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Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2011-07-27T18:49:40+00:00

2011-07-27T18:49:40+00:00

Progress By Andrew J. Talon Disclaimer: This is a non-profit fan-made work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro. Please support the official release Author's Note: Finals are almost over, my first real archaeology-related job awaits me in the summer, I have a million unfinished fics and... I decided to write a MLP:FiM fanfiction. Yes, truly I am insane. Oh well. - - - - - - - Princess Luna, formally Nightmare Moon, scowled intently at the contraption before her. It sat there, made of pure plastic and metal and gleaming in the private kitchen Celestia had granted her. Dealing with the public had never been one of Luna's strengths, and being trapped in the moon for a thousand years hadn't helped this at all. Not wishing to feel useless, Luna had dived headfirst into study, trying to assimilate the major changes in Equestria and the rest of the world before moving onto the smaller, more numerous changes. The legal aspects of this society she understood quite well. The basics of policy law and governance had been practically invented by her. Stars, planets, moons-They moved according to natural laws and it was through these laws Luna had derived the concepts of government, striving for balance between the strong and the weak, the large and the little. Celestia, however, was always the better of the two at... How did she put it? "'Making the sale,'" she quoted, a smile coming to her face. Yes. That was it. Making the sale. It was Celestia who convinced ponies of the need for balance in the distribution of power, and Luna who put it together. Behind the scenes. Balance. The rise of the aristocracy had been natural, but it was offset by executive, legislative and legal powers. While those of landed gentry descent might be stuffy elites, their arrogance was due mostly by tradition and not by actual authority. Celestia, while a great authority in her own right by virtue of being (in all senses of the word) a goddess, she had strove to maintain the balance. The upset of it too far in either way was the difference between despotism and anarchy, and given her own experience with the corrupting influence of power... No, no, she could look at that objectively now. She need not feel guilt, her older sister had told her and Luna logically knew it wouldn't help. Still, it took a lot more will than she thought to move on. … Given her own experience with the corrupting influence of power, Luna found herself happy that Celestia had paid heed to her warnings and her thoughts. That she had made a difference besides... Well... … Being Nightmare Moon. She closed her eyes, sighed, and moved past that thought to her immediate problem. She could handle the law. She could handle politics, in theory. She could handle economics, mathematics, the sciences... Therefore, it was only logical she could figure out this... This... This... "Your majesty?" Luna looked over at one of the servant fillies, her white coat and yellow mane adding more cheer to the interior of the brightly decorated kitchen. Luna coughed. "Yes?" "Do you require any assistance?" She asked. Luna shook her head, and returned her eyes to the contraption on the counter. "No, thank you," she said quietly. Luna scowled at her reflection in the microwave's surface. The servant filly coughed again. Luna looked back at her. The filly smiled gently. "If you'd like, I can-" "No, I'm fine, really," Luna said, her tone a bit harsher than she had intended. The filly frowned and Luna felt guilt. "I'm sorry... I'd just prefer to figure this out on my own," Luna said. The filly nodded. "As you wish, your majesty. If you need anything though, don't hesitate to call," she said. She turned and trotted off, leaving Luna alone once again. The Moon Princess looked back at the microwave and resumed her scowl. Her horn lit up with magical energies, and she probed the device carefully. "Hmmm..." It had some sort of apparatus inside it. It seemed... Phased, perhaps? Yes, phased. It emitted radio waves. She had read up on them, seen the technology for herself, and she understood the theory. Of course, to heat up the food, she reasoned. Excite the water molecules... No different from a heating spell. She could use a heating spell right now if she wished, a part of her pointed out. Luna snorted, and continued her examination. She lifted a hoof up and tapped it once. "Feels solid," she murmured to herself. She tapped it again. Something gave and the device popped open, loudly. Luna squeaked and jumped back, her flanks slamming into the table behind her as her wings puffed out in fright. Slowly, she reopened her eyes, and stared at the microwave. "Stupid," she muttered to herself. It was just the door. She trotted back up to the counter, folding her wings away. She peered inside the pristine white interior of the microwave carefully, and sniffed. "Okay... This is probably where the food goes," she reasoned aloud, feeling much calmer. She then turned and trotted up to one of the cabinets. Opening it with her telekinesis, she scanned through the various packages, before she found one in particular. She lifted it and brought it down, and examined it. "Pop Corn," she read aloud. Right, Celestia had mentioned that it was good to eat. She nodded and trotted back, placing the container in the microwave. Carefully she shut the door, then looked at what she had reasoned to be the interface. She hummed and studied it. "How long would it take to heat it up...?" She thought aloud. Luna tapped her hooves upon the floor, before she smiled. "Of course! Ah... Excuse me!" She called out. "Yes, Princess Luna?" The same blonde filly answered, poking her head into the kitchen with a smile. Luna felt a little annoyed that the servant filly had been hanging around, but let it go easily enough. Now she felt like she was somewhere familiar. "I need an abacus," she said. "Please, tell me where I could find one." The filly stared, her smile growing confused. "Um... I'm sorry, your majesty, but what is an abacus?" She asked. Luna scowled, but softened her expression when the filly cringed. Don't take it out on the servants, it's not their fault you've been locked in the moon for a thousand years, she thought to herself. "It's a mathematics tool," she explained. "It has... Has beads on wires in a wooden frame." The filly still looked blank. Luna was about to call for another servant, perhaps one with some idea of what she was talking about, before the blonde's eyes lit up in understanding. "Ohhh! Like a calculator!" Luna slowly nodded. "Yes... That." Whatever that was. "Wouldn't you prefer to use a calculator?" The filly asked. Luna restrained a sigh. "No." "All right," the filly replied. She galloped off. Luna waited, but felt herself growing impatient. I could just conjure one, she thought. It wouldn't be that hard... Still, if it got the filly to stop hanging around for a little while it was worth it. She had the sneaking suspicion Celestia had the servants paying extra attention to her. It wasn't as though she was going to go on a rampage! It was so annoying how overprotective she could be... It was twenty minutes before the filly returned, baring a very old, dusty abacus in her mouth. Luna smiled and took hold of it with her telekinesis. "You wouldn't believe where I found it! The curator of the palace museum said it was one they use for display purposes," the filly explained. Luna nodded, setting the device down on the table. The old motions came to her hooves, and she swiftly calculated the weight of the popcorn container, the energy output of the microwave, and a few other relevant variables. Her smile grew a bit as she felt, at last, in familiar territory. "There we go," she said after checking her solutions twice. She turned to the microwave and pressed several buttons. "Twenty-seven minutes at full power... All right!" She hit the start button, and her smile grew at the pleasant humming the machine made. She looked over at the filly, who looked uncertain. "... Is something wrong?" "Er... Well... Twenty-seven minutes seems a bit long, don't you think?" She asked. Luna shook her head. "No, I checked. It's just the right amount of time," she said. The filly nodded slowly. "Er... If you say so, your majesty." "So, what do I call you?" Luna asked, the tension dropping off considerably now that she'd figured out how to work the stupid thing. The filly smiled. "Sundance, your majesty!" Luna smiled and nodded. "Well, why don't you tell me a little about yourself?" She asked politely. "At the table." Sundance shyly, but gradually with greater enthusiasm, related her back story. Luna nodded in the appropriate parts but really, she was feeling very pleased that she'd gotten someone to speak to her almost normally. In fact, it was just about the best feeling she had ever- POP! POPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOP! "EEP!" Luna cried, and a wave of telekinesis left her before she could think. It smashed the microwave, and a cloud of billowing smoke emerged from the burning interior. "Oh no oh no oh no oh no!" Sundance chanted. "Quick! Extinguish it before-!" A loud alarm went off and water began spraying from the ceilings, dousing the entire kitchen in it as the smoke continued to fill the room. Sundance coughed and got down as low to the floor as possible. She was surprised to see Princess Luna underneath the table, shaking. "Y-Your Majesty? Princess Luna? Are you all right?" "... No," Luna sighed miserably, clutching at her now soaking wet abacus. "No I'm not." - - - - - - - - "Luna, really," Celestia said as she magically directed the towel to scrub Luna's hair more forcefully. "It's not that bad." Luna knew she was sulking, but frankly she didn't care. She held the sad little abacus in her hooves as her sister fussed over her in front of the fireplace. She looked down at it and sighed. "The fire department was called." "A minor overreaction," Celestia soothed. "There were instructions on the container I ignored." "Mistakes happen," her older sister said. Luna huffed. "You laughed." "I laughed because I saw that my darling little sister was safe," Celestia said, removing the towel to affectionately nuzzle Luna's mane. She smiled. "And you looked rather cute, hiding under the table." Luna scowled. Celestia laughed, the sound like ringing bells. "Luna, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. It's been a thousand years. You can't expect to catch up right away. These things happen." She laughed again. "You should have seen how badly I handled the first aircraft. I asked why the wings didn't move and why there weren't any feathers." Luna tried very hard not to laugh, and succeeded in keeping it down to a snicker. She looked up at her sister, who smiled more gently. "At the very least, you acted appropriately when Sundance tried to take responsibility for it." "It wasn't her fault," Luna said stubbornly. Celestia nodded. "So now she knows she can trust you not to blame her for your mistakes. I'd say that's the first step towards friendship." She glanced at Twilight Sparkle's latest letter, and she smiled in fond remembrance of her faithful student. "I think I might get to send her a letter this time. So..." She kissed the top of Luna's head. "Thank you, Little Sister." Luna blushed, and nodded back. "It... It was nothing." "Now... You have the night to look after," Celestia said, gently bumping her head against Luna's. "Go on." "All right," Luna said. She rose, and looked over the abacus. It was worn and worse for wear, no thanks to her, but still... "May I hold onto this, Sister? For... For a little while, at least?" Luna asked. Celestia smiled and nodded. "Of course dear. I don't think it's outlived it's usefulness, do you?" Luna flushed and her smile grew. "No Sister. I don't..."

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T05:05:32+00:00

2012-02-03T05:05:32+00:00

Progress: Luna Versus Baseball By Andrew J. Talon Celestia walked through the halls of the palace with her usual grace and efficiency. Despite having gone through several meetings over the state of Equestria’s agriculture and commerce, she was still as outwardly serene as ever. This changed once she reached the library, and she heaved a great sigh as she looked over the books, rows and tables of the great archives of Equestria. “Luna? Luna?” She called softly. Her horn glowed for a moment, and she smiled as she located her quarry. Flapping her wings briefly, she rose up and came to a hover on the third level. A mass of blue hair and a horn poked out from over a stack of books on a table near the balcony. An abacus clicked away at a quick pace, as the sound of pages turning rapidly accompanied it. “Enjoying yourself?” Celestia asked. The sounds stopped, and Luna poked her head out from over the stack of journals, textbooks, and articles. A pair of reading glasses decorated her nose. Celestia raised a hoof to her mouth, but was unable to smother her soft laughter entirely. “I am, actually, and—What? Why are you laughing?” Luna asked. Celestia hovered over the balcony and landed in front of the table. She pointed her hoof at Luna’s glasses, and the younger alicorn’s mouth made an “o” of understanding. “Oh! You mean the glasses. Well, um, I saw that the other librarians and others who do a great deal of reading wore them and as they enhance vision I thought it only proper I have the same,” Luna explained. Celestia laughed again, and Luna scowled. “What?” “Luna, you only wear glasses if you require them,” Celestia said gently. Luna nodded. “Right. For reading.” “If your eyes are already bad,” Celestia added. Luna blinked rapidly behind her large frames, then, comprehending, pulled the spectacles off. Celestia’s smile grew. “On the other hoof, you do look adorable in them,” she teased. Luna flushed again and huffed. “Yes, yes… Well? Are you going to hug me and give me candy then?” “Not this time,” Celestia said. Luna frowned and looked back at her papers, and resumed her work, abacus clicking away happily. “Well, then what? I have a great deal of work to do,” Luna said. “I’ve nearly finished with the trading history of Manehattan, then I am moving onto Phillydelphia, Baltimare-“ “You’re making work for yourself,” Celestia said with gentle admonishment. Luna flushed. “I am not! ‘A wise princess is a learned princess’.” “Yes, and you have learned much,” Celestia said. “Your notes helped me a great deal in today’s meetings.” She raised a hoof and rested it on Luna’s, stopping her page turning. Luna looked up with a frown as Celestia smiled at her. “But did they not also say ‘A time for work, a time for play’?” She asked. “Yes.” “They wrote that about you,” Celestia teased. Luna huffed. “They did not!” “My dear little sister, they did,” Celestia said. “And now it’s time for some play.” “All right… What sort of play?” Luna asked flatly. Celestia’s smile grew. “Today is the first full day of spring, and you know what that means,” she said. “… It’s the vernal equinox? Isn’t that your department?” Luna asked. “Try again. Think socially,” Celestia suggested. Luna hummed, and thought it over. “The… Equinox… Celebration… Ritual… Thing?” She asked with what Celestia thought was both the worst and most adorable bluff face she’d ever seen. She hugged her little sister, who pouted. “In a manner of speaking, yes,” Celestia said. “It’s the first game of the Equestria Baseball Season. I am going to throw the opening pitch. And I would like you to come.” “Me? Come?” Luna asked. “But-But I know nothing of sports!” Celestia smiled. “Why, you are right! You don’t know anything about it! This is why I have arranged for the Apple family to accompany you to the game.” “Apple Family?” Luna asked, screwing up her eyes in thought. They then widened. “Oh… You mean the… One of the—“ “Yes. Her,” Celestia said. “They have graciously offered to let you come with them. Incognito, if you wish.” “Oh… Oh! Of course,” Luna said, smiling as she understood. She could slip in and out among the crowds, just another pony. It would allow her to relax while her big sister once more took the spotlight. Really, was there no end to her sister’s generosity? “Well! This should be simple enough…” Luna pulled off her crown, her grieves and her chestplate, placing them upon the table. She beamed up at her sister. “Nobody will recognize me like this.” Celestia covered her mouth and laughed again. Luna scowled. “What? I shall look like any other…” She looked back over her wings, and then back up at her horn. “Oh. Yes. Those…” “I have the perfect solution, dear sister,” Celestia said. Luna blinked. “Oh. Yes. Magic. I should have thought of that,” Luna said. “In a sense,” Celestia allowed. Luna’s eyes narrowed. “In what sense?” - - - - - - - - - - “Gosh Miss… Uh… Selene, I gotta say you do look mighty fetchin’ in those glasses of yours, if you don’t mind me sayin’ so,” Applejack Apple complimented Luna. The alicorn sighed as the bus bounced and shook over the road to Manehattan, and managed to nod in response. “Thank you Miss Apple,” Luna replied dully. She took a moment to look over the rest of the occupants of the public bus, primarily focused upon the Apple family. Applejack was sitting next to her on the bus, all smiles. Over her freckled cheeks, she had drawn red marks and in place of the broad-brimmed hat she’d worn when she’d confronted Nightmare Moon she now wore a baseball cap with a bright red A on it. “So, first baseball game huh?” Applejack asked. Luna nodded as she looked behind her. Big Macintosh, Applejack’s big brother, was carrying coolers and bags of supplies as well as a cap like Applejack’s. Next to him was their little sister, Applebloom, who wore a similar hat and carried a big foam hoof with “We’re Number One” emblazoned upon it. And next to her was Granny Smith, the grandmother of the family, who was wearing another cap but with drink containers attached to it and straws leading to her mouth. “I remember mah first baseball game! The Apple family always comes every year to see the Applanta Mustangs opening game, and mah first time we drove up to watch in our relatives’, the Orange family’s, box seats. That was also the last time since mah pa got in an argument with mah uncle and well, there ain’t no more box seats, I’ll tell you what,” Applejack recited. She grinned over at Luna. “O’ course, it would’ve helped if mah uncle had just agreed that the call was bad…” “Consargnit rutting rotten applesalsa,” Granny Smith huffed. Applebloom popped up over the back of the seat and smiled at Luna. “So Miss Selene, you know the Princess, right? Right?” She asked. Luna nodded. “Yes, yes I do…” “Do ya think you could put in a good word for me, so I could get my cutie mark faster?” Applebloom asked sweetly. Applejack scowled. “Now Applebloom! You know that’s not how it works!” “But Applejack! Princess Celestia could do it, right Miss Selene? Pretty please?” Applebloom begged. Luna coughed. “Well, um I’ll see what I can do… Urk!” Applebloom was hugging her with surprising strength. In fact, Luna was having trouble breathing. “Oh thank you thank you thank you!” Everything’s… Going… Dark…! “Applebloom, ah think she’s got the point… Applebloom! APPLEBLOOM!” Too… Tight…! “She’s turnin’ blue!” “How can you tell? Miss Selene? MISS SELENE!” Is that you Mother…? Tell Celestia to stop taking my toys… - - - - - - - - Luna came to later, staring up into several pairs of eyes. She was outside the bus, apparently on a bench of some sort. She sat up and looked around. They were just outside the stadium. “Uh…?” Applebloom looked on guiltily. “Um… Sorry Miss Selene, ah didn’t mean ta strangle you…” “Really sorry Miss Selene, she didn’t mean no harm, honest!” Applejack apologized profusely. Luna groaned and slowly rolled over, standing up on shaking legs. “I-I’m fine… Really…” She smiled weakly. “Don’t worry… I wouldn’t want to spoil your big day.” The Apples looked relieved, especially Applebloom. Granny Smith huffed. “Come on, the game’s starting! Give Miss Selene her tack, Big Mac,” the elder pony said. Big Macintosh nodded. “Eeyup… Here. Hat,” he said, placing it on her head. Luna smiled as she looked up at it. “Thank you.” “Mitt. Hold up your hoof, miss,” he said. Luna did so obligingly and Big Mac slipped on a circular leather shoe that, if she focused, she could flex open or closed. “Thank you.” “Flag,” Applebloom said, hoofing it to Luna with a bright smile. Luna took it into her mouth, returning the smile as best she could. “Thmmph hmph.” “Flank packs!” “Program!” “Sunglasses!” “Sunscreen!” “Foam Hoof!” “Jersey!” “Autograph book!” “Sittin’ pillow!” “Pendant!” “Foldy chair!” “Cooler!” “Peanuts!” “Mmph!” Luna tried to speak through the flag she was holding in her mouth, her eyes growing wide at the great weight she was now bearing. Granny Smith nodded approvingly, even as Applejack, Big Mac and Applebloom looked concerned. “Everything ya need… Come on! I’ve got the tickets,” she said, turning and trotting to the gates. Applejack coughed. “Ah… Need any help there?” “Mm mmph!” Luna said, shaking her head. They can handle this, so can I… I’m normal, normal, normal… “Are you sure? Me an’ Big Mac can handle it,” Applejack said. “Eeyup,” Big Mac said. “Wouldn’t be a problem at all.” “Mmmngh mmph! Hnnph!” Luna protested. Applejack sighed and shook her head. “All right… If you say so,” she said. She and Big Mac turned and headed for the gate, while Applebloom stayed at Luna’s side. Applebloom poked around in one of her saddle bags, before she smiled. “Oh! I almost forgot! Here! A ball!” She grinned. “Mmph? Nnph mmph!” Luna shook her head rapidly. Applebloom apparently missed this as she frowned at the overstuffed bags. She then smiled. “Here you go!” Applebloom said, setting the game sphere on top of the overstuffed bags. Luna felt herself teetering, back and forth. “You can get it signed at the end of the game!” “Mmngh! Nnph!” “I wanna get Grey Marex’s autograph! He’s the best batter there ever was! We can get it together!” Applebloom said cheerfully, hugging her own autograph book with a dreamy sigh. “Ah can’t wait to see him in action!” “Hmmmmmm!” Luna fell over, slamming into the pavement. Applebloom blinked and looked over at the sprawled Luna, and bit her lip guiltily. “Uh… Miss Selene, you okay?” “Pfft,” Luna spat out the flag and sighed. - - - - - - - - - They found their seats easily enough after the tack and supplies had been more equally distributed, and Luna found herself managing to relax. She breathed deep, enjoying the smell of cut grass. She enjoyed the bright sunshine overhead and the clear blue sky, the murmur of the crowds, the colorful uniforms the teams wore… “Oh this is going to be great, this is going to be great, this is going to be great!” Applebloom cheered, and Luna had to smile with her. The little filly’s enthusiasm was contagious, and the rest of the Apple family was just as eager. Luna smiled and nodded. “This is gonna to be great. Applanta’s starting line up is gonna cream those uppity Mounts,” Applejack said with a grin, rubbing her hooves together. “Eeyup,” Big Mac said. “We’re gonna slaughter ‘em!” Another fan loudly proclaimed. “Ah?” Luna blinked. “YEAH!” The section cheered. “We’re gonna smash em and crush ‘em and destroy them!” Applebloom cried, standing up on her seat. Luna stared at her in horror. “YEAH!” “What?! NO!” Luna spread her wings and flew up in front of the assorted ponies. She glared furiously through her glasses at the surprised fans. “You will do no such thing! I am the keeper of peace and balance in the heavens and… And…!” Applejack was waving her hooves frantically above her head. Luna looked around, and felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment. “And… You were all speaking figuratively,” she said. A number of nods and acknowledgements were thrown at her. “Right… Well… Um… Carry on,” she said, flying back to her seat. She pulled her program up over her face and focused intently on the statistics of the players. Luna smiled in relief. Ah, comforting numbers… I shall add, subtract, divide, multiply, and so many other operations with you my darlings, as soon as I get my abacus. She rummaged around in her flank bag with a happy smile. Yes, you should be somewhere in here… Somewhere… Luna took the bag off her flank and peered into it. I know it was in here somewhere… Where is it?! “No… No… No…!” “Whatcha lookin’ for, Miss Selene?” Applebloom asked. Luna looked up. “My abacus.” “Aba-what?” Applebloom asked. “It’s a device for mathematical calculations involving the movement of beads to represent various sums…” She trailed off as the little filly stared at her uncomprehendingly. She sighed. “It’s a wooden box with beads on wires.” “Ooh! Don’t worry, ah’ll find it!” Applebloom said cheerfully. She grabbed the bag and turned it upside-down. “The best way to find it is to take everything out!” She grinned at the large pile that resulted and began digging through the various items. “Maybe I can get a ‘findin’ abacuses’ cutie mark!” “Uh… Yes, sure,” Luna said, her eyes narrowing. She looked down at the VIP box where her sister was currently sitting. Sister wouldn’t take it… Would she? - - - - - - - - - “Little sister loves her abacus, does she? Well, why don't I just... SEND IT TO THE MOON! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!” “No! Why would you do this Big Sister?” Sobbed Luna. “Aw, is little baby sister going to cry? Going to cry, Little Luna?” Celestia mocked. “Maybe I’ll send you to the moon too, along with my toaster, my oven and my MICROWAVE!” “NO! NOT THE MOON AGAIN!” - - - - - - - - - “Miss Selene? Ah, Miss Selene? The first pitch is about to be thrown,” Applejack spoke. Luna blinked, and looked down at the field. Her big sister was on top of the mound and was holding the ball in her mouth. Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Right…” That’s silly, sister wouldn’t take it… Really. Or send it to the moon. Celestia threw the pitch, and the crowds cheered wildly. Luna joined in, and put the program away. She could just derive enjoyment from the game itself, like everypony else. Yes. Be perfectly normal and not make any more scenes… The first batter up, one of the Mustangs, swung the bat in his teeth a few times. The pitcher sized him up, before throwing his ball with his tail rather than his mouth as Celestia had done. The batter swung, and connected. Over the roar of the crowd the ball sailed up into the sky and over the foul line, landing in the section directly to the right of theirs. Applebloom’s face fell. “Aw…” Another hit came, and it too headed near their section. Once again, Applebloom rose up with her glove, and was disappointed. “Aw…!” “Now calm down Applebloom, a ball’s gonna come this way sooner or later,” Applejack soothed. The ball was hit again and it flew right for them. Applebloom grinning and got up on top of her seat. “Foul ball catchin’ cutie mark, foul ball catchin’ cutie mark…!” She muttered as she reached up. Unfortunately… “Yee haa! Ah still got it!” Granny Smith said cheerfully as she lowered her shaking hoof and examined the ball she’d snagged. Applebloom pouted. Applejack smiled cheerfully. “Don’t you worry none… There’s just a another-Ooh! Foul ball, it’s all mine!” She leaped up and held her mitt. She snagged it with a triumphant grin at Big Mac. “Ha! Gotcha!” “Eeyup, sure did,” Big Mac rumbled, his eyes on the play below. Applebloom settled back in her seat and pouted. Luna frowned, and looked down at the play. She then brightened. “Hey, Applebloom? Let me see your mitt for a second.” “Oh? Okay…” She held it up to Luna’s face. Luna closed her eyes and concentrated, her horn glowing. “Just don’t tell anypony I did this,” she murmured. Applebloom nodded. “You can trust me!” The mitt glowed brightly for a second and then stopped with her horn. Just in time for another hit. Applebloom’s eyes brightened as she held up her hoof. Luna smiled back at her, and looked back at the incoming ball. The attractor spell would just ensure that any balls that got close to them would go into Applebloom’s mitt. Very simple. It wouldn’t even alter the play of the game, since a ball would have to be foul to come within range in the first place. “It’s all mine, all mine…!” KONK. “Awww…! Miss Selene, you caught it!” Applebloom pouted. “But you weren’t supposed to catch it with your head.” - - - - - - - “So, how are you enjoying the grub, Miss Selene?” Applejack asked, after they’d bandaged Luna’s head. Luna dug into her apple-based dishes with great relish. “Mmm… These are wonderful,” she said honestly. She winced a bit as Applebloom poked the bandage. “I’m sorry you got hit,” Applebloom said. Luna sighed. “It’s my own fault, so don’t be upset,” Luna said. Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Your own fault?” “Oh… Yes… For not holding my mitt up in time,” she said quickly. Applejack slowly nodded. “Right… Well! We’ve got plenty of snacks but if you’d like to go get some cotton candy, Big Mac is going to be heading that way. Along with nachos and cheese,” she said, giving him a disapproving look. Big Mac shrugged. “What can ah say? I like cheese.” “You have a problem with cuttin’ it,” Applejack accused. Big Mac looked away in some mild embarrassment. “S-Sure,” Luna said, rising up. She trotted carefully to the aisle, followed by Big Mac. She stopped and smiled. “Please, lead the way.” “This way,” Big Mac said, trotting to the entrance to the interior of the stadium. Following the big horse, Luna trotted carefully. “I’m awful sorry about Applebloom,” Big Mac said. “She’s a bit overly excitable.” “I-I don’t’ mind,” Luna said with a wince. “Ow…” “Well, here we are,” Big Mac said as they reached the snack stand. He smiled at her. “You want anything?” “Oh no, I-I couldn’t,” Luna said quickly. Big Mac shook his head and looked to the cashier. “One cotton candy for her, please,” he asked. Luna sighed as Big Mac paid for it and the rest of the food he obtained, but nodded gratefully all the same. “Thank you…” She studied the cotton candy carefully as Big Mac smiled wryly at her. Noticing this, she flushed. “What?” “You’re staring at it like you’ve never had it before,” Big Mac laughed softly. “It’s kind of cute, if you don’t mind me sayin’ so Miss Selene.” Luna huffed in order to cover up her blush. “Well… I’m just studying it…” She poked it with her hoof and sniffed it. She then took a bite. She chewed and swallowed it. “So, how is it?” Big Mac asked. Luna finished it off in a few bites, gulping it down with speed a certain pink pony might envy. She licked the paper cone clean and looked intently at Big Mac, whose eyes had gotten wide. “Uh… Like it?” Luna nodded. She trotted to the stand. “How much cotton candy do you have?” “Uh…” The cashier pointed to the rack. Luna smiled. “I’ll take all of it.” - - - - - - - - “Oh wow that play was amazing! Doubleplay doubleplay doubleplay! Woohoo! Go go go go go!” Luna cried happily as she waved her hooves in the air. Applebloom was about the same, though she hadn’t had nearly as much cotton candy as Luna had. “That was great yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” Applebloom cheered next to her, jumping up and down on her seat. “Big Mac,” Applejack said, glaring at her big brother. He shrugged. “It was with her own money.” “Yes, but hoowhee… That hangover’s gonna be mighty bad come the seventh inning,” Applejack said. - - - - - - - - “Ugh… Energy… Drop…” Luna groaned. Applebloom groaned next to her, rubbing her belly. “Ah feel awful, Applejack,” Applebloom moaned. Applejack chuckled. “Well, it serves you right for gobbling up all that candy. Who do you think you are, Pinkie Pie? Though, ah’m a mite confused as to why you’re feelin’ so bad, Miss Selene,” Applejack said. Luna moaned. “Metabolism is still weird since I got back from… Um… Somewhere else,” she said with a little wink. Applejack nodded. “Right, right...” Applejack said with a wink back. “Ooh my! Seventh Inning stretch! Everypony up, up, up!” Granny Smith cried. All of them dutifully got up, and sang along with the song. “Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd, buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks, I don’t care if I never get back so let’s root, root root for the home team! If they don’t win it’s a shame. For it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out at the old, ball, game!” Much cheering ensued, and Luna’s headache and upset stomach seemed to fade away. She smiled brightly and clopped her hooves together. “And now, to commemorate today’s game, please accept these autographed baseballs, to be hit into the stands by today’s starting batter, Mino Caballo!” “Ooh! Baseballs! Autographed baseballs! They’re all mine!” Applebloom said, throwing off her upset stomach with both hooves up. Luna’s eyes widened. “Baseballs?” No, must undo the spell, must undo the spell-! KONK. - - - - - - - - - - “Lands’ sake, Miss Selene! You have got the worst luck of any pony I have ever met, cept maybe fer Twilight,” Applejack said, as she yet again bandaged poor Luna’s head. She winced. The crowd had gotten rowdier, angrier, and most distressingly, louder as the game entered the bottom of the ninth. “Oh-Oh?” “Five baseballs, all slamming right into your noggin! However do you do it?” Applejack asked with a chuckle. Luna moaned. “I have a knack for making bad decisions…” “Lucky thing your glasses weren’t smashed,” Applejack said. Applebloom held up the six baseballs she’d managed to obtain with a bright smile. “Thank you Miss Selene! Ah couldn’t’ve gotten all these balls without them hittin’ you!” She hugged Luna tightly, which the dazed Luna returned. “N-No problem…” “OI! GO BACK TO LLAMAVILLE YOU PUNK PONY!” Granny Smith bellowed. “YOU COULDN’T HIT THE BROADSIDE OF MAH BARN!” “Eesh! Granny Smith, quiet down! Miss Selene’s been hit in the head so many times--“ Applejack tried, but Granny interrupted. “But that Mount pitcher down there just beaned his fourth batter!” Granny protested. “He’s doing it on purpose!” “Um… If he hit his fourth batter, doesn’t that mean we scored?” Luna asked. Applejack growled. “Yeah! But it also means that further down in the season we’ll have more injured! YOU CHEATIN’ NO GOOD CUD MUNCHER!” Applejack bellowed. More booing followed, and Luna dazedly got up to see. Indeed, the Mount pitcher had just nailed another pony, as the first runner staggered his way to home. “COME ON UMP! THROW ‘EM OUT!” Applejack shouted. When the umpire simply called for a resume of play, the booing got louder. “BOO! BOO! YOU ROTTEN NO GOOD UMPIRE!” Applebloom shouted. She grinned at Luna. “Come on Miss Selene! Shout with us!” “Ohh…” Luna groaned. She focused her eyes on the field, and took a deep breath. “Um… YOU! YOU PITCHER! NUMBER SEVENTY! YOU ARE… Uh… VERY POOR AT SPORTMANSHIP! YES! YOUR MANAGER SHOULD ADMONISH YOU! SEVERELY! MAYBE EVEN DOCK YOUR WAGES!” The booing got quieter. Luna smiled and felt much better about shouting. She focused on the umpire next. “AND YOU! UMPIRE! YOU ARE VERY POOR AT MAKING DECISIONS! You… YOU ARE VERY UNFAIRLY BIASED AND NOT ACTING AT ALL IN THE MANNER YOUR PROFESSION REQUIRES! YOU LACK HONOR AND DECORUM AS AN ARBITER OF EVENTS!” The booing in their section had almost completely stopped, and Luna was acutely aware of many eyes on her. She coughed and smiled weakly. “And uh… Uh… You should be fired?” She offered to the fans in a squeak. Big Mac coughed. Applejack cleared her throat. “Uh, yeah! YEAH! FIRE HIM!” The holder of the Element of Honesty yelled. “FIRE HIM!” Big Mac bellowed. “ADMONISH SEVERELY! ARBITER OF EVENTS!” Applebloom cried. “YEAH! FIRE HIM!” Their fellow spectators shouted. Luna sighed in relief. Below, the next batter took his position, smirking confidently at the pitcher over the bat. Applebloom gasped and hugged Luna tightly. “What, what?” Luna asked. “It’s Gray Marex! It’s him it’s him it’s him!” Applebloom chanted. “Ooh, he’ll finish off that rotten pitcher once and for all!” The pitcher threw the ball, hard, but the batter easily moved out of the way. A ball was called. The umpire gave the pitcher a hard glare, and the pitcher snorted. He caught the ball and eyed Gray seriously. Gray smirked. The pitcher threw hard, a screaming fast ball right through the strike zone. Gray didn’t swing, choosing instead to ignore it. A strike was called. “No! Come on Gray, swing! What are you doin’?” Applebloom cried. Applejack patted Applebloom on the head. “Now don’t you worry none, Applebloom. He’s just makin’ sure this pitcher knows he won’t take any of his guff.” The pitcher threw a curve ball. Gray let it go past, even yawning at the smoke left behind by the pitch. He shot the crowds a wink at the call of “strike 2”, before he narrowed his eyes. “Lookit his face! It’s grown stern and and cold! And his muscles are strained!” Applebloom sighed. “He won’t let that ball go by again!” Gray pounded with cruel violence upon the plate, and swung it in fierce challenge. The pitcher reared back on his haunches and dropped down, the ball leaving his tail and shooting forth like a rocket. The sound of air shattering filled the stadium as Gray swung. CRACK! The ball was sent screaming for the fences. The crowds cheered loudly as the home run ball sailed out of the park, and Luna got caught up in it as well, bouncing and cheering loudly in turn. “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! TAKE THAT, MOUNTS! HAHAHAHAHA!” Applebloom laughed, hugging Luna tightly as the great stallion rounded the bases. Luna smiled and laughed with the filly, feeling wonderful despite her many bumps, bruises and her tummy ache. “In honor of Gray Marex’s triumph, the Applanta Mustangs are pleased to send out another batch of autographed balls to the audience, via the automatic pitching cannon!” The announcer cried. Luna felt tears well up in her eyes. “Not again…” - - - - - - - - - Outside the stadium, the happy crowds went their way to taxis, buses, trains or just by hoofing it. Applebloom bounced in an orbit around Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith, and the limping Luna, holding all of her balls in her hooves as happy as could be. “Oh! Oh! Oh! This is so wonderful! Best first day ever!” She grinned happily at Applejack and Luna. “Can we go next week? Please? Pretty please?” “Now now Applebloom, ah think Miss Selene’s had more than enough baseball for a while,” Applejack said. Luna wobbled, but managed a smile. “N-No… I’m okay… This was a lot of fun…” Applebloom looked down at the huge batch of baseballs she held, and then up at Luna. She frowned. “Aw… Miss Selene… Are you sure you won’t take just one ball? Ah mean, it’s thanks to you I got so many!” “I… Well… Um…” Luna tried very hard not to look at Applebloom’s wide, watery eyes, but she failed and with a sigh and pain-filled grin nodded. “Sure. I’d love one.” “Okay! Catch!” Applebloom said cheerfully, tossing it to Luna. “Applebloom, no-!” Big Mac tried, but the ball impacted Luna right in the glasses. It fell from them, leaving shattered plastic in their wake. Luna weakly smiled. “Hahaha… Finally… Got the glasses… Huh…?” She asked. Applejack reached up and took them off, as Big Mac and Granny Smith both looked Luna over intently. “Are you okay?” “Did any get in your eyes?” “Oh I’m so sorry sorry sorry!” Applebloom cried again, hugging Luna’s leg. “I’m so sorry I-!” “Luna? Are you all right?” The Apple family froze. Almost as one they looked over at Princess Celestia, who was standing by her chariot with a concerned look. With that same synchronization they looked back at Luna. Applejack looked down at the shattered glasses, and up at Luna, who had managed to cast a healing spell that got her eyes to look in the same direction. “You mean… Miss Selene… Is Princess Luna?!” Applejack gasped. “Ah… Ah… I didn’t suspect it at all!” Luna blinked several times, staring at Applejack in disbelief. “What?! But… I thought you were just playing along!” Angry now she got up in Applejack’s face. “How could you be fooled by a pair of glasses?!” “… Well, in mah defense, I didn’t get a good look at you the last time we met,” Applejack pointed out. “And Big Mac, Granny Smith, an’ Applebloom ain’t never seen you before.” “Oh. Right,” Luna said, backing away. “Um, sorry…” “Think nothin’ of it!” Applejack said pleasantly. “Uh, your Majesty,” Big Mac said with a bow. “About that cute comment-“ “It’s just fine, really,” Luna said. “I-I took it as a compliment, thank you.” She turned her attention to the entire Apple family now with a smile. “Thank you very much, all of you, for such a wonderful outing. I-I would love to do it again.” “Well, we’d love to have you!” Applejack said with a smile. “Yes! Whoever you are, it was wonderful,” Granny Smith said. Big Mac smiled and nodded, as Luna blushed again. She looked over at the youngest Apple, feeling a bit concerned. Applebloom was staring with big eyes at Luna, silent as a mouse. Luna gave her a little smile. “Uh, and you too Applebloom. You were wonderful, thank you,” she said gratefully. Applebloom’s lower lip wobbled, and she jumped up to squeal happily. “I MET PRINCESS LUNA! PRINCESS LUNA THINKS I’M WONDERFUL! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!” She hugged Luna again, knocking the wind out of her. The alicorn nevertheless hugged her back. “Okay, okay now! Ah think she gets the point now, Applebloom,” Applejack said, before yanking Applebloom back by her tail. Celestia smiled and nodded. “Well… Until next time, everypony. Thank you again so much. I’ll see you all later, and so will Luna,” she said. “You’re welcome, your majesty!” Applejack said. “Hey, Princess Luna? Don’t forget this.” She hoofed the baseball to Luna, who took it gratefully. “Thank you…” “And these,” Applebloom said, handing her her busted pair of glasses with another guilty look. Luna smiled and nuzzled Applebloom comfortingly. “Thank you…” “And the rest of your tack will also be required!” Granny Smith declared. Luna coughed. “Uh…” “Ah think we can get that to her later,” Big Mac pointed out. “After all, there ain’t no room for it on the chariot.” “Ah, of course,” Granny said. Luna shot Big Mac a grateful look. Before the curious crowds could close on them, Celestia ushered Luna to the chariot and the pegasi pulling it took off, carrying them into the sky above. Luna sighed, holding the baseball with a smile. She looked up at her sister. “So… You didn’t tell them who I was so they wouldn’t treat me any differently,” she said. Celestia smiled. “It was the least I could do.” “… Thank you,” Luna said. “Think nothing of it,” Celestia said cheerfully. She then lowered her face close to Luna’s, and her smile became sly. “So… He thought you were cute, huh?” “Oh… Shut up,” Luna muttered, pulling the baseball cap off her bandaged head, and stuffing it into Celestia’s face. Her older sister just laughed as the chariot flew on.

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T05:08:33+00:00

2012-02-03T05:08:33+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Lodging Part 1 Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - Hmmm... To launch the required payload... Three ponies, air, food and water for twelve days would require... Luna’s abacus clicked loudly in the silence of the mid-day library. She scribbled down her calculations rapidly onto the journal she was writing in. Specific impulse... Fuel recommendations are good but could be better, otherwise this rocket will be as large as a skyscraper... We could do it that way but given the funding... Luna tapped the side of her cheek in a frown. Well we have that proposal but I don’t see how we could convince the tax payers we require a moonshot... Oh, why couldn’t any of the other nations be working towards space to give us some competition? She tapped her chin. Well, kind of hard to manage competition when you’ve got two goddesses to work against but still... They could at least try. She scribbled a few more possibilities down. Luna then became aware of breathing very, very close to her ear. Slowly, she looked to her side. “Sister...” “Sister,” Celestia returned, smiling. Luna looked away for a few moments, closed her eyes, reopened them and looked back. Celestia was still there, almost uncomfortably close. Luna looked back at the stacks of books in front of her. “Can I... Do something for you?” Luna asked, sounding resigned. “You’re already doing much for me, Luna,” Celestia said with a wry smile. “Thanks to your hard work, I can have a few nights off a week.” Luna nodded. “Well... It’s only fair that you get to take breaks given now I’m back and can handle the moon.” “Yes, it is. However, there is something very unfair going on,” Celestia said. Luna blinked. “What? What is going on?” “When I give you days off, what do you do with them?” Celestia asked patiently. Luna looked up at the ceiling innocently. “I go have fun.” “You do work,” Celestia said. Luna scowled. “Work is fun.” “No, work is work,” Celestia said. “I don’t mind you reading or researching for fun, but this is work.” She tapped Luna’s stack of papers, nearly knocking them over. Luna grabbed them between her hooves and carefully reorganized them into a neat stack with a scowl at her older sister. “It-It’s fun!” Luna said. “Luna, you’re doing accounting for the space program,” Celestia said patiently. “Before that you completely reorganized the irrigation system for an entire province, established a whole new system of emergency response and management for the entire kingdom, and made sense of the tax code.” Celestia shook her head in some disbelief at that last one. Luna huffed. “The Parasprite problem requires better organization and communication between civil services, I know the moon better than anyone alive, and the tax code wasn’t that big a mess. I just needed to streamline the whole process a little,” Luna said defensively. “All of which is great work, but it isn’t fun,” Celestia insisted. “It requires you to be alone... Didn’t I promise that you’d never be alone again?” The Sun Goddess frowned. Luna looked down at her hooves. “I just... I want to be useful,” she said quietly. “I have a lot to make up for.” “No, Nightmare Moon had a lot to make up for, and she did. She’s gone,” Celestia said firmly. “As far as I’m concerned, Princess Luna did nothing wrong.” Luna winced. Celestia sighed. She nuzzled Luna’s head. “It’s been weeks since you went out with the Apples... I’m just a little concerned.” “The Apples have a lot of work to do, I can’t impose upon them,” Luna said. She shuffled her papers neatly and smiled. “I can’t imagine how rough it must be for them.” She scowled at her sister. “Which is why I must do as much work to make things easier for them when it comes to bureaucracy and policy, as well as every other Earth pony!” “Hmmm... “ Celestia smiled. Luna looked over at her. “Sister... Why are you smiling?” The Moon Princess asked suspiciously. “Luna, I have a task for you,” Celestia said. Luna’s eyes narrowed. “What sort of task?” “You’re quite right, it is difficult for us to understand the problems of the Earth ponies,” Celestia said. “We are so concerned with the running of things, we don’t stop to appreciate the things themselves. The cogs in the machine, if you will. I think that the two of us should try to live like normal ponies for a while, at least part-time.” “Oh no,” Luna groaned. “You can’t be serious!” “This is a very important task, Luna,” Celestia said solemnly. “It will keep us from becoming too disconnected from our subjects, like so many rulers before.” “But-But I have no frame of reference for how to be... Normal!” Luna said. “Why don’t you ask Sundance for help? She’s an Earth Pony, and she lives outside the palace,” Celestia suggested. Her eyes sparkled. “In fact, I think she posted an ad for a roommate very recently.” “I-I couldn’t impose-” “We can pay her extra, on top of the rent,” Celestia said. She winked. “And to avoid embarrassing her or ourselves, we can pose as normal ponies.” “Oh... Ergh...” Luna sighed. “Fine...” She clutched her abacus. “But I get to take Abacus with me!” “You’re calling it by name now?” Celestia asked with raised brows. Luna flushed. “... Yes! So?” “Nothing~,” Celestia said in a sing-song voice. She winked as she trotted off. “I’m just wondering if I should tell Big Mac he has competition.” “HEY!” - - - - - - - - - Sundance was relaxing on her couch in her flat, stretched out luxuriously. She had been taking quite a lot of work on in order to keep up, especially with the Grand Galloping Gala coming up in a matter of months. She sighed as she looked up at the ceiling. “Oh... I’d love to go,” she said. She smiled as she imagined all of the dancing, the food, the high class... And now introducing Princess Sundance, the queen of the day... Except a princess so... Princess of the Day! With her hunky escort... She would ask Princess Luna if she could get her tickets, but she didn’t want to look like she was taking advantage of their relationship for her own benefit. Princess Luna had been so kind already--Other aristocrats would have (and had) fired her for less. Besides, Princess Luna worked long hours and was very serious outside of the microwave incident. She didn’t think galas were her thing. DING DONG. “Hm? I wonder who that could be,” Sundance murmured. She got up and trotted through the house to the front door, and opened it. She blinked a few times. “Um... Hello,” said Princess Luna, standing there with a pair of glasses perched on her nose and a frilly bow around her neck. Her wings and horn had vanished, but there was really no doubt it was her. “I’m Selene. I’m here about the room.” She pulled out a bag of bits from a pair of saddlebags she wore, and hoofed it over to Sundance. “Here, have some rent!” “Uh...” Sundance looked into the bag. Her eyes bugged out as about a thousand golden bits shined out of it. She looked back at Princess Luna, who was also peering into the bag. “That’s quite a lot isn’t it... Isn’t it? I’m not entirely sure... I’m Selene by the way, a perfectly normal Earth Pony. With glasses, because normal ponies wear glasses,” Luna said quickly. “Uh...” Sundance’s lips twitched. She didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry out, but she figured it would be better to do it inside. “I’m here about the room. I want to be your roommate,” Luna said. “I know the ad asked for a ‘young professional’, which I am... Sort of... I am very professional, I don’t know about the young part. But I assure you I am absolutely wonderful as a roommate. Which I want to be. Yours I mean.” Luna smiled brightly. “... Okay... Why don’t we go inside and discuss this, Selene,” Sundance said, backing out of the way. Luna smiled. “Thank you!” She trotted inside and looked around. “Oh, this is very nice...” “Well, um, thank you... Princess Luna,” Sundance said after closing the door. Luna turned and looked back over her shoulder innocently. “Princess Luna? You must have me confused for some other pony.” Sundance stared. Luna stared back. Luna sighed and removed the glasses. “Not that convincing, huh?” “Well, maybe to somepony who’d never met you before, Your Majesty,” Sundance pointed out. “Um, may I ask what you’re doing here?” “My sister wants me to learn how normal Earth ponies live,” Luna said, curiously examining one of the knickknacks Sundance had lying around the house. She turned and smiled at Sundance. “And since you are a normal Earth pony, with a room opening up, I thought you would be perfect.” “Well... Um...” Sundance tried. Luna frowned. “If it’s an inconvenience, I can leave. You can keep the rent.” “What? Oh, no! Nonono, it’s no inconvenience at all,” Sundance said rapidly, waving her hooves and smiling. “I guess I just feel like this isn’t the proper kind of place for a Princess to stay.” “Nonsense, it’s perfect. You’re an Earth pony, you live here,” Luna said. “And that’s the idea. To be perfectly normal.” She smiled brightly. Sundance smiled back. “Well... There’s the cooking issue and-” “Oh! Yes! Don’t worry, I know my way around a kitchen,” Luna said, trotting off. She looked around and spied it before trotting to it. Looking about, she spied the refrigerator and opened it, rummaging around. Sundance followed, looking nervous. “No, no, I mean you don’t have to do that Your Majesty! I mean, I can cook-” “Nonsense, I am here to learn what it is like to be an Earth pony, so therefore I will act like an Earth pony,” Luna said as she started up the oven. She smiled brightly and winked. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay away from the microwave.” Sundance nodded and chuckled a bit. She sat down and kept an eye on Luna as she worked. Fortunately, nothing blew up or burst into flames. Soon enough, they were sharing a dish of eggs, vegetables, and rice. It was an unusual mix of foods, but quite palatable and Sundance sighed with a smile as she laid on her couch. “That was great, your majesty! Where did you learn that?” “Studying cookbooks... And some practice,” the princess said modestly. “I didn’t set anything on fire this time.” “Nope!” “So... Can I stay?” Luna asked. Sundance nodded and smiled. “Sure! Not a problem.” Sundance got up and procured some keys. “Here you go... Front door key, back door key, and your room key.” “My room? Oh! Right! My room, I forgot all about that,” Luna said. “Where is it?” “Right this way,” Sundance said. She trotted over to the hallway and up the stairs. She unlocked the door at the top, and opened it. Luna trotted in and smiled. “I’m sorry if it’s not very roomy,” Sundance said, but Luna shook her head. “No, no, it’s perfectly... Perfect,” she said. “Good... When will your things get here?” Sundance asked. “Or is that all you have?” “I’ll bring the rest when I’m done with my work tonight,” Luna said. She turned and smiled cheerfully. “Thank you very much.” “Oh, um, you’re welcome,” Sundance said brightly. Luna went into her room and shut it behind her. Sundance went downstairs to her room to grab a nap before her shift began. All in all, as she thought about it, this wasn’t that bad a thing. Princess Luna was very neat, very clean, and very organized. She wasn’t likely to have coltfriends in at all hours of the night. And she had given her a very generous amount of money to stay. Really... What was the worst that could happen? - - - - - - - - -

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T05:47:27+00:00

2012-02-03T05:47:27+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Lodging Part 2 Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - BRINNNNGGGG! Sundance awoke to the sound of an alarm clock. A very, very loud alarm clock. Even through several floors it was annoyingly loud. Her old roommate had gotten it because she was a very heavy sleeper and it was the only way to get her up. Her old roommate... “EEEP!” BOOM! The house shuddered as an explosion went off. Sundance scrambled out of bed, but only succeeded in slamming snout-first into the wooden floor. “OW!” She untangled herself from her sheets and galloped out of her room upstairs. She stopped short at the hole now in the door to Luna’s room. She looked behind herself, and grimaced-Yes, there was a hole in the outside wall too. She slowly opened the door and peeked in. “Uh... Princess Luna?” The Princess had apparently been staring at the hole left by the alarm clock. She guiltily looked back at where it had been sitting on the side table by the bed, then back at Sundance. “Er... Um... Hello,” she said. “Sorry but I was... Ahem... Surprised by the alarm going off.” “Oh... Um... No, it’s just fine Your Majesty,” Sundance said, raising a hoof. “No, no! It’s my fault. You see, I was... Well... Curious,” she admitted. Sundance blinked. “Curious?” “Well, I’ve never woken up with one before,” Luna said. “Usually I awaken due to the natural shift in the world as the sun rises and sets. But uh... An alarm clock seemed...” “Normal?” Sundance guessed, feeling a bit resigned. Luna nodded sheepishly. Sundance sighed. “Well... Good thing you gave me so much rent, huh?” Sundance joked. “I can fix it. I will fix it, it should be very easy with my magic,” Luna said quickly with a smile. “You don’t have to worry about a thing!” Sundance nodded slowly, but the first hints of doubt regarding the whole arrangement were creeping into her mind. “Now... Do you think I’ll need nails? Maybe marble? I don’t think those two go together but I’m willing to experiment...” - - - - - - - To keep Luna from constantly apologizing, Sundance suggested that the Princess buy them dinner before they had to go up to the palace to work. Luna found this fair, and so they headed off to a restaurant of Sundance’s choice nearby the palace that a fair number of employees of the Royal Family used before and after their shifts ended. Hence it’s name: White Castle Royale. Luna had already raised the moon, so they trotted in and took a table. Luna almost immediately pulled out some books and a journal from her saddlebags and began reviewing them, her trusty abacus clicking away as she wrote down notes. Sundance looked from her off to the other ponies at some of the other tables who were engaged in similar work and couldn’t help a smile. “Mm? What is it Sundance?” Luna asked, glancing up over her glasses. Sundance shook her head and chuckled. “Nothing, it’s just that you look... Well...” “Yes? Yes? How do I look? Is something wrong?” Luna asked, suddenly worried. “No! No, it’s just, well... You look normal, Prin-Er, I mean, Miss Selene,” Sundance said. Luna stared for a few moments and Sundance saw her career going down the drain. “Guards, have this rapscallion flogged and thrown into the dungeon! Then banished! Then thrown into another dungeon where I banished her to!” Princess Luna declared, for some reason waving herself with an ornate fan. “No! Please! I--My cutie-mark says I must to be free to bring sunshine into other’s lives!” Sundance pleaded. Luna smirked coldly. “You forgot, my dear--I am of the MOON. Mwahahahahahaha!” “That... Is wonderful,” Luna said with a large, genuine smile. Sundance smiled back, feeling far more relieved than she thought she would. Come on, Princess Luna isn’t like that... “Sundance!” Called a male voice. Sundance turned and smiled as her coltfriend entered the restaurant. “Hoyden! Hello!” He trotted up to her, and they rubbed noses together. Luna coughed and looked at her notes, which drew Hoyden’s attention. He smiled brightly. “So, who is this?” He asked. “Oh, this is Selene, my new roommate,” Sundance replied. Luna nodded back. “Hello.” “It’s nice to meet you! Sundance has told me... Exactly nothing about you,” Hoyden said with a teasing wink to his marefriend. Sundance opened her mouth to speak, but Luna beat her to it. “Well, I just moved in today. This morning I mean, I moved in this morning, late morning actually. Now I’m just here as I’m getting ready to go to work with Sundance, at this restaurant, which is perfectly normal,” Luna said quickly. Hoyden blinked. Sundance resisted the urge to facehoof. “You’re her coltfriend that must be nice! You look nice!” Luna said quickly. Hoyden blinked. He looked her up and down with a serious expression, from her books to her cutie mark. Sundance had a premonition of sudden doom. Oh no... He’s going to blurt out her identity and everyone will know and she’ll freak out and alarm clock and-! “Librarian?” Hoyden guessed. “For Princess Luna?” “For? Yes! For! For Princess Luna, a librarian! Who’s a librarian?” Luna asked quickly. Hoyden nodded sagely and looked over at Sundance. “Librarians for the Royal Palace always look like her. The younger ones.” He winked at her. “And the pretty ones too.” “Wh-What?!” Luna gasped. Sundance nodded quickly and moved forward, setting a hoof over Luna’s. “Yes! Yes, she is a librarian. She’s under a lot of stress but Princess Luna isn’t a bad boss to have,” Sundance said quickly. “So really, Selene is just a little stressed.” “Yes, I’m just a little stressed, that’s all,” Luna said quickly. “I need to read, it’ll make me less stressed.” She frowned. “What’s that ticking noise...?” “Uh...” Hoyden gestured down with his nose. Luna looked down and saw that she’d begun clacking the beads of her abacus rapidly out of nerves. She stopped, and gave both Earth ponies a sheepish grin. Sundance coughed. “Well! Uh, Hoyden, we need to talk about that thing, somewhere else,” she said quickly. “That thing? Oh yes! That thing,” Hoyden said, his memory “helped” by Sundance’s kick to his leg. He smiled at Luna. “Pleasure to meet you, Selene.” “Thank you,” Selene said, lifting a book up to cover her embarrassed face. Sundance led Hoyden outside the restaurant. Leading him to a window where she could keep an eye on the princess, she looked at her coltfriend with a sigh. “I’m really sorry Hoyden, but Selene’s... Er... New to Canterlot. Very new.” “I gathered,” Hoyden said dryly. He winced. “You didn’t have to kick me.” “Well I didn’t want her to feel any worse than she already does!” Sundance said defensively. Hoyden nodded vigorously. “All right, all right... So... Where is she from?” Hoyden asked. Sundance sighed. “From the moon,” she said flatly. Hoyden snickered. “She does act like it, the poor mare. Seriously, let me guess... Bookish type, not a friend in the world...” He looked through the window at Luna, who was carefully checking over her abacus like a little filly might her teddy bear. “Except maybe that box thing.” “Abacus,” Sundance corrected. “Aba-what?” Hoyden asked. Sundance shook her head. “Nevermind. Look, the point is she’s going to be staying with me for a while to get used to Canterlot and... Everything.” “Well, not to worry... I know just what will fix her up!” Hoyden said happily. Sundance gave her coltfriend a withering look. “Not Thistle.” “Oh come on! He’s mopey and depressed all the time now, it’s just awful,” Hoyden said. “He needs a marefriend, bad.” “And you would inflict him on her?” Sundance asked in disbelief. Hoyden rolled his neck in the equis version of a shrug. “Well... Maybe she’d cheer him up?” “Life is just one bad thing after another, nobody stopping by longer than they need to,” Luna sighed, sitting outside of a little tent built out of sticks. Thistle sat next to her and nodded. “Yup.” “No!” Sundance said sharply. “Not Thistle!” “Well, what about Traveller?” Hoyden suggested. “He’s a nice, reliable, salt of the earth kind of colt.” “He’s... Into younger mares, isn’t he?” Sundance asked. “Not that much younger, I mean, everypony’s younger than him,” Hoyden said with a laugh. “No.” “Well, how about-?” “No! Dating is not something that will help Selene out! At all!” Sundance said. Hoyden shrugged. “But Honey... She needs somepony else in her life. It would give her some stability.” He nuzzled her. “I know the happiest moment in my life was meeting you.” “Oh, stop it,” Sundance giggled. “Just because it was doesn’t mean you need to brag about it.” “Yeah, but I just think that... Well, why not help her out? After all, you’re letting her stay with you.” He smiled at her through his bangs. “You never do that for anypony you don’t want to help.” Sundance looked up at the sky, and the moon that had so recently held the Dark Mare. Staring up at it, she found her smile fading. “Yes... I do want to help her, I suppose,” Sundance said quietly. “But... I don’t think that can help. Not her.” “Come on... What pony hasn’t ever felt alone before?” Hoyden asked. Sundance sighed, and nuzzled Hoyden. Her coltfriend nuzzled her back after a moment, a bit confused. “I think she might be a little out of my league,” Sundance admitted. Hoyden looked her in the eyes with a bright smile. “There isn’t a pony I know you can’t get a smile out of,” Hoyden said. “Just like you said to me: All it takes is one smile at a time.” “I suppose,” Sundance sighed. Sundance looked in the window. “Hoyden,” she said in a very calm voice. “Yes?” “She’s gone,” Sundance said, eyes widening. “Well... She couldn’t have gone far, right?” Hoyden smiled. “I’m sure she can take care of herself.” - - - - - - - - “I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand,” Luna said to the two colts now on either side of her. One smiled a large grin that was full of teeth. “I said, you’re very hot.” “I think it’s quite temperate, actually,” Luna said politely, focusing back on her books. The other colt rested his hoof upon her book. She looked up at him over her glasses. “Yeah, temperate... Listen, can I buy you a drink?” The colt asked. “Or can we buy you a drink?” “I really love the kinky librarian look, by the way. Really wicked,” the other colt said. Luna blinked, and used a hoof to pull a lock of her mane in front of her eyes. “‘Kinky?’” She asked. “Ah, look... Can we buy you a drink?” The second colt asked. Luna smiled. “Well of course you can, if you want. That... That is normal right?” “Er... Yes, yes, that is,” the first colt said. Luna smiled cheerfully. “By all means, do so kind sirs!” “But uh, not here,” the second colt said. “Little place across the street.” “Well... As long as I’m back soon,” Luna said. She packed away all her books and notes and her abacus into her saddlebags and smiled. “Lead on!” - - - - - - - “No, no, you don’t understand, she is gone, just like that, she’s too meticulous to just run off!” Sundance said. “What are you so worried about? She probably just headed to the bathroom or something,” Hoyden said. “With all of her stuff?” Sundance demanded. “... Well, sometimes I get extra work done-” “She’s not you!” - - - - - - - “Oh my, this is very... Uh... Rustic,” Luna said, looking around the bar curiously. The first colt nodded and looked to the bartender, a beefy looking colt with a cutie mark in the shape of a bottle, and a tattoo of a skull on the inside of his neck. “What’ll it be?” He asked, as Luna sat up at the bar and the colts took seats on either side of her. “The usual for all three of us,” the first colt said with a grin. The bartender harrumphed, then set down three shots. He poured from a clear liquid into each one. Luna blinked, and lowered her nose to sniff the glass. She made a face. “There seems to be a great deal of ethanol in this beverage,” she observed. The colts threw it back. “I don’t think it’s safe to ingest.” “Heheh... Lighten up, Sugar Cube,” said one of the colts. “You get used to it!” “Yes, used to it real fast,” the other colt said. Luna blinked curiously, then shrugged. “Very well...” She turned it up and gulped it down... She then spat it back out in a plume of fire. “EEUGH! Yech! My tongue is burning!” She groaned. The colts stared. One laughed. “Oh, don’t worry about it babe. There’s lots of things you can do with your tongue.” He smacked her bottom with his tail. Luna’s eyes widened, and then narrowed. - - - - - - - “Sundance, you’re really freaking out, what’s wrong?” Hoyden asked. “You’re acting as though she’s a-” KABOOM! Sundance’s eyes widened. She galloped off and around the restaurant to the adjacent street. A bar that stayed open and dive-like despite the development around it was now on fire. Numerous ponies were out and looking and the fire department bells were already ringing. Sundance shook her head and ran through the stampede of ponies out of the bar. “SUNDANCE! SUNDANCE!” Hoyden yelled as he ran after her. After pushing through numerous other ponies, he finally made it into the bar proper. He came to a stop next to Sundance, and after seeing if she was okay, he looked at the bar itself. “... A walking bomb,” he mumbled as he stared at the two colts cowering in a ball before Selene--Or rather, Princess Luna. Her wings were spread, her horn was sparking with energy, and her eyes were glowing pure white. Behind her, shelves of liquor were on fire and said fire was shooting straight up and all around and above the Princess. “No pony who had any sense of manners would act in such a disgraceful fashion you... You... RUFFIANS!” Luna snarled, her voice booming in a place deep inside Sundance that reacted in the same way it did to thunder. The twin colts whimpered. Hoyden coughed. “Yes, that’s Castor and Pollux all right,” he muttered to Sundance. “You’re taking my roommate being the moon goddess very well,” Sundance said. “I might freak out later alone, or put the energy into other uses, I think I’m in shock right now,” Hoyden said. “Good...” Sundance trotted forward, very, very slowly placing herself in between the colts and the angry Luna. “Ah... Your Majesty... Miss Luna? It’s me, Sundance.” “Hello Sundance. I know who you are,” Luna boomed. “I’m very sorry I went off, these... These...!” “Yes, them, they took you to this bar, right? What did they do?” Sundance asked with far more calm than she felt. “... It’s embarassing,” Luna stated, making the glasses on the tables that weren’t overturn break. Sundance smiled and trotted up closer to the moon goddess. “It’s okay... Just tell me...” “Well, they... They bought me a very unpleasant drink and then they-!” “Uh... First, can you... Bring it down a little?” Sundance asked. Luna blinked, and abruptly the light show faded. She was back to her normal alicorn self with an embarrassed flush. “Sorry... Yes, well, they... One smacked me on the... the rump,” she whispered. “Right... Well... I’d say they’ve learned their lesson, haven’t you colts?” Sundance asked the two terrified twins. They nodded vigorously. “And neither of you will be saying anything about this, right? Just that the bar caught on fire?” Hoyden asked. They nodded. One twin squeaked when Luna looked at him. “Good... Uh, Princess? Your disguise,” Sundance said. Luna’s horn glowed, and a moment later she was back to being Selene. “Good... Now, let’s get out of the way so that the nice fireponies can put this out, shall we?” They left the bar, just as several bright red fire engines were pulled to the scene. Hoyden followed at a short distance, just trying to look casual as they doubled back and started on the way towards the palace. “I’m very sorry,” Luna said. “I didn’t mean to... To...” “Freak out?” Hoyden asked. Sundance glared at him. He coughed. “I’m trying to help!” “Yes, well... I did um... ‘Freak out’,” Luna said. Her ears drooped. “We’re also late...” “It’s all right Your Majesty,” Sundance said. “I suppose you don’t want to have me as your flatmate any more?” Luna asked miserably. Sundance laughed. “As long as I don’t hit you on the rump, I think I’ll be fine. Right?” “Ah... Right...” Luna said with a smile. Sundance smiled back. Hoyden trotted up next to Luna and Sundance and shot a bright grin at his marefriend. She returned it gratefully. “Well... Um... If you’ll excuse me,” Hoyden said. He trotted off to behind a grove of trees. Luna and Sundance watched. “Where is he going?” Luna asked. Sundance sighed. “He prefers to do his freakouts in private.” “Ah... So he is a true gentlecolt,” Luna nodded. Sundance chuckled. “Oh yes... Yes he is.” - - - - - - - “Okay... Okay...” Hoyden sighed and closed his eyes tightly. “Phew... Okay... Most important thing. Never, ever, ever suggest a threesome. No matter how hot it might be. Okay? Okay.” He nodded and smiled. “Okay.” - - - - - - “So, ready for work tonight?” Sundance asked. Luna nodded and looked back at her saddlebags. “Yes, I should have it all... Right here...” She turned one saddlebag upside down and dumped it’s contents all over the ground. She did the same to the other, and frantically searched through the small piles. Sundance blinked. “Ah, Your Majesty? What is it?” Luna looked up at her, lip trembling. “My... My abacus... Where is it?” Sundance felt a headache coming on. Oh crap... - - - - - - - To be concluded in Part 3. “Progress: Luna versus” however will continue after Part 3.

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T05:52:16+00:00

2012-02-03T05:52:16+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Lodging Part 3 Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - Hoyden trotted into the apartment, whistling cheerfully to himself. He looked into the kitchen/living area and smiled as he spotted his marefriend sitting and staring morosely at her hooves on the couch. He crept up behind her, and took a deep breath. “If you’re going to scare me, do it a little less loudly next time,” Sundance said, depressed. Hoyden released his breath in a sigh, and nuzzled Sundance. “Things aren’t any better, huh?” “No,” Sundance sighed. “She’s even worse. She only goes out to raise the moon, work, and lower the moon. It’s driving me nuts.” “Well, what have you tried to get her to come out?” Hoyden asked. Sundance threw up her hooves with a groan. “Everything! I even sprang for tickets for the baseball game!” - - - - - - - “Princess Luna, come out, look what I’ve got!” Luna poked her head out. “What is it SundaaaaAAAAHHHHH!” SLAM! Sundance blinked and looked at her attire. Baseball cap, ballball bat, and baseball in her hoof. She looked back at Luna’s door. “... Something I said?” - - - - - - - “She has a phobia of baseballs?” Hoyden asked incredulously. “You’d think flying round things would be her bread and butter.” Sundance sighed miserably. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, Hoyden. I mean, if Princess Celestia isn’t able to do anything, what can I do?” “What makes you say she’s not able to do anything?” Hoyden asked. He brushed her mane with her brush. Sundance murmured, enjoying the sensation. “Well... Wouldn’t she have done something by now?” Sundance asked quickly, looking up at the room above. Hoyden shrugged. “Maybe she is doing something right now, relying on us to help Princess Luna. Who knows?” He smiled loveingly. “Either way... You haven’t failed yet to bring a smile to anypony’s face.” “Until now,” she groaned. “And stop brushing me, you’re making me feel better! I want to be depressed.” “Aw come on, I’ve got just the news to cheer you up!” Hoyden said. “Brushie brushie~...” “What? And stop it already!” Sundance laughed. “I’ve got a blind date set up tonight,” Hoyden said. “For Luna.” “What?! A blind date?” Sundance groaned. “That’s not going to help. I swear, if it’s any of your bone head friends-” “It’s not, really. This is a stand up colt, I swear. Brushie brushie,” Hoyden sang, adding a tickle to his ministrations. Sundance laughed. “H-Hey! Stop it, I mean it!” “Brushie brushie, brush your cares away, haha!” “Th-This won’t make me agree, heheheh!” Sundance laughed. “Brushie brushie! It so can~!” Sundance rolled onto her back and kicked her hooves in the air playfully to try and get Hoyden away. He responded by climbing on top of her and kissing her happily. She returned it eagerly. “Mmmm~...” “Sundance, I was thinking Iiiieeep!” Both ponies looked up just in time to see a Luna-shaped and colored blur race up the stairs into her room with a slam of her door. Sundance glared at her coltfriend, who smiled back at her sheepishly. “... That doesn’t make my idea any less valid,” Hoyden pointed out. Sundance grumbled. “I hate it when you’re right," she groaned. “Because it’s so often?” Hoyden asked smugly. Sundance smirked. “No, because it’s so rare.” “Ow," Hoyden said, holding a hoof over his heart theatrically. He then looked up at the ceiling. "You know, we don’t necessarily need another colt for tonight’s date...” “What’s that supposed to imply?” Sundance asked dangerously. Hoyden gulped. “Nothing!” - - - - - - - Sundance trotted up the stairs to the door, and knocked on it with her hoof. Slowly, very slowly, Luna opened it, blushing brightly. “Er... Hello Sundance,” she said, looking up at the ceiling. “Hello Princess Luna,” Sundance said. “Um... Look, I’m sorry for-” “No! No, I’m sorry. I intruded,” Luna said quickly. “That was my fault, I apologize. I am... Well, I am unused to the openness with which ponies express their affection now,” she admitted with a sigh. “It was very different back in my day.” She looked down at the floor. Sundance took the opportunity to pull the door open fully, keeping Luna from hiding behind it. Even without the magical enchantments that hid her true form, she looked small and vulnerable. “Not that I did such things in my day,” Luna corrected quickly. Sundance nodded. “Uh huh,” Sundance said, nodding her head. Dealing with Luna at this stage was like dealing with a frightened bird. A frightened, super powered, prudish and insecure bird who could destroy the world, but a frightened bird nonetheless. “I mean, I was very chaste, very... Well... I preferred the sciences, the arts of politics and economies, the forces of history,” Luna went on. “Uh huh.” “Celestia was always more social than I was. Far more social...” She blushed. “Almost scandalously so, at least back then. Now I doubt it causes any shock how social she can be, especially with that student of hers.” Luna’s eyes narrowed just little. “Her special, beloved student who is currently researching friendship...” Her expression became one of sorrow. “Who defeated and freed me and writes back and forth with Sister...” “Uh, Princess Luna...?” Sundance tried. “They touched their horns together. Back in my day they had to have been sisters, or-or the closest... I mean...” Luna pawed at the floor with a severe blush. “Well! Close! You know! Very close! So very close, it was outrageous I couldn’t-!” “Princess Luna,” Sundance said a bit more firmly. Luna looked at her. Sundance found herself resting her hoof on the Moon Princess’s shoulder with a smile. “Believe it or not, when I was growing up I was really socially awkward too,” Sundance said. “I hid behind my parents, I hid behind furniture, I tried to be alone whenever possible because I didn’t know how to interact with anypony.” Luna frowned. “How did you overcome that?” “Simple. With science,” Sundance said, seizing upon sudden inspiration with a smile. “I investigated, I went out and experienced socializing. I learned how to act and how to relate to other ponies.” Luna nodded, smiling at this perfectly logical conclusion. “Of course!” “That’s the only way you’re going to learn too,” Sundance said. She bit her lip. Now comes the hard part. “So... I have arranged for you to learn about socializing.” “How so?” Luna asked. Sundance took a deep breath. “By taking you off on a double date with a friend of Hoyden’s.” Luna’s eyes widened. “Oh no, I-I couldn’t! I don’t know the colt!” “Well yes, that’s the point,” Sundance said with a smile. “It’s a blind date. He doesn’t know you, you don’t know him-” “But-But I’m, well...” She indicated her horn and wings. Sundance smiled. “You’re not going to marry him, Princess Luna. It’s just a date. You’re going to learn about him, he’ll learn about you... Well, a little bit about you,” Sundance amended. “You have fun!” She smiled. “I’ll be there the whole time, don’t worry!” Luna frowned. “Well...” “Trust me, Princess Luna. Nothing will go wrong, promise,” Sundance said. “Well... Not disastrously,” she admitted. Luna very slowly nodded. “Very well. As long as you are with me.” “Of course, Princess Luna,” Sundance said brightly. She quickly nuzzled Luna. She then blushed, as her princess did. “Um, I’m sorry.” “N-No... I need to get used to this kind of thing, right?” Luna asked. She moved forward and kissed Sundance briefly on the nose. Sundance’s eyes widened in shock. Luna blushed herself. “... Too much?” The moon princess tentatively asked. “Well yes, but I...” Sundance sighed and closed her eyes. “Hoyden. Were you watching?” An embarrassed cough came from the foot of the stairs. “... No.” Sundance looked down and glared. “You had better not have been.” Hoyden stared. His marefriend glared back. He sighed. “Yes, yes I was.” “Eep!” Luna’s door slammed shut. Sundance brought her hoof to her face with a groan. “You idiot!” “Hey! She was kissing you! This is not my fault!” The colt protested. “Well now how am I supposed to get her back out here?” Sundance glared death at him when he cleared his throat. “And you had better not say ‘kiss her again’, got it?!” “Never even crossed my mind,” Hoyden spoke quickly. He then turned and looked at the front door, muttering to himself. Sundance wasn’t able to pick up all of what he was saying, but at least two of the words she made out were “never” and “ever”. - - - - - - - - - It took a fair amount of coaxing, but Luna finally acquiesced. After all, she still had to raise the moon. After she had disguised herself and put on her bow from the day she’d first moved in, she trotted out the door with Sundance and Hoyden at her sides. Sundance felt a bit like her royal escort. The Princess and her hoofmaiden, with her royal bodyguard, trot the streets of the capital... They reached a rather nice restaurant, Buckeye’s, which had started out as a wagon restaurant but had subsequently become a fairly successful chain. The restaurant still kept reminders of it’s past though-In particular, the building itself had real working wheels. Sundance shot Hoyden a look, who shrugged back. “This is about as casual as I could make it,” he murmured to her. Sundance sighed and looked at Princess Luna, who was eyeing the restaurant with some reservation. “Miss Selene? We can eat somewhere else, if you’d like,” Sundance suggested. “Hm? No, it’s fine...” The Moon Princess nodded. “Shall we?” They trotted up the steps to the inside of the restaurant. Hoyden gave their names to the head waiter, and he took them to a table. An already occupied table, by a familiar big red stallion chewing on a stalk of hay. “Hey Big Mac!” Hoyden said cheerfully. “Been a while, buddy!” “Eeyup,” Big Mac said with a smile. His eyes caught sight of Luna, and widened. “Huh?” “What?” Luna gasped. Sundance looked back and forth between them, a nasty suspicion entering her mind. “You two know each other?” She asked. “No, no,” Luna said quickly. “This is a blind date, therefore we have never seen each other before!” “Eeyup,” Big Mac confirmed, resuming his former stoic expression. “Never.” Sundance looked back and forth a few more times, eyes narrowed. Hoyden blinked and shrugged. “Well! I don’t know about you but I’m starving. Let’s order something, huh?” Hoyden said quickly. He took a seat and smiled cheerfully. Luna returned a rather nervous smile as she sat down next to Big Mac. Sundance took her own seat, eyes narrowed. “What can I get for you all to start?” The waiter asked. A truth potion would be nice, Sundance thought as Big Mac and Luna determinedly didn’t look at each other. - - - - - - - - Oh dear oh dear oh dear, Luna thought to herself. It’s him, it’s him... This is so awkward! What am I supposed to do now? She glanced at Big Mac. He glanced back. She looked away and she imagined he did the same. Oh... I need to just get through this. Big Macintosh is an honorable pony, after all. He doesn’t talk much, he is inoffensive... She glanced at him again. He is attractive... Wait no, stop that! Really, you are far too old for him anyway. You’re far too old for anypony, her mind pointed out. How many ponies around here are pushing a thousand save for Celestia? Somewhere, a brown pony with an hourglass cutiemark sneezed. Finding the sensation enjoyable, he and his companion headed off to procure some pepper. So really, you might as well enjoy the night, right? Luna thought to herself. Nothing will happen... She tapped her hooves on the table and smiled nervously at Big Mac. Big Mac returned it. Luna blushed. But what if it does? “Oh Big Mac, I can no longer contain my crazed lusts for your handsome, broad body!” Luna cried dramatically, falling back as she held a hoof to her forehead. Big Mac caught her, his face extremely stoic. “Eeyup. Same here. Come away with me, my alicorn angel. We will away in my pony shaped fighter plane,” Big Mac said, rolling his head in the direction of said craft. Luna gasped. “Oh my! I didn’t know you had a pony-shaped fighter plane!” “You never asked. Now I have to head off and fight in some war, cause that’s what I do,” Big Mac said. Luna was suddenly standing in a wedding dress and crying. “You’ll come back, won’t you?” Luna sobbed. “I might, might not. You’ll wait for me, right?” Big Mac asked. Luna nodded. “Of course!” Big Mac slipped on some sunglasses and trotted off to the plane. “Ballin’.” “You’ll never see him again! Just as you’ll never see me again!” Abacus yelled. “Miss Selene?” Big Mac asked. “No! No I don’t want you to go!” Luna said quickly. Big Mac stared, as did Hoyden and Sundance. As did a lot of other patrons. Luna’s face burned in embarassment as Big Mac cleared his throat. “Ah... Ah’m just going to the bathroom-” “Oh! Of course, go ahead! Ahahaha, no problem, go right ahead!” Luna said. She covered her head with her hooves, fighting the urge to just hide under the table. In fact, that seemed very appealing right now. No! No, you are the Moon Princess, Luna of Equestria, the Arbiter of the Heavens! You will not hide under the table... Again, she mentally amended. “Ah, we’re going to the bathroom as well,” Sundance said. She took hold of Luna’s hoof and pulled her along. “Order for us won’t you Hoyden?” “Of course,” Hoyden said as he downed his drink with a grin. Once in the little mare’s room, Sundance looked Luna right in the eyes. “Okay Princess, what’s going on? Do you know Big Mac?” Sundance asked. Luna nodded. “Yes. We um... We went to a few baseball games together. He is the older brother of a friend of Twilight Sparkle’s, who is of course Princess Celestia’s student.” “Oh,” Sundance said. She nodded and chuckled. “That’s really nothing to get nervous about... Not unless you two made out in the bathrooms or something during the seventh inning stretch.” “N-No! That would be-I-The very idea!” Luna huffed, bright red. Sundance raised her hooves appeasingly. “All right, all right... I was only joking! Just relax, Princess Luna. It’s not that big a deal. Everything still applies, okay?” She rested a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “So you don’t have to freak out, okay?” “I... I was not freaking out,” Luna mumbled, averting her eyes. Sundance sighed. “Yes, you were,” she said. “But it’s all right. Just... Just ask him about his day. What brings him here. Listen to him. Ponies like it when you listen to them, you know that right?” Luna nodded. “Of course I do. I sometimes listen in on wishes made upon stars.” “You do?” Sundance asked, interested. Luna nodded. “Yes... I find it... Pleasant, that so many people ask for guidance and help from the night sky,” Luna admitted. Sundance smiled. “Well then, there you go,” Sundance said. “Have you ever heard some of Big Mac’s wishes on stars?” “Er... A few,” Luna admitted. Sundance smiled. “Well then, start from there! You’ll be fine!” “You really think so?” Luna asked. “I know so!” Sundance said with a smile. Luna finally smiled back. “All right...” - - - - - - - When they returned from the bathroom, their orders had come. Hoyden had dug in right away, while Big Mac had waited. When the two mares took their seats, only then did he begin eating. Luna flushed at this show of chivalry, while Sundance glared at Hoyden. “Couldn’t you have waited?” Sundance asked. Hoyden shrugged. “I was hungry. Long day, wasn’t it a long day Big Mac?” Hoyden asked. Big Mac nodded. “Eeyup.” “So, what brings you to Canterlot Big Mac?” Luna asked. Big Mac blinked and smiled. “Ah was pullin’ some apples into market. We supply a lot of local grocers, so ah was cartin’ them all up here.” Luna nodded. “That’s good... Don’t you wish you could fly? Wouldn’t that make everything so much easier?” Big Mac chuckled. “Ah reckon it would.” “Like, on big feathery wings that are brightly colored, like that cape you made when you were five,” Luna said. Big Mac blinked. “What?” “What?” Sundance asked. “Mmph?” Hoyden asked through a mouthful of spicy oats. Luna coughed. “Ah, I mean... I assume that you... Did so... Because so many young colts do that don’t they? Wear capes, run around trying to fly? Because that’s very cute for-for young colts to do?” Luna asked with a bright red blush. Big Mac very slowly nodded. “Like that, yup,” he said. Hoyden grinned. “Oh bro, I did that too. It was awesome. I broke my legs once jumping off a roof because I wanted to fly when there was a meteor shower!” “Our first date,” Sundance said dryly. Hoyden chuckled. “Yeah.” “Yes! Remember how you wished he’d grow up and stop drinking the milk right out of the carton,” Luna asked. “And worried he was looking at the flanks of that cute waitress at the local cafe?” Hoyden’s jaw dropped. Sundance winced, and waved her hooves in a subtle way to try and keep Luna from continuing. However, she was still going strong. “And he was, did you know that? But he likes your flanks much better,” Luna said. Hoyden went bright red and covered his face as Sundance’s waving became as desperate as though she was trying to signal a pegasus for help from atop a burning house. “So Sundance doesn’t have to wish any more for better flanks, because she’s got them,” Luna continued cheerfully. “She doesn’t have to worry about it, and not her diet. She can stop eating chocolates and nuts to get bigger flanks.” “Selene!” Sundance hissed. Luna looked over at her. “What?” She looked at Hoyden who had looked up at last. “Also Hoyden, what is a ‘threesome’? Why would you wish to have it with us? Is it some kind of social ritual?” Hoyden hid his face under the table as Sundance shot him a glare of pure rage. Luna smiled at Big Mac, looking confused. Big Mac’s jaw had dropped and his hay stalk had fallen to the floor. “... I said something wrong again, didn’t I?” Luna asked in a very quiet voice. - - - - - - - - The double date moved out to the local park, where numerous other couples were trotting together happily and contentedly. Not so for Sundance and Hoyden. “Sundance! Honey! Wait, wait!” Hoyden called as Sundance galloped off. “Leave me alone!” Luna and Big Mac were left alone. They looked at each other, and then away. Luna rubbed her front leg awkwardly. “I... I am very sorry... This is embarrassing,” Luna admitted. “Hm... Eeyup,” Big Mac said. He looked at her. “Wanna sit down?” Luna nodded. They trotted over to a bench and sat there in silence. Luna looked up. She looked out over the frolicking couples and the nightlights of the city and sighed. “This... I couldn’t imagine this. Any of this. A thousand years ago ponies were afraid of the night, or slept through it, or... Or regarded it as some kind of inconvenience.” She narrowed her eyes as she focused on the bright lights. “They made those lights just so they wouldn’t have to deal with the darkness... Their own little suns...” Celestia, sister... You were always the more popular one, the nicer one, the more social one... She looked down at the ground as familiar feelings of anger arose in her. She’d spoiled the date, made her two friends angry at each other... Nothing but trouble since she’d decided to try life as an Earth pony. “This was a mistake,” Luna growled. “I did what Sundance said, tried to use my gifts to interact with others! To be me... But being me isn’t what anyone wants. I’m not Celestia! I lost my abacus and I made everyone unhappy and now, and now...!” She kicked a rock in frustration. “I-I should have just stayed in the moon!” Big Mac was silent for a long time, watching her. Luna felt angry tears come to her eyes, but she tried to blink them away. The big stallion then cleared his throat. Luna looked over at him. “What?” “Have you flown up over the city, since you were back?” He asked quietly. Luna frowned. “What do you mean? Of course I have.” “At night,” Big Mac specified. Luna blinked. “What difference would that make?” She asked softly. Big Mac just smiled. “Just give it a try,” he said. Luna frowned, but nodded. Making sure nopony was watching, she unfurled her camouflaged wings and took off, flying up high. She stayed above Big Mac’s position and soared up higher and higher. As she watched his form fade into the darkness, she began to notice something. All the lights of the city below were the things that shone through the darkness the most. The higher she went, the more prominent they became until finally, when she reached where the air was cold, she stopped and looked down. She then really looked, her jaw dropping. She looked up at the nighttime sky, her beloved work of art, and back down again. Slowly, reluctantly, she flew back down to the park bench where Big Mac was waiting. She landed, and wiped her eyes. “... It... They look the same,” she whispered. Big Mac smiled. “Eeyup,” he said. “... I...” She pawed the ground awkwardly. “How could you have seen it?” “Pictures from pegasi,” Big Mac said. “Sometimes ah like to look at ‘em.” “Oh,” Luna said softly. Big Mac leaned forward. “Now, can ah ask you a question?” Luna flushed as she sat back down on the bench. “Sure... Can’t be more embarrassing than my questions.” “The North Star... You put that up, didn’t you?” Big Mac asked. Luna looked at Big Mac with a frown. “Well, yes... Sort of. It’s a little more complicated than that but yes.” “Why is it always pointing north?” Big Mac asked. He trotted over to a bench and rested on it. Luna followed and sat down with a sigh. She looked up at said star and thought back to long ago. “It’s because of how the world is tilted. It was Celestia’s idea, I think. Give the world seasons,” she said. “Due to the spin of the planet, that star moves the least right above the north polar area, and so it’s used for navigation.” “Did you intend that?” Big Mac asked. “No... No, but I’m glad that’s how it turned out,” Luna said. Big Mac smiled. “Ah learned to navigate by it at night, when ah travel around,” he said. “It’s never steered me wrong. So... Ah guess I wanna thank you for it.” “Oh... Well... You’re welcome,” Luna said, blushing furiously. “Can you tell me more?” He asked. “I’d like to, but... But what about Sundance and Hoyden?” Luna asked. Big Mac smiled. “Ah think they’ll work it out themselves... Sometimes, you can’t do nothin’ to help. You gotta let things go as they will.” Luna slowly nodded. "Mm... So um..." She looked at him shyly through her bangs. "What do you want to know about first?" "How about meteor showers?" Big Mac asked. Luna's smiled grew. "Sure..." - - - - - - - “Sundance! SUNDANCE!” Sundance had made it to a hill near the center of the park. Panting for breath, she finally turned to glare at her coltfriend. “I cannot believe you! Wishing for it?! ON A STAR?!” She demanded. Hoyden bowed his head. “I didn’t think she’d hear it!” “So you’re not sorry you made the wish, huh? Huh?!” Sundance demanded, rearing up on her hind hooves and kicking out her front hooves. Hoyden was knocked in his jaw, and he went down hard. Sundance stopped immediately and her eyes went wide. “Hoyden? HOYDEN! Are you all right? Oh, I’m so sorry I’m sorry!” She cried. Hoyden groaned. “No... No... I’m fine,” he said. He worked his jaw as he stared up at her. “You’ve got quite the right hoof.” “Oh... I’m sorry, it’s just that...” She sighed. “You made me so mad.” “Because I wished to have Luna too?” Hoyden asked. “I... I’m sorry Sundance, I really am. I say and do a lot of stupid stuff, but...” He got up and nuzzled her. “But that’s why I love you so much. You tell me when I’m being stupid, so I can stop it.” Sundance sighed and looked aside. She then slowly looked back at Hoyden. “I just... I guess even with how much of a spazz she is, I feel kind of... Jealous of her,” Sundance said. “And that’s the worst thing I can feel, but I do anyway.” “Well... Yeah, it kind of is,” Hoyden said. At Sundance’s angry glare he coughed and backed up. “Sorry, sorry!” “You really suck at cheering me up!” Sundance growled. “But... But me wishing for threesomes... It isn’t so different, is it?” Hoyden asked quickly. “It’s really, really stupid.” Sundance stared at him in silence for a while, before she sighed. “Yeah... Yeah, I guess,” she mumbled. “Sorry.” “I’m sorry,” Hoyden said again. “It was a really stupid fantasy... Totally not ever going to happen.” “No,” Sundance said. Hoyden smiled at her. “But... Why would I ever want it to?” He asked. Sundance laughed. “Charmer.” “It’s why you love me,” he said. Bright lights flashed overhead, and the two looked up. Falling stars lit up the night sky in a brilliant display. Hoyden watched in awe. “Wow... Would you look at that,” Sundance murmured. She moved closer to her coltfriend and the two watched in silence. She looked at the moon, and smiled. Thanks Luna... I wish you could see what you’ve done for us... Sundance blinked. She could swear the meteors formed a smile for just one moment... And then she smiled back. Of course... - - - - - - - - Luna sighed happily. She looked over at Big Mac. “I... I feel a lot better now,” she said. “Thank you.” “Eeyup... Don’t mention it,” Big Mac said. Luna sighed. “What’s wrong?” Big Mac asked. Luna pouted. “I just wish I knew what happened to my abacus,” she said. “It just... It’s made me so stressed out this week, I feel like I was about to burst and...” Abruptly two ponies galloped up. One was a brown colt in a pinstripe suit with a wild mane of hair, and the other was a gray pegasus with a blonde mane and walleyes. The latter had a mail satchel. “Huh?” Luna asked. The pegasus rummaged in her satchel and handed over a familiar looking brown box. Luna’s eyes widened. “M-My abacus!” She cried out happily, grabbing it and holding it tightly. She looked up at the colt and the pegasus. “How did you-Where did you-?” “Sorry, can’t say anything. Thank you for letting me borrow it,” the colt said. “Well! Not borrow, borrow without asking, I need to stop doing that anyway! Your sister sends her apologies that she let me borrow it without asking you after the fact... It’s complicated and right now five things and a lizard are all happening at once so really we must be off. Hello! Goodbye!” The colt ran off. The pegasus smiled and kissed Luna’s cheek. “Aren’t you sweet?” She said, before flying after the colt. Luna stared after her, and then at Big Mac, who had no more answers than she did. She looked down at her beloved little abacus, and then up at the castle. In a single moment, it all snapped together... And she smiled. “You evil mastermind,” she muttered. - - - - - - - - High above in Canterlot, Celestia smiled indulgently as she saw that her package had been delivered. She then tapped her hooves together with a warm and happy smile. “Just as planned,” she chuckled. - - - - - - - - As you'll see in the future, I'm not quite so good with longer story arcs. But still, enjoy this for what it's worth.

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T05:56:16+00:00

2012-02-03T05:56:16+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Communication By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - The early morning was cool and beautiful, as Celestia’s sun slowly rose up over Equestria. Luna, having just finished setting the moon, was at the kitchen table in Sundance’s apartment and had buried the surface in books and manuscripts. Wearing her glasses she scribbled her way through several journals, her abacus clicking away happily. With another sip of tea, Luna felt herself at total and complete peace. Sundance came into the kitchen, not so much trotting as dragging herself to the table. She blinked at the books and journals and looked up slowly at Luna through a matted mane. “I’m starting to wonder if I ever had a table,” She mumbled. “I could bring in a new desk if you wanted,” Luna said. Sundance shook her head. “Nah... I don’t have that much room,” Sundance said. She dragged herself over to the refrigerator and opened it, rummaging around. She closed her eyes and took the milk in hoof. She then turned it up and drank it. “Gmmph?! PFFWAH!” She spat it out. “Wha-What’s with...” She looked over at Luna. “Weren’t you supposed to get new milk... Princess Luna?” She added in a more polite tone. Luna winced. “Oh... Um... Sorry, I must have lost track of time.” What was it this time? Her mind asked tiredly. Out loud, and in a far more polite tone: “You did?” Luna coughed. “Well, um...” “Yes? What?” Sundance asked intently, trotting up to her side. Luna flushed, and gingerly held up one of her books. “...’Zoning Regulations?’” Sundance asked in disbelief. Luna flushed. “Well, there’s some considerable dispute currently in Fillydelphia over reconstruction following the Parasprite plague, so I was trying to understand the roots of the council’s problems... And then I needed to look at the local history, the local politics, the construction histories...” “... So you’re telling me this entire mess is just a single issue?” Sundance asked. Luna sighed. “Not that that’s a big problem,” Sundance immediately said. “I got a bit carried away...” Luna smiled. “But it’s so interesting! I mean, all these rules, all these fascinating overlapping laws with laws with compromises...” Luna sighed happily. “It’s like archaeology through books...” Sundance spotted a letter in the pile marked Sweet Apple Farms, right on top of a book on truth potions. She eyed it and smirked a bit, but at Luna’s look she resumed her placid expression. “From Big Macintosh?” She guessed. “I mean, it’s none of my business but...” “We have exchanged letters,” Luna explained. “He is suffering from an injury and his sister must see to the farm for the time being. Their harvest is coming up soon.” That’s not all that’s coming up soon, Sundance thought, the image of the elegant Grand Galloping Gala already playing out in her mind. Luna had been so strange over the past few weeks she hadn’t been able to bring the subject up. She had wished about it but... Uh oh. “Um... Have you been listening in to any wishes lately? Just... Just out of curiosity,” Sundance asked. “Well, since that night I’ve tried to avoid listening in on you two,” Luna admitted. “I-I don’t want to embarrass you...” “You didn’t-” Sundance began automatically, but at Luna’s look she said instead, “yes, yes you did.” “I am sorry about that,” Luna said. “As well as embarrassing Hoyden.” Sundance snorted. “He does that himself,” she muttered. Luna cocked her head. Sundance flushed. “Ah, sorry. I mean that in a different way... Actually, it’s kind of his job.” “His job?” Luna asked. “I have not inquired into what he does for a living. I will admit, his cutie mark is very strange... A skull and a pair of crutches? Does it aid in his vocation?” “Well...” - - - - - - - - “Ready Hoyden?” Asked his boss. Hoyden grinned and pulled his goggles down. “Ready Boss!” “All right... LET ‘ER RIP!” Shouted the boss pony. “PULL!” The trebuchet was released and Hoyden went flying as the massive ballistic launcher threw him into the air. “YEE HAAAAAAAA!” “Boss, I gotta ask,” his assistant began. “Why do you insist on testing all these things on Earth ponies? Why not pegasi?” “Why?” The boss asked. Hoyden pulled the ripcord on his parachute and descended rapidly. He landed in the nearby lake with a terrific splash. “Because that would take all the fun out of testing the safety gear,” he said with a grin. “HOYDEN! YOU STILL ALIVE?!” “Pfft!” Hoyden said as he surfaced. He waved his hooves in acknowledgement. The boss grinned. The assistant checked “ALIVE” on his clipboard. “GOOD! Let’s move onto the rocket car!” “Awesome!” - - - - - - - - - “... Yes. Yes it does,” Sundance grumbles. Helps him to get himself killed... She saw Luna looking and smiled. “But you know, from now on it’s okay to talk about star wishes... Just not in public, all right?” Luna nodded. “All right... Then I would like to ask a question.” “Well, certainly Princess Luna,” Sundance said. “You complain about him a great deal, yet you continue to date and wish for his well being,” Luna mused. “You also struggle for dominance actively while he is more passive about it. It’s very fascinating to observe.” “Um, yes, very,” Sundance mumbled, wondering where Luna was going with this. At Luna’s look, she smiled back. Luna frowned. “Is something wrong?” “No! No, nothing at all,” Sundance said. “Are you sure? Because if there’s anything I can do to make things easier, you just have to ask,” Luna said. Sundance shook her head. “No! No, everything’s fine.” Luna frowned. “I see... Well, just so you know, I’m going to do something that will hopefully make things easier on both of us.” “Easier in what way?” Sundance asked. Luna smiled. “Easier for us both to be honest with each other...” “Your Majesty?” Sundance asked. Luna shook her head. “It will be fine... I think it’s time we both try to be more genuine with each other. And there are many ways to make sure we have honest reactions... Right?” She asked with a smile. “Um... Sure,” Sundance smiled back, but her eyes drifted to the hallway where the recently repaired holes left by the alarm clock were. The differently colored plaster stood out in the early morning light. - - - - - - - “I’m telling you Hoyden, she’s been acting really weird ever since that night,” Sundance said with a sigh, staring at her daisy sandwich on the cafe table before her. Hoyden was eating his spicy oats on the other side, chewing thoughtfully before answering. “Well, with her it’s kind of hard to tell,” he pointed out. He held up his hooves defensively as Sundance shot him a look. “I’m just saying!” Sundance dropped the glare, and adopted an expression of resignation. “Yeah... I just thought that with the meteor shower and Big Mac we’d kind of, maybe, hit it off somewhat. Then she goes back to hiding behind her books and treating her abacus like her baby.” “Oh come on, I’m sure it’s not that-” “She got it a little hat and it’s own little bed, and I saw her tucking it in with a bedtime story,” Sundance said flatly. Hoyden’s jaw dropped. He covered his mouth with his hooves to contain his laughter. “Mmph... Hnhnhnhn...!” “It’s not that funny,” Sundance mumbled. She sighed and bit into her sandwich. “I don’t know Hoyden... It’s just that, I thought we were making progress since that night but for the past few weeks she’s just...” “Well, she was in the moon for a thousand years,” Hoyden pointed out. “And lived that way for a long, long time before.” He added more hot sauce to his oats, and held the bottle above the table so that in the mid-day sun would cast no shadow. “I had enough trouble breaking the habit of drinking the milk from the bottle.” “You haven’t broken the habit,” Sundance said with a smile. Hoyden nodded. “Well, um, there you go,” he said. “I’m more interested in this ‘being more honest’’ thing though. What do you think she’s going to do?” “I don’t know,” Sundance said. “I mean... I don’t think she’ll do anything particularly big. Right? She’s been doing a lot of potions and research in the last week...” “Yeah, but you know her Sundance,” Hoyden emphasized, leaning over the table and looking into her eyes. “What if she reads a... A filly mag and decides to hang out with the wrong crowd?” “Princess Luna I-Huh?” Sundance stopped at the door to the kitchen. Luna looked up with a huff, wearing tight black leather and heavy makeup. Around the table were several other oddly-dressed ponies. “It’s Selly, thank you,” she sniffed. “Selly the Barbarian Queen! My motorcycle sword will destroy the evil Hippies with a single blow!” With that pronouncement, she held up a pair of dice and threw them onto the table. “I don’t believe it! Perfect twenty!” A pony wearing a cloak and a bone-like mask gasped behind a large book and a series of notes. “This is unreal!” Luna smirked. “Now now Dungeon Master, you are working with greatness, after all...” Sundance covered her mouth with her hoof to stifle a giggle. “I-I think we’re okay on that end... It is Luna, after all. Do you really think she’d hang out with anyone really... Offensive?” “We are talking about the former Nightmare Moon,” Hoyden pointed out. “That evil dominatrix look didn’t come from thin air. And we know she’s got some issues.” “Evil dom-What?” Sundance asked. Hoyden nodded. “Oh yeah, Big Mac knows a guy who got a snapshot of her when she was in her full evil glory.” He pulled out a picture from his saddlebag and hoofed it over to her. Sundance stared in disbelief. “Geez... You’re right...” “I can totally see it now,” Hoyden said as he held his hooves up to frame the imaginary scene... “Lick my hooves, worm!” Luna commanded, wearing tight, silvery leather as she cracked a whip over the back of Sundance. “N-No, please Mistress Luna, spare me!” She begged. “AH!” “This is your just punishment, slave,” purred Luna. “Beg properly!” CRACK! “AH! M-My Goddess, please, have mercy! I love youuu!” Sundance cried. Luna smirked and took hold of her chin with her hoof, raising her lips. “Show me that love,” she crooned. “Worship your goddess~...” “Hoyden... Hoooyden... HOYDEN!” “Huh? What? What?” Hoyden asked quickly, shaken out of his revery. Sundance scowled at him. “You’re drooling,” she said suspiciously. With a very guilty look, Hoyden coughed and looked down at his food. “This food is just... So good?” He offered weakly. Sundance sighed. “You were thinking about something naughty, weren’t you?” “Well... Yes, I was,” Hoyden said. “But it is possible she’d try something of that nature to get you to really respond.” “Yeah, but given how she acts around Big Mac I don’t think she’d jump right to... To...” Sundance searched for the right mental image, and looked carefully at Hoyden as he took a drink of sarsaparilla. “Tight leather and a whip.” “PFFT!” Hoyden spat out his drink, eyes wide. Sundance smirked. Gotcha... “Y-Yeah... You’re probably right,” Hoyden coughed with a blush. Sundance looked back down at her sandwich with a thoughtful hum. “I think the worst we have to worry about is her taking something a little too far,” Sundance said. “More out of ignorance of the world than anything else. Like maybe she just decides to... To get a wardrobe change or something.” She glared at Hoyden. “That doesn’t involve leather.” “I didn’t say anything!” Hoyden said quickly. “And yeah, I guess that is more likely. A little change in her image...” “Yee haw! Ride ‘em, me!” A Luna decked out in cowhorse paraphernalia greeted, kicking her hooves up with a bright smile. “Yeah... Nothing big,” Sundance said. “Unless she decides to just defy our expectations and go postal on her greatest nemesis,” Hoyden said. “Her greatest nemesis?” Sundance asked. “Now the world shall never know the terror of baseball again! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!” Luna cackled as she stood atop a burning Manehattan Field, baseballs turning to ash at her feet. “That’s stupid!” Sundance huffed. Hoyden shrugged. “You asked...” “Oh, this isn’t getting us anywhere,” Sundance sighed. “Maybe you should just relax. I mean, come on. She likes you a lot,” Hoyden said. He shrugged. “Of course, if you get out of line she might... punish you a little...” “Hoyden, your eyes are glazing,” Sundance said flatly. “Damn hot sauce...” “Riiight...” Sundance sighed. “You know, she might be planning on dosing you with a potion,” Hoyden suggested. Sundance started. “Wh-What?” “Well yeah,” Hoyden said. “You said she had a book on truth potions out, right?” “Yes, but... But I can’t believe she’d do something like that,” Sundance said. “You can’t,” Hoyden said, “but I’ve done some research into her time. Using potions for casual conversation was common!” “Really?” Sundance asked. “Wait, you’ve been doing research?” “Well... Just to try and help out,” Hoyden said. He shook his head. “She might just think that potion use is the way to go at this point and she’s been looking for the right one.” “Oh come on, she couldn’t, really,” Sundance said. “That’s not like her!” “She did blow up a bar for a smack on the rump,” Hoyden said. Sundance frowned. “Well...” “And she keeps freaking out at things,” Hoyden went on. He held up his hooves. “I’m just saying that it’s weird she had that book out when she had stacks of stuff on zoning, that’s all.” “No, no... She couldn’t,” Sundance muttered. Could she? The weeks of odd behavior and her inability to get Luna to lighten up were wearing on Sundance. Her cutie-mark was that of a smiley face sun, it was her gift to make others happy. If Luna wasn’t happy though... What would she do? - - - - - - - Luna looked about, rearing back on her hind legs. Her foes surrounded her on all sides, their black eyes staring at her without an ounce of pity. They seemed to close in without even moving, their mighty bulk making her feel small and powerless. Luna shot them all a defiant glare. She was the Princess of the Moon, a living, breathing goddess! She would not be stopped! She leaped forward and struck her nearest foe with a mighty strike of her hooves. Squeak. Luna sighed as the stuffed pink dragon barely moved from her “attack”, and looked up at her sister. “Sister, must I really do this?” She asked. Celestia nodded with a smile. “Oh yes... It’s very good practice for the real thing.” “The real thing consisted of a half-dozen Crimson Dragons,” Luna said flatly. Celestia smiled. “Yes, it did... We’re starting small. Come now, give it another try.” “Fine,” Luna sighed as she struck the dragon plushie again. Squeak. “Ah, adorable,” Celestia sighed. “Sister!” Luna groaned. Celestia chuckled as Luna flew up to the balcony, looking very unhappy. “Can I be blamed for wanting to see my sister do something cute?” Celestia asked. She gave her a mischievous look. Luna sighed. “Besides, it’s good for stress relief,” Celestia added. “You seem a bit stressed.” “It’s Sundance,” Luna explained. “She’s been acting very... Guarded around me. I don’t like it.” “Oh?” Celestia asked. Luna nodded. “Yes... So I want to make her reactions more honest. I don’t want to be treated like a princess.” “I have much the same problem,” Celestia said. “Everyone is always so skittish around me regardless of how I act. It’s the price of power, I’m afraid.” Luna nodded. “Yes... But we were acting so familiar before...” “Relationships are not always constant... As you well know,” Celestia said, leaning forward to nuzzle her sister’s cheek. Luna flushed and nodded. “Yes... I know... But there’s no darkness here. Just... Awkwardness.” “Well then,” Celestia said, “do you have a plan to deal with it?” Luna thought about it, and nodded. “Yes, I do.” “Oh good,” Celestia said with a smile. “Do you need any help with it?” “No, I don’t think so,” Luna said. “It’s perfectly scientific. I am very confident in it’s success.” “Are you sure? I’m not too bad with plans myself,” Celestia said with a wink. Luna huffed. “You don’t have to show off,” she groused slightly. Celestia giggled and kissed Luna on the cheek. “It’s not showing off if it works, my dear sister,” Celestia told her. - - - - - - - - Sundance and Hoyden arrived at her apartment some time later. Sundance looked around carefully, trying to discern if Luna was about to leap out at them. “You’re acting like she’s a dragon lying in wait,” Hoyden joked. Sundance scowled back at him. “She’s a goddess. It pays to be cautious when she might cause something big.” “Yeah, but you’re just going to talk, right?” Hoyden asked. Sundance nodded. “Yes... We are... I’m just not sure how to break the ice though.” “Well, we could always do something to pass the time,” Hoyden said, coming up beside her to nuzzle her. Sundance giggled and shook her head. “Come on, knock it off.” “I just want a kiss,” Hoyden said, looking hurt. Sundance sighed and then smiled. “Well...” Their lips drew closer together, and just before contact... “Hello!” Luna cried. “ACK!” “Oh, I’m terribly sorry,” Luna said. “Hello Princess Luna... Don’t think of it,” Sundance said. “Actually I wanted to talk to you.” “Well, can it wait? I’m making dinner,” Luna said. She trotted back into the kitchen, adjusting her apron that clovered her forelimbs. On top of the stove, she had several pots bubbling as their contents were cooked. Sundance blinked. Her eyes went over a series of cookbooks on the counters. “Er, Princess, isn’t it a little early?” She asked. Luna shook her head. “I don’t think so... The books said it was going to take a while, so I started early!” She smiled cheerfully as she used her magic to set the spoons in the pots stirring. “Just sit back and relax, all right?” Luna’s tail bumped the table, and a book fell off. Sundance caught it with her mouth, and placed it back on the table. Her eyes caught the title: 101 Truth Potions: Truly and Honestly. She felt a chill go down her spine and she slowly looked up at the smiling Luna. “Something wrong?” “Ah... No,” Sundance said. She turned to Hoyden. “Hoyden and I have something to discuss in my room. We’ll be right out.” “Sure... Take your time!” Luna said, reading through the cookbook. Sundance pulled Hoyden into her room and kicked the door shut behind them. Hoyden blinked. “Er... Am I missing something? Isn’t this a good thing? She’s just cooking dinner.” “Yes. Just. Cooking. Dinner,” Sundance said. “With a truth potion book out?” “Well, maybe she just forgot to put it away,” Hoyden suggested. Sundance shook her head. “No, no, she’s been acting so weird lately... She wants me to be more honest... Maybe she’s just going to use magic to fix her problems instead of talking about them!” “Uh huh?” Hoyden asked. “That sounds a little paranoid-” “Well what am I supposed to think?! Luna hasn’t cooked at all for weeks, or done anything... Oh Celestia, there have been so many books out...” Sundance rubbed the top of her head worriedly. “I haven’t gotten anything right, she’s going to ensure I do it this way!” “Or maybe she’s just cooking dinner,” Hoyden suggested. Sundance shook her head, looking a bit paranoid. “No, no! She’s been mopey and weird for weeks and now she wants me to be more assertive and honest and now she’s all smiles? No, she’s got this planned out! Why?” “Mares are crazy,” Hoyden said. Sundance hit him. “OW! What?” “No... It just feels wrong,” Sundance said. “So why not confront her?” Hoyden suggested. “With what? ‘Hey Princess Luna, are you going to dose me with an honesty potion?’” Sundance asked flatly. Hoyden slowly looked over at the baseball pennant for the Canterlot Knights Sundance had posted up in her room. Sundance looked with him. She then shook her head. “Oh no... No! That’ll be sure to blow up the house.” “Not if you were a little subtle about it,” Hoyden suggested. “The baseball just out of sight, slowly revealed to get what you want... It works in police books!” “I don’t know,” Sundance mumbled. Hoyden shook his head. “Look, you’re the one who was scared about what she’s up to... It’s up to you.” Sundance looked guiltily over at the dresser drawer where she kept her lucky baseball. She bit her lower lip. - - - - - - - - - - Right, now add the chives... And the roots, after cutting, Luna thought to herself. She was very pleased with herself for learning how to cook. In the end it wasn’t much different from simple chemistry or potions making. A wonderful, subtle art that... She thought to herself. The door to Sundance’s room opened up quietly. Luna didn’t notice as she continued reading the book. Boil for just ten minutes... Silently, Sundance and Hoyden crept towards Luna. Hoyden was holding the baseball in his mouth, ready to give it to Sundance at the right moment. “Hmm... Now, with the rate of heat expansion, times the relative temperature...” Luna mused. She frowned and turned around. “I need my-” Hoyden tried to move to cover at the same time Sundance did. They slammed into each other and the jolt knocked the baseball from Hoyden’s mouth. It flew up to the nearby cabinet and bounced off it, just in time for Luna to turn around at the sudden noise and see it heading right for her face. Her eyes widened and her horn glowed. “EEP!” A blast of energy left her horn and sent it shooting off into a random direction while breaking the sound barrier. Unfortunately, said direction was right into the oven, smashing the gas lines and letting the heat take over from there. FWOOM! “ACK!” Luna cried as the entire stove went up in flames. Sundance, seeing this, grabbed the mop bucket and began filling it up with water. Luna was far more practical-She ripped the plumbing of the sink right out with telekinesis and directed the water over the fire. The flames now doused, Luna looked mournfully at the destroyed kitchen, and over at Sundance. Sundance had dropped the bucket out of shock, and she found herself gaping in disbelief at Luna. “You-I-Why?! Why did you do that?! You didn’t have to rip everything out! It’s just a baseball! I didn’t mean to-You-I mean-!” The fire alarm went off, and very late, the sprinklers in the apartment came on and doused them all. Sundance looked up, looked back at Luna, and sighed. “Are... Are you all right?” Luna asked timidly. Sundance shook her soaking wet mane as she looked down at the floor. “No... No I’m not.” - - - - - - - - Maybe I should just move next to the fire department, Luna thought miserably as she, Sundance and Hoyden sat outside as the fire department gave the kitchen a look over. Sundance in particular looked unhappy, staring down at the ground. “... Sundance? Whatever I did to make you upset, I am very sorry,” Luna said. “No... No, I’m sorry,” Sundance said with a sigh. “I was the one who had the baseball...” “Why though?” Luna asked. Sundance looked away, ashamed. “You had been acting so weird over the last few weeks that I... I thought you might have been planning to dose me with a truth potion,” Sundance mumbled. Luna’s eyes widened in shock. “Wh-What? No! I would never-I just forgot to put that book away, really!” She reached over and rested a hoof on Sundance’s shoulder. “I thought you were unhappy with my presence, but whenever I asked you about anything you said you were fine. I didn’t listen in on your wishes because I didn’t want to embarrass you... Again.” “So if we’d just talked about this... None of this would have happened,” Sundance sighed. “I’m really sorry Your Majesty.” “I’m sorry too,” Luna said. Both ponies looked at Hoyden, who blinked. “What?” “Hoyden...” “Okay okay,” Hoyden sighed. “I’m sorry for suggesting we use the baseball to get the truth out of you, Princess Luna... And the casual potion use thing.” “It’s all right,” Luna said quickly. “I mean, I can pay for all this damage.” “Why don’t we just split it?” Sundance suggested with a smile. “Since we both contributed...” “But Sundance-” Luna tried but her roommate interrupted. “No! We’re both paying for it and that-that’s final!” Sundance said. She shrunk back a little at Luna’s shocked look, but recovered when she smiled. “All right... It’s final,” she said. Sundance smiled back. “Good...” “So, now that you’ve made up,” Hoyden said, raising a hoof. “One question: Where are you going to live while the house is repaired?” “Well... We could just share my room,” Luna suggested. Sundance smiled. “Oh no, I couldn’t-” “Yes you can, and yes you will,” Luna said. “It’s the least I can do.” “Well... All right,” Sundance said with a nod. “Yeah,” Hoyden said. “What’s the worse that could happen? OW!” - - - - - - - - I don't really consider this a great chapter but I think it's worth at least a chuckle or two. Thanks for reading, please comment. And yes, Sundance too was basically suffering from Cutie Mark Failure Insanity Syndrome. If you don't know what that is, look it up on TVTropes.

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:14:38+00:00

2012-02-03T17:14:38+00:00

Progress: Luna versus The Heat Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - "Urggghhh..." Sundance was feeling a lot of quite irrational resentment at the sun. Not Princess Celestia, of course-Who could resent such a kind, giving monarch? But that gigantic ball of hydrogen and helium burning brightly overhead was stirring up all sorts of hatred in the normally kind hearted pony's... Heart. Her apartment was sweltering, even with all of the windows open and the fans running. She was on her couch, feebly fanning herself with one hoof while the other held a glass of lemonade. "It's like an oven," she moaned. "You know, if you got closer to the floor, it should be cooler," came Luna's voice overhead. Sundance opened her eyes and looked up to see her roommate, Princess Luna, looking down upon her. In an unusual series of events, Sundance, hoofmaiden to the recently returned Princess Luna, had found same diety/monarch as her roommate as ordered by Luna's sister Princess Celestia. It was an effort for Luna to learn how normal ponies lived after her thousand year absence. Not that Sundance resented it-On the contrary, she considered the Princess a friend. But seeing the deity above her apparently not suffering was just a tiny bit irritating. "Urgh..." She rolled off the couch, careful to not spill her drink, and pressed her chin into the wooden floor. Luna smiled at her. "Well?" "... It's not much better," Sundance decided. Luna smiled. "Heat rises, so it's only logical that the cooler air gathers at the bottom of the house," she said. "Do we have a basement?" "Yes, but it's icky and gross," Sundance said. She wiped her forehead off and some of the sweat slicked hair sticking to it with a grimace. "Though at this rate..." She looked up at her monarch curiously. "Aren't you bothered by the heat?" "Not really," Luna said. "I am a goddess, after all." "Lucky thing for you," Sundance grumbled. At Luna's dismayed look, Sundance waved a hoof. "No, no, I'm sorry Princess. It's just very hard on me. Hoyden said he'd be here with something to cool the house down hours ago but..." Luna nodded thoughtfully, and hummed. She then summoned her abacus to her telekinetic ally from her room upstairs. Rapidly, she made some calculations on it, and smiled when she came to a conclusion. Her horn glowed, and the glow enveloped her body. A few moments later, the glow receded, and Luna staggered. Sundance, alarmed, managed to push up to her hooves and rested a hoof on the side of her princess's shoulder. "You all right?" "Yes... I'm fine... I just altered my temperature sensitivity to match yours," Luna said, panting a bit. "Goodness... It is hot..." "You could have just adjusted my temperature sensitivity to yours," Sundance pointed out. "Er, your Highness." "Yes, but if I want to know how normal ponies do things, I must do them the same way as... As normal ponies," Luna said firmly. "Now... According to my knowledge of physics, in order to cool off we require a heat sink. So! Let us devise one." She turned and trotted into the hallway... And into the door. "Oof!" Sundance winced. "Are you all right?" "Just fine!" Despite the Princess's reassurances, Sundance's wince remained. Outside on the lawn of Sundance's home, Luna took hold of her garden hose and yanked it out. Sundance, now wearing sunglasses, waited on the lawn for her princess to tug it to her position. "Mmph..." Luna released the hose from her mouth and smiled. "Now. Water is a perfect heat sink for our purposes... Though if I could turn it into helium it would be even better..." "How would you turn it into helium?" Sundance asked. "Well, first I'd induce electrolysis to separate out the hydrogen and oxygen, then I'd fuse the hydrogen into helium," Luna said. "... Through fusion," Sundance said. Luna nodded. "That's right." "As in nuclear fusion?" Sundance asked. Luna blinked. She glanced up at the sun, then down at the hose. "... Water should work just fine for our purposes," she decided. "Good," Sundance said. "I'm not in the mood for a second sun, your Majesty." "Not at all," Luna said. "Now, we will need a sufficiently large vessel to hold the water in." She once again turned to her trusty abacus and did calculations, clicking merrily away. "Heehee... Oh this is fun... Click click click, I never appreciated how much fun that is!" Luna giggled. Sundance blinked behind her shades. "Uh, your Majesty?" "Fun fun fun... Ooh..." Luna trembled. "Ooh... Not good click..." She shook her head out. "Are you all right?" "Just fine," Luna said immediately. "Now, we need... Garbage bags, and duct tape, and rope and a frame of some sort. Shall we?" "Works for me," Sundance said. It took several minutes for them to get all the needed equipment out of Sundance's house, but soon Luna was tying the rope from the fenceposts surrounding the yard to the porch, and Sundance was taping several garbage bags together to form their "heat sink". When it was finished, Luna stood on the porch, and hefted up the hose. "Now, we just fill it with water," she said. With a flick of telekinesis, the garden hose turned on and began pouring cool water down the improvised slide. It gathered at the bottom of the construct, and began to fill up. Sundance watched and found a smile coming to her face. "A garbage bag swimming pool," she said. She nodded. "I like it!" "Thank you," Luna said. "I think it will work..." The hose continued to stream water, but the water level in the bottom was not very high yet. "Maybe we should go inside and wait until it's full?" Sundance suggested. "Good idea," Luna said. She laid the hose down, and trotted back indoors with Sundance. "What do we do until it's done?" "We can stick our heads in the freezer," Sundance suggested dryly. - - - - - - - Hoyden trotted down the street towards his marefriend's house, grunting under the weight of the air conditioning unit strapped to his back. It was heavy and uncomfortable and even with his water bottles he was feeling dehydrated lugging the stupid thing. A pony-pulled bus passed by and kicked up dirt and dust into his face, making him cough. But it would all be worth it... Yes, it would all be worth it in the end, his imagination said. "Oh Hoyden! Thank you for saving us from the intense heat!" His beautiful and sexy marefriend crooned, as the air conditioner did it's magic. She then wrapped her forelimbs around herself and shivered. "Oh dear, now I'm too cold!" She sighed. Princess Luna sidled up next to Sundance and nuzzled her, before provocatively licking up the length of her neck. "Mmmm... Don't worry Sundance, your goddess will keep you warm," Luna sighed as Sundance moaned. She looked over at Hoyden with a coy look. "Would you like to watch, Hoyden?" "Oh yes, yes, YES I'd like to!" Hoyden announced. "... Uh, thanks," said a filly's voice nearby. Hoyden looked for the source and saw a Pony Scout troop with a wagon full of cookies. All three stared at him weirdly. He coughed. "Uh... Nevermind." He cantered a bit faster, leaving the scouts to watch him. "Weirdo," one muttered, loud enough for him to hear. Hoyden snorted. Little punks, can't even let a colt have an imagine spot to himself... He finally arrived at his girlfriend's home and smiled. "Finally... Hm?" He blinked. Some bizarre black tarp had been set up between the fence and the porch with a lot of rope and duct tape. Water was filling up inside it. He smiled as he figured it out. "So, they built themselves a pool, huh?" He thought aloud. Already, thoughts of his two favorite mares in all the world being wet and splashing in the water and... And... No! No, focus... Focus Hoyden. Arrive as the hero now, fantasy come true later, he thought to himself. He cleared his throat. The door burst open, and Luna trotted out onto the porch happily, Abacus held in one hoof and wearing plastic wrap. She looked a bit glassy eyed and frazzled. "Abacus says it's time to go in!" She announced cheerfully. A smiling (but slightly anxious) Sundance came out alongside her. "Looks that way Princess," she confirmed. She looked out and waved at Hoyden. "Hey Hoyden!" "Hey Sundance, hey Princess!" Hoyden returned the wave. "Nice looking pool!" "Thanks! We just threw it up in a few minutes. Looks like it's done! Ready Princess?" Sundance asked. "Ready Sundance!" Luna said cheerfully. She wrapped her forelimb around Sundance's shoulders, and trotted them both forward. "Wait a second Princess, what are you-?" "WHEEE!" Luna cried, as she jumped into the improvised pool. However, with Sundance along it turned into more of a tumble, and given the angle the pool was at both slid down fast into the water up against the fence hard. "OOF!" "OW!" The splash of water hit Hoyden in the face, but he found it refreshing. He couldn't bite back a laugh at how waterlogged his marefriend and her roommate looked when they poked their heads out of the water. "Heheheheheh! Oh, that's adorable," he snickered. "Pfft!" Sundance huffed. "Laugh it up, stunt dummy!" She splashed him playfully with some water, and Luna followed suit. "H-Hey! Hey! Take it easy you two!" He laughed. He lowered his hoof from the protection of his face. "Mind if I join you?" "Not at all! There's plenty of room!" Sundance said. Hoyden set down the AC unit in front of the fence, and galloped around the fence up to the porch. Luna blinked, then pulled out Abacus and did some calculations. Her eyes widened. "Wait Hoyden don't-!" "CANNONBALL!" He cried as he jumped down and slid into the pool. The duct tape seams between the garbage bags burst, and water spilled out everywhere as though escaping from a balloon. The AC Unit was knocked over by the wave through the holes in the fence, and into the street. "Wh... What happened?" Hoyden asked. Luna cringed. "I only did the calculations required for... Two ponies, not three." "So strictly though? You didn't leave any margin for error?" Sundance asked. At Luna's wince, Sundance sighed. "Of course..." "Hey! I didn't mean to! I didn't know Hoyden would want to go into the pool too!" Luna said defensively. "Well maybe you should have thought ahead! You know? That thing you do every other time?" Sundance snapped back. "Don't you yell at me!" Luna hissed. "I'll yell at you all I like!" Sundance growled. A bus passed by, and there was a loud crunch. Hoyden looked over at the street and winced when he saw the destroyed AC unit. Oh crap... He then looked back at the fight, which had escalated to mane pulling. I can tell them later, Hoyden decided. - - - - - - - Some time later, all three of them were sitting in the living room. All three wore expressions of embarrassment, which weren't diluted at all behind the large glasses of water they gulped down. "Ah... I'm sorry Sundance... I suppose I was more sensitive to the heat than I thought I would be," Luna said. "Maybe if you'd been locked in the sun instead of the moon, you'd have been all right," Sundance suggested. Sundance winced when she said it, and began to apologize but Luna's smile stopped her. "Probably," the moon goddess admitted with a chuckle. Sundance found her smile again and laughed. "Yeah... Or turned it down just a little... Heheh... I'm sorry too." Both mares looked over at Hoyden, who was munching some spicy oats. He gulped and looked between them. "Hoyden?" Sundance prompted. "Well, you know, technically I didn't do anything wrong," he said. "Hoyden," Sundance growled. Hoyden sighed. "I'm sorry I was too... Er... Distracted by you two fighting to save the air conditioning," he said. Sundance smiled and nodded. "Accepted." "I can fix that in a moment, you know," Luna said. "Just requires a bit of magic." "That's wonderful!" Sundance cheered. "Come on, let's go!" Out the door they went to the street to recover the smashed ruin of the air conditioner... But when they got there, nothing remained. "Huh?" Hoyden asked intelligently. "Where... Where did it go?" "Oh no, no, NO!" Sundance cried. "Not now! Not here!" Luna looked around and sighed. "I guess somepony else got to it first..." "So what now?" Hoyden asked. Sundance looked to Luna. "You can clear up the basement with some magic, right?" "Well, um, yes but-" "Basement it is!" Sundance declared, dragging the shocked goddess by her horn into the house. Hoyden watched them go, then looked back at the street. "But who would have stolen a broken air conditioner?" He wondered aloud. - - - - - - - "More lemonade, Your Majesty?" Princess Celestia, Mistress of the Dawn, Goddess of the Sun and Monarch of Equestria sighed as she raised her head enough to take the end of a straw into her mouth. She sucked the sugary drink down and hummed approvingly. "Thank you," she said, settling back down on her sun chair on the wide balcony of the palace. "If I may ask, your Majesty...?" The butler began. Celestia took her sunglasses off and raised an eyebrow. "Yes Pennyworth?" She inquired of the butler pony. "This new AC unit..." He indicated the device as it happily hummed away with a wave of his head, "it seems a bit odd to procure one from your sister's home, if you don't mind me saying so." Celestia smiled. "Let's just say, Pennyworth, that I thought she needed to..." She put her sunglasses back on. "Cool off." Pennyworth sighed. "Of course, Your Majesty." - - - - - - - I'm posting only the one shots and finished story arcs of Progress to this website. Newer one shots will be on the way, as well as new chapters so keep reading!

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:17:57+00:00

2012-02-03T17:17:57+00:00

Progress: Luna versus The Facts of Life Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - "Say, Luna?" Celestia spoke, trotting up to Luna's usual table in the library. Luna's head was bent over a lengthy tome and her trusty abacus was out. "Mm, yes sister?" The beads of the device clicked loudly in the still air of the library. "Income taxes need to be lowered in this province..." Luna murmured, making a note. "What do you think of Windshear?" Celestia asked in a soft tone. Luna paused, recalled the name and face, and then resumed work as she responded. "Windshear? The newest member of your royal guard? He does his job well, I've certainly seen nothing to indicate he's slacking off. Why?" Luna raised a cup of tea to her mouth. Celestia's lips twitched. "I think I want him to mate me." "PFFFFT!" Luna spat out her drink in a great plume, splattering the ledgers and financial records before her. She looked at her sister with wide eyes. "WHAT?" "Well, it's not like it'd be the first time," Celestia said, offering her younger sister a shrug. "I-it-WHAT? First time? When was that?" Luna demanded. "Shortly after I imprisoned you in the moon I think," Celestia said, looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully. She then smiled at the recall of the proper memory. "Yes, there was going to be a big surprise party held by the Pie Clan in your honor. I went to it afterwards, needed cheering up and... Mmm... So many colts looking to cheer me up~..." She sighed lustily, and Luna felt a shudder run up her spine. "... As if I wasn't traumatized enough," Luna mumbled, before replying in a louder voice: "But... So what? So he's attractive! He's your guard! It would be quite improper!" "Ah Luna, always so virginal, so noble, so controlled..." Celestia sighed. She shook her head and clicked her tongue sympathetically. "Such a horrible prude." "I AM NOT A PRUDE! It's just-just not proper!" "Well, since I've been doing it for a thousand years now, I'd say it's proper by now, right?" Celestia asked cheerfully. "Given the forces of history and all?" "You... What?" Luna sputtered. "Oh yes! Mmm... Sometimes I just see a colt and I think to myself, 'Oh, if only I was an immortal, beautiful, sexy goddess that all would love to mate until I couldn't stand up.' And then I think 'Oh wait! I totally am!' And then-!" "STOP STOP STOP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY MORE!" Luna cried, covering her ears. "Honestly Tia, we're supposed to be pure, virginal goddess-queens!" "Maybe you are," Celestia sniffed. "I haven't been for a thousand years. Besides, if you hadn't gone Nightmare Moon I wouldn't have felt so lonely." "I. Was. Sealed. Into. The Moon. Kind of hard to socialize!" Luna growled. Celestia lifted up a hoof and stroked Luna's back. The moon goddess calmed down a bit, and took a few deep breaths to center herself. "I am sorry. That wasn't your fault," Celestia said. She nuzzled her sister. "It's all right," Luna said softly. "I just... I never want to be alone again and you talking about how lonely you were... I'm sorry." "There's no need for apologies, my little sister. I'm so terribly sorry you feel this way." Celestia brightened. "I have the perfect solution!" "Ah... What, my dear sister?" Luna asked. "I've quite forgotten. You've got plenty of family to socialize with now," Celestia soothed. Luna stiffened up again. "... What." "Oh yes! I'm afraid that nopony had invented birth control yet, so I gave birth to little Starchild a few months later after that party..." Celestia sighed happily. "Then there was Shadowfax, Arion, Hengroen, Epona, Widow Maker..." "You... How many...?" Luna asked. "I've quite lost count. But you and abacus could surely work out just how much family we really have, right? Wouldn't that be fun?" Celestia got a devious glint in her eyes and a smirk on her face. "Or maybe I can help you start making some fillies of your own-" "Oh look at the time I have somethings to do elsewhere BYE!" Luna promptly fled, gathering her soaked papers and documents with telekinesis as she flew right out the nearest window. Celestia watched her go, and chuckled. "Ah... She's so adorable when she's embarrassed..." - - - - - - - - -

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:24:55+00:00

2012-02-03T17:24:55+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Storytelling Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - "Yes, come down to the grand opening of Grey Marex's new carriage dealership! You can own your very own for a no-interest lease starting at-" Click. "The Dun Jones Equestrian gained five hundred fifty points today to close at a record breaking 30 million points. Investors credit recent extensive tax reforms and cuts-" Click. Luna looked from the television set over to Sundance with a raised eyebrow. "I was watching that," she said. "Princess, you drew up the legislation yourself and looked at the results," Sundance replied, smiling a bit. "I mean, sure, it's great news but watching the financial segments of the news aren't how I like to unwind." "Oh? Then how do you unwind? I mean, aside from... Er..." Luna tried. "With Hoyden?" Sundance asked with a wicked little smile. Luna blushed furiously. "Sundance!" She really is cute when she blushes, Sundance thought, and squelched it when her cheeks burned red too. She returned her attention to the television. "Oh, well, this way." Click. "You show me a good piggy-backer and I'll show you a real pony. Now you take Abraham Lincolt for instance. A natural born piggy-backer. Where do you get all of that stuffed-shirts family of yours?" "My father was a great piggy-backer!" *SMACK!* "Eep!" "Oh my," Luna said, tilting her head. "It's in black and white..." "Yeah, all the old movies were. Some films are still in black and white, usually for artistic reasons. They think it makes them classy," Sundance shook her head and sighed happily. "I love these old films... They weren't all about explosions." "Oh, hey!" Hoyden called from the kitchen. "I'll have you know, explosions are fantastic!" "Dear, if I want to get entertainment out of them, I'll go watch you at work," Sundance tutted her coltfriend. "I don't want my romance filled with them." Hoyden trotted up to the back of the couch, and groaned when he saw the film. "This one again? It's so boring..." "It is not boring!" Sundance said flatly. "It's a classic! It's preserved in the Central Archives of Equestria's Sacred Library!" "Just goes to show you that taste is relative," Hoyden said. He looked over at Luna. "I prefer westerns, myself, or gangster movies. Real shoot 'em ups, with carriage chases and air duels and-" "Explosions?" Sundance asked sourly. Hoyden grinned and shrugged. "They can be used to great effect, you know," he said with a wink. Sundance chuckled. "Yeah, in dumbing down the viewer... He took me to this film on one of our first dates-" "Fallout: Equestria," Hoyden said with a grin. "And you liked it!" "Well... A little, but only a little!" Sundance said defensively. She shook her head. "He had already seen it fifty times before-" "Twenty times," Hoyden corrected. Sundance rolled her eyes. "Yeah, twenty times, so he spoke along with the dialogue in the movie." "And she joined in," Hoyden said smugly. Sundance shook her head. "Yeah yeah... I did... A little." "But it was still fun, right? Even after the ushers threw us out for talking?" Hoyden asked. Sundance laughed. "Oh yeah... But I think that had more to do with your popcorn landing in the film booth and somehow igniting the film reel." "Oh. Yeah. That was probably it," Hoyden sighed. "That poor usher..." Luna had nodded, listening to their story with a fascinated look on her face... Yet with an equally familiar look of distance. Sundance saw it, and a sudden idea hit her. "You know Princess... Um... You haven't really spoken much about... You know..." She shrugged. Luna blinked. "My past?" She asked. Sundance nodded. "I mean... Um..." She winced. "If you wanted to... You don't have to of course, I guess I just thought-" "That you'd like to share some stories about your life, so that we could know more about you," Hoyden interjected. "You know, ex-coltfriends from a thousand years ago, adventures-" "Hoyden!" Sundance hissed. Luna shook her head. "No, no, it's all right." She smiled. "To be honest... It is a bit of a tough subject... " "Because of Nightmare Moon?" Hoyden asked. Sundance shot him another angry look, but Luna nodded. "Yes... Being her... My memories from before and after my imprisonment are a bit fuzzy. I remember a great deal of magic, facts, a few incidents but..." Luna frowned. "A lot of it is just hard to sort through." "Well... Is there anything you can tell us?" Sundance asked with an encouraging smile. "Anything you'd like to tell us?" "Well..." Luna looked at the television, the old movie still playing. The stallion with a mustache was driving hard to get to the city to ask the rich father of the runaway mare he'd paired up with for her hoof in marriage. Risking everything... She closed her eyes. "There was a warrior... A long time ago, who was one of the few ponies who was at home in the night. I don't remember his name, but he was skilled, and brave, and very... Very stubborn." Luna smiled a little, and Sundance and Hoyden couldn't help but notice the change of tone. Her voice, while quiet, was that of a young filly discovering the world around her with a bright pitch. Now her voice was deeper, silkier... Older. "This young warrior would hunt monsters that threatened ponies. He used traps, he used cunning, and when those failed he used his weapons and his bare hooves. He was... Magnificent," Luna said. She opened her eyes and looked out at the setting sun. "This Earth pony had grown up largely without parents, so he knew nothing of social norms or courtly etiquette... He had heard of my sister and I, of course, but one night he saw me as he was hunting a Rex in what is now called the Everfree Forest. I was going for a walk to listen and adjust the music of the night when I came across him." She smiled a little. "He was dark in color, and very wild looking. His mane was unkempt, his hooves blunt and his tail was short. He stared at me in amazement for the longest time. I asked him if there was anything wrong, if I could help him." Luna shook her head, her mane falling more neatly on her head. "He said I was the most beautiful pony in the entire world, and he asked if I was married," she said with a chuckle. Sundance's jaw dropped. "He didn't!" "He did," Luna said. "Geez... Colt had balls," Hoyden commented. "I was a little confused, but he clarified. He wanted me to be his wife," Luna said with a blush. "What did you do?" Sundance asked. Luna smiled a little. "I told him that I could not be his wife. I... I was a goddess, after all. I couldn't love just one pony above all others. It would be unfair for a princess to have any other in her heart beside her subjects..." Luna sighed. "How'd he respond to that?" Hoyden asked. Luna chuckled again, a very sad sound. "He said that there wasn't a thing alive he couldn't trap, and he'd capture the heart of a princess just as easily as a Rex or a Hydra. I told him that nobody could catch the moon... And he said he was willing to do just that." "Wait... He said he'd capture the moon?" Hoyden asked. Sundance shook her head and giggled. "He sounds crazy..." "Oh, I thought he was," Luna said. "So I told him that if he captured the moon, he could have me as his wife." She smiled. "Most ponies weren't aware of the true nature of the solar system at that time, that we keep the moon and sun in motion around Equestria, with the moon at an average distance of 238,857 miles. It was impossible." "But he managed to do it anyway, right?" Hoyden asked. "I mean, come on, this guy is Kamarena level stubborn and awesome." "Kamarena?" Luna asked, confused. Sundance shook her head. "Modern Japony cultural reference. Keep going. What happened?" "Well... He would erect large traps around the palace for several weeks afterward," Luna said. "I gave him food and drink when he needed it, some supplies. He would take no charity, he worked for his meals no matter what I tried to get him to do. He tried so many things... Hoops, nets, even a great basket... They all failed, of course, but he never gave up." She looked down at her hooves. "I talked to him every day, trying to dissuade him. I tried everything I could think of-Setting him up with other ponies, trying to counsel him, I even tried to restrain him when he fell from a tree and nearly died." Luna smiled again down at her hooves. "I finally told him that I wasn't worth it. I may have been beautiful, and wise, and a goddess, but that... That shouldn't be all he wanted from me." Luna looked back at the movie. The lead had learned from his own editor that the mare he loved was going to get married to another colt. The look on his face... She took a deep breath. "He told me that the fact I kept telling him not to do it, that I cared enough to come out every day to stop him, proved the exact opposite... That I was truly the only mare in the entire world worth all this struggle." She closed her eyes. "Because despite him being thought of as crazy, or crude, or violent by my own court, by everypony... All I saw was someone to care for." Sundance and Hoyden were silent for a long time. Luna watched the movie. The male lead had gone to the father of the mare, and had asked to be reimbursed only for the items he'd lost on the road getting her home when he could have had a much bigger reward. She sighed softly. "He finally told me he'd caught the moon, one night. I asked him to show me. He held up a bucket of water, and showed me it's reflection." Luna said softly. Hoyden stared for a moment, and couldn't help a laugh. "So what did you say?" Luna smiled. "What could I say? He'd done it... He had me, fair and square." "Sounds like he caught you a lot sooner than that," Sundance teased. Luna laughed again. "You're probably right..." There was another silent moment following the moon princess's laugh. That sad feeling still remained in the air... But Hoyden couldn't help his curiosity. Not after hearing this much. "... So... What happened to him?" Hoyden asked. "... Have you ever heard of the legend of the Smooze?" Luna asked. Sundance frowned thoughtfully, and nodded. "Right... It was some kind of goofy slime monster released by some dopey witches, a thousand years ago." "That's the storybook version," Luna said calmly. "The real thing was... Was horrific. It tried to consume and destroy everything in Equestria. It absorbed the essences of anything it killed, making their memory part of it." Luna stared down at the floor. Sundance felt her throat constrict, and her eyes water as the realization hit her. "Celestia's flanks..." Hoyden cursed under his breath. "Oh... Oh Luna..." Sundance said. "... It could have been a lot worse," Luna said in a whisper. "Everypony might have died before we figured out a way to stop it... He bought us time." She looked back at the movie screen-The mare galloped away from the altar, to the surprise of everypony but her father. She was galloping with a smile on her face as she went out to find the stallion she loved. To reunite with him. "... I'm sorry," Luna said, her eyes shifting around. Her body language became very awkward. "I'm sorry, I-I'm not good at telling stories." "No Luna, no... You're good at it," Sundance said with a sniffle. She leaned forward and nuzzled the moon princess affectionately. "You're really good." "Yeah," Hoyden said with a smile. He neck-hugged Luna from the other side. Luna kept her eyes shut, breathing softly between her two friends. After a while, they released her, though Sundance was glad to feel not the slightest bit awkward about it. Luna smiled back at her two friends, before frowning at the sky. "It's late... We need to get going," Luna said. She rose off the couch and headed for the door, carefully affixing her glasses. She looked back at them. "Coming Sundance?" "Coming, your majesty," Sundance said with a warm smile. She pulled on her uniform and was soon following her princess out the door. "Goodnight Hoyden! See you in the morning! Love you!" "Love you too!" Hoyden called back. He trotted up to the window and sat down to wait. He didn't have to wait too long-The sun slipped behind the mountains, before the moon and stars appeared, shining in the deep, dark night. Hoyden frowned for a long while, before a smile came onto his face. He trotted to the fridge, and pulled out some of the Sweet Apple Acres cider Luna bought religiously once a week. He poured himself a cup, and carried it over to the window. Holding it carefully, he maneuvered it until he had the reflection just right. He smiled up at the moon. "Here's to you... Whoever you were, you've still got her," he said as he took a long drink. - - - - - - - - Yeah, I know. It's another abrupt change in tone for Progress, but what can I say? I like to experiment. Future installments will be more light hearted, and if you'd like to consider this canon you can-If not, you don't have to. But I'm a sucker for tragic mythology and giving Luna a little myth to call her own was something I wanted to do.

