Stygian is still on uneasy terms with most of the pillars and his feelings for Meadowbrook when Starlight and her friends offer to help him.
After being free of the Darkness, Stygian has practically thrived since his return from Limbo. He’s become a successful writer, and the Pillars have helped him no longer feel like he’s insignificant compared to them. But even so, he struggles to find his place in the group and still wonders whether he’s actually worth something.
In the midst of it all, Stygian finds himself falling in love with Mage Meadowbrook, the Pillar of Healing. A development that does not go unnoticed by Starlight Glimmer and Pinkie Pie, who offer to help him.
Meanwhile, despite her health clinic becoming even more successful in the modern age, Meadowbrook has felt constantly concerned over Stygian’s well-being. With her guilt over when she first turned her back on him with the others secretly still ongoing, Meadowbrook wonders whether there’s anything she can do to truly ensure that Stygian is alright.
The only question is…why? Why, more than any of the Pillars, has Meadowbrook become so focused on Stygian?
I gave a yawn as I rolled out of bed, trailing my blankets behind me as I half trotted, half stumbled to the door as the gentle knocking continued. I didn’t really have many visitors and definitely not many at seven am.
“I’m coming!” I called out as I finally reached the door and opened it, stepping back nervously as Somnambula and Meadowbrook stood smiling in my doorway as I raised an eyebrow slightly. “Meadowbrook and Somnambula, what do I owe the pleasure?”
“We were in the neighborhood and decided to drop by. Want to go get coffee with us?” Somnambula asked as Meadowbrook coughed into a hoof. “Well coffee for me. She’s getting tea as usual.”
“It’s like seven am. Isn’t that a bit early?” I asked as I looked back into my small house. While I did travel a lot for my writing, I did like the edge of Hayseed Swamp a lot. My house was on a hill overlooking the swamp.
“Not for breakfast,” Meadowbrook smiled at me warmly as I sighed internally. These two were always the nicest to me out of all the Pillars. Rockhoof was more quiet and Flash Magnus always seemed kinda too amazing for me to ever compare to. Mistmane always seemed a bit unapproachable but I blame my self confidence for that one. And don’t even get me started on Starswirl.
“Yeah sure I’m in. I could use some breakfast,” I admitted as I rubbed the back of my head. “I haven’t really eaten recently.”
“How long is recently?” Somnambula asked as I grabbed my bag of bits.
“Four days.
The two gave me stunned looks and an angry one in Meadowbrook’s case as I joined them, closing the door behind me with a soft thud. I didn’t really explore much of the area yet at least. Always some new story to write down that gets my attention first unfortunately.
“Why?” Meadowbrook asked as I started a slow trot behind Somnambula. “Eating is important and healthy. You’ll get sick and potentially die if you don’t.”
“Busy. Got lot’s of writing and spell checking to do, letters to send. I haven’t really gotten out to explore the area unfortunately.”
The two nodded as I cracked my neck. I swear, I always wake up in the weirdest positions. I once woke up curled like a ball and my neck was screaming at me all day. Don’t even get me started on how my back hurt.
“We have a decent waffle business nearby,” Meadowbrook said as I glanced at her smiling slightly at me. “Do you still like waffles?”
I paused and gave her a startled look. I didn’t think any of them ever remembered my interests, let alone my favorite breakfast foods.
“How do you know that?” I asked as Meadowbrook maintened her slight smile.
“Whenever we all got breakfast together, you always got waffles and sat alone in the corner of the room unless I sat with you,” Meadowbrook answered as Somnambula looked away. “Plus you told me so one day.”
“Oh,” I answered slowly and the rest of the walk was silent as I admired the small town we had trotted into. “Where are we going again?”
“Right here. Frying Pans breakfast house,” Somnambula said as she waved a hoof and I grunted in response before examining the small looking building in front of me.
“Interesting name,” I mused as she nodded.
“Frying Pan is a nice stallion. Bit too excitable about pans, though,” Somnambula commented with a smirk as I held the door open for them. “Thank you.”
“Thank you Stygian,” Meadowbrook smiled at me as I nodded and paused as she patted me on the back.
I can’t remember if she was normally this touchy or not in the past. A thousand years can make some memories hard to remember.
“You’re welcome,” I muttered as I stared after them before following hastily. “So, uh, do I just sit down?”
“Yeah,” Somnambula answered and fluttered her wings as I sat across from Meadowbrook. “Fluttershy is quite fond of these “sit down restaurants” as she calls them. Equestria has come a long way since back then.”
“Agreed,” I admitted as a stallion trotted up to us and placed three menus down silently. “I thought Starlight said they pick a table for you, not us pick one.”
“They’re more lax here about that than the rest of Equestria,” Meadowbrook waved a hoof as she stretched. “It’s nice to be back here.”
I stayed quiet as I examined my menu curiously. I may have been out of limbo for months but modern Equestria still found new ways to amaze me. I was impressed by a tree once on Applejack’s farm that was half apples and pears. A tree of all things.
“And what would you like?” The same stallion asked as I jumped. I didn’t even know he had returned.
“Waffles for him with vanilla coffee,” Meadowbrook answered for me. One of these days I’ll get over my damn shyness. One thing I learned recently, modern Equestrians could be quite colorful with their curse words, especially Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.
“Thank you,” I bowed my head respectfully as he took our menus in a faint yellow glow of magic. “Somehow, I have a feeling you two asked me here for more than just breakfast.”
The two exchanged looks as Somnambula sighed.
