotta get started on with the corn pickin’.”
He nods and heads back upstairs, once he knocks on the door and tells asks them if they were ready... no response. He starts to get a little concerned and opens the door, what he sees was the most adorable thing he had ever seen, three little fillies, sleeping silently. If only he had a polaroid. But of course, he had to wake them up.
“Girls?” He whispers quietly as to not disturb them that much, “Girls. Time to wake up.”
“Mmmph... five more minutes...” Scootaloo moans in her sleeps.
Then he thought what ever parent would do when kids like them don’t wake up in this situation. SPLASH SOME COLD WATER ONTO THEM! He thought at first, but then he thought it over again, No, that would be too mean... Then he thought the second thing what ever parents would say when their kids don’t wake up. “Hmm... well, it seems like I’m gonna go on this field trip by myself then.”
And just like that, three pairs of eyes snaps open and they screamed in unison ,”DON’T GO WITHOUT US!!!”
He chuckles at their sudden reaction and then smiles, “Alright then, you three better get packed, we leave in ten minutes.” He leaves the room and closes the door behind him, leaving the girls to their privacy and getting their affairs ready. Oi vey, I seriously hope Sweetie Belle doesn’t overpack like Rarity does. he thought to himself as he went back downstairs... only to realize that he himself doesn’t have anything to pack for this trip, so he decides to go see Applejack if she has any spare backpack or saddlebags to spare, when he suddenly opens the door however, he was paying attention and bonked into the lilac unicorn’s horn again.
“OW!” They shout in unison, rubbing their own foreheads.
He looks up to sees Twilight Sparkle and what he thought he heard her mutter to herself saying, “Klutzy Twilight...” Never in his life did he ever hear Twilight say that to herself in the show, that usually either comes from Fluttershy or Ditzy Doo, or as the MLP community would all her as Derpy Hooves.
“Sorry about that.” He says to her, checking on her, “Nothing broken?”
“No, I’m alright.” She reassured him, to which he sighs in relief, “Actually, I’m glad that you’re still here.” He looked very confused as to what she meant by this, so she explains, “You remember that potion that I mentioned yesterday?”
“Yeah,” he says remembering the events from yesterday, “You were taking the Dancing to somepony named Zecora, right?”
“Somezebra actually,” she corrects him, “But yes. When I mention you to Zecora, she mentioned something about a prophecy. She said and I quote, ‘The day will come when day and night will meet, the day one a star will fall and bow at your feet, the choices he makes will shape Equestria as a safe haven, and will rise above to the heavens.’“
He became really nervous about what he was told. “And... this involves me, how?” He asked in worried tone.
“That’s the thing when I asked her, she said that it didn’t involve you, but at the same time it does?” Even Twilight was confused, placing her hoof on her chin, “But, she also says that you being here could have some impact here in Equestria. What she means by that, I’m still unsure.”
As she was talking, Wishing Star couldn’t keep his eyes off of the red mark of her horn, once again, nothing was damaged, but he couldn’t help but feel like to say ‘I’m sorry,’ to her. God, do I feel like a jackass... he thought to himself, I made a wish that would be a hero of my own story and find someone that would make me happy, and right now, I feel like the biggest chump of jackassery.
“Wishing?” She says to the zoned out stallion, “Are you okay?”
He shook his head out of his blank state again. He could see the concern on her face, and she has every right to be. He gave out a troubled sigh, “Twilight... I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? For what?” She asked him, he then once again stared at her horn. When she looked up at what he was gazing at, it didn’t take her that long to put two and two together. “A-are you still on about me hurting my horn?” He sheepishly nods, she gave him a reassuring smile and says, “Wishing, it’s okay, you didn’t know where you were and you panicked. You apologized and I forgave you.”
As she said that, the Crusaders where about to let their field trip guide know that they were ready, but Wishing Star snaps in a upset manner, “But I hurt you! Every time I keep seeing that mark on your horn, I feel like a jackass and I’m in debt tot you!”
She was taken aback by his outburst, never through her three and a half months time in Ponyville had anyone raised her voice at her. He realized by what he did and was about apologize again, but she place her hooves on his shoulders, once again having him doing the breathing exercise.
Deep breath in...
...
Deep breath out...
Wishing began to calm down, the tense feeling in his muscles began to loosen. She smiles at him and begins to tell him, “Wishing Star, what happened when we met the first time, yes, it was a rough patch through the weeds, but today’s going to be different, right?” He nods yes, then she continues, “Then you have nothing to worry about. You’re trying to get the hang of the concept of friendship, and believe me when I say that I’ve been through with the same problem as you’re are right now. When I first came to Ponyville, I only cared more about studying than making friends," she said, looking at him in his starlight yellow eyes. "When Princess Celestia sent me here to Ponyville to make some, I was dreading it. That changed when Nightmare Moon returned, and I quickly realised that the five ponies I had met on my first day here were indeed... my friends. Once I realised that, we were able to recover the Elements of Harmony and use their power to defeat Nightmare Moon — which in turn returned Princess Luna to us. And ever since then, I've been so grateful to have them by my side.”
He took a deep breath again through his nostrils, then smiled at her. “You know? I think the both of us are a lot more in common than I thought. Both of us isolating ourselves because we chose to, and we struggle to make friends at first... but that’s where those similarities met it’s crossroads. You made making friends look so easy.”
She giggles at his compliment, “Well, sometimes making friends isn’t easy. Sometimes new friends come to you, other times, you to come around to new and potential friends. Besides, you made friends with me, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash!” He cringes when she mentioned the speedster pegasus. True, they may seem on friendly terms... for now, but he keeps getting the feeling that Rainbow might see over his facade of a life he made for himself to cover his human origins, if he makes another mistake, she could send his sorry ass to the Princesses, and probably to the worse place of all, Tartarus itself. She could see the look on his face, then she realized that he and Rainbow aren’t in good terms for the moment.
“Okay, so Rainbow is indeed suspicious about you, but she shouldn’t force you to talk about something if it’s too personal for you to talk about,” she says to him.
“That’s one other thing I’m scared about Twilight,” Wishing said, “What if I goofed up hugely on something and then you turn away from me?”
She gasps from the question, “Wishing, from where ponies like us come from, we never turn away from friend that are in need! Trust me, whoever told you if you messed up and get left behind are terrible and have no actual meaning of friendship. Take it from me and my friends, we’ll do anything to help a pony in need and we intend on keeping those promises.”
He smiles and felt more at ease with himself, and having more proof as to why Twilight is his favorite. “Thanks Twilight.”
She smiles back, then was suddenly pulled into hug by him, she blushes in shock by this at first, but then embraced him in return.
Either couldn’t believe that this happened. For Twilight, to meet somepony that could relate to her and somepony who is willing to listen. To have somepony like Wishing Star? She very lucky. Little does she know how lucky she really is to have him. As for Wishing Star himself, this was beyond anything he could ever ask for, hugging his favorite character is without a doubt the best moment that he’ll cherish for the rest of his life. Some Twilight fans back on his world would be really jealous.
They then heard an audible “Awww...” from from the Crusaders, except from Scootaloo who just rolled her eyes, she isn’t for one with mushy and lovey dovey things. They realized that they were being watched and quickly let go of each other, not wanting to make the scene any awkward.
“Um, you girls ready to go?” He asked.
This made Twilight curious. “You’re taking them to school?” She asked.
“Even better!” Scootaloo says excitedly, “He’s gonna take us on a field trip to find the Fount Well of Wishes!”
Twilight’s eyes went wide when the gamboge pegasus filly said that, she then looked at Wishing Star. “You’re taking them an expedition mission of finding the Fount Well of Wishes?” He nods sheepishly, hoping she might have a much positive reaction... to his surprise, she became giddier than she was when she was at Donut Joe’s grand opening. “The Fount Well of Wishes?! There’s so many stories about that place! Many legends say that Starswirl the Bearded had created it for those who are in need in their troubled times! Ooh!!! I really wanted to find that place myself ever since I was a filly!”
“Oh boy, there she goes again.” Sweetie Belle groans rolling her eyes as the lilac unicorn continues her rambles of excitement.
He chuckles and asks the white filly, “Not the first time?”
“Eenope,” Applebloom says, “Last time she got that excited was when she retold her story of how she got her Cutie Mark.”
He looks at the still talking Twilight, he couldn’t help but feel the same energy of ambition and excitement on finding the Fount Well. Just seeing her peppy and head over heels, he finds it really cute. “Well, why don’t you join us?” He inquires.
She suddenly stops when she heard the offer, her expression went from shock to pure joy in seven seconds flat. “Y-you want me to come with you?!” She asked him.
“Sure, I could use a guide myself.”
”EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!”
She then hugs him, jumping up and down like a child waiting in line to go on a roller coaster. She’s hugging me, and she’s more excited like a filly! He thought to himself as he’s been bear hugged, I would find it cute, if I could breath!
“Twilight! Twilight! Can’t breathe!” He gasps as he tries to get her attention.
She realized that she’s nearly crushing his windpipe, so she quickly releases him. “Oh gosh! Are you okay?!” She asked him in worry. He chuckles and reassured her that he’s fine, to which she sighs in relief. “Though, I’m wondering about something, why are you and the girls are trying to find the Fount Well?” He looked at her, then just hung his head in sadness and sighs. “It’s because of what happened in your foalhood, isn’t it?” He nods to her question, though this is more than just insuring the safety of the girls and Equestria rather than himself.
“Well... that and I felt bad for scaring them earlier last night.” He informs her half of the truth.
“Well, we can’t turn the clock back to when it happened back then,” Twilight comforts him, “But, if there’s any way we can make it up for it to here and now, now’s a good time to do so.” He gave her a small smile and nods, she continues, “I also appreciate you being honest with me.”
“Ahem.” They heard Scootaloo clearing her throat impatiently, “Can we go now?”
“Oh yes!” Twilight jumped a little, making the Crusaders’ face lit up “First things first, I need to get my things and a special map that I brought when I first moved here! I’ll be right back!” She galloped on her way back to the Golden Oaks Library, Wishing Star just stares at her dreamily.
Going on a real adventure with Twilight he thought in dreamily, Heh, of all the things happening for me during the course of my life, this has to rank as the best. Speaking of the best... “Okay girls, let’s first head to Ponyville and get a quick snack, we’ll meet back here with Twilight once we’re done.” With that being said, the the Crusaders agreed and head on their way to Ponyville.
As they strolled into town, many other ponies were going through their own daily grinds. There were no tall buildings, just normal houses, lots of trees and flowers, and there seemed to be a lot of streets with a bright blue sky in the air without a single cloud in the sky, grey or otherwise. He never seen any active like Ponyville in person and looking around with it’s atmosphere, it feels like the medieval times of London or Scotland, peaceful and bustling with life.
“Wow... Is Ponyville really this active?” He asked himself as he sees other ponies going through their daily routine. Then he turned to look at plaza’s fountain, there seemed to be a couple of ponies to be in a an uproar. “What’s going on over there?” He and the Crusaders went to the plaza’s fountain and what they found in there is incredibly shocking.
What use to have water in the fountain, instead they find chocolate. The Crusaders were extremely confused as to what is happening, but Wishing Star could already tell who’s responsible for this, and is very worried that the action he made of preventing the Crusaders releasing a certain Lord of Chaos may have been all for nothing.
“Did the Plummer ponies forgot to change out the filters again?” Applebloom asked in confusion, she then noticed Scootaloo placing her hoof in the chocolate and taking a lick. “Scoots! Don’t lick that!”
“What? It’s chocolate.” She says to her fellow Crusaders.
Looking at the brown pool of liquid sweetness, he was in a panic. He thought for sure that this chain of event would prevent from Discord from returning, so there wouldn’t be any way that he could get out unless... Could Diamond Tiara be the one responsible for this? he thought to himself, but the he realized that she wouldn’t, She wouldn’t say a word to that statue, it wouldn’t be enough to cause this type chaos... Looking above the sky, cotton candy clouds were already on the move, he only had one question and one question only.
Who let you out Discord?
“Girls, we need to get to the Golden Oaks Library, now!” He instructs the fillies.
“Huh? Why?” Sweetie Belle asked.
He gave them a very serious look to them, “Listen to me carefully, right now, outside isn’t safe. Stay close to me and follow me to the library. Come on!” With that being said, they quickly made a getaway to the library. All the while, Wishing Star couldn’t help but feel as if he was being watched by some unknown force... and it’s not Discord’s.
As they got to the library, it seems they were the first ones to make it in. This means that Twilight might’ve already caught sight of the cotton candy clouds and the chocolate rain, in which they would be able to wrap them up and have the animals eat the clouds... which to him question that if it really was a smart idea to have them do that considering chocolate could either get them sick, or worse, kill them.
But back on track, he looks around to find the book, ‘The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.’ He requests the girls to help him find it. It took them a few minutes to find the book, but thankfully, Sweetie Belle shouts, “I found it!” Whoever freed Discord may be clever, but Wishing Star is already one step ahead of them. “I don’t know how this is gonna help, but something’s got to- WHOA!” The white unicorn filly accidentally tripped over on a stuck out nail, dropping the book and to everyone’s surprise, including Wishing Star, whom of course already knows but acts surprised, all of the elements came out from the book. Five necklaces and a crown, and the best part was that they were the real ones.
“The elements!!” The Crusaders shout in unison.
“Wait, those are the Elements of Harmony?” He pretends to be confused, picking up the elements of laughter and loyalty, one engraves a light blue balloon and the other has a red lightning bolt, “Huh, good things come in small packages I guess.”
Suddenly the door bursts open, it was Spike, the baby purple and green dragon, who was out of breath and looked like was about to collapse, and Wishing Star couldn’t blame him. He looks up at them and notices four of the Elements of Harmony on the floor, then sees the other two Wishing’s hooves. “Hey! What are you doing with those!?” He demanded.
“Whoa, hold on Spike!” Applebloom stepped in the way, “Wishing Star’s just trying to help! We didn’t know that they would be in there!”
“Yeah!” Sweetie jumped in, but then gasps, “But if they are here, then what did Princess Celestia-“
“My thoughts exactly,” The turquoise stallion proposes, he then turns to the baby dragon, “You, you seem to be writing capable, can you write a letter and send it to her?”
“No problem!” He says to him with a salute, “In fact, I can send the Elements of Harmony along with the letter! Give them here, quickly!” They do so and Spike began to write to the Princess in regarding to the elements. He then stops and looks at the only adult in the main room. “Uh... what is your name?”
“Wishing Star.” He says to him.
“Got it.” Spike continues to write the letter, it took him at least twenty-two seconds to get the note written down, and send it and the Elements to the Princess with one fire breath. “I hope they make it in time before the girls get there.”
“You and me both pal.” Wishing says as he sat down, completely relieved that he and the girls were unharmed and gotten the Elements to the Princess... but now, all they can do is wait.
Suddenly, they heard a male’s laughter, a laugh that sent a shiver down the turquoise stallion’s spine, then a flash of light blinded everyone’s eyes.
“W-w-who is that!?” Sweetie Belle asked terrified.
“Girls! Get behind me!” Wishing Star shouts in a protective tone, they did as they were told and got behind What stood before them was the most unusual creature of all. He had mismatched limbs, antlers, and wings, a tail of a dragon, and a goat-like head. He is a draconequus, he is the Lord of Chaos, he is Discord.
“My, my, my... such a brave colt like yourself,” the draconequus remarked get up close to the stallion’s face, “But I quite frankly thought that you would be much younger.”
Wishing raised a brow at him. “So you know of me?” He asked.
“Oh, much more than that Wishing Star...” Discord trails off, giving him a glare of suspicion, “Or, should I perhaps call you by you real name? Carson Andrews?”
The stallion felt like his heart stopped when he heard his name. How did he know of this? Who told him his real name? Was it perhaps it was he who sent him here in Equestria?
“Wishin’? What’s goin’ on?” Applebloom asked him, he looked behind him to see the very scared and confused Crusaders, then he looked at Spike, who was shocked to the fact that he was given false info to him.
Carson knew that it was going to going to happen, but he never expected to happen this soon. “We’ll talk later AB.” He reassures them, then turns attention to the draconequus, “What do you want Discord?”
The Lord of Chaos chuckles, “Oh, it isn’t what I want, it’s what he wants.”
“He?”
“Devine Light is his name,” he explains, “He’s the apprentice to the Wishing Star, and he’s becoming aware of your arrival here. He wanted me to find the Elements of Harmony and bring them to him so he can replace them with replicas, but seeing as how I was too late and already sent them to Princess Sun-Butt, I don’t have to bother dealing with that anymore. However, my ambitions of causing chaos to Equestria has not left my mind. As we speak, Devine Light will be informing his master about the events that unfolded, so you can either, A: turn yourself in to Devine Light and you peacefully return home; B: be absolutely stupid, keep the your identity a secret, and probably ruin everypony else’s lives, including your secret crush.”
Carson’s emotions was running high, he was threatened to have his identity exposed to the whole world and would try to cause harm to his friends, and how dare him. How he dares to cause pain around others with his riddles, lies, and mind games? Wait... Mind games... Riddles... That’s it! he thought to himself, Why didn’t anyone here thought about this before?! I know how to truly beat him!
“Okay Discord.” He says with grin, “Here’s the deal, I’ll give you my answer, but I want my friends to be here to witness it.”
The draconequus laughs in victory, “Fantastic!” Discord looked at his wristwatch, which somehow appeared on his wrist. “Well now, I better be going. I’ve got some chaos to do! Oh, but remember, everypony will be watching... even he will be watching. Tallyho!”
With that, he disappears.
Wishing Star then looked behind the frightened fillies and a very disappointed Spike.
“Well?” The dragon asked with his arms crossed.
Carson looked them, mostly at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the fear and confusion of the conversation between him and Discord, just made him feel heartbroken, but then this gives him an idea, another little spider web to keep them occupied and entertain the imagination... it’s mean, but it’s for their good.
“Girls. I want you to three to listen very carefully,” he began to explain, “There’s a language that my family and I use, it’s called English. My father and mother were Englanders, a world lost to time. Their names were Jebodiah and Melissa Andrews, in your language, they mean Guiding Star, my father’s name, and Lucky Star, my mother.”
Their eyes went wide in awe. So much so, Scootaloo then says, “Whoa! That is so cool! What does my name mean? Tell me! Tell me!”
He chuckles in surprise, hardly believing that they bought it... he felt bad for telling them this, but once again, it’s for their own good. “Well Scootaloo, you name would mean Samantha in my tongue.” He then turned to Applebloom. “Yours would be Annabelle.” Finally at Sweetie Belle. “And yours would be Synthia.”
“Hey, what about me?” Spike then asked him.
Oi vey, Carson thought to himself, What am I to them, a walking encyclopedia? “Well... yours would be... just Spike.”
The dragon’s jaw just hung when the stallion said that. “What that’s it?” He retorts with a pout.
“Hehe, sorry man,” he says with a shrug, “If there was another name that could be translated, I would tell you.”
The baby dragon sighs in disappointment, to be frank, Carson would too. His thoughts were interrupted by the door slamming open. He looked to see Twilight, Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, and two other ponies, Fluttershy the light yellow pelt and light dusty pink maned pegasus, and Pinkie Pie the... well, pink earth pony. The Crusaders cheered in joy to see their respective sister that they were alright. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity embraces them.
“It’s a good thing you girls showed up in time.” Wishing Star says to them.
“And it’s good thing you told us about the Elements being in the library.” Twilight says in relief, embracing the turquoise stallion, she quickly let go of him and looked at his starry yellow eyes, “Spike said you have them still?” He presented them to her in the book. “Necklace, necklace, necklace, necklace, necklace, and one big crown!” Twilight called out as she handed over each respective element to their user, “Now, let’s get rid of Discord. Come on!”
“I’m coming with you.” Wishing volunteers, the Mane 6 looked at the turquoise stallion in surprise, “What? You think I’m just gonna stick around in a library? You’re gonna need back up in case things go south.”
“Silly pony!” Pinkie says cheerfully, “We’re going to stop Discord, not going south!”
Twilight suggests otherwise, “Wishing, I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, you don’t have a element of your own.”
“So?”
“So if Discord plans on making a hostage situation, I don’t want you in the crossfire.” She gave him a very serious look, knowing her, she can’t have anypony else get involved in this situation, if would be risky.
Wishing just gave her a small smile. “I’ll be alright Twilight. As long as I’m not in the way, you got a clear shot.” He says to her with confidence, he then hugs her, “You got this.”
As they walked outside of the library, they looked around to see any signs of Discord. “How dare you!” Discord’s voice bellowed, a light flashed in front of themThe same draconequus appeared mad as a hornet. “Trying to trick the Lord of Chaos like that!”
“Trick us?” Twilight said, she placed her hoof on her chin, then she recalled what the riddle was told from the Lord of Chaos himself, “‘Find the Elements back where you began.’ That was part of your riddle!”
“Yes, but you claimed you’d start at the labyrinth first!” Discord growls, “You’ve got some nerve double-crossing me like that!”
The Mane 6 stand in a line, having their Elements of Harmony at the ready, Twilight calls out, “Alright, ladies! Let’s show him what friendship can do!”
As this was playing out, Wishing Star felt like time was standing still at this moment, looking at Discord as he sat on his materialized throne and says, “Ugh, gag. Fine, go ahead. Try and use your little Elements. Friend me. Just make it quick. I'm missing some excellent chaos here.” Wishing could just watch everything unfold, watch his heroes turn him into stone and gain a huge victory... or maybe...
Twilight focuses her crown at the draconequus. “Alright... Ready...”
Come on Wishing, make a choice here! You know that Discord can be redeemed early!
“Aim...”
Wishing, quit sitting like a total dunce and do something!
“WAIT!” The stallion calls out, getting in front of the girls, “Wait!”
“Wha- Wishing Star! What are you doing?!” Rainbow asked, she was really looking forward on freezing Discord on the spot.
Discord too took notice of Wishing’s actions, is it probably he made his decision?
“Look, you want Discord gone as much as the next pony would,” He says to them, “But may I remind you that it was you who freed Princess Luna from her darkside. Who’s to say that the Lord of Chaos can be turned as well?”
The girls gasped at him, they immediately knew what he’s trying to do. “Wishin’, you can’t be serious! You’re talking about Discord!”
“D-I-S-C-O-R-D!” Pinkie literally spells out to him.
“What if he does something awful to you?!” Fluttershy whimpers.
“He won’t.” He reassures them, he then looks at Discord with a positive grin, “Besides, I’ve already figure out a way how to beat him without turning him to stone.”
The draconequus bellows with laughter, “You?! You think you actually have a way to beat me?! Then by all means! But what’s the catch here, pony? What happens when I win, or if you win?”
Wishing already had the terms in mind and how this is going to play out if he succeeds or fails. “Well,” he begins, “Since you talk a big game about riddles, I’m gonna challenge you with three hard ones that I came up. If you win and get at least one or all three of them correctly, you can have me turned to stone and claim me as a trophy.”
“NO!” The girls shout, even the Crusaders came out of the library and ran to the stallion.
“Please, don’t do this!” Sweetie pleads.
“Who’s gonna help us find the Fount Well of Wishes if you’re gone!?” Applebloom asks in a begging tone.
“Please just let them turn him to stone! You’re our fellow Crusader!” Scootaloo shouts at him.
“I’ll be okay girls.” He coos them, “Which comes to my term if I win. If I do, I requests that you help me and these young ladies on finding the Fount Well.”
Discord was taken aback by the name. “The Fount Well of Wishes?” He asked, Wish nods, “Hmm... I happen to know where the Fount Well is. But what’s in it for me on finding said Fount Well pray tell?” Wish snorted at the last line. “What?”
“We’re you a poet, and didn’t know it?” He asked.
“Was that one of your riddles?”
“No, that was joke.” Getting back on track, he then continues, “Well, you can only guess three times for each riddle, if you get one wrong three times, I will tell you the answer. Plus, if you’re on your best behavior, I will consider of you making a wish at the Fount, but it has to be from the heart.”
“From the heart?” Discord gagged, “Ugh, what is it with you ponies and your values of friendship?”
Wishing smiles and simply says, “Play my game Discord, and perhaps you will find out.”
The Chaos Lord raises his brow at the grinning stallion. Just what kind of game is he playing here? “Very well then brave pony, but remember, any signs of double crossing an I will be the one to turn you to stone myself.”
“Consider me warned.” The turquoise pony says as he begins his first riddle, “‘What breaks yet never falls, and what falls yet never breaks?’”
Discord thinks carefully about the question, seeing as how he is the master of chaos and riddles, he may have know this one before... the trouble was that he can’t recall what the answer was in all of his years when he was turned to stone.”Hmm... plant leaves?” He guesses, which results Wishing Star making a incorrect buzzing noise, that’s strike one! This threw the draconequus off guard, “What?! It has to be plant leaves, surely!” The incorrect buzzing noise came out again, strike two!
“Come on Discord,” the turquoise stallion teases, “Surely you know this one.”
The draconequus was getting agitated and blurts out, “Ice!” He quickly covers his mouth, too little too late, strike three. “D’oh! What even was the answer!?”
“Seriously?” He asked, “Come on Discord, what are the Sister Princesses?”
“Wh-wha-? You dare question my intelligence?! The Princesses are-“ he stops, and thought back about the riddle, he face palms himself, “Ugh... how can I be this idiotic?”
“Day and night.” He turquoise pony answers him, earning himself a chuckle, “Wow, the Master of Chaos and Riddles he can make, but can never figure out from others.”
“Why you-!”
“‘What word in the Equestrian language does the following: The first two letters signify a male, the first three letters signify a female, the first four letters signify a great, while the entire world signifies a great mare. What is the word?’”
As the riddle was said, all the Mane 6 could do is watch helplessly.
“Ohh, I don’t know if I want to keep looking at this.” Fluttershy says in a worried expression.
“Either do Ah,” Applejack admits, “We should really make him reconsider this and just-“
“If we do that, Discord might have the advantage,” Twilight retorts, “I don’t want Wishing Star to get caught in the crossfire, or worse, turn him to stone on accident.”
Discord one again thought carefully and then says, “A mother!” Once again, the pony makes a mocking incorrect buzzing noise. Growling in frustration, he then says, “An aunt?” Incorrect again, “Rrr... Come on Discord, think!” Then he believes he found the right answers and blurts, “A hero!”
“Oh! So close!” Wish says to him like an young boy teaching his great uncle playing a board game, “You were correct on the first four letters on the word, but what I’m actually looking for is actually ‘heroine.’ Like my mother...”
Discord caught sight of weakness in Wishing Star. “Your mother?” He asked.
The pony nods. “She died giving birth to me... but I was told that she was once a soldier. One of the greatest to ever be known in the world. She’s the reason why I’ve grown to respect females in any species, they shouldn’t be seen as weaklings or damsels in distress, they are strong, compassionate, and caring.”
“Oh, please don’t tell me you’re gonna get sappy on me already?” The draconequus asked.
“Are you say you have no respect with your mother Discord?” He reflects the question.
“DON’T YOU DARE BRING HER UP PONY!” The Lord of Chaos got up to the turquoise stallion’s face, as if he was ready to fight, “I HAVE GROWN TO RESPECT MY MOTHER IN EVERY WAY!”
...
“Is that why you left her?” He asked him in a sorrowful tone, “Is that why you left of your own kind? To want the same respect that she had? Is it why you pull these over-the-line pranks? Or is it because of something else?” Wishing needed to be careful when plucking Discord’s heartstrings, one wrong move and it’s already game over for him. “Did you do something they you would believe that your own kin would grow to hate you? Is that why you left them?”
A dark silence from Discord, but his head turning away from Wish already confirms his suspicion.
“We don’t have to talk about this and move on to the last riddle if you would like. I can understand.” Discord didn’t answer him, but he listens closely to the final riddle, “‘A colt was rushed to the hospital emergency room. The ER doctor saw the colt and said, ‘I cannot operate on this colt. He is my son.’ But the doctor was not the colt’s father. How could that be?’”
Discord raised his brow at the riddle and began to question it, “How can a doctor work on his son if it isn’t his?”
“That’s something you need to figure out.” The turquoise pony says to him.
Twilight could already tell that Wishing was trying desperately to redeem the Lord of Chaos and it seems to be working, but the sense of doubt is lurking in her mind like a spider spinning it’s web in the corner of the house ceiling. What if this was a trick to get his trust?
Discord thought carefully, and he thought, and he thought... only to come out with no answer.
“Do you give up Discord?” Wishing Star asked him.
...
“Yes.” With that one simple word, Discord gave up. The girls’ eyes went wide, they couldn’t believe that the Lord of Chaos, the master of riddles, had completely gave up! With a depressed sigh as he looks around the chaos he had caused, the frog balloons, cotton candy clouds, spiked vines that came out of the ground, checkered and striped patterns on the ground and every building. “What... have I done?” He asked himself looking around one last time before looking at the lone stallion before him.
“You can still start over Discord.” Wishing Star says to him, “I may not know what happened to cause you to become the draconequus you are today, but perhaps I’ve been there too. Friendless, deprived from hope... believing that being alone is your fate... but it doesn’t have to continue like this. I can be your first friend Discord.” He then lends out his hoof for the Lord of Chaos to take.
“My name is Wishing Star.”
Discord looked at the pony’s hoof, then at his yellow eyes, almost as if they were the same star under the night sky he looks upon. The girls became were on different emotions, Fluttershy was so scared she started to cover her eyes, Pinkie Pie was starting to bite her hooves like a wood chipper, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity were sweating bullets from the tension, the Crusaders were shaking to the core as to might happen next, and Twilight didn’t take her eyes off of Wishing Star, hoping that the riddle plan is a success.
Discord looked at Wishing’s hoof, waiting for him to give it a friendly hoof shake.
...
Suddenly, with the snap of his eagle claw, everything was returning back to normal, the buildings returned to Earth, the grass pierced through the checkerboarded ground, the clouds turned into water instead of cotton candy, and roads paved themselves with dirt instead of soap.
“Discord,” He says to him taking the earth pony’s hoof with a firm shake, “At your service.”
Everypony couldn’t believe it. This had to be some sort of dream, it has to be! Discord was befriended by an earth pony, and beaten him in his own game!
The Crusaders were the first to rush at Wishing Star as they called his name. He looked behind him and tackled him with a loud ‘OOMPH!’ and enough force sending them a couple of inches away from the draconequus. Wishing thought it would never work, but with enough confidence and the right words of negotiations, he had done the impossible and reformed Discord early.
He could see the nearly in tears Crusaders and gave them he biggest hug he could possibly give them, reassuring them that he’s still here and yes it did happened, he got Discord to reform. The rest of the group went to him as well.
“Ah gotta admit Partner,” Applejack says to him, “Ya did good.”
“Splendid job darling!” Rarity cheers.
“That was amazing!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, “We could’ve just used the Elements, but you beaten him in different way! You were like, ‘I got a game of my own!’ And after a while we were like *GAAASP*, but now Ponyville is back to normal! We should-“
“Whoa whoa Pinkie,” Twilight giggles patting her friend on the back, “I do agree that you did surprise us all by befriending Discord, I must say, you’ve gotten a pretty good way of reaching out to others by opening up your heart to theirs.”
He smiles at the compliment, he’s never been given so much praise before, usually in High School, every teacher would always give him a usual, ‘Good work Carson,’ or ‘These are going to get good grades for sure Carson,’ but never anything like those compliment that would achieve something higher than that.
Discord clears his throat, making everypony having his attention, “Well, as long as everypony is a brighter mood, I do believe that there’s a bargain that I do have uphold?”
“Oh yeah, that’s right!” Wishing Star says as he releases the Crusaders and got up to his feet. “Okay then Crusaders, I believe that we have one last thing to take care of.” He looks up to the draconequus. “You wanna come with us?”
Discord’s eyes went wide, “Me?” The turquoise pony nods as he smiles. The Lord of Chaos only sighs in sadness, “As much as I wanted to, I’m afraid that can’t go with you. Even though you may have me reformed from my ways, I need to time to cooperate from the events that transpired here, and go into exile.”
Wishing’s smile faded as he then asked, “Where are you gonna go?”
“There was once a mountain were the rest of my draconequus clan had hidden themselves, far from Equestria. But fear not, one day, I will return and make amends to the Princesses, to set things right.”
Wishing looked at the fillies at first, then back at Discord. “Well then, until we see each other again. I wish you safe travels. Just promise us that you will come back?” He lend out his hoof once again.
Discord took his hoof and says, “I promise.”
Suddenly a loud belching noise came from Spike. “Hey! It’s from the Princess Celestia!” He says as he reads the scroll, “She says she wants you to come back to Canterlot for a celebration!”
The girls got excited by the news. “Wishing darling, are you sure you don’t want to come along?” Rarity asked him.
As enticing as it sounded to Wishing Star, he already knew what was going to happen as they would get a colored glass mural showcasing their victory. Even if he wanted to go, there’s the problem of Princess Celestia, despite knowing that she’s the more kind and understanding of the Princesses, he’s extremely nervous as to how she’ll react to an outsider like him.
“I-I’m sure M’lady,” he stutters with a bow, “Plus, I’m already taking the Crusaders to the Fount Well.”
Seeing the disappointed but understanding look on Twilight’s face, he knew he wasn’t going to hang out with her and she probably knew that he might not have the chance to meet the Princesses, which is a huge privilege to have.
“Well, just be careful.” Twilight simply said with a smile.
“We will Twilight.” He says to her, then he looks to the Crusaders. “Ready?”
“Ready!” They shout excitedly in unison.
Discord then snaps his fingers and with a flash of light, they disappeared.
“Well, what are we waiting for?! We got a train to catch! C’mon!” Rainbow exclaims, she flew to the skies and head to the train station, with the girls follow suit... all except for Twilight.
The rest of the five stopped to see their lilac unicorn friend with with her head hung low. She knew that they really had gotten any victory, the real hero was the stallion, a stallion who shows kindness and fairness to everypony, a stallion who would stand up for his friends.
“Twilight? Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked her.
“I think...” Twilight says to them, “I think we should tell Celestia what really happened.”
Deep inside a small cavern, there lives a lovely unicorn mare in pink, her mane with beautiful colors of the rainbow, her diamond blue eyes kept watch of the crystal shining waters of her beloved Fount Well. She hums herself a little tune of her own, looking at the reflection of water she suddenly feels a sudden shift of the aura. She looked behind her to see a bright light.
“What in the great Stars is that?” She asked herself.
From the bright light came out three fillies and Wishing Star, as they opened their eyes they were instantly were in awe and wonder.
“Who are you?” She asked them getting their attention, “How did you find this place? Nopony has ever came to the Fount Well of Wishes in over a millennia. How did you get here?”
“E-excuse us,” Wishing Star stutters, he know exactly who he’s talking to, but he’s just hoping he’s wrong, “A-are you Wishing Star?”
“I am. Who might you four be? How did you come by to this place?”
“I... I share your name Lady Wishing Star.” He bows to her, “It was my mother’s request before she died.” He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for her to shoot at him with a wayward beam. He opens one eye and see that the blast never came, instead the mare looked at him in shock. “U-um... are you okay?”
She walked slowly towards him, her mouth agape. “It really is you.” She whispers, “The Great Stars really did send you.”
“Sorry?” He asked in confusion, he suddenly was entrapped by the mare’s hug as she kept muttering about the Great Stars for sending him, which made him look at the Crusaders, and all they could do is shrug in confusion. How would they know? They’re just kids. “Um, can you explain to me as to who sent me?”
“Oh! I’m very sorry.” She says sincerely, “I should start with introductions. I am Lady Wishing Star, keeper and creator of the Fount Well of Wishes. Please, tell me, what brought you here to my humble home?” Wish told the Lady who he is and introduces the Crusaders, he also explained the events up until this point. “I see. This is very good news indeed. But tell me, if Discord is indeed freed, who was the one responsible?”
He looked at her with regret and says, “I think you know him.”
“Who?”
“Devine Light.” He answers her.
Her eyes went wide and gasps in shock. “Devine Light? He was responsible for his return?” He nods, she was absolutely furious. “Are you meaning to tell me that my own apprentice released the Lord of Chaos and did not came back to inform me?”
“That isn’t all.” He informs her, “What Discord told me, he says that Devine knows me somehow.”
Now the mare was enraged. This is their apprentice that they're talking about and he nearly puts the whole world into jeopardy? The anger in her eyes looked like twin blue flames of pure rage. Um, I'm gonna go on a whim here as say that she might be a kirin in her past life. he thought to himself.
"M'lady Star?" He says to her, "I know you're angry with him at the moment, but we're here to make our wishes and contributions to the Fount Well. Though, seeing as you're in need of dealing with your apprentice, we will let you be."
"NO!" She unexpectedly shouted, seeing the shocked expressions on the Crusaders and Wishing's faces. She regained her composure and cleared her throat, "Forgive me for my behavior, I take my job here at the Fount Well very seriously and to hear that one of my own has nearly forsaken the whole world and place them on your shoulders, he should have let fate played out instead of interfering."
So, having someone from a different world and knows what's going to happen can make changes here is okay with you, but when it's someone from here who knows what's going to happen, they get a slap at the wrist? he asked himself in his thoughts, What are the rules here dammit?!
"However," she continues, "I will deal with him later. For now, you are guests here. Please, tell me, what is it that you like to wish for in this place?"
He chuckles and looks to the Crusaders, "Well, I didn't come here to make a wish, but these three are hear to make a wish of their own."
"Oh?" She asked curiously, looking at the three fillies, then at their flanks, she can already take a guess with what they're wishing for, she gave a giggle, "That desperate?"
"Yes ma'am!" The Crusaders cheered in unison.
She giggles once more, "Alright," her horn glows and appearing in front of them where three gold and platinum coins with a star in the middle of it, "Take these coins and toss them in the pond over there, the water's currents will guide your wishes into the and it will show you as to how you will achieve your wish."
"Awesome! I'm first!" Scootaloo cheers as she went to the edge were the water starts.
Both stallion and mare laughed as they watch the fillies rushed their way to the edge. The pink unicorn sighs, "It's so nice to see such young and curious faces like them. I never get tired of watching their reactions as to see what they will achieve for their futures."
"How long have you been here?" He asked.
"Oh, much longer than the Princesses, long after Equestria was discovered." she says matter-of-factly, she then looked at him, "But I believe that you've already aware of this fact, aren't you Carson?"
He was shocked at the mare. "You... know my name too?"
"The Great Star foretold me that you would be arriving here, so of course I know you."
“Then… can you tell me if I will ever be able to return home and become human again?” He asks with a glimmer of hope.
"That, I unfortunately can't tell you." She says to him, "I can only provide wishes of the future, not futures that provides a choice."
"Aw horseapples..." He curses sadly. It’s just as he fear. He lower his head in depression after hearing her answer.
"You seem troubled young man." She says to him, "Are you not happy to be here?"
"No, it's not like that!" He reassures her, then sighs in frustration, "I just… I just don’t know what to do for myself. I should rejoice on the fact that I’ve been transported into a world where one of my favorite shows is actually real. And I am happy! It's just… I feel as if my presence would just endanger everyone around me if I continue to stay any longer. I try to blend in with the other ponies, but I still feel like an outcast from the rest of the community. Oh sure, I may have reformed Discord, and saved Equestria from danger, but I still don’t have a Cutie Mark! I sometimes feel like I’m stuck between two worlds with nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to!”
He take a pause to let all of these dark thoughts begin to sink in. Now I know how Starlight feels, He thought to himself grimly.
"I understand your situation Wishing Star." She spoke up, "But I have a feeling that you are currently on the path that fate has set for you. Every tree has it's own branches and every limb sprouts out like it's roots below it. Only you have the power to choose where you believe is the right choice. I believe that you reforming Discord is no coincidence, and I believe that you may change Equestria for the better. So do not fret my friend, for when you reach to that point in your journey, I know you will make the right choice.”
He smiles a bit upon hearing her hopeful and encouraging speech, but he can’t help but wonder what she meant by that last statement. He wonders if she knows something about that than what she is letting on. “I hope it would be up the latter M’lady.” He says to her. The Crusaders came back to Wishing Star, they seem a little skeptical about the future they saw. “What did you three see?”
“We saw us with our Cutie Marks, but Diamond Tiara was there too, and she seemed... happy with us?” Sweetie Belle explains but seems very confused.
“Maybe she wanted to fit in with us?” Applebloom suggested.
“Oh please, she wouldn’t give a time of day to even think about being happy with us other than bullying us.” Scootaloo retorts.
Oh how wrong you three will be when you get them Scoots. he thought to himself, then he spoke up, “Well, perhaps it’s an act of kindness and guidance to help not just yourselves, but perhaps this Diamond Tiara as well.”
“But she already has gotten a Cutie Mark of her own!” The gamboge pegasus interjects, “Why the hay we would help her? By being bullies to other fillies and colts?”
“Well, it doesn’t have to be that way, right M’lady?”
“Your friend is right.” She explains, “It’s whether our actions and choices that we make to others around us can either change and inspire them, or they would remain the same. It isn’t just your choice, it’s their choice as well if they want to follow by your examples.”
The Crusaders looked at each other, with Scootaloo just only shrugging and thought it over.
“So, what yer sayin’ is that finding our Cutie Marks isn’t right?” Applebloom inquires tilting her head.
“No, not at all. Trying to force to your Cutie Mark appear would only be like asking a boulder to move on it’s own when you know that you have to find the strength to move it.” She then hints them, “Perhaps of helping yourselves, maybe you should find others to help find Cutie Marks of their own.”
Scootaloo and Applebloom were clueless as to what the Mare of Wishes was referring to, but Sweetie Belle has figured out what she was saying and exclaims, “It’s obvious! We need to find other fillies and colts to help join our cause to find our Cutie Marks!” Well... at least she tries to.
The other two believed they got the hint and the three bowed their heads to her and politely say in unison, “Thanks Lady Wishing Star!”
The pink unicorn mare only giggles at their enthusiasm and and says, “You’re very much welcome my little ponies.”