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:38:11+00:00

2012-02-03T17:38:11+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 1: Television By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - Celestia did not often sigh in frustration. She found more positive ways to deal with negative emotions, such as channeling them into productive pursuits. Or causing solar flares. True, the latter happened more often than she liked but she had long ago learned how to keep it under control. For the most part. That airplane had been just fine though. “Luna... Luna...” Celestia called out in the center of the library. Receiving no answer, Celestia hummed and flew up. She cast a tracer spell, but found it picked up multiple returns for Luna’s location. The Princess of the Sun hummed thoughtfully, then smiled. - - - - - - - Luna had sequestered herself in the basement of the library, where numerous ancient records and volumes resided. Indeed, many of the records in this section were at least as old as Nightmare Moon. It was dark and dusty, thousands of bookcases arranged in a labyrinth the librarians had devised when bored. Luna had gotten through it in just under an hour, and now sat at the lone desk in the exact center of the maze. She was reviewing some ancient documents, abacus clicking under her nervous hoof. A flash of light filled the dark library, and Luna looked over her shoulder to scowl at Celestia. “You’re not supposed to teleport in here!” Luna protested. “It is the simplest way to get through a maze, isn’t it?” Celestia asked with a smile. Luna’s scowl deepened. “That’s cheating!” “I prefer to think of it as ‘creative problem solving’,” Celestia chuckled. She looked at the tomes Luna had out, trotting next to the desk. “Hmm... Aristallion’s Rhetoric and Ethics?” “I did not get to see his finished works before Nightmare Moon,” Luna said. “They-They are very good!” “Hmm... Yes, they are... But there are copies of his work in the library above,” Celestia said. She nuzzled Luna affectionately. “My dear little sister, whatever is wrong?” “... It’s... Sundance, Sister,” Luna admitted. Celestia blinked. “Whatever did she do?” “Nothing!” Luna said quickly. She pulled out a copy of Platony’s Republic and covered her face. Celestia leaned in closer to her, still smirking. Luna peeked at her over her book. “Nothing?” Celestia asked. “Yes! Nothing!” “Must have been quite the nothing,” Celestia observed. “Come now Luna... Was it really that embarassing?” Luna slowly peeked over her book, letting Celestia spy red spots on her cheeks. - - - - - - - Luna flew in through her bedroom window, baring groceries in her mouth. “Oh Sundance...” “Oh Hoyden...!” “OH MY!” The milk smashed as Luna turned tail and flew for it, leaving a pair of very embarrassed ponies. “... Well, at least I know this isn’t a dream.” “HOYDEN!” “What?!” - - - - - - - “... N-No, not embarrassing,” Luna mumbled as she covered her face up with her book. “Oh. I see,” Celestia said with a nod. She leaned in really close, to the point Luna could feel her breath on her ear. “You saw them together, didn’t you?” Celestia smirked. Luna eeped and fell out of her chair to the floor. “S-SISTER!” “Ah, adorable,” Celestia sighed. Luna got back up and scowled at her sister. “That-That isn’t funny! I have disgraced them and myself for viewing them in such... Such... Viewing them!” Luna sighed. “I do not think I can face either of them.” “Well, probably not right away,” Celestia said. “However, hiding in the library basement won’t help.” “I’m willing to try,” Luna mumbled, returning to her books. Celestia sighed again. Twice in one day. “I have another reason for finding you,” Celestia said smoothly. “I need you to go down to Ponyville for me.” “Ah? Ponyville?” Luna asked, peeking over her book once more. Celestia nodded. “Yes. The town has been through many stressful situations in the past few months and I want to see how everything is doing.” She smiled. “It will also give you the chance to meet with some of the ponies who aided you.” Luna shook her head. “I... That doesn’t seem-” “Miss Applejack certainly held no grudge,” Celestia said gently. “I doubt that any of the others will.” “But I have-” “Nothing else to do today, because you are so very studious,” Celestia said with a gentle smile. Luna huffed. “I could just defy you,” Luna said. Celestia nodded. “Yes. You could.” The two sisters stared at each other for a long moment. Luna fidgeted. Celestia remained serene. Luna finally heaved a sigh. “Fine.” “Wonderful,” Celestia said cheerfully. “May I at least go in disguise?” Luna pleaded. Celestia nodded. “Of course my dear little sister. Your entrance will be quite subtle. I will make all the arrangements.” Luna stared for a moment. Trumpets blared, pegasi in the air corps flew in formation overhead, and fireworks went off as Celestia stepped out of her chariot with a smile. “Mares and gentlecolts, allow me to introduce to you... Miss Selene. A perfectly normal, average pony.” Celestia looked over at Luna, who was covering her head with her hooves as everypony stared. “Say hello, Selene!” “I think I know the way,” Luna said quickly. “Don’t worry about me.” Celestia just smiled. “Of course...” - - - - - - - Ponyville looked quite pleasant and quiet as Luna approached it, trotting at an easy pace from where she had landed. As she entered it, she appreciated the old fashioned architecture, the bright colors of it’s painted buildings, and the numerous ponies going about their lives. She smiled a bit nervously whenever a pony smiled back as she continued on her journey towards the center of the town. Luna was unsure of where to start with the town, much less the ponies within. How could she even start? In the central square (which was a circle), she stopped by a barrel and looked around carefully, considering where to go. I suppose I could find one of the six... It’s not like they’d recognize me. “Hello Princess Luna!” “EEP! Who?” Luna jumped, looking over at the source of the voice. A bright pink pony with poofy hair grinned at her from out of the barrel. “Wecome to Ponyville! Have you been here long? How long are you staying and-MMPH!” Luna covered the obviously insane pink mare’s mouth with her hoof and gave a nervous grin to anypony around. Most seemed oblivious to what had happened, for which Luna was very grateful. “Eheheheh...” She turned and whispered in the pink pony’s ear. “Please, don’t say anything please please please?” The pink pony nodded as Luna withdrew her hoof. “Ohhh! I get it! You’re here incognito!” Pinky Pie said loudly. “Shh!” Luna hissed. Pinky Pie’s eyes widened, and she nodded. “Oh! Right! Sorry... What is your name, new pony I have never met before and is not in any way Princess Luna?” Pinky Pie asked Luna. Very, very loudly, to the point multiple eyes were on them both. I wonder if I could just crush my own head with my magic right now, she thought to herself as she slowly looked up, bringing her eyes to chest level at the very least. “Um... Selene,” she said. Pinky Pie laughed and jumped out of the barrel, hugging and tackling Luna in the same moment. “OOF!” “Welcome to Ponyville Selene! This is going to be great!” Pinky Pie said loudly. “I’m Pinky Pie, pleased to meet you!” “Um... Yes... You too,” Luna said as Pinky Pie gave Luna the biggest, most obvious wink in the universe. The pink pony got up and off Luna, allowing the Moon Princess to get to her hooves as well. Not a moment before doing so, however, and Pinky Pie already had a hoof on her shoulder and was dragging her off. “Come on! I have to throw you a big welcome to Ponyville Party!” “I-I’m not going to be staying that long,” Luna protested. “I-I don’t need a party!” Pinky Pie stopped, and turned her head very slowly to stare at Luna. Luna could swear her hair became a little less poofy. “You don’t?” She asked. Luna coughed, feeling very uncomfortable. “Ah... Well... Not right away, perhaps you could simply show me around the town, perhaps your home?” Luna quickly suggested. Pinky Pie’s hair returned to full poofiness and she smiled cheerfully. “Works for me! Come on!” Pinky Pie said, cheerfully bouncing along. Luna followed at a slower pace. What have I got myself into? - - - - - - - “Well! What do you think?” Pinky Pie asked cheerfully as she grinned in the center of her home. Luna looked around, noting just how... Pink the place was. She could blend in and attack like a pink cobra, she thought to herself. “You have a lovely home,” Luna said with a smile. Pinky Pie laughed and bounced over to the kitchen. “Sit down! I’ll make us some cupcakes!” She said cheerfully. Luna sat down on a couch, and looked around. Before the couch sat a contraption that Luna first mistook for a microwave, but a moment’s thought reminded her of the proper term. A television set, she thought. It uses an electron gun to project images onto a florescent screen. She trotted up to it, and examined it. Sundance did not own a television set. She watched it with Hoyden when she was over at his home, but hadn’t gotten one for herself. Luna hadn’t asked why. She was busy coming to grips with everything else she was being confronted with. This must be the on switch, she thought, and pressed the button. The screen came to life with a high pitched hummed, and soon images and sound came forth. Luna sat back on the couch, and began to watch as an older colt walked into a home to a song played on a piano. He smiled at the camera as he went to the closet and changed out of his suit. “It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine?...” He sang the song cheerfully and Luna became enthralled. “Yes, I would like to be your neighbor,” she said softly. “Hello Neighbor. How are you doing today?” The colt asked. “Good,” Luna said. Something about the colt was very trustworthy, despite only seeing him on a screen. “I’m glad. It was very rainy today outside, so my suit got wet. When it’s raining, it can be very frightening. All that thunder and lightning,” the colt said. “A friend of mine once showed me a scary movie with the lights off and a storm going on outside. That was really scary.” So hypnotic... Why can’t I look away...? Luna thought. I just so want to be this colt’s neighbor... “It’s all right to be scared though. Sometimes it can even be fun, a sharp little bit of excitement. Kind of like a roller coaster,” the colt continued. “Other times though, the scaring can go a bit too far... As Lady Elaine Fairchilde will learn in the Neighborhood of Make Believe. Would you like to go see it?” “Oh yes, I would,” Luna said. “Here comes the Trolley to...” The sound fell and soon the TV was mute. Luna blinked and looked around. “Huh? Why did that happen?” She asked aloud. She wiggled her bottom, before feeling some plastic. “Hm?” Luna moved off the couch and looked down down at a black plastic rectangle buried between the cushions. She pulled it out and studied the buttons. This is some kind of control mechanism... I must have made the sound drop, she thought. She scowled as she looked at the remote--The only buttons with labels had numbers. She sat back on the couch and shrugged. The heart of science is in experimentation, she reminded herself, and hit a random button. “COME ON DOWN!” Bellowed a voice, and Luna eeped and fell off the couch. “To honest Carlyle’s Used Wagon Emporium! We’ve got carriages, we’ve got wagons, we’ve got cabs, coaches, phaetons, troikas, drays, chariots, and after-market used CIDOMOS!” An image of a brightly painted cart appeared, where a pony was strapped in with a smile. This smile turned into fear as the wheels on the cart popped off and fell back, taking him with it. The loud announcer leaped into frame and spread his hooves to try and hide the disaster behind him. “Yes! Cidomos! Extra cheap with low mileage! Your family will love them!” He said quickly. Luna made a face. She hit the button again. “AHA! Gentlecolts! You will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Sethisto-!” Luna hit the button again. Come on, where was it...? “Here on the summit of Mount. De Laurentiis, the young Lavan spawn crawl out of the lava to take their first breaths...” Fascinating, but not right, Luna thought. She hit the remote control again, trying to determine the precise input to use. Hm... Perhaps I should just keep hitting this one. It seems to increase the number on the channel indicator. I’ll reach the right channel eventually. And so Luna did, scanning through the channels. She lingered for a few moments on various programs that seemed interesting, but the simple joy and kindness of the colt in the jacket and tie compelled her to continue. By everything I hold dear, she has a lot of channels! Luna thought. She hit the button again, but nothing happened. “Huh?” She hit more buttons. The channel refused to change. “Hmph,” Luna grunted, and set the remote down. She looked up at the program. Apparently she had just come to the start of it, which had the title of 'Cupcakes’. “Hm... Well, how bad could this be?” Luna shrugged, and settled in to watch. - - - - - - - “All right! These are going to be great cupcakes!” Pinky Pie said aloud as she put the finishing touches on the cake. She then hummed and rubbed her chin. “I feel like I’m forgetting something though...” She grinned and, in defiance of the laws of science, snapped her hoof. “Of course! The Princess! I forgot to ask her what kind of cupcakes she likes!” She took a cupcake pan in one hoof, and the knife in the other. “Maybe she’d like to help!” After all, the poor Princess looked like she was incredibly stressed. No need to add to it with a surprise party. Just a nice introductory party, a Pinky Pie classic. She entered the living room and saw Luna watching TV. She grinned. Well, maybe just a little surprise, she decided. - - - - - - - - Luna’s hoof was pressed to her mouth, though whether it was to keep her from screaming or throwing up she didn’t know. Who made this?! What sick, twisted monster would do such a thing?! She had tried to summon the will to turn off the television set but like a trainwreck Luna found herself unable to turn away from the gruesome atrocity taking place before her eyes. It... it’s not even a good plot, her mind fiercely argued. A pink pony invites her friend over for a party... Just so she can gut her, dismember her and turn her into cupcakes? That’s ridiculous! “Hey, Princess! I forgot something I need from you!” Pinky Pie called. “Oh? What?” Luna slowly turned her head. Pinkie Pie stood back on her hind legsHer bushy hair blocked out the light from the window nearby, casting Luna in shadow. Her wide eyes and wide grin suggested mischief and madness tied together in one bright pink package. Her front hooves slowly rose like the blade of a guillotine, and in the sunlight they shined. In one hoof, glinting like her smile, a long cruel knife ascended, ready to plunge down into Luna’s wildly beating heart. And in the other was a well used cupcake pan, with red splotches all over it. "Who's ready to make dessert?" - - - - - - To be continued...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:40:51+00:00

2012-02-03T17:40:51+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 2: Romance Novels By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - Applejack trotted up to a tree absolutely laden with apples. With a confident smile, she turned around, lifted her rear up, and snapped her legs into the trunk as hard as she could. She then set herself down on all four hooves to catch the resulting rain of fruit. “AH!” “What the-?!” THUD! Applejack groaned and looked over her shoulder. She blinked in disbelief. “Uh... Princess Luna?” Luna groaned and rubbed the back of her head. She looked over at Applejack with a flush to her cheeks. “Ah... Hello Miss Applejack,” she said. Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Princess... What are ya’ll doin’ in my apple tree?” “Sorry... I wasn’t aware it was yours,” Luna said. “I was just... Ah...” She coughed. “Resting.” “I can see why... You look exhausted!” Applejack said. “Ah, ya mind gettin’ off me?” “Oh! Oh yes, sorry,” Luna said as she got off Applejack and onto her hooves. Applejack got back up as well and blew some mussed hair out of her eyes. “Well, come on now, I’ll take you to the farmhouse,” Applejack said. Luna looked at the scattered apples around them and smiled. “Ah... Why don’t I help you with all these?” “Now Your Majesty, there ain’t no need for that,” Applejack said as she began to pick apples up and toss them into her baskets. “Ah’m perfectly capable of handling this little job on my own.” “Er, but I knocked you down,” Luna said. “So it’s my responsibility.” Applejack sighed. “Oh... All right Your Majesty. Two sets of hooves are better than...” Applejack blinked and looked down at her sides. All the apples were now securely in her baskets. She looked over at Luna, who was floating the ones that didn’t fit on either side of her flanks with telekinesis. She smiled and gave an equine shrug. “When in Rome?” “Right,” Applejack said. She gave her a little smile and turned to head for the silo. Luna followed. Luna found herself enjoying the smell of the apple grove and the vast fields. She imagined what it would look like at night with swarms of fireflies dancing through the branches, and smiled as this thought further restored her sense of peace. On the bright side, she hadn’t hidden under a desk... Pretty much only because the only desk she’d seen in Pinkie Pie’s home was probably on it’s way to Low Earth Orbit by now. Along with large portions of the wall and the TV. Pinkie Pie was all right though, she could sense it. I will have to apologize and make things right... Luna thought. She started at a flash of something pink, but found her heart rate lowering when it oinked. As soon as I stop feeling terrified of anything pink... - - - - - - - - After depositing their burdens into the storehouse, they trotted off to the barn where Applejack began to hitch herself up to a wagon. “Ah’ve got a few more trees to take care of,” Applejack said. “The wagon’ll make it go faster. You can have some apple juice in the kitchen in the house.” “Are you sure you don’t require any help?” Luna asked. Applejack rose her head to say something, but stopped when she saw Luna’s sincere expression. She looked to the side. “Well... Ah suppose you can help me a little... If ah really need it.” She turned to her and smiled. “Just have a drink ready for me when ah get back, all right?” “Not a problem!” Luna said with a smile. Applejack smiled back, and trotted off back to the orchard. Luna was about to head off to the farmhouse, when she saw a splash of color out of the corner of her eye. She turned to look at it, and noticed it seemed to be the corner of a book stashed underneath a chest of tools. That’s odd, Luna thought to herself. What is a book doing in a barn? She used her telekinesis to gently lift the chest up. She then summoned the book to her and caught it with her hoof. She lowered the chest back down and looked at the cover. “Twinkle?’” She read the title aloud. The novel cover seemed to indicate it involved a romance of some sort, with a mare and a colt together in a dramatic pose with an apple held between them. Curiosity fully awakened, Luna opened the novel and began to read. “Oh my beloved Sunny Muffins, our love can never be!” Shining Sparkle Mane said as the golden sun made his perfectly perfect skin shine in the warm loving sun. A warmth I felt just as strong in my hooves and between my flanks, though as I was the virginal filly I couldn’t bear to let him know. “But Shining Sparkle Mane, I love you! You are so beautiful!” I gushed over his long flowing locks, his piercing gorgeous and fantastic eyes, his sinewy muscles, his perfectly carved flanks... I forced my eyes upward. “What you see before you... What you call beautiful... is the skin of a monster!” Shining Sparkle Mane sobbed, manly teared rushing down his shining cheeks in rivulets I desperately wanted to lick up. My plain legs covered in their plain, ordinary skin fidgeted under the gaze of my ordinary green-brown eyes. The wind began to blow and make my regular brown hair wave in the breeze. Shining Sparkle Mane’s beautiful ebon locks waved, far more beautifully than mine ever could. In that moment I realized three things. One, Shining Sparkle Mane was a vampire. Two, he wanted to kill me. And three, I was hopelessly, madly, completely, unbelievably in love with him. … Four, I wanted him to mount me and ride me like a long, hard trail of marshmallows. And there was one thing with an apple I’d always wanted to try... - - - - - - - - Applejack sighed and wiped her brow with her hoof after dumping the large load of apples into her cellar. She smiled and stretched. “Mmhmm! Time for a break...” She took one apple off the cart and trotted towards the farmhouse. When she passed the barn, however, she caught sight of Luna. “Princess?” “Ah!” Luna spun around, her cheeks bright red. “H-Hello Applejack.” Applejack frowned. “Somethin’ wrong?” “Uh... No! No, nothing’s wrong, nothing’s amiss... How are you?” Luna asked. Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Fine... What are ya doin’ in the barn?” Applejack asked. “Nothing... Just... Admiring your... Toolbox,” she said. Applejack stared. Luna stared back. Applejack sighed and shrugged. “Ah well... I’m just going to have a little snack,” she said. “You want one?” “Ah, n-no! No, not right now, I’m fine! Just fine!” Luna said quickly. Applejack shrugged. “Suit yerself...” Applejack licked her lips and raised her apple to her mouth. She rubbed it against her chest and brought it up to her mouth. She noticed there was a significant amount of moisture clinging to this apple, and smiled as she licked the water off. “Mmm...” She then bit into it, the explosion of flavor rushing over her tongue in the most exquisite fashion imaginable. She chewed it, once, twice, three times, before slowly swallowing it. The simple joy of eating something she had grown with her own hooves went down her throat to warm her insides, and she licked up the apple juice that had dribbled onto her chin. “Oh... My...” There was a thud. Applejack looked up to see Luna crumpled on the floor of the barn in a dead faint. Applejack gaped. “Landsake! Princess Luna! PRINCESS LUNA! You all right?!” She held Luna’s head up and fanned her hoof in her face. She then noticed something underneath the unconscious moon goddess. “Huh?” Applejack picked up the object... And paled when she saw the title of the book. “Applejack? What’s wrong, ah heard--Princess Luna?” Big Mac’s voice boomed behind her. Applejack’s freckled cheeks turned bright red as Big Mac cantered over. “What happened?” “Ah... Ah don’t rightly know,” Applejack said, guiltily hiding the book behind her. “Let’s get her in the house and some water!” “Right!” Big Mac said. He picked Luna up, slung her over his back, and trotted off. Applejack took the book back out, and cringed. “Lousy Rarity, pushin’ this stuff on me...” She then scowled. “Ah wondered why those colts were actin’ so funny at lunch yesterday...” - - - - - - - To be continued...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:44:46+00:00

2012-02-03T17:44:46+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 3: The Hospital By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - “Oh... Ooh... Where am I?” Luna moaned as she opened her eyes. She stood up on all fours and looked around in confusion. “A forest?” Indeed, she seemed to be in a lush, tranquil forest. A pair of butterflies flew by. Luna smiled and watched them as they settled on the sparkling mane of... Big Mac. “Luna,” Big Mac said as his skin sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight. “Ah’m afraid ah’ve got the skin of a monster.” “Uh... No, no it isn’t,” Luna said, confused. “That would be my skin,” cackled Nightmare Moon as she emerged, her blue mane flowing like magical fire. She smirked at Big Mac as Luna looked between them in confusion. “You know what that means.” “Eeyup,” Big Mac nodded. “What? What does it mean?” Luna asked quickly. Her eyes widened as Big Mac and Nightmare Moon held up apples, the latter with a perverted grin. “NO! NOOOOOOO!” She turned and galloped for her life, right up into a door standing in midair. “OOF!” She opened it, and slammed the door shut behind her. She held her body against it, panting for breath as she tried to catch it. She looked around. She was apparently in a dark bedroom. A dark, familiar bed room. “Mmmm... Oh my...” “Huh?!” Luna gasped. She looked over at the bed. The lights switched on. In the bed was a relaxed looking Celestia and... “Abacus! How could you?!” Luna cried. Her abacus was dressed in a red smoking jacket and had a cigarette stuck between two beads. “Let’s face it Luna, you were gone sooo long,” Celestia said with a smile as she hugged Abacus. “But we’ll invite you to the wedding. We intend to do a lot of multiplication anyway~.” Celestia then smiled at her. “Now you’re a Parasprite.” “Prrip?” Luna asked as she buzzed around. - - - - - - - - - “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” “Luna! Hey, Luna? LUNA!” She was being shaken, and from this Luna opened her eyes. Big Mac and Applejack were both standing over her, looking concerned. “Nice toolchest,” she mumbled as she regained her bearings. Big Mac stared in confusion while Applejack blushed. “What is she talking about?” “Nothin’! Nothing! Anyway, hope you don’t mind we brought ya to the clinic,” Applejack said. Luna blinked and sat up, looking around. It was a simple but clean and well stocked clinic. A nurse pony trotted up to them, with a clipboard held in her hoof. She looked over at them with a smile. “Miss Selene, you check out just fine,” the nurse pony said. Applejack nodded. “All right, that’s good, what about Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked. “Pinkie Pie?” Luna asked. The nurse trotted over to a bed surrounded by curtains. Applejack, Big Mac and Luna followed, the last feeling incredible trepidation. Oh no... No, she was just fine when I left...! I was sure of it! Sure, she’d fled at supersonic speeds but Pinkie Pie hadn’t been caught up in anything... Had she? The curtain was drawn aside, and Pinkie Pie lied in the bed covered in bandages and cast, her once life filled eyes now dull. “She doesn’t have long, I’m so sorry,” the nurse said. “No! Nooo! She was so young and pink!” Sobbed Applejack. “There there Applejack,” Big Mac said, patting his sister on the shoulder. “She’s lived a fulfilling life.” Twilight Sparkle blew her nose loudly as that purple-maned pony sobbed. “Oh why, oh whyyy?” Rarity (right, that was her name) cried out. Twilight sniffled. “I’m so sorry Pinkie Pie... I’ll never forget you!” “Nooooo!” Rainbow Dash, the greatest flyer in Equestria, wrapped her hooves around Pinkie Pie and shook her. “Nooo! You can’t leave me alone! What about...” She sobbed dramatically but wiped her eyes, “what about our future?! Our dreams and hopes?! Our... Our child!” “Wait, you have a child?” Twilight asked. “We were going to adopt, you got a problem with that?!” Rainbow Dash snarled. Twilight raised her hooves. “N-No! No! No problem!” “We’re not gay if that’s what you’re thinking! I’M NOT GAY! I’LL DO EVERY COLT IN EQUESTRIA IF I HAVE TO PROVE IT!” “Rainbow Dash, sugah, yer makin’ her die faster,” Applejack pointed out. “Ah, Miss Selene? Miss Selene?” The nurse inquired. “Don’t mind her none, she does this a lot,” Applejack said. “Eeyup,” Big Mac contributed. “Ah! Uh... Yes? Is Pinkie Pie all right?” Luna asked, shaken out of her daydream. The nurse pony pulled the curtain aside, revealing a Pinkie Pie who was rapidly eating through a pie. She grinned a great big cherry red smile at them. “Just fine! Thanks for asking Selene!” She wiped her face off... With her tongue. Which was more than a little disgusting but Luna's relief overcame her queasiness. “So, just what in tarnation happened Pinkie Pie? Yer house looks like a twister hit it!” Applejack said. Pinkie glanced at Luna. Luna glanced back. Pinkie Pie smiled. “I put too much baking soda into my cup cakes. And they exploded.” “Baking soda, huh?” Applejack asked flatly. Pinkie Pie nodded. “Yep! Baking soda.” “Ah, actually-” Luna began, but Pinkie Pie interrupted. “Baking. Soda,” Pinkie Pie insisted. At the looks from Applejack and Big Mac, Luna slowly nodded. “Right...” “Anyway, if I’m all right can I do please? I have so much party preparation to do!” Pinkie Pie insisted happily. The nurse pony sighed and nodded. “Sure... Just please try not to use that much baking soda again, will you?” “Of course!” Pinkie Pie said happily. “Hey Applejack, I could really use your help baking today, since my house kind of blew up.” Applejack looked suspiciously between Pinkie Pie and Luna, but slowly nodded. “Sure...” “Great! I’ll see you there!” Pinkie Pie said. “Better get a headstart!” Applejack nodded. She looked over at Luna. “Ah’ll see ya around, Miss Selene,” she said. Luna nodded. “Of course... Goodbye.” Applejack and her brother trotted off. Big Mac wore a little smile that he shared with Luna, who blushed furiously. Once they were gone, and the nurse pony had headed off, Pinkie Pie jumped out of the bed. “Well, I need to go!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “Ah, wait Pinkie Pie!” Luna said. “I just wanted to say I’m very, very sorry about what happened.” “Oh, don’t worry about it,” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “Mr. and Mrs. Cake are insured against acts of goddesses, and they’ve wanted to expand their shop anyway, so it all works out right?” Luna nodded. “R-Right...” “Besides, everypony’s seen that stupid movie and been acting a little weird around me,” Pinkie Pie said dismissively, a little too quickly. “It’s nothing new.” Luna smiled and nuzzled Pinkie Pie’s cheek. The pink pony started a bit, a little surprised. “I know what it is to be regarded... Differently after something out of your control happens,” Luna said. Pinkie Pie blinked a few times, then cocked her head in thought. Luna blinked back. “... You know... When I was Nightmare Moon?” Luna pressed. “Ohhh! Oh! Right!” Pinkie Pie nodded. Luna stared in no small amount of incredulity. “You forgot that?” “No, I just didn’t think about it,” Pinkie Pie said. “But you know, if you’re still hung up over it-” “Wha? I’m not hung up over it! I’m not! I’m not thinking about it or worried over it and she doesn’t appear in my dreams!” Luna said quickly. It was Pinkie Pie’s turn to stare. Luna sighed and kicked her hooves against the ground. “Okay... Maybe I still need some closure,” she admitted. “Oh! Okay! In that case, why don’t you go talk to Rainbow Dash now?” Pinkie Pie suggested. “She should be home at this time, you can go see her and talk or whatever else you need to do!” Luna smiled at her. “Thank you Pinkie Pie. Can you tell me where I could find her?” “Simple! That cloud house up there,” Pinkie Pie said, pointing her hoof at the structure above. Luna frowned. “Um...” “What’s the matter?” Pinkie Pie asked. “I’m try to keep my identity secret,” Luna murmured, “remember?” “Oh... Well then, I have just the thing to get you up there!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “Oh? What?” Luna asked. - - - - - - - - A few minutes later, a brightly colored contraption, now powered by two ponies, ascended into the sky and flew on for the cloud house above. “WHEEEE!” Pinkie Pie laughed as she pedalled furiously. “This is even better with two ponies!” Smiling brightly, Luna had to agree. “Yes!” - - - - - - - To be continued...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:48:23+00:00

2012-02-03T17:48:23+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 4: Cloudball By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - The cloud castle of Rainbow Dash was well designed, Luna noted, as she and Pinkie Pie approached on the latter’s pedal copter. Perfectly suited for stability in high winds and just enough magic to sustain it by directing the cloud formation around it. “Okay, here we go!” Pinkie Pie said with a grin. Luna observed their course towards the castle and frowned. “Ah, Pinkie Pie, I do not believe that’s the best place for a landing,” she pointed out. “Or that this is a good speed for a landing either.” “Landing?” Pinkie Pie asked. Luna blinked. “Yes, returning safely to a solid surface.” “Oh! Right! Um... I’ve never actually managed one of those.” Pinkie Pie grinned. “First time for everything, right?” - - - - - - - - Rainbow Dash was working at her desk, frowning thoughtfully at the stack of magically treated paperwork that sat on the sculpted cloud. “Geez...” Dash huffed and leaned forward. She scowled at the stack, wishing it to vanish before her. “I can’t believe this... How could I have gotten so behind?” A loud crash echoed through her home, and vibrations shook through the entire structure. Rainbow Dash was startled for a moment before she sighed with a wry smile on her face. “Pinkie Pie,” she said dryly. She flew down and saw her pink friend struggling to get out of a cloud she’d become stuck in, headfirst, up to her belly. A midnight blue pony in glasses was trying to yank her out. “Huh? Who are you?” “Mmph?” The pony asked, just as she got Pinkie Pie unstuck. “Ah...” “Oh! Thank you Princess Lu-MMPH!” The midnight blue pony covered Pinkie Pie’s mouth with her hoof and gave Rainbow Dash a nervous smile. “She meant Selene! Miss Selene! I’m very pleased to meet you and-Eep!” She withdrew her hoof quickly with a shocked expression as Pinkie Pie licked her lips thoughtfully. “Oh! Yes! Miss Selene! That’s what I meant, not Princess Luna because I got confused between mythologies or something! Anyway, she’s here to-” “You’re standing on the clouds,” Rainbow Dash said. “Did you get Twilight to cast that spell on you again?” “... Yes! Yes she did!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “Both of us!” “... So why does a pegasus need that spell?” Rainbow Dash asked with a scowl. Selene blinked and looked over her shoulders while Pinkie Pie’s smile grew a tad strained. - - - - - - - - Oh no... How did this happen? Luna thought frantically. My illusion spell breaking down, this is ridiculous! It can only be disabled by hard... Impacts... She shot a brief glare at Pinkie Pie, who shrugged apologetically. Luna mentally sighed. Well, at least the whole thing wasn’t disabled, otherwise this might become awkward, she thought. “Well she wanted to take a break and maybe act like an Earth pony who happens to require such a spell but doesn’t because maybe the spell would make her walk on ceilings made of clouds and that would be sooo cool I’d do it all the time-!” “Pinkie Pie merely misspoke!” Luna said quickly. “So! Um... Rainbow Dash, I am very pleased to meet you.” Luna offered a formal, polite bow to Rainbow Dash. “Because of course you two have never met before in your lives!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. Luna gained a grin that seemed more like a grimace. “Not. Helping,” she muttered through her teeth. Pinkie Pie emulated her. “Sorry.” Rainbow Dash watched all of this in confusion, before sighing and giving up with a smile. “Pinkie Pie, you and your friend are just so random!” The pegasus shook her head in some disbelief. “So, you wanna come up for some snacks?” “Sure!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “Don’t we Miss Selene?” Luna slowly nodded, giving up. “Of course...” Up they went to the upper levels of Rainbow Dash’s castle. It was not as disorganized as the wild maned pegasus’s appearance let on and Luna found herself approving of Dash’s sense of order. All three were soon perched on cloud pillows, and Pinkie Pie eagerly began to stuff her face with snacks from Dash’s fridge. Rainbow Dash therefore was able to focus entirely upon Luna, an experience the moon princess found a bit anxiety causing. “So Selene... Where are you from?” Rainbow asked. “Ah... Canterlot,” Luna replied. “I work for Princess Luna in the library.” “The library huh?” Rainbow Dash asked with raised brows. “What kind of work do you do there?” “Uh... Library work,” Luna said. Her eyes wandered as Dash’s probing gaze became more intense. She spotted a desk, and a stack of familiar forms. “Oh...! Weather Control reports! You’re a weather pony,” Luna surmised. Rainbow Dash lit up happily. “Oh yeah! I’m the Weather Officer for Ponyville!” Pride was evident in her voice and Luna smiled in some relief. “You seem to have a lot of these forms,” Luna indicated. “Yeah well, with all the craziness of the last few weeks I’ve fallen behind,” Rainbow Dash said. Luna got up, flew over to the desk, and began to sort through them. “Hey! What are you doing?” She asked, flying over next to her. Luna read through all the forms and accompanying weather logs, did some math, and quickly filled them all out. Really, this is all so inefficient... I need to do something about the filing system for these when I get back to the palace, Luna thought. Bureaucracy, bah. Too many self-interested ponies trying to get more money from more forms... “There,” Luna said cheerfully. “It’s all done.” “No way,” Rainbow Dash said with wide eyes. She flipped through the forms herself and blinked several times. She looked back at Luna, impressed. “That’s amazing...” “I do a lot of work for Princess Luna,” Luna said modestly. She found it odd how easily it was to refer to herself in that way, as though speaking about someone else. “You seem to know an awful lot about paperwork, what do you do for Princess Luna in the library?” Rainbow Dash asked again. Luna nervously tapped her hooves together. “Filing,” she said. Rainbow Dash, satisfied for the moment, smiled and the tension between them dropped. “So, Selene... What do you do for fun?” She asked with a provocative raise of her brows. Luna blinked and thought about it. “... I have an abacus?” She offered. Pinkie Pie snorted in laughter, but covered it up by eating a large cake Dash had stashed away in the fridge. Rainbow Dash stared for several moments, before she shook her head. “All right... We NEED to take you to a party.” “YIPPEE!” Pinkie Pie said. “I’ve got one planned already!” “Good! In the meantime though, I think I can get her a little loosened up before the big bash,” Rainbow Dash said slyly. Luna gulped at the unfamiliar look in the blue pegasus’s eyes. “Wh-What do you mean?” Luna asked. “Aw, but Dash, I wanna loosen her up!” Pinkie Pie said with a pout. “It can’t be all at once, we need to build up to it,” Dash said. She smirked almost wickedly, and Luna felt like running away again. “And I know just the way...” - - - - - - - - Rainbow Dash took Pinkie Pie and Luna off to a nearby cloud formation. Several other pegasi were congregated around it, and Luna was able to see them kicking and bouncing a small white ball around. “Ooh! What’s this, what’s this?” Pinkie Pie asked eagerly as she was deposited down on the edge of the cloud by Luna and Dash. The rainbow-maned pegasus smirked as she looked over at Luna. “Cloudball... All pegasi play it. It’s a good way to develop your reflexes for quick maneuvers.” Rainbow grinned. “And it’s fun!” “Um...” “You have played it, right?” Rainbow Dash asked. Luna gulped and nodded. “S-Sure! I’m good at it... I think,” she said. “Great!” Rainbow looked over at one of the other pegasi. “Hey! Firefly! I got us a new player!” The turquoise pegasus flew over to them with a smile. “Oh, that’s great! Twister’s still down with a busted wing.” “This is Selene,” Rainbow said. Luna smiled nervously. “H-Hello.” “Hello Selene. So, where are you strongest?” Firefly asked. “Uh...” Luna looked behind the two pegasi. Pinkie Pie rubbed her chin thoughtfully, then made a series of hoof gestures. “My wings? No! My... Uh...” Luna tilted her head as Rainbow and Firefly stared. “Brain? Maybe my hooves... My... Trampoline?” Pinkie Pie facehoofed as Rainbow Dash and Firefly looked even more confused. Luna grinned weakly. “I’m fine wherever!” She said. “Well good,” Firefly said. “We’re up against a tough team and we’ll need you to be a good forward, all right?” “Forward?” Rainbow Dash squawked. Firefly smiled and raised a hoof consolingly. “It’s just for the first round, give her a try. She looks like a strong flyer. Besides, you keep saying you want more practice in your reflexes-Defense is good for that!” “I suppose,” Rainbow Dash said. She looked over at Luna with a smile. “But you’d better pull your weight!” “I-I will, really!” Luna said. “Yay! Go Dashie, go Selene!” Pinkie Pie cheered. “Now, you take your position forward over there, and get ready,” Firefly said. Luna nodded and flew over to the area Firefly indicated with her hoof. She saw the other players taking positions several meters above the cloud, and on either side of the cloud were formations in the shape of posts. The cloud ball was a perfect sphere, held together with magic. Luna frowned and quickly tried to analyze the game. Okay... There’s a ball, goals, several players... Aha! It’s hoofball, in three dimensions. Luna nodded to herself. This should be easy... A pony in referee paraphenalia blew a whistle, and kicked the ball out into the air between Luna and the opposing team’s forward. The forward moved like lightning, snapping up the ball with a blow from his head. Luna, shocked, turned and gave chase as the pegasus colt flew with his teammates flying in a protective wedge around him. Hmmm... How to prevent him from scoring...? Seeing some of the other pegasi jostling each other as they manuevered around to block the shot, Luna smiled. Of course! A simple intercept maneuver... Luna bent her wings back and gained speed, closing with the pegasus. He weaved back and forth, trying to shake her. He swung himself around as his teammates provided an opening for a shot, and pulled his legs back. And... Now! BOOM! Luna shot forward with a burst of magical power, breaking the sound barrier and snatching the ball away. She looped back up and shot for the opposing team’s goal, but the loud whistle of the referee made her come to a hover. The referee pony flew up to her, his eyes wide and open above his whistle. “Er... Is there a problem, sir?” Luna asked politely. The referee pointed back behind her. Luna looked over her shoulders. The ponies that had been around her while she had gone supersonic were all lying on the cloud field below in varying states of shock, consciousness, and pain. Rainbow Dash herself was hanging upside down from a goalpost by her tail, staring at Luna with a wide open mouth. “Yay! Woo hoo! Go Selene, yeah!” Pinkie Pie cheered. Luna bowed her head. Oh dear... - - - - - - - “What the hay was that?” “Well, um....” “What the hay was that?” “You see, I er-” “What the hay was that?” Rainbow Dash repeated a third time, but with far more emphasis. Luna looked down at the cloud as the rest of the players observed from a distance just far away enough to be polite, but not so far they couldn’t hear. “I... Um... Overdid it. Just a bit,” Luna admitted. Rainbow Dash scowled. “How the hay did you do that?! What kind of pegasus could do that... Sort of...” Rainbow Dash blinked and stared intently at Luna. Luna fidgeted, felt the urge to panic... Saw Pinkie Pie waving nearby. With a sigh, she lifted her glasses up and dropped them very quickly, and at such an angle that the other ponies watching wouldn’t see her do it. Rainbow Dash gasped and held up a hoof to her mouth. “Y-You’re-!” “Yes,” Luna said dully. “And you’re-” “Uh huh,” Luna said, again dully. “So you’re really-?” “Yes,” Luna sighed. “I can leave if you want me to-” “Leave?!” Rainbow Dash asked in complete and utter disbelief. Luna stared back with no small amount of it in her expression. “W-Well, um, yes... I’ll have to leave, won’t I? I mean, it wouldn’t be fair-” “Princess, look-” Rainbow Dash tried, but Luna waved her hooves and hissed. “Selene! Selene!” “Right, Selene,” Rainbow Dash said apologetically. “I just think, you know, since you like to play this game you could stay.” The rainbow pegasus grinned. “You know? Hang out... Because I still think you need to loosen up.” “Loosen up?” Luna asked. Dash nodded. Luna frowned. “How much?” “... Um... Maybe just a little?” Dash asked. “Like... Do you have a pet?” “... I have Abacus,” Luna said. Dash stared again and sighed. “Uh... Your... Selene,” Dash amended as Luna glared. “Do you want the truth?” “Yes,” Luna said. “Sure?” “Absolutely.” “Posi-?” “Rainbow Dash, tell me the truth please,” Luna said through gritted teeth. Dash coughed. “... You’re wound up tighter than a spring under a hydra.” “... Oh,” Luna said quietly. She shook her head. “I still can’t play. Not without serious handicaps.” “I think you could do something else for us,” Rainbow Dash said, licking her lips. Luna blinked, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. “Ah?” - - - - - - - - The game had started with the arrival of the opposing team and numerous spectators. On various clouds surrounding the field, they watched and cheered as the two teams clashed in fantastic aerial battle for the ball. But they also spared attention to the sidelines. Specifically, the cheerleaders. “RAH RAH SIS BOOM BAH! SHOOT THE BALL THROUGH THE GOALS AND SCORE ANOTHER... HOORAH!” Pinkie Pie cried, dancing wildly with a broad grin on her face. “Ah... GO TEAM!” Luna cheered along with her. “PERFORM WELL! WATCH YOUR DEFENSE! CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN YOUR ABOVE AVERAGE SCORING PERCENTAGE!” - - - - - - - - To be continued...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:52:42+00:00

2012-02-03T17:52:42+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 5: Animals By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - The cloudball game ended in a fantastic victory for the home team, and Rainbow Dash was carried up and away by numerous pegasi. Pinkie Pie hitched a ride with them, and waved to Luna as they headed down with this parting announcement: “Don’t worry! The party will be ready soon and we’ll find you when it’s time so go have fun for a while!” “Certainly!” Luna said with a smile, waving her hoof back. Already she felt significantly better about the visit to Ponyville. The Cloudball game had raised her spirits as she had proven both useful and had recovered after a grievous faux pas. So perhaps things are finally turning around, she thought to herself happily. She turned on the surface of the cloud court to fly down herself, and descended rapidly. She wasn’t sure where to go next but she was quite certain that now she had some confidence about her, she could handle anything that might happen to cross her path. BONK. “OOF!” Luna cried. “Ow!” Cried a soft voice. Luna shook her head free of stars and zeroed in on the pony she had run into. It was a pale yellow pegasus with a long pink mane, who even now had wide eyes. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry-” they both began, then stopped. “No, it was my fault-” they said in unison. “I should have been looking where I was-” they tried again. Luna stared at the yellow pegasus, and the yellow pegasus stared back. The pink mane one laughed softly, then covered her mouth in horror. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t laughing at running into you.” “No, no, I completely understand!” Luna said, waving her hooves around. “It’s quite all right! I should be apologizing, really.” “No, I-” the pegasus tried, but unwilling to get into another disagreement Luna quickly changed the subject with what was left of her flagging confidence. “What is your name?” The pegasus looked extremely familiar but Luna was unsure how. “Um... Er... Fl-Fluttershy,” Fluttershy admitted. Luna very nearly stopped hovering in mid-air at that, but recovered very quickly. “Are you all right?” Fluttershy asked gently. “Oh yes, perfectly fine,” Luna said. How do I keep running into them? She thought to herself. Granted, Ponyville was a small town but it almost seemed as though a higher power were directing her movements. Luna was too much the scientist to say that powers greater than herself or her sister could not exist, but felt that the execution of their wills would be far more subtle. It’s what she would do if she had the power. She looked at Fluttershy’s face, and for a moment had a flash of memory: A dark night in a large room filled with ponies, and a maniacal laugh echoing off the walls. Her mane reaching out to brush against the face of this very pegasus, a perversion of an affectionate touch... I had the power... “Excuse me... Um... Miss Selene?” Fluttershy asked. Luna shook her head rapidly and looked over at Fluttershy. “Ahem... Ah... Yes? Wait... How do you know my name?” She asked. Fluttershy looked down bashfully. “Um, I was at the game, I heard Pinkie Pie call your name a few times,” she admitted softly. “I didn’t see you,” Luna said. “Ah... Um... I’m usually not very... Vocal,” Fluttershy said in a very soft voice. Luna couldn’t help a small smile at that. “Um... Neither am I, usually,” Luna admitted. The two ponies looked off at each other’s shoulders for a time. Luna then cleared her throat. “Ah...” “Well,” Fluttershy said. “Um... I-I feel terrible about running into you, so... So would you like to come down for lunch? If you feel like it, that is.” Luna noted the height of the sun overhead and felt a very mortal hunger in her stomach. She smiled and nodded gratefully. “Yes, I would love to. Thank you very much.” - - - - - - - - Fluttershy’s cottage was large, a bit larger than Luna had been expecting. Given it’s location near the Everfree Forest, Luna imagined it had been quite the bargain. Even now she could sense the chaotic and unpredictable currents of life within it, and she stood a moment outside the door of the home to take it all in. It’s truly fascinating, she thought to herself. Through my senses it feels like a great wibbly wobbly... Timey Wimey... Bubble of... Stuff. Luna grimaced. Note to self, find a better metaphor. “Oh... Um... You like the forest too?” Fluttershy asked, her voice calling from the kitchen of the cottage. Luna looked over at the yellow pegasus as she worked on their lunch and smiled. “Yes, I do. It’s... Interesting. In a good way,” Luna clarified. She came into the cottage and looked around. “Your home is very lovely, by the way,” she complimented. “Oh! Thank you very much,” Fluttershy said with a mild blush on her cheeks. “I’m very fond of it myself...” Luna looked around carefully. Bird perches, mouse holes, and numerous smaller beds were all over the house. Given her rapport with the monster in the Everfree Forest that night, it wasn’t hard to guess her cutie mark talent had to do with animals. One animal in particular was resting in a bed, munching on a carrot. It was a white rabbit, who stared at Luna with beady black eyes, with the same expression a king might wear at a filthy peasant entering his throne room. “Oh, I hope you don’t mind rabbits. That’s Angel, my companion,” Fluttershy said as she prepared some tea. Luna shook her head and smiled. “I don’t mind at all. He’s adorable,” Luna said. Angel stood up on his hindlegs and held his arms up, as though flexing his muscles for approval. Luna giggled softly as the rabbit struck a number of other amusing poses like a stallion showing off. “Aren’t you the clever one?” Luna asked. She bent her head down for a closer look. Angel in turn looked back at her, his eyes narrowing. He tapped his foot a few times... Before his eyes shot open wide and he zipped off over to Fluttershy who was setting up the teapot. “Ah?!” “Oh? What is it Angel?” Fluttershy asked with a smile. The rabbit pantomined something, while wildly gesticulating towards Luna. “Hm? Something to do with Miss Selene?” Luna broke out into a cold sweat, and carefully readjusted her glasses. While Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had been accepting of the reveal of her true identity, she didn’t know how Fluttershy might react. She seemed so delicate and deferential... “Oh no! Princess Luna, your royal majesty, I have dishonored you by treating you like anypony!” Fluttershy cried, now dressed in a white chiton. She held up a chalice of hemlock. “There is only one means of making up for such disrespect--I must die!” Fluttershy declared dramatically. She drank it all down in one big gulp. “Nonono! No! You need not go to such lengths, Fluttershy! It’s what I wanted! Really!” Luna cried desperately. Fluttershy coughed. “Oh... Um... Sorry about that...” She burped, quite loudly, and covered her mouth with a blush. “And that... Oh dear.” THUD. Luna shook herself free from her daydream, and telekinetically grabbed Angel. She yanked the rabbit back and shoved him under a table behind her. At Fluttershy’s surprised look, Luna thought quickly. “Oh my! How fast he moves!” Luna said in a high pitched voice. “He was also glowing,” Fluttershy said in some confusion. “He’s never done that before.” “Well isn’t that wonderful, why don’t we have lunch so we can discuss things that are not remotely about such wonderful things!” Luna said, ushering Fluttershy over to the table. “Well certainly, if you want...” Fluttershy said as she set the table. Luna turned around, trotting to the table she’d shoved Angel under. She retrieved him and held him up to her face. The rabbit looked absolutely furious as he struggled in mid-air, shooting glares of death at her. “Please, please, I assure you I mean you and your mistress no harm please don’t tell her please,” Luna begged in a whisper. Angel stopped struggling, scratched his chin, and very slowly nodded. Luna sighed in relief and set him down. “Thank you so much,” Luna said gratefully. She turned and trotted over to help Fluttershy finish setting the table. Angel watched her go, then ran to the window where a few bird friends of Fluttershy were currently nesting. He got their attention by beating a stick on the sill, and pantomined the situation within. The birds nodded, and flew off as one. Angel, for his part, stuck his carrot back into his mouth like a cigar and grinned. - - - - - - - - - Luna laughed. “Ahahaha! Oh... Oh you poor dear, you kept one?” “Well, um, in my defense they were really, really cute,” Fluttershy said with a blush and a glance to the side. “Cute, yes, that’s what everypony said. Oh, the damage reports,” Luna said shaking her head. “Still, it did show just how ill prepared the disaster response is in Equestria. If Parasprites did this...” “Yes, I agree,” Fluttershy said seriously. “Why, if it hadn’t been for Pinkie Pie Ponyville would have been completely eaten. I’m very glad Princess Luna organized those reforms.” “Well, it wasn’t all... Um... Her,” Luna said with a blush. Fluttershy nodded. “Yes, but she’s been very active behind the scenes ever since she was cured from being Nightmare Moon. I think she’s done a lot of good things.” Luna smiled brightly, and sipped some tea. Fluttershy hummed thoughtfully. “However, her support efforts at centralization might lead to excessive bureaucracy and less freedom for ponies overall, while her efforts to make the provinces more independent might divide our efforts when it comes to foreign policy.” “Urk!” Luna choked on her tea. Fluttershy started. “Oh dear... Are you all right?” “Oh! Oh, I’m fine! Fine!” Luna said quickly. Fluttershy flushed. “I’m terribly sorry if my political opinions upset you. It can be a sore point with some ponies.” “No! No, that’s fine! Have whatever opinion you like, really,” Luna said. Fluttershy frowned. “Are you sure?” “Yes! Very sure, really,” Luna said. “I mean, um, I would love to hear your criticisms of Princess Luna’s policies.” “Oh... You would?” Fluttershy asked. Luna nodded. “Yes, really.” “Sure?” Luna felt herself growing a bit annoyed. “Yes! Of course!” “Well...” Fluttershy took a deep breath. “She seems to favor the executive branch to an almost imperialistic level when it comes to provincial governors and would rather they be in complete control when it comes to crises, her proposals for labor reform are not well thought out, she sees nothing wrong with reintroducing the study of combat weather education to public schools while not addressing long standing problems with the system, she wishes to end cutie mark affirmative action and her foreign policy recommendations are all far too isolationist.” “And... Um... You disagree with all that?” Luna asked tentatively, while wondering how the hay so much policy had been linked to her. Celestia, you’re the public one! Why is MY name the one coming up so much?! “Well... Um... Yes... Some of it,” Fluttershy mumbled into her tea. “Oh.” “I’m so sorry, I should have given you the change to respond. If you have differing opinions, I am happy to discuss them if you wish,” Fluttershy said. Fortunately at that moment, a walnut slammed into the side of Luna’s head. “Urk!” Luna grunted. Fluttershy gasped and looked up at the roof. “Angel!” She said. The white rabbit darted to another position and threw another walnut, beaning Luna in the head again. “Ow!” The incognito moon princess ducked behind the couch as more missiles flew her way coming from multiple animals. “Ow ow ow ouch!” “No, please, stop!” Fluttershy said. Fluttershy ducked behind the couch as the hail of projectiles continued. She looked at Luna apologetically. “I’m so sorry, I’ve never seen them act this way, really!” “It’s all right, really! It’s not your fault,” Luna said quickly. She peeked out from behind the couch. There was a veritable army of cute, cuddly creatures, all armed to the teeth with projectiles and all looking determined. “I’m the one they’re after, I can just slip out.” “No!” Fluttershy said firmly. She looked over the couch. “Now please, everyone, why are you doing this? What possible reason is there to harm our guest? I-I’m very disappointed in all of you!” All of the animals stared, then as one they all looked down at the floor. Some even started crying. Fluttershy waved her hooves with a smile. “Now now, you shouldn’t feel so bad... I’m sure it’s all just a little misunderstanding and..” Fluttershy frowned. “Where is Angel?” SMASH! The door to the cottage came down as a large contraption barreled through. Luna stared in some disbelief. It appeared to be a cobble together monstrosity, but the main part was something that resembled an automated chariot that ran on large gears, propelling the craft via flexible metallic treads. Mounted atop it was something that resembled a turtle’s shell made of steel, ringed by a kind of railing. In the center of the machine’s shell was a large spinning barrel made of metal that had been tilted to face forward. Extending from the nose of the machine was a large battering ram shaped almost like the hammer of Sliepner in the ancient Northern Pony tales. Angel rode the battering ram itself, wearing a round green helmet with a carrot between his grinning teeth. And in his paws was... A baseball. “Oh no... No...!” Luna felt panic start to ride up in her chest. A panic that only increased as numerous birds appeared, all armed with baseballs. The machine started up and the inner part began to spin rapidly. And as one, they all threw their baseballs into the contraption and sent them flying at Luna. “EEEEEEEEP!” - - - - - - - - - To be continued...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T17:59:24+00:00

2012-02-03T17:59:24+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 6: Shock Therapy By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - - They were all around her, covering her, pressing in on her from all sides. Luna felt like she couldn't breathe. "Miss Selene? Miss Selene?!" Those horrible, pain causing spheres... She was drowning in them... “Miss Selene! Please, wake up!” She found herself going back to a very small part of her mind. Her increased awareness, what might be called a side effect of her divine nature, shrank down, down, down to a tiny point, filled with the objects that tormented her so. Baseballs... Why did it have to be Baseballs...? - - - - - - - - Fluttershy felt extremely divided between the course of action she should take. On one hoof, her guest was apparently going into some sort of catatonic shock. On the other, her companion Angel was loading his tank up with more baseballs. “Angel!” She cried. “You need to stop this right now. Miss Selene is already horribly traumatized, can’t you see that?” Angel shot Fluttershy a glare she knew quite well, and translated as, “Of COURSE I can see that, that was the point, make me a sandwich mare.” “You haven’t explained why you did this terrible thing... And until you do, there will be... Be no sandwiches!” Fluttershy said, stomping her hoof in an expression of her outrage. Angel rolled his black beady eyes, before turning to the rest of the animal army and issuing orders in his high pitched rabbit speech. The assorted critters quickly moved, arranging their weapons into words on the floor of the cottage. Fluttershy frowned as she read the words formed by spoons, sticks, nuts, and knives. “‘Selene is actually...’” “HEY FLUTTERSHYYYYYY!” Bellowed a familiar, high pitched voice. The animal army fled in fear out the windows, doors, holes and gaps in the cottage. Angel stared in disbelief, before bringing his paw to his face. Applebloom stuck her head in through a window, looking concerned. “Hey Fluttershy! You’ll never believe what happened! A whole flock a’ critters came and stole mah baseballs and some... Machinery...” Applebloom blinked. “Ah, yes...” Fluttershy said, looking around at the catatonic Selene in a pile of baseballs, and Angel glaring death on top of his tank. “It’s... Um... A bit hard to explain...” “Princess Luna!” Applebloom blurted out. She looked back and forth and her young eyes widened. “OH MAH STARS! Your rabbit killed Princess Luna with mah baseballs!” “Wh-What?! Princess Luna?!” Fluttershy gasped. Applebloom jumped through the window and sped over to Luna, taking her hoof into her own. “Speak to me, Princess! Are you okay?! Speak to me!” “Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, I’m so sorry Princess Luna!” Fluttershy said, taking Luna’s other hoof and patting it. “Please, say something!” “... B... B... B...” “Yes? What is it?” Fluttershy asked. “... B... B... B-Baseball...” Luna whispered, trembling. Fluttershy looked around at the baseballs surrounding her, and blinked in realization. “Oh dear... She’s so traumatized by these baseballs she’s gone into a form of shock.” She glared at Angel. “How could you?” Angel once again shot her a look she could read: “I was trying to save you, stupid mare, now make me a sandwich.” “Princess Luna would never hurt nopony you... You crazy, vindictive varmint!” Applebloom growled. Angel bit his carrot cigar and scowled, unrepentant. “You’ve been very... Very... Naughty, Angel!” Fluttershy managed. “Now you will go straight to your hutch and stay there until I-I say so! … If it wouldn’t be too much trouble?” Fluttershy added at the end in a whisper. Angel pointed to the kitchen. Fluttershy sighed. “All right... One sandwich...” Angel hopped over to Fluttershy as she trotted into the kitchen, ignoring Applebloom’s glare. “Just please no-” Fluttershy began, but Angel hopped up and smacked her rump. “Eep!” Fluttershy sighed again and went to work on a carrot and peanut butter sandwich, while Angel marched to his tank and sat, imperious as a conqueror. “Ya know what Princess Luna? Ah think there’s something downright peculiar about this here relationship,” Applebloom muttered to Luna. “B-Baseballs...” - - - - - - - - Once Angel had retired with his tank and sandwich, Fluttershy and Applebloom had gathered up the baseballs into a bag and moved them just out of sight. Fluttershy then gave Luna some tea, which she drank with shaky hooves. “Oh... Th-Thank you,” Luna managed as she sipped the tea. “I’m so terribly sorry, Princess Luna, your Majesty. I had no idea it was you,” Fluttershy said. She paused. “Though in hindsight it was really very obvious... Sorry...” “It’s all right,” Luna said with a forced smile, “I-I am somewhat surprised it has worked so well as a disguise...” “Ah’m sorry too! Those are mah baseballs,” Applebloom said, oblivious to Luna’s flinch. “I’m very sorry to ask, but why would you have so many?” Fluttershy asked. Applebloom smiled brightly. “Princess Luna caught ‘em fer me at the baseball games we went to! Every single one of ‘em!” “Well, it seems a little... If you’ll forgive me, your majesty, strange that you’re so scared of baseballs,” Fluttershy said. Luna kept twitching. “Y-Yes... It is... “ She sighed. “I-I-I don’t even know how that... Weakness,” she said with extreme distaste, “could have come to be known to your rabbit.” “It may have been my fault, Your Majesty, I do try to keep up with a lot of things... And Angel is extremely intelligent,” Fluttershy said. “Ah’ll say! That tank o’ his was neat!” Applebloom gushed. “How’d it look when it was shootin’ baseballs?” “Ah... Er... If you could...” Luna tried. “Was it like a big ol’ avalanche of baseballs? Was it a storm of baseballs? Were the baseballs just heaved out like you was hocking a loogie?” “Um, Applebloom,” Fluttershy coughed. At Applebloom’s confusion, Fluttershy pointed at Luna. the princess was beginning to look like she might slip into catatonic shock again. “Oh... Oops... Sorry, yer Majesty,” Applebloom apologized. “No... It’s fine... It’s just...” Luna sighed. “It’s humiliating... If I’m not messing things up, I’m reduced to a... A whimpering foal by... By...!” “Baseballs?” Applebloom asked. Luna nodded. “Y-Yes...” “Well, um, if you’d like, perhaps we could try to help you,” Fluttershy suggested. “I’ve had to calm ponies and animals before with therapy... Maybe I could do something for you? If that would be all right with you.” “Well... I know only a little about psychology,” Luna admitted. “But I suppose-” “That’s a great idea!” Applebloom cried. She smiled up at the two older ponies. “When do we start? Ah wanna help!” “Well, of course you can help Applebloom,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “I’m sure we’ll be able to help you in no time, Princess.” “Thank you,” Luna said gratefully, as Applebloom began to chant about a “Royal Psychologist” cutie mark. - - - - - - - - “Now, let us begin with your foalhood,” Fluttershy said, sitting in her comfy chair next to her couch. Luna was lying on it, looking up at the ceiling while Applebloom stood anxiously next to Fluttershy’s chair. The filly had a book of psychology out in front of her which Fluttershy possessed. “My foalhood?” Luna asked. “Yes,” Fluttershy said. “Most problems of psychology have their roots in foalhood.” “Well... Um... My sister and I were born from the emergence of the universe, we were raised by our parents but then lost them when they went away,” Luna said. “Went away?” Fluttershy asked. “Ooh, abandonment issues!” Applebloom said, flipping to the appropriate page. She nodded. “Awright, continue!” “Well... Celestia did much of my raising, as the older sister,” Luna said. “However, we began to drift apart as we took on the responsibilities of princesses and goddesses. Forming the orientation of the stars, managing the sun, the different tasks we took on were very... Different,” Luna said. Fluttershy nodded as Applebloom flipped through the pages. “I see. Were there bad differences, or good differences?” “Maybe it’s all a case o’ multiple personalities!” Applebloom suggested. Fluttershy and Luna both looked over at her. “What?” Luna asked. “Well, maybe it’s like, two personalities and how they clash!” Applebloom said. “Um, Applebloom, that’s a problem when it’s within the same pony,” Fluttershy said gently. Applebloom pouted. “Oh.” “Please continue, Princess Luna,” Fluttershy said. Luna sighed and looked back up at the ceiling. “Well, when the ponies slept during the night, I felt... Under appreciated. During the day was when all the work and play and praise was done... There was almost nothing done at night.” “What did you do?” Fluttershy asked as Applebloom continued to skim the book. “Well, I tried to be productive in other ways. I buried myself in understanding the universe we managed and passing that knowledge onto the ponies. I used the movements of the planets and other worlds in the heavens as inspiration for government, law, even philosophy,” Luna said. “Order and discipline and education were the things I pushed, to perhaps be appreciated even during the day.” “So, maybe it’s this big schizophrenic thing,” Applebloom said. “A what?” Fluttershy and Luna asked. “Well, order and strange patterns are associated with it,” Applebloom said. “You ever hear voices that weren’t there?” “... Yes,” Luna admitted, “but I-” “AHA! Maybe your problems are acute schizophrenia, with a side o’ depression!” Applebloom said triumphantly. “Now, how much medication does that require?” “Applebloom, I hear the wishes ponies make on stars,” Luna said flatly. “They are not there with me, but they are real.” “‘Patient may defend his or her delusions due to persecution complex,’” Applebloom read. “I don’t feel persecuted!” Luna squawked. “Um, Applebloom, if you would,” Fluttershy tried. “‘And may be linked to feelings of im-po-tence in interpersonal relationships, includin’ sexual,’” Applebloom read. She looked up. “What does that mean anyway?” Luna and Fluttershy both blushed. The book glowed and then flew off back to the bookshelf. “M-Maybe diagnosis from the book can wait until we’re done talking with her?” Fluttershy suggested. Applebloom pouted. “Awww... All right.” - - - - - - - - Some time later, Luna, Fluttershy and Applebloom were sitting on a comfortable rug in a circle. Fluttershy smiled. “Now, we’re going to try a little role play,” Fluttershy said. “I will be a baseball, and I will-” “What do ah get t’ be?” Applebloom asked eagerly. Fluttershy blinked. “Um, well-” “Can ah be Princess Celestia? Can ah can ah can ah?” Applebloom asked. Fluttershy worried her lower lip. “Well, um, I’m not sure...” “She is... Um... Well, an issue,” Luna admitted uncomfortably. Fluttershy nodded. “All right... Applebloom, you can be Princess Celestia.” “Yay!” Applebloom cheered. She ran into the closet, rummaged about, and came back out with a plastic crown upon her head, fake wings, and a carrot serving as a horn. “Ready! How do ah look?” Luna covered her mouth with her hoof as she laughed. “The spitting image of a Royal Goddess!” “Hee! Ah am Princess Celestia, Mistress o’ the Dawn!” Applebloom strutted about proudly. “Worship me ‘n despair!” Luna looked over at Fluttershy. “Ah, Fluttershy, if I may ask-” “J-Just some leftovers from my modeling career,” Fluttershy said quickly. She cleared her throat. “Now then... I am a baseball, and-” “But you don’t look like a baseball,” Applebloom protested. “Ah dressed up fer this! You should too!” “But... Well... I’m not sure how useful it would be,” Fluttershy said, “Considering how you reacted before.” “Ah... er... Well, since it is just Fluttershy in a costume,” Luna said carefully, “maybe it wouldn’t hurt?” “There, see?” Applebloom said. “Now go on!” Fluttershy nodded, went into the closet, and soon came out in a sheet of white cloth with red stitches going over and through it. She smiled weakly. “Th-This work?” She asked. Luna felt very perturbed by the outfit, but managed a nod. “Y-Yes...” “Aw right! Let’s begin!” Applebloom cheered. “Ahem... Princess Luna-” “She would call me Luna. Just Luna,” Luna said. Applebloom nodded. “Aw right. Luna, mah dear sister! Let us go raise the sun and moon and make ‘n eclipse or somethin! Wouldn’t that be great?” Applebloom asked. Imagining Celestia talking in such a rustic manner made Luna and Fluttershy giggle. Applebloom then looked over at Fluttershy and gasped. “Oh no! It is a baseball!” Applebloom gasped. “Don’t worry Princess Luna, I-I will not harm you,” Fluttershy said. “But ya did harm her anyway,” Applebloom said. “Ah should banish you and that rabbit to the moon!” “It... Isn’t that a bit extreme? I’m just a baseball... Who is talking, even though baseballs cannot talk or move or... Um...” Fluttershy mumbled. Luna found herself laughing harder. Applebloom smiled cheerfully. “Hey! Ah think it’s working!” “Are you feeling better, Princess Luna?” Fluttershy asked. “Oh... Oh yes... Heeheehee...” Luna laughed, wiping her eyes. “Sorry...” “Nothing to be sorry for,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “Laughter is the best medicine, is it not?” “So, is she cured?” Applebloom asked. At that moment, a baseball came flying right at Luna’s head. It smacked into her forehead and sent her down, her glasses snapped in twain. Applebloom and Fluttershy looked over at Angel, smirking with a carrot in his mouth and his helmet on his head. “Angel!” Fluttershy gasped. “You consarnit good for nothing-!” Applebloom began, but abruptly stopped when the sunlight stopped coming through the windows. Both she and Fluttershy slowly turned to look at the only remaining source of light in the cottage-The aura of the enraged Princess Luna. The furniture began to float and spin around the cottage, anything not nailed down joining the storm. Luna’s eyes glowed like pure white fire, and her wings and horn spread her aura around her, causing an Aurora Borealis effect. “You...” Lightning crackled around her every hoof step as she advanced on Angel. To the rabbit’s credit, he stood his ground, calmly reaching into his sack and producing another baseball. “YOU...” A baseball that quite suddenly burst into flames and flew out through the window. “YOUUUUU...” Angel slowly looked at the hole in the window glass, then back to the approaching, wrath filled goddess. “YOU. BROKE. MY. GLASSES,” Luna snarled as the windows around them shattered. - - - - - - - - - “Oh my goodness... I’m so sorry,” Luna said for about the fifth time as she found another one of Fluttershy’s personal items in the mess. With her magic, she commanded it to return to it's original place and it zipped off to one of the shelves not overturned by her wrath. “N-No, it’s quite all right Your Majesty,” Fluttershy said, also for about the fifth time. “I-I understand that, well... We all lose our tempers sometimes, don’t we?” She smiled a bit awkwardly, an expression Luna shared. “Yes. Yes we do,” Luna murmured. Applebloom was looking back and forth between the two with awe, with anxious glances back at her flanks to see if anything had changed. Once again she was disappointed with seeing her unmarked flank, and returned to staring at Luna and Fluttershy in amazement. “That... Was incredible...” Applebloom said. “When ah grow up, can ah work fer you, Princess Luna?” “Certainly Applebloom, if you wish,” Luna said with a smile. “YIPPEE!” Applebloom cheered. Luna smiled indulgently, the young filly’s good spirit almost dangerous contagious. She looked at Fluttershy. “I do apologize for all of this, again... But I wonder if I could trouble you for some lunch?” “Oh, not at all, I was just about to do the same thing,” Fluttershy said. She made to move to the kitchen, but stopped. “Ah? Angel?” The little rabbit, carrot cigar forgotten, was furiously working at the oven with lightning speed to prepare a meal of vegetable stew, bread, and salad. Fluttershy blinked, then smiled. “Oh... Thank you very much Angel, this is very kind of you,” Fluttershy said. “But I really must-” “Now Fluttershy, relax,” Luna said calmly. “You already made him lunch, it’s only fair he returns the favor.” She eyed the white rabbit. “Isn’t it?” Angel spared the Princess a single, frantic nod, before returning to his duties. - - - - - - - - - To be continued...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T18:07:07+00:00

2012-02-03T18:07:07+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 7: Cutie Mark Crusaders By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - “HEY APPLEBLOOM! HEEYYYYY!” The cry of a young pony’s voice caused Applebloom to brighten up. She slammed her hooves down around her empty lunch plate and grinned. “Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle! AH’M IN HERE!” Applebloom shouted. “COME ON IN!” Luna looked over at Fluttershy. Fluttershy looked back over at Luna. “Er... How many ponies know you’re here?” Fluttershy asked. “Seven... Hopefully,” Luna said as she summoned the broken pieces of her glasses and quickly repaired them with a spell. She placed them back over her eyes as an orange pegasus filly and a light purple unicorn filly entered the cottage. Applebloom grinned as the two fillies grinned back. “Hey Fluttershy! Hey Applebloom! You didn’t forget our quest today did you?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Yeah! We need to get to it and... Oh! Hello!” Scootaloo said cheerfully to Luna. “Who are you?” “Girls, this is... Ah... Miss Selene,” Applebloom said, after seeing Luna had her glasses back on. “She’s a dear friend of mine who is visiting Ponyville from Canterlot,” Fluttershy supplied. “Wow! You’re friends with Fluttershy?” Scootaloo said. “Have you been friends long?” Sweetie Belle asked eagerly. “Has she always been so cool?” Scootaloo pressed. “Ah... Yes. Yes she has,” Luna said with a smile. Fluttershy blushed demurely. “We met ah... At the library.” “Yes. Canterlot Library,” Fluttershy confirmed. “This is not at all an elaborate deception to conceal anything.” “... No! No, of course not!” Luna said quickly. Both Fluttershy and Luna laughed nervously. Showing more discernment than many might give a young filly credit for, Applebloom cleared her throat. “Let’s tell ‘em what we’re gonna do today!” Applebloom said as she pranced over to stand with her friends. “What are you going to do today?” Luna asked curiously. “We’re gonna see if we can get...” Scootaloo paused for dramatic effect, which gave Sweetie Belle and Appleboom time to take deep breaths. Luna noticed Fluttershy and Angel both covering their ears out of the corners of her eyes. Wha-? “ARCHAEOLOGIST CUTIE MARKS!” All three fillies bellowed. Luna fell over onto the floor. “Eep!” “So we’re gonna go exploring and dig up buried treasure or somethin’!” Applebloom said. “Before Pinkie Pie’s party tonight!” Scootaloo added. “Can you come with us, Fluttershy? Please?” Sweetie Belle begged. “Oh my... Why would you want me to come? I-I’m not really into archaeology,” Fluttershy admitted. “Yeah, but we heard from Rainbow Dash that there’s this big huge ancient palace in the Everfree Woods and we wanna go see it please please please can you take us?” Pleaded Scootaloo. Luna blinked. “The Palace... The Dios?” “Is that what it’s called?” Scootaloo asked. Luna closed her eyes. She could see it in her mind’s eye, the sprawling palace that had once been the center of court for all of Equestria. The summer and autumn celebrations, the libraries, the grounds... “Yes... Yes, that is what it is called,” Luna said, almost whispering. Fluttershy looked over at Luna, and the Moon Princess glanced back. For a moment, Luna felt incredibly vulnerable under the light yellow pegasus’s gaze, and found it hard to look away. It was as though her blue eyes were able to discern everything about her in a moment. She shivered slightly. Fluttershy turned to the Cutie Mark Crusaders and smiled. “I think Miss Selene would be a better choice. I um... I need to take care of things, maybe party related things,” Fluttershy said. “What? But you can stare down anything in the forest!” Scootaloo protested. She snorted at Selene. “What’s a librarian gonna do? Read monsters away?” “Hey! Miss Selene can handle herself just fine!” Applebloom said. She then smiled happily at Luna. “Besides... She knows the way, doesn’t she?” “... Yes, yes I do,” Luna replied softly. She smiled at Fluttershy, a bit anxiously, before she turned and headed for the door. “If you’d like, I can show you.” “Ohhh... All right,” Scootaloo pouted. She looked to her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, AWAY!” They charged through the door, laughing and giggling. Luna watched them go through, before look back over at Fluttershy. “Thank you,” she said. “Don’t mention it,” Fluttershy replied. “Er um, I mean, if you want to that is. I’m not going to stop you from talking about it if I’m not around and I...” Luna trotted back over to Fluttershy and nuzzled her cheek. “I understand. Thank you,” Luna said gratefully. She turned and headed back out the door, leaving a smiling Fluttershy in her wake. As well as a heavily relieved Angel. “There. Now you see I’m not so bad, right?” Fluttershy asked her rabbit. Angel nodded furiously, and wiped his brow. Fluttershy beamed. “Maybe now you’ll listen to me?” She added. Once again, Angel nodded, but gave her a look that said “I was just looking out for you.” “I understand completely, but you pushed it a bit too far,” Fluttershy said. “Besides... Just because rabbits smack each other's bottoms doesn’t mean you get to smack mine.” Angel made several pantomiming gestures. Fluttershy blushed. “Um... Well, that’s flattering, but not as flattering to a doe rabbit...” - - - - - - - - “When you’re, a younger pony, and your flank is very barrrre, it feels like the sun will never commme! When your cutie mark’s not therrre! So the three of us fight the FIGHT! There is nothing that we FEAR!” The singing... The singing... By the Stars and Moon and other worlds why won’t they stop SINGING?! Luna thought to herself, her ears and eyes twitching rapidly. “So we’ll figure out what to do next... Until our cutie marks are herrrre!” The three of them belted out cheerfully as they trotted just behind Luna. The moon goddess was beginning to feel the temptation to just cast a silencing spell around her ears and save herself a headache. They’re so small but they’re so LOUD, how do they manage it?! Luna continued to wail silently as the path led into a rocky gully. The sound bounced off the stone walls and Luna’s agony increased. “WE ARE THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! ON A QUEST TO FIND OUT WHO WE ARE!” They happily continued to screech. Luna saw birds and various other critters fleeing ahead of them and she frankly couldn’t find it in her heart to blame them. “AND WE WILL NEVER STOP THE JOURNEYYY! NOT UNTIL WE HAVE OUR CUTIE MARKSSS!” They finished the chorus. Applebloom smiled brightly at the back of Luna’s head. “Hey, Miss Selene, ya wanna join in for the next chorus?” “Ah, no thank you, I’m fine,” Luna said with a strained smile. Oh my poor ears... A low rumble began to fill the forest, and Luna froze. She narrowed her eyes. It felt... Familiar. “Everyone says we have to wai-” “Shh!” Luna said. “Quiet!” “Hey, if you don’t like the singing you could just tell us-” Scootaloo tried, but Luna shot a sharp look at her. “Shh!” Luna emphasized. She looked around, then back to the fillies. “Stay here.” “But, but Miss Selene,” Applebloom tried. “Stay. Here,” Luna said firmly. She turned and galloped into the trees. Scootaloo scowled after her and looked back at Applebloom. “She sure is bossy, isn’t she?” “Nothing like Fluttershy,” Sweetie Belle said. “She just stands off and doesn’t say anything!” “She’s just shy. Once ya get to know her, she’s really nice!” Applebloom protested. “Maybe... But what’s the idea of her just running off on us?” Sweetie Bell complained. “She’s probably just checkin’ somethin’ out,” Applebloom said. - - - - - - - - Luna trotted deeper into the forest, and looked around carefully. Her eyes narrowed. I know you’re here... Somewhere... Something was moving through the trees--Like a gigantic tiger. Luna’s focused sharpened. No, not a tiger... Two legs only... Something big... The ground rumbled beneath her hooves in a steady pattern. Boom... Boom... Boom... Through the trees, the great monster came into view under the shadows of the forest canopy. It’s massive head was long and angular, and filled with teeth like steak knives. It stood on two powerful legs with three clawed toes each. It’s body was black and covered in hard scales, even it’s small clawed forearms. It’s a Rex... Luna thought to herself. What species? It’s been so long since I perused the castle library on large saurians... Never had any reason to do so before-! The Rex paused, and sniffed. “Could have sworn I heard that awful singing... Hope that whatever it is tastes better than it sounds,” it muttered to himself. Luna grimaced. Focus Luna.... She cast a spell and neutralized her own scent. She also subtlety altered her appearance to blend in better with the trees. The Rex looked in her direction, but did nothing else. It sniffed a few times again before moving on, the ground shaking under it’s steps. Luna sighed in relief in her mind... Before the calling began. “SELENE! HEY, SELEEEEEENE!” Scootaloo shouted. The Rex stopped, then turned it’s head back towards the sound. Luna cringed. “MISS SELEEEEEEENE! WHERE ARE YOU?!” Applebloom yelled. “ARE YOU OKAYYYYYYY?!” Sweetie Belle cried. The Rex began moving towards them. Luna groaned, then spread her wings and flew up in front of the Rex. It stopped and growled. “Hey! Hey hey hey, over here, over here!” Luna cried. The Rex growled. “You! Tasty pegasus, COME HERE!” The beastlunged with it’s jaws open to try and catch her. Luna deftly avoided the snapping jaws and flew back around behind the beast. It turned and growled again, it’s massive jaws snapping at her like a steel trap the size of a well. “Grawr!” It bellowed, “Get back here!” Luna came to a stop a few meters away from it in front of the gorge wall. She turned and glared at the monster. Come on, come on....! “GOT YOU!” The Rex lunged, massive jaws wide open. Luna waited until the last possible second, and teleported out of the way. She appeared several meters above the monster as it slammed into the wall hard, it’s gin-trap like mouth finding only rocks. It roared in pain and Luna took the opportunity to fly back to the path, negating her scent through magic the whole way. Coming through the trees, she pranced to a stop where her charges waited. All three were in the process of taking deep breaths to shout again, and in a fit of panic Luna covered Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo’s mouths. “Applebloom!” She said quickly. “Mmph!” Responded the other two fillies. “Miss Selene! Are ya all right?” Applebloom asked. “Pfft! Where’d you go? What was it?” Scootaloo asked flatly. “And why’d you shut us up?” “Yeah! You didn’t have to do that!” Sweetie Belle protested. “I had to... Deal with a porcupine,” Luna said at last, deciding she didn’t want to panic the fillies. Much staring ensued. Luna coughed. “It was a very emotionally disturbed porcupine, and I had to counsel him about his trauma regarding ponies. We really should leave so he can adjust to it without further trouble, come along come along!” She pushed the fillies ahead of herself, and let them get a bit of a head start before she followed, scanning behind her for any sign of the Rex. It was not far enough, however, for her to be deaf to the resulting conversation. “A porcupine? Really?” Scootaloo huffed. “She is friends with Fluttershy,” Sweetie Belle said. “But Fluttershy could’ve done that in a lot less time!” “Ah’m sure she did her best... Must have been a really, really stubborn porcupine! Maybe we could get porcupine counselor cutie marks!” Applebloom suggested. “Later, Cutie Mark Crusaders! We’ve got more important things to do!” Scootaloo commanded, and off they went with a nervous Luna following. - - - - - - - The bridge across the chasm to the palace was just as rickety and hazardous as Luna remembered. “Hold on,” Luna called to the CMCs as Scootaloo tapped a board of the bridge. “I’ll go across first. If I don’t fall, it will be fine for the rest of you.” “Be careful, Miss Selene!” Applebloom said. “She’s got wings, I think she’ll be fine,” Scootaloo grumped. Cautiously, Luna stepped out onto the bridge. She winced a bit at the creaking sound it made, but she continued on. When she at last made it to the other side, she turned around and smile. “You can all-” She froze when she saw that the Cutie Mark Crusaders were right behind her. They smiled broadly at her. She scowled. “Hang on, I told you to wait-” “Yeah, but now we’re on the other side just fine!” Scootaloo said cheerfully. “You know what that means!” “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! GO!” They shouted, and charged around Luna to the ruins of the old palace. Luna sighed and looked back at the rickety old bridge. She then looked back at the palace. She took a few steps before a gigantic black, furry hand reached up and wrapped it’s fingers around her. “Huh?!” Luna cried as she was dragged down into the chasm. She stopped her descent when she came eye level with some... Well, eyes. Very large brown ones, in a large, black furry face. Luna looked down and back up, and her efficient brain identified the creature: A giant ape, better known as a Kong. “Ah, hello,” Luna said politely. “Can I help you?” “You’re not as colorful as the other ones, but you’ll do,” the Kong spoke in a gruff voice. The ape snorted, and leaped to the other side of the chasm. It then slid down to a large outcropping far below covered in grass, and sat down. It set Luna down in front of it, and sat back as through expecting something. Luna scowled. “Excuse me, but could you kindly please tell me what-OOF!” The ape flicked Luna with one of it’s fingers, causing her to fall over. The ape then chortled as Luna got back up. “Heheheheheh...!” “Now see here, I am-OOF!” Luna was flicked over again, and the ape laughed even harder. Luna got back up and scowled. “Hahahahahahaha!” “Stop that you overgrown-ACK!” Luna fell over again, and the ape continued in his hysterics. The monster primate reached out to knock her over again, when she reached out with her hoof and stopped him. The ape stared, surprised that the small pony could have such strength. “What the...?” “Now... You will stop this at once or I will be upset, understand?” Luna demanded. The ape stared, before glowering and roaring at her. “GRAWRRRR!” It bellowed. “You can tell me to do anything! I’m a KONG! I RULE this forest, I AM this forest! You’re just a PONY! I WANT SOME FUN!” Luna made a face and covered her nose. “Oh dear...! Ugh! Brush your teeth sometime, won’t you?” Luna asked. The ape glared. “Er... If it would be all right with you?” “You cheeky little-!” The Kong reached out to grab her in both hands. She leaped up to evade him, and flapped her wings to escape. She sighed as the ape beat his chest and shook his fists at her, but decided she would be better tasked looking over the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “YOU ROTTEN LITTLE PONY! I’LL GET YOU!” Ignoring the beast’s increasingly distant cries, Luna landed outside the front door of the palace. She found the wagon of supplies just outside. She entered the palace, and looked around for her charges. It was long, given that the fillies had apparently gone all the way to the other side of the east wing, but it was easy to locate them. “WOO HOO!” Scootallo cried as she used her wings to send the chandelier above into a death spiral. “This is awesome! I want one!” Nearby, Sweetie Belle was trotting around ancient coats of armor, brushing them and examining them with a magnifying glass. “This armor must be... A bazillion years old,” she recorded diligently in her notepad. She looked over at Luna. “Oh, hey Miss Selene!” “... Um, where is Applebloom?” Luna asked. “OKAY SCOOTALOO!” Applebloom bellowed in the next room. “LET ER GO!” “YEAH!” Scootaloo cried, and with her hooves she used a crystalline knife to slice through the carefully woven, centuries old rope holding the chandelier when it was swung furthest towards the door. The chandelier was let loose, but to Luna’s growing horror it was not being directed at the door--It was directed at the stained glass window above it depicting the passover of Comet Shadowfax thirteen centuries ago. CRASH! Or rather, through a stained glass window depicting the passover of Comet Shadowfax thirteen centuries ago. Applebloom came through the door, looking unharmed, dirty, and cheerful. The cheerful part dropped and was replaced with a nervous smile when she saw the horrified look on Luna’s face. “Ah, hey Miss Selene! Sorry about the window, but we needed to bust through the floor tiling!” Applebloom explained. Scootaloo landed, using her wings to brake, with a grin. “Yeah! There was this big x on the floor and since ‘X’ usually marks the spot of some treasure, we decided to bust through!” “The X... The x in the center of the floor... Surrounded by pillars?” Luna asked in a choked voice. “That’s right!” Scootaloo said proudly. “With a view up through the observatory mirror system?” Luna asked again, sounding like she was trying to keep from crying. Scootaloo frowned. “Mirrors? Oh yeah, there are mirrors!” Through the destroyed window, numerous mirrors fell as through raining from the sky, the sounds of them breaking like a small thunderstorm. Luna’s jaw dropped as she watched this. Applebloom winced with every smash. Scootaloo winced too. “Oops... Um... Well... Archaeology, ya gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet, right?” “You should have let me write all of that stuff down!” Sweetie Belle complained as she came out from the long line of suits of armor. “Now I have to put it all together again!” “Don’t worry, ah brought glue! Ah left it on the wagon!” Applebloom said. “Oh?” Sweetie Belle asked, turning around. She bumped the suit of armor, which wobbled precariously before it fell. The one next to it fell too, as did the next, and the next, until finally every single suit was reduced to a pile of brightly painted metal on the floor. Sweetie Belle coughed at the dust this stirred up and looked over at the trembling Luna. “Um... Oops... Guess we’ll need more glue.” “Don’t worry none, Miss Selene! We’ll fix all this up, promise!” Applebloom said, placing a comforting hoof on Luna’s forelimb. She heaved a great breath, trying to calm herself. Calm... Calm... Don’t get angry... It was all an accident... You can fix it all... They didn’t know what they were doing. “Why are you gettin’ so worked up? Are you all right?” Scootaloo asked, showing some concern. “I mean... If you wanted to do some exploring too, you can!” … You can’t send them to the sun for this. It’s all fixable. Luna took some calming breaths. “No, it’s just that... Archaeology is easier to do if you don’t wreck what you’re trying to study,” she explained calmly. “It is? But that’s how it always happens in the movies!” Scootaloo protested. “This isn’t a movie, dummy!” Sweetie Belle said harshly. “I’m not a dummy, you’re a dummy! You knocked over the suits!” “You smashed the chandelier, the window and the mirrors!” “Calm down! Please!” Luna called, as much to herself as to the fillies. “All right? Listen. To. Me.” The three fillies treated her with undivided attention. Luna smiled and nodded, despite still feeling stressed. “You need to understand the context of everything to understand if one thing was important or not. For instance...” She looked around, and felt relief when she saw a mural on the wall that had escaped any damage. It was an old one, and a bit embarrassing for her seeing how it depicted her driving off several Rexes and other monsters from her palace grounds with a lightning storm around her head and fire coming from her wings. Sure, that’s how it happened but it had always struck Luna as egotistical to have such a mural up. Celestia though had insisted she allow it up, and grudgingly Luna had done so. She pointed her hoof up at it. “For instance, this mural looks like it was held with great importance given how high it was on the wall. The pony who commissioned it didn’t want it to be damaged, they wanted it to be in a high place where everypony would look up at it.” “Ooooh,” the Cutie Mark Crusaders said. “And,” Luna continued, “thanks to the mirror system in the... That was in the observatory, you could reflect sun or moonlight through the window to project onto the mural, getting different color effects.” “Wow... You could tell all that just by looking at it?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Neat!” Scootaloo said. “That’s cool!” Applebloom added. Luna smiled and nodded. “Yes. And thanks to the fact that you didn’t bust it up, you can see it, and appreciate it for what it is and how much effort the ponies who made it put into it.” She turned to look back over at the young fillies. “History is the only way the ponies who made these wonderful things will be remembered. That is the core of archaeology...” Luna’s eyes dipped to their blank flanks. “And if it is your special talent, it will be a wonderful one.” Three pairs of shiny eyes looked back at Luna in silent wonder. Applebloom was the first to break it. “Aw right! Let’s go get our gear!” She turned and galloped off for the front doors, her sister Cutie Mark Crusaders in hot pursuit. Luna smiled as she watched them go, and looked back at the mural. The wall then exploded outward, as a huge roaring monster smashed through it. The Rex that had been stalking them snarled in triumph as it beheld Luna, and made to snap her up into it’s jaw. CRASH! With a massive crash the great ape Luna had escaped entered the palace as well. It landed on the floor of the palace hall, and bellowed in challenge to the Rex, drumming it’s fists over it’s chest. The Rex charged the great ape, and the ape grabbed it’s jaws. Flexing it’s powerful body, the Rex rolled over and sent the ape flying into another wall, smashing a fountion. Unshaken, the ape grabbed a statue off the wall and threw it at the Rex, smacking it in the head. Luna very, very slowly brought her hoof to her glasses. She removed them, and set them down on the floor in a relatively safe place. She then trotted with purpose to the two warring monsters. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me.” They ignored her, the great ape punching the huge saurian in the chest. The Rex retaliated by trying to bite the primate’s hand off, but the primate pulled back just in time. “Excuse me...” The ape leaped backward to grab onto the roof with both of his feet hands, and punched the saurian again as it charged. “EXCUSE ME.” Both combatants ceased their combat, and looked over at Luna, whose eyes were glowing. She trotted up between them both and looked back and forth. “Now... We have two questions for you two,” Luna said in a calm tone. “Just two.” She looked up with a glare. “Why are thou fighting?” The two monsters looked at each other, then back to Luna. The saurian cleared it’s throat and spoke first. “Um, well... I was hungry...” “He was trying to eat you,” the ape replied in a cross tone. “Ponies are fun to play with!” “All right... Second question: Whose palace did you just smash into?” Luna asked. The saurian blinked. “The palace of... Ponies?” The ape scratched his head. “I think it was the Moon Palace... In the old times.” “Yes... And whose palace would that make this?” Luna asked. “The old Moon princess,” the ape answered, smiling as though enjoying the game but impatient to get back to clobbering the Rex. The Rex growled, getting more irritated. “What is the point of all this? I can just eat you with one bite! And your young!” The Rex snarled. “You can’t do that! I want to play with them!” The ape growled. “Ahem,” Luna cleared her throat. “One last question, for both of you. To ask thyselves.” She treated them both to a stern glare, and subtlety gestured with her head towards the part of the mural that hadn’t been destroyed. The part with herself as an enraged, avenging goddess. “What happened to anyone in the ancient days who dared attack the Moon Princess, those under her protection, or the palace itself?” Luna asked. Both monsters looked over at the mural. They looked back at Luna. Summoning her magic, she set forth flames from around her wings, lightning to shoot around her head, and her eyes to glow. The two monsters gaped in disbelief as Luna spoke again “Take your time...” They still continued to stare, neither of them saying anything. Luna’s scowl deepened. “... Well?” “... Um... Princess Celestia?” Asked the Rex. The entire palace darkened, the only source of light Luna’s enraged form. “Try again.” “Um, the Great and Powerful Trixie?” The Kong tried. “Pinkamenia?” “Primus?” “Lauren Faust?” Both tyrannosaur and megaprimate were treated to the rare sight of a deity in wrath beating her head against the wall. - - - - - - - - - All of the loud banging and crashing and roaring didn’t escape the notice of the Cute Mark Crusaders, outside the palace they may have been. However, it took several minutes for them to gallop back. They burst through the double doors that had marked the entrance to the sanctuary they’d been exploring. “YAH!” “HAH!” “HIYAH!” Applebloom posed with a trowel, Scootaloo with a shovel, and Sweetie Belle with a flashlight. All three dropped their tools when they saw the state of the grand hall. “Oh... Oh my... Miss Selene! Miss Selene, are you all right?!” Sweetie Belle cried, galloping over to Luna. She was adjusting her glasses in the middle of the devastation. “What happened?!” Scootaloo asked. “You aw right?” Applebloom added. Luna smiled. “I’m fine... A Rex and a Kong smashed through, fighting in the palace.” “Seriously?!” All three Cutie Mark Crusaders asked eagerly. “Weren’t you scared?” Sweetie Belle asked. “A bit, yes,” Luna said. “I just hid and waited until they left. I’m just glad the three of you weren’t here when they were fighting.” “I’m not!” Scootaloo pouted. “Seeing a Rex and a Kong fightin’ like that!” “And now the palace is destroyed! How are we going to do any archaeology now?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Well,” Luna said carefully. “You can’t just give up after one try, right?” “No,” Applebloom said. “But if we’d had a camera... We could’ve gotten ‘Nature documentary Cutie Marks!’” “Maybe we can still get them!” Scootaloo said. “Let’s go check and see if there’s a camera in the wagon!” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo took off, but Applebloom lingered. She looked back at Luna. “... Princess Luna, did a Rex and a Kong really break in here fighting?” She asked. Luna nodded. “Yes... I just didn’t want to scare you girls when I saw them before...” She sighed. “But it seems I was worrying over nothing.” “Nah, it’s okay Princess Luna,” Applebloom said with a bright smile. “Ah know you were just lookin’ out for us.” She looked around curiously. “So... Where are they now?” Luna just smiled. - - - - - - - - - - “This is all your fault!” “MY fault?! You’re the one who guessed wrong!” “YOU GUESSED WRONG TOO!” Kong and Rex heard something rustling in the grass nearby, and stopped their bickering. A massive white, furry face with black eyes and sharp teeth peered through. “MEOWWWWW...” “RUN AWAY!” Both now diminutive monsters yelled, as they fled from the house cat now about three times their size. A house cat that was caught by a bit of unicorn magic, and pulled away. “Now Opalescence, you know better than to torment poor, small creatures! You’ll muss your coat,” Rarity sniffed. “Come on, it’s time for lunch.” The two monsters watched the unicorn take the giant cat into her shop, and breathed a sigh of relief. “How long did she say this would last?” The Kong asked. “Until we get back to the Everfree Forest,” the Rex said glumly. “Well then... Looks like it’s up to me to save the day,” the Kong said, punching his fist into his hand. “Or we could find the kind yellow skinned pony,” the Rex suggested. “... Or... That, yes,” the Kong grunted. “Which of us was supposed to be the smart one?” “Which of us has a jaw I can snap by pulling it in two directions really hard?” The Rex wisely kept his mouth shut. - - - - - - - - - To be continued...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T18:11:06+00:00

2012-02-03T18:11:06+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 8: The Spa By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - Luna escorted the Cutie Mark Crusaders back to Ponyville, Applebloom to her farm and Scootaloo to Rainbow Dash’s cloud castle (which struck Luna as a bit odd but she thought nothing more of it), which left Sweetie Belle. The pale filly was all smiles and her mouth kept flapping the entire way to her home. “Ooh Mommy’s always going on about how I keep ending up in the basement and the room with the water heater and the trash can-I don’t really know myself, I guess I just get distracted-OOF!” Sweetie Belle ran into a fence post and rubbed her nose. “Owww...” “Are you all right?” Luna asked automatically, as at this point the poor filly had run into several obstacles. Sweetie Belle smiled cheerfully. “I’m fine!” “Good,” Luna said. “So anyway, Big Sister keeps telling me to not eat butterflies because they’re bad for my health but they taste sooo yummy! I don’t know why, they just do and...” “Sweetie Belle! SWEETIE BELLE!” Called a smooth female voice that Luna recognized. She looked over at a nearby fashion shop, where the elegant looking proprietress waved from the door. She had an expertly coiffed mane and tail, both of deep purple, with well kept white fur and warm blue eyes. Sweetie Belle brightened. “Hi Rarity!” She galloped over to her apparent sister and nuzzled her, an action the pony returned. She looked up at Luna who stood there a bit awkwardly and offered a dazzling smile. “This is my big sister, Rarity!” Sweetie Belle introduced. “Hello! Welcome to Ponyville, Miss... Selene was it?” “Ah, yes. Yes, that’s me, how did you know?” Luna asked, self consciously adjusting her glasses. “Pinky Pie has invited everypony, simply everypony to the celebrations and-Oh my goodness, look!” “What? Where?” Luna looked behind herself. Seeing nothing alarming, she turned her gaze back-And very nearly bumped heads with Rarity. “Eep!” “You’re absolutely filthy! Your hair is a mess, your fur hasn’t been combed-My dear, you look like a complete and total wreck!” Rarity shook her head. “Well, there’s nothing for it. You cannot go to the party looking like that!” “But I-” “No no, this will not do! Go on Sweetie Belle, mother is expecting you. I must tend to Miss Selene!” Rarity took hold of Luna’s hoof and began dragging her off. Luna, alarmed, began flapping her wings but the white furred pony seemed possessed of a far greater strength than her slender form would suggest. “N-Now hang on a moment! There’s really no need-!” “There is every need! And I am more than happy to fulfill it!” “Goodbye Miss Selene! See you later!” Sweetie Bell said cheerfully. “Run right home to mother Sweetie Belle, and no eating butterflies!” “But Sissss...!” “No buts!” Rarity said sternly as she dragged the helpless Luna away. “No! Wait! Sweetie Belle! Help!” - - - - - - - - “Now then,” Rarity said pleasantly as she dragged Luna into a tall wooden building with some aesthetics of the Orient incorporated into it’s architecture. “This will have to be a short session, but I believe a mare like you won’t need that long.” “Uh, well, here’s the thing, I’ve never really-” Luna tried, but Rarity interrupted with that same easy grace and authority. “Nonsense! You don’t have to worry about a thing dear,” Rarity said. “Come along!” Feeling trapped, Luna sighed and trotted after Rarity into a wide open office that seemed designed to make one feel relaxed with it’s warm temperature, wooden floors, and sky blue and cloud white walls. The white mare signed them in at the front desk, and trotted over to two attractive twin mares-One blue, the other pink. Both of them bowed, and dressed Rarity in a white bathrobe. Rarity batted her eyes at Luna with a warm smile. “Come along! I assure you, it will be simply marvelous!” “Well,” Luna looked between the attendants, then found herself shrugging. “All right...” The attendants moved as one and slipped Luna into a bathrobe with holes for her wings. An approving look from Rarity calmed her down somewhat and the two ponies were escorted into the baths. Luna moved towards the nearest pool, but Rarity waved her hoof. “No no no, we start with a nice, relaxing table shower!” “Table shower?” Luna asked with a raised brow. - - - - - - - - “AUGH! IT’S COLD! IT’S COLD!” “Oops! Sorry, it takes a bit to warm up.” “EEP! Why are you scrubbing there?!” “Now darling, just relax! They must get everywhere...” “I-I suppose-EEP! HEY!” “Now now, don’t get so defensive, we are professionals.” “Well I suppose but-EEEEEP! N-Now just one moment!” “She’s being very uncooperative, Lotus.” “I know Aloe. Whatever shall we do?” “We must use... The Auto-Brush.” “... Auto-Brush?” BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! “AIEE!” - - - - - - - - - Rarity chuckled as she gracefully trotted out of the shower area. “Come along dear, it wasn’t that bad.” Luna trotted after, wincing and swaying. “Ergh...” “Now admittedly, it does tug a bit hard the first time... My dear, since when did you last brush your fur anyway?” “Um...” Luna tried to think. “No matter! It’s brushed now so you can move to the next part of relaxation!” Rarity said cheerfully. She got onto a low lying table and waved her tail to the one next to her. “Come along!” “What’s the next part?” Luna asked as she laid down. Aloe was almost immediately by her, and began drumming her hooves over Luna’s back. “Hee?!” “A relaxing massage! Oh thank you Lotus, mmm... That is just lovely,” Rarity practically purred as Lotus’s hooves went over her back. Luna winced as Aloe’s hooves went all over her back and atop her flanks. “My Miss Selene, you are tense,” Aloe observed in a soothing voice. “Er, well...” I’m not comfortable with being touched and so I’m magically reinforcing my body, she thought to herself in a rather sarcastic tone. “That’s all right,” Aloe said with a smile. “I know just what to use on you.” “Um... What?” Luna asked. Lotus tossed Aloe a pair of cucumber shaped devices, which she twirled around like a nin-pony might a pair of swords. She smirked and flicked on both devices, which began to vibrate. “These will help you relax,” Aloe said with an almost fiendish glee. “ACK!” Luna rolled off the table to avoid the back massagers, and jumped up. “I’m getting out of this mad house!” “No pony can escape our relaxing hooves!” Lotus contributed, hopping up onto her back hooves with another pair of back massagers buzzing away in her forehooves. Rarity blinked and looked between the grinning attendants. “Ah... Darlings? Aren’t you coming on just a bit too strong?” “HIYAH!” “YAH!” “EEP!” Luna jumped up and flapped her wings, deftly avoiding the two attendants. “You ponies are mad!” Lotus jumped over to Aloe, who caught her in her forehooves and thrust up to throw her into the air. Lotus curled into a ball and somersaulted to kick off the ceiling, back massagers plunging down like knives. Luna dodged with a triumphant smile. “AHA! You will not find me so easy a foe to-” BZZ! She had, unfortunately, forgotten Aloe below. “HEE! AHAHAHAHA! N-NO, STOP IT, STOP IT AHAHAHAHA!” Luna cackled as she was tickled furiously by first Aloe, and then Lotus. She fell to the table and laughed hysterically under the dual assault. “HOLD IT!” Rarity said loudly, holding her hooves up high. She glared at Aloe and Lotus, who ceased their attack on the giggling princess. “Clearly, she is rather uncomfortable with the situation. Why don’t you let me handle things from this point, girls?” “Ah, but Miss Rarity,” Lotus protested, “we are here to pamper you!” “Be that as it may, Miss Selene is in need of more pampering,” Rarity said gently. “You can attend to me later, allow me to handle her.” The twins looked disappointed, and a bit resentful, but they obeyed their mistress and departed through the doors. Luna caught her breath on the table and tried to get up. “Ah... Thank you, I need to-Oof!” Rarity pushed her down with a smile. “Ah, Rarity?” “Now now, let Mistress Rarity take care of all your problems,” Rarity cooed as she began to massage the bases of her wings. Luna trembled and found her muscles all turning to jelly. “Oh-Ohhh...” She moaned. “Oh my, you do have a lot of tension here! When was the last time you got a massage?” Rarity asked. “A-A thousand yearssss...!” “Feels like it!” Rarity smiled. "You know, your voice really is wonderful. You should let it out more often." "Ohhh~!" - - - - - - - - Some time later, Luna was walking on air (almost literally) with Rarity to the baths. Aloe and Lotus were now out of sight. Luna kept scanning carefully, keeping her magical senses locked onto them. “You know Selene, you really are quite the fighter,” Rarity observed. “Far more... Aggressive than I thought.” She raised a graceful eyebrow. Luna flushed and looked aside. “Ah... Sorry... I’m not very comfortable being... Touched, I suppose.” “Oh? Why is that?” Rarity asked as she sank into the warm water. She sighed happily and rolled her head on her neck. Luna sank in nearby, trying to keep her distance without looking like she was keeping her distance. “Um... I suppose I’m not... Good with other ponies socially,” Luna said with a heavy blush. “I don’t um... Do well.” She sighed. “I’m here because I’m not good socially.” “Oh? What happened?” Rarity asked. Luna sighed. “I um... I accidentally walked in on my... Uh... Roommate and her...” “Oh... Oh! Oh dear,” Rarity said. She laid a comforting hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “I completely understand. That can be very awkward.” “I don’t know how to go back and face them... And here I feel like I’ve caused so many problems. I mean, I’ve been forgiven for them but...” Luna sighed. “You feel like you don’t deserve it?” Rarity asked. Luna shrugged. “... Maybe a little.” “Dear, you need to realize that forgiveness is a two way street. It involves trust on both sides,” Rarity said. “I’m sure your friend will realize you didn’t mean to walk in on her, and I’m sure you will realize you didn’t cause anything too harmful.” Rarity smiled and nuzzled Luna’s cheek. “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.” “You’ve been in the same situation?” Luna asked. “Certainly... More times than I would like,” Rarity sighed. She smiled. “It didn’t always turn out badly though...” Luna stared at Rarity expectantly. Rarity stared into space, the smile still on her face and a slight blush on her cheeks. Her forelegs came around the moon princess. “Ah... Rarity?” “Hm? Yes?” Rarity asked. “Something wrong?” “You’re... Er... Hugging me,” Luna said. “Do you mind?” Rarity asked softly. “Er... I suppose not?” Luna said, looking to the side. “Good...” Rarity purred. - - - - - - - - - - To be continued... Ninja Pony Spa Attendants! Coming to the CW this fall! Don't miss it!

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-03T18:18:33+00:00

2012-02-03T18:18:33+00:00

Progress: Luna versus Ponyville Part 9: Magic of Friendship By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - - Emerging from the spa, Rarity and Luna trotted down the road, both turning more than a few heads as they passed. Luna, being her usual shy self, kept her head low. All this attention made her feel uncomfortable. She was no stranger to remarks about her beauty-A thousand years ago she had been the subject of a great deal of artwork, just the same as Celestia. Admired, spoken of, even poetry addressed to her in the years before she became Nightmare Moon. It hadn’t matched the output directed to Celestia though. The daytime was always the time for art, the time for play, the time for work. Dreams were the domain of the night, which had inspired many a pony in all these areas... But the work done was during the day. The creative process was the domain of the day... “Miss Selene, we’re almost there,” Rarity said with a gentle smile. Luna glanced over at Rarity, and around at her surroundings. In the distance stood a house made out of a tree, with a sign hanging above the door with a candlestick carved into it. “There?” “Yes... I’m sure you would like to see Twilight Sparkle. After all,” and here Rarity’s smile resembled Celestia’s after a successful prank,”it is why you came here, is it not?” Luna blinked once, before sighing. She had a smile on her face as well though. “How long?” “Since I met you,” Rarity said. “But as you can see, I have the sense required to not bleat it all over the town. As much as I love dear Pinkie Pie, she is not the most... Subtle of ponies,” the white mare explained. “You weren’t exactly subtle yourself,” Luna said flatly. Rarity blinked. “Why whatever do you mean, Miss Selene?” Rarity asked, suddenly the picture of innocence. Luna found herself thinking the shop proprietor missed her calling to be an actress. However, for all her lack of social graces she knew a prankster, and there was a bit of that in Rarity. “You know very well what I’m talking about,” Luna said flatly. Rarity smiled and shrugged. “What are we talking about, my dear?” She asked, adding a low sensuous tone to her voice. It seemed at just the right modulation to make Luna’s cheeks burn bright red, and she resolved to study the phenomena when she wasn’t so embarassed. “Nevermind,” Luna mumbled. Rarity chuckled. “My apologies, Miss Selene. Please understand I have nothing but the utmost respect for you,” she said. “But I saw how desperately you were trying to blend in, and you were doing a somewhat poor job of it. Loosening you up just a bit was my remedy... After all, it did Twilight Sparkle herself a world of good.” “Oh...” Luna smiled. “Of course... You know, you would get along perfectly with my sister.” “Oh really? Have I met her?” Rarity asked with a laugh. Luna laughed a bit herself. “Oh yes, you have.” “I think I might remember her,” Rarity mused. Luna stopped laughing. “... My dear, is something the matter?” Rarity asked. Luna smiled a bit awkwardly. “No, nothing at all...” “Come now dear, you’re acting as though I should know your sister! For the life of me, I can’t figure it out,” Rarity said. She laughed. “Unless of course your sister was Princess Celestia.” “Ahahahahahaha! Hahahahah! H-How ridiculous!” Luna laughed, quite loudly and unnaturally. Rarity stared at Luna. Luna stared back. “Rarity! Rarity, hello!” Both ponies looked over and saw a familiar purple unicorn trotting up to them with a smile on her face. Luna looked back at Rarity and nervously adjusted her glasses. Rarity’s hair was curling fantastically as her eyes widened, the light of realization shining out. “Oh... Oh yes... Um... Hello Twilight, this is Miss Selene. She’s a librarian from Canterlot, visiting,” Rarity got out in a high pitched voice. “Y-Yes! A perfectly normal librarian who is not in any way, shape or form Princess Luna so nopony needs to feel embarrassed for any behavior they may have committed!” Luna babbled rapidly. Twilight blinked a few times and raised an eyebrow. “Ooo... Kay...?” Rarity, her hair curling, managed to maintain her dignity with a deep breath. “Y-Yes, quite... Ah, I should go work on the preparations for the party, right now, and uh, calm myself you can see I’m a royal-wreck, yes, a royal wreck! And I simply must get you something decent to wear before the party goodbye!” Rarity turned and galloped off hard, leaving a dust cloud in her wake. Twilight blinked a few more times. Luna shook her head and turned a smile to Twilight. “So... Would you care for some news from Canterlot, Miss Sparkle? In return, you can make me some tea... If that would be all right with you? A fair trade.” “Ah... Y-Yes! Yes of course Prin... I mean, M-Miss Selene,” Twilight stuttered. - - - - - - - Within the treehouse, an oppressive silence reigned over the princess and the librarian. The tea kettle burbled and boiled happily on the stove, while the two sat on furniture and stared at anything other than each other. “... Very... Very nice weather,” Twilight got out. “Yes... Yes, it sure is,” Luna replied, just as quietly. Uncomfortable silence... My old friend, Luna thought angrily. Back with Fluttershy, Applebloom and Angel had broken the awkwardness. It was for this reason her wrath had been painless to the small rabbit. Well, physically. Besides, she liked rabbits. Come now... If a rabbit can challenge a goddess, then surely you can break the ice on your own this time... Luna took a deep breath. The tea kettle whistled. “Oh! The tea is ready!” Twilight said. She got up and trotted over to lift it off the stove with her telekinesis, at a distance well within range of her abilities. She took a while to add sugar. “Do you want anything?” Luna took a deep breath, and let it out as a sigh. “Milk and sugar please,” She asked. Twilight nodded. “It’s... It’s a bit um... I’ve never heard of anyone putting milk in their tea, Your Majesty.” “It’s a bit odd, I know, but I enjoy it,” Luna said quietly. “Oh... Sorry,” Twilight said. She brought the tea cups over and moved a pile of books off to the side. “Sorry, I-I don’t entertain often, you understand. Last time was a slumber party-My first one, you understand?” “Yes, I do,” Luna said softly. She was finding herself getting angrier with Twilight’s behavior. Fluttershy was more understandable. She had been meek from the first time Luna had met her. But this mare? “Princess Luna? “Hm? Oh... Thank you,” Luna said as she accepted her tea. Twilight sat across from her, trembling a bit as she lifted her tea cup to her lips. “I mean, I had never done it before... I didn’t do a lot of socializing in Canterlot, you understand,” Twilight babbled on. “I was mainly studying under Princess Celestia. Equestrian Magic and Law, History, all sorts of subjects...” Twilight smiled shyly at Luna. “I-I guess you could say I um...” “... Lived in the library?” Luna asked. Twilight nodded. “Yes... yes I did.” “Why don’t you tell me about your studies? What you have learned?” Luna asked. “You do tell my sister all that you have learned, but I would like to learn it from you, first-hoof.” She gave her a smile, that was far more genuine than she thought it would be. For Twilight Sparkle returned it. “Well... I’ve learned twenty five different kinds of magic so far. The hardest to learn was transformative magic, having to maintain the mind link is very taxing...” “Yes it is. I’m afraid the only means to get better at that is constant practice, though I’ve found meditation helps,” Luna explained. “Finding your center is paramount to maintaining control of your magic, as your emotions can very easily affect it.” “Yes, though I usually unwind with a good book or a bath,” Twilight said. Luna smiled. “No no, it’s all right. Anything that calms you down is good for magic. The better you get at it, the less time you will need between intense magical usage.” The moon princess had a very good idea then. “Would you like me to teach you some magic I make use of regularly?” Twilight lit up, any lingering traces of nervousness vanishing. “I-I would love to, Your Majesty! I mean, Miss Selene!” “All right, let’s go then,” Luna said with a growing smile of her own. - - - - - - - The two trotted out to a nearby field which was within sight of a number of buildings. Luna looked around and nodded in satisfaction. “... Well, this'll do for now, I suppose. All right.” She turned to Twilight. “You can teleport, which is a good skill to have. Celestia is quite good at it when pressed, however, she reserves it only for emergencies. I believe you’ve already discovered how taxing it can be on your stamina?” Twilight nodded in acknowledgement. “Yes.” “The most likely reason for that is that you are quite simply too powerful for your own good,” Luna assessed. Twilight blinked. “I’m too powerful?” “Well, that’s not a bad thing at all,” Luna soothed. “It just means you require more training in direct control. It also means you can master a type of technique myself and my sister employ, as do a number of other talented unicorns.” “Oh? What is that?” Twilight asked. “It’s a relatively simple technique,” Luna explained, “wherein you boost your speed for short bursts using magical enhancement. The advantages of this are considerable: You don’t need to cast an incantation, you just need to train yourself to use it like you would your telekinesis. With a little willpower, you can increase your speed in a short burst by magically enhancing your entire body.” “Can you demonstrate it for me?” Twilight asked with a smile. Luna nodded. “Certainly. Pay careful attention.” Luna focused her magical energies throughout her body, doing it in a deliberately slow manner to allow Twilight to get as much information on the technique as possible. She turned towards the forest, and released the magical energy as she broke into a gallop. The burst sent her screaming forth at incredible speed, and she came to a carefully controlled stop. She looked over her shoulder and saw Twilight was a distant purple shape, and that she was in the trees. Luna turned back and repeated the manuever, and in a moment she was standing in front of the slack jawed Twilight. Leaves and various other light debris blew past them on a wind kicked up by her movement. “... Oh wow! That was incredible!” Twilight gasped. She frowned thoughtfully. “I’m gathering that the magical enhancement also enhances your durability? The intense acceleration would require that.” “Yes, it does,” Luna said, feeling pleased. “The technique is useful for combat that way. However, it has it’s limits. Unless you know how to combine an Invulnerability spell with the Acceleration, you’re better off using it for positioning, escape, or diversions.” “So it’s a combat spell?” Twilight asked with a thoughtful frown. “That was it’s original use, yes,” Luna said with a nod. “It can also be used in the air, and if you get very good at it, you can change direction while at that speed. The basic version requires you stop between every change in direction.” The moon princess smiled at Twilight. “Would you like to give it a shot?” “Yes!” Twilight cried eagerly. She pointed herself towards the forest, took deep breaths, and powered up. Her aura flared and the wind picked up around her. Her eyes glowed and she tensed. “Twilight, wai-!” Luna tried, but it was far too late. BOOM! Luna closed her eyes against the backdraft caused by the incredible force of Twilight’s acceleration. Glass shattered seemingly everywhere around, and some kind of alarm went off in the distance. Luna opened her eyes, just enough for a wince, before she took off after Twilight. She found the purple mare a mile away in the forest, dazedly getting to her hooves. Her hair had frizzed out into an afro, and she wobbled a bit. Luna landed. “Are you all right?” Luna asked. “Y-Yeah... I’m all right...” Twilight looked around the forest, and blinked. “Uh oh... Um...” “You over did it just a bit,” Luna said with a wince. She smiled. “Though you did break the sound barrier... I didn’t do that until after several attempts.” “Wow... Thank you!” Twilight said. She frowned. “What is that siren?” “You... Broke some glass,” Luna said. “Because of the sonic boom.” “Oh dear! We should go back right now-!” “Ah, ahahaha, not just yet,” Luna said. “I think we should go learn some more, elsewhere. Until everything dies down?” “Well, all right Your Maj-Um, Miss Selene,” Twilight said. - - - - - - - - They moved to a rocky, relatively barren area on the outside of town. The distant mountain peaks were haloed with clouds and cast into stark relief as the sun approached it’s setting. Luna found herself smiling. It was a beautiful sight, she had to admit. The transition from day to night. There was a certain art to it that Celestia had never gotten quite right, but hopefully Luna would be able to help her more. Below in the quarry, there was a small homestead with a lone windmill. Luna turned back to Twilight. “Okay... Let's try something simpler. Strength enhancement,” Luna said. “It will not involve any real movement, just a bit of focus.” “Another combat spell?” Twilight asked. Luna nodded. “Yes. Every magic user should have a few spells they can use for battle. Now, it uses a similar principle as the speed enhancement technique, but is more focused.” She held up her front hoof and focused her power. She pulled her hoof back and thrust it forward. “Ya!” The boulder shattered under the force of the blow. Twilight watched with wide eyes. “Oh, w-wow...!” “Focus your magic through your body... Feel it flow,” Luna advised. “Let it move with you, and move with your movements.” Twilight once again powered up, and she moved to another boulder. She took a few deep breaths. “Focus and calm yourself... Don’t use too much power, just as much as you need,” Luna warned. Twilight nodded. “Right...” She pulled back her hoof, and punched out. “YAH!” The boulder, rather than shattered... Went flying down the hill into the quarry below with a crash. Luna let out a sigh of relief. “Good! Very good. Now, let’s try a basic combo,” Luna said. “A combo?” Twilight asked, tilting her head curiously. Luna nodded. “Yes. Combined strikes and movements for battle. Here is a very simple one,” She reared up on her back hooves in front of a new boulder, and charged up. She unleashed two hoof strikes, then spun around to kick the boulder. It was smashed into rubble, and Luna spun around with a smile at her student. “Now you try,” Luna said. Twilight nodded. “All right...” She trotted up to yet another boulder, and charged up. She reared up and struck the boulder twice, before spinning around and kicking it. Like the first boulder, it flew off. Unlike the first boulder, it flew very, very high... And smashed through the roof of the farmhouse below. “Oh dear!” Luna and Twilight cried. Together, they charged down the hillside to the house. On the farmhouse porch, a dark yellow stallion with a beard and black hat, and a grey mare with her mane up in a bun were sitting in rocking chairs. Back and forth they rocked upon their creaky wooden furniture, eyes turned towards the edge of their rock fields. “.. Ma, ah do believe those damn dragons is throwin’ rocks at us again,” the stallion said. The mare nodded, got off her rocking chair and hit a secret control lever on the side of the door. “We must enact the Tenant of our simple faith and crush the Xenos that dare threaten our livelihoods!” She said in a spirited but matter of fact way as two saddles with machine guns and chainsaws attached to them emerged from a hidden trapdoor in the porch. The old stallion nodded, girded on his weapon, and helped his wife do the same before tugging on the start cords on his weapons, firing them up. The loud roars brought Luna and Twilight to a stop. "What is that?" Luna asked. "Uh... They sound like chainsaws and..." Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh horsefeathers." “DEATH TO THE UNBELIEVERS!” “FOR THE GLORY OF GODDESS QUEEN CELESTIA!” The two older ponies charged, and opened up their guns on Luna and Twilight. “What the-? NO WAIT! WAIT! HOLD YOUR FIRE!” Luna shouted as she formed a shield. “DEATH TO THE DRAGON FILTH!” Roared the mare. “NO! NO! HANG ON! THIS IS PRINCESS LUNA!” Twilight cried, holding her hooves up. Both ponies ceased fire and stared. “Princess who?” The stallion asked. “You know, Princess Luna? The Moon Goddess?” Luna suggested. “It has been a while but-” “She came back as Nightmare Moon?” Twilight tried. The two ponies started. “Nightmare Moon?” “DEVIL IN THE MOON!” “DEATH TO THE PROFANE USURPER!” “EEEP!” Luna and Twilight both cried, as they ran for the hills, dodging bullets and the occassional thrown chainsaw. - - - - - - It took a while, but they were able to lose the farmers in the woods. They trotted back towards Ponyville, Twilight’s head held low. “Haa... Your Majesty... I am so, so sorry,” she said. “I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to... To do any of that. I just, I lost control, I’m so sorry...” Luna closed her eyes tightly, angrily. She’d had to endure Twilight’s apologies the whole trip here, and they had not made her feel any better. In fact, a quiet anger had been brewing in her. You stood up to Nightmare Moon without so much as a flinch, and here you serve me tea with a stutter, and apologize constantly for your great power! What is wrong with you?! Luna thought furiously. She seemed so different from the brave pony she’d met on the night of her return... “You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here.” Twilight said, with a growing confidence in her voice. “You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!” Nightmare Moon shouted in defiance, arrogance... But above all else, fear was beginning to take root in her mind. “But it did!” She cried in her defiance, a reckless powerful hope lighting up her eyes as all of her friends joined with her. “A different kind of spark.” She turned to her friends, her smile growing as did the magic around them all. “I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all -- are my friends. You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... MAGIC!” Power, bright and brilliant and powerful emerged from all six of the gems, surrounding the ponies. And as one, their powers combined and came down on her in the form of a rainbow and with the speed of a lightning bolt from heaven. “NO! NOOOOO!” “Your-Your Majesty?” “Stop calling me that!” Luna said angrily, whirling around on the young unicorn. “Y-Yes, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I just lost control, I’m really not any good at this all-!” “And stop apologizing!” Luna growled. “You... You...” She stopped and stared at the young Twilight, who was staring back in shock and disbelief so familiar it made Luna’s heart catch in her throat. “... I’m the one who should be sorry,” Luna said, in a far calmer tone. “I underestimated how powerful and talented you were. It’s my responsibility. You’re still learning...” She smiled. “But your power and talent... You should never apologize for that.” Twilight stared back, and slowly nodded with a small smile. “I... Thank you, Prin... Miss Selene-” “Just forget about that too, all right?” Luna said. She looked out at the sun-It was almost totally set. She was going to be late if she didn’t get a move on in raising the moon and... Luna stared at Twilight for a very, very long time. She then laughed softly to herself, and shook her head. “Twilight... If you feel up to it, I have one more thing for you to try.” “Well... I’m a little tired, Princess...” Twilight steeled her resolve. “But if you want me to, I will.” “All right, come with me.” Luna led Twilight to a tall hill. It gave them a beautiful view of Ponyville below, and the sun setting behind the mountains. Luna turned to Twilight and smiled. “I’m going to link my magic with yours,” she said, and her aura flared to life. It joined with Twilight’s own, and both ponies’ eyes and horns began to glow. “Oh... Okay... What are we going to do?” Twilight asked. “We’re going to raise the moon together,” Luna said. Twilight’s eyes widened. “What?! But-But the moon-!” “Don’t worry, stay calm,” Luna soothed. “I will be linked with you the whole time. I will provide most of the push... But you are going to guide it. You know where it should be thanks to your studies, right?” “Well, yes, I do but-” “But nothing. You can do this, Twilight. Trust me... And trust yourself,” Luna said. “Don’t worry... I’m here.” Twilight closed her eyes, and gritted her teeth. Luna closed her eyes and focused as well, the familiar movements coming to her. She didn’t need her eyes to do this-The moon was hers, and even though it had been a thousand years, the old movements came as naturally as words from an old friend. Twilight’s magical presence was impossible to miss-She burned like a star herself. Her magical influence reached out, merging with Luna’s, throwing it off a bit but quickly refocusing and adjusting itself to move naturally with hers. “That’s right... Don’t fight it. She knows the way, you just need to remind her of the steps,” Luna advised. “Hnnngh...!” Twilight concentrated. Luna spread her wings and focused more deeply. In her mind’s eye, she could see the moon rising-A waning crescent, a tiny sliver of light peeking out like a winking eye. The stars emerged, free of the glare of the sun they sparkled and twinkled like diamonds high in the sky. These too Luna guided along their paths, setting the pace for Twilight to follow. Like any beginner, she overcompensated severely, but under Luna’s guidance the young unicorn kept the moon on course. At last, the connection broke, and Twilight collapsed to her knees gasping for breath. “Haa... Haa... Haa...” She looked up... And saw the moon winking down upon them from a sea of stars. Her exhausted face gained a smile, and she looked over at Luna to see a similar one on the moon goddess. “Very well done, little sister,” she said softly. Twilight’s eyelids grew heavy. “Huh...?” “Nothing Twilight. Nothing at all,” Luna said, stroking the top of her head affectionately. She looked to Ponyville, and saw a great multitude of ponies congregating at Twilight’s library. Among them were Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Big Mac, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. “Come on Twilight... We have a party to get to,” she said, lifting Twilight up carefully with her telekinesis and flying towards the town. - - - - - - Some time later, Pinkie Pie’s party was in full swing. Seemingly everypony was at the library, including many Luna had never formally met. She even met the strange gray pegasus who returned her abacus. The pegasus had no idea who she was. She and many other ponies joined Pinkie Pie’s growing conga line, and Luna didn’t worry about it, choosing instead to watch the rest of the partygoers. Rarity was conversing with Applejack about a certain book series in low tones, Fluttershy was shyly eating cake with the proprietors of Sugar Corner, Mr. and Mrs. Cake, and a recovered Twilight Sparkle was attempting to dance with an embarrassed looking Big Macintosh. She flushed a bit at how close they were getting, but turned away to see Spike watching. “Enjoying the party?” Spike asked with a little grin. Luna smiled and nodded. “Yes, actually...” “Ya know, I’m amazed anyone was fooled by those glasses... If you don’t mind me saying so, your Majesty,” Spike said with a little grin and a sotto voice. Luna looked over at Spike, then back at the crowd. “None of them will say anything, you know that,” Spike said. Luna shook her head and chuckled. “That’s not it.” “Then what?” Spike asked, interested. “Just how much trouble they caused me,” she said with a sigh. She adjusted them. “Not that much trouble though, huh?” Spike asked. “... No. No, I suppose not,” Luna said, her smile lighting up her face once more. She looked over at Spike. “I presume my sister wishes me to write her about my experiences?” Spike started and stared at the goddess. “How-?” “You smell of a recent blast of flame,” Luna deduced. “And you came right to me.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m not completely clueless, you know.” “I-I know! I know!” Spike said quickly. “I didn’t imply it, really...!” “I know,” Luna giggled. “Relax. Let me find some paper and a quill...” - - - - - - - - Dear Sister, I must thank you for sending me to Ponyville to meet your student. Meeting the ponies she befriended to defeat Nightmare Moon, and Twilight herself made me realize just what you saw in her... And what you see in me. They have their ups and downs, all of them, but so do I. And despite everything that happened, I believe it has been an experience for the best. If these ponies can forgive me for what I did as Nightmare Moon, then I know my friends can forgive me for... Peeking in. Love, Luna PS: I will require a few funds to help pay for the damage inflicted. Also, kindly look into the creator of this “Cupcakes” film, I wish to... Speak with him. PPS: Remind Sundance to clean Abacus off with a dry cloth and read him “Mr. Ed Does Annuities” to help him sleep. And tell them all, I’ll be home soon. - - - - - - - - And that concludes the story arc, “Progress: Luna versus Ponyville!” It’s generated a lot of mixed feelings, no doubt, but if bronies found anything in it that they enjoyed, and if it contributed to the fandom in any positive way, I am content. So, is this it for Progress? No, but I don’t think I’ll try another story arc without plotting it more thoroughly from beginning to end. The adventures of Luna and co are not over by a long shot, but in light of my final year at university the updates will probably not be as frequent. Still, if you wish to play in my sandbox, I’m certainly not going to object. So, as our favorite Time Pony might say, “Allon-sy~!”