“You’re right,” Somnambula admitted as she shifted her wings. “We weren’t in the neighborhood, we came to see you. Both of us did, we had similar ideas it seems.”
“What do you mean?” I asked as they stared at me.
“We’re sorry,” the two said in unison as I felt my eyes widen.
“We treated you badly back when we cast you out, and for that we’re incredibly sorry,” Somnambula commented as she patted my hoof. “The other Pillars and I have admittedly been arguing amongst ourselves about it. Stupid arguments about who’s fault it really was to cast you and, well, most blame Starswirl and Flash Magnus. Especially with the books you’ve wrote detailing your side.”
“And you want me to recall them?” I guessed as they both shook their heads and Meadowbrook grabbed my spare hoof.
“No. We want you to get your side out there because all everypony knows is what we wrote down in our journals afterwards. We read your books, and…everything you said concerned me the most.”
“And me,” Somnambula interjected as her ears flicked. “The three stallions of the group were a bit more reserved about how they felt. Typical males. No offense, of course.”
“None taken,” I laughed quietly. “Starswirl always did keep things hidden inside.”
“Yeah he did,” Meadowbrook admitted as she squeezed my hoof and I faintly felt warm in the face. “If you’ll let us, we were interested in spending more time with you. You and I live in the same area and have talked a little since what happened.”
I paused and examined their faces. They did seem to be genuine but at the same time, the last time I tried to get close to anypony, I became an ugly creature of shadows and was put in limbo with the others for a thousand years.
“Yes,” I answered and nodded as they both gave relieved sighs. “So, what now?”
“Well, I’m hungry so breakfast and then we can go on a nature walk. Meadowbrook said you liked them after all,” Somnambula smirked at us both as Meadowbrook turned red.
“Who doesn’t like nature walks?” Meadowbrook pointed out as I found myself nodding in agreement.
The same stallion with a frying pan cutie mark returned and set down plates in front of us as I sniffed the waffles. I had forgotten what waffles that weren’t cooked in a toaster smelled like.
Somnambula smirked at us again as I forgot Meadowbrook was still holding my hoof.
We both looked at Somnambula as I gave a shrug. I honestly didn’t really know myself with how often I travelled around Equestria to book signings. Twilight Velvet is a surprisingly nice “agent” as they call it now.
“Uh not much really other than walking,” Meadowbrook admitted as she glanced at me. "Stygian?”
“Yes?”
“You have syrup on your face still,” Meadowbrook answered as Somnambula snorted and I turned red faintly. “Hold on, anypony got a washcloth?”
I jumped slightly as she shouted probably louder than I’ve ever heard her speak. I turned redder and tried to hide behind Somnambula.
“Don’t yell out my problem, they’re gonna laugh at me!” I hissed out as Somnambula pulled me forward with a wing.
“Have confidence dear Stygian. Nopony will laugh at you,” Somnambula reassured me as she grinned. “Mind you, I’m not laughing at you but merely with you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled as a blue stallion stepped forward with a wash cloth and snickered as he glanced at me. Meadowbrook made an angry sound and slammed a hoof on the ground as she stood in front of me. I gulped when this happened. I didn’t think she ever got angry until now apparently.
“Thank you sir,” Meadowbrook grumbled as she took the wash cloth and hoofed to Somnambula.
“I can do it myself, I’m not a foal Somnambula,” I protested as she wiped my face with a grin and I sighed in defeat. Win some and you lose some. “Uhm thanks. Now can we please go before more ponies decide to laugh at me being treated like a colt again?”
“Yeah we can,” Somnambula snickered as she tossed the washcloth to the stallion. “Thanks for that and I doubt you should laugh at him for a mistake that I’m pretty certain everypony makes, even you.”
I looked up as he walked backwards into a small house before nodding at me and shut the door.
“Now come,” Somnambula pushed me toward a path where Meadowbrook stood patiently. “She’s been talking about going here with me for ages and now I have somepony else to drag along. Flash is always busy, Starswirl doesn’t wish to come along. Something about being too old and Mistmane is busy with her own garden sadly.”
“What about Rockhoof?”
“He’s busy at Twilight’s school telling his stories to the ponies and other creatures that attend,” Meadowbrook answered as I nodded.
“Ah yes he visited me during that whole thing,” I waved a hoof as Somnambula smirked.
“Same here. He fell asleep during my meditation class. He can snore let me tell you,” Somnambula commented as we both laughed.
“That he can,” I agreed and shifted on my hooves as I examined a flower. “He used to keep me awake whenever I slept outside during our journeys.”
The two paused and frowned at me slightly as I gulped. It was pretty much common knowledge that whenever we stopped to sleep in caves, I usually slept outside near the mouth of the cave.
“I still disagree with you doing that,” Meadowbrook sighed as she stared at the sun.
“Same,” Somnambula chimed in. “Equestria was more untamed back then than it is now. But even in this age, it is still dangerous. Especially in the “Everfree Forest” as ponies call it.”
“Enough talking and more observing nature. Nature is supposed to be enjoyed with peace and quiet,” Meadowbrook said casually as we both shrugged. I suppose she had a point there.
“Never doing that again,” I groaned as I flopped onto the ground outside my house as the other two chuckled. I was admittedly way more out of shape than I originally realized.
“Oh it wasn’t that bad,” Somnambula commented as she stretched her wings and cracked her neck as I gave her a flat look.
