there's a new Colt in Ponyville, and only Pinkie Pie knows all his reasons for moving there.
Chocolate Flash is starting over in Ponyville, for reasons known only to him and Pinkie Pie, and old friend. He harbors some big secrets that don't stay secret for very long around the Elements of Harmony.
A slice of life from a universe where the Sisters adopted a foundling not long before Luna's exile.
The bus shuddered to a stop, jarring the book straight out of my hooves, and into the slop on the floor
Great, all I needed...
Just as I was picking up the soggy Richard Burrchman novel, my seatmate nudged me one
"Dude, time to go" "Huh?"
I looked up. Ponyville already. I mumbled something rude under my breath about the soggy horror novel, and, after the rather plus sized stallion got out of my way, I clambered off. I was glad I'd packed kinda light, but my wallet was also kinda light 'cause of the bus ticket.
The bus pulled out in a cloud of dust before I could move, the driver/engine having other things to get on with, making me gag...and leaving a fine layer of stuff all over my specs
"Aw horseapples!" one mare gave me a rather profound stare at that "What? These things cost me a couple hundred bits!” I took em off and did a quick blow to get rig of some of the dust, then pulled a rag out of my one sided saddlebag. She huffed and stuck her muzz in the air. "Those silly little things? You really ought to have thrown them away a long time ago." A brief glimpse at her flank gave a big explanation "Some of us ain't rollin in bits, darlin" I told her in my best "redneck" accent, and perched them back on my face. "Well, I never" she stormed off like some southern belle. I chuckled to myself, and started looking around.
The place was about as small and cozy as I thought it would be. All the buildings already well familiar, if with more of them than I expected. I set out looking for one specific building.
I heard the "boingboing" long before I saw the quivering pink bush of mane and tail that was emitting it
"I was starting to wonder, Pink" "Choccie!" I got glomped by a laughing pink mess of cotton candy colored mare "WhattokyousolongChoccieiwas..." she started riffing off words like she swallowed a gross of heavily frosted cupcakes "Calm down, darlin. You sound like you ate a can of coffee grounds!" "ButyourherenowandiSOlook…” I let her natter as we got back on our hooves, and headed for the cube.
I should explain something. My name is Chocolate Flash. I'm the oddest stallion in Equestria, 'cause I'm not a rainbow color mess. Even my "cutie" mark was kinda plain. It was a single winged Chocolate bar, as my talent had come up focusing on junk food early in colthood. I also zipped around like a spaz. I was here for a job. And if you’re wondering how come I knew who Pinky Pie was already? Well, I had contact through her folks. Sometimes there's an advantage to knowing about the Amish ponies.
Pinkie spazzed on about throwing me a welcome party and other stuff while boinging in place. "Just take me to the shop, darlin. I need to put stuff down" "Okey-Dokey Lokie" she bounded off toward the 'cube. I just shook my head and chucked. She was in a perpetual state of rumsphringah
I entered to a tinkling bell and the greetings of the cakes. On the way, I'd spotted spearmint colored mare parked on a bench in a REALLY funky position, and chuckled.
thought I was the only one that did that
the Cakes directed me to a spare room, where I plopped my bag, and pitched the Burrchman novel into a garbage can for 2 points, I'd already read it, anyway. Sighing, I popped into the bathroom to natty up a bit. I blew stray bits of butterscotch forelock out of my eyes and started working a brush best I could through the perpetual mess. There’s nothing worse than trying to get all the little details without a little magical assistance I REALLY need a manecut or someone who knows what to do with it, I thought, before braiding it up as best I could. All this time, and I still hadn't quite got the hang of doing everything by hoof.
I curried off as best as I could, and headed back downstairs. The cakes were busy with customers, of course, so I went for the kitchen where Pinkie was happily baking away. I inhaled deeply an caught the scent of standard blueberry muffins while Pinkie's energy was being burned turning batter into smooth, pourable, soon to be cupcakes "Just blueberry?" "There are no REDberrys silly" she went on, grinning at me Just then Mister Cake stuck his head in the door "Der...I mean Ditzy is here with the mail and for her usual" "Coming right up!!" pinkie bounced out the door with an already cold tray. How they didn't just bounce out, I'll never know.
Mr. Cake shook his head and smiled, then trotted over. "Pinkie says you specialize in candies?" "Chocolates, actually, it's kind of a given" i gestured at my cutie He chuckled "True. Do we have the ingredients for them?" "Unless you two put them all in brownies" "Not quite. There should be a couple blocks of chocolate hanging around, yet" the oven dinged, and so did the customer bell "Could you get those?" "Hang on" He went out for another customer, and I pulled the tray VERY carefully out with a hot mouth-pad. The aroma was mouth watering, and my stomach decided it was time to protest "Later, hungry" I told myself and started finishing the pouring for the next batch. I sprinkled some sugar crystals on the blueberries, and set to work. * * * * * Lunch turned into a hefty sized salad drowning in a white dressing that caused a look or two. So did the fact I sat out behind the back door for lunch, so I could look up at the sky, birds, and trees. I was just relaxing when Pinky bounded out the door "What are you doing out here, Choccie"? I brushed a stray forelock strand out of my face "Need a break, sometimes, PD" She almost flat-maned at that "Don’t do that, Anthony Michael Flash" "Don’t you start going Grannie Pie at me just cause I know your whole name" She really DID flatmane at that point, so I kissed her one on the cheek. She brightened right back up again, and blushed "I prefer you perky. Besides, wait till I get all sugared up, then there'll be two of us pogoing around" She giggled "Okey Dokey" "How is Granny Loki, anyway?" She shrugged "I dunno, how's granny Coyote?" I had to laugh at that. It was the one thing we really had ended up with in common, a trickster god somewhere in our bloodline. It also explained my unusual milk chocolate and caramel colored hide.
After the chortles subsided, I cleaned my plate, and slugged a bucket of water. "c'mon, i wanna have some energy left for the party I know you’re throwing me" "Aw, you know about that?" "Pinkie, you are so predictable…‘cause you’re random" She giggled, and returned to full cotton candy fluffiness and boundless energy. We headed back inside "I’ve got a muffin recipe you guys might wanna try" "You do? What is it tellmeellmetellme" she pogoed in place "I think somepony will like it. Ever heard of Banana Nut?"
* * * * * * * It was a long day before I got to some chocolate samplers made at the end of it. Keeping up with the goodie orders was a big challenge. A couple of the new recipes I'd introduced the Cakes' to were starting to pick up customers. I packed up my apron, and yawned pretty loudly Pinkie was still full of sugar, especially at the prospect of a party. I stretched for good measure "Are you coming? I know this great place" "Oh yeah?" I asked, setting the samplers into the display case She bounced right there, giving me a big fat grin. "Arright already, Pink, gimmie a sec. See you later Mister and Misses Cake" Mrs. C waved at me from near the till, where they were already counting the day’s takings, and looking pleased at the amount. I followed a bouncing Pinkie Pie out the door. She was beelining for a literal treehouse. I hadn't heard of THAT one before, but had a sneaky suspicion. She opened the door to a blackout, and one of my OTHER favorite smells in the world...books. When the surprise popped up with the lights, confetti, streamers, balloons, and half the contents of town (including a few customers I recognized), I didn't jump THAT hard. Pinkie promptly started introducing me around.
The first other guest she brought me to was a well toned orange mare in a cowpony hat of some sort "This is Applejack" The mare smiled at me "howdy" The accent caused me to break out in a big old grin "Well, howdy yerself, miss Applejack" I said, giving the accent right back at her, but with A Yankee twist. She wide eyed at that. "Well, where y'all from? Sounds like my kinda folk" "Ponysylvania, 'tween Pittsburrgh and Phillydelphia, way out in the sticks. Dairy country. We got some of Pinkey's folks out our way" "Well, ahm from right here in Ponyville. We have a farm called Sweet Apple Acres" Pinkie was trying to strap a party hat over the one Applejack already wore. "Stop that, willya, I'm tryin to have a conversation, here" she said. Pinky ignored her, and ended up snapping the rubber band a bit "OW" "Pink, lay off the lady a second willya" "Ah ain't no lady" "Don’t take that personal, sugarcube" she REALLY grinned at that "Ah think I'm gonna like you"
The second was a mare the color of snow with a highly quoiffed mane "This is Rarity. She makes dresses and stuff like that" She held up a hoof. I took the cue, did a deep bow, and actually kissed it with my best British style "ma'am" "What a gentleman you are" she then did a take "My dear you simply must do something with that mane" I sighed "Don't remind me. If it's short, it stands up in spikes, if it's too long; it turns into ropes you can't do a thing with" She visibly shuddered at that. "Is there a barber anywhere?" "There is an absolutely delightful spa in town..." "I’ll save that for formal occasions" I broke in "Did someone call?" an absolutely adorable Dragon whelp sauntered up, still bipedal. He was holding a drink with a gemstone in it, trying to look a bit grown up. I chuckled "lemmie guess, your name happens to be Spike?" "Yeah" "Now, Spike," came a high voice as a bookish mare trotted over "you don't need to pester our guest. I'm Twilight Sparkle" "Now that name rings a bell...oh yeah. You beat me to the last copy of 'Two Goddess’s guide to myths and Legends of Equestria' that Tia signed" "Oh? Wait...Tia?" she actually tilted her head and looked puzzled. Oh horseapples! I promptly headed for the nearest guest to cover up the gaffe, but not before ruffling the whelp's headscales as a distraction. Spike went cross-eyed staring up to see HOW that happened "How did he do that?" Twilight studed his ruffled crest carefully "Unbelievable, he actually..." When I approached a butter yellow pegasus with a pale strawberry mane, she eeped and jumped a few feet, I actually jumped back myself Steady now, Flash We both started apologizing profusely. Dang sympathy vibe I thought. After several moments of overriding apologies, then awkward silence, she finally let her name be known in a barely audible tone "I’m...Fluttershy" "Chocolate Flash" More awkward silence "Sorry" i mumbled, and moved on
The second pegasus was the color of the sky itself, with a literally rainbow mane and tail. my heart just did a flip flop "Sup" "Sup. Name’s Rainbow Dash" "Chocolate Flash" "‘Flash’, huh?" she smirked "there any speed to go with that name?" I smirked right back "I could beat you on the ground on two hooves" "Yeah, Yeah, you wanna prove it, smarty?" she asked, practically headbutting me. "Try me, featherweight" I swear I felt...magic...pass between us or something "What the hay is with you two?" Applejack actually went and intervened between the two of us "We don’t need no racin right now" The separation didn't take long, but it kinda felt like it. I'd also swear, through the haze the rest of the party went through, that this Rainbow Dash was suppressing a bit of a wingboner.
* * * * *
after a few hours, and a LOT of junk food, I finally had to remind Pinkie that we had work in the morning. She let out an AWW, and then I pointed to the fact that people were starting to yawn despite being full of sugar. She bugeyed a bit at that "Oh, um..." Even Twilight was starting to shoot her a few dirty looks. It WAS her house after all. Resounding snores echoing from inside the punchbowl weren't helping. I sighed, and literally had to shove her out the door. "Sorry about that, Ms. Sparkle" "Pinky being Pinkie" she yawned broadly herself "I'll get this in the morning" she said, nearly stumbling up her stairs, magicing along Spike who was all balled up. Everypony followed us out the door mumbling soggy thanks to pinkie and "nice meetin ya" to me. I shook my head, embarrassed. She just grinned at me and pogoed a couple times "Soooooooo," I knew what that tone meant. She’d spotted the state I was in, but had she spotted who? "Who's the lucky mare that got Choccie's attention, HMMMMMM?" She grinned toothily at me I smirked "you better figure THAT one out yourself, wise gal" "Oh, you’re no fun" she put on this perfect trembling lower lip. I laughed my haunches off at that. "Get yer butt going. I better hear you cleaned that mess up" i gave her a swat "Okey Dokey, Choccie. But what about you?" I rolled my eyes. "Pink, you got me so fulla sugar; I gotta go burn some off" She giggled a bit at that, cause she knew exactly how I burned off energy. I wasn't bragging about the "flash" part of my name. "You just make sure you come back" "Pinkie, relax, I'm not your baby brother, you know" She giggled, gave me a peck on the cheek, and bounced away. I'm still not sure how she did that constantly without busting a cannon bone. Of course, I should talk. * * * * * Once I got to the outskirts of town, it was a different story. At the first flat piece of ground, I kicked in the overdrive. When I slowed down again, most of the sugar burned off, I found the perfect little hill to do some stargazing. The moon was fat and full, and everything twinkled just right. Tia must be finally getting the hang of this, i though I must have said that out loud, because there was a sudden loud gasp, and I suddenly found myself flat on my back, all four hooves in the air, and staring up at a muzzle I hadn't seen in a LONG time "Terry!!" "L-L-Luna?!" My jaw hung open, and I got squeezed HARD "Lu...when...how?!" "My baby brother's back, too!!" hoo boy....