I’m not sure if that was forced or intentional. Carson thought to himself as he caught on the last line from the mare. “Well, I think it’s about time that we head home girls.”
“Awww… just one more wish!” Apple Bloom whines cutely.
“Please?!” Now the other two Crusaders whined, all three of them making the same begging faces in “Sleepless in Ponyville.”
It’s tough to endure just that one adorable expression, but to resist all three of them at once is an impossible task! Wishing kept his composure and says in a denying tone, “No no, absolutely not. We don’t wanna cause a wish that would accidentally turn ponies into frogs or worse.”
“But we’ll be careful! Pleeeeease!” Sweetie Belle begged once again.
Oh no, I’m not falling for that! he enduringly thought.
Now it was Applebloom’s turn to whine again, “Pleeeeease!”
I don’t see you!
“Pleeeeease!” Scootaloo pleads.
Don’t...
And then all three of the Crusaders then gave out all of their adorableness to him. “PLEEEEEASE!!”
He then snaps, “Alright! Alright! Goddammit!!” He immediately covered his mouth with his hooves as he actually swore right in front of kids! The Crusaders were confused as to what word he said, while the mare placed her hoof on her mouth, trying her best to not laugh at his blunder. “Y-you can do one more wish, but after that, we’re going home.”
”YAAAAY!!!!
The Mare of Wishes then gave them each one last wish coin and they trotted their way to the edge. She then looks at a blushing red Wishing Star, who still had his hooves on his mouth, slowly removes them and laughs sheepishly. “Um... you don’t happen to have a pillow with you, do you?”
She used her magic and teleported the fluffiest pillow she could conjure.
“Thanks, now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go scold myself vigorously.” With that shoves the pillow to his face and muffled out screams, the best part of it was that even though the fillies couldn’t hear him, but she could.
”MOTHERFUCKER!!! WHY THE SHIT DID YOU FUCKING SWEAR IN FRONT OF KIDS YOU FUCK!!”
After what seemed like an eternity of muffled shouting and scolding, the group bid their farewell to the Mare of Wishes as she teleported them back to Sweet Apple Acres. The Crusaders could barely keep themselves awake, so he decided to carry the little fillies on his back, which he was quite surprised as to how light the little ones are considering that in his world, the fillies were heavy little suckers.
As they got into the house, he decided to take them into his room, placed them on his bed, grabbed their blankets, and laying on the young ones. He then tucked himself in to his bed. Before he fell asleep, Applebloom hugged her friend.
“Thanks for takin’ us out today.” She says to him.
Wishing Star then returned the embrace and replies, “You’re very much welcome AB. Now, let’s get some sleep.”
“Okay. Good night.” She lays back down, snuggling next to him.
He chuckles and then says, “Goodnight my little pony.” He closes his eyes and falls asleep, once again entering the world of dreams.
Meanwhile, the the Mane 6 and Spike returned from the celebration of their victory. Twilight had many mixed emotions after what she had told her mentor and Princess of the Sun, and the conversation that led to it.
“And you’re absolutely sure that he has been reformed Twilight?” The tall white alicorn asked her student.
“Yes,” she confirms to her, “And if it weren’t for Wishing Star, we wouldn’t thought it would be possible to have such interaction with something or somepony unnatural like Discord.”
Celestia placed her hoof on her chin in thought. “Well, is he with you now? I must meet him.”
“No Princess, in fact, he’s out with Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo on the search for the Fount Well of Wishes. I could tell him and that you would like to meet him according your schedule.” She says to her.
“I’d be more than happy to clear my schedule for tomorrow and meet him.” The Alicorn of Joy says to Twilight, “In the meantime, I encourage you to keep learning the values of friendship and I must implore that you must help Wishing Star learn them as well. From what you’ve told me, he sounds like he has a troubling past indeed.”
“I’ll do everything I can Princess. I won’t let you down.” Twilight says confidently.
“I know you will.”
“Twi?” Applejack asked her, “Ya’ll feeling okay?”
She shook out of her train of thought and then looked at her friends with concerned looks on their faces. She sighs, “I don’t know. I promised Princess Celestia that would help him with learning everything about friendship. But given everything that’s happened today, I’m honestly thinking that we should’ve given Wishing a lot more credit than we given him for.”
“I have to agree,” Rarity chimes in, “After all, if he haven’t found the Elements, we wouldn’t be able to use them on Discord.”
Fluttershy interjected, “He even talked him down, I could never talk to somecreature scary like him.”
“Are you seriously forgetting that you could’ve used ‘The Stare,’ on him?” Rainbow Dash asked her.
“I don’t know how he would even react to it. He might not have any affect from it!”
“Oh! That reminds me! We need to give Wishing Star a ‘Welcome to Ponyville!’ and a ‘We Saved the World Again!’ parties!” Pinkie Pie mentions as she cheerily bounces along.
“We’ve gotten plenty of time tomorrow sugarcube.” Applejack says to her, “Right now, shut eye is in due order.”
“Yay! Sleepover!” Pinkie Pie cheers as she hops along to the country pony’s house.
As they went inside, everyone could hear a strange noise. “Shh, you hear that?” Rainbow asked in a hushed tone.
Upon a closer listen, it’s almost sounded like there is snoring coming from upstairs. Fluttershy whispers in fright, “M-maybe it’s an awful monster that came in through the house!”
“Oh, pish posh, darling,” Rarity says to her shy friend, “If a monster was that big, it would’ve broken the door frame at that size.”
“I’ll go upstairs and check it out.” Twilight volunteers as she bravely but quietly makes her way upstairs, following the snoring sounds into the guest bedroom and what she saw is the most adorable thing she had even seen. Wishing Star was asleep, as she thought, but what struck Twilight was the fact he was not alone — as three little fillies were tucked up with him. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were underneath an arm each, while Applebloom was snuggled up on the turquoise stallion’s chest.
Unable to contain her glee from the sight, she half shouts half whispers to the group downstairs, “Girls! Girls, look at this!” Curious as to what she is seeing, the rest of the group went upstairs to see the sleeping quartet. “Isn’t this so cute?!” She asked the girls.
As the girls looked at the peaceful sleepyheads, Wishing Star stirred awake from the whispering. “Twilight?” He asks groggily and a quiet tone as to not wake up the Crusaders. For the second time this week, he found himself locking eyes with the lilac unicorn. She was standing a few feet away with a small grin on her face. He felt trapped by her locked gaze, and found myself mesmerised by her soft purple orbs.
Eventually, she spoke up, “This is, without a doubt, the most adorable thing I've ever seen. You must really good with foals Wishing.”
He chuckles as he looked at his sleeping companions. “They couldn’t keep their eyes open after all of the excitement that happened today.” Looking at them now, it reminds him how his father would use to sleep with him as a kid if he ever gets nightmares. I guess my journey’s making me relive my childhood. he thought to himself.
“I’ll say,” Spike says to him giving a gentle punch on his shoulder. “From the looks of it, you guys had a lot of fun.”
Twilight looked at the clock, then realizes how late it. “Well, we should turn in for the night everypony,” she says to her friends, then to Wishing Star, “Goodnight Wish, you're going to need it, especially what we have in store for you tomorrow.”
“I-In store for me?” He stutters for a moment.
She gave him a wink as she left the room.
"Well, it was great meeting you, I just wished it it was in better circumstances.” Spike says to him.
“You and me both Spike.” He says to the little dragon.
You know, when Twilight told me about you, I thought at first, he does sound very suspicious, but now that I’ve met you for myself for the first time and watching you facing Discord head on, boy you definitely surprised me! You look like you’re an awesome pony to meet and I'm glad I did! Since we're both guys we have to hang out together and do a lot of guys-only activities!”
“Hehe, I’ll definitely take to consideration bud.” Wishing says to him.
Everypony else says their goodnight to him... until it was just him and Rainbow Dash, who never kept her gaze off of him. She then looked at a peaceful Scootaloo.
“You know,” she started, “When you came out of nowhere from Everfree Forest, told us about yourself, and became somewhat a nervous wreck, I became suspicious that you were going to try and take advantage of us.” Wishing was going to says something, but she cuts him off by a smiling! “But after what I saw today, I want to apologize for being on your tail a lot. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
After hearing that, part of him is relieved that she now believes him, but at the same time, he felt guilty himself. He wasn’t trying to prove that he could beat the bad guy, or get himself into the spotlight. All he wants is to have friends and give him the happiness he wanted.
“Rainbow, you don’t have to do anything for me.” He reassures her, “Honesty, having you girls and Spike as my friends is the best thing I ever gotten since I was alone. You gave me the inspiration and the courage to find you girls and have you as my friends, and I’m glad that I did, because if I hadn’t, I would still be in the alleyways of Canterlot, unheard.”
She returned a smile. “You know, you really are interesting pal. Glad that we did met ya.” She says to him, “We're definitely going to have a lot of awesome things planned in the future to do, so be ready!”
With that, she leaves the room. There it was again, the mention of plans for him. Were they planning on giving him a celebration for him of their own? Are they going to throw some kind of party for him? He’s never gone to one in his life. How many ponies are they going to be invited to this? What if the Princesses show up? The Princesses... he almost forgotten that they might congratulate him on his victory against Discord!
...
Oh sweet Celestia on a Segway... he thought to himself, What have I gotten myself into?
Wishing Star could barely keep get any sleep, yesterday was a huge step forward that he took, talking down Discord and reforming him, learning that there’s a possible new threat and could reveal who he really is but to his surprise, that hasn’t happened… yet. But now he’s going to have to face whatever plans that the Mane 6 have in store for him.
Okay Cars, let’s not panic yet. he thought to himself, There some plans that you can expect like Pinkie Pie’s parties, you just need to learn how to expect them. Problem is that she can become unpredictable and it depends how and where she’s taking them place.
Okay, so that’s the wild card of the ponies, who else… Oh yes, Rarity. She would have me model for her if she has the opportunity to ask me. She’s generous, obviously, but she’s also kindhearted and a great fashion designer. Though there are some cons about her like how overdramatic she can be and over the top she is.
Next is Fluttershy. Other than the obvious note than her being shy, she’s great with animals. I would’ve asked her to use ‘The Stare,’ on Discord earlier, but that would’ve complicate things because one: she barely even knows me and nopony had ever mentioned it to me, and two: she doesn’t like being forced to do things against her will, so I need to think of some ways to get her motivated without being forced, and if not, there are other alternatives.
Rainbow Dash is next. Both of us did have difficulty with seeing eye to eye with each other, but given as how she saw me with the Crusaders yesterday, I’d say we’re both on good terms with each other. Other than her being egotistical and hotheaded, I can’t deny her loyalty and great lengths she would do she would do to achieve her goals and for her friends, that I can admire.
Next pony is the only closest thing I ever have to a sister, Applejack. I really appreciated the thought of her opening up her home to me, but it’s really weird for me. Being a part of the family means that I have to do my part of helping them out and I can’t let them down. I know how honest she can be as well… maybe a little too honest, so I’ll definitely have to keep her and myself in mind about her honesty, if she starts to get way too brutal about something in her opinion, I need someway to automatically get her attention and change the subject entirely.
Then there’s Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. First, Spike… okay, where to begin with this guy? Other than being Twilight’s number one assistant, which he takes pride of, he can get easily jealous if I recall in that particular episode where Owlwi… Owlo… D’oh, however you pronounce Twilight’s owl’s name, he’s only doing his part to help, so I got to convince him that he only being part of the team. Then there’s also his identity crisis, so there’s got to be something I can do to help him there and if he says he needs to do this alone, I’ll have to let him be and let the episode play out… something that has to be avoided at all costs.
Then there’s the Crusaders. I’m a sucker to those kids and cussed the dickens out when we were at the Fount Well… so that’s one other thing I need to be careful of. Oh, and there’s the new fact that they are probably going to find other fillies and colt that don’t have Cutie Marks and have them join their cause, that means I’m gonna have to be the guiding hand… or hoof in this case, to help the Crusaders. They’re also notorious for getting into trouble, so I need to find some others ways so they cause too much of a ruckus. Plus, if this Devine Light haven’t freed Discord, then things would’ve gotten much smoother.
Finally, Twilight Sparkle… Good God, where to start with her? Firstly, Lesson Zero, since she’s always uptight about sending a friendship letter to Princess Celestia every single day, it’s like it’s the norm to her! Not that I don’t mind, but I have to do something that would have make her slow her role of letter writing and sending. Then there’s the fact that she’ll become an Alicorn herself… yep, the good ol’ controversy in the community. But, should I let her be an Alicorn? I mean, if I do then there’s gonna be a lot of weight on her shoulders and take on way too many responsibilities at once!
Yes, the same division of Twilight becoming an Alicorn was something that he too had conflicted over. At the time when she was the Princess of Friendship, he noticed that that she had so much to know about being a Princess and had to learn how to rule it. Political and social societies and rules haven’t been Carson’s favorite topic to discuss, but he always admire the system and how they work. Since his father had worked for the military and later became one of his boss’s secretaries, he always wanted to run as one of the head of congress.
Poor Twilight… he thought to himself, taking pity of his favorite character, I know she always looked up to the Princesses, but I’m beginning to think that being an alicorn is not what she wanted… so what did she even want? I’ll have to ask her when I get the chance.
Now, to shift my focus on the villains. Trixie by this point, she’s already gotten herself humiliated by Twilight after the Ursaminor incident, but if she happens to be in town, I might need to humble her someway and convince her to stay away from looking for power, i.e. the Alicorn Amulet. Then there’s Queen Chrysalis, she ponynapped Princess Cadence and impersonated her so she could take over Equestria… I’ve convinced Discord to stray away from that path, so I can probably do it again.
There’s also Sunset Shimmer, Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Starlight Glimmer, but I’ll cross that bridge once I can figure out how to deal with the first two.
He then shuts his eyes and reentered in the world of sleep.
It was close to ten o’clock in the morning, Applejack and Pinkie Pie had already prepared breakfast for everypony, scrambled eggs, hay-con strips, Applejack’s apple cinnamon rolls, and Pinkie Pie’s special make pancakes. Around Ponyville, both Applejack and Pinkie Pie are very well known for their banquets of food, and they were considered the best in all of Equestria.
The Mane 6, and Cutie Mark Crusaders were wide awake and enjoying their breakfast, but they eventually noticed that one pony isn’t present at the table.
“Does anypony know where Wishing Star is?” Asked Twilight looking around kitchen.
“Poor fella must’ve still be fallin’ asleep,” Applejack chuckles, “Applebloom, mind if ya’ll go wake him up an’ let him know breakfast is ready?”
“Sure thing sis!” AB says cheerfully as she excuses herself from the table, went upstairs and entered the guest bedroom. There he is, still under the covers and sleeping peacefully. “Wishin’?” She says to him and she shook him gently at first, the only response was a very tired groan from him. “Wishin’?” She tries again, shaking him a little harder. Again, he groans.
Then Applebloom came up with an idea, so she went in to her room, grabbed her trumpet, she always keep it in case she needs it to wake up her sister or her fellow Crusaders. She went back in the guest bedroom, have the trumpet next to Wishing Star right at his midsection. She then inhales and blows through the mouth piece, playing a high note so loud, it caused the turquoise stallion yelp in surprise, landing on the floor with a thud on his rump.
“Great! Yer awake!” She says with pleased look on her face, “Big sis and Pinkie Pie’s made breakfast! See you at the table!”
As she leaves, Wishing Star just Gladys there on the floor, wondering how would he fall for the classic ‘Wake Up Call by the Trumpet,’ gag? He groggily gets up off the floor and went downstairs, seeing the happy faces as they all say in unison, “Wishing Star!” He just groans tiredly in response.
“Got yer Black Bean Juice right here sugarcube.” Applejack offers to him. He sat next to her and gave her a glare, she knows that look all too well as she chuckles, “Ya’ll got some sleep?”
Just seeing her that smug really wanted to grab her own rope and lasso her, tie her down to a bed and see how she likes it when a loud trumpet comes blaring through to her ears. After a sip of his coffee, he sighs and says, “Not really.” The cowpony’s amused look disappears and is replaced with concern, “Ever since you girls mentioned that you have plans for me, I haven’t gotten time to get some proper sleep.”
“Aww… somepony can’t keep the sleep out of his eyes,” Pinkie Pie says giving him a pat on the back, earning him a tired smile.
“You know, I too happened to go through the same thing Wishing Star,” Twilight begins, “You know, before I moved to Ponyville, I had to stay up all night to work on a spell that was supposed to impress Princess Celestia, but the hours of work I had to do that spell, ugh, nothing but preparations and safety procedures! I didn’t get any sleep until around three in the morning! The next morning I felt like a tuba was blaring over and over again and-“
“Uh, sugarcube?” Applejack interrupts her as she points to a once again sleeping Wishing Star.
The lilac unicorn blushes that she had no idea that she was talking to a sleeping stallion, but then again she couldn’t help but giggle how peaceful he sleeps. As much she wants to continue watching him like this, he really needs to get up and drink his coffee.
“Wishing?” She asks as she pokes his side.
He suddenly jolts awake and shouts, “I’M PANCAKE! I-I’M MEAN I’M AWAKE!” He could see that everypony was giggling, confused as to why, he looked at Twilight, seeing she’s pointing at his chin. Touching his chin, he realized that he got whipped cream on him. Grabbing a napkin and wiping off the whipped cream from his chin, he sighs once again, “Sorry girls… Like I said, not enough sleep.” He then took a sip of his coffee.
“Well, maybe a good walk around Ponyville might help.” Twilight suggests, Wishing Star looked at her with a smile, this is exactly what he was waiting for! “We can get to know each other better, and help you with your predicament!”
“I think that’s a swell idea Twi,” he says “It would be a change of pace and scenery. I mean, I do know some things about you, but I think it would be nice to know you from your-“
"I'm sorry, but did you just call me 'Twi?'" Twilight interrupted. He groaned out a ‘D’oh!’ and facehoofed, only for her to giggle in response. "It’s okay Wishing. I was beginning to wondering when you were going to start calling me that, because all of my friends do."
“W-well, if you’re so sure.” He stutters as he blushes, earning another giggle from Twilight.
After breakfast, Twilight and Wishing Star headed outside and walked to the path of Ponyville. As they were walking, he can’t help but looking at the lilac mare and getting lost in thought. Twilight has been a great friend to me so far, he thought, I hope I get the chance to show her just how much I appreciate all that she has done someday. She is perfect friend material: smart, funny, kind, generous, cute... Whoa whoa whoa, slow down Carson. You don’t wanna rush things.
“You okay Wishing?” She asked him in confusion.
“H-huh?”
“You seem to get lost in thought, are you sure everything’s alright?”
They both stopped, in Carson’s mind even though that he hasn’t any issues with having conversations with the Mane 6 and Cutie Mark Crusaders, including Spike, Big Mac, and Granny Smith. However, he couldn’t shake the thought of making other friends in Ponyville. Perhaps talking to Twilight about it might get that issue off of his chest. With all that in his mind, he begins to sigh. “Twi? I think I should’ve been more open when I told you girls about why I ran away.”
“Oh?” She asks slightly tilting her head, as they both sat down, “What do you mean?”
“Well, remember when I said that I had an argument with my dad and I left?” She nods recalling that detail, he continues on, “Well, before I left, I was having trouble with some of my classmates in school… they say that I was excelling so well, getting good grades and whatnot.”
“Why is that an issue?” She asked him.
He shook his head, “I don’t know… I can only guess they were jealous and they wanted the same thing too. They then began to tease me, calling me names like ‘Teacher’s pet,’ ‘Daddy’s colt,’ or far worse. One day, they constantly tease me a lot, then one student decide to take all of my work and just sent them to a shredder.”
She gasped at this, “That’s awful! Who in their right mind would think that is okay?!”
“Ponies who think it’s funny to mess up important work that’s who,” he says to her, being careful about to not unveil his true identity, but at the same time, mixing in his school life in the human world. “Anyways, they then began bully me for not having a Cutie Mark. I begged them to stop, but they just don’t care. I stormed out and I told my dad about it. When I told him, he just only saw it as an excuse to get dropped out of school. That was when I had enough, so that’s why I left home and never came back.”
Twilight was in shock to hear this, coming from a stallion who surprisingly to her is similar to his situation as he continues.
“After I left and hid myself away in Canterlot, I tried to look for jobs or at least join the guard… but everywhere I turn to, they always say the same thing, ‘It will never happen.’ I got scared, and told them that I will prove them wrong… but all I became is a pathetic, afraid, failing colt.”
“And nopony came to help you at.” She finished his sentence.
He nods and sighs in frustration and distress as he ran his right front hoof through his dark orange and bright yellow mane. “I kept waiting for somepony, anypony to come and help me, but for years I had every single one of them just stare at me and just continued on,” He then raised his voice as he became very angry, “FOR YEARS TWI! I WAITED FOR YEARS TO HAVE SOMEPONY AT LEAST HELP ME! AND WHAT CAME FROM THEM?! NOTHING! THEY LOOK AT ME LIKE I’M NOTHING!”
Twilight started to have tears forming in her eyes, just to hear that much anger and fear coming from him was just heartbreaking.
“I just for once in my life want somepony who actually cares and show me what it’s like to be on the side of their view! To give me a chance!” He says, “So that’s when I went to the Canterlot archives for answers, and that’s when found out about you and your friends. When I got out and I kept hoping and praying that I would meet you and give me a chance… but that hope kept dying out when I kept thinking that you might be like everypony else… that you wouldn’t care.”
“What?!” She asked in shock by what she just heard him say, “Of course we would care! And that we simply would, but we do care!”
“Y-you do?”
“Absolutely! You’re an amazing pony, from the first day when you came here, you’re kind, gentle, you’re willing to help even if others won’t. Heck, you kept the Crusaders safe from any danger including Discord! Not only that, but if you haven’t found the Elements of Harmony and have Spike write a letter to Princess Celestia in time, chaos would’ve continued to spread through Equestria! I’m grateful that you are here. I’m equally grateful that we met you, because if we didn’t, none of this would’ve been possible.”
He smiles and then gave her a nod, wiping away his own tears. “I’m glad too.” He says, “I just… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything Wish,” she says, “Come here…” she then pulls him in for a hug, catching the turquoise earth pony off guard, but it wasn’t an unwelcoming one, in fact it felt very nice to him. In doing so, he returns the embrace.
Damn, why is Twilight’s fur coat so soft?! he thought to himself, at this point he felt like he was hugging a plushie or a cloud. “Did anypony ever told you that you got the softest hugs Twi?” He asked her.
She giggles at the question and didn’t say anything for what felt like five to seven minutes, but it took at least fifteen second to have them let go of each other. “So, how about that tour, yeah?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” He says as they resumed their walk. “And Twilight?”
“Yeah?” She asks as looked back at him.
“Thanks. For giving me hope again. I haven’t told anypony about this. You’re the first to give a full out explanation.”
“No need to thank me,” she says to him, “I’m just happy to know there is somepony that is a lot like me.”
“You and me both Twi… you and me both.”
As they entered Ponyville, it was once again bustling with life, but not as lively as yesterday. His guess was probably that when Discord was released, he wanted to cause his chaos on the most populated and closest area at the time, and there are some ponies that are recovering from the attack, or might’ve been injured of Discord’s waxed floors or something that was caused in the chaos.
During their walk, Wishing Star noticed how close Twilight got, the sides of their front legs nearly touch… oh if he could hold her hoof, but then again, he needs to take things slow with her. Just because they share the same background, being studious, and goal ambitious, he wanted to have the time to know more about her.
As he then looked around the lively town, staring in awe of how peaceful it is even after a crisis has been averted. The lilac mare giggled at the turquoise stallion’s face of surprise, “Amazing how magic is able to get everything repaired, isn’t it?”
He nodded as he kept looking around, then notices Twilight as she kept giggling at his sight seeing, making himself blush and chuckling himself. He then he remembered something else he wanted to ask her before they came in the town. “Hey Twi? Do I stand that much for the crowd? Y-you know, considering what’s on my flank?”
“Huh? What do you-“ she pauses and looked at his thigh… right… no Cutie Mark, “Oh… W-well, I don’t think that you have to worry about it too much, Ponyville is one of the highly positive places where anypony is welcome, even without a Cutie Mark.” She gave him a playful nudge on his shoulder, “And keep your head up, just because you don’t have one now, doesn’t mean it affects the pony you want to be in life. Right now, I like you just they way you are.”
“A nopony?” He hollowly jokes.
“An Earth Pony with a heart of gold.” she corrects him positively.
Her words melted right into Wishing’s heart. It’s something that he really wanted to hear and that’s coming from the smart one of the Mane 6. Twilight, he thought to himself as if he wanted to say it in front of her, You truly are the best thing a friend could ask for.
“Oh! And look!” She pointed out as another mare was walking up to them, “There’s someponies to greet us now! Good morning Lyra! Good morning Bon Bon!”
The mare, who is walking up to them is Lyra Heartstrings, a magic mint unicorn mare with a cyan and white streak mane and tail, sunglow yellow eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a lyre. Next to her is Sweetie Drop, also known a Bon Bon in her secret organization called S.M.I.L.E., a beige earth pony, pigment blue mane with a rose pink streak, cerulean eyes, and a Cutie Mark of three blue wrapped candies with a yellow strip on each one of them.
As Carson would recall, these two are known to be in the background and became a couple down the line. But then upon close inspection of Lyra Heartstrings, she seems… depressed?
“Hey Twilight…” the mint green mare greets sadly.
He was very confused as to why she’s acting this way. I never seen Lyra so sad before, he thought to himself, The only time she’s was seen that sad was- he then realized that a couple of episodes ago, Fluttershy had taken in a Parasprite, a creature that can multiply itself by eating that it sees and in specific shot, a couple of Parasprites gobbled up Bon Bon and her pies. Whatever the case may be if it’s for them to try because of an event said pies were made by the manufacturers, or if Lyra made them herself for both her and her special somepony, all the hard work, wasted.
“Is she okay Twi?” He asked the lilac mare.
“She’s…” she trails off at first, “Hasn’t fully recovered since the Parasprite incident.”
“Lyra, why don’t you sit down?” Bon Bon suggested to her friend, they watch as she slinks off sadly to the table they were sitting at earlier, “I’m sorry, she’s not up to chatting today. Ever since the incident, she’s been like this.”
“How often?” He asked her.
The beige mare sighs, “For a month and three weeks. She kept saying that she’s fine, but I know her well enough. That pie she made on that day was a celebration for our anniversary of the day we became friends.”
“A month and three weeks?” He repeated, to which she nods, “That’s shocking… has she been given, you know… any signs?”
“Oh no no, nothing like that, she’s just very upset that our anniversary was ruined and she still hasn’t gotten over it.”
Twilight places her hoof on her chin in thought, then she got an idea. “Maybe we can recreate your first day when you two became friends for the first time.” She quietly suggested.
“I’ve already tried that,” the beige mare says quietly, “but she says she didn’t want to, as she put it, ‘Revisit old times.’”
Both Twilight and Wishing were very confused. “Old times?” He asked.
She sighs and began to explain, “Before we met, she was been ridiculed by other students in the school we go to together. It’s due to the fact that her parents couldn’t afford any supplies, so she had to resort to borrowing the supplies from the school. A couple of days past and that’s when I came in. I was a couple of days behind but my parents found the same school Lyra goes to… I can remember it like as if it was yesterday…”
Thirteen years ago
I came in a little late because my stupid alarm clock wasn’t working properly. I dashed into the school as fast as I could, then with paying any attention, I accidentally bumped into her, knocking out the binders and journals out of her magical aura.
I apologized to her as I helped gather her belongings, but then she snagged a folder out of my hoof, giving me a cold stare. Without saying a word she just continued on her way to the classroom, which shockingly enough to the both of us, we were in the same set of classes together!
After we came in the room, the teacher asked me to introduce myself. I then took a desk that is right behind hers, and after a couple of classes, that was then I wrote down a note that asks her, ‘Do you want to be friends with me?’ When I passed on the message, she looked absolutely stunned when she faced me, of which I waved at her shyly.
Our friendship sparked after school ended. As I was walking outside, I saw that she was being bullied by other fillies, telling her that she wouldn’t be able to make it through without having any friends, mocking her. I couldn’t take the sight of the scene that played in front of me, so I decided to step in and tell them enough is enough. Just because that she’s different, it doesn’t give them the right to ridiculed.
She expressed her gratitude and since then… we became friends.
Present Day Both Twilight and Wishing were touched by her story, but it also shocked Wishing Star the most, it was never established in the show as to how or why they became friends, but thanks to the beige mare, he now knows how important they are to each other.
“You two sounded like you’ve been through a lot.” He says to her.
She nods, “Ups, downs, everything in between. We’ve been best friends for a long time, but… u-um…” she looked around to see if anypony was in hearing range, then she urges them to come closer, and so they did to hear what secret she’s been holding… even though Wishing knew what she was going to say. “I-I’ve… I’ve kind of been having feelings for her.”
Twilight was shocked and gasped softly, covering her mouth, while Wishing raised a brow. “How long have you known?” She asked the beige mare.
“S-since last week.” Sweetie Drop answers with her head hung.
This gives Wishing Star an idea and an opportunity. “Sweetie Drop, mind if I try talking to Lyra?”
Sweetie Drop gave him a very confused look. “W-well, like I said, she’s not very interested in talking to anypony but me for the moment,” she reminds them, “But I guess you’re more than welcome to try.”
“Thank you.” He says as he leaves the mares to chat, while he has a chat of his own with the depressed mare. She isn’t paying any attention to the stallion walking up to her, looking at a couple enjoying themselves at a diner. “I can imagine how hard you worked on the plan you had for your anniversary,” he says to Lyra as sat next to her, she’s not even saying a word back to him, so he continues on, “She told me that you made that pie for the both of you. Is that true?”
Lyra didn’t say anything back. She would not look at him, not even a quick glance, nor paying him any mind. He then looked at the couple, laughing and talking from behind the window. He could tell that something what she wanted and could already tell that she already loves Sweetie more than as a friend as well. “You know,” he begins again as he clears his throat, “I might help you with the predicament that you’re in.”
That’s when he notices a quick glance from the mint green pony’s gamboge eyes, darting away from the window to him, then to the table top. C’mon Lyra… there’s gotta be something to get you to talking. Think Cars, what’s the one thing that can make her tick? Then it got him thinking, she’s has an infatuation and intrigue of humans, that would be a good starting point! Careful Cars, one slip and she might figure you out by the time you can help her!
“You know, I was also told that you’ve been interested in… uh, what are they called again? He… He-Mans?”
This literally made Lyra jump and covers his mouth, surprising the turquoise stallion by this unexpected and swift motion. She looks around and then whispers to him, “You mean the Hue-Mans?” He nods yes, she then slowly let goes of his mouth and allows him to speak.
“What got you so intrigued by them?” He asked her. This then began to be full conversation between the two, the talk about the human kind and what makes them interesting to talk about. This took quite a pleasing turn for Wishing Star, considering the fact that he’s a human being trapped in a body of a pony, but then again, having to be in a pony’s body while listening to another pony talking bout humans is a very rare thing to behold.
Just seeing her happy is a good sign to see, but now he needs to press onto other matters.
“Say Lyra? Mind if we get a little off topic?” He asked.
“Um, sure?” She says in a questioning voice, “About what?” She took a sip of her water, but she was not prepared for the question at hand.
“Well, I’m not judging you and you don’t have to answer this, but do you love Sweetie Drop?”
She spat out the water like a geyser and coughed afterwards. She looks at him in shock with a blush. “M-me with Sweetie?!” She asked him, he nods confirming the question, “U-uh… well we live together and we help each other all of the time. A-and I kinda get a little warm feeling whenever I’m around her.”
“So you do love her?” He repeated the question.
“I-I mean…” she stutters, her blush getting redder, he knows she getting evasive, “Sh-she is a good friend to be around… and really cute.” She brushes the mane out of her eye view and sighs again. “I mean I really want to tell her, but I’m just… nervous.”
“Because you’re scared that she’ll judge you?” He asked.
“No no, I’m just scared that she… that she won’t love me back.”
That made his eyes went wide, he’s always heard this millions of times in movies and in real life, but to hear it from a character who is attracted to mares, how can anypony not love Lyra?! “Well, I’ll tel you this, if you’re not ready to tell her about how you feel for her, then just keep waiting until you’re ready. And if it helps, I can provide some assistance to help you win your fair mare’s heart.”
Now it’s her turn to have her eyes to go wide by his offer. “Y-you can help me?!” She asked.
“Absolutely.” He nods, “I know what it’s like to a fair share of crushes, believe me. Just set up a day, time, and place, we’ll se where we can go from there.”
“Done!” Lyra declares as she hugs him tightly.
“Uhn!! L-Lyra!!! Can’t breathe!!”
“Oh! Sorry!” She quickly let go of him.
Okay, I appreciate hugs here, but they seriously need to learn how tightly they’re hugging me! he thought to himself as he manages to normalize his breathing. He sighs in relief for his lungs, then he says, “Well, I gotta get going, Twilight’s giving me a tour here in Ponyville. Hope I see you again soon Lyra.”
“Okay, I’ll send you a letter when I need help.” She says.
In Carson’s mind as he and Twilight parted ways from the future couple, he couldn’t help but once again trap himself in thought, helping Lyra and Bon Bon get together is going to provide a huge challenge. True he did had a fair share of crushes… but not having a chance to interact with them, so giving Lyra on some advice as to how she’ll approach her future lover is going to be tough.
“Wishing? Is something on your mind?” Twilight asked him.
Snapping out his thoughts again, he turns to face her. “Sorry about that Twi,” he says sincerely, “I’ve offered to help Lyra to get hooked up with Sweetie Drop on a date. But I don’t know the first thing about dating!”
“Well, lucky for you,” she says reassuringly, “I just so happen to have every book that might be in need in the Golden Oaks Library. But, that’s the last stop for our tour. For now, our first stop will be right over here.” She then points at a very strange building, to earth’s standards it would be the most out of place buildings archetype. It looks like a gingerbread house with a brown chocolate roof with frosted on it, the tower being a layer cake in design with real candles on top, candy canes and more.
“Oh, looks good enough to to eat!” Wishing says excitedly, his gaze on the house locked on it appetizingly.
“Now now Wishing,” she warns with a giggle, “It’s not for eating.”
“Drat.” He jokingly curses, “So who lives there?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Cake, they’re practically the owners of that place. They are very well known for their cakes, cupcakes, pastries, just to name a few. Pinkie Pie also lives and works there, right in the loft area. The tower with the layer cake design is her room. So if you ever want to get some goodies, this place is best place to get them!"
“Certainly does look like a place to even have something good there.” He remarks, “So good, I think I might have whatever they have in stock!”
“Don’t worry, we got plenty of time for that, but for now, let’s move on,” she then guides him to the next building, “Next up, the Carousel Boutique.” She points at the purple and pink building. The top of the building had a merry-go-round theme with the two purple pony silhouettes and continued down to the next floor except without the pony figures instead with the purple bars where they would be, and in front was a door and a few windows.
“Whoa…” he says, he knew what the place is like in the show, but in person, or in this case, pony, to see it up close is quite incredible, “I can see why Rarity is keen on doing business. She must be very proud of her work.”
“Oh, believe, you should never take her work for granted,” she remarks to him, “She’s very talented with making dresses and suits. Someday, she might make a suit for the Gala.”
“Or maybe now?”
She looked confused when he said that. “What do you mean?”
“W-well… um… How can I say it without being too explicit? Some mares are staring at me… and not just at me…” he then motions his head back to his rear.
“Oh?” She starts, slowly and surely, the message he’s trying to tell her suddenly got to her, she blushes and exclaims, “O-Oh! O-Okay then, um… Let’s go and see if Rarity’s inside.”
He nods in agreement and the two made their way in. If it’s one thing Carson didn’t enjoy back in his world was being stared at, so when the mares looked at him, he felt like he’s being judged, however, the other reason is what part of him they’re staring at, and he’s not very comfortable, no Cutie Mark or not.
The bell over the door jingled as Twilight and Wishing Star entered, looking around at the sight of roll upon roll of fabric in a huge variety of colours. He happened to see a couple of mannequins shaped like ponies draped in outfits in various stages of completion. Man, it’s any wonder how she even does things around here alone. he thought to himself.
"Just a moment!" came a sing-song voice from the back of the store. Twilight and Wishing waited and waited. Soon Rarity came through to the front, her face lighting up as she saw us. "Wishing, Twilight!" she beamed. "It's so wonderful to see you both." She came over and gave me a hug. "Especially you, darling!"
“R-really?” He asked her after he was released from her embrace, “You some kind of mystic?”
“Beg your pardon?”
“W-well… it’s kind embarrassing, but uh…” he then motions her to come closer to him, then he whispers his situation.
She gasps in shock, “Oh goodness! I’m so sorry that has happened. Ugh, the nerve of some mares, is there no dignity of privacy of other ponies?”
“That’s why I came here, and I was hoping that you-“
“Oh say no more darling!” She declares, “As a matter of fact, I’ve been working on some suits for an upcoming fashion line for the gentlecolts, but it will be most helpful if I can get a stallion to model for me for a bit.” She looks at me with fluttering eyes.
“Well…” he looked back at Twilight, then back at fashionista pony, “I mean, I can be a good source of help.”
“You will?!” She asked excitedly. He nods, then she began to squeal in joy, “OOH! Wonderful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” she then proceeded kisses him repeatedly for each ‘thank you’ she has said. Twilight couldn’t help but giggle at the sight, seeing Rarity’s lipstick imprints on his forehead and cheeks. “I knew I could count on you, Wish! Now come! There’s so much work to do, and so little time!” She grabbed him and they zoomed across the floor to the modeling room.
“I’ll come back and check up on you soon Wishing!” Twilight calls and went out of the boutique.
Oh boy, let the tie tying lessons begin. he thought to himself as Rarity began to take his measurements.
In through so many suits that Wishing wore, the next suit absolutely screams regal. A suit that some celebrities would wear at high class parties or the Grammy Awards, a black suit with a white pop up collar, black tie and pants. “Oh darling!” She gasps as she witnessed her work-to-perfection on Wishing, “You look absolutely smashing! You’d look like you could take the floor at the Gala!”
He then had a thought and then says, “Au contraire, I think what’s missing is some sunglasses.”
“Sunglasses?” She asked.
He then looked at what’s similar to the Ray Ban sunglasses, so he grab a pair and began to quote, “You know what’s the difference between the other stallions and me?”
“N-no dear, what?”
He puts them on and finishes, “I make this suit look good.”
At first, the seamstress mare blankly stared at him, then she laughed hysterically. “Oh darling! Now now Agent Wishing, we mustn’t get too use to the suit. It just needs some finishing touches and then I believe that we’ll call it a day.”
Damn, he thought to himself, If only I had a neuralizer, memory wipe what she said a few seconds ago, and convince her that I would keep the suit, I would be ready to tackle alien scum that would harm Equestria! Ah, but what kind of pony I would be if I do so? “Why make any changes M’lady?” He then asks as he took the shades off, placing them back in the case, “If anything, I’d say the suit looks really good.”
“Yes, but if I recall, you did say that you’d wanted clothes of your because you had a feeling of everypony staring at you.” She says to him as she helps him out of his jacket.
“Ugh… please don’t remind me…” he groans, then a thought occurred to him. Did Twilight ever get a good look when I confronted Discord? Oh god, please tell me she didn’t…
Rarity giggles, but then clear her throat, helping him out of the pants, the godforsakened tie, and the shirt, she then moves Wishing Star over to a table, and places some paper and pencils next to him, "Besides, since you've seen my designs, I am curious to see your own outfit designs you want me to make for you, but if it's not too much trouble to ask. If you're not comfortable with drawing you can tell me and I'll draw the design and make them right away!"
“Miss Rarity, I would be honored.” He bows as began to start to draw his design, while Rarity watches as he begins his craft. From the first stroke of his pencil, he could already begin to see what kind of an outfit that would standout from the rest of the outfits he had seen, he sees himself wearing a jacket, a shirt, and pants, with some additional pockets of course. Rarity couldn’t help but be marveled and at awe of Wishing’s drawing ability, she never seen such clarity and intent of an artist like him.
Minutes had gone by, and by the time he finished with the color, he sighs and looked at his work. “O-Okay…” he says nervously, “Be honest, what do you think of it?” He then held up the drawing to her and she was stunned.
In the drawing, he made a white jacket with a light sea foam green stripe running from the shoulder down to the sleeve, rolled up with the same color of the stripe and a button on them, and included a golden yellow shirt. The pants is very unique, in a charcoal black color with two pockets on each of it’s sides, one at the side of it’s hip and another one below it, the pant sleeve had a triangular point at the front of figure’s hind laps.
“Oh my goodness…” she said breathlessly, taking in the drawing, "I have no idea you were such a talented artist! Your drawings are beautiful! I’m surprised that you haven’t got-“ she stopped herself from what she was going to say and she almost hurt the stallion’s feelings. “O-oh, forgive me darling, I didn’t mean about that last part.”
“It’s okay.” He said, trying to play it off, “Anyway, how much do I owe you once they’re finished?”
She giggles at the question as she then says, “Darling, you don’t have to owe me anything, these clothes are on me for free.”
“F-for free?!” He asked in shock, he knew that Rarity is the Element of Generosity, but to be this generous of giving him clothes for free? He wouldn’t do that! “M-M’lady, I-“ he was cut off by the white unicorn mare’s hoof in front of his mouth.
“Ah ah, not another word. They’ll be on me, and they’re for free. It’s the least I could do after what you did yesterday. Taking care of Sweetie Belle and her friends, braving against one of the most feared creatures of Equestria and having him a change of heart. And by looking at your drawing, I’ve decided on something and if it’s something that you don’t want, I completely understand.”
“W-what is it?”
“Well, you see dear,” she explains as she looked over at the other mannequins, “I haven’t had taken this thought to an account, but I think it would be nice to have some huge assistance in the boutique. So my offer is this: I want you to be my apprentice.”
…
”YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR WHAT?!”
He screamed so loud , the whole ground shook, even Princess Celestia herself would’ve heard him.
