Berry Punch hides her daughter during the split between tribe's.
In response to the unicorns and pegasi destroying the crops the earth ponies grow, the earth ponies run both tribes out of towns around Equestria. Ponyville is no exception to this except for one earth mare who refuses to give up her unicorn daughter.
(Takes place during Rifts. This is the earth pony POV, not a sequel.)
I galloped as fast as I could through Ponyville, jumping over carts and other ponies, sometimes sliding under them expertly. Not many ponies expected me to be as agile as I was.
“Hey! Watch it!” A stallion shouted angrily at me. Everypony was really angry right now, with the unicorns and pegasus teaming up to destroy our crops and gardens.
“Sorry!” I shouted back as he disappeared. I kept galloping till I reached my house and rushed inside, slamming the door shut and locking it. “Ruby! Where are you!”
“I’m in here!” I rushed to the voice and skidded to a stop. My daughter was curled into a shaking ball behind the couch. I stood up on the cushions and looked down at her lovingly.
“Are you okay?” I jumped down behind the couch and hugged her.
“Why are the earth ponies running us out? I thought they liked us?” Ruby sighed and gazed into my eyes.
“The adult unicorns are destroying earth pony crops and gardens. It’s not safe for you to be here. We need to hide you,” I explained.
“I don’t want to go. You can’t send me away!” Ruby clinged onto my neck.
“I won’t do that,” I promised as I looked around and my eyes lit up. “We will hide you in the cellar. You stay down there until I’m home everyday. And you wait until I either come down there to get you or call you up. Make no sound if you hear a pony walking around the house and you don’t know if it’s me. Am I clear?” I asked seriously. I grabbed her and dragged her to the cellar doors in the floor. I opened the doors after pulling the rug off and Ruby trotted in nervously. I had just closed the doors and pulled the rug back over before the somepony knocked on the door. “Come in!” Two earth ponies I recognized as Caramel and Cherry Fizzy trotted in.
“Hey Berry,” Cherry greeted me.
“Sup?” I asked calmly as I could.
“Not much,” he answered as he looked around. “Any unicorns in here? We are running them out.”
“N-nope!” I gave a nervous giggle. “None here.”
“What about your daughter?” Caramel asked. “Where is she?”
“Oh I sent her to Canterlot. Safest place for her,” I lied through my gritted teeth. I’d rather die than let them take my daughter away. I glanced down and my heart caught in my throat at the piece of Ruby’s tail sticking out. I casually stepped forward and stepped on it with my hoof, completely covering it up.
“Good call,” Caramel set down a picture of me and Ruby smiling in the park. “We will be out of your hair then.” The two started to trot out the door before a yelp made them freeze.
“What was that?” Cherry asked as his eyes flicked around.
“Oh that was me!” I gave a strained smile. “It’s a bit dusty in here!” I attempted to recreate the sound to the best of my ability and just when I thought they saw through me, they nodded and walked out, shutting the door behind them. Those two always had kinda been idiots, not that I would ever say it to their faces or tell Candy Apple how I felt about Caramel. I made sure they were gone before I removed my hoof and stared down at where the tip of the tail had been. It was out of sight now and I assumed the yelp was Ruby yanking it into the cellar with her. With a sigh, I entered the room under our house.
“Are they gone?” Ruby’s face appeared in front of me.
“Yeah love. They are gone,” I reassured her. “Are you hurt?”
“No. My tail got stuck in the door is all. Sorry for making a noise,” Ruby nuzzled me sheepishly and I quickly returned it.
“It’s okay. Let me see your tail and make sure it’s okay,” I sighed. She turned around and I examined the tip of her tail. “Alrighty, you’re right. Just making sure.”
“When can I go outside?” Ruby asked. “I wanna play with Dinky and Sweetie Belle.”
“Probably not for a while baby. We gotta wait for things to calm down outside and then we can maybe go check. Lyra is watching over Dinky and Amethyst for Derpy, probably already left for Canterlot with Sweetie Belle.”
“Why?”
“It’s not safe here for them. Canterlot is primarily a unicorn city.”
“Why don’t we go there?” Ruby asked. I tapped her horn and she gave a soft giggle and then I tapped my own head.
“I don’t got a horn. They wouldn’t let me in,” I explained patiently. "Besides, we have all we need in here. Enough food, water, books and each other."
"What happens if they find them and try to take me away, mom?" Ruby asked and I could hear a hint of fear in her voice.
"That won't happen," I said firmly. "They would have to get through me first."
"They would lose. My mom is the toughest mare I know!" Ruby giggled and she pressed her hoof to my chest.
"Dang right," I announced with a proud grin. "Not even Celestia or Luna could stop me."
"And they're the rulers of Equestria!" Ruby paused for second. "Well, former rulers. Twilight's coronation is today." I had completely forgot that. I was more focused on getting home and keeping my filly safe and sound from the angry mob downtown.
"Yeah I don't think it's happening today kid," I frowned at her pouting expression. "She is most likely trying to solve all this right now."
"But they might reschedule it, right?" Ruby asked hopefully. I knew how excited she was for this. I ruffled her mane with a hoof and smiled at her.
"Maybe they will," I agreed. "Lots of fun places for us to go to in Canterlot." I had saved up our few bits we had for this. I hated accepting help from Lyra, Derpy and Junebug in the form of money but as long as my daughter was happy and had a better foalhood than I did, I'd do whatever it takes. Because that's what a parent does. They try their hardest to give their foals a better life than they had. Shouldn't be too hard to top my foalhood. Mom was pretty abusive growing up and dad was too afraid of her leaving him to say anything. I quickly decided that I would never be a mom like she was. Sure, being a single mom can be taxing especially with bills and such but we get by. I sometimes have to lie and say I'll eat later just so Ruby can eat.