I just hung there, gasping for breath. I had to do something desperate "Lunestra Marie, let GO!" I was unceremoniously dropped right on my plot. Lu just stood there, stiff with shock, and actually crying After I caught my breath though..."Woooooooooooonaaaaaaaaa!" This time, the hug was hard and MUTUAL, with both of us sobbing unashamedly. We held each other for several minutes before I gave her a Noogie, little brother or not. "Eep, Terry!" I was grinning ear to ear. When I stopped, she gave me a look over, finally, and gasped. "Terry, what happened to thy horn, and WINGS, and..." "Shh, Lu...things have changed for ME, too. How long have you been back?" "Um" she pawed the ground nervously "not long enough to sound like a normal pony, I guess" "It’ll take time to update, Lu...it took me about 20 years to drop the royal we" "Twen...How long have thee been here?" " 'Hast thou been', my sister. Less than a century" "But...why?" I sighed, and took her hooves in mine "i left to become a better stallion, Lu. That damn Nobles Tia created, I could only put up with so much, then I...went volcano one day and..." Lu just got this Oh manure look. I'd blown up like that only once before, and the offender was sitting in the statue garden until a few years ago. Tia caught him off guard and sealed him up afterwards, and we didn't talk about it. I bowed my head "wish Ida got a chance to say goodbye that time, lu" i teared up. We hugged again, sniffling A bit of time passed before I had the steadiness to finish "It took me years to decide. Tia was just in a state after your little problems, so I just...decided to start over. I disguised myself and left. I think...that's what got Tia thinking. With BOTH of us gone..." She smiled weakly 'You think you may have..." "Helped Tia decide to let the elements cure you? Maybe..." We just held hooves for a time "What DID happen to your..." "They’re still here, sis. I'm just Chocolate Flash, now" "Chocolate?" Her eyes lit up like a filly at Hearth's Warming time That made me feel WAY better, that look. "One of Tia's greatest creations, that plant. I make chocolates, now. I even remembered you" "What do you mean?" "i created something I call Moon Pies, cookies with a marshmallow between them, all dipped in chocolate, vanilla...i might even try Banana flavoring" I thought I saw my own sister drooling "Lu, you’re dribbling" "huh?" she wiped her mouth, looked stunned, then laughed naturally, the first time I'd heard it in a millennium "I just laughed with her "i missed you, Lu" "I missed you too, baby brother" * * * * * * When I looked up at the moon, next, though, I almost panicked "Manure...I hope they didn't lock up for the night" "Who"? "I'm working with Pinkie and the Cakes in Ponyville. Where else would a chocolateer go?" "Pinkie Pie, that filly in the chicken suit on Nightmare Night?" "I bet THAT was a shock, wasn't it" "Indeed, we didn't know" "Lu, you’re doing it again" "Sorry" "I think Pinkie knows, though" "What, that your a..." "Sweetie, talk to Uncle Loki. I think she's his great granddaughter" She got this wry look. "That would explain a lot" "Listen, Lu, I better get going back to my room, or Pinkie's gonna show up any second" We hugged one last time, and I was prepping to use a speed burn. "Don’t tell Tia, kay?" "W-why not" I got an evil smirk "Call this overdue payback" "You’re not still on about the time she put raisins in your breakfast oats?" I HATE raisins! "Thanks for the reminder" i made a face "no, this one's for you, sis" i pecked her one on the cheek "Sneak down some night. I'll sense it" I took off at full speed, leaving a very bemused Lu behind
* * * * * *
It didn't take me that long to get back, OR for Pinkie to pop up, either "Hiya Choccie, you’re late" "I ran into somepony out there when I stopped for a breather" "You mean Luna, dontchya. It probably wouldn't be anypony else" I wasn't surprised one drop "I swear, sometimes, you talk straight to Uncle Loki" i said without thinking "How do you think I know she's your sister, HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?" She leaned in, and gave me a knowing look "Not a word, Pink, or I start calling you Diane again" She threatened to grey out at that "You wouldn't dare" "Cross my heart and hope to Fly (again), stick a cupcake in my eye" Her eyes got HUGE when I used her OWN Pinkie Pie swear against her "Who I really am is between you, me, and Lu until I decide to tell anypony, including the Elements. Is that CLEAR?" She hung her head "Okey-dokey" "Now, don't go Pinkamena on me. I got some great Ideas for the morning" She brightened, and poofed right back up. "What are ya gonna make Choccie? Isitgonnabe..." We went into the house, Pinkie bouncing all the way.
The next morning was no piece of cake, I woke up with a sugar hangover...and that's worse than the other kind. "Urrgh" i stumbled out of bed and downstairs moaning like a zombie "cccccccccoooooooooooooooooooooooooofffffffffffffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" I dunno how i got downstairs without falling. Next thing I know, the coffee kicked in. I found my hooves full of cup, a practically smirking Pinkie and three sets of stunned eyes looking at me, one of those pairs being Applejack's "Mornin everpony...what's wrong" "Oh you poor dear" came from Mrs. Cake "You shoulda told us, son" came from Mr. Cake "What the hay?" came from applejack "I thought you was an earth pony?" She was looking pointedly at my back My back...uhoh... "I have been for a few years, Applejack* I sighed, and looked back at the long stubs that were all I had left "Guess I wasn't thinking this morning," i yawned "I got to talking with someone" Pinkie gave a knowing grin, and Applejack got this twinkle in her eyes "Y'all got a fillyfreind or somethin'?" I did a spit-take, and Pinky started rolling in the aisles "Dangnabbit, that was a waste of good coffee, Applejack!" She didn't answer; she just stood there and dripped coffee with this look on her face Snrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrkkk BWAHAHAHAHA" She didn't last long holding it in either, and laughed as damn hard as the rest of us. Pinkie was utterly breathless.
* * * * * *
I explained my situation, including the accident that cost me my wings. "I been grounded for a long time cause of some dang fool colt...shouldna waited so long to try but..." I looked at my exposed hooves under fetlocks in bad need of a trim 'figured I was just too dang heavy to try." "Looks like you guessed right the first time, sugarcube" "I know. Figure I'm more earth pony than pegasus, after all" we had finished packing the load Applejack had brought "I just couldn't lie all the way to her, for some reason "I know I'm a foundling. I was talking with my sister last night" "Ya got family, and that counts" I sighed "It's...been a while since we talked. We had problems" "Kinda like Pinkie's?" I looked up, startled. "She finally told you-uns bout hers?" "I uh...kinda found out by accident" "Then you know not ta poke your muzz in too far. Don’t want her turning into Pinkamena again" She stopped cold and shuddered "That ain't a pleasant thought" "I better get these wrapped up before customers start coming in" "Y'all mean..." "Yup. Why I keep em wrapped. There's one thing that hurts worse than that memory. Dang near took someone with me, afterwards" She looked up at that. "While you were unconscious?" "She tried to catch me, apparently. Found out later she'd had a crush on me. Paid for it with a concussion that screwed up her sight, again." "Wait a...DERPY?" "That what they're callin her now? Girl needs to wear her glasses more often. Her real name is Bright Eyes" The bell promptly jingled over the door out front. Already the first customer had come in for the day "Horseapples, that late? Better get to work." * * * * * * I nipped upstairs real quick, and, with a little bit of help from Pinkie, covered up the offending stumps, and tamed my bad case of Bedmane for the most part. Just enough so it wouldn't get into what I was working on. I really got into the groove, that day with one less secret to hide.
It took a year. I finally had a home of my own where I didn't have to hide my stubs even in private. I'd thrown myself into the shop, and the Cakes were selling more than ever. tHe recopies I'd introduced, along with the chocolates I kept cranking out, got to be major winners. Even my first nightmare night in ponyville was a blast. We’d spent the night before, me and pinkie, cranking out gobs of stuff for the colts and fillies...and a few of the more spoilt adults, like Pinkie. Of course, I made sure of Lu on her special night. I'd never seen Lu so utterly happy; especially when she figured out some of her "takings" were little presents from me (with a few suggestions from Pinkie). She was becoming the sister I remembered from before the exile, again. We DID get spotted a few times gabbing, and I think rumors started flying that LUNA, of all ponies, had a coltfreind in the making! (Thank DAD that didn't get up to Tia. I think Twi was just giggling behind the beard of her Merlin nightmare night costume for that year). Yes, the three of us swear Tia and Lu’s parents like everyone else swears to Tia.
We laid off a bit to squelch the rumors, but they fired up YET again during the winter solstice. You think I'm not gonna give my sister presents on her birthday party? after the next batch of rumors, though, I seriously considered letting Tia's favoured student in on the joke, but Lu squelched the idea...she was ENJOYING the rumors that made her look more like a normal pony. And THEN she reminded me that Tia was probably having palpitations (the NOBLES certainly were, according to Lu). I couldn't resist the opportunity to troll Tia for the first time in Centuries, so we let it slide.
Then there was Winter Wrap up. I asked if I could be set up with AJ's startup team. It had been a long time since I'd tried growing anything by hoof, and I think everybody was kinda stunned that I could be so delicate with seed and yes shove around one of those gigantic snowplows like Big Macintosh could. Heck, Mack and I got into a seed-off competition that made AJ beam as bright as Tia set the sun’s intensity level at the summer sun celebration. We gabbed for a couple hours afterwards, causing yet another rumor mill to fly. me and Mac had to both very angrily disparage that rumor quick (we'd ended up talking a little about some of the Varieties of apples they had, and about the possibility of starting up some hybrids), with AJ joining in. she'd already started seeing somepony, and knew dang well what a relationship of the kind the rumors were about looked like by now.
This was the first time I'd seen rainbow Dash in months. Cause she ended up parking a nap-cloud right over my head. And it wasn't a dry cumulus, either "HEY, what are you doing up there, dangit!" She cracked one sleepy eye, and gave me a look I'm not THAT hot I need a bucking cumulonimbus over my head!" That got her attention "what the hay, this isn't a cume...what would YOU know about it, anyhow?!" A lot more than you think, JENNY!" Oh, I practically saw steam coming out of her ears "NOPONY calls me that to my face, groundpounder" She wasn't holding back at all. I found myself on a cloud for the first time in decades, and we were staring at each other with abundant lightning spurting from both the cloud and each other's eyes. "You bucking take that back, Jennifer Dash!" "Make me, you colt-crudder" Fine, we'll settle this YOUR way" I was gone in 10 seconds flat. The HAY you will" she took after me like a rocket We were ripping through the country side like nuts. They didn't call me "flash" for no reason. I could pick em up and put en down at least as fast as she could fly. We caught up even a few miles outside of Ponyville. I was just pulling ahead when we hit the sound barrier...and BOTH broke it. AJ later told me it shook last year’s leftover apples off the trees, saving them quite a bit of cleanup work. She also told me that not only was there a sonic rainboom to go with it, but a GOLDEN rainboom as well. When we both heard it we looked back in utter shock, And a mutual "YEEEEEEESSSSS!!" *hoofpump* it took a while to coast to a stop, and I still left half a mile of gouges. We collapsed about the same time, too
It took quite a while just to catch our breaths. I was steaming like a hot bath, collapsed on my back "OMYCelestia...didyouSEEthat" It took me a while to get my breath back "double...boom..." "How did you DO that?" "Saw...the...first...rainboom..." "Huh?" While she was trying to think, i finally cooled off and caught my breath "Wait a minute...TONY Flash, that kid who... "I wondered when you were gonna recognize me, 'Bo" "You...beat me ON THE GROUND. How did you DO THAT?" I smiled "Bo, i didn't beat you, we broke the sound barrier together" But...HOW?!" I sat up, my wraps a bit shredded on the sides from sheer speed "What the?" she pointed a hoof at the wraps "I got rammed during a stunt trial, the crash cost me my wings. I compensated on land, but..." She laid her ears sideways "aw MAN...wait does Derpy..." "She doesn't remember anything, Bo. She tried to save me, and...It cost her" i got a bit teary at that Oh, Tony" i got glomped in a hug, and I began crying for what two of us had lost. "Don’t, you're gonna make me start" hell, she already had a bit. We just held like that for a while. There was something about the embrace, next thing I know...liplock. I shouldna done it. "OWowowowowowow" I had to let go and danced in pain. She was to stunned to react for a few seconds "Arrgh, help me get em off!" i was trying to reach the wraps, which were threatening to shred to pieces any second and bulging like crazy She didn't hesitate to long, and found the weakest point SPROING! "ARRGH" I was sporting the HARDEST wingboner I’d ever had in my life, even without full wings, anymore Dash turned bright red, especially when she popped one of her own "Oh, Celestia" she began to giggle like the filly she wasn't that far from. I began to blush hard as well. "Um..." it all came out in a burst "I’ve had a crush on you since flight school! When i saw you again, i just..." Dammit, your acting like a lovestruck COLT, i thought "Wait, you DID?" I was red all OVER, now. "Um..." i SWEAR she did an imitation of Fluttershy just then "kindasodidI" That snapped me out of my embarrassment for a bit "wait, what?" My answer was the LONGEST damn kiss I’d ever had, and a little bit of fumbling. When we let go, we were sporting mushy looks. You DO know we can't go anywhere sporting these, let alone appear together with any" She smiled "yeah. I think we should take care of that" She took care of it, and I returned the favor.