“Now darling, no need to be loud.” She reassured him, “But yes, I want you to be my apprentice.”
He couldn’t believe it… he didn’t want to believe it… he didn’t just got asked to be working under somepony’s wing and work for her, did he? This had to be some sort of dream. “R-Rarity I… I don’t…”
“Like I said, if you don’t accept it, that is completely fine,” she reassured him with a kind smile, placing her hoof on his shoulder, “If you think I’m putting on too much weight on your shoulders, you can just say so.”
What could he say to such a deal like that? Should he accept it, this would be the biggest turnaround in his life! He could be well known! But then there’s a huge consequence if he does… that he would be recognized by his talents and Rarity being overshadowed by him. What if she’ll regret training him? He looked back at his drawing, yes it is a very good drawing at first draft, but it just seemed too perfect! How can it just simply catch somepony’s eye like the Element of Generosity herself?
He then took a deep sigh and then made up his choice.
“M’lady… I would be honored to be your apprentice.”
“R-really?!? She asked in excitement.
“Sure. Besides, you’d look like that you could use some help around here. Plus, it would be nice to have a creative team on board, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Oh absolutely darling!” She cheers as she hugged him.
Boy, at this rate, I’m going to the first human to get that many hugs in the first week that I’m here. he thought to himself as he happily returns the embrace, and as he did, he felt like he was going to cry.
She heard a sniffle from him, she stopped hugging him as she looked at him. “Darling? What’s wrong?”
“I-It’s just…” he started, as he wiped his eyes with his foreleg, “From the moment I left my home, I never had any big opportunities like this… and it’s thanks to you, I’ve got that chance. So… thank you.”
“Darling…”
They remained silent for a little while, until they heard the bell above the door, the ponies that entered were a returning Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. This surprised Wishing Star altogether as both he and Rarity draw their attention onto them.
“Oh! Twilight!” The white mare greeted, “Welcome back! I’m surprised that you brought Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with you. What can I do for you?”
“Well, I’m actually here to inform Wishing of huge important news.” Twilight explains, she turns to the turquoise stallion, “Wishing, how much do you know of Princess Celestia?”
He swore that he literally felt his soul left his body when he was asked that question… he knew it was only a matter of time, he didn’t expect it to be this soon. “W-well, she’s one of the co-rulers of Equestria, and the Princess of the Sun. Why do you ask.”
"Well, I've told Princess Celestia about you to since the day you got here, and what’ve accomplished from yesterday. As of from past events upon speaking with her, she mentioned she's really interested about you and wants to meet you, I regretfully told her that you couldn’t attend due to the fact they you were busy. But just a few minutes ago, she sent me a letter that says that she's coming by today right now as we speak!"
“How awesome is that?!” Rainbow chimes in, giving him a punch to his arm, “You’re gonna get a hero’s praise from the Princess herself!”
“It’s rare that the Princess would congratulate somepony like you Wishing Star,” Fluttershy added in, “I mean compared to us, it was a monumental risk that you’ve taken yesterday.”
"Oh! Princess Celestia is coming here? Why this is a great honor, Wishing Star, aren't you happy?" Rarity squealed with delight.
Wishing Star just stood there for several seconds before uttering a word, "So let me see if I got this right, Princess Celestia is coming to Ponyville?"
"Yes," Twilight answered.
"Since you've told her about me and what I’ve done?"
"Yeah," Twilight nodded getting a little nervous and confused.
"And she wishes to meet me and is on her way here soon?" He summed up with that same calm, but deadpanned tone in his voice.
"Um… Yeah, as well as check up on me and my friends," Twilight said now getting completely nervous, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity could feel the awkwardness in the air too by Wishing Star's strange behavior. His face goes pale and his eyes shrink with terror in them causing all of the girls in the room to look worried and scared for his sudden transaction of expression.
"Oh goodness. Wishing is something the matter?" Rarity was the first to ask as she reached her hoof out to him.
Now, if you were snapped out of such feared trance, the first thing that would come to mind would to reassure the group that you’re fine and just need some time to recuperate from the information that was given to you. That’s what you would do, right?
Well, for Carson’s care, it’s the complete opposite. Once again, his thoughts were realized that Celestia is indeed coming… he’s doomed. He made a sudden bolt out to the door like a roadrunner on the highway to nowhere as he could hear a familiar tune in his mind.
Fuck this shit I'm out (m-hm) Fuck this shit I'm out (No, thanks) Don't mind me I'ma just grab my stuff and leave Excuse me, please
“GOOD HEAVENS!” Rarity exclaims in shock as Fluttershy squeaked in fright by Wishing’s sudden bolt of exit.
The girls just stood there, flabbergasted by the door where Wish exited from. Rainbow was the first to get out of her daze and asked at nopony in particular as all of the girls were looking at each other, "Just what in hay was that all about?"
“I-I’m just as confused.” Fluttershy said to her, “Oh dear, he looked very frightened. I hope it something that we told him… Is it Twilight?”
"I have no idea why Wish did that," Twilight said as she bolts out of the store with the girls in tow, "But we have to find him and calm him down before Princess Celestia gets here or it will be a disaster!"
“A-A little to the right!” Applejack calls out at Pinkie as they raised the banner for Wishing’s Party, “A little more…” she trailed off and then, “Perfect!”
“Ooh! Wishing’s going be very surprised when he sees this!” The party pony says excitedly as she pronked off the ladder, “I better he’ll be so surprised, he won’t even realize that he’s won’t be able to tell the difference between the decorated barn and the undecorated barn!”
“Pinkie, I don’t think seeing a decorated barn filled with balloons and streamers in the middle of an orchard is gonna be that hard to tell.” The country pony says to her shaking her head with a chuckle, “Besides, we need to make sure that Wishin’ doesn’t find out about this.”
“Ooh look!” Pinkie says cheerfully, “Here he comes now!”
The orange earth pony looked at her confused at first, but then she looked behind her as she sees a familiar turquoise blur rushing towards the gate.
“What in tarnation?!” She asked as she realized that Wishing Star is coming towards them and just like that, zipped past them, nearly knocking away the country pony by a few centimeters, while the party planner was spinning like a top. The panicked stallion yanked the door open and rushed in, slamming the door closed as the tune in his mind continues.
Fuck this shit I'm out (Nope) Fuck this shit I'm out (Alright then) I don't know what the fuck just happened But I don't really care I'ma get the fuck up outta here Fuck this shit I'm out!
Real trouble began to brew as the Crusaders noticed the sweaty and panic rushed stallion. “Wishin’?” Applebloom asked in confusion. He looked at them like a total madman as he sees them… making a cake?
That didn’t matter at the moment, so he quickly said, “OhheygirlsjustsoyoukmowImscrewedsoImgonnaheadintomybedroomnowtohideletmekmowifthecrisisisavertedokayokaybye!” He zips upstairs and the door slams shut. The Crusaders were very confused as to what just happened and why was their friend was acting very strange.
“Did… did anypony caught on by what he said?” Sweetie Belle asked her fellow Crusaders, they shook their head no, bewildered as she was.
Back outside, The country pony got back up on her hooves and immediately stopped Pinkie from spinning, her eyes were now spinning round and round like a hamster trapped on it’s accelerated wheel. They slowed down until they were normal and shook her head.
“Why did he come to his own party and didn’t say anything?” Pinkie Pie asked her friend, she then gasps, “Did our friends told him?”
“Ah take it that might be what’ve happened,” Applejack guessed, looking at the door, “But Ah’m gonna get to the bottom of it.” She went to the door and asked the Crusaders if they saw where Wishing went.
“He went upstairs after he spoke some weird gibberish to us.” Scootaloo informed her, “What happened?”
“That’s what Ah’m gonna find out.” She made her way upstairs and as she was about to knock on the door, she heard her friend ramble on in a same sentence.
She opened the door and what she sees a really sad display. Right in front of her is a shaking bed, with the grown turquoise stallion under it like a two year old, rambling o in the same sentence, the same scared tone, shaking like a leaf. “Wishin’? What’s gotten ya’ll spooked?” She asked him. “Did Twilight told ya’ll what’s happenin’?”
“That’s the thing AJ!” He shouted still freaking out, "Twilight, along with Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash came to see me and Rarity, then told me that Princess Celestia is coming to see ME of all ponies!"
“Ooh! That’s exciting!” Pinkie cheerfully says as she entered the room.
“E-exciting?! Exciting?! It’s doom I tell you!”
The earth pony mares were very confused as they exchanged looks of bewilderment, usually somepony would be in joy that the Princess would be greeting them. “Oh come on Wishing Star,” the orange mare reassures him, patting his head, “Princess Celestia’s the kindest pony we know. Ah know you two are gonna get along swell.”
“But she’s a high class pony! What if this is just a ploy to have her mocking me?”
“Oh silly billy!” Pinkie helps the stallion out under the bed, “There’s nothing bad or scary about the Princess! She’s welcoming to all ponies in any class! You two are gonna be besties! I just know it!”
“I-I don’t know Pinkie…” he says nervously, “Do you think she’ll really like me? I mean, she’s not just here to congratulate me, she wants to know the real me!”
“Ya’ll kiddin’?” AJ asked him, “You brave on the greatest villain in of Equestrian history, and ya’ll are worried about a Princess? Ya’ll got a weird set of standards Wishin’, that I could tell ya’ll that much.”
“Well can you blame me?! I mean, I don’t even know her, or what she even looks like!” He freaked out, even though he’s just lying, he did know what she looked like, he just doesn’t know how to approach her.
“Well, just pretend that she’s like Rarity,” Applejack suggested, “You’ve been polite to her, so try doin’ that.”
He never thought of it that way, in hindsight, he did have a ‘I’m your servant,’ attitude whenever he’s around the seamstress, but with a Princess like Celestia or her sister Luna, they are a much different case. Even if Celestia does really want to meet me, what should I even say?! If I told her who I really am, she might have her sister send me to the moon, or worse… to Tartarus!
Suddenly, a knock on the door could be heard from downstairs.
“Oh! I wonder who that could be?” Pinkie asked.
“It probably might be the girls…” he says, lowering his head in shame, “I freaked and left them high and dry with explaining why I’m scared.” He sighs sadly, regretting for running off. “I’ll go and apologize…”
He went back down to the main level and then walked to the door. Grippingly onto the knob at first, taking a deep breath and opened the door. “Hey girls…” he began sadly, with his head hung and his eyes closed, “Sorry for running off… I should’ve been straight with you all and-“
“Oh Wishing, you have nothing to apologize for.”
“R-really?” He asked, opening his eyes at the ground for a moment, surprised that they forgave him that quickly, he sighed in relief, “Whew, hehe, well that’s good, I thought that you might think of me as a coward or a-“ he cuts himself off as he looked up to see not any of the Mane 6, in fact just a few seconds ago, it didn’t sounded like any of them… that’s when he realized that right in front of him was the Princess herself!
She was a tall and slender white Alicorn, her mane swept flowingly like a wisp in the wind, the colors of light cerulean, light turquoise, very light cobalt blue, and pale heliotrope with a pair of kind magenta eyes staring at him. A golden crown rests upon her head, signifying her as royalty.
This isn’t just some random pony. No. This is Princess Celestia.
“On the contrary,” the royal alicorn continues, “From what I’ve heard from my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, you’re becoming quite a hero for standing up to the Lord of Chaos. Who would’ve thought? A young stallion like yourself, to have Discord a change of heart and have him redeemed?”
In that moment, Wishing Star had wished he hadn’t ran away from the girls… He wished he would’ve just at least had the courage to tell them his fair share of royalties, but now, too little, too late.
“Y-you’re…” He stutters, he then immediately bows to the Princess of the Sun.
“Please, no need to be so formal with me.” Celestia giggles as she helps him back up. This caught Wishing Star by surprise, how is she so calm and gentle with him? “And yes, I am Princess Celestia. But, you just address me as just Celestia.”
Wow, he thought to himself, I never seen her like this to outsiders like me before. It probably might be of the fact I stopped Discord, but that honor should’ve gone to the girls, not me.
“U-Um… I’m honored Celestia,” he regained his composure and started to calm down, “But, why come see me? I mean, I was already informed by Twilight that you do want to see me, but why now?”
“That, I believe is a discussion that we need to speak about privately.” She informs him.
“Privately? Why?”
“Oh! Howdy there Princess!” Applejack greeted as she and Pinkie went to the turquoise stallion, “What brought ya’ll here?”
“Forgive me for the intrusion Applejack,” Celestia requests, “But do you mind if I borrow Wishing Star? It’s important that we need to discuss this in private, plus I don’t want you to be distracted for having plans for your guest of honor.” She then winks at her with her left eye, making sure that Wishing didn’t catch sight of it.
“Oh… Oh! Yeah, sure, I don’t mind.” The country pony obliges, “Well, go on Wishin’! Be sure to come back here whenever ya’ll are ready!”
“Fantastic.” The Princess replies, “Now Wishing Star, just hold still for a moment.” She closes her eyes gently as horn begins to glow brightly. And in a split second…
ZAP!
They suddenly reappear inside Celestia’s room, Wishing quickly looked around, completely flabbergasted as to what just happened.
“Ah, sister,” a voice he recognizes as he and Celestia looked behind them to see another alicorn. This is Princess Luna, much like her eldest sister, she’s an alicorn, not as tall as Celestia, but is taller than a regular pony, her eyes shined a beautiful cyan, her flowing sapphire and Persian blue mane illuminates like the night sky itself, her dark blue coat embrace the night theme as well. “So glad our guest arrived safely. Wishing Star, welcome to Canterlot.”
“P-Princess Luna!” He exclaims in shock as he once again bows to her.
“Rise. Please have a seat, we have much tot discuss.”
“A-as you say, your highness.” He nervously took a seat on one of the cushions. “Oh! I didn’t know how soft these were! I gotta say Princess Celestia, you sure have ways of having ponies getting a warm welcome. U-uh, no pun intended your majesty.”
She just laughs at the unintended pun, “Well, all ponies do have that feeling whenever it’s in this room, but you’re the first pony to admit it through voice.” She then levitates a tea set and placed them on the table. “Would you care for some tea Wishing?”
“Yes please.” He says politely.
Celestia could tell that he was nervous, so too could Luna. “Child, you seemed to be frightened. I hope our appearances haven’t disturbed you.”
“O-oh! No, not at all your highness!” He reassures them, the hot water was pour into his cup, “I-I mean… w-well, I’ve already told Twilight and the others this, but I don’t felt comfortable with other high class ponies.”
This caught the Night Pony’s attention, “Not comfortable around high class ponies?”
He then sighs, he knows that if upholds his false story, they’ll eventually figure out that he’s lying to them. It’s time to, for at least once, to be out of character. “Your highnesses… can you help me?”
The sisters were puzzled by his request. “We can,” Celestia answered, “If it’s due to the popularity of you defeating Discord, then we could-“
“No, it’s not that,” he cuts her off, he didn’t wanted to, but he wanted to get to the point and unveil the truth to them, if he’s going to get sent to the moon for pretending to be somepony he isn’t, he might as well. “Y-you see… my name isn’t Wishing Star, and I’m not an earth pony… I-In fact, I’m not a pony at all. My name is Carson Andrews, a human being, and I was sent here by a shooting star.”
“A human being?” Luna asked him, to which he nods.
“We’ve heard about such a kind through legends.” Celestia informs him, “There hasn’t been any record of humans walking among us for any amount of time, even through Luna and I’s time. If I recall correctly, you said that you were transported here by a shooting star?”
He nods again and chuckles, “Kinda ridiculous, huh?”
“Not necessarily.” The eldest princess says to him, “In fact, just hearing you telling us this has evidence that your story isn’t as far fetched as it seemed.”
“H-How so your highness?”
“The lack of a Cutie Mark for starters. There might have been some late bloomers for colts and fillies to earn their Cutie Marks, but everypony at your estimated age has already established their own Cutie Marks by that point. And from how you act around other ponies, you seem kind and caring to make up any kind of story like the one you just told us now.”
“S-so, does this mean you believe me?” He asked hopefully.
“We do Carson.” Luna confirms to him, “But, the one thing that has bothered me is this: How do you know where the Elements of Harmony were located and even confirming they are real?”
He sighed again and began to explain, “Because I saw it all before.”
“Saw what.”
“Everything. I know Princess’s Celestia’s plan to have Twilight to become the Princess of Friendship. How Sunset Shimmer left wanted revenge for power. Tirek attacking Ponyville. Hell, I even witnessed the Storm Corp destroying Canterlot.” The sisters gasped at the last one, he knew they were going to react to it, but we’re left confused, so he continues, “That’s part of the reason why I came here, to make sure Equestria is kept safe… I did wished to be a hero of my own story, I guess the Star had other plans for me.”
“Part of the reason?” Luna repeated the last part of his sentence.
“Princess Celestia, I want to make two requests for the both of you and in regards to the test you have for Twilight.” He asked the white alicorn.
“Of course Carson, what would those be?” She asked him.
“For one, I want you two to never leave Twilight’s side if she does becomes a Princess.”
“If?” Celestia repeated in confusion, “What do you mean if?”
“That leads me to the second request your highness: I want you to give Twilight a choice, if she wants to become a Princess or not.” He explains, “From what I saw, she is indeed powerful through her magic… but if I’m completely honest, she’s already powerful enough even without alicorn abilities.”
Celestia was shocked upon the request, but she was equally shocked when and how he knew about this test she had set up for her faithful student. “So you did saw it all. Then you do realize that even you do try to convince these villains to have a change of heart… including Sunset, you will realize that it paints you as a much bigger target.”
“I prefer negotiations rather than fighting Princess.” He says to her very seriously, “Violence is never the answer.”
She sighs and nods her head in a sad agreement, “It never really is. But in times of battles or wars, they seem necessary. But let me ask you something, Carson. Do you not have friends or family in your world? Do you ever miss them?”
“The only family I have is my father,” he says to her, “But we rarely even talked. I don’t even know how to get back anyways, and who knows how much time has passed back in my world? I doubt that mirror portal is gonna be any help either.”
“Fret not Sir Carson,” Luna declares, “My sister and I will find a way to return you home, a Princess Promise. There’s one last thing about your request on staying by Twilight’s side. Why do you wish us of it? We always keep close tabs on her through her letters.”
“Just on her letters alone aren’t good enough your highness. I saw what happened to the two of you. You just… suddenly announced that you two are retiring and leaving everything to Twilight… honestly, I was heartbroken for just seeing her under that kind of pressure… and I don’t want her to go through it again.”
The alicorns were surprised by this revelation. Them retiring? Twilight ruling Equestria alone? They would never even consider the possibility of any of that! It’s too crazy to even do such a thing to her… isn’t it? Celestia even realized that he isn’t just doing this for the sake of the future, he kept mentioning about Twilight.
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” She asked him warmly.
He began to blush and sighs, “Y-yes your majesty… you’re correct.”
“There’s nothing to be ashamed with Carson, it’s perfectly normal to have somepony like yourself to fall in love with another.” She reassured him, “Especially if it’s one of my students. But, why her in particular? There’s has to be something more than just relieving the weight off of her shoulders.”
Carson blushes a bright red and sighs again, “Well, I like her personality and how smart she is. We’re also alike in many reasons, we didn’t started to make friends right away. We are goal achievers, study a lot, and we want to do something for our friends, and…” he began to sigh dreamily, “Her eyes… they’re like an endless galaxy you could get lost in it, and her voice… whenever she speaks it’s like an angel…” he then notices the Princesses giggling, so he got himself together and cleared his throat, “A-anyways your highnesses, i-if there is no way for me to return home, with your permission, I would like to stay here.”
Celestia smiles at the turquoise stallion warmly, “Carson Andrews, you don’t need our permission to stay here. You are more than welcome to stay in Equestria as long as you like.”
“R-really?!”
The white alicorn nods in approval.
“Thank you!” He lightly bow to her. “Thank you so very much!” In part of his heart, he’s very happy that’s he’ll be staying in Equestria, meaning he’ll get to spend more time with Twilight and the gang, but another part of his heart is saddened by the fact that he may never return home. He could only imagine the worry and grief his father might be going through to discover him missing. He really want to tell you that he’s perfectly fine if weren’t for the circumstances that’s blockaded his way of communicating with him.
“Well, in that case,” Princess Luna says as she got up from her sister’s cushion, “I must return to my duties. I will also look into this ‘Divine Light,’ that Twilight had told us in her report. If he’s a serious threat to Equestria, we need to take precautions and action in case he ever strikes again.” She then left her sister’s room with the use of her teleportation magic, leaving just Princess Celestia and Carson.
“Princess… I’m not going to cause that much trouble while I’m here, am I?” He asked her.
She shook her head and reassured him, “You being here is probably the best part of my student’s life as we speak. If you continue to help her with her friendship lessons, I’m sure she will be one of the best Princesses Equestria has ever had.”
“I’ll do my best in any way I can your highness.”
She nods in agreement, then she looks outside, it was still day. “Well, speaking of duties, I need to get back to mine as well. I’ll teleport you back too Sweet Apple Acres and rejoin your friends. I’m sure they’re ready to surprise you.”
“W-wait, surprise me?” He asked, “For wha-“ he was unfortunately cut off by the Princess’s teleportation spell, sending him back.
She sighs and chuckles a little, shaking her head. She then uses her magic to lower her sun, as she does so however, she can’t help but be reminded of the future events that will play out, including her former student’s return to Equestria. For what reason as to why she’s coming back, she does not know. All she knows that she’s coming back soon. Perhaps that he can help her have that change of heart she needs. In her mind, she couldn’t help but chuckling to herself with a name she came up for Wishing Star… The Neigh-gotiator.
Back at Sweeat Apple Acres, Twilight was pacing back and forth from the front door to the barn anxiously. Applejack and Spike, leaning against the barn wall, we’re just watching her pacing. She’s been doing this for the past twenty minutes nonstop.
“Ohh… the sun’s gone down,” the lilac mare said anxiously, “He has to come here soon or he’ll miss it!”
Applejack couldn’t help but smile at her nervously jittering friend. “Ah’m sure he’ll get be here Twi,” she reassured, “Ya’ll just need to exercise patience.”
“But the party we made is for him, and for him specially! This is meant to be a hero’s welcome and celebration for his victory over Discord!” Twilight then gasps in horror, “W-what if he doesn’t like the cake?! Or gifts that we got him?! O-or-!!”
“Twilight, I’m sure Wishing’s gonna love the party.” Spike cuts her off before she continues to freak out, “Besides, from what Applejack told me, you and him are alike in many ways. You care about your friends and are willing to do anything for them.” He then began to chuckle, “Plus, I can tell how much he’s interested in you.”
“I-Interested?” She asked nervously, it took too long to figure out what he meant and blushes madly, sheepishly turning away to hide her rosy cheeks.
“Aw c’mon sugarcube, it ain’t somethin’ to be embarrassed about. Besides, Ah can tell when mare is in love with somepony, and by the looks of things, the party ain’t the only thing on yer mind.”
Twilight was trying to come up with an excuse as to hide her feelings for the stallion, then all of a sudden, without the librarian mare knowingly, a puff of magic expelled and from that puff was Wishing Star himself.
“Oh hey Wishin’.”
“Gah!!” Twilight shrieked as she turns around and blushes red once again, “H-hey Wishing Star! Glad to see that you’re back from your meeting with Princess Celestia! How, uh… how did it go by the way?” Carson, now back into character as Wishing Star, got caught in Twilight’s gaze, they couldn’t look away from each other from their silent staring contest. He couldn’t help but get lost in her eyes. “W-Wishing? Are you okay?”
“Uh? What happened?” He asked as he snapped out of his gaze.
“I asked you how everything went with Princess Celestia and then you just stared at me. Did something happened?” She then began to gasp, “Oh my gosh! She’s sent you to exile didn’t she?! Even after you just saved Equestria! Spike! Spike, take note quick!”
“Whoa whoa, Twi,” he stops her before she said another word, “Everything went fine. In fact, she said that I’m more than welcome to stay here as long as I want.”
Twilight, upon hearing the news from the turquoise stallion, she began to squeal in delight, hug him tightly and exclaims in joy, “That’s a relief! I’m so glad!!!!” She then looked at her assistant and the country pony, further proving their point that she‘s interested in him. She recomposes herself and says calmly, “I’m very glad the Princesses decided to have you stay here.”
“Heh, yeah, me too.” He chuckles, avoiding eye contact this time.
“Oh! Wishing, you remember Spike?” She asked.
He looked at the purple baby dragon and says happily, “Yes, good to see you again Spike.”
“Likewise!” He greeted as they exchange a hoof/claw shake, “Man, the way how you handled yourself when you took on Discord! I wish I could’ve taken action like that!”
Wishing couldn’t help but chuckle, then this gave him an idea, if he wished for himself to be a hero of his own story, maybe he could help Spike be a hero too. He knows that he needs to help him to overcome his greed in the episode ‘Secret to my Excess,’ and his jealous of Owlowisious in ‘Owl’s Well that Ends Well.’
“Say Spike, this might be out of the blue, but have you ever gotten to the point of being, and forgive me for using that word in particular, greedy?”
The purple dragon went wide eyed for a movement, given to his reaction, it’s understandable that he would be shocked at that. He gave it some thought to Wishing’s question, then says, “No, not that I could remember, why?”
“Eh, just asking.” The stallion shrugs.
Spike raised a brow, but then something clicked, “Wait wait, are you asking me that just because I’m a dragon?”
“Erm… we’ll, it’s part of it.” Wishing Star explains, he wanted to tell Spike about the part the adult dragons would leave their eggs behind, but he could just see a picture of Spike’s broken-hearted look on his face if he were to tell him, but thankfully he didn’t had to, because he had the idea that if the Fount Well of Wishes he told was some BS excuse which became a real thing. I wonder what happens if I did it again? “You see, I was told of another story by my dad about one of the greatest dragons in the ancient times before the Princesses became rulers of Equestria.”
“Really?” He asked excitedly, of which the turquoise pony chuckles and nods, “Could you tell me it?”
“Well, I don’t know,” he says with a nervous chuckle, “I’m not that good of a story teller.”
“Well, ya’ll told us about yer past and ya had no problem tellin’ us it.” Applejack says to him.
Wishing Star gave it a little bit of thought, then he says, “I’ll tell you it later, right now I’m a little tired and I could get some sleep.”
The country pony chuckles, “That tired already?” He nods, “Well, don’t ya’ll worry ‘bout that, we’ve got somethin’ that’ll wake ya’ll up in no time!”
“Please say it’s coffee.” He says.
The mares giggled at his quip, then Twilight spoke, “You’re just gonna have to open the door to find out.”
Hearing her say that, he immediately now knew what was going to happen if he opens that door, he just only hopes he’s wrong. He’s never been to any party of any kind, proms or celebration, or any special event parties. His mind began to race with many thoughts, coming and going as he slowly walked to the door. What if I say something that might kill the mood in that party? he thought to himself, What’s going to happen if I be myself way too much? Will they pay any mind? And what about my blank flank? Are there going to be any naysayers in that party too? W-what if I-?
His hoof was beginning to be shaky as he gripped onto the knob. All of his thoughts were silenced. He has a few good ideas as to what’s behind that door, a party for one, but what if all of this really is a dream and it’s just that hard to wake up from? But he time he opens the door, he would just open his eyes and he would be back in his apartment complex.
He opens the door and instead of the second scenario that came into his mind, what he saw first is the lights coming on, then he heard a loud blast and whizz poppers being fired.
“SURPRISE!!!”
Wishing Star was greeted by a huge and loud announcement from the room filled with ponies, causing him to jump in the air yelping and step back. He was expecting it and yet he wasn’t prepared for what even happened in there. He then noticed that it seemed like the entire town of Ponyville was in here, somehow despite the large space of the house, spotting some of the ponies he encountered in town today. Among them he spotted Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Lyra Heartstrings, Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle in the crowd as they all walk up to him.
“Girls?!” He asked in shock as he looked around the room full of ponies, “Wh-what’s going on here?!”
“Hehehe! Can’t you tell?” Pinkie Pie giggled at Wishing Star’s question, “It’s your welcome, slash thank you, slash victory party! All for you! I've also invited everypony in town, as I know everypony in town, to come to your party!"
Wishing completely forgot that it was the norm in their world to throw parties like this one. But that’s not what caught him off guard. No, what caught him off guard was the fact that this, all of this, is for him specifically!
“This… this is for me?” He asked.
“Dang tootin’ it is sugarcube!” Applejack calls out as she came in the house.
Twilight was next to speak, “I kinda came up with the idea of having this party to be really special for you Wishing, so I told Applejack and Pinkie Pie to help, which of course, they were very eager and happy to oblige. We want to show you our appreciation for what you did yesterday, and as I stated before, we wanted to make it very special for you.”
So the tour was not only an actual plan that he had so he could get to know Twilight more, but it was also a clever decoy to keep him distracted so they can set up the party in secret, but also get him learning about Ponyville so it didn't seem suspicious. Clever girl. he thought to himself as he sees her smile.
He looked back around the room, all colorful decorations that were hung on the walls and ceiling, confetti and streamers were already on the floor from the whizz poppers and Pinkie’s Party Cannon that were shot from earlier, there were snacks and buffet trays of food on the table, and… is that a disco ball in the middle of the ceiling? He had to double take to make sure he wasn’t seeing things, but sure enough, there it was, hung above the ceiling was a shiny silver disco ball! But the highlight of the decor is the banner, hung above everypony, it had ‘Welcome to Ponyville/Thank You/Hero of Ponyville, Wishing Star!’ on it, and right above those words is a five pointed yellow star.
This wasn't a simple welcome party… this was the ultimate huge welcome party for a celebrity or those night clubs, except it didn't have that night club vibe to it. Wishing could hardly believe it… this was his party. He never, ever, in his life has been to a party before let alone his own since his family couldn't afford parties as he recalls. Seeing everypony here for him, even if most of them didn't know him, made him feel completely warm and happy inside.
Then Fluttershy then clears her throat and she says, “I-I know it’s a little early for gifts, but Rainbow and I wanted to give this to you.”
Then Prismatic maned pony spoke as her friend gave Wishing Star a small turquoise box with a golden yellow ribbon wrapped around it. “Remember how I said that I wanted to make it up to you for being suspicious about you? Well, I’ve been doing some thinking, and Fluttershy came up with an idea of this. Go on! Open it!”
Raising a brow in confusion at first, he took the box and carefully unwrapped the ribbon as he didn’t want to tear it apart. What he sees made his heart leap in shock, inside the box is a beautiful turquoise gem in the shape of a seven pointed star, being held around by a dapped bar necklace chain. He nearly dropped his gift, but he took it out. Then upon closer inspection, he realized that the star shaped gem acts as a locket. He opens the locket and this made him softly gasp as in the inner golden part of the locket is a picture of the Mane 6, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Spike. As for the other side of the locket is a little quote that only had seven words:
”Never forget who your true friends are.”
Looking at his little locket necklace, he eyes were locked on to that quote in particular. Then he looked back at the girls, who had all friendly smiles. He doesn’t deserve this necklace, he doesn’t deserve this party, he doesn’t deserve being offered as an apprentice, he doesn’t deserve being a hero despite wishing for it, he doesn’t deserve having friends like them, yet here it all is. All he did was just popping into existence into their world and helped stopping the bad guy by negotiations. Seeing everypony here for him, even if most of them didn't know him, made him feel completely warm and happy inside. He clutches the locket close to his chest, as a single tear rolled down his cheek hardly believing this was all real.
Fluttershy and Rarity gasped from his sudden crying. “Wishing Darling? Are you alright?” The white mare asked.
Pinkie then looked at the turquoise stallion with concern. “Is it the gift?! Is the party?! Tell me, what’s-“ Pinkie was suddenly cut off by him hugging her tightly.
“You girls didn’t have to do any of this.” He chokes through his sobs, “The real and greatest gift I’ve ever gotten is you guys. If anything, I should be thanking you guys.”
Pinkie then returns the hug, as did the rest of the Mane 6 came and surrounded the turquoise pony into a group hug.
Everypony that witnessed this scene couldn’t help shed tears of happiness of their own… well, some most than others, from behind the crowd was a pinkish gray earth pony with a two shades of moderate magenta and dark heliotrope, her Cutie Mark is a gold ring with a big diamond on it. Wishing Star could feel like he was watched as he then sees the mare looking at him with strong opal colored eyes, he knew who it was behind the crowd, he just couldn’t believe that of all ponies, she had to be here.
It was none other than Spoiled Rich herself, the wife of Filthy Rich, the mother of Diamond Tiara, and the so claimed highest esteemed class of all ponies.
Wishing Star just ignored her stare and then released Pinkie Pie from his grip. “So, um… s-seeing that this is my first party I’ve ever gone to… what do we do?”
“What do we do?” Twilight repeat with a giggle, as she then took his hoof, “Let us show you. Hit it!”
The music came on by Vinyl Scratch and thus, the party had begun. Getting dragged onto the dance floor by Twilight, he could help but get a little nervous, as stated before, this is first party he had ever gone to, let alone from another world. Looking above them a d seeing the disco ball being lit up, this placed Wishing in awe. How come disco ball like our couldn’t be that shiny?! he thought to himself as he then looked at Twilight dancing, and she was looking right back at him, bumping at his side with her flank.
She was urging him to dance along, but noticing the nervous blush on his face, she was concerned. “You okay?” She asked.
“I-I um… I think I’m just grab a drink.” He says to her.
Twilight wasn’t fooled that easily and she knew what he was doing, and she wasn’t having any of it. “Oh no you don’t.” She encourages as she grabs his forehoof, “Just do what I do!”
He felt very nervous at first as he started to slowly start follow Twilight’s moves, eventually picking up the pace, his smile slowly began to fade back in. The music began to overtake him and the lovely sight of the lilac mare couldn’t erase the happiness that filled him.
Yep, it settles it, he thought to himself, This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me! I’m hanging out with the future Princess of Equestria and I’m in a party that’s all for me! Best. Day. Ever!
Hey guys, I hope you’re having a great day so far! So, I’m trying something different in this chapter and this is the first time I’m really doing this, so, once again, please bear with me. I do enjoy writing stories in third person, but from what Mix-up has pointed out, I haven’t really gotten into the mind of the characters, so I’m going for the first person view. Now of course, I really don’t want Carson/Wish getting all of the spotlight, so this is my solution. Mix-up, I hope this makes up from my previous mistakes.
Anyways, enjoy this chapter!
Twilight’s P.O.V.
As Spike and I got back home from Sugarcube Corner for our picnic with our friends, I place the box of a dozen cupcakes on the table. I’m very grateful that Mrs. Cake had made that amount despite that I insisted that she should go through the trouble of doing so.
I looked back inside the box, just to make sure the icing didn’t get ruined for our picnic, which to my relief it wasn’t. Seeing the good amount of the icing for my friends is huge priority. Looking at the dozen of cupcakes, I felt really bad about one pony in particular… Wishing Star. He said that he wouldn’t feel right to interrupt my time with the girls, but considering that the amount of work he has back in the Carousel Boutique, I could see why.
"Ok," Spike reports to me, "'Triple-check checklist to make sure we didn't miss anything when we double-checked the checklist.' Uhh, check!" As soon as my assistant checked off the last thing on the checklist, he winced and dropped the quill, his writing hand badly cramped up. "Agh! I've been holding that quill for so long that I got a claw cramp. Good thing we don't have to write friendship letters to the princess this week."
I gasped at the last part he said in a panic and I had every right to be! I knew I forgotten something! "You mean to tell me that we didn't send a friendship report to Princess Celestia this week!?" I asked him, I didn’t give him the chance to answer as I ran around the library and began shouting, "Oh no! Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no!" I frantically looked around to find my calendar, it has every single event and important schedules on them so I wouldn’t forget… ironic considering that exactly what’s happened now. “Spike! Where’s my calendar, where’s my calendar!?”
“Right where it’s always been.” He informs as he point at the drawer, “Why? Is it bad?”
“Bad?!” I reflected the question back at him, “BAD?! Of course it’s bad Spike! I'm supposed to send Princess Celestia a letter every week, telling her about a lesson I've learned about friendship! Not every other week, not every ten days, every... single... week!" I fell onto my bed in dismay, wrapping myself under my bed sheets. “Oh, how could I let this happen? I'm usually so organized. I've never been late with an assignment.”
“Oh, please!” Spike exclaimed as he pulled the covers off of me and dropped down to the first floor. “You're the most studious student ever! I'm sure the Princess will forgive you if you miss one little deadline.” That’s one of the many reasons why he’s my number one assistant, supportive and willing to help my with anything to get me encouraged and seeking for answers.
Although, through that praise and reassurance, that fell on deaf ears. “I'm afraid to take that chance, Spike. This is the ruler of all of Equestria we're talking about. The pony who holds my fate in her hooves! What if she doesn't forgive me?”
“Yeah... I don't think she—“ Spike tried to say otherwise as I continued speaking off of my mind as I teleported right in front of him.
“What if instead she starts thinking I'm not taking my studies on friendship seriously?”
“Why would she—“
“What if she makes me come back to Canterlot and puts me back in school and makes me prove I've been taking them seriously by giving me a test?! What if I don't pass?!” I continued on further with my panicked rambled as I paced around the room while Spike just shakes his head, which I didn’t notice.
“Well, why wouldn't you pass—“ I unfortunately cut him off again.
“She's my teacher. Do you know what teachers do to students who don't pass? “ I asked as my stress and anxiety was starting build up. Spike didn’t have an answer as he face-palmed, once again I didn’t notice him doing so. “They send them back a grade! But she won't just send me back a grade. She'll send me back to... magic kindergarten.” I sat and shuddered at the memory of all of the fillies laughing at me for my intelligence.
Whilst I was in my frightened trance, there a knock on the door, which at first I didn’t notice or even hear.
Spike then tried to snap me out of it. “Twilight? Twilight!” He called and nudged me to get my attention, of which I was glad he did. He then informed that there’s somepony at the door.
As we went to the first floor and to the front door, I opened it to see a very concerned Applejack and Rarity. Applejack and Rarity, here at my house before sundown? I thought to myself, That’s very strange, why are they here?
“Twilight dear?” Rarity asked me, “Mind if we come in? It’s very important that we need to inform you.” This ultimately got me to gasp softly and it made me immediately think, A friendship problem! Maybe it’s not too late after all!
“Sure! Come on in!” I say excitedly and quickly grab my notepad and quill with my magic like an investigator ready for writing down evidence, “So, what kind of friendship problem are we facing here?” I was anticipating that it would be a friendship problem, but had I notice them looking at each other first, then back at me, I would’ve known that this wouldn’t be the case as Applejack started.
“Actually, sugarcube, this ain’t a friendship problem.”
I raised a brow in confusion. “Not a friendship problem?” I repeated the question.
Rarity nods as she then adds, “In fact, this is more of a sickness problem.”
“A sickness problem? Well, it’s a good thing I kept some books about some illnesses and viruses. So what kind of symptoms are there and who’s the pony in question?” As I look up to see my friends with a very worried and concerned expressions on their faces, the pony they told me is somepony that would never even suspect.
“That would be Wishin’ Star Twi.” Applejack told me.
My whole world nearly shattered when she said that, I nearly dropped my notepad and quill. At first I thought I heard her wrong and asked, “I-I’m sorry, who’s sick?”
“Wishing Star dear,” Rarity repeated Applejack’s answer, “He’s been sick for the past two days and without us knowing.”
Spike’s jaw dropped and I gasped in shock. Wish was hiding his sickness while he was working for the past two days?! Why didn’t he tell me or anypony else? Why would he hide it from us?
Spike picked his jaw back up and then it was his turn to ask, “But he was doing fine last time I spoke with him. How is he sick now?”
“That’s the thing Spikey-Wikey,” the fashionista pony explained to us, “When I asked him if he was feeling alright, he said he was fine. When I left the room afterwards, I thought I heard a cough. At first I thought it was because of the dust from the old sewing machine I had since I was a filly. Oh, I wished I would’ve caught sight of this sooner!”
I was completely flabbergasted by this, never in my time here in Ponyville so far had I ever seen this happen! Looking back at the party we had for Wishing Star a week prior, he seemed very happy! I try to look back back further in that week of the party and try to think as to how and/or why he got sick.
Sweet Apple Acres, a Week prior to “Lesson Zero.”
The party was still in full swing and dance music had died down, Wishing Star and I had gone off the dance floor to the beverage counter, both of us were smiling and completely out of breath. Normally I wouldn’t stop dancing, but given how Applejack’s family gave way too much food a couple of months ago when I first arrived Ponyville, I would only dance for a good thirty to forty minutes, from when we danced, I’d say we passed the forty-seven minute mark.
“You okay?” He asked me with a breathless chuckle.
I nodded, signifying that I was alright, “It’s just that I never danced that long before!” I admitted to him, panting in the same pace he was, “Whew… At this rate, I think this one long jazzercise I’m never going to do again.”
“Here here.” He pants as he finished drinking, I then noticed he was looking around, as if he was looking for somepony.
I asked him, “Is everything alright?”
He then looks at me with a look like he was being hunted by somepony. “Say Twilight, you would happen to invite a mare that’s about your height, pinkish gray pelt, and she has face that looks like this.” He then does a scowling face that I know one pony in particular.
“Spoiled Rich?” I asked him, he nods as he continues to look for her, “You know her?”
“No, but she kept staring at me while we’re here.” He explains to me. This was the first time I ever heard of Spoiled Rich of ever going to a party that Pinkie Pie throws, especially considering that she has grudge against blank flanks, so this is extremely out of character of her. I joined in the search for her and out of the corner of my eye, I spotted her as she was about to leave, giving me a scowl of her own, and then leave the house.
“I just saw her,” I informed him, “Why don’t we go talk to her and see why she’s here?”
He seemed to hesitate at first, but then he says, “Yeah, let’s go. Besides, she seemed very suspicious.”
So we got out of the crowd, went outside and followed after Mrs. Rich. I called after her, “Mrs. Rich!”