I love my daughter and I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. No matter the cost.
“Mom. I’m bored,” Ruby groaned as she stretched out on her back. I tried to not make a groan of my own.
“Me too,” I admitted. “But wanna know what makes it better?”
“What?” Ruby rolled her head to look at me as I laid on my back and mimicked her.
“Being here with you,” I nuzzled her affectionately. Ruby nuzzled me back with wide eyes.
“Really?” She asked incredulously. “Even though I’m a unicorn?”
“Just because you’re a unicorn doesn’t change the fact that you’re my daughter or make me love you any less. You can’t pick your race,” I smiled at her. It actually hurt she thought I would love her less because of it.
“The other unicorns couldn’t chose their race either,” Ruby retorted.
“I know,” I sighed. “There’s no point in trying to convince the crowd at this point. They’re dead set that the unicorns and pegasi are against us.”
“I hope my friends are okay,” Ruby snuggled up next to me and used my mane as a pillow. Even though I had moved her bed down here for her to use, she still preferred my mane. Why, I have no idea. I kissed her forehead and Ruby let out a content sigh. “I’m kinda scared.”
“It’s natural to feel fear in a situation like this. I’d be more worried if you didn’t feel fear. I’m kinda scared, too. It’s a wild mess out there right now, ponies going crazy messing stuff up and damaging property. Thank Celestia nopony has thrown anything into our house,” I admitted.
“I’d hate to be one of the ponies who returns and finds their house destroyed,” Ruby mumbled.
“If they come back, it can always be rebuilt. It’s expensive and a long process depending on how extensive the damage is,” I said idly. Ruby stared at me in confusion.
“What does extensive mean?”
“It means a lot in easy terms,” I explained. “Wanna play a card game or something?”
“Maybe later. I’m fine with us just talking, I like it. Spending time with you is one of my favorite activities. I’m really lucky, actually.” I raised an eyebrow as I counted the amount of hoofs running past I heard.
“How so, love?”
“Some ponies don’t have parents. Dinky doesn’t know her dad. Amethyst doesn’t know hers, all she knows is Derpy. Kettle Corn was taken from her parents multiple times. I haven’t had any of that. I don’t get abused. If being loved a lot and cuddled a lot is a form of abuse, I’d say I was. I’m really lucky.” I gave her a big hug at that.
“You were the greatest thing to happen to me. Still are, in fact. You really helped me get my stuff together and change my life. You remember how I said I was an alcoholic and lazy before you were born?” Ruby gave a slow nod. “That all changed when I found out I was pregnant with you. I got into AA, searched around town till I got a job, got the house all set up, your room and everything. It sucked to do it alone, but I grew to kinda like being a single mom. It’s kinda nice really, I get to have my daughter all to myself in a way. I never thought I’d have a filly or anything but I’m glad I did. I’m glad I got sole custody of you,” I finished my speech and Ruby stared at me with a smile.
“What was he like?” She suddenly asked.
“Who?” I asked in confusion.
“Dad.” We stared at each other before I let out a slow sigh.
“He was a really nice stallion. We did everything together, went out for dinners and plays. That changed when we found out I was pregnant. He got really mean and physical and I didn’t want you to grow up in that world like I did. I broke up with him, moved to Ponyville because it was far from Baltimare. He got in trouble for some....powders after you were born and took me to court for custody of you and the judge awarded me full custody after she found out he was fighting another court case. He went to jail for the first case and hasn’t contacted us since,” I sighed and stroked my fillys hair. “I know it isn’t what you want to hear but it’s the truth. I promised I’d never lie to you ever unless it was going to harm you, physically or mentally.”
“Do you ever miss him?” I thought about that and sighed.
“I miss the pony he used to be. He used to be a decent pony but something in him changed that I didn’t know was there before. But no, I dont miss him I guess is what I’m trying to say. "
“He got in trouble for baking powder?” Ruby asked me innocently and I chuckled at that. Never change, Ruby.
“I’ll tell you when you’re older.” She gave a satisfied nod at that and yawned. “Tired?”
“Yeah. What time is it? I can’t see the sun.” I did kinda forgot about that in my haste to hid her.
“It’s about nine pm last time I checked the sun before coming down here. I’ll bring a clock down here for you to tell the time in the morning,” I lifted her up and placed her on my back, trotting to her bed. She jumped off and slid under the sheets.
“Can you sleep with me tonight?” Ruby asked and I hesitanted at that. I wanted to say yes but at the same time, if I had any guests drop by, they would ask why I was in the cellar.
“Let me go cover the entrance in our house and I will come sleep with you,” I decided as I worked my way to the secret outside entrance and clambered out, looking around. It was ten thirtyish and no pony was out thankfully. I trotted my way inside the house and groaned at the dust all over. We didn’t have much but I did try to keep what we had clean and in good shape. I quickly cleaned up a bit and covered the entrance to the cellar with the rug and dragged a book case over it. It didn’t look to out of place, especially since the inside entrance was next to a wall. Satisfied, I slipped back outside.
“Ruby!” I hissed. She jumped and looked away. She tossed the rock she was holding down. “Get back inside now. You can’t get caught.” She frowned but did so. I quickly followed her and shut the door quietly, using the inside lock and setting the key down. I spun around and glared at her.
“What were you doing?” I demanded.
“I wanted to go outside. I miss the outside,” she mumbled. I sighed in frustration, mainly fear to be honest. It had been two days since I hid her down here. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
“I know. I’m sorry for yelling at you. You can not go outside just yet, this will blow over soon enough and then we can. I promise you that. Now I need you to promise me you won’t do it again,” I held her face in my hooves and stared at her seriously.