* * * * * * *
The sunset was lovely. We sat with hooves draped around each other "Bo?" "Hmm?" she was leaning on me "We just made Honest Ponies out of each other, didn't we?" She only smiled up at me. I sighed "Lu’s gonna be all hyper, Pinkie's gonna be MORE hyper" "ESPECIALLY if she finds out, well..." she blushed "I hope we didn't..." "It’s not time yet" she giggled I gave her a stunned look "Bo?" She just shushed me with a hoof, and kissed me again. Zero to lover in 10 seconds flat.
We kept it quiet for a few months. I'm still not sure EXACTLY how we managed to keep it from Pinkie Pie, but sometimes, I think she pinkie-swore HERSELF into silence. I did drop a few hunts to Lu that I was seeing SOMEpony. Then, to my surprise, so did she. She was starting to look more and more like Tia. And I swear whoever HER budding romance was with was enhancing her production of the night sky's appearance.
I’d stopped wearing the straps completely a few months ago, simply folding the stubs like any other pegasus, and, other than some winces from a few ponies, not too many ponies even looked twice. My confidence in my mateship came out in all round confections. To my surprise, one day, I got major praises from BonBon, of all ponies. Even Rarity would stop in for a batch or two if she was on a dressmaking jag, and needed a break. I kept on giving minor tweaks to the cakes for some of their recopies, which were selling out fast.
Dash had redoubled her own training efforts. Something about our relationship brought out more elegance in her performances and it somehow affected her weather duties for the better instead of the usual "in Love" distractions. I don't think she cared as hard about earning a spot on the wonderbolts (I sure didn't discourage her, though), but I think they kept getting more and more impressed.
Pinkie and even the Cakes started giving me knowing smiles when I reported in in the morning, and I finally got confirmation of her silencing when she gave me the "cupcake in my eye" sign of her pinky swear one morning. "Don’t worry, I'll let you know" I told her, and winked Even the Cakes saw that one (I musta been visibly trailing love hearts or something), and I caught them looking at each other just like Dash and I did. I think they took time at one point to renew their vows!
One night, after asking for some time off (and getting some knowing looks from all three of them), dash and I nipped off to a moonlit hill for a little romantic viewing. Luna had gone onto max beauty that night, even the sunset looked extra gorgeous. Tia mused have heard about Luna’s budding romance by now. Wow, Lu went all out tonight" "Lover’s moon, maybe?" I giggled, causing dash to smirk like I was the filly "considering my sister is ALSO seeing somepony, I wouldn't be surprised a drop" "Luna, on a date? She recovered fast" I'd told dash my backstory, the real one, some time ago. Dash had commented on the irony that she'd beat Rarity to a prince charming. "Well, she's had a chance to grow up now, with the whole "nightmare Moon" thing behind us all" "Hmm wonder who the lucky somepony is" "Terry?" Both of us looked up, startled, at a civvy mode Luna. This was literally the first time I'd ever seen her out of her royal accoutrements EVER "Lu!" Of course, we hugged the stuffing out of each other. Lu had filled out all the way to Tia’s size by now. Not only was she not armored, but she didn't have the hair effects on, either You really Do look like anypony else, sis" I was utterly stunned "Well, I took the cue from you, baby brother" she actually NOOGIED me into laughing "LU!" Dash gave me a look that spoke volumes before saying "Baby Brother, huh?" they both giggled like madmares. "So what WOULD you look like in full on prince mode?" dash asked "I know he didn't fit his armor back then" Lu grinned at her "Aw. Terry has baby pictures?" "BO! C'mon, we didn't even have a royal Illustrator then." "He couldn't SEE for all his mane" "Lu, for Tia's sake..." There was an additional giggle from the background, familiar to anyone from Ponyville. I think both dash and my jaws hit the ground at the same time "You might as well come out, baby" Twilight Sparkle stepped into visibility "You know, I wondered why dash was floating around more than usual" "TWI!" dash blushed REALLY hard "Snrrrrrrrrrrrrkkkk HAHAHHAHA" I laughed until I cried, with dash shooting me this LOOK After wiping my eyes I said "were we that obvious" "I'll put it like this" twilight said "Spike got jealous" "Well, Bo, the jig's up" Twi and Lu both smirked "Bo?” "Old nickname" I waved a dismissive hoof "I’ve been meaning to ask" Twig said "why haven't you had your wings repaired?" I started "beg your pardon? I thought that couldn't be done, so I just...lived with it" It wasn't Twi that answered, but dash "um, Ter, honey, Twi helped me with that happening once" "Really?! I could FLY again?!" I got all hyper AND teary eyed I grabbed Dash "we could do it AGAIN, baby...the Golden Rainboom" "You mean that thing we saw the other month was YOU two?" Twi asked "I gave dash the race of a lifetime, and, well..." We looked at each other, and just felt the thrill all over again, and the love. I was told by Lu, later, we started making out right there, much to Twi's embarrassment, and Lu’s amusement. She also admitted privately that it turned them on, too. All I know is that we woke up just before dawn in a position that indicated "All the way" I nibbled on her ear "bo?" She cracked one eye, and looked back at me in the dim dawn light "We’re gonna be late for work" "Five more minutes" she snuggled into me and closed the eye again. I sighed and looked up at the sunrise...and made up my mind in the cool dawn wind "Jennifer rainbow dash, would you marry me?" Her eyes snapped open immediately "what?" she sat up "what did you say?" "I-I know it's a bit fast, but...well, we ARE fast. I wanna be 20% cooler WITH you" Dash's jaw was hanging open. I went all formal-like "Prince Terrozan Earthshine, Crown Prince of Equestria, adopted brother of their Holy Royal Highnesses Princesses Celestia Sunrise and Princess Luna Starlight, now Anthony Michael Flash, resident of Ponyville, would ask Pegasus Jennifer Rainbow Dash, resident of Cloudsdale, graduate of Cloudsdale flight school, winner of the Junior Speedsters trophy, Ponyville weather team member, creator of the Sonic Rainboom, holder of the Element of Loyalty and the love of his life, for her hoof in marriage." I think I was crying. I know dash was. "Please, Bo?" I got down on one wrist, and looked up I got pouncetackled "YESyesyesyes!" We bawled and kissed at the same time, long enough for Tia to have gotten the sun all the way up When we finally unlocked, Dash gave me a look "Princess Rainbow Dash?” "Only occasionally, Bo" "Ugh, I hope I don't haveta go to those frou-frou parties" "Yuck, why do you think I left?" She just laughed
I think I floated to work. Dash was sure riding high that morning. Pinkie confronted me first thing "soooooooooooooooo?" "I don't HAVE to tell ya, Pink. I KNOW you read it off the fourth wall AND in my eyes" "Yeah, PAR-" I put a hoof over her mouth "save it for the Reception, Pink" she nodded, giving a muffled okey-dokey "and I want to tell everypony myself" I smirked "and if you DID read the fourth wall, you're gonna let some other couple do the same" she actually had a shocked look, and I winked at it myself "Choccie", she finally let out after i un shushed her "how do YOU do that, i mean, I know how I do it, but..." "Granny Coyote, remember?" "Oh yeah" "Now hush I'm getting into a chocolate zone today" That’s exactly what I did.
At the lunch break, I stopped at the library "Hey, Chocolate, how's it going?" "Unbelievable, today, Spike" "Um, why are you floating?" I snickered "I hear you do the same thing around Rarity" "Huh, what are you...OH" "Nopony will have to tell you what THAT means when you hit the century mark” "Century?!" I think I bluescreened him "Did you really have to do that?" Twi asked, walking in and levitating a book. I looked at the spine and chuckled "I think we better get out of earshot" i looked pointedly at the book title Twi blinked, then, as she realized WHAT the subject i wanted to talk about was, she nearly dropped it in shock. "Um, yeah. Excuse us a minute, Spike" "Hey, what's this all about?" "You’ll find out eventually, squirt" i stunned him with the same headscale ruffling I pulled at my welcome party We walked away, twilight chuckling. "You should teach me how to do that. It would help keep him out of my mane sometimes" Once we got to a more private area "Do I take it one of you proposed?" Twi turned crimson "Dash said yes" KLUNK The book definitely hit the floor this time. I put the wedding plans book on a nearby table while Twi got her composure back After she did, mostly, i continued "So, how's Lu been treating you. I hope like a lady" "Oh, um, well," she blushed "yes" "Twi, relax, Tia needs to realize me and Lu are grown ponies, now. Are you getting ideas together, or dreaming of a wedding gown?" "Well, actually..."she picked the book back up, and leafed through it to a lovely lace jobbie "i was hoping on this one" "But could Rare pull that off?" We spent a few minutes chatting about plans and arrangements, and then moved on to setting up appointment times for regenerating my wings. We left, chatting about wing problems, before Spike got too suspicious, and I made a couple suggestions for keeping my sister happy. I think Twi really appreciated them. I floated back to work without eating.