She groans and turns to look at us, the scowl hasn’t left on her face. “Ugh, just what I need, Twilight and her blank flank friend, coming to question me.”
“Sorry, but we were just wondering why you were at the party.” I informed her, “It just seemed really odd that you would just come here.”
Mrs. Rich just rolled her eyes at my question and says with an annoyed tone, “Well, since you’ve already asked, I was told about a hero, whom is a blank flank. To my surprise, from the description I told, you definitely match the description.”
I looked at Wish, from the expression of his face, he seemed very calm, his body language told a very different story. It seemed he really wanted to retort her, but he seems to try to have himself contained. Not to mention the fact that if somepony called one a blank flank, they either; A: would be depressed and desperate to get a Cutie Mark, or B: (and very worst case scenario,) Get really upset with said caller and jump at them.
“Who even told you about me?” He asked, his tone sounded very low, almost to a growl… given how he hates… scratch that, resents high class ponies, he really wants to just shout at the top of his lungs, it’s only just a matter of time.
Mrs. Rich just harrumphs, “Everypony was talking about your accomplishment, about how you talked down the Lord of Chaos himself and driven him out of Equestria. Humph, good riddance to him too.”
“Hey, he has a change of heart now Mrs. Rich, at least give him a chance.” Wish told her.
“A chance, with him?” She retorts at the turquoise stallion, “Never in my life! I would rather lock myself in my bunker than getting to know that… that floating manticore!”
That’s when Wish explodes and shouts, “HE’S CALLED A DRACONEQUUS YOU STUPID HOLLOW HEARTED WHORE!!!” I gasped as to what he just called her, in all my life I never heard such language! He’s clearly becoming aggressive towards her. I much as I was, Mrs. Rich was left speechless.
She then regained her composure and says, “Clearly, your blank flank friend here knows no sense of when to keep his mouth shut.”
“Yeah? Well the only sense it sounds like you have is the one you’re taking right up the-“
“Wishing Star enough.” I said to him sternly, “Let’s just go back inside, okay?” I could see he’s very angry and trying to ask Mrs. Rich any other questions might not be a good time. He eventually agrees and we gone our separate ways. When we got to the front door, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy was there.
“Jeez, what was that all about?” Rainbow asked us.
“It’s nothing.” He says to her as he went back inside.
We were taken aback from his sudden mood change. “Is everything okay?” Fluttershy asked me, “What happened?”
“Remember when I told you about his problem with high class ponies because he lacked a Cutie Mark?” I reminded her, of which both of them nodded, “W-well, he went off and got up in Mrs. Rich’s face.” The three of us looked at the glum turquoise pony who is drinking his beverage out of a red plastic cup.
“Okay, well that answered one of my questions.” Rainbow says to us.
“What was the other question?” I asked her.
“What’s a whore?”
All of a sudden we heard a loud, “D’OH!”
Present Day
“He did go back to his cheery self when we got back partying.” I explained with my hoof on my chin, “But according to you Applejack, you said that he was sick for the past two days. What’s his current state right now?”
Applejack began, “Well, he’s ain’t in any good shape Ah could tell ya’ll that. He’s been gettin’ a fever, but the odd thing is that instead of a warm temperature, his body seemed to be ice cold. He also seemed to be very overly stressed, anxious, and he’s gone into an emotional breakdown yesterday, Ah’m really hoping that’s the only one.”
I pondered about his symptoms, they seemed very familiar. “Strange…” I say to myself, “I felt like I’ve seen this before… almost like the time my brother and I-“ I stopped myself in shock. He… he couldn’t have it, could he? The chances of having this disease were only seventeen percent. “Spike! In the ‘R’ section, there should be a book that’s called ‘Reference Guide to Diseases and Viruses.”
He went to the ladder, grabbed the book, went back down and placed it on the table. I skimmed through page after page, thanks to the help of my magic. “Rare colds… rare colds…” I say to myself, looking for the one that matches the description of Wishing’s symptom, “Rare col-Aha! Here it is! It’s called ‘The Below Zero Virus. Whilst not really dangerous by any means, it is very harmful to pony who comes into contact with it. Symptoms include: High Stress and Anxiety Levels, High Blood Pressure, Pain, Feeling Weak, and A Very Cold Body Temperature at either negative fifteen or twenty degrees fahrenheit. The chances of getting this disease is about eleven to seventeen percent.’”
“Good heavens.” Rarity exclaims in shock, placing her hoof to her mouth, “Those sound very serious.”
“But there is a cure, ain’t there Twi?” Applejack asked me.
Spike answered for me, “Sure there is! In fact, Twilight help her brother get rid of this disease before, and vise versa! It shouldn’t be problem, right?”
“It would be the case Spike,” I say to him as I looked through the book, “How it was made, however, it takes some hassle to make.”
“How so?”
I turned to the next page as I looked the requirements, “Well, for one, some of the ingredients are located in Everfree Forest, those being the Dancing Spectra flowers, but those won’t be a problem as we stocked enough for Zecora, so that’s that. But then there’s these items, a Cragadile tear, A silver rimmed leaf, and two cloves of nine leaf clovers, but those clovers hasn’t been seen for a long time, including the silver rimmed leafs. The items that are easy to get are Zap Apples and we can probably ask Nurse Redheart to borrow one of the medicine syrups.”
I closed the book and took a couple of other books with me to bring to Everfree in my saddlebags. “Applejack, I’m placing you in charge to looking after Wishing Star. I’ve gotten every book he needs in case he gets too bored, or too stressed, or too anxious, or too-“
“Whoa, slow down Twi!” Applejack placed her hoofs on my shoulders making me stop talking, “Ah’ll round up the girls and get items for ya’ll, ya go head to Sweet Apple Acres and offer the poor fella some comfort. It’s… it’s probably one of the reasons why he’s stressed.”
When she said that, that made me realize that a week ago, I remembered something he said, particularly, my horn. “But I hurt you! Every time I keep seeing that mark on your horn, I feel like a jackass and I’m in debt to you!” He didn’t sound stressed, but more distressed of the mark on my horn. I looked at my bags that are filled with books, then back at Applejack with a look that tells me, “Go to him, he needs you.”
I sighed and said to Spike, “Spike, I’m placing you in charge of the Library while I’m gone. I just need to jot some notes before I head out.”
Sweet Apple Acres, Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
Out of all the days and the episodes that I had to get sick, it had to be Lesson fucking Zero!?!? What the fucking hell fates! It’s something that I wanted to shout at the top of the heavens, if I haven’t screamed so loudly at Applejack two days ago. God, I feel like an absolute jackass… no beyond that, AN OBLIVIOUS FUCKWIT!
I felt a tickle in my throat, causing me to cough harshly. You ever get those coughs when it’s to the point when you feel like your esophagus is going to detach itself from your throat and get these throbbing headaches like someone took a bass drum and attached it to your head, playing it over and over again? It’s basically like that, but imagine it three times worse, along with the cold feeling, joints being a huge pain in the ass, oh yeah, did I mention that I lost my voice?
After my coughing fit was over, I rested my head back on my pillow, feeling miserable and in pain. I can’t help but be in worry as to how Lesson Zero’s going to go. The only scenario that I could only see is Twilight going around Ponyville and try to find a friendship problem and since I can’t do any to prevent the Insane Twilight’s rampage of her friendship problem catastrophe, I’m going to be unfortunate to suffer the consequences of not being able to avoid this outcome.
As I gave out a frustrated sigh, I heard a knock on my bedroom door. “C-Come in.” I forced out, feeling like my voice is going away, a tear was streaming down from my eye as I gave out a cough or three.
The door opens and in came Apple Bloom wearing a doctor’s head mirror and a mask covering her mouth. Jesus Christ AB, I don’t to get remind of the year that human malware existed. I thought to myself as waved a hello to the little country filly.
“Feelin’ any better yet?” She asked me hopefully, I wanted to pretend to her that was getting well, but pretending is what got me in trouble in the first place. I shook my head no, my heart immediately broke when she let out a sad, “Oh…” just seeing her that sad look on her face just made me feel more miserable than I already am.
During my time in bed yesterday after my free fall down the stairs, Applebloom has been playing doctor and trying to figure out what’s wrong with me. It’s very nice that AB is doing very thing she can to help me get better, giving me medicine and water, any typical things that doctor would do to help their patients. I just really wanted to hug her and reassure her that it isn’t her fault that I’m strapped into the bed and tell her everything will be okay.
Applebloom then pipes up and then says to me, “Oh! Ah almost forgot! Applejack wanna let ya know she’s gone to get Twilight to help ya with yer sickness!” The pupils in my eyes shrank. Twilight is coming, but which version of her am I going to see? The Twilight I’ve always known and love, or the Twilight in Lesson Zero? “Are ya okay?” Applebloom asked me, causing me to regain my sense to see the concerned filly. I reassured her with a nods, then motioned my head to the tall empty glass, asking her for more water. “Oh! Sure thing!” Applebloom says kindly, “Ah’ll be right back!” With that, see took the glass and went out of my room, leaving me to contemplate as to how the check up will go.
On the one hand… erm, hoof, Lesson Zero Twilight could come in here and pepper me with many friendship related questions, create one right in front of me, forcing me to join her cause, then afterwards once this has been blown over, I would’ve slipped into madness, go to the tallest mountain in Canterlot and kill myself.
But, on the other, if this is the normal Twilight, I’ll be okay with it… as long as she doesn’t go crazy on me at the last second if she does come. I mean, a much worse scenario is that Twilight would be so far off the rails and come kills me with a knife. I thought to myself, which made me shudders at the terrifying idea of her coming in the room with a Harley Quinn laugh. As much as I do enjoy Tara Strong’s performance of those characters as the next guy, she can sometimes bring out dark moments in some shows to her characters.
I try to get as comfortable as I could despite my body hurting constantly, I rested my head on the pillow, hoping to dive into the realm of dreams to forget that I’m sick. Try as I might, for the past fifteen minutes, I couldn’t get any sleep at all… I once again shifted my position, but that’s when I noticed that felt someone holding my left front hoof, opening my eye groggy eyes, my vision was blurry at first. Once it became clearer, the first thing that I see a friendly smiling Twilight Sparkle.
“Hey.” She greets as we made eye contact, “How’s our favorite patient?” I wanted to tell her that it’s been better now she’s here, but due to my coughing fits earlier and my out raged yelling from three days ago, my voice was too far gone to even speak. I could only just look away in misery, hanging my head down.
I heard Twilight sighs, “You know, you’re not the first to deal with the Below Zero illness.” I looked at her in shock by the illness’s name. “I actually have had that when my brother and I were younger. My brother was stressed for training as the member of the Royal Guard, so I did my best to take care of him. Hehe, I remember calling myself Dr. Twily at one point.” I gave out a chuckle and then gave out a couple of coughs.
Well, Dr. Twily’s probably may be the mare I need right now. I thought to myself in amusement as Twilight continues, “After a couple of days, he got back into training, no stress mind you. A couple of months after that, Hearths Warming came, and I unfortunately came down with the illness.” I could see her blushing embarrassment, if anything I can’t say I blame her. Being sick on the most festive time of the year sucks, and I know from experience.
“But enough of that, let’s get to it.” She says to me, she first handed me hot cup of what seems and smells like tea. “Firstly, I want you to drink this. This is healer’s tea, specifically made for any damage or swollen tissue from inside the body. I also have honey in this jar.” She point the glazed yellow clay pot, on the front of the pot it has a honeycomb on it. “I don’t know if you do have honey in your tea, so I brought it separately just in case.
I smiled at her for being thoughtful, I couldn’t keep my eyes away from her amethyst irises, it’s like staring at an entire galaxy filled with bright violet stars, or a mystical void that drowns me deeper and deeper. My focus deters away to see the noticeable red mark at the base of her horn, it’s healing thankfully, but I still feel guilty for hitting her horn. She could notice me staring it and she was about to say something, but I quickly distract that by point the honeypot.
“Oh, you want honey in your tea?” She asked me, I nodded yes. She smiles as her horn lit up with magic, levitating the pot in the air at her eye level. Next using magic to grab a silver steel spoon, dipping it into the honey, scraping the bottom of the spoon to get rid of the excess, and carefully dips the honey spoon into my tea, giving it a gentle stir.
“Now, do be careful, it’s very hot, and I recommend to not down it in big gulps, doing so won’t help your throat..” She cautioned me, thankfully I took the warning to heart and blew gently at the liquid. Giving it a couple of blows, I decided to taste the tea and gave it a small sip, the feeling of the warm tea hitting my tongue made me shiver a tad, but the warmth was helping the inside of my mouth become warm and moisten it with saliva again.
She then continues on, “I find that if you drink this tea two times a day, it’ll make the healing process go faster, the healthy results can take up to a couple of days, depending on how severe your illness is. Giving as the disease is Below Zero, it’ll take three days for it to go away.”
Well, that’s a relief, I thought to myself again, taking another small sip of the tea, Wow, this tea is amazing! I’ll have to ask her if I could have drink of that next time I don’t get sick.
Twilight then says to me, “Okay, while the tea is taking affect, I am first going to check through your mane for any lesions, parasites, or any infected areas among your scalp. I’m going to use my magic to illuminate any areas as well.” She got onto the bed and lights her horn as she combs through my brown and blonde mane with her front hooves.
She looked through every part at the top of my head, mumbling to herself indicating no serious signs to my head, which is good. As she was checking through my mane, I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot, hearing her mumble just wanted me to speak up, but as mentioned, my throat couldn’t be usable at the moment.
After she check through my mane, she then began to palpate the muscle at the back of my head and neck. Palpating is basically check how tender the muscles are, going from light to deep. As she applied pressure from the back of my head, down to the back of my neck, groaned in discomfort, which made her stop.
“You okay?” Twilight asked looking at me, trying to show my tough side I nod to her, then she instructs me, “Can you turn your head to your right?” I did so, looking to the right. “Now to your left.” Once again, turning it to look in the other direction, there wasn’t any signs of discomfort when doing so. She took notice of my neck and then informs me, “Well, good thing is that there’s no signs of deformities in neck. I believe that there’s only just tender pain in that area, meaning that the back of your neck muscles have been bruised. I wouldn’t worry however, it’s not too severe and a day or two’s rest would heal your neck in no time. Other than that, everything’s normal.”
I sighed of relief, my breath clearly visible once again. She caught notice of my breath and says, “Okay, the next test is to see the temperature of your body, and how my family does it is that we use an heat signature spell, this will be easier to check your body temperature. I just hope I remember how to do it.”
Her horn was once again lit by magic, focusing all of her energy on the spell. I noticed her irises in her eyes flickered multiple colors for a moment before going back to their original amethyst purple, and it caught me off guard for a second. “Whew, still got it.” She cheers to herself, making me chuckle. As she looked closely at my face, she squinted at some areas.
I wonder what it’s like to see through a heat signature spell? I thought to myself as she’s analyzing my ‘aura,’ I could imagine just seeing different colors of these aura Twi mentioned.
“Oh goodness…” She says nervously, I know that tone all too well, whenever she’s in that nervous tone, it means a couple of things, it would mean something bad is going to happen, or she would be too nervous to say it to me directly. I could only raise a brow in a questioning manner, she clears her throat and explains, “Well, in such a visionary spell like the heat signature, scanning the auras aren’t hard, but it’s finding the color that is tricky. In this case, the aura I’m looking for is either a ice blue, or, and this a very rare case, a white aura… Which is what you have. Below Zero patients who have white auras, their recovery can take about five day to a week.”
I slunk my head onto the pillow. For a week?! I thought to myself, But what if something really important happens and I was invited?! What if I was expected to show up for one the episodes?! I was panicking in thought.
“However, there is a way to speed up the recovery time.” She tells me, her nervous tone was still lingering, but I ignored and looked at her with hopeful and pleading eyes, she blushes for she’s about say next. “The, uh… the only to speed up said recovery is to… have some transfer of heat to your body, in this method’s case… cuddling.” She awkwardly giggles afterwards.
I too was blushing, my cheeks were getting warm at the thought. Forget the whole problems of other episodes, what will happen this doesn’t help?! Even if it did, will Twilight just catch this illness again?! I really wanted to oppose the idea, but the coldness of my body made me shiver again, making me squeezing my eyes shut.
Twilight’s P.O.V.
I see Wishing starting to shiver, not a good sign. As it was further mentioned, Below Zero is not deadly by any means, one of it’s harmful mechanisms of it is when somepony shivers, it means that cold temperatures are rising and needs care immediately.
I started to come around to the other side, climbed onto the bed, got into the covers, and quickly held Wish close to me. Oh sweet Celestia, he’s cold! I screamed in thought, and I wasn’t exaggerating either, his entire body was like an ice cube! I held Wish close against to my chest, wrapping my front forelegs around his upper body. His shivering was slowly but surely ceasing, resorting to him panting which is a good sign. I breathe slowly and calmly, letting follow my breathing pattern as soon his breathing returned to normal.
“There… any better?” I asked him, he only responded with a moan of comfort. I giggled at his response and gave him a gentle squeeze around his chest. “You should probably get some sleep Wish. I stay right with you whenever you need me.” I nuzzled his cheek with mine, he was like a life sized plush toy and the way his cold body felt soothingly satisfying, like a reverse heating pad. I gave myself a yawn, I felt a little drowsy and closed my eyes.
“Th-thank you.”
I snapped my eyes open and looked at Wishing Star. He said thank you to me, it was raspy and almost like a whisper, but I heard it clear as day. I smiled at the turquoise stallion, then looked out at the window, it was dark out, so I rested my cheek on top of his and fell asleep.
Even though it may not be a friendship lesson, it sure honestly felt like one, and I know exactly what to write to the Princess once this issue is taken care of.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Yesterday, I’ve learned a very different kind of friendship lesson, the lesson of importance and care.
I was informed by my friends that Wishing Star was sick from the same sickness I had as a filly, but thankfully, he’s going to make a full recovery by tomorrow. As I was taking care of Wish, I discovered how important he was than I thought throughout his time here in Equestria. Not only that, but I’ve also believe that he could be the key to helping me understand more about friendship!
That being said I also want to make two requests:
1. Is it possible for me to write to you whenever I’ve learned a friendship lesson? I know I’m organized when comes to these lessons, but I didn’t want you to think I’m tardy on them and I didn’t want to let you down by not learning anything at all.
2. Is there a possibility to have a understudy to learn with that isn’t a unicorn? If yes, then I would like to give Wish a journal in case he has learned a friendship lesson. I know he doesn’t have the same type of magic like I do, but I feel like he’s more important than we realized, and I think he doesn’t know it too.
As looked through the pool, watching Carson and Twilight cuddling, I couldn’t help but smile. These two are a very fine couple indeed, despite Carson being three years young than her, humans like him are very complex and irrational beings, but I can’t change on whom he loves. If he loves Twilight, then I won’t get in the way of winning her heart. I continued to watch their restful sleep, hoping they’re guided by Luna into the realm of dreams.
My smile then faded as I felt another presence in my Fount Well. I sighed, closing my eyes and said, “You shouldn’t have got yourself involved Devine.”
I heard slow footstep coming towards me, along with jangling sounds. Looking behind me, I see an anthropomorphic avian, standing at four foot three, his entire feathers were bright white, with black accents over his silver eyes, under his wings he has black feathers and talons of the same color, on his right leg is seven pairs of golden rings with different colors of the rainbow. This was my apprentice, the white horned crow, Devine Light.
“If you could be more specific my lady, I would’ve understand what you’re saying.” He says to me sarcastically.
I wasn’t buying it. “You know exactly what I’m referring to Devine,” I explained to him as I got up and walked to him, “You freed Discord while that boy was just getting himself settled in! How could you be so reckless?!”
“Why pass the blame on me my lady?” He asked me, “I only did it for the timeline’s sake.”
At this point, I don’t know if this was out of mockery or honesty. I just sighed in frustration and placed my left front hoof on my forehead. “Devine, when we are specifically told by the Great Star to leave any timeline alone, we let them play out unless we have to truly step in and interfere before anything gets worse.”
He crossed his wings and turned away from me, “Be that as it may my lady, every timeline needs to have Discord involved. I made sure of that.”
“But under what circumstances?!”
“By the Great Star’s circumstances, not mine.” He retorts at me with a snark, “I’m sorry if I come off as harsh, but do not question my motives if I had none unless other wise.”
I was once again not buying it, “Carson told me that you released Discord and sent him to blackmail him.” He looked at me with glare that matched mine as I asked, “Why?”
He scoffs and says to me, “Do you not see that this Carson had already caused a distraught to the timeline before he ever arrived here?” Now I dropped my glare and was left confused, “There was a disruption before he came here, and he was the cause of it. I told the Great Star of his existence, but it spoke of the prophecy, the one who will become the true savior of this Equestria. I told it that it was mistaken, but it refused to listen… so I took matters in my own wings.”
I was left in shock, not by the fact that Carson’s presence has already been noticed by the Great Stars, but the fact that my apprentice would try to have him blackmailed for his existence and would surrender to Devine? I was fuming. “I can’t believe that you would do this behind my back,” I say to him firmly, “And endangering the life of a boy no less! I will inform the Great Stars of this development and you will answer to them of the row you cause. Is that understood?”
I can see him sneering, a low growl from his throat. He stops, then he bows and says with the lowest tone he possibly could, “As you say… my lady.” He turns away and leaves the Fount Well.
But as he left, he shot a quick glance with an angry look in his eye, before returning to look ahead. I could only just sigh in sadness, I already know that Devine would walk down his path and I can’t do anything to prevent it… but I now know who can change his mind and heart in him.
I just hope that he hasn’t gone too far.
Devine Light’s P.O.V.
As I walked into my chamber, I looked at one of the guards and asked him, “Has the prisoner I ordered arrived?”
“Yes sir,” he confirmed, “Straight from the pits, as upon request. I must warn you sir, the Willing Wolf in question has had escaped slavery custody before and has suffered many injuries… are you sure he’s-“
“Just. Let me. See him.” I commanded the guard. Without any hesitation, he opened the gate and gave me a torch. Walking down a long spiral brimstone staircase that leads to a hundred feet drop, I stopped at the three hundred and a quarter feet to the end and brighten the cell.
The prisoner before me is a blue and white Willing Wolf, with a black sleeveless vest, and a worn out light gray scarf around his neck. He looked up at me with crimson red eyes, snarling at me with his canines.
I opened the cell door and walked slowly to him. “It seems that I was right having you here,” I told him coldly, “You really are something special Willing Wolf. I can see why your kind is truly the rarest.”
“Go to Tartarus you scum!” He snaps at me, “If you think I would work for you, you can forget it!”
I only smirked at him, looking at left over dried blood on his paws and under his muzzle, I start to make myself sound sympathetic, “You know… we have a lot in common than you realize. Both of us lost loved ones we care for so much, then we became slaves to abusive masters from far away lands.” I then leaned in and then whispered to him in his ear, “You still want revenge, don’t you? Revenge on Verko who enslaved you; Revenge on Ak’Nar who casted the branded enchantment on you; …Revenge on the Princesses of the Sun and Moon who had your kind eliminated.”
His ears perked up and looked at me in shock, while I crookedly smiled I him.
“Y-you couldn’t have known.” He said to me, his voice shaking.
“Oh, but I do,” I told him, “Princess Celestia and Luna were the ones responsible, and I have the proof.” From under my wing was a broken piece of a golden lance that one of the guards had on the day the Willing Wolves were annihilated. I let the piece drop with loud clangs on the brimstone floor. “You recognize this, don’t you?”
“This… this cannot be…”
“This was the same lance blade that was wielded by the same guard who killed your father, the same guard who ordered that cave in to kill you and your clan.”
Looking at the lance piece at first, absorbing the information that I told him. He got himself up and looked at me, the same angry glare he gave me when we first met from a few minutes ago. “Where is the guard now?” He growls.
“In due time,” I reassured him, “For now, I’ll make you a deal. I have a few targets I want you to eliminate, targets that you are quite familiar with.”
“They being?”
“The first target is Ak’Nar, the enchanter who placed the brand on you. He has a pendant called Blue Moon Medallion.”
“And you want me to retrieve it for you?” He asked me.
“No,” I explain to him, “The Blue Moon Medallion once belonged to your clan, it is yours and yours alone. The next target I want eliminated is the same slave master who kept you enslaved in Klugetown, the mole rat Verko, I too have grudges with that rat, but I have plans to get rid of the Princesses.”
He nods as he understands the targets, then he asked me, “Anyone else?”
I smiled and said, “Yes, there’s an armada called the Storm Corp, it’s lead by their current Storm King, Seuz. He’s too much of a nuisance and a dimwit of a conqueror, he leaves nothing behind when I specifically instructed him to find any artifact of each land.”
“He works for you?”
“Not anymore once you take his place.” I inform him.
He was shocked at the last piece of info I told him, “You want me to be the new Storm King? For what purpose?”
“Many purposes…” I cryptically tell him, I handed him a folded small piece of paper, “Once you complete your tasks, find these artifacts on this list. After that, you’re free to do whatever you wish. No strings attached.”
He looked at the folded paper, then back at me. “How do I know that I can trust you?” He asked.
“You don’t need to trust me,” I told him as I shot daggers from my wings, cutting the chains that held the wolf, “All you need to know is that want these accomplishments done, and I want everyone silenced. No witnesses.”
He got up and glared at me one last time. We kept staring for about a twenty seconds, then he says, “It will be done.” With that, he leave the cell on all fours and up the staircase.
I could only smile as I whisper to myself, “Like many before you, every dog will obey their master.”
Finally! We’ve gotten all of the ingredients for the stupid potion and have it made! We were in the stupid forest for about four to six hours! “I swear,” I say to the girls, “If I had to find another patch of nine leafed clovers again the next time somepony gets sick, I’m going to scream!”
“Now now, darling,” Rarity says to me, “Just be thankful that it’s just Wishing Star that needs this, and this would be the only time that we need to make this trip to Everfree Forest for something like this… I hope.”
“I can’t wait to get a ‘Make a Quick Recovery,’ party for Wish!” Pinkie exclaims excitedly, “He’s going to be so happy, he’s going to wish that would get better tomorrow!”
“Let’s not start rushin’ things Pinkie, healin’ takes time,” Applejack says to her, “But yer right, now that we’ve gotten everything for Zecora to work her magic and the potion concoctin’, Wish’s gonna get better in no time flat!”
For once, I agreed with AJ. Ever since that I heard about Wish’s emotional breakdown described by her, I was in shock. How could one pony like him hide it from us for three days or even longer, and not tell us about it? At first, I thought he was acting suspicious again, but given the evidence that Applejack and Rarity told me, I felt awful for him.
“Um… Rainbow?” Fluttershy snaps me out of my thoughts, “Is everything alright?”
I looked at her confused at first, but then I sighed and said with a smile, “Yeah, I’ll… I’ll be okay. I just still can’t believe he didn’t told us about his illness.” My foalhood friend gave me a confused look like I did, then I continued, “I-I’m not mad at him! I’m just… confused, that’s all.”
Rarity then says to me, “I’m just as confused as you are darling, we all are. Even though I do want to question him as to why he kept it from us, it’s best that we don’t put any more pressure than we did three days ago.” She then sighs sadly, “This is my fault.”
We were all shocked to hear her say that as she continues, “If I had caught wind of it earlier, I… Ugh, I should’ve paid more close attention and not get too caught up in my own work! I feel so… so…”
“Greedy?” Applejack finished for her.
Rarity dipped her head in shame as she nods.
Fluttershy steps in and says, “It’s not your fault Rarity, neither of us would’ve known about his illness. He’s must’ve felt like he didn’t want to let us down and continued on with his job helping you. You’re not greedy, you just didn’t know he was sick and didn’t think of it.”
As we got to the barn, AJ opens the door for us letting us in. Rarity felt better by Fluttershy’s words and putting her at ease. “You’re right. Thank you dear.” Rarity says as she gave Fluttershy a hug, then she continues, “I’m going to check on Twilight and Wishing Star, and see how well he’s getting.”
That being said, I crashed onto the couch and stretched out my wings and limbs. “Ah… glad that we’ve gotten that problem resolved,” I said with pride, “I’m never gonna do those scavenger hunts like that again, I’m seriously! Can’t they just get those items themselves?! I mean, I know we are the Elements of Harmony and all, but seriously!”
AJ just rolled her eyes at me, I know she’s right and she knows it, even if she hides it.
Morning, Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
As the light of Celestia’s sun once again shined through the windows in the bedroom. The coldness of my body was still there, but thanks to the warm body temperature of Twilight, I was kept from shivering last night. Opening my eyes to see a still asleep Twilight, I couldn’t help but smile again. Then, against my chest, I feel her head pressing against it… was she listening to my heartbeat this whole time while we were (No pun intended) knocked out cold?
I then noticed her smile and mumbling something in her sleep, I couldn’t make out what she said, but I would assume she’s talking about her research on this ‘Below Zero,’ illness. I found it remarkable that even though I wasn’t there to change her mind about her going insane in ‘Lesson Zero,’ she came over to me and helped me. I am truly in her debt, despite what she said to herself, calling herself a klutz at one point.
I looked at Twilight, and now I was wondering, What does her heart sound like? At the same time, she adjusted her position as she lays on her back, her head leaving my chest. Looking her chest, rising and falling with every gentle breath, my curiosity got the better of me and it was my turn to place my on her chest, and as I did, I noticed two things:
The first thing I noticed was that the tuft of pelt on her chest, shockingly to me, was soft, and I’m not talking about like a designed jacket, I’m meaning like one of those soft fluffy pillows that you rest your head on and let it sink in. With Twilight’s though, she has that fluffiness a lot more than any other pillow. Smart, talented, endearing, and a chest that fluffy and thick! I thought to myself amusingly, but then back to curiosity again, Did her family tree had a Pegasus ancestor at one point?
BA-BUMP
My eyes went wide as to how loud her heart was beating, making me lift my head off of her chest and look at her, her smile was still there. It got me thinking more and more, and it reeled in to only one question. Does she… have feelings for me? Thinking it that there must be some sort of fluke, I rested my head on her chest again and listened. As I did, the loud beat of her heart was audible again. Holding her close, beats began to pick up it’s pace, and if I remembered correctly at one point, her heart was beating ten times as if it was playing a melody! Her heart beats in a My Little Pony theme? I thought to myself after her it returned to it’s normal beatings.
I chuckled at this new found fact and looked at Twilight. I’m glad she isn’t a normal pony, nor a normal unicorn for that matter. Though, it got me thinking, when her heart was beating the way it was, was she thinking or dreaming about me?
Not wanting to disturb her or ruin the moment, I rested my head on her chest again, listening to her heartbeat more, hoping that little melody would play again.
12:17 P.M. Twilight Sparkle’s P.O.V.
As I opened my eyes and seeing the sunlight through the window, I looked at the clock above the furthest window and checked the time. Goodness, I never sleep that long! Hehe, I guess I could see why Rainbow Dash enjoys these kinds of naps. I thought to myself amused. As I was about to get up however, I felt something on my chest. Looking down at my chest, seems like I had an intruder to my heart.
I chortled quietly at the sleeping Wish as I petted his reddish-brown and golden yellow mane. His body temperature seems to be returning somewhat normal, that’s a every good sign. I sighed, just looking at him, seeing him sleeping so peacefully, I can’t imagine how he would even sleep through those two days have a cold body.
I suddenly heard a door open and in came Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, coming in with a breakfast tray. “Good morning Wish!” Fluttershy greets first, “I hope you’re feeling-“ Pinkie then gasped dramatically. I quickly used my magic to keep the party pony’s mouth shut, that as to not wake Wishing Star, looking at him, he wasn’t startled awake. I sighed of relief and gently moved his head off of my chest and back onto a pillow, I had to make sure that it was properly fluffed of course.
I quietly got out of bed and mouthed to the shocked earth pony and pegasus to leave the room quietly. Both getting the hint, we left the room and knowing them they’re probably going to scream in shock, so before I closed the door, I casted a soundproof spell around the room, making sure he gets his rest with any audible distractions.
I sighed and looked at them, releasing Pinkie’s mouth, and said, “Okay, go ahead.”
Oh boy, did they let me have it? They screamed so loud, the very house shook! Pinkie Pie, I could understand, but Fluttershy? She usually doesn’t scream that loud, it’s always like a soft shrieking! As they stopped, the look of shock on their faces were still imprinted on them.
“We’re so sorry!” Fluttershy says apologetically, “We didn’t mean to intrude like that!”
Pinkie’s reaction was a very stark contrast to Fluttershy. “Oh my gosh! You two cuddled?! You two are coltfriend/fillyfriend already?! *Gasp!* Did you say 'I love you' to him?!”
I was blushing by the questions she kept peppering me with. Sure, we cuddled, but that doesn’t mean it was any of the romantic sorts! “Pinkie! It wasn’t anything like that!” I explained to them, “All I was doing was keeping him warm so he doesn’t shiver so much!”
“What the hay’s goin’ on up here?” Applejack asked as she, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash came upstairs. They must’ve stayed overnight after they got back from their adventure in Everfree Forest. “Ah haven’t heard screams like that since Granny’s panic attack of mice that came through her room!”
“TWILIGHT AND WISHING STAR CUDDLE!” Pinkie explodes very loudly, that earned a gasp from Rarity, Applejack a very shocked expression, and Rainbow?
“WHAT?! You guys cuddled?!” She asked me, that made us look at her confused at her statement, but then she says, “Uh! I-I mean, ew! Gross! … did you two even kissed?”
“IT WASN’T LIKE THAT!” I exploded, my face was getting redder than an apple, “I only slept with him just to keep him warm! That was all!”
Fluttershy then asked me, “Then why was his head resting on-“
“Keeping him warm! How many times do I have to say that?!” Applejack and Rarity were smirking at me with a look that could rival Princess Celestia’s practical knowing face.
“Alright, sugarcube, alright. We get the hint.” Applejack says casually, her smirk was still spread across her face, “Anyway, we’ve gotten some breakfast all set for ya and Wishin’. I’ll go check on ‘im and see how’s that cowpony’s feelin’. Rars, care ta join me?”
“Oh yes! I hope he’s feeling better than yesterday.” Rarity says to her as they went inside his room.
As the rest of the girls and I went downstairs, I felt like I forgotten something… I should’ve taken care of it… Oh well, I’m sure I’ll figure it out once I had breakfast.
Applejack’s P.O.V
We checked on our rough rider and he seems to be wakin’ up, heh, about time too, I would’ve sent in little AB in for the good ol’ wake up call, but I remembered that she and the rest of the Crusaders were at a sleepover at their clubhouse. “Hey there pardner,” I greeted him as he looked at me groggily, “How are ya feelin’?”
He smiles and says in a raspy voice, “Better.”
Rarity and Ah sighed of relief. “That’s quite good to hear, you’re even beginning to sound better too darling!” Rars says to him cheerily, giving him a hug, “Oh! Before I forget, I took the liberty of getting your clothes cleaned.”
“Thanks” he says with gratitude as she hooves the clothes over to him, looking at them, he feels somewhat conflicted by something. “U-Um… AJ? Rarity? I… I want to apologize for… for everything.”
“Oh sugarcube,” Ah say to ‘im, “Ya’ll have nothin’ to apologize for.”
“But if I don’t say this now, I’ll regret it later!” He insisted, he took a deep breath and then began, “I… I’m so sorry… I really wanted to tell you, but I was so focused on helping you, it became a priority for me. Ever since I first met you girls, for the first time in my life, I felt like I can do anything and be something for once! Rarity, when you gave me an opportunity to work for you as an apprentice at the Boutique, I’m eternally grateful for the job opportunity, and I still am… but I feel like I’m just taking advantage of you…” he the brought the clothes to her as he then finished by saying, “Here… take them. Somepony may probably will need them more than me.”
Rarity looked his clothes, then at me with a sympathetic look on her face. She looks back at Wish, pushes the clothes back to him and says, “You’ve done nothing of the sort darling. If anything, it’s you who had done so much. Probably much more than anypony else could. You helped save Equestria from Discord, you’ve helped make everypony smile, heck, even Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo look up to you like an older brother they never had!”
He was taken aback by what Rarity had said. “Really? Th-they look up to me?” He asked her, she nodded in response. He slumps down in shock, “W-wow, I… I didn’t know how much of an impact I made here. I’ve been here in Ponyville for a week and three days, and already I’ve made a impact on everypony here.”
“Patient check up!” We heard three fillies, we turned to the open door and there was the Cutie Mark Crusaders , dressed up as doctors.
We heard Wsihing Star chuckle as he greets them raspy, “Hey girls! What are you doing here?”
“Applebloom told us that she was being a doctor so she can help you feel better,” Sweetie Belle explained to him, “So we thought that we could join in and-“
“And possibly earn a medical cutie mark in the process?” He guessed.
Scootaloo jumps on to the bed and answers him, “Yeah! Applebloom also said that she was appointed as head doctor until Twilight comes back!”
“What do you mean?” He asked her.
Ah jumped in and then explained, “Well, that’s what we wanna tell ya’ll, The National Dessert Competition was only a day away and Pinkie Pie has invited us. She was gonna invite ya as well, but given as to how yer still sick…”
“It’s okay AJ.” He says to us, “I understand. I can watch the Crusaders while you’re away if you’d like?”
“You mean we watch over you.” Scootaloo corrected him. Ah see how he’s looking at me, knowing the Crusaders, they’re gonna stop at nothin’ to get their cutie marks.
Ah just gave ‘im a hearty chuckle and said, “Well, we’re off then! Ya’ll have fun now!” Both Rarity and Ah left the room and shut the door behind them.
“You really think it’s a good idea to leave the fillies care for Wish?” Rarity asked me.
Ah looked back at the door, giving a moment before answering, “Honestly? Ah think he’ll be fine with ‘em, besides, he seemed to handle them very well bout a week ago. Though, given that he’s sick, he’s gonna need some backup…”
“I’ll watch over them.” She says confidently, I raised a brow at her, “Trust me. Dealing with fillies and a sick stallion will be easier than sewing dresses… Alright, terrible comparison, but still, every Carousel Boutique employee needs to be in tip top shape.”
I chuckled and said, “Well, yer the boss hoss.”
Rarity’sP.O.V.
I made sure that the pomegranate tea nice and warm for Wishing Star, using my magic to lift the tray and being very careful as to not accidentally spill it on the floor. Making my way upstairs, I overheard laughter coming from Scootaloo and Applebloom, and hearing Sweetie Belle asking, “He didn’t!”
“No joke.” I heard Wish say, “My dad flipped that table so hard, it spins around seven-twenty degrees away from him!” He was cracking up laughing as he continues, “And so, *snort* so I-I came in to the living room, and then I asked, ‘Dad what’s going on?’ And then-then he says, ‘I had a king at the very bottom of the deck! Why was it at the very bottom of the deck, you dipstick?!’”
They were laughing like a pack of jackals at a stand-up comedy club, of course I couldn’t help but giggle at the small portion of his story. I regained my composure and knocked on the door.
“Come in!” He says.
I cleared my throat from the little skit and calmly said, “Hello Wish. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve made some more tea.”
“Thank you Rars.” He replies to me, taking the plate and cup, he took a tiny sip and took in the flavor of the drink. “Mmm… very devine M’Lady.” I noticed that his smile started to fade as he looked at his filled cup, tapping on the ridge. I could tell something was bothering him
“Is something the matter Darling?” I asked him, he stayed silent for a few moments. I turned to the Crusaders and then asked, “Girls, could you give your patient to speak with me in private?”
“Sure!” Applebloom says, “We’ll be waitin’ out by the door if ya’ll need us!”
The Crusaders left the room and closed the door behind them, leaving just me and Wishing Star alone, for now. “Wish, are you alright?” I asked him.
He sighs and says to me, “Be honest with me Rarity, do you think… do you think I’m just mucking up everypony’s lives by just being here?”
I gasped in shock by the question, does he really still feel like he's interfering with our lives? "Honestly," I say to him kindly, "I'm very much happy that you're here in Ponyville, darling. You've made things much interesting and you would step in to resolve conflicts when nopony else would. So, no, I don't think, nor do I believe that you're causing a bother to anypony in particular."
He gave me small smile, I can see a hint of sadness in him. I've seen it so many times, that's taking Sweetie Belle into an account. I know Rainbow would crack a joke, but what would she say? I thought to myself, Hmm... wait, earlier, he and Twilight were cuddling. Does he perhaps have feelings for her? "So... You and Twilight?" I asked him in a teasing attempt.
He looked at me confused, but the slowly transitioned to a face of shock. "R-Rarity," he stammers, "I-I can assure you that-"
"Honestly dear, I never took you as a romantic type!" I say to him, cutting him off, "Twilight told me that there wasn't anything going on, but I think you two have quite a romantic spark."
His blush was getting redder. "M’lady please, it's n-nothing like that, it's-
"And the way you rested your head against on her chest. Hehe, I could tell you liked how her heart sounded like. Oh! Rainbow even asked Twilight if you two kissed ye-"
"NO, I DIDN'T KISS HER, GIVE A REST ALREADY!!!" He shouted at me, I know he didn't mean to be rude, but he didn't have to be so harsh.
...
"But you like her, yes?" I asked him. At first, he didn't answer me, his eyes darted away from mine. I then say to him kindly and gently, "Wish, look at me." Hesitantly, he lifted his head up and looked me directly into my eyes, I know a pony who’s falling in love and the look in his eyes tells me the whole story. “You have a thing with Twilight, don’t you?”
“No.” Oh honesty, now you’re acting like Sweetie Belle! I thought to myself as I pressure him.
“Admit it.”
“Nah-uh.”
“You love her.”
“That’s a lie.”
“You’re lying to yourself.” I said to him firmly.
He caves in and says, “Okay, yes, I love Twilight… I love her and I just… ugh, I don’t know how to say it.”
“Well, you’re in luck dear,” I say to him, “I happen to master of one of the hidden languages in all of Equestria. The art… of flirting!”
He placed his hoof on his chin in thought and says, “Well, I could… but what should I say? Or more specifically, what should I say that would be towards her?”