“I promise,” Ruby sighed and I nodded.
“Let’s go to bed,” I suggested and carried her to bed. I wrapped my forelegs around her and smiled.
“Mom?”
“Yeah Ruby?” I asked absentmindly as I pulled out some knots in her mane.
“Calm down everypony! There’s no reason to panic!” Mayor Mare shouted down at us from town hall.
“Give us one good reason not to!” The mare next to me shouted and I joined in shouting my agreement. A look of relief crossed the mayor’s face.
“Because Equestrias own heroes are here to save us!” She pointed a hoof and I was the first one to pop my head up and look over the crowd. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack trotted slowly into town and stopped near Big Mac and Sugar Belle. Nopony wanted her here but Big Mac made it pretty damn clear what would happen to anypony who touched her when he stomped an apple under his hoof. We all stayed away after that display.
“Where did all these ponies come from?” Applejack asked Granny Smith.
“Earth ponies been pourin in, lookin for somewhere safe,” Granny answered.
“We don’t have unicorn magic or a city in the sky to hide in like those cowardly pegasi!” Winter Lotus shouted and took a step forward. A rainbow blur got right up in her face and I gulped, mirroring Bon Bons nervous expression. We all knew how Rainbow Dash got if anyone insulted her or her kind.
“Cowardly?” Rainbow snapped. We all looked up as the sky got cloudy. Winter Lotus pointed at hoof where I could make out some pegasi blocking off Cloudsdale.
“They’re blocking off Cloudsdale! Said they didn’t want no ground ponies up in their business!” She gave a subtle flinch as Rainbow shoved a hoof against her chest.
“Listen up buddy!” Rainbow snapped and flapped her wings back. I really was getting ready for this to come to blows before Fluttershy got between them.
“Don’t! This is exactly what Chrysalis and others want, more fighting!” Fluttershy looked at us. “We know you’re scared. We’re here to help.”
“You’d better fix this!” A voice shouted from behind me.
“Yeah!” I shouted, mirroring Bon Bon and Octavias angry expressions.
“Twilights probably as worried as anypony else and trying to find somewhere safe. That’s why ah was sure she would be waiting for us in Ponyville,” I barely made out Applejack saying. “Where else could she be?” I didn’t hear what Spike said but it must have been important enough for them to run off somewhere. It got really cold and my legs started shaking from the sudden change in the weather. A roaring sound made me and a few others look up.
“The w-windigos!” Somepony shouted.
“It’s just a Hearths Warming Eve story,” Winter Lotus brushed it off.
“Creatures made of wind that spread cold and misery across the land to punish ponies?” Another pony nervously piped in. “Seems pretty real to me!” Me and Daisy looked up at the three Windigos.
“Let the pegasi deal with this!” Someone shouted. “There’s nothing we can do except hide.” That started a whole new round of panic and running. I started to gallop to my house to check on Ruby and make sure she’s warm.
“We all know the story of Hearths Warming Eve,” some random colt said and we all stopped running. “We can defeat the Windigos together!”
“You really think if we all sing a bunch of songs, we’ll all be fine?” I asked in disbelief. He pressed his hoof to my chest.
“It’s not just singing that saved the founders of Equestria, it’s what it represented!” He answered.
“What is that cursed buzzing sound?” Octavia demanded as we looked around nervously. Some weird magical mirror like thing appeared in front of us.
“The Elements? Didn’t we just see them?” Cheerilee mumbled.
“Haven’t you noticed somethings wrong in Equestria?” My blood went cold and eyes widened as Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow stepped into the frame. “We’ve been busy.”
“A whisper here, a rumor there,” Chrysalis grinned.
“Destroy some crops, cause some chaos,” Tirek announced and we all looked at each nervously. We knew who was actually behind the property damage now.
“Turn pony against pony,” Cozy Glow said triumphantly and my eyes narrowed. That filly had been playing with my daughter a few months ago before the school incident. And now she was trying to destroy Equestria.
“Until your whole kingdom was pushed to the precipice, waiting for something to push them over the brink,” Chrysalis snapped.
“There’s no backup friends or rainbow magic to save you now.”
“Golly, I think it’s time for some redecorating!” Cozy grinned and the three destroyed half the castle. We all stared in shock at the sight.
“What does this even prove?” Winter Lotus asked hesitantly and the colt took the opportunity.
“To get us to work together! To save the world!”
“You know what’s stronger than friendship, Twilight? Fear.” Chrysalis slammed her hooves against the bubble and it shattered.
“Because when you have to protect yourself, you have no time for anypony else!” Tirek held Twilight in front of them in his magic.
“Are we about to watch a princess get murdered?” Cherry Berry asked nervously as she covered a fillys eyes.
“That would explain why we didn’t see her here,” I mused as we watched with wide eyes. A large slab of stone slammed into the three and we stared in surprise at Rarity’s sweating face. I didn’t know she had it in her to be honest.
“See! Twilight got away! She most likely has a plan and we have to help her,” the colt announced and we all nodded. First, I had to check on my daughter.
I shoved the cellar door opened and slid down the stairs.
“Ruby!” I shouted as I looked around frantically.
“I-I-I’m over h-h-here,” Ruby stammered out, shaking in a ball. “C-c-cold.” I grabbed a few blankets and wrapped her up, rocking her back and forth. I started peppering her forehead with kisses.
“Are you okay?”
“Getting there,” she mumbled. “What’s going on?”
“Windigos are here but we got a plan to stop them,” I coaxed lovingly. “I’m staying here now though.”
“N-n-no. We should go,” Ruby shivered.
“Absolutely not. You’re freezing. We are staying,” I declared adamantly.
“Please,” she begged and gave me her puppy dog eyes. She has been spending way too much with Dinky to have perfected that look.