We all took our time over the following months, keeping generally quiet. Pinkie was going crazy, of course. I tried to disguise things while working on the house, but more and more of Dash's comings and goings got noticed. Sometimes there were distractions from Twi's end as SHE got parts of her relationship revealed. Sometime in the fall, just as the leaves were coloring up, there was a knock on the door on a Saturday. Dash and I were cleaning up another room for paint prep (we were already kinda splattered) "Just a sec" I opened the door, covered in earth pony paint alls, with plenty of splatters and a doo-rag covering as much of my mane as possible. It was Rarity. "I wondered when you were gonna show up" "Who is it, Ter?" called dash from the back "Some of those colors are SO gauche" "These are old colors, you know" "Might as well come in, Rarity" the rest of the house was either done or prepped for working on Dash popped downstairs "R-Rarity, uh..." she blushed Rare only smiled "Congratulations, darling" Rare actually hugged Dash "Heh, good thing we weren't started yet" she rubbed the back of her head "You took a while to show up, Rarity. Were you waiting for a clean moment?" I actually saw her blanch, and chuckled "That's what I figured" We took her on a quick tour through some of the completed areas "Such plain, bland colors. Where’s the sparkle?" "Well, there's a reason for that. You think the paint splatters were gauche?" I opened the door to a room we hadn't got to yet. It was the most horrible thing I'd ever seen, even in MY life Rare promptly swooned, and of course, I was there to catch her "Oh my Celestia" she did the hoof to forehead "such a HORRID pink" The room was done in a pink so disgustingly intense, it blinded. Bright amethyst colored trim made it even worse. "I think it was a filly's room at one point" Dash stopped, and looked, puzzled at something in the corner. She picked up what appeared to be a faded photo "Why does this look familiar?" "Huh"? We all looked at the pic. Even though pink with age, you could see just enough other colors to note that it was a dash look-alike...swathed in a lot of accessories. "Wait a minute...I think Tia has something like...by DAD!" They both looked at me "Bo, this is...the last RAINBOW DASH!" "WHAT?!" "And I thought the ROOM was bad" she looked REALLY embarrassed "Hmm, at least there was SOME fashion sense at times" "Bo, I can tell you right now, that's not one of your ancestors" i pointed at the pictured, overdressed mare "That's an earth pony. Look at the cutie mark, too" Dash took hold of the pic and tried to focus on it, close and far "Um, I can't see" I rolled my eyes "You shoulda brought them with you, dash. And mine sure aren't usable" "What do you mean, darling?" rarity asked I handed her the pic after dash gave up. She automatically had whipped her close work glasses out "I see what you mean. That IS an earth pony...and no-where near Rainbow's cutie mark. Ugh, is that KNITS?" "Knit work?" I plopped my own on "yes, and what looks like a straw hat as well...hmm...look in the background” I pointed to a familiar orange flank "is that who I think it is?" You’re right, darling, it looks like Applejack" "No WAY" dash said "That’s probably her great grandmother or something, I mean, look, that filly on the other side kinda looks like Granny Smith" "It does, doesn't it, i LOVE her hair" "Well, that was a time of subtle elegance" "Okay, that does it, I gotta see this" dash interrupted, and tried to focus on the pic. "You and your glass bottle bottom grade vision" "What, really?" asked rarity "Um, yeah, i uh, shoulda kept them around" again, she rubbed the back of her head "And the frames were SO tacky on top of that...i thought some of MINE were bad" Rarity smirked at that "at least SOMEONE has some fashion sense" We BOTH shot her a look. Dash, a nasty one, me a sad one "That is NOT something that should come out of the mouth of the element of generosity" She looked ashamed "Really, Rarity, you should know by now tastes change with every different pony" I smirked "besides, i grew up in Canterlot with two royal sisters. I learned a few things about SUBTLE decorations" "So, what I heard is true?" "To bum a phrase, EEyup" I pulled dash over and smooched her one. She turned bright red "So, when were you planning on having the Wedding?" "Well, i think it’s gonna be a bit, yet. I have a distinct feeling there's a double we have to prepare for. "A Double Wedding?" both of them asked in stereo "Just keep your eyes open for a sudden influx of customers. That’s all I can tell you until I know for absolutely sure" "Maybe I should hunt for some extra gems, just in case...hmm" "I’d suggest a few of the more colorless gems...and make sure there's some diamonds...and maybe some moonstones" She did a take, and smiled "I’d better get hunting" As she left, dash looked at me "Moonstones?" "Well, what else would my sister wear, hmm?" Her jaw went clunk "close your hay chute, dear, we have work to do" She couldn't help snickering at that. "One more thing" i trotted over to one of the closets, and briefly dug through a chest "AHA" I walked out with my oldest pair "There’s are DEFINETLY 20 percent cooler than your old pair" I hoofed her my old aviator frames "Whoa, you shoulda told me you had these. So COOL!" She slipped them on, and stopped dead "I can SEE right" She looked so adorable, and RIGHT with them on, I just smiled "Were you really THIS BAD?" I pecked her one on the cheek "even a prince isn't immune to crappy eyesight, Bo" We laughed "Let’s get back to work"
people finally got the hint at the beginning of the school year. dash and I finished the house. after adding a balcony, she moved in. we no longer had to hide anything. I had to restrain Pinky YET again from throwing us an engagement party, and the congratulations and so on started to pour in. the only one that wasn't happy for us was Scootaloo. she was moping around. I had to hear this third hoof from AJ. it had mucked up the CMC's plans, and everypony suddenly noticed the girls WEREN'T getting into trouble. before we even got a chance to talk, school started.
one evening, during an odd cold snap, there was a knock on the door during dinner. puzzled, I got up to get it. I opened the door to rarity, and a rather sorrowfull looking Sweetie Bell "Rare?" i looked down. "sweetie, what's wrong?" She was all wet eyed "we can’t find Scootaloo ANYWHERE. She didn't come to school this morning." "What?!" I restrained a swear "Dash!" She came to the door, still chewing "what's up" "Scootaloo's missing" She did a spit take, making Rarity wince. "Get the other Elements together and get a search party up start with Twilight in case Luna's there. Don’t be surprised at anything you see or hear, either. Sweetie bell, make sure you tell all the adults the CMC's most frequented spots and the last set of skills you tried earning cuties for." "But..."she began Sweetie, please, I don't want you and Applebloom hurt.” I knelt down and gently took hold of her shoulders "I’ve watched all three of you do your crusading. I wanna see you three succeed, but I'm afraid if something bad happened..." She tried the bambi-eyes "Don’t, Bell, it may be something really bad. Just tell everypony that needs to know where you've been for a while. Kay?" She hung her head "okay" I gave her a smooch right between the eyes "Be a good girl for your sis, okay?” I think she blushed "Wow, you're good with kids" dash said "Yes, how did you do that so elegantly?" Rarity added "A LOT of practice. Let’s go" We scattered. * * * * * * There was nothing in the vicinity of Ponyville itself. Even with Pinkie and her pop up anywhere ability helping, nothing showed. Most of the girls did a basic run through the Everfree while me, AJ and dash hit the orchards at Sweet Apple Acres. A three way split covered most of the acres. In a gap in the trees, I ran up against the farmhouse and barns area "Horseapples, got turned around" I was about to turn tail, then noticed a bulky shadow in the trees. Getting closer, i could see it was an old fashioned treehouse. "Oh boy, how did we miss that?" I trotted up the ramps and looked inside "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" It was scoot, hiding under a single blanket, frost on her coat, and a tear frozen on her face "No..." I scooped her up and couldn't restrain tears "It’s too SOON" I think I staggered out the door, regrown wings dragging, muzzle dripping "We were both gonna learn to fly together..." Dash showed up, and nearly fell out of the sky "SCOOTALOO!" My eyes went, the first time I'd invoked my powers in a century
(Addie...Addie Heartstrong) I called on the mare of death, i think Dash touched me, or hugged me, either way, she ended up with me
(Addie?)
(Who’s Addie, Ter?) The alicorn of death did appear, with the faint soul of Scootaloo.
(Prince Terrozan)
(This filly...was she destined so early?) I point at the faint shimmer of orange and purple
(She is early) I bend down
(Scootaloo...i need you to focus) There was no change in the shimmer, it seemed to fade. I invoke something rarely used
(Mary Louise Scooterson!!) She snaps into sharp focus, even Addie looks a bit stunned
(Ch...Chocolate Flash?)
(Honey, pay attention, you're on the edge of life and death)
(You mean I'm...)
(Only if you want to go on...)
(There’s nothing left, i can't even find my cutie mark!)
(You have a whole life to go, sweetie...)
(But...you took Rainbow Dash) That hurt to hear
(You took dash away from me...)
(Scootaloo, I'm right here) She bolts for us, and misses, passing through us
(No...Why can't I touch rainbow dash?!)
(You need to concentrate scoot. You can come back)
(Why...you took my big sis away! there's nothing left) Another wince, I feel my power draining more
(Scootaloo, listen to me, you have to WANT to)
(Scoot, i was gonna teach you to fly)
(And I was gonna learn with you, scoot)
(Why do you need to fly, flash?) I spread my wings
(They’re new. I lost them long ago while learning)
(Scoot, I can't have my greatest fangirl giving up on me!)
(You mean that?!)
(Let’s fly together. Triple rainbooms)
(Wow) She was starting to fade, Addie looked up (We must go) Dash and I looked at each other, and nodded
(Addie...let us have her back...it's too soon) (You know the price) Dash looked at me stunned
(We can grow old, together. Bo, I love you more than anything on earth, and so does she)
(But, Ter...your… Godhood?)
(It was a gift, so many years ago) I turn to Addie
(I agree to the price)
(Terry!)
(Bo, i was given a second chance by Addie many a year ago...it’s time to give it back. And to give someone else that second chance.)
(You’d do that...for ME?!)
(I would...you need parents, again...i see it in your eyes)
(Scoot...you want a big sis, you got it!)
(Rainbow Dash!) She bolts for us again, solidified this time She hugs dash hard, and breaks my heart I dribble tears, and look at dash, then down at scoot
(Why you crying, mister flash?)
*sniffle*
(You never have to be alone again, and neither do we)
(You love Rainbow dash)
(With all my heart, scoot) I was still alone, until she grabbed me too
(Scoot, we have something to do here, first, and then we can go)
(Pay the lady?)
(Yeah)
(Bo? What do you mean?) She turns to Addie
(I...) Addie smiled, then simply nodded
(Jennifer Dash, what are you DOING?!) She kisses me gently
(Helping pay)
(But, Bo, sweetheart, WHY?)
(You’ve given me so much; it's my turn...for the first time in my life) I cry even harder (Have you all decided?) I don't hesitate
(Yes, Addie, we do) (Loyalty is an element you share. May your lives be long enough that I start to worry!)
(I’ll see you first, you know)
(What?)
(Not by long, Bo. Even at the end)
(It better not be, Anthony Michael Flash!) Scoot giggles
(Let’s go home) Everything goes white as Adelle Hearstrong, the mare that guides souls, spreads her wings, then it goes black.
The first thing I feel is cold, then warmth, then soft and fluffy things "Wake up, mister Flash" I slowly come back to consciousness; I crack an eye to glaring brightness. "OOgh" I try to roll out of bed, but hit the floor. Wood. There’s girlish giggling. "whahwosawhatta" Somepony pushes me something that smells familiar "C-c-c-coffee?" I slug the whole thing "AAAhhhhhhh" smacking my lips; I look down two too giggling fillies, Applebloom and Sweetie bell "Mah big sister says ya like coffee, so" said bloom "MY big sister says you saved Scootaloo" finished sweetie bell I realized I'd sat up to slug the coffee, and was still upright. Embarrassed, I dropped to my belly again and turned beet red They just giggled even more "Ya had Applejack worried a mite" "I'm more worried about Scootaloo, right now" "She’s fine" Applebloom waved a dismissive hoof “it was you everypony was worried about” "Uh oh...how long was I out?" "Um" she looked up "a couple days" "A couple days?!" "Ah hope y'all ain't botherin mister flash up there" came filtering up through the floorboards. "AJ?" There was a sudden rattle of hoofsteps on the stairs, and I got pouncetackled, right on to what I thought was a bed, I look right into the baby blue muzz and sweet magenta eyes of my mate. We smooched. "EWWWWWWWWWW" went two fillies; "Awwwwwwwwwwwwww" went another I recognized "Scoot?" She bounced right on the bed, and I got a double hug, hoof and wing both "So how do you like your cloud?" she asked Cloud? I looked to the side, sure enough, and then it hit me...I really was just a Pegasus, now (Thanks, Addie) "C’mere, you" i scooped both of them up in a hug.