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-02-04T18:15:49+00:00

2012-02-04T18:15:49+00:00

Progress: Luna versus The Dreamlands By Andrew J. Talon - - - - - - - In the northern window of the room, Luna could see the faint light of the North Star shining in the night. She trotted up to the sill and stared out at it, retracing the star patterns as she remembered them. They blinked into existence, twinkling beautifully in formations that were highlighted by countless more distant orbs. Luna arranged them, a river system in the sky coming to life as the water of starlight flowed through them. Luna frowned and wrinkled her nose. The magnetic fields of the Earth were extended, shifted just enough... And following the trails of stars in the sky came the aurora, shifting and pulsing in the night like rainbows appearing in the cracks between storm clouds. All of this lit up the dark, flat plateau below, no longer dark and formless but the perfect contrast for the color above. Luna smiled and let out a little laugh, before she turned to the rest of the chamber. "Hmm..." She moved to the western window, which had been shut tight with ugly rusty nails and bars. With an extension of her willpower the bars and nails came out, the wood creaking loudly in protest. Wooden boards fell, and Luna beheld twin shutters, colored pink and blue. She reached forth with her hooves this time, gripped them both and pulled them open. The sunlight shown in. Luna winced for a moment, but her eyes adjusted. She looked out at the land outside this window, and grimaced. It was a desert wasteland, stretching as far as her eyes could see. Dunes were piled up high as the wind sluggishly moved them. The sun peeked out over the dunes, painting them all blood red. "I like this," she decided, "but it needs more." She tweaked the magnetic fields again, adjusting the filtration of the sunlight. The dull red gave way to a multitude of deep, sensuous colors, moving from blood red to night blue to a silky indigo. Luna cleared out the sand next, a wave of her hoof and her horn sending the desert back into more manageable paths. Out of the dunes, some of which had towered hundreds of feet high, came forth stone monoliths. Geometry was one of the simplest kinds of mathematics, but in that simplicity came a kind of natural beauty. Great domes towered over the sand that once buried it, as pillars holding up great stone roofs composed of triangles, rectangles, circles and arches grew out from them. Obelisks sprouted like grass, reaching up towards the heavens and casting long shadows. In a desert where the mountains were buried under the sands, this city was their voice above the shifting ground. Smoothed to perfection, the city of Dreams stood shining in the sun as a beacon to travelers. The warm sandstone and smooth marble and rough granite was combined in such a way that, despite the great monuments and buildings, it was clear this was a home for ponies. They were not to be cowed by the great structures, but to feel welcome and part of something greater. Luna nodded. That was enough work for the moment on that part. She moved to the southern window, which had been blocked up by a cave-in. A flash of her power annihilated the rocks, sending out a boom that was almost deafening in the small room but Luna endured it. She trotted forward into the sudden darkness, and frowned. Here she looked upon a forest. A dark, dangerous forest, overgrown with thorny vines and deadly trap flowers. They were enticing, dark as mightnight and smooth as silk... But she knew all too well that to sniff of one of them would lead to bad choices... Wrong decisions... So many mistakes... The sun shone through the western door, and Luna started. She almost had her nose in one of the flowers. She recoiled, and took a few deep breaths. "Get out," she said flatly. The flowers withered and died, the thorns fell away. With another thought the moon shone brightly through the treetops, and paths once barred or made difficult were now clear. The shadows no longer spoke of menace, and the sounds of the creatures in the forest were not ominous. Luna had to tap her hoof to get the rhythm correct, rewriting the songs of the night, but they came together for just the right mood. She smiled as she looked at the revived forest. The shadows held only the fear of mystery, and the thrill that came with that. The paths were winding, some more challenging than others, but none more arduous than what you perceived. And as a final touch, Luna brought forth fireflies to dance in the dark forest, always moving and mirroring the stars above. "No thorns aside from what you bring in yourself," Luna declared. She turned to the eastern door, and frowned when she saw it was unlocked. Curious, she reached forth and opened it. She was surrounded by water in an instant, and flailed around instinctively as panic took hold of her. Her eyes burned from salt water and there was no light to be found. No, no! Where am I? What happened? I-! Realization struck her, and she shot up as fast as she could. The water above her vaporized from the force of her passage, a bubble of water vapor appeared around her as she went faster and faster- The bubble burst, and her ears were filled with the roar of the ocean and the thunderclap of storms. She was blown this way and that above the perilous sea, and below her saw the form of great waves beneath the water. She stiffened in fear when she saw that they resembled a long, flowing mane of stars. "E-Enough... Enough... ENOUGH!" She roared, sending out a blast of power that radiated in a rainbow across sea and sky alike. Her eyes had closed from the exertion of that power, and slowly opened. The seas were placid, and she heard the waves crash upon a distant shore. The sky held clouds, but they moved with a lazy grace and not the anger of a typhoon. The sun peeked out, no longer hidden but not dominant-It warmed the sea and set the clouds in motion, ever supportive. Luna hovered for a long, long time, allowing the scents of the ocean to fill her nostrils, the feel of the wind to rippled through her fur and feathers. She smiled and turned around, flying entirely by feeling until her hooves struck sand. She opened her eyes when the scrishsounds of her steps were replaced with clops, and the city surrounded her. She walked past the great tower in the center, through the gardens which were slowly coming back to life, and down the grand boulevard. She stopped for a moment in front of a familiar statue, and frowned. This stone Earth pony sculpture was cracked and weathered, his eyes worn sightless by the sand and wind. He looked up at the sky, but whether it was out of fear or out of defiance Luna could not tell. In between his front hooves was a stone pail, long since empty of water. Shakily, she pressed her snout to the statue's, and nuzzled him. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I'm sorry I was gone for so long..." She sat back on her haunches and sighed. "You... I had the thought of a mighty statue for you, when everything was gone, when everypony was under my hooves..." Luna laughed sadly. "I was such a foal back then..." She raised her eyes to the silent statue. "I think... I think I know why I avoided this place, for so long," she confessed. "Every time I came here, and saw you here... I was tempted to bring you to life. To make you as I remembered you, alive, speaking..." Luna licked her lips. "Even before I... I made the final transformation, here I was, ready to do it." She sighed. "I couldn't... I still can't. I think, somehow... I knew it wouldn't be you. It would just be me... Me dragging along a doll I stitched together out of grief and memory." Luna slowly, so slowly, lifted her hoof up and rested it on the colt statue's shoulder. "You deserve so much more," she said softly, "than to be somepony's security blanket... Even mine." Luna leaned forward and kissed the statue chastely, before pulling back. She sniffled, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. "Goodbye, my hero," she whispered. "Thank you..." She looked down at the stone pail... And couldn't help a whimper. It was full of water now, and reflected in the still water was her moon against a pure black night. She looked up and smiled, tears still rolling off her cheeks. "Thank you..." "Luna? Luna... Luna?" Luna started, and sat up in her bed. She looked over at Sundance, who was stroking her mane comfortingly. "Are you all right?" She asked softly. Luna sniffled again, and looked out the window. She smiled at the sight of the setting sun, and for a moment she could see the city and the sea standing beneath them. "I'm all right," she said softly. "I just had to do some... Spring cleaning..." - - - - - - - - That night, every pony in Equestria had good dreams, whether in a dark forest or a sunlit city or vast plains underneath a brilliant sky. And Celestia herself, snoozing away, smiled as a friendly moon guided her way through her own dreams. It had taken Luna a thousand years to remember that night was the domain of dreams. But she decided, in the end, it was worth it. She was her sister, was she not? - - - - - - - - "Slumber, watcher, till the spheres Six and twenty thousand years Have revolv'd, and I return To the spot where now I burn. Other stars anon shall rise To the axis of the skies; Stars that soothe and stars that bless With a sweet forgetfulness: Only when my round is o'er Shall the past disturb thy door." ~"Polaris" by H. P. Lovecraft - - - - - - - -

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-05-18T19:52:05+00:00

2012-05-18T19:52:05+00:00

Progress: Luna versus the Dreamlands Part Two By Andrew J. Talon Disclaimer: This is a non-profit fan-made work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro. Please support the official release. - - - - - - - - Across a wide, endless plain Discord trudged. His mismatched limbs provided him with sufficient locomotion to go across the tightly packed sand, and his eyes scanned the horizon in all directions. The sky was blue, clouds rolling lazily overhead. The sun shone, never quite through those same clouds but enough to softly illuminate the desert landscape. “This bites,” Discord muttered to himself, for the umpteenth time. For the fifth sixtieth time (or eightieth fourth time-Discord didn’t bother to keep track of what order things went in unless he had to) he lifted an arm, summoned up a bit of chaos... Nothing. He lowered his arm and didn’t bother stopping the pout on his face. Over the flat plain he continued, muttering to himself but never bothering to remember what it was about, or why he should care. The answer always came back, like a particularly annoying boomerang. Or a particularly annoying purple unicorn. “Can’t believe it... Here I am, lost in the desert without even a horse to name,” he grumbled. “Well... I suppose it could be worse. It could be raining...” He looked up. The clouds remained pure, fluffy and white. “Well, wherever this place is, it at least lacks dramatic irony.” He lowered his eyes... And froze in his tracks. “Of course, I could be wrong,” he said dryly, as he took in the figure standing before him. She was an alicorn, with sleek soft blue fur and short, lighter blue hair. Her green eyes stared at him, and her lips were turned upwards in a soft smile. “Hello Discord,” greeted Luna. “Hello Luna, so nice of you to drop by wherever I am now,” Discord said dryly. “Been a long time, you seem to have shrunk since the last time I saw you.” “Oh, I lost some power when I was freed of the influence of Nightmare Moon,” the alicorn explained. “I’ve since regained it, but this form allows me to better associate with others without being quite so intimidating.” “Aw, isn’t that sweet? Little Luna afraid of intimidating others!” Discord mocked. “Making herself look so adorable just for her little subjects! Isn’t that pwecious?” He lowered his gripped hands and frowned as Luna just kept smiling. “Well? Are you here for something or are you just going to stand there and mock me?” Luna remained silent. Discord’s furry brows twitched, but he stayed on the offensive. “Because there’s so much I can mock about you. How about the fact it wasn’t you and your sister who defeated me this time? No, no, she outsourced the help to her neurotic little apprentice and her crazy friends! She didn’t care about you enough to reestablish how everything was a thousand years ago! Bet that had to rankle you?” He moved to her side and lowered an arm around her shoulders. “Bet it rankled you enough to come here, wherever here is, to spring me. So, here’s the deal: You and me, equal partners in total chaos! We get out there, we throw Celestia off, we have some revenge time with those six brats-The purple one’s mine, and so is Fluttershy and the pink one but the rest are yours-and we just have a gay ol’ time for the rest of eternity!” Discord grinned at her and tried to exert his power over her. “What do ya say, eh?” Luna shrugged nonchalantly. “Whatever.” “Wh-Whatever?! This is the chance of a lifetime, to be on the winning side! I’m not done for yet-Just get me back to Equestria and I’m sure my powers would be back up to full snuff!” Luna’s shoulders shook, and for a moment Discord thought he might have her-She might be cracking or falling apart or something. Instead, she was... Laughing? “What?! What’s so funny? What are you laughing at?” Discord demanded. Luna continued to chuckle, before wiping her eyes. She took a sip of a dark, smooth liquid contained in an elegant glass, and looked across the table at him. “You, my dear Discord. You haven’t changed a bit.” “You say that like it’s a bad thing! I’m the same lovable ball of chaos I always was! Chaos incarnate! It is my nature, I’m unable to help being so fantastically discombobulated!” Discord retorted with a grin, gulping down a glass mug and then tossing it back at the bar they were sitting in. It was warm but shadowy, with indistinct voices drifting through smoke clouds. “Sure we’ve had our differences but I’m certain we can work them out. I have power, you have power... Not as much as me, of course, but all the same...” “I’m afraid you miss my point, Discord,” Luna said calmly. Too calmly. She rested her hooves on the table and leaned forward a bit. “Things aren’t what they seem.” “What do you mean they aren’t what they seem? Of course they’re how they seem-They need a bit of chaos, the spice of life, to be turned inside out and upside down and-” “I mean where we are,” Luna explained, as she left cute hoofprints in the sand. Discord blinked and shook his head. He looked around at the picturesque beach. Luna laughed again, and gave him an almost pitying look. “Poor, poor Discord... We’re finally somewhere chaos could reign, and you’re four steps behind.” “Where are we? Tell me!” Discord snarled. Luna shrugged, and turned around to sniff a shell. The Lord of Chaos snarled. “Don’t turn your back to me! I’ll break you, twist you, turn you into my little toy for all eternity and make you love it! Make you love destroying everything you hold dear!” “Go ahead,” Luna said, examining the shell without paying Discord any mind at all. “I won’t stop you.” Discord lunged forward and smacked Luna across the rump, hard. The blue alicorn, still the same color as before, looked back over her shoulder with a saucy smile. “Do you want to try it a little harder? Maybe that will get a reaction out of me.” “Where are we? What’s all this, what’s going on?!” Discord snarled, stomping his feet. They called back with wooden thumps and Discord looked around with wide eyes. They were standing in an expansive wooden room, overlooking a vibrant forest. Luna was sitting on a couch and sipping a cup of tea. “We’re still in Equestria,” Luna said after taking a sip. “You’re a statue. Twilight Sparkle and her friends turned you back into stone.” “That’s ridiculous,” Discord snorted. “This isn’t what it was like when I was stone last time.” “No, it isn’t,” Luna agreed. “And there’s a reason for that. Twilight managed to really put you to sleep, rather than just in stasis as my sister and I did.” “That’s nonsense! I can’t sleep! I’m a Chaos God, what do I need sleep for?” Discord snarled. Luna finished her tea, and looked at him over the edge of the cup. “Exactly. You don’t.” They were standing in the middle of a vast desert once more, and Discord looked around. “Wha-Why do you keep moving us around?” “I’ve been moving us down, actually,” Luna explained calmly. “Deeper and deeper into the Dreamlands. Given it’s my domain, I can take us as far down as I like. And each time I do so, time passes faster than it does in the level above.” “How much faster?” Discord asked. “Mm... Ten to twenty times faster each level down,” Luna said with a shrug. “Right now time is passing thousands of times faster in your dream than it is outside.” “And you’re doing this why? To give yourself enough time to rehabilitate me?” Discord asked with a mocking grin. “I remember you tried-tried-to reason with me before! You were so cute then. Doing this for Big Sister then? I knew you still-” “You know nothing,” Luna said. It wasn’t angry, it wasn’t cold, it was simply a statement of fact. “You know nothing of what I went through in the last thousand years, or in the last year for that matter.” “Sensitive about it, are we?” Discord smirked. “Getting defensive! You’re getting defensive!” “And you’re scared,” Luna said calmly. Discord’s jaw dropped, before he fairly exploded in rage. “Scared?! SCARED?! HA! What do I have to fear from some pitiful second rate Celestia, huh? Some two bit, soft blue has been! You move the moon around, you move the stars and yet nopony loves you! None of them will pay you the due they do Celestia! None of them care for you! None of them will ever care for you! You’re just one big miserable joke to all of Equestria AND THEY ALL KNOW IT! AND SO DO YOU!” Discord found himself panting for breath after his outburst. It was a new experience for him. Luna took his rant without any reaction, just staring at him. “... You know Discord, a thousand years ago I started my war with Celestia with Nightmare Night,” Luna said thoughtfully. “I gave every pony the worst possible nightmares I could imagine. Countless horrors were visited upon them, to the point a whole generation of ponies were scared to go to sleep afterwards.” Slowly, she raised her head and locked gazes with Discord. The Lord of Chaos felt another new sensation-A chill running down his convoluted spine. “They eventually recovered, when they realized that they would all wake up again when they went to sleep,” Luna said in a soft, flat tone. Her eyes narrowed, and a feeling Discord had only experienced twice before gripped his insides like an ice-cold fist. “Say it,” Luna whispered. “... I-I don’t... I don’t know what you mean,” Discord stammered. “Say what you can’t do... That they can,” Luna ordered, in the same harsh whisper. “... I can’t wake up...?” Discord asked in a strained voice. Luna nodded, that small smile she’d worn when she first appeared to him back on her face. The chill was getting worse, flowing up his feet. He looked down and his eyes widened in horror as he saw he was transforming into stone once more. “Now-Now Luna! Luna, let’s talk about this! S-Surely I can be redeemed! Isn’t that what all you ponies believe, second chances? I-I’m really regretting this, haha! The-The guilt is just eating me alive, you wouldn’t believe how sorry I am!” “You are the embodiment of chaos. You can’t help what you do, it is your nature, your very reason for being. You said so yourself,” Luna replied. “By definition, you can’t be redeemed, and even if you could... You don’t deserve it.” Her green eyes seemed to glow as everything below his waist became stone. Discord struggled furiously. “It wasn’t personal! It was just my nature! You can’t punish a storm cloud for being a storm cloud!” Discord cried, as everything below his chest transmuted into rock. “And when a storm cloud approaches, it is contained. This is no different.” “D-Don’t you realize you’re just as bad a monster as I am?! Doing this to a thinking being?!” Discord shouted. “That’s the difference between us, Discord. I stopped being a monster. You can’t, and you never will,” Luna retorted, as Discord’s arms were frozen in stone. He lifted his head up, as though trying to escape a rising tide by sucking in the last few breaths he could. “I’m begging you, have some mercy! MERCY! MERCY!” To this, Luna said nothing. She only watched as Discord’s head was encased in stone, completing his transformation and silencing his cries. She then lifted her right hoof, and the sands around them began to change. The desert floor became white-The purest, plainest white any being could imagine. It spread out underneath her, and grew up into walls surrounding them both. A roof flowed into existence above, completing the sterile, colorless room. Luna gave Discord a long, hard look. She trotted up to his face, and looked him right in his terrified eyes. For an endless moment they just stood there, vengeful goddess and frozen statue. At last, Luna gave Discord a small, vicious smile. “Sweet dreams,” she whispered, before she vanished. Discord sat there in the pure white room’s center. Silent. - - - - - - - - - Luna woke up once again in her room. She stared up at the ceiling for several minutes, the quiet ticking of her alarm clock the only sound she could hear. She slowly slid out of bed, and after a quick check on Abacus in his bed, she trotted downstairs. In the kitchen stood Sundance, cooking some breakfast. Her free hoof was on her stomach, pressing into the slight bulge. The blonde pony’s breathing became deeper when she did so, and a tremble went through her spine. Hoyden nearby was pacing around the table, his eyes always on his marefriend. He winced with every stroke she made of her stomach, and his muscles tensed up. Luna took a deep breath and trotted into the kitchen proper. Sundance and Hoyden both looked up at her, anxious. Luna gave them both a small, tight smile. “It’s okay... He’ll never hurt anypony ever again,” she said quietly. Her two best friends in all the world stared for a moment, before they moved to either side of Luna and embraced her in hugs. Luna wrapped her forearms around them both too, and all three stayed that way for a good, long time. “So... What are you going to call it?” Luna asked quietly. Sundance smiled at her. “We... We were thinking-” “Not Luna,” the moon princess said quickly. “Please? Besides, I didn’t save you... Twilight Sparkle and her friends did.” “All right then,” Hoyden said jovially. “We’ll name it Twilight Sparkle.” “Yeah, us and every other pregnant mare,” Sundance huffed. She gave her coltfriend and her princess a sly smile. “We could always name it Selene.” “Assuming it’s a filly,” Hoyden returned. “Hoyden’s always a good name!” “We’ll talk about it more later,” Sundance said quickly. “For now, we should finish up breakfast. I don’t know about you but I’m starved.” “Same here!” Hoyden cheered. “Me too,” Luna said with a smile. “Me too...” - - - - - - - Geh. I tried for months to figure out a good story to reveal Sundance's pregnancy in, and I've come up with squat. So I decided to instead write this and then write something else for this story later. I am sorry for this guys but I think you'd prefer to have something to read that's not according to plan rather than no hope of seeing anything from Progress ever again, right? Right... And if you don't feel that way, there's a torch and pitchfork store over there with decent rates...

Andrew Joshua Talon

339

Apple Bloom,Applejack,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Progress

complete

<p>A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...</p>

teen

2012-05-20T18:15:31+00:00

2012-05-20T18:15:31+00:00

Progress: Luna Versus Wedlock By Andrew J. Talon Disclaimer: This is a non-profit fan-made work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro. Please support the official release. - - - - - - - - “You know Sundance, I just realized something,” Hoyden said as he paused in his massage of his marefriend’s hooves. She cracked open an eye and stared at him from the top of the bed. She was exhausted almost beyond belief thanks to the day's events, and even after the universal day off for everypony in Equestria after Discord's rampage she was still more than a little short tempered. “Mmm... You stopped rubbing my tired, aching hooves?” Hoyden rolled his eyes indulgently at his marefriend, but he allowed her to get her licks in. It had been a long, long day what with an Evil Chaos God running around and stuff blowing up and his futile attempt to stop him by strapping himself to a rocket. Actually, viewed from the present it was pretty bucking metal but it was probably best to fully examine those events at a later time. He had more important things to worry about, after all. “Well, aside from that,” Hoyden said with a chuckle. He gave her a serious look. “You're pregnant.” Sundance stared at him as though he were an idiot. And really, it was a bit hard to blame him but if she could hold off on the sarcasm for just one- “Yes, I am Hoyden. Welcome to now, where have you been?” Too late. Ah well, it was what he loved her for, among other things... “I mean you're pregnant, but we're not married,” he said. Sundance blinked a few times, then held her hooves to her cheeks. “Oh... Oh! Oh! You're right... Uh oh. This could look bad, very bad given my position, and the Princess...!” She looked like she was about to rev up into a furious rant, but with long experience Hoyden knew exactly how to head her off at the pass. “Wait! I just had an idea!” Hoyden said with a grin. His marefriend stared at him coldly. “I'm not getting married in Los Llamas, Hoyden,” she growled. Hoyden threw up his hooves, smiling cheerfully. “I have another idea!” - - - - - - - A few moments later, Luna was roused from her early morning slumber by the sound of a hoof hitting the door to her room. She sleepily sat up and rolled off the bed, and shook out her hair and wings. She then trotted slowly to the front door, waving her hoof in front of her mouth as she yawned. She opened the door with a brief application of her magic and stared out at the two ponies waiting for her outside. “Hwah... Yes Sundance? Hoyden? What is it?” She asked in concern, wincing a bit as she stretched her wings. She'd slept on them a bit funny so getting the blood flowing again took some time. “Is something wrong?” “Something, yes,” Sundance said. “You see, we-” “Would you marry me?” Hoyden blurted out. Luna’s eyes widened, and the blood that had been tasked with circulating around her wings went to her cheeks instead. “Buwah?” The millennium-old goddess intelligently asked. “What,” Sundance growled. Hoyden coughed and shook his head. “Wait, no, I mean, marry us! As in, us!” Hoyden said, gesturing quickly to himself and Sundance. The blonde mare’s anger faded, and she smiled and nodded at the moon goddess with a blush across her own cheeks. Luna herself blinked and tilted her head quizzically. It was actually very adorable, especially with her mussed mane. “Both of you?” She asked, as though confused by the request. Sundance tapped her hooves on the wooden floor underneath her a bit nervously. “Yes, please!” Sundance said with a warm smile. Luna looked thoughtful for a long moment, humming. She even summoned Abacus to do some calculations as Sundance and Hoyden stood there awkwardly. The moon princess gave her loyal mathematics tool a smile, and held him aloft nearby. She at last nodded, cleared her throat, and spread her wings. Her horn shined and magic filled the room. Her aura flared into a beautiful rainbow, and both Sundance and Hoyden gasped at the splendor around them. “All right, let’s see, how does it go?” She asked aloud. “Oh yes! Ahem. By the power invested in me as Princess Luna, Goddess of the Moon, Arbiter of the Heavens and Queen of the Dreamlands I hereby pronounce you Stallion, Wife... And myself Goddess, so mote it be!” The stars shined brightly outside the windows, and seemed reflected in the eyes of the two lovers. They smiled warmly at each other, their hooves clasped together. Luna’s hooves rested on theirs, and they turned to smile at Luna. The goddess smiled back, a bit sleepily. “You may kiss everypony,” she said. She leaned forward and kissed Sundance on the lips, then kissed the surprised Hoyden in turn. She turned and trotted back to bed, the door shutting tightly in front of them. Both Earth ponies blinked rapidly in confusion. They slowly turned their heads to look at one another. “... Um... I don't think that's how it was supposed to end,” Hoyden said at last. “Goddess?! What part does Goddess play in a marriage?!” Sundance growled. “I note you’re not upset about that kiss,” Hoyden said with a little grin. “And hey, this'll definitely make for an interesting... Honeymoon.” "... That was the worst pun ever," Sundance said at last. "Yeah, but you loved it all the same," Hoyden teased. "And as for her being part of it, well, she could just be between us when we-" He got clobbered for sharing that, but her deep blush as she punched him was worth it. - - - - - - - Short, but hopefully satisfying. At least for a little while. My muse is like Luna sometimes: She refuses to show up where its most logical in favor of something else like video games.

DJLowrider

340

Main 6,Spike,Trixie,Dark,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

To Forgive is Equine

complete

<p>When Twilight Sparkle comes down deathly ill, it is a race against time to get her the help she needs to recover. Will her friends be willing to accept any help to save her, even if it comes from the most unlikely pony imaginable?</p>

everyone

2011-07-27T20:16:42+00:00

2011-07-27T20:16:42+00:00

Three ponies raced through the middle of Ponyville, panic written on their faces. They all bore down on their destination: the library. As soon as she reached the door, Applejack practically broke it down as she burst inside, followed immediately by Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. "Could you three cause any more commotion when entering someone's house," Rarity complained with a stern look on her face. Sweetie Belle was present as well, sitting next to Twilight's bed with a worried look on her face. "We came as soon as we could," Applejack said, moving quickly past Rarity and up to Twilight's bedroom. Their normally happy and energetic brainiac slept fitfully, her coat matted with sweat. What was truly curious was her horn, which looked so pale as to almost be white. Applejack reached towards Twilight's horn with one hoof in curiosity, only to be knocked aside by Rarity. "Don't touch her horn," Rarity told her hastily. "You'll burn yourself so bad you won't be able to walk properly." "What's wrong with her, Rarity," Fluttershy asked, flying up and landing gently next to her. "I'm afraid it's Horn Pox," Rarity told her. "What the hay is Horn Pox," Applejack asked. "It's an illness common to unicorns," Rarity explained. "Just about every unicorn gets it when they're young. It's usually not that big a deal, you get itchy for several days and have a bit of a fever and that's that. And once you've had it once, you can't catch it again." "Oh, so Twilight'll be right as rain in a few days," Pinkie said cheerily. "I'll spend the time planning a Get Well party for her, then! Or should it be a Got Well party?" "It's not as simple as that I'm afraid," Rarity said grimly. "Horn Pox isn't a big deal to younger ponies, but for older ponies that come down with it the symptoms are far worse. The fever concentrates in the horn and it's said to be nearly unbearable. What's worse, in truly bad cases such as Twilight's, the horn begins to change color." "Why's that bad," Applejack asked. Rarity paused to look at Twilight again, who continued to toss and turn in her bed. She then looked back at the others as she spoke. "Unicorn horns aren't just responsible for our magic," she told them. "They are also a vital part of our bodies. If a unicorn's horn is ever lost or destroyed…the unicorn cannot survive. And if Twilight doesn't show signs of recovery soon, I'm…I'm not sure she'll…" Rarity tried to maintain her composure, but had to turn away from the group to hide her sobs. Sweetie Belle stepped over to comfort her sister as the other three looked grimly at each other. "But if this Horn Pox is so dangerous, shouldn't you two be getting out of here," Pinkie asked. "Sis had Horn Pox a long time ago when she was a filly," Sweetie Belle said on Rarity's behalf. "And I had it just last year. We're both immune. That's why we decided to stay and keep an eye on Twilight." "There's gotta be somethin' we can do to help," Applejack said resolutely. "There is," Rarity said, finally composing her emotions again. "About a day's journey out of Ponyville there is a special herb called Albino Alfalfa that grows wild in the fields. When used properly, it can help mitigate the symptoms. My only concern is that Twilight seems to be getting worse rather rapidly. I'm not sure the herb would do any good by the time you all managed to find them and get them back here." "Consarnit," Applejack said, throwing her hat to the floor. "We gotta find Rainbow Dash! She's the only one fast 'nuff to do it." "I anticipated that," Rarity told her. "That's why I told Spike to go get her and fill her in himself after he told you all to come. With any hope, they're both already on their way out to find the herb." "That's some quick thinking, Rarity," Fluttershy told her. "But…what can we do in the meantime?" "If you like, we can all take turns watching her," Rarity said. "I must admit, I've been here most of the morning and I am feeling rather exhausted, physically and emotionally." "You go take it easy fer a spell, then," Applejack told her. "I'll keep Twi company fer now." "Come on, Rarity," Fluttershy told her. "I'll fix us some tea." "I'll run back to Sugar Cube Corner and bring back some food for everyone," Pinkie said, heading for the door. "Maybe Twilight will wake up and be hungry, after all." "Sis, if you want I can go get Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to come help as well," Sweetie Belle said. "I appreciate the sentiment, Sweetie Belle," Rarity told her. "But your friends, while they may be well-intentioned, might cause more harm than good here. This is no time for games, I'm afraid." Sweetie Belle was disappointed, but nodded in consent to her sister's wishes and took a seat next to Applejack by Twilight's bed. As they watched her continue to suffer, they both hoped that Rainbow Dash was indeed well on her way with Spike. Spike practically had to dig his claws into Rainbow Dash's sides to keep himself on the Pegasus as she flew at breakneck speeds towards the field that supposedly had the herbs Rarity needed for Twilight. Sweat beaded on her hide as she pushed herself hard to reach the field. "Spike, how much further," she called out at the top of her lungs. "I dunno," Spike yelled back. "I can barely hang onto you, let alone keep an eye on the ground!" "Ugh. Fine, we'll land and get our bearings then!" Dash quickly landed and let Spike off to check his map. She then staggered a bit as she tried to catch her breath. As much as she enjoyed flying fast, there was only so long she could keep it up for. She wasn't sure at this point if she'd be able to fly the whole way back to Ponyville. "We're very close," Spike said, putting his map away. "Maybe another mile or so." "Okay, we'll hoof it from here then," Dash told him, letting him get back on. "Hang on!" Spike was only barely able to grab hold of the Pegasus as she took off running at a full gallop. Once stable, he kept his eyes peeled for the field where the herbs should be. They came up over a hill and suddenly Dash found herself coming up on a beaten up wagon being pulled far more slowly than she was running. She skidded and stumbled, tumbling head over hooves as she rolled past the wagon with Spike and crashed into a tree. Dash was quickly up and shaking the cobwebs out of her head. "What the hay," she said angrily, walking up to the pony pulling the wagon. "We're in a real hurry here! Try not taking up the whole road you-" Dash stopped as she came face to face with the wagon's puller and owner. She sneered as she immediately recognized the midnight blue, white-maned unicorn who recognized her as well and returned the dirty look. "Excuse me," Trixie said indignantly. "This is a free road, and I can take up as much of it as I please. Besides, you do have wings and I presume they're not broken." "Oh I really don't have time for this," Dash grumbled as she stared Trixie down. "But trust me, honey, if I weren't in such a hurry you would be in a world of pain for the stuff you pulled in Ponyville." "Dash, what's goin' on," Spike asked as he caught up with her. He saw Trixie and his face fell. "Oh, it's just you." "Oh how cute," Trixie said mockingly. "Out on a date? I wasn't aware that unicorn was letting you out of the library." Trixie suddenly found Rainbow Dash right in her face, glaring angrily at her. "That unicorn needs our help and we're wasting time jawing at you," Dash all but shouted at her. "C'mon, Spike, we need to find that herb." "Herb," Trixie repeated in curiosity. "What herb?" "None of your business," Dash told her, nudging Spike onward. "Is it Albino Alfalfa you're looking for," Trixie asked. Spike stopped and looked at her in surprise. "How'd you know that?" "It's the only healing herb that grows in these parts," Trixie replied matter-of-factly. "Everypony who travels regularly knows that. The question is why do you need it?" "Spike, don't waste your breath on her," Dash said impatiently. "We need all the help we can get, Rainbow," Spike told her. "No we don't! We don't need help, much less her help!" Spike ignored Dash's complaints and walked back over to Trixie. "Twilight's come down with Horn Pox. And it's real bad. We need Albino Alfalfa to help her out." "H-horn Pox," Trixie said, suddenly sounding fearful. She looked from the baby dragon to the angry Pegasus several feet away, and then back to Spike again. "Get in my wagon. I'll take you to where it's growing." "Oh right," Dash said sarcastically. "We're not falling for any of your tricks again." "Every moment we stand here arguing your Twilight Sparkle is edging closer to death," Trixie said, stalking towards Dash with her wagon in tow behind her. "And I don't care how dedicated you two are, if you're not familiar with where the herb is growing or how to properly harvest it, you could end up doing more harm than good to her. Albino Alfalfa is notoriously difficult to work with; however, I know where it is, I know how to pick it properly, and I know how to use it properly. I doubt you or any of your friends are so familiar with it." Dash bit her lip, being not about to admit that Trixie was right. "Why're you so interested in Twilight's well-being all of a sudden?" Trixie hesitated before she replied. "That's…irrelevant at the moment. Do you want to help her properly, or not?" "Come on, Rainbow," Spike urged as he climbed into the wagon. "We need to get moving." Dash shook her head as she fell in alongside Trixie. "So help me if you end up screwing this up, Trixie, you're gonna wish you'd never heard the name of Rainbow Dash." "I already do," Trixie commented back at her. "Now let's move; we've not a moment to spare." Trixie strained against her wagon and broke into as much of a gallop as she could while hauling it with Dash matching her pace. As they rumbled down the road, Dash couldn't help but wonder what Trixie's motivation for suddenly wanting to help them could possibly be. She quickly decided it didn't matter so long as they got what Twilight needed and got it to her in time. Applejack wavered a bit but forced herself to sit upright and continue her vigil over Twilight, who had seemed to calm down some but still looked incredibly uncomfortable. Sweetie Belle, unfortunately, had succumbed to her own exhaustion and dozed while leaning against Twilight's bed. Applejack shook her head at the filly and carefully hefted her up onto her back to take her somewhere more comfortable to sleep. "I reckon this one ain't gonna be much more help," she said as she approached the others who sat around Twilight's table with some tea. "Want me to take her on back home, Rarity?" "If you wouldn't mind, Applejack," Rarity said. "Thank you very much." "I'll take a turn watching Twilight," Pinkie said, bouncing up the stairs to watch over their friend. "I just hope she don't disturb her none," Applejack said as she watched Pinkie head upstairs. "I think even Pinkie knows there's a time and place for everything," Fluttershy said. "Do you need help getting Sweetie Belle home?" "Nah, I'll be there and back lickety split," Applejack told her. "Y'all need to stay put in case Rainbow gets back with that herb soon." As Applejack left and Rarity and Fluttershy went back to their tea, Pinkie settled in next to Twilight's bed and watched her sleep. A few moments of silence were all she could bear, though, and she leaned a bit closer to Twilight with a smile. "Hey there, Twilight," she said softly. "It's Pinkie Pie. But I guess you knew that. Well, you would if you were awake. But don't bother waking up just now, you need your rest. In the meantime, I'll tell you all about the party I'm gonna throw for you when you're up and around again! It's gonna be off the hook! I'll get Vinyl Scratch to DJ for it and we'll have some sweet jams to rock out to. Oh, and there'll be all kinds of cakes and pies and other stuff to eat on hand. I'll make sure to have whatever you want there. Don't worry about imposing; it's your party after all. "Oh, oh! And games! We'll have a ton of games! Like hide and seek, and pin the tail on the pony! Oh, and maybe bingo too. Would you mind if we played bingo? I really like bingo, especially since there's all the numbers and…and the numbers remind me of you because…y'know, you're so smart and all. And you can make sense out of numbers and all sorts of stuff that I don't understand." Pinkie didn't even register the tears streaming down her face as she continued to talk to an unconscious Twilight. She just kept smiling as she talked. "It'll be a really great party," she told her in a wavering voice. "Maybe even the best I've ever thrown. And it'll all be for you. So…you've just got to get better. You've got to. I can't throw this party without you there, after all. It just wouldn't…it wouldn't be a proper party without you. So just…get better. Okay? Please, Twilight…please get better…" Pinkie rested her head on the bed next to Twilight, muffling the sounds of her sobbing with the mattress as she continued to plead quietly with her over and over to get better. True to her word, Trixie led Rainbow Dash and Spike directly to the field where the Albino Alfalfa was growing. She showed Spike how to harvest it properly, as it was a delicate herb, and set to gathering a good amount with him while Dash looked on. Dash still couldn't make sense of why Trixie was helping them, and her curiosity was eating away at her. She resolved to pry the truth out of the unicorn as they made their way back to Ponyville. "I think we've got enough," Trixie said, looking at her saddlebags filled with the herb. "We'd better get going. Albino Alfalfa is only really effective when fresh." "I'll help you hook your wagon back up here," Spike told her. "Don't bother," Trixie told him. "I'll come back for it later." "You're just gonna leave your wagon and all your stuff here," Dash asked. "It's not much of a wagon," Trixie told her. "Besides, I don't have much stuff these days. Not since…well, you know." "Yeah, I do know," Dash said, standing in front of Trixie to block her. "And that's why none of this makes sense." "For someone trying to save their friend who's in mortal danger, you certainly have a strange set of priorities," Trixie told her. "Trixie, we ran you out of town," Dash told her. "Twilight proved your Ursa Major story was a total hoax. By all rights you should want Twilight dead for ruining your career. So what's the deal? Why help her?" Trixie sighed and shook her head, looking over at Spike. "Is she always this obstinate?" "Pretty much," Spike replied. "Look," Trixie said, turning back to Dash. "Do you really care about this story, or are you just being paranoid because you think I might hold a grudge against Twilight?" Dash leaned towards Trixie with a scrutinizing eye. "Do you hold a grudge against her?" "Of course I don't you twit! She saved your town, not to mention my life!" "So why'd you run, then?" "I was embarrassed. I mean…I made up the Ursa story purely for entertainment purposes. I never thought anypony in the audience would actually be dumb enough to take it seriously." "That's Snips and Snails for you," Spike muttered. "The bottom line is I'm an entertainer, that's all," Trixie said. "I never meant for anypony to get hurt or for any of the damage that was caused to happen. After I stopped running I thought about what happened. I wanted to be bitter at Twilight for what happened, but I just couldn't…not when I knew it was my fault. So I forgave her for everything that her actions, as heroic as they were, did to me and my reputation."' "I'm supposed to buy this load of horseapples," Dash asked in disbelief. Trixie rolled her eyes. "Is it that hard to believe? I'm not some idiot filly; I know how to take responsibility for my actions. I know when…when I've messed up." Dash couldn't help but feel sheepish. "Sorry. It's just a little surprising is all, I guess." "It's okay. After what I did to you during the show I don't really blame you for thinking ill of me. I'm pretty used to it actually." "Eh, I've done far worse to myself practicing stunts. We're cool, I guess." Trixie cocked an eyebrow at her. "Really?" "Well…yeah. If you could forgive Twilight for what happened, then I can forgive you too." "I hate to break up this warm and fuzzy moment," Spike said, "but we really need to get going again here." "Right," Dash said. "If we run hard we can probably be back in Ponyville in a few hours." "Let's not tarry any more, then," Trixie added. Spike got on Dash's back once again and the two ponies took off at a full gallop for Ponyville. "So while we're at it," Dash said as they galloped, "how do you know about this herb and all? I'm just curious is all." "I'm afraid that's a bit of a story," Trixie replied. "And a rather boring one at that." "We're gonna be running for hours. I'd rather not do it in silence." "This is going to be another one of those things you're going to bug me about until I tell you, isn't it?" "Just make with the story, already." Trixie sighed and began recalling her past. "Well…it's a story from back when I was just a filly…" I grew up in Hoofington with my parents and older brother. I was lucky and came down with Horn Pox when I was quite young. My older brother, however, wasn't so lucky. He was a few years older than me and came down with a bad case of it not long after I'd fully recovered. My mother had already taken too much time off of work to look after me, so she showed me how to work with and use Albino Alfalfa to help him get better. Despite knowing that the herb was helping him, it was still hard to see him so weak and suffering. I wanted to do something to make him smile, but nothing worked. I tried juggling, tumbling acts, fire eating, and dozens of other acts. Nothing worked. One day I was headed out to the fields near our home to get some more Albino Alfalfa. "It's no good," a young Trixie told herself despondently. "I'll never make my brother smile. I'll never amount to much of anything." I had just started to gather when it happened. There was a tremendous sound that rang through the air. It sounded like an explosion. The next thing I saw was a giant rainbow expanding across the sky. It was so spectacular to see that it instantly inspired me. I finished gathering the herbs I needed and then spent all night devising my next show. The next day after I administered the herb to my brother, I put on the show. "Introducing," young Trixie said, a bedsheet tied around her neck as a cape, "The most incredible show known to ponykind! Fillies and gentlecolts, behold The Amazing Trixie!" I used my magic to create all sorts of little tricks and visual effects around his room. There were fireworks, floating toys, and all manner of flashy effects. I'll never forget the look on his face. He loved the show, and for my part I loved putting it on for him. Later that night, after I took the makeshift cape off, I realized I'd gotten my cutie mark. I was overjoyed. I'd gotten a smile out of my brother, helped him get better, and found my true calling. It was one of the best days of my life. "I don't believe it," Dash said in astonishment after hearing Trixie's story. "You saw my sonic rainboom as a filly too?" "Wait, that was you," Trixie asked. "Yeah. The rest of my friends saw it too, and it apparently helped them all get their cutie marks as well." "That's really…uncanny." "Tell me about it. Anyway, your brother got better right?" "Yes, but he was still younger than Twilight is now when he had it. I only hope we arrive in enough time that the herb will still be effective." "We'll make it in time, don't you worry about that." Trixie simply nodded, trusting in Dash's sense at the moment. She refocused herself on running, ignoring the fatigue that was already building in her muscles and instead willing herself to press on. Pinkie startled awake as she felt Fluttershy's hoof on her shoulder. She quickly rubbed at her eyes, trying to wipe away any marks her earlier tears had left, but felt Fluttershy hug her and stopped. "She'll be alright, Pinkie," Fluttershy told her soothingly. "Go have some tea and food with Rarity and Applejack. I'll take a turn with Twilight." "A-alright," Pinkie said in an uncharacteristically depressed, raspy voice. She solemnly walked away from the bed as Fluttershy took her space and headed downstairs to commiserate with Rarity some. Fluttershy, meanwhile, turned her attention to Twilight who stirred a bit. The irony of being the quietest of the group yet being the one who somehow managed to rouse Twilight from her sleep was not lost on the pink-maned Pegasus. "How long…have I been out," Twilight asked weakly. "Several hours," Fluttershy told her. Her eyes trailed up to Twilight's horn, which was no longer pale but instead growing darker in color. "And your horn is…well…" "That bad, huh?" "I don't know, really. I'm good with healing small animals. Pony medicine is beyond me." "It's okay- *cough* Fluttershy. This is what I get for being from Canterlot." Fluttershy looked at her oddly. "What does that have to do with this?" "Canterlot is something of a sanitary society," Twilight told her. "Illness and disease almost don't exist there because of all the protective magic surrounding the castle. Most unicorns who live there never get this illness." "That explains why you got it, then." "Afraid so." "So wait…if magic keeps Horn Pox out of Canterlot, is it possible there's magic that could heal you of it as well?" "There is, but- *cough COUGH* it's not the sort of thing normal unicorns are capable of. Even my magic isn't strong enough to cast that spell alone." "What about Princess Celestia? Certainly she could-" "No. I refuse to ask this of her." "Twilight, if you don't get proper help soon you could…you know…" "I'm well aware of what could happen, but the princess has more important things to concern herself with than looking after me. I'll be fine, Fluttershy. Rainbow is coming with some Albino Alfalfa, right?" Fluttershy nodded to her. "I think so. At least I hope so. No one's seen her since she and Spike left hours ago." "She'll make it. I have faith in her. Rainbow never disappoints. Just like all the rest of you who I count as friends." Fluttershy managed a tiny smile and then adjusted Twilight's blankets on her a bit. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" "A little water might be- *COUGH* nice." Fluttershy nodded and quickly made her way back downstairs to fetch a glass. As soon as she left, Twilight dropped her façade and dug her front hooves into the sides of her bed. The pain coming from her horn was excruciating and every breath she took was a struggle. She forced herself to sit up enough to see her reflection in the mirror across from her bed, noting the horrible color her horn had changed to. "Not much time left…" she told herself. "Please hurry, Rainbow. I'm not sure…I can fight this for much longer…" To Be Continued...

DJLowrider

340

Main 6,Spike,Trixie,Dark,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

To Forgive is Equine

complete

<p>When Twilight Sparkle comes down deathly ill, it is a race against time to get her the help she needs to recover. Will her friends be willing to accept any help to save her, even if it comes from the most unlikely pony imaginable?</p>

everyone

2011-07-27T20:14:25+00:00

2011-07-27T20:14:25+00:00

It was the last thing they needed to deal with, but that they had known would be inevitable. As soon as Trixie had set foot in Ponyville they were surrounded by bitter and irate townsponies, all of whom remembered what happened the last time she'd been in town. What was worse, they were blocking the way to the library. "Back to try and trick us again," one pony accused. "We're not idiots, you know!" "Get out of here," another shouted. "You've caused enough trouble!" "Hey, leave her alone," Dash said, standing defensively in front of Trixie along with Spike. "She came to help Twilight!" "A likely story," yet another pony shot back. "She probably came to gloat at her!" "We don't have time for this," Spike told the mob. "We've got to get these herbs to the library to help Twilight out." "You and Rainbow Dash go, then," yet another pony said. "We'll deal with this foal ourselves!" "No way," Dash said, shifting to continue protecting Trixie. "We need her help to do this right. And none of you is gonna lay so much as a hoof on her!" "Then we'll just have to go through you first," the same pony said, digging his front hooves into the ground menacingly. He was about to charge when a large, red hoof touched his shoulder. He looked up behind him and shrunk as Big Macintosh towered over him, glaring at him sternly. The huge, red stallion walked past the mob over to the trio they had surrounded. "Miss Rainbow, do y'all need an escort to the library," he asked slowly and loudly enough to be heard by all. "Uh…yeah," Rainbow said, still watching the mob cautiously. "We'd really appreciate one." Big Macintosh looked over Rainbow's shoulder at Trixie, narrowing his eyes at her. "Y'all can vouch fer this one, then?" "She's alright, big guy," Spike told him. "We just need to get to the library. Can you help us?" Big Macintosh looked back at Rainbow and grinned at her. "Eeeyup." With the huge red stallion in front of Trixie and Rainbow and Spike positioned behind her, the group made their way through the mob and over to the library. Once there, Big Macintosh opened the door for them. "Y'all get on inside," he told them. "I'll stand guard here." "I'll stay with him, just in case," Spike added. "Thanks, Big Macintosh," Dash told him. Big Macintosh just nodded to her as he took up position in front of the door. "Anythin' fer Miss Twilight." Inside, the other assembled ponies at first rejoiced at seeing Rainbow Dash but then were given pause as Trixie entered. Applejack was first to walk up to the group. "Rainbow, what in tarnation did ya bring this no-good filly back here fer," she asked angrily. "Chill, AJ," Dash told her. "She's here to help." "I find that exceedingly unlikely," Rarity added. "I'll bet she simply told you some made-up story just so she could come all this way and laugh at Twilight's misfortune." "Think whatever you like," Trixie said brusquely. "Where is Twilight Sparkle? I need to see how bad she is before I can decide what needs to be done." Applejack immediately stepped up to Trixie, bumping her backwards in the process. "If'n y'all think we're gonna jes let ya walk right up to Twi an' get yer laughs in, think again missy!" Rainbow Dash quickly butted Applejack away from Trixie and stared her down. "I said chill out, Applejack! She wouldn't have even bothered to help us find the Albino Alfalfa if she didn't want to help!" "Is that true," Fluttershy asked, approaching Trixie. "Oh, I'm sorry, we haven't been properly introduced. I'm, um, Fluttershy. I've heard about your visit to town from the others, but I didn't feel comfortable assuming that you were a bad pony." "A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure," Trixie replied. "And yes, were that I didn't have some personal stake in the matter I wouldn't have bothered to help them out." "She doesn't sound at all like the meanie you guys made her out to be," Pinkie added. "I say give her a chance." "Are you both out of your minds," Rarity asked in shock. "You have no idea what she did to us the last time she was here! Never mind the damage the town incurred because of her!" "That was on Snips and Snails," Dash said. "It wasn't Trixie's fault they did something so moronic." Dash saw the distrusting look in Applejack's and Rarity's eyes and practically growled in frustration. "Look, we're wasting time. Twilight needs help now. You don't have to like it, but you're just going to have to accept that Trixie represents our best chance at saving her." Applejack and Rarity looked at each other for several moments before nodding and looking back at Dash. "You trust her," Applejack asked. "I do," Dash replied. "Absolutely." Applejack looked back over at Trixie and backed up, making way for her. "If'n Rainbow says yer okay, then I'll give you a chance. But so help me, you do anythin' to hurt Twilight an' there'll be consequences." "Double consequences," Rarity added. Trixie simply nodded silently to the two and made her way past them and up the stairs to Twilight's room, with the five friends now simply hoping that something, anything, could be done. She had braced herself for a bad situation but was wholly unprepared for the condition she found Twilight in. Twilight was breathing heavily through her mouth, her eyes wide and pupils small as pain wracked every part of her. Her horn was growing darker and darker. Trixie knew that action had to be taken immediately. "You're going to be alright," she told Twilight, setting her bags down and immediately beginning to prepare the Albino Alfalfa. "I promise you we'll get you back on your hooves before you know it." "T-Trixie…" Twilight said through gritted teeth. "I-I'm so…sorr…sorr…" "Don't speak," Trixie told her, putting a hoof gently to her head. "You have nothing to apologize to me for. I'm the one who needs your forgiveness, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I won't let someone so important go without a fight." She turned back to the herbs and continued preparing them, silently adding to herself, "Not again. I won't let it happen again!" Trixie had been upstairs with Twilight for not but a few minutes when a knock came at the door of the library. The five pony friends plus Spike turned to see, of all ponies, Ditzy Doo walking in with her mail saddles on her back. "Hello everypony," she said pleasantly. "Mail time!" "Ditzy…" Dash said, passing a hoof over her face. "This is really not the time for delivering mail here." "Silly Dashie," Ditzy said with a smile. "The mail never rests! Besides, I've been trying to catch up to you and Trixie all day." "Huh?" "I was trying to deliver mail to Trixie, but you both kept running so fast I couldn't catch you," the wall-eyed mailpony said, fishing a letter from her bag and placing it on their table. "Please make sure she gets this. It's from her brother who's in Canterlot." "Uh, sure thing Ditz," Rainbow told her. "Well, I'm off again! Oh, and tell Twilight thanks for the muffins the other day. They really helped get me though to dinner." As soon as Ditzy left, the five turned their attention to the envelope, which Rarity immediately levitated and opened with her magic. "Rarity, that ain't yers," Applejack said, chastising her. "Oh please," Rarity replied. "If we're going to suffer that nitwit and whatever aid she's giving us then we deserve to know a little more about her." Rarity unfolded the letter and hovered it in place as the other four gathered around her to read it. Dear Trixie, I hope this letter finds you well as usual, little sis. My research is progressing well and I think I may just be on the verge of a breakthrough. I know it's been hard to support me and mom all this time, but please do keep up the good work. Your contributions have made so much of my work possible that I simply can't thank you enough. I know dad would be proud of you too, despite what happened in Ponyville. You've never had a mean bone in your body, and you've always been so forgiving of others no matter what they thought of you or your act. It's just a shame you've never been able to make many friends, but such is the life of a travelling star right? Speaking of dad, I know I mention this every time but you really need to stop blaming yourself for what happened. It's not your fault dad caught Horn Pox too, and it's certainly not your fault he died from it. I know you feel like it is because all the stuff you did for me didn't help him, but please always remember that you still kept him smiling right up to the end. That counts for more than you know, believe me. I've seen so many ponies suffer because of this illness, and many of them don't have somepony to make them smile like dad did with you. I hope to see your show come to Canterlot sometime. We get so little time together as it is. And I want everypony to know my sister is none other than The Great and Powerful Trixie. Please write back soon. Love, Your brother, Fleming A deafening silence hung over the five pony friends, only broken by the sounds of Fluttershy and Pinkie sobbing at learning the truth about Trixie's past. "She…" Dash said in a voice just above a whisper. "She never mentioned her dad in the story she told me." "Consarnit," Applejack said, tearing up. "We've had her figgered wrong all along." "I feel like an absolute heel now," Rarity added, letting the letter float back down to the table. The heavy atmosphere around the table was broken as a scream of total agony came from Twilight's room. The five ponies rushed upstairs and found Trixie, who was still preparing the Albino Alfalfa, trying to comfort Twilight as she writhed on her bed. "This is bad, very bad," Trixie said in a bit of a panic. "The Pox has spread too far. The herb won't be of any help at this point!" "There's got to be something else you can do," Dash said insistently. Trixie thought for a moment before remembering something. "There's a spell that can reverse the effects to an extent. It's an extremely difficult spell, though, and I'm not sure I'm capable of powerful enough magic for it to be of any good!" Another scream from Twilight jarred them all. Applejack stepped towards Trixie, fear written on her face. "You jes' gotta try," she told her. Trixie was visibly afraid now. "I…I don't know…I'm not a doctor. Nor am I really all that powerful with magic…" "Nonsense," Rarity told her commandingly. "You are The Great and Powerful Trixie! If anypony can do it, you can!" "I'm an actress," Trixie shot back. "A sham! I'm no sorceress! I'm not even all that entertaining…" "Please try, Trixie," Fluttershy pleaded. "You're Twilight's only hope." "It'll work," Pinkie added. "It has to! We all believe in you, Trixie." "You..do…" Trixie asked, eliciting nods from all five friends. She felt tears well up in her eyes, but blinked them back as she turned to face Twilight, her face resolute. "Watch in awe," she said to herself in a whisper, psyching herself up, "as The Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic…ever witnessed by pony eyes…" She closed her eyes as her horn began to glow. Twilight's whole body became encompassed in a similar glow, though she continued to flail in anguish. Trixie strained as she tried to force the spell to work. For a moment it looked like Twilight's horn was changing colors again to a lighter shade, but it immediately darkened again. "I'm…not…going to…give up…" Trixie said through gritted teeth as she tried to draw on more magical energy. "Not before I have…the chance to tell you…that I'm sorry for what happened. And I'll make it up to you…to everypony…I swear I will!" As Trixie strained and Twilight suffered, a light began to permeate the room from above. The five pony friends looked up and saw the Elements of Harmony materializing above each of them briefly before forming around their necks into their respective necklaces. Twilight's crown also became visible atop her head. As they all wondered what was going on, another stone similar to those that represented the Elements came into view above Trixie's head. This one had what looked like a teardrop carved into it. It burst into a shower of sparkles that then formed around Trixie's neck into a necklace of her own, with a pearl-colored gem set in the front in the shape of her cutie mark. It flashed brilliantly as a flood of magical power surged into Trixie's horn, causing it to shine so brilliantly all had to avert their eyes from it. Trixie felt the sudden rush of power and staggered underneath its weight. It threatened to overcome her, but she concentrated on letting it flow through her and into the spell. Light erupted from the tip of her horn, bathing Twilight in healing energy. Twilight's horn color faded from nearly jet black back through the spectrum of colors it had gone through until it was finally a pale violet color once again, almost matching her coat. She visibly relaxed, no longer in such excruciating pain. As the light finally died down, the other ponies present all stepped slowly towards Trixie, whose knees buckled after the spell had run its course. She forced herself to stay upright as she looked hard at them. "Soak the alfalfa in hot water…" she told them weakly. "…for five minutes. Mash it up and apply it directly to her horn. Do this every two hours and…she'll be…fine…" Rarity and Fluttershy gathered the supplies that Trixie had set out on the floor and rushed off to do just as she'd instructed. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, quickly moved to catch Trixie just as she collapsed. As they caught her, the necklace around her neck vanished as did all of theirs. "What's this all mean," Applejack asked Rainbow as they carried Trixie out of the bedroom. Dash just smiled as she looked at Trixie herself. "I think it means we just made another new friend." Pinkie pranced along with a basket in her mouth as she made her way to the library. She let herself in and set the basket down at the table where Twilight sat reading to herself. "Honestly, Pinkie, enough is enough," she said, closing her book and levitating it back up to a shelf. "I'm on cupcake overload at this point." "That's absolutely not possible," Pinkie told her. "There's always room for cupcakes! Even when all you've had to eat is cupcakes. Believe me, I know." "I'll take your word for it." "So how're you feeling?" "Much better. I think I'm pretty close to normal at this point. Well, as normal as I ever get." "Think you're ready for that party, then?" Pinkie batted her eyelashes at Twilight and plastered a hopeful grin on her face. "Pinkie, you've been throwing parties every day for the past week since Trixie saved my life," Twilight commented in a flat tone of voice. "Those were all practice parties, getting me warmed up for the real deal!" Twilight sighed and decided she might as well get it over with. "If it'll make you happy, Pinkie, fine. I think I can mange one party." Pinkie felt like she might just explode and then explode again with happiness. She proceeded to cartwheel backwards out of the library door, knocking Trixie over as she was entering in the process. "Pinkie, I don't begrudge you your nonstop celebrating but you could at least try to watch in the direction you're doing it," Trixie said, shaking her head as she got back up. "Sorry," Pinkie called out as she cartwheeled away. "No time to chat! Party planning ahoy!" Trixie rolled her eyes as turned to face Twilight. "She never does anything else, does she?" "She wouldn't be Pinkie otherwise," Twilight told her. "So have you found anything yet," Trixie asked, from the doorway. "Absolutely nothing. I've gone over every book that talks about the Elements of Harmony at least three times now. None of them talk about seven elements, only six." "Maybe what happened wasn't an Element of Harmony then," Trixie said with a shrug. "Maybe it was something else." Twilight shook her head as she stood up and walked through the library some. "If what the girls said about what happened that day is accurate, and I have no reason to doubt them, then it has to be. It's just odd that there's no mention of it anywhere." "Don't worry yourself too much over it. This really isn't all that important." "All the same, I have my own hypothesis on it." Trixie stood upright again, now curious about what Twilight had come up with. "Oh? Do tell." "Well, each of the other girls embodies an Element of Harmony," Twilight said, pacing as she talked. "Loyalty in Rainbow Dash, Honest in Applejack, Kindness in Fluttershy, Generosity in Rarity, and Laughter in Pinkie Pie. Those are the main ones that are spoken of, but I think there may be other Elements that are a part of Harmony. They may be things we don't think of all that often, or that we take for granted, or that we even don't consider to be all that important. But they are nonetheless crucial to Harmony and friendship as well. And I can wager a guess as to what Element you may represent." "And what would that be?" Twilight stopped and turned to look at Trixie. "Forgiveness. I mean, after everything that's happened and everything you went through, you still found it in your heart to forgive me for showing you up during your show." "I already told you, I never blamed you for what happened," Trixie said, lowering her head. "It was all on me." "Even so, a lesser pony would've been content to just blame me and resent me for it. You didn't. You came back to Ponyville at great personal risk just to save me. And not only that, you've made rounds of the town over the past week to help others and apologize for what happened. You might not think much of it, but it's gone a long way to restoring everypony's opinion of you." "Not everypony is still convinced of my good intentions, though." "True, but with time I'm sure they'll come around as well. We all did, didn't we?" "I suppose you're right. Anyway, I really just came by to check on you one last time before I shuffle off." "You're leaving," Twilight asked, sounding surprised. "Ponyville isn't home for me," Trixie told her. "Nowhere is, for that matter. I'm not the type who can settle down, after all. I'm only truly comfortable when I'm travelling. Besides, I need to get back to performing so I can continue to support my family." "If you're sure. I could still write to the princess on your behalf and-" "Absolutely not," Trixie said, cutting her off. "I wouldn't think of making such a request of the princess, much less ask you to use your relationship with her for my sake. I'll carry on as I always have, even if I am bringing in less money these days." "About that," Applejack said from behind Trixie, interrupting her conversation with Twilight. "C'mon out here fer a bit, Trix. We got somethin' to show ya." Trixie glanced back at Twilight for a moment, who merely shrugged at her. She followed the cowboy hat-wearing pony for a moment and felt her jaw just about hit the ground. In place of the wagon she'd been pulling recently stood her full stagecoach perfectly restored. "We had the pieces lyin' around fer some time," Applejack told her. "Me 'n Big Macintosh set to fixin' it up, an' Apple Bloom even pitched in with the paint an' finishin' touches." "I-I-I don't believe it…" Trixie said in amazement. "It looks brand new!" "That's not all that's brand new, darling," Rarity added, stepping up alongside her. She levitated out of the stagecoach a brand new cloak and wizard's hat that she expertly dressed Trixie up in. "I've been working on these for the last several days. My own way of thanking you for all you did for us." "And we've been spreading the word about your show all over the place," Rainbow Dash added as she landed along with Fluttershy. "Pinkie's also been handing out flyers all around town to visitors and townsponies alike for your show," Fluttershy told her. "I'm sure you'll have quite a nice crowd next time you perform." "All of you…helped me," Trixie said in disbelief, tears stinging her eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" "Just get back to doing what you do best," Dash told her. "And help your brother find that cure for Horn Pox. What'd you say he called that stuff he's working on again?" "Ponycilin," Trixie told her with a chuckle. "It's supposed to be derived from Albino Alfalfa, but far more potent. And he thinks there may be other applications for it as well." "You sure ya won't hang 'round fer Pinkie's party, sugarcube," Applejack asked her. Trixie nodded at her. "I've been in attendance for just about every other party she's thrown lately. Besides, there's someone else who deserves to be the center of attention for a party." Trixie looked back at the doorway to the library where Twilight now stood and nodded to her. She then looked back at the others again. "Give me just one moment, if you will," she asked them. The five nodded and wandered back a bit as she moved back over to Twilight. "Are you sure you'll be okay now?" "Oh I'm fine," Twilight assured her. "Another couple days of light activity and I think I'll be right as rain." Trixie smiled and nodded, and then changed her expression to a far cockier one, smiling slyly at her. "Well, you'd best get back up to speed soon, or The Great and Powerful Trixie really will surpass you as the most powerful magician in all of Equestria." Twilight had to laugh at the idea. "Oh I'll be back in proper form soon enough. And I'll be looking forward to when you come back through town." "You'd best be ready. The Great and Powerful Trixie will not suffer defeat at your hands again, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight smirked at her. "We'll see about that." The two laughed for a few moments before Trixie prepared to leave. She stopped and faced Twilight again after taking a few steps away. "There's one more thing I wanted to tell you about, but please don't let the others know," she said. "I can keep a secret, you can count on me," Twilight assured her. "Promise?" "I promise." "Pinkie Pie Swear?" "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my-OW!" Twilight had managed to poke herself in the eye again while trying to do the motions for the Pinkie Pie Swear. Trixie shook her head at her. "You know you really need to remember to close your eye for that last part, dear." "Yeah, yeah, I'll get it right someday. Anyway, you were saying?" Trixie nodded and took a deep breath before revealing her secret. "I only call myself 'The Great and Powerful' Trixie because it's what my father called me after the first show I put on for him. After that, he always referred to me in that manner, right up to the day he died. I kept the name for my act. It's my way of dedicating every show, and my whole career for that matter, to his memory." "I'm sure he would like that," Twilight told her. "And I'm sure in spirit he's been there with you at every show, Trixie." Trixie nodded to her. "I like to think that too." "Take care and don't be a stranger, okay?" "Oh you will see The Great and Powerful Trixie again, Twilight Sparkle. Of that you can be certain." Twilight laughed and shook her head again as Trixie hitched herself up to her stagecoach once again. With a dramatic bow and flourish of her new hat, she bid her new friends and the citizens of Ponyville farewell once again before returning to her true home: the open road. Princess Celestia was just about to turn in for the night when a scroll appeared before her in a burst of green dragon flame. She smiled serenely as she unfurled the letter, having missed hearing from her precious student over the past week. Dear Princess Celestia, I must apologize for not writing to you myself sooner, but I have only recently regained the strength to use magic so as to write my own letters. Spike offered to write this one for me, but this is one time I wanted to do it myself. Over the course of this past week, while recovering from Horn Pox, I have seen something truly amazing happen and have been reminded of one of the most important and powerful things about friendship. Ponies don't always start out as friends, and even longtime friends can drift apart or become bitter at each other over any of a variety of things. What brings us back together, though, and lets our friendships persist or even begin in spite of our differences is forgiveness. Forgiveness is so important to our relationships with others, yet too frequently anymore we don't think much about it. Often times we think forgiveness isn't deserved or can even be seen as a sign of weakness if offered. And to be honest, it can be incredibly hard to forgive others of their misdeeds. But I think that's what makes forgiveness so important and so powerful. It can be so hard to be forgiving, but if you're able to do it then you can start to fix fractured friendships or even create new ones where you thought they could never exist. I have met an amazing pony who is possibly the most forgiving individual I have ever met. We had our differences in the past, but she is now a close friend of mine, as well as having befriended the other girls. It is my hope that when you next hold the Grand Galloping Gala you will send me yet another extra ticket that she may attend as well. I would love for you to meet her someday. Always your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle P.S. Please consider diverting additional funding to the medical research team that is working on the cure to Horn Pox. I believe their work to be noble and critical to the future prosperity of all of Equestria. Celestia carefully rolled the parchment up again, but instead of discarding it as she usually did with her student's reports she placed it carefully up on a shelf. This was a letter worth keeping. After doing so, she went to her window and saw Luna soaring through the night sky, placing the stars in their proper places. She smiled to herself as she watched her work for some time. "Truly," she said to herself, "forgiveness is indeed an important and powerful thing." The End.

Hyperion

341

Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Fluttershy,Lyra,Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Comedy,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Leaf-ing the Dream!

complete

<p>After Twilight uses her magic plant spell, Fluttershy finally living her dream of being a tree...but is a trees life really peaceful like she thinks? rated T for trees(yes. there going to be tree puns!)</p>

everyone

2011-07-27T20:54:00+00:00

2011-07-27T20:54:00+00:00

A/N: I don't own the ponies, Hasbro and Faust does Leafing the dream! Outside of Ponyville, we find two young female ponies. One is a purple unicorn named Twilight while the other is a yellow Pegasus known as Fluttershy. The two ponies stop near some trees and Fluttershy flew to the air and smiled as she saw an open spot not too far away. "Over there!" shouted Fluttershy as she flew to the spot "It's perfect!” As Fluttershy flew away, Twilight sighed and thought back as to why they was out here as she followed where her good friend went. Flashback "What!" spoke Twilight as she turns away from her book as she heard Fluttershy request "w-why? Why do you want to be a tree, Fluttershy?” Fluttershy step back and cover her left side of her face with her pink mane as she feared she might of have anger her good friend. "..." whispered Fluttershy. "What?" replied Twilight as she'd step forward "didn't hear that?" "..." whispered Fluttershy again but in a much lower tone. "Speak up, Fluttershy. I can't hear you!" demanded Twilight in slight anger. Finally, Fluttershy uncover her face and took a deep breath while Twilight stretch her ear out as she knew that Fluttershy was going explain but still in a quite tone. "I WANT TO LIVE IN A PEACEFUL LIFE AS A TREE! THEY HAVE IT GREAT! CUTE LITTLE ANIMALS VISITING THEM, NOPONY BOTHERING THEM OR EVEN..." Fluttershy stop yelling and saw Twilight holding her ears and quickly realize what she done "oh! I'm sorry, Twilight!” But to Twilight, the only thing she could hear was loud bells "WHAT!" End of flashback Twilight finally arrive to the spot where Fluttershy landed not too long ago and quickly did a sweatdrop as she saw Fluttershy. "W-What are you doing?" ask Twilight as she saw Fluttershy buried to her head and smiling. "What? I'm just getting ready to be a tree, why?" ask Fluttershy as she tips her head to the side in confusing. "...When I use the plant spell, you'll be already in the ground..." said Twilight. Hearing this, Fluttershy quickly blush and did a sweatdrop as she spoke "oh...” "...Its okay, let’s get started!” Twilight shut her eyes and a few seconds later, her horn started to glow bright. Soon, the aura around the horn grew in size, every passing second it grew. Fluttershy was amaze by the magic power that Twilight had in her horn but soon grew worry as the aura was getting bigger...much bigger. "T-Twilight..." whispered Fluttershy but her friend couldn't hear as the overflowing magic was causing too much noise. "NOW!" shouted Twilight as she fired a purple beam of light at Fluttershy "BECOME A TREE!"/ "AAAAHHHHHH!” As the beam hit Fluttershy, a huge flash of light blinded Twilight and sent her flying as a shock wave followed after the flash. As Twilight woke up and return to the spot where Fluttershy was, she quickly found a tree...well not really... "...feed me, feed me..." cried a baby Fluttertree. "...take two..." whispered Twilight as she did a sweatdrop. After the tenth time, Twilight finally pulled it off and collapse to the ground and smiled as she saw her friend. Fluttershy was a beautiful blossom tree as her face was in the middle of the tree. "Oh thank you, Twilight!" smiled Fluttertree. "N-No problem, Fluttershy but..." Twilight weakly stood up and continued speaking "...but I don't have the power right now to change you back. Until fours from now...” "Why would I change back? I'm staying like this forever!" cheered Fluttertree. "...even so, I’ll be back in four days...bye" waved Twilight as she weakly left Fluttertree behind. In the hands of Gaia. The mother of the planet. She will be fine...right? End of ch1

Hyperion

341

Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Fluttershy,Lyra,Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Comedy,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Leaf-ing the Dream!

complete

<p>After Twilight uses her magic plant spell, Fluttershy finally living her dream of being a tree...but is a trees life really peaceful like she thinks? rated T for trees(yes. there going to be tree puns!)</p>

everyone

2011-07-27T21:44:50+00:00

2011-07-27T21:44:50+00:00

*Dawn of the first day!* The white moon slowly disappear over the heavens and came forth was the morning light. The sun finally appears from the heavens and warm the lands as the night coldness vanish. A small beam light coming from the sun hit a very special tree. This yellow tree was like no other, it was once a pony...at Pegasus pony. "...huh?" yawn Fluttertree as the warm ray hit her face "...its morning? Its morning! YAY!” This was the first full day as a tree for Fluttersh...I mean Fluttertree, since yesterday like twilight, she was worn out from all the retries and was asleep after Twilight left her alone to live the rest of her days as a tree...well in four days anyway. "Okay! What should I do first!" ask Fluttertree to herself as she closed her eyes to think "...maybe I should eat something first...” Fluttertree open her eyes and started to search for any food like maybe some apples or something. Finally, she spotted a big and juicy red apple not too far from her. "Yum!" drool Fluttertree as she tried to move but something happen "huh! I can't move!” She quickly remembers that she was a tree now and didn't have legs anymore, just roots that dig deep into the earth. "...now what?" thought Fluttertree as her tree stomach started to bark (yes I did a tree pun, so sue me!) "...oh! Soooooo hungry!” *Four hours later* Suddenly, it hit Fluttertree! Trees eat by using the sun. "Hmm...what was that called again?" whisper Fluttertree as she tried to remember "photo...something...". =PAUSE= It’s now time for "ask Dr. Muffin" and now here your host, Dr. Muffin and her college student Derpy. Derpy, who is wearing a lab coat, drags out a blackboard and sets up a chair and a table and takes out a muffin who is wearing glasses and turns to the video camera. "Today, we have a letter from a little filly. It reads: "dear Dr. Muffin, how do trees eat? Do they eat soil or something? Love Applejac...I mean Applebloom" finish Derpy as she put away the letter and turn to the muffin "okay, explain away Dr. Muffin". Everypony in the studio did a sweatdrop as Derpy was laughing her head off, which seem that the muffin made a huge joke or something (hey I wrote this and even I don't know what it said...). Bon-bon who was in the control room, quickly spoke in the microphone. "Derpy! Maybe you stood explain?” "Me? Nonono! Dr. Muffin going to explain, right Dr. Muffin?" smiled Derpy as she face the muffin again. Everypony did a sweatdrop as the muffin started to talk (wait! What! oO). "trees don't eat soil my dear, they use a process called photosynthesis which uses energy such as heat from the sun which is captured by chlorophyll(house in chloroplasts[a subunit inside a cell]) and converted into energy which is most commonly observed as glucose(simple sugars=the building blocks of life). That's how trees live". Everypony (even me) was even more shock to see the muffin drawing out his explaining on the blackboard while Derpy was being her Derpy self. *Bing-bong!* "Well looks like class is over for today, see you next time" smiled (again, what? oO) the muffin as Derpy pick up the muffin and walk out. "...how is this highest TV show? Right next to My little Brony: Fanship is awesome?" asks Bon-Bon to Lyra, who was brought her some coffee "this doesn't make sense! Dumb author!” "Be careful Bon-Bon, don't make him mad!" warn Lyra as she steps back with the others from her "...did you forget what happen to Trixie?” "Please, what's he going to do?" laugh Bon-bon "like make me say candlejack, oh n-". Well bye-bye Bon-bon, okay back to the story. =PLAY= "Oh right! Photosynthesis!" smiled Fluttertree as she moved her leafs to where the sun was "lunch time!” *Noon of the first day!* It was noon as Fluttertree sigh in disappointment, her photosynthesis was working but it was taking a very long time to get the food. "...life as a tree sure is great!" spoke Fluttertree as her stomach bark again (yes, I’m reusing the pun joke, so shoot me >_> ) "...never being a Pegasus ever again...” Suddenly, she heard some flapping and looks up to see a bird flying around her. Seeing this, her spirit returns from her depress self and smiled. "A bird!" cheered Fluttertree as the bird landed on one of her branches "comes here Mr. Bird! Let’s be friends!” The bird was a little shock to see a talking tree but it saw weirder stuff, anyway the bird hop closer and started to clean its wings. Fluttertree was so happy that she started to sing. As she sung, more animals came. Squirrels, hedgehogs and more birds...but soon a family of woodpeckers came and landed near her eyes. "Oh! Hello Mr. Woodpecker and your family. Do want to be my friends too?" smiled Fluttertree as the birds hop closer to her eye "we can talk about how the...” Fluttertree was cut off as the male woodpecker started to peck her eye. She cried in great pain as the woodpecker kept going deeper into her eye, until her eye was now a huge hole. As he was done, the woodpecker calls to his family and soon enters into their new house. "...o-oh, okay..." whisper Fluttertree as she shed a maple tear from her good eye "...h-hope you like your new h-house...” *Night of the first day* The warm sun that cover the land, vanish into the heavens and soon the white moon return from its sleep and bought the coldness of the night with it. With hardly any food in her stomach and losing an eye, Fluttertree was now freezing her leafs off. She didn't realize how cold it was the first time and soon miss the warm sun that Celestia summon. She even started to miss her warm bed... "NO! I'm a tree now!" shouted Fluttertree in order to banish her thoughts of going home "if trees can live like this! SO CAN I!” RRROOOOAAARRR! Hearing this, Fluttertree scream in fear and tried to hide but quickly realize again, she was a tree and didn't had any legs. As she search where the roar came from, a loud yawn came from behind her and whatever kind of animal it was, it finally reveal itself. It was a bear who was wearing a red topical shirt. "Oh! Hello. You scared me" giggle Fluttertree as the bear stare at her "what brings you here?” The bear yawn again and walk in front of Fluttertree and turn its back to her. She was confused why the bear did this but she soon smelled something...something like... "Oh no!" cried Fluttertree as she saw what was on the bear butt "Please! Please no!” The bear press its butt on Fluttertree face and started to clean it by moving up and down. "NNNNNNOOOOOOO!” Well the first day was kind of bad for Fluttertree but the next day will be better...right? End of ch2

Hyperion

341

Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Fluttershy,Lyra,Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Comedy,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Leaf-ing the Dream!

complete

<p>After Twilight uses her magic plant spell, Fluttershy finally living her dream of being a tree...but is a trees life really peaceful like she thinks? rated T for trees(yes. there going to be tree puns!)</p>

everyone

2011-07-27T22:14:30+00:00

2011-07-27T22:14:30+00:00

Dawn of the second day Yesterday was a bad day for our dear little tree, but today, Fluttertree is very hopeful that this day will be better! "Yes!" cheered Fluttertree as she smiled with pride "I did it! I'm able to feed myself better now!” Fluttertree was able use photosynthesis much better now and was having a great time eating, until she heard something heading her way. It sounded like a very familiar voices. "Are we there yet?" ask three young fillies as their voice got louder "Applejack!” Soon the Texas pony answer as she step out from the bushes that was in front of Fluttertree "like for the twenty times, NO!” Soon Applebloom, Belle and Scootaloo came out of the bushes, while dragging dark green bags. Fluttertree watch as AJ search for something in her saddle bags but couldn't find what she was looking for. "Does one of you have the map?” "No." answer Belle. "I think Scootaloo had it?" replied Applebloom as she turns to her "right?” Scootaloo rub her chin just for a few seconds and quickly answered everyone "oh! You mean that boring paper with landmarks?” "Yes, sugar cube." smiled AJ "Give it to me, I need to find where the camp site is." Suddenly, everyone saw Scootaloo staring at her hooves and with fear in her voice, she spoke "...I toss it into the river, like miles back...” "WHAT!" scream AJ as she heard the little answer "WHY!” "...I thought it was unless and I was bored when we rested near the river...s-so I made it into a paper airplane and toss it..." spoke Scootaloo as her fear grew as she watch steam exiting from AJ ears "...u mad?" AJ took her hat off and scream into it for a least good two minutes. As she finally finish, AJ walk over to Scootaloo and petted her (very rough) on the head and crack a fake smile as she answered the scared filly "...n-no...I’m n-not mad!” "Applejack!" smiled Fluttertree "I knew this area pretty well, need some help?” But to her surprise, AJ or the CMC didn't turn to her, even when she called out to them in her normal speaking voice and not in her shy voice. Fluttertree tried again but this time in a louder tone but the end result was the same. "Why can't they hear me?" whisper Fluttertree in sadness. =PAUSE= It’s now time for "magic 101" and here your host, twilight sparkles. … I said "here twilight sparkles!" …... "Where is she?" ask Lyra (who took command over after what happen to bon-bon in the last chapter) as she turn on the microphone to the staff in the studio. *Meanwhile in Ponyville* We find Twilight resting in her bed as she still didn't fully recover after turning Fluttershy into a tree. "...oh princess Celestia...” blushes Twilight as she turns to her side "...I loved to rub your horn...” [insert noise here] *Back at the studio* Lyra did a face hoof and spoke in an angry tone "Did we really need to see that!” "What should we do?" ask Carrottop as she place "We're having some pony problems" sign over the video camera "We can't ask Trixie to host this part." *Meanwhile in space* Deep within the coldness of space, a mirror shape object is spinning through space and within it is Trixie. "The great and powerful Trixie will have her...AAAAHHHH!" screamed Trixie as a UFO crash into the mirror and scatter it. "What did we hit?" ask a young alien pony. "Hitting a superman reference, minus ten points." said the older alien as he took his check list. "Damn it, damn it, damn it!" yelled the young pony as he knew he wasn't going to get his UFO driving license now. As the scatter pieces floated in space, a robotic sphere flew by and said "ssssppppaaacccceeeee!" Now in the studio Lyra grab the screen (or in this case, the author mind) and spoke in great anger "STOP WITH THESE DUMB CUT AWAY GAGS!” *Pop* Everypony in the room was surprise to see Lyra disappear and replace with Rarity. "Good heavens, where am I?” Before anypony could say anything, a script appeared in front of her and she quickly read it. "The caster of the plant spell is the only one who can hear and see the pony voice/face who was transforming into a plant/tree". As she finish, Lyra return as Rarity disappear and was in her chair and was sitting in her famous pose and was drinking some root beer. "...I hate my job..." whispered Lyra as she press the button to start the video. =PLAY= *Noon of the second day* As that little side filler was happening, AJ and the fillies set up camp next to Fluttertree and were making some lunch. Fluttertree started to drool some maple syrup as she watches them make their flower sandwiches. "Oh! Look!" pointed Belle as she notices Fluttertree drooling "the tree is leaking maple syrup!” AJ eat her sandwich and took out a bucket and nozzle from one of the bags and walk over to the fillies, as they watching the maple ooze from the tree. "I can make some apple maple syrup when we get back home tomorrow." smiled AJ as she place the bucket in front of Fluttertree and place the nozzle where the syrup was coming from and with one powerful buck, the nozzle stab into the tree bark. If twilight was there, she could of have heard the painful screams that was coming from the tree. "Well you look at that!" cheered AJ as her and the others watch as huge amount of syrup coming oozing out "this tree was sure loaded!” Later After filling ten buckets of syrup, AJ was going to show the girls how to apple buck, since Applebloom said that might be there cutie marks. "Okay girls, before you kick the tree, you must find the area where your force will spread to the branches. Let’s start on this tree." said AJ as she taps on Fluttertree and found a good spot "okay! Watch me!” AJ did a powerful kick and the girls watch as the leaves from the tree, fell to the ground after it shook with great force. AJ did her victory pose and beam with pride as she heard the fillies cheers but unknown to her, the tree was crying in pain. *Night of the second day* Fluttertree sigh in relief as night finally arrived. She will finally have peace after this long and terrible day as being a tree. "...thanks Luna this day is over..." thought Fluttertree as she became sleepy "...with...” But Fluttertree quickly open her eyes as she heard AJ that she needed more firewood for the camp fire, since it was getting cold. "Oh no..." whisper Fluttertree as she did a sweatdrop. End of ch3

Hyperion

341

Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Fluttershy,Lyra,Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Comedy,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Leaf-ing the Dream!

complete

<p>After Twilight uses her magic plant spell, Fluttershy finally living her dream of being a tree...but is a trees life really peaceful like she thinks? rated T for trees(yes. there going to be tree puns!)</p>

everyone

2011-07-27T22:33:43+00:00

2011-07-27T22:33:43+00:00

*Night of the third day* Fluttertree was having a hard time going to sleep tonight. It wasn't the pain that AJ did to her, heavens no, the pain was already gone but something else was bothering her. "...it’s so lonely..." whisper Fluttertree as she scans the area. She didn't realize how lonely she was after AJ and the CMC left to return home this afternoon. Sure animals came around a few times but she needed to speak to somepony. She wanted to listen to anypony, even if it was a simple hi or hello. She finally realizes that a tree life wasn't that peaceful...it was very lonely. Fluttertree stare into the night sky and watch the stars slowly moved across the sea of the night sky and shed a tear as she spoke "...I want to go home...” The forest was very quiet if anypony enter it but if they had cast the plant spell, they could hear somepony crying. Crying their heart out. Outside of ponyville Within a tree cottage, a rainbow mare was chasing a white bunny as the rabbit stole her dinner. "COME BACK HERE!" shouted Dash as she chases the rabbit across the room "GIVE ME MY HAY FRIES BACK, YOU LITTLE MONSTER!” The rabbit jump on the table and slap its butt at her, which made Dash, filled with more fury. Angel jump off the table with the dish as he watch Dash turn red with anger and blasted at him. Down the road, a pink mare with a puffy mane, was heading toward the house but soon stop as she heard stuff being crash into. "Oh! Fluttershy throwing a party!" smiled Pinkie as she hop to the door and knock with her head but the door slowly open as the noise didn't stop. At that moment, Dash finally caught that evil rabbit as she jump on it and took back the dish and did the thing that Link does when he finds an item. Right before she could enjoy her prize, a pink blur jump out from the door and crash on top of her and Angel. "THE PARTY QUEEN IS HERE!" cheered Pinkie as she started to dance "TURN THE MUSIC UP! THIS IS MY SONG!” "Pinkie...” Pinkie started to do the moon walk and even break dance but quickly stop as she notice something. "Wait a minute!" shouted Pinkie as she look around the room "There no music!” Dash and Angel did a face hoof/paw and push her off as they stood up. "Pinkie! You’re so random." said Dash as she dusts herself off. Seeing her super cool friend here, Pinkie hop around her and smiled. This party just became 20% cooler! In Pinkie's book. "I didn't know that Fluttershy could throw a super, awesome, fun, amazing... (ten minutes later)...epic party!" smiled the party pony. "Huh?" said Dash as she turns around to her after cleaning the place up "What was that?” "Oh! I said...mmmm." said Pinkie as Angel stuff a carrot in her mouth before she could start again. A few minutes pass and Pinkie got caught up on everything as Dash explains why she was here and taking care of the animals. Since Pinkie was gone this whole week, as she watch her sister perform in Manehattan with her band, she was out of the loop, how Fluttershy wanted to be a tree. "Ooooh!" gasp Pinkie "but why did you call me here?" Dash grab her fan made Wonderbolts jacket and official Wonderbolts goggles and turn to Pinkie and answer her "There been a last second change to the weather for tonight, the others and I are going to set it up, so I need you to watch over Fluttershy place." With that said Dash took off and vanish into the night sky as dark thunder clouds started to appear. As Pinkie shut the door, a weird feeling took over her body. Her body made her tail twitches and followed up with a combo that she knew too well. "Oh no!" cried Pinkie as she stare into the forest where Dash flew over "A dozy!” *Back in the forest* Fluttertree was still crying as she felt so lonely. She wanted the day to come faster, so Twilight can transform her back from her dumb wish. "...please Luna...ends the night faster..." prayed Fluttertree as she closes her eye and finally went to sleep. As she slept, a rainbow blur flew above her and vanish over the dark gathering clouds. "What is this!" shouted Dash as she landed on white cloud and face the weather team. "It's called a job!" snorted a red Pegasus known as Firefly as she pushes a cloud into place. Everypony on the weather team knew that Firefly always had to finish Dashie job when she was too lazy. "Ha ha ha, good one Firefly." said Dash in slight anger "but for real! Why are there thunderclouds? The forecast report just said rain and nothing else." "What are you talking about? We all got reports for a thunderstorm!" answered Firefly as her and the other showed Dash their letters. Dash scans each letter and quickly realizes something. The ID code at the bottom didn't match the code for ponyville weather system. "Great! Another mix up!" snorted Dash as she tosses the paper away “when will does idiots at the weather program ever learn?” Dash summon everypony and told them what happen and quickly ask everypony to remove the thunderclouds carefully, she didn't want to start the storm. "MUFFINS!” "Huh?" said everypony as they spotted a gray blur heading their way. Soon they all realize it was ditzy doo or known to others, Derpy Hooves the mail pony of ponyville. "SORRY! I SENT THE WRONG FORECAST LETTERS TO THE WRONG TEAM!" shouted Derpy has she almost reach them. Dash and the others quickly tried to stop her from landing on the thunderclouds but it was too late. As she landed, she active the thunderclouds and the thunderstorm began. FLASH! "Huh!" spoke Fluttertree as a loud noise woke her from her deep sleep. She looks up to the dark gray sky after another thunder blasted across the sky. Soon, it started to rain and more flash of thunder lit the sky. The weather team did a great job in making this storm but something was wrong. "why are there so many thunder?" whisper Fluttertree as she grew more scared as the sky kept unleashing thunder from the dark clouds. "What the hay is going on!" shouted Dash as she saw all the thunder being unleash "this isn't right!” Back at ponyville Within the town's library, Twilight finally woke from her deep sleep. She wasn't 100% recover but she couldn't help it, something woke her up. As she went to the window, she could see that she wasn't the only pony. Almost half the town was out and staring to the sky. The sky under ponyville was fine but far away and above the forest was a huge thunderstorm like they never seen before. The clouds kept unleashing thunder and thunder all over again in every second. It was madness but something hit Twilight mind. "FLUTTERSHY!" shouted the purple mare as she storm out of the tree house and headed to the forest. *Back at Fluttershy house* Pinkie and Angel watch in fear as the thunder started to hit the forest. They weren’t afraid at the storm but afraid for their dear shy friend, who was out there, somewhere in the forest. Pinkie shut her eyes and prayed that her big dozy wasn't about Fluttershy. She could only hope and pray. "Fluttershy..." whisper Pinkie as she shed a single tear. *Back above the forest* Dash and the others watch as the forest started to catch on fire as more lighting hit the forest. The weird part about this was that the red glow that the forest fire was giving off was beautiful. The little embers that shoot out of the forest, added to the evil but yet beautiful view. But a scream force Dash and the others to snap out of it and turn around to find where the scream came from. They all did sweatdrop as they realize that Derpy forgot her muffin at home. "Derpy!" yelled Dash in pure anger "cut that out and come here!” The derp Pegasus flew over to Dash and was soon handed a letter. "I need you to send this to the higher ups as fast as you can!" said Dash as her place her hooves on Derpy shoulders "can I count on you?” Dash was surprise to see Derpy eyes become normal and more serious looking than usual. "Yes, Captain Dash! I'll get there in ten muffins flat or my name isn't Derpy Muffin Hooves" smiled the mail pony as she took off. "DERPY!" shouted Dash "THE OTHER WAY!" as she notice that Derpy went the wrong way. "Oops!" giggle Derpy as she corrects her mistake and flew off while upside down... (It’s Derpy, remember people) Dash cracks a smile but that smile was soon replaced with shock and fear as she remembers who was in the forest. "FLUTTERSHY!” Dash quickly left Firefly in charge as they tried to move the clouds away from the forest but without getting zap. As Dash soar under the clouds where there was no thunder, she soon spotted Twilight and took off to meet with her. As this was happening, Fluttertree was shaking with fear as the area around her was cover in flames. With no legs to move, she was stuck but her fear lifted as she heard Twilight and Dash voice. She could see them heading her way. "Twilight! Dash!" cried Fluttertree. "Where is she?" ask Dash as she just saw trees. "She up ahead!" answer Twilight as she was forcing all the strength in her worn out legs to go faster. Before Twilight and Dash could reach Fluttertree, a bright flash of thunder came from the clouds and hit the ground. "AAAAHHHHH!" scream one of the girls in great pain. End of ch4

Hyperion

341

Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Fluttershy,Lyra,Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Comedy,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Leaf-ing the Dream!

complete

<p>After Twilight uses her magic plant spell, Fluttershy finally living her dream of being a tree...but is a trees life really peaceful like she thinks? rated T for trees(yes. there going to be tree puns!)</p>

everyone

2011-10-29T00:15:45+00:00

2011-10-29T00:15:45+00:00

It was dark and silent. She couldn't remember what just happen. The only thing she could remember was a loud and painful scream. A painful scream could be heard from her good friend. She wonders why she did this in the first place. She might of have killed one of her dearest friends...just too...fulfilled the dream. Soon the darkness and the silent started to vanish as she finally came too...as she heard her name... "...FLUTTERSHY!" shouted a very worry and panicking mare. Fluttertree open her eye and she could see that she was on her side. Soon she could see Rainbow Dash checking each tree as her search the area around her. The area was in flames and was getting closer to them, each passing second. "...R-Rainbow..." cough Fluttertree as she found the power to speak again "...I’m here." But the rainbow mane Pegasus didn't heard her as she kept looking for her. Fluttertree knew Dash won't be able to hear her like how AJ and the CMC didn't heard her even they was in front of her but she just hope. "Please Dash! I'm right here!" shouted the yellow tree as she started to cry. Again Dash didn't hear her and kept looking. Fluttertree lost hope and now truly wish she didn't become a dumb tree. Really, what was she thinking? "...D-Da(cough)ash..." called out a hurt voice. Fluttertree quickly realize it was Twilight who just called out just now, which in turn made Dash turn to Fluttertree in ten seconds flat. Fluttertree watch as Dash ran over to her and tried to move her with one arm (or front leg). Fluttertree quickly realize two things. 1. Dash right arm and right wing was badly burn, maybe from the fire or the thunder that hit near them and 2. Twilight was under her! "Twilight!" cried Fluttertree as she saw her good friend under her. Twilight open her eyes half way and smiled in order to show she was okay (which she wasn't) and spoke "...I'm fine (cough) don't cry, Fluttershy." It seems the thunder that hit destroys a tree next to Fluttertree and collapse on to her and forces her on her side. As Twilight saw this, she realizes that Fluttershy was going to fall in the flames, which was slowly reaching her before. Knowing she didn't had the power to undone the spell, Twilight use all her power to move Fluttershy from the fire but sadly on to her. Lucky, Dash was push out of the way by Twilight but landed near the flames and that's how she got badly burn. "Fluttershy!" ask Dash as she stops pushing "Where is she!" Before she answered her, Twilight cough up some blood and pointed to the tree "She right here." Dash thought Twilight hit her head when the yellow tree with...pink leaves...! "HOLY AUIR!" shouted the blue Pegasus as she realizes how bad shape Fluttershy was in. Dash quickly recover from her shock and tried again to move Fluttershy but it was no use. She didn't have the power to do sure, even if she did have both good arms, it was useless. Fluttertree wish she could do something but like her friends, she was unless and they were running out of time. The flames now surround them and the black smoke was making it harder to breath. "...Dash!" shouted Twilight "GET OUT OF HERE!” Dash just snorted to this and kept pushing while she answers her trap friend "NO WAY! I'm not leaving you guys here!” It wasn't only her element of loyalty keeping her there but also her burn wing. She couldn't fly if she wanted too now. If they're going to die, then it'll be together. "I’m sorry, Twilight!" cried Fluttertree as the flames almost reach them "I wish didn't ask you to make me into the tree...” Twilight place her hoof on Fluttershy good eye and wipe away the maple tear and spoke "It's not your fault...” "It's kind of is!" added Dash as she kept pushing. Twilight gave Dash an angry stare which burn into her soul. "...I mean...hmmm..." whisper Dash as she did a sweatdrop as she thought the right words to say. "MUFFINS!” All three look up into the sky and saw a gray dot. Soon colorful dots came from the clouds and started to break up the storm. Soon the gray dot headed toward our three trap mares. Well this unknown hero, reach them in time? (Static noise)Tone in next time on Dragon Ball Z. =PAUSE= "Wrong tape!" shouted Lyra to the video crew. The crew went into rush mode and finally got the right tape and started the video again. =PLAY= Top of the hill, near ponyville. We find Derpy hooves as she set a red flower on a grave. Tears ran down her gray cheeks as she left. She failed to save her on that day. As Derpy stop and turn to the grave one more time, she went derp and flew away. The grave tombstone reads: Here lies the town’s smart and caring girl Rest in peace young one Your chapter in life ends here but your story will live on in our hearts Dr. Muffin Derpy sadness faded as she saw the huge party in the town square. The party was for the brave weather team as they not only stop the huge thunderstorm of all time but also stopping the wildfire from destroying whitetail woods and ponyville. "LETS PARTY!" screams Pinkie as she pop out of nowhere and was staring at the author. "Who said that?" ask the blind author as he search the place. Pinkie reappeared in front her friends who was sitting a table together and carefully hug Twilight (who was in a wheelchair), Dash (arm and wing cover in bandages) and Fluttershy (wearing an eye patch and lots and lots of bandages) and spoke "Glad you girls are okay!” "Yeah." replied Rarity as she place some pancakes on their plates "Good thing, Ms. Doo came in time." "Who ever thought she could make a muffin version of the sonic rainbow" said Dash as she heard the stories from her co-workers "and reach Cloudsdale in 5 seconds flat!” "Strange, we owe her our lives!" smiled Twilight as she took some maple syrup that AJ was handing out to every pony in the party and places it on her pancakes. "We should her make a card or something" replied Fluttershy. Everypony agree and started to eat their maple cover pancakes until AJ return from handing out the free syrup and smiled with joy as she watch her friends enjoy the pancakes. "See you like those pancakes!" grin AJ as she sat next to Rarity and Dash. "Mmmm! We sure do!" smiled Pinkie as she hops around in joy "any more syrup?” AJ check her saddlebag and realize she was out and quickly stood up and spoke "sorry but I’m out. Better find that yellow tree with the pink leaves again". Everypony stop eating and face AJ in horror. "WHAT!" shouted Fluttershy, Twilight, Dash, Rarity and Pinkie. =In the studio= "WHAT!" shouted Lyra and the crew as they spit the food out. =In space= "WHAT!" shouted the alien ponies. "WHAT!" screamed the many parts of Trixie as the scatter mirror floated around. "SSSSPPPPPAAAAAACCCCCEEEEE!" yelled the robotic sphere as he passes by =In the recovering forest= "WHAT!" scream all the wild animals. =In the throne room= "OMG!" shouted Celestia as she spit out the food as well =In the real world= "Needs more Fluttershy." said the author as he kept eating the pancakes. *Back in ponyville* AJ watch as her friends coughs up the food and tried to wash out their mouths with punch. AJ turn to the screen and her face turn into a troll face. =THE END= A/n: well my eyes are better and I’m able to write again. Well that's it folks. Let’s say thanks to the cast! Come out here gang! Everyone came out and all did a bow to the fans. "BYE!" said everyone as the screen faded to black *Credits roll* "WAIT!" scream Lyra as she open the black screen "where is Bon-Bon!” A/n: ...oh crap! I forgot about her! *On the moon* "Hello!" called out Bon-Bon as she sat next to a flagpole "guys? Anyone?” Bon-Bon lower her head and sigh but unknowing to her, over on the other side of the moon, was a group of bronies. "You got any fours, Seth?" ask a brony as they were playing cards. "DAMN YOU CELESTIA!" screamed Seth to the heavens. "Who are you people!" shouted Luna as she return from her eight months vacation "And why are you on my Moon!” (A little tribute to EqD new *well now old* banner) THE END...?

Masterweaver

342

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Main 6,Original Character,Crossover,Adventure,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Pony With Long Stockings

incomplete

<p>The Cutie Mark Crusaders meet a newcomer to Ponyville who is around their age... and very strange. What are they to make of this filly? And, more importantly, what will happen because of her? Only time will tell...</p><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><p>((The cover art was made by Inkwell, who I have been unable to contact. Please PM me if you know how to do so so I can thank him for inspiring this story.))</p>

everyone

2012-05-15T15:03:28+00:00

2014-10-21T18:26:36+00:00

"Okay, so we know Cutie Mark Crusader Demolitionists doesn't work..." "Ah'm sorry, Scoots, ya know I only meant to take out part of that wall!" "You're welcome to sleep over at my place until... um, until you... have a house again." Three fillies trotted down the road, wearing capes and covered in dust, splinters, and small scorchmarks. In any other town, this would have been cause for concern. In Ponyville, though, such a sight wasn't exactly uncommon; these particular young mares were often sighted covered in far more bizarre substances and the citizens had long ago learned that if they were walking around calmly there was no need to worry. It was only when they were excited or scared that a pony should be ready to bolt. The orange pegasus waved off the statements. "Whatever. The point is, we need to do SOMETHING different. We've been ping-ponging around for who know how long with these ideas, and they've never worked!" "Hey! Maybe ping pong is our special talent!" The yellow earth pony grinned... before remembering something. "Oh, wait. We tried that didn't we..." Shuddering, the white unicorn rubbed her horn. "I thought we promised never to speak of that dark and terrible day." "Oh, right... uh, sorry bout bringing that up." Their winged friend snickered. "You got to admit, though, what the weather ponies did to fix that was pretty cool---" A single glower from the unicorn caused her to shut up with a cringe. "Hey... who's that pony?" The yellow filly pointed at a personage coming into view. The pegasus, glad for some excuse to break from her friend's angry gaze, looked in the direction that she was pointing. "...I don't know, but she looks weird." Truer words had never been spoken. The blue filly was probably just a year older then them, by the looks of it, her mane and tail tied up in pigtails so tight they stuck out from under the pirate hat like carrot-colored tree branches. A grin was on her freckle-splattered face, a red bandana around her neck, a golden ring clipped on her ear, and four differently colored socks were draped on her hooves. On her back was a trunk that looked too heavy for a workhorse to lift, some suitcases that had a few more oddly colored socks hanging out of them, and a strange brown creature gripping onto them casually. To top it all off, she was walking backwards as though it was the most normal thing in the world. The three fillies stared at her. She noticed them and waved. "Hello! Do you know the way to Villa Villekulla?" "The old house across the river from Sugarcube Corner?" The unicorn nodded. "It's on the way to our home, actually. Well, me and Apple Bloom's. Scootaloo, um, doesn't... doesn't have a home at the moment." "Ah said Ah was sorry!" Apple Bloom protested. "Besides, Sweetie Belle, ya'll were right thar long with me! And it's not like tha house is completely gone--" "Why do you have a trunk on your back?" Scootaloo asked bluntly. "Well because I haven't put it down yet, silly filly!" The blue pony grinned as the strange brown creature hopped onto her head. The three caped ponies took a moment to process the statement. "Ooooookay. See, what I meant was--" "Why are ya'll walking backwards?" Apple Bloom interrupted. "Is there something wrong with walking backwards?" the filly asked haughtily. "Well, no, but--" "Then why are you asking me?" Apple Bloom opened her mouth... then realized that the other pony had a point. Some ponies could be a bit weird, yes, but that was no reason to point it out. She had learned that lesson with Zecora. The blue filly huffed, looking up at the sky. "Darn it, I'm late now. If you three aren't going to show me to Villa Villekulla, I'm afraid I shall have to say goodbye and well fare you." She began trotting backwards again, the brown creature hopping off and following her with a rather odd gait. "Wait! We'll take you there!' Sweetie Belle dashed forward, her friends rushing after her. "It's down this road and across a bridge... What's your name?" "My name is Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking." She grinned again, mischievously. "It's extra long so as to scare away the sea ponies." Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "Oh come on. Thar's no such thing as sea ponies." "Oh yes there is. I've seen them myself." The blue filly tapped her earring. "Where do you think I got this from? The sea ponies tried to kidnap me back when I was a foal!" "No way!" Scootaloo shouted. "Wait, why did they put an earring on you?" "If they'd put an earring on both my ears, I'd be a sea pony myself! Luckily my extra long name managed to hold them back long enough for my papa to rescue me. But now I have to remember to come up for air when I swim." Scootaloo stared at her. "Whoa. That... THAT IS AWESOME!" "Wait a minute...." Sweetie Belle tilted her head. "My sister has earrings like those!" The blue filly gasped. "Then your sister must be a sea pony laying low!" Her eyes widened. "No! She's a unicorn, just like me!" "Does she swim regularly?" "Well... she does go to the spa..." Sweetie Belle conceded. The blue filly nodded, a knowing expression on her face. "Mmm-hmm. And how does she feel about clothes?" "She's a fashionista, makes dresses and designs clothing lines. She's actually very good at it." "That must be why the other sea ponies don't like her. They absolutely hate clothes, on account of they get so HEAVY in water." "So that's why you're wearing socks!" Scootaloo declared. The blue filly paused, lifting a hoof and examining it. Then she laughed. "No, that's not why I'm wearing these. I'm wearing this one," she shook her rear leg, causing one of the suitcases to topple off the chest, "because I'm walking backward, and the other three to keep it company." She grabbed the dropped suitcase and flicked back onto her back. The three other fillies stared at her, flabbergasted. "...Ya know, Ah think ya'll're lying bout those sea ponies," Apple Bloom finally offered. "Well... maybe I am. But there are so many stories out there, I can't be bothered remembering which ones are true." The blue filling began trotting backwards again. "Me and papa have sailed, oh, pretty much everywhere. You wouldn't believe a lot of what I've seen, so I'm going to tell you things you won't believe and not waste time telling truths you refuse to hear." Apple Bloom blinked. Then she shrugged. "Well, just don't let mah sister hear ya. She hates lying." "Will do!" The blue filly gave a salute without breaking her backwards pace. "Hmm. That's an odd looking building." "Oh, that's Sugarcube Corner," Sweetie Belle explained-- A melodramatic gasp suddenly flooded their hearing. "--and that is Pinkie Pie," she finished. The pink mare in question bounced up to the fillies instantly, her eyes focused on the newcomer. "Ohmygosh you're new I can tell because I know everypony in Ponyville but you're so young and you have that cute monkey and you're carrying all those things by yourself so I can't host a party now because then the monkey will have to carry things but I can host a party tomorrow I guess which means I get to do more planning so I should ask you some things like your favorite flavor of cake and what your favorite color is and will the monkey be okay at the party and what's your name?" "Vanilla, Blue, Mister Nilsson will be fine, and my name is Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking." The blue filly didn't bat an eye. "Oooo. Extra long name to scare the sea ponies, right?" "Got it in one!" "Ha! I knew it couldn't be rock rats, you're wearing a pirate hat which you cannot find on a rock farm which I know because I've tried and anyways rock rats were scared away by Pinkamina Diane Pie which isn't as long a name as yours but sea ponies are a lot smarter then rock rats I guess although they're always going shoop-be-doo which doesn't make any sense!" The blue filly giggled. "You know what, I can't wait for that party tomorrow!" "Well Villa Villekulla is right across that bridge," Sweetie Belle pointed out. "If you put your stuff down in there, I'm sure Pinkie Pie will be able to--" "Ohmygosh you live across the river from me?! OMYGOSH NEWNEIGHBORS!" Pinkie Pie dashed to the door of Sugarcube corner. "This has got to be one of the most splenderifous parties ever and I've got to host it today because that's what it means when my tongue starts a clicking which it did this morning so I'm lucky I'm almost prepared anyway I just need to round up everypony and finish the cake..." The blue filly grinned and began walking backward towards the bridge. "And now I don't have to wait. Thanks Sweetie Belle!" "You're welcome Pippilotta Delcata Windowshade... Makeralminute..." The unicorn grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. "Um..." The blue filly grinned. "Just call me Pippi Longstocking." She backed into the old house and shut the door as the brown creature on her head waved.

Masterweaver

342

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Main 6,Original Character,Crossover,Adventure,Comedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Pony With Long Stockings

incomplete

<p>The Cutie Mark Crusaders meet a newcomer to Ponyville who is around their age... and very strange. What are they to make of this filly? And, more importantly, what will happen because of her? Only time will tell...</p><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><p>((The cover art was made by Inkwell, who I have been unable to contact. Please PM me if you know how to do so so I can thank him for inspiring this story.))</p>

everyone

2012-06-18T10:27:52+00:00

2014-10-21T18:30:15+00:00

Sending the invitations out to everypony in ponyville on such short notice had been something of an issue for Pinkie Pie, who'd spent FIVE WHOLE MINUTES trying to figure out a good way to do so. Then she'd remembered her gyrocopter, kept out back so the Cake twins couldn't accidentally get hurt, and flown it over to the printing press she always used. Page Turner, the pegasus who ran the place, took one look at the machine and insisted on raining the invites down herself; for some reason she suspected the pony of parties might possibly injure herself with the machine. Well, even if it was a silly idea, Pinkie had agreed and flown straight back to Sugarcube Corner to make all the cupcakes and set everything up for the party. So it was that Twilight Sparkle, on the advice of her number one assistant, decided to take a break from her research and a few minutes later walked through the door of Sugarcube Corner. "Wow. Everything looks so... blue." Blue streamers, blue balloons, blue tablecloths, blue icing on the cake-- "Yeah that's the color that Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking says is her favorite! And it's her party after all!" Pinkie pointed to the blue banner above them; the words 'Welcome to Ponyville Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking' were written in bright yellow, as a concession to the small size the letters had to be to fit on the thing. "Wow, that's a mouthful. Why did you draw a Jolly Roger up there?" "Because Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking was wearing a pirate hat!" Pinkie bounced round the room, doing a last-minute slap of all the balloons to make sure they were properly floaty. You couldn't just inflate them, you had to get the right PSI for every balloon or the entire chi of the room could flow incorrectly. "Can you believe it Twilight, she hasn't even earned her cutie mark and she's already a pirate!" "...I don't think it works that way, Pinkie." Pippilotta... part of her mind started to deconstruct that word, trying to identify its source language and deconstruct it, out of idle intellectual curiosity. The Pippi part sounded Darlarnan... And Lotta was obviously a fillyzation of some male name, probably germaneic? Idly she wandered over to the cake, noticing that four socks mad of icing on the top. She gave the party pony an askew glance. Suddenly a cloud of dust kicked up outside the door, and a few moments later Rainbow Dash burst through the door. "All right, a Pinkie Party! I got here as soon Page Turner woke me up to give me the invite!" She looked up at the banner and blinked. "....Pippilotta Delcatsa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking?" "It's 'Dellicatessa'," Twilight helpfully corrected. "Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking. Oh! Longstocking! That's why there are socks on this cake!" She smiled at her own brilliance. "No silly filly!" Pinkie replied. "Those were the socks she was wearing!" Twilight deflated. Then she blinked. Four mismatched socks...? "Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking?" Rainbow huffed at the banner. "What kind of a name is that?" "Oh it's extra long to scare away the seaponies." Unicorn and pegasus turned to stare at the oblivious earth pony. The oblivious earth pony, for her part, adjusted one of the tablecloths and began setting out blue party hats. Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Fine. Seaponies. So how old is this Pippilotta deli---I'm going to call her Pippi. How old is she?" "Oh she's about as old as the crusaders. Maybe a bit older." Pinkie smiled as she hopped over to the punchbowl and gave it a quarter stir clockwise, half stir counterclockwise. "She's super strong though, I mean even for an earth pony! She was balancing all her stuff like it was just a pie. And there was this monkey too--Ohmygosh can monkeys eat cake?" "Yes," Twilight deadpanned, "Monkeys can eat cake." "My oh my, what's all this about monkeys eating cake?" Rarity found herself dragged in after her younger sister, and glanced around at all the blue. "Well, this is unusual... but quite stylish. Sweetie Belle, are you sure I have to meet this, ah," she glanced at the banner, "Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking?" "Yeah! She's half sea pony like you!" The young unicorn found herself subject of a trio of stares, while Pinkie just set out some treats. "Uh... I mean, she has this earring like some of the ones you have, and, and she said it was because she was a sea pony..." Sweetie Belle blushed, slinking over to a table and trying not to attract attention. "...Well, even if this Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking--" "We're calling her Pippi," Rainbow deadpanned. "--very well, even if this Pippi has the habit of unusual tall tales, knowing her taste in jewelry is as high class as mine does make me wish to view her in high regard." "Plus she's a pirate!" Pinkie piped up. "Hat and everything! Well, no pegleg, or an eyepatch, or a hook for a horn because she's an earth pony, but otherwise yeah!" "She wears a bicorn," Twilight helpfully submitted. "Pinkie just... deduced things." "Pinkie, I feel I must disappoint you; a hat is a fashion statement, not a pirate uniform." "It'd be cool if the kid were a pirate though." Rainbow lounged in the chair next to Sweetie Belle. "Hey, does she have a parrot?" "She has a monkey," the fashionista's sister explained. "She said his name was Mister Nillson." "A monkey can be difficult to handle," Twilight mused, glancing out the door. "I hope she's mature enough to handle it." "Well if her parents trust her with it she must be," Rarity reasoned. "I dunno if she has parents," Sweetie said. "She didn't have anypony helping her move her things... but she did say her and her papa sailed everywhere." "See, she IS a pirate!" "Eeep!" Fluttershy cowered in the doorway, only partway inside. "A pirate?" "Pinkie, there is no way that a pony around Sweetie Belle's age is a pirate," Twilight insisted. "She wears a pirate hat. Her father was a sailor. And piracy is illegal, so if she were a pirate she would be in jail instead of moving into Villa Villekulla." The unicorn shook her head, walking over to comfort the shy pegasus. "Don't worry, Pinkie's just being Pinkie. We're glad you could make it, the guest of honor has a pet monkey." "A pet monkey?" Fluttershy rose immediately, stepping to the blue party and looking around eagerly. "Oh my, those are so reare in this area of Equestria. I do hope he's been well behaved." "Oh the monkey's not here yet," Rainbow Dash explained. "He's coming with Pippi." "Pippi?" The cyan pegasus pointed to the banner. "Miss Too-Long-Didn't-Read." "Dash!" Twilight scolded. "Be nice!" "Actually she did tell us Crusaders to call her Pippi Longstocking, so I don't think she minds..." Sweetie glanced around. "And she also told us Rarity was half sea pony." "I still don't understand how that came about," Rarity huffed. "I think you would be a pretty sea pony," Fluttershy ventured. "I mean, you have... you would look glamorous in the water, I think." "...well at least that much is true." The white unicorn smiled and flicked her mane. "My curls do flow when supported by water. But to lose my beautiful tail and legs.... even if my fins were fabulous, darling, I don't think I'm cut out for the aquatic life!" "Oh, well... I guess you're right." Fluttershy sighed. "Still, swimming is like flying slow.... I wouldn't mind being a seapony. The animals that live in water are... interesting." "Oh most certainly," Twilight agreed. "Especially the ones that live in the deeps." "Wait wait wait, let me think." Pinkie paused, counting all the ponies. "We're missing somepony here... Oh! Applejack! And the other Crusaders, OBVIOUSLY!" And as if on cue, the final member of the Elemental Harmony Squad was dragged through the door by her sister and an orange pegasus. "Ah'm tellin' ya, Apple Bloom, I gotta set up tha stall an sell some apples! Ya can bring yer friend by ta meet me later--" "Come on big sis! Pippi's not like otha ponies, Ah don't know how she'll get when she hears ya couldn't make it!" "Yeah, and besides, after Apple Boom's little stunt I don't think anypony will want to go anywhere near your apples for a week!" Scootaloo grunted, just managing to pull the mare into the shop. "Now what in tarnation ya'll mean by that?" "Apple Bloom made bombs out of apples!" Sweetie Belle piped up, The earth pony chuckled nervously. "Well, mostly apples..." "Apple Bloom!" The orange mare stared down her sister with a dissapointed look on her face. "It's not ma fault! Ah thought tha bombs would have a much smaller radius of kinetic energy then thay did! Ah was only trying to put a window in, Ah didn't think tha whole wall would--" "APPLE BLOOM!" "Oh yeah that reminds me." Scootaloo turned to Rarity. "You have a spare bedroom?" "Well, yes but--" "Wait wait wait." Twilight shook her head. "You managed to blow up a wall.... using apples." "...mostly apples." "Apple Bloom..." Applejack rubbed her forehead tiredly. "....Alright, Ah'll stay fer this here party, but then you and Ah are going home to have a CHAT with Big Mac." "Yes big sis," the filly murmured, bow drooping. There was a quiet, awkward moment. "...So Rarity! How does being a sea pony feel?" Pinkie was suddenly in the unicorn's face. "Sea pony?" Applejack looked at Rarity oddly. "I don't understand." "Believe me, I don't either. Apparently this Pippilotta Delicatessa Window--" "Pippi!" Rainbow reminded her. "We're calling her Pippi!" "Yes. Apparently, this Pippi Longstocking filly thinks I am a seapony because she wears the same earrings as me." "Well, that's not exactly true miss Rarity." The assembled ponies turned to the door. There, dressed in a red dress with blue patches, carrying a monkey on her back and a pirate hat on her head, grinning and shaking her mane as though she knew something nopony else did.... There was Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Makrelmint Fruitmane's Daughter Longstocking. "I think you're half seapony."

lesserpoet

343

Adventure,Dark

A Tangled Web

incomplete

<p>Equestria has had 1000 years of relative peace, and prosperity. With the return of Luna, the balance upon which her walls have stood has been restored. Unfortunately, every empire falls. Often, our epilogues are etched deep into those histories that brought about the founding itself. The Elements of Harmony saved the fallen princess, but their power comes with a heavy cost. When an ancient lie is revealed, when an old dawn threatens the survival of the Equestrian Age, an opportunity arises to write history anew&#8230;. but even in this, as in everything else, what&#39;s past is bound to be prologue.</p>

everyone

2011-08-02T00:08:00+00:00

Celestia woke with a start.  A shudder shot down her spine as her large pink eyes blinked back the darkness. “again...” she sighed softly, sliding her head back onto its pillow. Her mind returning, the Princess’ eyes danced lazily from one end of her four-poster canopy to the other. It had been like this for over a week now. Granted, the day to day minutiae of running a kingdom could be stressful sometimes, and what with the Summer Sun a week away... In all her years as Princess, she couldn't recall a single night of lost sleep, but now... Something was bothering her. She couldn't quite put a hoof on it, but even after the unpleasantness with her sister, there had always been sleep once the dark of night had settled. She lay in the darkness, wrestling with this weight that had been wrapped around her dreams. Though dark clouds muddied the remnants of her reverie, flashes remained...  faces that she had known, if from another life, ones that she could not recall... The sweet sounds of a nightingale stole what remained of her torpor. Rousing herself from her warm bed, the ancient alicorn draped a blanket around her broad shoulders, and flicking her stiff wings slightly, she shuffled slowly towards the far end of the room, with the slightest hint of a limp shaking the fringes of her flowing pastel mane. "Sometimes," she mused quietly, "sometimes I think I just might be getting old..." She smiled to herself at the thought, stretching the stiff sinew along her whithers. Before Luna had come back, there was no knowing who would ever be able to take over once she had stayed too long...  of course, there was her young protege, but now... Another shiver. Celestia had been uneasy for some time... and yes, the Hoofington Post had been writing some nastiness about the administration, some scandalous twaddle about misappropriated farm subsidies or something, but this was nothing new. Ever since her sister had returned there was always somepony or another who just couldn't accept it without raising hay. A spark flew off the tip of her long slender horn, landing in the fresh kindling of the fireplace by the bay at the far corner of the room.  She frowned, and walking over to the window, felt a burst of warm air rush over her as the fire ignited. Setting her large head against the window frame, she admired the starry skies above her magnificent kingdom. She had missed Luna's nights so very much. There had always been a certain melancholic mischief to her sister's work, the way the stars played wistfully upon the wispy clouds that hung so very high in the sky, painting soft contrasts onto the deepest purples of the endless void... it was something Celestia could never quite duplicate. Her eyes slowly touched on each end of the horizon, hovering for a time on the one light in Ponyville, knowing that her beloved student would, of course, still be up at this hour, pouring over one book or another. She smiled softly.  Her gaze shifted onward, as she took in the pristine peace of it all, this world that she had helped to create... it had always filled her with pride, that such a beautiful land was hers, what her dedication and hard work had been able to provide for her ponies; and on nights like this, the sacrifices all seemed worth it. One thousand years seemed worth it... Equestria was worth it, she thought. Lost in the beauty of the full moon's night, as Celestia gazed out over the stillness, something changed in her, something subtle. An eerie emptiness crept over her mind, as the nightingale’s cries grew more urgent, and unsettling. Her eyes widened as her horn began to glow... CRACK Celestia doubled over in pain as her hind legs flew out from beneath her, her large frame crashing heavily upon the marble... CRACK Again, she recoiled, instinctively trying to will the pain away, tears flowing now, rushing down the side of her face, pooling with... with something red on the... Celestia tried to cry out, but her voice had left her... she tried to get up, but her body would no longer cooperate... she heard a soft rustling behind her, moving with steady deliberation ever closer, ever nearer. Calling upon the last of her energies, she turned her head slowly towards the door, "who...dares..." she whispered hoarsely through the pain... And then she stopped, and the last traces of anger fled her mien, replaced by the darkest sadness she would ever know... "...you..." she exhaled, with the last of her strength.... There was a blinding flash of light...and then nothing at all, as a shadow slipped past the door and out into the world beyond that room... Celestia was dead... +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+   A Tangled Web Vol. I: The Fall ancient memories of pony lore dashed upon the rocky shore this was a place I’d been before in tales my fathers tell no more darkness burdens ev’ry dream as prophets toil endlessly unseen forces, ceaseless teem these things are closer than they seem Chapter One- Burning Night A deep haze engulfed the world. There was no sound save a single piercing tone, no vision save for blurred remnants of something oddly familiar, no sensation save burdensome heat. There, rapt against the intrusive fog, a deep velvet unicorn lay silent, unable to speak, unable to move. The universe swirled around her, cracking and fizzling, nearly singeing her pelt with each new turn. From the mist, strange shapes began to emerge, verging on symbolism, something that she almost knew, before vanishing back into formless void. Her eyes began to sag, melting into the dry heat as it became increasingly oppressive. Existence seemed to pulse and wheel, and every synapse in her body screamed against the pain. She tried to open her mouth to cry for help, but she choked on the fire that clawed down her throat. Brilliance fading to dulled blacks and grays, the unicorn struggled impotently against the veiled bonds that controlled her, seeking vainly one last gulp of air, one last moment of consciousness. As her mind began to slip silently from this new reality, she could almost see the walls of her library, twisting and burning in the vapor; and a strange face floating just beyond her sight, an after image of a world she had once known. Somewhere outside this place, she thought she might have heard a soft voice, muted, cold, calling her name...   Twilight... Twilight... “twiiii..LIGHT! Oh horse-feathers, Dash, will you clear this? TWILIGHT SPARKLE! Can you hear me?” “Apple...jack? Wha...?” Twilight groaned, pushing the words through her teeth. “Oh thank Celestia, it’s okay sugarcube, I need you to concentrate now, we have GOT to get you outta here... DASH!!” Straining to see through the red stains that coated her vision, Twilight feebly struggled with the weight that constricted her movements. “What... what’s happening?” “I don’t rightly know, Twi,” the orange earthpony grunted, her forehooves flailing against some unseen force, “but right now, I need yer help.” Grasping what small comprehension she could, the unicorn focused her magic on the offending burden, as a dim light flitted across her horn... “NOW, DASH, GO!” A surge of heat, a murderous crash, and all was dark once more... ****************************************************************************** Rarity’s mind was racing. Fast asleep, the alabaster unicorn had awoken first to what she’d imagined was hail, before the panicked cries had risen to a fevers pitch, and the humid summer’s eve had run hot with chaos. Trotting cautiously down what remained of the cobbled streets of Ponyville, Rarity hung now to the shadows, unsure of what steps were next to take. She’d already stopped at the town’s library, but it had been flattened. Sugar Cube Corner was naught but rubble, and nothing remained of the Town Hall but a foundation. She was getting desperate, as the chances of finding anypony left alive were growing slimmer by the minute. Anypony she could trust... Rounding another corner, Rarity quickly slipped back into the shadows, as two hooded ponies stood not ten feet from what had once been the old Quills & Sofas. They seemed to be arguing, but about what was not clear. She was too far to hear exactly what was being said, but the larger of the pair seemed intent on imparting a sense of urgency upon the smaller. The longer she watched, the more familiar the smaller one looked, a light blue coat peeking from under her hood, but she couldn’t quite... “HI!” Rarity gasped audibly as her world became quite suddenly pink. “Rarity! Oh my goodness! I was starting to get worried! Well, not worried as much as alone, but after what’s happened tonight, I don’t know anypony I’d rather see than a friend! And you’re ok!” “Pinkie PIE!” Rarity hissed, slamming a hoof into the mouth of the pink pony, “Shush for a minute!” She turned back towards the old shop, but the two ponies were gone. Cursing softly, she turned again towards Pinkie. “I’m glad to see you as well. Did the cakes...” Pinkie Pie’s face fell. “Mr. Cake broke his leg, but they got him out ok... they took him out to the Everfree forest, but I... stayed behind to see if I could find anypony else.” Her face brightened a bit “and now I found you!” she smiled. “Where is everypony else, anyway?” “Well, Applejack has been rounding up survivors, and supposedly they are all heading out to Appleloosa. I haven’t heard from Rainbow Dash in a while, but I’d assume she’s taking Twilight out to Nurse Tenderheart as well. As for Flutter....” Rarity paused. She couldn’t think, she could scarcely breathe. “Pinkie pie,” her voice trembled “Darling... hav..have you seen Fluttershy?” Pinkie said nothing... “Fluttershy!” Rarity wheeled back and sprang into a gallop. “Hey! Wait for me!” Pinkie replied, bounding close behind. ****************************************************************************** The first thing Twilight became aware of was the wet ground upon which she lay, and the soft crackle of something burning in the distance. Her body felt sluggish, and she lacked a will to move; but she quickly surmised that the events of earlier that evening were no dream, as the acrid smell of rotting sulphur filled her nose with each breath. Ticking down a mental list, she took note of each limb, and each joint, which all seemed to be in working order, if a bit sore. Slowly opening her eyes, a blue face gradually came into focus, as she found herself staring into the rosy gaze of Rainbow Dash. “What’s with you and passing out today?” Dash quipped softly, a dark worry etched deeply into her proud visage, betraying the soft smile she tried desperately to present. “That’s twice now.” “Where am I? What happened?” Twilight tried to right herself, but was met with a sharp ache that ripped across her torso. Rainbow gently placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Easy now, that beam fell hard. A few inches to the north and...” she stopped herself, unable to finish the thought. “A..anyway, nothin’ I couldn’t handle.” She continued, puffing out her chest. “Applejack’s off helping everypony get out OK, so you don’t worry, just try’n rest.” Twilight’s thoughts were flying, desperately reaching for some meaning to give the words she was hearing. Applejack? Evacuation? Beam? “Rainbow Dash, what in the name of all things Celestial is going on?” A dark sadness washed over Rainbow’s face as she scanned the horizon, dreading deeply what would come next. She was never very good with bad news, and as news went, this was bad. “Hold on...” she whispered, flicking her wings. “I’ll be right back” Twilight stared into the inky blackness as the colorful trail of the Pegasus pony whisked past. As she lay there in silence, the mare did her best to put the pieces together, but the past several hours were awash in dark fog, and what small bits she could recall made no sense. A flash of light, fire, unfamiliar faces and a language she couldn’t place... nothing seemed to connect! In fact, the only thing the mare was sure of was that anything that could shake up Rainbow Dash like this... A soft tug broke her concentration, as a winged shadow gently washed over her line of sight.   “Twilight, I....” Rainbow hesitated, staring at the wedged rock she had retrieved from the bottom of the hill. Shaking her mane slightly, the Pegasus carefully pulled Twilight up onto the flat side of the stone. “I’m sorry.” Several minutes passed in silence, broken only by the cracks and whistles that crawled softly through the night air, mingled with the occasional flutter of feathery wings. Twilight took in the scene with quiet shock. “Rainbow Dash,” Twilight rasped, finally, “what... exactly am I looking at?” “This...” Rainbow sighed deeply,“was Ponyville.” “was...” Twilight breathed, carefully piecing the images together.  “Was this a natural disaster? Was it an earthquake... a volcano?” Dash stared out over the wreckage, and with an outstretched hoof, pointed slowly towards the capital city of Canterlot. “It’s a disaster, Twilight, but there’s nothin natural about it...” A sharp scream pierced the air, and for a moment Twilight couldn’t place herself. It was only after her aching chest reasserted its presence that she realized the scream had come from her; and that in the process she’d leapt several feet in the air. Her hackles now at full attention, she pushed passed the pain, limping forward, toward the castled city. “WHAT... How... why...” Twilight knelt down at the edge of the hilltop. “Where are the princesses? How could this happen?” her voice cracked, as at last tears began to form at the edges of her face. “Where is everypony? Where.. oh Celestia, where’s SPIKE?” she slammed a hoof deeply into the ashen loam, struggling to stand. “Sp... Spike is in Canterlot, he’s in... THAT!” Rainbow Dash stared mindlessly at the blackened spires of the castle. She knew that Twilight wouldn’t take this lying down, but knowing what she already knew was making this far more difficult than it would have been otherwise. “Twi...it’s not just Canterlot. Fillydelphia, Stalliongrad, Cloudsdale. Equestria is burning, Twilight. And if you’re up, we’re movin’. Let’s GO!” “Go where, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight spat the words angrily. “Unless it’s towards that castle, I’m not going anywhere.” “Twilight, you’re in no condition to fight. You’re in no condition to THINK! Nurse Tenderheart has got some kinda hospital set up in the everfree forest, the fires haven’t hit there yet. We gotta get you checked out, and I gotta get back to Sweet Apple Acres to help AJ.  If Spike’s with the Princess, he’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. If you’re up, let’s move!” Twilight turned tail, staring down the Pegasus. She knew Rainbow Dash was right, she was in no condition to do anything. Pushing back her anger, she consented, and the pair trotted carefully down the far side of the hill, towards the everfree forest. Still, she found herself at a loss. Of all the things that were there, something wasn’t. Realization setting in, she turned towards the sky. Something was missing, something very important. “Rainbow,” Twilight hoarsed, “where’s the moon?” Dash looked back sadly, shook her mane, and started towards the forest; as behind them, a new cloud of ominous crimson belched forth from the battlements of the beleaguered castle. ****************************************************************************** Approaching the edge of the Everfree Forest, a sharp chill descended harshly, and with it an eerie stillness. Slowing to a brisk trot, Rarity scanned the darkness, surveying the charred grounds, searching for something recognizable. “FLUTTERSHY!” cried Pinkie Pie, to no particular direction. “hush!” scolded Rarity, “honestly darling, have you no tact? Heaven only knows what could be out here, what with the ...strangeness... of this night...” turning about, she added flatly,  ”heaven only knows where here is for that matter...” The Everfree Forest had never been of particular interest to Rarity. Not much in the way of gems, and what was there could hardly be worth the trouble one would have to endure to reach them, let alone the muck and drear that made its home in these wild woods. Fluttershy, on the other hand, was another story completely, and being her best friend, it was more than disconcerting that she couldn’t find her way. “besides, if we can find that bridge, we should be able t....” A sharp noise cut her short. Cracks and whistles sung out in the distance, followed by low, distinct rumbles. Rarity’s eyes grew wide, as the dark sky slowly inched closer to a malevolent shade of orange. “Rarity...” Pinkie whimpered, a tremor slowly creeping into her voice, “my tail...” A shared glance was all it took. Smoldering flecks of molten rock pelted the landscape as the two ponies bolted towards the treeline, dodging what bits they could. Rarity yelped as a bit of ember landed on her flank, and she stumbled forward. “RARITY!” shouted Pinkie, skidding to a halt. “COME ON, HURRY!” The pink earthpony doubled back, and dipping her head, bolstered the velvet-maned unicorn as they picked the gallop up once more, narrowly avoiding a large chunk of char that fell from the night. Debris was falling more heavily now, singed leaves and branches flying out of the forest. Ducking into an opening, they took cover under a thick stone wedged into the soft ground. Panting heavily, neither spoke as the firestorm rained down around them. Sharp points of light sparked and fizzled like fireworks, and small explosions shook the ground beneath their hooves. Angry shades of red and yellow swirled in the air. Rarity couldn’t help but think that under different circumstances, it would make for a beautiful display. Pinkie just stared off into the distance, narrow pupils cringing at each concussive blast ... and just as quickly as it had started, the bedlam slowed, and ceased. The two ponies remained flat against the ground, neither wishing to reengage the wrath of the fiery onslaught. Rarity was the first to stir. “Is it... is it over?” she whimpered hopefully. Pinkie blinked a few times, then nodded. Cautiously peeking her head out from beneath the barrier, she surveyed the skies. Bright bolts of red and yellow, followed by trails of fire streaked silently overhead, towards the center of town, or what remained of it. “Come on..” coughed Rarity, clearing her throat.... “let’s keep moving. ****************************************************************************** “MOVE’M OUT!” Applejack bellowed, hoisting the last bushel of apples atop the cart. Her hooves were bucked raw, but in just a few short hours the last apple had been released and the caravan was moving. Slowly. Too slowly for her tastes. “I swear, Mac, if these ponies were any slower...” “Eeyup,” Big Macintosh sighed, plaintively chewing a stalk of hay, “They’re slow cuz they’re tired. Ain’t never seen this farm bucked this quick, even if it ain’t applebuck season. I reckon you know somethin’ about bein overworked, don’tcha sis?” “Now just a minute there Mac!” Applejack started with a grin, “Don’t you go bringin’ that back up. ‘Sides, we had half the town workin’ for six hours, an’ the last of ‘em just started west. We gon’ need these supplies time we get to Appleloosa... If’n there is an Appleloosa...” The siblings rested by the barn, watching the final carts pass out of sight. Even in the pitch of night, the sight of all those apple trees sitting there empty... It just didn’t feel right. “Whelp,” crooned Macintosh, “I guess it’s ‘bout time we take up the slack. They’ll be watin’ for us.” “Yeah...” Applejack sighed, shooting Macintosh a furtive glance. “Y...you go on ahead, my hooves are still a bit raw. I’ll catch up with y’all in a bit, y’hear?” Eyeing his younger sister with some suspicion, Big Macintosh nodded, and after a moments lingering, galloped hard into the darkness. Finding herself alone, Applejack turned towards the barn, lit dimly by the fires burning in town, her face bearing an angry glow . “T’aint fair...” she growled. “T’aint fair, and you know it. Y’work yerself to the bone, fight hoof and nail... you build it from the ground up!” Foaming at the bars, she spat angrily at the ground. Rearing back, she bucked the barn door. “You work for yer kin!” BUCK “You work for yer TOWN!” BUCK “You work for everypony BUT YERSELF!” Seething, Applejack reared back, and bucked the barn door clean off. Sinking to her knees, the long built tears streamed effortlessly down her tired face. “T’aint right,” she sobbed in the darkness. “T’aint right at all...” Several minutes passed. For all Applejack knew, hours might have passed. It hadn’t been just her dream, this farm. Mind, it had been in the family as long as she knew. Abandoning her home just didn’t sit right. Her sobs slackening, she started to stand, turning back towards the orchards, which seemed oddly visible in the dead of night. A pale orange glow shone heavily upon the bare branches, growing brighter, and more like... “Horse-apples...” Bolting out towards the caravan, brimstone began to tumble aimlessly out of the skies, now lit up against the darkness like a sunrise. Applejack dodged, left and right, sprinting away from the farm. Turning to look, a massive boulder slammed into the orchard, sending a plume of debris impossibly high into the firelit sky, while the fires spread out to her front. Turning tail, she sprinted back towards ponyville, only to find herself trapped by the flames. Sensing she was boxed in, the orange earthpony ran back towards the barn, and threw open the cellar door, leading her into the underground. The old hatch slammed shut behind her, as with a sickening crunch, the barn collapsed in on itself, and onto the cellar door. ****************************************************************************** The pair trotted on in silence, periodically shaking the soot from their manes. Rarity had initially been hopeful that her friends cottage would have been untouched, as far as it was from the town proper, but that hope was all but dashed at this point.  They’d been wandering like this for far too long, and her last nerve was beginning to fray. Her mind kept running over the events of that evening. If she’d been quicker to realize what was happening... if she’d only come out here sooner.. sure, the town needed her, and she’d helped with the evacuation efforts, but her best friend needed her as well, and now she couldn’t pick her way through the forest to find the cottage??? “Ugh...” Rarity grunted in frustration... “this is hopeless!” She reared back and bucked the nearest tree.  Instantly realizing her error, she narrowly escaped the falling ash and branches that tumbled down, landing with a sharp sob on the soot that had caked heavily upon the peaty forest floor. “It’ll be alright, you’ll see...” Pinkie tried to sound hopeful, but she was having her own issues. Since the onslaught had begun, a terror had begun to creep into her mind, and with it, she could all but hear Pinkamena whispering her dark mantras. She shook those thoughts from her head.  “...we just need to keep looking.” Several paces later she stopped, adding “It’s not your fault, you know. You can’t be everything to everypony, and with what’s happened tonight, with what’s happening right now, we’re doing the best we can... all of us.” “Thank you, darling,” Rarity sighed, feeling a bit guilty, “I hate that you have to see me like this, I just can’t stand the thought of Fluttershy being alone right now. The poor thing must be terrified.” She couldn’t, or wouldn’t, let herself begin to consider the alternative. The two stood in an uncomfortable silence, listening closely to the patter of the falling ash as it softly blunted the sharper edges of the world like fresh snow. Over the din of the weary wood, a muted mewl rose somewhere beyond the brush. “...do you hear that?” Rarity whispered. “It sounds like...” “...singing?” Pinkie finished the thought. Bounding through the brambles, they quickly came upon a clearing at the edge of the forest. At the far end, they finally spotted the shattered remains of Fluttershy’s cottage. By the looks of it, the fires had done their damage when the first wave had soared through. Pushing down the darker thoughts in her mind, Rarity raced onwards, towards the felled structure. The fires sweeping the skies provided a harsh light, revealing hastily opened cages crushed and melted, and stray pieces of wood strewn far across the field. The chicken coop was completely flattened, and bits of wire and fencing protruded dangerously from the softened grounds. Rounding the bend towards the forest, they spied a hunched figure squatting by the treeline. Rarity turned full gallop, with Pinkie springing close at hand. Drawing nearer, the subtle shape of their friend materialized, shades of pink and yellow dotted with dark patches of grey and white. A gallop slowed to a canter, to a trot... and as the image sank in, Rarity’s heart crept into her throat... Pinkie slunk to her knees.... Fluttershy rocked slowly on her hind hooves, shivering weakly as a pile of ash collected on her mane and shoulders. Red-ringed eyes staring blankly through the world, her face swollen with tears, she gently clutched a small, white, lifeless rabbit... and through her sobs, she sang... “hush now..quiet..now.......” +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

lesserpoet

343

Adventure,Dark

A Tangled Web

incomplete

<p>Equestria has had 1000 years of relative peace, and prosperity. With the return of Luna, the balance upon which her walls have stood has been restored. Unfortunately, every empire falls. Often, our epilogues are etched deep into those histories that brought about the founding itself. The Elements of Harmony saved the fallen princess, but their power comes with a heavy cost. When an ancient lie is revealed, when an old dawn threatens the survival of the Equestrian Age, an opportunity arises to write history anew&#8230;. but even in this, as in everything else, what&#39;s past is bound to be prologue.</p>