“Fine,” I consented. “But after, we are getting you warm. No arguing.”
“Okay.” I made sure Ruby was comfortable on my back in the blankets and trotted outside.
“Berry?” Bon Bon asked in awe. Junebug and my other friends gathered around us. “Is that Ruby?”
“Uh maybe?” I offered a smile.
“Where did you keep her?” Octavia asked.
“T-t-the cellar,” Ruby stammered out and I gave her a worried look.
“She’s freezing. I wanted to stay here with her whole you guys dealt with the other villians but she refused.”
“We would have helped hide her,” Roseluck kissed Ruby on the head. “We all love this filly.”
“Agreed,” Daisy nuzzled Ruby who tiredly did it back.
“Maybe we should stay here,” I glanced at Ruby.
“No. We are going,” Ruby grumbled. “I want an adventure.” We all laughed at that.
“Life is an adventure,” I argued.
“Please?” She gave us all her puppy dog eyes and we all melted.
I gave Tirek a swift kick to the knee with my back legs. He made a shouting sound and I got smacked by his hand. I rubbed my head as I laid on my back.
“Gonna be fucking feeling that for a bit,” I grunted. A large shadow fell over me and my eyes widened at Tireks raised hoof over me. I closed my eyes and sighed. Well, this is it. I’m gonna die. A loud shout made me crack an eye open. My eyes widened at the hoof levitating in the air and Ruby standing in front of me sweating. Junebug grabbed me and pulled me back and Octavia snatched up Ruby and we trotted to a safe distance. I wiped some sweat away and we watched as he got turned into stone.
“That was impressive kid!” I hugged Ruby and she tiredly hugged me back.
“Are you okay?” She asked.
“I’m fine. Are you okay?” I hastily over looked Ruby. “I left you on the hill. Why did you come down?”
“You needed my help,” Ruby offered weakly. “You always help me when I’m hurt.” I squeezed her tired form tighter.
I grinned as I sipped my milkshake. I sighed contently as the chocolate and vanilla attacked my tastebuds.
“Surprised Ruby came down the hill and used her magic,” Lily drank from her shake.
“Me too,” I admitted. “I was mad at her a bit. She could have been seriously hurt. And then I would have had to ram a corkscrew into Chrysalis’ eyes and see if they plopped out on the way out.” I gave a cruel smirk at the thought and ignored my friends worried and disgusted looks.
“Isn’t that a bit violent?” Golden Harvest pointed out. I scoffed at that.
“I told you all I’d do whatever it takes for Ruby. Besides, after all Chrysalis did these past few years, she would have deserved it. Same with Tirek. You weren’t there when he took me and Ruby’s magic. That was the most painful thing I’ve ever been through. Feeling helpless and watching my filly and best friend get her magic drained hurt me a lot,” I sighed and shuddered at the memory.
“So you would straight up kill a pony?” Daisy asked. "And Ruby is your best friend? What about us?"
“Chrysalis ain’t a pony. She’s a changeling. Well, now she’s a statue. But you get the point.” Bon Bon sat down hard on the bench, squeezing in next to Junebug. I gave her a sad look. "And yes, Ruby is my best friend. No offense but she comes first."
“Still no sign of Lyra?” Junebug asked sympathetically as she ignored me and Daisy. Bon Bon had kicked Lyra out along with Amethyst and Dinky a week ago and none of us had seen Lyra or even heard from her. I still remember when Bon Bon had ended up on my doorstep, drunk and crying her eyes out over this.
“Nope,” she stirred the straw around half heartedly. “Not that I blame her, I did destroy the ring she got me.”
“Especially since she sold almost everything she owned to buy it, including her toys. She didn’t want you checking the bank statements and seeing it in there,” Lily pointed out and she slammed her head against the tables top. We all gave Lily a dirty look and she slumped behind her milkshake in an attempt to look small.
“I’m sure she will come back,” Daisy smiled. “She loves you.”
“Correction, she loved me,” Bon Bon grumbled. “I don’t even know where she is. No letter, nothing.”
“It’s only been a week. She just needs time,” Octavia sighed. “We were awful to her and those two with her. Derpy still hasn’t talked to me after running her daughters out.” We all gave a collective shudder at that. We all knew how protective Derpy was of her children. She was just like me, willing to be anything for them.
“Lyra also threw her ring as she left our house,” Bon Bon held up the ring she had gotten Lyra. I remember her dragging me along to help her look along with Golden Harvest.
“She was there on the hill,” Golden Harvest pointed out. “She was with two other unicorns, Dinky and Amethyst making the shield. She looked scarily angry when Spike was used as bait. So did a bunch of other unicorns near her.” I didn’t blame her, Spike had helped me out for a few days after his dragon rampage as a way to make it up to the town.
“Those other unicorns are her friends from Canterlot. They always are at our house visiting. Except Moondancer. I’ve only meet her once. The others are Minuette, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts. They knew Spike since he hatched from the egg,” Bon Bon mumbled, lifting her head up.
“Maybe Dinky knows,” I suggested. “She’s right there.” I pointed a hoof where the young unicorn was trotting in.
“I’m not sure but okay. Dinky! Come here please,” Bon Bon called out and the filly hesitantly trotted over. I paid close attention to the regretful look in Octavia, Lily and Daisy’s eyes.
“My sister says I’m not allowed to talk to you unless she or mommy is there,” Dinky said nervously.
“This will only take a minute,” Bon Bon smiled. “Do you know where Lyra is?”
“Oh she’s in Canterlot,” Dinky covered her mouth with a hoof. “I wasn’t supposed to say that.” I gave a chuckle at that.
“What else did you sister say?” Roseluck suddenly asked.