Chocolate flash was perched on the roof of rainbow dash's house early one morning, sitting there with a gigantic cup of coffee planted firmly between two hooves. He sat sipping and enjoying his sister's sunrise. "Terry..." He almost dropped the cup, not having heard the name in months. Princess Celestia had appeared apparently out of nowhere. "Tia?" She appeared out of a heavy solar aura. He was used to it by now, but the glare was a killer "Sis, couldya turn down the wattage?" She eventually complied "we need to talk, little brother..." He sighed heavily "Come here to lecture me AGAIN?" "I should, Terrozan Earthshine, like the colt you are" "Oh, don't start that crap again, Tia, I made my decision. And quit calling me a colt, dammit, I'm only 200 years younger than both of you" She put her ears back at that "You forgot, didn't you? Too wrapped in the overload after that debacle with Luna to pay attention to baby brother. Then you had all your students" "You know the major load I had after..." she couldn't go on "Even when I offered to help through the best of my abilities?" "I...I didn't see how you COULD help, I mean." "Dammit, sis, I coulda helped at LEAST with the pegasi. For papa's sake, i literally wrote one of the starter books on weather control and observation!" "You...did?" "I had to do SOMETHING during those times you were so damn busy. I used the notes Lu left behind to help" He got up and began to pace as a stunned Celestia sat on her haunches and followed him with her gaze. "You were too damn busy to notice, and when you weren't busy, I could hear the sobs from the other side of the Castle. I couldn't even comfort you over Lu 'cause of the plotholes you had for guards at the time didn't even recognize me!" Celestia's jaw fell open, stunned more "You never told me you had trouble with the guards" "Dammit, Ti, they mistook me for one of the SERVANTS!" He paced and steamed back and forth "But what happened to the horn I gave you?" He screeches to a halt, and violently shoves up heavy hanging forelocks, showing her the blank space there "See that? It wouldn't take. I even had to have the mount removed with actual surgery when it got infected. Neighschellus had to go get Imhaytep to help him pull the thing on a brake between pyramids." She had a hoof to her mouth, now. "But I used magic to..." "I’m immune to a lot of magic, remember?" He snorts like the angry stallion he is "You were in the middle of one of your little affairs when I had to first get these." he whips out a pair of glasses and shakes them in her direction, letting his coffee cup fall through the roof and crash into furniture below. "One of the servants noticed, and I worked my flank off paying him back. You probably didn't even notice the little things i left you. Hell, your coltfreinds only SNEERED at me. 'Oh, look at the little one helping out his folks'. You never told anypony about me!" He then started to tear up "but what broke my back more was when I got into flight school, and damn near got killed..."he flared his newly restored wings "they took my wings, Tia, i hurt a filly who was in love with me. When they cut them off, my coltfreind dumped me like a sack of freshly made horseshoes, and then that dam-bucker of a noble got word that his son was dating another colt. Even HE thought i was a servant, DadDammit." "Terrozan Emanuel Earthshine!!" she flared for a minute and the nasty indignant words that had come out of her brother's mouth He bolted right up to her, in her face "Don’t start that crap on me, Celestina Marie Sunrise...I grew up a hell of a LOT" She practically doused all glimmer and shine, and teared up a little "What’s going on up there?" called out a voice, and Dash popped her head through the roof, only to get all big eyed "P-p-p-Princess?!" "Rainbow Dash?" "W-w-w-What are you doing on my house?" "YOUR house?" "I’m getting married, Tia, to The Element of Loyalty" "You...did grow up" "Because I HAD to" But what about..." dash started to ask "Let Lu tell her in her own time" Celestia started "She doesn't know? How lame is that" "Tell me WHAT, terry?" Celestia asked Dash popped her head back in and chocolate flash actually looked nervous, then firmed up his resolve. "Nu-uh. I’d rather let Lu say it first" She flared right there, burning a hole right through the roof, and dropping them straight into the bedroom. Flash landed on his back with a sickening crunch. Celestia winced "Terry, TERRY?" he appeared to be knocked out "oh NO" Dash bolted up the stairs, breakfast preparations forgotten "What’s all that..."she slammed the door open "what the Bucking HEY?!" She spotted Flash conked out, bent in a funny position over the foot of the bed "TONY!" she rushed over to the still unconscious Chocolate Flash "No, I didn't mean to..." Celestia began to sob for the first time since she'd had to banish Luna Dash shot her a look "what the Buck happened?" "I burned a hole through your roof accidentally and..." "He’s still breathing. We need to get him to the clinic..." Dash saw a small pool of blood begin to form and drip down the bed set "Now!" "This is my fault...I..." Dash twitched uncomfortably. It was weird seeing the Princess all vulnerable like this "you need to buck up, princess. It’s creepy seeing you like that" Celestia wiped her eyes, and suddenly stiffened to steel "Call an Ambulance, Rainbow Dash...I need to set things right by my own brother" She teleported out in a glare, a determined look in her eyes...for the first time in ages "Don’t...don't you go dyin on me. I'll be back with help in 10 seconds flat" she held back tears, and rushed downstairs * * * * * *
Flash groaned awake. The pain was terrible. "Ohhhhhhhhh...what the" he opened his eyes and looked around. He was in a hospital room, and things didn't look too good "Oh, for dad's sake...i just had em FIXED!" His wings were swathed in bandages, and what looked like plaster. It felt like his back was, too Dash was sprawled in a chair, conked out and looking more worn than ever. He could see the top of Luna's head leaning against the mattress. There was actually an IV drip. He tried to reach for his glasses, laid on the side stand, but it hurt too much. He looked over, and could see a lens had cracked anyway. He mumbled something vulgar "Now, now" came a voice from outside as a nurse came in, escorting several ponies "there's fillies present" "Mister Flash"? Came a familiar voice "Scoot?" she popped up over the foot of the bed "why are you all covered up like that" she pointed to the fact his nether regions were hidden, not under a blanket, but what appeared to be a strategically placed sheet, instead. He smiled embarrassedly. "You’re too young to know that, yet, honey" Awwwwwwww, I'm always too young" Not much longer, squirt" he ruffled her mane Are you gonna tell me the same thing about my Cutie mark?" He grinned. "Terry, are you all right?" a concerned twilight approached the bed "Dunno, yet, twi. Has Lu been in here all night?" "Yes, I was starting to get worried. You’ve been in here a couple days, now" "A couple days?!" he let his head fall back down on the pillow "just bucking wonderful" Twi blushed, and a sleepy voice came from a corner "Watch your mouth, Tony". Dash yawned, stretched and got up groggily "Tony?" Twi asked He chuckled "Had to put SOMETHING on my license, twi" "Mister Chocolate Flash?" came a voice from the door. He looked up It was a lawyer pony "Ouch...do you need a lawyer for what happened to you? I know a couple good bodily injury ones" Flash waved a hoof. "Nah, shouldn’t have ticked my sister off. Besides, it falls under 'act of Goddess' legally The lawyer actually looked disappointed at that "Darn. Well, anyway, you need to review and sign these. And, I should say, congratulations" the guy smiled genuinely "What’s this?" "Good luck, Mister Flash. First time I've ever had paperwork for an adoption go through this fast" "What?! Twi, gimmie a helping horn, wouldya please?" "Here, baby brother, let me" Luna had woken up, and began hovering the stuff before twilight could move. He took it out of the air, and tried to read it...it was still out of focus. He tried reaching for his broken glasses, and shortly found them sitting on his muzz. Twi smiled at Luna in a delicate way while he flipped through pages of legalese. He reached over to grab a pen in his mouth, and signed "Scootaloo?" She popped up from where she'd been sitting with dash "Yeah Mister Flash?" He teared up "you can call me Daddy now...it's done" "Really?" "C'mere, scoot" She buzzed over and hugged his neck, carefully "Been getting a few lessons, have ya?" "Yeah, from Rainbow Dash" He grinned "she'll be mom, too, soon" "No way!" "Way!" he looked at Dash with loving eyes, and she popped right over to take his hoof. Lu and Twi looked at each other the same way, and also held hooves. The nurse and lawyer looked at each other knowingly, and she shut the door. * * * * * * In the middle of the night, a bright presence came into his room. "Terry..." Celestia had popped into his room, which was, for the moment, vacant of anyone else. She bowed her head as she materialized, as fully out of regalia as Luna had been months earlier "Terry...I'm Sorry, I..." "I needed to let that out, Tia. I've been holding it in for centuries, now" "Addy told me...what you did for Scootaloo. What you both did" He blushed "It was what my heart told me to do, Tia" She looked sorrowfully at him "You sacrificed your granted immortality, and Rainbow Dash some of her life force...for one filly" "You gave me a second chance as a foal, Tia...it was time to give back. She smiled, despite tears in her eyes "I pushed through your paperwork" "I kinda figured that, sis" "Smart as ever, terry" "I'll miss you and Lu when the time comes. Don’t grieve too hard for me, okay?" "I won't, promise" she made the pinky-pie swear gestures "I love you sis...no matter what" She hugged him, letting the tears roll down her muzz, happy "Now get back to bed" he unsubtly winked she gave him a look, then it dawned on her "yeah, you forgot your mane. gives you away every time" she stomped the floor "Dammit. Every Time?" "Every time, Tia. Besides" he grinned, "it's kinda hard not to hear about it when they tell me after WE'RE finished" he winked again "Terry!"
After the royal mess with my sister, Lu fessed up. But, instead of the explosion she AND Twilight expected, heartbreaking hugging was involved instead. Tia actually gave our respective unions her blessings, much to Twi's shock. Even Dash scuffed a hoof on the palace marble.
Later that week, I stopped in on Lu’s study room. She’d already started sending stuff to the Library, planning to move in with twilight. "Lu" She immediately smiled, and put down the books she was going over. Twilight's collection was expanding a bit because of her influence "Terry, Hi...or should that be Tony, now?" I chuckled "Sup to you, Lu, what to call me...besides 'baby Brother' that is." She just grinned "what are you doing here so early?" "Did you forget already, lu? I took a day off so we could go shopping" She looked up at the clock "oh!" "Well, i wanted to catch you before you knocked off for the day after setting the moon" "I can't believe it's that LATE already...i remember setting the moon, but..." "A good book waits for nopony, sis. I know that, you know that, and Twi knows that" She grinned, and magiced her reading glasses off "We should get started, BEFORE you fall asleep on your hooves. Really, sis, you need to switch to Diurnal for Twi’s sake" She sighed "i know...but millenniums of habit are...hard to break" I chuckled "that's why coffee helps, sis" She stood, always sans royal regalia now "Where to first" "Rarity’s"
We trotted over to the Carousel. Rare had dropped almost everything to work on my suit and the girl's wedding gowns. She was practically squealing with joy at the prospect, especially since this was the first time she'd not only had a royal wedding (times two, no less), but her first search for the gems we'd requested. She started with Luna first, of course, due to Lu's unusual sleep schedule
"I simply don't know HOW you do it" she said to Lu "Do what now?" Lu asked "Your figure is so absolutely divine!" Lu and I both chuckled at that Rarity realized what she'd said, and smiled embarrassedly "I completely forgot that..." Luna only smiled "that's the greatest compliment I could ever receive." "So, it was worth finally dropping the armor?" I asked. Lu only giggled "Was it really that bad?" rarity asked, manipulating a measuring tape, a notepad, and several fabric swatches at once. "Honey, that stuff gets SO heavy." i told her, complete with effeminate voice and limp wrist, just to make Lu laugh.
My measurements were next, and then we went over the various fancy bits, including, much to my sister's surprise, the yellow diamond stud ear piercing I had picked up in some of my more rebellious days. "Since when?!" I just grinned
The last stop was a jewelers. we were picking up our wedding rings for our wives (they would do the same thing for us at another time) I had had a Rainbow Tourmaline set in gold for Dash for an engagement ring, and she'd been showing it off like crazy, lately. When Lyra and Bon Bon had gotten a look, they sighed out of jealousy; they didn't have the bits for their own. I'd had a private talk with both of them, and was picking up a present in addition. I showed off the multihued gold band I'd picked up for dash. Lu was amazed at what they could do nowadays. "What’s the other bit for?" she asked, pointing at an extra box "Let’s just say, if they weren't already married, we'd be part of a Triple wedding" i winked We left the store on good terms, and i walked back to the library with Lu. We hugged at the door. "I'll see you on Friday?" she asked "Of course. We gotta look good for our wedding day, sis" i sighed afterwards "not looking foreword to all that heavy gold armor again, though" "Well, at least all YOU have to put up with is that circlet. Crowns get heavy, you know" "Yeah...i thought Tia switched to the lighter stuff I recommended for daily use?" "Not yet"
We parted at the door, but not before I witnessed an affectionate kiss between Lu and Twi. I chuckled and went on to deliver my gift.
Bon Bon ran a hard candy shop on the other side of Ponyville, frequented almost as much by colts and fillies as Sugarcube Corner was. The bell rang sweetly as I entered. "Welcome to Bon...Chocolate Flash, how good to see you!" Bon Bon gave me a hug. I'd decided to help the two where I could in their professions "What’s in the box?" I placed it gently on the counter "dash told me about how you two never got some things, being the fist "different" couple here, so.." i pulled the ribbon off to reveal my present to one of the few mare couples in existence "Oh my Celestia!" Inside were beautiful wedding bands marked with the girl's cuties intertwined, and music notes with wrapped candies as the dots of notes down the sides "Lyra!" Bon Bon called. She came out of the back, and Bon Bon pointed...Lyra's jaw dropped "For...for us?" "There are some things a mare deserves to have, no matter what." I got crushed in a double hug. * * * * * * RSVP's started arriving by Thursday morning. Several of them were ones I was specifically looking for. Two caught my eye, immediately. One was a Gigantic present for Dash...I'd done some research. The other i had to make arrangements through Tia for. I smiled after reading it, and headed straight for the Boutique. Of course, I knocked first, in case Rarity was working on anybody's gown. "Cooooooo-minnnnnnnnnnnnnng" she called, and opened the door I instantly covered my eyes just in case "Oh, Chocolate Flash, you really shouldn't be here just now" "that's why I've got my eyes covered Rare, i wanna wait and see what Twi and dash are getting till the wedding, but this couldn't wait" I think I heard the grin, and some moving poniquins "All clear" Uncovering my eyes, revealed on ponequin still in place, though...it had my suit on it, complete with a Topaz carnation pin in the lapel. It was a warm fawn color, with a white shirt so blinding even Tia would have a hard time looking at it. I trotted round in circles, admiring her hoofiwork By my Sisters, that is gorgeous!!" She blushed slightly. "I had the most horrid time trying to find the right colors, but I believe I finally managed.” I checked over some of the smaller details. She had even put decorative stitching around the wing allowance "You remembered my wings!" "Of course I did. I don't know WHY everyone else can't see them" I blushed a bit at that, and hugged her. "May your needle never fail to amaze ANYpony. Now, it's my turn." I hoofed her the Envelope with the specific RSVP I’d been waiting for "What’s this?" "I heard about your little...adventure. And since I have the same connection to that side as Tia and Lu do, well" Her eyes got huge "this is..." It was the RSVP from the mirror world. The entire gang was coming with the help of Tia and Solly Rarity fainted right there.