““I got hit in the face three times with a tree branch,” I said flatly as she nodded with a smirk. “I still think you knew that was going to happen. You have a weird sense of humor.”
“Pinkie has been rubbing off on me. She is a intriguing mare,” Somnambula admitted as I yawned. “Tired?”
“We’ve been walking in the swamp and the woods nearby for eight hours. Yes I am tired but it will pass. I’ll just take a nap or whatever,” I answered as I forced myself to stand up. "Thanks for today I suppose. It was rather nice to get out instead of staying indoors all day like I planned.”
“If you want more company later, my clinic is always available to you. I could use the help some days,” Meadowbrook said and tossed me a bottle of water. “It’s always busy. Ponies some how found insane ways to hurt themselves. I had a small pegasus filly in the other day trying to find something to make her wings work. Kinda depressing really when she found out I had nothing for that. But maybe one day I will.”
“If anypony will it’s you,” Somnambula reassured her as I nodded briefly before drinking gratefully from the bottle. “You and Cattail are the best ponies I know at medicine.”
“Thanks. Still slightly depressing knowing only one of my relatives is still alive. There used to be hundreds of us and now there’s only two. I can’t imagine how you two must feel,” Meadowbrook glanced at us as I looked down. I hadn’t really tried finding any relatives of mine. I presumed they all died and it’s not like I had kids anyway to continue my line.
“Prince Hisan’s death was tragic but it’s life. We all live and die,” Somnambula answered. “Could be worse.”
“How could it be worse than death?” I asked as she smirked.
“There could still be a Sphinx around. Apparently she disappeared shortly after we did.”
I suppose she had a point there.
“I should probably go sleep it’s, the sun is setting,” I pointed a hoof at the pink sky. “If you need a place to sleep, I suppose my house has enough room Somnambula.”
“Works for me. I’ve never been inside your house yet. Meadowbrook?”
“I have to go close the clinic for the night,” Meadowbrook answered as she looked at us both. “Sleep well. Come by tomorrow and you can help me out a bit.”
I gave a nod as she hugged us both before trotting away. I can’t even remember the last time I was hugged.
“You know, you should take her up on that offer,” Somnambula commented as she placed a wing on my back. “And she isn’t that bad looking either.”
“What do you mean?”
“Stallions,” Somnambula muttered and shook her head. “Never mind. I’ll follow you, it’s your house after all.”
“Okay,” I said and turned to my door, pushing it open as she followed me, the door shutting gently behind her.
“Very nice,” Somnambula commented as she looked around.
“You can sleep in my room, I’ll use the couch tonight. Guests do get the best treatment after all.”
“No I call the couch. You get the bed,” Somnambula answered as I levitated a pillow out of the closet. “I can sleep on the floor if necessary. Where you sleep, I sleep. I can’t just throw you out of your own room so if you’re sleeping out here, so am I.”
“Okay, you win. Bed it is.”
And I thought Applejack was stubborn. She didn’t hold a candle to Somnambula at certain times.
I yawned as I opened my eyes, blinking a few times before sitting up straight. Sleeping on the floor surprisingly wasn’t that bad after all.
“Good morning,” Somnambula said casually as my head whipped up and to the side. She was laying on the bed, staring down at me with an unreadable expression as I gulped.
I may have levitated her into the bed after she passed out on the floor. I was always raised to treat my guests better than myself.
“Morning,” I grumbled as I awkwardly climbed to my hooves.
It was a bit uncomfortable to be alone with her or well, any of the other Pillars alone, not just Somnambula. There’s just so much negative history there’s it hard to feel anything but uncomfortable.
It was different yesterday because we were in public. Lots of other ponies to keep me distracted.
“Stygian? Are you okay?” Somnambula asked as I inhaled and exhaled again rapidly. “Stygian?”
The last thing I saw and felt before passing out was her jumping off the bed with a worried expression along with her soft wings wrapped around me.
I groaned as I rolled over in the soft bed as something or somepony waved something that smelled terrible in front of my nose.
“What in the world is that foul smell?” I demanded as I opened my eyes and Meadowbrook gave a relieved sigh as she set a bag down on a nightstand. “And where am I? This is not my room nor my house.”
“You fainted. Somnambula carried you here to my clinic,” Meadowbrook answered as she turned around to open a fridge in the corner. “She was pretty worried, so was I.”
She turned around and tossed me a water bottle as Somnambula shoved the door open, staring at me before trotting over and hugging me.
“Thanks?” I said weakly as she stepped back. I still not one hundred percent certain on being hugged yet but I suppose it isn’t a bad feeling.
“So why did he faint?” Somnambula asked as I looked at a nearby wall.
“Well, it could be anything. Did you feel anything like chest pain, shaking, dizziness, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, lightheadedness, numbness of your hooves, nausea, feelings of detachment, and or any hot flashes?” Meadowbrook asked as she finally looked back at me.
“Maybe?” I offered as she narrowed her eyes and I gulped.
“Yes or no.”
“He was breathing pretty rapidly and shaking,” Somnambula chimed in as she sat down in a chair.
“Sounds like a panic attack to me. But why?”
They both looked at me as I shrugged. I didn’t really want to say it was because of Somnambula. I didn’t want to hurt her or come off as rude like Starswirl used to so often long ago.
“No idea,” I lied and sat back down. “I’ve been pretty stressed about my books I guess.”
“Uh huh,” Meadowbrook said as she gave me a doubtful look. “I’d like to advise you lying to a pony who’s main thing is healing isn’t very smart. Not that I’m accusing of lying of course, just a very friendly reminder.”