I then placed my hoof to my cheek in thought. That is a good question, what should he say and do to flirt with Twilight? After giving it a thought, a lightbulb went off in my head. “Ooh! I got it!” I cheerfully exclaim, I then went to his ear and whispered the idea to him.
He turned to me with wide eyes and asked, “You’re sure that’ll work M’lady?”
“Absolutely.” I say to him encouraged.
After Twilight Sparkle’s P.O.V.
I had to say, being detective was quite fun! If any mystery like that ever happens, I would jump into the opportunity to solve one case at a time!
“I still can’t believe that you were that quiet when you gotten your hooves on that piece of cake AJ,” Rainbow chuckled giving her a nudge.
“Hey, Ah couldn’t help it!” Applejack defended herself, “Ah know ya’ll couldn’t help yerself as well.”
Rainbow chuckles embarrassingly. Truly, it’s nopony’s fault that they had that cake, I’m just glad everypony learned their lesson today. As Applejack opened the door, I went in first and the first thing I notice was that the lights were off. “Hey Applejack?” I asked her, “Did you left the lights off when we left?”
“No, why?” She asked me.
As if on cue, the lights went on and I was taken aback by a scene that I wasn’t expecting, right on the couch was Wishing Star, laying on his side, looking very, very strange, and he has a what looked like a rose in his mouth? And… is that slow music I’m hearing in the background? “What the heck?” That was the only thing I’ve ever said, I was completely confused.
“Hey…” He greeted me with a strange accent, “How’re you doin’?” He raised his eyebrows twice.
That’s when I realized something! “Wishing Star!” I say to him, “What are you doing out of bed!? You’re suppose to be resting!”
His ears went flat and dropped the rose from his mouth and looked very confused. “I-I’m sorry, what?” He asked me.
“You know what Wishing Star!” I scold him, getting him off the couch using my magic, and gettting his turquoise flank upstairs, “You’re suppose to be resting, not being up and about!” I could hear the girls giggling and snickering, though I have no idea why, but that was ‘t my main focus right now.
As we got in the room and sighed, “Now, stay in there, and don’t get up until you’re fully recovered.”
As I was about to leave the room, I heard Wish say, “Whew… Is it hot in here?”
That was when I really something. “Oh! I completely forgot!” I used my magic once more to lower the temperature of the room. “There we go, not too hot, not too cold.” I say with approval, I looked back at Wishing Star looking very dumbstruck.
“B-but, but-“
“Now, get some rest. See you tomorrow!” I say to him and closed the door behind him. I went back downstairs and see the girls with funny grins, except for Rarity who just facehooves herself and shook her head. “W-what?” I asked them.
“Oh, nothing darling.” Rarity reassured me, “Nothing at all.”
It's been about five days since my sickness, and boy, did it feel good to actually get out of the house?! Don't get me wrong, I really do love spending time with the Apple Family, and the Cutie Mark Doctors have been a big help getting me better, but the one accursed scene kept playing in my mind, me flirting with Twilight and not even getting the hint! Even now, I still refuse to sleep in the guest bedroom and on the couch, despite Applejack's reassurance that, "Ya'll get 'er next time."
How did it go so wrong so quickly?! I asked myself, Surely Twi has clearly heard of flirting! It should've been a open book to her! My eyes went wide of what I should've said to her instead of whatever bullshit that was back there! Gah, why does it have to be so hard to win a girl's heart?!
I sighed in frustration and took another sip of my iced mocha, that's when I heard a familiar squeaky voice. "Hey! Wishing Star!" I looked at the direction where the front door to the café is, and there was Sweetie Belle, rushing over to me like as if she won a gold medal in the Olympics.
"Oh, hey Sweetie Belle," I greeted back as she came to my side, it's like looking a miniature Pinkie Pie, "What's gotten you excited?"
"My parents are here in Ponyville I wanted to make breakfast for them, and make a separate breakfast for Rarity in bed!" She explained to me, that's when her excited energy died down and into embarrassment, "Th-though... Um..." I know where this is going and the beginning to that episode. This was the episode where Sweetie Belle and Rarity would have a fight and temporarily separate. This was Sisterhooves Social.
"You're worried that would you burn down the Boutique on accident?" I filled in the rest of the info that she wanted to tell me, of which she nods to, blushing a bright red. I could tell the filly really needs help. For those who may not know, or for those who lived under a rock before Grogar's time, Sweetie Belle is a, well, sweet filly, but when it comes to cooking? Well, let's say she rivals Spencer Shay's combustible gags any day.
"So, I was wondering that you could help me?" She asked me.
I chuckled as I took another sip of chilled drink and sighed from the delicious aftertaste, Rarity did say I'm like an older brother to her and the rest of the Crusaders, so... IT'S BIG BRO TIME!!! "Alright, Sweetie" I began, "What are we making for breakfast?"
This immediately lit the unicorn filly and explains, "Oh, I'm making sweet carrot pancakes, spiced warm apple cider, hay-con, and eggs! Come on!" She then bolted quickly to the front door, making me chuckle again as I left a tip for the server, taking my iced mocha with me. As I trailed behind her, she then asked me, "By the way, Rarity told me that you tried to woo Twilight. How did it go?"
That ultimately made triggered flashbacks of that failed blunder, so I took a deep breath and shook my head.
"What's wrong?"
"Well," I started, "Let's just say things didn't go to plan Sweetie."
She then stops to gasp, covering her mouth in shock and says, "She rejected you?!"
"What?! No no no!" I reassured her, she then sighs in relief as we then continue to walk on, "It's just... I don't think she gets the whole concept of 'Being wooed,' by a pony yet. The question is to how do I even woo her and give her the signs?"
"Oh, I know! I know!" Sweetie Belle exclaims, "Why don't you give her some flowers? That's a sign of you loving somepony."
I was completely taken aback by her suggestion, why didn't think of that sooner? "Hey, that's a great idea Sweetie Belle! Say, you wouldn't happen to know if Rarity has stashed the Dancing Spectras in her Boutique somewhere?"
She shook her head and says, "No, but the flora shop seems to have them in stock recently. Well, last I checked anyway."
"Then that's where I'll head to next afterwards." I say to myself. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice that Sweetie Belle seems to be lost in thought. "Something else is on your mind other than breakfast?"
Sweetie jumps out of her thoughts and stammers a bit, “Oh, n-no no, no, nothing. Nothing at all, hehe…” Jesus H bloody Christ, are all ponies here that terrible liars? I thought to myself. I decided to keep quiet for a little while, true some eldest would like to tease with younger siblings, I’m one for pushing their limits that much, well other than encouraging them that it. “A-actually… Wish, do you think I’m cute?”
Now that got my attention and thought of that is completely out of character of Sweetie Belle. “Well,” I started, “I think you’re cute in your own right. Why, was Diamond Tiara telling you otherwise?”
“No, Diamond Tiara isn’t the problem,” she explains to me, “I-It’s just… It’s just some stupid crush I have on with a colt.”
“This colt got a name?” I asked her, hopefully it’s someone that I know, though it could be any colt, Chip Mint, Rumble, Button Mash-
“I-I… really don’t know his name,” she says to me, which made me fall backwards, anime style. Please tell me that you’re fucking kidding me. I thought to myself as I got up quickly. The unicorn filly then added, “B-but, I do know what he looks like!”
Finally, some context! “Well, what does he look-“ she squeal of shock from the filly cuts me off, which has gotten me very confused. “What? What is it?” I asked her, she frantically pointed in front of me, to see a young colt.
He was very strange looking, and not anypony that I would’ve recognized either. His pelt is a medium dark shade of blue, much like Princess Luna’s, with a ghostly green-cyan color, something that I found very odd about that color is that it”s usually infatuated with ghosts. His ears are triangular with dark insides, and it has a large tuft of fur tipped with the same green-cyan color on top of its head. His muzzle is short and rounded with two small fangs seen in the upper jaw when its mouth is open. He also possesses a ruff of black fur around his neck, perhaps it’s like a scarf of some kind? He also has a short and bushy, green-cyan tail, no Cutie Mark, and his eyes were a red-orange color.
He seemed to have spotted me and Sweetie Belle as I heard the white filly squeaked in surprise and hid behind me once again. He seemed to have recognized me and started to rush at me. “H-hey!” He calls out at me, “You’re that Wishing Star guy, right?” Stops right in front of me, seemingly very excited to see me, like as if I was his hero… well, to be fair, I’m everyponies hero, but he’s acting like as if I’m Rainbow Dash.
“U-um, yes,” I say to him, a little nervously “That I am, and you are?”
“The name’s Wisper Crisper.” He introduces himself, he almost sounded like the original Ash Ketchum if he was in pony form, “But, you can call me Wisp.” He gave me a fang toothy smile. I feel like there’s something off, looking around Ponyville’s market stands, I noticed that there’s nopony in particular that even looks like him, and just by those standards, I could guess he isn’t around here.
“Okay, uh, Wisp, was it?” I asked him, he nods to my question, I then continued on, “So, I take it you’re a fan of me?”
He nods once again and says, “Ever since you showed that Discord jerk who’s boss, I looked up to you, so did the other foals! In fact, many foals were calling you, ‘The Neighotiator!’” I was trying my best not laugh at that name they gave me, what kind of kid in their right mind would even call me that? I will give them credit for coming up with something original however.
“Is that right?” I say to him, looking around to see if his family was near anywhere of the markets, “Are your parents aware you’re here?”
He broke eye contact with me and looked behind him, stammering, “U-uh, yeah! They are. I just wonder off sometimes, heheh.”
“And they’re okay with that?” I asked him, he nods quickly. I don’t buy it. I thought to myself, There’s no way that a parent would just be okay with a kid wondering off without their consent. “You know where they are?”
“Yeah, they’re at home.” He told me, he then notices Sweetie Belle, who was blushing at the sight of him, “Hey! You’re that filly from school, right? I was looking for you.” He pulled something out of his green satchel bag, it appears to be a circular pin that the initials ‘S.B.’ “You dropped this from your work journal.”
Sweetie Belle was shocked to see the pin. She gently took the pin, blushing like mad. “Th-thanks.”
The colt chuckles as he prepared his satchel, “Anytime. Well, I gotta get going. Oh! By the way, are you going the Sisterhoof Social? It’s coming up tomorrow!”
“You’re going as well?” Sweetie Belle asked him, peeking from behind me.
He shook his head and said, “I’m the only foal in the family, but we’ll be there to see the event. Well, I gotta go. See you later!” With that, he ran off and disappeared into a flood of ponies.
Sweetie Belle came out of hiding and sighs, “Isn’t he cute?” Cute? Sure. I thought to myself, Suspicious? Looks like it. Either his parents are terrible at parenting, or he’s lying about his parents being okay with this wondering behavior. Who even is this kid? She then noticed me, staring at the crowd. “Wish? Are you okay?”
I snapped myself out of my thoughts and reassured the filly, “Yeah, I’m alright. He’s quite a colt alright. Come on, we’re gonna be too late if we want to make Rarity some breakfast.”
As we kept on walking to the Boutique, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re going to run into that colt again soon, and can’t help but keep repeating the same question in my head, Who is Wisper Crisper?
Carousel Boutique
As we carefully enter the shop, thanks to Sweetie’s magic to make the bells stop jingling, we went inside the kitchen and grabbed the cook book from the cabinet. Now, keep in mind, Sweetie Belle, for whatever reason and no matter how she makes things, seems to go up in flames… literally… but I believe that with the right guidance, I think Sweetie Belle is going to be one of the best chefs in all of Equestria.
“Okay, Sweetie,” I say to her cheerily, “What do we need?”
She turned a couple of pages with her magic and stops on the Carrot Pancakes recipe. She then says to me, “Okay, we need 1 3⁄4 cup of milk; 2 eggs; 1/4 cup of butter; 4 chopped up medium carrots; 2 cups of flour; 2 tablespoons of baking powder; 1 teaspoon of salt; 4 tablespoons of sugar; 2 dashes of nutmeg; and 2 dashes cinnamon.”
I looked around in the other cabinets for the utensils and bowls for both dry and wet ingredients. While I getting those, I suddenly heard a Bwoosh! I looked at where the noise came from, right inside the pantry was a leftover cloud of flour and Sweetie Belle, coughing out the flour, with some of the white powder on her face. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I got a rag and wiped off the flour off, thank god that didn’t caught fire. “Next time, ask me for help, okay?”
She understood and we continued on to grab the rest of the pancake ingredients. Looking through the fridge next, we took a couple of carrots and set them on the countertop. I have to say, some of the veggies and fruits are quite fresh. I know this is world is full of magic and I’m not arguing their logic, but still, how can they stay fresh and still taste good?
“Okay,” Sweetie says cheerily, “Now, we need the cider ingredients!”
I nod, returning to the cook book once more. “That requires-“
“Um… Wish?” She interrupted me, I turned my head to her, who seems very nervous. I know what’s she’s going to ask about, and it’s not about a colt. “W-what if this doesn’t work?”
“What won’t work Sweetie?” I asked her, kneeling down to her height, concerned.
“W-well… it’s just that… every time when I try to do something right, or being helpful, I always mess everything up.”
I tilted my head with a smile, I can relate to her, I’ve always been afraid of letting my dad down by getting terrible grades at school, or not living up to the expectations that he wanted me to do. After my tenth grade graduation, he wanted me to sign up for the military, like how mom did, of which I did applied to. The outcome was not what I expected. I received a letter back from the military saying that I have a concerning head injury, of which that I wasn’t even aware of, and said that I could have a blackout and be sent home early. In other words? I was unfit for duty.
“Sweetie,” I say to her, “I’m going to tell you what my dad told me, ‘Whenever you know what is right, you must also know the courage that it demands.’” She tilted her head in confusion, so I continued by saying, “In other words, your efforts of doing said right thing isn’t a bad thing, or anything to be frowned upon. Even if you messed up, this a motivation for you to try again.”
“To try again?” She asked me, of which I nod to.
“Doing the right thing is one of the most positive and powerful things to do.” I explained further to her, “It will always make you feel good and proud. It is an excellent opportunity to do something for the world. Always be kind and forgiving to others. Doing the right thing is always is a really satisfying feeling to have.” She gave me a smile, making me smile as well. “Now, how about we make the best breakfast Rarity has ever seen, shall we?”
Rarity’s P.O.V.
As I readjusted my pillow, sleeping sweet dreams, my nose caught an aromatic smell. Ooh, something smells quiet divine! I thought to myself in my sleep, Oh... Are those sweet... carrot... pancakes I smell? I gasped in delight, those have been my favorite breakfast foods when I was little. Mmm, how divine, num num num num. The aroma... spiced warm apple cider.
But then question came as to who’s making it? Wait… who is making it? I gasped in shock, waking up in realization, I tried to get out of bed… only to fail at realizing that I still had my night mask on. Yanking it off, I rushed to the door, pulling it open, only to see Sweetie Belle and Wishing Star right in front of me, their top halves were covered, I could only assume is pancake batter.
“Morning Rarity!” My little sister says excitedly. I looked at the tray of pancakes, the warm cider, hay-con, and eggs, then I looked back at my messy little sister and my co-worker.
“D-did… did you two-?” I stammered at my words.
“You have yourself a very talented chef in the family.” He says to me, patting my sister on the back, then he noticed how frantic I looked, “Did you get any sleep M’lady?” I looked at him confused. Seeing him pointing at my mane, I then realized that I haven’t brushed out my mane.
“Oh goodness! I’m so sorry dears!” I apologized, “I didn’t realize that it was early morning! Let me just get myself a touch up and-“
“Actually Rarity,” Wish explains to me, “We came here to serve you breakfast in bed. Well, it’s mostly Sweetie Belle’s idea, and she cooked all of this for you.”
“Yeah…” I heard my little sister says, sounding very sad, “I just wanted to be helpful and not upset you…” She was looking very upset. Lifting my head up to see Wishing Star, nodding in approval. I could see that he had indeed helped her making such a wonderful breakfast, she put a lot of work that went into it.
“Sweetie Belle,” I say to her very kindly, “This is a wonderful breakfast, and I really appreciated you do this.” I gave her the biggest hug I could ever give her, holding her tightly. I feel really awful for not being grateful to my little Sweetie Belle, what kind of Element of Generosity would I be if I don’t accept others’ generosity in return? “If anything, you’ve been a big help.”
“Hey, I’m right here.” Wish says to me, playfully pouting like a child, he then proceeds to give out a harrumph and looked away. I smiled at this performance, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. The look on his face was absolutely adorable as he stammers with a crimson blush, “Y-you didn’t h-have to do that, b-but you did it a-anyway.”
Sweetie and I giggled at his blushing. “You want any pancakes Wish?” I asked him, offering the breakfast with him.
“Oh, no thank you M’lady,” he generously declines, “This is Sweetie’s gift for you, I gotta go put together a gift for Twilight. Hopefully, it doesn’t become a flop like last time.”
I nod in agreement. Truly, I thought that it would work with flirting, but it seems apparent that Twilight hasn’t gotten the concept of it, if only she could… this made me gasp and say, “IDEA~!”
“What is it Rarity?” He asked me.
“She doesn’t know that you have feelings for her, correct?” I asked him, of which he nods, “Weeeell, why don’t you try to be a secret admirer!”
His eyes widened, mouth agape as the idea sinned into his mind. “Rarity, you’re a genius!” He exclaims in excitement, “Why didn’t I think of that?! Thank you Rarity!” He gave me a quick hug and rushes out of my room.
I sighed out a giggle, shaking my head, “Young love.”
Golden Oaks Library, Twilight Sparkle’s P.O.V.
“And that’s when I realized that the temperature of the room was the problem,” I continued on to Spike, as I put one of the books on the shelf, “After I took care of that, I went downstairs and the girls, for some odd reason, started giggling.”
“Eh, I’m sure it’s nothing Twi,” Spike says to me with a shrug, putting another book away, “Besides, now that Wish is better, you don’t have to stress yourself watching over him.” I nodded, though truth be told, it wasn’t that stressful at all, quite frankly the opposite. “Hey, shouldn’t that letter to Princess Celestia that you sent about five days ago be here?”
Now that he mentioned it, why didn’t Celestia written back to me yet? The sun and moon have been raised and lower throughout the week, so they haven’t been absent from their duties… I wonder what’s going on in Canterlot? I thought to myself.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it.” Spike volunteers as he placed another book on the shelf and went to the door. He proceeds to open it. As he does so, I was at the highest point of the ladder, putting last two books away. “Oh! Hey Wish!” Spike greets, that made me immediately turn my head and see the turquoise earth pony stallion, standing at the doorway. “Good to see you!”
“Good to see you too Spike.” He says as he gave a hug using his right fore leg, it’s something in his right hoof that caught my eye, a bouquet of flowers. In it wrapped plastic, it has pink roses, purplish-pink gardenias, red peonies, and in the middle of those sets of flowers is a bunch of Dancing Spectras! Wish sees me up on the ladder and greets, “Hey Twi!”
I snapped out of my gaze at the multicolored flowers and my left hind hoof suddenly slipped off the rung, I yelped in fright as I fell off the ladder. From that quick free fall, I was caught by Wish. Our eyes were connected and seeing his eyes… my goodness, his eyes were like bright yellow gemstones that were hung among the night sky, so clear, bright, and beautiful…
“You okay?” He asked me, I couldn’t answer him after that fall. I was always careful on the ladder, this is the first time it ever happened before. I was breathing heavily as I tried to recollect myself, Wish helped me up and asked again, “You okay?”
“Y-yeah…” I responded shakily, my legs started to wobble like as if the floors themselves had started to move. “S-sorry about that… I’m usually more careful.”
“Here, let’s lay you down for a moment. Spike give me a hoof, erm, claw, will you please?” Wish asked my assistant, Spike came over and helped me get draped onto my side.
“Gosh, that was some fall,” Spike remarks to me, “If Wishing didn’t come to you in time, you could’ve seriously hurt yourself.” I nodded in agreement with a smile and a faint blush, it took me back when I fell off a ledge when I was heading on my way to the Castle of the Two Sisters, but it’s thanks to my friends, they were able to catch me.
I then saw the bouquet of flowers on the small, brown wooden table, my attention was once again drawn to the Dancing Spectras. “Are those the Dancing Spectras in the bouquet?” I asked Wish.
He titled his head in confusion at first, but then when he sees what I’m looking at, he then realized what I meant and says, “Oh yes, they are! They just came in stock at the Flora Market today, and I thought, ‘Well gee, I think Twilight’s secret admirer would probably like the idea of these flowers being sent to her!’ So, I bought them and brought them as an early birthday present.”
That made me raise a brow. I have a secret admirer? I asked myself.
“You guys don’t happen to have a vase for flowers like these, do you?” He asked us.
Spike tells him, “I’m sure we do, let me go get it.” He went into the kitchen to go fetch the vase, leaving just the two of us.
“S-so… um…” I tried to think of a conversation as I was about to get myself upright after recovering from the shock, “Did… you want to take a look at some books?”
He smiles and says, “Well, since I’m here, I guess it couldn’t hurt.” Just the way he smiles, at any point, he just brightens my day by just smiling, not like in the way how Pinkie Pie’s affect anypony. “Here, let me help you up.” He rested his head under my chin as he carefully get me back onto my hooves. Why am I feeling so warm? I thought to myself as I get up, the shaking in my legs seemed to have ceased.
“So,” I started, “What can I get for you?”
“Well, I’m actually looking for a fairytale romance book, if you have one of course.”
My eyes went wide upon his request. “You read fairytale books?” Wish nods yes to my question, the warmth in my face once again resurfaced. “O-oh, I think we have some in either the adventure section, which is on the middle bottom shelf, fifth row over, or the romance section, bottom shelf, second row over.”
“Perfect.” He says as he went to the romance section, scanning along the books, title by title, “Wow, I’m quite surprised that you have young adult books here.”
“Yes, well, I don’t read much of those.”
“Not a fan?” Wishing asked me as he looked at me, I shook my head no, “Well, you should give a couple of them a read, probably could help change your perspective in the world of love.” He then went back to the books and suddenly gasps at what he sees, “Get out! You have ‘Beauty and the Beast’!?”
“Oh! I didn’t realize that we have this!” I say in shock as he pulled the book out, “I take it that’s the one you’re looking for?”
“The one I’m looking for?!” He asked me in a excited tone, “This is one of my favorite books as a foal!” I giggled at his hyper attitude about the book as he opened a couple of pages, which he proceeded to sniff at. “Holy cow, this even smells like the one when I was a colt! Here, smell this!”
He gave me the book a gave a quick sniff, the age of it’s page was very old, but it was very rosy, like in the story itself, a story as old as time.
I then realized something. “You… sniff books?”
“Well, not as much,” he says to me honestly, “Many other foals considered, well… weird. I hope you don’t think of me as such.”
“Oh! No no no, not at all!” I reassured him, giving him the book back, “I smell my books all the time! I’m just surprised that you smell books like I do.”
He gave the same kind smile and was blushing… I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t as well. He opened the book and looked at the first page. I looked at the page as well, reading the prologue.
Once upon a time, in the hidden heart of Prance, a handsome young prince lived in a beautiful castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was selfish and unkind. He taxed the village to fill his castle with the most beautiful objects and his parties with the most beautiful ponies.
Then one night, an unexpected intruder arrived at the castle, seeking shelter from the bitter storm. As a gift, she offered the prince a single rose. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince turned the mare away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within.
When he dismissed her again, the old mare’s outward appearance melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress.
The prince begged for forgiveness, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart! and as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle, and all who lived there.
As days bled into years, the prince and his servants were forgotten by the world. For the enchantress had erased all memory of them from the minds of the ponies they loved. But the rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose.
If he could learn to love another, and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.
As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?
“Hey! I got the-“ Spike called to us as he saw me, resting my head on his shoulder, neither of us were paying any attention to our surroundings. When Spike called us however, we suddenly realized what happened and we scooted apart for a moment, blushing. “Um… you do realize there’s a thing called, ‘A room’?”
“Haha,” Wish said sarcastically, looking at the clock he remembered something, “Oh shoot! I need to head back the Boutique! I’m gonna be late for work!” Gathering his belongings, he stood up and looked at me. “Um, h-here, you can put-”
“Actually,” I cut him off before he tell me to put the book back, “Why don’t you keep it?”
He looked at me in shock, “W-wait, seriously?!”
“Yeah, you love the book so much, so I think you should have it. It’s all on me.”
He looked very giddy, pulled me in to give me hug and said, “Oh thank you!” He let me go and quickly head to the door, but before he shouted, “I’ll find a way to make it up to you! I promise!” With that, he swung the bottom half of the door and smacked his head to top half, he groaned in pain, dropping the book.
I gasped as I went to check up on him. “Are you okay?!” I asked in a fit of shock, as he turned to look at me, I gasped again to the sight of his nose bleeding. “Spike! Tissue! I need a tissue! Quick!” My assistant does so as he hurried to the kitchen once more.
“I-it’s not that bad, Twi,” Wish says to me, quickly putting his right hoof over his nose to prevent any blood dripping on the floor.
“It looks like it to me!” I retorted as I noticed the book on the floor. Picking it up with my magic and giving it back to him. The blood from his nose dripped a couple of drops on the cover, I shrieked as I tried to wiped the blood off. “Spike! Tissues!”
“Working on it!” He calls from the kitchen.
“I-it’s okay Twi, really,” Wish tries to reassure me, “It’s nothing serious, I can use the tissues at the Boutique.”
“Ohh no,” I scold him, “You’re not going to trickle anymore blood until we get this taken care of.” I really meant it, just the sight of blood really just sends shivers down my spine, I never wanted to imagine if that’s my blood that was dripping!
“I got them!” Spike exclaims as he came to me, a paper cube box with a tissue sticking out.
Pulling a piece out with my magic, I first gave it to him and instructing him, “Stuff this in your nose until it stops bleeding.” Wishing Star does so without a fuss as I grabbed another piece I wiped the blood off of his book, they’re something that needed to have special care and such a book like ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ should not go stained. I sighed of relief as the cover was now sterilized of any blood and gave the book back to him, “There we go, good as new.”
He looked at me with a blush on his face, with the piece of tissue sticking out of his nose. I giggled at the sight of his misfortune, but I comforted him and said, “Don’t worry, it’ll stop bleeding. Just head over to the boutique, I’m sure you got a lot of work to do.”
Wish nods and replies to me, “Thanks again Twi. For the book, and helping me with,” he circles his hoof around his face as he finishes, “Making me pretty again.” We both chuckled at this, he gave me one more hug and says his farewell to me and Spike, after I opened the top part of the door for him.
As he left, Spike tells me, “By the way, there’s a card that was in the flowers. I think it’s from your ‘secret admirer.’”
He gave me a small folded card, the square trimming on it was a metallic purple. As I opened it, it was in a very neat writing and it reads:
You are very sweet and beautiful like any kind of lavender. I hope we get to see more of each other, Your Secret Admirer.
I looked at the direction where Wishing trotted away from.
“I sure hope we get to meet to him too.” I say to myself as I placed the card on the table next to the flowers.
Spike chuckles at that compliment, “I think you’ve already met him.” I looked at him confused, causing him to roll his eyes, “Oh, come on! Isn’t it obvious?! The illness? The weird behavior you mentioned earlier? You two dancing together? The flowers? The card? It’s clearly obvious that he’s into you.”
Now that he did mentioned it, I did got a warm feeling when Wishing Star rested his head on my chest when he got sick. I mean, it was my choice to go see him instead of finding a new friendship lesson to encounter, but I did learned a lesson from it.
“Or maybe…” I thought aloud, “Maybe he’s not telling me something about this ‘Secret Admirer.’ Why would he protect this ‘Admirer’s’ identity if he, nor I, clearly haven’t met him?” I looked at my assistant again, who is completely dumbfounded by my question, like if I answered an a question wrong. Quite clearly, that expression on his face tells me I’m missing something. “Maybe I should go to the Flora Market and investigate. Care to come along Spike?”
“Huh?” He snapped out his dumbfound gaze and shook his head, “Oh uh, y-yeah, sure!”
“Great!” I exclaim cheerily, “Seems like Detective Twilight’s on the case once again!” Looking at the hat rack, I levitated my Sherluck Hooves hat, placing it on my head and grabbed my notepad. “Come on Spike, we got a case to solve!”
Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
Taking a look at the pages of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ I was quite taken aback by how many changes were in this version. For one, the form that the prince took was of a Manticore, but unlike the ones in Greek Mythology where they have two animal heads with a snake head tail, this one has the head of a lion, horns of a goat, and a tail of a copperhead snake. It also had the hind legs of a pony, and the fronts legs looked wolf-like.
Another thing I noticed was that instead of a hunter killing him, it was a sickness that seemed to had been passed down from his mother’s side of the family. I’m guessing they only did that so they don’t scare the foals if their parents read this to them.
I was so drawn in the book, I didn’t realize that I was humming that one song from Disney’s 1991 interpretation of the story, ‘Something There.’ I chuckled at myself as continued onward to the Carousel Boutique, looking at the tall, merry-go-round building.
As I went to the door to check myself in for work, I suddenly heard a very loud and audible, “Sweetie Belle, watch your tone!” I jumped back a little from the voice from the other side of the door, that was Rarity’s voice and I know that tone all too well. Oh no! I thought to myself in worry, Am I too late?!
The conversation continued on from inside, “I am still your big sister.”
“Right!” Sweetie shouts at her sister “And any sister who cares about her sister goes!”
“Sweetie Belle...!” The eldest white unicorn scolds, “Honestly! Playing silly little games in the dirt is just... uncouth! With or without a sister.”
“Well maybe I'll try the Sisterhooves Social without a sister! In fact, I think I'll try the rest of my life without a sister and having a brother instead! Wishing Star is a better older sibling then you ever will be!” Rarity gasped by the hurtful denouncement made by her younger sister. I too gasped, but much quieter. When she said that I’m a better sibling than Rarity, my heart dropped.
No, she… she can’t mean that. I thought to myself, still in shock by Sweetie Belle’s accusation, she couldn’t have meant that! I got to put a stop to this! I opened the door, not even the door’s bell above me even took their hated gaze off of one another.
“Oh, I'm the one who's ruining your life?!” She fired back as they got into each other’s faces. “Really?! Have you looked around this place? I'm the one who'd be better off with no sister!”
“HEY!” I shouted at them, quickly turning their heads to look at me in surprise.
Rarity, being the actress as she is, decides to recompose herself and tries to be sweet with me. “Wishing, darling! H-how long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to hear the both of you going at each other’s throats.” I said to her in deadpan tone.
Rarity nervously giggles at this, “Now now dear, this isn’t any concern to you. It’s just family matters.” Using the word ‘family,’ through her teeth and quickly give Sweetie Belle a glare shot before looking back to me with that ‘oh so innocent,’ smile, but I know better.
“Nice try,” I say to her, “But I know this involves me as well.” It was my turn to look at Sweetie. “Sweetie, what you said to Rarity is completely unacceptable and hurtful, and not only did you say something as unforgivable to Rarity, but to me as well.”
“BUT IT’S TRUE!” She shouts at me, “When Discord was about to take over Equestria, you stepped in and ended it more peacefully! You were also grateful of having me and the Crusaders of having us take care of you when nopony else did! And you even helped me make breakfast for Rarity this morning! You should’ve been my older sibling, not her!”
Rarity gasped and was about to retort, but I stepped in and told her, “Rarity. Let me handle this.” Looking back the unicorn filly, I knelt down to her level and explained the situation very carefully to her, “You’re not wrong in some areas-“
“See!?”
“Don’t interrupt.” I say to her kindly and patiently, “You’re not wrong that I would be a better sibling, but the thing is that, despite me wanting to have siblings of my own, I don’t want to take advantage of the both of by just accepting you as my little sister. And if I would be given a choice to be accepted by your family, I would do it in a heartbeat, but just forcibly making me part of a family that you’re rejecting is something I will not accept.”
Sweetie Belle looks at me incredibly upset, and understandingly so. I guess she really does look up to me as an older brother like Rarity said, but right now, I need to be the peacekeeper between the sisters and get them together again. Which made me turn to Rarity in a disappointing look.
“And you. I can’t believe that you have even the gall to choose work over your own family.”
Rarity looked at me in shock and retorts, “Wishing, I have no idea where you’re getting that idea but-“
“But I’m beginning to believe it’s true from what I’m seeing from you.” I cut her off, then I looked at the makeup she wearing and this gives me an idea and possibly a philosophy that I could teach Rarity, “In fact, just by looking at you, I’d say you always, always, chose yourself over anything else. So, was that whole, ‘cutting your tail off to give a sea serpent an new mustache,’ story that I kept hearing about, was that a lie?”
My boss had never had been shocked to hear the words that came out of my mouth and upsettingly argued, “No! If you wanted to have confirmation on that, you should ask Twilight!”
“Don’t you dare drag your friends into this.” I firmly warned her, “You maybe the Element of Generosity, but being generous must come from the goodness from the heart. From the looks of thing, all I see is a mare hiding behind her kit of makeup and a thousand excuses.”
She gasped at my remarks and retorts again, “I have nothing to hide at all!”
I raised a brow at the response in question like she told me a very terrible lie. “Really?” I asked her, she nods at me. I looked at her sternly in the eyes and said to her, “If you have nothing to hide, then go wash the makeup off and look at yourself in the mirror.” She looked at me very confused as if I was crazy. “You heard me, go wash the makeup off. Go on.”
She does as I asked her and heads up to the staircase, giving me one more look at me and with that, she goes upstairs to the bathroom. I’m really hoping that this works.
“Why did you ask her to wash off her makeup?” Sweetie Belle asked me.
I knelt down to her level again and said to her, “To prove a point.” She tilted her head in confusion, so I recited what my father taught me, “‘There are those who would rather hide in a mask multiple colors and act on their own accord, but in truth, they’re too ashamed as to who they are inside. Too afraid to let go of their illusion of control. Undo what they become, and you’ll help them understand as to who they once were.’ That is what my father told me. It means that you have to help them look deeply into their heart, look as to who they are now and understand the mistake of hiding behind a mask of alternate selves and illusion.”
Sweetie, who seems to understand what I’m trying to say to her, smiled at the lesson I told her. She looked at the staircase, understandably now concerned for her older sister, then asked me, “How long do you think she’ll be in there?”
Looking at the direction of where Sweetie is looking, and say to her, “I’d say, mm, probably five, seven minutes, give or take?” She sighed, knowing her sister, she would probably would take up more time than that. But then this gave me an idea. “Hey, have you ever heard of solitaire?”
Rarity’s P.O.V.
Hmph! I can’t believe that I’m being asked to even remove my makeup! Do you know how long it takes a lady like myself to get her makeup ready? Almost about twenty to thirty minutes! Honestly, I can’t think of why Wishing Star, my own employee of the Carousel Boutique, why he would even as such an uncouth thing to even have me do! But, if it helps with Wishing Star’s request, I will do so without question.
As I entered my bathroom, I started the faucet with cold water, I grabbed some makeup remover in case some leftover mascara got left behind. Using a washcloth, I ran it through under the down stream of water, dampening it, and washed off the makeup off. “Ugh, all of that hard work,” I grumbled to myself, “All of this preparation.”
Starting from above my eyes and working down to my lips, I looked at my face, seeing my smeared off work on face, I really thought I looked awful! Completely awful! I stared at myself in mirror for about fifteen seconds, then I noticed that not all the makeup was completely off, using the makeup remover and repeated the process, wiping off any more mascara that was left over.
Now seeing at myself the second time, I was still disgusted as to how I looked, just who am I even seeing in the mirror?!
…
Just who am I?
My eyes began to widen in realization as the words of Wishing Star started to sink in. “You maybe the Element of Generosity, but being generous must come from the goodness from the heart. From the looks of thing, all I see is a mare hiding behind her kit of makeup and a thousand excuses.”
and now looking at myself in the mirror more clearly, I now suddenly realized whom I was turning into… just like those snobby royalists that rejected Wish’s call for help… Just like Prince Blueblood. “Oh…sweet merciful Luna…” I say breathlessly, tears starting to stream down from my eyes, “W-what have I become?” I began crying hysterically, I couldn’t bare myself to look at myself in the mirror anymore. I sobbed into my hooves, all of this time, I was so focused on with my work, abstracting myself away from my own family… my own sister.
I cried for almost about a minute or two, finally lifting my head up and away from my hooves and looked back at the mirror once again, no longer disgusted with how I look without makeup on, but with how it affect with how looked as a pony, as an individual.
Looking at a pair of scissors that I usually trim my mane and tail, I only had one thought, and one thought alone… Perhaps… it’s time to change all of that.
Set the scissors down for a moment, I removed the fake eyelashes and put them in the trash. Running the water again, I dampened my mane, soaking it in and letting it fall, droplets of water dripped on my bathroom floor. Using my magic to once again to grab the scissors. Sighing to myself to let all of my stress and worries go, I then say to myself with confidence, “Alright Rarity. It’s time to let your inner beauty shine.”
Three minutes had passed, and I finally got the mane and tail style that I truly needed, short and spiked up a little, I really quite admire it. Satisfied with how I looked, I decided to give Wish and Sweetie a sneak peek at the new Rarity. Leaving the bathroom and going downstairs, but before I could announce myself, I heard my little sister groan in frustration.
“This is hard!” She says in agitation, “There any cards left from the rows that I can use!”
“Okay, okay,” I heard Wish chuckle, “Let’s not get frustrated here. It was difficult for me too, but remember, there always other cards from the deck, so let’s look there.”
I didn’t want to interrupt their time together, but I really wanted to show them how much I’ve changed. I took a deep breath, and giving myself a boost of confidence I needed. So, stepping of the stairs and cleared my throat, getting Wish and Sweetie Belle’s attention, their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and their mouths hung agape. “H-how do I look?” I asked them.
For a couple of seconds they didn’t say anything, until Wishing replies, “Wow, Rarity… I didn’t think you were going to-“
“Change myself entirely?” I finished his sentence for him, I tittered and told him, “Well, I gave it some thought on about what you’ve told me, and you’re right. I should’ve been a better example and a better sister. In fact, I remembered on what you told me and the girls on the first day we met in Everfree Forest, and I’m vowing myself to never be like them, e and so help me Celestia, I will never be like that part of a Prince that is Blueblood.”
He smiled at me said proudly, “Good to hear, M’lady.”
I giggled at him told him, “Oh, please, no need to be formal anymore Wish, just Rarity will do.” I then turned my attention to my little sister, sighing sadly and filled with regret, “Sweetie Belle… I’m very sorry about what I said. I’m not better of without a sister. In fact, without you, I… Ugh, what am I saying?! Everything would be a wreck without you! I’ve been a horrible sister to you and… and I understand if you won’t forgive me for it.” I hung my head in shame and remorse, waiting for a response from Sweetie Belle.
I suddenly feel small forelegs wrapped around my waist, causing me to open my eyes and my little sister, hugging me! I then heard her say and she silently sob, “I'm not better off without a sister either.” I was very relieved to hear those words, and returned in kind by hugging her closely and tightly as I could, cooing her as she cried into my chest.
“And hey,” I say to Sweetie, she began to look at me, tears still rolling down her face, “I’ve been thinking about the Sisterhooves Social, and I’ve changed my mind.”
She looked at me in shock, “Y-you mean, y-you want to-“
“Absolutely.” I agreed to her, “And who knows? Perhaps attending this event might even your Cutie Mark.”
Seeing Sweetie showing her adorable smile, it made me incredibly whole again. “So can we go?” She asked me excitedly, wiping her tears away.
I nodded and looked at my trusted employee and asked, “Wish, could I request that you watch the Boutique while I’m gone? I have an event I must attend.” I smiled looking at my sister.
“I’ll be happy to Rarity.” He says proudly.
With that said, Sweetie Belle and I head on our way to the Sisterhooves Social. As made our way to the event, the only thought that raced through my mind, wondering how the girls will react. Then again, why would that even matter? I’ve made my choice to go with this style, I’ve made my decision to go to Sisterhooves Social, and I’m going to make Sweetie Belle proud.
As we made to the event and signed in, we saw Applejack and Applebloom heading to the starting line, unaware that other ponies saw my new mane and tail style, gawking and talking about it, not that I don’t mind of course as I smile through the crowd and we headed to the start.
Applejack and Applebloom then took notice of us and they too were shocked to see me. “Rarity?” AJ asked me, I nodded confirming it’s me, “Ah thought ya don’t like farmin’ activities? And what’s with the new look?”
I tittered again and told her, “I’ll be willing to tell you, if you could beat us.”
Applejack was taken aback of course, seeing this side of me had never been shown. But she smiles and shrugs it off telling me, “Well, whatever the reason is, Ah say it’s a good look for ya. Shame it’s gonna get messy afterwards.”
“And since when did you care that I’d get messy?” I remarked playfully, recalling back to that moment in Everfree Forest when she made me get mud on my mane.
AJ knowing all too well by what I mean, gave out a chuckle, “Well then, good luck to ya.”
Granny Smith, who is the announcer for the event, has spoken through the megaphone, starting us off, “On yer marks…”
“You too.” I tell my country friend, me and Sweetie Belle getting ready, I looked at her and then asked her, “Ready for this?”
“Get set…”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Sweetie Belle says to me with confidence, making me smile and look ahead, knowing that this is going to be quite an event that neither of us will ever forget.
Man, talk about progress! I defeated my first villain in Equestria, I’ve made a somewhat an impression on my favorite character, and just today I resolved a conflict between Rarity and Sweetie Belle! Not only that, but I’ve managed to convinced Rarity to get rid of her makeup, but she went an extra mile by changing her mane and tail style, and convinced her to go to the Sisterhooves Social, and she and Sweetie Belle won!
As a celebration of Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s first Sisterhooves Social attendance and victory, we gathered at a picnic where ‘Lesson Zero’s’ picnic took place. Everypony was able to come to the picnic, from what I could see there was Rarity, AJ, RD, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo-
“Hey,” I asked everyone, “Has anypony seen Twilight or Spike?”