After a few minutes she came too. I'd put her on her fainting couch, studiously ignoring the ponyquin stuffed behind it My Elusive is coming here!" she was practically bawling with joy "Stop it, rare" I was trying not to tear up myself "How can I ever THANK you for..." "What's going on?" Sweetie Bell had popped in with the other two cutie mark crusaders. Scoot practically jumped on my back to give me a hug. "are they coming, then?" she said, looking at rarity running waterworks almost as heavily as Pinkie did on occasion" "Yup" That was probably the first time the girls all went “AWWWWWWWWWW” together in happy circumstances "That was a sweet thing you did" called sweetie "Well, your sister deserves this...I can See the love in her eyes when she mentions Elusive" Only Applebloom got this funny look on her face "stupid love" she said I grinned down at her "you won't be saying that in a few years, Bloom" “uhuh" she groused "Yeah? Wait till you see big BROTHER applejack" "Big BROTHER Applejack?! How the Hay" I shot her a look "you want me to tell AJ you said that...or should I just tell Mac instead" She gulped. "No sir" she replied sheepishly Scoot just grinned at me "Daddy, that was mean” she still giggled
Once i finished a quick explanation, the girls were satisfied, and went on their way 'You three behave, now" "We will" they took off on another crusade, just enjoying being together Rarity meanwhile had turned off the waterworks of joy. "I WILL find some way to repay you for this" I grinned again "help me with my mane tomorrow, and I think we'll call it even" She gasped "really?...I've never done a stallion before" You know how hard it is to find a proper barber around here. Besides, I want to look REALLY good for this...and it's been so long since I've given my mane the royal treatment." We fell to discussing bits, and planning for tomorrow's spa session
* * * * * * I groaned in sheer relief, the heat was VERY relaxing. To the point I almost embarrassed myself. None of the other colts or stallions EVER came in, and Aloe and Lotus were kind of stumped as to how to handle me. I had them treat me like any of the mares that came in, much to the amusement of Lu. She was STILL giggling as we soaked in a coat polisher infused tub. The scent was a lovely mixture of flowers and a few berries "Are you SURE i haven't really got a baby sister in here with me" she joked "I cracked one eye, and gave her an amused look "You said the same thing eleven hundred years ago when you spotted that guard giving me goo-goo eyes" "Did it ever go anywhere?" I just waggled my eyebrows at her, and she splashed me one playfully "I still can't believe you actually took a few Stallions out" Heh, who do you think recommended Tia to a few of the guys, hmm?" Her jaw dropped "you DIDN'T!" "You two sound like a couple gossipy hens" came a voice, as rarity sauntered in. "Oh...is that jasmine and Juniper coat polish?" "One and only, rare. You think I'm not gonna look my best with that magnificent piece of work you did?" She settled in with the two of us, and began to unwrap my mane towel "Is it really that good?" Rarity gave her a mile "you'll find out tomorrow" she kissed my cheek, and Lu gave her a look with a raised eyebrow She had the towel off, and sorting through my mane I grinned over at Lu "the male gang is coming over. Rare is head over horseshoes for Elusive. They staggered their weddings so we can attend theirs, and they can attend ours" Lu looked at rarity, jaw open "you fell in love with yourself?!" "Of course, darling. We even asked Solaris for a blessing" Her jaw dropped even further "Anthony, what DID you do to this mane?" That was the first time she had used one of my regular names, and i gave off an embarrassed blush "all I could do with it was tie it up for work for the longest time, and then there's dash's influence, miss messy mane, so..."she began to unknot my messy braid work. I've never seen such a crinkly mane before. Is that natural?" Lu nodded "for us it is. Tia uses a special conditioner sometimes" she admitted 'You mean that flow of yours comes from a bottle? Not magic" "Bottled magic, actually" i told her, as she began thoroughly shampooing my acres of brass mane. I closed my eyes out of habit. "Really...there's actually sprinkles and glitter and...What’s this?" "Hmm?" "Why is this turning all black?" "Oh, thank goodness, I've been trying to get that out of my mane for 200 years" "Darling, whatever IS it" "Coal dust, actually. It was very NASTY work trying to heat the place" "Let’s get you out of this tub, I Really need to work on your tail" She led me out, blindly, and guided me to where she could rinse. When i dared open my eyes, there were swirls of various colors rolling down the drain. "Oof, I should have soaked out more often" "I dare say, now" i heard her move behind me, and then stop dead. "Something the matter?" when I looked up, she was practically incandescent with blushing. Lu was giggling furiously. I then realized WHY she was blushing, and blushed myself, except rather pleased rather than embarrassed "Not much left to the imagination, is there?" i quirked my tail up just to tease them "you always wanted a look, Lu" Rarity practically fainted again, and Lu just grinned "no WONDER you attracted all those mares over the centuries. AND quite a few stallions, too" That snapped rarity out of her shocked state "you? A COLT cuddler?" "I’ll put it like this. Poor Bo was scared out of her poor fillyish mind when I found her Secret Stash...till I showed her MINE" "You’re..." "Another reason we fell in love, rare. Now, if your done oggling my magnificent stallion's plot" Lu practically laughed the water out of the tub at that. Rarity regained her composure "Yes of course" blushing only slightly she resumed her work.
I worked my wings the best I could why Rarity worked my mane into a semblance of the style we had discussed, flipping segments here and there Lu gave me a hoof while she finished her own mane, and I returned the favor with her own wings "I never thought those feathers would take so much WORK" rarity said Every Pegasus needs some help when it comes to their wings, rarity. my sisters are lucky their horn magic can help them with that bit" I finished up one last primary, and Lu and I folded our wings to resting position "and, I imagine it's hard keeping your horn clean, knowing how...sensitive it is" Rarity blushed at that, and I think so did Lu "But, Darling, where has yours gone?" "I wasn't born with one, rare. I’m just a Pegasus. They adopted me as a foal. I had an artificial one for a while, much to the surprise of a couple randy stallions I dated" Her eyes got wide at that "and when you didn't react, they bolted?" "One silly colt got so mad; he tried to break it off. I had to have it removed" Lu gasped "that's where you went?" "Yeah. Fortunately, no scar was left" "Males" rarity mumbled. "It’s the same on both sides of the fence, honey" i agreed. * * * * * * When I left the spa, there were jaw drops all around. Rarity and Luna were magnificent enough, but the jaw drops were universal, mares AND stallions both, once I came out. I heard a REALLY loud whistle of the hey, good looking variety, I looked over to see it was AJ, folding up the stand for the night. I grinned and popped over "Hoo-EE, y'all look better then a polished up Red Delicious or a bran' new Sunday suit" "Well, wait till ya SEE the Sunday suit, then" i winked at her. She laughed, and resumed packing. Got one more piece o news, AJ. All them Colt versions of youns is coming" She stopped dead "they...are?" Yup. I bet Applebuck’ll be playin with his tie the whole time goin 'Applejack, why do i haveta wear this monkey suit" That’s the first time I heard AJ laugh that hard "it'll shore be confusin wonderin which one o us he's talkin to" "Both of ya, prob'ly. Bloom still agreeable ta bein in the weddin?" "Uhuh. She’s lookin for somethin right pretty to wear" "Good. Wait till ya see who we got got doin the giving away"
* * * * * * Saturday morning...I'm a nervous nelly, picking up my suit at Rarity’s. She notices, and tries to comfort me. Dash, Luna and Twi's gowns are all hung up with my suit, and all four are blacked out with special covers to prevent peeking. "Why am I the nervous one, rare? I'm over 1000 years old. I've been to thousands of weddings in my lifetime...and I'm still scared manure-less" She patted me one on the shoulder "you were never the FOCUS of the wedding, before, Darling. I’m sure everyone else is as nervous as you are" "You probably aren't, even with Elusive coming" She beamed at me "I can't thank you enough for that" That took some nerves off "i can see it in your eyes, rare. Sundae tells me how lonely he's been, even as he does the same as you." "You love your mare counterpart a lot, don't you?" "Tia, Lu, and I have always been close as family to our opposites, ever since Tia found out how to get there." I put hooves on her shoulders "and I'm not about to let down my wife, her friends, or my family. Tia's gone through so much lately...she needs this, too" She teared up a hair before hugging me, and quietly wiped her eyes, leaving a mascara smear behind "Good thing you didn't do the whole thing, yet." I pointed to the mascara smear "Oh, dear" "I'll let you take care of that. Go impress your man with your epic makeup skills" i kissed her one on the cheek "and Thanks" I left the Boutique
* * * * * * *
The crowd packed inside the field was extensive. Critters were hovering around the edges. I looked over at Arty, serving as my best Stallion "Well, bro, I'm glad you could do this for me" He blushed a bit, and smiled "you ARE returning the favor, Terry" 'We agreed to that a LONG time ago. I made the promise to Gia. Besides, we KNEW what was coming" "Bro, c'mon, all EIGHT of us smelled something" "Yeah. By the way, made out with Dusk, yet?” His jaw dropped, but the blush answered everything "heh" Luna sauntered up, and giggled like a filly at Arty’s luminous blush. To my surprise, she was decked out in a rather subtle mare's business suit equivalent. A delicate powder blue lacy cravat peeped from behind the royal collar. It made the subtle burnt orange tie I was wearing a nice contrast, even if much didn't show underneath the new element shining in my armor "You know, that really works, Lu...I just weren't expecting you to be taking a groom's part WITH me" "Twilight wanted to be the one with the wedding dress" "Did she pick that lacy thing she was looking at, I wonder" "I don't know, even I haven't seen my bride yet" she said it without blushing a drop "Y’all will see soon enough" came from the side. "AJ?" "Howdy, terry" she was decked out in her Gala gown, boots and all "Best mare?" I looked at Lu...she nodded "Mac wanted to keep an eye on the fillies, just in case" "They ain't gonna be fillies much longer, AJ." As Applejack smiled, both Arty and Lu looked at me with a raised eyebrow "What? I do that all the time round the Apples. You can take the colt out of the country..." "...but can't take the country outa the colt" AJ finished. We brohoofed at that "I wasn't kiddin about Ponysylvania, AJ. Where’dya think I learned how to do candy?" "Well, 'getlecolts', are we ready?" came a mellow bass voice. We all looked up to see Solaris smiling down at us "I sure hope so, Solly. Glad you took me up on the suggestion" i gave a minor tweak to my circlet, and prince Solaris, acting as "father of the 'grooms' ", took us down the center. The beaming faces on both sides were spectacular. We took our places at the correct stations, and turned to watch.
We had decided, in the opening stages of planning, to share the Bridesmares and groomscolts between us. AJ serving as best mare to Lu had worked out perfectly for the Special Guest i had in mind. Fluttershy and rarity were the first two bridesmares. Fluttershy had angel perched on her head wearing an adorable little bowtie he was trying desperately not to fiddle with. Rare had made a scratch gown for this occasion, and she shone like a diamond. Pinkie was actually being subtle, and had picked something lovely from her heritage for the occasion. I had invited her folks and a few of my Amish friends that could get away. When pinky walked by in her heritage formals, i SWEAR i saw Clyde with a tear in his eye. Lyra and Bon Bon came in holding hooves and proudly sporting the wedding bands I had made for them. The smiled broadly at me when they took their places, still holding hooves. The final bridesmare caused a stir...till they saw defender’s badge she wore, and the equestrian style wedding band. That shut a few maws. "Glad you could make it...Mrs. Bulwark" i said, as she took her place beside Lyra and Bon Bon Gilda Sharfkral, now Bulwark, blushed hotly "i wouldn't miss this for the world" The groomscolts came next. Among other things, I had asked the Doctor if he'd like to participate, such as acting as 'Father of the Brides', but he wouldn't hear of it. He was sitting in the audience with Bright eyes (wearing her glasses, for once), Colgate, and a deep blue middle aged mare I didn't recognize right away, till she grinned at me. I had asked the guys to act as groomscolts for the occasion (as the girls would be acting as bridesmares in the mirror wedding) Elusive shone as brightly as rarity did, Dusk was beaming (and I swear Arty goosed him one when he took his place), Blitz looked a nervous wreck, and berry was trying NOT to bounce like a madcolt in Amish formal blacks. He was even sporting the hat! Finally, in came Big Mac and Male AppleJack, both sporting their pappy's collar and supporting the Matron of Honor. Granny Smith was beaming almost toothlessly. I had asked her personally, and I think that was the first time the old mare had cried happily in decades. Blitz shot an amazed glance at Gilda, then at me. Gilda raised an eyebrow, but I simply made a shush motion and mouthed "ask later" to them. The final portions of the procession were the ring bearers, my newly adopted Daughter, Scootaloo, and Spike, porting a rare full-on tuxedo. He shot up about a foot in two years, and was losing some of his bipedalisim, but he carried Twilight and Luna's rings proudly. Applebloom and Sweetie bell were next, carrying flowers as flowerfillies. How Bloom found appleblossoms at this time of year was a mystery, till they got closer...tuned out they were assembled from saved ones.