“I have no idea what made me panic and pass out,” I insisted as they both stared at me before nodding.
“Okay,” Meadowbrook said after a moment that felt like hours. “But you’re staying here so I can make sure you don’t pass out again. I’ll bring you up some food shortly.”
“I’ve never seen her without her dress before or you without your own clothes. Feels weird,” I muttered as we both watched Meadowbrook close the door behind her quietly. “I miss my cloak.”
“You’re in luck because it’s right here,” Somnambula grinned as she lifted it up with a hoof. “And I agree, it does feel awkward wearing no clothes. But nopony else does and Equestria is moving forward, we must adapt as well.”
I grudgingly agree with that. It seems like a completely different world.
Hay, there’s barely any dark places left. I remember there used to be entire land in Equestria that were pitch black where I could barely see my own hoof in front of my face. And the stars were much brighter back then too.
Ponies don’t know what they are missing these days. And it’s not like I could tell Princess Luna that the stars seem disappointing in a way now. Who knows what she would do to me.
“You know, you can tell us anything,” Somnambula commented as I jumped slightly before looking at her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. You did seem to be in deep thought for a good half hour there.”
“It’s okay,” I reassured her as I shifted in the bed. “So this is Meadowbrook’s clinic? I wish I could see it from anywhere else other than a bed.”
“Don’t worry dear Stygian, you soon shall,” Somnambula answered with a warm smile before she leaned forward to kiss my forehead and I froze. “Platonic kiss of course. I’m trying to be a better friend to you so please tell me if I cross any boundaries.”
“You’re okay,” I answered and crossed my forelegs. “But why is Meadowbrook helping me?”
“Because I care about you obviously,” Meadowbrook answered as she pushed the cracked open door all the way. Why she was faintly pink in the face, I’ll never know. “I brought soup.”
She set the bowl down on a nightstand next to me with a spoon as Somnambula stood up.
“I’ll give you two some space,” Somnambula coughed into a hoof and winked at me before trotting to the door. “I’ll find somewhere to sleep around here, sure I can find somewhere comfortable to rest at.”
I idly considered offering her my house again but knowing her, she most likely would refuse in a heartbeat to stay here with us.
“What are you doing?” I asked as I stared at Meadowbrook dropping next to me.
“You’re in my bed after all Stygian. Figured you deserved better than the usual beds that aren’t the most comfortable,” Meadowbrook explained as she draped the blanket over her before her ears pressed against her head. “If it makes you nervous, I can go sleep elsewhere.”
“No. It’s fine,” I answered as I levitated the bowl closer to me. “Just a bit surprised you would give your own bed to me. I’m not entirely certain I deserve it.”
“None of that,” Meadowbrook placed a hoof over my mouth. “You deserve everything and more, believe me dear Stygian. I’d always give up my bed for you.”
“We shall see,” I muttered as she removed her hoof. “It’s a very complicated thing, dealing with being a monster. And nopony relates to me.”
“There is Starlight Glimmer,” Meadowbrook suggested as I tapped my chin against my hoof.
I was a bit fond of her, she was quite nice. And she was the only pony to really who fought to convince the others to help me come back to Equestria.
“What did she turn into?” I asked curiously as Meadowbrook shrugged.
“I’m not certain, she was a bit shy about her past. I don’t think she likes me or the others much. We practically let Starswirl walk all over her because none of us were willing to stand up for him. I’m quite frankly just happy you’re still willing to associate with us after how we treated you,” Meadowbrook sighed as she folded her forelegs.
“I do believe I was worse than you all,” I commented as she raised an eyebrow. “I became a monster of shadows. You were there.”
“What did I just say about no self deprecation?” Meadowbrook asked flatly as she glared at me.
“Right, sorry.”
“As I was saying, your unfortunate change could have been avoided if we had just included you more and credited you more. At least Somnambula and I, we were the closest to you outside of Rockhoof. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself,” Meadowbrook propped her head up with a hoof. “I’m sorry again.”
“I know. You’re still a very good cook. Maybe you can teach me one day.”
“Tomorrow morning we can cook. If you wish, Princess Twilight requested us all in Ponyville, something about wanting to show us a mirror. I would like if you came along,” Meadowbrook smiled faintly as I nodded after a second.
“Might be nice to see the scenery yet again. I do enjoy Ponyville and our old castle is nearby. I’ve been wanting to explore it lately,” I mused as Meadowbrook’s smile grew.
“You should rest. It’s late Stygian,” Meadowbrook glanced out the window as I set the bowl back down gently.
“What?” I grumbled as I opened my eyes and stared at Somnambula mere inches from my face with a wide grin as I gave a startled cry. “What are you doing, watching me sleep?”
“Meadowbrook normally opens up around this time so I came to wake you two up. My apologies, dear.”
“It’s okay I suppose. Just don’t scare me like that again,” I mumbled as I glanced next to me and moved away slightly.
I’ve never really paid attention to any of the Pillars sleeping before because that seemed kinda well, stalkerish? Meadowbrook seemed surprisingly beautiful asleep and I don’t really recall her holding onto my forelegs when we fell asleep.
“Looks to me you have a secret admirer,” Somnambula teased with a smirk as I gave her a confused look.
“What?”
“I love you Stygian, but you’re blind. That said, I cannot say because it is your journey to go on,” Somnambula sighed and shook her head with a smile. “And Meadowbrook’s of course. She would be very unhappy if I told you anything like she told me.”