“I snuck out of bed to steal some cookies and I overheard mommy and Sparky arguing. Sparky said something about Bon Bon being a thing called a bitch and a mean spirited whore,” Bon Bons face turned bright red at that. “I’m not sure what those words mean though. Can you tell me?” Dinky stared at us. I choked on my milkshake at that and tried to not cough from laughter. You can laugh when she leaves Berry Punch,I reminded myself.
“Maybe when you’re older,” Octavia mumbled. We all knew Amethyst as a nice mare so I was a bit surprised she said that but everyone has their limits.
“Sparky? I thought her name was Amethyst?” Lily asked.
“I used to call her Sparkler because she was really feisty at one point,” Dinky explained and a rare look of anger crossed her face as she glared at Bon Bon. “You hurt Miss Heartstrings. She protected me and Amethyst the whole time. From the crowd to the Windigos. She gave me her body heat when I was freezing in Celestia’s school. Hurting ponies isn’t good. She even let me stand on her back when those meanies were turned to stone. Miss Heartstrings is a very nice pony.” I looked Junebug in the eyes. This was a side of Dinky I’ve never seen.
“You’re right,” Bon Bon sighed. “I was awful to her. I should have believed her that the unicorns weren’t doing what the rumors said. None of us should have. It was wrong of us.”
“All of us are doing things to make up for it,” Golden Harvest chimed in. “I’ve been returning the money from the unicorns and pegasi I made pay extra. Berry Punch has been giving free drinks for every one she kicked out.”
“Only for the first drink,” I quickly added. “Still gotta make a profit.” I did have a growing hungry filly at home and mortgages to pay.
“Roseluck, Lily and Daisy have been leaving free flowers on the door steps of the ponies they wronged. Junebug has been helping rehome the bugs in ponies houses free of charge. Octavia has been working around the clock doing shows all over town. And Bon Bon has been ponysitting foals, giving out free candy and more,” Golden Harvest finished.
“Can you at least tell me how Lyra was doing?” Bon Bon asked with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. Dinky rubbed her chin.
“I suppose. Mommy need to take care of some things before she could pick us up so we stayed with Lyra. She came home smelling really awful some nights. Some place Amethyst said served adult drinks. Think it was a bar,” Dinky shrugged. “Amy and Miss Heartstrings won’t let me go with her. It’s not fair,” Dinky pouted.
“Is she with her parents?” Bon Bon asked.
“No. She said she can’t see her parents anymore. Said they were gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?” Bon Bon questioned the filly.
“Something about an accident and them going to take a nap,” Dinky shrugged. “She hugged me when I told them they would come back from their trip soon enough.” I tried my hardest to look concerned for Bon Bons sake. I knew Lyra’s parents had died but no one else did. She only told me in confidence because she didn’t want pity from the others.
“Thanks Dinky,” Bon Bon smiled at the filly. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I have a date with Button Mash. We’re getting milkshakes and then going to the arcade.”
“Do you need some bits?” Golden asked, smiling. I gave a big grin like the others. I had heard a rumor that the two had something going on but now I had it confirmed and I was rooting for em.
“Nah. Thanks anyway. Miss Pie said it was free of charge after all we’ve been through.” That sounded like Pinkie. “And then me and Ruby are going to go egg Cranky Doodles house. He was a meanie when he subbed for Miss Cheerilee. Bye!” Dinky waved and trotted away. My smile instantly turned into a frown.
“What did she say my daughter was going to go do?” I asked.
“Egg her substitute teachers house,” Junebug hid her grin behind her shake. “Sounds exactly what you did when we were little fillies.”
“That was different. I’m so grounding her after she gets done.”
“You’re not gonna stop her?” Bon Bon asked incredulously. I gave a shrug and slurped my shake.
“Nah. Might as well let her have fun and then teach her actions have consequences like my parents did with me.” Minus the beatings and made to sleep days without food.
“You guys ever think we were subconsciously racist?” Daisy suddenly asked.
“What do you mean?” Bon Bon sipped her shake.
“Look around this table. What to do you see?”
“Uh, a bunch of earth pony friends?” Bon Bon rolled her eyes.
“Exactly! Do you see what’s wrong with that?”
“Uh not really?” Lily shrugged. “We’re all earth ponies, so what?” Daisy facehoofed at her younger sister.
“Do you see any pegasus or unicorn here?”
“No. What’s the point...? Bon Bon started to speak before pausing a look of realization crossed her face. “Oh.”
“Exactly. We are all earth ponies. The only unicorn we had was Lyra. No pegasus, no other unicorn. Maybe the evil three played to all of our weaknesses, that’s why it was so easy for them to sow distrust.”
“It’s not our fault we all went to school together as fillies. We also didn’t get to chose our race, that’s not our fault either,” Lily retorted.
“Well yeah. But we could have always added a pegasus or a unicorn to our group like we did with Lyra. But we never did, did we?” Daisy asked. Lily slumped in her seat.
“You’re right. This is technically our fault it was so easy for the three races to separate and practically go to war,” Lily sighed and Junebug nodded.
“It is kinda our fault,” I agreed. “All of the county’s fault, really.”
“We can always add a pegasus now!” Roseluck grinned. I gave a snort at that. She was super optimistic randomly.
“I think the list of pegasi who want to associate with us in town is kinda small right now Rose,” Octavia sighed.
“Nonsense!” Roseluck insisted. “We all saw the magical thingie Princess Twilight made appear in front of us.” We all nodded at that. How she did that, I’ll never know. Probably some freaky cool magic stuff. Well that was obvious but whatever.
“Still can’t believe a filly helped them,” Golden Harvest grunted.