everyone

2012-03-01T02:29:18+00:00

A Tangled Web.............................................................................Vol. I: The Fall A lie told once can go unmarked, told twice or thrice unseen. While countless fictions foul minds with one fell truth; they are wiped clean. Chapter Two- Collapse Twilight had never been one for hospitals. Sanitary, cold, they never seemed to have any life to them. Even in the dankness of this cave, the idea of being poked and prodded, even with magic, was unsettling at best. “Now this will only hurt for a moment,” cooed nurse Tenderheart, softly swabbing Twilight’s flank with wet cotton. “EYOWCH!” cried Twilight, flinching violently. “Uh, Twi... Y’know she hasn’t stuck you yet, right?” Rainbow Dash noted with a giggle. A blush rose to Twilight’s cheeks, as she began to relax. Millennia of magical medicine, she thought to herself, the cure for every major disease known to pony-kind, and yet the only way we can draw a bit of blood... is with needles. She cringed as she felt the prick, and feeling a bit woozy, turned back towards nurse Tenderheart. “All done,” Tenderheart sighed, the sample she’d taken spinning rapidly above her. “And you are good to go!” “She’ll be OK, nurse?” Rainbow asked. “Couple of bruised ribs, but no sign of infection. You take it easy, young lady, you’ll be fine.” “Thank you, nurse,” Twilight sighed, allowing herself to relax as an orderly began to wrap a brace around her chest. “and thank you, Rainbow. You saved my life back there. I’m sorry I was so...” “Don’t mention it,” Rainbow spat, a bit more quickly than she might’ve liked. “I..t was nothin’, really. Rough night, all around. If you’re gonna be OK, I really gotta get back to AJ, check on evac, y’know...” “I understand,” Twilight smiled softly. “You go, I’m in good hooves here.” Issuing a small salute, Rainbow Dash turned tail and trotted towards the mouth of the cave. A pre-flight sniff, and a few bars of rainbow trailed behind her as she gave a mighty flap of her wings. Twilight lay silently on the make-shift cot, staring through the roof of the peaty cave. She’d recognized it instantly when she arrived, as it had once been the home of a very greedy dragon, and a very scary night. Shifting her thoughts from Spike, she began to contemplate the events that brought her to this place. The smoldering ruins of Canterlot, the strange visions in the smoke of her library... there were so many puzzle pieces. Seeing discretion as the better part of valour, Twilight noted with a deep yawn that perhaps she’d be better fit to consider these things with a bit of rest... ….......................................... “Twilight,” nurse Redheart whispered urgently. “Twilight, sweetie, I’m sorry to wake you, but there’s something you need to see.” “gghgh...wha?” Twilight gurgled, her head swimming a bit. “How long was I out?” “Only about an hour... as I said, I’m sorry to disturb your rest, but we....we’ve got a bit of a situation.” Slowly returning to her senses, Twilight noted that the cave had gone eerily hushed, no orderlies bustling, no carts clattering. Lifting her head from the cot, she saw a herd of ponies dumbstruck, staring reverently towards the back of the cave. Tenderly rising to her hooves, she checked her balance, and began to limp softly behind Nurse Redheart. “She just wandered in, like it was nothing!” Redheart explained. “Honestly it took us a moment to realize who it was, and by the time we did, she’d just... passed out!” “Who exactly are we talking about, nurse?” Twilight asked dryly. “If it’s so important, why...” Twilight stopped cold. Before her lay an unconscious alicorn, velvet as the night, bearing a cutie mark that resembled a crescent moon... “Princess Luna?” ****************************************************************************** For all the weirdness this evening had brought, Rainbow Dash felt, if only for a moment, a bit more normal. Soaring high above the Everfree forest, she sighed contentedly, finally able to stretch her wings. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to help twilight, it was just... a bit uncomfortable, all that emotional stuff; up here, though, everything was much clearer. Darting and wheeling through the night sky, she felt as though she could see all of equestria, all her problems laid bare. Settling down a bit, she dared fly a bit closer to the trees, scanning the forest floor. She’d flown this route before, many times, but lit as it was by the various flames, it seemed... off. There was a strange sense of movement on the ground, like rats scurrying about just before you flick on the lights. Dash thought it might just be the heat playing tricks on her eyes, and squinting against the wind, it was almost as though bits of the forest were getting closer. Yelping loudly as a bolt of flame whisked past her right ear, Rainbow dipped sharply, cutting one wing to a heavy yaw. She threw both wings out harshly, shedding speed, and flapped to a steady hover. Scanning the forest floor, several points of light sped towards her new position, and she quickly set into a dive. Soaring past sharp spears of flame, she picked up, pulling out just below the canopy. Dodging trees, she did her best to hide her trail, but each time she changed direction, a new volley of flaming arrows seemed to renew their pursuit. Diving further into the brush, a hot streak of pain ripped across her left flank. Cursing as she lost altitude, she pulled out once more, alighting softly on a thick branch of one of the larger trees in the canopy. The throbbing in her leg subsiding, Rainbow Dash sat perched near a small knot of branches. Absentmindedly rubbing her wounded leg, her ears pricked sharply for any hint of movement. Quiet. Short of the crackles and light mist that had begun to settle on the leaves, she could scarcely hear a sound. Heaving a sigh, she laid her back against the tree. “Come on, Rainbow, think!” Rainbow Dash whispered softly, catching her breath. From this vantage point, she could see the forest floor spread wide beneath her, the various passages seemingly open. “But if I can see them, so can they.” Whoever they are... she thought to herself. A loud THUNK broke her concentration, and slowly twisting her head, she saw a flaming arrow not two inches from her face, stuck deeply into the trunk of the old growth. “No more thinking, MOVE!” She exclaimed, springing from the branch. Soaring straight into the sky, Rainbow whipped back around, and spotting the edge of the forest, made a straight shot of it, as a new volley of fiery arrows and darts peppered the sky. ****************************************************************************** The long silence ended with a clamour of activity, as a new mass of injured ponies burst into the cave, and the nursing staff rushed back to work. Standing alone, Twilight eyed the Princess carefully, studying her features. Her breathing seemed normal, her eyes quite still, if closed. She didn’t appear to be sleeping, she just... wasn’t all there. Twilight moved to shift the hair out of the Regent’s face when a familiar voice stole her concentration. “Good heavens, Twilight, what happened to your... well, everything?” “Rarity!” Twilight said, lifting her good hoof in embrace, “Thank goodness you’re ok!” Stepping back, she looked sheepishly at the stains that still marked her fetlocks. “I... suppose nearly getting crushed by a tree doesn’t exactly suit me,” she continued with a sly grin, “and beige really isn’t my color.” “I should think not darling, though I suppose in a pinch...” Rarity hesitated, glancing past Twilight at the felled princess... “Is that...?” “That’s her, alright...” Twilight said with a shrug. “No idea how she got here. The nurses say her vital signs are normal, they can’t explain why she won’t wake up.” “Oh my, that is truly bizarre.” said Rarity, dropping to a whisper, “it’s not the only bit of strangeness I’ve come across this evening...” “Oh?” “Well, back in ponyville before Pinkie very nearly took me down, I happened upon two very suspicious ponies, one of whom I could have sworn looked just like....” “Wait, Pinkie?” Twilight interrupted, “Is she with you? Is she alright?” Grimacing lightly, Rarity was for a moment taken aback. “Y..yes, she is, and Fluttershy as well...” Sliding back onto her haunches, she took a breath. “There’s... been a...” “Rarity,” Twilight started, “what happened?” As Rarity began to tell the story of how they found Fluttershy, Twilight’s throat began to swell. Knowing how sensitive the demure little pony was already, she couldn’t imagine what a shock like this would do to her, on top of everything else that had happened. Unsure of what to say, the two stood in uncomfortable silence. Around them, the make-shift hospital moved mechanically, seemingly unaware of the unfairness of it all. “Twilight,” Rarity said, breaking the lull, “We’re going to bu...” A stir rose from the front of the cave, and above it all, a flurry of words rang out. “CANTERLOT! PRINCESS, run, RUN! fall, broken, HELP!” “SPIKE!” Twilight screamed, galloping to the source of the commotion, nearly slamming the baby dragon into the dirt with a relieved hug. “Spike, you’re ok!” Catching his breath, the purple dragon returned the hug, similarly relieved, and stepped back to see the entire cave staring him down. He gulped lightly. “I’m OK, Twilight, but we’re not.” Twilight stared at him, confusion washing over her face. “What do you mean, Spike? What’s going on, where’s the Princess?” A wave of concurrence rose from the crowd, all wondering the same thing. Spike began to shake a bit, and tears began to form. Closing his eyes, he looked away from the expectant ponies, and clearing his throat, spoke. ****************************************************************************** In the cellar of what used to be Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack gimped wearily across the floor, nearly an hour of bucking the wrought iron doors had taken their toll. Slumping in the far corner, she rested her head against the footlocker that the caravan had left behind. Too heavy, Mac had said. She supposed he was right; but filled as it was with so many memories, it was all she had at the moment. Fiddling with the lock, AJ deftly opened the chest, taking out a few photographs. They were aged, but they told a story. A story of triumph, of disaster, of feast and famine. It was her story; but so too was it the story of her family, and her kin. A grainy picture of Granny Smith, a very young Granny, she chuckled to herself, locked in a dance with her Grandpa Golden, holding their first daughter: Sweet Apple. Wiping a tear that had wet the surface of the old picture, she pulled out another memory. Lost in time, a sharp scratching at the cellar door snapped her back to reality. “AJ, you in there?” “Yeah, I’m here, Rainbow, s’that you?” “No, it’s Pinkie Pie...” “...Pinkie? Well, Run and get some help, I’m kinda stuck down here...” Applejack heard a thud, followed by a word she was sure Pinkie would never use. “Are you sure you ain’t Rainbow Dash?” She inquired. … “Yes, AJ, it’s me, Rainbow...” “Well why didn’t you say so?” “AJ, I swear... look, I cleared the door, but I can’t get the lock unstuck, it’s busted or something. You got anything down there you could brace it with?” Glancing around the dimly lit cellar, she couldn’t see anything that sturdy, unless...“Dash, you said the door is clear?” Applejack shouted, pulling the hope chest up against the metal hatch. “Yeah, but...” “Stand back!” AJ roared, rearing up and bucking down on the end of the chest. Slamming open, the chest flew out the now open entryway, crashing into the ground several meters away, the contents scattered over the distance. Bursting out into the open, Applejack took a deep breath of air, and looking about, called to her friend. “Dash... Where’dja...go?” “I’m right here,” came the muffled reply, under a pile of old clothes and picture books. “Ah,” Applejack chuckled, “Sorry ‘bout that...” “No problem,” Dash replied dryly, rising to her hooves, “After what it took to get here, I guess some old cloth is the least of m...” “Land sakes, girl, what happened to you?” “I’m fine, I’ll tell you on the way, but right now we’ve got to get back to the Everfree Forest and figure out what we’re gonna do about all this...” “Sorry, Rainbow, but the only way I’m headin’ is thata’way.” “Out west?” said Rainbow, incredulous. “AJ, come on, our friends are hurt, I still don’t know where half of them are, and they need our help. I need your help. I came out here to find you and help with gettin’ everypony else out, but that’s done and we gotta go. NOW.” “Rainbow, I done told you, I gotta go get back with my kin.” I don’t have time t’...” “Time to what? Time to help us fix this mess? Time to help your friends?” Applejack sighed. “Look. I appreciate you commin’ t’get me. I understand that we might be able to help, but I gotta look after my family. You know they come first.” She sniffed the air, looking away. “They always come first.” Frustrated, Rainbow Dash kicked the pile of clothes that once lay atop her. Looking a bit more closely, she saw something glittering in the darkness, seeming to have it’s own light. “Then don’t do it for our friends, AJ. Don’t do it for me, heck, don’t even do it for your family.” Reaching into the pile, she picked up a jeweled necklace, bearing a large red apple, and tossed it at AJ’s hooves. “We got a duty, Applejack. Not to ourselves, not to our friends. To Equestria. To Celestia.” Applejack sighed heavily. “Look, I...” “AJ, Whatever this is, this insanity, it’s got Twilight and her egghead magic written all over it. She needs you... She needs all of us.” AJ stared down at the necklace. The element of honesty; her element. Padding it softly, she lifted the pendant out of the dirt. It pulsed lightly in her hoof, the faint glow calling to her. Applejack closed her eyes, and a soft tear slipped the breach, rolling down her cheeks and wetting the dirt below. “I reckon you’re right, Dash,” She sighed wearily, turning back towards Rainbow, “but you promise me, right here, right now, that as soon as we can, we head out to Appleloosa to check on everypony?” Rainbow held up a hoof, and hocked a wad of spit on it, holding it out with a sly grin. “As soon as we can, sister.” Returning the spit-shake, AJ cracked a smile. “Let’s do this.” ****************************************************************************** Twilight’s ears rung with a deafening tone; her sight blurred and dizzy, she fell back awkwardly onto her haunches. Spike’s voice ran through her mind in rapid repetition, as the world narrowed to a singular point of light. “...dead...” he had said. Celestia, bringer of the sun, Goddess of an empire... her personal friend and mentor... was dead. She wasn’t sure what one was supposed to feel at a moment like this, but she was entirely sure she was doing it wrong. There was no sadness, no anger, no sickening sense of... anything. She was numb, from head to toe, empty. Around her, the gasps and cries had fallen to a simmer. The nurses slowly returned to their duties, but most ponies just lay in shock. Rising to her hooves, Twilight wandered aimlessly down rows of spent ponies, some with broken limbs, others with broken ribs- all with broken hearts. Soft sobs still echoed through the damp corners of the cave. Some painful, most mournful, the pitiful sounds lingered heavily on the peaty walls. The soft clatter of medical routine began to return as Rarity slowly approached her. "Twilight…" Rarity whispered softly, "I… I truly have no words. I know how close…" "Don't." Twilight rasped, a subtle anger edging her words, more than she'd have liked. "I… Thank you, Rarity” she sighed, “I just don't think I'll be of any use right now.” Rarity took a step back. She had been unsure of how to approach Twilight, but then she wasn't sure of anything anymore. Nopony was. She pressed on, "I understand darling, though I was wondering if you'd be up to helping us bury Angel. It... would mean the world to the poor dear, I'm sure." Twilight stared blankly past Rarity for a moment, then nodded to nopony in particular. Trotting towards the entrance of the cave, the familiar scent of peat and decay greeted them as they stepped out into the forest. Gazing towards the skies, Rarity noted that the firestorm had all but ceased, for now, but she was anxious to get on with it. Much as she wanted to be there for her friend, she knew this night was far from over. Stopping at the edge of a small hole, Rarity nodded towards Spike, who reverently laid the small rabbit neatly at the bottom of the grave. Sobbing softly, Fluttershy gently pushed a bit of dirt over Angel, as Pinkie tamped it down into a neat mound. Hushed, the group stood silent for a moment, as Fluttershy knelt at the foot of the grave, periodically rubbing her eyes. Soft sniffles circled around, and Spike lightly scuffed his feet against the damp soil. Rarity coughed lightly, and Fluttershy, peering up at her friends, ambled slowly to her hooves. With tears in her voice, she began to speak. “um... th..thank you all.” Fluttershy croaked weakly, “I... um... I’ve lost little friends before, working with creatures often comes with that... problem. But...Angel was different. He...” Fluttershy faltered. New tears rose unbidden to her cheeks as she tried to continue... “He was my friend when nopony came out to the cottage... he... was my first... friend...” Fluttershy collapsed under the weight of the task she was performing. Rarity and Pinkie Pie rushed quickly to her side, leaving Twilight alone at the far corner of the grave. Trotting slowly around the resting site, she nuzzled Fluttershy’s cheek, softly whispering words of comfort. “Rarity, I...I’m going to go check on the Princess, will you all be alright out here for a bit?” Rarity nodded solmnly, brushing a gentle hoof down Fluttershy’s mane. Leaving her friends at the graveside, Twilight limped towards the back of the cave. The initial shock had begun to wear down, but the numbness remained; it was all that seemed to remain. She’d try to cry, but no tears would come, be angry but no ire. Frustrated, she sat with a huff at the back of the cave, facing away from the felled Princess. Staring blankly towards the forest, she could see Pinkie and the others helping Fluttershy to her hooves, as they began to slowly trot inside. “Well, Princess, I’m lost.” Twilight started. “Your sister is gone, Canterlot is in ruins, my friends are in pain, and I don’t know how to help any of them. Honestly, how could things get any wors...” Interrupted by a sharp rustle behind her, she turned to investigate. Princess Luna stood looming against the shadows of the cave. Her eyes were impossibly wide, and moist with tears, dark pupils narrowed to a fine point. Her horn began to glow white with heat, as energetic motes of light sparked off in every direction. As the two ponies blinked out of existence, a single sentence lingered in the ether... “I’m not a Princess,” said Luna. +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

lesserpoet

343

Adventure,Dark

A Tangled Web

incomplete

<p>Equestria has had 1000 years of relative peace, and prosperity. With the return of Luna, the balance upon which her walls have stood has been restored. Unfortunately, every empire falls. Often, our epilogues are etched deep into those histories that brought about the founding itself. The Elements of Harmony saved the fallen princess, but their power comes with a heavy cost. When an ancient lie is revealed, when an old dawn threatens the survival of the Equestrian Age, an opportunity arises to write history anew&#8230;. but even in this, as in everything else, what&#39;s past is bound to be prologue.</p>

everyone

2011-08-08T23:46:54+00:00

A Tangled Web...............................................................................Vol. I: The Fall The trap is set the bait’s been met with bated breath we wait The lie’s been told now truth unfolds the hour, dear sister, is late. Chapter Three- Secrets and Lies Deep within the trails of the Everfree Forest, a stallion galloped freely through the vines. Scarcely drifting from his path, even the peat seemed to stiffen underhoof, as though the forest itself parted for his presence. Dark of pelt, his flowing mane cast long shadows along his back. He bore a silver cutie mark, a soft quill shimmering against the darkness; while silver wisps of hair softened the edges of his brown fetlocks, shorn rough by time and stature. Bursting through the forest’s edge, he slowed to a sharp canter, as he cautiously edged his way along the narrow clearing between the brush and a steep canyon masked by dark fog. Ducking beneath a rough bramble, he saw his target lay ahead. An ancient ruin, covered in a heavy coat of ivy, bearing two regal crests, seemingly new against the crumbling walls. Hooves heavy upon the rope bridge, the old unicorn passed the gates into the main chamber of the castle, bending low into a deep, abiding bow. “Your Highness,” he toned with a clear voice, raspy yet smooth. “I bear news from beyond the Everfree.” “Rise, Silvertongue,” hissed a silky voice, “and come near. These shadows do us little justice, do they not?” Silvertongue rose gently, stepping towards the firelit end of the chamber. Before him sat an Alicorn, white from hoof to horn. Her eyes, formed of deep slits upon her long face, shone a regal white, glowing very nearly blue in the darkness of the ruined throne room. Approaching the dim light of the altar, Silvertounge at last brought his gaze to meet his monarch. “Now,” said the Alicorn, her words singing heavily on the still air, “what news do you bring us this fortunate evening? Word on the Elements, I presume.” “My liege, the Elements have been provoked. Their actions will follow to your plans, and you will have them here by daybreak,” he paused, lowering his head slightly, “your apprentice will see to that.” “You’ve met with her then?” “Yes, your Majesty. I have made your instructions most clear.” The Alicorn smiled lightly, her eyes twinkling in the fires glow. “And what of the whelp?” she asked, a chill settling into her voice. “Has she been deposed?” The unicorn hesitated, stepping a hoof cautiously back from the throne. “There... was a mishap,” he shivered, “Luna...” “What have you been told about that name?” The Alicorn bellowed, her eyes flashing a deep crimson. Fire streaked along the walls of the ruin, growing to magnificent heights, singeing the mane of the old unicorn who stood trembling at the altar. “I will not hear it again!” “Yes, your Majesty,” quivered Silvertongue, bowing low before her. “It... will not happen again.” He paused, regaining his composure. “Sadly, when Her Highness dispatched the Usurper, the whelp was not in her appointed place. She... has eluded us.” “Not a worry,” the Alicorn sighed, her fury vanished. “I have a feeling...” “Not a WORRY?” cried a voice from the far side of the chamber, “Morana, you can’t be serious, after all we’ve been through to get to this point!” “Aerona, my dear sister, you’ve awoken,” Morana sang with a thin smile, “come, join me at the altar. This is a night of jubilation.” “That little harpy is still out there, after I killed her sister!” The younger twin huffed, turning as she strode to glare at the unicorn before them. “Can our servants do nothing right?” “Silvertongue,” chirped Morana, “if you would be so kind, please take leave to your chambers, I must speak with my sister in private.” Bowing sharply, the old unicorn turned about, trotting towards the hall at the far end of the throne room. Hearing the door clatter shut, Morana turned a soft gaze upon the younger, nipping affectionately at her neck. “What is the matter, dear? This is our night!” “I’m aware of that, Morana,” Aerona replied dryly, “but the fact that she’s still out there...” “Dear sister,” Morana interrupted, “she is but a detail of our plans. Do you not still taste the vengeance on your tongue?” Aerona’s eyes dimmed slightly, as she allowed herself a weak smile. “Yes, sister.” “Do our fires not still cleanse the soil from which our enemies draw their feed, nor poison the air which they breathe? We have, in one swift movement, removed the true thief!” Cried Morana, throwing her hoof into the air. “I promise you, my beloved, that by the time our sun rises upon the lands that forsook our very names, we shall have our birthright once more!” ****************************************************************************** Blinking out of the ether, Twilight landed harshly upon a wet patch of ground in the Everfree Forest. Her horn lit white hot as she rose quickly to her hooves, turning about sharply to face the deep blue Alicorn. “Who are you?” Twilight shouted, levitating anything she could find. “What are you? What have you done with the Princess?” “I am Luna,” she replied flatly. “Sister of Celestia, and Regent of the Equestrian night...” “But... But you said you weren’t a Princess.” Twilight cried, her hackles rising. “What, are you a Queen now?” she shouted, hurling a large rock at the Alicorn. “Nightmare Moon come back to finish what you started!?” “Twilight!” Luna shouted, the projectile falling harmlessly off a magical field, “We don’t have time for this. If you’d let me explain...” “Explain WHAT?” Twilight screamed, her skin crawling with rage. “Explain that you killed Celestia? That your petty little jealousy couldn’t be satisfied with just half the power in the world? Is that it?” Her eyes taking on a white glow, Twilight shot several more stones and branches at Luna. “That’s it, isn’t it? We’ll send you right back to the...” “TWILIGHT SPARKLE, THAT IS ENOUGH!” Luna roared, a wave of magical energy sparking out in all directions, knocking Twilight back several feet. “Do you understand what ONE THOUSAND YEARS IS? What it is to be separated from everything, from everypony, from family and friends and your home?” A flap of Luna’s broad wings brought her inches from the unicorns face. Twilight stared on with wide eyes as the Alicorn’s expression drew hard and set. “But that wasn’t enough, was it?” Luna rasped, her voice low and edged with anger. “A thousand years, each night colder than the last; but still I saw my homeland. Every night, I could feel it. Every night, connected just enough for a smell, or a taste, only to have it ripped from my grasp... a cruel tease. No... you can not comprehend what that is, child,” she stood away, holding her head at full height. “I pray you never will.” Luna took a half step back, turning to gaze into the forest. Glancing back at Twilight, soft tears began to form at the corners of her eyes. “And before you accuse me of treachery this evening, Twilight Sparkle,” she paused,  huffing back tears, “please recall that you are not the only one who lost somepony tonight.” Twilight sat awkwardly upon her haunches, dumbstruck as Luna turned to walk away. Watching the midnight Alicorn disappear into the shadows of the forest, she stood slowly, shaking some errant leaves from her mane. Stepping lightly, she followed the Regent into the brush. ****************************************************************************** “What do you mean, Vanished?” cried Rarity, pointing a hoof at the bewildered nursepony. “They just... vanished...” Tenderheart replied, slightly shaken. “The Princess floated off her mat, and then there was this bright flash of light, then... poof! I’ve never seen anything like it...”  she muttered, trailing incoherently as she fell back on her haunches. “Well, that’s not at all helpful,” Rarity huffed, trotting towards the others. “If the Princess woke up, why would she just whisk Twilight away like that?” Pinkie Pie shrugged. “Maybe she needed some privacy?” “Fine, but she’s a Princess! Even after the inevitable bustle, she could have just ordered everypony away...” “yes, but... um...” Fluttershy squeaked, shrinking a bit from the sudden attention “well, maybe she, um, needed Twilight’s help...” she paused, turning towards the back of the cave. “We could see if she left any clues, um... if you want to.” Unconvinced, Rarity trotted over to the matted hay where the Princess once lay. Nothing seemed out of place, short of the missing Regent. Nudging gently at the straw, she carefully turned over a few matted bits, but found nothing. “Hey, what’s that?” said Pinkie, bounding beside the startled unicorn. “What’s what darling?” Rarity responded dryly, “I don’t see anything...” “That spirally thing on the wall of the cave!” smiled Pinkie, her eyes widening.  “It looks pretty.” Upon closer inspection, Rarity saw what appeared to be an odd symbol: a dark, narrow spiral, rimmed with several sharp triangles around the edge. “Strange,” she said, stepping back. “It looks like something you might find at Zecora’s hut, but why would it be here on the wall?” “Dunno,” replied Pinkie, “Maybe we should ask her!” “Yes, well, we’ll have to go get Rainbow Dash and Apple...” she paused, glancing over at the now crestfallen pink pony. “Pinkie, dear, what’s the matter?” Pinkie Pie sighed, glancing between her friends and the symbol on the wall. “Y..you guys go on ahead, Rarity. There’s something I gotta do before we leave.” she said, casting a sad eye towards the far end of the cave. “Fluttershy and I will get our things, you can meet us outside in a few minutes.” she nodded, as the pair trotted towards the front of the cave. Pinkie Pie stood quietly for a moment, before pacing slowly across the rows of cots, towards a pair of sleeping ponies against the far wall. Stepping softly up to the cot, she gently nudged the taller of the two, a yellow stallion with a square-set jaw. “Mr. Cake?” she whispered, “are you up?” Receiving no response, Pinkie looked about, finding a pen and small scroll on the nurses stand. Carefully scrawling a letter, she sniffled slightly as she wrote, clumsily manipulating the pen with her teeth. Inspecting her work, she hastily scratched out the last line, rolling it neatly before sliding it beneath the sleeping stallion’s pillow. She took a step back, leaned in and lightly kissed the stallion’s forehead, whispering a soft thank you as she began to back away. Wiping a tear from her eyes, the earthpony turned tail and trotted slowly towards the outside world. ***************************************************************************** Trotting in uncomfortable silence, Twilight’s mind was spinning. There were so many questions, and the one pony who might have some answers wasn’t quite up to talking. The pair passed endless rows of gnarled pines beset with a strange assortment of climbers and roots, while just beyond the shadows the forest seemed to writhe with a dark and eerie life; yet despite the foreboding nature of the forest, Twilight felt safe. For the first time in a long time, truly safe. Steeling herself to the task, Twilight at last broke the silence. “Luna,” she started, clearing her throat... “I have a final promise to my sister that I must fulfill,” said Luna flatly, “and then you can be on your way.” “No, Luna, wait. Please... I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions like that, and... and I shouldn’t have made such a terrible assumption, that you would be so heartless as to...” Twilight paused a moment, biting her lip, “I mean, she was my teacher, but she was your sister... I’m so sorry Luna.” Luna released a heavy sigh, slowing her trot. “I understand, Twilight,” she turned towards the unicorn, her eyes softening a bit, “and thank you... Honestly, in your horseshoes I might suspect the same thing.” Twilight nodded, peering back into the forest ahead. “What is happening, Princess?” “Luna, please.” she insisted, “I am no Princess.” “Right, but Luna,” replied Twilight, “that’s what I don’t understand.” “You’re a clever mare, Twilight,” started Luna, “I should know, Tia never shut up about it.” she grinned. “So you tell me. How is it that we’ve come to live in a Kingdom without a King, or a Queen?” Twilight stopped in her tracks. She’d never really thought about it, actually. Her whole life she’d known the Princess controlled the Sun and Moon, and that was enough. Staring blankly at Luna, she shrugged. “Hmmm..” Luna smiled dryly, “and what of the existence of a ruined castle deep within the Everfree Forest?” “Well,” Twilight began, “I assumed that was where you and Celestia lived before...” “Yes, that’s what she told everypony,” Luna interrupted, “but I can honestly say I’ve never lived there in my life. Neither had she to my knowledge.” “But...” “Look, Twilight,” Luna continued, “I’m going to be honest with you. When...whatever happened, happened, I was still a foal. I don’t have all the answers yet, but when we get where we’re going, things are going to get a bit clearer...” the Alicorn turned about suddenly, murmuring softly to herself. The two ponies stood in a small clearing, behind a row of large oaks. Looking around, Twilight slowly began to recognize small bits. Even in the darkness, she realized that she’d been here before. A rustle from behind one of the bushes startled the unicorn, as a tall hooded figure emerged from the shadows, and spoke in a very familiar tone... “Though tidings grave have brought us to this place, in times like these I’ll take a friendly face.” ****************************************************************************** Trotting at the outskirts of Ponyville, Applejack kept a nervous eye on the horizon, scanning for any signs of movement. Her ears pricked sharply in constant motion, searching for a hint of danger, the slightest crack or hoof-fall out of place. A task made all the more difficult by the pegasus pony doing somersaults around her head...and talking. “...So then I...” “Uh-huh...” “...Loop-de-loop around and...” “Uh-huh...” “...Nick of time!” “RAINBOW!” shouted Applejack, panting lightly, “I got it, it’s a very exciting story! The first three times, anyway...” “Heh, sorry...” giggled Dash, glancing sheepishly at AJ as she softly touched down. “ ‘Sides, if the forest is as dangerous as you say it is now, we’ll need to be as quiet as possible time we get there.” AJ squinted against the darkness, trying to figure out exactly where they were. “Which should be soon, I’d reckon” As the pair slowly crept up to the forest’s edge. Rainbow Dash grunted lightly, turning her attention to the char beneath her hooves. For once in her life, she was glad to be on the ground, the echoes of her last flight still fresh in her mind. Shaking her mane slightly, she stopped mid-stride, as her ears pricked back and forth. “AJ,” hoarsed Rainbow, “did you hear that?” “Yeah I did,” whispered AJ, ducking behind a felled branch. “Get down, I think somepony’s comin’...” Laying in wait, the two ponies shared an approving glance, silently counting down as three shadows emerged from the forest. Passing closer, the shadows crept silently by the tree, as Rainbow pounced upon them. “Gotcha-a-aah it’s Rarity!!!” she shouted, landing harshly on the alabaster unicorn. “Nice to see you too, Rainbow Dash,” mumbled Rarity, “Now if you would be so kind as to get off of me...” “Applejack!” Pinkie shouted, pouncing on the earthpony as she trotted from behind the tree. “Hey, where’s Twilight?”  asked Rainbow, expectantly, “I’d of thought this would be her...” she trailed off, seeing the expressions of her friends fall sharply at the name. As Rarity quietly explained what they’d missed, the jovial mood slipped silently into the night. Rainbow sat back on her hooves, staring into the forest, fighting back tears, while Applejack’s jaw set hard against her face. A wistful silence fell over the group, broken only by the soft rustle of the forest behind them. AJ was the first to finally speak. “Far as I see it, we got two options here,” she coughed, clearing her throat, “Do we go off towards Zecora’s, hopin’ that’s what the princess meant, or do we head back towards the cave, an’ start our search there?” “Silly hayseed,” responded a haughty voice from the trees, “I think I might be of assistance there...but it’ll cost you!” A flurry of sparks and cracks streamed out of the forest, quickly trapping the group in a tight circle. Bursts of color shot in every direction, nearly striking each of them in turn, as out from the trees swung a light blue unicorn, wearing a star studded cape. “Well, well, well,” she laughed, her voice singing over the fiery display, “it looks like the gang’s all here...” her eyes narrowed, lined with malice, “well, almost all.” “Trixie!” Applejack shouted, stepping forward. “What‘n the hay are you doin’ here?” “Just dropping in, seeing if The Great and Powerful Trixie’s favorite Ponyvillians needed her help,” she paused, glancing around the group. “Which, as she suspected, seems to be the case!” “Help?” snerked Rarity, “HA! As I recall our Twilight ran you out on a rail when that Ursa came to town. I hardly think...” “Oh... Rarity, was it?” chuckled Trixie, “Yes, I’d recognize that rat’s nest of a mane anywhere... Trixie will admit that her performance in Ponyville was, shall we say, lacking,” she paused, turning to face the group with a hard glare. “...but Trixie got a new teacher.” she smiled viciously. Rising to her hind legs, Trixie’s horn began to glow, as behind her a mass of stones and soil floated high above. Swiping her forehooves, the sod quickly burst into flames, peppering the ground where AJ and the others were trapped.   Bounding left and right, crashing into one another, the ponies fought bitterly to avoid the falling brimstone. Pinkie yelped loudly as fire ripped down her back, crashing heavily into Fluttershy, who covered her face in her hooves. Freeing herself from the melee, Applejack turned quickly, bucking the nearest branch she could find, narrowly missing Trixie’s head. “That’s enough Trixie,” she shouted, panting as she turned back to face the startled unicorn. “Nice trick an’ all, but why don’t you tell us why you’re really here!” “All business, I see...” Trixie glowered, pacing around the flames “Very well. The Great and Powerful Trixie happens to know where Twilight and your little Princess are,” she paused, turning towards the ponies with a wide and angry smile. “But more importantly, I know where they are heading...” “So tell us!” screamed Rainbow Dash, flapping to a hover. “Tell us where they are or else...” “Or else what?” Trixie snapped, a tight smile creeping onto her face. “How about we play a game. I’ll tell you where Twilight is when you find me,” she cackled, rearing back while her horn flared a bright blue. “Catch me if you can!” she shouted with malevolent glee, disappearing behind a conjured veil of smoke as she galloped deep into the forest. +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-09-05T07:43:38+00:00

2011-09-05T07:43:38+00:00

"WHAM!" "ACK! What in the hay?!?" Hikaru jumped up from the loud crash and found himself staring directly into the angry eyes of his father. He had fallen asleep on the job yet again as he found this to be happening to him more often then usual. "Again?" questioned Storm Ray; Hikarus' father, in an angry tone. "This is the 4th time this month! What is the problem!?" "I'm sorry..." Groaned Hikaru wiping the sleep from his eyes. "It won't happen again." Storms face suddenly showed a look of great annoyance. "Thats exactly what you said the last time this happened...." Sensing his fathers annoyance, Hikaru decided to just stay quiet and listen to the lecture he knew oh so well was coming. "You know the risk of falling asleep with the job you have. What if somepony is walking by late at night and sees you asleep at the counter? Don't you think its real easy for them to just walk on in and take some of our art or furniture? Need I remind you how much we had to pay for some of this?" Hikaru shook his head. "It was allot and we couldn't afford it overnight. And what if somepony walks in wanting a room? Don't you think it reflects badly on our hotel if our workers are seen ASLEEP on the job? We are always being reviewed, we need to maintain our 5 star status in Equestria. We are the main hotel that ponies from all around see when they look up hotels in this area, and for good reason, I won't have our image destroyed by a worker who can't stay awake, a worker who is my own family. This pattern of yours needs to stop! Do you understand?" Hikaru simply nodded feeling rather embarrassed but also annoyed. Storm sighed and glanced over at the water tank which was almost empty. "Good. I'm going to go talk to somepony about refilling the water tank. Don't let me catch you asleep again. Got it?" " Yes sir." Said Hikaru brushing away the black and green hair of his mane from the front of his face. "And get a trim will you?" Said Storm looking at his son in slight disgust. "You look like an uneducated punk." With that note, Storm disappeared down the hallway. Hikaru sighed and looked in the mirror. "Well I think my mane looks just fine..." He thought to himself. Hikaru had grown up in his fathers hotel and as soon as he could talk, his father had been throwing him into doing all sorts of jobs and duties around the hotel. His father has opened the "Equestria Suites" hotel many years ago, and thanks to his business skills, and the hiring of good workers, the hotel had become one of the most famous hotels in all of Equestria. Hikaru was happy that his fathers business had done so well, but he hated having to work there. Especially because besides school, it took up ALL of his free time. The second he got off of school, he had to start his work in the massive 11 story building doing whatever Storm instructed him to do. All this work, for a small allowance. Hikaru also felt that it was because of being forced into this job that he didn't have his cutie mark yet. He knew that he was probably the oldest in all of Equestria to not have a cutie mark yet. "Those 3 young fillies I see running around complaining they don't have theirs yet, they have no right to complain." He often thought to himself. Storm always told him that his cutie mark would come in time. "Yeah, in time, says the one who always says I can't go anywhere to even try to find my true calling cause I need to work the night shift...and day shift......and afternoon shift..." Hikaru stretched out and shook himself off trying to wake himself up a bit. He glanced over at the vending machine, "I guess I could use a drink, something cold might wake me up a bit." He bought a lemonade and went back behind the counter. The cool lemonade was very refreshing and he found it did help him to feel more alert. He grabbed his music player and selected one of his favorite playlist titled "Escape". The playlist consisted of many of his favorite trance tracks that he had gathered over the years. He loved the way trance music could just make him feel as if he was free, off in his own little world, where everything just felt peaceful, magic, and well....awesome. He could spend hours just listening to different trance tunes and not even realize that it had been hours. Even if the songs he played he had heard over 1000 times, he never grew tired of them. He just loved the sound of the ambient backgrounds, the relaxing synth, and of course, the heavy bass. Hikaru soon found himself lost in the world of his music. So much so that he had not noticed the pony who had walked into the hotel and up to the counter. "HIKARU!" "Wha? The hay? Oh! Hey Sky!" Sky Breeze was Hikarus best friend from school. She worked with her uncle at the "Forever Flying" kite shop a few buildings down. Hikaru had met her a few semesters ago in one of his classes. She was the only pony who was willing to talk to him and even when he had expressed no interest in further relationship, she continued to talk to him daily and hang out with him. Hikaru was a very shy and introverted pony, who rarely talked to anypony else unless approached. He honestly felt rather insecure with himself, probably no help from Storm always putting him down. Nopony ever wanted to be Hikarus friend as he was always just seen as "the quiet pony in the corner" in school. Which made it odd that Sky seemed to really want to get to know him. At first, Hikaru thought that maybe she just wanted to get on his good side cause she knew who his dad was and being a friend of his son could get her allot of perks. But he soon found this totally not true. Hikaru very much appreciated Sky, and he was happy to call her his best friend. "I was afraid you fell asleep again!" Joked Sky with a sarcastic smile. Hikaru laughed and tossed his music player into a drawer. "Well, yeah...My dad caught me earlier asleep again, wasn't too happy about that you can imagine." "Oh yes I can." Replied Sky knowingly. Hikaru sighed. "So hey! What brings you here at 1 in the morning huh? Trying to sneak in and get some of those mints that we leave on pillows that I know you love oh so much?" "Hey now!" Laughed Sky throwing a brochure that was on the counter at Hikaru. "I may like those but not enough to STEAL them." "Yeah yeah I know..." Laughed Hikaru dodging the brochure. "You are too good for that." "What can I say?" Said Sky giving her best innocent and angelic eyes. " Im a perfect little angel!" "Oh gosh..." Said Hikaru laying his head down in his hooves. Sky pushed Hikarus hooves away from his face. "But really, I came over cause I wanted to give you this!" Sky handed him a small blue flyer. Hikaru opened it and read it slowly. "Nocturnal Oasis." July 27th 10 PM to 2 AM. At the Starlight Den. Featuring: Armane Van Burren Ferry Colsten Dumanede DJ Spiral Hooves. DJ PON-3....." "I know all those ponies!" Said Hikaru loudly. "I have all of their tracks in my playlist! Oh wow, and they are all coming here? To Ponyville? No way! I soooo have to go to this! Oh my gosh! When......July 27th....2 weeks! I need to go to this! Like I reallllyyyy need to go to this Sky! I have always dreamed of seeing these ponies live!" Sky laughed at her friends excitement. "Well lucky for you, I happen to know the even organizer, he said he can get me and 4 friends in for free! And I just so happen to have a ticket here for one very special friend of mine!" Hikarus eyes opened as wide as saucers. "YESOHMYGOSHTHANKYOUTHANKYOU" Screamed a happy and jumping Hikaru as he reached for the ticket. "Na ah!" Said Sky pulling the ticket away from Hikarus snatching hooves. "If you want this, you will have to give me something I want first!" "Wha?" Asked Hikaru trying to think of what Sky could possibly want. He noticed Sky glancing over to his right. Looking to his right, he saw what she she wanted, for there, behind the counter. was the large bowl of mints. "I should have known." Sighed Hikaru. He grabbed the entire bowl and handed it to Sky. "If my Dad asks me, don't worry, Ill tell him they got old or something." "Thank you Mr. Ray!" Said Sky cheerfully taking the bowl and leaving the ticket on the counter. "I better be going now. My parents HATE me staying out late. "Aight, see ya!" Said Hikaru. " AND FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP CALLING ME MR. RAY, YOU'RE MAKING ME FEEL OLD!" "Oh whatever!" Laughed Sky leaving. "See ya!" Hikaru leaned back in his chair and looked up at the flyer in his hoof. "This is gonna be amazing." He thought to himself. "Getting to see them live, in pony, right there!" He grabbed his music player and went started playing his favorite track from Ferry Coltsten. "Now to try to get out of work that night....that aint gonna be easy. But whatever it takes, Ill do it, Im not missing this for my LIFE!" Hikaru turned up the volume and let himself once again, become lost in the world of trance. ======

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-07-29T01:23:45+00:00

2011-07-29T01:23:45+00:00

"Of course not! Absolutely NO!" "What?" Yelled Hikaru in disbelief. "Dad, cmon! I work everyday for pretty much my entire life, and I can't just get ONE night off?" "The issue isn't getting a night off." Said Storm. "The issue here is that you want to get out of your duties to go to a useless party instead of doing something that actually takes you somewhere in life!" Hikaru felt anger starting to rise up within his being from his fathers comment. "Useless party?! Dad, my favorite music artist are going to be there performing LIVE! Do you have any idea how big of a deal this is? These ponies never come to Ponyville! NEVER! I have dreamed of going to something like this for so long, you can't just tell me I can't go!" "Well I did." Said Storm. "You're not going, you have your duties here to attend to, and you need to learn to make your priorities right. End of discussion." Hikaru kicked over a chair and left his fathers office slamming the door. He could hear Storm yelling something angrily about how much the chair cost or something like that, but he could care less right now. He left the hotel and looked up the street. All around ponies were out enjoying the summer day. Shopping, eating, the young ones playing, the sight of everyone enjoying themselves eased Hikaru's anger a bit. He looked down the other side of the street and noticed the kite flying above Forever Flying kite shop. It was a small white kite shaped to look like a shooting star with a long tail. Watching the kite flying up in the sky in such a graceful way was almost mesmerizing. Infact, apparently very much so as Hikaru failed to hear the Pony asking him to move aside so he could push his delivery cart pass. "HELLO? I SAID EXCUSE ME!" "Wha?! Oh! Sorry sir." Said Hikaru feeling a bit embarrassed. He moved out of the way to let the delivery pony pass. "Crazy kid..." He muttered. "Doesn't even pay attention to where he is....this generation is going down the drain..." Hikaru ignored his put-down and decided to go to the kite shop. "I guess I better tell Sky that I can't go.." He thought to himself as he walked up to the door. He opened the door and was immediately surrounded by colors and shapes of all kinds. Kites hung down from the ceiling and off the walls of the small store. It seemed any kind of shape you could think of, there was a kite for it. From a red phoenix with short tails from its wings to create the illusion of fire, to a Wonderbolts logo in 3d form, if you could think of it, the shop probably had it in kite form. Two young fillies happily dashed out of the store with a new kite they had just bought that was shaped like a diamond. "Ah, I miss those days..." Thought Hikaru to himself. He walked to the back of the store trying to see through the kites for Sky. He looked past a meadowlark kite and spied his friend. Or at least her turquoise and purple mane. "Sky? Is that you?" "Oh hey Hikaru!" Called Sky from the back storage area of the store. "Um....hey, do you think you could help me with this?" "Uh sure." Replied Hikaru heading through the maze of kites into the back of the store. He found Sky trying to assemble a very large kite. The kite was in the shape of the sun and it was significantly larger than Sky or Hikaru. Probably even larger than Big Macintosh even. The Kite looked amazing except that is was not fully assembled. It appeared that the last piece to its completion, was a long stick that had to be bowed around the outer frame and then connected back into itself to create the suns round form. However, it seemed that the stick was a bit resistant to being bowed and it was taking all of Skys' strength to try to bend it as well as holding onto the kite so it didn't flip away like a catapult. "If you could just hold onto the kite so it doesn't fly away that would be great." Said Sky with tired eyes. It was obvious that she had been struggling with this for quite some time. "Not a prob" Said Hikaru with a hint of pride in his voice. He grabbed hold of the kite while Sky bent the stick around the outer edge of the sun and then into the connection point where it locked into place. "Whew! About time I completed this one!" Breathed Sky greatly relieved but tired. "It looks amazing! Said Hikaru admiring the kite from a few steps back. "I've never seen a kite this large and so masterfully designed before." "My uncles newest design!" Said Sky proudly. "He worked for months on getting this perfect, and now we finally get to see it fly over the store!" "THWOK!* *SWISH!* "AAAA!!!" Both Hikaru and Sky screamed as the kite suddenly unfolded and sent the stick flying at high velocity right towards them. Hikaru acted fast and pushed Sky away saving her from being stabbed by the flying stick. Unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky as the stick hit him directly in his front left leg as he tried to block the stick from hitting his face. Hikaru looked at his leg and noticed that the stick had indeed punctured his skin and blood was slowly starting to flow out of the small wound. "Ack! Hikaru! Are you ok? I mean...no you aren't, But...I...Im sorry...." Sky looked down onto the ground embarrassed of what happened. "Its not your fault don't worry about it." Assured Hikaru walking over to the sink to wash off the wound. "We should probably take you the doctor you know." Said Sky cringing at the sight of blood. "I can take you now, I just have to close the sto-" "No thats not needed." Said Hikaru with a smile. Its not like the stick impaled my leg or anything, it just broke the skin thats all. Ill just go back to the hotel and get this cleaned up and bandaged and Ill be good to go. Ah...yeah I should actually go now. Haha. Don't want to get blood on your floor, Ill talk to you later." Hikaru navigated his way out of the kite maze to the front door. "Hikaru!" Called Sky walking over to him. Hikaru paused and turned to see Sky. "Sup?" He asked with a smile. He was suddenly met by a hug from Sky which surprised him a bit, but not in a bad way. "Thanks." She said. "For pushing me out of the way. haha." "Oh c-mon...It wasn't that big of a deal" He laughed. "Its not like I saved you from a falling building through fire and explosions or some crazy thing like in those movies." "Yeah I guess." Laughed Sky backing away noticing that there was still blood slowly flowing from Hikarus wound. "But still, it surprised me, and it was nice of you to do that for me, thanks." "Ha, whatevs." Said Hikaru. "Ill talk to you later. See ya!" Hikaru left the building and headed back to the hotel. He suddenly remembered something. "Argh! I was supposed to tell her that I couldn't go to Nocturnal Oasis..." He thought about going back to tell her, but he knew she already felt bad about the kite wound, he didn't want to make her feel worse by saying he couldn't go to the thing she wanted him to attend. He would have to tell her the next day. "Hmm..." He thought. "On the other hoof, she might want to know so she can sell the ticket or give it to somepony else...." He pondered on this for a second. "Ah whatever, a day won't matter, Ill tell her tomorrow. And besides, I still have to see if there is someway, anyway, I can still go to this thing. Im willing to do anything." He looked down and noticed the wound the stick has caused was still bleeding, so he hurried into the hotel to find the first aid kit.

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-07-29T22:25:20+00:00

2011-07-29T22:25:20+00:00

Hikaru quickly found the first aid kit and bandaged the wound. "There we go, no worry-no problem!" He thought to himself as he placed the first aid kit into a cabinet. He suddenly heard the front door open. Iris, the pony who watched the front desk when Hikaru wasn't, was late for work leaving the nopony at the desk to greet and assist the guest. Hikaru walked quickly over to the front desk and noticed a tall White pony with a black mane and tail walking up to the desk. She had an official look to her, much like the ponies who worked in the larger offices in Canterlot. A thought suddenly came to Hikaru's mind as she approached the front desk. "Oh no! What if she is trying to sell me something! Argh! I have to turn her down. But what if Dad actually wants what she is selling for the hotel? Argh but wait, maybe he won't....Or what if...she is one of those ponies who try to get you to join their religion or whatever it is. I already have a church I go to on sundays! Oh no, what if we are late paying a bill! Oh no! What am I supposed to say? I don't know what to do! Will I go to jail? OH GOSH NO NOT JAIL!" All these thoughts rushed through Hikaru's mind within seconds as the pony reached the front desk. Hikaru breathed and said a weak "Hi there!" Which sounded rather pathetic as his voice cracked. "Hello!" She said with a smile. "My name is Trinity Star, and Im the head even planner for this years Nocturnal Oasis here in Ponyville." Hikaru nearly jumped when he realized who this pony was. "The even is going to be happening in about 2 weeks and we needed to find a hotel to block out some rooms for those attending the event. One of the others in the planning committee noticed that your hotel offers discounts for buying out blocked rooms, is it possible for us to buy off about 80 rooms starting July 26th until the 28th?" Hikaru was still in shock, This pony was the HEAD planner for the event he so longed to go to. He wanted this to be a sign, some sort of strange sign that would confirm that he was indeed meant to go, maybe his Dad would be so happy about having all the business from this event that he would let him go! These thoughts rushed through his mind until he suddenly realized he had not answered Trinity. He shook himself out of his daze and hoped he hadn't been silent for more than a second. If it was a long pause, it would make Trinity feel quite awkward for sure. "Yes, we can book out those rooms for you. We discount all blocked rooms by 40%, and any additional rooms past 70 are 80% off. We can set up a code for guest registering to use during hotel booking online so the attendees of the event can claim the discount. There is a required fee of 600 bits for us to block out the rooms and you would need to sign this form here..." Hikaru reached over into the file drawer and pulled out a yellow form and handed it to Trinity. "Once you fill that out and I get your payment information, it will all be set!" "Great!" Said Trinity enthusiastically as she took the paper and grabbed the quill on the counter to sign. She wrote down all the required info and signatures, and payed the 600 bits to Hikaru. "alright!" Said Hikaru making a copy of the form for the hotel records. "You are all set!" "Thank you so much!" Said Trinity happily turning to leave. As she got to the door, she called back to Hikaru. "Hey, this event you know, its the kind of thing somepony of your age might really enjoy, you should think about checking it out! Thanks again!" "Oh believe me..." Sighed Hikaru as Trinity left the building. "Its all I have been thinking about..." Iris rushed in a few minutes later completely out of breath and looking messy and tired. "I am soooo sorry. The cat I am taking care of for another family got out of the house and I had to chase her for 10 blocks! I got here as fast as I could, Im so sorry..." "No no, don't worry about it." Assured Hikaru. He knew the stress of being late and how much fear Iris must have felt at the risk of being yelled at by his Dad. "My Dad isn't in yet and I won't tell him." "Thank you so much!" Sighed Iris in relief. "There was a pony who came in earlier who reserved out 80 rooms." Said Hikaru taking out the copy of the paperwork from earlier. "Something you might want to look at and file away." "Ah thanks for taking care of that." She said, taking the papers to look over. Hikaru decided to hang around the hotel until his Dad arrived. He was going to be in a business meeting for the next hour so as far as Hikaru knew, he had no duties to attend to. "Maybe Ill go up to the roof." He thought to himself. "Its been a while since I have been up there. Hikaru trotted up the stairs to the highest floor of the hotel. From there, he went into the storage room and up the ladder that led to the roof. He opened the door and stepped out. Immediately, he was greeted by the bright noon sun, and the sound of the birds who had built nest on the roof. Hikaru used to like coming up here since he was a young colt. It was like his own personal place to come and think as nopony ever really bothered to come up there (With the exception of the worker ponies who inspected and fixed the roof from time to time.) Hikaru thought a bit about what had happened today. "I know my Dad treats any of our guest with the upmost respect and importance. As soon as he sees that the ponies who are planning to stay here in the blocked out rooms are coming for this event, he will have to lighten up a little at least. Its a long shot but I have to try and keep hope. I better pray that this all works out..." Many hours later in the afternoon, Storm arrived and went to his office. "I guess I better let him know about the blocked rooms." said Iris gathering the files. "Oh um...hold on." Said Hikaru thinking fast. "Would it be ok if I took that to him, umm...its just that, he's been nagging me like crazy saying I don't do anything around here, at least maybe he could see me do something so he doesn't think Im just sitting here listening to music all day...(Which is pretty much what he actually was doing.) "Oh sure that would be fine!" Said Iris handing over the files. "I don't mind not having to go to his office." She leaned close to Hikaru and whispered. "Honestly, he scares me and I find him to be a constant annoying pressure on me, kind of like a migraine headache." Hikaru smiled. "Oh I know exactly what you mean..." He whispered back. "I wouldn't tell you this if I didn't know you felt the same." Whispered back Iris. "Otherwise I would be fired!" Hikaru laughed and took the files and continued down the hall to his Dads office. Hikaru tapped lightly on the door of Storms office. "Come in!" "Hey Dad." Said Hikaru entering the office. "Just thought I would give you these files. There is a large group of rooms that got booked out for an event coming to town." "Oh thanks Hikaru." Said Storm taking the files to look at. "Hey, why are you giving this to me? Didn't Iris have these filled out?" Hikaru thought quickly. "Um..yeah, but...I thought I would help her out and bring them to you. You know, she has to answer phones all day and file and whatnot, I thought, why not?" Whew* "Ah very well then." Said Storm. "Hmmm...Nocturnal Oasis. What is this now?" "Well actually..." Hikaru said softly. "That is that event that I wanted to go to..." "Ah...I see." Said Storm. "Well, I appreciate the business." "Yeah!" Hikaru almost shouted. "I mean, thats really great of them to be booking our hotel right? I mean they must be really good and respectable ponies to have chosen this hotel right Dad? I mean, They obviously appreciate class. The kind of Ponies you don't see much these days. The kind of ponies you would want me to hang around right?" 'AH HORSE-APPLES' Hikaru thought to himself. I forced that one too much, great. "I see what you are trying to do now." Said Storm. "I am happy that they are staying here. But that doesn't mean that I want you to reject your duties here and go to this event. Infact, the very fact that they are here means that we need more staff on hoof. Meaning your assistance will be required even more so." Hikaru felt anger rising up within him. "And also." Continued Storm. "Just because they are staying at this hotel, doesn't mean they are all good ponies. It seems to be from what I can tell about this event, is that everypony is some sort of rebellious punk who dropped out of school and lacks any kind of responsibility. Clearly not the kind of ponies I want you to be around. Hikaru was mad now. "How can you say that?" He yelled loudly. "You are judging them without even knowing them!" "I know enough!" Yelled back Storm. "And don't you dare raise your voice at me!" "YOU HARDLY EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS APPLE BUCKING EVENT IS!" Screamed Hikaru purposely raising his voice even more. "I know enough." Said Storm calmly. "And you are not going, and that is final. No further discussion Hikaru. NONE." Hikaru was fuming at this point. "How can you judge the ponies going to this event when you clearly have never met them in your life." Said Hikaru Quietly. "I know the kind of ponies that go to these kind of things Hikaru." Said Storm filing some papers away. "They are all misfits and punks. They have no direction in life, and they end up being homeless and worthless." "Even if somepony there was like that..." Said Hikaru through gritted teeth. "That doesn't make them worthless. Everypony has their unique gift, and even if they do make some mistakes, its never too late to turn around. Nopony is ever worthless." "Where in Equestria did you pick that up from?" Said Storm. "THink about it Hikaru, a pony who ruined their life, and isn't working or contributing to our lives in any way. All they do is fill space." "HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT A LIVING PONY DAD!" Hikaru raising his voice again. "Raise your voice at me on more time and I am taking your music player and burning it in the fireplace!" Said Storm sternly. "If only you would go check out this event as see the ponies that go, you would realize they are totally fine." Said Hikaru. "No." Said Storm sharply. "I would go and see that I was exactly right. Everypony going to this is a worthless cause." "Thats not true...." Said Hikaru with his head down and mane covering his face. "Sky is going too you know. We were going to go together." "Honestly." Said Storm. "You might not like what I say, but she is a worthless cause as well." Hikaru's heart skipped a beat and he suddenly felt intense anger rushing through his body. "What did you just say..." Whispered Hikaru. "Think about it Hikaru. Her parents were failures. Her Mom couldn't keep a job and ended up running away and going missing. Her Dad got scared taking care of her and left her with her uncle. And her Uncle is a KITE MAKER of all things. Obviously couldn't get a real job. I honestly don't think you should associate with that one. Looking at her families past, she will just go down that same road. A road I don't want you going down." "So you are calling her a failure..." Said Hikaru, blood pumping throughout his body in rage. "I hate to say it, But she will be." Said Storm. " Raised in a family of failures will result in a failure. I see it all the time. And I actually don't want you around them. Cause once something happens, they will turn to us for money and help, and we don't help ponies who can't even keep a decent life going for themselves." 'How can he possibly say these things!' Hikaru thought to himself. "What happened to him! Why does he suddenly think he is some great and powerful pony and everyone else who is lower class is nothing? And to say Sky and her family is worthless and failures?" Hikaru was on the verge of a full out burst of rage. And his fathers next few words brought it out. "They are just pieces of trash. And that Sky girl is probably just being your friend to try to get money/" Hikaru's hoof flew through the air at high velocity and landed right into Storms jaw making a loud *CRACK*. The blow sent Storm falling back and into a filing cabinet. "DONT YOU EVER SAY THAT ABOUT HER AGAIN!" Yelled Hikaru. He was breathing heavily and was shaking in pure anger. "Get out..." Said Storm still lying on the ground. Hikaru dashed out of the office and past the front desk. "Hikaru!" Called Iris. "What's going on? What was that sound?" Hikaru ignored her and ran out the door. He ran past all the shops and houses, past sweet apple acres, and out of Ponyville. He finally came to a stop by a tree on a tall hill far away from town. He felt tears streaming down the side of his face. "Im so STUPID!" He screamed hitting his hoof against the tree. "What in the hay did I just do..." He looked off in the distance as the sun started to slowly set. He laid his head down and covered his face with his hooves. His anger now replaced by pure sadness and depression. The sun slowly fell lower and lower in the sky and finally dipped below the horizon. As it did, Hikaru whispered a few more words before falling asleep in nothing but his guilt and sorrow. "Im the failure." -

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-07-30T23:42:21+00:00

2011-07-30T23:42:21+00:00

Back at the hotel, Iris had rushed into Storms office to see what had happened and nearly screamed when she found him on the floor with blood streaming from his mouth. She immediately helped him up and brought him to the medical clinic. She asked him what had happened but all he would say was "He's no son of mine." Iris was very worried about Hikaru and went to check the roof of the hotel to see if he was there. Nope. 'oh wait...' she thought to herself. 'Doesn't he hang out with with that Sky girl over at the kite shop sometimes?' She decided to head over and see if he was there. And if not, maybe Sky knew where he had gone to... - Hikaru woke up and looked out over the land. The last bit of blue shown over the horizon as night fell upon Ponyville. It was starting to get cold, but he didn't care. He didn't want to go back cause he knew that most likely his Dad had told everypony what a horrible thing he had done. Made him seem like some sort of dangerous criminal or something. "Hah." He said aloud. "I bet that guy called the authorities on me, wouldn't surprise me if he wanted me thrown into a dungeon a while." Hikaru suddenly started to realize how cold it was getting as he was starting to shiver. He decided to walk over to an old abandoned barn to try to rest and think about what he should do. It wasn't much warmer inside but at least it would protect him from the wind. - Iris walked into the kite shop and just as with Hikaru before, she found herself suddenly immersed deep within a maze of color and shapes from kites all around. "were closing in 15 minutes!" Called a voice from somewhere beyond the ocean of kites. Iris walked through to the back of the store. "Are you sky?" She asked seeing her behind a work table. "Oh..yes! hi!" Said Sky looking up from her work cheerfully. "What can I help you with?" "I work over at the Equestria Suites Hotel." Said Iris in a serious tone. "I think you know the son of my boss, Hikaru?" "Yes of course!" Said Sky happily. She then noticed the serious look on Iris's face. "Is he...ok?" Iris sighed and continued. "Not exactly.... Im not sure what happened but he had gone to his fathers office today to give him some files. They were talking for a while...and then I heard screaming. I was worried but didn't want to interrupt.....anyways, I then heard a loud crash! I got up to go and check what happened and then I saw Hikaru run out of the office and out the door. I rushed into his Dads office and I found him lying on the ground bleeding from his mouth." Skys eyes opened wide. "I took him to the medical clinic. He's there now. But I am really worried about Hikaru. After he ran off nopony has seen him. You wouldn't happen to know where he went, or where he might go to do you?" Sky was shocked and didn't know what to say. She knew Hikaru for years and knew he would never ever hit anyone, especially his own FATHER of all the ponies. "I....I honestly don't know..." She said. "The only place he ever told me about that he liked to go to when he felt down was the hotel roof..." "Yeah I checked there." Said Iris. Sky sighed deeply. "You don't have any idea what was said? What could have made him do this?" "No idea whatsoever." Said Iris. " I never took Hikaru as one who would ever physically hurt anypony." "Yes..." Agreed Sky, trying to think of where Hikaru could have gone. "Well, let me know if you think of anything, or find out anything." Said Iris turning to leave. "Im always at the hotel if you need to find me." Sure, will do." Said Sky. 'Ah Hikaru....what in the hay did you do..." - Hikaru woke up suddenly from hearing a sound outside the barn doors. 'Oh gosh.' He thought to himself. 'Great, now Im gonna be ponynapped. I guess I deserve that don't I.' He heard light hoofbeats coming toward the direction of the barn. Slowly getting closer....closer....until they stopped right outside the barn door. A shadow appeared in in the moonlight that shone through the door. 'I sure messed up...' Thought Hikaru to himself. 'Now Im probably going to be ponynapped and tortured or something. Great.' The shadow slowly got larger as the figure opened the door and slowly entered. 'I hate myself.' "Hello.....?" Said a soft voice. Hikarus ears perked up. "Hikaru?" You in here? He immediately recognized the voice. "SKY!" Hikaru got up and rushed over to her as fast as he could and immediately embraced her in a hug. He had felt so scared and unwanted the last hour, the thought of Sky coming to look for him was something he had not expected, but could not have wanted anything more. He tried thinking of something, anything to say, but his emotions got the better of him and he soon found he couldn't do anything but cry tears of every emotion within him. Sky was a bit surprised by Hikarus sudden embrace, but knew that what he really needed right now was a friend to be there for him. The moment seemed to last forever, until Hikaru found he had no more tears to cry, and he was starting to feel better. He backed away from Sky and looked down to the floor. "Sky....." He said quietly. "I really messed up..." "What happened Hikaru?" She asked in a gentle voice. Hikaru looked up at her and continued. "I got in a fight with my Dad. I don't know....he just said all these things that just....they got me so mad....I have never been so mad Sky....he had no right to say the things he did....I tried to control the anger I felt but....he kept going on and on..." Just thinking about what Storm had said was starting to make him feel the anger rising up within him again. He suddenly realized this and shook his head to try to snap out of it. "Anyways..." He continued. "He finally said something that just made me snap...I....well....I hit him..." "The hay Hikaru." Said Sky. "I mean...did you hit him...hard?" "well...." Said Hikaru feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm...pretty sure...I broke his jaw..." Sky was completely shocked to hear this. "Thats not the Hikaru I know..." She said. "I know!" Said Hikaru. "Thats not me Sky, I don't know, I never thought I would ever hit anypony like that. Especially my Dad of all people. " "What did he say that got you so mad?" She asked. Hikaru thought for a second. He didn't feel completely comfortable telling Sky about what his Dad had said considering it was about her and her family. Plus, he thought she might be mad if she knew that it was his fathers comment about her that made him do a thing that seemed to upset her as such. "He was just talking bad about ponies who are of a lower income level than he is..." Said Hikaru. "He just talked trash about some ponies-" 'GAH NO.' He thought to himself. 'I shouldn't have said that, please don't ask what ponies, please don't ask what ponies, please don-' "What ponies?" ...... "Hikaru? What ponies?" Hikaru looked down onto the floor. "I would rather not say." "You should tell me..." Said Sky. "Why do you want to know?" "Im just curious." "Why?" "I don't know, I just think whatever ponies he was talking bad about sure must have meant allot to you for you to snap like that." "I don't know..." "Was it other family?" "No." "Oh, it was the other workers of the hotel wasn't it. I know you are very close to some of them." Hikaru felt backed into a corner. He decided to just say it, and pray that Sky didn't get mad at him. "He talked bad about you ok! He was talking bad about you and your family! I couldn't stand hearing him talk like that about you and he wouldn't stop! He called you guys things that are totally wrong and he tried to convince me you were a failure, when its so obvious you aren't! I couldn't take it anymore and he wouldn't stop and something in me just snapped, and next thing I know Im smashing his face in! I can't stand to hear ANYPONY talk like that about you or your family Sky. I care allot about you.....please...I know what I did was wrong, but don't be mad at me...even though you have every right to be mad....I know...I deserve it...." Hikaru couldn't look up. He just knew that a look of anger and shock would be on Skys face. He didn't want to see it. He wanted to just run away in shame at that point. He was quite surprised when he suddenly found Sky's hooves wrapped around him in a tight hug. A tear ran down the side of her face as she spoke. "Our family has always been looked down upon for years. For as long as I could remember, ponies always put down me and my family for the things that had happened. And to this day, I hear ponies talk about me behind my back, talk about my uncle. It always made me feel bad. Its.....nice to know that somepony thinks like how you do of us....And would actually stand up for us like that....I mean-not saying you should have-" Sky backed away. She had a stern look on her face. But she looked at Hikaru and saw the sadness in his eyes, and she knew he didn't want to do what he did, and he truly felt regret. Her frown turned to a caring smile. "Thank you."

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-08-11T06:46:32+00:00

2011-08-11T06:46:32+00:00

Hikaru was silent and wanted to say something, but too many emotions were rushing through him at the moment. He ended up just siting there on the ground looking down, mane covering his eyes. Sky decided to break the awkward silence which seemed to be dragging on for what felt like an eternity. "You know..." She began. "We should probably head back to Ponyville. You can't stay here, its getting pretty late...and very cold...." "Im not going back." Said Hikaru quickly. "I know what's gonna happen. Ill go back and everypony will be afraid of me. I know my Dads going to have been spreading this story around town. And he probably will have me charged with assault or something." "Now cmon now..." Said Sky laying down next to Hikaru. "He wouldn't do that would he?" Hikaru looked over at her. "Believe me. He would." Sky looked off past the barn doors and up into the night sky. She thought about Storm, and how he treated Hikaru. She recalled the times in the past when Storm seemed to not care about Hikaru whatsoever. The more she thought about, the angrier she got. 'How can somepony treat his own son like he does? What kind of parent is that?' Hikaru sighed. "Look, Sky, I really appreciate you coming to find me. I can't think of any other pony I would have wanted to see right now more than you. But I really can't go back. Its not gonna happen. Ill probably sneak into town and get some stuff, then maybe head to Manehattan. I hear great things about that place. I think it might be good for me." Sky couldn't believe what she was hearing. Hikaru? Run away? But at the same time, she couldn't blame him. Given the situation, she might have done the same. She looked over to Him. His eyes were filled with sadness and fear, but also determination. He wanted out of Ponyville. And nothing was going to stop him. "You should go home Sky." Said Hikaru. "Ill still see you around. Ill come back sometimes to visit you. You'll know where to find me I promise." Sky thought about Hikarus words for a second. She didn't like what Hikaru was doing one bit. Going off alone like that. Would she ever see him again? An idea suddenly struck her, and she knew what she had to do. "Im going with you." Hikaru looked over to Sky with a surprised look. "What?" He shook his head. "Sky....you can't go with me...cmon now..." "No Hikaru!" Said Sky getting up and sounding a bit stern. "Im sorry but I'm going with you. I'm not going to let you just go off like this by yourself. You are gonna need somepony to look after y-" "WHAT!" Yelled Hikaru. "I Dont need somepony to LOOK after me! Im fine on my own!" "OH REALLY!" Yelled back Sky. "So that time you decided to got your mane caught in a tree when you tried to climb it and we didn't find you for a day? You didn't need a friend looking after you then?" "Aug!" Groaned Hikaru. "That was just one time! And I was found, I was totally ok on my ow-" "AND!" Interrupted Sky. "What about the time you decided to try baking garlic bread when you had no baking experience at all? Its a good thing somepony happened to be walking by and smelled the smoke when they did, I mean REALLY, leaving the oven ON while you go off to work for 2 HOURS?" "I THOUGHT THAT WAS HOW LONG IT TAKES!" Yelled Hikaru. "And so what, 2 incidences. That doesn't mean I-" "Last year!" Interrupted Sky. "The bear?" "yeah but-" "The cliff" "No but!" "The lightning" ........ "Tornado.." "Yeah but you don't underst-" "The balloon." "OK I GET IT! OH MY GOSH SHEESH! Yelled Hikaru. He sighed and lied back down. "I know there have been a ton of things that I have done which were pretty stupid, and having a friend there to guide me would have been great. But I really don't want to drag you along for this. Its just not a good idea. I messed up, I gotta pay the price, not you. You don't deserve that...It would be unfair and cruel for me to do that to you. And...I care about you too much to let you do that. And really, you don't have to worry about me, I think I have some good judgement in me you know..." "Its not just that though...." Said Sky quietly. "What?" Asked Hikaru, curious as to what else Sky meant. "Well...." She began, looking down onto the ground. "You are my best friend, and you always have been....Its just....I...I don't want to be without you...." Hikaru could have sworn that he saw a tear roll down the side of her face as she spoke. He realized that she cared for him just as much as he cared for her. It was actually quite obvious. Hikaru wrapped a hoof around Sky and sighed. "Argh Sky.....Why do you have to be so good at convincing me to do stuff...thats just not fair you know....not fair at all..." Sky chuckled and didn't say anything. "Well..." Began Hikaru. " I guess you better grab your stuff you wanna bring as well...you know, you are gonna need it..." "HAH!" Said Sky loudly. "Ill get my stuff tomorrow." "Haha, awesome." Said Hikaru ruffling Skys mane. "Well you should be getting home. Its getting really really REALLLY late." "Oh no you don't." Said Sky. "Im not risking you trying to leave without me.I know thats the sort of thing you would try to do. Im staying here." "HEH...but...no...you....argh....fine..." Said Hikaru. "but.." He looked over and saw a large tablecloth or some kind. He went and got it and pulled it over Sky. "Im not gonna have you freezing to death though." "This is a tablecloth." Said Sky. "IS IT SO WRONG THAT I TRY TO BE CARING FOR A SECOND IYAAAAA" Yelled Hikaru falling down onto the ground backwards. Sky laughed and went over to hug her friend. "Im kidding Hikaru! Sheesh! Calm down! Take a chill pill will ya? Hikaru sighed. "Sorry.." Sky ruffled his mane in the same way he had done with hers, and looked up into his eyes. "Its ok, and...thanks." "You know..." Said Sky. "If you're gonna be away from your Dad completely now. I guess that means you don't need his permission to go to Nocturnal Oasis..right?" Hikaru's eyes opened wide. "Thats right! Oh wow I forgot! Yes! Hah, no overload of work horse-apples to deal with now. I am going for sure! We are going for sure! Right?" "Of course!" Said Sky happily. "Ahhh" Sighed Hikaru. "This will be awesome." Sky laughed and rolled into the tablecloth blanket to get some sleep. Hikaru smiled and held his friend close. 'Everythings gonna work out.' he thought to himself. 'I just gotta keep praying for the best, and keep faith that this is all gonna be just fine.' Hikaru looked up at the night sky through the open window of the barn. The night sky sparkling with stars, and the faint light flowing into the barn by the light of the moon both had an effect on Hikaru, is he slowly drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow, would be an interesting day.

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-08-21T00:02:22+00:00

2011-08-21T00:02:22+00:00

Hikaru woke up the next day a bit before the sun had risen completely. A hint of orange mixed in with the blue of the dawn was just showing over the horizon. 'Wow, waking up early, that's a first.' thought Hikaru to himself. Today was the day. He had it all planned out in his head. He would sneak back into town and to the house, and gather the things he needed to bring from his room. While he was doing this, Sky would gather her things from her place, and they would meet outside of town near the everfree forest before sundown. There was something on Hikarus mind that was bothering him though. He was very happy that Sky would be going with him on this journey. But he started thinking about the kite shop. She loved the kite shop, and she helped out allot for her uncle who ran the store. If she left, could he handle the business? And wouldn't he be mad that she just got up and left? It sure didn't seem right to him. He looked over to Sky who was still asleep. "I should ask her about that." He said aloud. He looked out the barn doors and noticed the sun was rising over the horizon and slowly but surely, the entire land was being lit up by Celestias Sun. 'Oh I should probably try to find food.' Thought Hikaru. He remembered passing by a pretty large apple orchard along the way to the barn. It would be right over the hill. 'They shouldn't mind if I just took 2.' He thought. 'Its not like its a huge loss to their business.' This was somewhat true, for as far as Hikaru could see, he saw nothing but acres and acres of apple trees. He quickly ran up to a tree, and making sure nopony was looking, he swatted two apples off the tree and started to run back to the barn. Suddenly, he heard a low growl behind him that made him freeze in place. "Grrr...." Hikaru slowly turned to see the source of the growl. His found himself looking down at a dog, who was apparently very angry with Hikaru taking the fruit from the tree. "Oh...um....hehe...hi! Umm...Good boy...?" "GrrrrrrrRAGHHHHH!!!!!" "Ahhh! Um....." Hikaru spotted a twig on the ground. "Um...stick? you want the stick? GO GET IT!" Hikaru grabbed the stick and tossed it past the dog. The dog stayed where he was, eyes fixed on Hikaru. "grrrrrrRAGHHHH RAGGHHHHH GRRRR!!!" The dog slowly walked toward Hikaru. "N-n-no! Stay back! BACK!" The dog continued to move toward him. "S-s-s-stay back!" Yelled Hikaru backing away. "Grrrr!!!!!!!" "AAAAA!!!!!!!" - Sky woke up and was surprised to find that Hikaru was nowhere in the barn. 'Where is he?' She thought to herself. She wandered outside and looks for any sign of him. Nothing. "Oh no! He-he actually left...without me...." She didn't want to believe it, but given the circumstances, it sure seemed so. "He wouldn't leave without me....he couldn't...he wouldn't......" Suddenly, a distant sound caught her attention. "What is that? It sounds like.....screaming?" - Hikaru was running as fast as he could with the dog right on his heels the entire time. "NOOOO!!!!!" He screamed desperately trying to escape from the angry dog. If only he could get into the barn and shut the door, he would be safe! The barn was just over the hill. He HAD to get there! - Sky looked out toward the hill and finally saw the source of the screaming. It was HIKARU! And a dog? "NOOOO!!!!!!" Screamed Hikaru. "Hikaru?" Yelled Sky, unsure of what to do. "SKYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!' Yelled Hikaru running by the barn with the dog still right on his tail. Sky didn't know what to do. She felt very confused. "What's going on!" She screamed. "Sky!!!!" Screamed Hikaru running in random shapes around the open field to the side of the barn. "Get in the barn! NOW! And close the barn door half way! GO!" Sky ran into the barn and did as Hikaru had said. Hikaru dashed around the barn and then quickly dodged the dog and headed back in the other direction. The dog was confused for a second but quickly got in path to pursue Hikaru. But it was too late. Hikaru jumped through the 1/2 open barn door and slammed the door shut. Hikaru collapsed onto the floor breathing heavily. Outside, the dog was very angry and was barking non-stop. Hikaru looked up at Sky who was standing there looking very confused. "What was THAT about?" She questioned sternly. "Hehe...." Laughed Hikaru nervously. He placed the apples down on the ground. "Breakfast?" - Back in ponyville, Iris was behind the front counter of the hotel answering phone calls, welcoming guest, the usual. Storm had started working again after getting his injury taken care of at the hospital. Needless to say, he was very angry with Hikaru and decided that he would press charges on him once he was found. Iris found this absolutely ridiculous but she didn't dare question Storm face to face as it would probably lead to her being fired. She heard Storm leaving his office and walking toward the lobby so she quickly made herself look busy. Storm did not like seeing any of his employees not working, and he would often yell at anypony he caught who was not actively doing something. Iris glanced over at the clock and noticed it was 10 after 1. "Oh wow, I should take my lunch break now, I only have 1 to 1:30..." Iris decided to get a sandwich at the restaurant around the corner. They always had great food, and at a good price. And with the salary Iris was making, she needed to take every chance she could to save money. Iris walked out of the hotel and down the street. 'I wonder where Hikaru is now...' Thought Iris to herself. 'I hope he's alright..' - "You STOLE them!" "No I didn't!" "Then what do YOU call it?" "I don't know...." "STEALING!" Sky was quite upset at Hikaru for his actions. Actions that Hikaru saw no problem with. "Their has to be over 5 millions apples in that orchard Sky!" Said Hikaru loudly. "Its not like they are gonna miss them, or cause a huge blow to their sales. Cmon now. Its not a big deal!" "ITS STEALING, HOW IS THAT NOT WRONG TO YOU!" Sky was growing quite angry with Hikaru. "AUGH SKY!" Hikaru was getting frustrated. "It won't be missed, and really, what else is out here for means of food? I say its ok due to survival!" "We could have gone and grabbed something when we went into town very easily." Said Sky softly. "What you did was unnecessary." Hikaru was angry with Sky. 'How can she think like this?' He thought. 'I just risked getting caught to bring back some food and instead of being grateful, she YELLS at me?' Sky was equally angry with Hikaru. 'Really?' She thought to herself. 'How can he think that what he did was ok? stealing is STEALING, no matter the quantity! Ugh, and now he's actually MAD at me? For wanting him to do what's right? Really?" Both Hikaru and Sky didn't say anything for quite a while. Hikaru thought about what Sky was saying for a bit. 'She is wrong......I mean cmon...' He thought to himself looking down at the floor. A bird flew onto the windowsill at the top of the barn. Hikaru watched it for a second, admiring its unique purple and white coloration. The bird then flew away from sight. Hikaru sighed. 'Maybe she did have a point......I don't know....I was just doing what needed to be done though....Ugh, I don't want her to be upset with me...' Sky was on the other side of the room, also looking down toward the floor. 'Ugh...I hate seeing him mad like this...' Thought sky to herself. 'but really...what he did was totally stupid...' She glanced over at Hikaru, who instead of looking angry as he did a second ago, looked a bit sad as he looked down on the ground. Sky sighed. 'Well....he was trying to look out for me...which is nice.....maybe I shouldn't have yelled at him like that....' "Hikaru..?" Said sky softly. "Hm?" Hikaru looked up. "Look....maybe...I shouldn't have yelled like that..." "No Sky." Interrupted Hikaru. "I think I needed that, for me...to realize...well...maybe I shouldn't have taken those apples..." "I do appreciate you thinking of looking out for me though." Began Sky. "I guess I just wasn't thinking about that..." Both were silent for a bit. "Im sorry..." Hikaru finally broke the silence. "I am sorry..." Replied Sky quietly. "Well....." Began Hikaru. "I think its about time we start heading back to Ponyville...gotta gather all of our stuff and whatnot." "Yeah true" Replied Sky walking over the the barn doors and opening them a bit. She saw no sign of the dog that had chased Hikaru so she opened the doors fully. "We better get going then." ---

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-09-16T06:18:10+00:00

2011-09-16T06:18:10+00:00

-------------------- Hikaru and Sky headed to the outer edge of Ponyville where they would split up and go their own ways until their meet up in a few hours. Hikaru reminded himself of something he had been wondering about earlier. "Hey Sky?" He asked. "Hm?" Sky looked up. "What's up?" "I was wondering about something..." Began Hikaru "I just.....I don't know....I'm really happy you're going with me and all. But...what about you're uncles kite shop? It doesn't seem right for you to just ditch him entirely like this...." Sky laughed sarcastically. "He wouldn't care. He hardly even knows I'm around half the time. Believe me Hikaru. I am NOT needed there. He only keeps me around to do little things while he goes to gamble with his friends. Don't get me wrong, I love working there, and I do care about my uncle. But I see this as an opportunity to get out and do something different for once. Something kind of adventurous you know? I haven't really gotten the opportunity to do anything like this before. That reason plus the fact that you need someone around you to make sure you don't kill yourself all the time." "HEY!" Sky Laughed. "Its just.." Began Hikaru again. "That...Well...ok look. I can leave. My Dad hates me, I don't know anypony close enough that I would be missed. I got nothing to lose. But you....you have so many ponies around you that know you well and you talk to and see all the time. Its like, why would you give that up?" Sky didn't say anything for a second. It seemed she didn't know the answer to this herself. "I don't really know." She replied. "I just feel like....its what I should do." Hikaru and Sky reached the edge of Ponyville and went their separate ways. Sky heading right into Ponyville, and Hikaru snaeking around the back alleys to get to his house. Sky walked into Ponyville and headed toward the kite store which had her living space upstairs. "Hi Sky!" Called a young Pony who had bought a kite from the shop in the past. Sky waved and continued on to the store. 'Why am I so ok with leaving all the behind...' She thought to herself. 'I do still like Ponyville...' She heard some adults laughing and recognized one of the voices as her uncle. Sure enough, across the street was her uncle and his friends laughing it up at the coffee shop. 'So typical." Thought Sky. 'I bet he didn't even lock up the store did he.' Sky walked down the street up to the front of the store and checked the door. The door opened. "Ha!" She laughed, and walked into the store. Passing by the endless rows of kites, Sky recalled memories of growing up in the store. All the ponies she had met, the fun times she had. Lots of memories within the walls of the store. But she had to focus. Sky quickly moved past the kites and to the back of the store to the stairs that led to her room. She quickly ran upstairs and grabbed her saddle bag from the closet. 'I better not bring too much....' She thought. 'Then again, we have no idea where we are going, so maybe I should bring more.....no that will just be a burden...' Sky started to realize the craziness of what she was doing. Leaving a home and friends, all to run off to somewhere with no idea what would await her there? Why was she doing this? She couldn't think of a completely logical reason why, other than the fact that she cared allot for Hikaru and wanted to make sure he was ok. Sky sighed. "I am such a good friend.....too good for my own good." Sky finished packing and then noticed her writing materials on the desk. She stared at them for a second, then walked over, grabbed the pen, a sheet of paper, and started writing. ---- Sky's uncle Current walked into the store. 'I could have sworn I saw Sky walk in...' He thought. "Sky?" He called. "You in here?" No answer. 'Maybe she went to her room? Haha, that girl, can't even watch the store.' He walked up the stairs to the room. He was surprised to find the door open. He walked in. "Sky? You in here? Wha- whats this?" Current spied what appeared to be a letter on Sky's bed. He walked over and read the letter. ---- Dear Uncle. I know you are probably wondering where in the hay I am by now. I decided that it was time for me to go out and experience more in life, try to find new things, new experiences. Just to get myself out there. I am leaving with a friend and we are going to go on this journey together to wherever life will take us I guess. I didnt' tell you cause I know you wouldn't have let me go. Which by the way, would be for selfish reasons I know. Face it uncle, you only cared that I was around so that I could do all the work so you could go off and hang out with your friends. You never hardly did anything for me, hardly even noticed I was around most of the time. And you never once in my whole life ever told me you were happy with me. The words I heard all the time coming out of your mouth was "Sky, you're late opening the store," Or "You should be able to sell more than that." Well I'm not doing it anymore. I know you shouldn't have any issue finding somepony else to hire for all the work you are too lazy to do yourself. Im sorry if I sound like a total jerk right now. But I won't lie about how I feel. I'm just sorry this is how it ended up being. So I hope the business stays successful. And Ill be back one day, Ill come and visit someday. For now though, I know that this is what I have to do. Sincerely Sky. --------- Hikaru was hiding behind a large dumpster as he watched some ponies who worked at the styling salon walk by. Hikaru has gotten his mane done a few times there so he didn't want to be recognized. The 3 ponies walked by heading towards a popular coffee shop and went inside. Hikaru peeked out from behind the dumpster to check to see if anypony else was heading his way, then quickly dashed across the street toward his house. He knew that Storm would not be home as he was working at the hotel. Hikaru went to the back of the house and quickly went through the back door. 'I'm gonna miss this place...' Thought Hikaru as he quickly ran to his room. He gathered the things he needed, (Which included his music player of course) and quickly stuffed them in his bag. Not being the organizing type, he randomly grabbed the things he wanted and smashed them into the bag until the bag was overflowing with random items. "Hmmm" Said Hikaru to himself. "Maybe I don't need sooo much." He removed some of the items he figured he wouldn't need. "I guess I don't need these records.." He said tossing them aside. "I doubt Ill have the opportunity to use them, and I obviously can't bring my turntables." Along with the records, he tossed aside many other items that really didn't make any sense to bring. Mane dye, Old vintage film camera, paint brushes, empty picture frame, color changing bird ornament, frisbee, can of spray paint, recipe book, and a harp. "Where in the hay did I even get this harp from?" Said Hikaru aloud. "I don't even remember ever getting this. Argh whatever." Hikaru's bag was now much more reasonably packed, and much much lighter as well. Hikaru started to head out the door but then stopped. Looking around the room, Hikaru remembered all the memories he had growing up in this room. Lots had happened, and it felt a big odd to be leaving the place he knew so well. But he knew that this was what he had to do, and nopony was going to stop him. 'Ill miss all of this.' Thought Hikaru. 'But it time to move on...' And with that, Hikaru left the room and went out the back door to sneak back out of Ponyville. ====

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-10-29T05:39:35+00:00

2011-10-29T05:39:35+00:00

Both Sky and Hikaru were quite sure that they would be able to find something in no time. Hikaru rushed through the backstreets of Ponyville as fast as he could, trying hard to avoid running into anypony who might know him or be looking for him. He was rushing so fast that he failed to notice the pony around the corner and ended up crashing right into them. WHAM! "ACK!" Hikaru and the other Pony crashed onto the ground full force. "Ugh...." groaned Hikaru feeling a bit dazed. "I am so sorry.....oh!" "HIKARU!" It was Iris. "Umm....Hi...Iris..." Said Hikaru nervously. Iris stared at Hikaru for a second, a bit unsure of what to say for a bit. Hikaru then noticed her expression turn into a frown, then into a face of anger. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" She yelled. "I thought you ran away! I was worried!" "Im sorry!" Replied Hikaru loudly. " I didn't know what else to do. I knew my Dad would probably try to get me in loads of trouble, and...I don't know ok....I was scared and I ran." Iris sighed. "So now what? You came back, are you here to stay?" "Im not staying" Said Hikaru doing a quick glance behind him to make sure that nopony had seen him. "I just came back to grab some stuff. Im leaving Ponyville, maybe for good. Its obvious that I can't stay here, so Im going to try to start a new life somewhere else." "You can't just go off on your own like that!" Said Iris loudly. "Shhhh! I can't let anypony know I am here!" Whispered Hikaru. "And Im not going on my own. Sky decided to go with me." "WHAT!?!" "ACK! I SAID QUIET!" "YOU'RE BEING LOUD TOO!" "NO IM NOT!" "YES YOU ARE!" "ARGH! SHHH!!!!! ok ok, sheesh! Lets just....quiet down please!" Hikaru sighed. "She won't take no for an answer. I didn't want her to go but she just wouldn't relent. Like, she really wants to go with me, and I guess I could use someone else for company. And I guess to make sure I don't totally mess things up, hehe." Iris thought back to the other day when she had told Sky about Hikarus disappearance. 'She probably left right after I talked to her about this whole thing...' She thought to herself. "Its been decided." Said Hikaru with a sigh. "I'm doing this, and please please PLEASE I beg of you, don't tell anypony. We really don't want anyone to know why we are leaving and where or anything. Iris didn't like this idea at all, but at the same time, she realized why Hikaru was doing this, and given the situation, she might have done the same too. Iris sighed. "Thanks." Said Hikaru seeming to automatically interpret Iris's sigh as a yes. "It means a lott. Thanks for everything. You really helped me quite a bit through all the stuff going on with my Dad and everything else." It was true, Iris had worked at the hotel for many years, and had seen Hikaru grow up through them. Quite often, she would talk to Hikaru about random things in life, and often give him advice or try to cheer him up in different situations. She had become somewhat of a mother figure to him, and Hikaru had a great appreciation for her. Hikaru gave Iris a quick hug, turned, and ran off to meet up with Sky. Iris watched him leave with a somewhat sad expression on her face. But at least now she understood exactly what had happened to him. "Be safe..." She breathed softly. And she headed back to the Hotel. -------- Hikaru and Sky met up at their meeting location and started heading down the road that would take them in the direction of Manehattan. Hikaru started thinking about Nocturnal Oasis. He still very much wanted to go. But how would he get back into ponyville to a large event like this without being noticed? He looked over at Sky walking by his side. He still felt bad that she was pretty much being taken away from a pretty much decent life in Ponyville. But what could he do? She really wanted to join him. Hikaru looked down at his music player. He scrolled down to some tracks from Ferry Coltsten. His excitement for Nocturnal Oasis started to grow once again. "Hey Sky?" He said turning to her. "I was thinking about this whole thing with Nocturnal Oasis. I know the both of us really want to go still....but....can we still make it work? I mean, I just don't see how we can get back into Ponyville without being seen by a local who would certainly know of us by then." Sky looked down thoughtfully and considered the situation. "Well...." She began. "We could just try to sneak in as best as we could. I mean, there's going to be hundreds of ponies there, maybe even thousands. And most of them coming from out of town. I think we should be ok....and if needed, we could always try to change our look a little bit. Dye our mane, maybe you could cut yours...." " WHY DOES EVERYPONY WANT ME TO TRIM MY MANE OH MY GOSH!" Yelled out Hikaru. "Stop making such a drama princess." Laughed Sky nudging Hikaru playfully. "You have to admit, it is getting pretty long. I can hardly see your face anymore. " Hikaru swished his mane aside with a quick shake of his head. "Psh" Said Sky rolling her eyes. Hikaru just gave her a little smirk and continued walking. The two continued on their trek for another two hours or so. The entire time, they talked about almost anything. School, Life, Food, If Twilight the librarian was purple or violet, but mostly, they talked about Music. Sky shared many of the same artist and genres or music that Hikaru enjoyed, and it was nice for him to be able to talk to somepony who understood his love for those particular styles of music. "Above The Clouds And Beyond make amazing tracks." Said Hikaru going down the list of the artist in his music player. "Im surprised you haven't heard more of their stuff." "Other than Skybase's remix of Far From In Love, I really didn't know much of them." "Ah yeah." Replied Hikaru. "Thats one of my all time faves. I actually like that mix better than the original." Sky laughed. Hikaru grabbed his headphones off from around his neck. "Here.." He said hoofing the headphones to Sky. "I want you to listen to this song. Its Cloudwave by Rank 1, Fillydelphia Force mix. I can't tell you how many times when I was feeling down, I would just play this, and....I don't know. It just helped me escape. Escape from everything, like it was another world. Its special to me." Sky took the headphones and listened to the song. She immediately realized why Hikaru loved this song. It was absolutely beautiful. The synths, the beat, everything about the song just had a nice calm and mellow feel to it despite its upbeat trance rhythm. It was easy to see how somepony could feel as if they were in another world by listening to this. It was really nice. Sky finished the song and gave the headphones back to Hikaru. "That was really nice, I liked that a lot." "Yeah..." Said Hikaru with a smile. "Its also one of the very first trance songs I ever found. Still one of my all time faves to this day, despite having...um..." Hikaru checked to see how many songs he had in his music player. "Haha. 786 songs." Sky's eyes opened wide. "How did you manage to fit that many songs in that thing?" "Oh this thing can hold probably up to 2000 songs!" Replied Hikaru, proudly holding the device up in the sunlight. "I'm not even at 1000 yet, so I got a long ways to go. So many songs out there, so little time-OH HEY LOOK! A HUMMINGBIRD!" Sky laughed at Hikaru's ability to be so easily distracted. She watched Hikaru as he carefully watched the hummingbird move from flower to flower drinking the nectar contained within. She suddenly noticed that it was starting to get dark as the sun was just about to disappear below the horizon. "Hey Hikaru?" She started, still looking off in the distance. "Yeah what's up? He replied, leaving the hummingbird alone, probably much to its relief. "Its starting to get dark, maybe we should find a place to sleep for tonight so we can be refreshed for tomorrow." Hikaru looked out just in time to see the last bit of sun dip below the horizon. "Yeah you're right." He said while kicking a stone off of the path. "We might be able to find some shelter over by that cliffside over there, maybe a cave or something." They both headed over to the cliffside and were disappointed to find that there was no cave. However, there was an overhand of rock in one area, at least it would keep them sheltered from any rain that might happen to be transported there way via Clousdale original cloud. Plus, the cliff blocked any wind that might be blowing in their direction. "Its going to get pretty cold in a bit." Said Sky starting to feel the heat of the day sun leaving them. "Luckily, I brought this flint to start a fire!" "Flint? HAH!" Scoffed Hikaru. He pulled a small metal can from his bag. "And what is that?" Asked Sky curiously. "Watch." Hikaru tossed the can onto the ground, and with a loud swoosh, the can opened up and split apart to reveal a perfectly blazing fire on a pile of small sticks. Sky looked at Hikaru. "What? He asked with a smile. "What was that?" "Fire in a can." "Really?" "Yeah." "Wow." "I know." ================ Three days had passed since Sky and Hikaru had left Ponyville. Their days consisted of walking, talking, and finding shelter for the night. It had rained a bit on the second day of their journey which forced them to stop for a few hours while they waited under the shelter of a rocky overhang for the rain clouds to pass, but it seemed to be clear skies ahead for the rest of their journey, which Hikaru estimated to be about another days worth. The plan was simple for once they reached Manehattan. Sky had a few friends who lived there who owned a large apartment building. They had offered to let Sky live there in the past if she ever wanted to get away, so she figured that now would be a great time to take them up on that offer. There were many job opportunities in Manehattan and This was literally an entirely new start for the two of them. A completely different life than what they had previously been living. This new life, they hoped, would be filled with much more happiness and adventure. It would be a little over a week until Nocturnal Oasis. Meaning that once they settled down in Manehattan, they would have to prepare their plan for sneaking back to Ponyville for this event without being seen. It sounded quite difficult, but both were quite confident that they could figure something out. And besides. The Tickets cost 200 bits each. Sky was not about to let that go to waste. Hikaru was walking along next to sky. His head bobbing to the sounds of Lamenting Canterlot by Axel Coon. He had taken out the headphones so he could play the music through the music players small speakers. It wasn't the best sound quality, but he didn't want to seem rude by wearing headphones as if he didn't want to hear Sky if she happened to say something. It seemed that all was going well in this journey, Hikaru was happy, Sky was happy, They were making good time, everything was going perfect. Until they found themselves at the end of the road they had been traveling. Literally. The road turned to grass, and grass into trees, The end of the road. Hikaru stared completely confused at the forest before him. "Hikaru...." Started Sky slowly with a hint of concern in her voice. "Wheres the road?" Hikaru looked back and forth, hoping for the road to suddenly appear somewhere by magic. But there was no road to be seen. "Ummm...." He replied frantically try ing to figure out what was going on. "Its....not here..." "WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT HERE?!?!" Screamed Sky with a look of panic on her face. "Wheres the road! Don't tell me we went the wrong way! All this time? HOW?" Hikaru just looked down and sighed. "Maybe....." He began. "I might have read the map wrong......" "READ THE MAP WRONG?!?!" "Ow my ears." "Sorry...no-actually, Im not sorry, READ THE APPLE BUCKING MAP WRONG?!?!?" "Will you calm down, my gosh!" Said Hikaru raising his voice a little. "Look this is no big deal, we just went the wrong direction at one of the road turn offs yesterday most likely. We can just head back and find the right one. It will set us back a day but it should be alright." "Oh yeah?" Questioned Sky. "And how do YOU know that any of those roads are the right ones in the first place? Maybe we have been going to wrong direction since DAY ONE!" "Will you stop raising your voice like that?" Said Hikaru getting a bit annoyed. "Its getting on my nerves!" "You're lack of direction is getting on my nerves and more." Said Sky under her breath. "WHAT WAS THAT?" Yelled Hikaru suddenly. "None of your business!" Replied Sky giving Hikaru a sarcastic look. "I think it is if you just said something about me!" Yelled Hikaru. "Oh so now anytime your name is mentioned I just HAVE to tell you every little detail about what I say? I guess I have to tell you every little thing that I even THINK that might involve you wouldn't I!" "Oh so you're implying that you think bad of me too now? Wow Sky, thats pretty low of you." "Low of me? Its low of you to think that I would think anything bad of you! What kind of pony do you think I am? Some friend I must be huh." "Yeah, some friend." "What was that?" They were suddenly interrupted. "Ugh will you two just SHUT THE HAY UP?" Hikaru and Sky jumped at the unfamiliar voice that suddenly sounded out from somewhere above them. The looked up toward the source of the voice and saw a strange creature resting on the top of one of the trees. A creature that neither Sky or Hikaru had ever seen in pony before. The creature had a strong and lean body of a lion, and large majestic wings of an eagle. It also had the head of the same great bird, with a few feathers flowing slightly over the creatures eyes. This creature, was a griffon. "Woah..." Exclaimed Sky and Hikaru in unison. The griffon raised its wings and flew off the top of the tree and hovered down to the ground to stand in front of the two ponies who looked on in awe. "Are you two losers really that pathetic?" She said with an annoyed tone in her voice. "I'm trying to sleep here and you both decide to just make the biggest freaking racket ever about something stupid? Pathetic ok?" She looked at sky. "Do you even hear yourself? You freak out and blame him for some mistake. Stupid mistake but something anyone could have done, and you just don't relent do you? Psh, you're just a lame dweeb who over-reacts and snaps under pressure huh. I can tell." She looked over at Hikaru. "And you. You just love getting a reaction don't you. Its almost like you're TRYING to egg her on to get her even more ticked off at you. You're pathetic. I've never seen such a sorry couple in all my life. Freaking ponies......" "Oh we're not-" "Whatever. Just shape up your act. I can't stand a bunch of losers like you two messing stuff up." The griffon took flight and flew back up to the top of the tree she had originally been resting on. "Oh and for the record." She began. "The roads still there. Its just on the other side of a few rows of trees. Those freaking budget cuts made all upkeep on this road vanish into thin air so trees grew over it. Just keep going straight and you'll reach the road again." "No way!" Said Hikaru happily. "Thank you so much!" "Yeah yeah whatever." Said the griffon from the top of the tree. "Get lost will ya." "Right, haha, sorry." Said Sky. "Lets go" And with that, both of them continued on through the trees toward what they were told would be the continuation of the road. The griffon in the tree yawned and turned over to go back to sleep. "Losers."

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-10-29T05:41:11+00:00

2011-10-29T05:41:11+00:00

Hikaru and Sky continued on through the trees based on the directions of the griffon. Hikaru felt bad about arguing with Sky. He cared about Sky quite a bit, and to argue with her just made him feel like trash. Sky also had the same feelings, and she felt embarrassed about her actions. "Hikaru...." Began Sky. "Look....I'm sorry about the way I acted....earlier. I don't know, I just freak out whenever Im under stress sometimes, and I know its bad, and I shouldn't take that out on you. I don't know why Im like that. Its always been like this, I just....get nervous or something I guess...I don't know. But I feel bad that I yelled at you like that." "Im sorry too..." Replied Hikaru laying his head ontop of Sky's as they walked along. "That griffon was right, I was kinda egging you on just trying to get you to react pretty much. I mean, I wasn't trying to...but I guess that was what I was doing. And I shouldn't do that." "I really messed up though.." Said Sky softly. "I really messed up." Said Hikaru in response. Sky smiled. "Maybe....we both have our issues we need to work out." Hikaru smiled and laughed. "Haha, yeah, I guess so." They continued walking through the trees and toward the supposed road that awaited them on the other end. Hikaru noticed that there appeared to be a clearing up ahead. "Sky, does that look like a clearing to you up there?" Sky looked and noticed that there was sunlight breaking through at the end of the long rows of trees that covered them and blocked most of the sunlight. "It sure looks like it! Cmon!" Hikaru and Sky dashed towards the light anxiously. Hoping that they would a clearing, and the continuation of the road. Hikaru rushed through the rows of trees, feeling the wind rush through his mane, and getting whipped by the occasional branch that jetted out to block his path. It stung a bit, but he didn't care. More than anything, he wanted to see that road, the sign that this whole journey wasn't over, wasn't at a lost, wasn't the end of the book. With a final leap, the Hikaru jumped out of the trees into a clearing with Sky right by his side. Hikaru found himself surrounded by bright light. The darkness of the forest had caused his eyes to be quite sensitive to the light, and the sudden brightness caused him to experience a complete white-out for a few seconds. But once his eyes adjusted, he took in a wonderful sight. "THE ROAD!" Yelled Sky Happily. Sky jumped up in joy and ran over and hugged Hikaru. "We're gonna be ok! We are still on track!" Hikaru felt a sense of relief as well as a feeling of complete joy as he looked out over the land. The road wound its way through a meadow and off towards a mountain pass. A pass that Hikaru knew was the final land mark that led to Manehattan ================ Iris looked up from the computer screen to see who had entered into the hotel. It was Storm. "Good afternoon sir. I take it you are doing well?" Storm gave Iris an annoyed look. "I just took a look at our finance report. Things aren't going well." "These are tough times." Commented Iris as she glanced over at the finance report that was on her desk. "Many businesses are struggling." "In that case." Began Storm. "Sacrifices will have to be made" Storm grabbed a newspaper from the stack on the counter. He took a glance into the mirror that was right above. "This bruise still isn't healing up. I look absolutely ridiculous!" "It isn't that bad sir..." Said Iris noticing the large bruising on the side of Storms face from Hikaru's blow. "Ah whatever." Said Storm as he headed to his office. 'Wow.' Thought Iris. 'He does look ridiculous.' ------------------------ Hikaru and Sky had been on their journey for 4 days now, and they were quite tired, but they knew that they were almost there. Hikaru looked up the path that they traveled. It led up to the top of a hill. What was over on the other side was what Hikaru hoped would be Manehattan. "So Sky..." Began Hikaru still looking up the road. "Where are these friends of yours that we are gonna meet up with once we get there?" Sky did not reply. "Sky?" Still no reply. Hikaru looked over at Sky. She had her own set of headphones on and was lost in her own little world of whatever song it was she was listening to. Hikaru thought to himself. 'I wonder what she is listening to. I want to ask her about those friends of hers. Hmmm....I guess I should wait till when she stops listening to that song, she obviously really likes whatever song it is...but I want to know.....argh Im not very patient am I....I could just tap her on the shoulder...no thats kinda odd. Or maybe...no thats just rude...ah we're good friends what in the hay...she'll take it well." Hikaru yanked the headphones off of Sky's head. "WHATCHA LISTENING TO SKY?" "WHAT IN THE HAY?" Yelled Sky jumping in shock. "Oh...too much?" Sky stared daggers at Hikaru. "eh-heh-heh.....sorry..." Said Hikaru with a nervous smile. Sky sighed. "What was THAT about hm? Care to explain?" "oh...well...um..." Hikaru replied nervously. "I was wondering...where your friends are gonna be once we get to Manehattan...and um...what...song...you were..listening to?" Sky glared at Hikaru. "So you couldn't just tap me on the shoulder or something? 'Darn it.' Thought Hikaru. "Im sorry Sky, I don't know, Im weird. Haha." He started putting on the headphones to hear what song Sky was listening to. "NO!" Screamed Sky reaching for the headphones. "Huh?" Hikaru was confused. "What, I just wanted to hear what song you were listening to. You seemed to really like it." "No! I mean...um..." Sky was looking down uncomfortably. Hikaru put on the headphones. ! "Take em away into Luna's night by 5 strings?" Said Hikaru loudly with a hint of disbelief. "You like that song? Its so...mainstream..." Sky looked up. "I guess it just....I don't know. It means something to me I guess." "Its alright I guess." Said Hikaru taking off the headphones and giving them back to Sky. "I just usually try to stay away from all of that mainstream stuff." Sky was about to say something when she suddenly stopped as she took in the view in front of her. The two had been so focused on their little conversation, that they had not noticed that they had just reached the top of the hill. Stretched out in the land before them was a wonderful sight. Hundreds of tall buildings stretching high into the sky. Rows and rows of houses and apartment buildings stood in formation like an army standing at attention. The sight of the sun reflecting off of the surrounding lakes created a beautiful shimmering sight. The likes of which they had never seen before. "WE'RE HERE!" ======== Hikaru and Sky happily trotted into Manehattan. Immediately, they were surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city. Manehattan was significantly more crowded and busy than Ponyville. The streets were filled with ponies walking around, laughing, talking, shopping. Everypony seemed busy going somewhere. "This is awesome" Said Hikaru with a smile on his face. "I can't believe were finally here! We made it! Ahhhh gosh I just wanna...hug you but that would be weird to do so suddenly in public." Sky Laughed and looked up at the street signs that were located on each corner. "We need to find CastleView Avenue. Spark and Zen live at 4756 28th street and CastleView Avenue. They said to look for a large orange steeple that towers over most of the other buildings. Their apartment is supposed to be right across the street from it." Hikaru saw a map of the city streets on a wall on a nearby store. He trotted over to check it out. "Its about 3 blocks down." He said walking back over to Sky. "28th street is just a short walk up. We're literally just a minute away." As they started walking in the direction of their destination. Hikaru noticed that Sky seemed very quiet. "You all right?" "Hm? Oh. Yeah, Im good." "You seem quiet." Sky sighed. "I guess it just hit me. Im far from home, and...this is really happening. Living on our own, everything. Its just a lot to take in." "It was you're choice to come along..." Started Hikaru. "But I can understand if you're regretting it..." "Not at all." Interjected Sky. "This is what I want to do, and..." She paused. "I can't think of anypony else who I would have wanted to do this with as much as you." ======

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-11-09T06:38:26+00:00

2011-11-09T06:38:26+00:00

Iris was busy taking calls in the hotel. Ponies from all around were booking rooms for Nocturnal Oasis. Iris definitely had her hooves full as she tried to work fast to take calls, file info, and list rooms as booked in the computer schedule. She worked hard all morning and was very much relieved when it was time for her lunch break. "Whew! Busy day." She said to herself. "I guess I better get used to it as this event gets closer." She was just about to head out the door to go to her favorite lunch spot, when she noticed another hotel worker walking toward the door as well. "Oh hey Summer. What's up?" Summer looked up from the ground. "I just got fired." Iris froze. "Fired?" She couldn't believe it. Summer was an excellent worker who had been working in the hotel for years. Why would Storm fire her? "But...Summer....why?" "He said that we need to cut back." Said Summer sadly. " I guess that means it was time to let me go." She sighed. "I just don't know what to do now. I have a foal to take care of and I am now out of work. I just gotta hope that I can find something." "Oh Summer...." Said Iris. " I don't know what to say. You don't deserve this though. I don't know what Storm is thinking." "Yeah I don't know...." Said Summer quietly. "But...I guess thats it for now...." And with that, Summer left the hotel. Iris couldn't believe it. It didn't make sense. Summer was one of the best employees of all time in the hotel. And her contributions to the business were many. Iris remembered her from the very first day she had come to work at the hotel herself. Summer had introduced her to the other workers, helped her out in the computer system and filing, made he feel comfortable working in what was at the time, a very new place. 'Of all the workers...' Thought Iris to herself as she shook her head in complete disbelief. 'That really doesn't make any sense at all.' Iris was thinking about the matter when she heard some commotion from down the hallway. Iris ran around the corner and down the hall to see what the ruckus was about. She found 2 other hotel workers trying to hold back Spark (who was in charge of the hotel's electricity) who was destroying Storms office. "SPARK!" Shouted Iris. "What are you doing! Stop!" Spark struggled to be released from the grasp of the two other ponies that held him back. "That no good little foal!" He shouted. "Ill RIP his head off! He will regret the very day he was born! Ill kill him! I swear Ill kill him!" "Please calm down!" Said one of the other hotel workers struggling to hold the mad rampaging stallion back. "Spark, what happened?" Fear in Iris's voice. What could drive Spark to be this angry? He was usually so calm and relaxed. "That freaking Storm..." Muttered Spark starting to calm down a bit. He sighed, and continued. "He approached me today as I was working. I was fixing some wiring on the 3rd floor. He came up to me, and without a care in the world, said he was dropping my salary by 25 percent. I asked him why and he just said that it was none of my business. Well to hay with that I think it is my business to know why my salary is being dropped like that! So I protested, and the little foal says he is dropping my salary by 50 percent because he didn't like my ATTITUDE! So of course this is totally ridiculous, I mean, I have a family at home I need to take care of! I am barely making it as is! I need all the bits I can get cause I want to keep everypony alive you know!" Spark kicked over a trash can and looked down onto the ground. Through a bright red mane, were hidden eyes filled with anger, and sadness. "He fired me before I could say another word. Im done, I have no means to care for my family. All the benefits I had here are gone. I have nothing. Im done ok? Im totally done!" Tears started flowing from Sparks eyes as he slumped down onto the ground. Times had been very tough for him for quite a while, and this was a heavy blow to his efforts of trying to care for the ones he loved. And in his eyes, there was no hope. Iris put a hoof over him. "Im done!" He shouted. And he got up and ran out the door, leaving bitter and angry tears behind him. Orange Range, one of the other hotel workers, sighed and eyed Storms destroyed office. "He's lost it. He's completely out of control." "Spark?" Asked Iris. "No, Storm. He's been getting increasingly more and more angry and rude to all of the workers here. I overheard him saying that he is planning on laying off most of the staff except a few. He's not even caring who it is or what situations they are in...obviously...I would be careful Iris, its not looking good for all of us." ============== Hikaru and Sky arrived at the apartment building on 28th and Castleview Avenue. The building appeared to be quite old and run down. But this was understandable, as Flash and Zen were young and didn't have the bits to be able to keep up the place very much. "Lets see here..." Said Sky looking over the note that Zen had written. "They are in apartment 107." Hikaru pushed the bell for that particular room. A faint mechanical sound could be heard. it was a strange sound. A mix of grinding gears of some kind and a few creaks. Hikaru realized that it must be an older doorbell that had gotten worn out over the years and no longer had its signature chime. Hikaru looked up at the large metal door that towered in front of them. "You sure they would be here....?" Asked Hikaru nervously as they waited. "Yeah for sure. It says here in the note that they would be." Suddenly, the sound of rushing hoofbeats could be heard from inside. A click was heard and the door swung open. "SKY!" Shouted a yellow pony with a black and red streaked mane. "ZEN!" Shouted Sky embracing her friend. "Its great to see you again! Its been forever!" "Yeah I know! I haven't seen you in like a year! Oh wow, Im so glad you are here! I was so excited when Flash told me about what was going on, oh this will be awesome, you will love it here, it may be a bit run down but you'll learn to love this place!" Zen looked over at Hikaru. "Oh! Haha, sorry how could I forget. Im Zen, and I take it that you must be Hikaru?" "Yeah thats me." Laughed Hikaru. "I guess Sky has told you about me huh." "Oh yes indeed." Replied Zen with a smile. "Sounds like you two are very close." "So where is Flash?" Asked Sky suddenly. "Oh yeah! I forgot!" Said Zen quickly. "He had to go to the store and get some duct tape to fix a leak in one of the pipes." "You use duct tape to repair leaks?" Questioned Hikaru giving her an odd look. "Not just pipes either!" She replied with a proud smile. "We use it to fix leaks in the roof as well! The stuff works wonders!" "That stuff is pretty useful." Said Sky recalling the strange tape that had been invented about 2 years ago. "Although I never thought it could hold back water from a leaking roof." "Oh yeah for sure!" Zen said happily. "We can't use enough of the stuff! It holds this building up!" Hikaru choked for a second. 'This place is held up by tape.....great...' "Well come on in!" Zen said happily grabbing Sky's bag. "Ill show you guys your apartment! Its one of the best ones we have! Only the best for our friends you know!" 'Wait...' Thought Hikaru as they followed Zen into the building. 'Its just....one...apartment?' They arrived at the apartment on the 3rd floor. Hikaru noticed that the door seemed to be broken. The door handle was falling off, but was somewhat still attached...By none other than- "Duct tape." Remarked Hikaru looking at the handle wrapped in many layers of the material. "Hehe..." Laughed Zen. "Yeah, its a life saver! I can't imagine what we would do without it! I mean, just the other day, the radio receiver tower on the roof collapsed. It was pretty rusty and was pretty much eaten away. But we used this tape to attach it back to the ground and set it back up again! Its fantastic!" Zen opened the door and let them into the apartment. The layout was pretty simple. One small living room area, a small bathroom off to one side, and a bedroom off to the other. Hikaru walked over to the window and peered out through the old curtains that looked like they had been made hundreds of years ago. Everything was so different than Ponyville. Instead of seeing the few individuals walking the streets of a very quiet town, Hikaru saw hundreds of ponies, all moving very quickly through the streets that were surrounded by towering multistory buildings. The atmosphere here was completely different. Hikaru didn't know if he really liked this new feeling, but he figured that he had better get used to it. This was his home now, and most likely would be for quite a while. "Well, Ill let you two get settled in." Said Zen waking up Hikaru from his thoughts. "Flash and I want to take you two out tonight. Theres this really awesome place a few blocks down. Good time for us to catch up, meet up, talk it up, you get it." Sky laughed in reply at her friends words. "That would be great. What time should we meet up and where?" "Just come to our apartment at 7. So about an hour from now, and we'll all go together!" "Sounds good. Thanks for the invite!" Zen left the small apartment, carefully closing the door. Apparently not carefully enough as the door handle fell off onto the floor with a thud. "Ill get that fixed! No worries!" 'Ugh..' ----------------

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-11-17T00:25:22+00:00

2011-11-17T00:25:22+00:00

Iris stared at the sandwich in front of her as she thought about what was happening. She had known Storm to be unfair at times, but it seemed that he was going to an all new level. His anger was greater, his mood was always stern and serious for the most part, but for the last few days, things had just gotten worse. What would drive him into this? 'He probably cares about money too much.' She thought to herself. 'When the economy is in the state it is in now, everypony is feeling stressed. But to fire those who contributed the most to your business? Thats going to hurt your business in the long run...' Iris sighed and checked the time. "Well that was some break, I gotta head back already." She packed the sandwich away and brought it with her back to the hotel. --------- Hikaru and Sky got in the elevator to get to the first floor of the apartment. They would have just taken the stairs down but a portion of the stairs collapsed a few minutes prior due to some young college colts who lived on the second floor trying to jump down as many flights as they could without getting seriously hurt. The colt who fell was fine luckily, but he would have to pay for the damages to repair the stairs. 'Surprised they don't just use some duct tape to try to fix it.' Hikaru laughed at the thought. The elevator groaned and creaked to a stop on the first floor before opening the thin and creaky metal door with a loud crunch. "This place concerns me." Stated Hikaru with a glum look on his face. "Its different...." Replied Sky with a forced smile. Hikaru gave Sky a sarcastic unamused look. "Ok....yeah...its...not the best." Sky Admitted with a sigh. "But, Zen and Flash have been living here for years, and they are two of the happiest ponies I have ever met in my life. It probably just takes time to get used to." "Yeah..." Sighed Hikaru. The two arrived at apartment 107 and knocked on the door. The door opened, and a dark grey colt with a blue and black streaked mane stood there with a smile. "Hey what's up you two?" He said loudly. "Hey Flash!" Said Sky giving him a quick hug. "Long time no see!" "Well no see long time!" Laughed Flash. "Great to see you again. And you must be Hikaru! Whats up." "Hay yeah." Replied Hikaru feeling comfortable around this new pony. "I guess you heard of me a bit." "Yeah a bit, but not much. Hence me planning our outing tonight! Thought it would be good for all four of us to catch up and connect." "So..." Interrupted Sky. "Where exactly are we going tonight?" "Its a surprise!" Said Flash in a loud whisper. "But I know you guys are gonna like the place. I may not know much about you Hikaru, but enough to know that this place is gonna be your kind of thing. Yeah...its gonna be awesome. So hey, come on in both of you. Zen is still washing up for some reason. But once she's ready we can start heading over." The two walked in joined Flash on the couch. Hikaru noticed that the condition of this apartment wasn't much different that their own. Old, run down, falling apart, and duct tape. Lots, of duct tape. "So!" Began Flash suddenly. "You two excited about nocturnal oasis yeah?" "Definitely." Remarked Sky. "Its been something the both of us have been looking forward too for quite a while." "We just gotta figure out how to get back into Ponyville without being caught. I don't know if you heard about all the crazy stuff going on with me..." "Sky mentioned some stuff in the letter she sent." Said Flash kicking aside a chunk of wood that had fallen from the ceiling. "Sounds pretty crazy. But no worries, Zen and I will make sure that you are safe and out of the eye of possible police. You're safe with us bro, no worries! Oh wow Zen, its about time!" Zen walked out from the bathroom with her mane looking different than the messy look she had before. It was now straightened and neat, but with some interesting bright orange highlights. "That took a while, But I like the result!" She said happily. "You look awesome..." Said Flash with a smile. "As always of course." "Aw...I love you." "Love you too." Zen sat down and nuzzled up against Flash. "So! Um....." Started Hikaru feeling a bit awkward. "I guess we should be going yeah?" "Oh yeah!" Said Zen getting up. "We should go before the place gets too crowded." "Alright, Ill lock up, you guys meet me out front." Said Flash as he too got up from the couch. ------------ The 4 left the apartment and headed down to this "place" that Zen and Flash kept referring to. "I wish you would just tell us what this place is...." Said Sky with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Well, you're about to find out!" Flash led them around a corner and up to a small building with a bright sign outside that simply read "Cosmos". "Woah, this looks like some sort of bar or something." Said Hikaru looking over the small and shady building before him. "Oh no way bro!" Said Flash with a laugh. "This is NO bar!" He opened the door and quickly rushed them inside. Immediately, Hikaru found himself in a very active atmosphere. The place seemed quite a bit bigger inside then it appeared on the outside. The sounds of heavy bass and the sight of flashing strobe and laser lights mobbed his senses in a way he had never experienced before. There were many ponies out on a large dance floor of some kind, and others sitting around at tables that surrounded the center area. Further to their right, there was what appeared to be a bar with a grill and many other ponies were mingling about this area. "What's all this?" "This is where Zen and I like to hang out on the weekends." Flash answered with a smile. "This place hasn't been opened for long, but it quickly got pretty popular over the last few months. There's other places like this around. But this place has food thats actually decent!" Zen led them over to the bar and grill where he ordered four orders of some strange fried vegetable dish. It was apparently called "temper-ah" or something like that. Whatever it was, it tasted very good. "I don't get what they do to these..." Said Sky between large bites of the dish. "But, this is amazing!" "We figured you all would like it." Zen said as she also munched away. "One of our favorite dishes here." Hikaru looked out over the crows of ponies around the dance floor. He looked past the crowd and noticed a full DJ set-up on a small stage. There was no DJ, but there was a music player plugged into the sound system playing a playlist of some progressive trance tracks. "So...." Began Hikaru. "Do they ever have any live DJ's here?" "Oh you bet!" Replied Zen. "In fact..." interrupted Flash. "Another big reason we brought you and Sky here tonight, is because there is a particular mare who produces some pretty epic tracks and mixes. Ever heard of Neighlita?" Hikaru choked. "NEIGHLITA?" "Not so loud bro..." "Sorry, but-wow! I have a couple songs from Neighlita, are you serious? She is gonna be here tonight?" "Hay yeah!" Answered Flash loudly. "Its gonna be awesome!" Hikaru was overjoyed. This would be the first time that he would ever get to see one of his favorite trance artist doing a live set. He couldn't believe his good fortune. "Neighlita...isn't she the one who did Coldest Heaven?" Asked Sky, as she tried to recall the artist. "Yep, thats the one." Said Sky. "She also did one of my favorite tracks ever! Lonesome Road, that song is pure heaven." "Yeah I love that one." Said Flash recalling the song to mind. "Hey Zen, want a drink?" "Oh yeah! Um...just get me a Pink Elephants. I haven't had one of those in a long time." 'Thats a weird name for a drink' Thought Hikaru. "How about you two?" Asked Flash. "Im buying." "Oh nothing for me." Hikaru quickly replied. Hikaru didn't like the idea of drinking alcoholic beverages as he saw what it could do to certain ponies. He didn't want to take the risk. "Do they have any soda?" Asked Sky. "Yeah of course!" Said Flash. "Haha, you two are funny, can't take the alcohol yeah? No worries. More for Zen and I! Haha!" Flash headed over the bar area to get their drinks while Hikaru looked out over the crowd. Everypony seemed so happy and free. The entire atmosphere of this place just radiated this feeling of freedom and fun. Hikaru couldn't help but smile. Flash was right. This was his kind of place. "So when is Neighlita going to be going up?" Asked Sky. "Supposedly...." Sky said while glancing at the time on the wall clock. "In about 15 minutes." "Oh cool! I can't wait to see this." Flash returned in a minute with the drinks. "I can't believe you only want a soda, Sky...." He said with a sarcastically downcast look. "You're missing out on some really good drinks here. You too Hikaru." "I don't drink..." Said Hikaru softly. "Me either honestly." Sky said in the same way in response." "Missing out....." Laughed Flash. "Oh well, if you feel like you want to be bold and try something out, just let me know!" "Haha, sure..." Replied Hikaru looking away. The 4 chatted for the next few minutes about many random topics. Hikaru was fascinated by the story of how Zen and Flash had met and ran off together. It was 2 years prior that Zen had decided to run away from home after growing quite tired of her alcoholic father who would treat her like trash. She ran away to Fillydelphia originally where she stayed with a small group of runaways she had run across in her travels. Flash was on of the ones in the group. He had been a rebellious young one, and caused lots of trouble at school to the point that he got kicked out at a very young age. He ended up being arrested one night for trying to break into a store, and his parents disowned him after that night. He ran away, found the group of other runaways, and shaped up his act. Both Zen and Flash found that they gained quite the liking to the other and it was only a short while until they were together. Through lots of work and some hardships, they managed to work with the other runaways to buy the run down apartment building which they used as low rent housing for other runaways that they happened to find. They both had a big heart and compassion for those in their same situation for sure. Hikaru could have listened to their story for hours, but the sound of ponies cheering interrupted the story. Hikaru looked over to the direction of the DJ set-up and saw that an orange pegasus mare with a black mane and a turntable cutie mark had gone up on stage, and everypony was cheering quite loudly for her. "There she is!" Sky yelled joining in with the cheering crowd. The orange pegasus grabbed a microphone and spoke loudly into the audience. "What's up ponies of Manehattan!" The crowd erupted into a loud cheer that almost hurt Hikaru's ears. "Okay okay!" She yelled, also seeming overwhelmed by the loudness of the crowd. "So check it out, I flew in today, and I gotta tell you all. I almost didn't make it! Why? Ill tell you why, cause some police thought that my sound equipment might have been explosives!" The crowd laughed at the hearing of this. "Yeah, pretty stupid. They locked me up in some stupid cage room for 2 hours while they went through EVERYTHING I own. And you know, they even confiscated some of my good stylus's cause they said it seemed too dangerous to bring into the city from somepony of my kind. Im sorry, but...My kind? I mean REALLY?" The crowd yelled in annoyance in response. "So yeah guys. Crazy day, I love you all here in Manehattan but....buck your police." The crowd cheered loudly at her last statement, including Flash and Zen very loudly. "So anyways, Im gonna get this started up, are you all ready?" More cheering. "ARE YOU READY!" Louder cheering. Hikaru could have sworn that the room shook. "Alright! Here we go!" Immediately, Neighlita got to work on the turntables and the sound of heavy bass and a steady beat resonated throughout the building. "Oh wow this is awesome!" Commented Hikaru as the sound seemed to envelop him with its beat. Hikaru looked over to Sky, who had her eyes closed and head rocking to the beat. She was obviously enjoying this just as much as He was. He looked over to where Flash and Zen were sitting and noticed that they were gone. He scanned the crowd looking for them and finally noticed the two standing right up front in the mass of other ponies who were jumping and cheering with the music. 'Figures.' He thought to himself. They were the kind of ponies he would expect to go crazy and get as involved as possible. The track Neighlita was playing continued on for many minutes of a heavy bass mixed with soft synth and quick beats. Suddenly, with a progressing snare roll, the song entered into a soft, calm and peaceful synth section that Hikaru could only describe as "heavenly". Life..... Has a way.... Of changing your direction... Reshaping expectation.... 'Oh...I remember hearing this before...' Thought Hikaru trying to remember where it was that he did. "I have this song!" Shouted Sky over the noise. "Remember this? I have a mix of this that I played for you a while back!" "Oh yeah....thats where I heard this from." Replied Hikaru, letting the memory return to him. "Thats so awesome." When the chance comes you gotta take it you gotta run with the wind and take it yeah when love comes you gotta make it bittersweet you gotta taste it so get ready make a stand and jump..... yeah, just jump...... The song entered into another soft synth section with the lyrics repeating very softly in the background. The ponies on the dance floor cheered and stomped there hooves in response. But the song was not over yet. Another progressing snare roll got louder and louder as well as a more aggressive synth, getting louder and louder. Flashing strobe lights and laser lights flashed wildly around the room matching the sounds of the song as it got louder. Suddenly, with a loud blast, the song entered into an incredible mix of heavenly synth, heavy bass, perfect beat and effects, all working in perfect harmony to create one of the most glorious sounds Hikaru had ever heard. The crowd surrounding the stage was madly jumping, dancing, and cheering. Hikaru looked for Flash and Sky but couldn't find them among the crazed ponies. 'Ah they're probably somewhere in there having fun.' Thought Hikaru knowing better than to be concerned for the two. Hikaru sat back and absorbed the experience around him. Everything was so...perfect. Here he was. Listening to his favorite kind of music, LIVE! Surrounded by the most amazing light show he had ever seen. Next to him, was his absolute best friend in all of Equestria, and for once in his life. He felt....free. He wasn't stressed, wasn't alone, wasn't worried. This was what he always wanted, and it was here. Now. This was the freedom he always longed for. This was it. ---

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-11-26T08:02:55+00:00

2011-11-26T08:02:55+00:00

The night went on and Hikaru was having the time of his life. He wasn't the type to go out onto dance floors so he was quite satisfied with sitting back, relaxing, and listening to good music. Zen and Flash had come back a few times to grab a drink before going back out onto the wild and crazy dance floor. Each time they returned, Flash kept trying to convince Hikaru and Sky to get a drink. But neither would have anything to do with any alcoholic beverage. Neighlita played many more mixes and soon came to the last song of the night. Hikaru was sad that the amazing music was coming to a close, but he knew that he had much MUCH more to look forward to in 2 days. The last song came a close and all the ponies on the crowd cheered wildly. Neighlita grabbed a mic and spoke into the audience for the last time. "Thank you so much Manehattan for having me! This was awesome! You all enjoy that?" Again, more cheering. 'These ponies are gonna lose their voices.' Thought Hikaru trying to count the number of times he heard mad cheering tonight. "Awesome!" Shouted Neighlita. "Have a good night everypony! Stay safe!" And with that, she left the stage. Hikaru sat back with a contented sigh. "Wow....That was....incredible." "Ill say." Said Sky lying down, feeling tired. "What time is it? I feel so tired right now. Its gotta be like 1 AM." Hikaru looked at the clock on the wall. "Its 12:30 so you were pretty close." He laughed. Hikaru looked around and noticed that all the other ponies were leaving. "I guess it must be closing time. I wonder where Flash and Zen are?" "You don't see them anywhere?" Asked Sky starting to scan the crowds of ponies leaving. "No, I saw them at first on the dance floor, and then they just disappeared all of a sudden." The place was almost empty and no sign of Flash or Zen. "Maybe we should head outside." Said Hikaru. "Maybe they went out and are waiting for us." The two left the building and searched for Flash and Zen around the building. "Ok now Im kind of worried." Said Sky looking concerned. "They weren't in the building, and they aren't out here." "Yeah this is actually not good...." Said Hikaru starting to get quite worried himself. "Ugh, should we go to the police you think?" "Psst!" "heh?" "Guys! Over here!" Hikaru looked over to the side alley near the building and saw Flash peeking around the corner. "Wow..." Hikaru and Sky walked over to him. "Where were you? We were getting worried!" "Sorry, but I had to go talk to somepony." "Wheres Zen?" "Ill tell you in a bit, but cmon, follow me!" "Where?" "Just follow!" "Not until you tell me where." "Follow me or Ill light your mane on fire." "WHAT?" "Ok maybe not, just follow me ok sheesh." "Ugh....fine..." They followed Flash around the corner and up to a small building with a sign that read "Stellar's". "Flash..." Said Sky coming to a stop. "Yeah?" "Why are you taking us to this bar?" "Just follow me will you ponies? Yikes." Flash led them through the doors. The bar was small, only a few tables and the main bar counter. Not many ponies were there. Only a few just hanging out and talking, and over at the counter. Hikaru saw Zen and...... "Woah, its Neighlita!" "Yep!" Said Flash proudly. "Zen and I went around back to meet her and compliment her on an awesome show, and she invited us to join her for a drink!" "Woah...." "Hey welcome back!" Said Zen seeing Flash return. "Oh, hey, so, these are two friends of ours. Hikaru and Sky." "Hey whats up?" Said Neighlita hoof bumping each of them. "Wow its an honor to meet you." Said Hikaru a bit nervously. "I love your stuff, I mean, your music, its incredible. It was awesome, like, it was great. SO good. Like. It was.....awesome-" "Haha! Woah there calm down bro!" She laughed. "Im honored that you are so honored. But you can chillax! I'm just another pony of equestria." Hikaru laughed. "Yeah...sorry." "Ah no worries. Anyways, glad you all liked the show. I always have a great time when I come to Manehattan. Even if your police here are STUPID." "Yeah the city has a history of unfair treatment by police sadly." Said Zen feeling embarrassed of her own city. "But I'm glad it ended up working out for the most part." "Yeah, its alright." Replied Neighlita. "Oh here comes a friend of mine!" The bar door opened and a white mare with a blue streaked mane stepped in. "VINYL!" Shouted Neighlita. "Over here!" Hikaru's eyes opened wide. He looked over at Sky and whispered to her. "Isn't that...." "Yeah it is..." Replied Sky, equally as star struck. The unicorn quickly trotted over to them. "Hey Nicole! Nice to see you again!" The two hugged and Vinyl ordered a drink. "Oh, I should introduce you to these ponies I met at the show tonight!" Said Neighlita or "Nicole" apparently. "Umm....Flash...Zen....Hikaru....and Sky wasn't it?" "Right on." Said Zen with a smile. "HA! I have good memory after all. My brain works you know." "Most of the time." Laughed Vinyl. "Nice to meet you all." "Oh my gosh its an honor I love your mixes I have some of them your stuff is awesome its awesome to meet you-" Hikaru found a hoof over his mouth. "Bro..." "Sorry." Vinyl laughed. "Haha, you're funny. But thanks for the recognition." "So what are you doing in Manehattan?" Asked Sky. "Aren't you going to be doing the show in Ponyville in 2 days? "Oh yeah, I am." Said Vinyl, taking a big sip of the drink on the counter. "I traveled all the way from Trottingham so I decided to make a stop here for the night. Going into Ponyville tomorrow and staying there for the next few days." "Oh cool." Said Hikaru still in shock that he was talking to THE Vinyl Scratch. "We are gonna be there. Its the biggest event thats ever happened in Ponyville pretty much." "Yeah, seems like Ponyville is a pretty small town." Said Vinyl. "There was only one major hotel there that I could stay at you know? Which is cool I guess, I had to choose from 20 different places in Trottingham." "Ah yeah, Equestria Suites?" Hikaru asked. "Yep, that was it." "Haha, thats my Dads hotel." "Oh really? Thats awesome! Hey, any discounts available I show know about? eh? eh?" Hikaru sighed. "Not that I know of. Honestly, I don't think me and my Dad are going to be at a place to share such info as of now." "Oh?" Asked Vinyl with a curious look. "What's up? If you don't mind me asking that is." "Well, its a long story kinda..." Hikaru went on to explain everything that happened, From the very beginning. The issues with his father, the things he had said, the trip, everything. Hikaru was surprised that he felt so open to share these things with ponies he had only just met that day. Maybe he was just learning to loosen up. "Well thats just messed up." Said Neighlita after Hikaru finished his story. "Yeah, I kinda want to plant a hoof in the face of that loser." Said Vinyl "I mean no offense, he is your dad. But....." "Nah its ok." Hikaru replied. "I agree, he is messed up. But whatever. Whats done in done. And now I just gotta figure out what to do exactly. I know for sure that going back into Ponyville wont be easy. I just know that he reported me. I gotta try to stay inconspicuous. "Well..." Began Vinyl. "If you find that you suddenly need a place to hide at the show. You're welcome to come backstage." Vinyl gave them two backstage passes. "Oh wow! Thank you!" Said Hikaru happily. "Yeah, I hope things work out for you." Said Vinyl taking another sip of her drink. "You and Sky seem like legit ponies. Things will work out." "We can hope." Said Sky. "Its been an interesting journey so far....woah...guys...." Everypony looked over at Flash and Zen. Apparently, they had been downing drinks the entire time Hikaru was talking. And the effects of the alcohol had started to get to them. "I think someponies are gonna need help getting home." Laughed Neighlita. "yeah....heh heh." Hikaru and Sky said their goodbyes to the two DJ mares and left the bar holding up Flash and Zen who were having trouble staying up. "You guys....rock...so hard...hard like a....onion...." Said Zen slowly as she stumbled along. "Haha....hahaha....HAHAHA....." Laughed Flash, also stumbling along. "Ugh...you guys..." Said Hikaru shaking his head. "Oh....WHA...!" Shouted Flash suddenly. "Those ponies across the.....sssstreet! ZEN....They looked at you....weird." "What? No they didn't" Said Hikaru looking over at them. "Im gonna kill them...for you...." "Oh no" "HEY, YOU....FREAKING LOSERS!" He shouted starting to stumble his way across the street. "Ill smash your....faces in...you gonna look at her like that.....yeah....?" Fllash fell down onto the street. "Wow...." The 4 got home and somehow managed to get Flash and Zen onto the couch where they randomly mumbled for a bit and then fell asleep. "I guess they're ok for now." Said Sky turning off the lamp by the couch. "We should go get some sleep also." "Yeah...its been a long day." Said Hikaru with a yawn. Zen turned off the lights and Hikaru locked up the door with duct tape. They headed up their own apartment for some much needed rest. Sky took the bed in the bedroom while Hikaru pulled out the sofa bed in the living room. "Good night Sky." Said Hikaru shutting off the lamp by the bedside. "Good night Hikaru." Said Sky turning off the light to the living room and going to her room. Hikaru pulled the blanket over his head. 'Today was awesome.' He thought to himself. 'I couldn't have asked for more. Maybe it would have been nice is Flash and Zen didn't get drunk out of their minds. But its not too much of an issue.' Hikaru looked out the window by his side. Despite being so far from what used to be his home. The night sky still looked the same. Bright shining stars and the moon that shone its light down onto the city. Hikaru felt at peace. 'This may just work out after all.' ==== Iris was checking in ponies into the hotel. Ponies from all around Equestria had started showing up for the big event tomorrow night. "I have a reservation for 2. Last name Strobe." Said an orange colt with a dark brown mane. "Ah yes Mr. Strobe, I have your reservation here." Said Iris looking up the reservation on the computer. You are going to be in room 405." She gave the colt his room key and information card. "If you need anything else or have any questions, feel free to call the information desk by dialing 2 on the room phone. And enjoy your stay!" "Thank you very much!" Said the colt as he grabbed his bag and headed upstairs. Iris noticed that there were 4 others who followed him. It was common for ponies to reserve a room for two, and squeeze as many as possible into the room. This was actually against the rules but there really was no way to enforce it. As the day went on, Iris noticed that there were many other groups who reserved rooms for two, only to see three, four, even five others go up together. 'Oh well, what can you do.' She thought to herself. "Hello! Welcome to Equestria Suites! Do you have a reservation with us?" ----- Hikaru woke up with the sun shining in his eyes. He groaned as his eyes strained against the brightness as he pulled the covers over his head. 'What time is it?' He thought as he peeked out from under the covers at the clock on the wall. 'eight thirty. I guess I should get up now. Gotta get ready to go with Sky to that Job interview.' Zen had recommended that both Sky and Hikaru try to see if they could get a job at a local factory that was about 3 blocks away. The factory manufactured windows and they had apparently needed help with packaging them to be sent out around Equestria. Both Hikaru and Sky had called in and gotten an interview at 10 o clock. Finding a job wasn't easy these days, but obviously, luck was on their side. "Sky?" Called out Hikaru as he folded back the couch. "You up yet?" Suddenly, the front door of the apartment opened. "Did you just call for me?" Asked Sky as she walked in. "Oh yeah, I wasn't sure if you were up yet. I guess you wake up a lot earlier than I do." "Yeah, like 2 hours earlier." She laughed. "I went to go check on Flash and Zen. Needless to say, they are not doing well at all." "Oh?" Asked Hikaru. " Hung over?" "Badly. Flash was throwing up all night and they both have really bad headaches and can't get up from bed. I think we won't see much from them until later today." The conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a knock at the door. "Hm, who can that be?" Said Hikaru walking over to the door. He opened the door and was surprised to see a very slow moving and sick looking Flash. "Flash!" Umm....hi....you doing..ok...?" "You guys wouldn't happen to have any asprin would you?" Sky sighed and went to the medicine cabinet. ------ Hikaru and Sky stood in front of the large building in front of them. "Ember Windows" read Hikaru out loud. "This is it." They entered into the building, hoping to exit with a new job in their hooves. Once inside, Hikaru found himself in a very busy atmosphere. Ponies were running around, working machines, taking calls, calling out orders. It made sense that help might be needed. This place was hectic. "Can I help you two?" Asked a dark brown mare with a cream colored mane. Hikaru noticed that her cutie mark was a window. This must have been Shimmer Ember. The head of the company. Just the mare they needed to talk to. "Ah yes." Hikaru began. "Im Hikaru Ray, and this is Sky Breeze. We came in for an interview for a possible position here, we have an appointment at 10." Hikaru tried to make himself sound as polite and official as he could. They really needed this job. "Oh yes you contacted me the other day about that. Im sorry, I almost forgot about it." Shimmer said apologetically. "Things get so hectic around here that things tend to get lost in the schedule." "We can come back another time if that would make things more convenient for you." Said Sky, also trying to sound as polite as possible. "Oh no thats quite alright." Shimmer said looking in her schedule. "I have time, and It won't take long at all. Follow me." Shimmer led Hikaru and Sky up to her office on the second floor. The door opened with a creak and almost seemed as if it could fall off of its hinges at any moment. She closed the door behind them and went to a large desk with piles of paper all around. "So." she began. "Few things I would like to know first of all. What is you past work experience?" Hikaru looked over at Sky and gave her a "you first" look. She gave him a look back that just read "Thanks a lot" And started. "I started working in my Uncles kite shop as soon as I was old enough to go to school pretty much. I helped out with small things until I was older when I pretty much ran the entire store by myself. I stopped working there when I left Ponyville and came here." "Sounds like you have a decent work background. How about you Hikaru?" "I was working at Equestria Suites in Ponyville for as long as I can remember. My Dad is the owner of the hotel. Thats really the only place I have worked, but I had allot of responsibilities there. I filed, book rooms, worked in the cleaning service for a bit, little bit of everything. Like Sky, I worked there until I left." "And what made you two leave your places of employment? Im curious, especially because both were family businesses for you." Asked Shimmer. "Well...." Began Hikaru thinking carefully about how to word his response. "I wanted something else. I was tired of doing the same thing and not really...going anywhere I guess you can say. I needed something fresh and new, hence why I decided to come to Manehattan. New city, new place, new life." "Same for me." Said Sky quickly. "I needed something new in life. I needed to get out into the world and try something new, gain new experiences. And when Hikaru told me about what he was doing, I wanted to take the same journey he was taking. So we both left Ponyville together to try to find a better life." "So you two are together then?" Asked Shimmer suddenly. Hikaru almost choked. Sky shifted uncomfortably. "Um..." began Hikaru. "We're not....um..." "We are just uh..." Interrupted Sky. "Traveling together..." "YEAH! Were just traveling together heh heh...." "Oh okay I see." Shimmer replied, noticing the two in front of her turning red. She continued on to the next topic of discussion, much to their relief. "What is your level of education?" "I graduated high school at Ponyville Youth Academy. Thats the highest education level I achieved." Said Hikaru. "Same for me." Said Sky. "We were in the same classes so we graduated at the same time." 'Wow...." thought Hikaru. 'Sky really has been with me for much of my life.' Shimmer obviously thought the same. "You two must be very close, seems your lives were pretty similar. You both have a good education background, and some good work experience. I want to ask, how long do you plan to stay here in Manehattan?" Hikaru looked over at Sky. Sky looked over at him. "Well....." "Hmm..." "I guess...." "Possibly...." "For good." They both said at the same time. Shimmer laughed. "You two are funny. I like you already. And I could definitely use your help around here. You're hired!" "Wha-ha-woah! Yes! I mean, wow! That was quick!" Hikaru was over joyed and surprised that Shimmer was so willing to hire the both of them without a second thought. "Oh my gosh thank you so much!" Said Sky grabbing Shimmers hoof and shaking vigorously. "This helps us so much we won't let you down, we're gonna do our absolute best thank you thank you thank you so much I am so happy thank you-" "SKY!" Hikaru yelled. "Huh"? "Let go of her hoof...." "OH! Sorry...." Said sky letting go of her hoof with an apologetic look. Shimmer laughed. "Its fine, I can see you both are enthusiastic to start. Can you come in starting next monday?" "Works for me." Said Hikaru looking at Sky. "Its perfect." ----

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-11-27T16:56:41+00:00

2011-11-27T16:56:41+00:00

Hikaru and Sky left the building with a new job on their hooves. Hikaru looked over at Sky with a smile. "What?" She asked "We did it." Hikaru said with a laugh. "We freaking did it Sky! YES!" Sky laughed with Hikaru's excitement. "That went better than I ever could have expected. This is awesome, I can't believe she accepted us that quickly!" "We got this Sky." Said Hikaru still feeling on top of the world. "We got this! We have a job, a place to live, this is actually gonna work out perfect. Forgive me for screaming but AAAA!!!! This is AWESOME! AAA!!! "Um...Hikaru...." "AAAA!!!!" "Hikar-" "YAAAHAAA!!! "Hika-" "YEAH WHAT NOW!" "HIKARU!" "Hm?" "Ponies are staring at you." Hikaru looked around and noticed that many ponies had stopped what they were doing and were staring at Hikaru. "Oh...." He felt his face turning red. "Um....sorry." "Maybe....its a good time for us to go get some lunch." Sky suggested. "Yes!" Thats perfect, um....lets leave...here...now...yes" Hikaru had seen an interesting looking restaurant on the way to the factory, so he decided to take Sky there. The two found themselves inside "Zapwhich". It was a small sandwich place that seemed to have lots of business. Hikaru ordered two Tofu and Oat sandwiches for the both of them and they found a table to enjoy them. "Wow this is good." Said Hikaru munching on his sandwich. "I remember when I used to get sandwiches like this all the time in Ponyville. I used to go to this once place every day. At least until my Dad banned me from going there because he said it cost too much to get stuff there." "You talking about that one place across from the hotel?" Asked Sky. "I remember that. I went there once a long time ago. Not sure why I never went there again." The two of them stayed at the restaurant for quite a while. Talking about random things. Hikaru found that he could talk with Sky very easily about pretty much anything. Just one of the things that made her awesome. 'She is awesome.' He thought. 'Really awesome....' "We should probably start heading back." Said Sky suddenly. "It looks like it might rain, we gotta get back before it starts." "Ah yeah it looks like the Pegasus are setting up a decent storm there..." Said Hikaru glancing up at the sky. "Lets head back." It was a good thing that they left when they did in fact, as the rain started pouring right as they reached the door of the apartment building. They rushed inside laughing and quickly went to their apartment to dry off. "Well that sure was something." Said Sky breathing heavily from their quick 2 block sprint. "I'm pretty sure that there was no rain in the forecast." "Yeah Ill say." Said Hikaru shaking the water out of his mane in the bathroom. "That was intense." There was a sudden knock on the door. "Hm, now who could that be?" Sky opened the door. "Oh! Flash! You...ok now...?" "Oh yeah Im fine!" Said Flash proudly. "Its like this all the time. Zen and I get drunk out of our minds. Wake up with the worst hang over you can't even imagine, and do it again in a few days. I love my life!" "So where is Zen anyways?" Asked Hikaru coming out of the bathroom. "She alright now?" "Well.....um...she is ok...sort of...." "Whats up?" "Well....." "Whats going on bro?" Flash sighed and continued. "So....um...well....Zen tends to get sobered up a lot quicker than I do. And well....I tend to say lots of things when I am drunk...." "What did you say?" Asked Sky. "Well.... um..." "What did you say Flash?" "Oh gosh...." "What did you SAY!" "Ugh! I started saying some...things about my past girlfriend. And I dont even know...apparently I told her something about how her mane was better looking....and she was...better...in some ways..." "FLASH!" Yelled Sky. "I KNOW! AUG! But I don't know, I say stupid stuff when Im drunk okay? I didn't mean those things! I love her! And she is so much better than that stupid Clover girl I was with. She comes nowhere near to what Zen is. Zen is everything I could have wanted and more. I really didn't mean those things! I tried to tell her that this morning, but she was so angry, and she threw a vase at me and well....kicked me out of our apartment..." "Ugh Flash..." Sighed Sky. "Ill go try to talk to her." Sky left the apartment muttering under her breath. "This is why I don't drunk alcohol!" "I messed up...." Sighed Flash. "Its not worth it man..." Said Hikaru. "I mean, I know you like getting drunk and partying and whatnot, but if you say stuff like that when you are drunk, it just doesn't seem worth it.." "Yeah I know..." Flash replied softly. "Its tough, you get addicted to it you know? And I always hear about Ponies who manage to stop. But there's a big difference between those ponies and me." "What's that?" "They want to quit. You have to want to quit, in order to quit. And bro, I don't have that want. I love alcohol, and I'm not just gonna stop cause it makes me say some stupid things sometimes." "But you ended up hurting Zen." "Yeah and that's sad, but bro, she can learn that I say stupid things when Im drunk. And take them with a grain of salt right?" "But Flash....don't you think she's worth it?" "What do you mean?" "What kind of life is that for her? In your mind, you know what you mean, but she can't tell. Think about it. If Zen got drunk and said that she preferred some other colt, and then sobered up and told you that she didn't mean it. And then it would happen again. Don't you think you would get tired of that?" "It only happened this one time Hikaru.." "Whats to say it wont happen again? Dude, for real. You say you love Zen. Wouldn't you want to do anything possible to make sure that you don't hurt her? Don't you love her enough to want to do that?" Flash sighed and hung his head. "I guess....darn it Hikaru, I love her and I want to make sure she knows I do. But I don't see how I can just stop drinking. Thats almost impossible." "Well, the way I see it." Hikaru began. "Love will make anything possible." Flash laughed. "True words from a haymark card bro." "Hey its true." Laughed Hikaru, thinking back to the random cards he used to see in stores. "I just hope Sky can say something to at least get her to talk to me, so I can apologize." Flash said as he leaned back onto the couch. "I don't want to lose her." "Yeah for sure. You two are awesome together, I would hate to see that end." Hikaru said as he noticed some towels on the ground that he forgot to bring downstairs to the washing machine. "Argh." "You know what I think." Said Flash sitting up. "I think you and Sky got something going on. Aren't I right?" "Woah wha!?!" Hikaru almost choked. 'I need to stop getting shocked so easily, Im gonna choke myself to death one day Im serious'. "Nah man, me and Sky are just friends. We grew up together through a lot of our lives. Thats all." Flash laughed. "I don't know man. It seems to me that you two are a bit on the "more than friends" side of the spectrum of such." "No...no......no.....bro...no...." "Well do you like her?" Hikaru paused. "Well yeah, as a friend." "Has the thought of her being more than a friend ever popped through your mind?" "Well....I mean...well maybe once...or a few times...but...I mean...no....cmon man..." Flash laughed. "I think you do like her. Like "that". I can tell." "I....I don't know..." "Its ok bro, I know the feeling. You think you don't, and then the realization hits you. Crazy huh." "No....dude....I....that can't work. I mean, I care about her a lot...I...." Flash cut him off. "Let me guess. You feel really happy and safe when you are around her? You feel very protective of her don't you? You are willing to go out of your way to do things for her. And I would even go as far to say that you do find her attractive don't you? Can you tell me no to any of those? I don't think so." "Oh gosh.....dude....I mean...no....umm...." "You like her bro. Haha, can't you see that now?" Hikaru wasn't sure what he felt. He didn't want to think of Sky in that way. But from what Flash was pointing out, it sure seemed like that might be the case. 'It can't be...." he thought to himself. "Could it?" ------- "ZEN! Open the door come on!" Sky knocked on the door repeatedly. "I don't want to talk to ANYPONY right now, go away!" "We need to talk! Open up!" "Buck off!" "Okay Zen. You leave me no choice!" Sky stepped back, and then bucked the door in front of her with all of her strength. The door flew off its hinges and flew through the room and hit the back wall with a loud crash. Zen had fallen backward over a cough in shock. "What in the HAY is your PROBLEM SKY!" "You have duct tape, it can be fixed." "I'm going to hit you so hard...." "Look Zen, I know you're mad at Flash, but you gotta understand that he truly didn't mean those things he said." "Yeah sure, ponies say what they really mean when they are drunk you know. Mind is open and willing!" "But he truly didn't mean that Zen. Hikaru and I were just talking to him, he feels terrible about what he said, and he really didn't mean it at all." "How am I supposed to know that?" "Think about all he has done for you Zen. I know its been a lot. He was drunk, he was saying things that didn't make sense. While its true that being drunk can make your mind open to say things you wouldn't normally say, it also makes you say things that really aren't true. And that frustrated colt in our apartment sure regrets saying those things." "I don't know Sky, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. He said something similar a while back one night. I got mad but forgave him and moved on. I just hate having to hear that okay...." "Yeah I can understand that...." The two of them sighed. "I guess Im just mad about this whole thing. And maybe I did freak out a bit much." "You threw a vase at him?" "Yeah..." "I know he is deeply sorry for what he said. I can see the sincerity in his eyes. He really does love you you know...." "Yeah....I do..." "Maybe you should at least try to talk to him?" Zen sighed. "Yeah...I guess...." "Good girl, come on, lets go." ------------- "Sorry to make you feel awkward Hikaru." Said Flash apologetically. "But hey, at least now you realize it." Hikaru sighed. "I hate you...." "Everyone does!" Said Flash proudly, which Hikaru found somewhat ridiculous but understandable based on the sort of unicorn he was. "I'm just that legit you know." "So now what?" Asked Hikaru looking at himself in the cracked mirror on the wall. "Ok, I might like Sky apparently..." "Ya do!" "Okay okay! Ugh! But what am I suppose to do now?" "Maybe...tell her?" "Dude....." "Tell her Hikaru!" "No......no....." "Why not?" "What if she doesn't like me back? I don't want to ruin the friendship that we have. She is my ONLY friend pretty much. She might get creeped out and not want to see me anymore. I don't think I want to risk that." "But what if she does like you back? You would never know." "Nyar........." "Heh?" "Nothing." They suddenly heard the sound of Sky and Zen heading down the hallway. "Oh gosh.." Said Flash with a sigh. "I gotta word my words carefully to Zen...I hope she can forgive me." "She should." Reassured Hikaru. "Thanks, and hey, this might be your chance to tell Sky how you feel eh? eh?" "No....." "Or...I could tell her if you are too scared." Said flash with a wicked smile. "Don't you DARE bro!" "I think I will." "Dude NO!" "Yeah I will." "NO dude, Ill buck you in the freaking mouth dude NO. Flash paused. "Its worth it. here they come." "DUDE ILL KILL YOU!" "Time to tell all yeah?" The door clicked open and Sky walked in ahead of Zen. "HEY SKY! GUESS WHAT! HIKAR-" Flash was suddenly being tumbled over the back of the couch by a very angry Hikaru. "Wha? Hikaru!" Yelled Sky. Hikaru jumped up and looked around. "Uhh.....he started it." Hikaru ran into the bathroom and shut the door. "Wow that was unexpected." Said Flash getting up off of the floor. "What just happened?" Asked Sky, very confused as to what was going on. "Oh, was just gonna speak for Hikaru and tell you-" Hikaru peeked out from behind the bathroom door and glared daggers at Flash before closing the door. "Ah, never mind." Flash looked at Zen who still had a sad look on her face. "Zen...." He began. "I...I don't know what else I can say but.....Im sorry...I don't know what in the hay I was saying. I was drunk out of my mind. I wasn't thinking, But you gotta believe me, I did NOT mean those things I said. That last girl I was with is trash compared to you Zen ok? Trash! You are, SO much more beautiful than her. I have never seen a more beautiful mare in my whole life, and I know I never will. My drunk mind was just too stupid to realize that. But that wasn't me. I mean- it was but...argh. I never wanted to hurt you Zen. I love you....I really do. Like, I can't even describe how much you mean to me. I can't express enough how much I love you and how sorry I am for what I said. I'm...Im gonna try to cut back on drinking. I don't want to hurt you Zen. And if drinking makes me say the things that might hurt you or mess things up like this....I don't want anything to do with it." "You would quit drinking for me?" Asked Zen, surprised by this as drinking was a huge part of Flash's life. "Ill do anything it takes Zen.....You are more important. And nothing else is as important to me. I never wanted to hurt you...ever..." Both Zen and Sky were surprised to see a tear fall from Flash's eye. "I don't want to lose you Zen....can you forgive me...? Please...?" Zen looked at the sorry colt in front of her and sighed. "Flash....the things you said really hurt me...its not the kind of thing thats easy to forgive." Flash hung his head. "But...." Flash looked up. "I freaking love you. I can't be mad at you." Flash breathed a huge sigh of relief and quickly grabbed Zen in a tight embrace. "Im so sorry Zen..." "Its ok..." Said Zen. "I love you." Zen kissed Flash enthusiastically which made Sky feel a bit awkward. Luckily it didn't last too long. "I guess that means we're ok?" Said Flash with a laugh. "Hay yeah." Zen replied as she nuzzled up to him. Flash started nibbling on Zens ear which was apparently something she enjoyed. "So......" Said Sky quickly. "Oh! Hmm, haha." Flash realized how awkward it must have been for Sky. "Maybe..we should go back to our apartment yeah?" "Oh..haha, yeah probably." Zen said feeling a bit embarrassed. "We'll get out of here." The two got up and left the apartment. Flash strayed back a bit and whispered to Sky. "Thanks. I really owe you one." And with that, they left the apartment. Hikaru came out of the bathroom and walked over to Sky. "So... howzit?" "Why were you hiding in the bathroom." "Felt like it." "Why did you attack Flash." "Um...he was...going to throw....eggs...at...you." "Heh?" "Yeah lets go with that." "You don't make sense." "I know." ... ----------- Iris found herself with a moment of relaxation. There were no more ponies checking in and at the moment, none trying to call in to get rooms. All seemed pretty much quiet. "Its about time." Iris said aloud to herself. "That last stream of individuals was tough." "She was about to go online to check on the news of the day when the front desk phone rang. She answered as she always did for hotel guest calling the front desk. "Hello, front desk, how can I help you?" An annoyed sounding Colt was on the other end. "Yeah, I have no soap in my room. No soap, shampoo, conditioner, nothing. I don't know but I highly doubt that this is normal...." "Oh dear, sorry about that. Your room should have had those stocked. Ill send some up right away. What room number are you in?" "704" "Alright, Ill have some sent up. Sorry for that." Iris grabbed one of the hotels walkie talkies and radioed Orange Range. "Hey Orange?" *Static* "Yeah Iris what's up?" *more static* "Room 704 called up, for some reason there room was stocked with no soap, shampoo, or conditioner. Could you bring some up to them?" *More annoying static* "Oh, Iris, I actually can't.." *Getting tired of static static* "What? Why not?" "Going to throw something static* "Well...Storm told all the room workers that we are not supposed to stock the rooms with that anymore. If they want any of those things, they have to pay an extra 10 bits." *Static that makes you want to kill everypony in the world* "WHAT? thats crazy! All hotels have complimentary amenities like that! Thats a horrible idea!" *Oh whatever static* "I know Iris. Its dumb. But its storms rules...." *....* "Ugh! Fine, thanks for telling me Orange." Iris picked up the phone tom call the Colt in room 704, when it started to ring. "Hello, front desk. How can I help you?" "Yeah, I notice that there are some things missing from our bathroom." 'ugh' ----- Hikaru was browsing through the songs of his music player when Flash suddenly walked into the apartment. "Woah! Flash!" Hikaru was surprised to find Flash in the apartment without knocking first. "Oh!" Said Flash realizing his error. "Sorry!" He ran outside and shut the door. Then knocked. 'Wow.' thought Hikaru. "Just come in! You already did so you mine as well." Flash walked in to a glaring Hikaru. "Heh-heh...sorry about that." Hikaru sighed. "What's up Flash?" "Well, I was wondering if you wanted to join me and some of my friends to a cool little place tonight. Like around 9 ish." "What kind of place is this?" Asked Hikaru. "This isn't some bar is it? I thought you were gonna cut back." "I am don't you worry." Said Flash waving him off. "I just want to take you to this place me and some friends like going to every once and while. Guys night out ya know." "What about Sky and Zen? What are they gonna do?" Hikaru didn't feel right about going out for a night of fun and leaving behind the two girls to be bored doing nothing. "No need to fear bro! Zen is having her own girls night out with some friends as well! So it works out perfect!" Hikaru wasn't sure how he felt going out with Flash without Sky and Zen for guidance. But he knew that he had to learn to enjoy life and try out new adventures. So he thought why not? "Alright. Im game." "EPIC!" Yelled Flash. "Ill drop by at a quarter to 9 and we'll go meet up with the others there. Believe me bro, you're gonna love this place." "I wish you would tell me what this "place" is..." Said Hikaru feeling a bit nervous about going to somewhere that he knew nothing about. Then again, the awesome night before was a total unknown as well. And it worked out perfect. "I don't want to spoil it. You're just gonna have to trust me aight?" "Fine...." "Thats the spirit!" Said Flash enthusiastically. "Ill see you later!" Flash got up and left slamming the door for some reason. "Wow." Said Hikaru aloud." I thought for sure that a door slam like that would knock the door off of its-" The door creaked and collapsed off of the hinges and onto the floor with a loud slam. "-Hinges..."