“Oh! Oh! I know! I know!” Pinkie raised her right hoof up like as if this was a class question, “She’s working on case of a mysterious stranger that’s been lurking in Ponyville!”
“A mysterious stranger?” Applejack asked the party pony, to which she nods. Is she talking about Wisper? I thought to myself, If so, then that is a good case… but wait, everypony should know everypony in Ponyville… does this mean they don’t know who this foal is?
However, the response that Pinkie told us made me side step the question entirely, and made me doing a step take in the process, “She says that this mysterious stranger only goes by, ‘The Secret Admirer.’” I busted out laugh, nearly spilling my glass of apple cider, I then heard Rarity, Applejack, and the Crusaders laughing their heads off as well, I think Flutters was giggling too, just not loud enough to hear.
Rainbow was clearly clueless. “What’s funny about that?” She asked us.
“Oh darling! You don’t know?” Rarity asked the tomboy pony, she leaned in says to her, “Wishing Star is Twilight Sparkle’s secret admirer.”
“Whoa whoa whoa, what?!” RD asked, looking at me in shock, “You have an admiration for the egghead?”
I chuckled as I leaned back onto the tree trunk, crossing my hind legs (which feels quite weird the first time, but I gotten use to them like this,) and placing my front hooves on the back of my head, as I gave her a hearty chuckle, “Well, what can I say? I have a thing with smart mares. Especially the dorky kind.”
“Ooh, such boasting.” Rarity remarks as she giggles, “Seems like now you have competition Dash.”
“Heh,” she grins, “Competition? The only competition I got is being the best flier in all of Equestria, and last I checked, no pony could even top me!” She stuck her head up with pride with crossing her forelegs.
Ignoring her boasting of self ignorance and egotism, I looked around the beautiful scenery and asked everyone, “Really nice scenery we got going on here.” Looking above the sky, I noticed some clouds rolling by. “Say Rainbow? Didn’t the Weather Patrol say that there’s going to be no clouds, just a clear sunny sky?”
Rainbow looked up saw the clouds, she raised a brow. “Huh, yeah they did say that.” She stretched out her wings, readying to take off. “Not a problem, I’ll get ‘em out of there.” She zips off, leaving a rainbow streak behind.
We watch in awe of her cloud bashing. It’s quite incredible how fast Rainbow can go, and it’s coming from the other side of the screen and into this perspective, zooming through the skies like a jet going on a blitzkrieg.
“Say Fluttershy,” I asked the yellow pegasus, “What’s it like being friends with a speedster like her?”
“Oh, she’s a great friend,” she explains, “I don’t think I couldn’t even get over the fear of flying if it wasn’t for her. Even in flight school, she cheered me on to do my best. I’m very grateful to have somepony like her, even if she’s full of herself sometimes.” She giggles at the last sentence that was said, looking up Rainbow’s flight maneuvers, making her sigh afterwards, “Sometimes I wished I was brave like her.”
Giving her a reassuring smile and a gentle pat on the back, I tell her, “Hey, you’re braver than you say you are. You just need to find a way to truly show it.” She looked at me in surprise by my words of encouragement and reassurance, then gave me a kind smile afterwards.
We then suddenly heard a loud, frustrated groan. Turning our heads got the direction of the source, we could see Spike and Twilight, who of which is wearing a duck hunter’s hat. I couldn’t help chuckle quietly, the poor unicorn must be really stumped by this ‘case,’ she even had bags under her eyes to prove it.
Everypony greeted her, to which she responds with another groan of frustration as she plops on the picnic blanket.
“Long day at the office dear?” I teasingly asked the lavender unicorn. She turned her head up at me with a looked with a face as if was asking me, ‘What do you think?’
“Twilight darling? Are you alright?” Rarity asked her in concern.
Twi sits back up with a sigh, “It’s just been a long day Rarity… I know I should be relaxing right now, but I still can’t get this ‘Secret Admirer,’ out of my mind! I should be patient and wait to see who it is, but now it’s gotten me curiouser as to who this pony is! Why is it so hard to pin point who this is!? There is approximately two hundred and forty-one ponies that could be this admirer!”
“I kept telling her that she should wait,” Spike informed us, shaking his head as he sat next to me, “But she was so confident, she kept going.”
I shrugged and said to her, “Well, whoever this is, they’re pretty good at hiding themselves in plain sight.”
The mares seemed to giggle in reply, while the two of the Crusaders and Spike groaned in disappointment, all the while Sweetie Belle, Rarity and I smiled at each other, knowing fully well that a new plan is about to unfold. “What’s so funny?” The lavender unicorn asked us.
“Twilight,” Applejack says as a few giggles escaped her lips, “What we’re sayin’ is that this admirer likes you more than anything else in Equestria. He’s in love with ya.”
Twilight’s eye nearly bulged out of her sockets in shock. “Wait, he… he loves me?! B-b-but that could be anypony!” Now it was my turn to chuckle, I covered my mouth with my hoof to make sure she doesn’t see my smile and not give away anything as she continues to panic, “I’m-I’m not fully prepared! Mentally, physically, or emotionally! I mean, I-I’m not usually a type for any stallion at all! I-I, I gotta- I gotta- I gotta figure out who this is and why they like me so much! If I don’t, I’m going to lose it and- mph!?” Pinkie suddenly shuts Twi’s mouth with some duck tape, how she even has duck tape, I’ll never know, nor do I even want to.
“There we go!” Pinkie cheers, Twilight muffles in shock, then in panic and belligerently, asking her to remove the duck tape off of her mouth, pointing at it.
“Twilight,” I say to her, she quickly turned to look at me, and I started the breathing exercise, of course, due to having duck tape taped to her mouth, she had to breathe through her nose. “Now, we need you to keep yourself calm, and let’s just have fun in this picnic. Okay?”
“Mm-hmm.” She muffles with a nod. I carefully helped Twilight remove the tape from her mouth, through her groans of discomfort, we got it off of her. She moves her mouth around and gave a sigh of relief, “Glad to have that off me. You’re right, I shouldn’t worry too much about this ‘Admirer,’ besides, my birthday is coming up within a week!”
My eyes widened as soon as she said that, I was super focused on helping Rarity and Sweetie Belle rekindled their sistership, I completely forgot about Twilight’s gift!
“Oh! That reminds me!” Rarity says to me specifically, “Wish, I have a request that I need of you. I’m going to Canterlot for a couple of days, and I need somepony to keep the Boutique running while I’m gone. I hope that isn’t too much trouble.”
That would lead into the episode of ‘Sweet and Elite!’ I know Rarity’s becoming more humble with the change she’s showing now, but still, I could still need her help! “Umm… A-Actually Rarity,” I admitted to her, “I could actually acquire your assistance and expertise since you’re heading to Canterlot, and maybe I could… come with you?”
Rarity was quite shocked by the offer, but she placed her hoof on her chin and gave it a thought. “Well… I don’t see anything wrong with it. You’re more than welcome to come to Canterlot… but are you sure?”
“What do you mean?” I asked my boss with a confused look.
“Well, if I recall from your experience at Canterlot, it’s where your troubles with some high class ponies began,” She explains to me, placing her hooves on my shoulders, “I just wanted to make sure if you’re going to be okay.”
Just seeing Rarity this concerned for me and not going on prattling about the high class ponies, bragging about them, I think I really did changed her. I smiled and said to her, “I’ll be okay Rarity, I promise. Other than that… well…” I looked at Twilight, then back at my boss, I leaned in and whispered very quietly, “I need to find a gift for Twilight.”
Rarity looks at me, then a thought came into her mind. “Well, I think I happen to know somepony who recently moved to Canterlot and started up shop there,” she explains to me quietly, “He makes the best the finest steel-based jewelry, necklaces, and bracelets. It think it’s called ‘Steel Crafts.’”
“Never heard of it.” I say to her with a shrug, “but that’s a place definitely worth checking out.” This could be a solution for getting the perfect gift, it’s a good change of pace for Twilight getting books all the time.
“Wonderful!” Rarity says cheerily as she clapped her hooves together, “Well, I suggest we should get to packing early.”
“Oh! That reminds me!” Pinkie says cheerfully as she bounced up, “I gotta go get the cake and cupcakes ready! And I could use an artist’s help.”
I was taken aback by the party pony’s request, she wants me to help her design a cake? “Pinkie I-“ I stammered in shock, “I’ll be honored to help.” I then looked at the Crusaders, this hatches me an idea. “If the Crusaders would like to try an idea with me?” The fillies looked at me with shock, I want to show them much support of getting their cutie marks and help them in any way I can, after all I am an honorary member of the Crusaders.
“But, we already tried baking.” Scootaloo informed us sadly.
I knelt down to the fillies height, and gave them words of encouragement, “Well, it can’t hurt to try again. I mean, look at Rarity and Rainbow Dash, they followed their passions on what they liked and this is more than just a one time thing to them. I’ve been doing the same thing, believe it or not.”
“And what’s that?” Applebloom asked me.
“Well, one of my passions is drawing,” I explained to them, “And since I work in the Carousel Boutique, I’m more of a concept artist, meaning I show designs that Rarity wanted me to draw and come up a finalized design. I hoping at least my cutie mark will be at least art related.”
This got Sweetie Belle inspired as she cheerfully exclaims, “Then what are we waiting for?! Let’s get to baking!” This type of attitude has now gotten the Crusaders now motivated to give baking a try again.
“That’s the spirit Sweetie Belle!” I encouraged, I then placed my hoof for a all hooves in, and the three placed their hooves on top of mine as I then announced, “Cutie Mark Crusaders!”
“CAKE DECORATORS, YAY!!!” they cheered loudly and jumped in the air in excitement and rushed off to Sugarcube Corner.
“First one there gets to taste the cake batter!” Scootaloo declares as she ran. I chuckled as Pinkie Pie and I went to the bakery as well. This is going to go well, I know it.
Sugarcube Corner,Pinkie Pie’s P.O.V.
Ooh! This gonna be so much fun! Wishing Star’s cake design is going to be great, I know it is! As we got inside, we could see Mr. and Mrs. Cake behind the counter. “Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cake!” I greeted as we walked in.
“Oh, Pinkie dear, good to see you!” Mrs. Cake greeted back, “And I see that the Crusaders are with you.”
“Hi, Mrs. Cake!” The Crusaders greeted in unison.
She waves back at them, then she asks me, “Um, Pinkie? Would you mind if you help me with reaching for the oranges? I can’t seem to reach them.” I nodded and went behind the counter. Poor Mrs. Cake, being pregnant with twin must’ve not been easy for her, especially with reaching capacity and other limitations.
“Who’s that fine youngster with you Pinkie?” Mr. Cake asked me, pointing at my turquoise friend.
“Oh! That’s Wishing Star! He’s going to help me bake a cake for Twilight’s birthday!” I explained cheerily as I gave the basket of oranges to Mrs. Cake.
“This fine, young gentle-stallion is the Neighotiator?” Mr. Cake asked me and Wishing Star, who of which was blushing in nervousness about his title.
“U-um… that’s what everypony has been calling me now,” he chuckles as he rubs the back of his head, “but you can call me Wish.” He started to sniff as the sweet aromatic smells started hit his nostrils like a toy train. “Mmm, something smells really good in here.”
“Like it?” Mr. Cake asked him, “We’re trying a recipe my wife and I are creating, a honey lemon and orange meringue chocolate cake, and a new addition to the menu, the Dancing Spectra berry cake.”
He chuckles at the last one and asks, “Potion brew ingredient, flora decoration, and now part of a cake recipe? What will they think of next, an mane spray?” Mrs. Cake giggled at his question, she could feel the foals moving in her belly. Wish gave a concerned look to my landlord. “You okay?”
“Oh, don’t worry about me dear,” she reassured him, “The foals just can’t wait to see the world.”
His eyes went wide learning at the fact that she’s pregnant, it’s one of those funny faces of shock that you get like a performer doing all kinds of crazy stunts! “W-well, um, congratulations Mrs. Cake,” he stammers, “I-I’m sure that they’re going to be really excited to see you and Mr. Cake, ma’am.”
“Oh, thank you dear.” She says to him kindly.
“C’mon! We got a cake to bake!” I declared as he and the Crusaders followed me into the kitchen.
The Crusaders cheer as they and Wishing Star went to the kitchen as Mr. Cake says to us, “Well, you kids have fun, we’re going to visit the hospital and check if the babies are okay.”
“Send us early baby pictures!” I cheerily say as the couple went on their way out, I quickly gathered the ingredients and explained to them, “Okay! We’re going to need a baking plan as to what cake flavor should be and design it we could make! Wish! You get the designs started!”
“You got it cake boss.” He saluted as he went to grab some paper and a pencil.
“I’ll get the batter ready!” Scootaloo exclaims excitedly.
“Ah’ll grab the cake decorations!” Applebloom says as she went to the cupboards.
“I’ll get the utensils for baking!” Sweetie Belle informs us as she went to the drawers and grabbed the egg beater, whisk, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, and baking pans.
Wish returned to the kitchen table with some paper and pencil on hoof, placing them on the countertop. “Alright,” he says to us confidently, “So, what kind of designs are we going for ladies? Something cool? Something cute? What are we thinking?”
“Ooh! Ooh!” Scootaloo raised her hoof up, “Maybe we can make the cake to look like the Golden Oaks Library!”
Wish gave it a thought, then he asked me, “Pinkie, do we have enough crispy rice and fondant for that?”
“Uhh…” I giggled nervously, “Yes on the fondant… no on the crispy rice.”
“Well, that’s off the table.”
“Or on it.” I say to him, to which he chuckles to.
“Alright, any other ideas?” He asked us.
“What about a crystal cake?” Sweetie Belle asked him.
He raised a brow and asks, “Um, Sweetie, you do realize that this cake is for Twilight, right?”
“No no, what I mean is, why don’t we design the inside of the cake to look like crystals and quarts and stuff!”
I nodded in agreement and say, “Ooh! I have a modeling and texture kit in my room, perfect making it look like rocks and crystals!”
“Perfect!” He says, then he turns to me, “Pinkie, you’re going to be looking at a drawing genius in the works.” He then gets to work on the cake design. Just the way he does his squiggles, his zigzags, and how he makes those funny loop-de-loops and the jagged edges for the rock formations. Indeed I was looking at a drawing genius! Even the Crusaders were in awe at his drawing skills.
The design was remarkable! The shape of the center cake is to look like Twilight’s cutie mark, with five smaller star shaped cakes, each having a diagram of the geode designs inside the cakes, labeling the colors of bluish-purple and lavender, and on top of the center cake is a Dancing Spectra cupcake, along with other cupcakes with crystal designs.
“Wowie!” I say in shock, “This is really amazing! How come you don’t have drawing as a cutie mark?!”
He chuckles at my question and says to me, “Y’know, you’re the second pony that asked me this question. Rarity even asked me that… I guess drawing’s more like a hobby for me than a talent.” He then labeled what colors will be used for the cakes and cupcakes, and sets the paper aside. “Alright, let’s get baking. Pinkie, you and the Crusaders get to work on the cupcakes, I’ll work on the Dancing Spectra cupcake and the main cake.”
“YAY!!” the Crusaders cheered as they rushed to their respective station and get to work on the cake batters. Without a doubt, this is going to be the best cake ever!
25 minutes later, Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
I kept my hooves steady with the silver icing’s pipe bag, my hooves were shaking too much and spurted all over the cake. I exclaimed in dismay at the scene, I looked like I poured liquefied metal on a rock. “No no no no!” I groaned in frustration, trying to wipe off the icing off. Out of all the things that have be so hard, why does icing have to be one of them?! I thought to myself in anger and impatience.
“Are you okay Wishy?” Pinkie asked me.
I facehoofed myself at the nickname and groaned in infuriation, “No Pinkie, I’m okay. I’m trying to get the icing to stay on the edge of the cake, but no matter how many time I tried, I can’t seem to have steady hooves to get it done!” I slammed my hoof on the accursed icing pipe bag, but it was the bag that got the last laugh as it spewed the solidified, silver stream of sugar at my face. I spat out the icing in anger and into the sink.
Pinkie offers me a paper towel, looking at it and taking it out of her hooves. “I just don’t get it…” I say to her in confusion and anger, “How am I suppose to make the best cake ever for Twilight, if I don’t decorate a cake properly?”
“Aw, it’s okay,” Pinkie comforts me as she gave a reassuring pat on the shoulder, “It took me many tries to get the decorations right, but I live on three things. You know what that is?”
“Rage? Agitation? Humiliation?”
She giggled and shook her head no at my guess, then she says to me, “Practice. Patience. Perseverance.”
I smiled at her words and was about to thank her, but then I smelled something burning, looking behind me I see the Crusaders working on the cupcakes. Seeing that no one was watching the oven, I turned my head slowly at a smokey oven. I screamed in horror and quickly grabbed an oven mitt, put it on my hoof, and pulled the burnt Dancing Spectra cupcake. I don’t even know what I’m even looking at.
I sighed in frustration once again, looking at the destroyed cupcake.
“Hey, it’s okay Carson,” Pinkie told me reassuringly, “Mistakes like that is what makes you human after all.”
I nodded knowing she’s right. “Yeah, you’re right,” I replied to her, “I’m guessing that I’m just too much under-“ I stopped myself dead on my words, rewinding back what she says. I slowly turned my head to look at the party pony with a surprised look on my face. “I-I’m sorry… what did you call me?”
“A human?” She answered in a questioning manner, “Why?”
I was speechless. “H-How did you know that I am… was, a human? And how did you know my real name?! The only ones who knew about that is Lady Wishing Star, Lyra, and the Princesses!”
“And now me and the Crusader!” She says cheerily.
I looked at the three fillies, equally shocked as I was. Sweetie’s face went from shock to disappointment in five seconds. She then asks, “You… you lied to us?”
“What?!” I exclaimed in shock, “Nonono, girls, I didn’t lie to you!”
“Ah thought ya told yer an Englander! Why didn’t ya tell us who ya were before?” AB demanded me stomping her front hoof on the ground once.
I sighed and was about to explain, then I heard, “Well, how would you feel if he came and told you out right he was a human the first time. Would you believe him?” I looked at Pinkie Pie in shock. The Crusaders gave that question a thought with some conflicting looks on their faces. Pinkie thought as much as she continues, kneeling down to their height, “He’s only doing to protect you and our friends for our sakes. If any word like that gets out, he could be ending up in the research lab, having them, Celestia-knows-what. We’re going to make sure that his identity is kept safe, that’s a Pinkie Promise!”
I was at a loss for words. Pinkie just kept the real me a secret, even though she somehow knew that I was a human from the getgo! Pinkie looked at me does her Pinkie Promise to me. “P-Pinkie, I…” I stammered, “I don’t know what to say… oh, wait, yeah I do. HOW IN THE HELL DID YOU KNOW I WAS HUMAN FROM THE START?!”
She giggled at my question and says, “Weeeeell~, I knew from the conversation that you had with Lyra, just when my Pinkie Senses went off.”
I nodded slowly and then said, “I hope I don’t offend you by saying this Pinkie, but your senses does some weird shit to your body.”
“Hey!” Sweetie snaps at me, “Watch your language!”
“Oh, whoops.” I says deadpan. So apparently, they don’t know what ‘fuck’ means, but they surely know what ‘shit’ and ‘whore’ is… okay, well, maybe except for Rainbow Dash for the last one. But then, I looked at my party throwing friend and asked, “But, if you knew who I really was, why didn’t you tell the girls who I really was and try to pry the truth out of me?”
She looked at me with a very serious sincerity and explains, “I know we have secrets of our own, but I learned a long time ago that if somepony doesn’t want to talk about that that is too personal for them, then I have no right to press on any further. Yours is a special case, and if I told them who you really were, we could lose you and I don’t want to lose a friend forever.” She gave me a hug and finally said, “You’re too important to us. You have no idea how important.”
I was completely moved by Pinkie’s words. She could’ve just told everyone in Ponyville about who I really am and just leave me. Then again, this is Pinkie Pie I’m talking to. I got nothing else to say or argue with Pinkie’s logic and hugged her back in return.
After our embrace, I looked at the Crusaders with very sad looks on their faces. I sighed at the situation with the girls and said to them very sincere, “I know this is much to take in, and I’m very sorry for lying to you all. If you could give me another chance, I promise I will make it up to you.”
After a few seconds of silence, Sweetie Belle was the first to speak up, “Well… you did convince Rarity to go with me to the Sisterhooves Social, and helped her to be a better sister. So, I’ll give it a pass and accept your apology.”
Then it was Scootaloo’s turn to speak, “And you did stop Discord from tetraforming Ponyville into Chaos Town, so you’re cool in my book.” I chuckled at Scootaloo’s mispronunciation of terraforming. The other two Crusaders looked at AB with her showing a sign of absolute concern.
“Well, ya’ll already know this,” Applebloom tells us, “We Apples never had to hide any secrets from anypony. For yer sake Carson… Ah hope ya know what yer doin’, cuz if big sis and Big Mac find out about this, they won’t forgive ya and won’t let ya back in Sweet Apple Acres again! Ah don’t want ya to get kicked out!”
I knelt down to the filly’s height and gave her a reassuring smile. “AB, I promise, everything is going to be okay. You just leave AJ to me. Besides, she knew of my fake backstory and bought it, it’s only a matter of time before she really figures it out.”
As we nodded in agreement and accounted for, Pinkie Pie teaches me how to decorate the geode cake the way how she does it. There’s something about her energy and her positive attitude just pulls you in, and makes you smile. Pinkie isn’t really one of my top favorite ponies, but when it comes to brightening up anyone’s day it would be her with her over the top randomness and affectionate smile. I know she surely did.
We then decided to remake the Dancing Spectra cupcake, and this time it came out perfect! The cupcake based is a yellow cake with glimmering sparkles in it, which they are edible according to Pinkie and a couple of other ponies, the frosting has all of the colors of the rainbow.
I could only think of how I’m going to break this to Rarity, Applejack, Spike, and the rest of the girls, especially Rainbow Dash. Knowing her and Applejack, they have no problem kicking my butt to kingdom come, but in Rainbow’s case, sending me elsewhere than the moon, and I don’t even plan on finding out.
I just only hope tomorrow will go much smoother than this fiasco.
Ponyville Train Station, Rarity’s P.O.V. The next day.
I was looking around the station for Wish, he’s usually on time with scheduled time and date. Sweeping my newly turquoise and light yellow bangs aside as to not obscure my view of sight. I was starting to get worried, did he decided to no longer show up? Perhaps I was pushing him a little too much for having him coming along to Canterlot.
The words from Wish kept playing in the back of my mind, ”For years, I kept hoping somepony would just for once look and me and think, ‘You know, this guy might need help,’ but apparently they don’t have time for a grown stallion for getting a Cutie Mark.”
After Wish had me go through that change, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Back then, I use to believe that I was a Canterlot pony at heart, but now I realize that Canterlot might not be what I thought it would be, but surely there has to be some high class pony that are different than others, right?
However, my thoughts were put to a halt when I saw a very messy Wishing Star rushing towards me. His mane was completely messy and covered many colors of frosting, his pelt was matted, his eyes were red with bags under his eyes, and had a very very tired look on his face, with a exhausted pants. Trailing behind him was Pinkie Pie’s suitcase, Pinkie must’ve let him borrowed it until he gets back.
“Oh my goodness, darling!” I gasped in shock, “What in Equestria happened?!”
He chuckled at my shocked look, “Hehe, I though you… don’t mind messes anymore.” He yawned in between his sentence.
I just shook my head and gave out a chuckle of my own, “Really now Wish, we really need to get you cleaned up. There should be a wash room in one of the cars on the train. Plus, you look like you really need some sleep, you’d look like you went on a cake smashing spree.” We then heard the whistle from the train arriving, just in time! “Ooh! That’s our ride! Come along darling!”
“Right behind you boss.” He says, trying to sound excited, the poor dear couldn’t keep his eyes open. I place my travel bag on the train and helped Wish inside. We eventually got to the wash room and helped get the frosting out of his mane, before I could he asked me if I wanted to try it first. As much as I want to, I rather not lick the frosting off of somepony’s mane, it’s quite weird.
Seven minutes had past as the train chugs it’s way to Canterlot. Wish has been focusing on his drawing, and has oddly been quiet. I noticed his silence and I wanted to ask him something was bothering him, but I couldn’t help but marvel at his drawings, sweet Celestia, how he draws this well, I’ll never even know!
“You draw beautifully, dear.” I complimented him, making him raise his head up to look at me. “What’s that you’re working on?”
He sighs in frustration and explains, “Well, the first drawing is a dress.” He traced an air circle around the dress as he continues, “I wanted to make this simple, some bright yellows with added hints of pink here and there. On the back, there’s a pink bow, you know, like one of those fairytale dresses that’s those bows on the back?”
I nodded in agreement and looked at his design. “I must say, this is very simple. Twilight’s going to love it.”
“Yeah, then there’s birthday gift problem.” He then flipped to the other page, and my goodness, there are so many different designs! “See, I had the idea of a ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ rose necklace, but it’s…” he sighed afterwards and then continues on, “I don’t want Twilight to think that I’m just a suck up to her.”
I saw how tired he was, if the bags under his eyes weren’t a dead giveaway enough. I gently closed the sketchbook and told him very sincerely, “Wish dear, I think you’re well overdue need of sleep. Trust me, I learned that working endlessly without sleep twenty-four/seven isn’t the best idea. I’ll look over some of your drawings and I’ll come up with a plan. Sound good?”
He nodded in agreement and rested his head on the other side of the seat, eyes shut and getting a very peaceful sleep. I smiled with a soft giggle. Work related or not, I thought to myself as I looked at his sketches, He really does have an amazing talent for drawing and display incredible works of art. A huge shame his cutie mark has yet make an appearance, but he seems to work hard to getting it… now I wonder why that sounds familiar?
As I turned to the next page, one design for the rose necklace caught my eye. One design almost looked like the rose from the cover art of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ I guess he wanted to impress her with a fairytale design, I thought to myself, This is a design I would definitely use for Twilight, simple, but nothing too complicated. Maybe a little bit of metallic lavender and splash of green on the stem… Ooh, this is going to be absolutely beautiful, just beautiful!
Canterlot, Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
As we walked in Canterlot, it was a lot bigger than I thought it would be in the show, either it’s because that there’s some areas of this place that some fans haven’t seen yet, or it’s probably due to Canterlot’s castle makes it seems like it’s a big place.
Either way, I couldn’t help but be marveled by some of the architecture of the buildings, like it was made as a Dungeons and Dragons town.
As I looked at Rarity and the suitcase she’s rolling behind her, I couldn’t help but be proud of this change as well. She decided to not overly pack her things, I thought to myself with a smile, I guess this kind of change is a good thing. Means that she’s progressing.
About a couple of minutes through Canterlot, we’ve decided to have a seat at one of the cafes they have here and had a couple of sandwiches and some tea… well, she had tea, I had coffee. As we’re enjoying a couple sips of our respective drinks, Rarity and I were going over the drawings, and told me that she enjoyed the drawing that was inspired by the title cover.
So, we’ve played around a couple of ideas as to what we could design and landed on the perfect and final design for the necklace. Rarity giggles with giddiness, “Ooh, Twilight is going to absolutely love this necklace Wish, just love it!”
“You think it’ll go well with the dress I’ve drawn as well?” I asked her, showing the previous drawing.
The fashionista examines the drawing as her hoof taps on her chin. “I don’t have any doubts that it shouldn’t work, the necklace is what the dress needs to have that little pop to it.” I nodded in agreement, I then turned to another empty page and I’ve started on my next drawing. “What are you working on now dear?”
I looked up at her to say, “Just watch.” I looked back down at the page and started to make a circle, after that I started to work on some details on the face and mane to resemble Twilight’s. Working down towards the body and dress, I’ve added in some curve shapes towards the back of the body, reason being is that she was a little pudgy before she became an alicorn, including the backside of her, but that doesn’t bother me. Everypony here is different. As soon as I added in the finishing touches, I admired the finished drawing, a smiling Twilight in her dress and the necklace around her neck, levitating a book that she’s reading.
“My my my Wish!” Rarity exclaims in excitement and wonder, “This is a very good likeliness of Twilight!”
I thanked her, but then we heard a female voice with a criticizing tone, “Ugh, what in Celestia’s name is she even wearing?” We turned to the source of the voice and it was the couple -Jet Set and Upper Crust respectively- from the beginning of Sweet and Elite.
Upper Crust, the mare we just heard and currently looking at, continues to heckle Rarity’s appearance, “That jacket is something that those rebellious punks would wear! And that mane style, ugh, where in Equestria did she even get that?”
Rarity just smiles and whispers to me, “Just ignore them dear. They judge me, but they can’t really see the true beauty like you or I.”
I nodded in agreement and tried to keep my cool. Now, for those who don’t know, I absolutely can’t stand people who are being completely asswipes, especially if it’s someone of the high class. Then suddenly, I heard Upper Crust say this, “And who even is that fat unicorn in that drawing?”
“I believe that’s suppose to be Twilight Sparkle, dear,” Jet Set tells her as he examines my drawing, then he scoffs, “Quite a likeliness as well! And just what kind of dress is she even wearing?”
I looked at the jackass of a stallion and explained to him very calmly as I could, “It’s just a simple dress.”
“Simple!?” Upper Crust cries out in disgust, “Ha! You earth ponies clearly don’t even know what the definition of simple is, especially whatever this drawing is.” My blood was boiling when started to criticize my drawing, and I know Rarity could see the anger in my eyes. “In fact, if I know any better, I’d bet you’re in love with this unicorn,” Upper gave out the most annoying high class laugh I’ve ever heard before continuing, “As if a stallion who isn’t worth anypony’s would have a chance with a student of Princess Celestia.”
“IF YOU’D LOVE CELESTIA SO MUCH, WHY DON’T YOU GO KISS HER ASS!?” I exploded and had enough, “Cuz let me tell you something you absolute bloodclaat, Celestia will not be worthy of your high class stupidity! So who the fuck are to tell me that my drawings are shit comparing to your piss of a powder you call makeup, YOU MUNTER CUNT!” The couple was understandably shocked and taken aback by my choice of words, but I wasn’t done, “And another thing, Twilight has worked her ass off to keep Equestria and you high class Prench Pigs like yourselves safe! So you prattle on about her weight all you want, it’s further proof that you’re nothing but a bunch of Twats like the rest of those sod-offs!”
“A-alright, alright darling,” Rarity says to me calmly, placing her hoof on my shoulder, “That’s quite enough. Let’s just go our separate ways with them peacefully, and just get these drawings to the Steel Crafts, okay?”
I broke eye contact with the couple to turn to look at Rarity, helping me being calm and I nodded without saying a word, and began to walk away from the high class snots.
“Ha! Good luck with your fail attempt to woo that unicorn,” Upper Crust calls out at me, “Your simple gift will be worthless to her!” My anger rose again, making me look at the mare and made me yell in rage, charging at her like Kratos about sack Zeus like there’s no tomorrow. As I was about to go for the tackle, Jet Set got in the way and took the punishment I reigned upon him, punching and jabbing him with all of the anger I had in me. Rarity tries to grab a hold of me and shouting at me to stop, but I tore her grip off of my foreleg and continued my assault.
Suddenly, I was levitating off the ground by an aura of bright yellow magic. I looked around as to who’s doing this and then my anger disappears from the sight of none other than Princesses Celestia and Luna. “What is thy meaning of this?” Luna asked us.
As I looked at both Princesses, I could only think, Oh… Shit.
The Silver Rose (Part 2: A Birthday Party in the Making)
I can’t believe this actually happened. Wishing Star just attacked a high class pony. I completely understand that he has an issue with high class ponies, and I knew that this was going to be a problem. As we sat in waiting next to the doors to the throne room like mischievous students waiting for the principal, I looked over to my right, seeing Wish having his forehooves bury his face.
I sighed and looked at the corridor, neither of us were saying a word. The only sounds were the muffled voices from the throne room behind closed doors. Suddenly the doors opened and Jet Set and Upper Crust were shown the way out, the mare shot a glare at Wish, of which he did the same. We then looked at the Princesses, escorting us in.
As the sat down in front of the Princesses, then Wish spoke first, “Princesses, I-I want to go on record-“
Luna rose her hoof in front of Wishing’s mouth, making him quiet. Princess Celestia then spoke, “We were already aware of your dilemma, and we’ve told the couple to never behave like that ever again.”
“That’s quite a relief,” I say to them, then to Wish, “Wouldn’t you agree dear?”
This didn’t go up to par for Wish. “What, just a slap on the wrist? That’s it?” He asked them in anger, “Couldn’t you just have them be stripped of their titles or have them exiled?! Oh, or better yet, send those assholes into Tartarus?!”
“HOLD THY TONGUE!” Luna bellows out at him, making Wishing Star falling onto his back from the power from the Princess of the Night’s voice.
Celestia just shook her head as she placing her hoof on her temple with a mutter, “The last thing I need is a migraine.” She then looks at me and Wish and then tells us, “Wish, I do understand that some of the high class ponies can be… bothersome, but please, for our’s and your friends’ sakes, please be mindful of your language and your anger. If such issues like that ever comes up again, you will report that to me or Luna from now on. Understood?”
Wish got back up on his hooves and says shaking from the force, “Y-y-yes, Princess C-C-Celestia.” Poor dear, I rubbed his back to comfort him. I would be shaking in fright too if I was in Wish’s shoes, and if it’s one thing I don’t like is to disappoint either Princess.
The Princess of the Sun gives a relived sigh and says, “Very good. And we’re actually glad that the both of you came to Canterlot, because Twilight just sent us a message stating that since you two will be staying for a couple of days, she has offered a rooms for the both of you to stay in.”
My eyes widened in awe and surprise. “R-really?!” I asked in glee, “We get to stay here?!”
“Hold on, hold on,” Wish cuts in, “You said ‘rooms’ plural. Are you saying that we’re going into different locations in Canterlot?”
“Yes, actually,” she replies to him, “In fact Wish, Twilight recommend a special room for you.”
Ooh la la, I thought to myself as I looked at the wide eyed and blushing Wish, Seems like Twilight’s given Wish an opportunity to know her. as he looked at the Princess of the Sun, he then asked her , “Y-you’re saying that I-?” She nods, making him continue, “But where is Rarity going to stay? Surely not one of those high-end, knock-off hotels?”
“Oh, no need to be concerned dear,” I reassured him with a pat on the back, giving him a smile, “I’m sure that the Princesses already have a room that I can be accommodated in.”
He sighs and says, “If you say so.”
“Wonderful,” I say cheerily, “Oh, and Wish, once you’ve finished settling in your room, I suggest that you meet me with Smelting Ore. He’s the owner of Steel Crafts and he can help you with Twilight’s necklace.” Wish gave me a nod agreement to the plan as I bid farewell, “In the meantime, I think I’ll take a look around Canterlot. Ta-ta!”
Twilight’s old Library Room, Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
As Celestia and the guards escorted me to Twilight’s old room, I took some small glances at some of the painted glass windows, showing images of Celestia and Luna when they were younger from, what I could I guess, centuries ago. It was like a timeline of events up until now and the recent when I then noticed a painted glass window of me and Discord, bowing in respect to each other.
I can only imagine how he would react to seeing to something like this, I thought to myself as we walk past the colorful glass painting, Speaking of Discord, I wonder what he’s been up to during his exile?
My thoughts were interrupted as we’ve made it to Twilight’s former room’s door. “Well, here we are.” Celestia says to me as she opened the door. I was in absolute awe like a kid in theme park, this was Twilight’s room! Then again, this was Twilight’s room.
“So, this is where I get to stay for now?” I asked the Sun Princess, looking around the room, it’s old books on the shelves and the huge hourglass that stood proudly in the room, I start to realize why Twilight has a huge love for books and history so much, for above her bed was some old scrolls and maps on the wall.
“Yes,” Celestia explained to me as I looked at some of her older pictures of her, Spike, and her family. “Twilight said that she’d recommend this room, since you have a love of reading as much as she does.” I looked back at the bookshelves, row after row of books, probably from old to new, or in alphabetical order. It probably be the latter.
I gave the Princess my thanks, but then she notices the look on my face. She told the guards to give us some privacy and used a soundproofing spell around the room. “I know that look Carson,” she says, and when she said my real name, I immediately looked at her for a few seconds and then looked down at the floor again, “Is it because of the incident from earlier?”
“They were making a mockery of your student, no, your prized star!” I angrily tell her, getting up to pace, “Who the fuck are they to me that’s a nopony, especially behind your back? She’s the smartest, talented, and the best pony that ever lived! She could kick their ass to Equestrian Kingdom come!”
“Carson.”
“Oh, and another thing,” I cut her off, “She isn’t fat! I’d like to see them wearing a dress that I designed, and then get judged! I swear to fuck, if any of those sons of bitches ever, ever make fun of Twilight again, I will-“
“You’ll what?” A male voice sent a chill down my spine and immediately went into oh, shit! mode. Celestia and I quickly looked at the white unicorn stallion with a blue mane. This is not just any other stallion, this is the captain of the guard, this Twilight’s older brother and BBBFF, this… is Shining Armor. He walked towards me and asked me again with curiosity, “You’ll what?”
I began to stutter in fright, thankfully Celestia’s spoke up, “Some of the nobles were speaking negatively about Twilight and the dress that this young stallion had drawn out for her.”
Shining looked at me with an eyebrow raised, staring at me like as if he was my gym coach teacher. I was laughing nervously when I wanted to breakdown crying in front of this guy. “May I see the drawing?” He asked me, I looked at the Princess of the Sun, who’s just smiling and motioned her head, encouraging me to show it to Shining, so with no other options, I grabbed out my sketchbook.
He began to inspect my drawing, I could see his eyes darting at some of the details on the dress, especially to down to the line details of Twilight herself. Looking at me, which I was chuckling nervously again. Then back at the picture, giving out a chuckle of his own and says, “This is good.”
I was shocked by what he said as he continues on, “Yeah, this is definitely what my Twily would wear. Nothing too fancy, simple, but beautiful.” I know he’s acting too calm and impressed by this. “And the necklace. Beauty and the Beast, I’d take a guess?” He gave me a nod and continues on more, “And the mane style, very much like her, almost Princess-like.”
“O-oh! Well, um, s-she may not be a Princess,” I explained to the captain, trying my best to not faint, “B-b-but sh-she’s a Princess on her b-birthday, j-just a special f-for her, heheheheh.”
He then gave me the stink eye as he then asks me, “I have to know something, Princess Celestia said that Twilight was writing to her, something about teaching a ‘special pony.’ Is that ‘special pony,’ you?” Uh-oh, does he thinks that Twilight and I are a thing?! I thought to myself in a panic.
“W-whoa, whoa, hold on!” I defended myself, “Just because Twilight were snuggling with each other, that doesn’t mean we’re a couple!”
“WHAT?!” He shouted, “You slept with my sister?!”
Oh God, now I’ve done it… “Y-no! Wait a minute-“
“You barely even knew her, why were you sleeping with my sister?!”
“I had the Below Zero illness!” I shouted back at him, the pressure got to me and I snapped at Twilight’s older brother. He stared at me blankly for a few moments, and I was scared to the brim as to how he’s going to react. He leaned in closely, his blue eyes piercing through my starry yellow ones, as if he was looking through a deep galaxy of stars.
“The Below Zero illness?” He asked me, to which I nodded quickly in fright, he then looked at Celestia who also gave him a nod, as if he was going to ask her the same question, but then he looks back at me again and then asks, “You didn’t do it, did you?”
“No! Absolutely not sir!” I rose my front hooves in front of me defensively, I knew what he was asking about, and to do that to his own sister? It’s questionable. I was getting chills down my spine again as he raised a brow at me. “If you want to confirm that, ask Twilight. She’ll tell you what happened.”
“Hmm…” he starts, placing his hoof on his chin, then with a smirk, he says, “You know, maybe I’ll do just that. After all, it has been a couple of months since I messaged Twily. If you’ll excuse me your highness.” He bows to the Princess and then left the room.
I was almost about to pass out, but then Celestia reassures me saying, “Don’t worry about Shining Armor, Carson. Since you said that you’ve already seen this before, then you already know that he’s just being overprotective of his sister.” Then why do I get the feeling that he’s going to do something that would derail this episode fast? I asked myself in thought. “Oh, and before I forget, Shining partially told you this, but Twilight also asked me to make you her understudy.”
I was caught off guard. What could I say to that?! What can I say? “P-princess, I… I don’t know what to say.” I speechlessly tell her, “I-I’d be more than happy to be Twilight’s understudy.”
She titters a little with a smile, “I’m glad. I will send her a message that you’ve happily agreed to be Twilight’s student. In the meantime, I suggest that you should have a look around Canterlot.”
I nodded to the advice Celestia gave me, and left me to my own devices. Looking at my drawing of Twilight in her dress on my sketchbook, I couldn’t help but be worried about Twilight’s reaction. I know I shouldn’t but this isn’t just Rarity’s design, but this is mine as well. What is she going to say when she sees the necklace and the dress? And something else, Shining Armor is going to send a message to his little sister. Is he going to invite her over to Canterlot? Oh, the mere thought of seeing the blue daggers of Captain Shiny, as if he’s ready to kill me once Twilight tells him.
Whoa, hold on a sec Carson, I thought to myself, trying to remain calm, This is just Shining Armor being protective of his little sister, of course he’s going to act like that! I mean, if you could face on an ancient being of chaos, then surely you could put on a brave face to the Captain of the Guard.
Looking around the room one more time before I head out, I noticed a couple of things on Twilight’s nightstand. One of them being a picture of a young Twilight and Shining Armor, baby Spike, and their parents, Night Light and Twilight Velvet. Awww… look at little Twily! And baby Spike! I thoughtfully gush, They look so happy in that photo!
But as soon as I put the photo back, I noticed another item of interest. A dark gray, rectangular case. “That’s funny,” I said outloud, “What could be in this case here?” I opened it and it made me immediately go in a state of shock and confusion, for inside was a pair of black framed glasses. “Huh? Since when did Twilight had glasses? The only Twilight I know who had glasses is Sci-Twi from Equestria Girls.” This only lead to me on with more questions than answers. “Did… did Twilight use to wear glasses before the pilot episode?”