“I see. You clearly still like your cryptic answers, don’t you?”
“Oh, but of course,” Somnambula said with a grin. “Now come, let Meadowbrook sleep. Cattail wishes to meet you properly, he only saw you briefly when I flew inside with you.”
I had no idea who Cattail was, but I’m not entirely going to turn down meeting somepony. That would be rude, after all.
I started to sit up before a blue hoof yanked me back down and Somnambula snorted.
“Never mind, apparently your friend doesn’t want you to leave,” Somnambula snickered as I rolled my eyes.
“I hate that you know something that I don’t. It’s my job to know everything, remember?” I grumbled as Somnambula laughed again as Meadowbrook wrapped a hoof around me. “Is she even still asleep?”
“Looks like it to me,” Somnambula mused as she hovered next to us. “I will leave you to two be. Sleep well, I will most likely wake you up hours from now again.”
I tensed up slightly as Meadowbrook nuzzled me in her sleep and Somnambula grinned faintly.
“Okay.”
Somnambula quietly flew out the room and shut the door behind her as Meadowbrook continued nuzzling me.
I suppose another hour of sleep wasn’t all that bad.
“So how was sleeping with my ancestor?” Cattail asked as I looked at the brown earth pony sitting across from me at a small round table.
He looked scarily like Meadowbrook, especially with how his mane was tied up like how she did.
“We didn’t do anything like that!” I protested and turned bright red as he chuckled.
“I know. I would have heard it if you two did, these walls are thin after all.”
“Ponies are so different now. A thousand years ago, you even joking about this would be considered offensive,” I grumbled as we both looked at Somnambula and Meadowbrook helping an earth pony with a broken leg sit down. “It was okay I guess.”
“Hmph.”
“So how are you related to her? I didn’t think she had any family after the whole limbo thing,” I said as I waved a hoof and Cattail shrugged.
“Well you see, when a mare and a stallion love each other very much-”
“I know that part,” I cut him off with a blush as he grinned.
“Anyways, she had a daughter, remember? After you all disappeared, her her daughter got married and had a son. Thousand years later, here I am. This is Meadowbrook’s original house. It took me a little over a year going over my family genealogy to find out my ancestry. I had already owned the house before I started looking up where I came from, it was passed down from each family member. I found some of Meadowbrook’s writings in the basement and got curious,” Cattail explained as he set down his glass of water. “I’ve always been good at potions and healing so it made a bit of sense to be related to her even though I’ve lost count of how many greats came after her.”
“Ah. She and Mistmane always were the most emphatic out of us all. Or well, are is a better word I suppose. Not much has changed on that front,” I commented as he nodded. “Flash Magnus hid it well but he cares too. And to think he used to be my biggest threat back then when the darkness took over. I half expected him to find a way to kill me.”
“Well, this got dark,” Cattail muttered. “I know damn well Mistmane and the others wouldn’t have let him kill you.”
“Starswirl would have. You weren’t there, they all sided against me. Even Mistmane,” I sighed as Cattail watched me. “She probably would have watched.”
“I don’t know her that well but I do know the legendary so I doubt she would,” Cattail answered as I looked back at the other two girls. “When you gonna ask her out?”
“What? Who?”
“Meadowbrook, duh. Who else?” Cattail asked as I turned red.
“Why would I ask her out? She’s just a friend.”
“Seriously?” Cattail scoffed as he rolled his eyes. “She allowed you to sleep with her last night, Somnambula told me she wouldn’t let you leave the room and you said earlier she nuzzled you repeatedly in her sleep. Plus the legends said you and Meadowbrook were together but apparently they were wrong.”
“I never dated any of the Pillars, but Meadowbrook admittedly would be the one if I did. Somnambula had a small chance too I suppose, she always was nice to me,” I said and hugged my cloak around me.
Thank Celestia Somnambula had went back and got it. My cloak was one of my most prized possessions, I took that thing damn near everywhere.
“Why exactly do you think I should date her?” I asked as Cattail gave me a flat look.
“You slept with her last night, you keep looking over at her, same reasons as before,” Cattail answered. “Pretty obvious to me. And while you haven’t been looking at you, she’s been looking at you and smiling so it’s fairly obvious.”
“I highly doubt she’d ever like me. She’s pretty, I’m ugly, she’s special and important to Equestria, I’m not. I’m just me, the reclusive shy stallion who just writes stories and mails the script to Twilight Velvet while Meadowbrook heals ponies from all over Equestria. It would never happen,” I sighed as Cattail raised an eyebrow.
“You didn’t deny liking her though,” Cattail pointed out and I paused as my eyes widened as I tried and failed to come up with an argument.
Oh sweet Celestia, he was right. I like one of my best friends.
I stared out the window as Meadowbrook propped her head up with a hoof as we both listened to ponies talking quietly on the train.
I still found it incredible that ponies could get across Equestria in a mere matter of hours instead of taking days or weeks to get around.
“I just don’t know what went wrong,” we both glanced at a grey pegasus standing next to a pony in a blue jacket and matching hat. “I swear I had my pass here with me.”
“No pass, no boarding.”
“She’s with us,” I called out and shuddered slightly as they both looked at me. “I have enough bits, just buy her another pass.”
“Okay fine,” the conductor pony sighed and accepted the bits I levitated in front of him. “You’re cleared to board.”
“Thank you,” the pegasus nodded at me as she stood in front of us. “May I sit with you?”