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-12-09T07:29:09+00:00

2011-12-09T07:29:09+00:00

Hikaru was still feeling a tiny bit unsure as Flash arrived to pick him up that night. "Yeah this is gonna be awesome! You won't regret going I assure you. Its AWESOME!" Flash said quite enthusiastically. "Can you at least tell me one thin-" "NOPE! So shut up and lets go!" Flash pushed Hikaru out the door and closed it behind them. Hikaru soon found himself outside in the cold night air. He took a look around and noticed how bright everything was despite it being night time. The city lights on the streets and the lights in the buildings, stores, and restaurants as well as advertisements all around made everything very much illuminated with the exception of a few dark alleys. "So were meeting up with my two friends Beam and Cobalt. Two of my best friends for many years now. I think Cobalt is bringing somepony also, but Im not totally sure." Hikaru couldn't help but notice that Flash was overly excited for this whole thing. He was worried that this place might have alcohol. Perhaps that was why Flash was so excited. "I know what you're thinking." Said Flash interrupting Hikaru's thoughts. "Yeah there is alcohol served at this place. But don't worry man. I can control myself. And thats not why I am super hyped to go to this place. You'll find out soon, its just another block....in fact, there's Beam and Cobalt!" Further down the street, Hikaru saw a tan pegasus with a black mane with a cobalt colored earth pony with an orange mane. 'Well I wonder which one is Cobalt?' Thought Hikaru sarcastically. "Sup guys!" greeted Flash loudly as they approached the two. "Hey howzit Flash. Said the tan pegasus as he bumped hooves with Flash. "Tonight's gonna be crazy eh?" Said the cobalt colt. "Yeah!" Yelled Flash. "Oh by the way. This is Hikaru, the one I told you two about." "AH you're the crazy one! Haha!" Laughed the pegasus. "Im Beam. And like the name, I tend to just radiate beams of awesomeness wherever I go. That and I work at a lighting store! hahaha!" "Haha, I hope Flash said good things about me." Said Hikaru giving Flash a slightly annoyed look." "Nah its all good!" Said the cobalt colt. And Im Cobalt by the way. The name fits my color pretty much. I work in a factory that makes glow products." "Glow products?" Asked Hikaru. "Yeah, you'll see some crazy stuff tonight." Said Flash quickly. "So come on guys lets go, I don't want to miss a minute!" "Hay yeah!" Yelled Beam as he jumped up and flew off down the street. "Eh we'll catch up." Said Flash waving him off. -------- Sky found herself at a small restaurant with Zen, and her two friends Neko and Tranquility. Neko was an earth pony who worked at the local animal shelter where she took care of the cats. Tranquility was a unicorn who owned a spa with her siblings. They were all going to be seeing a movie at the theatre in an hour, so Zen decided to take them all out to dinner before they went. "So Flash is really gonna quit drinking?" Asked Tranquility while she munched on a taco. "I mean, is that...possible?" "Well at least cut down." Replied Zen. "I know it won't be easy for him. But its a nice thing he is doing." "Flash, without alcohol." Said Neko staring into space. "I don't know Zen. The stuff is always by his side it seems." "He seemed sincere." Said Sky, joining in on the conversation. "He was pretty much crying. I think he is really gonna try to stop, for Zen's sake." "He better!" Said Tranquility. "Or he's gonna be a single pony again!" "So Zen." Began Neko as she leaned over closer. "If you catch him drinking again. Would you leave him?" Zen looked uncomfortable with the question. "I.....I don't know. I still love him....I mean, I worry....I don't...." "Cmon guys you're making her feel awkward." Said Sky, much to Zen's relief. "So....." Said Zen, quickly trying to change the subject. "Sky. Are you and Hikaru enjoying the city so far?" "Oh yeah for sure!" Said Sky. "Its been great. I was a bit worried at first but it seems like everything is working out fine." Sky took a sip from the soda in front of her. "I actually meant to ask you before Sky. But, how long have you and Hikaru been together now?" Sky choked on her soda. "ECK! Ugh! *cough*" "Not....that...long...?" Asked Zen with a confused look on her face. Sky coughed a few more times to clear her throat. "We're *cough* not *gasp* together *cough*" "Oh! You're not!" Zen was surprised by Sky's statement. Sky finally caught her breath. "We are really good friends but we aren't like that.." "Well, that is interesting..." Said Zen looking off into space. It was Sky's turn to be confused. "What is that supposed to mean? "Well...." Began Zen. "Ok Ill say this now. You two kinda....I don't know. Seemed like you were. Like....quite a bit." "How so?" Sky couldn't think of anything that might have led to this assumption. "I don't know. Just seemed like it." It was Sky's turn to feel awkward now. "So......just curious..." Said Tranquility. "I have heard a lot about you and Hikaru from Zen here....and I know you say that you two aren't together. But.....do you...like him?" 'She just had to ask...' Sky thought to herself. "I like Hikaru a lot, and we are great friends. But I don't like him in that way...." "If you say so." Said Zen with a slight laugh. "Huh? What's so funny?" "Let me be really honest with you." Said Zen looking straight into Sky's eyes. "I think you do like him. Honestly, it just seems like it, plus, you two. Just saying, it could work." "No....no..." Said Sky. "Ugh, can we please change the subject? This is really awkward." "Yeah for real you two, you're tormenting her." Said Neko in an annoyed tone. "Its almost time to head to the theatre anyways." 'Thank you' ------- Hikaru found himself being shoved into a very dark and very loud building. "Wait! Woah! Hey! What is this-woah....." Hikaru found himself in a large room with dozens of ponies all around. Laser lights and strobe lights filled the room with dazzling flashes of color, and the sounds of hard trance filled the entire building. What really caught Hikaru's eyes however, were a group of ponies who seemed to be spinning and manipulating some sort of glowing objects. "Well?" "Huh?" Flash had interrupted Hikaru's trance like state as he analyzed the room. "Pretty awesome isn't it?" Said Flash with a smile. Hikaru was watching in awe at the ponies with the glowing objects. "Flash, what is...those...." Flash laughed. "What is those? Some grammar you got there bro." "Ha-ha very funny." Said Hikaru sarcastically. "What ARE those things that those ponies over there are spinning and stuff?" "Glowsticks! Which we produce at our factory!" Proclaimed Cobalt proudly. "Ill introduce you to them." Said Flash pulling Hikaru along. "Huh? Wait, I mean, wah?" Flash pulled Hikaru up to the group. One young Pegasus male was swinging two glowsticks on some sort of looped string. One on each front hoof. He let them wrap around his legs, hooves, head, everywhere. Each movement creating a unique light pattern as the glowsticks seemed to become one flowing and moving beast. It was truly mesmerizing to watch. A young earth pony mare was tossing and catching two glowsticks in a truly amazing way. She would hold them in her hooves and move them in unique patterns all around her body. Then she would toss them and do interesting flourishes before catching them again. Two other Unicorn colts were also spinning brightly colored glowsticks on strings. "Hey guys!" Said Flash approaching them with Hikaru and the other two. "Oh hey Flash!" Said the black pegasus with a dusty blue mane. Hikaru noticed that his cutie mark was a laser flower pattern. Pretty cool actually. "Thought I would come over and introduce you all." Flash said with a smile. "This crazy guy here is Hikaru, new to Manehattan, him and his girl traveled out here and are living at the apartments." Hikaru groaned. "Ugh! She's not my "girl" Flash!" "Yeah you two are just living together in the same apartment." "I hate you." The black pegasus laughed. "Stop tormenting him bro, howzit Hikaru, Im Laser Mane, although most just call me Laser. Blue pegasus with the black mane and strobe cutie mark is Flashfire, Brown unicorn, crazy bright green mane and MIDI cutie mark is Rush Beat, and the grey unicorn, dark blue mane, star cutie mark, is Tech Hoof. Mine as well learn the names cause you'll be seeing us around town for sure. Especially with Flash taking you around!" Hikaru noted all of their names in his memory. He was pretty good at memorizing names, and these 4 had very unique names that would be easy to remember. "So Hikaru here was asking me about the glowsticking stuff he saw you guys doing." Said Flash, breaking Hikaru out of his memorization trance. "Maybe explain it to him, show him some stuff, whatever?" "Ah you never seen this stuff before then I take it?" Asked Laser. "Never." Replied Hikaru squinting to try to see Laser among the hundreds of flashing strobe and laser lights all around the room. "Ah I gotcha. Well. basically, its glowsticking, big thing in the rave scene. Two main kinds that you'll see most ponies doing. You have glowstringing where you got a looped string attached to each glowstick. And you got freehoof which I FAIL at by the way. But its manipulation of two free glowsticks. There are basics, but its really all about feeling the flow, and letting yourself be free to move and do whatever the hay feels right." Hikaru was absorbing the info like a sponge. He was quite mesmerized by the stuff he saw these ponies doing, and he wanted to try it out for himself. Flashfire seemes to have read his mind. "Hey Laser!" "Yeah?" "Enough chat and let him try some stuff out!" "Ohhh yeah sure. Try these bro, glowstringing is my specialty, you might enjoy it." Hikaru held a string in each hoof. He suddenly felt quite confused on what to do. "Umm....." "Maybe Ill show you some basics first." For the rest of the night, Laser taught Hikaru many of the basics of glowstring moves. 3 beat weaves, basic body wraps, and hood wraps. Hikaru soon found himself starting to pick stuff up and actually manage to do something without getting a flying glowstick to the face. The four were very helpful in teaching and very patient with him. By the end of the night, Hikaru felt that he might actually be able to go a ways in this new skill. One move that Hikaru really wanted to figure out was what the others had called an "orbital". It involved the two glowsticks to become wrapped around each other by the string and by the result of pulling, one could get the two glowsticks to spin around each other very quickly before separating. It was a very flashy and interesting move that Hikaru couldn't quite figure out the secret to. Luckily, Laser had given him a set of dead glowsticks with strings to practice on at home. As Hikaru walked back home with Flash, he was excited about this newfound skill. Even though he hardly knew any moves at all, he liked the feeling of what he could do, and the anticipation of what he might be able to learn just made him even more excited. Hikaru and Flash got back to the apartments around 1 in the morning. Hikaru thanked Flash for the awesome night and went to his apartment to see if Sky had gotten back. "Sky? you here?" He called out softly. He noticed that the small nightlight in her room was on which meant that she was there, and probably asleep. "Ha. I guess it is pretty late. I should probably be hitting the hay as well." Hikaru folded out the sofa bed and quickly pulled the covers over his head. Sadly, it seemed that the heater had broken down, so the room was a bit cold. But Hikaru didn't mind it, he was still thinking about glowstringing and what possible things he might be able to do. 'awesome' He thought to himself. 'Totally awesome.' -----------------

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DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-12-26T07:54:39+00:00

2011-12-26T07:54:39+00:00

Iris found herself getting bombarded with angry phone calls from many of the hotel rooms. "Why is there no soap?" "Where are the towels!" "Since when did you guys only have one pillow for a bed when you used to give 4?" "What kind of hotel doesn't have cable?" It seemed that the fear of losing money was getting to Storm, which was making him make some very unwise decisions. "Doesn't that old idiot know that his attempts to save the business are actually ruining it?" Sighed Iris as she took a break while ignoring an incoming call to the front desk. "This is just stupid. I think I need to try to talk some sense into that Storm." She walked over to his office down the hall. She stood in front of the door for a bit, feeling a bit unsure of how he might react to what she would say. She was actually feeling a bit nervous. But she shook it off. Now was not the time for nerves. Storm's actions were hurting the hotel, and something had to be done or else the entire business would surely fail. She raised a hoof and knocked on the door. "Come in!" Said Storm a bit loudly. Iris walked in. Storm was sitting behind his desk looking over some magazines. Iris noticed that the one he was reading had a large print on the front which read "CRISIS! EQUESTRIAN ECONOMY IN DESPERATE STATE!". 'Thats a great thing to read, sure won't get you worried that's for sure...' thought Iris sarcastically. "Iris!" said storm sharply as he looked up from his magazine. "why are you not behind the counter! What's wrong with you! Go back! What if somepony arrives! Thats a bad image for us if nopony is behind the counter!" "Storm.." began Iris slowly. "I think we need to discuss something important. Something concerning the future of this business." ============== Today was the day. The day that Hikaru had been waiting for. Nocturnal Oasis was tonight! And he was ready. Flash and Zen had scheduled their friends carriage to pick them up later on in the afternoon, and once they were on, it would be only an hour to get to Ponyville. Hikaru couldn't wait. All his favorite artist would be there, plus all his good friends. He was especially excited to hear some news that he had gotten from Flash. It seemed that Flash had somehow gotten to grow close to Vinyl Scratch, and she would occasionally talk to him on his text device. She mentioned to him that Aly & Filly would be making a surprise appearance at the show and that they would be spinning some tracks as well. Aly & Filly were one of Hikaru's favorite trance artist and he nearly screamed in joy when he Flash told him that they would be there. With the backstage passes that Vinyl had given them, he would be sure to meet them. Hikaru had been practicing some glowstringing moves as well. He put his dead practice set to good use as he listened to his music while trying to figure out new and interesting wraps and spins. He remembered what Laser had told him, about how it was more about flow and expressing yourself than actual technique and planned tricks. It seemed to be working as he had figured out some interesting stuff on his own. And ended up forgetting exactly what he did a few seconds after. Sky was excited as well. She couldn't believe that the time was already here. She had never been to any event to this scale, and the anticipation was great. She was a bit annoyed that Zen kept hinting at Hikaru and her being together for some reason. It was really starting to get on her nerves. She never thought of Hikaru like that, and Zen was starting to make the thought cross her mind when she really didn't want it to. 'Whatever..' She thought. 'Just gotta focus and be happy about this event. Its gonna be amazing!' It had been quite the journey that both Hikaru and Sky had taken. And it had its highs and lows. Up and down like a yoyo at times. But through it, they had grown closer, and met awesome ponies along the way who helped them out and became true friends. It was awesome. Hikaru was lying on the sofa chewing on a carrot. Sky had gone out so he was just relaxing while he waited for her to return. He thought about the schedule for the day. At 3 o clock, the two would meet up with Flash and Zen. From there, they would go a few blocks away to meet up with Zen's friend Neko, and Flash's friends Beam and Cobalt. From there, they would wait to get picked up by the carriage which would would take them right into Ponyville. They would get some dinner and go hang out until the event started backstage. Hikaru and Sky would try to keep hidden by the general Ponyville eye as they knew that they were probably being looked for. Once the event was over, they would take the carriage back to manehattan. "I hope this all works out." Said Hikaru as he tried to bounce the carrot off the wall and have it come back to him. It actually worked surprisingly. "Hmmmm...." He threw the carrot harder and watched as its bounced off the corner wall and off the other side and back to him. He looked at the carrot in his hooves and gave a little smirk. He chucked the carrot quite hard and watched as it bounced off one wall, a second, a third, and landed back by his side. "Well now..." He built up all the strength within him and gave the carrot a massive power throw at the wall. Sky suddenly walked in. *THUNK!* "YAH!" The carrot flew right by Sky's face and imbedded itself into the wall next to her like an arrow. Sky stared wide eyed at the carrot by the side of her head. Hikaru let out a long breath as his heart had literally stopped when Sky had walked in. "Hikaru?" "um..yeah...." "The hay?" "That wasn't supposed to happen." "I would hope so." "I was bored." "Obviously." There was an awkward pause between the two of them as they both looked at the carrot in the wall. The silence was broken as the carrot suddenly broke in half and fell to the floor. "You know..." Began Sky. "you can be a very very strange individual." "I really am...." ============== "So what is so important that you need to leave the front?" Asked Storm in a very annoyed tone. Iris could sense Storms annoyance and it made her feel a bit more uneasy about what she was going to say. But it had to be done. "I'm worried about the hotel." Storm tilted his head and gave a slight smirk. "Well so am I! Nothing new! Times are tough, and we must make changes to keep the business running smoothly and efficiently. But no need to worry, I have made the necessary changes and as long as we continue to make careful choices, we should be fine." "But......" Iris started quietly, "Sir, I have to say this...the choices you have made recently...they are hurting the business more than helping it." A surprised look appeared on Storms face. "Nonsense! We've managed to cut back and save money with the new choices we have implemented. Its a great improvement!" "But you don't see what's going on Storm." Continued Iris. "I work the front, and I have seen what's happening. Customers are getting angry that we have cut back on things that no other hotel would cut back on! I've been getting angry calls all morning!" "Thats nothing to worry about." Replied Storm without a hint of worry. "Probably some overly particular Canterlotians who are doing the complaining. And as much as I aim to please the guest, we need to take our finances into account. And when you take a look, by cutting out the amenities, we save hundreds, even thousands a year! "We are going to lose money if we keep this up!" Said Iris in an annoyed tone. "Its not Canterlotians, its individuals from all parts of Equestria who are calling in and upset! You always said that you cared about the reputation of the hotel, well what about now? We are going to get bad rep for the stuff thats going on!" "No need to worry." Replied Storm calmly. "You must remember that we are still offering the best service in all of the Equestria here in the hotel. A group of well dedicated workers keeping everything running smoothly." "And thats another thing!." Iris was feeling more confident now and was speaking up. "You FIRED some of the best workers we had! You fired Summer and Spark! Those two were the best we had! Truly dedicated to make the hotel run smoothly!" "Also had the highest salaries." Scoffed Storm. "I will admit that they were good at what they were told to do. But the others do a good job as well, and right there, we save a huge amount of money. And I offered a lower price to Spark, but he protested. That was the final straw, so I fired him totally." "Its going to hurt the business Storm..." Said Iris behind gritted teeth. 'This guy just doesn't get it does he?' "And how could you fire somepony like Spark! He has been so helpful here, and you know he has a family to take care of! You didn't even think about who he has to support at all!" "Thats none of my business." Said Storm looking bored. "I could care less what's going on with Spark, or anypony else for that matter. I did not hire their families. I hired them. And besides, I knew Spark's family. His daughter has a deformed back leg due to a bone issue. The way I see it, there's no need to pay any extra to support him, if his daughter won't be able to succeed in life due to said deformity. Lost cause. Its sad but true. Thus, I could care less what happens to his family, they are of no concern to me. But this business is, and i will do everything it takes to keep us alive and well. And no family matter is going to stop that." Iris looked up at Storm with fire in her eyes. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!" ===================== Hikaru stood among some of the most awesome ponies he knew. New friends he made here in Manehattan, and his best friend of all time. They were standing at the corner where the carriage would come pick them up. Flash had lots of connections within the city, so it wasn't difficult to get a friend of his to take them. Unfortunately, it seemed that this friend was late, as he was supposed to be there 20 minutes earlier. "Ugh Flash..." Groaned Cobalt. "Where in the hay is he? Its so late!" "I don't know he said he would be here bro, ugh....I don't know..." Flash looked quite worried. "Now come on, just stay calm, I'm sure he'll be here soon." Reassured Zen. "He might have just gotten caught in some traffic." "There is no traffic." Said Neko with an annoyed look. "Not helping...." Replied Zen giving Neko a look. "Do we have any other options?" Asked Sky hopefully. "Yeah." Replied Beam quickly. "Run there." "No!" Shouted Flash. "There's a reason that we hire sky carriages and chariots, it shortens travel time by 4 times. Im gonna wait here, and if that guy doesn't show up I'm gonna smash his face in next time I see him...." "Calm down...." Said Zen softly. "NO!" Luckily, a sky chariot being pulled by two pegasus stallions appeared through the clouds and rushed towards the group. "About freakin time!" Yelled Flash loudly as he walked into the street to meet them. The two stallions landed and skidded to a stop in front of the group. They both looked out of breath, and quite tired. One of them began to speak between deep breaths. "Flash! I am soooo sorry.....there was-" "I WILL POUND YOUR LITTLE FREAKING FACE INTO THE PAVEMENT YOU LITTLE MULE ROTTEN APPLE! ILL SMEAR YOU ACROSS THE DIRT YOU LITTLE ROTTEN HAY STACK! ILL-" *SMACK!* Flash found himself being hit by a hard hoof to the face and he tripped over backward and landed on the street. He quickly gathered his surroundings and turned to see who had hit him. "Zen?!?" "I said...calm down....." =======================

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2011-12-28T03:25:49+00:00

2011-12-28T03:25:49+00:00

"You hit me!" "You were calling him stuff." "You hit me!!!" "You were getting out of hoof..." "YOU FREAKING HIT ME ZEN!!! WHY WOULD YOU-GAH-WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THAT ZEN, YOU FREAKING ASSAULTED ME! THATS ASSAULT! THATS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE ZEN, A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, THE HAY ZEN! THE HAY!" Flash was visibly angry and was shaking in rage. "Ok Flash...." Said Beam putting a hoof over his friend. "I think you need to calm down...." "She hit me bro! She just freaking hit me! You just saw that right? she just hit me right in the face! No smoke and mirrors she freakin HIT me!" "I know...dude...come on over here...you need to just cool off...." "She hit me bro....man..." Beam pulled Flash around the corner to try to get him to calm down a bit. Zen sighed and looked down at the ground. "I probably shouldn't have done that. I don't know what I was thinking..." "Nah don't worry about it, its fine." Assured Neko giving Zen a small hug. "He was on the verge of losing it. He probably needed something to snap him out of it. Don't worry, we don't blame you for what you did." "He's gonna hate me..." "If he's in his right mind, he wont..." The two stallion pegasi were silent for a bit. Both looking down at the ground. Then, the one who had been the first to speak earlier, began to say something. "Im....really sorry about this..." He said brushing his mane back and looking away. "Oh don't worry about it." Said Neko. "Flash is being ridiculous is all." The pegasus continued, "We were trying to get here on time....honest..... We are usually never late to anything...Its just that we had some trouble with the carriage on the way here. One of the locks came loose and it fell into the river. We had to chase it for miles before we managed to catch it and bring it up into the air to try to dry it out." "That's all my fault really...." Said the other pegasus quietly. "Im the one who checks to make sure the carriages and chariots are always secure. I guess this one just slipped my mind somehow..." Hikaru tried to hear what was being said around the corner, but the sounds of the city were too loud for him to hear anything but loud noises of carriages, factory machinery, and other talking ponies whose voices blended together in a strange flurry of sound. Luckily, Flash and Beam emerged from around the corner. Flash looked up at everypony around him. "Sorry....I guess I..over-reacted....a bit..." Beam nudged him. "Ok a lot....I don't know...I....just....sorry.." He looked down again at the ground. "Well we should get going." Said Beam quickly trying to change the subject to something a bit more uplifting. "We don't want to be too late to get everything done in Ponyville that needs to be done. So now. Shall we?" "Roger that!" Said Cobalt pumping a hoof into the air enthusiastically. "YEAH!" And with that, the group climbed into the carriage, and with a few deep flaps of the two pegasus wings, they were up in the air, and speeding toward their destination. Flash and Zen went to the back of the carriage and were talking, so Hikaru figured it was best not to disturb them, or listen in. So he opted for taking out his music player and hooking it into the built in sound system in the carriage. As he listened to the music play, he thought back to everything that had happened the last many days he had spent in Ponyville, on the road, and in Manehattan. So much had happened and his life was totally changed. And here he was, only an hour or so from the event that was gonna be one of the biggest moments in his life. And it was real. No dream, this was it. He sat back and watched the land fly by. The sun was slowly starting to set and the colors painted on the sky and the land were absolutely breath taking to see. Hikaru felt happy. And it was an emotion he had rarely ever felt back in Ponyville. And it reassured him that the life he would now live, was the life he was meant to live. "Thank you.." He whispered looking up at the sky. And with that, he sat back and listened to the sounds of the music he loved so much. The sound of pure Trance. ------------- "Did you just raise your voice at me?!?" Yelled Storm with a look of anger on his face. Iris sunk back. "Oh...um...no sir...I didn't......" "Good, I didn't think you did." Responded Storm settling back down and grabbing his magazine. Iris thought for a second, and then decided to just go with what she felt. She was done with feeling intimidated by Storm. 'I have something to say.' She thought to herself. 'And I'm gonna say it!' "No, actually....You know what Storm," She continued as she walked right up to the front of the desk. "I DID raise my voice at you, cause what you just said is one of the most selfish, stupid, and heartless things I have ever heard in my LIFE!" "Well I guess we think different." Said Storm giving Iris a condescending look. "You just called a young filly with a bone deformity a "lost cause", how dare you Storm....how can you say that." "Its simply the truth." Said Storm without hint of regret. "Nothing more than that." "I have never met such a heartless pony in all my life...Never once....and I didn't think there could ever be somepony with that little of a heart." Said Iris through clenched teeth. She was starting to get very angry with every single word that came out of Storms mouth. "You know Storm, I used to side with you when Hikaru would come to me saying how he hated the way you were, how you didn't care about him, but I always told him that it wasn't true. I told him that it was just his perception of things that weren't reality. But after seeing how you are this past week, I can honestly say that I am seeing the same way Hikaru did. You're a heartless little foal...And you don't even care." "You're right, I don't." Replied Storm sounding audibly annoyed. "Get out of my office Iris, this conversation is over." Iris huffed and turned to leave. 'I don't know how much longer I can take working for this idiot. Im on the last straw now....' "Oh and Iris?" She stopped. "You're fired." Iris opened the door and started heading out. But she paused for a bit, then turned around to face Storm head on. "Hey Storm." Storm ignored her as he continued to read his magazine. Iris knew he was listening however. And she knew he would hear what she said quite well. "Hey Storm...." She turned to leave. "Buck you." ===================

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2012-01-07T07:30:48+00:00

2012-01-07T07:30:48+00:00

Ponyville, a place Hikaru never wanted to return to for the rest of his life, and at the same time, wanted ever so much to come back. Hikaru looked over the familiar landscape as the carriage passed the outer limits of Ponyville and slowly approached downtown. The event was originally supposed to happen at the Starlight Den which was just on the border of downtown Ponyville. But due to the huge amount of tickets sold, and more publicity, the event needed a larger venue, so a giant tent was set up on the other side of town that could hold the large amount of individuals who would show up. The carriage slowly approached the main street in the center of town and touched down lightly. Hikaru took a deep breath. He was nervous about being recognized as he was sure he was a wanted pony. But with the hoodie that Sky had given him, he figured he would seem inconspicuous enough. "Well...." started Zen softly. "Here we are." "Yepsky." Replied Flash. "Hikaru? Sky? You both good?" They both nodded and Flash opened the door. Ponyville was much more busy than usual. It seemed that the event had brought many others into town to shop, get food, and tour around. Hundreds of ponies from all around equestria wandered the streets. Some speaking in strange accents that Hikaru had never heard before. 'Hmmm...' Thought Hikaru. 'Maybe being noticed isn't something I had to worry about after all. If anything, I should worry about remaining with the group!' "Hikaru!" Sky woke him up from his daydreaming. "Huh?" "Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna join us for dinner?" "Oh! Yeah! Haha! Wow, Ok." The group headed over to a large Denneighs restaurant to grab something to eat. Denneighs was known for having really mediocre food that was probably just microwaved upon order, but it was cheap, usually quick, and food that they didn't mind eating. The place was pretty crowded and quite loud from the voices of many trying to talk over the noise. It seemed that this was more business than the staff were prepared for as everypony was running around trying to take orders, cook, and serve. Luckily, the group got a table and quickly placed their order which arrived in about 10 minutes. Hikaru chewed on his tofu burger which he could have sworn was made of cardboard covered in gravy, but it was enough to fill him. Hikaru looked over at Sky who was staring at the contents of the glass in front of her. It was supposed to be lemonade but it seemed to be mostly water with hints of lemon flavor. Hikaru glanced over at Flash and noticed that he as well as Neko were looking at him. He quickly looked away and continued eating. He saw Neko giggle out of the corner of his eye and saw her whisper something to Flash. Flash suddenly looked pleasantly surprised and whispered something back. 'What could they be talking about....' Hikaru thought to himself. Flash suddenly cleared his throat. "So.....Hikaru san........my bro.....dude...." "Um....what?" "So just sayin, you and Sky..." 'oh no' "Have you told h-" Hikaru grabbed a carrot from his dish and threw it at Flash's face. "Ow! Aug Hikaru, my tooth sheesh!" "Hikaru!" Yelled Sky. "Whats your issue with carrots! You're gonna seriously hurt somepony!" "umm....." Hikaru thought quickly. "I HATE CARROTS! They were NEVER there for me growing up! Ponies were like OH WOW CARROTS MMMMMM GOTTA LOVE THOSE CARROTS, and....I...NEVER GOT ANY! yeah, NEVER! So I....hate them. I HATE THEM!" Hikaru looked around and noticed that many ponies were all staring at him. His face turned red and he sunk down into the booth. "heh." Said Neko suddenly. "Oh! so um...Sky...." "Yeah?" "About what we were talking about the other day, I just gotta say, you and Hikaru..." 'oh no' "You both kinda-" Sky threw a head of lettuce at Neko, but it missed and hit a unicorn mare in the back of the head across the room. "OW!" "Oh...oops...." "You yell at me for throwing carrots and you throw a whole head of lettuce?" Questioned Hikaru. The orange unicorn who got hit turned around and looked straight at another pony who was sitting behind her. "So thats how its gonna be now huh? FINE! TAKE THIS YOU FOAL!" She threw a plate of spaghetti at the pony who ducked quickly to avoid the flying pasta. Unfortunately, it landed in the face of a grey earth pony mare. "Ugh! How dare you!" "This won't turn out well...." Hikaru said aloud. The entire restaurant suddenly erupted in a mad frenzy of flying food. "Oh yeah FOOD FIGHT!" Screamed Flash as he dived out into the flurry of flying color. "Are you insane?!?!" Yelled Zen after him. "Wait what am I asking, sheesh." A plate of pickled cabbage flew past Hikarus head. "Maybe...we should get under the table or something..." "As long as we stay in this booth," Started Sky, "I think we should be o-" CRASH! A plate smashed through the window by their side sending glass raining down onto the floor. "UNDER THE TABLE!" Screamed Beam. The frenzy lasted for 5 minutes longer until there was no more food to throw, and everypony left the restaurant muttering crude remarks. Zen quickly left the bill at their table and the group exited the restaurant with haste. "That...was...AWESOME!" Yelled Flash as he ran up to the group. "I'm gonna have dreams about that for weeks!" "You're also gonna smell like teriyaki sauce for weeks..." Said Zen with a scowl. "Only makes it better for you when you get all "Licky" when you're drunk." Said Flash with a smirk. "FLASH!" He laughed hysterically. "I would cut you.....if you weren't so amazing..." "So I guess we should start heading over there yeah?" Said Neko. "Yeah! just follow the hundreds of others walking in that direction! So easy!" Said Flash enthusiastically. "YEAH YAH YOO!" "Is he always this....enthusiastic?" Asked sky in a whisper to Hikaru. "You have been around him much more than me." "He's an interesting colt isn't he." Laughed Hikaru watching as Flash started hardstyle shuffling for no reason. "Cmon Flash not now...." Sighed Zen as they continued on. They walked on for a good 10 minutes until they crested the top of a hill and saw the amazing sight before them. A giant tent towered into the sky surrounded by large colorful searchlights that swung their light rays back and forth around the structure. A long line of hundreds of ponies were waiting at the door which was being guarded by 4 large stallions. The vibrations of bass were resonating through the air and technicolor lights flashed from inside, creating a defused glow around the area. "woah..." breathed Hikaru and Sky simultaneously. The sight was mesmerizing to look at. "This is amazing!" Yelled Flash enthusiastically. Hikaru looked at the long line to get in to the event. "Ugh... We'll be in that line forever..." "oh really now?" Said Zen with a smirk. Remember those backstage passes that Vinyl gave us that one night? Well since Flash and I are super chill with her now, she gave us more backstage passes for the others. And these passes also allow us to skip the line, and go in through the back! No lines! "NO WAY!" Yelled both Hikaru and Sky in unison. "Oh yes way!" Said Flash jumping up on his back legs. "HAHAHAHAHA!" "Oh calm down...." ------ Iris opened the door of her home and walked over to the bed in the corner and fell down into it's softness. She let out a sigh and rolled onto her back to stare up at the ceiling. 'What am I going to do now?' She asked herself. 'I hope I can find some place else to work quickly. I can't help but feel I did something foolish back there. Yet, I know its what I should have done.' Iris rolled out of bed and walked over to the small desk in the corner. A random assortment of magazines, advertisements, and letters were thrown about it's surface. 'I should really clean all this up.' She thought. She started sorting out the random papers when one small flier caught her eye. "Nocturnal Oasis." She read aloud. "The event everypony around here has been excited for..." Iris put the flier down and walked over to the window. The sun was slowly starting to set. It would be getting dark pretty soon within the next hour or so. 'I wonder.....' She thought to herself. 'I am a bit curious about this thing....maybe....its been a while since I've gone out for some fun..' Iris glanced back over at the flier. What did she have to lose? She wouldn't have to wake up early for work tomorrow, and for all the years of hard work, she did deserve to treat herself to a night of fun. Iris looked out the window at the continuing setting sun started to dip into the horizon. She let out a sigh and grabbed the flier. "Im going." ========= The group walked up to the back entrance of the tent. A large guard stallion was standing there. He looked dangerous and tough, exactly the kind of earth pony you would expect to be a security guard. "Can I help you all?" 'Woah, he even sounds tough.' Thought Hikaru. "We got the magic." Said Flash to the guard. "Um...." The guard gave him a confused look. "We got the magic. WE SHALL PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Flash whipped out the backstage passes with a flourish and some strange backflip kind of jump. "Its like he's already high...." Sighed Zen shaking her head as Neko put an arm around her. The guard looked at Flash with his tickets in hoof and giant and somewhat creepy grin on his face. "Don't over-do it on the drinks kid...." He sighed as he unclipped the rope to let the group in. "YEEYAYOO!" "Seriously bro.." Said Beam. "You're too excited." Hikaru found himself entering into a busy area with ponies running around setting up sound equipment, computers, lights, and shouting orders through radios. "Wow it sure is busy back here." Stated Sky as she jumped back from a young unicorn rushing by with a large roll of wire. "Oh hey!" Yelled Zen. "There's Vinyl!" The white DJ unicorn was sitting in front a mirror with another pony who seemed to be getting on her nerves. The group walked over to her to see what was going on. "UGH! I don't want that stuff ok! I'm not into all that trashy blush and whatever else you want to put on me you got that?" "You need to look nice for the photos that the press will SURELY be taking!" Yelled a green unicorn with a white mane. "You can't just perform like THAT!" "Oh forget you....haha, someponies around here are actually happy with how they look, and don't have to wear fake eyelashes that make it look like they have grass growing from their eyes!" "WHA! How DARE you! These cost quite a bit you know! And they are quite difficult to come by." "Yeah I bet they are." Laughed Vinyl. "I bet they only have one pony who buys them. Some pony who they know will buy anything they want them to buy, no matter how much it makes them look like a front lawn! HAHA! I gotta say, I do crack myself up sometime!" "You are impossible.." Muttered the Green mare. "Just answer me this." Began Vinyl. "How much did you pay for those?" "Oh...well.....um..." "How much Tea Spice!" "Well........258 bits....." Vinyl snickered, and then burst out laughing. 'HAHAHAHA! OH MY GOSH ARE YOU SERIOUS! OVER 250! HAHAHAHA! OH WOW! HAHAHA! YOU-YOU-HAHAHAHA!" Vinyl fell onto the floor. "YOU ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK WITH!" Screamed Tea Spice, and she turned around and quickly trotted away. Vinyl stopped laughing and got up. "Haha, works every time. About time she got out of my mane. Oh hey you guys!" "VINYL!" Shouted Flash and Zen both giving her a hug. "Nice to see you again!" "Yeah its been a bit hasn't it. Heheh....sorry you had to see that earlier. I just can't stand these crazy make up and stylist trying to get me all prettied up. I don't roll like that. Just mash in some gatsby mane rubber and Im good to go." "I knew it." Said Hikaru. "Same stuff I use." "Haha! I figured. If you haven't noticed by now, we have very similar mane styling." Hikaru never noticed in fact, but now that he was up close to Vinyl, it was true. The color was different, but it did actually look quite similar. "So why aren't you getting ready to go up?" Asked Sky. "I mean, its starting in 15 minutes and the crowd is starting to pour in from what I can hear around the curtains." "Ah no worries!" Replied Vinyl grabbing a tapioca milk tea from the fridge. "I never really prepare. I just go up and let it flow. Its the way to go. HEY FERRY!" Vinyl waved to a grey earth pony with an orange mane. 'Oh no way thats Ferry Coltsten!' Thought Hikaru feeling suddenly very star struck. "So anyways." Said Vinyl taking a long sip from her milk tea, "Feel free to hang around. And remember Hikaru, Sky, if you two find any issues, if you think somepony might notice you, just come back here. No ponies except those with passes can get back here. Even authorities will have a wait to get back here. So no worries. I got your back!" "thank you so much Vinyl." Said Sky. "This really means allot to the two of us." "Ah no worries." Said Vinyl with a smile. "I like you all. Adventurous and crazy. My kind of ponyfolk!" "Just another reason why we all love you Vinyl." Said Zen with a smile. "Aw shut up." Laughed Vinyl throwing the empty cup into a trash can. "Oh by the way. Hikaru. I'm over at that hotel of your Dad's. No offense, but it that place fails hard. I mean, since when do Hotels not have TV's and soap? And no ice either! Now the stupid ice machine says that I have to pay 5 bits for ice? I have never been to a single hotel that did that. And why are you guys selling all the art from the rooms? "Oh great..." Sighed Hikaru. "I guess he's really lost it. Worrying about money too much probably.....idiot..." "Haha, so it is his doing." Laughed Vinyl. "You know, I have never met this guy, but from all you tell me, and from what I see. I would love to take a few good kicks in his face." Hikaru laughed at the thought. As much as he felt that he would hate to see that happen, he couldn't help but think that he would enjoy seeing his father get beat down a bit. 'Ugh, I gotta get rid of this hatred some day.' A black pegasus flew into the area. "VINYL! Heads up! Spiral hooves is up first, and you are up right after in about 20 minutes. Got it?" "Yeah yeah, don't worry about it!" "Alright, be ready, and have a good show!" "Hey," Said Vinyl turning to the group. "Wake me up in 15, k?" "Hu-wait-wha-ah...." "Please and thanks. Later!" "Ill wake her up when its time." Said Cobalt. I am just curious how she looks....asleep...um...wait...oh wow..." "Whatever you want ya creep!" Laughed Flash. "And know that I will never let you forget what you just said!" "Oh great..." "Well cmon guys!" Yelled Flash. "Its time to go absolutely freakin INSANE!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAA-" "I WILL SLAP YOU SO HARD AGAIN IF YOU DONT STOP THAT!" "heheh....sorry." =============

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2012-01-18T08:59:06+00:00

2012-01-18T08:59:06+00:00

Hikaru followed the rest as they walked through a small corridor that led to a large side door. The sounds of house music could be heard through to the other side. "DOOR HANDLE!" Screamed Flash mashing his hooves around the handle desperately trying to open the door. *Clunk* *clunk* *clunk* "COME ON!" *clunk* Zen sighed and used her magic to open the door. Flash bolted out and disappeared from sight. "He gets way too excited for these kind of things...." Said Beam shaking his head. "You have no idea..." Said Zen with a sigh. "Oh well. Come on, we'll find him eventually." Hikaru stepped out from the doorway and found himself immersed in an amazing scene. The space inside seemed to be quite a bit larger than the outside led him to believe. It was literally the size of an entire flight stadium with what seemed to be thousands of ponies everywhere. Dozens of laser lights and strobe lights flashed above creating an ocean of light and color above. Swinging multi-colored spotlights shone through the fog from a fog machine making interesting glow formations around the room. Up towards the front of the massive area was the main stage with a huge screen in the background that showed dazzling images of color and patterns. And right in front of the massive screen was the incredible DJ set up. A giant table with all sorts of DJ equipment all around. Turntables, MIDI controllers, Other audio controllers and a few laptops, all wired up and connected into the massive and powerful sound system that was strung all throughout the tent. "Dang...." Said Hikaru looking around. "Wha?" A grey unicorn stallion wearing large glasses with black messy styled hair stopped in front of Hikaru. "Wha? Um....Hi?" "Yeah Hi....do I know you...? "I...don't think so...?" "You said my name so...." "What? I said dang." "Yeah, Im Dang. Paul Dang actually, but ponies usually just call me Dang." "Oh....sorry, I was just saying..dang...." "ISN'T THAT ALWAYS!" Screamed Dang as he ran off toward the bar toward the back of the tent. "Uh...sorry..?" Hikaru looked off in the direction of Paul Dang. He saw a very large bar area that had quite a few workers behind the counter. All along the back wall were rows and rows of fancy bottles of different varieties of drinks, and a select few ponies were mixing cocktails with fancy flourishes and throws to the dozens of customers lined along the counter. "Oh great.." moaned Sky as she too noticed the bar. "Flash and Zen are going to get completely trashed by the end of tonight with THAT over there." "I was thinking the exact same thing." Replied Hikaru taking a quick glance around to see if he could spot Flash anywhere. But he was completely lost in the crowd. Suddenly, in a blur of grey,blue,and black, The very pony they were looking for zoomed up to Hikaru and the rest with a wild smile on his face. " "THIS IS AWESOME! YOU GUYS GOTTA GET ON THE DANCE FLOOR! OH IM TELLING YOU, IF THIS PLACE HAD A HOOK, IT WOULD BE OFF IF IT! YA KNOW? OFF OF IT! HAHAHAHAHA!" "Dude...." Began Beam. "Are you on something?" "IM ON THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!" Screamed Flash at the top of his lungs which resulted in many turned heads in his direction. Flash grabbed Beam and shoved him out into the dance floor. "Hey! Wha-" "GET OUT THERE FOAL! WE AINT LEAVIN TILL YOU FIND AT LEAST 10 MARE'S PHONE NUMBERS!" "Oh Celestia he has completely lost his mind, oh Celestia help me..." Said Zen hiding her face in her hooves. Hikaru watched as Flash shoved Beam further into the crowd while Beam protested and tried to head back. But Flash blocked his way and the two soon disappeared from sight. "Hey what's up?" '"Wha?" Hikaru turned to see that Cobalt had joined them. "Oh hey you're back. Wake up Vinyl?" "Yes....and she sleep talks. And apparently does things if woken up suddenly. She hoofed me in the face..." Cobalt rubbed the bruise that was starting to form on his jawline." "Ouch. You alright?" "Yeah its fine. She was pretty apologetic. Its all good. She is gonna be on in a few minutes by the way. Take note that once Vinyl comes on, the night is gonna get absolutely crazy. This is when they turn down the lights, turn up the lighting effects, turn up the bass, and crank the volume to maximum. This DJ Spiral Hooves is decent, but it is just an opening act and one that is a pretty new DJ. Everything from after this is what's gonna make this night a night to remember." With what seemed to be perfect timing. DJ Spiral Hooves finished and waved goodbye to the crowd. Ponies cheered for the awesome set and cheered even louder when the light suddenly went dim. The entire building was completely pitch black minus some glow and light accessories some ponies had on. The crowd quieted down a bit in anticipation. Suddenly, a bright white spotlight turned on from under the stage and sent its bright beam upward onto the DJ set-up on stage, and there stood Vinyl, looking very ghostly in the white light. Immediately, the crowd erupted into a huge cheer as Vinyl grabbed a microphone. "WHAT'S UP EVERYPONY!" Vinyl was greeted by another earth shattering cheer. 'I will never get used to that.' Thought Hikaru as he felt his ears aching from the volume. "I know that all of you crazy foals are ready to tear this place apart! So I'm gonna make sure that by the end of my set, that every one of you is gonna be so hyped up, so insanely energized, that you could literally pick up this giant structure and flip it over! I BET THATS WHAT YOU ALL WANT RIGHT? Again, massive amounts of cheering. "ALRIGHT! I LOVE IT! Im gonna start us out with some crayyyyyyyyyons crazy dub aight? And we'll just see where we go. Sound legit?" Cheers. "Alright! ARE YOU READY?" Cheer. "I SAY ARE! YOU! READY!!!" Louder cheers. "ALRIGHT!" The light suddenly went out. "Woah what?" Hikaru was confused. "What just happened?" Suddenly, a slow ambient track started playing with some occasional heavy beats. Bright lights and lasers flashed with each beat creating an interesting effect of alternating bright color lights, and pitch black darkness. "I had a way then losing it all on my own I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown And I'm not sleeping now the dark is too hard to beat And I'm not keeping now the strength I need to push me" "Oh I know this!" Said Sky suddenly. "Its called "Lights". Wow this is awesome, Vinyl really changed this up!" "Lights....Fitting." Said Hikaru jokingly as he was dazzled by the light show surrounding him. The song escalated into a bass rush and paused as the lights once again went dim. Once again, much more cheering. When suddenly... "DROP IT!" The bass dropped like a bomb and the entire room was suddenly vibrating to heavy bass and amazing wobble. "OH MY GOSH!" Yelled Hikaru suddenly becoming quite excited as the lights and lasers madly flashed all around, and ponies on the floor seemed to be thrashing around like mad with the intense bass. Hikaru could feel his whole body shaking. He had never experienced anything like this before and it seemed as if the entire thing was causing him to feel a bit lightheaded. "Hey um..Sky?" "Yeah?" ""Im gonna go sit down over there." "Sure...you alright?" "Yeah! Im fine, just gonna rest for a second." "Alright, Ill be here!" Hikaru rested on one of the couches that was on the side of the dance floor. 'Why do I feel like this? It doesn't make sense, I am starting to feel kind of sick. What's happening to me?' Hikaru sat there until the end of Vinyls set. He wanted to get up and get into the crowd but he just wasn't feeling himself. As Vinyl left the stage and the stagehoofs swapped out some sound equipment, Sky went over to Hikaru to check up on him. "Hey Hikaru? You alright?" "I don't even know..." He moaned leaning back on the couch. "I feel faint for some reason." "You might be dehydrated actually." Sky said noticing that his eyes were red. "When is the last time you drank something?" "Umm..." Hikaru tried to remember but realized that he couldn't. It must have been quite a while and with all the walking and being in the hot building, it seemed to make sense that it could be the reason for his feeling of sickness. "Ill get you some water, be right back." Sky ran over to the bar. 'Wow....I guess I should have drunken something at that denneighs we went to.' He thought as he watched Sky asking a bartender for water. 'Gotta be more careful about that.' Sky soon returned with a tall glass of water with ice. "Oh thanks so much Sky..." Said Hikaru gratefully taking the water and drinking down the entire glass. "Hopefully you start to feel better in a bit." Said Sky "Yeah it feels really refreshing, I'm already starting to feel allot better. Thank you." Sky smiled and hugged him. "I don't want to see you die dude." The crowd suddenly started screaming once again, and Hikaru looked up onto the stage and noticed a new pony had emerged in front of the turntables. "Wait...." He said. "Thats the pony..." "HELLO PONIES OF EQUESTRIA! My name is Ferry Coltsten and I flew out from the Neighterlands to be here with you all and I have to say, from what I have seen, YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!" Everypony erupted into a loud cheer. "So lets cut the chit chat and get this thing started! YEAH!" In a flash, Ferry dropped a beat and immediately started mixing a fast paced trance track. "Its THE Ferry Coltsten!" Shouted Hikaru. "We gotta get up closer! Come on Sky!" "Wha?" Sky said as Hikaru pulled her up and onto the floor. "Are you sure you're feeling ok? Maybe you should rest a bit more?" "Im already feeling better don't worry!" Shouted Hikaru over the loud music. "Come on!" The two soon arrived near the foot of the stage where Ferry had his equipment all set up. It was an amazing sight up close. Working the equipment with flow and expertise, Ferry made it look easy, even though Hikaru knew that what he was doing was all very complex. As Ferrys set continued on, Hikaru let himself get lost in the experience, feeling totally separated from any worry or care. Just him, good friends, incredible music, LIVE. Was this heaven? It sure felt like it. The night went on and the group of 7 were having the time of their lives. Flash was madly dancing and flailing excitedly all around the dance floor. Much to the dismay of Zen who was content with hanging around Neko as they socialized with others. Beam kept trying to get away from Flash who was trying to hook him up with random Mares but every time he got away, Flash somehow would find him and pull him back. Cobalt disappeared every so often and wouldn't say where he had gone for some reason. Hikaru and Sky ventured onto the floor a few times but for the most part were happy just sitting to the side and taking in the show. Hikaru was drinking another glass of water when he looked over toward the entrance and noticed a few familiar faces walk in. He jumped up immediately and ran over. "Laser!" He shouted as he ran over. Laser, along with the other three Hikaru had met at the last rave he had gone to had just arrived in time for Aly and Filly's set. "Hey Hikaru! Nice to see you here!" "I was wondering where you guys were, I thought that maybe you guys got lost or something." "Ah no we don't get lost! OW!" Flashfire elbowed Laser in the side. "Hehe....ok maybe I got us a bit off track. But hey we're here now! Its all good! Right guys?" "You led us to a thrift store." Muttered Tech Hoof. "Oh well cmon, who doesn't love a good thrift store right?" The three glared at him. "Oh whatever, hey, Hikaru, you been working on that stuff I was showing you? Figure out some cool moves?" "Yeah actually! I can show you later, I brought a few new uncracked sets with me." "Awesome!' Shouted Laser. "I have a feeling that once Aly and Filly get started, we'll all be feelin it and flowin with it. Can't wait for that!" They didn't have to wait long, cause Aly And Filly's set started up just then. "Oh here we go!" Shouted Rush Beat. Aly and Filly had a very distinctive sound that anypony could easily tell. And the tracks that they were spinning and mixing were absolute magic. It was only a matter of minutes before Laser and his group, along with many other ponies who had come to also share in the glowstick and other lighted rave elements had gone into full swing. Hikaru was a bit nervous at first to join in as he felt that he was a total amateur. But Laser dragged him in and after a few minutes of feeling awkward, Hikaru found himself lost in the music and flowing with the sound. Hikaru closed his eyes for a second and for a bit, it seemed that everything faded away. He started thinking back. Thinking back about everything that had happened. He had gone through so much these past few weeks. He had gone through many hardships, and many trials, But looking back now, he realized, that it was all worth it. When he really thought about it, this whole journey had changed him. He was no longer the shy timid anti-social teenage earth pony from the past. He was now an adult. He made his own choices, made his own living, and actually had more than one friend now! Although Sky was obviously the best friend he could ever have. He had learned allot about himself. And learned allot about his friends as well. He had gained new interest, new plans. He felt as if he had a real purpose now. Like he knew what he was doing in life. And as he swung the glowsticks in unique patterns, he felt complete freedom. Not a care in the world. He was free. Free to be who he wanted to be. Nothing holding him back. It was everything he could have wanted, and even more. 'Im somepony now.' He thought to himself. 'Hikaru...yeah.' 'Hikaru...' "Hikaru...." "HIKARU CELESTIA DARN IT!" "WHA?" Hikaru snapped out of his trance to see that Laser was shaking him. "What?" "Dude! Did you even notice?" "What? What did I miss? I kinda zoned out there for a bit." Laser laughed. "You may want to check yourself out in that mirror over there bro." "The mirror?" Hikaru was confused. "Why?" "Just do it dude!" Laughed Flashfire. "I think you might be happy about this." Hikaru walked over the the mirror and looked. "Well...its me.....Woah, my mane is getting flat. I gotta gatsby it again." "Turn sideways." Said Laser. "Wha?" Hikaru turned sideways and looked. "Its still me. Me and my self and I, ya know...I'm not sure what you-" Hikaru suddenly froze and did a double take. What was this? 'Wait no.... Is it...?' There it was. On Hikaru's flank, were two glowsticks side by side glowing a bright neon green. But these weren't actual glowsticks, for they were part of his body. Yes indeed. Hikaru had been so lost in his trance that he didn't even notice it appearing. But there t was. Hikaru, had found his special talent. "Its....that....I.....NO WAY!" "That is an EPIC cutie mark I gotta say!." Said Laser hoofing back Hikarus glowstrings that he had dropped on the floor. "I can't believe it...." Hikaru was still in shock. "This.....oh my gosh....I gotta show Sky! Oh gosh I kinda ditched her when I saw you guys, Ill go find her oh my gosh this is awesome!" Laser laughed as Hikaru dashed off looking for Sky. "Guess thats a big highlight in anyponies life." Hikaru rushed through the crowd looking for Sky. "Ugh where is she? Oh! There's Flash!" Hikaru rushed up to Flash who seemed a bit drunk and was trying to hook up Beam with a yellow pegasus mare. "SEE YOU TWO ARE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! CMON DUDE KISS HER!" "I really don't know this guy...I really don't...." Beam said feeling completely embarrassed. "I think he's insane..." Observed the mare. "Like...Im not kidding I think he needs help." "Flash!" Shouted Hikaru. "Have you seen Sky anywhere?" "SKYYYYYY" Shouted Flash. "I know Sky. Sky is cool. Sky knows Zen you know. Oh I love Zen..." "Ugh..." Flash wasn't going to be of any help. Hikaru ventured deeper into the crowd. "Oh! There!" Hikaru saw her with Neko and Zen towards the right side of the dance floor. He headed over. He suddenly noticed that a green unicorn stallion was talking to Sky. "I wonder who that is..." He got closer to listen in. "Cmon....You know you want to." "Nah bro, Im sorry but Im just here hanging out with some friends." "Tell me your name then? Cmon at least you can tell me that." "Ugh fine, Im Sky." "Sky....nice name. But really, I saw you from over there, I think you're something special you know. Why don't you dance with me for a while, maybe later we can see where it leads heh?" "Dude no..." "Come here I dont bite..." The stallion put a hoof around Sky. Something was rising up inside Hikaru. He suddenly felt very angry. He didn't even know this Stallion but some feeling was rising up, and it was making him feel intense rage. "Hooves off bro." Said Sky swatting his hooves off of her. "Just leave us alone alright?" Said Neko pulling Sky over. "Ah I see, playing hard to get! No worries. I know your type. "My type?" Asked Sky in an annoyed tone. "Yep, play all hard to get, but I know what you are really like. Wait till after this thing is all over, We'll see how crazy you get." "Not a chance." Said Sky shaking her head. "Oh don't even try to tell me that. I know what's going on in your head right now. You little foal." That was it. Hikaru couldn't take it anymore. All his senses seemed to lock onto that Stallion like there was nothing else in the world. Hikaru's eyes filled with fire and he charged at the stallion in front of him. The stallion didn't even notice Hikaru as he had his back turned to him. Hikaru jumped and crashed into the green stallion with pure rage. "AH! WHAT THE-" The stallion didn't have time to finish the sentence before he found a hard hoof smashing into his face. "YOU SHUT UP!" Screamed Hikaru as he angrily landed blow after blow into the stallions face. "DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT! I WILL KILL YOU!" He continued barraging the stallions face over and over with as much force as he could find within him. "HIKARU STOP!" Shouted Sky. But Hikaru couldn't hear it. His anger blocked everything out. It was just him, and the stallion. Hikaru didn't care where he was hitting him or how sever of an injury he might cause. He was totally willing to kill this pony if he chose to do so. How many times had he hit him now? It must have been over 30. He didn't care. "YOU WILL NEVER SPEAK OF HER LIKE THAT! NEVER!" He channeled all of his strength into one huge blow that landed right in the stallions mouth with a loud crack. "Hikaru stop it dude!" Screamed Laser as he pulled Hikaru off the stallion with the assistance of Tech Hoof and Cobalt. Hikaru could only see the stallion before him. Everything else in the world was blocked out. He still had his eyes set on him and he wanted to kill him. It was as if nothing else even mattered. He suddenly felt a splash of cold water on his face and he was stunned awake. "Yah! Wha...." Neko had splashed a cup of water onto him. Hikaru looked around. A crowd had gathered to see what was going on. Hikaru then noticed a pain in his two front hooves. He looked down at them and was shocked at the sight. Both hooves were covered in blood, and lots of it. Did he cut himself? He then realized that the blood wasn't his own. He looked at the stallion. The green stallion was lying on his side on the floor breathing heavily in a pool of blood that was streaming from his mouth, his nose, a few gashes in his face, and under his eyes. There was a few teeth scattered around and ripped out hair from his mane. His horn had also had a large piece chipped off. Hikaru had completely destroyed him. "I ...did that...." Hikaru couldn't believe it. The stallion coughed and spurted out a huge gush of blood onto the floor. "He needs to be taken to a hospital right away!" Yelled a white pegasus mare. "Way ahead of you!" Yelled two stallions rushing over. Apparently the event had medical staff on hoof incase something was to happen. Hikaru stared at the bleeding stallion of the floor in front of him who seemed barely alive. He looked up at Sky who had a look of shock and horror on her face. "No..." Said Hikaru. He started to feel hot tears streaming down the side of his face. He couldn't look at anypony, maybe never again. "I ruined my life..." He whispered to himself. "I failed. Again....Thats all I ever do! Buck this I'm nothing! " Hikaru turned and ran. He ran toward the exit, rushing past ponies who were still partying and hadn't noticed what had just happened. He crashed through the door and ran outside away from the event tent. He ran over the top of a hill and collapsed by the small lake on the other side. His tears were now freely flowing making it impossible for him to see. "I messed everything up..." He shut his eyes tight and hid his face in his hooves. "I'm a failure...." ===================

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2012-01-24T07:32:34+00:00

2012-01-24T07:32:34+00:00

Hikaru continued lying on the grass by the lake. "I'm so stupid." He whispered. "I ruined everything. I can't even do anything right! I just mess everything up! I'm already wanted here in Ponyville, and now I pretty much killed somepony else! They are gonna be after me and Ill be locked up forever! And nopony will care. I pretty much scared Sky and she'll never want to see me again. Probably same with everypony else. I have nothing. Ill probably be arrested soon. I can forget about everything in manehattan....Im so STUPID! IM WORTHLESS! " Hikaru bit into his arm as hard as he could. 'I hate you....' he thought as he bit down harder. He soon tasted blood telling him that he had broken through the skin. He started crying as he let go. 'What am I even doing? Am I really this hopeless?' He hit the water with his hoof. "My life is basically over. There's not a soul in Equestria who cares about me now...." He looked into the water in front of him and further out at the deeper end. "Not a soul..." Hikaru heard a small sound behind him and spun around quickly to see what had made it. Sky stood there and jumped back a bit when Hikaru had turned around so suddenly. Hikaru looked away. He couldn't face Sky. Not now, not ever. He had ruined everything and he knew that Sky could probably never look at him the same way again. "Hikaru..." Began Sky. "Are you..ok..?" Hikaru was silent. He wanted to just disappear and never be seen again. "Hikaru... I-" "What are you eve doing here Sky." Hikaru said not wanting to look Sky in the eye. "Its obvious that I'm too dangerous to be around. I bet all of Equestria is going to be after me now. I guess I'm just an angry guy with violent tendencies. I should just get away from everypony. And I sure as hay don't want you to have to deal with me." Hikaru turned around and looked down into the water. "You should just go back. Don't bother with somepony like me..." Hikaru hated himself. He wished that he was dead. And as much as he liked Sky, he did not want her to be there. He was surprised when he felt a head leaning on his shoulder. "Wha.." "I'm not leaving you here like that." Said Sky. "I never would." Hikaru looked over at her. "Why would you still want to be around me? I saw the look on your face. You were absolutely horrified. You looked at me like I was a monster. I saw it clearly. And I wouldn't blame you. And even then, why would you want to even be here? I bet everyone called the police and the heat is on me even more than it was before. I bet I'm most wanted in all of Equestria. If you are seen with me, you would get arrested..." Hikaru still couldn't look at her. He still wanted to vanish and never be remembered. Sky put her arm over him and rested her head on his. "What kind of friend would I be to just leave you for them to take you?" Hikaru felt tears streaming down the side of his face. 'I don't deserve a friend like this...' "And.." Began Sky. "I realized something. First of all, you're wrong you know...about you being some violent dangerous pony. I have known you for years Hikaru, and this has only happened twice. But...I noticed something." Hikaru sniffed and wiped his eyes. "And what's that?" "You only snapped those two times, in defense of a certain pony." Hikaru understood. "You snapped at your Dad, cause of what he said about me and my family. And you snapped this time, cause of what that stallion was saying, right?" Hikaru sniffed and nodded. "Aw Hikaru..." Said Sky hugging him tightly. "I have never met anypony who cares about me as much as you do. I wish you didn't have to snap like this, but...I guess that just shows how much you care." Hikaru sighed and looked up. "I don't know.....I'm...weird..." "Why do you care about me so much Hikaru? Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve a friend like you..." Hikaru couldn't help but laugh a little at the statement. "What?" Asked Sky feeling a bit relieved to see a hint of happiness from him. "Its just...I find myself asking the same thing. I mean, even after all I have done, you still went out to find me. You don't want to leave me. I think anypony would hate me after all I've done. I don't deserve it. You really are amazing Sky..." As Hikaru rested on the ground with Sky, he thought back to the conversation that he had with Flash about him liking Sky as more than a friend. Flash had tried to convince him to tell her but Hikaru didn't want to do so incase it freaked her out. 'I guess I mine as well tell her now.' He thought as he looked out over the water. 'I have a feeling that I might never tell her at the rate that I have been going at. If I ruin everything, oh well.' "Sky..." "hm?" Hikaru took a breath and continued. "Sky..I...I just want to say, that I really....ugh...I..." "What?" "Ok Sky.... I'm just gonna say it. I like you, like...I really do. I care a lot about you and...well...yeah, I guess thats why I flipped out those times. Ugh, I'm no good at this, I feel dumb. Im sorry, I probably made this...really awkward. Wow I fail. Ugh, Im sorry. Oh Celestia just kill me. Wow what am I even doing. Wow I just did that. Kill me Sky. Kill me. Take a sharp carrot and kill me. What the hay am I talking about. You can't kill anyone with a carrot can you. You know what, there's a lake here. Drown me Sky. DROWN ME! Oh nevermind......." Hikaru flopped his head down into the water. *Splash* Sky stared at Hikaru who had his head halfway submerged under water. "You really aren't good at this..." Hikaru nodded, still partially submerged. "Are..you ok?" Hikaru shook his head, still submerged. "Are you dead?" *bubbles* "Ugh Hikaru." Sky grabbed Hikaru's head and pulled him out of the water. "You are horrible sometimes you know." Hikaru flopped down onto the ground. Sky sighed and laid down by his side. "I knew by the way." Hikaru froze. 'She knew? How? How could she know?' "Wha...how...wha?" "Zen told me actually. A few days ago." Hikaru was surprised. "Zen? But how did she know? I never mentioned anything to her, that doesn't make sen-..... FLASH!" 'I'm gonna kill him.' "Sky..I...umm...oh kill me. Just kill me, I can't live anymore." "Don't be ridiculous Hikaru." Said Sky with a smile. "I was wondering if you were gonna tell me." Hikaru looked up at Sky, barely able to look her in the eye. "Are we still friends?" Hikaru felt horrible, he felt like he was going to throw up. Maybe this was all a big mistake. He wasn't thinking, his mind was all stressed and he probably made some bad judgement. 'Why do I do this..' Hikaru suddenly found himself being kissed by Sky. !!! "I.....um..." Sky had backed away and looked quite red. "Wow...Uh....." Hikaru was equally red in the face. "That was....." Began Sky. "I...I don't know what I'm doing. Sorry? I mean...I.." "No....I..um..." Hikaru rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Its great....I never....That was..." "Yeah..." Sky sighed and hugged Hikaru. "We're hopelessly awkward aren't we." Hikaru laughed and welcomed Sky's embrace. "I don't even know...I think we're the most ridiculous ponies of all of Equestria right now though." Sky laughed. "That rhymed." "Eh....." "I don't know Im trying to say anything to make this moment less awkward honestly." "Do you like spaghetti?" "What?" "Spaghetti." "Well yeah but....what?" "I don't know! You were trying to make it less awkward so I decided to help!" Sky looked at Hikaru with a confused look. "That honestly makes things even more awkward." "Oh and the fact that you have had your arms around me for this whole time doesn't?" Said Hikaru with a smirk. "Wha-OH!" Sky dropped off of him. "Heheh, sorry." Hikaru laughed. "Yeah....um...you know, I don't know what we should do now. Do I dare go back to the party?" "You know, I don't think that anypony would even notice you. You didn't have your hoody on, and there are literally hundreds of others that look just like you with the hoody. I think we should be ok. And I know that the others are worried about you. "They are?" "Yeah, you gotta stop thinking that everyone is gonna hate you. We all care about you for real. And no matter what you do, thats not gonna change." Hikaru smiled and looked back in the direction of the event. He couldn't see the tent itself, but he could see the faint aura of light filling the night sky and the distant sound of house. He then looked back toward the lake. It was a really amazing sight. The moon was reflected off the surface along with the stars. The night sky was absolutely incredible. "Or..." He began. "We could stay out here for a while..." Sky smiled and leaned up next to him. "Thats totally fine with me." ------------- After an hour of hanging out and talking, Hikaru and Sky headed back to the rave. They were surprised to run into Iris on the way back. She was overjoyed to see Hikaru again and was glad to see that he was safe. Hikaru and Sky found the others pretty quickly. They were going to go out to try to find the two when Sky hadn't come back. Hikaru was nervous about confronting them all, but he found that they were all quite understanding and didn't hold what he had done against them. They all enjoyed an amazing night as many other DJ's went up to the stage. Flash and Zen spent quite a bit of time at the bar area and ended up getting very drunk. While Neko and Beam stuck around Hikaru and Sky, as well as Iris who had decided to join them. Cobalt kept vanishing throughout the night, and Flash soon found out that he had been going to the back to hang out with Vinyl. Apparently they seemed to be hitting it off pretty well. The night ended with a massive DJ collaboration and fireworks over the tent. It was a night that nopony would soon forget. Hikaru said goodbye to Iris and wished her the best. He knew that finding a job wouldn't be easy. But with the level of experience that she had, She would have an easier time that most. The group took a carriage back into manehattan where they went their separate ways. Hikaru and Sky had to basically carry Flash and Zen to their apartment as they were in no condition to be walking. They spoke in slurred speech and were spouting off random phrases as they went. After a somewhat difficult time in getting them into bed, the two went back to their own apartment. "Well..." Said Hikaru falling onto the couch. "That was some night." "Sure was!" Said Sky sitting down next to him. "I don't think Ill ever forget it." Hikaru glanced over at the clock on the table as saw that it was 3:30 in the morning. "I guess we better get some sleep, we gotta get a better sleep schedule for when we start working at the window factory." "Ah yeah, we're working adults now, gotta make our priorities." Sky said as she looked at the glowsticks around Hikarus neck that still had some glow left in them. Hikaru slipped them off from around his neck and hoofed one to Sky who looked at it curiously. 'Never got how these things can light up like that.' "Hey sky?" "Sup?" "I just want to say, that I am so happy that you are in my life. I don't know what I would do without you." "Aw..." replied Sky as she nuzzled up next to him. "I wouldn't want to be with any other pony in the world." Something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. "HIKARU!" "AAA!!!! WHAT? WHAT?" "YOU HAVE A CUTIE MARK!" "You just noticed that?" "YES! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!" " I thought you would have seen it by now, I had it almost all night!" "WHAT?" "What..." "WHAT? "What? "WHAT!" "WHAT OH MY GOSH WHAT!" Sky sighed. "Oh nevermind...." Hikaru laughed and held her close. "Love you Sky." Hikaru didn't know what the future held for sky and him, and he didn't know how anything was going to work out. Whether the two of them would be able to keep their jobs and support themselves, and if they would forever live in the apartment or eventually move out and get a place of their own. But one thing was for sure. Hikaru was now living a life that he truly enjoyed. No more being forced into doing what he didn't want to do. No more stress and anger. He had found freedom from all of that. He had found a new life that was his own. This was it. His moment. His time. His freedom.

20percentcooler

345

DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Adventure,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hikarus Freedom

complete

<p>Hikaru is a young adult pony who has yet to get his cutiemark. He longs to find his true calling but is unable to do so as his strict father keeps him working in the family hotel all day and night.<br/>Hikaru finds his escape from his boring life through trance music and talking with his best and only friend, Sky Breeze. When he finds out that his favorite artist are coming to town for a large event, Hikaru must find a way to convince his father to let him go. But will his father allow it? And what is in the future for Hikaru and Sky?</p>

everyone

2012-01-24T07:34:12+00:00

2012-01-24T07:34:12+00:00

Epilogue. --------------- Vinyl walked toward the nicely dressed stallion who was by the front counter. "Excuse me?" "Ah yes? How can I help you?" "Yes, I am looking for a "Storm Ray?" "Ah yes that is me, what can I help you with?" "Oh so you are the one huh. Good to know. I got something for you." "Something....for me?" "Yeah." Vinyl took a sharp swing at Storm's face and punched him on the side of his snout sending him crashing down onto the floor. "You're a loser. Go buck some dead trees you foal!" Cobalt walked out from around the corner. "VINYL! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" "Something that I've wanted to do for a while now." Said Vinyl with a smirk. "Now come on, we're checking out of this place and going to that other place across town. I don't support losers like this little paper cut." "Paper cut?" "Yeah yeah I don't know, I'm out of insults sue me, lets go." And with that, Vinyl and Cobalt trotted out the door leaving Storm on the ground feeling quite miserable. ============================================= Thanks to all who stuck with me through this entire thing! It was my first attempt at a fanfic and I hope you all enjoyed. So much of this fic is based off of real people and real events in my life, as well as other influences like dreams, ideas, things I wanted to happen, and even from ideas from fellow bronies. I hope to continue to grow as a writer and write more fics that all can enjoy. I can say that I have already started working on my next fic, so keep an eye out for that in the future. Anyways, thanks for reading, and Ill see yall soon! J

e4tmyl33t

346

Applejack,Fluttershy,Rainbow Dash,Dark,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Friendships Forgotten

cancelled

<p>The Solar Empire.</p><p>That's how Equestria and its citizens came to be known under the rule of Princess Celestia, mover of the sun. Her rule was absolute, but not harsh. Everypony had their place, and everypony knew what that place was.</p><p>Luna, the mare of the moon, had returned from her thousand-year imprisonment as Nightmare Moon on the lunar surface. After her defeat in the ruins outside of Ponyville, she returned to being Luna and returned with her sister to once again take over her duties of raising the moon and owning the night.</p><p>But something festered in the heart of the night mare. She saw how there were classes of ponies that sat higher on the ladder just because of their race or bloodline. The unicorns, with their inherent magic, were favored most by the Princess. They and the pegasi with their cloudborne homes had more freedom and independence than the earth ponies who worked the land and inhabited much of Equestria...and Luna grew upset. Before she had become the jealous Nightmare Moon, everypony under the sun and moon were equal. Those who worked did for the betterment of all, and those who sought knowledge shared with everypony else.</p><p>For many years after her awakening at the hands of Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony, she brooded over these facts and did her duties as lifter of the moon. She watched as the ponies in Canterlot and all over Equestria became more and more separated...until one day she could no longer stand to watch her people be subjected to this.</p><p>Fleeing the Royal Palace and taking up residence in the ruins she fought in not all that long ago, she began recruiting ponies of all races and birth with promises of equality and a new future.</p><p>The New Lunar Republic was born.</p><p>Many ponies immediately divided between the two factions. Those loyal to Princess Celestia migrated towards Canterlot, eager to ensure their Princess and society stayed safe. The followers of Luna flocked to her ruins and the nearby town of Ponyville, making it their new capital as the New Lunar Republic officially seceded from the Empire.</p><p>Princess Celestia was saddened at these events, but a more shocking turn of events was yet to come. So idealistic were the Lunar citizens that they demanded that the Solar Empire disband, and all ponies would be included in the Republic as equals. This call was met by defiance by the Solar Empire, and three months after the initial demands, the New Lunar Republic declared war.</p><p>Families have been destroyed. Friendships have been torn apart as loyalties divided. Some ponies fled both factions, determined to make a living on their own in the wilderness of Equestria. Others have turned to more malicious tactics, hiring themselves out as mercenaries to whichever faction is paying more at the time.</p><p>For 6 ponies from Ponyville, this will be the hardest time of their lives. Ideologies and battle have torn them apart and spread them far from their homes.</p><p>War has come to Equestria. The Elements of Harmony are broken and scattered. Can these 6 ponies overcome their differences and unite to end this war? Or will the conflict be too much for them, leaving them bitter and resentful for the rest of their lives?</p>

teen

2011-07-28T13:20:25+00:00

2011-07-28T13:20:25+00:00

Friendships Forgotten: Agent Rainbow The warmth of the sun kissed her wings. It was a feeling she loved, but one that she was also quickly getting tired of. For months now, she had spent most of her time at these high altitudes waiting for events that may not come. She sighed quietly and did a little backflip, stretching out tired muscles and worn out tendons. Six hours she’d been up here today, higher than the highest clouds. She looked down on those clouds, fondly remembering the times gone past where she would laze around on them waiting for friends to come by, or bucking them away to let the warm light of the sun stream down to all the ponies below. Rainbow Dash was tired of the war. For eight months now, Rainbow had been a lone flier for the Solar Empire. Her natural talent for speed had initially gotten her placed as a scout and reconnaissance pony, keeping near the ever-changing front lines and reporting back to other ponies what she discovered. Three months into the war, however, she was given a new assignment. She remembered that day as the day she started getting annoyed at the sun’s warmth. She thought back on the events immediately prior, the act that got her placed where she was now. She had charged into the commanders’ tent, panting heavily and legs trembling. Her rainbow mane was caked with dirt and leaves, evidence of the methods she had to use to avoid being caught. The assembled officers turned towards her, and the closest pony motioned for her to speak. “They’re coming,” she remembered herself saying, “they’re heading straight here. They’ve got to have close to 200 earth ponies and at least 3 pegasus bomber squadrons on the way.” The assembled officers gasped in shock, that kind of a force would decimate their little encampment, as they only hosted a company of 50 ponies and a single squad of pegasi. They would be outmanned, and probably completely decimated if the enemy had managed to hide any unicorns in those earth pony squads. “Are you sure about those numbers? Why would they be sending such a massive force here?” one of the captains asked. The colonel at the head of the table stomped a hoof and scowled angrily at the map spread out on the table between them all before speaking. “We’re shortly due to receive reinforcements. The higher-ups believe that if we can put together enough of a force here and drive forward that we can split the land the New Lunar Republic holds and cut off their supply lines. There are camps like this all around the Republic’s land. If it worked, we could surround a good portion of their forces and either force them to surrender, or...” his words died off, as even throughout these past few months of conflict it was difficult for anypony to think of taking another pony’s life. Rainbow Dash stood there quietly throughout this exchange, silently cursing Luna for instigating this whole war. She thought of all the ponies out in the barracks and mess tents, and how they would never survive the force that was coming towards them. They would be wiped out entirely. With a small snort of determination, she raised her head and shook her mane, causing some of the debris to fall out of it. “I’ll head them off,” she heard herself saying, not quite believing the words coming out of her own mouth. “I’ll try to create a diversion while you ponies evacuate. Get somewhere safe. If I can find you afterwards...” she trailed off, knowing how unlikely that scenario was. The officers all looked at her like she was insane. “There’s no way you’ll survive! A lone scout against that size of a force? You won’t stand a chance!” a lieutenant exclaimed. The colonel shook his head sadly. “Unfortunately, it’s probably the best chance we’ve got. Rainbow here is a good flier, one of the best. If she can deceive the enemy into going the wrong direction, even a little bit, we can save the lives of many ponies here.” He looked Rainbow Dash in the eye with a steeled expression. “I wish you luck, Rainbow. May Celestia protect you.” Rainbow Dash saluted the colonel with a tired hoof. “Don’t worry, colonel, I’ve got a plan. I don’t know if it will work, but it’s my...and our...best chance right now.” With that, she turned and slowly walked out of the tent, with all of the commanders behind her bowing their heads in a silent prayer for the lone pegasus. She shook her head to clear it from the memory. She was on duty, and she had to keep a close eye on the skies beneath her. She did a couple small tricks to stretch more muscles, making sure she kept herself out of sight behind the higher clouds. She’d never be able to pull off her maneuver if she was spotted beforehand. As she hovered in the heights, she thought back to her friends. Whatever happened to those five ponies she had hung out with back in Ponyville, before it was taken as the capital of the New Lunar Republic? She wondered how the quiet Fluttershy and bookish Twilight Sparkle dealt with the outbreak of the war. Fluttershy had always hated conflict, so she probably fled the fighting to live in peace with her animals. Twilight had disappeared shortly before the war began, having been sent on a diplomatic mission to Ponyville to try and make peace with Princess Luna. Nopony had heard from her since. She wondered if Rarity, with her style and grace, was getting along well in Canterlot, having moved there after the war started. She wouldn’t dirty herself on the front lines. Maybe she was making dresses for the bigwigs there, or designing the uniforms the troops wore. Rainbow Dash hoped that she was doing okay for herself. She had heard rumors that Applejack had sided with Luna and was fighting out on the front lines, with Big Macintosh running Sweet Apple Acres to provide food for the troops out in the fields. She idly wondered if Applejack was among the many wounded she had seen over the last few months. The only pony she could say for certain that she didn’t wish to run across out here in warzone was Pinkie Pie. After the war broke out, with chaos and conflict raging across Equestria, Pinkie Pie had gotten despondent that her parties weren’t enough to cheer up the Equestrian citizens she came across. Her mind reverted to that of Pinkamena Diane Pie, the odd and insane pony that Rainbow Dash had met only once before. Pinkie Pie’s newfound madness caused her to gather a group of mercenaries to her, calling themselves the P.A.R.T.Y. Squad, and hiring themselves out to whoever paid them the most that day. They had no remorse, and were utterly ruthless in engaging whomever was their enemy at the time. Once the killing was over, however, the true horror began. The bodies of the slain were made into “party attendees”, and their “parties” usually ended up with bloodstains and property damage covering entire towns. Rainbow Dash took the time to shed a tear for the friends she couldn’t see, the friends she missed so much. She missed Pinkie Pie’s parties, and the occasional crash through Twilight’s library windows. She missed her athletic competitions with Applejack. She missed Rarity’s sometimes-snooty sense of fashion, and the dress that she had worn for the Grand Galloping Gala years ago. She missed Fluttershy’s quiet kindness, even if she were scared of her own shadow most of the time. Most of all, she missed being together with them all. Ever since she was recruited into the Solar Empire’s fighting forces, she had been alone. Sure, there were the ponies in the encampments, but she was never there long enough to even learn their names. She was only ever in the encampments for a day or two at most before heading back out to the field for more reconnaissance work. She missed having friends to hang out with, to compete with, and to laugh with. Wiping the tears away that were building up in her eyes, she tried to empty her mind of the thoughts of the friendships that were forgotten. She had a job to do, even if it was just hovering in the sky for ten or twelve hours out of the day, and reminiscing over her old friends wasn’t getting that job done. Having cleared the final drops from her eyes with her forelegs, she once again turned her attention downwards. Scanning the sky below, she was about to resign herself to another few hours of boredom before the sun went down when she noticed a dark spot against the ground below. She squinted her eyes for a better look, then opened them wide as a small smirk came across her face. A large flight of pegasi had just taken off from Republic territory and were heading towards one of the larger camps on the outskirts of the Solar Empire’s land. She took a few deep breaths and steeled herself for what she was about to do. Judging their distance and height, Rainbow Dash mentally counted down a few seconds, and then threw herself into a steep dive, remaining as quiet as she could the whole time. As she plunged towards the ground, she placed both her forehooves in a diver’s point in front of her and began to pick up speed. The timing on this had to be perfect. As she fell, she took note of the air bending in front of her. She pushed herself faster, watching the deformity in the air grow and begin to wrap itself around her. She needed as much speed as she could get if she was going to pull off a Sonic Rainboom in the center of the enemy squadron. Rainbow had gotten this trick down to an art form, and now was using it as a weapon. As the wind whipped past her face and blew back her mane, her mind once again drifted back to that day when she first thought of using the Rainboom offensively. She had taken off from the camp and, using a long and out-of-the-way path, flew up above the cloud cover. Rainbow already hated this war, and she didn’t like what she was about to do. Once she was high enough, she stopped and looked out over the land until she found the advancing enemy. She flapped her wings and flew towards the enemy, hoping that what she was about to do would work. As she approached the oncoming forces, she began to throw herself into a dive. Three pegasus bomber squadrons meant a lot of bombs, and if she could disrupt their flight with a Sonic Rainboom enough to cause them to fall into their own troops... Rainbow blinked the tears out of her eyes. Never before had she intentionally caused harm to another pony. Sure, there had been accidents, and she had certainly caused some property damage because of her flying, but never had she willingly attacked another pony. What she was about to do was horrible, but if she didn’t do it then all those ponies in that camp would be dead by nightfall. She plunged down, the air crackling around her as the wave of energy built up in front of her. Just as she was about to hit the same altitude as the enemy pegasi, she surged forward with a hard flap of her wings. BOOM. From behind her, it didn’t sound big enough. She banked up to avoid hitting the ground, and that’s when she heard the screaming. As she circled back up above their lines, she looked down on the enemy...or what used to be the enemy forces. The Sonic Rainboom had been perfectly placed at a height mere inches above the backs of the flying pegasi. The shockwave of color and sound, being so close, snapped their wings like twigs in a tornado and sent the pegasi spinning out of control to the ground. With 20 pegasi per squadron, and each pony carrying two bombs, the ground forces were all but annihilated. Only a few wounded soldiers remained. As she looked upon the field below her, Rainbow Dash felt all the muscles in her chest and throat tighten up. She closed her eyes, which were streaming with tears, and immediately took off back towards the direction of Empire territory. She had saved those ponies in the camp, but she felt like a monster. Rainbow Dash shook her head again to focus on the here and now. Something was wrong. She couldn’t tell what, but she had an immediate feeling that something was different about this attack. She was almost upon the enemy, but she still glanced around to try and figure out what was causing this feeling of dread that took up residence in her chest. Two seconds passed before her eyes widened and she figured it out. There were no ground troops. During all these months of fighting, never was a pegasus squadron sent out without being accompanied by at least one squad of ponies on the ground as support. There were no ground troops accompanying this squadron, and the squadron wasn’t carrying any bombs. Instead, strapped to each of their backs and stomachs was a large crystal. Painted on their sides in liquid rainbows were images of a noose. This was a suicide squadron. Rainbow Dash knew that if she aborted the attempt now, she’d likely end up dead as a result of the g-forces that would be exerted on her. She narrowed her eyelids to slits, and pushed forward. All her muscles screamed in exertion as she hit that magical speed, and BOOM. The air was filled with color all around her. This wasn’t supposed to happen, her mind said, the Rainboom only makes a ring-shaped shockwave. Why is the air in front of me colored? she wondered, briefly, before a loud cracking sound was heard. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. The air lit up with a white light, brighter than the daytime sun. Rainbow Dash couldn’t see where she was going. She tumbled a bit in the air, attempting to find anywhere where the extreme white light didn’t exist. She didn’t even see the shockwave come up behind her and slam her towards the ground. As she lost consciousness, her only thought was, So they found a way to fight it. I guess that means I’m not so great anymore. She blacked out before she hit the forest. Epilogue She felt a cool breeze wafting over her face. She was in incredible pain, but she knew she was alive. Everything hurt, and she didn’t dare to open her eyes to see what kind of shape she was in. As the pain flared and she started slipping back into unconsciousness, she thought she heard a familiar quiet voice. “Oh...oh Rainbow Dash...what did they do to you?” She cracked her eyes open just enough to see a flash of yellow and pink before she slipped back into the darkness.

e4tmyl33t

346

Applejack,Fluttershy,Rainbow Dash,Dark,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Friendships Forgotten

cancelled

<p>The Solar Empire.</p><p>That's how Equestria and its citizens came to be known under the rule of Princess Celestia, mover of the sun. Her rule was absolute, but not harsh. Everypony had their place, and everypony knew what that place was.</p><p>Luna, the mare of the moon, had returned from her thousand-year imprisonment as Nightmare Moon on the lunar surface. After her defeat in the ruins outside of Ponyville, she returned to being Luna and returned with her sister to once again take over her duties of raising the moon and owning the night.</p><p>But something festered in the heart of the night mare. She saw how there were classes of ponies that sat higher on the ladder just because of their race or bloodline. The unicorns, with their inherent magic, were favored most by the Princess. They and the pegasi with their cloudborne homes had more freedom and independence than the earth ponies who worked the land and inhabited much of Equestria...and Luna grew upset. Before she had become the jealous Nightmare Moon, everypony under the sun and moon were equal. Those who worked did for the betterment of all, and those who sought knowledge shared with everypony else.</p><p>For many years after her awakening at the hands of Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony, she brooded over these facts and did her duties as lifter of the moon. She watched as the ponies in Canterlot and all over Equestria became more and more separated...until one day she could no longer stand to watch her people be subjected to this.</p><p>Fleeing the Royal Palace and taking up residence in the ruins she fought in not all that long ago, she began recruiting ponies of all races and birth with promises of equality and a new future.</p><p>The New Lunar Republic was born.</p><p>Many ponies immediately divided between the two factions. Those loyal to Princess Celestia migrated towards Canterlot, eager to ensure their Princess and society stayed safe. The followers of Luna flocked to her ruins and the nearby town of Ponyville, making it their new capital as the New Lunar Republic officially seceded from the Empire.</p><p>Princess Celestia was saddened at these events, but a more shocking turn of events was yet to come. So idealistic were the Lunar citizens that they demanded that the Solar Empire disband, and all ponies would be included in the Republic as equals. This call was met by defiance by the Solar Empire, and three months after the initial demands, the New Lunar Republic declared war.</p><p>Families have been destroyed. Friendships have been torn apart as loyalties divided. Some ponies fled both factions, determined to make a living on their own in the wilderness of Equestria. Others have turned to more malicious tactics, hiring themselves out as mercenaries to whichever faction is paying more at the time.</p><p>For 6 ponies from Ponyville, this will be the hardest time of their lives. Ideologies and battle have torn them apart and spread them far from their homes.</p><p>War has come to Equestria. The Elements of Harmony are broken and scattered. Can these 6 ponies overcome their differences and unite to end this war? Or will the conflict be too much for them, leaving them bitter and resentful for the rest of their lives?</p>

teen

2011-12-30T18:16:57+00:00

2011-12-30T18:16:57+00:00

Friendships Forgotten: Honesty Against All Odds She was cold. She was hungry. She was tired. Most of all, she felt alone. Applejack rolled over in the pile of hay and blankets that served as a makeshift bed. The hay was old and getting too dry, and it made her itch every time she moved. She shifted the blanket underneath her slightly, trying to keep it between her and the hay as much as possible. She had just arrived in the barracks on the outskirts of the town of Gladhoof less than a week ago, having been sent as part of a small squad meant to replace the losses recently suffered in battle against soldiers of the Solar Empire earlier in the month. There were less than 30 ponies here in total, and most of the “buildings” were hastily constructed tents made out of tarps held up by branches. She hated it here. For all her weariness, however, she just couldn’t fall asleep. Three hours had gone by since she had first lain down on the makeshift bedding, and she was still wide awake. She sighed and rolled off the pile, stretching her legs as she stood. As she started to walk outside to get some fresh air, she took a look around at the other ponies in the tent. The ponies all around her were all earth ponies, Applejack noticed. She hadn’t seen any pegasi or unicorns around the barracks since she arrived, and she knew that none had come with her when her small group got transferred here. Shoot, Ah guess they’re needed more near Ponyville, she thought to herself. Since Luna’s gone and made that her capital, she’d want ta have th’ best magic defenses she can. Still, ah wish we had some sorta backup here. If’n the commander’s right, an’ there are Solars comin’ back this way, we’re not gonna fare well. She didn’t know any of the other ponies that were stationed here. None of them came from Ponyville, and for as large as the Apple family was, not a single one of them were here either. Everypony here was tired, worn down, and seemed to just...not care anymore. They all just went about their routines. Eating, sleeping, training...the monotony of it was driving her crazy. Exiting the tent, she looked up at the sky. Even though the two alicorn princesses were at war with each other, they both knew the importance of keeping the day/night schedule going. The night sky was filled with thousands of stars, each a little pinprick of light in Luna’s sky. Applejack stared into those points of light, and wondered how her friends were doing. She hadn’t seen any of them since the Lunar Republic’s secession, and she was starting to dearly miss all of them. Even Rarity, the snooty pain-in-the-flank, she thought. As she walked outside the barracks' border into a small wooded area, she began to think about why she was even here to begin with. She wasn't a soldier pony, though she might be stronger or tougher than some of the so-called "soldiers" back at camp. She was just a simple farm pony, who got caught up in the fervor of the war declarations that she left home and went out to fight. "What I wouldn't give to be back at Sweet Apple Acres, doin' some applebuckin'," she muttered to herself as she passed by a pair of large willow trees and stepped into a clearing. "That's honest work, not sittin' here, waitin' for somepony to wander by so we can kick the tar out of 'em. Not like this group's gonna pull that off." The clearing was well-lit, the light from the stars and moon making it feel like a safe haven, protected from the outside world. She sighed and laid herself down on the soft grass, just listening to the sounds of the woods around her. This was peaceful, and comfortable, unlike those old hay beds back at the camp. "This is how an earth pony should spend her time outside," she said around a yawn that snuck up on her. "I'll just catch a wink of sleep here, then be back at camp for the mornin' hooey." She laid her head down beside her hooves, and was quickly asleep. The first thing she noticed when she woke up was that it was rather bright out for the morning. The next thing she noticed was the single apple laid in front of her. Blinking and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, her still-waking brain began to process this information. She leaned forward and took a bite of the apple, chewed for a moment, then sat up completely straight and looked skyward. "Aw horseapples, how late did I sleep? It's gotta be almost noon, and I'm gonna be in a heap o' trouble back at the camp!" She quickly stood, and took another glance at the apple on the ground. She decided that one more bite for the trip was for the best, then turned and ran off towards the barracks. It wasn't until she rounded the final tree and was within view of the camp that she noticed the smell. Thick plumes of acrid smoke billowed up from nearly every tent and hay pile. Ponies lay bleeding, unconscious or dead, nearly everywhere. There were craters in the ground, most likely from unicorn battle magic. The entire camp was destroyed, and it looked like it had been done so very thoroughly. A single flag bearing the emblem of the Solar Empire stood in the center of camp untouched, obviously planted after the destruction had been finished. Applejack couldn't help but stare, her flank falling to the ground as her back legs nearly fell out from underneath her. "What did they do? I don't see anypony that's not ours layin' here," she said quietly to herself. "They musta come in the middle of the night. Took us out quick." Her eyes began to water as she replayed the likely scenario in her mind. "Why would they go through all this trouble for just a little camp like this?" A rustle in the brush on her left made her jump to her feet. She ran back around the tree she was standing near, crouching low to the ground behind its trunk. Did they leave someone behind to watch for ponies comin' back? she thought. A murmur of voices she didn't recognize moving towards the camp confirmed her thoughts, and once they had moved far enough away, she sprang up and broke into a run back into the forest. If I go this way far enough, I should get near Ponyville in 2 or 3 days. I've gotta tell Princess Luna what happened. She needs to know, she thought as she ran. What coulda been so important that they had to blast apart an entire camp near a town like this for? The smoke from the fires was finally starting to thin out as five unicorns in all-black bodysuits gathered near the banner that had been planted in the former camp. The masks they were wearing kept out the acrid air and the terrible smell, but it didn't prevent the sight of the devastation from getting through. Though they had been the ones to do this, it never seemed to get any easier. "We searched the entire camp, milady. There was no sign of the target among the bodies," one with "III" embroidered on the flank of his suit stated in a business-like manner. The one bearing "I" on their flank sighed through her mask and glanced around before speaking. "That means she left before we got here. It's also likely that she's still alive. The reports said she was here less than two days ago, so she can't be far. I'm going to track her down, the rest of you report back to Canterlot. Inform Princess Celestia of the mission's result, and carry out whatever further orders you're given." The other four unicorns saluted, then concentrated for a moment and disappeared in a flash. The lone remaining unicorn took one long, last look around at the camp and sighed again. So much destruction...it must be stopped. Applejack, where ARE you? she thought, as a purple glow enveloped her horn. A set of ghostly hoofprints glowed nearby, heading into the forest. I hope you're alive, I need to talk to you! She disappeared in a flash of purple magic, heading into the forest after the orange earth pony.

e4tmyl33t

346

Applejack,Fluttershy,Rainbow Dash,Dark,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Friendships Forgotten

cancelled

<p>The Solar Empire.</p><p>That's how Equestria and its citizens came to be known under the rule of Princess Celestia, mover of the sun. Her rule was absolute, but not harsh. Everypony had their place, and everypony knew what that place was.</p><p>Luna, the mare of the moon, had returned from her thousand-year imprisonment as Nightmare Moon on the lunar surface. After her defeat in the ruins outside of Ponyville, she returned to being Luna and returned with her sister to once again take over her duties of raising the moon and owning the night.</p><p>But something festered in the heart of the night mare. She saw how there were classes of ponies that sat higher on the ladder just because of their race or bloodline. The unicorns, with their inherent magic, were favored most by the Princess. They and the pegasi with their cloudborne homes had more freedom and independence than the earth ponies who worked the land and inhabited much of Equestria...and Luna grew upset. Before she had become the jealous Nightmare Moon, everypony under the sun and moon were equal. Those who worked did for the betterment of all, and those who sought knowledge shared with everypony else.</p><p>For many years after her awakening at the hands of Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony, she brooded over these facts and did her duties as lifter of the moon. She watched as the ponies in Canterlot and all over Equestria became more and more separated...until one day she could no longer stand to watch her people be subjected to this.</p><p>Fleeing the Royal Palace and taking up residence in the ruins she fought in not all that long ago, she began recruiting ponies of all races and birth with promises of equality and a new future.</p><p>The New Lunar Republic was born.</p><p>Many ponies immediately divided between the two factions. Those loyal to Princess Celestia migrated towards Canterlot, eager to ensure their Princess and society stayed safe. The followers of Luna flocked to her ruins and the nearby town of Ponyville, making it their new capital as the New Lunar Republic officially seceded from the Empire.</p><p>Princess Celestia was saddened at these events, but a more shocking turn of events was yet to come. So idealistic were the Lunar citizens that they demanded that the Solar Empire disband, and all ponies would be included in the Republic as equals. This call was met by defiance by the Solar Empire, and three months after the initial demands, the New Lunar Republic declared war.</p><p>Families have been destroyed. Friendships have been torn apart as loyalties divided. Some ponies fled both factions, determined to make a living on their own in the wilderness of Equestria. Others have turned to more malicious tactics, hiring themselves out as mercenaries to whichever faction is paying more at the time.</p><p>For 6 ponies from Ponyville, this will be the hardest time of their lives. Ideologies and battle have torn them apart and spread them far from their homes.</p><p>War has come to Equestria. The Elements of Harmony are broken and scattered. Can these 6 ponies overcome their differences and unite to end this war? Or will the conflict be too much for them, leaving them bitter and resentful for the rest of their lives?</p>

teen

2012-03-08T21:42:47+00:00

2012-03-08T21:42:47+00:00

Friendships Forgotten: Kindness Repaid Fluttershy closed the supply cabinet after retrieving another roll of bandages. The hospital had just been restocked last week, but they were already running low again. Another order would have to be put in, and she wasn't sure if the hospital could afford to keep spending bits like it was. She sighed around the roll in her mouth as she walked down the corridor and pushed open the door to room 8. Once inside the room, she dropped the bandages onto the small table near the doorway and turned to look at her patient. The electric blue pegasus in the bed had been here for over two months now, and was likely to be here for far longer than that. The explosion that had nearly blew off Rainbow Dash's wings had done quite a number on her, and in the whole time she had occupied that bed she hadn't woken up, just exhibiting the occasional reflex twitch or movement in response to treatments before lolling back off into unconsiousness. A slight sniffle escaped Fluttershy's control, her eyes tearing up a bit at the sight of her friend hurt this badly, and having such a hard time recovering from it. She shook her head to get her mind back on track, and pulled off the sheet covering Rainbow's hind legs. Her throat caught again as she saw the bandages, just as it had that morning, and each time every day since she had put Rainbow in this bed herself. It hadn't gotten any easier to look at. Both of Rainbow's hind legs were completely wrapped in bandages, and there were still large sections of the bandages that would be completely red with blood after just a few hours. In addition to the bandages, there were large wooden splints binding each leg to help the broken bones knit correctly. Rainbow's tail was almost completely gone, all but a few inches of that multi-hued hair having been seared off in the blast. Her flanks were still raw in places, though her coat had started to regrow in patches, mostly around Rainbow's cutie mark and spreading outward. While her lower body had taken the brunt of the blast, though, her upper body wasn't that much better. Her wings were splayed out in splints similar to the ones on her hind legs, and at least half the feathers had been torn out of each one between the explosion itself and Rainbow's rough trip through the forest canopy immediately afterward. There were cuts and bruising all along her chest and forelegs, and most of her head was wrapped in bandages as well, with bits of her rainbow mane poking through where the bandages didn't overlap. The concussion she got from the impact with the ground was bad, and Fluttershy feared quite often that it might be permanently damaging for the brash young pegasus who was asleep in the bed. Fluttershy blinked away the tears beginning to form as she leaned in to begin removing the latest set of bandages from Rainbow's legs. A few times she had to bite down on one of the very blood-soaked sections to continue with the unwrapping, and the metallic taste lingered in her mouth, just as it had done each time she had removed Rainbow's bandages previously. Once the bandages had been removed from Rainbow's left leg, she went back over to the table near the door and began pouring out some disinfecting cleaner onto a washcloth. The cleaner stung her nose, but she had gotten used to it over the last few months. Taking the soaked rag over to the bed, she began lightly scrubbing Rainbow's wounds to clean them of any residual blood or material. A slight hiss escaped from between Rainbow's teeth as the cleaner stung her open wounds. Fluttershy looked up from her work briefly, making sure Rainbow didn't seem to be in too much pain from her ministrations. Rainbow's face was scrunched up a bit, but began to relax quickly. A small murmur of sound came out of Rainbow's mouth as she shifted her head, seemingly getting more comfortable in her sleep. Fluttershy turned back to her work, sighed, and continued her cleaning. "mmr...zat....stings..." Fluttershy's head shot up in an instant, eyes locked on Rainbow's face. The words had been faint, almost low enough to be inaudible. The scrunched up look of minor pain was back, and she was shifting her head around more. After a few fitful moments, she seemed to relax again and settled down. Fluttershy sighed softly, almost in defeat, but a small smile worked its way onto her lips. That was more activity than they'd seen in Rainbow since she was brought into the hospital. She picked up the cleaning cloth that had fallen to the bed and went back to her task. "rrr...that...stings! Wha...?" Fluttershy looked up again, and this time was greeted with a sight she hadn't seen for months. A pair of magenta eyes were blinking rapidly and squinting against the light in the room as they looked around. Rainbow was conscious! Fluttershy practically bounced into the air with happiness, her wings fluttering and keeping her aloft as the biggest smile she'd ever smiled broke out across her face. "Ohmygoodness ohmygoodness ohmygoodness! Rainbow, you're awake!" Rainbow's head swung around and she blinked a few times in Fluttershy's direction, seeming to have a hard time focusing. She brought up a foreleg to shield her eyes from the light and stared for a moment. "Fluttershy? Wha...what happened? Where am I? Why do I feel all tied up?" Fluttershy landed near the head of the bed, grinning at Rainbow for a few seconds longer, before throwing her forelegs around Rainbow's neck and giving her as big a hug as possible. Rainbow looked shocked for a second, before taking another look at her surroundings and noticing the terrible shape she was in. "Uh...Fluttershy? Really, what happened? I take it I'm in a hospital, but how did I get here? How LONG have I been here? The last thing I remember is..." Her words trailed off as the memory of what happened during her last Rainboom attempt came back to her. The noise, the light, the sound of those crystals resonating before the inevitable explosion, the long fall through the trees... Fluttershy let go of her friend, stepping back towards the end of the bed to pick up the neglected cleaning cloth. She stopped and thought for a moment before replying. "I found you in the forest just over two months ago. I had heard a loud explosion and ran off to see if anypony had been hurt. I found you on the ground, like you had crashed through the trees. I..." Her voice cracked and a tear ran down her face as she recalled how she had found Rainbow. "I didn't know what had happened, but you were very hurt. I immediately picked you up and flew you back here as quickly as I could. You've been unconscious the whole time. This is the first time you've woken up since...since..." She choked on the final part of her sentence as she thought about how she had found her friend. Rainbow took in the sight of her friend quietly crying next to her hospital bed, before shifting her attention to herself. She took a good look at the bandages on her legs, wincing as she remembered the intense burning of the Rainboom's light as it was released from the crystal contraptions those suicidal pegasi carried. She turned her head, surveying the damage to her wings. She flexed the muscles closest to her shoulders, trying to feel out how bad the internal injuries may be. Though extremely sore, her wings seemed to be unbroken, or at least any breaks had been mended expertly. She looked back over to Fluttershy. "Hey Shy, could you do me a huge favor? Can you take these whatsits off my wings? I need to stretch and they're in the way." Fluttershy sniffled as she raised her head to look up at Rainbow, who was staring at her expectantly. She wiped a foreleg across her face to clear off any lingering tears and moved towards the head of the bed. Leaning over, she undid the straps holding the splint on Rainbow's right wing and gingerly slid the device off the cyan pegasus before moving to the other side of the bed to do the same with the left wing's splint. Once free of the splints, Rainbow groaned in a mixture of pleasure and pain as she stretched muscles that had been forced into stillness for months. After a few experimental flaps to make sure everything still moved as it should, she folded her wings back to her sides, noting that there were still some feathers missing that hadn't regrown yet. She smiled as she closed her eyes and leaned back on the bed, watching Fluttershy go back to working on her legs. She took note of the delicacy that the yellow pegasus took when working on her wounds, making sure that they were completely clean before replacing the bandages with fresh ones. "Hey Shy..." Rainbow said quietly. Fluttershy looked up from cleaning up the last of the old bandages laying on the bed, seeing Rainbow looking down at her own torso. She deposited the bandages on the tray and walked back to the head of the bed. Rainbow sighed, then turned to look at her friend. "Thanks, Shy. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead right now. I owe you." She reached over and drew Fluttershy into a tight hug. Fluttershy smiled as she wrapped her own forelegs around Rainbows neck, returning the embrace and feeling extremely relieved that her friend seemed like she was going to be okay. Two more months passed for Rainbow at the hospital, during which her broken legs healed with no complications.Her wing feathers had completely regrown and her coat was almost completely back to its normal condition. Once she was able to walk again, she would regularly accompany Fluttershy on her rounds, talking about the various events that had come about during the war. Some of the stories would cause Fluttershy to just about break down in tears, and some, to Rainbow's surprise, would cause the yellow pegasus to show an almost extremely calm anger in how things had turned out. A week before Rainbow was scheduled to be discharged, a scroll bearing Princess Celestia's royal seal on it arrived at the hospital addressed to her. Fluttershy tucked it under a wing before she went to Rainbow's room to gather her friend for their mid-morning walk along the hospital's grounds. After handing it over, she waited patiently while Rainbow read the contents of the missive, then nearly jumped out of her skin when Rainbow jumped up from the bed, the scroll falling to the floor as she began rummaging around the room to find any belongings she had with her. "Was...was there good news in it?" she asked of the rainbow-maned pony. Rainbow stopped in her quest to gather her things and looked back at Fluttershy. The flame of determination burned in her magenta eyes, a sight that Fluttershy hadn't seen a lot of during Rainbow's stay at the hospital. "It was a message from someone high up in the Solar military. They want me back in Canterlot as soon as possible. I can't keep patrolling the skies since the Lunars apparently know how to counter a Rainboom, and I'm not very good at much of the other military stuff. Someone seems to have a plan, though, and it looks like I'm going on one last mission." Fluttershy's eyes widened as she heard the news, before she cast her gaze down to the ground. "Rainbow...be careful. I was so worried when I brought you in, I couldn't stand to hear you got yourself killed out there just after getting better." Rainbow walked over and gave her friend a friendly nuzzle behind the ear before stepping back, using a hoof to bring Fluttershy's eyes up to meet her own. "Don't worry Shy. I won't be getting myself killed that easily. Besides, I owe you for getting me healthy again. Once I finish this mission, I'm done with the military, I'll get my bits, and I'll be back to pay off the debt I owe you. I'll give you enough bits to run this hospital for a year. Count on it." Fluttershy looked puzzled for a second, and cocked her head in confusion. "What kind of mission would get you that much money, Rainbow?" Rainbow cracked a cocky grin and shook her head, her multihued mane falling forward in front of her eyes, once again hardened in determination. "We're going to end this war." Fluttershy watched her friend take off and fly towards Canterlot in the orange sky of sunset. They had exchanged their goodbyes outside the hospital, in the garden. Rainbow had double-checked that she had packed what little she had, which amounted to not much more than her pair of flight goggles and a small bag of food and supplies Fluttershy had made up for her. She then took off like a shot into the distance. Fluttershy waited until she couldn't see Rainbow in the sky anymore, then sighed and began to slowly walk back into the hospital. She went straight to her room, climbing into bed and curling her legs up underneath her. She stared at the sheets, deep in thought, until she leaned over and opened a drawer, pulling out another scroll bearing the Solar Empire royal seal. She let her gaze fall upon the letter she had received many months ago, about a month after Rainbow had arrived. To Fluttershy, Equestrian Hospital and Veterinary Center #4 I know that you just brought Rainbow into the hospital there. Don't ask how I know. Thank you for keeping her safe, like we always used to do for each other. Princess Celestia has a plan that will hopefully end this dreadful war, but we need her as part of it. Just like we'll need you, Fluttershy. We need the Elements. I know you didn't want to take sides in this, but something must be done soon or Equestria will tear itself completely apart from the fighting. Make her well. Once she's healed and other pieces are in place, we'll send for her to return to Canterlot. When this happens, we need you to act like you don't know. There are still too many chances that things can go awry before we can pull this off. When we need you, we'll send for you. -TS

AVeryStrange

347

DJ P0N-3,Rainbow Dash,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Thunder and Lightning

complete

<p>Rainbow Dash has always been notoriously lazy, but when their friend can't seem to keep awake for a single day the rest of the mane six take it into their own hooves to discover what's wrong with her. Is she just lazy? Or is there more to Dash's life than they know? And can they handle this other part of her?</p>

everyone

2011-07-28T17:54:34+00:00

2011-07-28T17:54:34+00:00

Chapter 1 "Dash? Dash!" Twilight called out, standing on the path below Dash's cloud home. She stamped her hooves in frustration as the silence dragged on. She had been at this for several minutes, and the situation called for a bit more urgency than her friend was showing. Or not showing, as the case may be. So far she hadn't shown up at all. "Dash, am I going to have to get Fluttershy to go up there?" Twilight asked of the clouds. She finally heard from above, a low groan making its way down to her. "Alright already." Rainbow Dash complained, rolling onto her front and over to the edge of her cloud home, where she could look down on Twilight. She blinked slowly a couple times at Twilight. "Can't a pony get some shuteye?" she complained. "It's nearly afternoon Dash!" Twilight retorted. Dash just looked around lazily at the bright day she had somehow slept straight through until now. She gave a yawn. "And why were you asleep outside?" Twilight asked, her curiosity overcoming her sense of urgency. Rainbow had her actual house at her back, lying on the surrounding cloud, near her rainbow river. "I'm tired." Dash said, explaining nothing. "Whatcha want?" "The weather patrol sent me to fetch you." Twilight explained. Her friend still didn't look all that concerned. Or conscious, given her drooping eyelids. "My shift isn't until the afternoon." she managed after a moment. "There's been an accident. One of the pegasus ponies flew into a mountainside, somehow." "It...happens" Rainbow replied, giving a wavering smile. "So why are they bugging me?" "Because, the other two members of the team had to help her back." Twilight explained, "Which means the thunderstorm they'd been redirecting is now almost on us, and they need it cleared fast. And not just fast, but the fastest - Rainbow Dash fast." Twilight ended with a smile, knowing the effect that would have on her brash friend. Rainbow Dash, sure enough, began to perk up. "Well, I guess you've got that right." she replied, blinking rapidly until she seemed more focused. "Come on Dash, please?" Twilight asked. Rainbow wasn't stupid; she could tell when she was being buttered up, so Twilight didn't want to go overboard. Still, she needed to lay it on a little to motivate her lazy friend. "Who else but you could we turn to?" "Alright, alright." Dash said, now on all fours. She stretched out like a cat, flared her wings, and lifted effortlessly into the air. "Only 'cause you guys need me." Twilight smiled as Dash took off towards Ponyville. She chuckled and shook her head, trotting along behind. Dash yawned every other minute on the way to Ponyville. She barely paid any attention to the ground underneath her; she really wanted to be back in bed, or at least on her cloud. Neither unicorns nor earth ponies really got it; when you lived your whole life on a cottony, fluffy surface, 'beds' were really just for the fun of it. Plus, after last night, Dash was just glad she had found her way back to her own cloud at all. Dash reached Ponyville, noticing that it wasn't as bright as it should have been anymore. She saw the pegasus ponies that made up the rest of Ponyville's weather patrol waiting for her near the edge of town. Normally, Dash would go on solo duty, just kicking away any stray clouds as she came across them. For there to even be a small team assembled meant that there was probably something bigger to take care of, not that Dash paid any attention to the weather until she showed up for her shift. Still, if she remembered right, there had been something from Cloudsdale a couple days ago alerting them to a stray system moving their way. Even more asleep than awake Dash made flight look easy, coming in for a smooth landing in front of the group. Shaking her head awake, she looked over to the weather patrol. "Who was it this time?" she asked the brown stallion in the center. He nodded over to his left, to the white mare with a teal blue mane. "Rainy? Let me guess....you left your glasses at home." Rainbow saw her fellow weather-pony cringe. "I'm sorry...they keep fogging up!" she argued back weakly. "I don't know how I missed that mountain." Rainbow sighed. She wasn't close friends with the other pony, but understood why Rainy Day never went around with her weather-resistant, thick-rimmed glasses. "Hey, no problem, it happens to the best of us. Trust me." her enthusiasm wasn't entirely genuine, but it did bring a little smile to the pony's face. "Think you can manage, Dash?" the brown stallion interrupted. "We'd come out and help, but uh, we kinda need a rush job here." he nodded over his shoulder. Rainbow looked up and groaned. She now knew why it was so dark for this time of day. It was worse than she feared; there was a major thunderstorm barreling down on them, just minutes away from Ponyville. Already a number of ponies were worriedly looking at the sky and the coming clouds. Dash sighed; the rest of the team could have gotten a start already, but were apparently relying on her to get the job done. Why hadn't Twilight told her it was important? Well, no matter, she figured. She was the best there was after all. "I'm on it. I'll have this storm cleared up in ten seconds flat." Dash said with a grin. The stallion rolled his eyes, but she ignored him. She took to the air with such force that it sent up a thick cloud of dust around the other ponies. "Okay Dash." she thought to herself. "Time to strut your stuff." she veered away from the storm. She couldn't just kick away something of this size, not in time. She needed strategy, she needed technique. So she began to circle the storm, picking up speed as she went. It was difficult to lap, but not too hard so long as she was extra quick. She wasn't used to making whirlwinds of this size, but knew what she was doing. "Just gotta..." her vision blurred and she had to shake her head clear. At the speed she was going, it wasn't a particularly pleasant experience. She wobbled off course just enough to make her grit her teeth in annoyance. She'd need an extra lap to make up for that. Focusing, Dash began to lap the cloud again and again, dragging the air along, changing its current. She began to whip the wind up, creating a wall of flowing air that corralled the storm in. When she was just short of creating a tornado, Dash implemented phase two of her plan. When she was sure she was on the far side of the storm from Ponyville, she veered out of her circle and flared her wings. The drag would slow her down quickly but would also force a lot of air in behind her. She was dragging the whirlwind with her, at least a little. She let herself slow to a drop and began to fall. The storm was spinning around and around thanks to the near-whirlwind, and was beginning to change course, dragged away from Ponyville. Dash implemented phase three, first losing altitude quickly as she folded her wings in. Getting low enough to the ground to scare a lesser flier than she, she flared her wings and pumped them hard, keeping her momentum, so close that the grass tickled her tucked hooves. When she was back to the other side of the storm she veered up, doing a vertical u-turn. She was upside down as she headed for the clouds again. Being upside down didn't particularly bother her. What came next, however, was a bit of a headache. Dash cocked one wing just slightly. That little imbalance was all she needed. She began a controlled spin around and around as she hit the storm. A pegasus didn't just pass through a storm cloud - after all they could walk on them, shape them, and kick them. She hit the storm hard, and spinning around like she was, all she had to do was buck her legs and clouds went flying off from the main storm in every direction. Her momentum helped her kick her way through, flinging clouds as she went. Once on the other side, she dropped out of the wind stream and looked up at her handiwork. The storm was cut clean in two by her path, and the two halves were spinning away from each other thanks to the shifted whirlwind. The two storms were headed away from each other and away from Ponyville, just as planned. Rainbow Dash yawned and nodded at the results. The smaller storms she had created were less stable, and would move farther faster. She could split them up some more to truly get rid of them, but decided that was enough. It would be easier to let them play themselves out. So Dash winged it back to Ponyville, noticing Twilight and Fluttershy chatting in the town square. Both ponies noticed her coming in. "Great job Rainbow Dash. I knew you could do it." Twilight told her. Dash beamed. "You were so...fast..." Fluttershy smiled. "Ehhh, it was nothing big. I think the patrol owes me one though." Rainbow yawned again. "Now if you excuse me, I need a nap." she trotted off instead of taking flight, deciding to give her wings a rest. "Boy, does that pony do anything other than nap? Well, besides...you know." Twilight shook her head, sparing a glance to the retreating storm. "It's so funny." Fluttershy said softly, "She, um, was always up bright and early in camp." "Huh?" Twilight blinked and looked over at the retreating form of Rainbow Dash. "Hmmm." --- Applejack was so used to bucking apples that she really didn't have to think about what she was doing. In a single glance she could size up a tree, figure out where to hit it, and know exactly how much force to put into the kick. She wasn't much for contemplation, but her mind did tend to wander as she gazed at the morning light coming through the trees. 'Apple Bloom tried real hard yesterday t' help Big Mac with his chores," she thought, "Ah should let her pick out tonight's dinner. Ah wonder why Ah haven' seen Pinkie Pie in a couple days? Maybe Ah should bake her a pie or two. Nah, she's prob'bly got enough 'f that. Ah wonder if'n we could make apple smoothies. Grannie Smith wouldn't like noise none, that's for sure. Ah hope Apple Bloom got her all settled for her afternoon nap w'out hassle. Rainbow Dash is in this tree. Now is it three weeks until winter or-' "Rainbow Dash!" Applejack called out in surprise, looking over her shoulder at the tree she was about to buck. Rainbow was in fact lying balanced on a lower branch, her left legs dangling over the edge, her head propped up by her right foreleg. She didn't respond to Applejack except to turn her head slightly, an ear twitching - she was fast asleep. "Rainbow Dash!" Applejack called again, slightly cross at the sight. "What've Ah said about sleepin' on mah trees? Yur bending th' branch!" Rainbow still didn't respond. The earth pony snorted and eyeballed the pegasus pony for a moment. Then, shifting to the right, she gave the tree a swift kick. "What the- woah!" Rainbow Dash woke up as she toppled off the branch. Before she could react, her short drop ended and she landed square on Applejack's back. "Ooof." It was less a statement and more the wind being knocked out of her. She slid off of Applejack slowly, shooting the earth pony a disgruntled glare. "What'd you do that for?" she asked, visibly irritated as she rubbed her side. Applejack just returned her glare, ire for ire. "Honestly Dash. Ah don' understand how anypony as lazy as you could still be half as good a flier, or athlete." "I'm not lazy!" Rainbow Dash said, her response interrupted by a yawn. "I just had a late night." "Oh? Doin' what exactly?" Applejack asked, clearly not buying Rainbow's words for a moment. Rainbow Dash blinked at her, her eyes widening. She finally looked fully awake. "Uh...I gotta go." Rainbow Dash said quickly. Applejack just shook her head as the cyan pony took off right away, finding a gap between the apple trees into the clear sky. "That pony wouldn' know hard work if'n it saddled her up an' rode her like a show pony" Applejack said to herself before getting back to work. "How hard is it for a pony to get a little peace and quiet?" Rainbow Dash muttered as she flew away from Sweet Apple Acres. It seemed she hadn't made it home this time, and was paying the price. Her sides still ached - Applejack was definitely not a soft landing spot. Dash couldn't imagine what had the earth pony so upset. So she had napped in a tree? She couldn't fall asleep on a stray cloud lest she wanted to end up halfway to Appleloosa by the time she woke up. "Hey Rainbow Dash!" A peppy voice called out below her, interrupting her thought process. Rainbow Dash sighed at the sound of it. She knew that voice, she knew its owner, and she knew that her instinct to run wasn't actually going to help. Her entire body collapsed in tired defeat, hanging from her wings. Couldn't she just get home? "Hello Pinkie." she said flatly, looking below her. "Hey, hey!" Pinkie bounced excitedly on the road below, eyes straight up at Dash. What, did she think she could jump up to Rainbow's height? She certainly looked ready to try. "I've been looking for you! I have an amazing, spectacular, pinktastic idea for a prank! We're gonna need five gallons of paint, a raincloud, and-" "Pinkie, not now." Rainbow Dash complained. "I'm too tired to play." "Aww, but Dash, I can't do it without you." "Maybe later." Dash replied, anything to get to her bed. Pinkie Pie stopped following her, but didn't look deterred or upset. "Okie dokie lokie! Later!" she said. With a wide Pinkie Pie smile she turned around and trotted off towards town. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. Great, there went her afternoon. She dragged herself through the air to get home and finally get some decent shuteye. --- That afternoon Pinkie Pie giggled in the bushes that grew just beyond Rarity's shop, while above Rainbow Dash hovered over Rarity's door, a wide smile on her face. This had turned out to not be a half-bad idea, especially for Pinkie Pie, and Dash was a bit more enthusiastic about it now that she had gotten some rest. She positioned a small rain cloud over the door to the shop, lined it up, and gave Pinkie Pie the signal. The pink earth pony nodded and rushed to Rarity's door. She rang the doorbell, and was back in the bushes before it finished its chime, trying to stifle her giggling. "Hello?" Rarity asked, stepping outside and looking around. Rainbow Dash kicked the storm cloud right away. With a small clap of thunder it released its payload upon the unsuspecting unicorn. However, instead of simply getting Rarity wet, the storm cloud released a torrent of lime green down upon her. Rarity shrieked as she was turned green from horn to hoof. "Wwaaaaah!" The vain unicorn began to cry and ran straight inside, the door slamming shut behind her. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash turned to each other, and then simultaneously burst out in laughter. Dash leaned against the cloud as she clutched her sides, rolling around and laughing up a riot. "That was a good one Dash!" Pinkie Pie called from below as she tried to calm her giggles. Dash grinned at her and pushed herself off the cloud. She decided to just shove it away for now, figuring it'd break apart in the sun; it was spent anyway so there was no real harm. "Yeah, it was. Hey Pinkie, you sure this stuff comes off?" she looked at the retreating cloud. Just in case... "Yeah, I mean, pretty sure." Pinkie Pie replied with a tilted head. Rainbow Dash shrugged and lowered herself to the ground, landing next to Pinkie Pie. The two began to walk away from the Boutique lest they get caught by an enraged unicorn, still occasionally giggling. "Okay. Hey, let's go grab something to eat." Rainbow suggested as they walked away. Pinkie Pie nodded enthusiastically and they made a beeline for Sugarcube corner. --- A few minutes later, Rainbow was smiling and sipping a hay smoothie, sitting alone at a table in Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie had been going to join her, but Mrs. Cake had dragged her away as soon as they had come in; something about an entire day's stock of cupcakes going missing before they had even opened shop. The Corner was moderately busy, but Dash had managed to grab a table near a window where she could ponywatch. She noticed an exasperated-looking Twilight Sparkle enter the shop, look around, and head straight for Dash. Rainbow waved a wing at her, signaling that Twilight had her attention, but didn't stop drinking her smoothie. "Hello Rainbow Dash." Twilight greeted her, her tone unusually curt. "Having a good time?" "Just fine, thanks for asking." Dash said after releasing her straw, "What's up with you?" "Oh nothing, nothing, I was actually having a good time studying. Until I got a call from Rarity a few minutes ago, that is. Apparently somepony managed to dump green paint all over her from a raincloud." Twilight said, stressing 'somepony'. "And it's not coming off." "What?!" Rainbow startled. "Uh, uh, wow...that sucks for her..." "Looks like whoever it was got your wings too." Twilight told her flatly. Rainbow Dash craned her neck and found that her wings did in fact have a smearing of green paint over them. She thought back to when she leaned against the cloud while laughing at Rarity. "Ooops..." Rainbow Dash said. "Rainbow..." "Pinkie Pie said the paint would come off!" she blurted, knowing the jig was up. "And you didn't think to check?" Twilight asked with a stamp of her hooves. Her tone was that of an angry mother, and Rainbow Dash cowered just like a scolded child before her. Her wings folded tight and her ears flattened, and she just kicked at the ground with a guilty look. "Look Dash, we can put up with pranks from Pinkie and you. They're usually even fun! But thanks to you, I need to spend my afternoon figuring out how to get paint out of a coat and mane. We can only hope there's no permanent damage either. Meanwhile Rarity is devastated! Not to mention she can't open shop like this. She's a busy pony Dash!" "I didn't mean it!" Dash replied, defensive but too guilty to really argue back. She looked up at Twilight with wide rose-colored eyes. "Look, we, we screwed up, okay? I'm sorry." "Good. And that means you can help me and Rarity fix this mess." "Me? What can I do?" --- Several minutes later, Rainbow Dash found herself with brushes on her front hooves, scrubbing away at Rarity's floor and the green hoofprints all over it. She hadn't seen Rarity yet, let alone spoken to her - Twilight had brought her here, provided the cleaning equipment, and got her to work. "What about Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash complained as she got started, half not wanting to do the work herself and half just wanting to see Pinkie Pie punished for getting her into this mess. Some afternoon this turned out to be. "Oh don't worry." Twilight responded, watching Dash get to work. "Who do you think will be going through a library's worth of books with me, as well as gathering supplies?" Rainbow Dash sighed. It hardly seemed fair, but she wasn't going to argue with Twilight in this mood. Apparently satisfied that Dash was really going to help, Twilight nodded and headed out of the boutique. Dash waited for her to leave and then looked over the floors. Tracks from the front door to the back room, out of there and across to what Dash was pretty sure was the bathroom, bathroom to the next door over, her workroom. From there they went back to the first room and finally out the front door. Dash sighed at the amount of running around Rarity had managed to do. "Okay. Come on! No problem for the fastest pony in Equestria!" she told herself. She splashed the brushes on her hooves in the bucket's soapy water. Looking at the tracks in front of her, she walked over and lined herself up near the door with one set of prints. She crouched down like at the starting line to the race, wriggled her bottom as she looked down the prints, and took off across the shop, using her wings to propel her forward, keeping the brushes in contact with the floor at all times. It was several minutes and a couple dozen dashes across the floor that Rainbow realized that the paint wasn't going anywhere fast. It hardly looked like she had done anything at all except make the floor wet. Frowning at the stained floor, she headed over to one pair of prints and gave them a serious scrubbing for about thirty seconds, seeing what came of it. To her annoyance and surprise, the hoofprints didn't budge. Thirty seconds more, she decided. Pristine green hoofprints mocked her when she was done. Getting frustrated, Rainbow gritted her teeth and pumped her forelegs back and forth, back and forth, building up blurring speed and friction. After a full five minutes of this she stopped. The hoof prints were faded and flecked now, but still there, still mocking her. She let out a groan. The afternoon dragged on as Dash worked. She took the bucket to a set of hoof prints, spent as long as it took on those prints to clean them off, and lacklusterly picked up the bucket to move a few inches forward and repeat the process. She made it less than halfway across the floor in an hour, and that was just on one line of many, albeit the longest one, stretching nearly the length of the shop. After about an hour, Twilight came by with her saddlebags full. Rainbow Dash looked up, but the purple mare walked right past, knocked on the bedroom door, and entered. She left the room after several minutes with her bags emptier. Dash gave a sullen glance as Twilight exited and caught her eye. The magician's gaze softened, but with a shake of her head she continued out the door. As time went on, Rainbow began to look out the window more and more. She barely noticed Twilight come and leave twice more, nor did she notice it when the back door opened and a moment later the bathroom door opened and shut. She began to pensively watch the sun go down more than she watched her work, trying to rush things along as she scrubbed. "Late for something, dear?" a high, slightly sarcastic voice asked. Rainbo jumped, turned around, and found Rarity stepping out of the bathroom covered in towels. Her hair was wrapped up too, but Dash could see a little Rarity's pale white coat, looking quite ruffled up but at least its natural color. "Rarity!" Dash nearly ran up to the unicorn, before remembering just what had gotten her so excited to see Rarity's coat. She lowered her head, her ears going flat. "I'm really sorry Rarity. We, uh...screwed up." "Yes, I'm aware." Rarity said, sounding distracted. Instead of looking at Rainbow she looked over the floor, inspecting it for a moment and then sighing. Finally she turned to Dash "You've done an exemplary job Dash, and I know this was mostly unintentional. Besides, it isn't easy for you to stay cooped up for so long, is it?" "I... I'll finish the floors... if you want..." Rainbow replied, biting her own tongue. She tried to put on a brave smile, but it wavered. Rarity just tilted her head slightly, giving her a curious look. "And here it looked like you had some place to be." "Well...no, of course not." Rainbow said. "I mean, it's just late and junk." "Mhmm." Rarity arched an eyebrow. "Well, either way, you're free to go. I'll see about hiring cleaners in the morning, I think you've been punished enou-" "ThanksRaritygottagorealsorrybye!" Rainbow Dash was out the door in seconds. Rarity shook her head and went back into her room.