Taking the glasses with me, I set out to go meet Rarity to Steel Crafts. I just only hope I don’t strangle another noble on the way there.
Golden Oaks Library, Spike’s P.O.V.
I can’t believe that today’s Twilight’s birthday! And it’s good thing that we don’t have to reorganize anything today, it’s her day and she didn’t have to learn any friendship lessons.
As I was just reading my comic book, Twilight seems ever so giddy. “Ooh, this is going to be the best birthday Spike!” She says gleefully, “I’ve gotten a pretty good idea as to what I want to do this year.” I chuckled as she gotten out her long list, rolling out that touched the door. Knowing her, she always has a plan for her birthday. Last year before we came to Ponyville, she had us to… well actually, I don’t think she did anything for her last birthday, probably because she’s usually secluded herself in the library.
“Well, I’m sure your birthday’s going to be great Twilight.” I tell her, looking at her list, it surprisingly isn’t a birthday wish list, “Wow, that’s some plan you got. You sure you don’t want anything for your birthday?”
She giggles as she places her hoof on my shoulder, “Trust me Spike, having friends and spending time with them is a better gift than anything else.”
I gave her a smile in return, but then I felt like my stomach was squeezed from the inside, and belched out a scroll. I looked it and in joy I exclaimed, “Twilight! It’s from Princess Celestia! She must’ve gotten your letter!”
“Oh, finally!” She cheers, “Well, what did she say?”
I cleared my throat and it reads as follows: “My Faithful Student, I sincerely apologize for not responding to your friendship lesson letter. I figured to get that answer was from Wishing Star himself, of which surprisingly, he has agreed to. I can’t think anypony better than you to be his teacher, therefore, I hereby declaring you as Wish’s teacher for friendship.”
She squeals in delight and gave me a tight hug whilst shouting, “THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOOOOOOU!!!!!!!”
“H-hold on Twilight!” I say to her with a chuckle, “I wasn’t done reading!” She realizes it and quickly let me go, blushing a tad embarrassed, but still smiled. I once more cleared my throat and continue, “Also, in regards to you sending in friendship lesson letters, I wouldn’t mind you sending me friendship letters at whatever time you’d like, but I also recommend and encourage your friends to do the same, especially Wishing Star. As you mentioned, there is something about this stallion, and if anypony can figure it out, it’s you. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.” As I finished reading, I then said jokingly, “Okay, continue.”
“Oh, this is absolutely great!!!” She cheers in delight, “Spike, change of plans! I know exactly what we’re going to do for my birthday! Get the girls and pack your things. We’re going to Canterlot!”
“You got it-“ I was about to say excitedly, but then the same squeezing feeling in my stomach happened again, and with a loud belch, through my fire another letter came through. Looking at it, I then say in surprise, “Hey, it’s from Shining Armor!”
“Shiny sent a letter?” She asked me as I opened the scroll.
“Dear Twily,” I began reading, “I wanted to quickly write you a letter to wish you a happy twenty-second birthday. I heard that there’s a new guy in Canterlot and says that he knows you. Have to admit, he seems like a nice guy, a little jittery and nervous when I met him, but he seems nice. I just have a couple of questions about this ‘Wishing Star,’ character. If you’re visiting over to Canterlot, let’s meet up at Donut Joe’s. Aside from that, we have a lot of catching up to do. I have many other things I want to tell you. Your BBBFF, Shining Armor.” After reading the letter, I then joked, “Well, I hope he hasn’t rattled him that much.”
Twilight nodded in agreement and then asks, “But what’s does he needed to tell me? If I remember correctly from the last last letter he sent, he was out with somepony, but he didn’t say who.”
“Well, maybe we’ll get to meet her when we get there,” I suggested to her with my shoulders shrugged, “He has been a little secretive about who that pony is.” Once again she nods as she then grabs an empty Journal. “What’s that for?” I asked her.
“Oh, this?” She lifts the journeys for me to see as she then goes to answer, “Well, if my friends are gonna write a friendship lesson, I might as well start with Wish. In the meantime, we should probably get the girls and head to Canterlot.” I nodded in agreement and I went to quickly go pack I needed for Canterlot.
At the Train to Canterlot
“Remind me again why we’re heading to Canterlot?” Rainbow asked Twilight.
Twilight rolled her eyes and explained to her, “We’re going to Canterlot to give Wishing Star this journal and give him the news for him to be my understudy.”
“Oh my, an understudy?” Fluttershy asked her with glee.
“He’s going to be super-duper-shmuper excited when he hears this!” Pinkie exclaims bouncing on the the seat.
Rainbow though raised her brow, “Well, good for him, but I’m getting the feeling that isn’t the only reason.”
Twilight nodded in agreement with Rainbow’s assumption and answers, “Well, there’s somepony I want you to meet. You know the place, Donut Joe’s right? The donut shop we went to after the Galloping Gala?” The girls nodded, we all remembered it too well, especially Fluttershy, who was blushing at the memory of her outburst at the animals. “Well, that wasn’t the first time I’ve gone there. My family and I usually go there when I was younger.”
“So, who is it we’re gonna meet?” Applejack asked her.
Twilight then answers, “He’s my BBBFF and Captain of the Guard for Princess Celestia, Shining Armor.”
“It’s a nickname they gave each other, BBBFF is Best Big Brother Friend Forever, and Twilight is his BLSFF, or Best Little Sister Friend Forever if you will.” I explained to them, a collective “Ohhh,” in unison from the girls was heard.
“Well shoot Twi,” Applejack remarks to her, “Sounds like this Shinin’ guy seems important to ya.”
“He means a lot to me.” Twilight said to her, looking out the window, the view of Canterlot and its castle came into view. “I just hope he’s okay, he’s been acting… secretive in his letters.”
We sat in silence after she said that. A few moments passed and we went to Donut Joe’s, when we got inside, we see a lone hire unicorn stallion with a blue mane. It’s Shining Armor!
“Shining!” Twilight greets as she ran to him.
He noticed us, got up from his chair, and greeted, “Twiliy!” They embraced for a few seconds. “How’ve you been? Was the train ride, okay?”
“Train ride was fine,” she explains to him, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Yeah,” he says with a nod as he shows her a chair, “I’m sorry for worrying you.” He then notices me and greets to me, “Hey Spike! Good to see little buddy.”
“Good to see you too.” I say to him as I embraced him, then I noticed as I asked jokingly, “Say, we’re you a little bulkier than the last time we saw each other?”
“Ha ha, Spike,” he sarcastically says me, then notices our friends and then says, “You must be Twilight’s friends.”
“Yessiree!” Pinkie exclaims as she introduces herself and the others, “I’m Pinkie Pie, and these are Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash!”
“What about the other unicorn?” He asked her.
She was going to tell us that she’s with Wishing Star at the moment, but then, she got distracted and said, “Oh look! There’s Rarity now! I’ll go get her!” Before anypony could say anything, Pinkie darted out to greet Rarity and Wishing Star.
Shining chuckles and asked us, “How does she even do that?”
“For the time I’ve known her? I haven’t gotten a clue.” Twilight says to him with a chuckle of her own.
“Like I suggested to you Twilight, it’s just a Pinkie Pie thing.” I reminded her with a shrug, and as if on cue, the bell above the door rang.
Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
As Rarity and I were walking along the path to Donut Joe’s, because it was getting around to late lunch time and I always wanted to give that place a try, I was carrying a paper bag that contains to items of importance, the silver rose necklace, and Twi’s glasses. Earlier, we were discussing about the necklace and what I’ve found in Twilight’s room. Rarity found it quite intriguing that Twilight use to wear glasses and gave the idea to give the glasses a little makeover by adding Twi’s Cutie Mark on each side of the glasses, of which I thought it was a great idea.
So, we’ve gotten the necklace and the glasses all prepared thanks to the ponies working at Steel Crafts, which, I gotta say, how their process is quite interesting to see and how it works there… despite being incredibly expensive in bits. Almost cost us 1,500 bits for both the glasses and the necklace! But thankfully, I told them what the occasion is for, and for that it dropped to 800 bits, still expensive, but hey it’s much better than the original price.
“So,” I started recapping to Rarity, “With the dress near to it’s completion, and the necklace and glasses ready, we should be completely done… man, is this what’s like being a fashionista?”
Rarity titters and reassures me, “Something’s are easier than others, but this is something simple for a friend. I know Twilight’s going to love it.”
I nodded in agreement as we made our way to Donut Joe’s, Pinkie Pie suddenly came out from said donut shop and immediately came at us like a freaking submarine torpedo. “Hi Wish and Rarity! Enjoying Canterlot so far?” She asked us as she bounces around us.
“Oh Pinkie dear!” Rarity says in surprise, “What are you doing here?”
“Twilight’s got something for Wishing Star,” Pinkie explained to us, “So she brought us with to Canterlot!”
As Pinkie was talking, I could swear that Twilight is with somepony. “Uh, Pinkie, could you-?” I began to ask, but she already has a pair of binoculars on hoof, so I obliged, took them and peered where Twilight is… and not only is she with her friends, but Captain Jaller is with them (That’s for all of you Bionicle fans out there.).
“Um, darling,” Rarity says to me, reasonably confused, “I don’t think Canterlot would be a good place for birdwatching.”
I looked at both Pinkie and Rarity, the binoculars still in use. “Pinkie… would you mind telling me why The Captain of the Guard, is with you in Donut Joe’s?”
“Ooh, you know him?”
“K-Know him?!” I freaked out, “The guy scared a zebra stripe in my underwear!” My attention returns to Twilight and Shining, at least the two of them seemingly have a conversation, considering it’s been what felt like a few years since the two talked. I suddenly felt a tug on back of my black short, making a high pitched yelp and turning around to see Pinkie Pie right behind me. “Pinkie, don’t do that!”
“Why?” She looked at me confused, “You said that Shining scared a zebra stripe in your-“
“I think he’s saying it as a figure of expression dear.” Rarity helps Pinkie, following a “Ohhhh,” by the party pony. Giving back the binoculars to Pinkie.
I took a sigh, and asked Rarity, “So, we’ve already got everything ready?” She nods to me, making me nod back, “Then let’s get this party started.” I began to march to the door to the donut shop… Jesus Christ, if there is one here in this universe, please don’t let me fuck this up.
As I was talking with my brother, the donut shop’s bell rung and then I heard, “ALRIGHT! WHERE’S THE BLACK BEAN JUICE!?” I looked at saw Wishing Star, his head held high and looked like a stallion on a mission… if some of the customers here didn’t gave him a ‘What did he just say?’ look. Quite honestly, I don’t know if that was taken with or without context.
“Uhh…” My brother dumbfoundedly asked me as he leans over to me, “Are you sure this is the same guy I talked to back in your old room?” I nodded, just as confused as he was.
He then looked at Joe and said, “Hey Joe, one cup of black coffee please! No cream or sugar added.” He then tossed a coin to him, flipping in the air. Joe catches it and gave him a hesitate nod. Then he looks to us, me and my brother specifically and said, “Ah! Twi! I’m quite surprised to see you here!”
“Um, I’m happy to see you too Wish,” I say to him a little confused about his behavior, “But… um, are you feeling okay? You’re starting to act strange.”
Rarity leans over and whispered to me, “He’s actually having a little bit of a rough first day in Canterlot. I could already see why he doesn’t like some of the high class ponies here.” I turned to her with wide eyes for a second and then looked back at Wish, who’s right eye is now a little… twitchy. “Not to mention, he already had a run-in with your brother.”
Well, no wonder, I shook my head with giggle. “Shiny, I think we need to work on making sure you don’t crack anypony.” He looked at me confused, then I whispered the same info that Rarity told me. With an expression of first shock, then shifts to concern when he looks at Wish, who of which is giving him a very nervous smile.
“S-so…” Wish started nervously, “H-how-how has your day been Twi? H-having the best birthday ever?”
“Not yet,” I explained to him, “My brother actually sent me a letter to come up to Canterlot. He said he has a surprise announcement he wanted to tell me.”
“Oh? And what pray tell is that surprise announcement?” Rarity asked him curiously.
Shining chuckles and changes the subject, “We’ll get to that soon, but first, I’d take it that Twilight’s surprise from you two are ready?”
“Rrrrready, heheheh, sure, you-” Wish gulped before continuing on, “Could say that.”
I giggled at him again, then I gasped, “Oh! Wish! I almost completely forgot!” I then reached into the saddlebag and pulled out the journal, it was a polished dark teal with gold trimmings on the front cover, and on the rims of the book. “I know it’s my birthday, but I wanted to give you this as my surprise for you.”
He took the book, all of the nervousness completely melted away and was replaced by pure joy, “T-Twi, you… this is wonderful.” But just him eyeing the front cover of the book, the joyous smile was replaced with a sad one. I know what he’s thinking… at least, I thought I did.
Spike too noticed it, but he pipes up, “Hey, you’ll get it someday.”
He nods back to Spike, but then I decided to brighten things by continuing on, “Well, you’re not the only one who has a friendship journal. In fact,” Using my magic, I pulled out other journals with the same golden trimmings, but with the same color as the girls’ pelt coats, “Princess Celestia recommended to me that I would give each and every one of you a friendship journal, writing down a friendship lesson!”
Each of the girls were very thankful for me, especially Pinkie. “Wow! I thought we were going to surprise Twilight with our surprises, which I’m usually good at, but golly, did Twilight gave us the bestest surprise ever!”
Rainbow then sarcastically jests, “You know, if you’d gotten a bit from everypony every time you say ‘surprise’ Pinkie, you’d be a millionaire.”
“I WOULD?!” she gasped get up and close to Rainbow’s face.
“This was very thoughtful of you Twilight dear,” Rarity complimented to me, “I’ll cherish this and write down any friendship lesson that’s been taught to us along the way. It makes me feel bad that it isn’t a greater gift we’ve made for you. Shall we show them to her darling?”
I was giddy as I then looked at my new student, as he chuckles quite nervously again, “Uhh, y-yeah! We shall, hehe.”
As we walked in my old room, Rarity got in front of a red velvet cloak underneath what I can assume is my surprise. “Miss Twilight Sparkle,” Rarity tells me in a introductory tone, “Wish and I are proud to present to you ‘La Belle Étoile.’” Rarity pulls the cloak and unveils a mannequin wearing a yellow dress.
I gasped in shocked surprise. I walked up to the mannequin and looked at the dress, my mouth was agape. “This is my dress?” I asked Rarity and Wish, whom they nodded to say that this is my dress. “It’s so… simple.” I tell them, analyzing the dress, “ So… Practical. So… Me!” I used my magic to take the dress off the mannequin and held it close in glee, “It's the perfect dress for my birthday party! I love it!”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.” Rarity told me and then proceeds to insist, “Go ahead dear, try it on.”
I gladly did so and tried on the dress, giddier than a filly. I looked in the mirror and squealed in delight, “I look like a princess!”
The girls giggled and then Rarity said to me coy like, “Yes, but I have a feeling something’s missing… oh yes! Wish dear?” We turn to look at Wishing Star as he proceeded to give me a small rectangular black velvet box, his hooves were shaking a little as he gave it to me. Upon opening it, the contents consisted of two things. The first was a beautifully hoofcrafted necklace that has a silver rose on it. It looked like the same rose from Beauty and the Beast! The second object is a pair of black framed glasses, the arms of it were the same silver as used for the rose, and on them bares my cutie mark on each side.
I looked shocked at Wish, who seemed very nervous, as he says, “I-I hope you l-like them Twi.”
“How did you know that I use to wear glasses?” I asked him with a rose blush. He told me that he never knew he wore them, but he saw them, thought about me, and had added some modifications to them, like cleaner lenses. I was speechless, I haven’t wore them since I was eleven, my eyesight was twenty/twenty-five vision the last time I checked… but I got made fun of in school and I never wore them since then.
Wish was about to say something, but I tell him, “I don’t think I can wear them.” He looked at me confused as I trailed off, “L-last time I wore them, I-I…”
He looked at the others for a few seconds, then back at me and said to me kindly, “We’re your friends Twilight, we’re not like them. Give them a try, and if you don’t like them, we’ll put them away under lock and key.”
I blush at his proposal and gave him a nod. So, looking at the mirror again, I wore my newly modified glasses and I was quite surprised, my vision was much clearer and I didn’t even recognize myself. With them on, I looked like somepony else! I could possibly be mistaken for Moondancer!
“Well?” Wish asked me, looking over my shoulder at the reflection, “What’s your verdict?”
I looked at myself in the mirror for little while, giving it some thought. Just by looking at myself in the mirror, I swear I’m looking at my eleven year old self. I giggled as I then looked at him, quickly gave him a hug, and exclaimed, “I love them!” I let him go to look at him at his stary yellow eyes and continued on, “You didn’t have to modify my glasses, but you did, and I’m very happy that you did, so thank you.”
He gave me a goofy smile, seeming relieved that I enjoy my gift, the girls gave out a collective, “Awwww…” but that moment went by quickly as Rainbow Dash then said, “Okay, enough mushiness, who’s ready for a party?!”
“ME ME ME!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed excitedly.
Ballroom, Wishing Star’s P.O.V.
We enter this enormous ballroom, with every birthday decoration that’s been hung, so was my jaw, I completely forgot how good of a decorator Pinkie was, and stupidly I asked, “How in Celestia’s name did you find the time to put up all these decorations?”
The party pony gave me a giggle, “Ooh, I never reveal that secret!~”
Of course she was gonna say that. I musingly thought to myself, rolling my eyes. I then heard Twilight say, “I thought about having my birthday outside, but they're having another party on the castle grounds today.” She gestures to another group of ponies gathering outside in the castle garden to which I quickly looked away from the window to not get worked up again, and avoid being spotted. When I did looked however, I saw both Upper Crust and Jet Set were there. If they haven’t aggravated me the way they did, I wouldn’t have been scolded by Celestia herself.
They better not come in here and hurt Twilight, or so help me God- I shook the violent thoughts out of my head and said, “Well, I’m just glad that we’re in here than out there.”
And so, the party had started. We’ve started by tossing Twilight in the air multiple times, which I have to say, seeing that in person, erm, pony, it’s puts a smile on my face, seeing her happy. Following on that was cutting the cake, which of course Shining refused, and I don’t blame the guy, needs to stay fit and set up a perfect example for the troops.
Then, I decided to speak up to Shining, “Say, didn’t you have something to say to Twilight for her surprise?”
Shining looked at me with a raised brow, then he realized what I meant and said, “Oh yeah! Twilight, there’s something that I needed to give you.” He then hands her a small folded up piece of paper.
Twilight opened up the paper and then proceeded to read carefully. The look on her face… was not the one I was expecting as she said, “You’re going to get married?! To Princess Cadenza?! That’s what the secrecy is for?!” My mind went into panic mode, Uh-oh! Better do something! rewinding back to the episodes carefully in my mind, I remembered that Shining mentioned that she was once her foalsitter when she was little. I chuckled at that thought, big blunder. “What’s so funny?” The birthday filly asked me curiously.
I recovered my chuckle and then fibbingly explained, “Oh, it’s nothing Twi. I just thought that you would’ve known Princess Cadance by now. You know, the Princess of Love?”
She looked at me confused for a moment, looking back at the letter, then telling me, “But it says that he’s going to get married by Cadenza.”
“Uh-huh, and what exactly does Candenza translates to?”
Her confused looking turned into shock within a minute as she slowly looked at Shining Armor with a smile. She squeals in excitement and hugs her brother, “OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!! When’s the wedding?!”
“In two months,” he chuckles as he let goes the embrace to look at her, “Cadance’s going to be very happy that you’re coming.”
“I’ll be just as excited when I get to be her sister-in-law!” She exclaimed as she hugged him again, a little tightly this time. Suddenly, some slow music started to play, I looked at the gramophone record player to see it was Pinkie Pie who turned on the song, it almost sounded like a waltz that played in Beauty and the Beast. “Oh, is it time to dance already?” She asked him.
He chuckles again and said, “Only if you want to Princess.” He gave her a bow and extended his hoof for brother and sister dance. She gave a giggle of her own and she too bowed, taking his hoof and began their waltz.
I couldn’t help smile at them, this is a much happier outcome than I thought it would play out, the girls joined me as we watched them dance.
“Should we dog pile them?” Rainbow asked jokingly.
“Let ‘em have their moment Rainbow.” AJ tells the daredevil pegasus, I nodded in agreement as we continued watching them.
Rarity leaned over in a hushed voice, “I’d say that went quite well, wouldn’t you agree dear?” I nodded in agreement, and today couldn’t get any better than that.
I went outside to get some fresh air, avoiding any eye contact with the high class ponies. It was a lot of excitement that happened tonight, and I’m certain never going to forget it. It would be perfect… had it not be for the muttering of the high class.
“A cutie markless pony? Here in Canterlot?”
“Why is a blank flank even here?”
Then one voice caught my attention. “My word, can you believe what that pony is wearing?” It’s the male pony I met at the café, Jet Set. He was asking Upper Crust while gesturing to Twilight inside the ballroom.
“It's just so plain. And just look at her with those… ridiculous glasses.” His wife added, this was stirring up my anger again, she then added, “And just like in his drawing, just fat.” Ooh, I really wanted to slap that prissy bitch in the face, and I’m getting close to walk over to her and scream at her face like a mad man.
“What could even possess a young stallion to something like her?” Jet Set asked her.
She doesn’t even need to answer him, because I had enough. I trudged up to them and shouted, “HEY!” I got their immediate attention as they looked at me, “That fat mare you’re talking about is the bearer of the Element of Magic, showing some fucking respect!” Now every patron in the party was looking at us, but I was too angry to even notice.
“Oh, it’s you again,” Jet Set says in an annoyed expression, “Come back to finish the job I see?”
“Hey, that was you and your wife’s choice to provoke me about my friends.” I reminded him in a warning tone, “And if you want to avoid that again in the future, I would exercise caution about to whom you’re speaking about.”
“Pssh, please,” Upper Crust scoffed, “If anypony deserves recognition and time, it’s the ruler of Equestria herself.”
“Oh, and Luna isn’t a Princess?” I questioned them, how fucking dare they. “Luna deserves the same recognition as Celestia, how do you think she kept you asleep from nightmares?”
They looked at each other, then they heard Twilight calling for me, “Wish! There you are! I thought you were just going to-“
“Ugh,” The mare said in disgust, I gave her a look that would tell her to back off now, but her attention is too focused on Twilight’s appearance, somehow offending her, “How is it that an Element bearer like you are made as a hero? Especially in this plain dress. And what kind of glasses are even those?”
“The ones I made for her, you fake bitch.” I growled getting very up and close to her face, everyone gasped by what I called her, Twilight too gasped, and at this point, I hardly even care at this point, “I like to see you wear those glasses, and get bullied by her class mates, AND THEN FUCKING JUDGE ME!?”
“W-Wish, calm down!” The lavender pony told me in an almost hushed, she took hold of my front leg, “L-let’s just go back inside and forget about this, okay?”
Jet Set decided to add further damage and tells me mockingly, “You should do as your friend says, and maybe she can get that weight off of her.”
I was about to go ballistic on this jackass, but then another male voice calls to me, not by name however, “Excuse me, Neighotiator?”
“WHAT?!” I screamed at the stallion, but my face of anger quickly changed to shock, it’s gentleman of Canterlot himself, Fancy Pants, and I yelled at him! “O-oh, shi-shoot, Mr. Fancy Pants! I-I’m so sorry!”
To my surprise, he actually chuckled! “That’s quite alright my dear Neighotiator. I just wanted to come, face to face, to say thank you for saving Equestria from Discord. I even heard that he was redeemed. I must say, not many ponies were able to have a change of heart.”
I became very flustered and began to stutter, “Th-thank y-you sir.”
His attention then turned to Twilight, inspecting her dress with his monocle. “Might I ask where you got your ensemble?”
“Why, yes! Yes, you may.” She happily replied. “Wish and another very, very close friend of mine from Ponyville, Rarity, made these for me.”
“Ponyville? You don't say?” Fancy Pants replied, she nodded and I once again gave out a nervous chuckle. He then said to us, “In a moment, my dear.” Everyone around them stopped gawking of what they were seeing and were all ears. “This lovely filly from Ponyville was just about to tell me who made her charming dress.” He then looked at me and commented, “This dress you made is beautiful!”
“We all think so!” I heard Pinkie added as she and my friends all joined us.
“You know these ponies?“ Fancy Pants asked as I looked around at the confused expressions from everyone before turning to face the guests.
I gave out a calming exhale and tell him, “Yes. These are my friends. They may not be like you, but you know what? I’m happy with that. They’re my best friends… no, they’re my family, and they are without a doubt the most important ponies, and friends and family I know. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” I held my sewing instructor and Celestia’s Star pupil close to my sides, sharing a smile with me.
“Important ponies and friends? These ruffians?” Jet Set asked me.
“Don't make me laugh!” Upper Crust tutted.
The two rich ponies smugly laughed us off again until I told them, “Then be grateful that I’m not your son, because if I was, I would leave you two shmucks in a heartbeat.”
I heard Rainbow Dash muffling her snickering. As she did though, I think I’ve figured out what I would write down for my first friendship lesson.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I wanted to tell you about a two-in-one lesson I learned during my visit in Canterlot. I learned that no matter where you go in life, you should never forget that you are the product of your home and your friends. And that is something always to be proud of, no matter what, along with not forgetting with who your true friends are, otherwise you’ll forget to stay true to who you are.
I’ve also learned the importance of how to be humble to someponies, and be humbled in turn, even if they’re the ones you hate. Sometimes to be respectful and/or to be respected in turn is very hard to earn and come by. Some would come to know and respect you, other times they would despise you and would try to leave dirt to your name, but you have to show them strength by not being violent or lash out at others, but to humble them.
I’ve also been assigned as Twilight’s student of in the study of the magic of friendship, I wish you could be there to see the look on her face when I said yes.
Sincerely, The Neighotiator, Wishing Star
Sweet Apple Acres, midnight
I finished my letter and sighed happily. “Can’t get any sleep?” The cowpony’s rang up in my ears, I turned to look at her, leaning on the archway.
I shook my head no and told her, “After tonight? I still couldn’t get over those guys.”
“Who? The couple back in Canterlot?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed to her, “I even saw how hurt Twi was.” I sighed as I lay back on the bed, looking at the ceiling, “Do you think giving her the glasses and masquerading as the admirer was a mistake?”
AJ looked at me in shock, “Don’t tell me yer thinkin’ of backin’ out?”
“I don’t know anymore AJ… I really love her, but when I told her about the mysterious admirer, she completely forgot about like… that idea was stupid from the start…”
She gave me a punch to the shoulder and told me, “Ey, don’t beat yerself up like that! She loved the gifts ya’ll made for her, heck, even Rarity was proud of ya! Ya gotta keep trying til she has feelin’s for ya.” I let her words sink in my mind, and she isn’t wrong on any word she said, I have to keep trying to win her heart… “In the meantime lover colt, ya’ll should get some shut eye, ya’ll got some work with Rarity tomorrow, right?”
As we say goodnight to each other, I got under the covers while looking at the ceiling, I kept wondering to myself when I asked Twilight about the admirer, Did she really know it was me, or did she already knew and was playing with me?
God, why do I feel miserable? I don’t feel sick, and I had a blast from last night at Twilight’s birthday party… so why do I feel miserable? Was it because of the couple back in Canterlot? Was it because of the pressure of getting the gifts done on time? Was it because of my nervousness around Shining Armor? Well, it wouldn’t be the third one, we seem to be on good terms despite our first meeting.
I was working on a new suit that a stallion ordered a few days back, specifically special for his daughter’s graduation of Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. I should feel overjoyed by the fact I’m working for this special occasion, but I don’t feel happy right now. I looked over at the window where Rarity working at, the whirring of the sewing machine was the only thing breaking the silence. I suddenly heard a rip in the fabric of the suit, looking at the giant hole, I groaned and placing my front hoof on the side of my temple.
“Are you alright dear?” Rarity asks me, she could see that I wasn’t myself. Usually when we work, I’d talk to Rarity about some fashion designs, both customer and our friends, and other times, I tried to come up with some new styles to be like Rarity’s or something cultural. She could see the big gapping hole in the suit, she could see I struggling, studying it for a few seconds and told me, “This might take some time to repair this hole. Why don’t you take a break? You could do some free time drawing or-“ I didn’t even let her finish as I lazily walked over to Rarity’s fainting couch and plopped onto it face first. “Or that…”
I just moaned into the pillow. As I did, I heard hoofsteps coming towards me. “Are you alright?” Rarity asked me concerningly, “You've barely spoken a word since you were working. And you sound so… depressed. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“No thanks…” I muffled.
“No?” She asked me “Goodness, this sounds serious. Could you scootch over dear?” Swinging my hind legs off the couch, I allowed her to take a seat, making me sit up straight. “Now… what's troubling you? I can practically feel the aura of negativity radiating off of you.”
I sighed sadly, and confided in her, “Nothing ever gets pass by you, does it? It’s just… I don’t know Rarity, I feel conflicted.”
“Conflicted by what?” She asked me.
“That what I’m for is the right choice. I made a wish to find happiness and be the hero of my own story, and then boom, I’m all of suddenly here, getting a good paying job, making friends, and help save the world for a former lord of chaos… okay, in hindsight, solving the riddles and getting prepared to stop him was all you girls- point is that he’s redeemed and he’s on our side now. But ever since came into Ponyville, I’ve been treated like an outsider looking in by other ponies, especially since two days ago, since I gave Twilight her gifts, I’ve felt like I’m in a downward spiral of trying to win her heart only to get friend-zoned.”
Rarity listened with a nod, then she said, “Wish, you’re not an outsider, you’re hailed as a hero of Equestria just like me and the girls are, even Fancy Pants considered you as such.”
“Yeah, but I felt like I want to do more than just waiting for things to happen M’lady, I want to find my talent and earn my cutie mark. I want to find somepony who would be by my side everyday.” I told her anxiously.
She giggles as she shook her head, “So much like Sweetie Belle.” She looked at the clock, then said to me, “Why don’t you take an early leave for today? I’ll fix the hole in the suit.”
I looked at her in shock. “Are you sure?” I asked her.
“Absolutely. You look like you need a good break.” She told me as she gave me a hug.
With that said, we said our goodbyes and I left the Boutique. And so, I began to take a stroll through Ponyville, looking at the business that are currently bustling, some markets were crowded, and restaurants are filled with a lot of hungry ponies.
Suddenly, one mare’s voice was trying to get my attention, “Hey!” I looked over at the cafe, and who do I see, but Lyra Heartstrings, waving at me. I walked over to the table she’s currently seated at. “You seemed like something’s been on your mind. Mind telling me what’s up?”
“Sorry Lyra,” I said sincerely to her, “I’m just not having a good day today. I almost messed up a birthday party, almost killed a high class pony in Canterlot, figuratively and literally, and nearly got throw in jail.”
Lyra looked at me in shock from my highlights. “Gosh, I-I’m sorry.”
I sighed again, but then regained my composure, “But, you seemed to be chipper than the last time I saw you. What’s gotten you pepping up your step?”
Lyra then explains, “Oh, well, Bonbon thinks that I would move in with her, so I’m getting my stuff to the new apartment where she’s staying in, and I could use some help.”
I gave it some thought, and knowing that the next episode ‘Family Appreciation Day,’ will be coming up tomorrow, thanks to the schedule back in Apple’s residence, I said, “Eh, what the heck? It’s not like I have anything else to do.”
Lyra and Bonbon’s apartment
As the three of us were carrying in Lyra’s stuff in Bonbon apartment, the light yellow mare said to me, “Thanks for helping us getting Lyra settled in, Wish.”
I chuckled, “Hey, I could do more if there were anything else to do, not that I don’t.”
“Still, I’m sorry that you’re not having a good day,” Bonbon sympathetically tell me, “Hey, I got an idea! How about after we finish helping Lyra getting settled in, we should head to Sugarcube Corner to celebrate!”
“Yeah, I like the sound of that!” Lyra cheers.
I shrugged and said, “Sounds good to me.” As I went out of Bonbon’s apartment, I accidentally bumped into a young light brown stallion and I quickly apologized, “Oh shoot! I’m so sorry!”
“Oh, it’s alright,” the young stallion reassured me, he has an interesting design, light brown eye on his left, a dark brown on his right eye, white and milk chocolate short mane, with a white tie and carried a clipboard in his front right hoof, “I got distracted and didn’t see where I was going.”
“Heh, you and me both pal.” I said.
He then looked at me in surprise, “Say, aren’t you the Neighotiator?”
“Seems like I’m famous nowadays.” I said to myself, but then to the new stallion, “Yes, I’m him.”
The stallion’s excitement got to him, “W-wow! I-I’m honored sir! Milk N. Cookie, at your service! Y-You can just call me Cookie.” We shook hooves and continued, “I-I didn’t know that I would meet the pony that put a stop to the former Lord of Chaos and him on the same week!”
I was in shock when he said that, “Wait… you met Discord?”
“Yeah! Just two days ago!” He explained to me, “From what I’ve heard, he’s been hiding in Ponyville alleyways, seemingly undercover.”
This isn’t like Discord to just hide in Ponyville for no reason… I thought to myself, Something’s up. “Where is he now?”
“For what I know, he could be in the western alley where it connects to the Golden Oaks and the plaza. He wanted me to report any info regarding you as it turns out.” He told me.
He’s spying on me? I asked myself, Why the secrecy? I told Lyra and Bonbon that I will return shortly, needing an errand to run. They understood and they gotten acquainted with Cookie, who as it turns out lives next door to them. As I left the apartment complex, kept wondering what was Discord doing back in Ponyville and why does have the need to spy on me.
As I was about to make my way to the alleyway, I noticed at I saw Twilight and Rainbow Dash off all ponies were on a… jog? Today just keeps getting stranger and stranger by the minute. I walked up to them and greeted them, “Hey Twi, Rainbow. What’s going on here?”
Twilight and Rainbow caught sight of me, Twilight was the first to respond, but was panting really hard, “Oh! Hey-Hey Wishing, I was just… g-give me a second… phew… when… when you that this wasn’t going to be just a normal day jog, you weren’t kidding.” She took normal breaths and calm herself, then she began again, “I was just getting some exercises in, so I asked Rainbow Dash to be my coach for today.”
Now I was really confused, but I was also hurt as well. “Are you just doing because of the couple back in Canterlot?”
She giggled at my question and reassured me, “Oh Wish, I couldn’t care less of what they think of me. Actually… there’s a different reason why. You see, before I came to Ponyville, Applejack had me at their family reunion and made me try some of their food and…” she trailed off as she pointed at her belly. “Rainbow had gotten the idea that I would go on these jogs and do these exercises from seven A.M. to two P.M.”
“Well, that seems like good exercise plans,” I remarked to her, then I pointed something else about her appearance, “Hey, I see that you’re wearing the glasses and necklace. They look good.”
“Good, try awesome!” Dash exclaims to me, which causes Twilight to smile with a blush.
“Thank you.” she says to me, she look at Rainbow Dash and says, “And thanks again for the exercise for today Rainbow, I’ll have to make a schedule and do these again.”
The daredevil smirked and tells her, “Not a problem. Just remember what I taught you.”
“No junk food, no sweets, twenty push ups, twenty minute planking, twenty sit-ups, and a seven hour jog,” the librarian listed off with a nod, “Got it. Well, I’m going to go refreshen up and get back to my studies, and get everything ready for you Wish, I got some exciting assignments for you to work on. See you two later!”
We both said our goodbyes and I just sighed. Rainbow just caught notice of my sighing, “Okay, I know what that sigh means, so what’s up?”
“I-It’s nothing Rainbow.” I tried to reassure.
“Nuh-uh, I’m not buying it. What’s going on?” I looked at her as she crossed her front legs. I then told her the same thing that I told Rarity. Then she says, “Jeez bud, you need to get out more than just working on dresses and drawing.”
I raised my brow and asked, “What do you suggest I do then?”
She shrugged and says, “I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Well, I gotta get to cloud patrol, they said we’re going to have some rain today in the next hour. See ya later!” She then took off with the rainbow trail following her as I waved goodbye and continued my journey to the alleyway.
Strolling on through, I had funny feeling like I was being watched. I looked above the buildings, seeing nobody at the op of the roofs. Suddenly, I heard a meow, making me quickly look behind me and cat cat jumped out of a garbage can. “Okay,” I said to myself, “If Discord’s plan was to make me be on edge, he succeeded.” I quickly turned to look straight and and my eyes match to a pair red eyes, making me scream of fright and falling back on my flanks.
A mischievous and familiar laughter came through as the former Lord of Chaos made his appearance, on his side with uncontrollable laughter. “Hohohoho, you should’ve seen the look on your face!”
“Yeah, hahaha,” I rolled my eyes, realizing he was just messing with me, but I will say he did got me smiling too. “It’s good to see you Discord.”
“Ah, it’s good to see you as well my little pony friend,” he chuckles with smirk.
We decided to stroll down through the alleyways, making me start up a conversation, “So, what brought you back to Ponyville? I thought you wanted to go to exile to the mountains where your kind lived.”
“Ah, that,” he says he glided next to me, “Well, as much as I wanted to, I had a little meeting with you-know-who.”
“Devine Light? What does he want from you?”
“Nothing really.” He explained to me, “I basically told him whatever offer he’s going to give me, he can send it to the moon for all I care, I didn’t want to get involved in his business… which only for him to tell me that all of the other draconequusai are gone. I’m last the last one of my kind as far as I know.” My heart sank when he told me that, I had feeling that Devine would have tried to get Discord on his good side, instead, he he had to get rid of every single draconequus that lived there.
“But what brought you back to Ponyville, and why the need to spy on me?” I asked him.
He sighed and said, “Well, I came back here because… well, for the first time, you were an honest and truest friend I’ve ever made when you had me redeemed, and I wanted to find a way to repay you.”
“By spying on me?”
“No no,” he reassured me, “Spying on you wasn’t my agenda, I assure you. No tricks, no evil diabolical plans, that was the old me. The new me is what you’re seeing now, and I’ve come here to make a proposition for you.”
I raised a brow and asked, “That being what?”
“Well, I’ve currently have a stallion who’s living in an apartment complex and has asked me to be his bunk buddy. So, I propose that we should beee… roommates!” He then pops out some confetti poppers and some whirligigs, along with a big sign that says, ‘Carson and Discord: Roommates for Life.’ I was in shock, speechless in fact. “Of course, I know what you’re thinking, ‘Discord, wanting me to be his roommate? That’s quite absurd! There is no way I’m taking such deal!’ But, here’s the deal, this Cookie stallion is a good kid, but I felt like I needed somepony who truly understands me, that’s why I wanted you to come see me.”
I let some of the info sink in and nodded, it does make somewhat form of sense and from what he tells me about Devine Light, he could really need a shoulder to lean on.
“Soooo…” he trailed, “What do you say?”
“Well… I don’t know Discord…” I hesitantly say, shuffling my left front hoof in the ground, looking at the draconequus, he did said that he wanted somepony that understood him by his side, and on the plus side, if pushed in the right direction, he could be a big help for Princess Twilight Sparkle when Tirek comes in. “You know, I was thinking about where to move out, and I haven’t even considered a roommate…” then I shrugged and gave him an answer, “Eh, sure, why not.”
Discord, with a very pleased smile cheers, “Very wonderful!” He gives me an envelope that just appeared out of thin air and explains, “Everything as to where and which apartment complex is will be perfectly detailed in the letter. I must go prepare everything for your settlement, and I promise you, I know that you’re going to love it! Ta-ta!”
Looking at where the former Lord of Chaos was, I stood there thinking, I wonder what kind of complex will be like when I get there? Eh, probably something human related… nothing too big probably. I placed the envelope in my pocket and went back to Lyra and Bonbon’s apartment to continue on with Lyra’s settlement.
By the time I got back, it was getting a little late, I was hoping that Lyra hasn’t left yet so we could discuss out a plan for how she and Bonbon could get together for their first date, however when I got back to Bonbon and Lyra’s apartment door, I could hear someone crying.
I knocked on the door, no response for a few seconds, only for the crying to stop, followed by rushed hoofsteps, and then then door swung open along with Bonbon shouting, “Lyra, I can expla-!” only for her to realize, while blushing a hot red, that it was only me, she then greeted me in a saddened tone, “O-oh, h-hey Wishing Star.”
I looked at her to see she was a sad mess, there were tear stain lines from her eyes to her cheeks and they were still damp, and her mane was a little frizzled. I asked her what was wrong, she then said to me almost broken, “Oh, Wish, I-“ she looked around in the hallway, then she dragged me in to the apartment, locked the door and then the windows, then she turned to me with a warned look on her face, “I need you to promise me something, that whatever I tell in this room, stays in this room.”
I know what she was going to tell me, but I put on the dumb act and asked her, “O-Okay, what’s this about?”
She breathed deeply and said to me, “I… I work for a secret agency called S.M.I.L.E., A Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria. I basically work undercover to keep from monsters threatening Equestria.”
I stood there in the most awkward silence I’ve ever been in for about twenty seconds and said to her, “Does Celestia know?”
“Of course she knows!” She yelled at me, “Some of the ponies that work in the agency know! Well… when I mean some, I mean a good hooffull of ponies know!”
“But I take it Lyra doesn’t know?”
“Yes!” She shouted at me, getting very agitated, I backed up and raised my hooves up in defense. She sighed, “I’m sorry… it’s hard to stay undercover when your friend is moving in.”
Bonbon, you wouldn’t know the half of it. I thought to myself. She was getting very scared and was about on the verge of crying again. I placed my hoof on her shoulder and told her, “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me, unless when the time is right, of course.”
She looked at me in shock. “Y-you Pinkie Promise?”
Oh boy, here we go… “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
She hugged me and gave me her thanks, “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that!” I chuckled nervously and returned the hug. “Oh! Before I forget!” She then let go of the embrace and looked at me as if I was her teacher, “I don’t know if you’d noticed, but… I have a crush on Lyra.”