“We can find a pegasus. It can’t be Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy. Has to be someone in the background,” Roseluck shrugged. “Can’t be that hard.”
“Wanna know the worst part?” Bon Bon suddenly asked.
“What?” I asked.
“A few months ago, me and Lyra had Cozy Glow in our house.”
“Why?” Daisy asked incredulously.
“She needed help with her music lessons and Starlight suggested she visit Lyra for help. After all, Lyra is the only pony I know in town who can play lyre.” She was right on that one. I didn’t even know what a lyre was till I met her.
“She was a good manipulator,” I grunted.
“Her cutie mark was a chess piece. It makes sense,” Lily pointed out. “I still remember the time she gave Bon Bon Scootaloo’s helmet for the cactus because it was poking her in the face.”
“Haha,” Bon Bon groaned. “Very funny, it felt amazing.”
“Maybe she was scouting her out?” Roseluck suggested.
“What?” Bon Bon stared at her, confused.
“I heard Cozy was obsessed with Twilight and taking over. I also heard she talked to all of Twilight’s friends. Minuette once, Fluttershy and now Lyra.”
“And?”
“Maybe if she thought she could convince them to quit being friends with Twilight and be friends with her instead, she would be well on her way to being the Empress of Friendship.” Bon Bon rolled my eyes.
“Why would she do that?” Bon Bon demanded.
“Why did she do anything she did?” Roseluck countered.
“Okay. You got me there,” Bon Bon admitted. She stared at me when I suddenly remembered that Amethyst called her a whore and started laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“I can’t believe Amethyst called you a whore!” I laughed harder and Junebug cracked a grin.
“Remind me to fight that mare,” Bon Bon grunted. “I’ve only ever slept with Lyra.”
“Bullshit!” Junebug snorted. “What about that one mare from your baking class?”
“Candy Dasher and I were just friends,” Bon Bon defended herself. “And besides, what happened to you and Solar Flare?” The mare turned bright red but said nothing. My cream colored gave a triumphant grin at that.
“I need to go to Canterlot,” She announced. “I need to find Lyra and make this right.”
“Want company?” I instantly stood up.
“Thanks, but this is something I got to do myself.” We all finished our shakes and I trotted home.
“Thanks for buying my shake Daisy,” I sighed. “I’ll be sure to pay you back.”
“Don’t worry. It’s what we do for each other.”
“Will you and Ruby be going to the coronation next week?” Octavia asked.
“Probably not,” I admitted. “I got the house payment coming up and such. I haven’t told her yet. She was really looking forward to it.”
“I’ll pay for your tickets and hotel,” Octavia announced. “I really wanna spend time with you all.”
“I can’t let you do that, Octavia.”
“I insist. We are all going,” Octavia insisted and I sighed.
“Okay,” I allowed. “Thank you for this. So much.” I opened the door of my house and softly shut it behind me. I sat down on the couch and waited for my filly to get home.
The door creaked open and a little filly snuck inside.
“Hey Ruby.” She froze at my voice and her head spun towards where I was sitting.
“Hey mom,” she forced a smile. I stood up and trotted to her.
“Where have you been?” I asked knowingly.
“Out with Dinky.”
“Doing what?”
“Uhhh,” Ruby’s eyes flicked around the house nervously. “Walking.” I suppose that was technically honest.
“I know you two egged Crankys house,” she stared at me with wide eyes.
“Am I in a lot of trouble?” She asked hesitantly. “Are you gonna beat me like you said your parents did?” That took me back a moment and I raised a hoof. She flinched and squeezed her eyes shut. I gently place the hoof on her shoulder and her eyes widened.
“No I’m not. I would never hurt you. But you are grounded. Your punishment is to apologize to Cranky and clean up the mess of the eggs. I already talked to Derpy about this and Dinky is gonna be helping you as well.” She hugged me tightly.
“Thanks for not beating me,” she mumbled into my mane. I patted her on the back.
“I would never dream of it. You’re too important to me to hurt.” I grabbed her face with my hooves and made her look into my eyes.
“I adore you.” She said nothing, just smiled at me happily and booped my snout.
“Ruby don’t drink that,” I warned as we stared in disgust at what I think was apple cider. I think this is why Big Mac isn’t in charge of the organization stuff. Or the delieveries for that fact. Junebug sat on my left, wiping her tongue off with her hoof. Ruby sat on my lap(grudgingly, she wanted to sit on her own chair but I wanted some filly love. That sounded way better in my head and less pedophilish.)
“That was awful!” Junebug grumbled.
“It’s even worse for Rainbow,” Raindrops smirked. She, Blossomforth, White Lightning, Derpy, Sea Swirl, Minuette, Sunset Shimmer and Amethyst were adopted into our little group of friends so we were more inclusive. Not so little anymore I suppose I should say.”I spoke to Fleetfoot before coming down here for a quick second and apparently they thought Rainbow meant to meet them here instead of Wonderbolt HQ and are waiting on the hill for Twilight to receive the crown. They still haven’t seen Rainbow yet.” Must be nice for Raindrops to be a Wonderbolt. Gets to know all the fun Wonderbolt gossip. I remember she surprised me, Ruby and everyone else with box tickets for all the Wonderbolt shows with paid hotels and trips, back and forth. Ruby had almost tackled her with hugs. Of course, we don’t care about getting anything from any of our friends. We enjoy their company.
“Well this is pretty bad so far,” Lyra sighed. “I feel awful for Twilight.” I agreed with her on that. She and Minuette had known Twilight since they were fillies. Lily lifted the cup of apple sludge to her lips.
“Lily, I wouldn’t-” I tried to warn her but it was too late. She set the cup down and smacked her lips.