AVeryStrange

347

DJ P0N-3,Rainbow Dash,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Thunder and Lightning

complete

<p>Rainbow Dash has always been notoriously lazy, but when their friend can't seem to keep awake for a single day the rest of the mane six take it into their own hooves to discover what's wrong with her. Is she just lazy? Or is there more to Dash's life than they know? And can they handle this other part of her?</p>

everyone

2011-07-28T17:56:16+00:00

2011-07-28T17:56:16+00:00

Chapter 2 It was late morning, sunny and bright but not yet too warm. Rarity and Twilight sat at the outside table to the local eatery, looking over their menus and enjoying both the weather and one another's company. Applejack trotted up to their table from the road, but neither unicorn noticed her over their menus. "Pardon me." she said. "But Ah think we've got a problem." she got both Twilight and Rarity to look up. "Oh, hey Applejack, what's the matter?" Twilight asked, her face immediately breaking into a troubled frown. Applejack nodded over her shoulder. "This." with that she turned, showing both unicorns Rainbow Dash slung like a bag of flour over her back, fast asleep and lightly snoring. "Ah found 'er in th' barn this time." Applejack told them. "Won't wake up for th' end of the world. And this ain't the first time." "Oh, hmm, maybe we worked her too hard last night." Twilight worried, turning to Rarity as she spoke. "I let her go at sunset." Rarity replied, looking surprised at Twilight's words. "She was going simply stir-crazy, and I felt she had learned her lesson." "Tastes like.....so blue...." Rainbow muttered in her sleep. Applejack raised an eyebrow at her. "Well somepony needs t' talk some sense into her. Or at least get her t' stop sleepin' on mah land." she was clearly looking at Twilight as she said this. The purple pony sighed and nodded. "Alright, leave her here, maybe she'll wake up soon." Twilight told her. Applejack shook the young speed-demon off of her, letting her slump onto the ground. Dash just muttered in her sleep, ending with a giggle. "Now Ah like that pony more than th' next gal, but sometimes she seems a few apples short 'f a bushel." Applejack told them, pointing her hoof at Dash for emphasis. "I don't see what's so upsetting about it." Rarity said, leaning over to see Dash on the ground, legs splayed out. "She's almost cute like this, in her own tom-coltish manner." "Well now, y' wouldn't see, would ya?" Applejack said, more than a little irritated. However, when Rarity shot her a look, Applejack backed down with a shake of her head. "Naw, Ah'm sorry. Ah guess Ah'm juss jealous. All this un seems t' do is laze about or goof off. That's juss not how Ah was raised." "I think there may be more than just Dash's laziness going on here." Twilight said, scratching her chin. "She wasn't always this bad, was she?" The question made Applejack think, and after a moment she gave a nod. "Ah reckon yur right. Ah only started findin' her on mah land a few months ago. Ah mean she was always a mite bit lazy, but this...." she nudged Rainbow with her hoof. "....like a cloud..." the comatose pegasus murmured. "And now that I think about it, she rather clearly had some place to be yesterday evening." Rarity added. "Though I can't imagine why she wouldn't admit to it." "Hmmm." Twilight looked deep in thought. "We'll talk to her. Thanks for bringing her here AJ." Applejack nodded. "Now, if'n y'all pardon me, Ah've got apples t' sell." she turned trotting away. Twilight's horn glowed with a pale purple light, and Rainbow Dash's unconscious form was lifted off the ground. Twilight brought her on to a pile of hay next to their table, even going so far as to put the cyan pony in a sitting position, positioning her like a doll. "Huh, what?" Rainbow stirred awake as she was moved. 'Awake' wasn't quite the word for it, but she was at least semi-conscious. She looked around, found Twilight, and just blinked at her, clearly confused. The glow around Twilight's horn faded, and Dash jolted a little as she suddenly found herself sitting under her own power. It woke her up enough to speak. "Oh hey Twilight...when did you get here?" "Dash, do you know where you are?" Twilight asked. Dash looked around. "Woah, I really didn't make it home this time." she said, more to herself than anypony else. "Make it home? From where? Were you out or something?" Twilight asked. Rainbow turned back to her, and her eyes widened. "What? Oh, uh, sorry, I guess I'm still asleep. I... Ignore me." "Uh huh." Twilight responded, Rarity just looking on. "Actually, Applejack brought you here. You were asleep in her barn." "Oh, heh heh." "Dash, what's going on?" Twilight asked, her expression softening. "Are you okay? You're completely out of it. Are you sleeping okay? Are you sleepwalking?" "It's nothing, I'm fine. Look, I'll be more careful, okay." "More careful about what?" Twilight pushed. "Come on Dash, we're your friends. Is there something you need help with?" "Come now." Rarity picked up where Twilight stopped. Dash jumped and turned to her, apparently unaware of her presence until that moment. "We may have our disagreements, but we'll always be there for you." Rainbow Dash bit her lip, and would not meet either pony's gaze as she thought this over. "Well, it's..." she sighed. "It's nothing. It's nothing! I guess I've just been practicing too hard. Been giving these babies a work out." she flared her wings, putting on a false smile. "Rainbow, I-" Twilight began, but didn't have time to continue as Dash sprang up into the air. "Gotta go guys! Sorry, maybe later!" Dash was away before either pony could stop her. "Well, she can be more uncouth than Applejack, and that's saying something!" Rarity said in a huff. Twilight frowned. "I don't get it. She's keeping something a secret from us." "So it seems, so it would seem... but what can we do about it?" "Hmm." Twilight thought this over. That was when the waiter trotted over to them, reminding both ponies that they were still having lunch. They ordered and tried to enjoy their meal. The whole time, however, Twilight's mind was turning, planning. --- "Twilight, I do not approve of this!" Rarity hissed. It was getting dusk, just getting dark, and five ponies were crammed together, hiding in one small bush. Rainbow's cloud home was right above them. "Well then y' can leave." Applejack replied over Twilight's other shoulder. "Ah don' like it none either, but Ah also don' like being lied to!" "Girls, girls, quiet down or she'll hear us." Twilight told them. Pinkie Pie giggled from somewhere else in the bush while Fluttershy stayed silent, peeking out with her eyes steady on her friend's home. "There she is!" her meager voice was barely audible, but it made the rest of them crane their necks. Rainbow Dash was flying slowly out of her home, and even by the meager light of dusk it was clear to make out a few changes in their rambunctious friend. "Oh, now look at her..." Rarity cooed. "I didn't even think she owned a brush." she was referring to Dash's smooth mane, which was flowing down her neck in a manner quite unlike her usual scruffy hairdo. Her tail was equally eloquent, looking like a pure rainbow trailing behind her. She had also clearly applied a bit of polish to her hooves, enough it was visible even in the low light. "Now what's she going gettin' all gussied up for?" Applejack asked. Rarity responded with a laugh. "My my, this I must see." "Come on, we need to follow her." Twilight whispered. She did her best to sneak from bush to bush along the road, each pony in turn following along with various levels of stealth - from Applejack's cautious yet clumsy tip-hooves to Pinkie Pie's carefree yet completely silent hops. They followed Dash into town, replacing bushes with alleys and stands to hide behind. Rainbow didn't seem to notice them, always facing where she was going, a smile on her face the whole way. They successfully followed her right up until she took a sharp turn into a narrow alley. "Quickly!" Twilight hissed, afraid to lose Dash in the failing light. The group galloped towards the alleyway. Twilight only just spied a closing door as she reached the alleyway, light spilling out of it as Dash entered. The five of them looked at each other. Twilight went ahead and approached the door, cocking an ear to it. "I can hear music." she told the others. They all got closer, showing various levels of surprise and intrigue. "I didn't think Ponyville had any sort of night life..." Rarity muttered. Twilight looked around at her friends. "Do I..." "Well, we can't turn back now, can we sugarcube?" Applejack replied. Twilight nodded, took a breath, and opened the door. "Woah." the five ponies said in unison. Inside was a large, warehouse-like room. It was fairly dim, lit only with sparse colorful spotlights that illuminated a floor full of dancing ponies. The only clear spaces were near the door and across the room from them, where on a small stage a white unicorn with wild blue hair thumped her head in time with the music, one hoof on a turntable in front of her. Her goggles shimmered as her head bobbed, reflecting the brightest spotlight in the room trained on her. Rainbow Dash was talking to a mare by the entrance, and the group's vocal surprise caught her attention. She did a double take and turned around. "Guys! What are you all doing - you guys gotta get out of here!" she shouted over the music, immediately nervous. The five ignored her, too curious, and trotted further away from the door, spreading out slightly. "Oooh, is this a party?" Pinkie Pie asked, beginning to bounce for the dancing ponies. "Without me?" Rainbow rushed over and tried to block her. "No, guys, listen, I don't know how you found this, but-" "My my, so hip, so fashion nouveau!" Rarity said, gazing around, looking up at the stage. Rainbow tried to keep Pinkie Pie in check yet still reach over to Rarity. "Look, stop, don't..." "Rainbow, what is this place?" Twilight asked, her eyes wide and her jaw slack. "It's, see, you've got to-" "Heeeey Rainbow Dash!" an orange mare with a pink mohawk of a mane approached the spectrum-maned pony from the crowd, putting a hoof around her in familiarity. "Good to see you again. Listen, now, it ain't me, but there's a sweet little filly over there who I think's been crushing on you since last night. You and Scratch are still going steady right? Because if you could just let her know, maybe Candy can show her something sweeter, heh heh. Oh hey, did you bring friends? Oooh, purple...hey sweet stuff, want me to show you around?" the flirtatious mare ended with a wink to Twilight. Every one of the five had stopped as the pony had gone on, and as she finished five sets of wide eyes were trained on her. "Theywerejustleaving!" Rainbow blurted, her wings flaring. In a multicolored blur, every one of her friends found themselves shoved out the door before they could react. They were back in the alley, bunched together and pushed into a sitting position. Dash hastily kicked the door closed behind her, muffling the music. "What are you guys doing here?!" she asked, clearly angry. Twilight was the first to get her brain working again. "Uh, Dash, you see...what was that exactly?" "Why's that club got nothing but mares innit?" Pinkie Pie chimed up. The rest turned to her. "What? No one else noticed?" "Oh great" Rainbow Dash said, sitting down and bringing a hoof to her face. "I...wait, no! I'm not explaining- why were you guys here? Were... were you spying on me?" "Um..." was all Twilight could say. Applejack looked at her hooves, Rarity hung her head, and Fluttershy seemed to have spaced out. "Yep!" Pinkie Pie said innocently, smiling at Dash. "We, we were worried about you, Dash!" Twilight tried, her voice wobbling. "Do, do you spend all night in there? Were, was that..." "It's a...girl's club." Rainbow Dash said. She sighed, took a deep breath and looked up at them, suddenly determined. "I'm a fillyfooler. This is a club for mares like me. So yeah, there it is." "Dash, I..." Twilight tried before another pony cut in. "Why didn't you tell us?" Applejack stood up straight. The others turned to her. Applejack's nostrils flared. She stood firm and looked Rainbow square in the eye, but the pegasus didn't falter. "I was going to. I thought I could trust my friends. Maybe I was wrong." "And you were just waiting for what exactly?" Applejack argued back. "P-please don't fight..." Fluttershy mumbled, looking like she was finally coming to. "Maybe some time when I wasn't getting bugged by everypony!" Rainbow retorted. "Darn it Dash! We bugged you because we were plum confused! We thought somethin' was wrong! Here ya are leadin' some second life - wi'out us!" "Maybe because I was afraid of, I don't know, something like this!" Dash yelled, wings flaring in anger. "Maybe I didn't want to risk it, huh? Maybe I knew you wouldn't understand!" Applejack looked like she had been struck, leaning away from the angry pony, her own anger falling away. She tried to reach out to Dash. "N-now hold on there pardner, it ain't like that." "Oh yeah?" Dash challenged, stamping one hoof. "Look at you! You all look like I just turned into a bear, or lost my wings, or something!" she glared at each of them in turn. Fluttershy hid under her hooves, Rarity looked away, Pinkie Pie's smile disappeared and Twilight wouldn't look her in the eye. Then she met Applejack's gaze and saw honest regret. "Now, Dash..." Applejack tried, "We've all been right foals here..." "Yeah" Dash agreed, not letting up. "You have." she turned around, opened the door, stepped through, and slammed it shut. The five ponies were left feeling sorry for themselves in the deepening darkness of the night. "Now...now this ain't as bad as it..." Applejack sighed. She couldn't even lie to herself. "Darn it Dash! Ahh....Ah need to get out of here before Ah do somethin' somepony will regret." "I agree." Rarity replied. "A lot of emotional things were said tonight, but it will all work out in the end. We can't just stay here all night." she began to walk away, and Applejack took her lead. "But...I don't get it." Pinkie Pie complained. "Isn't she still Rainbow Dash? I was just surprised because nopony ever pulls a fast one on me! I was impressed!" she sounded sincere, making Applejack stop and smile. "Well you tell her that in the morning, I'm sure she'll listen. Fluttershy?" she turned back around. The yellow pegasus had started staring at the door, looking as still as stone. She blinked once. "...I....I, um...." she blushed. Applejack sighed, walked back and got behind the timid pony, nudging her forward with her head. "It's okay sugarcube. Come on, Ah know you've got Angel waiting for you." slowly she began to get Fluttershy moving. She glanced back to Twilight, finding she hadn't budged either. She looked lost in thought, staring down at her hooves. "Twi?" "Huh? Oh." Twilight looked up. "Just give me a minute, okay?" "Well alrigh', you get home safe." Applejack replied, realizing that Fluttershy had stopped moving as soon as her nudging had stopped. With a sigh she got to work pushing the pony along out of the alleyway. Rarity was at the alley's mouth now and stopped to wait for the others. Pinkie Pie passed by and walked on, for once not skipping or bouncing. Rarity focused her attention on Twilight. "Poor girl." she said lowly to Applejack as she passed by with Fluttershy. "She's still very sheltered in some ways." "She's got a good head on her shoulders. She'll be fine." Applejack said, realizing Fluttershy was walking on her own now. Rarity nodded slightly and followed them out. Meanwhile, Twilight continued to stare at her hooves.

AVeryStrange

347

DJ P0N-3,Rainbow Dash,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Thunder and Lightning

complete

<p>Rainbow Dash has always been notoriously lazy, but when their friend can't seem to keep awake for a single day the rest of the mane six take it into their own hooves to discover what's wrong with her. Is she just lazy? Or is there more to Dash's life than they know? And can they handle this other part of her?</p>

everyone

2011-07-28T17:57:28+00:00

2011-07-28T17:57:28+00:00

Chapter 3 Twilight awoke with a groan. She felt like she was being prodded with a stick. One eye cracked open reluctantly. Not a stick she realized, but a certain cyan hoof. "Twilight? What are you doing here?" Rainbow Dash asked, looming over the unicorn. "Did you....were you here all night?" There was only the dull light of the pre-dawn to go by, but the purple pony was clearly completely out of sorts. She was curled up against a wall in the same alley Rainbow had left her friends in last night, mane disheveled and coat grungy thanks to her less than sanitary sleep. "I...ugh..." Twilight yawned and blinked her eyes. Rainbow stepped back and let Twilight get herself upright. "I didn't mean to fall asleep, and I- oh, hello." Twilight noticed for the first time that she and Rainbow Dash weren't alone. "Yo." a white unicorn with hair like blue fire responded calmly. Twilight could barely see her eyes behind great big amethyst goggles. She had a musical note as her cutie mark. "Twilight, this is Vinyl Scratch. Scratch, this is Twilight." "Hey, everyone knows 'the' Twilight Sparkle." Vinyl said with a little grin. "S'up?" "Anything you can say to me you can say to her." Rainbow told Twilight sternly. Twilight rubbed her eye and nodded. "I just....I didn't want to wait. I...I'm sorry Dash. This was all my fault. I convinced the others to join me. Rarity, the others, they didn't want....this really was all my fault Dash. I'm really sorry." "She talking about your little tantrum last night, light bulb?" Scratch teased, talking to Dash. Twilight left her confusion show on her face. "Hehe, I'll explain that later." Scratch told her, noticing her expression. Rainbow Dash was blushing hard through her coat. "Look....I'm sorry. I was kinda tough on you guys last night. It's just...that was not how I expected things to go." "Heh, you nearly chewed Candy's ears off." Vinyl said. Seeing Twilight's face again, she added, "Kiddo, it's an expression." "Look, can we trot and chat?" Rainbow asked. "It's nearly dawn, we shouldn't be hanging around here." "Yeah, hey, she lives by your home, right?" Scratch asked, nodding to Twilight but talking to Dash. "Well, it's on the way. But..." Rainbow bit her lip. Scratch grinned and gave her a hip bump. "Tough luck light bulb. I thought you were big on loyalty?" "Yeah.... okay. Twilight, come on. Let's take you home." Dash said with a nod. Twilight gave an unsure nod of her own, still befuddled with sleep. They began to walk out of the alley, three abreast with Dash in the middle. "I really am sorry Dash." Twilight said, unsure what else to say. "Me too" Dash replied. "Maybe AJ was right. I should've told everypony by now." "Aww, but I like it when you try to be all secretive." Scratch teased. "Where's the fun in making you do this if everypony knows?" she leaned over and grabbed Rainbow Dash's ear in her teeth. Dash yelped, but to Twilight's surprise, rather than pull away Dash let the gnawing continue, a giddy look spreading over her face. Then, unexpectedly, her wings popped straight up, nearly taking out both ponies. Scratch stopped to chuckle, while Dash turned bright red, snapping back to reality. Twilight blushed a little at their antics and looked away. "Scratch.... look, don't, Twilight's not very....um, I mean.... she's.... nerdy." Rainbow didn't know how else to put it. Vinyl nodded and chuckled. "I hear you. So Twiddles, this your first time seeing a pair of real live fillyfoolers up close?" she asked, craning her neck to see behind Dash's head. Rainbow rolled her eyes. Twilight's steps faltered, both at the question and her apparent new nickname. "Well...actually, it kinda is. I mean as far as I know." she replied meekly. "Dash, that, um, that was kinda the other thing I wanted to talk to you about, actually." "Oh..." Rainbow Dash said lowly, ears drooping. "No, no." Twilight turned her head to face her friend. "Not like that. Look, Rainbow Dash, you're my friend. I don't really see how it affects me if you date stallions or...." wheels turned in Twilight's head, and she leaned over to stare wide-eyed at Vinyl Scratch for a moment. She quickly remembered herself and looked away with a blush. "Just clicked now, huh Twiddles?" Scratch asked, not bothered at all. She actually looked outright pleased at something. "Sorry..." Twilight hung her head. They had managed to get to the edge of the main town by now, though it was still a way before they got to the library. "So then, did you want to talk about it?" Dash tried to get the conversation back on track. "It's just...see, once I got into Princess Celestia's school for the gifted, I really never saw much of my parents. I, I sometimes felt like Princess Celestia was like a second mother to me, but, well, there's some things you don't talk about with a Princess." she chuckled nervously. Both ponies had their eyes on her, waiting on her to finish. Twilight swallowed and continued. "So, what I'm getting at here is, no one exactly explained...I mean I never heard...what I'm getting at is....how...what exactly makes you a fillyfooler?" "Uh...liking other mares?" Rainbow Dash responded, face blank with a complete lack of comprehension. "Hold on Rainbow." Vinyl told her. "I think I get what she's after." she dropped back and came up around on the other side of the young unicorn. "Kiddo, would you say you picked out your friends? You chose 'em on purpose?" she asked. Twilight was confused by the question, but after a moment of thought, shook her head. "No. To be honest, I didn't even want them at first...though I was definitely in the wrong." "Yeah? Right, see, it's kinda like that. Now you can drive someone away, or you can buddy up to someone, but at the end of the day you don't pick who you like, do ya?" "Well, no, I guess not." "Well, same way. One day you just see another mare and go 'dang, I'd like to get to know her!'...or however it goes." she flashed a brilliant smile at Twilight, winking at her from behind her goggles. "It's as much a part of me and light bulb as the marks on our flanks." "Y-yeah." Rainbow added. "That's...kinda why I wanted to be careful about telling everypony else. Not everypony gets that." "Huh?" Twilight asked. Scratch blew lazily at a tuft of hair in front of her face. "Twiddles, there's a reason we get together like we do, at night. This ain't San Franciscolt, or even Manehatten. Now a lot of ponies are cool with it, don't get me wrong, but not everypony. Lyra and Bon-Bon aren't all that popular around town, y'know?" "I...didn't even know about..." Twilight trailed off, feeling like a little foal. Rainbow smiled at her. "Hey, no worries. You weren't here when they came out. They're more public than most, but even they don't exactly go out of their way... unlike someponies" she ended with a glare at Scratch behind Twilight's head. Scratch let her tongue peek out for a second in response. "Okay. Thanks Dash." Twilight said with a slow nod. "Are you still mad?" "Nah. I never really lose my cool." Rainbow told her. Twilight heard Vinyl snort, and Dash lowered her high head a little. "Heh, actually, thanks Twilight. I guess I'll have to talk to the others..." she sighed. "But I guess I owe them." "Don't worry Dash. You're a good friend, and no one will really be upset." "Thanks, I hope so." "So, light bulb, what does this mean?" Scratch asked, looking past Twilight. Dash sighed again and shook her head. "I'm not sure Scratch. Give me some time to think, okay?" "Heh, so what, a few years?" "Oh you make such a great fillyfriend." Dash said with a roll of her eyes. Vinyl smiled. "You know Dash...I could get used to hearing that." Rainbow Dash blushed the slightest bit at that. "Not if you keep up like this." she muttered. "Hehe. Don't worry, I won't let anyone know you're going soft." Scratch teased. The light was picking up, and her goggles seemed to gleam with every movement of her head. She noticed Twilight, in between them, pretty much a spectator to their back-and-forth. "Oh, and by the way. So around the club they know me an' Dash. They figure I'm DJing all the time so I bring the noise, and junior speedster of the month here brings the light show. Plus with that little stamp on her flank, that makes me thunder and her lightning, see? Me? I think she's a little too big-headed as is, so I call her light-bulb instead." "Oh. That's....clever!" Twilight said, putting on a smile. "Well, here we are." Rainbow Dash said. Twilight looked up and realized they were outside her library. "Spike's going to be worried sick." she said with a groan. "Again, I'm sorry Dash. I've learned my lesson, I promise." "Ahh, don't worry about it." "And it was very nice to meet you." Twilight continued, turning to Vinyl Scratch. "Heh, right back at ya. See you around, Twiddles." Twilight gave one last weak smile and hurried towards her house. Rainbow Dash and Vinyl Scratch waited and watched until she got inside. "I like her." "Be nice." "No, I mean it." Scratch insisted. "I thought you were the only one crazy enough to stay in an alley all night just so you wouldn't miss out. And she doesn't even get to go home with somepony." "It was just one time..." Dash said. "Okay, I guess she's cool." she looked skyward and let out a sigh. Scratch didn't say anything for a few minutes and they walked on in silence. "You gonna be okay, Rainbow?" she finally asked. "I still have the club, but you barely know anypony there. I know your real friends are on the outside." "I'm fine. Heh, come on, this is me we're talking about." Rainbow replied, holding her head high, practically puffing out her chest. Scratch didn't look convinced, somehow managing to give Dash a look despite her glimmering goggles. Dash kept her head up this time. "I mean it. Yeah, I got shaken up, so what? I'm going to do it the only way I know how. Headfirst and with style!" "That mean you're coming out to everypony or what?" "Well...." Dash backed down a little at last. "Let's call my friends a 'practice run'. If things go well, I'm golden." Scratch smiled, but her goggles hid her worried eyes. "You don't have to, you know. I'm cool with what we got." "Scratch" Rainbow Dash smiled weakly. "Thanks, but Rainbow Dash does not back down from a challenge." "Heh" Scratch's smile widened. "Alright light bulb. Just let me know." "I will." Rainbow leaned her neck over and briefly rested her cheek against Scratch's as they walked. Scratch's wide grin faded into a small, sincere look of content. "You know, I think this is the first time I get to see your pad." Scratch said as Rainbow righted herself, hiding her contentment from Dash with a smirk. "There's kinda not much to see. I mean, not much you can..." "Yeah, yeah, maybe one day." "Oh yeah!" Dash perked up. "Now that Twilight knows, I can ask her about that cloudwalking spell. Maybe even some temporary wings!" "You got some cool friends, Dash." Scratch said, chuckling to herself. "Show 'em to me sometime, won't you?" "No problem." Dash saw Scratch was looking up, and realized they were well within sight of her home by now. "Nice pad." Vinyl said, eyes going to the rainbow river. Dash looked a bit embarrassed. "I promise I'll show you around some day." she said. Scratch smirked again. "There's only one room I need to see." she replied, making Dash giggle like a schoolfilly. "Now get some rest, light bulb. You got a big day ahead of you." Scratch told, punching Dash on the shoulder. "Alright." Dash flared her wings and took to the air. "Yo light bulb!" Scratch called. Rainbow turned around. "Where you think you're going?" Vinyl asked with a tilt of her head. "But you said - oh." Dash gave an apologetic smile. She flew back down, and hovering just above the ground, she leaned in towards Vinyl. They shared a simple but long-lasting kiss. "Go get 'em Dash." Vinyl said once they parted. "Thanks." Rainbow pressed her nose briefly against Scratch's and flew back off.

AVeryStrange

347

DJ P0N-3,Rainbow Dash,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Thunder and Lightning

complete

<p>Rainbow Dash has always been notoriously lazy, but when their friend can't seem to keep awake for a single day the rest of the mane six take it into their own hooves to discover what's wrong with her. Is she just lazy? Or is there more to Dash's life than they know? And can they handle this other part of her?</p>

everyone

2011-07-28T17:58:48+00:00

2011-07-28T17:58:48+00:00

Chapter 4 Dash yawned and slowly woke up after a long nap. Her bed was so much more comfortable then what she had found herself sleeping on the past few days, she was glad Scratch had walked her home for once. Usually, it went the other way with Dash leaving Scratch's place exhausted. Hopefully the musician didn't have any problems heading back across town alone. Then again, Scratch was just going home after a long day's work, not trying to be awake day and night like Dash found herself doing. Rainbow knew she still had to get up and face the music, however comfortable her bed was. Fears swarmed through her head. What if her friends had already blabbed about it? What if they weren't even her friends anymore? She wanted to just stay here and wait for the storm to pass, but she knew that wasn't an option. Reluctantly she picked herself up and stretched awake. "What the hay?" she asked, looking around her. Her room was filled with balloons! Well, perhaps not filled, but well over a dozen floated about, of every color in the rainbow and a few besides. Each one had a string, and at the bottom of the string was some sort of small gift. They were almost exclusively sweets, from cupcakes to tarts to two balloons together holding up a smoothie. Rainbow looked down. The floor of her room (cloud, naturally) was pockmarked with holes, one for each balloon. She got off her bed and stuck her head through the nearest hole. "Heya Dash! Does this mean you're up? Up up up?" a certain cheery pink pony asked, bouncing in place on the ground below. "Pinkie! You put holes in my house!" "Well duh." Pinkie Pie replied, stopping her bouncing. "How else could I get your gifts up to you? Do you like them?" Dash sighed and pushed herself through the hole, flying down to the pink pony. "Pinkie Pie, you don't need to try to send me apology gifts." "Apology?" Pinkie Pie asked, blinking rapidly. "Those weren't apology gifts! They were gift gifts!" "Huh?" As usual, Rainbow Dash found herself trying to figure out what was going through Pinkie Pie's head. It was a futile task. "Then why'd you-" "For pulling a fast one!" Pinkie Pie interrupted. Dash just stared at her, making Pinkie giggle. "I know everypony, but I didn't know my own friend had a fillyfriend! Or, that that fillyfriend was Vinyl Scratch!" Pinkie Pie's expression dropped for just a moment. "I guess I shoulda been a better friend." Rainbow smiled slightly. "Nah, you're a great friend Pinkie. Heh, I shoulda figured it wouldn't bother you. I was the lousy friend. Forgive me?" she leaned over and ruffled Pinkie's mane. "Hmmmm." Pinkie Pie looked deep in thought, scratching her chin. She seriously mulled over Dash's question, by the looks of things. "Okay!" she replied with happy eyes. Before Dash could say anything, Pinkie Pie had her squeezed in an overly enthusiastic hug. "Thanks...Pinkie...Pie." Rainbow Dash wheezed. Luckily Pinkie let go of her just seconds before she blacked out. "We should have a party!" Pinkie said, bouncing around again. Dash rubbed her neck, which she was pretty sure was going to bruise. "What? Why?" "Why not?" "Um..." it was next to impossible to talk Pinkie Pie out of a party. Dash had her suspicions as to the real reason behind it, but kept that to herself for now. No sense spoiling this thankfully easy conversation. "Why don't we wait until I talk to all our friends, okay?" she tried. Pinkie Pie took a moment, then nodded, her head bobbing rapidly. "Okie Dokie Lokie! After all, it wouldn't be a party unless our friends are coming!" "Yeah" Rainbow said without an iota of Pinkie's enthusiasm. "And, uh, thanks for the gifts." she looked up and sighed. She'd need to find just the right kind of cloud to patch that up. "No problem! See ya Dash!" Pinkie was already bouncing off. Rainbow shook her head with a smile. "So random" --- Rainbow Dash rang Rarity's doorbell. There was no prank this time, that was for sure. As she waited for Rarity to answer, Dash wondered how well she could even hope for things to go - only two days ago she had upset Rarity badly, and while the fashionable mare seemed to have gotten over it, there was no telling what her mood towards Dash would be now. Rainbow had to admit to herself, even after how things had gone with Twilight and Pinkie, she wasn't exactly excited to talk to everypony else. There was no telling what would happen; it had just never come up before now. "This is a shop you know, you can- Rainbow Dash!" Rarity brightened when she saw the cyan speedster outside her door. "Yeah, sorry, I forgot you'd be open by now." Rainbow replied, looking off sideways. "Never mind that, come in, come in." Rarity said, turning around. Rainbow followed her into the shop. "Now, I know why you're here..." Rarity told her, not turning to face her. "Oh?" "And you needn't worry..." she continued, "...I have a cleaning crew on the way." "What?" Rainbow blinked. Rarity turned a little and pointed to her half-scrubbed floors before walking deeper into the shop. "I won't need your help with that any more, though I must say you put in a fine effort." "Oh, that's - hey wait!" Rainbow trotted up to see Rarity face to face. "That's not why I'm here. Don't you remember last night?" "Well what is there to talk about dear?" Rarity asked, turning away slightly and continuing to trot through her shop. She looked over a rack of dresses. "To be honest it's not any big surprise, really, once one thinks on it. I mean, given your coltish mannerisms and such." "Not all fillyfoolers are like that." Rainbow Dash said defensively. "We're no different from anypony else." "Of course not dear" Rarity replied, now idly regarding some cloth she had laid out. "You're not listening." Rainbow accused, glowering at her friend's back. "Have you even met a fillyfooler before?" "Well, I mean, there's a few..." Rarity said, her voice faltering. Rainbow Dash walked up beside her. "Rarity-" "Oh Dash, how could you do this to me!" Rarity suddenly bawled, throwing her arms around Dash. "What are you talking about?" "I mean I worked so hard to find Prince Charming! I was sure I would be the talk of the town, the 'it' couple. Now I find not only has one of my best friends found somepony else first, but how can I compete with such a pair?" "W-what?" "I remember what that talkative mare said - Scratch, as in Vinyl Scratch? As in the foremost DJ from Manehattan?" Rarity got off of Dash and began to collect herself (by Rarity standards). "I may prefer a more refined company, but I know the power of the chic - and she was the essence of chic in Manehattan. Combine that with Ponyville's own champion speedster - why, if you make it into the Wonderbolts, you'd be the kind of celebrity couple that every magazine this side of the Everfree forest would want to cover!" "Look, Scratch doesn't really talk about her life in Manehattan." Dash said, her mind boggled at Rarity's priorities. "That's why she moved here, to Ponyville." "Oh?" Rarity's interest was piqued. "I mean, most of her music goes out under an alias these days. Ever heard of DJ Pon-3?" Rainbow Dash asked, lowering her voice even though they were the only ones in Rarity's shop. Rarity's eyes widened. "Well...but what about you dear? Surely a great member of the Wonderbolts shan't have her love life go unnoticed?" "You'd be surprised." Rainbow muttered, deciding not to share with Rarity some of the rumors she had heard flying around the club. According to who you asked, anywhere from half to the entire team were fillyfoolers and coltcuddlers. "Anyway..." she continued before Rarity asked questions, "I mean, I'm kinda in it for the fame, sure, but there's a reason nopony hears about the Wonderbolts except at events. How are reporters supposed to keep up with the fastest fliers in the world? Besides, who already has her face on magazines, huh?" she asked. Sure, it had only been one or two after Hoity Toity had shown up, but her remark seemed to work as Rarity thought this over. Finally she gave a nod. "Oh, and there I go being overly dramatic again. I am deeply sorry Dash, I suppose I let my emotions get the better of me for a little there. Could you forgive me?" "Heh, I think so." Rainbow replied with a grin. "So...you're not upset that I'm a fillyfooler?" "I can't say I fully understand it, Dash." Rarity admitted. She saw Dash's gaze drop and so reached out, pushing Dash's chin up with her hoof. "But you're still my friend. So I suppose I'll simply have to learn." "You mean it?" Rainbow asked. "If you say you're happy, I'll believe it." Rarity said with a nod. She wasn't prepared for the quick hug Rainbow gave her. "Thanks Rarity." "Yes, well...you're quite welcome." the dressmaker said, giving an awkward pat on the back to Rainbow, who luckily for her let go soon enough. "I suppose you've still got to talk to the others then." Rarity guessed. "Yeah, some..." Rainbow admitted. "I shouldn't put if off either. See ya around, Rarity. Thanks." "Good luck!" Rarity called as Dash left her shop. She sighed, shook her head, and got back to her fabrics. --- Applejack was spending her day heaving hay bales through the barn and into a nice tidy stack. Not everything about the farm was 'easy work' by her standards, like planting season or applebucking, and even she struggled to lift each hay bale individually and sort them. However, her head wasn't where it needed to be to work her best, so she had decided it best to leave the fields to Big Mac while she did what were typically his chores. They were a bit more menial, not that her brother tended to mind, and Applejack could perform them without so much concentration. She was just stacking up another bale when she heard the barn door creak open behind her. "Apple Bloom, are you- oh." Applejack turned and saw Rainbow step into the barn. Dash paused halfway in. "H-hi." she grinned. Applejack didn't say anything and turned back away. "Look, Applejack-" "Ah don' have nothin' to say to you." the farm pony replied. "Oh, is that how it's going to be?" Rainbow asked, trying to sound angry but coming across as hurt. "I get it. Nice knowing you." Applejack sighed. "Rainbow - wait." she turned around to see the pony backing out the door. Tentatively, Rainbow paused, finally stepping back inside. She looked around nervously, lightly kicking the door closed behind her. "So...what?" she asked. "You hate me or what?" "Ah don' hate you, Dash." Applejack said with a slow shake of her head. "This past year, heck, Ah thought ya were my closes' friend." "Me?" "Yup. So you'll pardon this pony for bein' a mite upset t' find her friend's been keepin' secrets from her." "I..." Rainbow Dash looked away. She glanced back up as she heard Applejack approach. "Just answer me this." Applejack told her as she walked closer. "Were you really planning on telling us or not?" "Yes! Eventually....maybe..." Rainbow Dash said, one hoof fidgeting around on the ground. Applejack got beside her and sat down, prompting her to do the same. "I was maybe, just a little scared what you'd think. Kinda" Rainbow Dash admitted. "Me in partic'lar or juss all of us?" "...Both." "And Ah can't rightly say Ah blame you." Applejack sighed, eyes closed as she spoke. "We country pony's don' have the best reputation, now do we?" "..." Dash couldn't find anything to say, the guilt clear on her face. "Y'know ol' Granny Smith was big on Pony Rights in the day? The other fillies were goin' about wi' ribbons in their manes, but she had to work the fields right alongside her brothers and sisters, just like me and Big Mac. So she didn' take lightly t' it when she was told t' juss settle down with a nice stallion an' let him have th' farm." Applejack opened her eyes and turned to Rainbow Dash. "She taught me not t' judge anypony fer how they live their life. Sure, she meant whether they were work ponies or show ponies or city folk or country folk, but it's th' same thing, ain't it?" "But....then why were you mad at me?" Rainbow asked. "Ah am mad at you." Applejack told her, though she was smiling. "Fer not talking to yur friends 'bout this." she shoved Dash lightly. "Fer thinkin' you couldn't trust me." Dash thought this over. "You're right, I-" "Now don't you go sayin' yur sorry." Applejack interrupted. "We've done enough feelin' sorry fer ourselves t' last a lifetime." "..Then what should I say?" "Say you'll be back here t'morrow so we can play horseshoes once Ah'm done workin'. Say you'll trust me from now on if'n you need to talk. Say you'll still be mah friend." Applejack smiled at her, eyes wet. Rainbow Dash wasn't sure how to respond for a moment. Her first instinct was to reach out and hug Applejack, but given their position she settled on leaning against her instead. "I promise." "Atta girl" Applejack leaned back, pressing against her cheek-to-cheek briefly. "And don' y' go easy on me at horseshoes either." "Heh, I won't." Rainbow replied, righting herself. "Thanks AJ." "Alright now. Don' mean you can go gettin' all mushy on me." "Now that, I definitely promise." Rainbow said with a smirk. "Hey, can I...just stick around a little?" "Oh, want t' help me move hay bales, do ya?" Applejack asked with a smirk of her own. Rainbow stood up. "Uhhh, no thanks. I just remembered I still have friends to talk to." "Ah though' so. Go and get 'em, pardner." Applejack told her. Rainbow paused, nodded, and left. Applejack got back to work, but figured maybe she could talk to Big Mac about getting her chores back. Her head was a bit clearer now. --- Dash had to admit, she felt a bit better, was a little more uplifted than when she had first set out. She felt the worst was over, and it hadn't been bad at all. She had been over thinking it. These were her friends, and they were just as loyal to her as she tried to be to them. The day was getting cloudy, reminding Rainbow Dash she'd need to get to work later. It wouldn't be particularly hard, but it wasn't something she could put off either. Still, she was sure she had enough time to head over to one last place. Fluttershy's hut was well away from the rest of Ponyville, but close to Sweet Apple Acres, at least by comparison. Dash looked around as she approached, and seeing that Fluttershy wasn't out in her gardens, walked up to to the door. The door opened just a crack at her knock, but nopony appeared on the other side. Rainbow Dash tried to peek through, confused, before she noticed Angel below her, standing at the door. "Oh, hey Angel, is Fluttershy here?" she asked, bending down to him. He frowned and opened the door a bit wider. He beckoned to Rainbow Dash, signaling her closer. Just as she stepped in - wham, the door shut hard on her head. Dash fell back, ears ringing. "Why you-" "Angel" a timid voice came from inside. "It's okay. Don't do that." The bunny frowned, and shook his head. "Let her in, Angel." Fluttershy said from somewhere out of sight. Angel just crossed his arms in defiance. "You heard her." Dash said with a growl, getting back on her feet. Angel shook his head. "Why you!" Rainbow Dash bent down, preparing to charge. Just as she leaped at the door, however, it opened wide on its own. Fluttershy stood in the doorway, eyes wide as she saw Rainbow incoming. Angel jumped to the side. "Ahh-ooof!" Dash went tumbling into Fluttershy, sending them rolling into her house. She got up with a jump as soon as they stopped moving and looked around. "Fluttershy!" she heard a squeak below her. She immediately fluttered off of her friend, who was sprawled out on the floor. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Rainbow stammered. "Are you okay? I was just trying to-" "Rainbow, it's okay." Fluttershy said, her voice whisper quiet. She picked herself off the floor. "Are, are you alright? I wanted to say I'm sorry." "I'm fine Rainbow Dash. It's okay." "Are...you're not mad at me, I mean for last night, right?" "No Rainbow Dash." was all Fluttershy said. Dash noticed Angel hopping up on an end table. The bunny was staring her daggers. She turned back to find Fluttershy was walking over to her couch. "You, you sure you're not mad at me." Dash repeated, still unsure. "I'm...not mad at you for being a...." Fluttershy mumbled so quietly Rainbow Dash couldn't make it out. Still, she knew what Fluttershy was saying. "Whew. That's good. Because I was afraid..." Rainbow Dash walked alongside Fluttershy, but saw her turn away. Frowning she got around to the other side of the pony. "I thought maybe..." Fluttershy turned away again. She got onto the couch and promptly faced the back of the seat, away from Rainbow. Angel hopped up onto the windowsill behind the couch and pointed Dash to the door. The spectrum-maned pegasus sat down, confused. She eventually began to piece it together. "If...you're not mad for me being a fillyfooler, then, why are you mad at me?" she asked with a gulp. Fluttershy didn't say anything, but curled up tighter, as if expecting an attack. Angel had disappeared, and suddenly there was a thump at Rainbow's feet. She looked down to see the bunny had dragged out a thick book from somewhere. "A photo album?" she asked. Angel opened it for her, and she began to idly flip through it, confused and intrigued. There was the gang at the Grand Galloping Gala, in all their sparkling dresses. There were a few candid shots of them at Winter Wrap up last year too. Some from each celebration and a few more besides. Dash got back to about a year before Twilight had come. The gang wasn't as close back then. There were a few shots of Rarity and Fluttershy together, more of Rainbow and Fluttershy. Like traveling back in time, Dash watched her and the others get smaller, shorter. Fluttershy had had such spindly legs as a filly. The earliest pictures, and pretty much the only from that time in their life, were their flight school class pictures. Year four, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had sat together. Just like in year three, year two, and year one, when they had met. Rainbow Dash could barely look up she felt so heavy with guilt. "I didn't know you kept these." she said, getting no response from Fluttershy. "You're my best friend, Fluttershy." her voice croaked. There was another slam as Angel closed the book. He just stared crossly at Rainbow Dash. "I..." Rainbow Dash got up and began to back away, Angel's glare like a physical shove to her. She couldn't even look at the bunny anymore, let alone Fluttershy. She found herself turning to the door. "Fluttershy, I'm..." she tried to lift her head, but met Angel's gaze again. Her throat seized up and she just walked out the door. It slammed shut as soon as her tail was beyond the threshold.

AVeryStrange

347

DJ P0N-3,Rainbow Dash,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Thunder and Lightning

complete

<p>Rainbow Dash has always been notoriously lazy, but when their friend can't seem to keep awake for a single day the rest of the mane six take it into their own hooves to discover what's wrong with her. Is she just lazy? Or is there more to Dash's life than they know? And can they handle this other part of her?</p>

everyone

2011-07-28T17:59:51+00:00

2011-07-28T17:59:51+00:00

Chapter 5 Ponyville was in a bit of disarray. It hadn't been scheduled to rain today, and when the drizzle had started many a business owner or shopper had been left scrambling. Only one pony now walked the soaking streets, a curious look on her face and an even more curious hat on her head. "Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie called, peeking this way and that as she bounced along. Her umbrella hat kept her view clear, but didn't do much for the rest of her body, and she was getting soaked. Even the peppy pink party pony didn't relish the trek she had ahead of her, but she had poked her head inside every building, rain barrel, and animal hole, flipped over every rock, and had still not found her friend. This left her with only a few places left to check, and that meant a trek slightly out of town. By the time she got to Twilight's house, Pinkie Pie was soaked to the skin, and her normal smile was interrupted by chattering teeth. She knocked on the library door, glad when Spike answered just moments later. "Pinkie Pie?!" "H-h-h-hello Sp-p-pike." she tried to smile. "What are you doing in the rain?! Here, come on." "Spike, did I hear - Pinkie Pie!" Twilight was coming down the staircase as she saw Pinkie Pie enter. "H-h-hey T-T-T-T....T-Twilight." "I'll get a blanket." Twilight's expression was of deep concern. "Spike, help her warm up." With that she rushed back upstairs. Spike turned to face Pinkie Pie. "Stand still." he told her. He took a deep breath, and with a soft 'fwoosh' green flames went all around Pinkie Pie. They evaporated the water in an instant, and Pinkie looked herself over to find she was mostly dry. For a moment, her hair remained matted down as it had been by the rain, and then popped up as curly, if not curlier, as it always was. She giggled. "Thanks Spike." she smiled at him. A shiver ran through her, proving she was still cold on the inside, but at least now she was dry. After a moment, the three of them - Twilight, Pinkie, and Spike - sat in the middle of the library floor. Pinkie Pie had Twilight's blanket around her and was all smiles once more. "What brought you out here in this kinda weather, Pinkie?" Twilight asked. "You looked half-dead!" "It wasn't so bad when I started." Pinkie Pie told her. "I was looking for Rainbow Dash. Have you seen her?" "Not since really early this morning." Twilight admitted. "Didn't she talk to you?" "Uh-huh. She did! And I thought we were going to have a party!" "A party?" "Yes! But she didn't want to until she talked to all our friends. But now I can't find her!" "Hmm." Twilight gave Pinkie a look. "A party, as in... a coming out party?" "Well, it didn't have to be." Pinkie said with an insincere smile. "I wanted her to feel better again." "Uh-huh." Twilight said, half-believing her friend. "Well, where'd she go after you talked?" "Into town, I think she was going to talk to the others." "Well..." Twilight was interrupted by another knock on her door. "I've got it." Spike said, quicker to rise than the ponies. He opened it to revealed a very wet, nearly indistinguishable pony in a big yellow raincoat. "Uh, hello?" Spike asked, standing aside. The pony stepped into the light and raised her head. "Ms. Mayor!" Twilight realized, seeing the half-moon glasses. Spike helped the pony with her hat and it was indeed the town mayor. She was wet but not as bad off as Pinkie Pie had been. "Hello Twilight Sparkle, Spike. Pinkie Pie." she said with a formal nod of her head. "Sorry to bother you on such an afternoon." "It's quite alright. Are you cold? Spike, get her some tea, if you'd please." Twilight was up and already fretting over the mayor. "No no, it's quite alright," the mayor assured her, "I won't be staying. I just need to know if either of you have seen Rainbow Dash." "Are you throwing her a party too?" Pinkie Pie asked gleefully. Both Twilight and the mayor ignored her. "I'm sorry mayor." Twilight said. "Last we saw of her was hours ago, and we have no idea what she did since then." "Oh, that's not what I was hoping to hear." the mayor admitted. "She was supposed to be on weather control today. I've sent pegasus ponies to her home, I've been checking with everypony who might know her whereabouts. The rest of the weather patrol weren't prepared for this, and we're left scrambling - Cloudkicker's out of town, and Rainy Day has her day job." "I'm sorry to hear that. We'll be sure to let you know if we find her." Twilight said. The mayor nodded sadly. "Alright, I still have a few places to check. I can't very well ask anypony else to go out in the rain." she donned her hat again. "Good luck. Be careful!" Twilight called as the mayor stepped back out into the storm. She turned to Pinkie Pie. "Dash may be a bit of a goofball, but she never shirks work. She prides herself on being the best weather pony in Ponyville. Well, she prides herself on a lot of things..." Twilight shook her head. "But what are we going to do? It sounds like the mayor's checked with everypony!" Pinkie Pie asked. Twilight rubbed her chin and thought this over. "Everypony...she knows to check." she said slowly. "Pinkie, you know everypony in town, right?" "Yep! I know Carrot Top and Rarity and Bon-Bon and Mr. Cake and Roseluck and-" Pinkie Pie stopped only when Twilight jammed a hoof in her mouth. "Okay. Grab my spare coat from the closet; I'm going to need your help." --- The two ponies tried to hurry through town, hampered by the weather and splashing through puddles as they went. The storm wasn't getting any harder, but also showed no sign of letting up. It was as nearly as dark as night, even though the sun wouldn't set for another hour or so. Pinkie Pie stopped before a tiny house on the edge of town. "It just had to be as far away as possible, didn't it?" Twilight huffed, well out of breath. Pinkie Pie nodded giddily to the rhetorical question. "You sure she's here?" she asked. Twilight took a couple of deep breaths. "I've got a hunch." the purple pony replied. She reached up and knocked on the door. It took a minute before anypony responded. Twilight and Pinkie Pie both gasped at what they saw. "Oh good." said the biggest, brightest pair of sparkling sapphire eyes either of them had ever seen. "I was hoping someone would come by for her." it took them a moment to see the pony beyond those dazzling eyes. "Come on in." Vinyl Scratch said with a nod of her head. "Don't worry about the carpet." "Um, yes, thank you." Twilight remembered herself, stepping in. "Sorry." she realized she had been staring "No worries Twiddles." Scratch replied. "S'why I got these." she glanced up, her goggles resting on top of her head, and with a slight glow of her horn they moved onto her face, shielding her deep blue eyes. "You have a nickname?" Pinkie Pie asked of Twilight. Twilight ignored her, curious at Scratch's statement. "What do you mean?" "Eh." Scratch shrugged. "Kinda got tired of that reaction, you know? It was always 'ahhh, what a cute little filly' and later, 'what a sweet young mare'. With these, it's 'Yo, Scratch, what's up?'. You know how it goes. I've even got contacts in case I know they'll be off. Ruby red." she grinned. "Can I call you Twiddles?" Pinkie Pie asked. "No." Twilight responded, immediately getting back to Scratch. "I'm sorry you feel that way. Also, I'm sorry to bother you like this..." "Nah, I know what you're here for." Scratch smiled, a shake of her head sending her mane everywhere. The front door led directly into her living room, which consisted of an off-white couch, a coffee table, and barely enough room besides for the three ponies to stand. There were piles of papers about the table, tapes and CDs all around the floor, bundles of wires the size of shrubberies, and at least three different instruments propped up here and there, including a red electric guitar. Twilight stepped around the mess as best she could. "Sorry, not used to this 'housekeeping' thing." Scratch said, chuckling at her own comment. "I swear this junk just grows to fill wherever I'm at. Anyway, she's upstairs, see if you can pry her off my bed before I get home tonight. Or at least talk her out of her funk. You can definitely keep her in my bed in that case." Twilight blushed at Scratch's candid comments. The staircase Vinyl nodded to was at the back of the room, behind her. Pinkie Pie seemed to effortlessly find her way through the junk without even looking at her feet, and so got to the stairs ahead of Twilight. Then, as Twilight passed by Scratch, the wild-maned unicorn leaned in, making her pause. "She's in a bad place, kid." she said lowly, face expressionless behind her goggles. "You do what you can, but don't beat yourself up over her." "I, o-okay." Twilight said, swallowing hard. She followed Pinkie Pie upstairs. There were only a couple of doors to choose from in the short hall they found themselves on, and one was slightly ajar. Pinkie pushed through and Twilight followed. Scratch's bedroom was slightly less disorganized than downstairs, but not by much. A keyboard was propped against the foot of a king-sized bed with pale blue covers. Posters covered almost every inch of the walls. A few were of Scratch herself, clearly cover albums, but they were mostly of other artists, including a lot featuring two ponies in very strange robotic get ups. There was a desk with paper, pens, and headphones on it. However, both ponies were really only focused on the bed that dominated the room. There, curled up so tight she was nearly a perfect circle, Rainbow Dash lay on top of the sheets. She didn't react to their entry. "Dash? Are you doing okay?" Twilight asked, though she knew the answer. There wasn't a lot of room, but she managed to squeeze by Pinkie and stand beside the bed, as close to Dash as she could get. She tried to keep her mind off of why Scratch had invested in such a large bed. It was easily two ponies long and just as wide. "Dash, come on. Say something." "Buzz off." "Okay, that's something." Twilight muttered. "Look Dash, we're not leaving until we find out what's going on." "Isn't that what started everything?" Dash snapped. Twilight began to say something and then stopped. Dash was right. "That's not what I meant. Dash, something's wrong. You can't keep pushing us away. We're your friends, whether you like it or not." she meant this in all seriousness. On the bed, Dash seemed to deflate a little. "You wouldn't get it." "Try me." Twilight challenged. "Look Rainbow, there's a lot of things I don't get. Like when it's appropriate for friends to hug each other, and for how long. Or how to talk to somepony when you're trying to keep a secret. But I want to be a good friend. And if the elements of harmony have taught me anything, if you have taught me anything, you don't leave a friend hanging." "Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked, raising her head. "Yes?" Twilight asked hopefully, leaning forward. Dash looked up at her, and Twilight met her listless, puffy eyes. "Go home." Dash croaked before lowering her head. Twilight slumped. "And take Pinkie with you." she added. Twilight looked over to see that for once in her life Pinkie didn't look like she had any reason to smile. She just kept her worried gaze on Rainbow Dash. Twilight turned back to the pegasus. "Did something happen with one of our friends? Did...did you have a fight?" Rainbow Dash just took a deep breath and sighed. Twilight waited, but nothing came. "Was it...was it Applejack?" Twilight tried, remembering how angry the earth pony had been after last night. "Applejack..." Rainbow Dash muttered. "She had a right to be mad. We've been friends for so long, for years." "So it was her?" Twilight asked. "No." "What? Then who was it?" Rainbow Dash grunted and rolled over. "Years..." Pinkie Pie murmured, looking deep in thought (something else that unnerved Twilight). "So what about somepony you've known... for a life time? Would they have the right to be even madder?" "A life- Fluttershy..." Twilight whispered in realization. "You fought with Fluttershy?" she could barely imagine it. "No." Rainbow Dash said. "We didn't fight." her words made both ponies sigh. "She hates me, just like she should." Dash's voice was so uncharacteristically quiet that Twilight could barely believe it was her. Her heart sunk like a stone. "I, I'm sure she doesn't hate you. I don't think Fluttershy has the ability to hate another living creature." "She hates me. She hates me and I deserve it." "Dash, don't be like that. I, I understand that it must hurt, but you can move past this." "No, you don't understand." "I mean, just because you've known her for years doesn't mean you've been hiding this the whole time...right?" Twilight tried weakly. She saw Rainbow twitch, her wings tightening briefly. She let the silence drag on, but when her friend didn't seem ready to say anything she began to speak. Then Rainbow let out a whisper. "She was my first crush." the words hung in the air. Twilight's jaw fell open. "Come again?" she managed to stammer. "It started way back in flight school. Not right away, but as we grew up...I always just figured it was 'cause she was my best friend. And, well, my only friend." Rainbow Dash rolled back around, uncurling slightly. She finally looked at Twilight and Pinkie as she spoke. "Then I went to the junior speedsters camp. The other fillies didn't like me. I didn't get why, I didn't know....I didn't care! Gilda and I met because they didn't like her either. I was okay, because I had Gilda at camp and when I got home....Fluttershy was always around. She must have been so lonely, but she smiled every time." Rainbow Dash sighed, her eyes unfocused as she stared into the past. "It was Gilda who explained it to me. About how my wings went straight up whenever a cute filly went by. About how I kept staring off at them and not knowing..." Dash blushed. "And that's when I figured out that this whole time, when I thought I just liked Fluttershy as my best friend, I actually..." "When did...how did you get over it?" Twilight asked. Rainbow Dash grunted again. "Who said I did?" she asked, closing her eyes. Twilight's eyes widened. When Rainbow looked at them again, her eyes were brimming with tears. "I knew I could never tell her how I felt. And I knew if I brought...this...up, it'd come out. I tried, but I couldn't her out of my head. I thought maybe, if I dated someone like Scratch..." Rainbow Dash's voice trailed off. Twilight didn't know what to say. Then they heard the door creak.

AVeryStrange

347

DJ P0N-3,Rainbow Dash,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Thunder and Lightning

complete

<p>Rainbow Dash has always been notoriously lazy, but when their friend can't seem to keep awake for a single day the rest of the mane six take it into their own hooves to discover what's wrong with her. Is she just lazy? Or is there more to Dash's life than they know? And can they handle this other part of her?</p>

everyone

2011-07-28T18:01:57+00:00

2011-07-28T18:01:57+00:00

Chapter 6 In the low lighting, Vinyl Scratch's purple goggles looked black, lifeless. No emotion showed on her face. "Vinyl..." Twilight began. Dash had curled up again. "Would you girls excuse us?" Scratch asked, measuring her words carefully. "Um, no thanks, we-" Pinkie Pie began, trying to smile, but stopped as Twilight nudged her. She looked back, and seeing Twilight's worried look she dropped the smile. Twilight on her tail, they walked around the bed and out the room, brushing by Vinyl. Scratch entered and shut the door behind her with telekinesis. Rainbow Dash shivered, though the room was quite warm. "I should get off your-" "Stay." Scratch's voice was commanding but level as she walked slowly around the bed. Dash stopped moving. Vinyl climbed carefully onto the end of the bed, and there she sat. "You never mentioned Fluttershy." she said. "What's she like?" "She, uh..." Dash's throat was suddenly dry. "She a pegasus?" Vinyl prompted. Dash nodded. "She's, uh, got a yellow coat" Dash offered. "She's...really quiet. Long pink mane." "And?" Scratch asked, removing her goggles. Dash closed her eyes. "Blue eyes. Big, blue eyes." she peeked one eye open as she heard a shuffling sound. Scratch was moving up to her on the bed. "That first night, Dash. When I told you to wait for me - and you actually did. Out there in the alleyway, of all things. You were going to say something. You thought I didn't notice, did you Dash? What were you going to say before I kissed you?" "I was....you already know..." Dash said. "Yeah, you stayed outside to turn me down. You were just too much of a nice girl, and didn't want me to wonder. So I am wondering. Why'd you come home with me?" "I thought...I thought maybe if I was with you..." "You'd stop loving Fluttershy?" Vinyl asked. "It doesn't work that way Dash. Tell me, I wanna know. Who do you see when you look at me?" her voice was cold and quiet. Dash wouldn't look up. "Who do you see? Look at me!" Vinyl shouted. Dash began to cry. "It's not like that!" she shouted back through her tears. "That was the first night. A-and maybe the second. But then, but then..." she picked herself up, sitting opposite Scratch. "It changed! I love you Vinyl!" The blow sent Dash spinning, even if it wasn't actually enough to knock her down. Vinyl Scratch sat there, teeth gritted, one hoof still extended where it had struck Dash's face. "Don't you dare say that! You don't have the right!" she growled. "It's t-true!" Dash cried, tears streaming down her face. "Why? Is it these ol' baby blues? Do I look enough like her for you?" "No, it's not-" "Then why? Am I cool enough for you Dash? Do I make it easy for you to forget? Or was I just convenient, just some filly who came along? What is it Dash?" "It's....it's...." "I thought so-" "Yes." Dash said quietly, staring at her hooves. Vinyl paused. "What?" "It's all that. You wanted me. No one had ever...but you wanted me. And not because I was cool, or fast, or champion of the junior speedster's competition or anything. You just said you liked me." she sniffed. "It was like there was this whole other world, where I could forget them and be with you. And you were 'cool' enough Vinyl. You were cool enough to understand. And when I wouldn't...when I stopped you, the first night, and wouldn't go all the way...and the next and every night, you were cool enough then." "Dash, that's still no reason-" "Shut up, I'm not done." Dash said, color coming back into her voice. "You were cool, you were calm, you always had something to say. You're right - I do have a big head, kinda. So you helped me, I guess. You made me slow down and listen to you." she leaned forward, catching Vinyl off guard. "And there's still a million reasons." Dash continued, looking Vinyl straight in the eye. "I hated myself after the first night. And the second, and every night. And I hated you too. I didn't get why I kept coming back. Until one day..." she was leaning forward so far that Vinyl had started to lose balance. She toppled onto her back and Dash stood up over her, maintaining eye contact. Vinyl felt a splash on her face and realized tears were still leaking down Dash's cheeks. "One day I realized I didn't care. I still like Fluttershy. I still love her, I guess, I don't care. I didn't want her anymore - I wanted you. And I wanted to love you. I-I don't care if Fluttershy came through this door right now. I don't love her like that. I don't love her like I love you." "Rainbow..." Vinyl breathed the word. "Say it again." Rainbow Dash bent down, and pressed her lips to Scratch's. She had kissed Scratch plenty of times before, but this time she was in charge, instead of just letting the unicorn do as she pleased like always. She bit lightly on Vinyl's lower lip before moving on, reaching inside with her tongue and guiding Vinyl's out to play. After several moments, Dash finally stood back up. Vinyl took a breath, no doubt her first in a while judging by her dazed expression. "Vinyl, I love you." Dash said, eyes wet but no longer crying. "And I love you Dash." Scratch replied. "Really?" "Yeah. You were supposed to be a fling," she smiled, "then you went getting me to care about you and all, ya idiot". Dash bent down to nuzzle against Scratch briefly. "So you forgive me?" "Oh, I wouldn't say that." Scratch teased. She stopped when she saw Dash's worried frown. "I'm kidding, light bulb." she laughed, nudging Dash's face playfully with a hoof. Dash winced. "We should get you some ice for that." Scratch said with a frown. "Now that one's my fault. I'm sorry Dash." "Hey, no worries" Dash told her with a smile, stepping back to let Scratch up. "Ponies have wanted to knock some sense into me for years. They'll be jealous of you." "Pffft, when they see what I have to put up with they won't be so jealous." Scratch replied, getting up. "Hey...I mean it, you know." "What- oh." Dash looked away briefly. "I do too. But...I wish I didn't feel anything for her." "Now don't say that. You don't mean that." "I...guess. How can you love me Scratch?" "You want a sonnet? Come on Dash. We're both just crazy enough for each other. Now, let's get off this bed before I decide not to let you leave at all." Scratch told her, hopping off. Dash followed her with a nervous laugh. Scratch opened the door and heard a small yelp. She looked around as she exited and saw Twilight and Pinkie sitting a little off in the hall. They were still scrambling to get into place as Scratch exited. She gave them a calm little smile. "You were right not to want to leave her alone, Pinkie." she said, voice quiet. "I'm surprised you didn't jump in there and take me down." "Rainbow can handle herself." Pinkie Pie replied. Instead of her usual bubbly smile, the grin on her face was a more knowing smirk. Twilight said nothing, looking conflicted. "Well, you two can come while we get ice on Dash's face before it swells up like a balloon." "Heh, don't kid yourself. You don't hit that hard." "Hit? I'm talking about stopping your swollen ego." Scratch teased as they headed downstairs. "Hee hee, Dash you'd make a funny balloon!" Pinkie said, apparently back to her old self. Twilight lagged behind. Vinyl's kitchen was off from her living room, and was the tidiest room yet. Only a sink overflowing with dishes and yet more electronic equipment piled on the table keeping it from true cleanliness. At the least, there was room for the four to sit as Dash held a bag of ice to her face. "Dash, you know this is your last chance." Vinyl said slowly. Dash tried to give her best questioning look with half her face numb. "To back out, I mean. I'd understand." "Heh. I'd hit you for that if I thought you had more ice." Dash replied, making Vinyl smile. Pinkie Pie tilted her head. "You guys are both so silly." she told them. "Don't you know you're supposed to kiss it better?" she asked of Scratch. Scratch grinned from ear to ear (a disturbing feat for a pony). "Heh, Dash, show me where it hurts so I can kiss it better." "Oh, yeah?" Dash grinned back. "Well it really hurts right about-" she began to shift in her seat. "A-Hem" Twilight cleared her throat loud enough to derail Rainbow's remark, as well as get all eyes on her. "This is... an interesting development. But Dash, what does this mean about Fluttershy?" "I...I don't know..." Rainbow admitted. "I don't know if I can talk to her." "You can't let that one go, Dash." this came from Scratch. "Not if I'm to believe half of what she means to you." "What if..." Rainbow looked away. "What if I start to love her again?" "Dash, and what if that happened?" Scratch asked. Dash gave a sad smile, eyes downcast. "I don't know if I could see her again." "Sometimes I wonder if you're soft-hearted or just soft-headed." Vinyl replied, shaking her head. "I appreciate it, but that answer tells me you don't need to worry. I mean it girl, I don't want some downer around all the time." "I think you really should try talking to her, Rainbow." Twilight added. "But, what would I say?" "Duh!" Pinkie Pie piped in. "The truth." all three ponies looked at her for a moment. Across the table, Scratch and Twilight's gazes met. "You know..." Twilight began. "That's not a half-bad idea." Vinyl replied, getting a nod from Twilight. "What?! The truth?" Rainbow asked frantically, "No, see, that's exactly what I couldn't tell her." "Dash, come on." Twilight said. "Keeping secrets is what started this whole mess." "Besides" Scratch added "Could you live with yourself?" "I guess you're right...." Rainbow Dash said. "Maybe tomorrow" "Rainbow..." Twilight and Scratch said in unison, and in the same tone of voice at that. "Argh, now I get it twice?" Rainbow complained. "Alright already" "Oh, and one last thing" Twilight said. Rainbow Dash gave her a flat look. "Well since you're going out anyway....is there anything you could do about this rain?" she asked. "Oh, that. Yea no problem" Dash put down the ice bag. "Hey now, no one said it had to be this second." Scratch told her, reaching out towards Dash. Rainbow began to head around the table. "Yeah, but you know me. I'll be back before you have to leave for the club." she reached Vinyl and leaned in. They shared a meaningful kiss, stopping just shy of making out. "That's how you're supposed to do it." Pinkie Pie whispered, leaning over to Twilight. The purple unicorn had decided she was very definitely going to look anywhere else, and was currently studying the ceiling with great fascination. She looked down only once she heard Dash's hoofsteps again. The cyan speedster was already out the door. "Aww, I didn't ask her if that meant the party was on!" Pinkie Pie complained. "Pinkie-" "Party?" Scratch turned to her. Pinkie Pie nodded. "I wanted to throw it to make Dash feel better. About who she is." "Now ain't that sweet. Tell you what Sprinkles, why don't you wait until tomorrow?" "Tomorrow?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Sure. Tomorrow's my day off." Pinkie Pie gasped. "You wanna come too?" her face lit up in saccharine joy. "Would ya have me?" Scratch asked. "Of course! Oooh, ooh, this is so exciting!" Pinkie Pie was bouncing where she stood, looking ready to explode with glee. "I think it'll be a bit different from the club, you know." Twilight offered. "Yeah yeah." Scratch shook her head, still smiling. "Hey, I DJ some normal events too. I know when to tone it down." "Alright, well, I hope to see you there. Come on Pinkie Pie, we should leave." "Oh, okay." Pinkie Pie bounced around to Twilight. They trotted towards the front door, Vinyl following just behind. "So, just one last question." Twilight tried to sound nonchalant. "Do you give nicknames to everypony or what?" "Nah" Scratch said. "Just the ones I like." she gave a wink to Twilight, making the young mare blush. "We'll see you around, I guess." Twilight said as they headed for the front door. "You know Twiddles? Something tells me we'll be seeing a lot more of each other in the near future." Scratch had a coy look about her. Twilight was about to say something when she heard the door open and Pinkie Pie gasp. Both unicorns looked towards her. "Wow." they said in unison, eyes skyward. --- Minutes ago, Rainbow Dash stepped outside with a mission. The rain was still coming down steadily, and it was pretty dark out by now. She had places to be. So this storm cloud? It was kinda in the way. She didn't have time to rope it in or spin it away or anything. There was only one thing she could think to do. Drastic times called for drastic measures. She took flight in the rain, step one being to get above the clouds. She eyeballed the center of the storm from there and took off towards it. She veered slightly around the center point in a curved path, and then with just the slightest twist of her wings managed a near hairpin turn. She again swerved slightly off center. Then she did a wider turn and came around again. Again and again, she didn't quite hit the center but came at it from every angle. She pumped her wings the entire time, gathering enough speed that she began to leave a multicolored streak in the air behind her. Soon her loops became so fast that she doubled back on her own streak, criss-crossing it in the air. She was disturbing the air, sending it in every direction, and the winds began to collect in the middle. Her constant dodging of the center created a pocket of swirling winds, circling around and around on itself, each pass added momentum. The multi-colored streak she created began to collect as well, creating a rainbow sphere, churning constantly. It was only the size of a small apple cart, but Rainbow knew it'd be enough if she just gave it enough oomph... "Here we go." she said to herself, gritting her teeth. Pouring it on, she gathered altitude, streaking straight up until her wind-sphere was a speck below. She turned around and shot back towards earth. The wind rushed past in her ears as she headed straight for the sphere. With a low whoomph and a thunder-like rumble, Dash hit the concentrated winds. The force of the impact was so great it actually knocked her clean sideways in the short time she was inside it, meaning her exit path was parallel to, but off from her entry. The winds dispersed themselves with great force from Rainbow's hit and quickly spread out through the sky. Like ripples in a pond the winds spread out through the storm, creating waves in the system. The effect of these winds, however, was much greater than that of mere ripples. The storm was pushed out from the center, forcing a hole of clear sky. As the clouds' momentum pushed them against other clouds, more gaps appeared, and soon the entire thing began to break apart. Dash smiled and flew off, not observing her handiwork. So she didn't notice how the broken orb had left a faint ring of rainbow in the sky, or how her path into the sphere had left a much brighter zig-zag cutting clean through the circle. With the fading light making the sky dark, it looked rather eerily like a record with a lightning bolt struck through it. --- Dash slowed down as she got to Fluttershy's house. Only the last rays of sunlight remained to give her light to see by. Fluttershy might not even be up, she realized, and she faltered. However, all Dash had to do was think back to Vinyl Scratch to know she had to go through with this. Honestly, the unicorn's eyes were different. They were deeper, more knowledgeable, the eyes of a pony who had seen the wide world. And combined with her wild blue-fire mane, her pale coat over her lithe dancer frame...Rainbow nodded, resolve returning, and knocked loudly on the door. She had to do this. "Fluttershy! Fluttershy, we need to talk." she called. She heard nothing in response, not even Angel came to the door. "Fluttershy look. I know you're mad. And you should be. You're my best friend. As in are, not were. I know I can't just fix this, but will you at least let me talk to you?" she shouted at the door. There was silence for a moment before the door cracked open. "Fluttershy?" Rainbow peeked in. The room was dim, the lights off. She stepped in, spying Fluttershy just getting back on her couch. She didn't do anything to acknowledge Dash as she entered. "Look. I'm...sorry's not enough." Dash said, walking over and sitting down on the floor in front of her friend. "I was stupid, I was foalish, and...I was scared, okay? I was afraid of what would happen. Because you meant too much to me." she poured her feelings out, and couldn't stop what came next. "I love you Fluttershy." the words came so much easier then she expected. Something inside of her of just clicked. Her words weren't false, but....something changed as she said it. Fluttershy had said nothing however... so Dash kept talking. "I guess it was when we were still in flight camp. You had the best smile, and you always loved to hug. Or, maybe it was because you thought I was cool before anypony else did. I don't know." she swallowed before continuing. "And then, after school...I came to Ponyville because you did. Sure, we made friends, but....I just still wanted to be with you. I knew by then that you weren't like me. That you didn't like me back, not like that. But I couldn't stop liking you. So I just figured I'd keep my mouth shut. Because it'd be awkward, and you'd hate me, and I couldn't be your friend. And the longer it got....the worst it got. How could I do anything? You were my best friend." "Well....I'm done." Rainbow Dash said with a sharp nod. "If I really loved you...I should have told you. I should have done something. But Fluttershy. I...I was wrong. I really am a fillyfooler, and I really do love you....but I was being stupid. You're my friend, my best friend, and that's all you're supposed to be. That's all I want you to be. So, what do you say? Are we....still friends?" Fluttershy shifted slowly, until she was resting on her underbelly, head up. She looked into her hooves. "Rainbow?" she asked. If there had been any noises about, Rainbow was sure she couldn't have heard her friend, but everything seemed dead silent except for the two of them. "You....I don't understand. You love me? But...." Rainbow walked up closer, sitting just by her. She was smiling. "I do love you. I thought I wanted you to be my fillyfriend." she wished she could think half as quick as she could fly, because she barely understood what she was getting out. "Turns out, I just didn't know....like how....clouds!" "Clouds?" Fluttershy was only more confused. "Yeah clouds. Look, you know how to an earth pony, a cloud's a cloud? But we know all the different clouds there are, and which ones make rain, which ones form at which height? It's like that." "You love me...like a cloud." "No no. I'm saying I'm a fillyfooler, and like an earth pony with clouds, I thought that meant that if I loved you, that meant I wanted to be your fillyfriend. That there was only one type of love. But I know better. There's different kinds of clouds, just like there's different kinds of love. And I love you....but not like a fillyfriend or anything. You're my best friend, and that's just as special." "Rainbow Dash...." Fluttershy closed her eyes. "I believe you. I understand." "You...do?" "Yes, because I love you too." Fluttershy said. She opened her eyes. "I thought, I thought you didn't tell me because you didn't trust me. I thought I had done something wrong. I thought...I wasn't your friend anymore." "No. I wish I could do it all over." "I don't." Fluttershy said, smiling and turning to face Dash. "Huh?" "Because, well, now I know how special you are to me. And, um, me to you?" "Yeah" Rainbow said with a smile. "I'm, um, sorry I ever doubted you, Dash." "Sorry? I'm surprised you didn't give me a matching bruise." Rainbow Dash replied, brushing her cheek. "Oh my gosh!" Fluttershy leaped to her feet "Rainbow, are you okay? What happened?" "Heh, I'm fine. You can say I finally got the sense knocked into me." "Let me get you some ice." Fluttershy insisted, getting off the couch. "I'm fine, really!" "Stay here." Fluttershy wasn't hearing it. Dash sighed. She glanced to the door, briefly considering making a run for it, but decided it better if she stuck around. "There we are." a moment later, and Fluttershy was holding another ice bag to Dash's face. Dash flinched away. "I can do it Fluttershy." she complained. "Hold still please." Fluttershy insisted, reaching up and pushing against Dash's unbruised cheek to force Dash's head straight. And suddenly, there they were. Face to face, inches apart. Dash stared into her big, innocent eyes, and....nothing. It was just Fluttershy. "Thanks Fluttershy." Dash said. Her best friend in Equestria blushed and let go. "I'm sorry." "Nah, it's fine." Rainbow assured her, taking the ice from her. "Would you...can you make it home at this time of night?" Fluttershy asked, turning to the window. "Time of - ahh, it's nighttime! I'm late!" Dash jumped up as she saw the last rays of light fade from the sky. She dashed to the door, froze, and turned around. "ThanksFluttershyIloveyoubye!" she practically tackled Fluttershy into a hug, holding the other pegasus tight. She dashed out the door again, leaving behind the ice pack. Fluttershy reeled, but was smiling brilliantly. --- "Great party, Pinkie Pie!" Twilight congratulated her friend as she entered the Sugarcube corner. It was a typical Pinkie Pie bash, and most of the guests didn't even know what it was for. The guest list had been 'sure, come on in', so as far as anypony knew it was a party because it had been more than three days since Pinkie Pie had thrown her last one. "Thanks! Isn't it nice?" Pinkie Pie bounced along as Twilight trotted inside. "Oooh, and there's the guests of honor!" she turned back to the door right before it opened. Twilight didn't question how she knew, but sure enough in stepped Vinyl Scratch and Rainbow Dash, hip-to-hip, right on cue. Pinkie Pie was upon them before they were all the way through the door. Twilight looked beside her to only see a Pinkie-Pie-sized void where the party pony had just been. She rolled her eyes and trotted up to them. "Hey Scratch, hey Dash. I haven't seen you pretty much since yesterday." she directed the second half of her comment at Dash. "Heh. Sorry Twiddles." Vinyl responded first. "I was keeping her busy." She smirked, her goggles glinting mischievously in the light. "Sweet party Pinkie Pie. Thanks for not throwing it any earlier." "Thanks! There's cake, and punch, and surprises, and, and I hope you like the music!" "Haha, it's awesome. Come on Dash, you haven't seen me cut a rug, have you?" "Who actually says that?" Dash teased, following Scratch onto the dance floor. Twilight laughed and shook her head. "You know, I really think those two are right for each other." Twilight told Pinkie Pie. The pink partier nodded excitedly. "I'm so happy for them!" with that, she bounced off. Twilight decided to enjoy the party herself and walked around, eventually getting some punch. She came across Rarity at the table. "Hi Rarity, are you enjoying the party?" "Hmm? Oh yes, delightful as always." Rarity gave a distracted reply, not noticing Twilight for a moment. Twilight looked to where she had been and noticed Rainbow and Vinyl dancing. Vinyl was as smooth as she claimed, her hooves going in time with every beat, her tail sashaying with perfect rhythm. Rainbow Dash wasn't so experienced, but bopped along well enough besides her. "It is simply hard to imagine. I mean, I never would have expected this. From Rainbow Dash or Vinyl Scratch, honestly." "Did you know Vinyl?" Twilight asked. "Oh, not personally. I do prefer the more...eloquent side of fashion, but I do pay attention to what's considered 'hip'. And according to Pony magazine, Scratch defined hip in Manehattan." "Oh, I didn't know that. She never mentioned." "Mhm, I guess she really did leave it all behind. To be honest, doesn't she seem a bit...odd?" Twilight gave a nervous chuckle. "Rarity, you could say that about all of us, really." upon seeing Rarity's expression, she added, "Oh, except you of course." Rarity mulled this over. "No, I suppose you're right. I'm sorry dear, don't mind me. I'm sure she's a lovely pony. It will take some getting used to is all." "Well, that's...understandable" Twilight said weakly. The song ended, and Pinkie Pie could be seen trotting up to the record player. Scratch intercepted her, leaned in, and whispered into her ear. Pinkie Pie nodded enthusiastically. "Alright, fillies and gentlecolts!" Scratch called out over the din. "Hope you don't mind a slight change of pace." she walked up to the record player, her horn glowing. Twilight saw the record player change, just slightly. The speaker seemed wider and bulkier than before. Scratch flipped the record over, put the needle to it, and let the music play. "Oh, what is this noise!?" Rarity asked as Scratch's music began to play. She had clearly done something to the record as well, for it certainly wasn't Pinkie's usual fare. The music was faster, much faster, and Twilight couldn't imagine what instrument would make these noises. And Scratch was still doing something to it - occasionally she would stop it with her hoof, even wind it the other way, interrupting the fast beat with strange scratches and noises. "If this is hip, she can have it!" Rarity complained, shielding her ears. Most ponies, however, seemed to warm up to it, finding their heads bouncing in time with the rhythm, including Twilight herself. "I like it!" she retorted, trotting away from Rarity and towards the dance floor. She could see everypony having a good time; in the middle of the floor, Pinkie Pie seemed to have reinvented the robot on the spot. Twilight laughed and looked around for the rest of her friends. She spotted Applejack and Rainbow Dash dancing together to the side. "Hey guys!" she said, finding her hooves skipping along of their own volition. "Whooee! Howdy Twilight! Enjoying the party?" "Ha ha, I sure am! Here I thought Scratch would have wanted a day off from work." Twilight found the skipping wouldn't stop, her hooves demanding she dance to the beat. Dash grinned as she pranced about. "Hey, music's what she does. You don't take a break from magic, do you?" "I guess not." Twilight said. "I didn't think about it that way." "This music ain't what Ah'm used to, but it sure does move yur hooves, don' it?" Applejack asked. Twilight nodded, but realized that it was probably imperceptible from the normal bobs of her head right now. "I'm really happy for you, Dash. She's a great pony." Twilight said earnestly. Dash beamed, prompting Applejack to give her a quick nudge. "You're head over hooves, ain' you pardner?" "I guess." Dash replied, still smiling but with a slight blush to her face. She looked towards Scratch, who was immersed in the music, her horn glowing as the rhythm suddenly changed. "So what about it, Dash?" Applejack prompted. "You two keepin' it under hat or what?" "You know what?" Dash trotted away from both ponies without another word. Applejack and Twilight traded a confused glance. Dash made her way towards Vinyl. She waited for the song to end before getting up to her. "Thank you ladies and gentlecolts. It's a..." she trailed off as she saw Dash approaching, grin on her face. A smile spread across her own face, and her goggles glinted brightly. "Got something to say, light bulb?" she asked. Dash shook her head, got right up to Vinyl Scratch, leaned in, and planted a soft kiss on her lips. "Well now..." Applejack said softly, watching the display. A lot of ponies had noticed the interruption (especially as the kiss dragged on) and there were confused and surprised murmurs all about. Then, there was a single little cheer. "Oh, aren't they the cutest?" Fluttershy asked, clopping her hooves against the ground excitedly. The other ponies around were taken aback - Fluttershy barely talked to her friends, but now she was quite happily turned to any pony in range. "I'm so happy for them, aren't you?" she asked one pony. "Love is so beautiful." she told another. "Excuse me!" a square-jawed stallion said behind her, looking disgruntled. "Yes?" Fluttershy drew out the word as she turned around. And there it was. Ponies only glanced by her Stare would later recall feeling like they had looked into a starless night, a void so pure it threatened to swallow them. Others simply around Fluttershy felt a sudden chill, finding themselves backing away. "Good for them." The stallion said, looking as meek as a mouse. Fluttershy's gaze shifted, and with a smile she went about chatting with the other ponies, all of whom agreed (either readily or reluctantly) that it was great to see Rainbow Dash had found someone, how brave they were to come out, and how nice it was that they all lived in a town that understood that love was love. "You got some amazing friends, light bulb." Scratch whispered as they ended their kiss. She stroked Dash's cheek. "Don't I know it?" "Encore, encore!" Pinkie Pie cheered from the dance floor. Scratch grinned. "I don't think she means the kiss." she said. "Bring the noise, Thunder." "You got it, Lightning." --- Epilogue Dash headed over to the drink bar the club offered, which was the farthest from the stage as she could get. While normally a bit of a journey thanks to the crowded dance floor, tonight it had taken her practically half the night to make it. After her little coming out party, every pony in the club had something to say or ask her about. A few were wondering about coming out themselves, figuring maybe it wasn't such a shameful thing to be a fillyfooler. Some just wanted to know how serious she and Scratch were, which was a bit annoying. And a lot, a whole lot of ponies wanted to know about Fluttershy. Half still didn't believe they didn't have a chance. Rainbow rolled her eyes recalling that. Still, even though Dash had always reveled in attention, it felt a little weird to have everypony's eyes on her. There were a few in the town that didn't seem comfortable talking to her, though no one had said anything untoward. They seemed to know - either first hoof or by word of mouth - that anyone who had something to say to Rainbow Dash would have to go through Fluttershy. Not that the rest of her friends hadn't been there in their own ways. Rainbow got herself a drink and looked around. She really should get to know some more ponies around the club better. She still had hours to spend before Scratch had her break, let alone was ready to leave. The unicorn insisted that Dash didn't have to be here every night, but for now Dash still wanted to hang around. She could tell that deep down, Scratch was thankful for it. However, that still left Dash several hours with nothing to do. She needed to find somepony in the club to get along with, ideally somepony who wouldn't make a move on her either. "Haha, thanks for the advice. I don't know I'm ready to try yet, but we'll see." a familiar voice caught Dash's attention from nearby. She turned around, and her jaw dropped at the pony she spotted chatting to Lyra. "Twilight?!" The End.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2011-12-04T20:12:00+00:00

2011-12-04T20:12:00+00:00

Guardian Chapter 1: Nothing Rhymes With Silver Deep in a dark, discomforting forest lay a small meadow. It was open to both sunlight and fresh air which made it a great spot to rest when journeying through the forest. The trees were green and bright while the little river that ran through the meadow was clear and cool. In the middle of said meadow lay a pony. His mane and tail were colored gold while his fur was a dark silver. His wings lay lazily at his sides and his horn shined in the light. His eyes were closed and his hooves were twitching. A nightmare of which he couldn’t escape from tormented his thoughts. Around midday, the pony’s eyes flew open. His eyes were like a golden fire that burned fiercely. He closed his eyes again and groaned, his head hurt like it was smashed open on a boulder. He heard the gurgling of a stream nearby. He slowly stood up. His hooves were unsteady and his head swam. Slowly but surely, he made his way to the water. Once there he bent down and took a drink. It was cold and refreshing. Soon his mind cleared up and he was more sure on his hooves. He peered into the water to look at himself. He had no idea who he was or where he came from. He sat down in the soft, green grass and thought long and hard about what happened to him. Nothing came to mind so he shrugged and stood back up. To choose a direction he closed his eyes and spun in a circle for a moment. When he stopped he opened his eyes and walked in that direction. The trees seemed to absorb him as he entered the ominous forest. Dark grass and roots were strewn everywhere, making it hard to hike through. The silver and gold pony sighed and walked in a straight line as best he could. The forest seemed menacing and somewhat evil. Silver found himself looking over his shoulder several times and looking side to side. Whenever he blinked, he saw images of dark ponies sneaking around. The pony stepped on a stick and it snapped. He paused and listened. Everything was quiet and still. No bird calls or running water. He wished he never left that meadow. After some time of walking and spooking himself, the pony stumbled out of the forest into fresh air and light. He smiled at the sunlight and threw himself onto the grass. He lay there for a while and laughed at himself for being such a foal. The grass felt so soft and warm. His eyes became heavy and they stung. Soon, the pony fell asleep in the warm sunlight. After a while, the pony woke up to see another pony standing over him. When his eyes opened, she jumped back with a squeak. The yellow pegasus hid behind a medium sized rock. After a moment, the pegasus poked her head out to find the silver pony staring at her confused with his head cocked. “Uh... Hello?” The strange pony said. He was surprised at his own voice. He swore it was a bit deeper than it was. The yellow pony just squeaked out some words and hid behind the rock again. “Excuse me? I didn’t catch that,” the silver pony said. When she didn’t come out of hiding, he sighed and thought of something else to say. He tried to think of his name, but nothing came to mind. After a moment of thinking, a word came to mind. He didn’t know if it was his name or not but he decided to say it anyway to break the ice. “My name’s Silver,” he said, “Um... what’s yours?” Silver asked. No response came. Silver looked behind the rock. The yellow pegasus squeaked again and backed away. Silver cocked his head again and sat down. “I’m not going to hurt you or anything,” he said. She still didn’t answer so he sighed explosively and got up. He sat a little ways away, looking in the opposite direction. He saw a small town a little ways away. He could see shaped of ponies moving about, going to shops and such. He knew where he was heading next. He stood up once more and prepared to leave when he heard a noise behind him. He looked behind him to see the pegasus. She was talking, but he could barely hear her. He caught the word “Fluttershy” and assumed that was her name. “Fluttershy is it? Nice to meet you,” he said cheerfully. She smiled a bit and looked at the ground. Silver grinned. He was proud to make some progress with this pegasus. “Well, I’m going to that town over there. Have a nice day!” Silver said as he walked away. He swore he heard a goodbye, but believed it to be too good to be true. It didn’t take him long to make it to the town. It was a pretty busy place for it being so small. There were all sorts of ponies. Pegasi flew from one place to another. A crossed eyed pegasus was actually delivering mail. Earth ponies carried bags and supplies around with them. Unicorns were trotting around. One white unicorn with a purple mane was helping a pony stitch up a dress. During his stroll, he was getting weird looks. Some were of curiosity, some wonder, but the most disturbing were the ones with suspicion and distaste. Silver arched an eyebrow and kept walking. He soon noticed what made him stand out. Well, two things. One was that he was the only pony with both a horn and wings. The other thing was that there were marks on all of the ponies’ flanks. Silver knew he didn’t have one. He didn’t need to check for that. “Look out!” Silver heard. Suddenly, what felt like a rocket hit him in the side and bowled him end over end. Silver found himself in a heap with a blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane. “Ow...” Silver groaned as he got up. He shook the dust off his fur and sighed. “You all right?” he asked as he helped the other pony up. “Yea, yea. Sorry about-” she ended suddenly and gave him a look that would melt mountains. Silver took a step back. He didn’t know what to do. The pegasus suddenly took off like a bullet. She ran to the library and slammed the door shut. Silver was speechless. He noticed that everypony was staring at him. He became self-conscious and looked around for a place to hide. He couldn’t think straight with all of the eyes looking at him. “Hi!” Silver heard from outside of the crowd. A pink earth pony was bouncing up and down excitedly through the crowd until she reached him. She sat down and started shaking his hoof violently. “My name’s Pinkie Pie! My friends call me Pinkie. I could also be called Pie, but that sounds a bit weird. I throw the best parties in all of Equestria and I work at Sugar Cube Corner! It is a nice bakery! He sell muffins, cupcakes, cake cakes, pastries, doughnuts, cupcakes, muffins, cupcakes, not oatmeal though,” Pinkie Pie exclaimed while still shaking Silver’s hoof. He thought his whole leg was about to be torn off. “Nice to meet you, Pinkie. My name is Silver,” Silver said when she finally let go of his hoof. “Oooooh, so you’re named after your coat color? That’s neat! Some ponies think I was named after my coat color, but my full name is Pinkameana. I just shortened it to Pinkie. I have a toothless alligator named Gummy. I named him that because he doesn’t have any teeth. Wanna meet him?” she asked. Silver nodded slowly. Suddenly, out of no where, she revealed a small alligator. Its eyes looked in two different directions and it had no teeth as Pinkie stated. It tried to bite Silver’s muzzle, but he could only feel the gums. Silver felt his pupils dilate. “Aw! That means he likes you!” Pinkie shouted. Silver noticed the staring ponies had moved on with their day. In some way, this energetic pink pony saved him from embarrassment. “Wanna be my best friend? I have some other best friends you might like. They are great and nice and funny! I know you will get along with them!” “Sure, I’d love to meet them,” Silver said. Truthfully, he didn’t want to be left alone again, but he also wanted to meet some more ponies. Pinkie bounced along the road while Silver followed behind. In the corner of his eye, he swore he caught a hint of a rainbow mane. Soon, the two ponies reached a store called Carousel Boutique. Silver didn’t know if that he would visit this store much, but followed Pinkie Pie nonetheless. Before they could get to the door, it swung open to reveal the same white pony Silver had seen when he first arrived. “Hello, Pinkie Pie! What brings you to my humble store?” the pony asked. “Hi, Rarity! I made a new friend! His name is Silver! I think it’s because of his coat color, but he doesn’t know. Isn’t that silly?” Pinkie asked excitedly. Silver grinned awkwardly when Rarity looked at him. “Hi there darling! My name is Rarity, as you may know. I’m terribly sorry about the way Rainbow Dash greeted you, it was quite rude of her,” Rarity apologized. “That’s no problem, I’m sure there’s a good reason for it,” Silver said kindly. Rarity frowned. “Unfortunately, there is. Some strange ponies have been visiting as of late. They cause a lot of trouble and are unwanted. The way we recognize them is by the lack of a Cutie Mark. It seems you don’t have one either, but you don’t seem the brutish type. Tell me, what town did you come from?” Rarity asked. Silver thought for a moment. He expected the name of the town to come to him like his name, but it seemed it wasn’t the case. His mind just went blank. Rarity seemed concerned by the lack on answer. She pressed a hoof against his forehead. “Are you all right, my dear?” she asked. Silver shrugged. “Never better, just a bit of amnesia I guess,” Silver explained, “So tell me more about these Cutie Marks. What do they do exactly?” Silver asked. “Cutie Marks show what our special talents or what our destiny is. It seems you have not found yours yet,” Rarity examined. Silver shrugged. “I knew you guys would get along!” Pinkie Pie shouted happily. Obviously her pent up energy couldn’t be held in any longer. She bounced up and down erratically. Silver had to take a step back to avoid being jumped on. Rarity giggled and bid them farewell. Silver smiled and walked alongside Pinkie as she bounced up and down. After a few minutes of walking along the road, they turned onto a dirt path that led away from the city. Trees started to become more common as they went along. Silver noticed that they bore apples of many different shapes, sizes, and colors. It hadn’t been long before Silver could see a farm in the distance. He saw a large red stallion hauling a plow back into the red barn. A small yellow earth pony with a pinkish red bow followed the red stallion. Pinkie bounced ahead of Silver and disappeared into the trees. Silver just kept slowly walking to the barn. He could hear Pinkie’s excited voice talking to another pony. Silver arched an eyebrow, but he still kept going. After a minute, Pinkie bounced back to him. “Who were you talking to?” Silver asked. Pinkie didn’t answer. She giggled and kept bouncing along. Silver laughed nervously. They made it to the middle of the farm. From a distance, he could see many acres of apple trees. He was amazed by what he saw. “Beautiful, ain’t it?” said a pony behind Silver. Silver jumped and turned around. Behind him stood an orange earth pony wearing a cowpony hat. She seemed proud of all of the apple trees that grew in her fields. Silver didn’t disagree. “It is quite stunning,” Silver said, “The name’s Silver,” he said and held out a hoof. “Th’ name’s Applejack, nice to meet ya’!” Applejack shook his hoof almost as violently as Pinkie Pie, but it lasted a shorter amount of time. Silver laughed uncomfortably as his hoof felt numb. “So, what brings ya’ around here, sugar cube?” Applejack asked. “Pinkie Pie here is introducing me to all of her friends. So far, I have met Rarity and you,” Silver said. “That’s nice of Pinkie. I heard from Applebloom of that run in you had with Rainbow Dash. I guess that didn’t go so hot?” Applejack asked. “I guess not. Rarity already explained, though. I understand. I think I’ve been in the same situation,” Silver said. “You think?” Applejack asked, “It’s not something you can easily forget,” “I think I have a bit of amnesia. It took me a few minutes this morning to tell this pegasus named Fluttershy my name. Though, it took a little longer to get hers,” Silver said. “You’ve met Fluttershy? Then it goes without saying she is a bit shy,” Applejack chuckled, “After a time she’ll warm up to ya’,” Silver chuckled too then shrugged. “Hey, I just got finished picking some apples, want one?” Applejack asked. Silver nodded eagerly. He couldn’t remember the last time he ate. Applejack picked out an apple from one of her baskets and tossed it at Silver. Silver flinched, but when he didn’t feel impact, he opened his eyes to see it floating right in front of him. His horn was glowing a light golden color. The apple was also outlined with the same color. “You can use magic, too?” Pinkie asked excitedly. “I guess I can,” Silver said. He was amazed at his own skill. “Then you would like Twilight! She also practices magic!” Pinkie shouted enthusiastically. “It’s true. She sometimes stays couped up in the library for days studying that magic of hers,” Applejack said. Silver cocked his head. Applejack chuckled, “Don’t worry, she’s nice and all as long as you let her read those books,” Applejack explained. Pinkie started bouncing off again. Silver quickly took a bite of the apple. It was the juiciest apple he ever had. Applejack smiled like she could read his mind. Silver nodded his thanks and took off after Pinkie. Silver heard Applejack ask something about a “Granny Smith” to that red stallion he saw earlier. He shook his head and tried to keep pace with Pinkie. The two ponies got back into town. Everything was going business as usual it seemed. They quickly found the library in the middle of town. It seemed to be just a huge tree with a few windows, a door, and a balcony.Silver was hesitant to go in though, he remembered that rainbow maned pony, Rainbow Dash if he recalled correctly, went in there after she slammed into him. Pinkie didn’t notice the hesitation and almost literally kicked in the door. “Twilight! I got a visitor for you!” Pinkie shouted. Silver heard a voice reply, but he couldn’t make out any words. “Don’t be like that, silly filly! Your books can wait!” Pinkie said jouyously and bounced inside. “I don’t want to impose...” Silver started. “Don’t be silly! Twilight needs to get out of the library anyway! She’s been in there for almost a week!” Pinkie said over her shoulder. A week?! Silver thought, how is that possible? He took a nervous step in. He could hear three voices talking at once. One, that rose above the rest in an excited manner, was definitely Pinkie Pie’s. The other two was not familiar to him. Suddenly, everything became quiet. He heard somepony coming down the stairs. What he saw, he did not expect. It was a purple and green baby dragon. Silver cocked his head. “Um... hello,” the dragon said nervously, “Um... would you like something to drink?” “No thanks, but thank you for offering,” Silver said politely. The baby dragon seemed to grow a little more comfortable at the politeness. “I-I’m Spike,” the baby dragon said. “Silver, nice to meet you,” Silver said with a smile, “and might I add that I have never seen a dragon before. Fascinating creatures if I’m not mistaken. Tell me, where did you come from?” Silver asked. “Canterlot. I was hatched by Twilight during her exam to get into Princess Celestia’s school of magic,” Spike said. He seemed to lose his nervousness all at once. “I have never heard of Canterlot before... or this Princess Celestia for that matter,” Silver said. These sounded familiar, but he couldn’t put a hoof down on it. He heard a gasp come from upstairs, then the three voices started to talk again. Silver looked at Spike confused. Spike shrugged and turned around to go upstairs. His voice was added to the others. Suddenly, one voice shouted out the words, “He could be a spy!” another voice said calmly, “You accused me of being a spy when I first got here,” the first voice groaned, “That was an honest mistake,” the second voice sighed. Silver heard hoofsteps coming down the stairs. Silver did not expect to see a beautiful lavender unicorn to come down the stairs and smile at him. “Sorry about that,” she said. “I-It’s ok,” Silver stuttered. He was overcome with sudden shyness, “I hope I’m not causing any trouble...” “No, no, it’s fine,” the lavender unicorn reassured, “Just some stubbornness from my friend. My name is Twilight Sparkle,” “Nice to meet you, I’m Silver,” Silver said. Before he could say something else, he heard a rabble outside. It sounded like there was a fight or something going on. Silver opened the door and poked his head around the corner. There were four ponies outside Sugar Cube Corner. One was Applebloom standing next to an old, green mare. The other two were large and strong stallions. One was a unicorn and the other a earth pony. The unicorn and pegasus didn’t have Cutie Marks. “Leave my Granny alone, she didn’t do anything to ya’,” Applebloom pleaded. The two stallions laughed. “Sure we will, after she says sorry for tripping over my friend’s hoof,” the unicorn said. “She can’t help it, she’s got a bad hip,” Applebloom argued. The unicorn picked up Applebloom with his magic and laughed. “Check it out, Crusher, this little one here wants to fight,” the unicorn said. Applebloom struggled to get down, but she was held in the air. “I see that, Smasher, let’s teach her a lesson,” the earth pony, who Silver presumed was Crusher, said. Crusher’s hoof came up and went for Applebloom, but it was stopped in its tracks. It was outlined in a light golden color. Silver slowly walked over, his horn was glowing brightly. “I say let’s not. Put the filly down and fight somepony your own size,” Silver said sternly. Smasher put the pony down and turned around. Silver kept a neutral expression. He was not going to back down from this one. “Well, well, well. What do we have here? An alicorn outside of Canterlot? What business do you have here? Meddling in affairs of others?” Smasher sneered. Silver didn’t seem moved. The only change was the slight narrowing of his eyes. Crusher’s hoof was released. Crusher shook his hoof to test it out then snorted. Suddenly, Silver felt his throat tighten to the point where he couldn’t breathe. He was lifted into the air and thrashed about from side to side. Smasher’s horn was glowing a dull black. “We don’t like it when ponies mess in our affairs,” Smasher said menacingly. Silver was thrown up into the air and he landed with a dull thump on the ground. Silver slowly got up and stumbled a bit from the lack of oxygen. Before he knew it, something that felt like a freight train rammed right into him and sent him flying head over hooves. He hit the ground and skidded a few feet. Crusher bit into Silver’s mane and lifted his head up. Silver was not about to be thrown again. His hoof shot out and hit Crusher in the face. When Crusher reeled back, Silver kicked him in the chin with his back legs. Crusher’s head snapped back and blood flowed out of the corner of his mouth. Silver felt himself being picked up again. He was thrown up into the air, but this time, before he hit the ground, his stretched his wings out to land softer. Crusher grabbed Silver from behind. Silver bit into Crusher’s front leg. Crusher grunted in pain and let go. Silver bucked him again and charged at Smasher. Silver’s hooves were swept out from under him by an unseen force and he hit the ground. Pain shot up his front right leg. As Silver stood up he heard somepony call his name. It was Pinkie Pie and she was bouncing up and down with a tray full of muffins. “Throw these, Silver! Throw these!” Pinkie shouted. Silver smiled. He imitated what he did to pick up the apple and picked up one of the muffins. One hit Smasher in the eye. Another one flew and hit him in the face. Five more flew and hit his horn and face at the same time. Silver then charged up and bucked Smasher in the chest. Smasher flew a few feet and hit a mailbox. Crusher tried to get up, but Silver held him down with one hoof. “You two will never come to this town again, got it?” Silver said sternly, “If you do, I will know of it,” Crusher just grunted in answer. Silver got his hoof off of him. Almost at once, Crusher sprang up, grabbed Smasher, and ran out of town. For a few moments, everypony was silent, looking after the two ruffians. Then Silver heard Pinkie Pie shout, “This calls for a party!” Then, everypony cheered and congratulated Silver all at once. Once everypony had said their congratulations, they rushed over to an empty field just outside of Ponyville to a party that had been set up in record time. Silver stood in the middle of Ponyville amazed. He felt a bit weak from the beating he took, but he managed to stumble over to the party. When he got there, his breath was taken away. Bright and colorful lights had been set up. Several tables with a purple cloth had been set out with trays of food on them. Everypony was either dancing to the music or talking with each other. Silver had to hand it to Pinkie, she could throw a great party really quickly. He went around the many ponies and took a couple of cupcakes and quickly devoured them. Once he was done he found a place to lie down and think. He sat a little ways away from the party. His eyes were getting heavy. He put his head into his hooves and slept. “Silver, wake up, sugar cube,” Applejack said as she prodded him awake. Silver woke up slowly. He noticed the field had been cleaned up of everything. It was like a party never happened. “Huh, what? Did I fall asleep?” Silver asked sleepily. “Yea, you fell asleep about two hours ago. No pony blamed you. It was a rough day you had,” Applejack said as she helped him up, “Thank you for helping out my sister and Granny Smith,” “It was nothing,” Silver said with a yawn, “I was just doing what I thought best,” “Then you must have been the best apple in the orchard at your home town,” Applejack said. Silver shrugged. “Do you have anywhere to stay?” Applejack asked. Silver shook his head sadly. “I owe you one, so how about you stay at Sweet Apple Acres for as long as you need to,” Applejack said as she led Silver to the farm. “I couldn’t do that...” Silver started to trail off. He was too tired to argue. “Nonsense, come on, let’s get you into a bed,” Applejack said. They walked along for only a few minutes until the large barn loomed in front of them. Silver was led into a small house near the barn and up some stairs. “We have a guest room so you can use that, if it’s ok?” Applejack asked. Silver nodded and walked into the room. Immediately he went for the bed and fell right asleep onto of the covers. Silver woke up late at night. He had been dreaming of a memory he once had. It was a birthday party for his friend. It must have happened when he was a colt. He sighed and turned over in his bed. It was still dark out so he slowly closed his eyes and fell back asleep. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but he felt like he needed a good night’s sleep.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2011-12-04T20:17:46+00:00

2011-12-04T20:17:46+00:00

Guardian Chapter 2: The Guardians Silver was awakened by the sun that shone through his window. Silver opened one eye and looked around. He had to struggle to remember the events of yesterday. It still bothered him that he could barely remember a thing besides yesterday. He yawned and rolled out of bed. The door to his room was ajar, but that didn’t bother him. What bothered him was the lack of noise in the house. He quietly walked downstairs to the kitchen. When he didn’t see anypony, he opened the door and walked outside. The air was warm and humid. The sun was shining bright on the apple farm. Silver could see Granny Smith asleep on a rocking chair under a tree. He saw the red stallion from before picking up some empty baskets and carrying them out to the field. Silver ran over to him. “Hi, my name’s Silver, what’s yours?” Silver asked when he caught up. “Big Macintosh, or Big Mac for short,” Big Mac said slowly. Silver nodded and for a second neither one of them said anything. Soon, Silver cleared his throat. “So, why didn’t anypony wake me up?” Silver asked. “Nothing was going on, so why would we wake you?” Big Mac asked. “Well, I kind of feel like a burden, is there any way I can help out around here?” Silver asked. Big Mac stopped and lifted up one of his enormous baskets. He set it down on Silver’s back and it felt like a whole entire tree was on him. “So how does it feel?” Big Mac asked with a hint of amusement. Silver grunted in answer. “Light... as... a... feather,” Silver had to talk in between breaths. He wasn’t going to take the easy way. Big Mac chuckled and led him to the field. It took them half an hour to make it to Big Mac’s spot. Silver wondered if it was on purpose. Thankfully, he was able to drop the basket on the ground under the tree. Big Mac motioned for him to stand back, so Silver complied. Big Mac stood on his fore-hooves and did a mighty buck. The tree shook and all sorts of apple fell. Silver was amazed. Silver had the honor of carrying the dead weight on his back. He thought his spine was going to shatter. They slowly walked back to the barn and Silver quickly set the basket down. “Told you,” Silver sighed, “Light as a feather,” “Eeeyup,” was all that Big Mac said. “What’s this?” Applejack asked as she came running up to them, “I see you’ve got our guest working,” “It’s my pleasure,” Silver said, “I would feel horrible if I didn’t do something to help out around here,” “That’s good to hear, there is plenty of work to go around,” Applejack said, “Wanna help me bring some apples into town?” “Sure!” Silver said excitedly. Silver strapped the two baskets full of apples onto his back. They weren’t heavy at all, he could walk all day with this on his back. “Ready?” Applejack asked. Silver nodded and they hiked down to Ponyville. “So, Silver,” Applejack started as they made their way to the town, “Have you remembered anything so far?” “Actually, yes,” Silver said, thoughtfully, “During the night, I had a strange dream. I can’t remember it clearly, but I know it’s something from when I was younger,” “That’s great!” Applejack said, upbeat, “Soon, you might remember everything,” “Ya...” Silver trailed off. “What?” Applejack asked when she saw Silver wasn’t as excited as she was. “It’s just... what if there is something to remember that I don’t want to. What if I was a bad pony or worse?” Silver asked anxiously. “I doubt it, you don’t seem like a bad apple. I bet that you just... got hit in the head or something,” Applejack reassured. “I guess. So where are we delivering these apples?” Silver asked as he spotted Ponyville getting closer. “We have an apple stand that we tend to in the center of town. We’re just resupplying it,” Applejack said. “Need some help with that too?” Silver asked. Applejack chuckled at that comment. When she saw Silver’s confused face, she chuckled again. “Sorry, sugar cube. I have never seen a pony that wanted to work as much as you do. Actually, my sister, Applebloom, is going to try and run the stand with her two friends. They are trying to get their cutie marks by doing all sorts of odd things. They call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Applejack explained. Silver laughed. When they reached the center of Ponyville, they could see the stand. Applebloom and two other fillies were standing on some stools behind it. Silver took off the baskets and gave them to Applejack. “What the hay?” Silver heard Applejack say confused. “What? Something wrong with the apples?” Silver asked. “No, there’s a new stand over there with some strange ponies,” Applejack described. Silver shrugged and went over to it. The ponies stood up when he got near. “Hello, good stallion. My name is Bluemane and this is my colleague, Marshall Goldstar. We represent the guild know as the Guardians. You seem to be a fit pony to work for us. What do you say?” the blue unicorn asked. Silver looked at them puzzled. “I was going to ask who you were and what you were doing here, but that has been answered. I also don’t join guilds blindly. Tell me about it first,” Silver said. Bluemane and Marshall looked at one another, worried. “Truth is son,” Marshall said quietly, “we’re recruiting because our numbers are slim. Most of us were killed in action just a couple days back. I can’t give you anymore details other than this guild is dangerous and you will be expected to fight at any given minute. We don’t accept just anypony, but at these times it is different,” Marshall explained gravely. Silver cocked his head. “That’s bad advertising,” Silver pointed out. He meant that to be a joke, but the other ponies didn’t laugh. Marshall gave him a weird look while Bluemane looked at her papers. “I’ll think about it, just don’t expect me to say yes,” Silver said. He slowly turned around and walked back to Applejack. Later, Silver and Applejack were walking back to the farmhouse when he saw something moving in the trees. The wind picked up and it got awfully cold. The apples on the trees turned rotten and fell off by the dozens. “What in tarnation?” Applejack asked as she check the trees. The sky grew dark and Silver felt adrenaline pulse in his veins. “Applejack, I think we should head back to town...” Silver trailed off as he saw red eyes staring at him in the darkness. “Why on earth would we-” Applejack was knocked back as a shadow charged at Silver with a shining knife. The blade had a sickly green glow etched on it. Silver froze, but then something kicked him into gear. As the shadow got close, Silver ducked his head. He lifted his head up and threw the attacker over him. As the attacker flew threw the air, Silver’s horn glowed a bright gold. A bolt of magic exploded out of his horn and hit his opponent directly in the chest. The shadow spun head over hooves and hit a tree. It immediately got back up and disappeared. Silver looked around erratically. The shadow was no where to be seen. He heard hoof-steps behind him and turned around. Silver was tackled to the ground and held down. Silver struggled, but it felt like magic glued him to the earth. “I finally got you now,” his attacker said as the blade of the knife was lifted up into the air. Suddenly, his attacker was lifted up into the air and thrashed about. The shadowy figure was thrown to the ground and then thrown against a tree. When Silver thought it was over, the pony disappeared in a black smoke and was gone. Silver was breathing heavily. He looked to his right to see the knife embedded into the ground next to him. He touched it with his hoof and was suddenly overcome with depression and pain. He quickly took his hoof away. He stood up and shook the dust off of himself. “You better be more careful next time,” said a black unicorn as he walked towards Silver. Silver nodded his thanks. “Who was that?” Silver asked. The black unicorn shook his head and picked up the knife. He put it into one of the bags he was carrying. “Who are you?” Silver asked. “My name is Onyx Shadowshaper. I just saved your life,” Onyx said smartly. “The name is Silver, and I think I could have taken care of my self,” Silver replied. Onyx chuckled and helped Applejack up. Silver was about to say something when a scream cut him off. “No! Stay away!” Silver heard somepony shout. Silver and Onyx both bolted off for the cry. The scream had led them away from the orchard into the Everfree forest. Silver jumped over roots and dodged the encasing trees. It seemed darker and windier than before. Silver fancied he saw shadows pursuing them, but keeping a safe distance. The wind kept picking up speed until it howled in Silver’s ears. Onyx leaped nimbly over a fallen log and dodged out of the way of a giant oak tree. Silver flapped his wings and picked up speed. He made a sidelong glance towards Onyx. Onyx looked back at him and picked up the pace. It seemed they were racing to the noise to prove something. Soon, they came to a clearing. It was dark and there was the smell of death. Silver slowed down. For some time, the screams continued. Now it seemed they were suddenly cut off. He looked around the clearing and paced from one side to the other. He stubbed his hoof on something. He lit up his horn to see what it was and cried aloud. Onyx rushed over and lit up his horn also. On the ground in front of them was the body of a orange furred unicorn with a yellow mane. The smell of blood and death was really strong around her. Silver felt bile rising and ran behind a tree. He threw up his lunch and everything before that. “She seems to have just died,” Onyx said matter-of-factly. Silver walked back over and looked at the cut in her neck. It had stopped bleeding, but it was glowing a radiant green. “Poison...” Silver thought aloud. An old memory seemed to stir within him, but it wasn’t revealed. “Exactly!” Onyx exclaimed, “There must be some more of what attacked you earlier. Come on, let’s go find them,” “What!” Silver shouted, “No way. Let’s head back and get help. It’s only the two of us against whatever number of them. Who are they anyway?” Onyx sighed, “They are a clan made up of both Shadowshapers and Lightbringers. Mostly Shadowshapers because they are more easily recruited to the cause. Lightbringers take a more... magical way of converting. They are corrupted with lies and pain until they break. It happened to a good friend of mine. He was captured and tortured by the Shadowshapers for months until he went out of contact. I’m hoping to find him again,” Onyx explained. “I... That’s really rough, Onyx. I hope you do find him... Let’s go find these Shadowshapers and teach them not to mess with Ponyville!” Silver exclaimed. Onyx smiled and nodded. “All right, so what do we do again?” The first shadow guard asked the other. “Ugh, first, we spot the intruders,” said the most experienced one annoyed. “Ya, then?” the first one asked. “Second, we shout ‘HALT!’” the other guard said. “Ya, ya?” the first guard asked excitedly. “Then we kill them,” the second guard finished. The first one cheered and jumped around. He stopped jumping around when he saw his friend replaced with a black unicorn. Then a sudden weight descended onto him and crushed his back. Silver donned the first one’s armor. It was a little tight, but it worked. Onyx put on the other uniform. The two ponies had walked through the Everfree forest until they reached a temple-like place. There weren’t many guards guarding the perimeter, so they took out the ones guarding the stairs. Onyx assured Silver that this is the most likely place that an HQ would be set up. “Easy enough,” Silver said as he picked up the spear on the ground. “Don’t get cocky, those guards weren’t professional. That’s why they got outside duty. We might run into complications inside the structure. If so, we might need the armor,” Onyx said. Silver groaned. They slowly walked up the stairs and into the dark entrance. It was like a long mountain tunnel. It didn’t seem to end. In the distance, they could see a red glow. They hastened to the exit and soon found themselves in a large chamber. Guards walked to and fro, looking in every nook and cranny. In the middle was a large table. Around it were a couple of ponies in black robes. On the robes was only one symbol. A red dragon with large wings and horns. They were discussing something that Silver couldn’t hear. “Hey, you two. What are your numbers?” came a gruff voice behind them. Onyx and Silver reeled around to see a large stallion standing over them. He was carrying a large battle axe and had very heavy armor. “Uh... forty-two?” Onyx asked warily. The guard growled. Silver coughed. “Um... What’s your number?” Silver asked. “Three thousand fifty-six. I am the oldest guard here,” the guard growled. He turned to his friends. They laughed. “Looks like we have intruders boys,” The large guard shouted and raised the alarm. The ponies in black robes quickly fled, forgetting the documents they were discussing over. An arrow landed right next to Silver. Another nicked his shoulder plates. “Run!” Onyx shouted. He quickly ran into the tunnel. Silver was about to when the large guard landed right in front of him. “Not your lucky day it seems,” The guard said menacingly. Silver looked left and right and shrugged. He jumped backwards and fell to the center of the layered temple. He remembered he had wings and used them to slow his descent. He landed right on the table and was about to run when he noticed the map and notes. He picked those up in his mouth and looked for an exit. “Silver!” Silver looked around to see the source of the voice. There was a blue flash and suddenly, in front of him was a blue unicorn. She pulled on the torch above her and ran right through the closed wall. Silver leaped forward and, without knowing why, pulled on the torch. Instead of coming out of its holder, it fell forward and the wall swung open. He was hesitant to go in there, but when he looked back to see the chaos of his and Onyx’s appearance, he dove into the tunnel as the wall closed. Almost immediately, the tunnel was pitch black. Silver lit up his horn to find his way through it. The walls were made of stone. The ground was damp and moss hung on the ceilings and walls. It seemed to go on forever, but as far as Silver could tell he couldn’t go back. He sighed and trekked forward. After what seemed like forever, the end of the long tunnel finally came. Silver dashed out of it happily and shed the disguise. The armor made no sound as it hit the soft grass. Silver held the map and notes firmly in his mouth and bolted into the forest. He had not gone far when he literally ran into Onyx. “Ow!” Onyx shouted, rubbing his head, “Silver! You’re back!” “Yup, and I brought presents!” Silver exclaimed as he presented the souvenirs. Onyx took them and laid them on the ground. He sifted through them and gasped. “Silver! Do you know what you brought me?” Onyx asked hastily. “Not really. I just felt like they were important,” Silver admitted. “This map shows each Shadow altar and these notes explain how to activate them. If I’m reading these right... oh no...” Onyx trailed off as he reread one of the notes. Silver looked over his shoulder to read. “Nafarious... Chaos Dragon? Old God? Onyx, what is this saying?” Silver asked. “Nothing important now that we have these,” Onyx said, “You did marvelous, Silver! You gave the Guardians the upper hand against The Worshipers of the Old Gods! We can finally be one step ahead of them,” Onyx mused to himself. Silver grinned brightly. “I’m in,” Silver said after a moment. “What?” Onyx asked as he detached his gaze from the notes to Silver. “I’m in, I want to be a Guardian,” Silver said proudly. “After what we went through, I thought that you would be done,” Onyx said. “After what we went through made me want to join more. If there really is this kind of evil in Equestria, I want to stop it,” Silver explained, “It’s like I feel the need to do this,” “All right, I will talk to Marshall and Bluemane. After what you did, though, I doubt they would decline your offer. See me tomorrow at Sugar Cube Corner to hear their answer. Can you find your way back ok?” Onyx asked as he picked up the notes and map. Silver nodded and watched as Onyx left the clearing. Silver sat down for a moment, thinking of what just transpired. He shook his head and laughed. After a while, he could hear shouts and orders being given. They were searching for him and Onyx. He quickly got to his hooves and plunged into the forest. Silver stumbled through the underbrush and tree roots. The forest, if it was possible, somehow got darker and stuffier. He could barely see his own hoof in front of his face. When he thought about having to sleep in this forest, another flash of blue appeared and the blue unicorn returned. Silver stepped forward, wanting to ask who she was. She waved her hoof as if saying, “Follow me,” She jumped over a root and led him through the forest. She seemed to glow and light up the area she was in so Silver had no problem following her. She occasionally looked over her shoulder to check and see if Silver was still following. For a reason he did not know, when she looked at him, he smiled. She smiled back and returned to leading him through the forest. It seemed like a dream to Silver, following this strange and beautiful pony through the Everfree forest. He seemed to float after her and watch her every movement. When she caught him staring at her, he looked away, embarrassed. She would giggle, but as if she was far away instead of right in front of him. She nimbly jumped over a root and opened so branches with her magic. Silver could spot the lights of Ponyville in the distance. Silver stopped right beside her. “Who are you?” he asked as if enchanted. “Somepony who will lead you through darkness and help you in your troubles. You will never be truly alone when you need friendship the most,” she answered back. “What’s your name?” Silver asked. She seemed to not want to answer. “You can call me Sapphire,” she said after a few moments. The memory he felt rise up while he touched the knife earlier seemed to try to rise again. All he could remember though was loud explosions, ponies shouting, and sadness. Before Silver could say anything, she disappeared right before his eyes. Instead of feeling loneliness, he felt something wholesome watching over him. After that and for some years to come, that feeling never left him. Silver stumbled into Ponyville. The ponies were all going home from whatever kept them busy throughout the day. Silver saw Applejack helping her sister pack up the booth. It seemed they managed to sell most of the apples that had been delivered to the stand. Applejack looked up and saw him. “Silver!” she shouted and ran over to him, “What in tarnation happened after you and that unicorn ran into the Everfree forest?” she asked, concerned. Silver then proceeded to tell her all that happened. Applebloom listened as well. Her eyes grew big and there was wonder on her face. “Wow!” she shouted after he finished, “You really did all that? That sounded exciting!” “Actually, it was really scary,” Silver admitted. “And your decision to join the Guardians?” Applejack asked. “I’m still going to join. I feel it’s my calling and that I should seize this opportunity,” Silver explained. Applejack shook her head and sighed. Silver helped them pack up the rest of the stand and carried some stuff back to the barn. After everything had been put away, Silver crawled into his bed and, after the excitement of the day, he fell asleep almost immediately. “Sapphire!” Silver greeted excitedly. She bounded over to him and tackled him in a hug. Silver hugged her back fiercely. “I never thought I would see you again!” he cried. “I told you I would come back, silly foal,” Sapphire replied. “But your team was trapped in the quarry and was surrounded. How did you escape?” Silver asked. “Just remember that I will never leave you,” Sapphire said kindly, “You are still so much like that little colt in school that was picked on by those bullies. He relied so much on my help that I became his guardian angel,” “Remember who got you into the Guardians in the first place,” Silver joked. “Only because I still needed to protect you,” Sapphire explained. Tears stung Silver’s eyes as he hugged her again. His golden armor clanged against Sapphire’s. “I love you, so much,” Silver said softly.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2011-12-11T22:58:22+00:00