I chuckled, “No surprise there.”
She blushed when I said that, but she continues on, “A-anyway, c-could you help me get Lyra to go out with me?” How could I say no to that?! I completely agreed to help her out with no hesitation and I knew this was going to be great!
As I was walking with Lyra, I told her about Bonbon getting very excited about her moving in, though, making sure to leave out key points about Bonbon being an agent of monster hunting. Lyra was quite ecstatic as well. But then she had to drop this bombshell of info.
“H-hey Wish?” She says to me, being careful to not reveal my real name, “C-could I tell you something?”
“Sure, what’s up Lyra?”
“Well… I, um… I have a crush on Bonbon… but I don’t know what to even tell her, or how to say it!” She then grabbed me by the collar of my hoodie and begged, “You gotta help me! I’m gonna loose my mind if I don’t tell her!”
“I find that if you’d put some tape around your head, it won’t get out as often, in fact that what I did when I was still in school. Sure everypony laughed, but helps quite-“
“Stop that, this is serious!” She interrupted my matter of a fact jestering.
“Alright, alright,” I chuckled, then I suggested thoughtfully, “Well, how about you make her a pie or a cake with a message on it?”
“I… don’t know.” She says giving it some thought.
Then I suggested, “How about this, once we get everything settled in for your permanent stay with Bonbon, we could get Pinkie Pie to help set up a private party for you and her. Call it a secret date.”
She went wide eyed for a moment and repeated what I said with a squeak in her voice, “A-a secret date? Y-yes, I… I guess that could work. But what about-?”
“No worries, this secret is just between us and Pinkie.” She sighed with a relieved smile. I looked at the time and said, “Oh! I better get over to my friend’s apartment! Don’t want him to think I forgot about him, see you soon Lyra!”
As I was walking to Discord’s new apartment, I then noticed about up until now I’ve started to keep secrets on both sides of the two mares, one needed to keep her identity all hush hush, and the other is keeping my real self and existence in the dark, and now both of them are counting on me to help them to get one or the other to asked for a date! Oh shit… what have I got myself into now?!
Discord’s New Apartment
Now completely shocked and angry with myself for not seeing this situation come sooner or later, I stopped at apartment number 1714. I sighed as I opened the door and called out, “Discord! I’m heeeEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I didn’t see were I was stepping and the next thing I knew, I was free falling to what looked like an endless night sky with so many stars… which I would love to count how many there were if I wasn’t spinning around like a top! “DISCOOOOOOOOORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I screamed and I then landed on top of some puffy, pillow-like clouds. I was feeling quite dizzy, my vision was like the whole sky was spinning.
“Carson!” Discord’s voice greet me as there was two of him, then four, then eight, “I’m so glad that you could- oh dear… I should’ve brought the cloud up closer to the door.”
I giggled like a loon then greeted back, “H-hey Discord… I don’t… I don’t know why there’s so many of you, but I’m grateful that you’re settled in, heheheheh….” Took me a little while to get my vision back as I sat down on a cloud couch that Discord gratefully made for me to sit down. I looked around the midnight sky and remarked, “I gotta hand it to you Discord, I didn’t think you’d be the kind of draconequus to be into sceneries.”
He chuckled and tells me, “Well, when you become reformed, you could get many different hobbies and tastes.” I chuckled and was about to say something, until there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it, it must be my other bunk mate!” He zooms by the door, which leaves me really confused. I thought I was going to be the only bunk mate.
He opened the door and greets, “Ah! Cookie, I see you’ve been using the box I sent you!”
I looked in shock to see the young stallion that I’ve met just a few moments ago, I felt like my jaw was gonna detach from my skull. “Yep!” Cookie says cheerfully, as he drags in the moving box, “These are much easier to use than the regular ones! These are gonna be great for moving supplies in the future!” He then notices me and exclaimed, “Whoa! The Neighotiator is gonna stay with you too?!”
The Lord of Chaos chuckles, “Yessir, and he’s grateful to be a part of this little community!”
I was speechless, “B-b-but-“
“Ah, quite speechless I see.” He complimented to me, then he looked at the outfit that Cookie was wearing, it kinda looks like Goku’s outfit from DragonBall. Discord then asks him, “What’s with the martial arts cosplay?”
“Oh, I was trying it on… I didn’t even realize that I still had it on.” The brown stallion blushed as explained. How in the hell did you not notice it until now?! I wanted to ask him, but I felt that I would kinda scare him so I didn’t say anything as I was too dumbfounded by this situation.
But, despite me being literally confused as hell, Discord gave us the grand tour of Chaosville, his personal realm if you will. He showed us around from the Dr. Seuss styled buildings and clouds, to some of the strange plant life like a glass willow tree, and a- wait… is that an actual candy flower?
As we continued on, he showed us my new bedroom and I was surprised. The walls and ceiling were a bright teal color, yellow stars decorated on each wall, although there was no bed as I have yet to be completely moved out from Sweet Apple Acres. I had no idea what to even say and I looked around the room, my mouth agape.
“Say Wishing Star?” Cookie asked me, making me snap out of my thoughts and turn my head to look at him, “Once I get everything settled, would you mind if you help me?”
I raised my brow and asked him, “With what exactly?”
“W-well… you know those two mares that you’ve helped out recently?”
“Yes?”
I realized a second too late when he then said this, “Well… I think I have a crush on the both of them, but I don’t know which one to go for. I-I figured that you would be known for these kinds of situations, I-I thought I would turn to you for help.” My right eye was beginning to twitch when I heard that, and that first sentence he said kept replaying in my mind, over and over again like a record player. Who does this guy think I am, Dr. Love?! I mentally screamed at myself. “Uhh, is he okay?” He asked Discord.
“Oh, he’s perfectly fine,” The draconequus reassured him, then suggests, “Why don’t you head on over to your room and get your things unpacked while Wish and I have a private chat?” Cookie gives him a little confused nod and then left the room, closing the door behind him. He looks at me as I if was I going to ask him something, but Discord being Discord already knew and with a snap of his eagle claw talons, a yellow star shaped pillow appears in front of me.
I gave him my thanks kindly at first and then asked him, “Are the walls sound proof?” He gave me a nod yes which I inhaled deeply and then continued, “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” I then proceeded to shoved the pillow onto my face and screamed as loudly as I could.
He gave me a pat on the and comforted me, “Ah, the pressure of moving in for the first time with a new roommate. I know the feeling.” Well… at least he tried to.
I groaned and told him, “No, Discord, you don’t understand!”
“What do you mean?”
“The mares, Lyra Heartstrings and Bonbon!” I explained to him tossing the pillow aside, “They’re supposed to be together! If Cookie gets involved with those two, then they’re going to get caught up in a love triangle they can’t get out of! Not only that, I’m suppose to help Lyra and Bonbon keeping their secrets safe and away from each other, and I have forcefully pry Cookie out of this before things get out of whack!”
“Oh, come now Carson,” he says to me, “You don’t have to get involved with every single event that’s happening in this timeline. You just have to let them work things out by themselves.”
“Tell that to Pinkie Pie when she stupidly scares Fluttershy about her stage fright!” I yelled, my muscles in my front legs and chest tightening. I started to go into a planning frenzy, “Okay, okay, I just gotta keep Cookie away, get Lyra and Bonbon together, everything’s gonna be fine!”
The draconequus shook his head in disapproval, “You’re only going to make things worse for yourself and to your friends. Isn’t that why you had me reformed? To learn the important values of friendship like you do?” The angst look on my face told him that I really need to do this now. He sighed with his front appendages on his on his hips, “Well, I won’t stop you, but don’t say I didn’t warned you.”
Not even bothered to respond to him, I left the room and went to go knock on Cookie’s room door. He answers it and began rather nervously, “Hey Cookie, about you deciding on which mare you should go for.”
“Yeah?” he asked me, a hint of excitement was noticeable.
“Well… I was thinking…” I trailed off and then my mouth shot out, “Maybe you could ask them both out on a date?”
His eyes went wide from the idea I stupidly presented to him, but then he cheerfully said, “Hey, that’s not a bad idea! In fact, I’m gonna go over there and ask them out now! Thanks Wishing Star!” He left his room and heads off to meet up with the mares.
Oh shit, I cursed myself thoughtfully, This is not good! This date supposed to be for Lyra and Bonbon! If Cookie says yes, this is going to be nuttier than a stampede through Ponyville! …okay, let’s not freak out about this. It’s an if scenario, if they say yes to join them, it’s going to shit; if they say no, then it’s fine, I can salvage this from there!
A good walk is what I needed right now. Not a single thought about Lyra, Bonbon, and Cookie has came up once in this lazy afternoon dusk. There was some foals playing with a ball there, there was some bakers with their trays like always there, ah and of course from above, Rainbow Dash is once again showing off her flight maneuvers. I could only just shake my head. That mare can sometimes be full of herself. I thought myself
I then looked over at a group of ponies heading inside a fancy restaurant… who oddly looked like Lyra, Bonbon and… COOKIE?! I had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn’t seeing things, but nope! There they are, in plain view, on a three way date! I screamed mentally as I rushed over to the group.
Before they got a chance they got inside, Lyra caught sight of me and says, “Hey Wish, how are you?”
I was dumbfounded and asked, “Lyra, I thought you-“
“Oh, well, I was about to,” she explains to me, “But Cookie here was kind enough to offered us to go on a date with him. He said that it was your idea to make it happen.” I screamed mentally again from this explanation.
“I didn’t think that you two were going to say yes, if I’m honest.” He admitted to them, making my mental scream go louder.
“Oh Cookie, we couldn’t pass up an opportunity like that!” Bonbon tells him, lovingly rubbing his left shoulder, “Besides, you’d look like the kind of stallion that could win a mare or two more hearts.” My mental scream went even louder, so loud I felt like I want to blow my fucking head off like a tactical nuke.
“Why don’t you two get a table?” Lyra suggested to them, “I need to tell Wish something real quick.” They agreed and went inside the restaurant, leaving just her and my dumbfounded self. “I really wanted to thank you Wish, this is going to be the best night for us.” I just stood there like a lemon and then she asked me that just want me to die instantly, “Oh! Before you go, could you pick up some flowers?”
…
“Sure,” I gave out a very tiny squeak and walked away and to the flower shop. Oh fuck, oh god, oh no, oh shit, why did I tell that stallion to ask them out?! You dumb American fucking blockhead! You should’ve told them that they wanted a private date! Why didn’t you tell him that you- I went by the counter to stop my thoughts from screaming at me and asked mare in a deadpan tone, “Could I get bouquet of flowers please?” As I got and paid for them, my thoughts resumed to scream at me, absolutely jackass! A jackass, that’s what you’re looking like right now!
I went to the restaurant, but the waiter stopped me and said, “Sir, you need to make a reservation before you go inside.”
“Oh Wishy!” I a sing songy voice called to me… a chill suddenly went up my spine, turning around and who do I see? Pinkie Pie wear blue and yellow eyeshadow respectively on either eye, a bright pink gown, and a balloon hair clip. “I was beginning to think you’d be late! But golly, you sure show in some places at the right time!” She pronked her way to me excitedly and then asked me, “Ready for our dinner date?”
In my mind I could only ask myself this: WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS EVEN HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?! I got Cookie going on a fucking three way date with Lyra and Bonbon, and now Pinkie Pie has assigned a date with me?! Oh god, what’s next, Twilight wearing a clown costume?!
“U-uh…” I stumbled on myself, hell, I could I even say to any of this?! “S-sure, Pinks, let’s uh… let’s go inside, heheheh.” I took her right front leg, gentlestallion like and walked right in, as we did so, I asked her through my teeth quietly, “Pinkie, what are you doing?! I didn’t agree to do a date with you!”
“Oh silly, Carsy,” she spoke on my volume, making sure nopony in the dining room heard us, “I knew what you were up to, so I just wanted to making the evening a little more interesting!” I was absolutely flabbergasted and frustrated, but I suddenly realized that she might be only doing this to help me see this entire date go through… maybe things were in my favor after all.
“Okay, but I’ll be right back,” I explained to her showing the flowers, “I gotta go drop the flowers off to Lyra and Sweetie Drops and… ugh, Cookie.” I broke off from her, went to the three way couple’s table and presented the flowers to them, “Flowers for the lovely ladies… and stallion, heheheh.”
“Oh! Wish, these are lovely!” Bonbon gasps as I gave her the flowers, she took a sniff and said, “Thank you very much Wishing Star.”
“By the way, how did you get in?” Cookie asked me, “Did you make a reservation here too?”
“Erm… no, that would be Pinkie Pie that made the reservation.” I pointed to the her across two rows down, who of which waved at us, we waved back, me being the nervous fuck that I currently am.
“Hold on,” Lyra said to me with a confused look on her face, “I thought you said that you have your eyes on Twilight?”
I began to fluster again and then said, “Uh, well, it’s complicated, b-but I’m working on it. A-anyway, I better not keep Pinkie waiting, h-have fun!” I walked to the table where the party pony is sitting at and gave out a frustrated sigh, “Oh God, they’re going on a three way date, and I had to began this entire clusterfuck storm.”
“It’s okay, Wish,” Pinkie reassured me, patting my right shoulder, “Sometimes, things needs to be handled on their own. Just look at them, they’re having fun so far.” I looked at Lyra and Bonbon’s table, and indeed, the three ponies were looking like they were having a lot of fun, but I still have an uncomfortable feeling that something’s going to go wrong real fast.
Fifteen minutes later, and I was getting serious anxious, watching the group laughing and talking, about what I don’t know neither did I care. I got to step in and tell him now! I got up and walked over to the table, Pinkie was asking me where I was going, but I didn’t bothered answering her. “Cookie, you can’t be with these two.” I told him plainly.
The three of them looked at me in shock, and he asked me, “W-what are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about. I should’ve told you this earlier, but these two were supposed to go a date, alone.”
Lyra then just laughs and said to me, “Aw, lighten up Wishing Star! Besides, this is best date I’ve ever been to!”
“Oh for fuck sake Lyra!” I nearly yelled, “You were supposed to be on a date with Sweetie Drops here, this is not how it’s supposed to go and-“
“Sweetie Drops?” Lyra asked me confused, “Who the heck is that?” Oh, shit… I just gave out Sweetie’s agent name, she even gave me a shocked glare when I proclaimed. I was now sweating bullets, everypony was now looking at me with such confusion. “Wish, what’s going on?”
…
“Oh, sorry about this,” Pinkie said to her from behind me, “He’s just having rough day today. Oh, Wish! You’re sweating! You’re not getting sick again are you?”
“I… I-I, uh…”
“Let’s go to the washroom and get that taken care of.” She suggested and guided me to the restroom.
As we headed to a hallway, we suddenly stopped in front of a door. “Uh… Pinkie? This doesn’t look like the restroom- HEY!!” She swung the door open to reveal a janitor’s closet, shoves me from behind, and closed it, locking it up from the outside. I pounded the door and called her out, “PINKIE! THIS ISN’T FUNNY! OPEN THE DOOR!!”
“Just give Lyra and Bonbon a chance! Let them work it out!” She says from the other side of the door, “I’ll keep your food warm for you~!” Hoofsteps sounded like it was getting further and further away from the door.
“Pinkie?! …PINKIE!” I was getting very scared now, I’m locked in a small room with no way out, and there was no source of light, I couldn’t even find a light switch… well fuck. I was getting very scared. I never told anyone this, but I’m incredibly scared of small confined spaces. Every time I look at the walls around me, it’s like they move ever so slowly to cave me in, smushing me until I’m a strawberry pancake.
“Bonbon, please just tell me what’s going on!” I heard Lyra asked from the other side of the door followed by hoofsteps. I leaned in to hear the conversation, and from the sound of it, things are escalating rather quickly.
“It’s not any of your business Lyra Heartstrings!” Bonbon scolds her friend, “I have to keep this secret away from you, and I don’t want you involved in this!”
“Involved in what?”
“I can’t tell you!”
“Why not?!”
“Because I just can’t! Just drop it, okay?!”
“No! I’m not going to if you tell me what’s going on!”
“OKAY, FINE!!!” The two suddenly got quiet after Bonbon’s outburst, she then spoke again, “Okay… I-I’ll tell you, but you promise not to laugh or tell anypony about this, got it?” No response from Lyra, but I can only assume that she might’ve said yes by nodding.
Bonbon took a deep breath and explained to her, “I’m called Agent Sweetie Drops of S.M.I.L.E, an organization that is called to stop numerous monster threats in Equestria in secret. I’ve been doing this kind of work for about five years, and since then, stopping monsters has been my priority. If word got out that I worked for agency for stopping monsters, I’m gonna lose my job! And now that I’ve told you this, I’m probably going to lose it anyway…”
…
“Why not recruit me?”
“WHAT?!”
“I said, why not recruit me?” Lyra repeated her question, “It actually sounds like a pretty cool job now that I think about it.”
“But I don’t want you involved, Lyra!” Bonbon cries, “If I do that, we go back to the normal lives we have now!”
Lyra just chuckles and said to her, “Who said that I wanted a normal life? I found out my best friend and crush is working with a top secret group that kick monster butt and save the world in the process, and now I love you mo- oops!”
There was an awkward silence and then Bonbon asked as her voice began to quiver, “Y-you love me?”
Lyra, now no lingering care of keeping it a secret exclaims, “Of course I do! And to live a normal life? Are you kidding?! That sounds boring! Fighting monsters on the other hoof? Now that sounds like an adventure… I want be a part of that with you. I want to support you and defend you even when our lives are on the line… I love you Agent Bonbon.”
Bonbon has said word, until a few seconds later she started crying, almost happy sounding… I think. I then heard muffled moaning from the two mares. Are… are they kissing?! They’re kissing and I missed the actual scene! Then I fell forwards as the door open and they screamed bloody murder. Eventually they realize that it was only me.
Embarrassed with a red blush I then fibbed, “Uh… I got lost?” Lyra then began laughing her head off, eventually falling onto the floor, while Bonbon just shook her head with a smile that said to me, “Busted!”
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned another important two-in-one friendship lesson. My day wasn’t the brightest, and it was a lesson that I had to learn the hard way. My friends, now fillyfriends for life, Lyra Heartstring and Bonbon, had a lot of secrets that they want me to keep, including a stallion name Cookie, who’s now my roommate along with Discord. The mares had crushes on each other, and poor Cookie had a crush on the both of them… and well, let’s just say that keeping those secrets was not something in my forte, including of trying to force the mares to be together instead of letting them doing it their own way, but they confessed to each other and kissed… I seriously curse Pinkie Pie for making me miss it had she not put me in a janitor’s closet.
But, points being are these: 1. Don’t take on the tasks yourself, otherwise you’d be breaking yourself apart or much worse; 2. There are some things are better off being done naturally instead of being forced, and there are times that ponies don’t want me to step in and let them handle it, they could surprise you.
I hope you found this letter entertaining for you.
“Okay Spike,” I tells Spike confidently, “I’ve been doing exercises yesterday Rainbow Dash told me to do, now I’m just checking for my weight.” I placed my front hooves on the weight scale, last time I checked I was about three hundred and fifteen pounds, which wasn’t a good weight for a unicorn, we both looked and saw that I seemed to have lost twenty pounds. “Haha, look at that! Twenty pounds seems like a good start!”
“Heh, Shining would approve.” Spike joked with pride, “Heck, I think Wish would be too.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, only to earn him a confused look on my face.
“I’m… sure Wishing Star would approve.” She said with some hesitation.
Then, the door could be heard open, then a familiar tom colt shouted, “What’s up jogging buddy?” Rarity giggles as she enters with her.
“Hey there Rainbow!” I greeted her, “I’ve lost twenty pounds!”
Rainbow crossed her fore legs and chuckles, “That’s a good start. No doubt Wish’s gonna be drooling by the time he sees ya.” Once again, I gave her a confused look to her. “In fact, that’s the only thing he’ll be looking at if you know what I mean, heheheheh?”
I had no idea what she was talking about. “Okay, what is it with you guys and Wishing Star?” I asked them, “I get it, he’s very observant and a good friend, but-“
“Darling, do you not even get that he’s trying to get your attention?” Rarity asked me.
…
“For what he needs my attention for?”
“Come on Twilight!” Spike obviously tells, practically lost his patience with this, “Wishing’s in love with you! He’s the secret admirer! He’s the one who gave you the Dancing Spectras! It should be obvious!”
I looked at him shocked at first, then I asked, “What should be obvious?”
They all groaned in frustration with me not knowing what they’re talking about, Rarity clarified for me, “Darling. Listen very carefully: Wishing. Is. In. Love. With. You.”
I raised my brow at Rarity, until I’ve gotten more context from Rainbow Dash, “You know, the warm fuzzy feeling you get when somepony’s attracted to you? Something that your romantic novels describe?”
“W-wait…” The look of confusion slowly morphs, finally, to a face of realization, “He… he’s the one that’s in love with me?!”
“About time she noticed.” Rainbow mutters.
“He-he’s in love with me?! Is this what being in love with somepony feels like?!” I asked nopony in particular, but I feel like that I’m addressing the question at everypony without giving them a chance to say anything. “Oh my goodness! I don’t… I don’t think I can handle this pressure! He’s in love with me?! But why me?!” I began to hyperventilate out of control, trying to cling on some oxygen that I could muster.
“T-Twilight dear?” Rarity asked me, I was beginning to feel faint, darks spots were taking over my vision and I fell to my side with a thud.
I then opened my eyes as I was now on my bed, and Spike, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and now Fluttershy and Applejack were here. “W-wuh? What happened?” I asked them, looking generally confused.
“You passed out from the mention of Wish being in love with you.” Rarity explained to me.
“Oh…” I sighed as I hung my head, only to raise it back up to look at the fashionista, “H-how long did he have… y-you know?”
Applejack chuckled, “Long enough for ‘im that he wouldn’t stop yappin’ ‘bout ya.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Wishing Star, out of all the ponies in Equestria loves me, he loves me! A part of me got really excited, but I stopped, my heart pounding very loudly, I placed my hoof to my chest. “Is… is this what it’s like to fall in love with somepony?” I asked as I looked at my friends, “My heart… it’s beating so loud, I can’t even think straight.”
“Oh boy…” Rainbow groans, rolling her eyes.
“Well, I can say from experience,” Rarity ignored the light blue Pegasus, “Yes, what you’re feeling is love. It just comes naturally dear, trust me.” I blushed when explained it to me. All this time… I never even knew he had feelings for me.
“Oh my goodness, wha-what should I do?!” I asked them, then looking at the books, I then proclaimed, “I-I gotta look this up!” I hopped out of bed and quickly rushed to the bookshelves, searching for anything love related.
“Whoa, slow down there sally,” Applejack told me, “It’s gettin’ late, ya’ll should probably get some shut eye.”
I looked over at the window and I was shocked and embarrassed to see that it was already getting dark. “Oh,” I sheepishly say, “I-eheheh, I didn’t realize how late it was.”
My friends said their farewells for tonight, leaving me and Spike to close up the library for tonight. As I lay down in my bed, I could only look up at the ceiling, my cheeks turned red, my heart was pounding heavily and loudly again, for the day that will come tomorrow. I quietly spoke to myself, "It’ll be the first day to teach him his first friendship lesson with me... but why do I get the feeling that he’s going to teach me?"
It was a calm autumn morning, birds were a chirping, the sun was arising, and- “The timberwolves are a-howlin'! The timberwolves are a-howlin'!” Called Granny Smith as she clanged and banged her pots and pans… so much for a calm morning.
“The zap apples are comin'! The zap apples are comin'!” Applebloom cheers as she rushes out of bed and into Wishing Star’s bedroom, then she began shaking him roughly.
“Hrmmph, AB… What’s going on?” He groggily turned to his side to look at the excited filly.
The bouncing country filly explains to me, “Today’s the day Zap Apples are growin’! Come on Wishin’!”
“Okay, okay, let me get some black bean juice, then I’ll come help.” He chuckled as she got off of the bed with a “Yippee!!” and rushed downstairs to joint her siblings, in truth though, he knew what is going on… ‘Family Appreciation Day.’ In this episode, Applebloom is trying desperately to make sure Granny Smith doesn’t speak at the school. Carson got up and headed downstairs, in his mind he was looking at the options that he could do in this episode alone. When nothing came up, he realized that there isn’t really much that can do to change anything… maybe except-
CLANG CLANG CLANG!!! The sounds of the pot and pan banging right in front of him surprised, he looked to the source to see an apologetic Granny Smith. “Oh, Ah’m terribly sorry yungin’.” She says to him.
He blinked for a second, who was now wide awake and says to her, “Heheh, it’s quite alright Granny, that was a much better wake up call for me.” He then looks at the calendar, then his eyes went wider in shock and then exclaims, “OH NO!! I’m going to be late!”
Applejack came downstairs, but before she even got the chance, are teal blur sped past her and she was surprised as she looked back to see Wishing Star quickly grab his friendship journal and his notepad, and hurries to the stairs. “Whoa, slow down pardner,” the cowpony says as she stops him, “What’s gotten you hurried like a jack rabbit all of a sudden?”
“Twilight’s suppose to teach my first friendship lesson! I don’t want to be late and-“ he stops himself as he realizes, “Oh gosh, AJ, I’m so sorry, b-but-“
Applejack chuckled and says, “It’s alright Wish. Go on, git.”
Carson thanks her and he went out of the house to hurry on his way to Ponyville. Applebloom looked at the speeding pony, then at her sister, then asked, “Where’s Ca, I mean, Wishing Star goin’?” Her sister said the same thing he told her, which she was saddened that he isn’t participating, but she made a promise to herself that she’ll save some zap apple jam for him when he gets back.
Meanwhile, at Golden Oaks
“Okay, blackboard’s ready and written down, study topic chosen, now all I needed to do is just let this play out.” Twilight says confidently, placing a quill and a jar of ink on a desk. “Are you sure this is going to work Rarity? Don’t stallions usually ask the mare to go out with him? This is kind of out of the unorthodox.”
“Trust me, dear,” Rarity reassures her, “This should get his attention, unlike his first couple of attempts.”
Twilight sighs nervously, “Oh, I hope you’re right on this.” She then places a two paged test on the desk, looking especially at the last question. “Do you think he’ll say yes Rarity?”
“Well, I-“
“Hello?! Twilight, are you there?!” They heard Wish’s voice cutting Rarity off, sounding rushed. Twilight gasped quietly and teleported Rarity to her bathroom, failing to realize that Spike is taking a bubble bath in there. She’ll have to deal with the consequences later, she has a class to teach and a question that needed answering. She regained her composure and opened the door, looking at a messy maned Wishing Star. “Hey! Sorry for running late Twilight!”
Twilight giggled and reassures him, “It’s fine Wish. You should really fix your mane though.”
“Huh?” He then patted his own head and felt his mane, “Oh! I’ll just go wash up real quick and-“
“NO!” She shrieked all of a sudden, Wish looked at her confused. Twilight, blushing a bright red on her cheeks, tries to recomposes herself and tries to tease him, “Uh, h-haven’t you heard? Messy manes are the new style this week, hehehe…”
Carson gave her an awkward look and laughed, “Ahaha… s-sure.” He then clears his throat, giving each other an awkward silence. After what felt like fifteen seconds, the teal stallion spoke up with a little humor, “So, what’s the lesson today professor?”
She giggled and says to him, “Just Twilight, and this happened to be my very first important lesson on friendship. Please, have a seat.” This piqued Wish’s interest, he knew of Twilight’s first adventure, how she met her friends for the first time, and becoming the Element of Magic. He sat at his desk, quill in hoof, and waited for Twilight to begin. She then starts, “Ahem, today’s lesson is the importance of friendship and the elements that make up said friendship. Let’s start at the beginning and with a question, is making friends ever easy?”
Wish responds with, “Sometimes. It just depends on who and how you’re going to make friends with them.” Though, knowing his life when he was human, he never made any friends at his school, in his neighborhood, etc.
Twilight nods, “I sometimes wished that I could’ve learned that lesson earlier when I first came to Ponyville, but as you’ve already know, I didn’t start off that way. That was due to the fact that the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon, was returning after her one thousand years of exile. But my mission from Princess Celestia was to make some friends, which I bemoaned that fact that this was even a task for me to do. So, I tried to make my first friend, which was Pinkie Pie, but of course she took off like a pebble on a slingshot went off to set up a party for me as a welcoming party to Ponyville.”
“How does she even move so quickly anyways?” Carson asked her.
She shook her head with a sigh, “It’s best if we don’t answer that. Believe me, I tried to figure that out myself, but to no luck. But, we’re getting off topic. Applejack was the next friend I met, she represents…” she trails off, leaving for Wish to figure it out.
“Honesty.”
“Correct.” Twilight says to him, “Honesty is a healthy way to form a better relationship with somepony that you’re getting to know, and it’s nice that in every relationship that you should always be truthful and honest with that pony.” He nods in agreement, though deep in thoughts, he felt nervous about how he was going to tell his identity to the rest of the girls and, moreover, if they would ever accept and forgive him even if he is a different species. Twilight meanwhile was secretly shocked by the fact that he hasn’t caught sight of what’s going on. When is he going to start to notice? she thought to herself.
The lesson continued on normally, but every time that she makes a dating reference, Wish didn’t caught sight of it. What is she doing wrong here? As the lesson comes to a close, she then looks over at the two paged test. This is her only shot at getting his attention. “Alright Wish,” Twilight says confidently, “You’re doing great. Here’s your test for today.” She uses her magic to levitate the papers to him. She then added, “There’s also some extra credit questions if you want to answer them.”
He nods and began to take his test. Twilight could only just watch him from the other side of the room as she scribbled down some notes for today’s lesson, getting more and more anxious by the minute. A few minutes had passed and Twilight looked back at Wish as she’s subconsciously scribbles on her notes, biting her lower lip. It’s okay Twilight, she thought to herself, Wish is gonna see the extra credit question, he’ll say yes, and we’ll be on our first date! Just have hope!
She could then see it now, he’s on his last set of questions on the second page. Beads of sweat were dripping from her forehead and brow. He’s now half way through the page, just a few more questions. Seven questions left… six questions… five… four… three… two…
“Wish!”
They turned their heads to look at Applebloom who bursts in and wore a worried expression on her face. “AB?” Wished asked curiously, “What are you’d doing here?”
“We have trouble back in the field! We need all hooves on deck! That means you too!” Applebloom pulls Wishing’s foreleg, urging to come with her.
“Whoa whoa, okay,” Carson chuckles, then looks at Twilight, who was now wearing a panicked look on her face and was about to say something, but she was cut off by Wish, “Oh! Right! Here’s the test Twi, I hope this is to you satisfaction.”
“I-I am, but-“ she was once again cut off by Wish.
“Sorry Twilight, I gotta go, but I’ll come back later, I promise! See you soon!” He then follows the little earth pony foal out.
“B-but, I-,” It was already too late for the stuttering lilac mare, he’s left the treehouse, “I-you need to-you’re suppose to-oh for Celestia sake!” She never swore using her mentor’s name like this, this was quite frustrating for her. She lays on the floor, staring at a blank answer with a question that says ‘Will you go out with me?’ She suddenly heard a door slam from the top of the staircase with a disapproving Rarity walking down the stairs and Spike, with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“What was Rarity doing in the bathroom?” He asked her big sister. Twilight’s already blushing with embarrassment and just plants her face in to her hooves, letting out a muffled groan.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres
As they hurried back to the Apple’s residence, they could see Applejack and Big Mac were nowhere to be found. “Huh? Where are AJ and Big Mac?” He asked the little filly.
“U-uh, we’ll, that’s the thing-“
“This wasn’t a big of an emergency, is it?” He asked, now knowing that this was a huge lie and him being pulled away from his lesson with Twilight. The filly nods ashamed and sorry. “AB, what is this really about? If it’s not fieldwork, then what is it?”
She shuffled her left forehoof on the ground and explained, “W-well… since Family Appreciation Day is comin’ up, A-Ah was wonderin’ if you could be there? Big sis and Big Mac won’t be able to since they’ll be focused on the Zap Apples.”
Carson sighed, not only the fact that she’s asking him to participate in the school’s activity, but this made him nervous. Should he chose to agree to this, this would mean that Granny Smith wouldn’t get her shining moment in this episode. “I… I don’t know AB.”
“Please?” She gave him the begging face once again… oh the things he’d do for the foals.
He sighed again, then begins, “Applebloom…” he cuts himself off, he and the Crusaders had been keeping his identity a secret from the girls and their families, and here he is, just being an absolute hypocrite to this kind and generous family, hiding this from them. “AB… I think I need to be straight with them, about who I really am.”
“What!? No!” She shrieks, holding onto Carson’s foreleg, “Applejack will kick ya out if ya tell her!”
“Tell me what?” They both heard Applejack’s voice, they looked behind them and saw the orange mare staring at them confused.
He looked at the yellow filly, who shook her head no, practically begging him. Carson sighs and says, “AJ, can you get Granny Smith and Big Mac to the family room? Please?” Applejack could sense a serious tone in his voice and beckons him inside the house. As the Apples sat at the couch, except for Granny Smith as she in her wheelchair, right in front of Wishing Star.
“You’re probably wondering why I called you here.” He started, this is a huge gamble he’s taking, if they don’t accept him ever again, at least he’s got Discord to fall back on, but then again, if they reveal his identity to the public, he could be in big trouble, “Well, Applebloom had asked me to join her on Family Appreciation Day.”
“Well, Ah’m say that’s a swell idea!” Applejack encourages.
“Eeeyup.” Big Mac agreed.
Carson shook his head and said, “No AJ, it’s really not,” the Apples, except Applebloom looked at him confused, “If I do go, they’d have a huge liar in their school as a guest… just like you have a liar in this household… meaning me.”
“What are ya talkin’ about sonny?” Granny Smith asked him concerned.
He took a deep breath and said the following words he never thought he would ever say to a kind and accepting family, “I lied to you. I should’ve been truthful with all of you… the truth is my name is Carson Andrews, and I’m a human being from another word that is quite different from yours.” Silence… just utter silence, that’s all the response was made. This made Carson continue on, “I wanted to be honest with you from the beginning, but I got scared. If you knew that I was from another world, would you have accepted me all the same?”
Applejack was going to respond, but Granny Smith exclaims, “Well, darn tootin’, course we would!”
Carson was surprised, “Y-you would?”
“Sure shootin’ youngin’! In fact, it reminded me of the time a young stallion like yerself had the same issue. His name was Hay Barrel, he was a troubled pony and had live his life on the run, but when he met Applesugar, his entire life turned around for him. When the time came to tell her the truth, she still accepted him all the same, the kind and bravest pony she’s ever met.”
Applejack chuckled and said, “Point is, sugarcube, you’re always welcome to the family, no matter who or what you are. Ah am curious and disappointed as to why ya’d hide such a secret?”
Carson, feeling a huge weight lifting off his shoulders then confessed, “Like I said, I was scared. I know this is a huge favor, but please promise me, promise that you won’t tell anyone else about my real identity. Please?”
Applejack sighs heavily, “Ya know we’re not the type of ponies to be keepin’ secrets. However, fer yer sake, we’ll try to make it as an exception.”
“Eeeyup.” Big Mac agreed.
Carson sighed in relief, but then AJ asks him, “Who else knows about ya?” He then started to list off the ponies that knew about him, when he told that the Crusaders knew and had practically forced them to, they were shock, almost making Applejaack to scold her little sister, but when brought up the princesses knowing who he is, their jaws almost dropped off of their heads.
After a few minutes of processing this information, AJ then said, “Well sugarcube, Ah’ll tell ya this, like Ah said, Ah’m willing to let this slide, but because ya got Applebloom involved, you’re gonna have to do double duty on the orchard, no excuses.”
He sighs understandingly and said, “I know, and I’m sorry and I’ll take whatever consequences you have for me.”
“Right, startin’ the day after Family Appreciation Day, Ah need ya to be on wood choppin’ duty with Big Mac, understood?”
“Heard loud and clear sheriff.” Carson saluted to the country pony, suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.” He went to the front door, and opens it to see a very flustered Twilight Sparkle. “Twi? What are you doing here? I said I would come back to the library and-“
“Will you please go out on a date with me?”
Carson was in shock for a second, did he hear this right? “U-uh, could you ask me that again?”
She sighs very frustrated and then asks herself, “Why is it this hard to ask a stallion this? Okay, Wish, I’m going to be blunt with you: I like you, a lot, ever since you first came here to Ponyville, I just thought of you as a friend… but as time went on, I… I’m beginning to have feelings for you… s-so, will you please go out on a date with me?”
Carson thought that his heart was beating faster in unison with hers. He couldn’t believe it, this mare, his hero, his teacher, is asking him if he would go on a date with her, this is his chance! “A-absolutely! I love to!” He proclaims.
“R-really?!”
“Yes!”
Twilight’s eyes went wide… he said yes! “Wonderful! Great, s-so, um, meet me tomorrow at Whitetail Wood, two o’clock. Don’t be late.”
“I won’t!” He promises, they said their goodbyes for now, and immediately Carson cheers in excitement.
That wore down a bit when Applejack and Applebloom came to the front, Applebloom asks, “What’s goin’ on here?”
“I got date AB!” He dances happily and hugging the confused yellow filly, “Twilight just asked me on a date! Can you believe it?!”
The orange mare chuckles, “Well Ah’ll be. Where at?”
“Whitetail Wood, tomorrow at 2! Oooh, I just can’t wait!” He exclaims, as he then let go of Applebloom, whom of which was trying to get some air after her struggle to be released from his grip. Suddenly, there was another knock on the door. “I’ll get it!” Carson says and then opens the door. It was Wisp. Now this is strange, he thought to himself, What’s this little guy doing here? “Oh, hey Wisp.” He greets, “Ya’ll-I mean-you need something?”
He shuffled his left forehoof and said, “Y-yeah, is Applebloom here?”
They heard a little “Eep,” from behind Carson, they looked at the filly, hiding behind Applejack. Now this was really strange, first Sweetie Belle and now Applebloom? Who even is this kid? Some kind of ladies stallion? And why are they so shy around him whenever they see him? Carson thought to himself again.
“U-uh, h-howdy Wisp.” The yellow filly sheepishly greets.
“Hey, you lost this back at the playground yesterday.” He says as he hands her what it seems to be a ribbon, the same color of Applebloom’s bow.
“Mah bow! I was lookin’ for that! Where was it?”
“It nearly got trampled by the other foals when you were playing tag,” He explains to her, “I think Diamond and Silver had something to do something with that.”
The filly gratefully took her bow and thank him as he took his leave. Carson was hugely suspicious of the colt. “I’ll be right back.” He says to the Apples and went outside to catch up with Wisper, “Hey kid! I need to talk to you.” The colt stops, shivering in a little fright, now Carson is really suspicious about this foal. He then starts by saying to him, “Now young stallion, I feel like you owe me an explanation.”
“U-uh, w-what are you talking about?” Wisp tries to fib.
“Don’t try and sneak your way out of this,” Wishing Star scolds, “You know exactly what I’m referring to. Lying about your parents’ permission to just ‘wander around,’ Ponyville? The fillies getting shy around you? Not to mention you ‘finding things,’ that belong to said fillies.”
“O-oh! W-well, um…” The colt begins to stutter, his eyes darting around trying to get himself out of this situation, but of course, he’s got nothing. He then curses whisperingly, “Ugh, okay fine… b-but you have to promise me to not tell anypony about this!”
“It’ll depend how secretive it is.”
Wisper sighs and then says, “I-I’m actually an orphan.” The teal stallion’s eyes went wide as he continues, “The thing is that I hate the orphanage, being stuck in there everyday waiting for a family to come and adopt me… and everyday, they picked somepony else just because of my ‘condition’! It isn’t fair!”
“Condition?” Carson asked him, “What condition?” Wisp’s ears went flat when the question was asked. He sighs and then… his entire body became transparent with a ghostly green glow, his ears, scruff, and tuft of mane became wavy in motion. Carson was shocked by this sudden transformation. “Whoa…” He gasps.
“See! It’s bad!”
Carson shushes the colt, “I’m sorry, my reaction was poorly placed. Besides, I don’t think your condition isn’t bad at all.”
“Bad?!” Wisper argues, “I’m a half pony, half ghost, how is this isn’t bad at all?!”
“Because there’s only one you in the world, a very special you.” Carson encourages the colt, “So what if you're a half-and-half? OWN it! Better to be you than being in the crowd. Besides, when was the last time in Equestria that anypony ever heard of a ghost pony in the modern day? That is… incredible!”
The colt was in awe by the praise he was getting from his hero. “Y-You mean that?”
“Yeah, I mean it!” The stallion exclaims as he kneels down to the colt’s height, “This is the greatest gift that you’ve ever gotten. In fact, if Princess Celestia gives you a chance, if there are any records of any half ghost ponies existed, she could help you out with getting a good understanding of your powers.”
“I…” Wisper says nervously, “I don’t know…”
Carson placed his hoof on the colt’s shoulder, “Come on, there’s somepony I think you’d like to meet.” He says to him as they walked down the path as the colt reverts back into his normal form.
“W-where are we going?” He asked his hero.
“You’ll see.”
Dear Princess Celestia, today I’ve learned a very important lesson about friendship.
You see, earlier this afternoon, I’ve made a hard decision of revealing my true identity to a family that accepts you no matter where you come from. I was scared that revealing my identity would offend or hurt them someway, but that didn’t happen… okay, well, Applejack was hurt by the fact that I had the Crusaders keep it under wraps, but she does forgave me for it. Afterwards, Wisper Crisper came to the farm to return Applebloom’s bow, but I knew something was up and to my surprise, he’s a half pony half ghost colt! It was incredible!
Anyways, his and my lesson is this: Sometimes keeping secrets can be seriously hard to keep, especially when it’s on a personal level, so much so that it would cause a lot of stress and anxiety, and keeping things from others would not only hurt them, but yourself as well… I just only hope that the others would understand when the timing is right.