“Not bad,” she announced. We all stared at her in disgust and shock.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Me and Derpy instantly covered our daughter’s ears and glared at her. Golden Harvest was too slow to cover Noi’s ears.
“There’s three little fillies here who don’t need to know that language yet,” I chided. “Be careful next time.”
“Please,” Derpy added.
“Sorry,” Sunset rubbed the back of her head with a hoof sheepishly. It was really cool she resided in an alternate world but was an Equestrian. There was doubles of all of us. Me, Derpy, Ruby, Octavia. I think you get my point. Apparently she also knew Lyra and Minuette growing up but was a mean pony. Former villian and all saved the world a few times. I quite like her a lot, very good with Ruby. Had some really cool stories from her world.
“You know, we had a major fight a few weeks ago,” Lyra mentioned casually. “How come you didn’t take part?” We all looked at the amber unicorn. That was a good question actually.
“I was there. I stood in the front of the crowd, I was just blocked by some salesponies. After the shield fell, I ran down the hill to take part in the physical fighting,” Sunset revealed. “I’ve been here the past three weeks helping with the coronation preparations.”
“And you didn’t talk to us at all?” Minuette asked in shock.
“I didn’t know if you and Lyra forgave me for how I was years ago. I saw you two a lot but never came up and said anything,” Sunset sighed.
“That’s stupid,” Lyra announced.
“Tactful as always,” I muttered with an eye roll.
“Shh it’s starting!” Octavia snapped and I rolled my eyes again.
“Citizens of Equestria and beyond!” Princess Celestia shouted. “My sister and I have ruled this land for quite some time.”
“Hasn’t Princess Luna ruled for only nine years?” Dinky mused.
“And the unknown amount of years before,” Derpy whispered into Dinky’s ears.
“But even we know that change eventually comes to us all and though we know it can be unsettling, it’s as natural as the rising and setting of the sun and the moon. Both of which my sister and I feel confident leaving in the hooves of the Princess Twilight Sparkle. And so without further ado, I give you the new ruler of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle!” Twilight trotted onto the balcony and immediately faceplanted. A loud gasp went through the crowd of ponies, changelings, griffons and dragons. She stood up blushing and said something to the other princesses. Nodding, they levitated their crowns off their heads and merged them together. A bunch of birds flew down and Luna mumbled something. The birds started to freak out about who knows what. Birds can be annoying like that.
"What in God's name is going on up there?" Sunset mused. I smirked at that despite what was happening. She had taught us all the ways of the other worlds language and it was very fascinating.
"I don't know," Bon Bon mumbled. A loud roaring sound started getting louder and we watched the Wonderbolts fly over head with their vapor trails. Out of nowhere, a bunch of fireworks went off and sent the Wonderbolts scattering. A loud gasp once again went through the crowd as Twilight fell off the balcony with her crown. She flapped her wings and flew back up to the her fellow princesses.
"To Twilight!" Applejack shouted and she sipped her apple sludge. How she drank it with a straight face, I'll never know. I joined in the rest of the ponies in stomping their hooves and cheering. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Lyra and Minuette wipe a tear away from their eyes as Bon Bon hugged them both. Sunset had a massive grin as she clapped her hooves.
A few hours later, all our group stood crowded around Twilight and the elements as she created her council of friendship.
"Sunset! Come here!" Twilight shouted. Sunset approached and bowed with a smirk.
"Princess," Sunset kept grinning. "How can I assist you?"
"You don't need to bow to me," Twilight sighed.
"I know. I just enjoy annoying you." We all burst out laughing at that, including Celestia and Luna.
"As the new ruler of Equestria, I declare you a member of this council of friendship. I assign you to spread friendship to the people you can throughout the other world and visit to give us all updates," Twilight announced and hugged Sunset. "Thank you so much for staying. It means a lot to me and us all." We eagerly nodded our agreement.
"Thank you Twilight. I wish I could stay longer everypony, but I need to get back to the other world. I only got a few more days of medical leave," Sunset hugged each and anyone of us.
"Are you contagious?" Dinky asked. Sunset gave a bark of laughter.
"No. I'm not sick, I lied and said I was so I could spend three weeks here," Sunset winked mischievously.
"So if I lie, I get what I want?" Ruby asked her.
"No," Sunset and I said in unison.
"Absolutely not," Sunset said. "Don't do everything I do. You could in serious trouble kiddo." She ruffled Ruby's mane with a grin. I chuckled at that.
"I'd love to stay, but it's time for me to go," Sunset announced sadly.
"Will you come visit?" Lyra asked hopefully. Sunset hugged her.
"You couldn't keep me away from visiting." I was happy to hear that. Ruby really loved her. Sunset gave us a wave and teleported away. We gave a wave to Celestia, Luna and the elements and started trotting to the hotel.
"Mom?" Ruby asked.
"Yes love?" I asked as we looked around us at the sights.
"Will the pony tribes ever separate like that again?" She asked and I sighed at that. I had figured she would ask that.
"If they ever do, it won't happen in our life time. Princess Twilight is the princess of friendship. Her rule is going to be long, full of safety and security. If the tribes ever separate again, it will happen long after me and you die. Long after our friends and family die," I leaned down and nuzzled her. "Does that help you?"
"A bit. The idea of death scares me but I think the Windigos scared me more," Ruby nuzzled me back.
"Death scares me too," I admitted. "But the potential separation of any tribes is something we should work to prevent, not talk about. It's up to all of us to make sure this never happens again. I know you would do anything to prevent it just like me or Lyra or Derpy."
"I love you mom."
"I love you too, my beautiful smart filly." Ruby beamed up at me, blushing at the compliment. I opened the door to the hotel and she stepped inside. I don't know what the future holds, but it's looking up for us all now.