2011-12-11T22:58:22+00:00

Guardian Chapter 3: Mission Derailed Silver woke up when the sun shined in his eyes. He groaned and turned over in the bed. After a while, when he decided he couldn’t sleep anymore, he got out of bed and went outside to find everypony working again. “Hey, Applejack!” Silver called when he saw Applejack cross to another tree, “I’m heading into town to meet Onyx, I will be back later,” Silver said. Applejack waved a hoof. She then proceeded to buck the tree hard. Apples rained down out of it as it shook. Silver walked down the dirt road towards Ponyville. He felt different today. He felt more in tuned with the world. He could hear all the little critters running about, feel the slightest wind, and know when some pony was following him. He stopped and waited a few seconds. He could hear hoof steps right behind him. He blamed his imagination and kept walking to Ponyville. Silver arrived at the Sugar Cube Corner right as it opened. He saw Pinkie Pie flip the closed sign to opened. When she spied him, she shouted and gave an excited wave with her hoof. She opened to door for Silver as he stepped in. “Hi, Silver! I heard you were meeting somepony here! This is a great meeting place after all. Here you can eat, chat, play, and sing. Mrs. Cake doesn’t like ponies singing too loud though,” Pinkie explained. Silver chuckled. “Yea, I’m here to meet Onyx. He is going to tell me if I made it into the Guardians or not,” Silver said. Right then, the black unicorn walked through the door. He nodded to Pinkie Pie and turned to Silver. “All right, you’re in. We have to be quick though, Marshall wants all the Guardians in the area to go to a meeting at our HQ just outside of Ponyville. Follow me and I will lead the way,” Onyx said as he turned around to go back outside. Silver cocked his head quizzically, but followed. The morning air was a bit chilly. Silver guessed that autumn was not far off. Onyx led the way. They passed out of Ponyville and followed a dirt trail into a nearby forest. It wasn’t the Everfree forest, for it had a more wholesome air about it. The trees were thinner and weren’t so close. The grass was a bright green and there were a lot of spots that sunlight came through. “I hope you save room for food. Marshall plans to serve lunch during the meeting,” Onyx said. “Well...” Silver thought for a second, “I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon. So ya, I’m hungry,” Silver concluded. His stomach rumbled in agreement. In the distance, Silver could see a wooden building. There were very few windows and only one door. There were no remarkable features on the outside of it. Onyx held the door open as soon as they got there, Silver stepped inside. There was a long table and several ponies already sat at it. Silver nodded and sat down next to Onyx. “Well, it seems like everypony is here,” Marshall said as he stood up. He walked to the head of the table and laid out the same map and notes Silver had retrieved last night. “Let’s welcome our newest recruit, Silver. Without him, we would not have these important plans,” Marshall introduced. At first, Silver smiled. There were a few congratulations thrown out. One white furred and black maned pegasus, though, gave him a suspicious stare. Silver stopped smiling and hoped Marshall would continue. Fortunately, almost at once Marshall pulled out the map. “This map tells us where each of the shadow altars are hidden,” Marshall explained. For a second, Silver zoned out as images flitted across his vision. Dark caves, glowing red statues, purple gems shooting beams into the sky. “... near Appleloosa is one of these altars. We will travel there immediately. As of last week, we lost contact with our branch that was posted there and we never heard from them sense,” Marshall continued, “We will send three teams of two to scout out the region. Onyx and Silver will be team one,” Marshall pointed his hoof at them, “Dark and Angel you are team two,” Marshall pointed at a full white unicorn and the pony who gave Silver the suspicious look, “Finally, Rubystone and Bluemane will be team three,” Marshall finished. Onyx tapped Silver on the shoulder and nodded towards the door. Silver got up and followed, but was blocked by Dark. “I don’t know how you got those documents so easily, but I have my eye on you,” Dark sneered. Silver cocked his head. He knew he was going to regret saying this. “Why not both eyes?” Silver asked as he walked out. “Ok, so since we don’t have anything to pack, we will head to the train right now and get first pick at the beds,” Onyx said as they walked through Ponyville. “Aren’t they all the same?” Silver asked confused. “Trust me, there are some that are more comfortable than others,” Onyx said with a smile. Silver chuckled as they walked by three fillies fighting with one another. All Silver could get out of that was “Cutie Mark” and “Horrible idea” and so on. The train rested at the southern end of Ponyville and the station. It was prepped and ready for the Guardians to ride. “If I heard right, we might be accompanied by three of Princess Celestia’s diplomats. If anything went wrong with the buffalo that live near Appleloosa, they can handle it peacefully,” Onyx said as they walked into the train. It was as empty as a graveyard at the moment. The inside was mostly green. Green carpet, wallpaper, and even sheets. The wooden paneling seemed due for a shining and it smelled of old linen. “Buffalo?” Silver asked as Onyx inspected some beds thoroughly. “Yea, apparently, there was some dispute between the Applelossians and the native Buffalo. It was settled nice and easily before much damage was done. I’m guessing this is just a precaution so that we don’t make things worse. Like the Princess has never trusted this guild before...” Onyx trailed off as he inspected some more beds. “Who is Princess Celestia, by the way?” Silver asked as he check some beds too. “You really do have amnesia, don’t you? She is the pony that rules Equestria alongside her sister, Princess Luna. Celestia raises the sun while Luna raises the moon. They live in Canterlot in the mountains not too far from Ponyville,” Onyx explained, “She is actually an alicorn, like you,” “Huh,” Silver said simply. Onyx found some choice beds near the middle of the train and called the top bunk. Silver shrugged and took the bottom one. Soon after, the rest of the Guardians boarded the train and took the beds near Silver and Onyx. “So, do we know who these diplomats are?” Silver asked as he looked out the window. The train started to slowly accelerate so he guessed everypony was aboard. “Nope, complete mystery. We aren’t even allowed to interact with them,” Onyx said. Just then, a cart full of food came in. Silver received a grass sandwich and Onyx got a salad. Silver ate his sandwich thoughtfully. Not too thoughtfully, though. Some of his concentration went to holding it up with his magic. Once he was done, it was already nearly dark outside. The days were starting to get a bit shorter. Silver could hear snoring above him which indicated Onyx was unconscious. Silver yawned and curled up in his bed. For a second, before he fell asleep, he heard a voice in the back of his mind. “Protect my most faithful student,” the voice said. Silver nodded absently and fell asleep afterwards. In his dream, he was on a small island. Instead of water, there was darkness surrounding it. Silver backed to the middle and huddled against the palm tree. Suddenly, the whole world shook. After a moment it shook again. The island started crumbling underneath him. Silver’s eyes flew open as he was thrown to the floor of the train. A split second later, Onyx fell on top of him. The whole train car was in chaos as the Guardians tried to figure out what to do. “What the hay is happening?!” Silver heard Onyx yell. “It’s the buffalo!” Dark shouted back. The train car shook again.Silver pushed Onyx off of him and ran to the window. Sure enough, several buffalo were on the right side of the train, barreling into the train cars. Silver was thrown back and hit the opposite bunk. “We need to help the diplomats!” Silver shouted as he went to search for them. “We can’t!” Dark shouted back, “We aren’t allowed to-” “I know what we aren’t allowed to do!” Silver snapped as he turned and faced Dark. Silver felt a sudden protectiveness on some ponies he never met, “Just shut up and figure out how to get these buffalo away from the train. I will find the diplomats,” Silver didn’t wait for a reply as he left the train car. He went from car to car, but nopony was to be found. Only one car before he had to go back. Silver could year shouting behind the door when the train car was hit. Before he could open the door, however, his car was hit again and he was thrown to the ground. Silver got back up and growled. He was not going anywhere with those buffalo hitting the car. He doubled back between his car and the one behind him. He quickly scaled the ladder and jumped onto the roof. From what Silver saw, the buffalo lined up along the train cars while the ponies pulling the train tried to go faster. He could see Onyx firing bolts of magic from a window, but it was too long of a range to score a hit. Silver was about to move to the other car, his wings stretched out to balance him, somepony flew out of the car and landed on the roof. When Silver saw who it was, he gasped. “Rainbow Dash?!” Silver half asked, half shouted over the roar of the train. “Silver?!” Rainbow Dash turned to him, in an aggressive stance. Silver felt like if he took a step back, he would fall off the train. “Did you plan this?!” Rainbow Dash accused. “What?!” Silver was surprised and a little hurt at the accusation, “What do you think?! Me coming to try to save you and whoever else is with you!” “We don’t need saving!” Rainbow Dash shouted back. Silver looked to the side and stared in horror. The buffalo all moved in one line. The pulled back, and then charged the train. The cars suddenly flipped, sending Silver and Rainbow Dash flying. Silver hit the ground with a thump and remembered nothing more except for extreme pain. Silver groaned as he came back into consciousness. His whole body hurt and there was sand everywhere in his fur. Silver officially hated deserts. He rolled over to see the wreckage of the train. He quickly got up, in protest from his muscles, and ran over tot he train. He searched everywhere, but not even bodies were to found. Silver coughed from the dry air and sat down. He felt miserable all over. “Feeling miserable doesn’t help,” Sapphire appeared right beside him, sitting down too. Silver jumped at her voice. “Seriously, how are you doing this?” Silver asked. Sapphire ignored him. “You need help. Look in the most unlikeliest of places,” Sapphire said. Silver stared at her puzzled. Sapphire disappeared and revealed Rainbow Dash lying on the ground, unconscious. Silver jumped onto his hooves and ran over to her. She didn’t seem hurt on the outside, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t anything wrong internally. Silver looked around, but nothing seemed much of use. “Uh... Rainbow Dash?” Silver asked, “Rainbow Dash?” he asked a little louder. Rainbow Dash groaned. Good, she wasn’t dead. “Are you ok?” Silver asked. “What do you think?” Dash asked after a moment. Silver huffed and sat on the ground. Dash slowly got to her hooves and looked at him annoyed. “Well excuse me for caring. Anyway, anything hurt or broken?” Silver asked. Dash shook her head and started walking north. “Where are you going?” Silver asked. “To pay the buffalo a visit,” Dash said shortly over her shoulder. Silver jumped up and ran after her. “What are you doing?” Rainbow Dash asked angrily. Silver sighed and wondered why Sapphire thought this was a good idea. “Helping my friends, same as you. Anything wrong with that?” Silver asked sarcastically. Rainbow Dash snorted and walked faster. Silver kept the same pace. Soon, night had fallen on the desert and Silver could barely see three feet in front of him. Rainbow Dash just kept going. “Shouldn’t we stop? It’s getting dark,” Silver asked as he ran to catch up to her. “If we want to get there sooner, we have to keep going,” Dash said sternly, though Silver could hear the weariness in her voice. He sighed. “We wouldn’t be much use to our friends if we fall asleep standing. Come on, let’s go find a place to rest,” Silver said nicely. Dash stopped. She lay on the ground right where she stood. Silver looked around to only see barren wasteland. “I guess this is as good a place as any,” Silver muttered as he ventured to find firewood. When he came back with a bundle of dead wood, he found Dash lying on her side. He thought she was asleep, so he silently made the fire by shooting a bolt of magic into the wood to light it. He made sure it was close enough to Rainbow Dash and walked a little ways off. He sat against a rock and stared up into the sky, looking at the stars. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Sapphire asked. Silver nearly screamed he was so surprised. he sighed. “Stop doing that,” he said angrily. “Sorry, Silver. I can’t help how I appear,” Sapphire said calmly. Silver sighed again. “Why am I stuck with Rainbow Dash? She hates my guts for whatever reason and I don’t know why. I’d rather be with Twilight. She is so... so...” Silver couldn’t find the words. “Beautiful, like the stars?” Sapphire asked. Silver shrugged and nodded. “Maybe you should get to know Rainbow Dash better, then she might tell you what’s bothering her,” Sapphire suggested. “Are you going to be a spirit guide kind of thing?” Silver asked jokingly. “That would be weird, considering what happened between us,” Sapphire laughed. Before Silver could ask what, she vanished. Silver found himself standing up and walking back towards the fire. Dash was still asleep as he lay down across of her from the fire. He tried to figure out what might have happened, but he couldn’t guess what he did. He sighed. “I wish I could read minds,” Silver muttered as he slowly fell asleep. Silver found himself in a large grassy field with only one tall tree filled with golden leaves. The sky was a glowing blue-white. The sun was a perfect gold. The breeze seemed to be just right for what he wanted it to be. He sat there for a second, thinking of where me might be. There was a flash, and Sapphire was sitting near by under the tree. She patted her hoof on he ground beside her indicating for him to sit there. Silver went over and sat down beside her. Many emotions were going through him. It felt like another memory trying to escape. “Don’t try to catch it, let it come to you,” Sapphire said gently. Silver stopped trying to reveal his memory and waited. Soon, images flash through his mind. Him at his birthday party when he was just a colt. Fighting some bullies at school. Learning how to fly from his pegasus mother. Learning how to use magic from his unicorn father. Having to choose between flight school and magic school. Silver had to catch his breath after the memories ended. “Wow...” was all that Silver could say. “Yes, you had an amazing life before...” Sapphire trailed off. “Before what?” Silver turned to her. “Before the war. Between the Shadowshapers and Lightbringers,” Sapphire said sadly. “What happened in it? How was I a part of it?” Silver asked. Sapphire shook her head. “Some memories are better to be left forgotten,” she said. “What did I do? What happened? Why are you dodging this question?” Silver asked frustratedly. He stood up and turned to her. “I am not your enemy, Silver,” Sapphire said sternly. “Then who are you?” Silver half asked, half shouted. “Somepony who loves you,” Sapphire said. Before Silver could react, he was drawn out of his dream suddenly. Silver slowly opened his eyes. The sun was hot and the air was dry. When he sat up, he saw that Rainbow Dash was gone. Silver sighed and kicked sand on the fire. Looked like he would have to face the buffalo by himself. Before he was about to leave, he heard the flapping of wings and looked up into the sky. Past the glare, he could see a sky blue pony with a rainbow mane. He smiled as Rainbow Dash descended to the ground, looking quite pleased with herself. “What are you smiling about?” She asked, but it wasn’t scornfully, but playfully. “I’m glad you came back, wouldn’t want to go into the buffalo camp by myself, so what were you up to?” Silver asked. He wondered what made Dash act so... non hostile. “I just went to do some scouting. The camp is just up ahead. It seems that the buffalo aren’t to blame. A weird altar was shinning with a red glow in the middle of their camp and a pony wearing black robes was ordering them around,” Rainbow Dash explained, “I would have gone in by myself, but I knew it would have turned out bad so I came back to get you,” “Well I thank you for that, let’s get going,” Silver said. He and Dash hiked to the camp. “I have been meaning to ask...” Silver started, “Um... it might seem to be a weird question right now, but what made you so hostile to me when we first met?” Silver asked. Rainbow Dash just looked away. “It’s kind of personal,” She said. Silver was about to point out that it was his business too, but he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want her being like that again. As they got close to the camp, Silver could pick out Teepee's in the distance. “So, what’s the plan?” Silver asked. Rainbow Dash didn’t answer. Silver could see her head turn slightly to the left and right like she was looking for something. Silver cocked his head and stopped. When she saw he stopped, she turned around with a quizzical glance. Silver felt like something was off. There wasn’t any activity in the camp like Rainbow Dash had said there was. “Something wrong? Let’s get going,” she said anxiously. “It’s a trap!” Silver heard Sapphire’s voice shout. “Dash!” Silver yelled as he was tackled by two large buffalo. He tried to fight them off, but they held his hooves to the ground. He shot a magic bolt out and knocked one off. He used his back left hoof to kick the other in the gut and throw him off. He tried to get back up, but he was ambushed by more buffalo. A rock hit him in the back of the head and he knew no more.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2011-12-18T16:36:13+00:00

2011-12-18T16:36:13+00:00

Guardian Chapter 4: Rage Silver awoke in a small room. In front of him was a gate with square holes emitting light. The floor was just sand in in the corner was a skeleton. Silver inched away from the skeleton. Outside he could hear murmuring. The back of his head hurt like a boulder had been smashed upon it. Silver coughed as he got up and tried to peer out of the gate. He could see what looked like an arena and all around it where seats filled with buffalo. “Looks like our challenger is awake!” a voice shouted. It seemed to be magnified somehow. A second later, the gate slowly opened, creaking as it disappeared into the roof. Silver took a step back, but then walked forward, trying to breathe evenly as he exited. When he came out, the bright sun blinded him for a second. When the glare disappeared, everywhere he looked there were buffalo. For a second, he thought he was about to be in the fight of his life, but the hushed silence told him different. In the “front” of the arena, he could see a pony dressed in black robes. A horn stuck out from under his hood. Next to the pony was an old decrepit buffalo with a large crown looking headdress upon his head. Silver assumed that was the chief. Next to the chief, he saw a small female buffalo. She seemed sad and apathetic. “Announce yourself, challenger,” the pony in the black robes said. Again, it seemed his voice was magnified. Silver then saw that the pony’s horn was glowing slightly. “I am Silver of the Guardian Guild,” Silver shouted. His voice seemed weak compared to the black robed pony, “and I would like it if you announced yourself too,” “Hahaha,” the pony laughed, “since it might be the only chance you would ever hear it, I will humor your demand, though very rude. I am Nighthawke, Chief Thunderhoof’s assistant, isn’t that right, sir?” The Chief just gave a groan. He seemed weak, tired, and the quality of life had left him. The small female buffalo looked at Nighthawke angrily. Silver’s eyes descended to below Nighthawke. His eyes widened when he saw Onyx and the other Guardian in one cage, and Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash in the other. “What have you done with my friends?!” Silver shouted at Nighthawke. “What have I done with them? Nothing, my good stallion. I just made sure they didn’t miss the show,” Nighthawke said mockingly. He brought out a cane and tapped it against the bell to his right. The other gate opened. Nothing came out of it though. “Sorry, Silver, he is a little shy. He’s coming though,” Nighthawke apologized. After he said that, there was a roar from inside the gate. After a moment, out stepped something Silver didn’t guess he would ever see. It seemed like a buffalo, but it was a dark purple with black stripes along its back. After it got out of the gate, it seemed to grow until it was three times Silver’s size. Silver took a step back as the big hulking creature stepped towards him. “Watch out, Silver! Nighthawke is a Shadowshaper!” Silver heard Onyx shout. “A what now?!” Silver asked. Sapphire told him about a war between these Lightbringers and Shadowshapers. Was Nighthawke connected somehow. “A Shadowshaper my dear stallion,” Nighthawke said, “when I found out you still lived, I just couldn’t pass up the chance to kill you myself,” “When I still lived?! What are you talking about?!” Silver shouted back, conscious of the monster across the arena. “Oh ho ho,” Nighthawke laughed, “Seems like the little Lightbringer has some amnesia. You don’t remember anything, do you General?” “What?!” Silver was getting frustrated. He didn’t know what anypony was talking about. “When I felt your presence in Equestria, I wanted to make sure you would end up somewhere Celestia wouldn’t meddle with my affairs. I then told your little rainbow maned friend you were a danger to Equestria and that she should bring you to me. That’s when I cause a little trouble out here to make sure you came. This morning, when Rainbow Dash came over to tell me you were right outside the camp, I told her to bring you into my wonderfully made trap. Of course I lied to her, gullible foal,” Nighthawke sneered. Rainbow Dash looked at the ground, sorrowfully. “Now it’s time to get rid of the pest that stands between me and ruling Equestria,” he turned to the giant buffalo in the arena, “Excuse me, Clyde, can you kill that pony over there, if you could be a geantlecolt.” The monster snorted and roared again. Silver was nearly thrown back from just the sound. He used his wings to balance himself. The monster started to charge. “What do I do?” Silver asked himself as he slowly backed up. His tail between his legs and his ears flat on his head. “Like you used to, fight,” He heard Sapphire say. There was a blue flash and suddenly, a memory flooded his mind. It was a couple of attack and defence spells. He remembered learning them at a school of magic. The buffalo, the one Nighthawke called Clyde, charged Silver. Silver nimbly jumped to the side and fired a golden beam of magic. It struck the large monster in the side. It roared angrily and tore off a piece of the arena wall. It tossed it at Silver. He rolled out of the way just in time. He fired another beam and hit the monster right between the eyes it roared again and charged. Silver couldn’t get out of the way in time and was headbutted across the arena. He hit the far wall and fell to the ground. He shakily got up and saw it charging again. This time, he did a spell that caused a golden shield to appear in front of him. When the buffalo hit it, it held the monster back. The buffalo hit it several times until it shattered like glass. The buffalo in the stands cheered. Silver’s concentration was broken so he was dazed for a second. He was picked up by his tail and thrown into the stands. “Get off me!” He heard a buffalo cry and then Silver was thrown back into the arena. Silver rolled onto his back. Above him, he saw the giant skull of a creature of some kind. It was triangle shaped and it had two horns coming off of it. “Time to use my wings,” Silver said to himself. The monster charged him again, but this time Silver was ready. He rolled onto his hooves, leaped into the air, and ran along the beast’s back. Then Silver jumped into the air and started to flap his wings furiously. Soon, eh started to rise towards the skull. “Hey, that’s cheating,” he heard Nighthawke say calmly. Several dark purple bolts of magic were shot at Silver. Some spears were also hurdled into the air, but Silver was just out of range even for the best throwers. Silver landed on top of the skull and looked for the ropes holding it up. Sure enough, he found them on the sides of the top of the skull. He used his magic to cut through one. It snapped instantly and the skull shook and fell a little bit. He cut another, than another. The last one was barely holding the skull up. “This is going to hurt so, so bad...” Silver muttered. He took a deep breath and cut the last one. It snapped and the whole thing came crashing down. Fortunately, the giant buffalo was under it the whole time, trying to jump and get Silver. Before the skull hit the ground, he heard cries from the buffalo and Nighthawke shouting orders. When the skull hit the ground, dust erupted into the air and clouded the whole arena. When it cleared, the buffalo peeked out from their cover to see the remains of the skull. For a second, the giant buffalo lay twitching under it, then it burst into purple and black smoke. On the side where Nighthawke was, Silver lay under some of the debris. “Get that little trouble maker and bring him to my hall, err, Chief Thunderhoof’s hall,” Nighthawke ordered. Four buffalo went warily to Silver, but the caution wasn’t necessary. Silver had gone unconscious as soon as the first of the debris landed on him. Silver was floating in a dark void. He flipped through the “air” not knowing what to do. There was a blue flash, then Sapphire was floating beside him. “Good afternoon,” Sapphire said. “Where am I?” Silver asked as he looked around. “In what your sub-conscious constructed to make it look like your sub-conscious,” Sapphire explained. Silver found no words no express his confusion. “Anyway... What was that pony... Nighthawke, what was Nighthawke talking about me being a Lightbringer and a General all about,” Silver asked. “You will learn soon enough,” Sapphire said. “Why not now?” Silver asked. “Because some things are better learned later than sooner. You have to learn how to walk before you run. If I told you everything now, history would most likely repeat itself and we would soon be in the same problem,” Sapphire said sternly. “Well then... What now?” Silver asked. “I think it’s about time for you to wake up,” Sapphire said. “Wait... about what you said in my dream... about you loving me?” Silver asked. “In due time,” Sapphire said. She smiled and waved. Silver groaned and waited to wake up. Silver was being dragged by his tail across the sand. He opened his eyes and started to struggled out of the grip of his captor. “Look who’s awake,” the buffalo said as they dropped him. Silver stood up and pushed them out of his way. He stepped into the tepee they had stopped at. Inside was furnished with a nice carpet, a bed, and two chairs. Upon the chairs sat Nighthawke and Chief Thunderhoof. Next to the chief was the same female buffalo. The chief seemed decrepit as always. Nighthawke had a smug look about him. The little buffalo seemed to be sulky. After a moment, Nighthawke cleared his throat, “You managed to defeat Clyde and destroy the arena’s most prized trophy. The skull of a chaos dragon,” “Chaos dragon?” Silver asked. “Yes, a chaos dragon is part demon and part dragon. No need to delve into specifics right now,” Nighthawke waved his hoof. Soon, Onyx and Twilight were pushed into the tepee. Onyx stepped up in front of Silver as Twilight stood beside him. “Nighthawke. It seems you have taken hold of the proud Chief Thunderhoof. How’d you do it? Or was it your master?” Onyx asked. Nighthawke slowly stood up out of his chair. “How dare you, traitor. I should have you killed and be done with you,” Nighthawke said quietly. Silver’s muscles tensed up. He knew something was about to happen and Onyx would need his help. Onyx’s horn started to glow. He turned to the chief and suddenly, the chief started to laugh a maniacal laugh. “This one is mine,” the Chief said. His voice was strangely distorted and the sound sent chills up Silver’s spine. “He will die before I release him, and you shall go with him,” “You will not kill me, and you will not kill Chief Thunderhoof,” Onyx commanded. Suddenly, a purple and black beam shot out of his horn and slammed the chief back into his chair. Nighthawke leaped at Onyx, but Silver was there to intercept him. They rolled on the ground and tore a hole in the side of the tepee. The sprawled out on the ground outside. Nighthawke jumped to his hooves and shot several lances of magic at Silver. Silver rolled out of the way and shot a beam. It knocked Nighthawke back several feet. He put a hoof on Nighthawke’s chest. “You aren’t going anywhere,” Silver said. Nighthawke glared at him. Silver smiled triumphantly back. Nighthawke started to laugh crazily. Silver’s grin faded into a look of suspicion. “What are you u-” Silver was interrupted by a beam of magic Nighthawke shot at him. Silver flew back onto the ground. Nighthawke jumped up and ran out of the camp, leaving a trail of dust behind him. “Silver! You ok?” Twilight asked as she ran to him. Silver groaned as he got up. “That was a cheap shot,” Silver said angrily. “Well, your friend, Onyx, broke Chief Thunderhoof free from some spell. Already the Chief is turning back to normal,” Twilight explained. “That’s good. Now about that altar...” Silver trailed off as he spotted it just a few feet away. He went over to it and examined it. On it were faded markings that Silver couldn’t make out. He saw the red crystal floating right over it. “Uh... Silver?” Twilight asked nervously. “What’s up?” Silver asked. He looked around to see the buffalo slowly surrounding them. Silver’s eyes widened. He looked around frantically for something, anything, that would calm these buffalo. He spotted the crystal and spied waves of red firing off of it. He shrugged. He had nothing to lose by doing this. He stood back and charged up a beam. Twilight had been backing up and now she was against the altar. The buffalo drew in close. Silver unleashed the charged beam right at the crystal. Suddenly, there was a sound of an unnatural screech that filled the air, then the crystal shuddered and exploded. Silver covered his face and Twilight covered hers. They were swept off their hooves and thrown back. When Silver came to, buffalo stood over him looking at him quizzically. “Need some help there?” One of them asked. When Silver didn’t answer them, the helped him up and walked him over to the tepee. When Silver stepped inside, he was greeted by the Chief himself. This time, though, his fur was a dark brown and he was no longer sick or bent over. The female buffalo seemed happier to and she sat proudly in the chair next to Chief Thunderhoof. “Ah, Silver. My people told me of what happened and I am sorry. While I was under that... spell. I didn’t recall much. When I heard what you did in the arena, I was surprised. And for also destroying that blasted altar, you have my thanks. You too, Onyx,” he said turning to Onyx who had been standing off to the side, “You freed me of the spell and gave me back my youth. I have a great debt to you two that I might never be able to repay,” The Chief bowed low. Silver and Onyx both bowed back. “Now,” the Chief said, “I think the rest of your friends are back in Appleloosa. We also freed the Appleloosians that Nighthawke had captured and they were sent back to their town. Now I must tend to business that cannot be delayed, thank you once again,” “Anytime, Chief Thunderhoof,” Silver said. He and Onyx were shown out of the tepee and soon found themselves in Appleloosa. When they got to the train station, they found the tracks had already been cleared of the wreck and another train was waiting to take them back home. When they got on, it seemed the trains didn’t differ much. Everything was the same, except for the red coloring instead of the green. “Hey, um, Silver,” Somepony said. Silver turned around to see Rainbow Dash standing behind him. Onyx nodded and kept moving back as Silver walked over to Rainbow Dash. “Hey, Dash,” Silver said. “I’m sorry... for everything. Nighthawke lied to me and somehow I believed him. Even when i saw you do things that contradicted every thing he said, I was still willing to believe him. When I learned that he had lied to me, I couldn’t forgive myself. I... I hope you can,” Rainbow Dash looked at the ground. She seemed miserable and sincere. The usual proud pony at her lowest. Silver was tempted to go off on her for getting him attacked, but then, something came over him. He felt lightheaded for a moment, then a cool understanding took place over the rage. “Silver?” Rainbow Dash asked as he swayed a bit. “I’m ok,” Silver said. He smiled, “There is nothing to forgive. If I thought my town, friends, anything I held dear was in danger, I would do anything to prevent anything bad from happening. But I’m in need of a favor when we get home,” Silver said. “What do you need?” Dash asked. “I heard you were the fastest and best flyer in all of Equestria. I was hoping for some lessons. It seems my skill in flying is lacking and I need a pro to help me better it,” Silver said with a grin. Rainbow Dash’s expression changed as fast as lightning from sad to boastful. “I guess I am the best flyer in Equestria,” She said proudly, “I’ll consider it...” she trailed off as Silver arched an eyebrow, “I mean, consider it done. I’m available anytime I’m not on weather duty,” she finished as she quickly walked to the back of the train. Silver chuckled and shook his head. “Thanks, Sapphire. I might have said something I would have regretted,” Silver said to himself. During the train ride home, Silver and Onyx discussed what had just happened. “...the Chief told me the altar just appeared out of no where late at night. They started messing with it, and of course, activated it and made the whole tribe hostile. These altars have a weird effect on creatures. I’m surprise it didn’t effect you at all,” Onyx finished. Silver wondered why, then he remembered the desire of shouting at Rainbow Dash after she apologized to him. He wasn’t one to let loose his temper. He shrugged. “I guess, so now Dash is no longer hostile towards me which is a good thing,” Silver said, “This is probably the start of a glorious friendship,” “Most likely,” Onyx said. He rolled over in his bunk and went to bed. Silver turned off the light and rolled over in his bed. Night seemed to soothe him. He wished he was nocturnal. Weariness soon came over him and he closed his eyes to sleep. Silver stood on a giant cliff over looking a dark blue ocean. The sky was grey and the rock was charred. Silver turned around to behold a weird sight. An alicorn that looked just like him stood off to the left. The pony had barred teeth and anger in his eyes. His fur and mane were a dark red. “I’ll get them. I’ll get them soon. I don’t know who ‘they’ are but I’ll get them for what they did,” the pony muttered. Silver stared at him until the pony noticed his presence. “So, you’re finally here,” the pony said. He then laughed at Silver’s confused expression, “You still don’t get it yet?! I’m you and you’re me. I’m the anger the resides inside of you and every day I’m tormented by all of your bottled up hate and anger and rage! Let it out, it will make you feel better. We can bring justice and peace with the raw power of rage!” “I highly doubt it,” Silver said as he slowly started backing up. He noticed five other shadows around the rage infested copy of him. “Those guys will come along soon. After each and every altar,” the pony, which Silver dubbed as Rage, said. Rage then went back muttering hateful things to himself as he looked around. “What is going on here?” Silver asked himself. Silver woke up in the morning. Cold sweat poured down his back. The train had just arrived back in Ponyville and almost everypony was off. Silver jumped out of his bunk and ran outside to see Onyx talking with Dark. When Silver came up, Dark snorted and left. “He seems in a good mood,” Silver said to Onyx, “Anyway, why didn’t anypony wake me up?” “You didn’t want to be,” Onyx said, “When we got close to Ponyville, I tried waking you up, but you groaned and hit me in the nose,” “Sorry about that,” Silver said. Just then, Marshall walked over to them. He seemed deeply disturbed in some way. “Is it done?” Marshall asked. “Yea... but there are five more, aren’t there?” Silver asked. “Yes, we just needed to figure out how to destroy the one before the others to see how to do it,” Marshall said. “But won’t the other one’s be different or harder to get close to?” Silver asked. “We don’t know that yet, I’m sending special teams to each one to find out,” Marshall said. “No, I mean, why can’t Onyx and I do it?” Silver asked. He was surprised he was even saying this, “we have the most experience with these things and having both a Lightbringer and a Shadowshaper working on it will go faster than teams of Guardians,” “What are you talking about, Silver?” Marshall asked. “We have some things to discuss,” Onyx said. After Silver and Onyx told Marshall of their adventure, he went to the map of Equestria and stared intently at it. Silver thought he detected a hint of what? Sorrow? The moment passed and Marshall came back to the table. “Why didn’t you tell us you were a...” “Lightbringer? Well gee if I knew I would have told you. But I didn’t much less of who or what one is,” Silver said. He was getting frustrated from his lack of memory. He was also getting frustrated with Sapphire who refused to tell him anything. “Don’t get short with me. You got your wish, you and Onyx will go to each altar and destroy the crystal powering them. Since it didn’t seem to effect you, you will get close and destroy the crystals, Silver.” Marshall ordered. “Can we at least have a few days to rest, sir?” Onyx asked, “I would like to be in Ponyville for a few days before we have to leave again,” “Sure, five days from now you will set out to...” Marshall looked at the map Silver had stolen, “Manehatten. There the altar should be in one of the hotels called ‘The Lotus Flower’,” “Got it, see you in a few days,” Onyx said getting up. Silver got up and left with Onyx. When they left, Marshall sighed and went through one of the many doors in the HQ. Bluemane was sitting with her back to the door, looking out of the window to the forest beyond. She wrote something down. “You got that?” Marshall asked. “Yes, and what I think you’re doing to him is wrong,” Bluemane said with a hint of anger. “What I’m doing to him is what his ancestor did to bring peace to Equestria for centuries. He is the last of his line and if we don’t do this right we shouldn’t even be doing it at all,” Marshall said sternly as he opened the window to let in the cool breeze. “We might be pushing him a bit too hard. It took Silverwing the Lightbringer decades to master the gems of Destruction to use their rightful power, contradictory to their name. You want Silver to master them in months. We might break him and kill him, or worse. Where will we be then?” Bluemane asked as she got up from the chair. “Where will we be if he doesn’t master them in time? Nafarious will do what the gems didn’t if Silver didn’t master them. Nafarious is what makes me want to rush this,” Marshall explained quietly. “Nafarious can be defeated by Silver even if he doesn’t use the gems’ power. Nafarious will not rule this world as long as a Lightbringer yet lives,” Bluemane reassured. “I’m afraid that She would try to fix that,” Marshall said sadly. “Don’t worry, we will look after him. He is family after all,” Bluemane said.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2011-12-26T02:34:01+00:00

2011-12-26T02:34:01+00:00

Guardian Chapter 5: Depression Silver walked alongside Onyx as they left the HQ. He hummed to himself as they walked the forest trail back to Ponyville. “Well, so we have a few days before we head out to do assignments you volunteered us for. Might as well buy you dinner also,” Onyx said. “I don’t see the problem. At least we have something to do for the next while,” Silver said as he spied an odd looking rock. He flipped it over to reveal earthworms crawling under it. He chuckled and caught back up to Onyx. “The problem is that the Rage altar somehow effected you and I tend to find out how before we go for the next one,” Onyx said. “How do you know it effected me or not?” Silver asked. “I can tell,” Onyx said stopping to look at Silver intently,” I have studied this sort of thing for years. Keep your emotions in check and if you feel anything unnatural that you suspect to be from the altar, come talk to me,” “Of course. But I doubt that anything horrible will happen anytime soon, so let’s enjoy our few days off and do stuff we need to do before we leave. I have a few things in mind that I’d like to do,” Silver said as he saw Ponyville in the distance, “Like build a cloud home for example somewhere just outside Ponyville. I heard clouds were good for the back,” “Do what you want, within reason,” Onyx quickly added, “As for me, I’m going to study up on those altars. I might have missed some information that could be helpful,” “Have fun!” Silver shouted over his shoulder as he parted from Onyx. Silver went for a nice quick walk through Ponyville as the sun shone high in the sky. It was a pleasant day that wasn’t too hot or too cold. The very air seemed to be delighted of this day. As Silver walked through Ponyville, he saw Twilight Sparkle out under a tree, reading a book. Silver smiled and looked at her for a second. The sun shone just right... Silver shook his head. He walked over to her. She didn’t notice his presence until his shadow blocked the words. “Excuse me, could you mo- Oh, Silver! Hi!” Twilight said as she looked up. “Hey, Twilight. Was just in the neighborhood and noticed you out here by yourself. What book are you reading?” Silver asked as he tried to get a peek at the title. “It’s kind of silly, but I’m reading a book on ancient rituals,” Twilight said embarrassed. “Oh? That’s not silly, given the events of yesterday,” Silver said as he looked back up, “Onyx is actually reading up on these things too, if I understood correctly. He’s preparing for our trip to Manehatten soon, so we-” “You’re going to Manehatten?!” Twilight interrupted, “What for?” “There seems to be another altar in one of the hotels. From what I gathered by looking at the map, there are four more just like it, excluding the one we just destroyed, and we need to destroy those as well. Onyx and I are assigned to deal with all of them,” Silver explained. “When will you leave?” Twilight asked, concerned. “Five days from now. When we deal with the next altar I suspect we get another break and so on,” Silver said. “Ok. Well I hope you’ll be careful, I have a bad feeling about those things,” Twilight said. “Sure I will. Anyway, I will leave you to your book,” Silver said as he walked away. He wished they had a longer talk, but it couldn’t be helped he guessed. He had just passed the library when he was hit by what felt like a speeding bullet. He flipped end over end and fell to the ground. “Again, Rainbow Dash?” Silver groaned as he got up. The rainbow maned pony jumped to her hooves and smiled awkwardly. “Sorry about that, Silver. I was just trying to find you to keep my end of the deal. You wanted flying lessons right?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Yup, now where shall we practice?” Silver asked. “I know a great place that’s not too far away. Come on!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly as she turned around to run to their destination. Silver chuckled as he ran after her. It wasn’t a very far run. They had only been running for five minutes when Rainbow Dash stopped and nodded towards the mountain. “We are going up there?” Silver asked. “I’m not, but you are. I want to see how well you can already fly. Fly up there and back down again,” Dash ordered. Silver shrugged and stretched out his wings. He flapped them and flew to the top of the mountain and back in pretty good time. “Faster,” Rainbow Dash commanded. Silver frowned but did as he was asked. She told him faster again and again. “Don’t tell me,” Silver said as he got back from another run, “faster?” “Nope, that’s good enough. By what you showed me, you are going to be a good student,” Rainbow Dash said with a smile. When Silver looked at her confused, she laughed, “I could tell you were frustrated and angry. You could’ve left or yelled at me to let you stop. You didn’t do either so you will be easy enough to teach. I doubt it will take more than a few sessions to become about as good a flyer as me,” “Wow, well-” Silver was interrupted as he saw Onyx come running down the road. He seemed out of breath and hurried. “Hey, Onyx, what’s the matter,” “We need to leave for Manehatten, now,” Onyx said as he reached them. “What?!” Silver yelled. “The train is literally leaving, we need to go,” Onyx said as he turned around. Silver looked at Rainbow Dash. She nodded and Silver took off after Onyx. They ran as fast as they could. Silver couldn’t get an explanation out of the winded Onyx so he had to wait until they were on the train. They skidded around the corner and ran across town, dodging ponies and stands. Silver yelled “Hi!” to Applejack as he passed her stand. Pinkie Pie appeared out of no where, bouncing alongside Silver. “Hey guys, where you going?” She asked. “To Manehatten,” Silver explained. “Can I come along?” Pinkie asked. “Sorry, Guardian only mission this time. Maybe some other mission,” Silver said. “Okie doki loki!” Pinkie yelled as she happily hopped away. As they neared the train station, Silver felt a sudden reluctance as he got closer. He stopped and Onyx kept running, not noticing Silver. “Silver!” He heard Twilight yell behind him. Silver turned around. She came running up behind him. “I need to tell you something,” she said. “Sorry, train is leaving for Manehatten. I have to go. Maybe when I get back,” Silver said. “I thought you weren’t leaving for five more days!” Twilight exclaimed. Silver shrugged. “So did I,” he said quietly. He turned around to see the train start moving. Without saying anything, he ran after it. He was surprised at the speed it accelerated. He was losing ground to it quickly so he did what he could only do, jump. He leaped as far forward as he could and landed on the edge of the caboose. He started to fall backwards back to the ground, but he managed to fall forward onto the train. Silver looked back to see Twilight running after the train. Silver doubted she would make it, but there was a brilliant flash of light then suddenly, she appeared right before him. She jumped and grabbed onto the caboose’s balcony. Silver grabbed her hoof with his mouth and helped her up. “Well, I guess you can tell me now,” Silver said looking at Twilight. Silver wondered how he would explain Twilight’s presence. They walked through each train car until they finally found Onyx inspecting the beds once again. When Silver was about to say something, Onyx cleared his throat. “Welcome aboard you two. Help me pick out the best beds please,” Onyx said matter-of-factly. Silver and Twilight went to work with confused expressions. After about an hour of finding the perfect beds, Silver lay in his looking out the window. Onyx had gone to get some food while Twilight was in the bunk under Silver’s. “Well, this will be fun,” Twilight said. Silver just grunted. The bad feeling had stayed with him. Onyx had yet to explain the sudden rush to get to Manehatten. Most likely not good. As if on cue, Onyx returned with a tray of sandwiches. “Eat up!” Onyx said. Silver wasn’t hungry so he just lay still staring out the window. Onyx poked him in the back and when Silver turned around, a sandwich was shoved into his face. “Eat, it might be your last one for a day or two. That brings me to why we are leaving so early,” Onyx said, “We just got word from the mayor of Manehatten of a sudden breakout of city wide depression. So far... self extermination rates had sky rocketed throughout the city,” Onyx sadly said. Twilight gasped. Silver didn’t say a word. “So, naturally, Marshall slashed our break time to nothingness and we were sent out to investigate. We think it’s the altar of Depression and it has been activated. So stay frosty and think happy thoughts,” Silver didn’t know if that was supposed to be a joke. He slowly ate his sandwich. Later that night, as everypony was getting ready for bed, Twilight called for Silver. Silver looked down to see her beckoning him to he bunk. When he slipped down, she brought out a book and opened it to a marked page. The title read “Old Gods and Other Higher Beings.” “So, we are going to talk about myths and legends?” Silver asked. “Not all of these are just myths and legends,” Twilight said, “For instance, there is one in particular that I want to show you,” Then she pointed to a picture of a huge dragon with bat like wings and giant horns on its head. It’s mouth was open agape and a great flame was shooting out of it. Above it was the name “Nafarious”. “Nafarious?” Silver asked. “Yes,” Twilight said, “It says here, ‘When the last Shadowshaper and Lightbringer clash, the old god rises under the power of the Gems of Destruction,’” “Sounds dandy,” Silver said, “But I bet it won’t happen in our time. There are at least two Shadowshapers I know of and I’m sure there is another Lightbringer besides me...” Silver trailed off. He noticed something odd about the picture. The two ponies that were fighting under the dragon, one of them was glowing brightly while the other was dull. “Is that supposed to happen?” “It started doing that around the time you showed up in Ponyville,” Twilight said. Silver shrugged. “Maybe it’s supposed to do that, anyway, I’m tired and I think we should all get some sleep,” Silver said. He jumped up into his bunk and turned to face the window. It was nearly pitch black outside. Silver sighed as he fell asleep. “Silver look out!” Topaz shouted as another mortar came barreling down to their position. Silver ran right under it and after Sapphire. She suddenly went wild and ran off after some shadows. “Sapphire! Get back here! That’s an order soldier!” Silver shouted after her, but she wouldn’t listen. He could’ve caught up to her, but his armor weighed him down. She had shed hers to run faster. “Sapphire!” Silver shouted as he turned the corner. He skidded into a food stall and shattered it. When he had exited the ally they were in, he found himself in the town square. Sapphire was standing in the middle. Silver sighed relieved and started to go towards her, but then she fell sideways to reveal a knife in her chest. “No!” Silver shouted. A shadowy figure stood there, taking out the knife. The blade was a dark silvery color with a green glow about it. The handle was red with many gems lodged into it. The shadowy figure looked up and laughed. “Weak little foal, this loss is just but one of many,” the stranger said, “She was too weak to live anyway,” “You’re going to pay!” Silver shouted. He charged the attacker and tackled him to the ground. Silver’s armor helped hold it down as he reached for the knife. Silver took the knife in his mouth. “You might strike me down now, but I will return,” the shadowy pony said. Silver grunted and struck the knife deep in the pony’s neck. It burst into a cloud of purple smoke and Silver stumbled around for a second, dazed. When he came to his senses, he ran over to Sapphire who lay on the ground, bleeding. “Sapphire, it’s going to be all right,” Silver said as he took off his helmet. His eyes were dull and weary from constant war and struggle. His mane was plastered to his head. Sweat and tears fell down his face. “Oh, Silver,” Sapphire said weakly as she checked her wound, “we were never meant to do this,” “Do what?’ Silver asked, confused. “All of this,” Sapphire said like it was the only thing that she could mean, “This war, these battles. We were never meant for this,” “Sapphire, we were thrust into this willingly,” Silver said on the verge of tears, “I even argued with the captain to get you into this army. Now come on, I’m going to get you back to camp,” Silver started to pick her up, but then she cried out in pain so he let her back down. “Remember when we were foals?” Sapphire asked dreamily. “Ya,” Silver half laughed half cried, “You always helped me with the bullies who picked on me for being an alicorn,” “Ya, remember when Onyx got caught stealing extra cookies for us and said he was only doing it for himself?” Sapphire asked. “Yup, he is a great pony when it comes to being loyal to friends,” Silver said, but then he turned serious again, “As your commanding officer I-” “Silver,” Sapphire interrupted, “Even though you are a captain, don’t you think this war is needless? So many good ponies die...” Sapphire trailed off. “Come on,” Silver said, “we have to get you to a medic,” “I love you, Silver,” Sapphire said weakly. “No...” Silver said as he saw her close her eyes, “I love you too, Sapphire,” “Goodbye,” Sapphire coughed and she closed her eyes. As her last breath left her, Silver bowed his head over her body. He wept for what seemed like hours until all of the sounds of battle crashed around him. He sensed another pony was there with him. Silver woke up suddenly in the train. It was still dark outside and the lights in the train car were off. Around his eyes the fur was wet from tears. Twilight was standing beside him with a worried look on her face. “What? What happened?” Silver asked as he looked around. “Nothing, it’s just that you seemed to be having a nightmare,” Twilight said. Silver took a deep breath. Fresh tears stung his eyes as he thought back to his dream. “I need some air,” Silver said as he rolled to his hooves and walked to the back of the train. When he was outside, he could see the sun steadily rising out of the east. There was a blue flash and he found Sapphire standing beside him. “I’m sorry you remembered that,” Sapphire said sadly. “Me too,” Silver said, “What happened?” “I wish I could tell you, but if I do...” Sapphire trailed off as she winced, remembering some type of pain from a while ago, “Just... try not to think about it while near the next altar,” “Why, what is the next altar?” Silver asked. “The altar of depression,” Sapphire said as she disappeared. Silver sighed and hung his head over the railing. The door behind him opened and Twilight stepped out. Silver wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words. She stood next to him and watched the sun rise. Silver stood up straight and looked with her, “Beautiful isn’t it?” Twilight asked. “Yea, it is,” Silver sighed. “Want to talk about your nightmare?” Twilight asked. “Not now, maybe later,” Silver said, “It... it... it’s too sad to talk about,” “I understand,” Twilight said. After a beat, she lay her head on his shoulder, “At least it was a dream,” “Right... a dream...” Silver said slowly. His mind was a chaos of emotions. He couldn’t place which was the most important to feel. After several minutes, the train slowed to the stop and Silver noticed they had arrived in Manehatten. The two ponies met up with Onyx of the platform and walked into the city. Silver expected it to be bustling with ponies with business to do, but it seemed strangely empty. “Manehatten has gotten... quieter since I was last here,” Onyx said as he kicked over a rock. Silver looked around. He couldn’t see anypony except for his friends. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Silver said. He turned to Twilight who was in deep thought. He half wished she hadn’t come. He felt this was about to get very dangerous, very fast. Silver closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, he saw the sign for the Lotus Hotel, their destination. “Come on,” he said as he started making his way to the building. The hotel was closed down. There was police tape across the door and boards were nailed onto it. Silver blew the doors open from a blast of magic. “Stay here,” Silver said as he walked through the opening. He looked around the lobby. There was a giant waterfall in the middle of the velvet room. At the base was a little island with a giant altar on it. Floating above it and emitting waves of blue energy was a blue crystal. Near by was a tiki bar inside of a pool and it had stools all around it. Silver jumped onto the bar and over to the island. When he was near the altar, he felt nothing. He chuckled at himself for thinking this would be dangerous. “Wait...” said a forlorn voice above him. Silver looked up to see a grey earth pony standing on a balcony. “Do not disrupt the shadow altar,” “Why not?” Silver asked. “It calms this town,” the pony said slowly and mournfully, “This town used to be a place of chaos and rush. No it is a town of order and calmness,” “This isn’t natural tranquility though,” Silver said, “I need to destroy this crystal,” “Will you listen to what I have to say first?” the pony asked. Not waiting for an answer, he slowly descended to Silver and was right across the little stream of water from the waterfall. “I guess,” Silver said as he felt a sudden calmness overcome is haste. “I am the care-taker of this altar,” the pony said, “you can call me Caregiver. Ever since I was placed in charge of this altar, I felt so calm, so sad, it was beautiful,” “Being sad is beautiful?” Silver asked. “Yes, it is a wonderful thing,” Caregiver said, “here, let me see into your deepest thoughts and memories,” Caregiver nimble jumped to the island and touched a hoof to Silver’s head. Suddenly, the memory of Sapphire’s death played again through his mind. When it was done, tears were streaming down Silver’s face. “I see now, a great sadness is upon you for what happened to your love,” Caregiver said slowly, “my daughter died in my hooves the same way your friend did,” “I tried to protect her...” Silver said. “There was nothing you could do,” Caregiver said, slowly reaching into his belt that he wore. “She just wouldn’t wait for me...” Silver started sinking to the ground. The power of the crystal was growing stronger. “She chose that doom for herself,” Caregiver said as he brought out a sharpened knife. “I could have done so much more... it was my fault,” Silver was now lying down on the ground. “Yes, let the sadness envelope you,” Caregiver said through the knife’s hilt that was in his mouth. “She depended on me... I let her down...” Silver sobbed as tears poured out of his eyes. “Will you let the depression sink in and calm you?” Caregiver asked cautiously. “Yes... Yes I-” “Silver!” Twilight shouted as she ran to the balcony. When she saw the scene before her, she called for Onyx. Caregiver growled and threw the knife at her. It barely missed, but Twilight lost her balance as she dodged it and fell over the rail. It seemed as if Silver was awaken out of a dream as he heard Twilight’s cry. He jumped up and stretched out his wings. He flapped them hard and flew up to Twilight. He caught her in mid air and flew back up to the balcony. He shot the crystal with a bolt of magic. It shattered like glass all over the island. He felt the power of it quickly fade. “The disturbers of the altar shall be buried with it!” Caregiver shouted. Silver shook his head and ran for the door. Onyx and Twilight were already outside, waiting for him. Suddenly, there was a large quake and the building shook. Silver had to stop or he would lose his balance. The arch above the doors crumbled and debris fell in front of the doors that led towards Silver’s freedom. He ran over and tried to push the debris out of the way while Twilight tried to force the doors open with magic. Silver stopped and turned towards Twilight. “I’ll find another way out, run!” Silver shouted. Twilight hesitated, “Go!” Silver shouted again. She turned around reluctantly and ran away with Onyx. Silver turned around and ran down a hallway. The floor above him collapsed in his wake. Silver threw open a door and ran up the stairs. He had to stop again as the building shook once more. After several flights, he opened the door to the roof top. He stepped out into the daylight. Underneath him, the building shook like a thing possessed. Silver peered over the edge to see Twilight and Onyx a ways away, looking back at the building. Silver backed up and prepared to jump. He dashed off and got his wings ready. At the last second though, he heard maniacal laughter and a great darkness came over his vision. He couldn’t see and considered stopping. Too late. Silver felt nothing under his hooves and fell towards the ground. The darkness gave way to show the grass rushing to meet him. The shock made his hesitate a moment before finally, he stretched out his wings. His was too close to the ground. “No!” He heard Onyx shout right before he hit the ground full force.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2012-01-02T01:38:41+00:00

2012-01-02T01:38:41+00:00

Guardian Chapter 6: Fear Silver was back on the cliff overlooking the dark ocean. Everything was the same. Grey sky, black water, and Rage was mumbling to himself. There was another pony here. He looked like Silver, the same as Rage, but the pony was blue. He sat on the ground with his head hung. He looked to be crying, but no sound came from him. Only clear tear drops fell from his cheeks. Silver decided to call him Depression. “Uh...” Silver didn’t know what to say. “She died... she died because of me,” Depression sobbed. “Let’s get them! Those Shadowshapers will pay!” Rage bellowed as he ran around in circles. “No pony is getting any pony!” Silver shouted. His sudden aggression made the two ponies stop what they were doing and look at him. Silver took a deep breath and exhaled silently. “You two be quiet and pay attention,” Silver said, “I don’t want any of this to change me on the outside. I need to stay strong for the Guardians, for my friends.... for Twilight. You,” he pointed to Rage, “Cool it until I’m alone. And you,” he pointed to Depression, “Don’t let me break down in front of any pony. I will deal with all the build up when I can, but now isn’t the time,” “We can’t help it,” Rage said quietly, “It will get harder as the more crystals you destroy. Soon, we will be a whirlwind of emotion that you won’t be able to control. You will be destroyed from the inside out, like the last one...” “Who was the last one?” Silver asked. “I’ve said to much!” Rage suddenly shouted. he winced as if he was in pain and went back to mumbling. Silver sighed and looked towards the south, over the cliff. “Isn’t this were I’m supposed to wake up?” Silver asked. The other ponies didn’t answer so he hung his head in thought. After a few moments, Silver gasped. A sudden splitting headache came over him along with pain in his side. “Wakey, wakey,” Rage said. Silver opened his eyes to see he was being dragged across a cobblestone street. The stone dug into his back and didn’t help his head. He struggled weakly. “Let go, I can walk!” Silver exclaimed. He was dropped and when he rolled over, he saw Twilight and Onyx looking at him, worried. When he stood up, he wavered a bit. Onyx came over and steadied him. “What happened?” “Well, after you fell off the hotel, Twilight and I dragged you away before it collapsed,” Onyx explained, “We were taking you to the hospital, but it was too full of injured ponies from the altar’s power. We were just about to discuss were to take you,” “Well, I’m fine,” Silver said, “Let’s just go home,” “Unfortunately, only Twilight can,” Onyx said, “We got a new job and location. The Altar of Fear in a forest not far from here,” “And you’re not going anywhere without going to a hospital first,” Twilight sternly said. “I’m fine,” Silver repeated, “and if there is another altar nearby, then Onyx and I have to find it,” “I’m coming with you then,” Twilight said. Silver hesitated. He thought back to that feeling right before he entered the hotel. “I’d rather you not,” Silver slowly said, picking out his words, “but if you insist then I can’t stop you,” “Why would you not want me to come?” Twilight said, looking hurt. “Because I don’t want anything to happen to you,” Silver said. There was an awkward silence for a few moments. Silver huffed and turned around. “Whatever, come on then,” he said. He looked around and saw the forest Onyx was talking about. He started off in the direction. Onyx and Twilight looked at each other for a moment then followed him. The forest was as dark and stuffy as the one near Ponyville. Silver shivered though it was very warm in there. He felt sick and tired, but he pushed on. Twilight walked up beside him. She didn’t say anything, but her presence comforted him somewhat. Onyx was sneaking along up ahead, scouting. Silver sighed and decided to look around. The trees were tall and blocked out most of the light. The brush on the ground struggled to get a hint of sunlight. The only flowers that were around were black and with barely any petals. Silver found it harder to move his hooves after each step. Twilight was also struggling and soon Onyx came back, panting like he had just run a ten mile race. “I think it’s time for a break,” Onyx said wearily. The words barely left his mouth when Silver collapsed on the ground. “This isn’t natural,” Silver said. “Considering what happened to you, it isn’t natural you aren’t dead,” Onyx said as he sat down, “I will be first watch, I have a bad feeling about this place,” “Me too,” Twilight said as she lay beside Silver. Silver couldn’t move if he wanted. It was as if a great weight was suddenly set on him. “Are you ok?” Twilight asked worriedly. “Just a bit tired,” Silver said. “You look like you are in pain,” Twilight put a hoof on his back. “Do I?” Silver asked. He didn’t feel any pain at all. “He seems fine,” Onyx said. Twilight shook her head. “Maybe we should go back...” she trailed off at a glance from Onyx. “No, not yet,” Silver said, “after a little rest, we must keep going,” Silver sounded more confident than he felt. Twilight just sighed and lay back down. Silver tried to keep his eyes open, but it was no use. His eyes slowly closed, as did Twilight’s. Silver woke up suddenly as if a spell was lifted off of him. He sat up and noticed Twilight and Onyx had disappeared. He looked around, but his friends were no where to be found. He noticed hoof prints in the ground. He checked them carefully and followed them deep into the forest. Silver followed them directly, not wanting to lose the trail. He jumped over a log and crossed a stream. He kept going until he was at the mouth of a cave. Inside was pitch black and Silver was hesitant to enter. “He comes...” a small, shrill voice echoed. Silver jumped and looked about him. No pony was around. “I hate to break such a strong spirited alicorn, but the task was given to us,” “Show yourself!” Silver shouted. “Come inside...” The voice grew softer. “Silver?!” Silver heard his name. It was Twilight’s voice. Without second thought, he immediately jumped into the cave’s entrance and bolted down into the darkness. “Twilight?” Silver called as he noticed side passages leading off. “Silver!” Twilight shouted then he heard her scream, “No! No!” “Twilight!” Silver screamed as he ran down another passage. Her screams cut into the silence. Silver jumped down holes and turned from passages trying to follow her voice. “Silver!” She screamed again. “I’m coming!” Silver called as he turned down another tunnel. Her cries were cut short suddenly. “No!” Silver cried out as he charged down the last passage. In front of him was a door that was promptly broken down by the silver pony. Silver nearly cried out in horror to what he saw. Twilight was on the ground, bleeding. Over her was a shadow. It was in the shape of some creature. It had long sharp claws, a hunched back, pointy ears, and sharp teeth. Its tail had spikes on the end and so did its back. “The intruder has come...” it said as it slowly backed away from it’s kill. Silver didn’t pay attention to it as he ran over to Twilight. “Twilight!” Silver called out as he flipped her over. Her face was void of expression. Her eyes were glazed over and her mouth was closed. The cut in her neck was all too visible. “Twilight!” Silver shouted again as if she would hear him and come back. The creature let out a long, shrill laugh. It was now looking over his shoulder. “I am the things that will kill her. The things you will unleash. It might not be directly from you, but from what you do. Do you value her safety?” The creature hissed. Silver nodded as he lay his head on Twilight’s body, “Do you want to fail another pony you love?” The creature asked. Silver shook his head, “Then face your fears. Face the death that lingers all around us,” the creature preached. Silver could hear the sound of something like blades scraping across the floor. “Fight me, I am the altar. If you want it gone then you will have to kill me,” “Gladly,” Silver said as he bucked the creature behind him. He felt no contact and suddenly the room went pitch black. Silver looked around in circles. The creature was no where to be found. Silver caught sight of a pair of red eyes looking at him. He shot a bolt of magic. It lit up the room as it traveled at it’s target. Silver gasped when he saw thousands of the creature all around him. The bolt hit its target. There was a loud screech and Silver felt as if he been stabbed by a million swords at once. It made him buckle under the pain. As he did he saw the creature run around, confused and in pain, until he it a wall and shattered like glass. “Silver! Wake up!” Twilight shouted as she shook Silver awake. Silver’s eyes opened suddenly. “Twilight?” Silver asked as if he didn’t believe she was here. “You were having a nightmare,” Twilight explained, “We all had fallen asleep. I woke up when I heard you thrashing around-” Silver had lunged at her and hugged her tightly. “I thought you were dead,” Silver said softly, “In my dream, we were lost in these caves and this creature... I’m just glad you’re ok,” “Um... thanks,” Twilight said. Silver let go of her and smiled awkwardly. Onyx leaped out of the brush. “I found it... but you wouldn’t believe it,” Onyx slowly said. They followed him through the forest. It didn’t take long before they found a cave. Inside, an altar stood, but around it was a shattered gem. “It’s already been destroyed!” Twilight asked. “Look,” Onyx said. On the ground near by was dried blood. Silver gulped. “Since our work has been done for us,” Silver said, “I guess we can go home,” “And if we’re lucky, some R and R,” Onyx said. As they left, Silver turned around. He imagined the shadow creature smiling in the shadows. Silver quickly fell asleep on the train. Even thought it was noon, he was already beat. First, he was having a dream about flying through a field of endless clouds. Then, the scene changed to the cliff overlooking the sea. Silver sighed. “I was having a great dream too,” he said as he turned. Rage seemed to be sniffing the ground. Depression was crying into his hooves. And, a new member to the family, Fear’s head was in the ground like an ostrich's. “Blood... blood,” Rage muttered. “Welcome to our dysfunctional family,” Silver greeted sarcastically. “Who said that?!” Fear shouted as he brought his head out of the ground. He screamed and hid behind Depression. Silver shook his head. Three more altars and three more shadows of himself to add. “Since you guys are no help, I’m going now,” Silver said. “Battle, I must have battle!” Rage shouted and ran around in circles doing a war cry. “Good luck with that,” Silver said. Silver heard voices. He slowly opened one eye, but kept still otherwise. He could see Twilight and Onyx talking to each other. Silver closed his eye again and steadied his breathing. “I don’t care what you believe, something is wrong with him,” Twilight argued. “Silver seems fine to me,” Onyx said calmly, “Look, he’s sleeping like a foal,” “He just seems out of it,” Twilight said, “He isn’t like the pony who first came to Ponyville. Happy and ready to help. Lately, he seems to have gotten... slower,” “Trust me, I’ve known him for a long time,” Onyx said. That seemed odd to Silver. He had only known Onyx for a few days. “What do you mean?” Twilight asked. “I can’t tell you now, but later,” Onyx said. Twilight sighed. “I’m going to read more on this,” Twilight said. Silver heard her get out of bed and open one of the doors. “Pfft, read,” Onyx said as the door shut. Silver pretended to yawn and wake up. “What’s for dinner?” Silver asked. “Sandwiches, as always,” Onyx chuckled, “Good evening, hope you got some sleep,” “Yup,” Silver said, “Best I’ve ever had,” That was a lie of course. He felt worn out, not refreshed. Onyx produced some sandwiches when Twilight had come back and they ate in relative silence. Silver was silent because he was tired. More emotionally than physically. It took most of his concentration not to let the feelings inside him exploded until he was alone and far away from, anypony else. “Well, that was nice,” Silver said when he was done. He put on a smile, “I’m going out for some fresh air for a few minutes,” he got out of bed and went to the back of the train. When he left the car he was just in, he ran all the way to the back. He was thankful that they were in the very first car. When he reached the end of the train, the edge of the caboose, he screamed incoherently. “Why do I have to do this?!” Silver shouted to himself, “I feel as if I am torn into pieces! I need help!” Silver put his head on the railing. He realized he just needed to yell. Needed to vent his anger, his sadness, and fear. At least nopony was around. “Why don’t you ask your friends?” Nighthawke asked. Silver jumped and reeled around. Behind him was the pony he had met back at Appleloosa. “You!” Silver shouted, “What do you want?” “I just wanted to see how you were doing in destroying the altars,” Nighthawke replied innocently, “Three out of six so far, good job! It almost makes me wish to stop trying to resurrect Nafarious so you can have a break,” “What are you talking about?” Silver asked cautiously. “You don’t know?” Nighthawke seemed surprised, “Didn’t the Guardians tell you the legend? If at least one Gem of Destruction is active, then Nafarious will rise when the last Lightbringer and the last Shadowshaper fight?” “We already fought, why didn’t he rise then?” Silver asked. “You don’t get it do you?” Nighthawke laughed, “Just wait, you will find out eventually,” Nighthawke then faded and left Silver very confused. He sat down and bowed his head trying to think. Silver’s mind was all in a jumble. Just trying to think about what he wanted for breakfast in the morning hurt his head. Silver started to get tunnel vision. “Silver, you ok?” Twilight asked as she opened the door to the balcony. Silver didn’t answer for a few seconds. “Yea,” he finally said, “Just... just a bit tired,” “Come on then,” Twilight said comfortingly, “your bed is waiting for you,” “Ok,” Silver stood up and with the help of Twilight, they went back to their beds. Onyx was already snoring on his bed. His hoof was hanging off the side. Silver slowly climbed onto his bunk. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Silver found himself in that grassy field again. The tree had golden leaves this time and the sun was as bright as ever. Only a few clouds were in the sky. Silver spotted another pony lying down under the tree. He assumed it was Sapphire and walked over to her. She waved her hoof at him as he got close. She stood up and hugged him. Silver didn’t know how to feel about that. He laid himself down beside her and sighed. He felt good. No whirlwind of emotions spinning in his mind. “I’m sorry I’ve been quiet a while,” Sapphire apologized, “I tried to reach you, but you were... disconnected,” “What do you mean?” Silver asked. Sapphire sighed and shook her head. “There are three possibilities,” Sapphire explained, “One, you died,” “Nope,” Silver said as he munched on an apple that fell out of the tree. “Two, you lost your magical powers,” Sapphire said. “Nope again,” Silver said as he threw the apple core away with magic. “Three... you love another pony,” Sapphire said sadly. “No- wait what?” Silver stood up. “I have always been able to talk to you because you loved me too much to let go,” Sapphire explained as she stood up with him, “Now, it’s hard to reach you because something is blocking the way,” “That’s... That’s absurd,” Silver stammered. “Are you sure?” Sapphire asked. Silver noticed grey clouds forming in the sky, blocking out the sun. Silver didn’t know what to say. His mouth opened and closed trying to form words. This is the part where I wake up now, Silver hoped. But he didn’t. “Look-” “Who is she?” Sapphire quietly asked. “Enough,” Silver commanded. Sapphire seemed o calm down a little, “I may have lost my memory, but I remembered how you died. Yes, I loved you, but I can’t hold onto the past. You were a great pony, I’m sure, but you’re dead now,” Silver had to say it, even though he felt as if his heart was getting torn in half, “Twilight Sparkle isn’t and I need to keep her safe from this war between Shadowshapers and Lightbringers,” Sapphire just shook her head. The edges of Silver’s vision started blurring so he knew he was about to get a break from her. “Goodbye,” she quietly said and walked away. Silver was then forcibly pulled out of his dream.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2012-01-08T20:12:45+00:00

2012-01-08T20:12:45+00:00

Guardian Chapter 7: Love Silver was shoved into another dream. This time he was a little colt at school. He was at the playground eating his favorite sandwich: grass, daisies, and hay on white bread. In this dream, he was beside himself, literally. Silver watched as his younger self ate happily on a bench by himself. Every time he took a bite, his wings flapped to keep himself balanced. Eventually, when his younger self was almost done eating, two colts came over. One was a unicorn and one was an earth pony. They were both grey all over. “Hey, alicorn, wanna share some of your lunch?” the unicorn asked. “But I’m almost done,” Young Silver said in a squeaky voice. Silver flinched at that. “Well how about that,” the earth pony said, “I guess we will have to beat you up then,” “Why?” Young Silver asked, inching off the bench. Silver couldn’t believe this, wasn’t a teacher going to come by and help. “Because you have nothing to give us,” the unicorn said like that was the most obvious thing in Equestria. Young Silver didn’t say anything, but he nodded. “What?” Asked the earth pony, “Are you saying yes to us beating you up or are you saying that makes sense?” “Neither,” Young Silver said as he jumped back. Suddenly, a wave of balloons fell onto the two ponies. The wave broke open and unleashed an unknown substance. “What is this stuff?” the unicorn asked. “The water from that bog over there,” Young Silver waved a hoof off to the right. He laughed as the other ponies ran off to the pond near the playground. A sharp whistle was heard to his left and out stepped Onyx. Then Topaz and Emerald. Then finally Sapphire. They all laughed for a good few minutes. “Nice job, team!” Young Silver said when he caught his breath. “We wouldn’t be a team without an awesome Commander!” Onyx said, giving Young Silver a noogie. Silver felt tears sting his eyes as he watched this memory play out. He felt himself being pulled out again and he tried to fight it. After a few seconds, though, he finally was taken away from one of the happiest moments of his life. Silver woke up on the train. The fur on around his eyes were wet from tears and his eyes stung a bit as more threatened to come out. He quickly wiped his eyes with his hoof and looked out the window. Ponyville was visible on the horizon. They would reach it soon, around thirty minutes. Silver jumped off his bunk and fell to the floor. He landed with a thump that woke Twilight up. She stretched and shook her head. “Are we almost there?” She asked sleepily. “Yea,” Silver croaked out. He was still feeling sad from his dream. “What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, more alert. “Nothing,” Silver sighed, “Just a dream,” He shook his head violently trying to get the image out of his head. He needed to focus. “Don’t do that,” Twilight giggled as she got up, “You might hurt something,” “I-” Silver stopped himself. He felt a rush of anger, “Yea... I... I need to talk to you,” Silver said, “When we get back to Ponyville, can we talk somewhere private?” “Sure,” Twilight said looking worried, “Let’s go to the library and we can talk there,” “Thanks,” Silver said, “for now though, I need to be alone to collect my thoughts,” “Ok,” Twilight said, “just don’t wander off,” “Gotcha,” Silver chuckled and walked towards the caboose’s balcony. It suddenly became the one place where he could think. He sat against the railing and thought about what he felt and thought before these stupid altars. His past self, as far as he could remember, was carefree, fearless, cheerful, and a bit naive. Now, he was a depressed, short-tempered, and he found himself looking over his shoulder from time to time. What next? What could he possibly do to control his emotions? He needed Twilight’s and Onyx’s help for that. Suddenly, he was aware of Onyx standing beside him. “Got some time for a friend?” Onyx asked. “Sure,” Silver said scooting over, “I’ve just...” then his thoughts returned to his dream, “How long have you known me?” “Um,” Onyx was caught off guard by the question, “It’s been several days now,” “Really?” Silver asked, “You’ve never known me before the orchard incident?” “To tell you the truth,” Onyx said, “I have a bit of amnesia too, but I... ‘woke up’ before you did. So memories have been returning. Why? Have you remembered anything?” “No,” Silver lied. He figured it wasn’t time yet. “Ok, well,” Onyx cleared his throat, “I know these altars are having some kind of effect on you. We need to figure this thing out,” “I’m already going to get the help of Twilight,” Silver said, “Maybe between the three of use, we can find something out,” “So she knows?” Onyx asked cautiously. “Not yet...” Silver countered, “But I do plan to tell her when we get home,” “Tell her that you’re unstable?” “I’m not what you call ‘unstable’ but I need your help,” Silver argued. Onyx muttered something that Silver couldn’t hear. Silver cocked his head. “Anyway,” Onyx said getting up, “See you back in our train car,” “Sure...” Silver said looking into the forest behind him. Onyx sighed and left Silver to his thoughts. A few minutes ticked by and Silver decided it was time to move. He was just about to stand up when something thumped the side of the caboose. Silver, curious, went to check it out. There was a wisp of pinkish red smoke beside the train car. It hit against the car and it tipped a little. Silver held onto the railing with his teeth. Then he noticed the train ahead was leaving him behind. The caboose unhitched. “Son of a-” Silver was cut off as the smoke hit the caboose off the track. It crashed into the forest and sent Silver flying. He hit his head on a tree and blacked out. Somepony was brushing his mane with their hoof. Silver first noticed this when he woke up. He groaned and shook his head, but that made the dull ache in his head hurt worse. “Don’t shake your head!” Came a commanding voice that Silver knew instantly was Rainbow Dash. “Dash? What?” Silver opened his eyes. The rainbow maned pegasus looked down upon him with concern. “When they noticed the caboose missing when the train pulled in the station and you along with it, they sent the fastest flyer in Equestria to find you. It took me a couple of hours, though,” Dash explained as she helped Silver up. Pain lanced through his head as he lifted it. “What happened?” Silver asked. “Beats me, but we have to get you back to Ponyville,” Dash said, “Can you fly?” “Um...” Silver inspected his wings. When he flapped them, the right one seemed to send more waves of pain through him, “Nope,” Silver concluded. “We can still walk,” Dash stated matter of factly. She didn’t seemed concerned it might take them longer to get home, “You should rest though, first,” Dash added. “I’d rather not lie in the weeds,” Silver joked. He would if he had to. “I found a cave not too far ahead,” Dash said, pointing her hoof in front of them, “You can rest in there,” “Fun times,” Silver joked. Dash laughed and helped him along towards their shelter. Once they got there, Silver could tell Rainbow Dash hadn’t explored it yet. It went far back, very far back. Silver walked down the tunnel, to much of Dash’s displeasure which Silver found odd. He took her to be the adventurous type. Soon, Silver saw light ahead in the tunnel. He thought he got turned around somehow, but he kept going. Silver gasped when he exited. It was like something in a story book. The cave exited into a nice glade. There were a few trees here and there. Wild flowers grew in all sorts of colors. Even a rainbow waterfall fell at the eastern end landing in a pool of rainbow colored water. He heard Dash gasp also and guess she had the same reaction. “Now this is the place to rest,” Silver said with a smile. Silver lay on his back on the patch of rock jetting out over the rainbow pool. Next to him was Rainbow Dash. He was telling her what they went through back at Manehatten and in the woods. Surprisingly, she always seemed attentive and her attention never strayed. Silver then went into detail about the dream he had been having, leaving out the ones with Sapphire. He felt she shouldn’t be mentioned. When he was done, Rainbow Dash told him all the adventures she has had with her friends when Twilight first came to Ponyville. Silver listened intently about how they defeated Nightmare Moon and also Discord. “If I were there,” Silver said after she finished, “with the whole Nightmare Moon thing, I could’ve taken her with my two front hooves tied behind my back,” “Hey!” Rainbow Dash laughed, “I bet I could’ve done it faster!” Silver laughed. He never felt this calm or peaceful since before he went after those altars. He felt like he could take on anything. They lay on the rock talking until it got dark. Then, they moved away from the waterfall and found a nice place to sleep. They lay down side by side. Immediately they fell asleep. Silver and Rainbow Dash had been in that glade for two days. They wandered around together, slept together, ate together, talked together. Everything they did was together. Silver couldn’t ask for anything more. One night, Silver lay on the rock jutting out over the rainbow water with Rainbow Dash. His head was hanging off of the rock, peering into the water. “So that’s how I one the running of the leaves,” Dash finished. “Didn’t you and Apple Jack tie for last place though?” Silver asked. “Pfft, not in my mind,” Dash chuckled. Silver did too. “It’s been a great couple of days,” Silver said. “I know right?” Dash smiled. Silver brought his head up and smiled back. “I’ve been thinking...” Silver trailed off, “Uh... I lost my train of thought. Oh well, if it was important I would’ve remembered,” “I’m sure,” Dash said. She looked at the ground for a few seconds before she looked back at him. She was blushing, which surprised Silver, “Um... I... I’ve also been thinking,” “Kind of hard not to,” Silver chuckled. Rainbow Dash gave him a look that show this was serious so he calmed down and listened. She was biting her lower lip and she looked very nervous. Silver thought it was really weird. Suddenly, he heard a humming noise. His ears flicked back and forth like it was a bothersome bug trying to annoy him, but it continued. What he was about to say came back to him, but he wanted to listen to Dash first. “I’ve been wanting to say this for a while now,” Dash began, “We became really close and have gotten to know each other over the past few days and I...” She trailed off as she tried to find the right words. The humming noise grew in intensity. “I... Love you,” Rainbow Dash finished as she looked at the ground. Silver’s eyes widened. A memory stirred within him. He shook his head. “I...” Silver couldn’t find the right words to say. Rainbow Dash looked up. She was blushing and he was too. Dash started to lean in and closed her eyes. Silver knew what was happening and felt as if something was forcing him to do the same. When they were about to kiss, Silver found the will to pull back by saying, “You’re not Twilight,” Suddenly, something seemed to snap inside his head. It was almost an audible snap. Silver fell to the ground and blacked out. Silver groaned as he woke up. He was still on the rock jutting out over the rainbow colored water. Rainbow Dash lay next to him, unconscious. Silver felt the impulse to dive into the rainbow water. He shook his head as the thought flew through him. It was crazy, but his kind of crazy. He could hear Dash groan as she woke up. Silver’s legs felt weak, but he had to do it. It was like something was driving him to do it. He pushed his body towards the edge. “What are you doing?” Rainbow Dash asked. Her voice sounded angry and hurt. Silver didn’t answer, but slipped off the edge and fell into the water. “Silver!” he heard Dash cry as he hit the liquid. Right when his fur touched it, it started burning him. But he and Dash had been using it as their water source for a long while now. In the depths, he could spot an altar. Glowing above it was a pink crystal. Silver aimed his horn at it and fired a bolt of magic. It shattered like glass just like the others. This time, the water started to burn more and more each second. Silver tried to swim towards the surface, but it was like syrup. He was about to run out of breath when the liquid shook. A jet of the rainbow water launched him up to the top. Silver broke the surface and flipped through the air. As he fell back towards the water, Rainbow Dash flew up and caught him by his tail and the both crashed a little ways away from the pool. Silver’s vision was blurry and he was stunned. None of his limbs responded and he couldn’t move. It was as if a great weight fell onto his body. Rainbow Dash shook her self to rid her fur of dirt and grass. “Don’t rush to say thank you,” Dash mumbled. Silver found he couldn’t answered. Nothing was able to move. Only his ability to breathe was working, which was a relief. “Wow, how much of a jerk can you be?!” Dash shouted at him. Only if you turn towards me... Silver thought. Rainbow Dash released an explosive sigh and turned towards him with anger in her eyes. When she spotted him lying on his back, eyes glazed over and staring into the sky, did she notice something wrong. “Silver?” She asked. Silver tried to respond, but he couldn’t. “If this is a joke...” Rainbow Dash moved over to him. “Oh my gosh!” She said. “Silver?! What happened?” Silver managed to groan. Feeling was returning to his body. He slowly moved his legs to wake them up. His ears flicked around and he blinked several times. “I think...” Silver croaked. He cleared his throat, “I think it was the altar,” “What did it do?” Dash asked as she checked his bodies for injury. “Several things,” Silver explained slowly, “First... it made the water into that rainbow color,” Silver said. Already, the water was turning back to normal. “Second... when I broke it...” Silver took a deep breath. It hurt, but he had to, “When I broke it, it... erupted and threw me out of the water. Third... That emotion went into my mind to take up residence like the others,” “What?” Dash asked. “I’ll tell you later,” Silver said as he slowly stood up. He had to brace himself for this one. He thought how he should tell her that her feelings for him were fake. The altar just made them up. The Gems of Destruction cannot create something from nothing, the voice said in his head. Again, it was from a memory. Silver shook his head. He decided to leave that part out. “That’s basically it,” Silver finished. “Ok...” Rainbow Dash seemed distant. “Look,” Silver said, “If I said anything hurtful... I’m sorry,” “Leave it,” Dash said turning her back on him. Silver felt hurt. “Let’s get back to Ponyville,” “Alright,” Silver said, “Lead on,” Soon, after exiting the glade, the two ponies were almost out of the forest. Silver relished the thought of getting home and having a proper meal. Suddenly, there came a rumbling sound. Silver thought it was his stomach, but he looked behind him. Two red eyes peered out of the brush behind him. “Uh... Dash?” Silver asked. “What?” Rainbow Dash asked as she turned around. Right then, the eyes started to fly up. Then they moved forward towards the ponies. There was a grey bulk moving behind them. Then the grey bulk and eyes merged to form one huge creature. It had horns on top of its head. It had fur everywhere and giant razor sharp teeth protruded out of its mouth. It stood on two legs, both feet had hooves, and it had big meaty hands. It roared ferociously. “Minotaur!” Silver shouted. It growled and charged. Silver sidestepped out of the way. When it was near Rainbow Dash, she flew into the air. It stopped and started jumping up and down to get her. The trees prevented her from flying higher or anywhere else. Silver shook his head. “Hey! Huge cow! Over here!” Silver shouted. The monster turned towards him. It snorted and dug its hooves into the ground. “Yea! Your mom was a cockatrice and your dad was a farm animal!” Silver had no idea what he was shouting, but it got the thing’s attention. It charged towards him. Silver had the idea to sidestep again, but this time the creature grabbed him by the neck and kept charging forward. It roared with triumph and tried to slow to a stop. What it didn’t see, however, was that there was a giant ravine in front of it. “Stop, you big lug!” Silver shouted, struggling. It couldn’t stop fast enough. It and its prize fell over the ravine together. Silver bounced off several rocks and ledges. The minotaur roared as it hit the ground. It let out a strangled cry, then went silent. Silver tried to stop his descent, but he had no room to spread his wings. He bounced off a few more ledges before he hit the ground with a thud.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2012-01-16T06:32:32+00:00

2012-01-16T06:32:32+00:00

Guardian Chapter 8: Greed Silver groaned as he woke up on the stony ground. The body of the minotaur lay beside him, unmoving. Silver looked up to see nothing but darkness. “It must be nighttime,” Silver mumbled to himself as he slowly stood up. He rubbed the back of his head with his hoof. It felt like a thousand needles were being driven in to every part of his body. Silver slowly flew up to the top of the ravine. He landed on the ledge and looked around. Trees had been smashed and the brush trampled. Evidence of what happened earlier. Silver sighed and made his way out of the forest. Silver stumbled out of the forest. He fell to the ground panting. It was a longer way than he thought. His head felt like it was about to exploded. His vision was blurry and his muscles seemed to not respond. He then noticed the familiar surroundings. Silver looked back behind him. He couldn’t believe it. He had somehow gone into the Everfree forest and came back out again. This was the spot where Fluttershy found him when he first arrived in Ponyville. Silver decided to wait until Fluttershy came back this way again. Darkness threatened to take hold of his vision multiple times. Each time, Silver fought it back. Dawn was not too far away. Silver doubted he could make it though. He must have taken a nasty hit to the head. Silver was just about to give up when the most extraordinary thing happened. A chicken tripped over his head. “Come back, chicken!” came the voice of Applebloom. Silver was relieved. Finally, somepony might find him and get help. He heard hoof steps coming from behind him. The chicken stood on top of his body, trying to indicate the fallen pony. The hoof steps suddenly stopped and a gasp was heard. “Mr. Silver! Hold on, I’ll go get Fluttershy!” Applebloom exclaimed and ran back the way she came. Soon, more hoof steps were heard. “Oh my gosh!” Fluttershy exclaimed in her usual quiet voice. “Help me get him back to my home, Applebloom,” “Ok,” Applebloom said and grabbed hold of Silver’s tail. He was then dragged for a while until they finally stopped at Fluttershy’s house. Silver’s mind mercifully sent him into unconsciousness after hours of extreme pain. Silver woke up in a bed. He slowly sat up and rubbed his neck. It was really sore. So was the rest of his body. He heard noises coming from downstairs, but he couldn’t get out of bed if he wanted to. Of course he knew where he was if memory served correctly. Fluttershy’s house seemed homely enough, even though she lived outside a little ways from Ponyville. Silver lay back in the bed and silently dozed off again. Silver woke up to voices. Either that or he was half awake. He couldn’t see much but he could hear well enough. “... emotional trauma,” finished an unfamiliar mare. “What do you mean? He seemed fine on the train,” the voice mistakenly belonging to Onyx said, exasperated. “The Gems are dangerous. I’m surprised he hasn’t broken down from the stress, not to mention hiding his discomfort,” The unfamiliar pony said. “Emerald, you and I both know Silver well enough that he wants to protect his friends,” Onyx argued, “Maybe hiding his torment is some kind of way he protects us. At least that’s what he thinks,” “It’s not doing him any good,” Emerald explained, “I love you, Onyx, but I have to disagree with you sometimes,” “Silver is my best friend, I know him better than anypony else,” Onyx said. “What about Sapphire?” Emerald asked in a low voice. “She... she died protecting him,” Onyx faltered, “I’m just glad he doesn’t remember that. It nearly tore him apart. He could never love another pony ever sense,” “What about that lavender unicorn?” Emerald asked. “Twilight? Well... she’s a special case,” Onyx said, “Even I see the resemblance between her and Sapphire,” “I just hope Silver isn’t hurt again,” Emerald said. She brushed his mane with her hoof, “Remember when we found him by the old pond?” “Yea,” Onyx confirmed, “and those bullies. Only if they knew who they were messing with, they would bow down to him instead of push him into the water,” “If they knew who Silver really was, they would’ve run away in fear,” Emerald said, “Silver wouldn’t have wanted that. At least we protected him and became his friends,” So many memories were stirring in Silver that he groaned. His two friends froze. When he didn’t open his eyes, they sighed a sigh of relief. “We should go,” Onyx said, “I’ll be here later when he wakes up,” “Ok,” Emerald agreed. She kissed Silver on his forehead and walked out of the room. Onyx followed her. Silver slipped back into sleep after that. Silver stood on the very familiar cliff. The ocean churned violently below him. In front of him were four ponies. The first three he was already acquainted with. The other, a pink version of himself, sat looking at a picture and sighing. Silver could plainly see it was Twilight Sparkle. He blushed and snatched the picture up with his magic. Love cried out and lunged at Silver. Silver flinched at the unexpected violence and gave the picture back. Love took it unquestioningly and continued to gaze longingly at it. Silver shook his head and willed himself to wake up. Silver woke up again just as Fluttershy entered the room with a steaming hot bowl of soup. He quickly sat up. It cause Fluttershy to squeak, but she didn’t drop the bowl. “How long have I been out?” Silver asked, looking around frantically. Fluttershy set down the bowl. “For about a day,” She quietly answered. Silver started to get out of bed, but she put a hoof on his chest and gently pushed him back down. “Sorry, but you need at least another day to recover,” “But the Gems...” Silver said. “Marshall as a special team working on it,” Fluttershy reassured. But it sounded like poison to Silver. He jumped out of bed. “No!” Silver shouted as he tried to run out the door. Fluttershy blocked his way. She didn’t do anything forceful, but Silver stopped nonetheless. “I have to destroy the Gems!” “They can do it without you,” Fluttershy quietly insisted. “You don’t understand,” Silver pleaded. He didn’t either. A sudden impulse of urgency came over him. “I have to destroy those gems, no pony else,” “Why?” Fluttershy asked. “I don’t know,” Silver admitted, “I just need to do it,” Fluttershy gave him an inquiring glance. “I-I” Silver stuttered. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath, “I haven’t told any pony this yet, but there is a price to destroy the gems,” He waited for Fluttershy to say something, but she just listened. “The power, the waves of energy that the gems give off. They are emotions. The first was Rage. The others were Depression, Fear, and the latest one I destroyed was Love. Now these emotions are like a maelstrom the churns in my mind and heart. It takes most of my willpower to keep these emotions buried until the right time or when I’m alone. I don’t want any other pony to go through with this, so I must see that the last two altars are destroyed by me,” Silver explained. “Oh, wow...” Fluttershy said. She thought for a second. “Ok, I will let you go today, but you have to finish this soup,” Silver groaned by complied. A few minutes later he burst out of Fluttershy’s house. He was going so fast that he accidentally ran into Twilight. The rolled end over end down a small hill until Silver hit a tree and Twilight hit him. Silver slowly got up and shook his head. Twilight did the same as looked like she was about to tell him off. When she looked up at him her expression changed from anger to surprise. “Silver!” she exclaimed. “Uh, hey Twilight,” Silver said equally surprised. “I heard you were hurt and Fluttershy was tending to you,” Twilight explained, “I was just coming by to visit. Wasn’t she going to keep you another day?” “Something came up,” Silver simply said, “Where’s Marshall or Onyx. I need to speak to one of them,” “Marshall is in the Everfree forest searching for that other Altar,” Twilight explained, “Onyx is currently at the HQ, why?” “Thanks!” Silver said and took off, flying for the HQ. He didn’t want to do that, but he had to hurry. Silver was there in an instant. He pushed the door open and stomped into the command center. He found Onyx talking with an emerald colored pegasus. They were studying a map on the table. “Onyx!” Silver shouted. Onyx looked up surprised. The emerald colored pegasus looked up too, but didn’t seem surprised. “Silver!” Onyx greeted, surprised, “I’m astonished that you’re out of bed this early. Don’t worry, Marshall is going to find the last two altars,” “That’s what I’m here about,” Silver said as he walked around the table and stared Onyx down, “Where is the altar that Marshall went to?” “Around the southern border of Everfree forest, why?” Onyx asked. Silver nodded and turned around. He ran out of the building and flew into the air again. Time was of the essence, he had time for explanation later. Silver flew quickly over Ponyville and over Everfree forest. He landed at what he judged was the southern border and ran around, trying to find a sign of Marshall. He soon came upon a knife. It was long and gold in color. Silver saw nearby a bush that was trampled on. He headed in that direction. The forest seemed to be watching his every move. Judging him, waiting for him to make a mistake. Soon, Silver ran down a large hill until he reached a clearing. Silver peaked around the tree and immediately wished he hadn’t. The scene in front of him would terrorize his dreams for the rest of his life. The altar stood proudly, with a green gem on top of it. Around it was a pool of blood and six dead ponies. Each had a knife in their throats or chest. Their faces were twisted with either anger or shock. Silver threw up the soup behind the tree and gagged a couple of times. “Awful, isn’t it?” Marshall said as he appeared behind Silver. Silver wheeled around and back up a little bit. “Don’t worry, son, I ain’t gonna hurt you. I’m not under the effects of that Gem,” “Which one is it?’ Silver asked. “Greed,” Marshall said, “My companions ran ahead of me. I heard them shout they found the altar and sacks of gold. When I reached the clearing, I saw this horrible image. It seems they killed each other over the gold,” “I don’t see any gold over there,” Silver said as he peeked at the clearing. “Hurry up and destroy that Gem then,” Marshall said. Silver nodded and turned towards the Gem. Before he could fire off a bolt of magic, though, something hit him in the side and he slammed into the ground. When Silver looked up, he saw a brown earth pony standing wild eyed over him. “No pony messes with my gold!” the pony shouted crazily. He started stamping his hooves on Silver’s exposed belly. He got a few good hit in before Silver rolled to the side. Silver sprang up and bucked at the pony. He flew end over end and crash into a tree. Silver went over and held him down. “Marshall, I need some help!” Silver called. “Alright!” Marshall said as he walked over and held the pony down. Silver charged up a bolt of magic. “No!” The wild pony shouted. Silver heard a gargling sound. The wild pony had stabbed Marshall in the throat with a knife. Silver leaped to the side as the knife was thrown at him. “No!” The pony shouted again. Silver headbutted the pony and picked up the knife. He immediately drove it home into the pony’s chest. Silver panted. His heart and mind were racing. He stumbled over to Marshall, who was groaning on the ground. “Marshall!” Silver cried, “Hold on, let me take care of this Gem and I’ll get help,” “What is it like?” Marshall asked. “What’s what like, sir?” Silver asked quietly. “Having all those emotions run through you,” Marshall answered. “It’s like contained chaos that could exploded at any moment,” Silver replied after a moment of thought. He knew Marshall didn’t have time. “I knew you were the one to do this,” Marshall said, “I tried giving you a break, though,” “No pony should go what I’m going through,” Silver said. “No pony can go through what you’re going through,” Marshall said. His face was turning pale. “Goodbye, Marshall,” Silver said. Marshall sighed and closed his eyes. Silver stood back up and faced the gem. He charged a bolt of magic and destroyed it. An invisible force slammed into him. Only one more to go.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2012-01-22T23:21:39+00:00

2012-01-22T23:21:39+00:00

Guardian Chapter 9: The Old God Rises Again Silver said a goodbye to Marshall. A tear ran down his cheek. He wiped it off with his hoof and trudged out of the forest. It took him about two hours to find the edge of the forest. He slowly walked into Ponyville. Other ponies stopped what they were doing to watch him walk by. He slowly made his way to the HQ. Silver opened the door and entered. He could hear Twilight’s voice arguing with Onyx’s. “You let him go after Marshall?!” Twilight shouted. “You told him I was here!” Onyx shouted back. “Now hold on you guys-” Applejack tried to say, but was interrupted by a huff from Twilight. “If you were his true friend,” Twilight said. “I’ve known him since we were colts,” Onyx argued. Silver entered the room and clear his throat. The three ponies turned to him. “Silver!” Twilight said happily. She ran over and hugged him. When she pulled away and saw the sad, hurt look in his eyes, she frowned. “What’s wrong,” “Where’s Marshall?” Onyx asked. Silver looked at the ground and said nothing. “Oh no...” “Oh my...” Applejack said, “I’m mighty sorry,” “He... he was killed by his own friend,” Silver said, “Then... then I...” He couldn’t finish that sentence. “Silver...” Twilight said calmly. She kissed his cheek, “It was out of self defence,” “It shouldn’t have come to that...” Silver said. Before anything else was said, they heard a commotion outside. Silver and his friends peeked outside to see a crowd gathered in the center of Ponyville. They walked over to see what was happening. From there you could see Canterlot. Silver had looked that way many times. But now, when he looked, his breath was taken away. Canterlot was on fire! “No!” Twilight shouted. “What happened?!” Rainbow Dash asked as she glided down from her cloud. “I don’t know!” Twilight said hopelessly. “Nighthawke,” Onyx said. “Of course,” Silver said, “We were about to stop his plan of resurrecting Nafarious so he attacked Canterlot to slow us down,” “What do you mean?” Onyx asked. “We could search for the last altar and let Canterlot burn,” Silver pointed out. He saw the dismay on Twilight’s face so he cleared his throat, “But we can’t let that happen. You and I shall go to Celestia’s aid,” “Not without help,” Rainbow Dash said. “You all have to stay behind in case he decides to attack Ponyville,” Silver ordered, “Gather all the Guardians in the area. Send about half of them to Canterlot for back up,” “You sure about this?” Onyx asked, “What if Nighthawke succeeds with his ritual?” “Then we’re all doomed,” Silver said, “Try not to think about it,” Getting to Canterlot without being seen was easy. It was only the two of them. Silver felt the anxiety well up in his chest as he stood at the gates of the city. Onyx was messing with a switch near the gate. He had been for ten minutes, but it seemed hours for Silver. He had no idea what lay beyond the gate. His emotions seemed more chaotic than usual. “Got it!” Onyx cheered. The gate slowly opened and the two ponies entered. The city was in ruins. Fire spread everywhere. No pony was in sight. The only untouched thing seemed to be the castle. Silver and Onyx crossed over to it and opened the large door. It was deserted inside so they entered. “Go and find Celestia, I will look for Nighthawke,” Silver said. Onyx nodded and ran down a corridor. Silver entered the throne room. Like the rest of the castle it was empty. Silver looked at the giant stained glass windows and marveled at the pictures. One had six ponies defeating an evil one. Silver assumed it was Twilight and her friends fighting Nightmare Moon. He looked at another one. It was like the same picture in Twilight’s book. Two ponies were fighting each other. A giant dragon loomed over them. Silver noticed that both the silver and the black pony were faintly glowing. He walked further in and noticed there was a shadow on the throne. It wavered and Nighthawke appeared, with a tooth pick in his mouth. “Nighthawke,” “Ah, sorry my dear friend,” Nighthawke burped and threw the toothpick away, “I just had dinner. How do you like my new castle?” “It’s Celestia’s castle,” Silver said, “Speaking of, where is she?” “Never mind that,” Nighthawke said, “I have some entertainment,” “I don’t have time to watch,” Silver said. “Who said you were watching?” Nighthawke asked. Silver heard a laugh and looked behind him. Onyx stood their defiantly. “Onyx?” Silver asked in disbelief, “Did you find the Princess?” “No, and I don’t plan to,” Onyx said. His voice was changed. It sounded more like a snarl now. “You see, my lad,” Nighthawke said, “Onyx was tired of being on the losing team and switched sides. I took him under my wing and together we took over the castle.” “I know secret entrances and exits,” Onyx explained, “There are a lot of them,” “Onyx,” Silver said sorrowfully, “I thought you were my friend,” “I still am,” Onyx said, “Join the Shadowshapers and we will finally win,” “You know I can’t do that,” Silver shook his head. “Let the games begin,” Nighthawke said. One thing about Onyx, he is a good fighter. Silver had a hard time dodging and deflecting attacks. Hurting him wasn’t an option. Silver couldn’t hurt his friend. They fought for ten minutes, magic bolts and beams shooting everywhere, until Onyx unleashed a large beam of magic. Silver shot his own beam and they clashed. Silver’s gold beam mixed with Onyx’s purple. “Onyx, stop!” Silver shouted over the sound of the beams clashing, “You can still join my side again. We can still win!” “No!” Onyx shouted, “I saw the future, it is bleak and meaningless,” “You are doing what Nighthawke wants you to!” Silver tried to reason. In the background, Nighthawke was laughing hysterically. Suddenly, Silver noticed the energy output of the beams were making something that looked like a portal. A large claw shot out of it and gripped a pillar for a handhold. Silver cut off his beam and jumped to the side to dodge Onyx’s. “Too late!” Nighthawke laughed. Silver’s heart filled with dread. He watched as the maw of a large dragon came out of the portal. It quickly pulled itself through. “But- but,” Silver stammered. “What? You thought I was a Shadowshaper too?” Nighthawke laughed, “Think again,” he pulled off his cloak. Silver wanted to faint. Nighthawke was a black colored version of him. They looked the same except for Nighthawke’s mad smirk. “What- I,” Silver felt like his brain was failing him. “I am the personification of the last Gem,” Nighthawke said, “I am Insanity!” he then jumped at Silver. Silver was knocked to the ground with Insanity on top of him. Insanity quickly lowered his horn. It touched Silver’s and it flashed. Silver went unconscious. He was back on that cliff again, except the water below churned in a whirlpool. The sky was red and the cliff started breaking up. The ponies in front of him were panicking or shouting incoherently. Two new ponies were there also, Greed and Insanity. “There he is!” Insanity shouted, “There’s the one that wants to destroy us!” “Uh...” Silver had no idea what was going on. All of the ponies turned on him and growled. Silver put up a glowing golden shield just in time to deflect a bolt of magic from Rage. More followed and Silver’s defence couldn’t hold long. He tried to figure out what to do, if he attacked, the shield would go away and he would be hit over the cliff. He knew that would be bad. If he kept holding up the shield, it would soon break leaving him dazed and he would die. It was hopeless. Despair took him over. He was about to jump on his own accord, when suddenly a wave of courage washed over him. He took down his shield and lunged at the other ponies. He was stopped when a flash of bright light exploded. A pony in gold armor appeared in front of Silver and shot all of the others with a wide spread beam of magic. They all were subdued instantly. Silver felt the chaotic emotions inside him die down for good. The armored pony turned to him and shook off his helmet. It was Silver, but gold in color. “Courage always prevails,” Courage said, “Remember that,” He placed his helmet on Silver’s head and then Silver woke up. Silver was standing up. Insanity was gone and Onyx stared at him, mouth hanging open. Silver was armored head to hoof in golden armor. His wings and tail were the only things exposed. “Impossible!” Onyx shouted. “Not really,” Silver said. Memories flooded his mind like water after a dam burst. Silver knew he could only stop Nafarious, who roared at him. Onyx growled and lunged at Silver. Silver just knocked him aside and made his way over to Nafarious. Nafarious roared again and took flight. he crashed through the roof of the castle and flew away. Silver flew after him, his armor shockingly light. Nafarious flew up into the sky and shot a fireball at Silver. Silver barrel rolled to the right and just dodged the attack. Silver shot out a beam on magic and connected with Nafarious’s leg. He roared in anger and shot more fire balls. Silver dodged around those. The got closer and closer to Ponyville. Silver had to get Nafarious away from there. he could already see ponies heading for the castle, the Guardians that would back him up. Nafarious took sight of this and flew after them. The Guardians looked up in horror and scattered. Silver flew after Nafarious and tackled him in mid air. Surprisingly, Nafarious was knocked to the side. Silver flew right over the Guardians. They all looked up at him in awe. Silver then noticed Twilight and her friends were among them. “Who is that?” he heard Rarity ask, “I like the armor,” “I don’t know,” Applejack said. Silver rolled to the side to dodge a fireball and shot another beam. Nafarious roared when it connected. It swiped a claw at Silver. He was knocked out of the air and he hit the ground hard. Dazed, he got to his hooves and took off again. He noticed he was missing his helmet. “Silver?!” Rainbow Dash shouted. Silver had to get the huge dragon away from his friends. “Follow the birdie!” Silver shouted as he shot up into the sky. Nafarious followed him with a roar. The crown of horns seemed to glow like mini fires and the scales seemed to shine. Silver flew up into the darkening sky, leading the dragon away from any pony or town. Silver got an idea, a crazy, horrible idea. When he was sure it was safe, he looped and flew straight at the beast. Silver imagined any pony who looked could see a small speck traveling at break-neck speeds at the castle-sized dragon. Nafarious seemed surprised at this and hesitated. Silver grinned. His horn glowed from over charged magic build up. Silver hit the dragon in the neck and unleashed the magic. A golden light exploded and knocked them both to the ground, hundreds of feet below. Nafarious spat fireballs this way and that. Silver pushed the dragon to the ground by the neck, completely enveloped in a golden light. The two fell to the ground, waiting to meet them. Nafarious tried to claw at Silver, breath fire on him, and bite him, but nothing stopped the alicorn from pushing. Silver closed his eyes from the heat and wind. He prayed this wouldn’t hurt as much as he thought it would. Twilight watched as Silver and the dragon fell to the ground. Everypony around her sat in stunned silence and heard the roars of the dragon. Twilight stared in disbelief. How could Silver do this. It was impossible. When the dragon hit the ground, a pillar of flame shot up into the air. A shock wave rocketed all around them, sending up dirt and loose rocks. Heat washed over Twilight. “No!” She cried, “Silver!” The pillar didn’t die down for another five minutes. When it did, Twilight bolted towards the place where the dragon fell. “Twilight, wait!” her friends called after her. She didn’t heed them and ran into the forest. Nothing seemed touched by the shock wave and the fire. It was like the dragon never fell. Soon, she broke into a clearing where all the grass had died and the trees were blackened and didn’t have leaves. It was like a giant circle of death. The giant bones of the dragon lay, scattered randomly. Its scales and skin had burned up in the fire. How could Silver have survived this? Twilight ran, searching in vain everywhere. Tears ran down her face. She had planned to tell him when they got back to Ponyville from Manehatten. She turned over bones. She planned to tell him that... She found a piece of his armor. Her hopes sky rocketed. She kept find pieces of his armor like a trail. When she reached the end, her hopes sank like a rock. Silver lay on the ground, his fur scorched. Cuts and gashes were all along his body. A scar ran up his face and over his eye. He was motionless. He wasn’t even breathing. Twilight’s friends found her, her head on Silver’s chest and tears running down her face. Next to her head was a gold gem. They helped her up and left. The Guardian’s picked up Silver and the pieces of his armor. When they got back to Ponyville, the sky was dark and black clouds hung in the sky. Ponies watched them as they headed for the Guardian HQ. There was a sniffle in the crowd and low, whispering voices. Some ponies bowed their heads while other wiped away tears. They had all saw how Silver protected them. How he sacrificed himself for their safety. The HQ seemed to send waves of sorrow. The Guardians lay Silver on top of an altar in the basement of the HQ. Around them were ceremonial coffins, displaying the name of every hero the Guardians had. Emerald stood behind the altar and looked down upon Silver. In the torchlight, he seemed almost peaceful. “Silver the Lightbringer shall rest here until the morning,” Emerald said after a pause, “We will then hold a ceremony at the town square. He will then be taken to Golden City, where the main Guardian HQ is located to be buried in the tombs below. He will join his ancestors and guide us through this dark time. He was the last of the Lightbringers so we all have to play our part to keep Equestria as safe as he did, whether he knew it or not, his presence alone kept our world safe from darkness. Now we have a long road ahead of us all,” “Where is Golden City at?” Applejack asked after a moment of silence, “I’ve never heard of it,” “It’s hidden from the Shadowshapers and other ponies. The Shadow City is also hidden. Only the members of each faction know where their main city is at,” Emerald explained. No other pony said a word. They were silently dismissed. Twilight still carried that golden jewel in her mouth. She went back to the library. Spike was sleeping in his bed, snoring away. Twilight placed the gem on her desk and went to bed. She cried silently to herself, remembering how he was always there to protect her and others. How, before he went after those altars, he was high spirited and cheerful. How he stood up for Granny Smith and Applebloom on his first day. Soon, Twilight fell into an uneasy sleep.

Zodiacthehedgehog

348

Main 6,Original Character,Spike,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore

Guardian

Equestria is under threat and the only one who can save it can barely remember his own name.

incomplete

<p>Silver, an alicorn, wakes up in the middle of Everfree forest with amnesia. He can only remember his name and little of the magic he used to posses. Little does he know that an ancient evil is being summoned to take over all of Equestria.</p>

teen

2012-02-06T03:13:58+00:00

2012-02-06T03:13:58+00:00

Legend Chapter 1: The Road Goes On and On (Partial) Silver woke up when the sun hit his eyes. He sat up suddenly. Adrenaline pumped through him as he thought he was still going down with Nafarious. Silver shook his head and looked around. He was in that same meadow he had waken up some days before, but it seemed like a lifetime ago. This time, though, he retained most of his memories, though key one were still missing from his past. The air shimmered in front of him. Silver reached out with his hoof to touch it, but there was a bright flash and the gold armored pony appeared. It took off its helmet. It was the same pony who told Silver that courage always prevails. Silver first thought it was another part of him, but on closer inspection, the alicorn had red eyes instead of gold, like the other versions of him had. “Hello, Silver the Lightbringer,” the pony said, “I see you healed just fine,” “I thought I died,” Silver said lamely. His mind was spinning. “Well... you did,” the pony said with a wry smile, “But I brought you back,” “Why?” Silver asked. “Because you are still not yet done,” the pony said, “No pony of the Golden Council counted on Onyx betraying you and unleashing Nafarious,” “Golden Council?” Silver asked. “Yes,” the pony nodded, “It is the council of all of the great Lightbringers from age’s past. I am the head of the Council, Silvermane,” “But your mane is gold,” Silver pointed out. Silvermane scowled at him. “Yes, anyway,” Silvermane said after a pause, “I hope you feel better now. No more rampaging emotions?” Silver now noticed he didn’t feel the force and pain of all of his emotions he acquired from the altars. “How?” Silver asked. “You learned to control them subconsciously by facing Nafarious,” Silvermane said with a smile. “Now you must carry out your duties to protect Equestria. The Guardians are good, but they need a Lightbringer to lead them to be great,” Silvermane’s horn flashed and all of his armor was placed in front of Silver neatly. “You also might need this. And a word of advice, you’ve been ‘dead’ for about a week now. I suggest you don’t reveal yourself until the time is right,” With that, Silvermane disappeared with another flash. Silver looked down at the armor. It was gold and blue runes ran along the sides. The body part of it had slots on the back which indicated where the wings would stick out of. There was also a slot in the back for his tail to go through. On the helmet, there was a part sticking up that looked just like a horn. Silver wondered how he would get this all on. Suddenly, a memory came back. It showed Silver’s horn flashing and the armor suddenly appearing on him. Silver shrugged and did the same thing as in the memory. There was a flash, and when Silver opened his eyes, he was looking out of his helmet. The armor fit perfectly on him. It was as light as a feather and it radiated energy. Silver flapped his wings and there was just enough room for him to fly. “Thanks, Silvermane,” Silver said to himself. Silver wondered what to do first. He thought about what he should call himself. He obviously couldn’t use his real name, or he would be noticed. “Thanks again, Silvermane,” Silver said after a moment.

in10secondsflat

349

Applejack,Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Lyra,Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Rainbow Dash,Adventure,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Ice Cream Pony Awakes

complete

<p>I don't even know what this is. I started writing this. This is what you get.</p><p>All inspired by this:</p><p><a href="http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html</a> </p><p>It is now complete, but there will of course be side stories. I think.</p>

everyone

2011-08-11T16:01:55+00:00

2011-08-11T16:01:55+00:00

Strum Awesomeposture rolled over, and sniffed the air. Ice Cream. “BON BON?!” She called out from the kitchen, “Yes dear?” “I THOUGHT WE AGREED THAT WE WOULD NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!” “Yes but... I’m on a secret mission to save Equestria with Applejack and Derpy. Again. And I need your help.” Strum Awesomeposture groaned and stumbled out of bed. She walked down the hallway grumbling something about it was too early and I don’t want to be a secret hero I just wanna go have fun around Ponyville, teach some kids how to play some kind of intrument and go back to bed fourteen hours later. “What was that?” “nothing...” Why... she didn’t want this. She was fine with Bon Bon being a spy and all, but she didn’t want to have to do this... this is why she never wanted to talk about ice cream again... it... did things to her. She didn’t want that life anymore. Bon Bon flopped the ice cream pancakes down in front of Strum Awesomeposture once she sat down in the table. She deadpanned. “Look, you know you have to eat them. Otherwise I’ll have to make more. Don’t let them thaw out...” “For me?” Strum Awesomeposture sighed... she had to didn’t she. She levitated her old over priced ice cream pancake eating spoon of wonder out of a drawer a few feet away from the table she was at. She brought it down and scooped up a small piece, took a little nibble and... === Applejack lept out of bed, galloped torwards the front door, and whipped it open, peeled the siding of her house off and grabbed her cape and rope off the hook. Embroidered on the side of the cape was two hooves kicking apples into the mighty ugly face of Black Snooty. “Ah’m ready” === “WHAT?! NO! NOT COOL!” Derpy groaned and got up from the ground she had met when Rainbow Dash decided to fly into her. “Look, Ah have to. It’s mah job.” She didn’t need this... “So? Quit! I don’t care! You’re not leaving with Applejack to go on some secret mission!” “Secret, right...” She muttered under her breathe. Definetely a secret mission now. Nopony would probably think of somepony saying something like that seriously at least... She raised her voice slightly for the first time. “Look, you don’t sign up for the PIA just to quit anytime you want. I just can’t, and I wouldn’t anyways. Applejack knows that too you know.” Rainbow of course didn’t listen. “How did she even know about this in the first place?” Derpy wondered. “APPLEJACK I’M COMING FOR YOU!” She barreled off again. It wasn’t as if trying to stop her would do much... Derpy rolled one of her eyes. === “Now what in tarnation...” Applejack thought to herself after being knocked to the ground. “Applejack! No! You can’t leave!” She turned onto her stomach and stood up again. “Ah can’t stop now Dash. “But nooooooooo! Applejack, you don’t! But! No! Uh... bu bu but WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ME HERE? What if you don’t come back?” She shouted as Applejack walked away. “I have to do this.” She galloped towards Bon Bon’s house. Rainbow knew she had to let her... for now. “I wonder why she’s so keen on keeping me here...” she wondered. === “What in the hay? Ice cream tastes horrible in pancake form!” “What? but it’s the most efficient way, you have to eat it this way...” "Oh wait, this was never tested was this, she thought..." This could be bad. “I want cupcakes!” “Oh Celestia” “NOW!” She sat at the dining room table, looking up at Bon Bon. “Please?” She asked with her expression. “I guess this way doesn’t channel pure Strum Awesomeposture ice cream eating powers very well does it...” “So can I have ice cream cupcakes then? I mean what’s the difference? I bet they’ll taste better.” All she knew is that she wanted ice cream. And she’d only eat it inside of a cupcake. “...Fine. I’m going to go grab some from sugarcube corner. You stay here. What with what ice cream does to you in incased in pancakes, cupcakes couldn’t hurt... Confound the Doctor and his ideas.” She muttered the last bit quietly, walked out and shut the door behind her with her teeth. === Applejack galloped past Bon Bon, continueing towards her house- “Wait, Bon Bon? Why’re you leavin' yer house now? The meetin’ is here right?” “Because somepony at my house doesn’t take well to eating ice cream pancakes. She wants cupcakes now.” “Why’d that be?” “Because Doctor Whooves apparently thinks that even though pancakes are an efficient way to deliver energy through ice cream it doesn’t matter how they do so. So now Strume needs her ice cream through cupcakes and will take nothing else. If anything, I have to agree that it can’t make it much worse.” “Well ah k, ah’ll be watchin’ your house then.” “see you later” Applejack continued towards her house. She wondered what they were supposed to do, anyways. It must be important if Bon Bon was getting Strum to eat ice cream again. === Ten minutes later, Derpy started to file past Dash’s harsh gaze from a bush. She finally got done with some business with somepony... How long had she been there? “You know, I know you’re there Dash.” “I’m just watching to make sure Applejack doesn’t leave. Carry on” “Whatever, she saw you too you know... anyways. Do whatever, but you can’t stop her.” “That’s what YOU think, Derpy...” She pulled her binoculars away from her face and shrunk into the bush once again. I know what I’m doing, she thought... === “What took ya so long? An Bon Bon ain’t here yet by the way.” “I went ahead and grabbed some muffins for this.” “Ya didn’t” “Well, you don’t know how bad it might get...” “So Strum, have you got your ice cream yet?” “She hasn't... she’s gotten kinda... really silent, to tell ya the truth for some reason. Ah’m not quite sure why, but well... ah’ll tell ya what Bon Bon told me...” === “How are you doing Pinkie?” “GREAT! Actually I just got a new shipment of icing in new colors, seventy three to be exact, you have to be able to mix them easily to create odd colors you know and my room-“ “Ok ok ok, I don’t have too much time right now. Can I just have half a dozen cupcakes? I don’t care which ones. You pick.” “Well I just LOVE these swirly ones with the balloons on top that ok with you huh huh?” Bon Bon was amazed how fast she bounced across the room towards her. “Yes. fine. anything. Just hand me them...” “Okie dokie lokie then!” Taking the package and tucking it into her sadle bag, she said “Oh, and would you mind not mentioning this to anypony?” After five minutes of the flurry of hoof movements and gestures Pinkie started, really putting effort into this promise apparently, Bon Bon walked off. There wasn’t any time for this. “What in the hay... Why’s it raining? It seems like some weather pony’s been slacking off lately... hmm...” === “Ok, I’m back!” Bon Bon anounced, soaked. “Well finally! We thought ya might’ve left us!” “Well, that’s Pinkie Pie for you.” “Very true, of course... I definitely know that, me spending most of my mornings with her before my mail route.” “Strum hasn’t been mighty talkative ya know. She’s had kind of a blank stare for the past five minutes now. Doin’ nothin' but sitting at that table there. I don’t know WHAT must’ve been in those there pancakes...” “So what’s up with Strum again?” Bon Bon asked. “She’s been kinda... silent. She’s usually such a talkative and cheerful little pony ya know? Except in the mornin' oh course. Ya know, Ah mean you live with her.” “Strange... some effect of the pancakes I guess. Pan shaped ice cream. OF COURSE it didn’t work. I can’t believe I ever tried it...” She thought for a second. “Anyways, Strum, here you go.” she said as she walked over to the dining room table Strum Awesomeposture was sitting at, pulled the package out of her saddle bag and started to open up the box the cupcakes were in. “What color are they?” Strum Awesomeposture interjected. Her voice sounded slightly... different for some reason. “What? Why does that matter?” “They have to be-“ The phone rang. “Don’t you like this new phone we just got? I bought it with the money I saved up from selling the candy I make.” “Your number has come up,” the caller said in an eery voice. Bon Bon sighed and hanged up... Just somepony trying to mess with her... “-Rainbow colored.” The color in Bon Bon’s face drained away, even visible outside of her fur. Applejack whispered in her ear, “Ya know we have to don’t you?” Derpy sat on the couch in the living room, silent. She didn’t know what to say. One of both her and Pinkie's best friends... “Yes but... oh, poor Rainbow... I’ll go ask Pinkie for the cupcakes... why did I ever have to make those pancakes... I wish I could have stopped this earlier. But I can't once this starts... This was exactly the kind of thing Strum Awesomeposture wanted to avoid. === “Hey there, silly Dash! Glad you woke up! I’m just finishing tightening your restraints too.” Rainbow Dash’s voice cracked. “Uh... Pinkie... what are you doing? Where am I?” “Oh, under sugarcube corner silly!” “Wh- why?” She looked around and all she could see were stained stone walls around her... were those c-cutie marks on the wall th-there? “Oh, just give me a second silly Dash... now where DID I put those shears...” Rainbow felt faint. “Uh... uhm.. Pinkie Pie?” She said as her voiced cracked. “Wh-what are you doing? Seriously...” What were those metal instruments hanging on the wall... “I thought I left them right there... oh, here they are. Oh, just hold on for one second.” Pinkie said cheerfully. *SNIP* === “MY TAIL! What the hay Pinkie?” “Well Dash, I knew you wouldn’t let me cut it off if I asked you!” They were sitting down at a table in Sugarcube corner now and Rainbow Dash had just woken up. Well what did you think I would do? Chop you up into little bits, dance around with your intestines and keep your cutie mark or something? Silly Dashie. What have you been reading.” “Uh.. no... I’m going to go find Applejack... Still, Pinkie, don’t DO that to ponies. And don’t use your pomegranite slicers next time...” “Dash, I know you want to stop Applejack from leaving.” “Yeah?” “Well.. the others think I chopped you into little bits to make cupcakes out of you.” “...Nice. Now the others think I’m dead.” She started to fly off- “WAIT! silly Dash, sometimes I wonder about you.” “I have to tell the others that you’re not a raving lunatic- or at least a mean one. I mean. You know.” “Dash, I told everypony that the only way to make Rainbow Colored cupcakes was to kill you because that way they wouldn’t know that you’re following them around!” “Pinkie? You did that? Thank you,” she said as she hugged Pinkie Pie. “Well of course! I didn’t want to get in the way of you and Applejack or anything! Being great at pranks helps too.” She let go. “...Helps to scare the hay out of ponies you give haircuts to you mean.” “Get over it Dash...” “And you can definetely draw cutie marks very well...” “Yeah, we store various things down there. Coinkidink I guess!” “Anyways. Ok, fine. I’m off to find Applejack.” She walked out. ...Rainbow Dash stepped back into Sugarcube corner. “Ok, disguise time. Don’t want anypony recognising me." “Okie dokie lokie! I love surprises!” “Disguises.” “Either way!”

in10secondsflat

349

Applejack,Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Lyra,Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Rainbow Dash,Adventure,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Ice Cream Pony Awakes

complete

<p>I don't even know what this is. I started writing this. This is what you get.</p><p>All inspired by this:</p><p><a href="http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html</a> </p><p>It is now complete, but there will of course be side stories. I think.</p>

everyone

2011-08-11T16:03:25+00:00

2011-08-11T16:03:25+00:00

“Ok, here we go! What does this do again exactly?” “um... nothing... really... It just makes me diguises!” She pulled the lever. Rainbow Dash glanced around. “You know, Pinkie... this basement is still really creeping me out.” “Well why would it do that Dashie?” “I dunno, maybe it’s because you looked as if you tried to kill me here? And you store the worst possible things in here?” “What, cupcake making shears?” “There aren’t exactly great memories of mine here either.” “Brought upon by YOURSELF you know... just sayin’...” “Anyways, can we get going with this?” “Fine...” They walked past another door (why Sugarcube Corner had such a large basement she didn’t know) “Hay, what’s in there?” “...Nothing... you know,” she began as they walked into a new room, at table at one end with Dash’s disguise sitting on the table, “This whole thing over here is actually new... it was empty before.” “So how am I supposed to put this on? And why does it have six legs and a purple polka dotted mane?” “Because nopony would expect you to wear it!” “But... it needs to be about twenty percent less cool.” “What? Are you still a little loco in the cocoa?” “Well, come on, this is just way to COOL for a disguise... obviously, if it’s THIS cool, I’m going to be the pony wearing it.” “Well if you say so...” She banged on the wall next to her. “ANOTHER ONE! SAME THING, BUT THIS TIME A LITTLE LESS COOLER!” “What was that?” “Just me being me I guess...” “Um... ok?” Another disguise fell onto the table through a chute in the ceiling. “This time it only has five legs! Ok, now I feel better.” Obviously it wouldn’t be as cool with less legs. === “So what do we do now exactly?” Derpy asked after some time. They had all had came back to the house after Bon Bon had given Pinkie the orders to make the cupcakes. She was a trusted agent too after all... Bon Bon spoke up. “We go on the search for the magic sparkly eggs.” “What?” “The magic sparkly eggs laid and hiden by the six legged purple polka dotted mane pony.” “I see.” They all had too much of an empty feeling for... logic. === There was a purple polka dotted pony walking down the streets of ponyville, with one dangling limb. It was getting a few odd looks here and there. “Pinkie... you definetely made it so nopony would think it was me, didn’t you,” she muttered under her breath. Eventually she arrived at Bon Bon’s house. She waited outside in a bush of course. She over heard talking... === “So where are these again?” “In Krastos’s lair. Krastos likes to keep pets.” “Ah see... but hasn’t this story kind of gotten kind of crazy?” “What?” “AH SAID ISN’T THIS KIND OH CRAZY” “Well yes, but the plot line is absurd or at least will be in the near future.” “SPEAK UP AH CAN’T EAR YA” “AH SAID THAT YES IT IS BUT THEN AGAIN STRUM AWESOMEPOSTURE GETS THE POWER OF DISGUISES WHEN SHE EATS ICE CREAM!” “NOW YA STARTED TO TALK LIKE ME FOR OH SEC THERE!” “Stop! Even if your deaf why don’t you just sit closer together to talk! Just because you can’t hear each other all that well doesn’t mean I have to be deaf too!” Derpy shouted, looking at both of them. “Crazy author...” she muttered under her breathe. “Are you sayin that Ah’m crazy?” “Yes I said you were crazy! you and your little dog too!” “Can we get back on track here? We have to go to Krastos’s lair to get the sparkly eggs laid by the three legged-“ “-six legged” Derpy corrected. “-six legged purple polka dotted maned pony.” “What’s its name? It’s gotta have a name.” “Its name is Twixie.” “Strum?” Bon Bon asked. “MWUAHA MWUAHAHAHA MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” “She’s feeling better then. Now she’s talking. I knew how badly she didn’t want to do this." === Rainbow jumped back in her bush as four ponies walked out of Bon Bon’s house. She walked around the back of the bush and began to talk to them. “For Applejack...” “I am here to tell you-“ “-THAT THING OVER THERE HAS FIVE LEGS WHY CAN’T IT HAVE SIX THEN WE COULD GET THIS STORY OVER WITH-“ “Because obviously then it wouldn’t be polka dotted. That’s a plotline for you.” “What? I’m trying to do this you know. you’re not making it easy Ms. let’s just get this over with.” “Nothing, nothing.” “Anyways, I’m the six legged ponies with a purple mane and something else-“ “-polka dots” Bon Bon chimed in- “’s sister. I’m that thing’s sister.” She hoped it would work... this was Pinkie’s plan... ”And I have information about where you can find it’s eggs." “Oh you mean Twixie?” Derpy asked. “It’s name is Twixie?” “Well DUH SOMEPONY’S ah little slow. Ah mean ya lived with her for eighteen years.“ “What was this all about?” Rainbow thought. “Can I just go with you? Please?” She asked, shuffling her feet nervously. “I guess so, I mean it wouldn’t hurt...” Bon Bon started. “What do you think Strum?” “...glergh” Applejack stopped her. “You know, she’s been kind of out of it for a while... even after eating the cupcakes. Maybe she’s allergic to Rainbows? Nah... Typewriters, I should have thought more before I said that… that was a horrible idea...” “So we can go now?” “I guess.” === “So what is this we’re riding?” “A giant snow mobile.” “Snow mobile?” “Well, don’t blame me, I didn’t make this up.” “I say we ride it off the edge of that cliff.” “...Why exactly are you suddenly insane? I mean even for something with five legs and a polka dotted mane.” “Well, do you really want to do this?” “Nope.” “Then let’s do it!” Bon Bon turned the steering wheel with her hooves sharply to the right and over the cliff. They plummeted... They all sighed... Now they wouldn’t have to worry about any of this anymore. === “Well how was I supposed to know we’d fall in a vat of glue?!” You wouldn’t. Our luck ah guess. “BWAHAHAHAHA! I have trapped you silly ponies!” “Oh shut up.” said the purple one. “What?” “This is human to glue syrup. Not pony to glue syrup.” “Well so!” “What do you even look like anyways? Come on Applejack, characterize him for us.” Applejack sighed... ok, fine, ah will. He’s gray all over. all the same shade. Mighty boring. With purple eyes. There ya go. “Ok then, now let’s find those eggs.”

in10secondsflat

349

Applejack,Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Lyra,Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Rainbow Dash,Adventure,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Ice Cream Pony Awakes

complete

<p>I don't even know what this is. I started writing this. This is what you get.</p><p>All inspired by this:</p><p><a href="http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html</a> </p><p>It is now complete, but there will of course be side stories. I think.</p>

everyone

2011-08-11T16:04:45+00:00

2011-08-11T16:04:45+00:00

The syrup was... strange. It felt like it didn’t belong on them. It tried to attach and begin the transformation process but ended up just rolling off. It was like sitting in something that was trying to get away from you in all directions... making it bounce back towards you again. They shifted around in it for awhile, letting it run over their hooves. “So now we’re sitting in a tub of syrup?” “mmhmm” “Should we get out?” “NEVER!” A nasal voice shrieked. “I guess so.” They walked down the handy set of stairs marked “EXIT” to their left and examined their surroundings. It looked more or less like a bulk food store. With strange objects up on the shelves in place of apples and hay... "Ok, so the eggs should be under aisle...” Bon Bon started... “What? they aren’t marked.” Well why would they be marked? “For ease of finding things of course. Oh, maybe it’s in some kind of code.” Ah see what ya mean, they must have written reverse morse code in tiny print on the top of these aisles... “Maybe we should look in the pet department.” Derpy chimed in, nodding to her left, towards the leftern most aisle of the stone warehouse. “That makes sense.” They trotted off down the aisles towards the pet department. === “Nice work.” “What?” “You let the ponies get away!” He spun around in his chair facing his henchmen for the first time. Sitting in his dark office... Well it wasn’t what he looked like. It was the way he was sitting. He was sitting like a human. “Well... at least that the test revealed what we wanted it to. Strum Awesomeposture was, in fact, replaced by a robot properly. You see, the only ponies that would get transformed into glue would be me and Strum Awesomeposture, at this time. After the gates were open to let humans into Equestria, back in the eighties. We are part of a very long and annoying habit of sitting like this, after Megan first came here. It gives us just enough human to be affected by the syrup. She was given this key from some idiot to let a gate to Equestria open. She didn’t even share it either. Greedy little kid if you ask me.” “What happened to her?” This was the first time he had every been told this. He was proud of himself for keeping this job for so long though. Longer than the others at least. “She aged very quickly. Compared to us, at least. They are on a very different system of time where she came from. She almost deserved it in my opinion.” “Always like your optimism sir!” “I’m glad!” “So where is Strum Awesomeposture now?” A wild grin stretched across Krastos’s face. “With Pinkie Pie. My most trusted agent.” === “Mmk then,” Derpy started. She was peering into a large cage hanging from the ceiling. “well here are the shutterflies over here... they are kind of creepy aren’t they...” Bon Bon peered over her shoulder. “What the... anyways,” she stepped back to where she was earlier. “ok, remember! Purple polka dotted mane! Six legs!” “We would forget?” said the purple polka dotted one. “Well maybe you wouldn’t, but you’re the thing’s sister.” “But that doesn’t mean... oh whatever.” So where exactly would this six legged pony be since you seem to know it? “I dunno, but I would think they’d be organized in some sort of way... I think purple polka dots usually follow wings doesn’t it?” Ah think... hmm... They wondered on for a little longer through the aisle oohing and what the-ing. By now Strum was more or less being dragged by Bon Bon. Derpy then had the great idea to stick her hoof in a light socket. “I electricuted myself!” Suddenly there was a call from the opposite end of the long aisle, about eighty feet away. “I’m a good guy!” “Isn’t that the same pony who tried to turn us into glue earlier?” “Well... kind of,” he replied, hesitant, slowly walking towards them. “I used the wrong kind of syrup to make sure that you wouldn’t be turned into glue. I’m not like my dad, I don’t like to turn ponies into glue.” What’re you talkin’ bout Krastos? “What? You think I’m Krastos? I’m just his henchmen I mean son.” *Gasp* “Are not!” Bon Bon shouted in response. “Are too!” “Are not!” “Are too!” “Are not!” “Are too!” “Are not!” “Look! I think Applejack has been saying too many things directly through plot lately.” Has not! “Has too!” “Fine...“ Applejack’s ears pulled back and she apologized, “Sorry, guess ah got carried away... Ah’ll go ahead and try usin’ more dialogue...” “Great! ok, now if you will just follow me around the corner of this aisle here I can get you out of here... Don’t worry, we also have some puppies and candy in the vehicle we will be driving in...” They all sighed in relief. “But what about the magic sparkly eggs?” “Eh... I guess we could could buy some before we leave... the register’s right over here…” Rainbow Dash grabbed a package of the eggs off the shelf next to her. And how exactly did you know where those were? “Uh... Ah’m mighty sorry... Habit ya know...” she added when Derpy shot her a glance. “Because otherwise the ‘author’ of this would have to be more creative with how we found these.” “Ah see. Well let’s get goin’ then!” === “Ok, you got the eggs? Good... Now we can get going..." They stepped through a hallway and into the open air. They could now see that they were standing on a structure built out from the side of a massive canyon. In front of them lay a pegasus drawn limosuine. They started walking towards it. Strum Awesomeposture was actually walking again. The purple polka dotted pony casually slipped behind her. As they neared the limousine the not Rainbow Dash suddenly shoved her as hard as she could into it. Strum Awesomeposture never had a chance to sit down. She plummeted into the bottomed pit. “What? What are you looking at me like that for? She was a robot you know. Kind of obvious.” === “Twitchy tip of third eyelash! Twitchy tip of third eyelash! You know what this means...” “Actually no,” Strum Awesomeposture responded in her place behind the door. “Oh fine, I’ll let you out. The others might need you anyways.” She grabbed a key out of another dimension and unlocked the door. “Finally! And what does it mean again?” “It means obviously that Rainbow Dash pushed a robot off the edge of a cliff inside of a canyon, to save her friends but really somepony specifically, and that she was wearing a disguise at the time.” “Obviously.” “And now you have to go find them and help them with your mastery of disguises.” “...No.” “What? Why not?” She thought for a second. “Well, now I guess I could do it. What could it hurt.” “Years of never wanting anything to do with any of this again and now you’d like to?” “Yeah. Pretty much. I mean that ice cream wasn’t bad.” “Now we just need to get you there...” “Two disguises coming up, eh?” she said. Now she was ready, her indecisiveness skills primed. === “So you knew about this then?” Bon Bon asked. “Well yeah.” “And you didn’t say anything...?” “Well did you see any handy cliffs around before then?” “Ok, I can see the logic in that. But how exactly are we going to get home now?” Behind her Derpy was peering over the edge and looking at their giant snow mobile. “How far did we even go to get here?” She eventually camed up and asked them. “Well ah don’t know about y’all, but ah’m certainly not counting the paragraphs.” “No not that... anyways, I guess we can always look through Krastos’s layer for something. Do you have your muffins Derpy?” “Nope! That syrup was nasty...” “Your apples?” She was optimistic at times. “Ah’m dead certain ah don’t!” “And of course Twixie won’t have anything.” “Hay!” “Well ya never know... Ah guess...“ “Either way, I guess we’ll be fine. Let’s get going then." ===

in10secondsflat

349

Applejack,Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Lyra,Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Rainbow Dash,Adventure,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Ice Cream Pony Awakes

complete

<p>I don't even know what this is. I started writing this. This is what you get.</p><p>All inspired by this:</p><p><a href="http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html</a> </p><p>It is now complete, but there will of course be side stories. I think.</p>

everyone

2011-08-11T16:05:51+00:00

2011-08-11T16:05:51+00:00

“So where’d that guy go?” Applejack asked. The five legged pony responded. “I dunno. Maybe he fell over trying to get that thing back. Or maybe he went back to find that Krastos guy.” “Wait,” Bon Bon started. “I think you might want to get that leg checked out.” “What leg?” “The one hanging off the side of your body! You're limping! It seems like all of the blood drained out and you broke some bones, it looks empty almost...” “That’s nothing! I live for limping! Er, danger!” === “What?!” “I’m sorry sir... so sorry...” “You know that doesn’t mean anything to me,” he responded, not visible from behind his chair. === “Aren’t you glad our fake id’s could afford these?” “Well it just wouldn’t be the same without them.” She pushed her dark shades onto her face. They were arriving by van. It had a picture of a reel of film on the side. “You kept the tickets right Pinkie?” “Of course!” She pulled them out of some strange dimension. “Here, put them in your saddlebags so Krastos doesn’t wonder about them.” “It’s strange that I’ve never even noticed that theater before...” She thought for a second. “Really? Oh and also, make sure you save the glasses, you wouldn’t want to have to buy more...” “Gummy sure is a good driver. Won’t we be there soon?” “Actually... yes. But there’s one thing about that...” “...Pinkie?” she asked nervously. “Just hold on. Tightly. GUMMY STEP ON IT! WE DON’T WANT TO LAND IN THE SYRUP!” “WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!” === “Mmk then... let’s try this aisle...” She walked by a stand displaying some pushpins. They were on sale. “What exactly are we looking for again?” Rainbow I MEAN THE PURPLE POLKA DOTTED MANE ONE asked Bon Bon. I can’t let you know that. That was close. “Well a way to get out of here of course.” “We can’t just fly?” “Well I don’t see you suddenly sprouting wings and carrying us out of here.” “I guess not... Hay do you hear voices?” === “See aren’t you glad we had our dark shades on when that happened?” “So we couldn’t see as well?” “No, silly, because we looked cool when it happened.” “You told Gummy... to drive us... off... the side of a cliff. Although, I have to admit, I WAS wondering why there was so much padding in that van.” “Get over it... and you better be happy that he drove over that syrup.” She gestured behind her. “What’s so bad about the syrup?” “You don’t see ‘Human to glue syrup‘ in BIG CAPITAL LETTERS on the side of it?” “Why would that affect me?” “Well... get back inside the destroyed van and I’ll tell you.” === “So gummy is where?” “Long gone by now. If I know him he’ll be back in my room above Sugarcube Corner right now, trolling the internet. But that’s not important.” She paused. “I happen to be Krastos’s top agent, or so he thinks, and I know all about something important to us that happened back in the eighties...” === They all listened for a bit. Rainbow Dash wait no argh this supense is killing me THE FIVE LEGGED ONE SAID, ”Well, I guess not then. It sounded like it though for a bit... although who knows whats in this place." “Wait... STRUM?!” “Her shades there are pretty fancy. Where’d she get 'em?” Bon Bon ran up and hugged Strum Awesomeposture. “Where have you been?” “What? Oh right, Pinkie Pie trapped me in her basement and forced me to make disguises for ponies. I remember being a little mad at first, you know, kidnapping... But she did give me some useful information.” She explaned what happened back in the 80’s. She would have explained about Pinkie but she knew that somepony might hear. “But where did you think I’d be? Did you think I’d do something crazy like running off with Fluttershy into the sunset to start a butterfly milking farm?” “No... but anyways, so if Krastos or his employe hadn’t’ve been an idiot...?” “I’d be glue.” “Oh right. And I got a bunch of movie tickets and cool dark shades for everypony. Oh and you’re wearing one of my disguises!” “Um... no... this isn’t a disguise...” She started. “It isn’t? I made one exactly like that..." She went up to the not Rainbow Dash, put her hooves on her shoulders, and looked straight into her eyes. “Well... ok then.” “So now what?” “I dunno.” === “So what am I supposed to do exactly, sir?” He was new. Krastos began talking from behind his chair. “Well, the first thing is that you should know that you will, eventually, be desposed of by me. You might end up falling through the floor at some random time, whatever. Usually it will be a worse way to go. But, for now, just go and press the button for a trapdoor in the second half of aisle seventy two.” He paused for a second to think. "I think the one with a chute leading to the room with the moving walls would do?” “Ok! I’ll be right back.” He walked over to his right and searched for the button. He pushed it happily. It wasn’t like anypony would get hurt right? “Oh, and let Pinkamena in. I need to speak with her. You can go back to your room now.” === “AH! Where are we?” Not Rainbow Dash shouted. “IN THE SQUEEZING ROOM!!! MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” “What? Oh, let’s just leave. This is nuts. I think the exit is over there.” The room was all shiny and made of steel, completely empty, except with a door to their right with a large sign over it saying “EXIT” in large letters. They began walking through the door, and as they did so heard an argument going on over the intercom. === “So where are we now?” “No idea. But look, there’s some cool stickers.” Strum Awesomeposture said. They appeared to be standing in a craft store, and had just walked out of the mare’s bathroom. “Wait, Strum,” Bon Bon started saying, “Why did I ask you to come do this with us again?” “I’m not really sure. But it’s fun doing this isn’t it?” She looked around. Derpy made them stop for a second. “Do you think these muffin stickers would be any substitute for the real thing? Nah, I doubt it... never mind..." “Well ah guess that now’s the time to start figurin’ are way outta here again...” === “Look! I didn’t mean to let that happen! I forgot to lock the exit door. Is it that much of a problem?” “Yes, it is Pinkamena. We shouldn’t have let them get away. Now, I might have to show myself to them. Maybe... yes. I have the answer to all of this.” “What?” She began to sweat. “I will get Strum Awesomeposture to join us. She never wanted to go on this trip to save Equestria from me anyways, you said...”

in10secondsflat

349

Applejack,Bon-Bon,Derpy Hooves,Lyra,Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Rainbow Dash,Adventure,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Ice Cream Pony Awakes

complete

<p>I don't even know what this is. I started writing this. This is what you get.</p><p>All inspired by this:</p><p><a href="http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/q-everypony.html</a> </p><p>It is now complete, but there will of course be side stories. I think.</p>

everyone

2011-08-11T16:07:19+00:00

2011-08-11T16:07:19+00:00

They all spun around. "Join the glue side, Lyra..." He stepped out into the craft store, or whatever it was, through a hole in the wall that they somehow never noticed before. "Quit speakin' in bold. It's gettin' on mah nerves. And this here is coming from a pony who used to speak straight through plot all the time. AND GET HER NAME RIGHT!" "Fine, fine, fair enough I guess... but I wanted to be all cool and such..." "I know cool. And you weren't." Said the not Rainbow Dash. "Whatever whatever whatever..." He paused, trying to think of a way to say this that wouldn't start any trivial arguments with these ponies. He was evil after all. He didn't have the time... There wasn't one. "Lyra... I am your father." *COLLECTIVE GASP* "NAME! Why do you keep calling me that?" "Wait one second here... mister hooves ever you are." "Hooves ever you are? Very clever..." Bon Bon started. "Look, I didn't make it up ok? Anyways, who the hay are you and why do you matter to our quest to... get out of this shopping mall? Similely ah guess, because ah have no idea what exactly this place is exactly..." She paused for a second as if she was going to say more, but never did. The others shifted their weight on their hooves. "I am Krastos." *COLLECTIVE GASP* "The bold still wasn't worth it." "I know," he sighed, hanging his head. He looked up again. Strum Awesomeposture glared at him. She sighed. "Well, there's a parasprite for you." She glanced away lazily, rolled her eyes, and looked back at him. "Can we just get this over with?" "You know, girls," They all whipped around as fast as they could. Pinkie Pie was walking towards them. *COLLECTIVE- Bon Bon stopped the author. "Please, enough of that. I think you've already had your fun." "ANYWAYS, sillies, back to me. The author wants the reader to now pay attention to Pinkie Pie right now so whatever it is is taking a logical route and talking through me to get the message across." She almost stopped to sit down beside Krastos, but didn't. She hesitated. She kept going. "But- "-bold..." "-right. Anyways. What? I don't understand... how..." "Well, these ponies are cool too you know. I like them. I'll stick with them." "Right!" Derpy started talking. "Pinkie may not be Rainbow Dash, but she's still very loyal to her friends, and-" "Wait, what? Derpy, and all of you, was I actually doing that great of a job fooling you into thinking I was your actual friend? Wow, I feel nice knowing that I can pull that off. I feel great actually! But, now I'm your friend. Because I'm totally badflank and can get you to all be my friends after I deceived you for this long and was actually Krastos's best bud." "But... movie night..." Krastos whimpered. "Never fear! Wait, fear! Because I will destroy you somehow in a way that the author is either too uncreative or a parasprite to tell you all!" Derpy muttered under her breathe. "Second one I bet..." "What was that?" "Nothing..." She reassured Krastos, who by the way the author will finally tell you is pitch black with a pitch black mane with a badflank cape. "STOP STEALING MY SPOTLIGHT YOU PONIES!" The not Rainbow Dash ripped off her disguise- Strum Awesomeposture interjected. "Knew it." She said lazily. Quit interrupting! Anyways- "STOP THAT APPLEJACK! It's getting on my nerves." Bon Bon shouted at Applejack. "What? don't look at me! It wasn't me this time around! Honest!" "Okie Dokie LOKIE..." a suspicious Pinkie said. She was now their real friend, so she could be even more insecure around them now. Strum stopped them. "Look, I don't know who the hay that was, but I'm going to use my more than two chapter memory and tell you that if we drove off a cliff to end this madness, I don't think we're going to want to keep doing this for too much longer. Let's just get this over wi-" "-Okie dokie LOKIE..." "Wait, we drove off a cliff?" Enough of this already! Let me finish here. I was just going to tell all of you the rest of that sentence, but I'm just going to start it over. Here we go. I'll even put it in another paragraph for you. The not Rainbow Dash ripped of her disguise and was suddenly Rainbow Dash! *COLLECTIVE GASP* And this time it wasn't in bold, it was underlined, so no complaints. "Time for a SONIC RAINBOOM!" She began flying as fast as she could towards the ceiling, which then disappeared, because it was actually a fake ceiling and was just a hallucination brought upon by the glue they put in these stickers- "I knew there was something weird about this craft store... It just couldn't be normal being in this lair..." Applejack mumbled. "Hay!" (and by the way I think I've figured out a technique that might work for these ponies, I just COMPLETELY IGNORE them and they eventually stop it and don't try to start conversations with me) "Hay!" This time it came from Bon Bon. (I think it's working! Anyways.) and whizzed off into the sky, almost straight up. She needed to get high enough(even if you would think that she already was, considering that she almost constantly sees brightly colored equines) so that she could make a successful attempt. Once she reached a decent altitude, she suddenly sped down as fast as she could. Oh and the sun was setting. She flapped as hard as she could, eventually speeding down, straight towards the bottom of the canyon- -until she suddenly extended her wings all the way out and flew back out towards the other wall of the canyon, almost looking as if she bounced off of the canon floor. Rainbow Dash then flew back to the room that her friends were in- "I see that you're still alive and well then! We all thought that you were cut up into tiny pieces!" and caught the attention of Krastos, who then sprouted temporary wings, even though he didn't know that they were temporary. He flew out of the room, following her, knowing that at the end of the rainbow there would be a pot of gold. He raced after her, his wings evaporated, and he fell. To his death. She then raced towards the one pony she needed to see. Applejack. She swooped her up in her arms and they flew off romantically into the sunset. === Back at Krastos's lair there was still some conversation going on in the wait for some kind of PIA vehicle to come and pick the leftover ponies up. At least they still had some of the eggs that they needed. "Well he's almost always trolling the internet at this time. What else would an alligator be doing around now?" Pinkie Pie asked Twilight. "Well... Pinkie... I've heard some things through my letters with Celestia..." "...Yes?" "Well... your pet alligator Gummy is actually in a serious relationship with Princess Celestia. Celestia's been telling me about this lately... he thought he would have some free time where you weren't there so he could be with her for longer... they aren't very open yet..." "WHAT?! How come he didn't tell me?" She asked, or more shouted, nervously. "He was worried. And, he doesn't have the best communication methods. He's an alligator." "But he can still talk to me about things like that!" She saw the look on Twilight's face. "So to speak," she added. "But anyways, I guess I should get over it, at least they're enjoying themselves..." === Gummy blinked seductively. He had just walked into Celestia's room. "So how are ya doing my little alligator?" His scales were just so... shiny. Along with those eyes. Those perfect robotic eyes, such a beautiful mixture of purple's could just let you stare into them forever... She was lying back on her red velvet cushion in her room, by the fire. She invited Gums to come closer with one of her hooves. He waddled closer. Celestia admired the way he moved across the room towards her. "I bought some nice balloons for you, and popcorn for me. I got eight inch diameter latex ones, your favorite! Come here Gums..." He waddled as fast as he could and lept into her legs. They cuddled together, warm by the fire. Gummy blinked in joy. "Come on... try some of these balloons..." He sighed. There was no changing her mind. He waddled across the cushion to where the bowl of balloons was sitting. He grabbed one in his mouth and... *pop* He waddle ran up to Celestia and began to speak out in a deep, booming voice. "You know," he began, "They say that an alligator's teeth begin to grow in when they find their soul mate." "OH GUMS! Come here!" Gummy leaped up towards Celestia and embraced her in a hug. 'Best. Night. Ever.' He thought. === "Ahehe. Ah'm good at this fanfic writin' aren't Ah. Ah think ah'm getting better at it too." Applejack spun around in her chair. Twilight was just leaving after picking up some books that she forgot at the Apple family's house earlier. "Ah know that you started writing more of this story Twilight! But, really, even though it was a little odd... Ah liked it a lot! Ah decided to keep it!" "Really? That's great!" She chuckled to herself under her breathe. She was just trolling earlier, although she guessed it might make the story a little more interesting... === "YES! Twixie Twixie Twixie. So fun to say. I'm just so glad I could work it in." The Great and Powerful Blogger was crouched over the keyboard at his computer. Cereal was standing behind him, watching him in amusement. "I had to cut back a tiny bit, but I did it didn't I..." "You've finally cracked haven't you. And Appledash is more fun to say anyways." And that was the last of Cereal Velocity. Expect to hear from him no more.