“Of course,” Meadowbrook smiled as she shifted over to let her sit down. “I’m Meadowbrook, that’s Stygian. Somnambula is currently trying to find food on this train.”
“I’m Derpy,” she pointed a hoof at herself and I noticed her eyes for the first time. They were bright gold and pointed in different directions. “It’s okay to look, I know they’re a bit unusual.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” I muttered and hastily looked away.
“I’m not. I heard a lot about you,” Derpy commented as she smiled slightly. “Rockhoof has said a lot of good things about you.”
“You know Rockhoof?” Meadowbrook asked curiously as Derpy nodded rapidly.
“Of course! He’s my coltfriend after all,” Derpy said as she tucked her forelegs under her. “Dinky adores him and even Sparkler likes him. I didn’t entirely think a pony as unusual and well, disabled how I am would ever be loved but he proved me wrong when I accidentally crashed into him. He and Berry both ran off a crowd of tourists laughing at me.”
“That sounds like him,” Meadowbrook admitted as she yawned. “I didn’t know Rockhoof had a marefriend.”
“We’ve only been dating for a few months but it’s been good. He and I really got along, you know?” Derpy said as she cracked her neck. “He’s a nice stallion. Berry approves so there’s that even if I have to put up with her asking a bit more dirty questions.”
“Oh,” I muttered and blushed like Derpy currently was. “I see.”
“But she’s my best friend so I can tolerate it,” Derpy waved a hoof and laughed quietly. “Are you headed to Ponyville?”
“Yeah. Princess Twilight offered us to come meet one of her friends. Didn’t tell us her name, strangely enough,” Meadowbrook answered as Derpy nodded.
“I think I know who. She’s a nice mare. Was a bit scared of me at first due to some past drama but she’s my friend now,” Derpy fluttered her wings excitedly. “I hope to see her.”
“I’m sure you will,” Meadowbrook reassured as a stallion trotted past, glancing at Derpy and snickering as we both glared. “That’s not very nice to laugh.”
“Yeah, yeah whatever,” the stallion snorted and trotted away as Derpy sighed.
“I’ll go sit somewhere else so you don’t get negative attention,” Derpy mumbled as I pressed my foreleg against her chest.
“No stay,” I shook my head. “I’d like to talk to you more and ignore him, he’s closeminded.”
“Stygian is right sugar,” Meadowbrook nodded as she stood up. “I’m going to go find Somnambula and make sure she isn’t buying all the sweets, I shall return.”
I watched her leave as Derpy gently nudged me with a wing and laughed quietly.
“You two look cute together,” Derpy commented as she winked at me. “I’m very happy for you.”
“We’re not dating,” I muttered as Derpy raised an eyebrow. “I’m not entirely certain she would ever like me the way I do.”
“I’m thirty three and a mother of two. I know the signs when a mare likes somepony,” Derpy answered as she wrapped a wing around me. “You’d be surprised Stygian.”
“We will see one day,” I said as she smiled warmly at me. “You’re a very nice mare, considering you may know my past. What do you do for work?”
“I try to be nice to everypony, regardless of past and I do know it, yes. Rockhoof feels poorly for treating you how he did,” Derpy admitted. “I don’t blame you for it. Only a meanie would and I am not mean unless Discord does his weird magic stuff again like he did when he first returned. I work as a mailmare. I used to have five other jobs to support my kids and house payments plus pay for damages for my clumsiness when I destroy stuff accidentally but Rockhoof moved in and insisted I only work as a mailmare since Princess Twilight pays him well for his work.”
“Makes sense, I did hear he was a story teller I believe now.”
“Yes. At first I said no but my daughters both sided with him and well, they’re my life,” Derpy said with a fond smile out the window. “I haven’t seen them in a week because I’ve been delivering packages all over this area. I miss home.”
“I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.”
“I know they will. Dinky is very excitable when I’m gone for long periods of time. Berry or Lyra used to watch them for me but Rockhoof has been recently.”
“Leaving for Ponyville!” The conductor pony called out and I grabbed the edge of my seat nervously.
“First time on a train?” Derpy asked and I shook my head no.
“Just a bit nervous in general on these things,” I answered and inhaled.
“I’ll be here the whole way, don’t worry. And I presume Meadowbrook will too,” Derpy winked at me as I nodded. “Just breath slowly.”
“Okay.”
I will admit, that wasn’t as bad as usual was. Derpy was a nice pony to talk to and the other two were helpful as well. I partially wished Cattail came with but somepony had to run the clinic he said.
I sat next to Meadowbrook, Somnambula and Spike in front of a mirror, awkwardly avoiding making eye contact with Starswirl, Mistmane and the other two Pillars. Starlight, Twilight and a blue unicorn sat talking in a corner.
“Derpy seemed happily to see Rockhoof,” Somnambula commented as I nodded. I thought Pinkie moved fast, but she didn’t hold a candle to an excited Derpy. She had managed to hug all three ponies at the same time, which was a bit surprisingly considering how big Rockhoof is. “And her daughters.”
“Yeah she can be that way,” Spike admitted as the mirror started glowing and my jaw dropped as we all stared in stunned silence.
An amber unicorn shot out of the mirror and slammed onto her stomach.
“Urgh my head,” the mare groaned as she stood up and rubbed her head with a wing as my eyes widened. “Starlight, Twilight! Hey girls!”
The two hugged as we all gave each other confused looks. I didn’t know there was a sixth alicorn in Equestria.