After everyone had taken their places, the inevitable "here comes the Bride" started up, and Twi and Dash started down between the rows. I shot a glance at Twilight first. She had indeed picked out the sweet lacey gown she had shown me in the planning book. The lace had stars incorporated in it, and the saddle and breast portion were both lovely pale lavender satin. She was sporting the Element of magic, just visible under her veil. When I turned my eyes to dash, though, i was really stunned.
She was in a shimmery white form of her Gala dress, still sporting the sweet gold wraps on her front hooves from it. In place of the grape cluster holding the front together was a stylized Sonic Rainboom. Dangling in the middle was a vivid piece of amber set in copper and brass. I couldn't believe that.
Dash smiled at me broadly as she took her place at my side, with Twi giving Lu an adoring look. When I turned back to the Dias, I was surprised as hell. Both Solly AND Tia were going to perform the ceremony! "Ladies, gentlecolts, and other species, we are gathered here today under our divine presences to unite this mare and Stallion, and these mares, in holy matrimony. If anyone has any objection, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace"
You coulda heard a pin drop, though I did hear some quiet sobbing from the back
They went into the pre exchange bit about the sanctity and so forth, alternating back and forth. All I could do was stare into dash's eyes. Until they turned to respective couples, Tia to Lu and Twilight, Solly to me and Dash, and started Do you, Anthony Michal "chocolate" Flash, take this mare to be your lawfully wedded wife?" He used my Adopted name! I didn't hesitate "i do" Do you Jennifer rainbow Dash, take this stallion as your lawfully wedded husband?" She didn't hesitate either "i do" It was Tia's turn "Do you, Lunestra Marie Starlight, take this mare to be your lawfully wedded wife?" "I do" "Do you, Twilight Starla Sparkle, take this mare to be YOUR lawfully wedded wife?" *sniffle* "i do" The rings please" they said in unison. Spike and Scoot both held their ring pillows up, and we slipped out bands onto each other's hooves "And now" they finished "by the Power vested in us as deities of the sun and rulers of Equestria, we now declare you husband and wife and wives. You may kiss the Brides" "That’s exactly what we did, to the bright shining glow of Solaris and Celestia. * * * * *
The cheering was loud and raucous, but of course, we two newlywed couples didn't hear a thing for a while...at least until the chants came of "throw the Bouquet" Dash's landed straight into Lyra’s arms...she'd caught it ahead of anypony else by standing up. Everyone looked at her amazed, but she and BonBon were saying their own I do's all over again, and began munching happily like the Bouquet was their wedding cake. I chuckled, and turned to my sister "I think those two may wanna renew their vows" Tia smiled When Twi threw her on bouquet, though, the silence at the catcher caused everyone to look up, stunned. "TRIXIE?!" came from almost everypony She was standing there, the bouquet held in her magic, wearing a gown of the same shade of lavender her cape and hat usually were. She immediately tuned on the waterworks and the bouquet dropped. I was the only one with the guts to approach. I gently placed a hoof on her shoulder "When did you figure it out?" She looked up, tears still streaming, and sniffled "last year...I" I pulled her into a hug "listen, there IS a mare out there for you, i promise" "There...is?" I held her chin up "it took me centuries, but I did it. There will be someone for The Great and Powerful Trixie. Treat her right" I kissed her forehead gently, she blushed a little through the tears "Th-thank you, your highness" she sniffled, and picked the bouquet up again, leaving quietly "What was THAT all about" came from Twilight as she and Lu approached "She was in love with you, twilight...and just realized HOW much...it's why she snuck in" Twilight had an utterly stunned look on her face "in love with...ME?" I smiled weakly "and there's someone else that needs comforting, too" Lu gave me a look "you mean..." I nodded. Dash and Twi exchanged a puzzled glance "Go comfort him" I thought I heard a clunk of dropped jaws before I left
It took a while, but I found the sobbing stallion huddling in a corner, crying his eyes out "Blue?" He looked up, blinked once, and grabbed me, proceeding to sob into my coat. I simply stroked his mane "Hush, blueblood...hush"
I could hear dash squealing like a filly. She’d finally found Gilda in the crowd. The tables were stuffed full of ponies and others munching away happily. Solly and Tia were gabbing and actually FLIRTING off in a corner to themselves. I didn't blame either of them. After all a god and Goddess can get away with anything. There were a couple other reunited couples as well, Scotch and Shy were holding hooves and blushing, and Rarity and elusive were deeply liplocked "Terry?" I turned. "Well, where were you?" I hugged my female counterpart, Chocolate Sundae or princess Giana "Damn, G, I missed you" 'We shouldn't have taken a century away from the castle" Sundae was built curvy, the one odd difference between our universes "Heh, has blitz been stuffing your face full of food, or what?" She snickered "more like stuffing somewhere else, instead" I laughed my flank off for a couple minutes.
"*hic* Tee...cansh I *hic* talk to you a minush" an inebriated Blueblood had sauntered up, starting to wobble "Whoa, blue, I think you had a little too much" *only hash...one or two" he giggled "THIS is the guy you were dating at one point?" I rolled my eyes "yeah..." Blueblood leaned on me, and suddenly game me an alcohol fumed smooch "I shtill wanna...bucksh you...you lefsh before we gosh to..." I blanched, and Sundae started to laugh "He really IS still in love with you, isn't he?" I sighed "damn colt can't hold a beer, I swear" "Ish Guinnesh" he physically held up a glass with dregs of draft Guinness in it I facehoofed "it was one or two KEGS, wasn't it?" He just giggled, hiccupped, and leaned on me...hard "Aw crap...lets get you home" I started to lead him over to a waiting carriage when he suddenly hollered "Hey, ish tha bushing cow from the Gala!" he got this mean look A steamed rarity stomped over, still levitating a couple plates "What are you doing with THIS royal lout?" "Why you bushing..." My temper went off, and I gut punched him one. All that did was make him barf copious amounts of beer, and groan "Maybe that'll learn ye, ye stupid git" I said without thinking Rarity gasped loudly "Sure and I havena heard that in..." she realized HOW she was saying it at the same time I realized how I'd said my piece, we looked at each other stunned. I cleared my throat "You wanna apologize to the lady, or what?" He looked up, barf and drool hanging from his lip "donsh punsh me again, Tersh, Shorry, mish Rarishee" He tried to kiss me one more time, but I wasn't about to deal with it "Bout time ya act like a gent" i hauled him to the nearest carriage and had them take him home. I sheepishly walked back over to rarity. 'What was with the..."she gasped I nodded "that's why he rejected you so hard at the gala, he was still...in love with me" She giggled at that "that explains a lot, actually" Yeah" i rubbed the back of my neck, a little habit that I'd picked up from dash "Faith, I think I smell Guinness!” her home accent popped back out again, and she looked guiltily at me "I’ll keep quiet if you will, lass" She blushed "Well, we MAY have to tell the Applejacks. They’re gonna spot it sooner or later. Can’t keep up the Posh forever" "Mum was east Shireland, you?" "Nanny, Lowlands near Yokeshire, as a foal" I’d said the town name like a native "apparently, so I was told, the first word outta my muzz was "bairns" " "Do be quiet about this" "Pinkie pie swear" i made the motions "by the way...hers sneaks out on occasion" "Pinkie Pie has an accent?" I just smirked Where IS the Guinness?" "Just ask the bartender for a pint, he'll know. And for Pete’s sake, tell Luce where someone won't hear you" She only smiled, and made a beeline for the bar "Isn’t this GREAT, Sunny?" I turned "wrong half, Berry" i gave him a play punch in the shoulder. He had gotten out of his dress blacks, but was still sporting the Hat "Hehe...sorry, Choccie" "How’s the food holding up so far?' "Pretty good, I had grampy pie do some Shoofly pies" I heard my stomach roar, and then "Schufluze? Best news I've heard all night!" Gilda came over, munching away on something. I could see a piece of meat snuck in under a lettuce leaf or two I grinned "see you found it" I got a sly grin in return "Found what?" Berry tried to see what was hiding on Gilda's plate "Don’t be a nosy Fotze, berry" Berry stopped dead, his jaw hanging open, while Gilda laughed hard and sprayed bits of food He grinned, though "you’re as much of a pekerfatze as Sundae is!" "Arshlo!" "arschnoddle!!" Gilda was rolling in the aisles, now, plate forgotten. Berry and I grinned at each other, and brohoofed "I’ve been waiting to do that for ages!" "Sure your not one of us, HMMMMMMMMMM??!” berry gave me an eye "Heh. Nah. Enjoy your rhumspringa while you've got it, berry" "Oh, that party will NEVER end!" he bounced away, probably off the brag to pinky Gilda finally caught her breath as a concerned Iron Bulwark trotted up. "Everything all right, Gil?" She wiped tears out of her eyes "yeah, just funny as all buck. WHERE did you learn all that?" "Pinky. That’s how I learned how to cook AND got my cutie mark" I think Iron's eyes lit up "really...um, you got any here?" he asked with a bit of lip smacking "If pinky didn't eat em all, there's some with the deserts" He grinned, and trotted off at full speed "He’s got a big time sweet tooth, doesn't he?" With OUR job, well, sometimes you need the sugar" There was a few seconds of silence as she gathered her plate pack up, and slucked down the meat on it. "I wanna thank you two for coming out. It just meant so much to Bo...and she deserves the best" Gilda blushed a bit 'well, it was so good seeing both of you again I..." "Wait...BOTH of us?" "Like I'm gonna forget THAT tasty looking flank." I didn't know whether to blush or blanch at that "Are you flirting with my man, G?" Dash came over, and smacked me one on the plot "it IS a tasty flank, though" she winked and giggled After whinnying rather loudly, I shot her a look somewhere between annoyed and amused. She killed that look with tongue work. 'Thanks for getting Gilda here, babe" "My wedding present to you" we smooched again "Flash, DUDE, what the buck is going on here?" a slightly snookered Rainbow Blitz trotted over, fiddling uncomfortably with his collar "who WAS that?" Well, if it isn't the colt-crudder" dash shot at him HONK "you wanna say that again?" blitz said, smushing muzzles with Dash I gave him a good sized dope smack on the back of the head "you want me to get G back over here...YOUR G?” "Ow!" he rubbed the back of his head, then it sunk in "uh...no. Heh" "Then sit your plot down a minute" That’s exactly what he did, as if my own sister had ripped him a new one. My eyebrows practically disappeared under the Circlet on my head at that. "THAT was this world's equivalent of your best friend in flight school. She moved on, but I wanted her here...for Dash. That’s my wedding present to her. Don’t tell me you wouldn't like to see YOUR best buddy from flight school again?" "Well..." he sighed "after that screw up with the guys where Galdor was being such a bucking FEATHER brain..." he hung his head "Dash told me just how much she missed Gilda, and I found out why she was acting like a total Plothole when she visited. Gilda was supposed to literally serve dash's head on a silver platter just so her old man wouldn't beat the crap out of her, for tradition's sake. Galdor probably had to go through the exact same crisis. She couldn't do it, and neither could your buddy, Galdor" He looked up in shock "Gilda was gonna..." dash gulped audibly "They couldn't" i repeated. "They ARE your friends, that's what stayed their claws, and they're better gryphons for it" Where blitz looked ashamed, dash was crying happily. "Go see your best friend, Hun...before you stain the gown anymore" i smirked, then looked at blitz while dash nearly rainboomed off. "If your buddy shows up, be happy for him, okay?" "Yeah, I...guh. Sorry, flash" I popped the uncomfortable collar for him. "Have one for Galdor...and for Pete’s sake, kiss my sister now and then" "Heh" I left to head over to where dash was sobbing on a puzzled Gilda. "Sorry, G, i had to tell dash's male counterpart the whole story. He was all like "what the BUCK" and stuff, and Bo was listening" She actually smiled, and looked sappily at Iron briefly "Best decision i ever made." i looked up at Iron, smacking his lips more while snacking on a tray of my hoof made chocolates, and got an evil smirk, winking at Gilda, i said." G told me I had a hot flank in flight school" Iron bulwark did a spit take, Gilda guffawed and dash just stood there and tried NOT to laugh. Iron finally surrendered and laughed when dash cracked out "you thought he was cute, too?" causing Gilda to blush HARD. Just then there was a tingtingting as someone tapped a utensil against a glass 'Ladies and gentlecolts..." "eHEM" "And guests of other species" "That’s better" The band is now set up. It’s time for this party to kick into high gear" 'YEEEEEEEEEEEE HAW" came from two dimensions worth of the Apple family. We all gathered round the tables, some still chewing leisurely. The band promptly struck up a familiar tune, and attention shifted to my sister and her wife, as the fist couple's dance started to Barry Maneilow’s "Could It Be Magic" They looked so sweet together, and i think Luna was crying. Flashbulbs went off everywhere When the song ended, Luna suddenly hugged me HARD "That was adapted from a Chopin piece, oh Terry!" "I knew you'd like it, Lu" "And the lyrics?" Twilight asked "That’s why I picked it...it was both of you wrapped up into one song" The glass got tinged again, and Tia picked up where she'd left off And now for the second couple's dance!" Tia looked straight at me, as the band struck up Aerosmith "So AWESOME!" i made dash's squee face, she laughed hard, and we got into each other's arms.