------------------------------------------------------------- (That's the ending of Stay Quiet. Let me know if you want more Berry Punch and Ruby Pinch stories. This next writing is going to be the pegasus POV. Enjoy. Here's the link https://www.fimfiction.net/story/535736/rising-up)
I gave a hard flap of my wings and took off into the sky ahead of the angry earth pony crowd. Raindrops, Cloudkicker, Blossomforth and Silverspeed were flying next to me.
“Hurry!” Cloudkicker urged us as she flew behind us. She demanded we fly ahead of her so she could keep us safe from behind. She was our team leader on the weather team and very protective of us. I gave a strained nod and flapped even harder. The screaming crowd kept following us.
“Damn earth ponies,” I grunted. “Running us out of our own home.”
“And unicorns,” Silverspeed chimed in angrily. We hated both the tribes, they spread rumors about us. Hell, my cloud house almost got destroyed by a mob.
“I can’t believe they hate us,” Blossomforth sighed. I gave her a sympathetic smile.
“One day we can return,” I promised and nuzzled my watermelon maned friend. “One day. We just gotta stand up and defend ourselves.” Me, Raindrops and Cloudkicker were wearing our Wonderbolt uniforms. Out of us five, we were the only Wonderbolts. Sassaflash, Cloudchaser, Thunderlane and Bulk Biceps had already relocated a few days before. Cloudchaser and Thunderlane brought their siblings Flitter and Rumble to Cloudsdale. That was our destination. The mayor of Cloudsdale had extended the offer to all pegasi that the city was a safe haven and to bring all pegasus family members, no matter how old or young.
“Look!” I pointed a hoof down at a grey pegasus galloping through the town with a orange pegasus I recognized. The grey pegasus got hit with a rock and tumbled to the ground.
“Derpy!” Blossomforth screamed.
“Let’s get them!” Cloudkicker ordered and we all dived down to the ground. Cloudkicker landed in front of the fallen pegasus and Scootaloo protectively with her wings spread. Blossomforth started dragging the dazed Derpy and covered the cut with a hoof, Scootaloo helping to the best of her ability. I looked around and took into the sky. My eyes settled on a thundercloud nearby.
“Raindrops!” I shouted. “Position the thundercloud over me please!” The pegasus had been doing low passes over the earth pony mob to keep them away from Derpy and Scootaloo. Her eyes lit up with realization and she complied. Most ponies don’t know the meaning of my cutie mark. Sure, I could survive a low voltage of lightning like every pegasus. But I could survive the highest voltage of wild lightning and could even direct it to where I wanted.
“Now buck it! Hard!” I shouted as I thrust a hoof into the sky. She nodded and kicked the cloud hard. A bolt of lightning came shooting down into my hoof. I felt my body tingle as the electricity shot through my body and I thrust my right hoof right near the crowd of the earth ponies. I gave a cruel grin as I watched it fly towards the ground. At least Berry Punch wasn’t here. I’d hate to hurt my friend. If we were one. A pony screamed as the ground exploded and turned black as the grass lit on fire. I high hoofed Raindrops who had the same cruel grin I did.
“Back off! I can send more where that came from!” I threatened. The earth ponies ran away in fear and we landed on the ground.
“Are they okay?” Raindrops asked. I stared in concern as Cloudkicker closed her wings. I quickly stepped forward and examined her cuts from some thrown objects.
“You should get these injuries looked at,” I told her sternly. “Can you fly?”
“Let’s worry about that later. Is Derpy okay?” Blossomforth looked up.
“Yeah. It’s a deep cut, but after we get her looked at she will be fine. Scootaloo is fine too, she’s just shaken up,” Blossomforth explained. That made sense, she just dealt with an angry mob out for blood.
“Can you walk or fly?” I asked Derpy and nuzzled her. We were really good friends. I had honestly thought she had already left.
“I can try,” Derpy stumbled forward and me and Raindrops caught her.
“She could have a concussion,” Blossomforth warned us. “She should get carried, to be safe.” Rage filled me at that. Anypony who could hurt Derpy deserved to get shoved off a cloud.
“I’ll carry her,” I announced as I stepped forward and folded my legs in. “Put her on my back.” Blossomforth nodded and Derpy slid onto my back. Blossomforth reached into her saddlebags and pulled out some and made a makeshift saddle like thing to keep Derpy on me safely. I gave a low groan as I stood up and gave my wings a flap. I could fly but I’d be slow.
“Need a lift?” Raindrops asked Scootaloo with a smirk. We all knew how fond Rainbow Dash was of the filly. I was kinda scared of her to be honest, she can be intense. Was a good pony though if I had to be honest.
“I mean sure. I could use a flight out of here,” Scootaloo shrugged. She was trying to hide her fear but I could see through it. I’ll give her credit, she tried her hardest.
“White Lightning can’t carry you, nor can Cloudkicker because she’s hurt. I can and Silverspeed can,” Raindrops gestured to the silver pegasus who was watching around us with an eye of a hawk. I moved some of my blue mane out of my eyes.
“I’ll take her,” Silverspeed announced as she kept watching around us for any sign of trouble. Raindrops shrugged and lifted the filly. She placed her on Silverspeeds back and if she noticed the weight, she didn’t show it. She just kept watching until we started flying. I was the slowest as I thought I would be with the added weight. Not that I minded though as long as Derpy was safe.
“I’m sorry about this,” Derpy mumbled.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Why weren’t you flying? Why were you running?” I demanded as Cloudsdale got closer.
“Scootaloo can’t fly. Never has been able to and I couldn’t just leave her.” I frowned slightly at that.
“You could have found us. We would have helped in a heartbeat,” I told her.
“I know,” she sighed and we fell into silence as we all landed on the edge of Cloudsdale.