“Hey Sunset,” Starlight grinned as they separated and Sunset examined us all.
“Congrats, you’ve found a way to make the mirror work!” Starswirl exclaimed and froze as Sunset gave him a fiery look that made even Flash and Rockhoof stepped back. “I am-”
“I know who you are,” Sunset cut him off coldly. “I heard all about you and the others from Starlight. I don’t like you but I will be respectful. Can I at least hit him?”
“Trixie agrees!”
“No hitting anypony,” Twilight said as she joined Starlight. “Please?”
“Fine,” Sunset sighed and five more ponies shot out of the mirror. “Oh yeah, the others are coming. Not the Rainbooms but the Shadowbolts. Sugarcoat blackmailed me with banana bread which I’m expecting when we get back.”
“Of course,” a light blue grey unicorn grumbled as she laid next to a green earth pony.
Sunset turned and gave me a warm smile as she stepped closer to me.
“It’s an honor to finally meet you sir,” Sunset said as she knelt in front of me. “My name is Sunset Shimmer.”
“M-me?” I stammered as she nodded. “Why?”
“I’ve always been a fan of you forever, even back when I was Celestia’s number one pupil. You always impressed me with your intelligence,” Sunset said as she stood back up.
“I don’t know what to say,” I said as Starlight smiled at me. I was a bit fond of her, especially when I found out she defended me. “You’re a princess?”
“I suppose but I turned down immortality like Twilight did. Tomorrow, I want to get breakfast with you. I have so many questions,” Sunset grinned as she bounced on her hooves. “Oh, this is Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare. They’re my friends and they are not going to tell the others they came with or I’ll be killed.”
“And that’d be such a pity” Sour grumbled as the unicorn took a shaky step. “We won’t say a word.”
“They found out when Fluttershy told them and caught up after the others left. Figured might as well. The others surprisingly didn’t ask,” Sunset shrugged as she yawned. “Hey Spike, hey Trixie.”
“Hi.”
“Hello.”
I suppose for first meetings, this wasn’t as chaotic as they normally used to be for us.
“Come, I’ll show you all your rooms,” Twilight coughed into a hoof. “All of you.”
“I call dibs on sharing a room Sunset!” Indigo called out as Lemon glared at her.
“No, I do.”
“Neither of you do,” Sunset commented with a smirk. “Lemon Hearts is coming over hopefully and I’m looking for some alone adult time.”
“Who?”
“My girlfriend,” Sunset said dismissively as Sunny’s eyes widened.
“You’re so spilling the tea! I wanna know everything!” Sunny exclaimed as Sunset rolled her eyes before smiling back at me.
“Just don’t tell our Rarity, she don’t know I’m dating someone yet,” Sunset answered as I examined the mirror. "Hell, none of the other girls don't know yet so please keep it between us till I'm ready."
“What’s that world like? What happens when you cross over? What-” I started as Sunset placed a hoof over my mouth.
“I’ll answer all your questions over dinner tonight, don’t worry. Now I suggest we catch up with Twilight before she comes and thinks I’m fighting Starswirl.”
I gave a sheepish nod as Meadowbrook laughed quietly before nudging me.
“Do you mind if we bunk together tonight?” Meadowbrook asked as the other Pillars watched curiously. I had been nice when I walked in and said hi as usual but that was about as far as it went.
“Sure.”
Starlight, Sunset and Trixie looked at each other before smirking at me.
“We are so talking later,” Starlight commented as she hid her smile behind a hoof.
“Okay?”
I had an idea of what the conversation was going to be, based of what Derpy said earlier. If a complete stranger knew, these three most definitely did too.I just hoped it wouldn’t get out to the other Pillars. But I have bad luck so it probably will.
I suppose time will tell. If all else fails, I can attempt to bribe them.
Sunset, Starlight and Trixie stood in front of the doorway as I gulped nervously. I didn’t entirely expect them planning on interrogating me this fast.
“Why did you wish to talk to me again?” I asked as the three mares blocked the exit of the library.
“Trixie is the greatest and powerful one here so she shall do the talking,” Trixie proclaimed as Sunset rolled her eyes. “Trixie is the expert on romance, therefore she will answer all your questions.”
“W-what are you talking about?” I stammered as Trixie rolled her eyes.
“Okay, this is going no where if we stay subtle,” Sunset interjected as she folded her wings against her side. “Alright, it’s pretty obvious to us three that you like Meadowbrook. You have three very attractive mares who are offering to help you get with her.”
“Make that four!” Pinkie shouted as she opened a book and climbed out. “That space was tight, believe me. Yikes!”
The four of us gave her confused looks. I partially wanted to press and ask where the hay she had came from, but this is Pinkie Pie. I was told trying ask about her behavior was a losing battle.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Starlight muttered and shook her head. “Anyway, I’m willing to help. Dating has changed a lot in the time you’ve been gone. Right, Trixie?”
Trixie nodded as Starlight kissed her cheek.
“How did you two start dating anyway?” Sunset asked as Trixie smirked.
“Trixie made a large display of affection, shouting that she loved Starlight in front of the whole town. She couldn’t resist falling for moi, correct?”
“Correct,” Starlight wrapped a hoof around Trixie. “If I recall, you drank an entire bottle of whiskey before doing so.”
“Liquid courage.”
“Uh huh. Anyway, enough about us,” Starlight glanced back at me. “If you want, we can give you pointers and everything. Sunset is dating a mare, Pinkie is trying to date Cheese Sandwhich.”