I don't know how long it was, but I barely registered when the song ended, just like the lyrics said, I'd wanted to stay in the moment forever. The applause from all corners was deafening, both for the band, and for us. I was told, later that we had kind of done a routine to the song, which was later proved with pictures. All I knew was that EVERY couple had been holding each other all through the tune. I think that was the first time I ever saw blitz a mushball. Solly was even holding on to Tia in a way I found both disturbing and comforting at the same time. I just winked at the two of them, and got two gigantic grins in return "What’s THAT about?" Dash asked "Same thing as with rare and Luce, or scotch and shy" Wait a...should I be disgusted or happy for them?" I laughed, shoulders shaking. when we sat down again after the band resumed some normal tunes, a lot of couples stopped by, thanking us for reminding them of why they fell in love to begin with. Mac even showed up to give me thanks from granny smith for helping her remember her late husband fondly for the first time in years. "You never DID look at your ring" dash said suddenly "Huh?" i finally did...and went wide eyed "The Golden Rainboom?!" The design on it was that of a rainboom in pure bright gold "You...remembered all that?" You had me from the boom, Tony. All of me" I just held her hard * * * * * * * The rest of the reception, even to the cutting of the cake, went by in a blur. I heard a few relationships and a couple foals were made that night. It was weddings to remember.
I woke up with a monster headache, a bad case of morning wood, and my lovely Bo wrapped up in my arms. I kissed her one on the forehead. I sighed in frustration, because I wanted a long hot shower and a pot of coffee, but everything went past Scoot's bedroom door. Dash stirred in my arms, then cracked an eye and smiled "morning" She then noticed my not so little problem, and grinned more "Do you need that...taken care of?" I got a shudder inducing stroke. It provoked a moan outa me They’ve gotta...calm down on their own, babe. Besides, it's COLD from being out so long" "Cold, really?" "Yup...sides, I want Coffee, dangit" She chuckled, kissed me one, and wiggled out of my arms "I’ll go throw some on" I watched her walk out the door, and i SWEAR she wiggled a little on the way out, complete with one of those coy looks "Dayam, mare..." she chuckled, and I laid back on the pillow, flat on my back, hooves behind my head, as I waited to calm down I took a moment to pull up a sheet, just in case. It was good timing, because a couple minutes later scoot bounced in and pounced me "Morning, daddy" She hugged my neck "why ya still in bed?" "Your momma's getting me coffee, anything else hasta wait a few years for an explanation." "Again?" "Yes, my little orange and raspberry truffle* i ruffled her mane "Daddy!" Dash came in with a couple cups of coffee balanced on her back "Go on, sweetie. We need to get started, here" Scoot scooted, most likely to go crusading. I carefully picked a cup off the balanced tray, and dash got hold of hers. I sat up on the edge of the bed, and nursed the cup of dark heaven. Dash gave me a funny look "Why are you sitting like Lyra?" "Huh? oh." i tucked up "sorry about that, I think it's a musician's thing" "Musician, YOU?" "Just a drum kit, hun." 'Weird, I can't picture you with drumsticks in your mouth" I chuckled "I save my mouth for other things" She did a spit take and laughed.
It was a working honeymoon for us, because we still had to clean out Dash's old place for the seller to set it up, AND finish our new place. Dash had a mess to fiddle with up there. The last thing we got was the bedroom. "Did you bring enough newspaper to wrap your trophies?" She rolled her eyes "'course I did" I was especially careful with the young flyers crown, her ultimate pride and joy. I did locate an old trunk floating around. Other than some leftover bits, including an old stuffed pony and a lot of early wonderbolts merch, there was a little black box stuffed in the bottom. I smirked "Bo?" "Hmm?" she came in sporting some papers "i figured you had some wonderbolts stuff, but is this what I think it is?” I pulled the little black box out of the trunk. She blanched and looked scared. "It is, it's the rest of your porn stash, isn't it?" She sputtered a bit, and I held up a hoof "Honey, relax. EVERYpony keeps this stuff hanging around. Besides, i know you already looked at mine...you forgot to close the lid" "Um, heh" she rubbed the back of her neck "Oooh, lucky, wish I had THAT issue" i was looking at a centerfold, and couldn’t restrain a jealous nicker...or a bit of wingboner. She got all wide eyes "wait a minnit...that's a colt cuddler’s issue!" I looked up and smirked "I'd mount that, if I didn't have something already" I think it hit her then "you're BI?!" I lowered the centerfold, but kept it in place, for more than ONE reason, and grinned like Pinkie on a sugar rush. "Just as Bi as you are, Bo." I began folding the thing back up, "DOWN, boy" i told myself, and poked everything back in place, including me I hoofed her the resealed box "i saw you shooting glances at a certain gryphon in flight school. That was probably right when I and Blue started...experimenting" She took it, blushing, and hid it in with her trophies again. I pulled her close and kissed her "don't be ashamed at that, sweetie. Just one more thing we have in common" We snuggled a bit "Blue...as in blueblood?" I snorted "yeah" "So...how was he in bed?" "BO!" We laughed, and got back to work * * * * * * * * * We got home with a load, and some assistance, to a pile of thank you notes, and a letter on fancy stationary. After unpacking most of it, I began tackling the piles of mail. Derpy musta had a time with some of these. Two of them caught my eye.
Flash
I've never had to deliver one of my own letters before, it's weird. Anyway...thanks for reminding me about...everything. I've got the patch on again, AND my glasses.
Hoovie says hi
Bright Eyes
I smiled at that. I’d taken the opportunity while asking the good doctor about participating in the wedding to talk to Derpy again and help her remember what happened...and thank her for trying her best to help me. I think the kiss dug up the memories completely, innocent or not, cause i think she un derped her eyes for the first time since the accident. I'd had to walk away before she saw me crying. I wiped a tear at the memory, and picked up the second, on a lovely formal stationary.
Tee
I'm sorry i acted like a total commoner, but you know what happens. That stuff is just so good. I miss you and love you, even now, and it hurt enormously when I found out. I apologize both to you and Lady Rarity.
I wanted you to buck me, I wish you had. Tell your wife she's a lucky mare.
Bluey
"Some things never change" I heard a chuckle from behind me; dash had read it over my shoulder. "You can say THAT again" she giggled and shook her head "I can't believe you actually went out with that arrogant..." "Bo! He wasn't exactly 'arrogant' back then. But BOY, he was a horny little stud." I grinned, and motioned her close. She leaned in, and I whispered in her ear. She collapsed laughing! I suddenly hear a loud "YAY"...and groaned "Bo did you tell the girls they could do Scoot's room?" "Oh, crap!" We bolted, and found the CMC already cracking cans and trying to spread tarps "Mary Louise Scooterson!!" we both called. The girls stopped dead, and their faces fell I then smiled "if you wanna do this, we're gonna do it right" More jaw drops happened "you gonna LET us?" Scoot asked "As long as we can keep an eye on you. Besides, I was wondering WHEN you were gonna ask your friends over to do this" "Tony, what are you DOING?" dash asked "I am encouraging our daughter and our friends’ sisters to find their cutiemarks" "Daddy, you’re the greatest! CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ROOM PAINTERS!" "YAY" they all went. Dash just rolled her eyes.
We did actually give them a hoof with setting things up. I made some suggestions as to where and what, including getting Applebloom working in the right area. Bloom took right up with getting everything painted cleanly. I had Sweeitie keep us entertained, and pointed out that scoot could get some maneuver practice in while getting the bulk color on the walls. The girls were royally enjoying themselves, not even noticing that I was leading them around. Even dash didn't notice. The room was soon done. Applebloom had noticed some damage in the windows, and a flawed spot in the bed head, fortunately it was some easy fixes, however. As we packed up the tarps, the slightly more empty paint tins, and started soaking some brushes. I sent the girls up to the bathroom to get the paint spots out before we did. Of course, there were a few gasps from bathroom "What’s that about?" dash asked "Your about to find out, Bo" All three of them galloped back in the room beaming, and hollered "I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!!!" Dash jaw dropped while the girls showed off their no longer blank flanks. Bloom had tools with an actual apple blossom, sweetie a heart bottom music note, and scoot a couple of horseshoes with dancing slippers. I scooped all three of them up in a hug. I’m proud of all three of you." i put them down "I’ve been waiting for this opportunity" "Wait, what do you mean?" scoot asked "Yeah, what're y'all talkin about" added Applebloom I sat down, and smiled "girls, I've been watching your crusading since I moved here...and I've wanted to help you find your cutie marks the way I was helped find mine. You three have been hunting so hard and so long, I figured them out before you did" "Aw, we wanted ta get em ourselves" "You did, girls. I just helped point you where you needed to go. Bloom, you're the one who spotted, and FIXED em. I saw the clubhouse, I saw what you did with a really old treehouse that needed worked on, and I knew" Sweetie, I heard you singing along at the wedding. Especially during Dash and I's dance. You made it all the more beautiful. Scoot, you've always had beautiful moves, but never realized it, because they were on the ground. I made it so that, while you were doing something together, you had fun AND used the abilities i spotted." "But..." "Girls, you DID do it yourselves. I just pointed you, as I was pointed" I looked back at my own QT with fondness "But, I thought you were a prince once?" Sweetie Bell asked I grinned "you think the Princesses came into this world with their cutie marks already there? No, we were all blank flanks, too. I saw Luna GET hers" "But I thought y'all were...ya know, Immortal" bloom stated *i looked at scoot "I sacrificed that Immortality for someone I love VERY much. As much as I love rainbow Dash" Scoot blushed hard, and dash draped an arm over me" "So that means you'll pass on, now, like the rest of us?" Bloom asked It was an awkward question, but I answered. "Yes. It will hurt when you lose somepony, but I can tell you, you WILL see them again. I promise" "Are you SURE?" bloom said I didn't get a chance to answer...Scoot beat me to the punch, much to my delight "yeah, Applebloom. There’s even somebody waiting to pick you up! It was so NEAT seeing Daddy in full prince form!" Well, I'll believe y'all fer now, but still..." I scooped scoot up into a hug, and looked at the other two. Sweetie had tears in her eyes "How Bout if I show up, too?" They looked at me "you can do that?" Sweetie asked I scooped up the other two, too "you’re my daughter's friends, and the sisters of the Elements..." I kissed each one of them on the forehead, causing embarrassed blushes "i Pinkie Pie promise" Even apple bloom got wide eyed at that "you BETTER, daddy!" scoot said. "Pinkie would make the afterlife miserable if I didn't" I put the girls down "now, we've got to get ready for your cutiecineras" They grinned "that's right!" Applebloom finished "we get a party" "Yup. Go show off your cutie marks" Just as they were leaving, heads held high, i remembered something "Girls, promise me one thing. Help others find their cutie marks, too" "We will..." they galloped off "That was kinda sweet, Tony" I kissed her one on the cheek "Are you really gonna show up?” I made the full Pinkie Pie swear gesture "i swear by Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, Magic, my Sisters, and..." i placed a hoof on dash's belly "our future foals, that I will be there, even after our lives have passed, to bring everyone of my family home"