“Hey!” Pinkie shouted as Sunset snickered. “Nopony was supposed to know about my secret love.”
“Not a secret if you told half the town,” Trixie commented with a shrug.
“You have a point,” Pinkie admitted after a moment. “Oh well.”
“Hey, where’s Indigo Zap and the others?” I asked as Sunset eyes widened.
“Fuck!” Sunset cursed as she flung the door open. “They’re around here somewhere. Think Spike was taking them downtown to explore.”
Sunset galloped down the hallway as I raised an eyebrow in confusion, watching her flap her wings before faceplanting.
“I’m okay!”
“Should we help her?” I asked as Trixie shook her head.
“Sunset is a capable mare. We shall help you with your love life. Trixie shows her love and affection by normally fucking Starlight till she can’t wa-” Trixie started as Starlight slammed a hoof into her mouth.
“Trixie!” Starlight snapped as she blushed. “Not in front of him or anypony else.” Trixie spit the hoof out and started wiping her tongue off as she gagged. “She only uh does that sometimes. We go on dates and normal couples stuff more, for the record.”
“Sorry, yes we do. Even though Trixie doesn’t suggest trying to sleep with Meadowbrook, that might get you arrested for sexual harassment.”
I had a feeling this would be a long evening.
I stared up at the ceiling of the bedroom as I listened to Meadowbrook snoring. Thank the maker it was quiet snoring and not loud like I had feared. Contrary to what he believes, Starswirl snores so loud, I’m almost certain anypony could hear him, maybe even in Tartarus.
“Thank the stars we have separate beds,” I muttered to myself as I quietly climbed out of bed. After realizing that I did love Meadowbrook, it was a bit awkward sleeping with her again.
I opened the door to the room quietly and snuck out, gently shutting it behind me. I should have brought a bottle of water with me to bed.
I trotted for what felt like hours but was almost certainly only ten minutes as I trotted past the library and paused as I glanced inside.
Sunset was laying next to a yellow unicorn with one of her wings draped over the mail as she wrapped her tail with the other mares tail, writing something down on a piece of paper.
“Oh hello Stygian,” Sunset glanced over as she yawned. “You’re up late.”
“Attempting to find the kitchen. I didn’t mean to interrupt whatever you’re up to, my apologies,” I bowed my head and took a step back.
“No worries,” Sunset reassured me as she untangled her tail from the other mares. “Lemon Hearts is asleep so I’m all yours. I’ll show you to the kitchen.”
Sunset kissed the mare on the head before standing up and stretching her hindlegs.
“She’s grumpy if woken up so let’s be quiet,” Sunset whispered and paused. “Come to think of it, she’s pretty much grumpy all the time but it’s what I love about her.”
“I see,” I whispered back as I followed her down the hall.
“It must be difficult,” Sunset commented and we continued walking. “Having been thrown away by your friends like that without them even bothering to hear your side. Don’t even get me started on trying to adapt to modern Equestria. I still sometimes have trouble with it.”
I felt a rare flash of anger as I absorbed her words. I will admit, I didn’t like how she was acting like she knew what it felt like to be tossed aside.
“You don’t even understand what it was like!” I snapped as she gave me a look. “You weren’t there, you aren’t me and you don’t understand what being tossed aside felt like, let alone being a monster trying to take over.”
“I do understand,” Sunset admitted and gave me a sad smile. “A few months ago around Hearths Warming, my own friends abandoned me due to a misunderstanding. I had no one and it hurt. Felt like all my hard work at proving I was a better person was for nothing. Not even Derpy believed in me and she refused to talk to me.”
I opened my mouth to speak as she held up a hoof, closing my mouth for me.
“So I tucked tail and ran back to Equestria, bruised and bleeding from a failed suicide attempt,” Sunset continued as I looked down. “I thought only a weak person failed at suicide. Twilight was having a party at the time when I came through and that’s how Lemon Hearts found me unconscious by the mirror. She and these versions of Derpy, Bon Bon, Octavia and Lyra took me to the hospital with Twilight and the others behind us. Even after how I treated Lemon in the past, she stayed by my side the whole time in the hospital room.”
“I’m sorry, I came off as rude-”
“And it did take a while to trust this world’s version of the others, especially Bon Bon and Derpy but I did. And hell, I got a marefriend out of something awful happening to me. So yeah, I know what it’s like and it’s awful to be tossed aside,” Sunset said as she stared at me.
“But what happened to your friends after?” I asked curiously as Sunset gave a bitter laugh.
“They apologized when Lemon Hearts accompanied me back. It was their sisters all along. It took a bit, but I accepted them back and we’re better than ever,” Sunset answered as she opened a door. “I’m gonna do what I hate when people do it to me and give you some unwanted advice. Tell the Pillars how it felt to be in their shadow and don’t leave a damn thing out, even if it hurts. That’s what I did with my friends. I sat them down at AJs farm and I yelled at them for hurting me, I cried, I cursed them out and said I hated them, I called them traitors and they just sat there, taking it all. And they owned it all, they didn’t make excuses and they proved to me they deserved a second chance. After all, they gave me one. You should do the same and if you wish, I’ll be there in the room for you.”
I stood in stunned silence as Sunset set a cup of water at the table.
“You know where to find me, enjoy your water.”
“Sunset Shimmer?” I called out and the mare turned around. “Can you be with me when I talk to them?”
She gave me the brightest smile I’ve ever seen on her face as she trotted back to me.