XanaToast

350

Applejack,Pinkie Pie,Rainbow Dash,Rarity,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Keep me hanging on

complete

<p>Applejack finds herself having to take a drunken Rarity back to her house. All does not go as planned.</p>

everyone

2011-07-29T15:05:20+00:00

2011-07-29T15:05:20+00:00

Keep me hangin' on By: XanaToast Applejack sighed as she watched Rarity chattin' it up with Twilight and Spike across the room. Pinkie Pie had decided to throw another random party, this time for the recent discovery of a new frosting flavor. “What more reason could you need to throw a party?!” She had said when she delivered the invention to Applejack earlier that day. Usually the orange earth pony would be all up for one of Pinkies parties, but lately Applejack had been feelin' a little down. The reason? Rarity. Taking a gulp of some punch, Applejack kept trying to cheer herself up, but no matter what she did her mind always came back to the same white unicorn that had been making her feel so many things for so long. The way her hair shined in the sunlight, her slight accent, even the way her lips looked when she pouted, all these things made Applejack want to just run up to Rarity and kiss her right on the lips. “Like ah'd ever have the courage to do that.” She mumbled to herself. “Courage to do what silly?” Applejack nearly had a heart attack from the sudden appearance of Pinkie Pie, who was for some reason wearing a large pink cupcake on her head. “Uh, s'nothin' really Pinkie, just well...” Applejack blushed. What was she supposed to say to Pinkie, that she was madly in love with Rarity and that every minute around the unicorn made her nearly go crazy with desire? “Ah'm just having trouble getting the courage to tell someone how ah feel about'em.” “Ooooooooh!” Pinkie began bouncing up and down, her face lit up brighter than a sparkler. “You're finally gonna' tell Rarity how you wanna' just smooch her sooooooo bad huh?” Applejack nearly spit out her punch all over the pink pony before her, but managed to choke it down and look supremly surprised at how Pinkie knew so much. “But, how did ya'-” Pinkie wrapped her arm around Applejack, smashing their cheeks together. “Silly filly, I know everything.” As absurd as the statement sounded, Applejack really couldn't find any fault in what Pinkie had just said. “And besides, if it were any more obvious even Rainbow Dash would've figured it out.” “Huh?!” Dash shouted, wobbly moving around the party nearly drunk off her flank. “Nothing Dashie!” Turning her attention back to Applejack, Pinkie patted the orange earth pony on the shoulder. “Now if I know anything about anything, which I totally do, it's that when it comes to courage then you're the pony for the job.” She frowned, tapping her chin before giggling. “Also you do have the Element of Honesty so there's that.” Applejack sighed dejectedly, looking down at the floor. “Don'tcha think ah know that? But how am ah supposed ta' know if Rar'll even feel the same way?” In a moment that would cause even Princess Celestia to be surprised, Pinkie Pie removed the cupcake hat from her head and smiled kindly at her orange friend. “Tis' better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.” “...Wow Pinkie, that was really deep.” Giggling, Pinkie shrugged her shoulders and put her hat back on. “I know right? Uh-oh, looks like Dashie's in trouble.” Turning around, Applejack saw that Rainbow Dash was standing drunkenly on the arm of a couch, trying her hardest to stabilize. “Awright, everyone watch this! Ima' jump from this couch, to that chair without using my wings!” Dash tried steadying herself once more before holding her arms outward. “I'm the Queen of the world!” Jumping forward, Dash made it halfway before falling and crashing onto a lamp. “Agghh! My pride! And my knee!” Applejack laughed quietly to herself as she watched Pinkie rush over and try to perform first-aid on Dash. Looking over across the room, she saw that Rarity was now over by the punch bowl, and alone. Taking one last gulp of punch herself, Applejack decided it was now or never and headed over to the unicorn of her desires. “Uh, hi ya' Rarity.” She said when she reached the punch bowl. Turning around, Rarity laid those perfectly beautiful eyes on Applejack, smiling happily as she did. “Why dah'ling it's so good to see you!” Applejack blinked. “Really?” She couldn't remember the last time Rarity looked more happy since Applejack had met her. Come to think of it, she hadn't ever seen the unicorn as flushed as right now either. Giggling, Rarity nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, you see I think Rainbow and I were drinking from the bowl Berry Punch had...prepared.” Another giggle erupted from the unicorn, causing Applejack to bite her bottom lip from how wonderful it sounded. “And now I don't think I'm really that fit to walk home by myself. Would you be a dear and,” Rarity suddenly pushed herself up against Applejack, their faces nearly touching. “Escort me home.” Applejack gulped, she could feel Rarity's hot breath coming down on her lips, and she wished she could just kiss the unicorn right then and there. But deep down she knew it wouldn't be right, not with Rarity in her current position. “Ah reckon ah could.” She choked out, causing Rarity to throw her arms up in the air happiness. “Mah'velous! Now I'm quite unstable at the moment, so I'll have to lean on you.” She didn't wait for the other pony to respond, just leaning herself against Applejack. “I do hope you don't mind.” “N-nah' that's fine.” Applejack responded as she leaded Rarity out of the party, just catching sight of a knocked out Rainbow Dash getting wrapped up in gauze by Pinkie. Once outside Applejack had little problem leading Rarity on her way back to her boutique, but on the way the unicorn kept nuzzling up against Applejack. And Applejack swore she felt Rarity sniff her hair. Finally reaching the boutique, Applejack was about to head on back to the party when Rarity wrapped her arms around the others neck. “Noooo.” She whined pouting her lips out and making Applejack sweat. “Help me inside too?” With those big beautiful eyes staring at her longingly, Applejack really didn't have much of a choice. “Awright.” Opening the door and bringing the drunken unicorn inside, Applejack decided to leave the lights off in case they woke up Rarity's little sister. Leading her up the stairs, the apple farmer was surprised to see a lot of pictures of her and Rarity from all the parties and other times they'd hung out. It really surprised her how much the unicorn cared for her. “Just not in the way I care for her.” Applejack thought to herself. Finally reaching Rarity's room, Applejack helped Rarity onto her bed, but then the drunk unicorn decided to pull Applejack in with her. “Hehehehe, aren't we just the scandalous types. What would people say if they saw us right now?” Applejack was quite surprised when Rarity was able to pin her to the bed, straddling her in the process. For a pony that didn't do much physical labor, she was quite strong. “Or maybe you're just not fighting it.” She thought as Rarity's horn began to glow. The record player in the corner came to life, covered in the same glow as Rarity's horn, and began playing out the beat of Kim Wilde-Stallions 'Keep me hanging on'. Rarity pulled her arms away from pinning Applejack, but the orange earth pony found she didn't really feel like getting up at the moment. Above her, Rarity was moving her body back and forth to the beat of the music, hair tossing and turning as she shook her head. “To be honest Applejack, I couldn't care less what other people would think of me right now, I just simply want to,” Her face was suddenly close to Applejacks, her eyes piercing deep into the others soul. “Have a good time.” And then Rarity kissed Applejack. And Applejack could only think of how wonderful Rarity's mouth tasted, how her tongue glided effortlessly over the apple farms own, and how their bodies just seem to mold perfectly together, as if they were meant for each other. But eventually, Applejack had to push Rarity away, for no matter how much she wanted this, she knew the unicorn wasn't in her right mind. “Rar, yer' not thinkin' straight.” Pouting again, Rarity tried to smash her lips on Applejacks, but now that the earth pony was honestly trying to hold off the drunken unicorn, she found that she wasn't strong enough. “Damn it!” The sudden curse surprised Applejack, who had never really heard such rough language from the unicorn before. “Why won't you just enjoy this with me? Why?” Tears were falling down Rarity's cheeks now, and Applejack found herself wrapping her arms around the other pony in a comforting manner as the sounds of the song continued on in the background. “Darn it sugar cube ah wish ah could, Celestia knows ah do, but ah won't do it while yer' drunk.” Rarity sniffled slightly, and frowned into Applejacks mane. “I'm not that drunk.” Silence. “Okay maybe a little.” Relaxing herself into Applejack, Rarity looked up into the earth pony's eyes. “Will you at least stay with me for the night?” Applejack smiled, nodding her head as she removed her hat and placed it on the nightstand. “Sure thing.” Settling herself down with the unicorn, Applejack placed a small kiss on the others head before both fell off to slumber land. Fluttershy had finally gotten the courage to go to one of Pinkies famous all night parties. Usually the yellow Pegasus would have been too terrified to go out this late at night, but she had been building up courage all day and was determined to have fun. “There's no such thing as monsters, there's no such thing as monsters.” She kept repeating to herself. Soon Fluttershy reached the bakery, and just as she was about to open the door, it flung open and revealed a pony shaped being covered in wrapping. “Uuuuughhhhh!” “....eep.” Was all Fluttershy said before passing out from fear. Seconds later Pinkie Pie appeared in the door way, looking back and forth between the wrapped up Dash and the passed out Fluttershy. “Yay! More guests.” Picking up the passed out Pegasus effortlessly, Pinkie turned to Rainbow. “C'mon Dashie, this party's just starting!” “Mmmmmmgh!” Dash cried as she was dragged back into the chaos of balloons and party string.

roygbiv

352

Princess Luna,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Zecora,Alternate Universe,Anthro,Crossover,Human,Dark,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore,Sex

The Hoofwitch Horror

complete

<p>This was my first attempt at Grimdark &amp; horror. It's what happens when you try to mix Lovecraft &amp; G1 Ponies with G4... For those curious on whether the ponies were being turned into humans or furries, my answer will always be, &quot;Whatever scares you more...&quot;.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxRB8JDiNoo" rel="nofollow">Dramatic Reading by The Living Library Player Society</a><br/>Aze Kahh Dramatic Reading <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGhGbEhkqjE" rel="nofollow">Part One</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaEzdyjWg6Q" rel="nofollow">Part Two</a><br/><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfgbm2ooNis" rel="nofollow">Ponyficreviews The Hoofwitch Horror</a></p>

teen

2011-07-29T17:08:54+00:00

2013-07-15T08:05:16+00:00

Dearest Luna, While I would usually write your sister about my adventures, I felt that only you could appreciate the experiences of which I am about to divulge. To protect Spike, I am using my own magic to inscribe this scroll, and shall be handing it to him just to send. It all began a week ago, after our dinner at the bistro in Canterlot. After your carriage dropped me off in front of the library, I had stepped inside so as to do some 'research' on that spell you were asking about. With Spike out helping babysit the Cutie Mark Crusaders at Rarity's, it was left up to me to find the proper spell book in the most ancient part of the old tree library. That meant going into the cellar. My hooves began to clop down the steps, the yellowish glow from the lantern I held with my magic casting an eerie glow upon the earthen and root walls of my tree home's basement. Unlike upstairs, where I could always hear the faint noise of the town, at this very late hour it was near silent. And, with the damp earth of spring surrounding me, even that noise was muffled to the point of being non-existent. I began to look over these rarely-used bookshelves, the dusty tomes filling the air with the scent of mildew and rotting paper. Closing my eyes, I can still almost smell the scent... And it brings to mind the coming horrors of which I will reveal in due time to you, my beloved. It was as I walked down one of the bookshelves in the back of the room that I felt it first. A tug not at my gut... No, this was more like a pull at my very soul. Magic knows magic, and this magic knew my power. It called to me, almost begging me to examine it. If I knew then what I know now, I would have razed the entire underside of my house and been done with it all. But, being inquisitive to a fault, I foolishly looked towards my right to see a small red journal of some sort. Setting my lantern on the shelf, I then picked up the journal and slowly turned it in the air. From the outside, this little book looked like anything a writer pony would carry to jot down notes or story ideas. There was a simple gold latch on the front of the faded red leather cover. Turning the book over, I saw the spine and the back of the book were the darkest black I've ever seen under your night sky, as if the journal had been dropped into ink. I poked the latch with a hoof, and was surprised to find the old mechanism opened with only the faintest groan from its advanced age. I had thought it might be locked, but was pleased to see otherwise. Oh, if only the book had been locked! I could have avoided going down the path of dark horrors of which I fear I must now tell you about! But you know I never could resist any book, despite how much I should have ignored this one... Using my magic, I opened the cover slowly... As I did, the coldest of breezes suddenly whipped along the bookshelves, knocking down books from the shelves before hitting me with its full force. As the wind blew across me, I swear to this day I heard a female screaming. Shaking my head, I foolishly ignored the warning of this ill wind and looked back to the book to see what it said. Inside, I was amazed to find only four pages having been written in, the final page bearing an oddly-shaped black splat of ink matching the spine and cover. I have since destroyed the journal itself, but attached to this missive are the copy I made of the entries therein. I know I am dead. Or I am about to be. Knight Shade warned me to run while I could. I just do not know how it got so wrong so fast! It started after Megan died in that accident. Danny was never the same. Never, never the same after that. I didn't know until it was too late that Molly actually had been working on the cult for years. Zeb was actually one of her first converts, as were the mice and rats. Few of us knew, really, until the raids began... It was ten years after Megan had died that the first raid came through Paradise Estate. Molly sat on a keg of Witchbrew potion being carried by the zebras and rats as she bellowed out her orders. It was then we found out everything... Every foe and enemy we'd ever faced was just a ploy by her to gather power. She held the 'shadow stealer' in one hand, and a stick of metal that she used to injure or kill with its magic any pony who dared stand against her. She claimed that she had found the true path of the ponies, and that she now needed us to follow her as our new Goddess and ruler. Danny, bless his soul, stood up against her with some of the braver ponies. And he was one of the first to die. His head... It just exploded from that metal wand she wielded to splatter brains and blood across the grass before she began maiming or killing the other ponies who stood with her brother. I am ashamed to admit it, but I ran. I ran and I ran, not looking back. As I ran, I could hear the screams of pain and death from my friends and family. But I ran to save my own life. As soon as I was clear of the town I bolted towards the mountains. There was a cabin I knew of that I felt I would be safe in. Once there, I collapsed into the bed and slept for what felt like hours. On waking, I found this journal while searching over the cabin for provisions. I'm writing down what happens to me as a record in case I can't survive. Someone must know what has happened. - It's been six months since the raids began. From Paradise Estate now rises an acrid black smoke that never ceases no matter what time. The sound of metal against metal fills the air every time I venture as close as I can to look for survivors. Those I do see bolt from me, thinking me part of the new cult, before I can help them. But, perhaps it is for the best I stay alone. I could use a friend, but I can use my life more. - I claimed the robe off a dead cultist. The poor pegasus was ill-fitted to the changes and dark magicks that Molly had placed upon him. Why he didn't go into the fire with the other failed converts, I do not know. Perhaps he was searching for more ponies to convert when his heart gave out. Either way, I now have a way into the town to see with my own eyes what she has done. I'll go there after I practice to walk as the converts do. - I write down the horrors I just witnessed for any survivors. I had seen some of the cult on the outskirts of Paradise Estate, but never had I been able to venture inside until today. It took me almost a month to walk as the cultists do without falling, but I knew I would die instantly if I could not disguise myself. Walking into town, my mind reeled at what that witch had done. The sign for Paradise Estate had been taken down, and instead was a new sign made of bones that read 'Hoofwitch'. Apparently, Molly felt her old name no longer fitting of a living goddess. The ponies all around me no longer looked like ponies. Most had elongated forms, and magick had been used to reshape their hooves to mimic Molly's hands on some of the elongated ponies. Trotting through the town, I passed by a priest with a group of cultists gathered about him. So as to not seem out of place, I slipped into the group. The leader's speech was horrible. He detailed the gruesome slaughter of the 'impure flutterponies and seaponies' as they were unable to bear the change 'Goddess Hoofwitch blessed her followers with'. The cultists cheered as the priest described the last sea pony's death in the fire pit not a week ago, and my heart ached. A sea pony had saved my life once, and to know it and its kind were dead filled me with such remorse. Outside, I cheered with the rest. But inside, I felt the pain heavy on my heart. As the sermon ended, cultists began to part to 'search for the impure'. I slipped into an alley, swallowing hard as I wondered what kind of insanity could lead to this. I stood in that alley watching as those who could not bear the magicks of the change threw themselves willingly into the fire pits. Their screams were almost as loud as the cheers as their 'impure' were weeded out. As soon as it grew dark, I slipped out of the town. Once out of sight, I could return to my normal gallop and quickly get back to the safety of my cabin. - I've been followed. I know not how, but this time I've been followed. They brought a group with them, and they're currently bashing at my door. I can hear the wood splintering, and smell the scent of blood from their weapons. Please, whomever finds this journal, stop Molly! She must be stopped! I may be the last pony who knew her before the change, and I know how far she has fallen. She must be killed for what she has done to her family and to Paradise Estate. ~ Half-Note The pages seemed odd to me. I've studied all of the history of Equestria, and never have I heard such strange names such as Molly, Megan, or Danny. Nor had I ever heard of a 'Hoofwitch' or 'Paradise Estate'. Closing the book, I lifted it with my magic as I thought about what it had said. Could this be merely some pony's attempt at a horror novel? It seemed almost too outlandish for even that. But the journal had mentioned zebras. And there was only one zebra I knew of. As I copied down the entries to paper, the frantic, almost illegible lettering of the final entry didn't match the earlier entries' calmer style of writing. Something had happened, and these yellowed pages were the sole witnesses. Closing the book, I noticed Celestia's sun had risen. Stretching my body, I knew I couldn't sleep until I talked to the one zebra who might have some insight I could not find in my books: Zecora. Packing up my saddlebags, I left Spike a note along with some rubies explaining that I'd gone to see Zecora. I put the journal in last as another cold chill ran down my spine. Since finding the leather-covered tome, I felt something was amiss in the air. Like a veil of sorts had been lifted from my eyes. Making my way towards the Everfree Forest, the forest itself seemed even scarier than usual. Giving a swallow on its edge, I plunged into the forest. The journey to Zecora's cottage seemed longer, even if I know rationally that it took no longer. The eyes... The eyes I always seemed to feel upon me in that forest could be felt ever more so than usual. All around me, the trees seemed to be even more frightening as I quickened my pace. The trees groaned as the wind picked up, their branches beginning to swipe at my body as I bobbed and weaved down the path. By the time I reached Zecora's home, I bolted into a full run. I hit the door, banging with my hooves for entry as I screamed Zecora's name into the howling wind. So frantic was I that when she did finally open the door, I bolted inside and curled up in the corner. It was not my finest hour, but I was so terrified from what I'd read before. But this was not the end to my fears, but only the first taste of what was in my near future. Zecora tried in her usual rhyming tone to console me, and slowly I began to calm down. As my breathing slowed, I mentioned I'd found a journal about zebras and needed her advice on what to do with the information inside. On showing her the book, she just laughed.... Until she took it in her muzzle. Spitting the book out quickly, I asked what was wrong. "Covered in blood, this book was. Its metal taste made my tongue all abuzz." Her words stuck in my mind as I began to think. I had assumed all along it had been ink. But I remembered from my reading that as blood gets oxidized, it gets blacker and blacker as it rots. Eventually, the blood takes on a blackness not unlike ink with only a slight browning remaining. To reach this level of blackening meant the book itself had to be ancient. I used my magic to hold the book & open it, and Zecora began to read. At first she was cheerful, and then as she turned the pages a look of recognition and horror crossed over her face. Zecora knew what this journal was about. She knew, and I was going to make her tell me. "It is just a story from the past, someone's attempt at fiction that didn't last..." Her tone was nervous, her breath rapid as her chest began to rise and fall as quickly as her beating heart. Zecora knew what was going on. She knew the fear I was feeling, and I was quite firm that I would not leave until she told me the truth. It took almost an hour of arguing and fighting, but eventually she relented. I was deliriously happy at the time, but now I know I should have let the subject rest. The tale she spun was one of horror and woe. I sadly can't do her rhyming cadence justice, so I must paraphrase the tale she spun for me. One of her ancestors had been one of the first converts to the cult of the Hoofwitch. Long before anyone even knew what was going on. He was the first to take on their odd practices of wearing clothes and walking on the hind two hooves exclusively rather than four. As I listened to her tale, the fear in my heart and soul grew. "But, this happened so long ago! Before Celestia & Luna's reign. Surely there is no reason to fear them now?" I remember she looked at me at that moment, her eyes as cold as steel as if they pierced to my very soul. "The magic they used was very old, and you should be careful not to feel so bold. They still exist outside the forest over there, and my family's post is to keep them away from any colt or mare." I shook it off, thinking that Zecora was putting me on again, or trying to divert from the facts. My beloved, why did I not listen to her? Why did I not turn back while given the chance? My faith in science and my 'true' magic made me think I was safe. I must research this cult. I must see if they really existed. My pride was my downfall, and no insistence from my Zebra friend would deter me from my path. It took the longest time to coerce the location of that path to the village from Zecora. She refused for the longest time, but I kept telling her I was doing this to get information for Celestia. If such an evil existed in her realm, she needed to know so she could eliminate it. Oh, how foolish I was. I spun my excuses and arguments as the artisan of words I have become from reading so many books. And as she pointed a hoof in the opposite direction of the forest, I felt my heart swell with pride. While, instead, I should have just gone home and forgotten the whole thing. My pride was my downfall, this I know now. As I trotted towards what I assumed were ruins, I knew in my heart I would be safe. But, that was my rational mind. The side of my mind that knew I was making a mistake screamed and rallied against me to turn back... Go home... Forget this tale ever existed and let the evil lie. But I pushed those thoughts down, foolish as I was, to trudge onwards to my goal. I was a researcher. A documentor of truth. And as Celestia's student and your lover, Luna, I had to discover the truth. Not just for my own ego, but to protect those whom I cared for and the kingdom I call home. As I trudged through the Everfree forest towards my goal, I began to realize that all the sounds of life had simply stopped. I paused, looking about as I held my breath in anticipation. I still felt the ever present eyes on me, but as for sounds of life... There was nothing. No birds. No roars of monsters. Nothing... Even the rustling of the trees in this area seemed to be silent the closer I got to these ruins. It was as if the forest itself wanted to keep the outside world from whatever I was heading towards, the nagging voice in the back of my head replied to my skepticism. But then, as the silence grew to maddening levels, I heard the laughter of a child. But this wasn't the cheerful laugh like Apple Bloom or her friends would make while playing. It was a cold laugh. A laugh that chilled me to my bone with its malice and dark intent. Soon, another laugh began, this one a male foal's laugh to my right in the bushes. And then another female laugh from behind me in the trees. "Little pony... Little pony..." The words echoed out in their childlike tone amongst the giggles. I twirled about, suddenly realizing far too late I was surrounded on all but one side: the path towards the town's ruins. "Who's there!?" I shouted, bracing my hooves in the dirt as the laughter and taunting grew louder. "Little pony... Little pony... Come join our herd... The Hoofwitch needs your magic... She'll love you to death..." I am ashamed to admit I fell into their trap. I turned and bolted, running towards the town as the fear began to overtake me. I heard hooves to the sides of me in the bushes and behind me on the path. And I kept hearing the sounds of those voices. "Little pony... Magic Pony... The Hoofwitch needs you..." I saw the edge of the forest, the end of the path ahead of me... Just a few more steps... A quickening of the gallop... Closing my eyes, I bust past the last of the trees and into the fading light of Celestia's day. The sounds stopped as I stood in the clearing. Behind me, the Everfree forest seemed to close up as if depositing me to the fate I had chosen. Looking down, I saw an old sprawling village and farmland... And from the center of the town I saw a sickening black spiral of smoke. I stepped forward nervously and felt something metal on the ground. brushing with my hoof, I soon uncovered part of a metal sign that read 'PARADISE ES'. Giving an involuntary shudder, my rational mind tried so hard to calm myself as the fearful voice in the back of my skull begged me to go back. It was real. Everything in the journal. Everything Zecora had told me. The foals laughing, the warnings... Why did I not heed them? Why did I come alone, thinking I could brave it all by myself! I was such a foolish, prideful pony, and I felt as if I had made the most fatal of errors. At the bottom of the hill, I noticed several cloaked figures starting up the hill toward me. I reared, whinnying in fear as suddenly I felt a sharp pain on the back of my head. Before I could do anything, I felt the icy cold blackness dragging my consciousness into the unknown. As I awoke groggily, I wondered how long I'd been out. It was dark now, the sky blackened with smoke and the late hour of Celestia's day and the air thick with a mix of acrid scents and the mist of an eerie fog. I was in a metal cage on wheels, and I was being dragged by several ponies on all fours. Their bodies... By Celestia, Luna! I can't begin to describe how misshapen their bodies were! All their hair was gone, and some weird pale peach-like color covered their bodies. Not a one of them had a cutie mark. Instead, there was scar tissue where they should be. The cart neared the town, and I looked up to see us begin to pass under an archway made of bones. Everything, everything was true. My rational side could no longer hide from what was happening right before my eyes. The villagers all came up, cheering as I was dragged into town. Their bodies... If the ones pulling me were frightening their bodies were more so. They walked on their hind hooves, and the mares had strange mounds of flesh on their chests. Their forehooves had been shaped & deformed, allowing them to grip and hold things. I saw them in the village, some with no fur, and some with... Their bodies twisted in ways that I can not begin to describe. I was surrounded by their evil, and yet they all seemed so happy to see me. I feared the worst as I was dragged by the hairless ponies towards a building in the center of town. As we neared the center, I saw the firepit I had read about, its blaze still as strong as ponies, zebras and rats danced about it in a mad frenzy. The acrid scent of burning flesh filled the air as I noticed a grate over the fires. Luna, they were leaping willingly onto this grate! I watched as they willingly leapt forward and stayed there, the fire and heat bubbling and burning their flesh until they succumbed to the pain and smoke to die. But, the greatest horror was the fact that there were creatures with long hooked poles. They... I can't believe it, they were COOKING THEM! They cooked them on that grate of sacrifice, and then pulled them off. For the time I was kept there, I watched them pull of the blackened bodies, carve them with jagged knives, and give the parts to villagers who start to feast! By Celestia, they were cannibals! Was this to be my fate? Was I to become their evening feast? Several of the male creatures in gaudy gold robes and necklaces came to the gate, pointing strange metal sticks at me as they sneered in anger and distrust at my very being. "The Hoofwitch has decreed you are to see her." One of the robed figures then turned, aiming his stick at the crowd and did... I don't know what... But a loud explosion mixed with the scent of burning sulfur was followed by half a rat's head being shredded into nothingness. The stick was pointed back to me, and I felt sickened that the example of the rat was then dragged towards the sacrifice pit to be cooked. Knowing full well what would happen if I tried to bolt, I slowly walked out of my cage when it was opened and began to follow them across the plaza towards a regal looking house on the opposite side of the plaza. Leading me inside as the door opened, they kept those odd metal sticks aimed at me at all times. After leading me into a foyer of sorts, They shuffled back out and closed the door, sealing it with a lock. I looked about, seeing the paintings on the wall filled me with a shudder of terror. While most homes would have paintings of loved ones, these dark paintings of oil detailed the history of the town. In all of them was a small creature with the same pale peach complexion as those that pulled my cart. Its visage was twisted and marred in such a way I can not describe. It was unlike anything in my books, it's muzzle nonexistent and having almost a half beak above its mouth. And its ears were on the side of its head, not on top like the creatures of Equestria. As I walked along the hallway, I suddenly heard a voice from inside my head. :'Twilight Sparkle...' It was an old voice... Ancient, almost, and masculine. I looked about before hearing in my head again. 'Twilight, do not react. Just pretend to be looking at the paintings.' I looked at a disgusting painting of the ponies diving into a flame pit as I thought, 'Who are you...' The voice chuckled in my head. 'An old, old ancestor of Spike's. He was named for me, you know. But I am in so much pain... They bleed me daily for their damned youth and longevity. But, being kept on the border between life and death, I have been able to watch Equestria grow. I've seen many things, and I now need you to do the greatest and bravest thing you've ever done. Even braver than stopping Nightmare Moon.' I gasped involuntarily, then trotted to look at the next painting, a mare whose body had been twisted and malformed to look like the strange foreign creature I saw in the other paintings. 'What... You mean you saw that?' I thought, and I heard the male voice chuckle. 'Twilight, you have much to learn about elder dragons. Our powers are great, but I'm kept too week to stop this evil. Only you can stop it. You have power Molly craves and yet fears. She wants to take your power, but you can use it to defeat her.' I shook my head, laying down and covering my eyes with my hooves. 'I can not! This is too much for me!' And the old male voice soothingly whispered into my mind. 'You can do it. You have the magic to end this all and escape, but you must be brave... If you give in, they'll have enough power to overcome the zebra's wards and flood out into all of Equestria. You are the only one who can finish this, but you must be willing to kill.' Raising up, I nodded as I thought to the voice, 'Tell me what I must do...' As the voice began to tell me its plan, I listened. A door opened at the end of the hallway, and a cloaked figure motioned me forward while holding one of those metal sticks. Trotting into the next room, I was aghast at what I saw. The walls... The floor... Everything was covered in splatters of blood. Some ancient, and some seeming as fresh as if it was just spilled upon the ground. The figures in here were even more deformed as the villagers, some nearly identical to the one they worshiped except for a tail and animal ears. Most horrible of all... They were performing some of the most perverted acts to one another. Not just sexual acts, but violence and cruelty towards those who did not survive whatever twisted changes they had performed to their bodies. In the corner, they even slit the wrist of some poor zebra on all fours, drinking his blood as they laughed at his gasps of death. Seeing me finally, the roar of their laughter and cheering as I trotted forward was deafening. As I neared the center of the room, a childlike female voice shouted into the air, "SILENCE!" The noise ended abruptly, and I looked about. The creatures paused in their celebrations, the feasting on their own and their rutting in the blood and guts and all eyes looked towards the front of the room. There, on a dias, sat the small creature that had been in the first paintings. It... She looked so innocent, and yet frightening at the same time. I can not begin to describe the twisted, dark features on this insane creature. The things I remember most of this dark parody of life itself is she wore a red dress and held what looked to be the cooked leg of some poor rat that she was eating. Setting down the leg, she let out the most evil of giggles. It was like hearing you when you were Nightmare Moon giggling, and chilled me to my soul as I swallowed to whet my throat to talk. "Oh, goodie goodie!" she said as she hopped up on the throne. "A unicorn, and a powerful one at that! You know, we had to kill all the ones of your kind LONG ago, making the horn necklaces! They let us go into the forest... They let us hunt. But with YOUR power, we can finally leave and go get fresh converts! Then, all will know the blessings I, the Hoofwitch, can give!" I remembered the dragon's words in my head and braced my hooves on the slick stone floor. "And did you bless your brother and sister the same way, Molly?" Her smile faded, an insane and angry look crossing her misshapen face as she sneered at me. "What do you know of that?" She looked around, tears suddenly filling her eyes. "Megan didn't understand... Neither did Danny! Megan had to die! She would NEVER let me claim our right to rule! She wanted to be FRIENDS!" This twisted, almost hairless creature pulling on her long blonde mane before turning it's angry eyes upon me once more. "I am the Hoofwitch! My reign is eternal! My blessings have made those that can take the change beautiful, and those who can't into workers and food! Who are you to question my work?" I let out a laugh, trying to put on a face of bravery despite the very real fear inside my soul. I swallowed before letting out another laugh. "Is that why you killed them, Molly? First your sister, and then your brother?" She stomped her twisted hindhoof as she screamed. "I am not Molly! I am the Hoofwitch! THE HOOFWITCH!" She paced around, still pulling at her mane while she looked at the ceiling. "They... Molly didn't have power. Molly couldn't survive. She could never be strong enough. But the Hoofwitch could. She was able to push Megan into that ravine. watching until Megan's sister's screams ended with that sickening crunching splat. And Danny, he wanted to protect the ponies. THEY ARE MINE BY RIGHT TO DO WITH AS I WISH!" She whirled on me, the insane look filling her eyes again as she dropped to the floor. "Look, I made them beautiful... I made them like me... They're my little ponies. My pretty toys! MINE, you pitiful unicorn! MY TOYS!" And then, in a softer, scared voice she whimpered out as she looked to the back of the room. "I... I never wanted this. I wanted to go home to Mommy and Daddy. But Megan controlled the rainbow, and Megan died... I... I just wanted to go home... This wasn't Paradise, it was Hell..." The dragon was right. Despite all this power, all these followers, this twisted creature was still a child in its mind. It was right, I could do this. I was winning... All I had to do was keep all attention on us as I let my horn begin to glow. On either side of the creature, I picked up two flickering oil lanterns as I taunted her again. "You're not the Hoofwitch... You're a scared little girl in over her head. You played at being a goddess and failed. I've met real goddesses. I've even defeated an evil goddess who is now my partner. You are nothing like them!" She pounded her front appendages on the floor, its shape I still can't describe without falling into insanity. Crawling to her throne, she reached to the left and pulled out one of those long metal sticks. Still on her knees, she pointed it at me while trembling in a mixture of fear and rage. "Shut up, shut up, shut up! Be quiet! I rule here! I am the prettiest goddess! This is MY kingdom! I am the Hoofwitch! BOW TO ME!" I held the lanterns above her now in the air with my magic, closing my eyes as I said quietly, "You are a false goddess. A creature not of this world. And I'm going to cleanse the world of you the same way you get rid of anything you fear or detest... With fire." I stopped holding the lanterns with my magic, and opening my eyes I saw the glass fall to the floor. As the twin lamps exploded on the floor, the oil splashed across the girl's dress as the fire licked up her dress and lower body. She dropped the metal stick as all the room came to life at once. The air filled with her screams, the creature trying to bat at the flames as those surrounding the hall tried to find water to put out the blaze. Looking about, I used my magic to make the remaining oil lamps on the walls fall to the floor. Hitting the blood-soaked floors, the flames kindled awake far quicker than normal, and soon all the walls and most the mishapened creatures were covered by the flames. The cries and screams of the twisted creatures deafened my ears as I turned, seeing that the flame-covered Hoofwitch had picked up the stick again. Pointing at me as the fires boiled her body, the end exploded, and I smelled sulfur before closing my eyes... And I heard nothing. I opened my eyes, and I was outside of the house as the mist partially hid me from view. Somehow, my teleporting ability had kicked in to transport me to safety. Closing my eyes for a moment to swallow the pain, I nodded sagely as I decided at that moment to finish this. I could not be followed. I had to end this. I began to bolt from house to house, knocking down the oil lamps in each house as the flames began to awaken and paint the walls with cleansing death. The village began to notice too late, and these twisted monstrosities began to try to put out the flames with no chance of succeeding by this point. The heat and choking smoke was nearly unbearable as I dodged and weaved the panicked crowd. Reaching the gates, I gave the bone arch a kick to send it to the ground with a rattle, the bones shattering from their age. I started to run, my hooves taking me as quickly as I could gallop up the hill. Reaching the top of the hill I turned, falling down in relief as no one was following me and the village was drowned in flames. Closing my eyes, I fell into asleep in a fit of exhaustion as I closed my eyes. In my head, as I fell asleep, I could hear the old male voice's last words. 'Thank you... Now I can finally rest.' I awoke slowly, letting out a low groan. Looking around, I noticed I was inside of Zecora's hut. Letting out another groan, I rolled to my side as she entered the room. "I am glad you are awake, not much more sleep could your body take..." I struggled to stand, wincing at the ache over my body as I saw I was covered in bandages. "What... What happened to me?" She shook her head, resting near me as she laid a warm cloth over my brow. "Asleep for five days you have been, after your battle defeating my people's hidden sin..." I sat up, the cloth falling to the bed as I gasped. "So the creature... The village... It wasn't just a dream? All that pain and death really happened?" She just nodded as I broke down in tears, the death and pain of the village and the horrors I had witnessed pouring out in a seemingly never-ending sob. Zecora didn't say anything, she just held me close in a hug and let me cry. Eventually, as my sobs subsided, she helped me up and back to Ponyville... Back to my home... My friends... My dear friends who met us on the outskirts of the forest worried if I was okay. We told them I had fallen into a gully, and Zecora had nursed me well enough to be able to walk home. I was helped to my library, and Spike was there to help me into my bed. I kept to my story, so they didn't worry. They didn't need to know about the horrors and the twisted, deformed creatures I'd faced and burned. But as I laid there, Celestia's sun setting and your moon raising, I started to think on everything. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that horrible girl's face. The rest of the village may be dead... The dragon may be dead... But that creature couldn't be dead. I could still feel its magic... It's hatred... It was hurt, and its followers were dead... But the magic of its potion and dragon blood kept it still alive... And so, I began to write to you, dear Luna. Celestia doesn't have your darkness. She's my mentor and teacher, but she is too obsessed with the light. She doesn't have our darkness. She doesn't have the will to finish it. I plead you, my princess and beloved. Please, do something to ensure this evil never leaves that burned earth. Make sure that no other pony sees what makes it so I'll not be able to sleep peacefully for years to come. Yours always, Twilight Sparkle Dearest Twilight Sparkle, The weather pegasi had been looking for a testing ground for some of their most dangerous of weather conditions. Using my pull, I decreed that the clearing you told me of will be used constantly for the testing of tornadoes, blizzards, tsunamis and the strongest of lightening blasts. My order was quite firm that they could never land there, but they were to send forth all their mightiest storms there as a testing ground. The scientists of Cloudsdale were quite overjoyed to be given this testing area. Apparently they'd been wanting to test a new form of weather that was caused by the splitting of hydrogen isotopes. They had yet to receive clearance from my sister due to their predictions of its destructive nature. But I gave it freely, as long as they kept the tests to that clearing. I do not know if these tests will kill the abomination of which you described, but I agree something had to be done. We can discuss this more when I come to visit tomorrow, my Twilight... Love Always, Princess Luna

roygbiv

352

Princess Luna,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Zecora,Alternate Universe,Anthro,Crossover,Human,Dark,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore,Sex

The Hoofwitch Horror

complete

<p>This was my first attempt at Grimdark &amp; horror. It's what happens when you try to mix Lovecraft &amp; G1 Ponies with G4... For those curious on whether the ponies were being turned into humans or furries, my answer will always be, &quot;Whatever scares you more...&quot;.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxRB8JDiNoo" rel="nofollow">Dramatic Reading by The Living Library Player Society</a><br/>Aze Kahh Dramatic Reading <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGhGbEhkqjE" rel="nofollow">Part One</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaEzdyjWg6Q" rel="nofollow">Part Two</a><br/><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfgbm2ooNis" rel="nofollow">Ponyficreviews The Hoofwitch Horror</a></p>

teen

2015-01-27T16:24:58+00:00

2015-01-27T16:24:58+00:00

Dear Princess Luna, While I would usually write your sister about my adventures, I felt that only you could appreciate the experiences of which I am about to divulge. To protect Spike, I am using my own magic to inscribe this scroll, and shall be handing it to him just to send. It all began a week ago, after our dinner at the bistro in Canterlot. After your carriage dropped me off in front of the library, I had stepped inside so as to do some research on that spell you were asking about. With Spike out helping babysit the Cutie Mark Crusaders at Rarity's, it was left up to me to find the proper spell book in the most ancient part of the old tree library. That meant going into the cellar. My hooves began to clop down the steps, the yellowish glow from the lantern I held with my magic casting an eerie glow upon the earthen and root walls of my tree home's basement. Unlike upstairs, where I could always hear the faint noise of the town, at this very late hour it was near silent. And, with the damp earth of spring surrounding me, even that noise was muffled to the point of being non-existent. I began to look over these rarely-used bookshelves, the dusty tomes filling the air with the scent of mildew and rotting paper. Closing my eyes, I can still almost smell the scent... And it brings to mind the coming horrors of which I will reveal in due time to you, my beloved. It was as I walked down one of the bookshelves in the back of the room that I felt it first. A tug not at my gut... No, this was more like a pull at my very soul. Magic knows magic, and this magic knew my power. It called to me, almost begging me to examine it. If I knew then what I know now, I would have razed the entire underside of my house and been done with it all. But, being inquisitive to a fault, I foolishly looked towards my right to see a small red journal of some sort. Setting my lantern on the shelf, I then picked up the journal and slowly turned it in the air. From the outside, this little book looked like anything a writer pony would carry to jot down notes or story ideas. There was a simple gold latch on the front of the faded red leather cover. Turning the book over, I saw the spine and the back of the book were the darkest black I've ever seen under your night sky, as if the journal had been dropped into ink. I poked the latch with a hoof, and was surprised to find the old mechanism opened with only the faintest groan from its advanced age. I had thought it might be locked, but was pleased to see otherwise. Oh, if only the book had been locked! I could have avoided going down the path of dark horrors of which I fear I must now tell you about! But you know I never could resist any book, despite how much I should have ignored this one... Using my magic, I opened the cover slowly... As I did, the coldest of breezes suddenly whipped along the bookshelves, knocking down books from the shelves before hitting me with its full force. As the wind blew across me, I swear to this day I heard a female screaming. Shaking my head, I foolishly ignored the warning of this ill wind and looked back to the book to see what it said. Inside, I was amazed to find only four pages having been written in, the final page bearing an oddly-shaped black splat of ink matching the spine and cover. I have since destroyed the journal itself, but attached to this missive are the copy I made of the entries therein. I know I am dead. Or I am about to be. Knight Shade warned me to run while I could. I just do not know how it got so wrong so fast! It started after Megan died in that accident. Danny was never the same. Never, never the same after that. I didn't know until it was too late that Molly actually had been working on the cult for years. Zeb was actually one of her first converts, as were the mice and rats. Few of us knew, really, until the raids began... It was ten years after Megan had died that the first raid came through Paradise Estate. Molly sat on a keg of Witchbrew potion being carried by the zebras and rats as she bellowed out her orders. It was then we found out everything... Every foe and enemy we'd ever faced was just a ploy by her to gather power. She held the 'shadow stealer' in one hand, and a stick of metal that she used to injure or kill with its magic any pony who dared stand against her. She claimed that she had found the true path of the ponies, and that she now needed us to follow her as our new Goddess and ruler. Danny, bless his soul, stood up against her with some of the braver ponies. And he was one of the first to die. His head... It just exploded from that metal wand she wielded to splatter brains and blood across the grass before she began maiming or killing the other ponies who stood with her brother. I am ashamed to admit it, but I ran. I ran and I ran, not looking back. As I ran, I could hear the screams of pain and death from my friends and family. But I ran to save my own life. As soon as I was clear of the town I bolted towards the mountains. There was a cabin I knew of that I felt I would be safe in. Once there, I collapsed into the bed and slept for what felt like hours. On waking, I found this journal while searching over the cabin for provisions. I'm writing down what happens to me as a record in case I can't survive. Someone must know what has happened. - It's been six months since the raids began. From Paradise Estate now rises an acrid black smoke that never ceases no matter what time. The sound of metal against metal fills the air every time I venture as close as I can to look for survivors. Those I do see bolt from me, thinking me part of the new cult, before I can help them. But, perhaps it is for the best I stay alone. I could use a friend, but I can use my life more. - I claimed the robe off a dead cultist. The poor pegasus was ill-fitted to the changes and dark magicks that Molly had placed upon him. Why he didn't go into the fire with the other failed converts, I do not know. Perhaps he was searching for more ponies to convert when his heart gave out. Either way, I now have a way into the town to see with my own eyes what she has done. I'll go there after I practice to walk as the converts do. - I write down the horrors I just witnessed for any survivors. I had seen some of the cult on the outskirts of Paradise Estate, but never had I been able to venture inside until today. It took me almost a month to walk as the cultists do without falling, but I knew I would die instantly if I could not disguise myself. Walking into town, my mind reeled at what that witch had done. The sign for Paradise Estate had been taken down, and instead was a new sign made of bones that read 'Hoofwitch'. Apparently, Molly felt her old name no longer fitting of a living goddess. The ponies all around me no longer looked like ponies. Most had elongated forms, and magick had been used to reshape their hooves to mimic Molly's hands on some of the elongated ponies. Trotting through the town, I passed by a priest with a group of cultists gathered about him. So as to not seem out of place, I slipped into the group. The leader's speech was horrible. He detailed the gruesome slaughter of the 'impure flutterponies and seaponies' as they were unable to bear the change 'Goddess Hoofwitch blessed her followers with'. The cultists cheered as the priest described the last sea pony's death in the fire pit not a week ago, and my heart ached. A sea pony had saved my life once, and to know it and its kind were dead filled me with such remorse. Outside, I cheered with the rest. But inside, I felt the pain heavy on my heart. As the sermon ended, cultists began to part to 'search for the impure'. I slipped into an alley, swallowing hard as I wondered what kind of insanity could lead to this. I stood in that alley watching as those who could not bear the magicks of the change threw themselves willingly into the fire pits. Their screams were almost as loud as the cheers as their 'impure' were weeded out. As soon as it grew dark, I slipped out of the town. Once out of sight, I could return to my normal gallop and quickly get back to the safety of my cabin. - I've been followed. I know not how, but this time I've been followed. They brought a group with them, and they're currently bashing at my door. I can hear the wood splintering, and smell the scent of blood from their weapons. Please, whomever finds this journal, stop Molly! She must be stopped! I may be the last pony who knew her before the change, and I know how far she has fallen. She must be killed for what she has done to her family and to Paradise Estate. ~ Half-Note The pages seemed odd to me. I've studied all of the history of Equestria, and never have I heard such strange names such as Molly, Megan, or Danny. Nor had I ever heard of a 'Hoofwitch' or 'Paradise Estate'. Closing the book, I lifted it with my magic as I thought about what it had said. Could this be merely some pony's attempt at a horror novel? It seemed almost too outlandish for even that. But the journal had mentioned zebras. And there was only one zebra I knew of. As I copied down the entries to paper, the frantic, almost illegible lettering of the final entry didn't match the earlier entries' calmer style of writing. Something had happened, and these yellowed pages were the sole witnesses. Closing the book, I noticed Celestia's sun had risen. Stretching my body, I knew I couldn't sleep until I talked to the one zebra who might have some insight I could not find in my books: Zecora. Packing up my saddlebags, I left Spike a note along with some rubies explaining that I'd gone to see Zecora. I put the journal in last as another cold chill ran down my spine. Since finding the leather-covered tome, I felt something was amiss in the air. Like a veil of sorts had been lifted from my eyes. Making my way towards the Everfree Forest, the forest itself seemed even scarier than usual. Giving a swallow on its edge, I plunged into the forest. The journey to Zecora's cottage seemed longer, even if I know rationally that it took no longer. The eyes... The eyes I always seemed to feel upon me in that forest could be felt ever more so than usual. All around me, the trees seemed to be even more frightening as I quickened my pace. The trees groaned as the wind picked up, their branches beginning to swipe at my body as I bobbed and weaved down the path. By the time I reached Zecora's home, I bolted into a full run. I hit the door, banging with my hooves for entry as I screamed Zecora's name into the howling wind. So frantic was I that when she did finally open the door, I bolted inside and curled up in the corner. It was not my finest hour, but I was so terrified from what I'd read before. But this was not the end to my fears, but only the first taste of what was in my near future. Zecora tried in her usual rhyming tone to console me, and slowly I began to calm down. As my breathing slowed, I mentioned I'd found a journal about zebras and needed her advice on what to do with the information inside. On showing her the book, she just laughed.... Until she took it in her muzzle. Spitting the book out quickly, I asked what was wrong. "Covered in blood, this book was. Its metal taste made my tongue all abuzz." Her words stuck in my mind as I began to think. I had assumed all along it had been ink. But I remembered from my reading that as blood gets oxidized, it gets blacker and blacker as it rots. Eventually, the blood takes on a blackness not unlike ink with only a slight browning remaining. To reach this level of blackening meant the book itself had to be ancient. I used my magic to hold the book & open it, and Zecora began to read. At first she was cheerful, and then as she turned the pages a look of recognition and horror crossed over her face. Zecora knew what this journal was about. She knew, and I was going to make her tell me. "It is just a story from the past, someone's attempt at fiction that didn't last..." Her tone was nervous, her breath rapid as her chest began to rise and fall as quickly as her beating heart. Zecora knew what was going on. She knew the fear I was feeling, and I was quite firm that I would not leave until she told me the truth. It took almost an hour of arguing and fighting, but eventually she relented. I was deliriously happy at the time, but now I know I should have let the subject rest. The tale she spun was one of horror and woe. I sadly can't do her rhyming cadence justice, so I must paraphrase the tale she spun for me. One of her ancestors had been one of the first converts to the cult of the Hoofwitch. Long before anyone even knew what was going on. He was the first to take on their odd practices of wearing clothes and walking on the hind two hooves exclusively rather than four. As I listened to her tale, the fear in my heart and soul grew. "But, this happened so long ago! Before Celestia & Luna's reign. Surely there is no reason to fear them now?" I remember she looked at me at that moment, her eyes as cold as steel as if they pierced to my very soul. "The magic they used was very old, and you should be careful not to feel so bold. They still exist outside the forest over there, and my family's post is to keep them away from any colt or mare." I shook it off, thinking that Zecora was putting me on again, or trying to divert from the facts. My beloved, why did I not listen to her? Why did I not turn back while given the chance? My faith in science and my 'true' magic made me think I was safe. I must research this cult. I must see if they really existed. My pride was my downfall, and no insistence from my Zebra friend would deter me from my path. It took the longest time to coerce the location of that path to the village from Zecora. She refused for the longest time, but I kept telling her I was doing this to get information for Celestia. If such an evil existed in her realm, she needed to know so she could eliminate it. Oh, how foolish I was. I spun my excuses and arguments as the artisan of words I have become from reading so many books. And as she pointed a hoof in the opposite direction of the forest, I felt my heart swell with pride. While, instead, I should have just gone home and forgotten the whole thing. My pride was my downfall, this I know now. As I trotted towards what I assumed were ruins, I knew in my heart I would be safe. But, that was my rational mind. The side of my mind that knew I was making a mistake screamed and rallied against me to turn back... Go home... Forget this tale ever existed and let the evil lie. But I pushed those thoughts down, foolish as I was, to trudge onwards to my goal. I was a researcher. A documentor of truth. And as Celestia's student and as the one who helped save you from Nightmare Moon, Luna, I had to discover the truth. Not just for my own ego, but to protect those whom I cared for and the kingdom I call home. As I trudged through the Everfree forest towards my goal, I began to realize that all the sounds of life had simply stopped. I paused, looking about as I held my breath in anticipation. I still felt the ever present eyes on me, but as for sounds of life... There was nothing. No birds. No roars of monsters. Nothing... Even the rustling of the trees in this area seemed to be silent the closer I got to these ruins. It was as if the forest itself wanted to keep the outside world from whatever I was heading towards, the nagging voice in the back of my head replied to my skepticism. But then, as the silence grew to maddening levels, I heard the laughter of a child. But this wasn't the cheerful laugh like Apple Bloom or her friends would make while playing. It was a cold laugh. A laugh that chilled me to my bone with its malice and dark intent. Soon, another laugh began, this one a male foal's laugh to my right in the bushes. And then another female laugh from behind me in the trees. "Little pony... Little pony..." The words echoed out in their childlike tone amongst the giggles. I twirled about, suddenly realizing far too late I was surrounded on all but one side: the path towards the town's ruins. "Who's there!?" I shouted, bracing my hooves in the dirt as the laughter and taunting grew louder. "Little pony... Little pony... Come join our herd... The Hoofwitch needs your magic... She'll love you to death..." I am ashamed to admit I fell into their trap. I turned and bolted, running towards the town as the fear began to overtake me. I heard hooves to the sides of me in the bushes and behind me on the path. And I kept hearing the sounds of those voices. "Little pony... Magic Pony... The Hoofwitch needs you..." I saw the edge of the forest, the end of the path ahead of me... Just a few more steps... A quickening of the gallop... Closing my eyes, I bust past the last of the trees and into the fading light of Celestia's day. The sounds stopped as I stood in the clearing. Behind me, the Everfree forest seemed to close up as if depositing me to the fate I had chosen. Looking down, I saw an old sprawling village on the edge of a cliff that dropped off into Equestria's seas... And from the center of the town I saw a sickening black spiral of smoke. I stepped forward nervously and felt something metal on the ground. brushing with my hoof, I soon uncovered part of a metal sign that read 'PARADISE ES'. Giving an involuntary shudder, my rational mind tried so hard to calm myself as the fearful voice in the back of my skull begged me to go back. It was real. Everything in the journal. Everything Zecora had told me. The foals laughing, the warnings... Why did I not heed them? Why did I come alone, thinking I could brave it all by myself! I was such a foolish, prideful pony, and I felt as if I had made the most fatal of errors. At the bottom of the hill, I noticed several cloaked figures starting up the hill toward me. I reared, whinnying in fear as suddenly I felt a sharp pain on the back of my head. Before I could do anything, I felt the icy cold blackness dragging my consciousness into the unknown. As I awoke groggily, I wondered how long I'd been out. It was dark now, the sky blackened with smoke and the late hour of Celestia's day and the air itself thick with a mix of acrid scents and the mist of an eerie fog. I was in a metal cage on wheels, and I was being dragged by several ponies on all fours. Their bodies... In Celestia's Name! I can't begin to describe how misshapen their bodies were! All their hair was gone, and some weird pale peach-like color covered their bodies. Not a one of them had a cutie mark. Instead, there was scar tissue where they should be. The cart neared the town, and I looked up to see us begin to pass under an archway made of bones. Everything, everything was true. My rational side could no longer hide from what was happening right before my eyes. The villagers all came up, cheering as I was dragged into town. Their bodies... If the ones pulling me were frightening their bodies were more so. They walked on their hind hooves, and the mares had strange mounds of flesh on their chests. Their forehooves had been shaped & deformed, allowing them to grip and hold things. I saw them in the village, some with no fur, and some with... Their bodies twisted in ways that I can not begin to describe. I was surrounded by their evil, and yet they all seemed so happy to see me. I feared the worst as I was dragged by the hairless ponies towards a building in the center of town. As we neared the center, I saw the firepit I had read about, its blaze still as strong as ponies, zebras and rats danced about it in a mad frenzy. The acrid scent of burning flesh filled the air as I noticed a grate over the fires. Luna, they were leaping willingly onto this grate! I watched as they willingly leapt forward and stayed there, the fire and heat bubbling and burning their flesh until they succumbed to the pain and smoke to die. But, the greatest horror was the fact that there were creatures with long hooked poles. They... I can't believe it, they were COOKING THEM! They cooked them on that grate of sacrifice, and then pulled them off. For the time I was kept there, I watched them pull of the blackened bodies, carve them with jagged knives, and give the parts to villagers who start to feast! By Celestia, they were cannibals! Was this to be my fate? Was I to become their evening feast? Several of the male creatures in gaudy gold robes and necklaces came to the gate, pointing strange metal sticks at me as they sneered in anger and distrust at my very being. "The Hoofwitch has decreed you are to see her." One of the robed figures then turned, aiming his stick at the crowd and did... I don't know what... But a loud explosion mixed with the scent of burning sulfur was followed by half a rat's head being shredded into nothingness. The stick was pointed back to me, and I felt sickened that the example of the rat was then dragged towards the sacrifice pit to be cooked. Knowing full well what would happen if I tried to bolt, I slowly walked out of my cage when it was opened and began to follow them across the plaza towards a regal looking house on the opposite side of the plaza. Leading me inside as the door opened, they kept those odd metal sticks aimed at me at all times. After leading me into a foyer of sorts, They shuffled back out and closed the door, sealing it with a lock. I looked about, seeing the paintings on the wall filled me with a shudder of terror. While most homes would have paintings of loved ones, these dark paintings of oil detailed the history of the town. In all of them was a small creature with the same pale peach complexion as those that pulled my cart. Its visage was twisted and marred in such a way I can not describe. It was unlike anything in my books, it's muzzle nonexistent and having almost a half beak above its mouth. And its ears were on the side of its head, not on top like the creatures of Equestria. As I walked along the hallway, I suddenly heard a voice from inside my head. :'Twilight Sparkle...' It was an old voice... Ancient, almost, and masculine. I looked about before hearing in my head again. 'Twilight, do not react. Just pretend to be looking at the paintings.' I looked at a disgusting painting of the ponies diving into a flame pit as I thought, 'Who are you...' The voice chuckled in my head. 'An old, old ancestor of Spike's. He was named for me, you know. But I am in so much pain... They bleed me daily for their damned youth and longevity. But, being kept on the border between life and death, I have been able to watch Equestria grow. I've seen many things, and I now need you to do the greatest and bravest thing you've ever done. Even braver than stopping Nightmare Moon.' I gasped involuntarily, then trotted to look at the next painting, a mare whose body had been twisted and malformed to look like the strange foreign creature I saw in the other paintings. 'What... You mean you saw that?' I thought, and I heard the male voice chuckle. 'Twilight, you have much to learn about elder dragons. Our powers are great, but I'm kept too weak to stop this evil. Only you can stop it. You have power Molly craves and yet fears. She wants to take your power, but you can use it to defeat her.' I shook my head, laying down and covering my eyes with my hooves. 'I can not! This is too much for me!' And the old male voice soothingly whispered into my mind. 'You can do it. You have the magic to end this all and escape, but you must be brave... If you give in, they'll have enough power to overcome the zebra's wards and flood out into all of Equestria. You are the only one who can finish this, but you must be willing to kill.' Raising up, I nodded as I thought to the voice, 'Tell me what I must do...' As the voice began to tell me its plan, I listened. A door opened at the end of the hallway, and a cloaked figure motioned me forward while holding one of those metal sticks. Trotting into the next room, I was aghast at what I saw. The walls... The floor... Everything was covered in splatters of blood. Some ancient, and some seeming as fresh as if it was just spilled upon the ground. The figures in here were even more deformed as the villagers, some nearly identical to the one they worshiped except for a tail and animal ears. Most horrible of all... They were performing some of the most perverted acts to one another. Not just sexual acts, but violence and cruelty towards those who did not survive whatever twisted changes they had performed to their bodies. In the corner, they even slit the wrist of some poor zebra on all fours, drinking his blood as they laughed at his gasps of death. Seeing me finally, the roar of their laughter and cheering as I trotted forward was deafening. As I neared the center of the room, a childlike female voice shouted into the air, "SILENCE!" The noise ended abruptly, and I looked about. The creatures paused in their celebrations, the feasting on their own and their rutting in the blood and guts and all eyes looked towards the front of the room. There, on a dias, sat the small creature that had been in the first paintings. It... She looked so innocent, and yet frightening at the same time. It was in her eyes, I think. The wild eyes seemed almost ancient and shimmering with dark magic as she looked at me. I can not begin to describe the twisted, dark features on this insane creature. The things I remember most of this dark parody of life itself is she wore a red dress and held what looked to be the cooked leg of some poor rat that she was eating. Setting down the leg, she let out the most evil of giggles. It was like hearing you when you were Nightmare Moon giggling, and chilled me to my soul as I swallowed to whet my throat to talk. "Oh, goodie goodie!" she said as she hopped up on the throne. "A unicorn, and a powerful one at that! You know, we had to kill all the ones of your kind LONG ago, making the horn necklaces! They let us go into the forest... They let us hunt. But with YOUR power, we can finally leave and go get fresh converts! Then, all will know the blessings I, the Hoofwitch, can give!" I remembered the dragon's words in my head and braced my hooves on the slick stone floor. "And did you bless your brother and sister the same way, Molly?" Her smile faded, an insane and angry look crossing her misshapen face as she sneered at me. "What do you know of that?" She looked around, tears suddenly filling her eyes. "Megan didn't understand... Neither did Danny! Megan had to die! She would NEVER let me claim our right to rule! She wanted to be FRIENDS!" This twisted, almost hairless creature pulling on her long blonde mane before turning it's angry eyes upon me once more. "I am the Hoofwitch! My reign is eternal! My blessings have made those that can take the change beautiful, and those who can't into workers and food! Who are you to question my work?" I let out a laugh, trying to put on a face of bravery despite the very real fear inside my soul. I swallowed before letting out another laugh. "Is that why you killed them, Molly? First your sister, and then your brother?" She stomped her twisted hindhoof, if it could be called that, as she screamed. "I am not Molly! I am the Hoofwitch! THE HOOFWITCH!" She paced around, still pulling at her mane while she looked at the ceiling. "They... Molly didn't have power. Molly couldn't survive. She could never be strong enough. But the Hoofwitch could. She was able to push Megan into that ravine. watching until Megan's sister's screams ended with that sickening crunching splat. And Danny, he wanted to protect the ponies. THEY ARE MINE BY RIGHT TO DO WITH AS I WISH!" She whirled on me, the insane look filling her eyes again as she dropped to the floor. "Look, I made them beautiful... I made them like me... They're my little ponies. My pretty toys! MINE, you pitiful unicorn! MY TOYS!" And then, in a softer, scared voice she whimpered out as she looked to the back of the room. "I... I never wanted this. I wanted to go home to Mommy and Daddy. But Megan controlled the rainbow, and Megan died... I... I just wanted to go home... This wasn't Paradise, it was Hell..." The dragon was right. Despite all this power, all these followers, this twisted creature was still a child in its mind. It was right, I could do this. I was winning... All I had to do was keep all attention on us as I let my horn begin to glow. On either side of the creature, I picked up two flickering oil lanterns as I taunted her again. "You're not the Hoofwitch... You're a scared little girl in over her head. You played at being a goddess and failed. I've met real goddesses. I've even defeated an evil goddess and an evil god of chaos. You are nothing like them!" She pounded her front appendages on the floor, its shape I still can't describe without falling into insanity. Crawling to her throne, she reached to the left and pulled out one of those long metal sticks. Still on her knees, she pointed it at me while trembling in a mixture of fear and rage. "Shut up, shut up, shut up! Be quiet! I rule here! I am the prettiest goddess! This is MY kingdom! I am the Hoofwitch! BOW TO ME!" I held the lanterns above her now in the air with my magic, closing my eyes as I said quietly, "You are a false goddess. A creature not of this world. And I'm going to cleanse the world of you the same way you and your followers get rid of anything you fear or detest... With fire." I stopped holding the lanterns with my magic, and opening my eyes I saw the glass fall to the floor. As the twin lamps exploded on the floor, the oil splashed across the girl's dress as the fire licked up her dress and lower body. She dropped the metal stick as all the room came to life at once. The air filled with her screams, the creature trying to bat at the flames as those surrounding the hall tried to find water to put out the blaze. Looking about, I used my magic to make the remaining oil lamps on the walls fall to the floor. Hitting the blood-soaked floors, the flames kindled awake far quicker than normal, and soon all the walls and most the misshappened creatures were covered by the flames. The cries and screams of the twisted creatures deafened my ears as I turned, seeing that the flame-covered Hoofwitch had picked up the stick again. Pointing at me as the fires boiled her body, the end exploded, and I smelled sulfur before closing my eyes... And I heard nothing. I opened my eyes, and I was outside of the house as the mist partially hid me from view. Somehow, my teleporting ability had kicked in to transport me to safety. Closing my eyes for a moment to swallow the pain, I nodded sagely as I decided at that moment to finish this. I could not be followed. I had to end this. I began to bolt from house to house, knocking down the oil lamps in each house as the flames began to awaken and paint the walls with cleansing death. The village began to notice too late, and these twisted monstrosities began to try to put out the flames with no chance of succeeding by this point. The heat and choking smoke was nearly unbearable as I dodged and weaved the panicked crowd. Reaching the gates, I gave the bone arch a kick to send it to the ground with a rattle, the bones shattering from their age. I started to run, my hooves taking me as quickly as I could gallop up the hill. Reaching the top of the hill I turned, falling down in relief as no one was following me and the village was drowned in flames. Closing my eyes, I fell into asleep in a fit of exhaustion as I closed my eyes. In my head, as I fell asleep, I could hear the old male voice's last words. 'Thank you... Now I can finally rest.' I awoke slowly, letting out a low groan. Looking around, I noticed I was inside of Zecora's hut. Letting out another groan, I rolled to my side as she entered the room. "I am glad you are awake, not much more sleep could your body take..." I struggled to stand, wincing at the ache over my body as I saw I was covered in bandages. "What... What happened to me?" She shook her head, resting near me as she laid a warm cloth over my brow. "Asleep for five days you have been, after your battle defeating my people's hidden sin..." I sat up, the cloth falling to the bed as I gasped. "So the creature... The village... It wasn't just a dream? All that pain and death really happened?" She just nodded as I broke down in tears, the death and pain of the village and the horrors I had witnessed pouring out in a seemingly never-ending sob. Zecora didn't say anything, she just held me close in a hug and let me cry. Eventually, as my sobs subsided, she helped me up and back to Ponyville... Back to my home... My friends... My dear friends who met us on the outskirts of the forest worried if I was okay. We told them I had fallen into a gully, and Zecora had nursed me well enough to be able to walk home. I was helped to my library, and Spike was there to help me into my bed. I kept to my story, so they didn't worry. They didn't need to know about the horrors and the twisted, deformed creatures I'd faced and burned. But as I laid there, Celestia's sun setting and your moon raising, I started to think on everything. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that horrible girl's face. The rest of the village may be dead... The dragon may be dead... But that creature couldn't be dead. I could still feel its magic... It's hatred... It was hurt, and its followers were dead... But the magic of its potion and dragon blood kept it still alive... And so, I began to write to you, Princess Luna. Celestia doesn't have your darkness. She's my mentor and teacher, but she is too obsessed with the light. She doesn't have our darkness. She doesn't have the will to finish it. I plead you, my princess of the night. Please, do something to ensure this evil never leaves that burned earth. Make sure that no other pony sees what makes it so I'll not be able to sleep peacefully for years to come. Yours always, Twilight Sparkle Dear Twilight Sparkle, Thou weather pegasi have been looking for a testing ground for some of thine most dangerous of weather conditions. As princess of the moon, I decreed that the clearing you told me of will be used constantly for the testing of tornadoes, blizzards, tsunamis and the strongest of lightening blasts. I gave my order in the Royal Canterlot Voice that thou bretheren are forbidden to landest there, but that they needest to only send forth all thine mightiest storms there as a testing ground. Thine scientists of Cloudsdale were hense quite overtaken with joy at this gift of a testing area. Apparently thou scientists had been wishing to test a new form of weather that is caused by the splitting of hydrogen isotopes. They had yet to receive clearance from my sister due to their predictions of its destructive nature. But I gave it freely, as long as they kept the tests to that clearing. I do not know if these tests will kill the abomination of which you described, but I agree something had to be done. As a further barrier, the creatures of the night who heed my call shall lurk outside the rim of the village in the Everfree Forest to keep a watch for anything trying to escape. We cans't discuss this topic when I come to visit tomorrow, Twilight... In Friendship, Princess Luna Epilogue The ground was dark, just like the heart filled with hate that had fueled her all these years. Her followers were gone, as was the last of the Witchbrew Potion. It was just the stolen dragon blood that kept her charred limbs moving now. Only this stolen gift from Spike allowed her to live from these injuries. Above the ground, she had heard the violent storms raging as they tried to destroy her village. What few of her followers had survived the fires she'd heard screaming for her protection as they were driven into the seas. But they expected her to be above ground. never had they expected that their greatest foe would be able to use her hands to claw deep into the protective dirt itself. She had nothing but time now, that was true... Just patience until they forgot all about her. Then she could dig her way into the Forest and up towards the sky once more. She knew of one family of ponies who had escaped her village early on, and her first plan was to search out her 'lost' family. The last of the ponies connected to her clan, and the ones most sympathetic to their true goddess. Curling up in a ball, the warped creature just smiled to itself in its dirt tomb. 'Soon,' she thought to herself. 'Soon it will be time to remind the Heartstrings family who their true goddess is...' But, for now, it was time to sleep and heal. Revenge was a dish best served cold, and Twilight Sparkle was going to have hers served on a silver platter...

BrianBlessedPony

354

Big Macintosh,Cutie Mark Crusaders,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Spitfire,Slice of Life,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Light Never Goes Out

incomplete

<p>What was originally meant to be a single piece, this story, its prequels and sequels, focus on the mane six and their dealing with being the Elements of Harmony, how ever long that will last...</p>

everyone

2011-07-29T20:54:50+00:00

2011-07-29T20:54:50+00:00

Applejack had always enjoyed the view from this window. She still did, there was nothing stopping her from doing this. As Applejack looked out of, she gazed upon Sweet Apple Acres and sighed to herself. Down below were some of her kin, working on her trees, bucking and collecting. Normally, this would make her happy, but not today. She turned away and made for her bed. A feeling at the back of her head wanted her to crawl back under the sheets and forget all about today. Sadly, she knew she couldn’t. Crouching down, she pulled out a small, well made chest out from under her bed. She took it over to her writing desk and from a hidden compartment; she pulled out the key to the lock. Applejack held her breath as she unlocked the heavy duty padlock and only breathed out when she opened the chest. It was a pink bow. Well, it had been once upon a time. It was losing its colour; it was frayed around the edges. Sure enough, it had seen better days. But to Applejack, it had never looked better. With reverence beating the norm of royal weddings, Applejack carefully tied it around her Stetson and put it on carefully. Placing the chest back under her bed, she set off. Today was going to be a long day, so it might as well start now. She nodded to her family and her farmhooves as she left the farm grounds. They merely nodded at her and went back to work; they knew what this day meant as well. The walk for Applejack hadn’t changed much over time. It was the same path she had used for far too long now. She knew every tree, every rock, and every bush. At one point, she used to run this path, desperate to get to its destination. And every time she walked it, the same words flowed through her head. ‘Next time, Ah’m going a different way...’ the words filtered across her mind, at the same point they did each time. Sure enough, there was the tree that looked like a cat was stuck in the branch. And she knew, sure enough, it didn’t make a blind bit of difference. She’d take the same path, again and again and aga- She shook her head. She was doing it again. It was this day, it had her all riled up, and Applejack hated that. She finally reached the first stop of her journey. Once, it had been a quaint little cottage with so much greenery you almost thought it was a tree. It had bloated up in size since then, but somehow, still looked like a tree of some sort. The sort that devoured not just kites, but entire wagons and carriages. It still had its assortment of birdhouses, hutches, pens, runs and other animal based equipment around it. The door swung open and out trotted an earth stallion and a pegasus colt. The stallion had an extremely long blonde mane and slight orange coat. The colt by his side, which had a classic cross band aid on his flank, had a short pink mane and deep red coat. As the colt waved bye to the figure in the doorway, the stallion nodded its head to Applejack. “Morning Auntie Applejack,” he said, his smile radiating pure sweetness. “How are you today?” “You know full well Toffeeapple, so git ya hide outa here. Ya still not too old for a hidin’!” Applejack said a smile on her mouth. Toffeeapple had always been a sweet thing. It was a shame really... She watched the two as she walked to the door, the young colt asking Toffee who she was, and then descending into the two playing about. “Applejack, you’re earlier than I expected! Um, give me a moment!” The figure cried from the door, before fleeing from the doorway. Applejack sighed with a smile. Some things didn’t need to change, and Fluttershy was one. “Come on in! There’s still some tea in the pot!” the pegasus cried out from inside. Applejack entered her friends house and went straight to the den. Sure enough, there was a pot of tea on the table with some unused cups. Normally Applejack didn’t drink tea, but Fluttershy was an exception. One of the reasons was because her tea was very good, even to her. This was partly because Fluttershy had been given a list of herbal teas by a relaxation expert called Smooth. She’d been an odd pony, but then, Applejack wasn’t one to comment. “So, what was that? Ya great-grand colt?” Applejack called out as she sat down. “You know that he wasn’t!” the light yellow pegasus cried back from upstairs. That was some shifting of objects from up there. She poured herself a cup and sipped the warm tea. In an instant she felt a lot of stress disintegrate. Smooth had always looked half asleep but in total bliss. That pony could have found relaxation in the middle of an earthquake whilst it was storm season. No wonder she’d left her business to Fluttershy, she probably hoped that it would be the final way of helping her. Or as a joke, who knew? Fluttershy came back into the room, carrying a chest of her own. It had a butterfly pattern on it. She set it down gently on the table and pulled the simple bow lock that was kept on it. Applejack half guessed what it would be as her friend pulled out one of the most precious things in her life. It was a golden band, designed to clip shut. The Earth pony knew full well there were two Cutie Mark engravings on it. The pegasus clipped the band around the joint on one of her wings and back and smiled. Both their gazes went to the mantelpiece above the fireplace. On it sat a small, white urn. It had a simple plaque with one word on it; ‘Angel.’ Next to it was a large picture. It showed one of the happiest days in the two pony’s lives. Fluttershy in a white dress, her cheeks as red as her grooms coat. Big Macintosh smiled at his bride, their eyes locked, as he bulged in his smart suit, two sizes too small. In the background, Applejack, Pinky Pie, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash all beamed at the happy couple. They all looked fabulous, in Rarity’s specially designed wedding and bridesmaid’s dresses. “I still miss him, even after all this time...” Fluttershy whispered, a tear coming to her eye. “Ah know ya do sugah. I miss him too. We miss a lot of people.” Applejack responded, passing a napkin to her sister in law. She daren’t turn her head at the table of pictures. Every visit had more and more of them. Too many had little black bands around them for her liking. She’d tried that too, with her own family. She had to stop after the first black band... The kind pegasus cleared away the pot and cups as Applejack composed herself. She lived with this every day as it was, why did this day feel harder?! But she already knew the answer. She left the house before Fluttershy, taking one last look at the picture. It was wrong. Fluttershy hadn’t aged a day, none of them had... - The sister in laws made their way to Ponyville. They passed the time chatting about their recent events. It mainly consisted of Fluttershy and her family and the current harvest at Sweet Apple Acres, in all fair honesty. Big Macintosh and Fluttershy had almost a dozen children in their decades of marriage. Toffeeapple was the youngest and had been, Affected. Applejack had a daughter that had been Affected like him, though she and her husband had only 3 children. The talking helped pass the time, until they reached the outskirts of Ponyville. The outskirts didn’t used to be here. They used to be further away. But then time had passed, and a banner helped remind the two of this. ‘BICENTENNIAL OF PRINCESS LUNA’S RETURN AND SUMMER SUN CELEBRATION!’ “Two hundred years...” Fluttershy mumbled as they carried on. “Doesn’t feel like it, does it Fluttershy?” Applejack replied. No, it felt more like two thousand... Ponies nodded their heads in respect at the two for various reasons. The obvious ones were that the two mares were bearers of the Elements of Harmony, so this celebration also included them. Applejack was the town’s largest employer and exporter of goods for Ponyville, so had earned respect elsewhere. Many a desperate colt or filly could get some decent work experiences and hard earned Bit’s from Applejack, all year round. Fluttershy meanwhile wasn’t just the best vet for miles; she was also the best midwife outside of Canterlot. Combined with being a good nurse, for some ponies the first and last things they ever saw was Fluttershy’s caring face, on call all the time. When she had few if any animals to tend to, she ran the old Relaxation shop Smooth had left her, annoying Toffee to no end as it was technically his now days. But he could never say no to his mother. They stopped and sat down at a bench near the town centre. They looked around, waiting for the next member of their group, which was thankfully brief. Elegantly trotting down the street in the opposite direction was Rarity, her purple mane bobbing up and down. She smiled when she spotted them and was talking once they were within ear shot. “Applejack, Fluttershy, darlings! It’s so good to see you. You know, you two must come to Ponyville more often, you’re so secluded out there!” the pony princess of fashion said, sitting down on the bench. The only thing that was different about Rarity was the fact she was wearing cuffs around her forelegs ankles. Neither Fluttershy or Applejack looked at them, they went out of their way not to. “Well, ya know ah come here when the stall needs mah help Rarity! Ah got an entire farm to run!” the Stetson wearing pony cried. It was a feeble excuse, but unlike Rarity, she could barely stand the change of Ponyville. “How’s business doing Rarity?” Fluttershy quickly interjected to avoid an argument. The timid pegasus knew full well these two could argue over the weather. “Oh it’s fabulous Fluttershy! With this event coming up, Canterlot has been asking for a lot of older designs to fit in with, back then.” Her voice trailed off slightly, before she cleared her throat. “Gives me a break from designing all the time I suppose!” She smiled weakly at the two. All three stared in the direction of the library as if expecting something. When nothing happened, Rarity sighed to herself. “A ghost, watching its own demise...” “Now what in the hay is tha’ supposed to mean sugah?” “It was something Bright Eye’s once said, about our, situation...” Rarity explained. Applejack just looked at her confused. “She means Derpy...” Fluttershy said, waving at a child that she had recently treated. “Ooooohhhhh! Now why didn’t y’all just say that! What happened to her anyway? Any of her line still going on?” “Died in her sleep dear. Only had Dinky, but then, she had a few foals herself.” Applejack looked around and suddenly noticed that one or two fillies and colts had odd setting eyes. Some were very slightly off, other were almost to Derpy levels. She rubbed her eyes and decided to ignore it. They sat there, apparently all conversation gone. Fluttershy continued to smile, wave and inspect passing colt and fillies, making sure they were okay. Eventually the unicorn and earth pony looked at one another and sighed. “I wonder where Pinkie cou-“ they both started before being interrupted. “I’m here silly fillies!” cheered Pinkie Pie, popping out from behind the bench. Applejack and Rarity just about flinched whilst Fluttershy froze solid with a gasp and fell over, not changing pose. The pink pony wore a golden locket around her neck which bounced around with its owner. “Hey there sugah, how’s Sugahcube Corner doin’?” the orange mare asked as she helped Fluttershy back up. “Oh its fine! We’re making lots of new cakes! We got a new store opening up soon in Stalliongrad. Well, I say new, the building was there before, but we bought it! I mean, DUH! They only had one of our shops! It’s so handy having my family helping as well! They all love it! Even little Floss! And she’s only 3 months old!” the pink pony babbled out. Applejack was in shock at all this. “How many now?” She mouthed towards Fluttershy. Her jaw dropped open when Fluttershy silently responded with a double digit number. Between Fluttershy and Pinky Pie, slowly the whole of Ponyville was being squeezed of its old bloodlines! ‘Good job I bring in ponies from outside Ponyville to help...’ the farmer thought to herself as a filly hopped by, her coat bright pink, her mane long and light pink and one of her yellow eyes off centre... Before anymore possible family based war’s could be played out in Applejacks head, a large coach came down from the skies, 4 pegasus ponies hitched to it. Once, these sorts of things would have been drawn by Princess Celestia’s royal guard. Now, they were rentable and no doubt, Rarity had once again paid for it. The four friends boarded the coach and made themselves comfortable for the trip to Canterlot. - The ride was comfortable for the 4 mares as Equestria sped past them, especially for Applejack and Fluttershy, having already walked most of the morning. Pinkie Pie sat with her face pressed up against the window as Rarity and Fluttershy discussed fashion briefly. Applejack just sat there, thinking to herself. She knew she should probably join in with the others; they were going through the same thing after all. “You are more than the wielders of the Elements of Harmony. You six are the ponyfication of the Elements, their physical manifestations. As long as there is Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Truth, Kindness and Magic, you six will be there. You will be there for all of Equestria, and all of Equestria will be there for you...” The words echoed through the farmers head. It had meant immortality in effect for the six of them. By that point, both herself and Fluttershy had settled down and married. They’re children had odd effects from it in the end. The common trait was much longer lifespan, but some were much hardier ponies than normal. Toffeeapple and her own daughter, Strudel, had been hit by slow growth, aging 4 times slower than their peers. Toffee looked like he was in his thirties, where he was in fact 140. Pinky Pie had so many children with so many husbands, it was wonder how she kept going... Finally the coach made its landing in Canterlot, near the palace. The friends piled out and in front of them was large stone statue. The pegasus wore royal guard armour and carried a sheathed sword. His face was half covered by a bushy beard and in one hoof he held a single dove, which he seemed to smile at. Underneath it was a plaque with the engraving; “Captain Ironhoof, Defender Of The Realm” ‘The Most Glorious Death Is In Your Bed, Surrounded By Loved Ones. Don’t Quote Me On That.’ The ponies trotted past it, looking up at the old figure’s face. Maybe he had been right? Who knew? “What happened to his little filly? Tha’ one with only three good legs?” Applejack asked as they made their way to the palace. “Silver Lining. She disappeared darling. Nothing ever turned up of her. Apparently she’s still on the guard roster...” the white unicorn said, thinking back to those days for a moment. As their minds started to think back to those days, a rainbow streak crossed the sky. It snapped them from the thoughts and they watched the cyan coloured pegasus gracefully land in front of them. Her rainbow mane was windswept and she had an extremely wide grin. She wore what most ponies would now consider the classic Wonderbolts costume. To Rainbow Dash, captain of the Wonderbolts, it was the only true suit. The only difference was that there were two Cutie Marks sewn onto her flanks, neither of them were hers. One was a streak or spit of fire, the other was a purple horseshoe with movement lines around it. “Now, was that cool, or was that cool?” She said, strutting up to her friends. Fluttershy giggled at her. “Sorry Dash, but it needed to be about, 20% cooler?” the timid pegasus said, making the other girls laugh. Even Dash had a chuckle. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I have high standards. Next time, you won’t believe what I’ve got planned!” “Like what dear?” Rarity asked, checking Rainbow Dash’s costume. She was the only one Dash trusted to maintain the priceless clothing. She snorted at the best fashion pony in the land. “Well, I was going to wait, but I might as well tell you know. I’m pregnant.” For a moment, no sound was made. Four jaws dropped to the ground. Naturally, Pinkie Pie was the first to come round. “Oh that is wonderful Dashikins! It’s about time you had a filly! We can have a filly shower, and our children and grand children and great grand whatever’s can all be friends! This is going to be fantastic! I’ve got to throw you a party!” “Of course you can,” Rainbow chuckled as her friends moved round and hugged her. “I decided it was time to pass on my awesomeness.” “Rainbow, you have to tell me, who’s the father! Is it anybody we know?” Rarity demanded with a tone that heavily implied torture devices were easily available. Dash rolled her eyes for a brief moment. “Well, not really. It’s one of Scootaloo’s great whatever stallions. He’s got all her skill and grace. And I thought, why not? Improve perfection with more awesome after all! We’ve been together for a while now.” The five friends began to chat when there was a sudden gentle cough. They turned and instinctively bowed down at the sounds source. Stood in front of them was Princess Luna. She had barely changed over the two centuries, her mane growing out but hadn’t reached the ethereal flowing of her older sister. She smiled at the group as they bowed at her. “Please, you should know by now, none of you need to do that. I have something to ask of you though...” She looked awkward as the 5 stood back up. “What is it Princess Luna?” the cyan Pegasus asked, stepping forward. The regal alicorn looked down at her hooves and then stared intently at them all. “I can never thank you enough for releasing me from the prison of my own making. But after two centuries, after all you have done, all you have gained and all you have lost, I must ask. If you had known what it would have cost you, would you have still taken up the task?” The group went silent. Applejack removed her hat and looked at the old bow on it... “Applejack! Applejack!” Look! Look at me!” the voice cried from outside. Sighing, Applejack left the kitchen to find Apple Bloom stood in the yard, her face beaming. “What is it Apple Bloom, you know Granny Smith needs her rest and you hollerin’ ain’t helpin’ her none!” The orange pony started, but before she could unleash her full barrage of punishment, she saw it. Apple Bloom’s Cutie Mark had finally come through. It was a single green and red apple with a large flower coming out of its centre. “Mah special talent! It’s carin’ for plants!” The young Apple cried out as she was swept up in a hug by Applejack. “See, Ah told you it would come!” Fluttershy turned her head back to her wing and looked at the wedding band. A single butterfly met a half cut apple... She sat in her bedroom, loudly crying. It was the worst news she could ever have been told. Tears flowed and dripped onto her swollen stomach where her future was growing. She didn’t even hear him enter the room. “I’m, a, monster...” she whispered in-between sobs. “No, ya the filly Ah fell in love with.” Macintosh responded, his voice making her jump slightly. She stared at him through blurry eyes. “And how can you? Now you know that I’ll still be here, probably beyond our child...” “Because Ah will always love you Flutter, and Ah will wait for you. In this life, or the next, Ah will never stop lovin’ or waitin’.” She flung her legs round his shoulders and they nuzzled and hugged. He gently rubbed her back and wings as she caught her breath. “Really Macintosh? You’d wait an eternity for me?” “Eeyup...” Next to her, the white unicorn stared down at her hooves. Using her magic, she unbuttoned the cuffs round her ankles. Rarity looked at the scars across her ankles... Rarity looked at the scars across her ankles. Even through blurry eyes, she could see that the surgeon had tried his best at a neat job. But then, who was up to her standards? And what was the point anyway? In her attempt and his? She sobbed loudly as she sat in Sweetie Belle’s old bedroom. It had happened here, her younger sister... She had expected it, all those decades as they went by and Sweetie Belle got as famous as Rarity. And she had come down here to retire, to stay with her sister, until... When she found the elderly body, cold and motionless in the bed, she had done nothing at first. Shock stopped her from crying until she had got to her work room, pulled out the largest scissors and sliced them across where she had hoped her arteries were. An hour later Fluttershy found her, late for the weekly spa trip. The unicorn had passed out, but when your immortal, blood loss means nothing. She looked up at the dresser for the first time in a week. Tucked into the mirror frame was an envelope. She plucked it out and bought it over with her magic. It had ‘Rarity’ written on it. She opened it up and found a letter. ‘Rarity, By the time you read this, It will have happened. Please, do not be sad, and do not do anything stupid. I love you, and I always have done, and always will do. Even through every argument we’ve had, I love you. Live your Generous life to its fullest, no matter how long it will be. You’re Loving Sister Sweetie Belle’ The unicorn sniffed as more tears flowed through her eyes. “Sorry Sweetie...” An audible raspberry blowing noise was heard as Pinkie’s hair slowly deflated. She had lifted up her locket and opened it to look at the two small photos inside it... “Are you really sure you want to give me this?” she asked the pair in front of her. They were stood outside of Sugarcube Corner on a bright sunny day. “Of course we do dearie, who else would we leave our pride and joy too?” Mrs Cake said. Her once bright and dark pink mane had turned to white and silver, and she was sat in a wheelchair. A hoof leant down and touched her own. Mr Cake was still standing, but was leaning heavily on his wife’s chair. His foreleg shook slightly, rattling the pair of glasses sat on his nose His orange mane had been gone to a receding mane line, but a few colourful streaks still existed. “You’ve been running the place yourself pretty much these last few years. We thought, it best that we finally give it to you now, before, erm...er...” Mr Cake stammered on for a while. “We don’t have time, dear?” “Yes, thank you honey bun. Darn Alzheimer’s...” Pinkie could feel her hair deflate slightly. She sniffed and hugged the old pair gently. “Thank you...” Sniffing and struggling, Rainbow glanced at the Cutie Marks on her suit, the ones she had requested Rarity to sew and maintain... “Here she comes now” Dash said, pointing at an approaching dot on the horizon. The two ponies were stood on a cloud. As the speck got closer, they could see it weaving in and out of clouds with ease. “Anybody can fly fast, you should know that Dash. I want to see her do some skills already...” said the other pony. Suddenly the speck broke off its simple course and started corkscrewing around the clouds, twisting them out. It dove suddenly, dragging the clouds with it towards the ground. The two ponies watched as it got faster and faster, Dash smirking. At the last moment, it broke off its course, allowing the long column of cloud to smack into the earth. The clouds exploded outwards, creating a smoke and mist effect. “What. The. Hay...” “Told you she was good Spitfire.” Dash smirked at her fellow team member. After several further tricks and ‘skills,’ the speck suddenly appeared in front of them. Panting and sweating heavily, her purple mane blown so far back it was almost merging with her tail, Scootaloo smiled at the two older ponies. “I think you’ve got a very good chance kid.” The cyan pony said as Spitfire blinked back into the real world, nodding her head. “Yes! I’m going to be a Wonderbolt!” the younger pony cried, back flipping off the cloud and flying about in glee. “I shouldn’t have doubted you...” the Wonderbolt captain said, nuzzling Rainbow. “I think I’ll forgive you...” she responded, gently kissing Spitfires cheek. The silence hung around the group as each member stared at their little reminders. Worried, the alicorn stepped forward. “Girls?” “Of course we would silly!” Pinkie Pie cried, her locket snapping shut and her hair suddenly inflating up to its normal insane self. “What in tha hay stupid question is that, Princess Sugah?” said Applejack, pulling her Stetson back on firmly. “We would never turn our backs on somepony in need!” claimed Rainbow Dash, her ego breaking though her memories. Fluttershy and Rarity both nodded, their throats too choked up to reply as Rarity fastened her cuffs once more. “My little ponies, how you constantly remind me of the joy of Equestria.” A more regal voice claimed. Stepping down from the massive entrance of the palace was Princess Celestia; by her side was Twilight Sparkle. “TWILIGHT!” the five ponies cried, rushing to their friend. Protocol be damned, it had been too long. Round their friends neck was a simple, purple scale, almost the size of her head. It had been almost 50 years since their last great adventure. Spike had always joked about the group. When it was revealed they were by all rights immortal, he had livened up the common nickname they got. Ponies called them the ‘Eternal Six,’ leaving out Spike. It had been him to reason that as dragons live for much longer than most beings, and more often died from adventurers rather than old age, nopony really knew how old they would grow. So he came up with ‘The Eternal Six Plus One.’ It had been funny for so long. Until almost 50 years ago. His death had been that of a titan, sacrificing himself to ensure that his friends could escape. Twilight had attempted to drag his warm body out with her bare teeth, tears flowing down her face. It took ALL of Applejacks and Rainbow Dash’s combined strength to wrench her off, a chunk of scale coming off in her vice like jaws. She screamed, hollered and kicked as they made their escape, his final words echoing through all their heads. “The Eternal Six, minus, one...” She attempted so long to carry on in Ponyville, like her friends had done so with their own loses. Her friends comforted her; they were never too busy for her. But eventually, it was too much. Too many sights reminded her beloved assistant and to all extents, son. So she had decided to return to Canterlot, to study further under the Princess’ and to try and get over her grief. It had been far too long... They hugged one another, some of them crying. They had been separated for long enough, letters not replacing the love she bought to the group. “I’m, sorry for leaving you girls. I think I’m ready to come back now. We’ve got too much to catch up on.” Twilight said, raising her hoof to stop them from telling her she was wrong. “I’ve missed all of you.” “And we’ve missed you sugah...” Applejack said, hugging her friend tightly. “Now, let’s go help you move ya stuff back home.” A regal cough sounded out. Suddenly the six ponies remembered they were in the presence of the two most powerful beings in Equestria, who happened to be their leaders. They broke off from their hug and baring Twilight, bowed sheepishly to Princess Celestia. “My sister is correct you know. After two centuries, you six have long ago earned the right to be above such protocols. “Um, we were raised to do it, your majesty. If that’s okay with you though...” the Element of Kindness mumbled. After all the time that had passed, it still didn’t take much to make her embarrassed. “Of course it is.” Celestia kindly responded as the Elements rose from their positions. “Now come along, we have to get ready for the morning.” The elder alicorn waived a hoof and the Elements physical jewels phased onto their respective owners. Pinkie Pie’s necklace clashed with her locket for a brief moment. Ultimately the magical jewel lost to her memorial piece. “Now do you remember your places from last time?” Luna asked as she prepared to raise the moon. “Ah do, Ah just hope that Rainbow Dash remembers not to try and show us all up!” said Applejack. “Oh come ON! That was an accident! Besides, this year I got something much more spectacular plan...” Rainbow’s voice trailed off under the glare of Twilight, her eyes piercing the pegasus’ bravado. The moon was rising behind her. “No Dash, this time, we have to stick to our places. Please?” the unicorn pleaded, her voice softening a little. The Wonderbolt looked sad for a moment before smiling softly and nodding. This Celebration was too important to risk ruining it. It would be the first without Spike... - Fireworks rose across the early morning skies. In a field in Canterlot a crowd stood waiting, staring intently at the dais; behind it was the royal tent. The flap to it twitched as one of the occupants peered out. It giggled when in the distance, around the general area of Ponyville, a giant pink firework detonated. “Oooh! That had to be one of Streamers! She always loved giant fireworks!” the Element of Laughter cried out. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes with a smirk as Applejack stifled a giggle. The two unicorns shot the pair a look that could seriously hamper flying and apple bucking as Rarity attempted to do something with Twilight’s mane with limited time and supplies. In the centre the royal siblings sat on cushioned thrones, their eyes shut in deep concentration. Hidden in the corner Fluttershy was sipping some tea she had requested and was losing some of her anxiety. The night had been spent in two seperate parties. One had been opened for the residents of Canterlot, the other a more private affair for the friends to catch up. They had kept it as cheerful as possible for Twilight. Sadly time had caught them short, forcing them to the tent to await the sunrise. Suddenly, the alicorns opened their eyes. “It is time” Celestia stated as they both rose. The Elements moved behind their royal leaders. Each breathed heavily in anticipation. The flap to the tent was pulled open by the guard and the small procession trotted and bounced out. One on the dais, Princess Luna stepped to one side allowed the six to surround her sister. The crowd looked on expectantly, it had been 50 years since the last event like this. Princess Celestia rose with her sun dramatically, the sun rising from behind the giant symbol of the sun. Once she was fully airborne with her charge, magic filtered through the Bearers of Harmony. One by one they rose around her, Twilight rising above the Princess alone. From each of the jewels shone a corresponding light of its owner towards the Princess. From her own regalia a rainbow burst out. It stretched across the crowds, bathing them in the Elements. It spread across Equestria, every celebrating pony seeing and embracing it. The crowds around Sugarcube Corner in Ponyville were no different. The light seemed to linger a moment over a stone memorial shaped like a flame outside the library. It carried on to Sweet Apple Acres, Fluttershy’s cottage, the Everfree Forrest and beyond. They were there, for all of Equestria. And Equestria was there for them. They felt it as the magic of this moment began to wear off. For every laugh, for every tear, for every act of generosity and kindness. For every truth told and loyal stand. All these magical moments helped them through the long years. Their hooves setting down with sun fully risen, it all seemed so magical again. The six smiled to one another. The light of what brought them together two hundred years ago was still with them. And they hoped, no matter what the future may bring, that the light would never go out. MLP and related characters © to Hasbro Smooth, Ironhoof and Silver Lining © Myself A big thank you to the Bronies of Everypony.com and EveryponyRadio for helping me with questions, random outbursts, the awesome music, reading my stories and trying to help improve the above sludge. A massive thank you to Equestria Daily and all the Bronies that commented on my first story, and gave it 4 Stars. Another thank you to the first pre-reader of this story for Equestria Daily, who’s comment’s made me realise my mistakes and allowed me a chance to hopefully, avert it the problem. Thank you to the reviewers of Ponychan for their help as well, especially Demetrius and Nick! of the board! And thank you, for reading! -BrianBlessedPony.

BrianBlessedPony

354

Big Macintosh,Cutie Mark Crusaders,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Spitfire,Slice of Life,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Light Never Goes Out

incomplete

<p>What was originally meant to be a single piece, this story, its prequels and sequels, focus on the mane six and their dealing with being the Elements of Harmony, how ever long that will last...</p>

everyone

2011-11-19T17:33:15+00:00

2011-11-19T17:33:15+00:00

Sitting up in her bed, Twilight Sparkle gazed out of her bedroom window as the morning sun rose. Covering her mouth with a hoof, the unicorn let out a yawn. She had been awake for hours, unable to sleep due to nerves that had created an army of butterflies in her stomach. Sliding out of the bed, the purple pony trotted over to her mirror and stared at a tired, sad looking reflection, red eyes meeting one another. Regardless the intelligent mare smirked. “Well, I could look worse for a pony the wrong side of 200...” Twilight managed her voice slightly croaky. Ignoring the ill sounding voice, Twilight worked on trying to improve her physical appearance. It had been two months since the Summer Sun Celebration and Twilight was now fully moved back in at the Library in Ponyville. Having not been there for almost fifty years, Twilight had been surprised to see how neat and tidy her home was. But then that had hardly surprised the Princess; student. Although she left them, her five best friends had looked after the tree in her absence in some way or form. Fluttershy had arranged it so some of her animal friends would stop by and do some cleaning. (This had taken the returning by surprise on the first morning back. Having a squirrel trying to make the bed whilst your still in it isn’t the best way to wake up.) At the same time, when her touring would allow, Rainbow would attempt to run the Library, but ended up reading, sleeping or dealing with fans. The Party pony of Ponyville Pinkie Pie had found limited success with book parties, until the others had got tired of cleaning up afterwards. With Applejacks combined dislike to returning to Ponyville and relying on Fluttershy’s visits, the farm pony rarely saw the Library. The few times she had gone there was to help Rarity as the fashion conscious maintained and spruced up the abode. Besides the needed maintenance, the house had hardly charged. It was her home, as it had been for 200 years and it was almost the same as when Twilight had first moved in. Almost the same. The purple unicorn couldn’t help but look at an old straw basket on the bedroom floor. The basket looked tatty and the blanket inside was succumbing to very old age. There was a sigh as the immortal mare sat down and gently breathed in near it. “Fifty years since we said goodbye Spike. I’ve missed you.” There was nothing but silence for a while. Eventually, after around a half hour, that was broken by knocking at the door. Its tone suggested a nervous creator but one who still had a job to do. “The one morning I DON’T want visitors...” Twilight muttered as she rose from the floor. After pulling on a necklace which held a large purple scale, Twilight Sparkle descended to the front door. - “HOOF IT!” Six mares moved as fast as they could. It had been a simple request from the Princess’; speak to Greyhorn, Ruler of the mountain realms as to why he was allowing uncontrolled weather patterns, mainly winter ones to hit ponykind. Whilst these had been dispersed easily by the weather ponies, they were becoming more frequent, and more dangerous. What the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony had not realised was that Greyhorn lived in the Great Mare, the largest mountain in Greyhorn’s kingdom. Another fact that had been neglected was that Greyhorn was not an average pony; Greyhorn was the rare crossbreed of a unicorn and a dragon. The king of the mountains dwarfed Ursa Minors and had lived for almost two thousand years. He had also gone insane. This wasn’t known when the ponies had met the towering elder. His vast system of caves, whilst sparse, had seemed welcoming. Greyhorn himself had given off the aura of a friendly uncle. Refreshments had been offered and tales told of his long life. But anytime the weather issue was raised, the king dismissed the problem had changed the subject. For three days they had been guests at the Great Mare and the cross breed had played the role of host well. But like they steady trickle of water on stone, the constant questions finally wore the old ones patience down. “If you must know little ones, it is because I have seen through the Princess’ lies. Did you know I was once her most trusted confident when Luna was banished? The secrets that I alone know...” he had said, his voice going deeper with every word, changing from that of pony to dragon. “The old girl thought that by banishing me here, she could silence me! Well, Celestia will see! When I cover half of Equestria and ice! Blot out her precious sun, freeze those puny mortals!” “You need help sir.” Twilight had said, standing firm against the frothing stallion. “Princess Celestia would never do that! If you could just tal-“ “NEVER!” And that was when the cry to flee had been yelled out. Greyhorn had been unable to capture them with his magic, for too long he had focused on large projects. By remaining separated the monster couldn’t hit or capture the little ponies. At the same time, his claws couldn’t focus on a fast moving target. Sadly for Twilight, over a century of book reading and studying meant she was one of the slowest in the group. As the shadow of a clawed paw towered over her, the mauve pony shut her eyes. But the smack she’d expected never came. When she opened her eyes, Spike was holding the leg up. To travel the huge distance required, the group had asked their closest friend Spike. He lived just outside Ponyville now, being the size of a house. Regardless of that, the dragon was a firm favourite in the town. There was a massive crack as the younger dragon shot up and kicked down on the leg at the same time. It was followed with a howl of pain as Greyhorn retracted his now broken limb. As his mentor continued to bolt away, Spike hovered in front of the mountain ruler. “You know, you shouldn’t have tried that. She would have kicked your flank if you got her.” Spike said, his voice between regular pony tones and the gravelly voice of a dragon. With a heavy scowl, Greyhorn lunged at Spike with his good foreleg. Age had slowed him though as the claws swatted thin air. Spike had flanked the aggressive being. Murderous thoughts raging, the pony part of the hybrid took over and attempted to buck Spike. Initially this seemed to work as the rear hoof smashed into the cavern walls. Reality soon struck Greyhorn much like the young purple dragon. All the strike had done was trap the huge leg in place; Spike had simply moved away. Said dragon now dived from the ceiling, straight on the trapped limb. Whilst it failed to dislodge, it certainly managed to break as the cavern was filled with a roar of pain. With that final blow, Spike chased his friends out of there. Whimpering on the floor like a foal, Greyhorn managed to focus in the flying dragon. “I’m not done yet,” he managed, focusing his magic in his horn. “Not done, AT ALL!” With his bellow, a concentrated beam of magic energy cast from the large horn towards the purple dragon. - The door to the Library swung open with the aura of Twilights magic. What the expert magician failed to see initially was her visitor, up until she heard a small gasp. The unicorns eyes darted towards the ground to spot a very small filly, leg still raised in mid knock. She was a Pegasus with a bright white coat and yellow mane. Twilight had heard about this little filly. “Hello Surprise, what can I do for you today?” The older pony asked. For a moment the Pegasus suffered from bulging eyes and extreme nerves, but managed to power on through. “Sowwy to distuwb you Auntie Twilight, but Gwanny Pie wants to see you.” Surprise managed. Pinkie Pie had a never ending amount of grand foals, all instructed to call her friends Auntie. “I’m sorry Surprise, but Granny Pie should know that today isn’t a good day.” “Gwanny Pie said you might say that, but Gwanny Pie says its super duper uwgent and if you don’t come along wight now thewe will be a huge pwoblem and an...” “Okay! I get the message alwea- I mean already!” Twilight blurted out, shocking Surprise. The filly quickly recovered though and was soon leading Twilight to Sugar Cube Corner with the Pinkie Pie family hop. - Spike didn’t realise what Greyhorn had done but luck was on his side. Being such an old being, Greyhorn’s accuracy was far from perfect. The shot flew over the dragon and instead found its mark in the ceiling, smashing into it. Massive cracks spread across the mountains interior as the internal structure shook. The ancient being could only stare as slowly the supports of the cave, walls that had formed naturally predominantly, crashed away. His eyes flickered up to see that the cracking roof was slowly collapsing. One extremely large piece above him was about to give way. “Oh shoot.” Greyhorn managed as the house sized piece above his head plummeted. To the fleeing ponies and dragon, the landing of this stone was drowned out by the rest of the rumbling mountain. By the time Spike caught up with the girls, the ceiling was increasing speed in its collapse. He was the first to notice a problem. “Where’s Rarity? And Fluttershy!” They turned back. Lying on the floor of the cavern was Rarity, looking extremely dazed. One of her cuffs that went around certain marks on her legs had been caught on a stalagmite, tripping her. Fluttershy had been the only one to notice the fashion ponies head smack into the ground. The pink mane Pegasus was attempting to lift the white unicorn up. “I got them!” Rainbow cried before dashing towards them. Twilight’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks. “The ceiling! They’ll never make it!” She cried. The magic mare attempted to focus her powers on the collapsing cavern. In an instant she was launched off of the ground and out of the huge entrance. Applejack and Pinkie Pie quickly rushed to her. “Magic feedback, whatever he fired, it was powerful...” she managed as smoke rose from her horn. Twilights eyes focused back to the interior. Despite having had nine children and forever looking after grand foals and residents of Ponyville, Fluttershy was still far from being a strong pony. By the time her fellow Pegasus had reached the animal lover, Fluttershy had only managed to half lift Rarity up. Wasting no time, the Wonderbolt Captain picked up the other half and led Fluttershy into the air. For a brief moment, everything was perfect. That was up until the Element of Kindness glanced to the rock sky. “Oh no!” She squeaked as the rock roof suddenly lurched downwards. Both girls shut their eyes for the inevitable. All sound seemed to fade as the expectation of pain took hold. Except, it never came. Bar a few pebbles and sprinkling of dust, the trio remained uncovered. Opening their eyes, Rarity just coming too, this spotted that at the entrance Spike stood as tall as possible, holding the roof up with his shoulders. “Oh my gosh, he’s holding the mountain up!” Rainbow yelled her mouth wide open. It was only thanks to Fluttershy’s nerves that kept them moving. As they went by him, they noticed he was shaking. As Applejack went to helping Fluttershy with Rarity, Twilight went as close s to the entrance as she felt safe. “Come on Spike!” Before she knew it, the dragon collapsed to one knee, the mountain shaking at the sudden drop. “SPIKE!” The dragon looked towards the entrance, directly at Twilight as he slumped to his other knee. He smirked whilst gritting his giant teeth. “Too, heavy...” With another rumble, the dragon was on his scaled stomach and paws, elbows and knees just holding the ceiling up now. All six mares were now stood near the hole, Spikes head poking through. “I think, this wasn’t, my best idea.” Spike wheezed. Finally the rocks gave way to the cracking. The young dragon winced with pain as the surface crumbled and tonnes of rocks collapsed on his body. The noise masked his bones being crushed as the mountain took its toll him. Spikes friends could only look in horror, tears falling around their faces. The pain for Spike didn’t so much as subside but be a continuous agony, each part of him crying out for attention. One thing was for certain though; Spike could feel his life fading. He just about felt his mouth smile weakly. “Told you it was a stupid idea. I think this is it, and goodbye, for now.” The dragon’s voice was weak, lacking the booming grand tones of before. Twilight rushed to his face. “No! We’ll find a way! Just hang on a little bit lon...” Twilight was cut off with a gentle nuzzle by the dragon. “You can’t fool your, number one assistant.” A broad grin formed on dying dragons face as his eyes started to close. “Heh, I guess that makes you girls, the Eternal Six, minus, one...” With that, his eyes finished closing. The last of the assistant’s breath passed through his nose as a gentle sigh. The purple unicorn took no notice of her surroundings from there. As she collapsed onto the slowly cooling face, her ears fell deaf to Pinkie sense pointing out an oncoming avalanche. The unicorn attempted to pull the dragon, failing to notice Applejack and Rainbow Dash flanking her. Despite not being the strongest pony, Twilight managed to form a very strong grip on a scale with her jaw. The first tug from the farm pony and athlete failed to move her from the body. A second pull using both ponies strength tore Twilight and the scale away. Forced away, her eyes streaming, the mare could only scream into the scale as she was dragged away. Her eyes didn’t stop looking at Spikes smiling face, even when it was covered by rocks. - The Pegasus filly nudged the door slightly with her nose, and then stepped aside for Twilight. With a sigh, the unicorn stepped past Surprise and walked into Sugar Cube Corner. At that point, her jaw hit the floor. The interior of the shop, the original of multicity brand, had been decorated with pictures of Spike through his life; from when he had just been hatched right up until a few weeks before his last adventure. In his older ones his grin seemed more sheepish, dealing with the local friendly dragon. More importantly, there was a crowd of ponies there. The norm for them was that of middle aged and over. This was broken by a certain five mares in the middle of the crowd. “Wh-what is this?” Twilight stuttered, still taking it all in. “Well, we realised we never had a memorial for Spike...” Applejack said, her hat tucked under her leg. “And of course, we couldn’t just forget all the ponies Spoke knew.” Chimed in Rarity. “So rather than do something normal, I looked up a different sort of memorial. It’s called a Pónaí Wake.” The shop’s owner stated. Whilst Pinkie still sounded cheerful it was a lot more subdued. “This way, we can celebrate his life.” Rainbow Dash added. Her pregnancy was showing now and was using up a lot of leave she had built up with the Wonderbolts. The one silent friend only nodded her head. Twilight smiled at Fluttershy and looked at the ponies in the room. She sniffed as a few tears slipped down her cheeks. “Yes, I think that’s what he would have wanted. So, where do we begin?” All eyes fell on a certain butter coloured Pegasus, which squeaked under the attention. “Well, I remember when I first met Spike...” Fluttershy started beginning a part of warm memories of a beloved friend. Back outside the Library, Surprise placed a small candle in front of a stone sculpture of a flame. It was one of two dozen candles, each one glowing with a bright green flame that rapidly burnt through the wax.

Gummers

355

Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Twilight Sparkle,Adventure,Dark,Romance,Slice of Life,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Gardener

hiatus

<p>Nations fall.<br/>Powers rise.</p><p>And a gardener... is still a gardener.</p><p>-----Currently undergoing an overhaul. Any chapters that are up have been overhauled.----</p><p>Important update:<br/>If you read this before 8/1/11, it was dramatically different than it is now. Quite frankly, I didn't put the work into it that I should have, and it wasn't nearly as strong as the revamp will make it. I encourage you to re-read any chapters that you had before that date, and I guarantee you won't be as disappointed as you were the first time you read it.</p><p>Do also note some minor changes in the story. Don't want to miss those or anything.</p><p>It should also be noted that the picture looks 20% more awesome under the Nightmare Moon theme. Try it, I promise you won't be disappointed.</p>

everyone

2011-08-02T08:07:49+00:00

2011-08-02T08:07:49+00:00

“SOILS! Why haven’t you watered the plants today yet?” The voice was loud, piercing, Soils Gartner looked up at his so-called superior and gave her the most passive look he could muster. “I watered them a few minutes ago, you just went out to lunch.” A dark shade of red flushed over Junebug’s face, her voice got quiet, trailing off into mumbles and incoherent sounds. “Oh... well... as you... were. Doing... gardening and all that.” Junebug waddled off in her embarrassment. Soils only could shake his head. She tries so hard to be... inspiring. He wondered what happened to make her this way, maybe she had a bad date one time? No, Soils, just get back to work. No use thinking of such things that won’t ever effect you. Soils slowly walked the grounds, the Celestial Gardens were looking exactly as he planned, not a thing out of place, not a single thi- WEED! Soils rushed to the abomination and destroyed it with all his might. Never shall such ugliness grace his garden again! Mumbling, Soils sprayed the ingenious formula he created, and creatively called “Kill the ugly things while making the pretty things grow - Spray.” That dumb ugly thing. This is Princess Celestia’s garden, it should be full of great things, not... things that need to be butchered on sight. And what a beautiful garden it was. As the weed slowly shriveled and died, Soils took the time to bask in his hard work and perspiration. Vibrant patches of red, blue, yellow, green, purple... everything just caught the eye and became this mesh of glorious eye candy. Nopony could walk by his masterwork without slowing down their busy lives at least a bit. Gardens couldn't help but bring out the joy in others, bring out the best in people, and make their day brighter. So much more beautiful than two dimensional art, so much more appeal to those who can touch and feel and smell the wonder of flowers. As the day slowly turned into the nighttime, Junebug entered into the garden. Soils noticed her watching, but didn’t say anything. She was a curious pony, her mane braided, which seemed... less average than usual. She had vibrant red hair, yet her body was a dark turquoise, like waves of the sea at midnight. Her cutie mark had always been curious to him, a circle in a circle, and that was all it was. Her eyes were a piercing green, which now followed him uncomfortably as he went about his work. Minutes passed. Soils became more and more squeamish, and right as he was about to say something, Junebug opened her mouth. Her words were soft, airy, ethereal, she seemed distracted at best. “Princess Celestia would like an audience with you... Good... um, luck.” She darted off, and Soils started walking calmly to the chamber. What was it Junebug did again in the castle? Soils couldn’t recall ever hearing about her official title, nor actually what she did. What he DID know was that she came to make sure he did everything right, oftentimes raising her voice unnecessarily... I guess he was told she was his boss in some way or another. Maybe she was a groundskeeper? Well, she didn't seem to be doing a very good job if she was. The walls of the castle didn't shine as they used to, and as Soils made his way through the endless corridors of the stone castle, he noticed the wear throughout the castle. Something was wrong... the castle itself seemed... stressed. Soils found himself staring at the door of Princess Celestia’s room. Usually, Celestia would be sleeping or relaxing at this point, as Luna did in-fact take care of the night business, and Celestia managed to get more sleep when Luna returned from her emotional episode. He knocked, softly at first. The door swung open, and he found himself being beckoned to sit at a table with ponies he didn’t know. He recognized one of them, seeing her around town a few times in the previous year, but she had left for some reason. From his understanding, she was a student here? Maybe? Celestia seemed to like her, and they were obviously very comfortable because the pony was directly under Celestia's wing. Celestia spoke, “You’ll have to excuse us, we’re discussing some important matters, but sit, Soils.” Soils looked around, his eyes darting to the ponies all now staring wide eyed at him. He knew he had interrupted something very important. The room was tense, tired. Junebug looked into Celestia's eyes, her face wasn't readable. She gave a deep nod, and then looked strait at Soils. Celestia spoke, “Soils... Junebug and I will be taking an extended leave of absence, and I need you to be responsible for a few more things than you already are...” Soils blinked twice. “Where are you going?” “That’s not important now Soils, just know I need you to handle security around here, as that was Junebug’s assignment.” “Alright your highness... I understand.” Soils did not understand. “What will I be doing exactly?” Celestia, impatient, looked at Soils, "The Captain of the Guard will fill you in on your duties. You are dismissed." Soils bowed deeply, and started to walk out the door. A voice rang out, “Soils.” He turned around to find Junebug standing in front of him. She looked sad, guilty. Slowly, she evaluated him. What was this? She wasn't going to be gone for long, she finally mumbled “Don’t forget to tell the guards to patrol the back...” Junebug walked off. Soils heard the door close behind him. He heard one of the unicorns shouting from inside, it was very muffled he could only make out a few words. “How are we expected to... everypony... ... suffering... ...” He shook his head and walked away. No use getting involved of the Goddess and her counsel, though they did look a little young to be in any position of power... The purple one DID seem oh-so-familiar though... Maybe she was from Canterlot, everypony in Canterlot loved the gardens, his gardens. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day. Soils groaned as the hard day's work manifested itself in his joints, sore even now as he worked diligently every day. His soft bed in his hut in the gardens was instant relief. So comfortable... so warm. ---- “Soils, sir, I mean all the respect in the world but as part of your new responsibilities, you must inspect every guard at every post.” It couldn’t have been morning already, the sky was still dark, he couldn’t have been asleep for more than a few hours. The Captain of the Guard was standing, rigid, directly in front of him. Obvious signs of stress showed on his face. Soils walked slowly out of his hut to find that it wasn't, indeed, morning yet. Luna's beautiful night sky was still being displayed above his head. The flowers were all closed, and the colorless night did not give the vibrance to his flowers that he had grown to love in the day... Though in all fairness the night sky was alluring, hypnotic... A different kind of joy showed itself when hypnotized by it's magic. Soils sighed and began his rounds. He did know his way around the castle quite well As they strolled along the dying walls of the castle, Soils took a note of all the guards. Something had changed within them. They seemed... terrified. They were glancing at one another, paranoid over an invisible threat. Everything was uneasy. Was this how the guards always were? Always on their toes to the point of absolute paranoia? The Captain looked at Soils, every guard had been accounted for and was awake. "Sir, you may return to your bed... Try to sleep lightly." Soils looked at the shaking Captain and nodded slowly. Returning to his hut, he laid down in his comfortable bed, and slowly let the warm embrace of sleep take him. ----- A scream rang through Soils ears. He awoke quickly, darting out of the bed. He was sweating, it was so hot! The air smelled of smoke and blood. The sky was filled with black blurs and flames. They were moving so quickly, and dropping fire all over the castle, he couldn't get a clear view. He looked to his garden... his garden. His garden was burning quickly. The petals wilting like snowflakes melt. How could they do this? How could these heartless creatures destroy something purely there for other's enjoyment? The garden shouldn't be burning, they shouldn't have done this! They can't have done this! No! Soils, ponies are dying all around you! Stop focusing on the garden and go try and help! Soils ran, ran with the anger and the hatred he had felt for these foul creatures. Never had he flown so fast through the crumbling walls of the once glorious castle. There was no life left, everypony around him was running, sprinting, trying anything to survive the raining hell around them, avoiding stepping on the mass amount of bodies that littered the floor. After what seemed like years of running, dodging, screaming, Soils found the Captain among the dying. The Captain stared at him, eyes growing ever more cloudy. He dragged the Captain as quickly as he could into his safe-house next to his hut, opening a small trap door into a cellar below. "What happened here? Why is this happening?" Soils could not stop the tears from streaming down his face. Be strong for him Soils, be strong. "The Duskhearts... they couldn't come while Junebug was here... she left us." The Captain coughed, blood spraying over Soils' trembling body. "She left us here to die." The Captain lurched forward and gasped as the life drained from his body. Soils turned away. He could not watch this. He could not have this memory implanted on him, he could not. Soils waited by the door, feeling the heat of the chaos above him. The cellar was lit by the strong flames seeping through the cracks of the door, the vibrant red was overwhelming. Hours passed. Days passed. Years passed for all he knew. Slowly, the screams got quieter... the fire that lit the cellar died down, and blackness overtook his vision. He heard a loud thump as something landed. He heard the Duskhearts speaking to one another, but he couldn't make out the words. They seemed frustrated, annoyed. They took off. Soils waited until the sun shone through the cracks in the door before opening it, then opened it slowly. He gasped as he emerged from his safe haven. The scene around him was one of despair. The air reeked of the dead; the walls of the castle had crumbled. He slowly stepped around the castle, looking at his garden that once was. Ash remained, nothing but ash. He walked around the crumbles of stone, where the grand hall once was... Looking toward Canterlot, he saw ponies slowly getting out of their homes. Blood ran freely down the streets. He just walked through the streets, tears streaming easily down his face. The sound of mourning ponies filled his ears, images of pain and terror flooded his head. Soils found the river, he needed this blood off of his body. He sighed, most of his white body had been died red in the blood of the dead, and his dark purple hair was crusty and blackened. He washed himself slowly, letting all the dirt and blood flow easily off of his body. As he walked back through the town of Canterlot, he was stared at. He would not concern himself with these ponies, no, they did not know what pain was. He would find Celestia, he would find Junebug. And he'd ask, ever so politely, why they had left all of his friends and loved ones to die.

Gummers

355

Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Twilight Sparkle,Adventure,Dark,Romance,Slice of Life,Tragedy,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Gardener

hiatus

<p>Nations fall.<br/>Powers rise.</p><p>And a gardener... is still a gardener.</p><p>-----Currently undergoing an overhaul. Any chapters that are up have been overhauled.----</p><p>Important update:<br/>If you read this before 8/1/11, it was dramatically different than it is now. Quite frankly, I didn't put the work into it that I should have, and it wasn't nearly as strong as the revamp will make it. I encourage you to re-read any chapters that you had before that date, and I guarantee you won't be as disappointed as you were the first time you read it.</p><p>Do also note some minor changes in the story. Don't want to miss those or anything.</p><p>It should also be noted that the picture looks 20% more awesome under the Nightmare Moon theme. Try it, I promise you won't be disappointed.</p>

everyone

2011-08-02T17:15:49+00:00

2011-08-02T17:15:49+00:00

Soils was off. Canterlot was miles into the background, it's weeping skylines still pouring tears on anyone who cared to look. Do not turn back Soils, do not look upon that anymore. Your garden is gone, wasted, ash. The closest city to Canterlot was Ponyville. The search would begin there. As Soils walked into Ponyville as discreetly as he could muster, he couldn't help but notice the Everfree Forest adjacent to the small village... The plants seemed to be different than what he was used to. He had heard stories of the wonder of the plants inside, but never of the- WEEDS! As Soils drew closer to the forest he noticed the incredible amount of weeds, untamed, uncontrolled. They had a place and that was nowhere. Who kept these grounds? This is just unacceptable, completely unacceptable. As Soils began to walk straight to those intruders to give them the just reward they deserved, a pink pony ran up to him and stood in front of him, obviously observing him. The pink pony jumped up quickly, much to Soils' surprise, and jumped over his head, dashing to what seemed to be an impossible speed back to the town, finally disappearing inside what seemed to be a bakery. Soils looked to the terrible abominations that were weeds, and then back to the bakery. Lives had to come first. Soils reluctantly walked into the bakery, not knowing what to expect. It was very cheerful, very lively. Cakes and treats littered the tables, and many fine looking treats were on display. The pink pony was speaking very quickly to an older couple, who were nodding and smiling. Something about a party, it was hard to keep up. Soils approached the threesome. "Excuse me..." The pink pony turned to Soils, excitement showing in her face. She spoke, her speech was quick, without pauses, "You're new here, right? I saw you and didn't know you but I know everyone in Ponyville so if I've never seen you before that must mean you've never been here before and if you've never been here before you don't have any friends and if you-" Soils stopped listening, waiting simply for the noise to die down. It didn't. The pony seemed content speaking for eternity. Soils, losing his patience after several minutes, finally placed a hoof on her mouth. "I'm not really here to party... Honestly, not really a fan of those things. I'm looking for Princess Celestia, did she come by this way?" The pink one tilted her head, and then spoke, "She DID and I know right where she's going because I was in the room when she said that she was going to this place but she said I shouldn't come or tell anyone where she's going and so I was all 'Aww, I want to come though!' and she was all "No, you can't come Pinkie Pie' and I was all 'But but but' but then she interrupted me and said I couldn't go and that was it!" Soils blinked twice. Communicating with this one was difficult, much quicker paced than anything he had seen before. "... So you can't tell me where she's going? I really do need to find her, really I do." Pinkie Pie looked like she was deep in thought, and she smiled and seemed to explode with happy. "Oohhhhhh, she told me not to TELL anyone but I guess if it's really really really important I could SHOW you where she's going!" "Pardon?" "Yeah! I'll just take you there Mr...." "Soils." "Soily! I'll take you there Mr. Soily, we'll get this whole mess worked out!" Great. Perfect. Fan-freaking-tastic. This will be so much fun. But... I guess if she knows where she is, she knows where she is right? Pinkie Pie hopped happily down the stairs carrying bags full of Celestia-knows-what on her back. She grinned openly at Soils, but looked confused for a second. "Don't you have anything to pack there Soils?" Soils stared at Pinkie Pie for a long second, "I used to... I mean, no. I don't." Pinkie Pie just laughed, "You're silly Soils. I like you, let's go!" It was blatantly obvious she was oblivious to everything around her. The duo walked out of the bakery into the sunlight. It was warm and inviting. Soils got a good look at the buildings, and noticed one which was nested inside a tree... That was odd, how does the tree not rot and die? Magic? Most magic doesn't sustain that kind of life. Soils resolved to come find the owner of the tree and ask that pony how it is sustained without dying, leaves and all. The buildings grew thin as they started on the road, a sign informed Soils that they were headed to Appleloosa; a field was all that seemed to remain for an endless expanse, yellow wheat rising higher than most ponies were tall. Pinkie had told him normally there was a train to Appleloosa, but since the castle had been destroyed, the trains were shut down as a precaution against their possible destruction on the unprotected stretches they traversed.. It was odd, she didn't seem nervous at all, as if her happiness was a shield from all that would attack her, as if her laughter and joy could protect her from anything the world could throw at her, including death. She had an aura of pleasure, an air of euphoria. How does a pony maintain that in the bleakest of times? The castle was destroyed, her Goddess's castle was destroyed, and she knew of it. How was it that she was able to maintain such a blissful nature? Pinkie Pie talked about her life at the bakery, making cupcakes with young ones and having adventures at the gala. Soils was attentive, though he didn't find himself caring too much about Pinkie Pie's life, he was focused on simply walking, getting to the next destination. The fields were clean, no weeds to be found... So he simply just walked for what seemed like hours. Pinkie Pie stopped suddenly, gazing forward. Soils stopped scanning the field for weeds and also stared to find a pony standing in the middle of the road, staring straight at them. His skin was an ashen black, and his hair was flaming, blowing in the gentle breeze; his piercing dragon's eyes locked on Pinkie Pie, the red growing as the black strips of pupil drew in closer and closer on Pinkie Pie's face. This was a Duskheart, this had to be. This monster was responsible for destroying his garden, his beautiful garden, and the castle. Nowhere in hell did this creature belong. It spoke, fierce and powerful, without averting his gaze, "Pinkie Pie, I'm afraid you'll have to come with me. White earth pony, if you wish to live, you will leave." Soils stared strait back at this pony, he just stared until its eyes were no longer locked onto Pinkie Pie, but him. He would not confront this beast without its full attention. "If you think we intend to do what you ask, filth, you are sorely, sorely mistaken." The Duskheart laughed, just sat there and laughed, "Alright then, fine. I was hoping to try this anyway." The sky darkened, and the Duskheart flew straight up into it's black-clouded air. The air whipped Pinkie and Soils so that it was incredibly hard to maintain balance. Soils would not die today, could not die today. This wasn't going to happen to him. Grabbing Pinkie Pie by the tail, Soils darted into the fields, randomizing his path as much as possible. Daring to look back, he saw what he hoped he wouldn't see; a flaming tornado consuming everything in it's path. The Duskheart flew at the top, commanding it's massive destruction. Run Soils, faster. You can do better than this! In the distance, Soils saw a boulder rising up from the grass. Turning, they pressed their bodies up against it. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. This was going to be it... Soils felt himself falling... Blackness enveloped him. He landed in a room with Pinkie Pie, it was dark, nothing could be seen. Soils called out, "Pinkie Pie?" "Y-y-y-eah?" "Where are we?" "I don't know." Moments of silence passed. Pinkie Pie was shaken. Her tremors could be heard and felt. Stay strong Soils, stay strong for her. Light flooded in. Somewhere, a door had opened. Hoofsteps were heard. An alicorn filled the doorway's space. Looking down upon the two frightened ponies, it bowed, and spoke.

Autumn Wind

359

Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

I'll Never Let Go

complete

<p>After her jealousy made the once meek Luna into the dangerous Nightmare Moon, her sister Celestia had no choice but to exile her to the moon so that she would no longer pose a threat to the ponies of Equestria. However, she would not let her sister spend a thousand years alone. Every week, Celestia sets off to the moon, to see what is happening of her dear sister...</p>

everyone

2011-07-31T20:32:53+00:00

2011-07-31T20:32:53+00:00

I’ll Never Let Go A “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” fan fiction Written by Autumn Wind Disclaimer: This is a work of fan made fiction, based on the animated show “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” I do not own, nor lay any claim to My Little Pony or any related intellectual property. This work was made entirely for entertainment and appreciation, and should not be distributed for profit. It was that day again. The prison vessel had plunged into shadows and risen again onto Equestria seven times since her last visit. Celestia observed the surface of the moon as she hurried through the void, carried by powerful magic. A single mare sat in the gray dust, waiting for her, looking up at the sky. High above Equestria, the moon had always been a beautiful sight. However, its surface could only be described as unwelcoming, nothing but grey dust and dark sky, coldness and shadows. Though the magic barrier restraining her to the surface protected Luna from the constant rigors of open space, it was no place to spend a day, let alone several hundred years. In a flash of bright light, Celestia’s physical form manifested in the moon’s sky. With a muted thump, the white alicorn landed, raising a cloud of dirt around her landing. Her expression showed deep worry, but a gleam of hope twinkled in her eyes. This time, things would work out differently. She was sure of it. Taking a deep breath, she set down the wicker basket that her magic had held afloat next to her. Today was Monday, and just like every Monday for the past few hundred years, Celestia had flown out into the cosmos to bring the Mare in the Moon some food, sisterly affection and a chance at repentance. Though their nature as goddesses absolved them from the need to eat, it helped them keep a better disposition and kept their powers at peak capacity. Therefore, she mostly brought it as a gesture of good will. Every week, she hoped to share it with Luna. With the events of last week, she just knew that this time, she would get to. They would eat together, and then they would head back to Equestria and announce the great news to the ponies. Nightmare Moon was no more. “Celestia! You came!”, a young voice sounded. “Luna?” Celestia couldn’t help but exclaim. Had her hopes finally come true? It seemed too good to be true. Maybe, just maybe, it was real this time. Celestia knew it was more than likely a trick by Nightmare Moon, but she wanted it to be true. If it really was Luna, every millisecond of affection more was worth risking falling into a trap. “Sister!” the filly-looking goddess squealed as she galloped towards her adored sibling. “You came for me!” “Oh... Luna... I knew that someday, just someday, I’d find you here instead of Nightmare Moon. Was it the telescope I got you? Did that let you see how much ponies like your night? What was it?” Luna smiled and mirrored Celestia’s gallop, eagerly moving to meet her sister. “Yes! I looked down on Equestria at night and I saw the ponies partying and having fun, and the stargazers making their maps. It made me see how much Equestria loves me! I’m sorry, sister. I’m so sorry I ever doubted you.” Overjoyed, Celestia stepped forward and wrapped her forelegs around her sister, pulling her into a deep hug. Luna returned the gesture of affection, with a sweet, relieved smile on her face. With her head draped over her younger sister’s shoulder, Celestia couldn’t see the smile slowly melt into a vicious, sadistic grin. In a flash and a scream of anguished rage, the filly nearly doubled in size, becoming every bit as tall as her solar counterpart. Celestia’s eyes shot wide open as her “sister” pulled her head back and gave her the most horrible of stares. “Well, well. It seems you’ve fallen for this one again, haven’t you, Celestia? This time, I’m not letting you go. I’ll strangle you with my bare hooves, and take the power that rightly belongs to me. I’ll take back those hundreds of years you’ve stolen from me! I’ll rip them one by one, right out of your soul! I’ll never let go, not until you stop breathing!” Nightmare Moon’s legs wrapped solidly around Celestia’s neck. The dark mare was using all her strength trying to finish things in the simplest, most brutal way. However, something just wasn’t right. Her assailant was barely exerting any pressure on her throat. It only took a token effort for Celestia to escape the Mare in the Moon’s grip. Week after week of screaming her rage out into space and desperately trying manner after manner of escape had taken a severe toll on Luna’s body. Her horn had gone dull and no longer provided any magic talent. Her wings had atrophied and could no longer carry her through the air. Her mane hung limply, no longer floating or shining. Celestia spoke coldly and stoically. Only her strong willpower kept her from showing troubling disappointment. She didn’t want to show weakness. She needed to stay strong. “Nightmare Moon. After the first hundred times you used this trick, I should certainly have seen through it. Shame on me for being so trusting.” Nightmare Moon was hunched over, wobbling with every step. She dragged herself across the ground, exhausted, retreating from Celestia in defeat. Stopping a few meters away from her uninvited guest, the somber goddess offered a mocking, emaciated smile. “Yes, Celestia. You were always so blind. Unable to recognize your sister’s sorrows. Unable to notice her envy. She turned murderous, and you still didn’t notice. I could throw your sun at you, and you wouldn’t even see it coming.” Celestia’s only answer to the mockeries was a blank stare. She refused to give Nightmare Moon the satisfaction of getting to her. After so long, Nightmare Moon had exhausted her notably large vocabulary of invectives and insults. This time, the fallen moon princess had resigned herself to insults the like of which were often heard in elementary schools around Equestria. Raising a single eyebrow, she questioned, “Why must we go through these tricks and games every time I come see you? Can we not simply talk?” Nightmare Moon’s smug grin collapsed into a grimace. Her teeth ground against one another. She approached her sister hesitantly, slithering ever closer. She hissed words of fury, slowly turning into fully voiced anger. "I don’t want to talk to you! You’ve come to mock me once more! Is this sequestration not a sufficient punishment, Celestia? Was banishing me not enough for you? How dare you show your face here again? What more do you want from me, sister? You’ve taken everything! My powers, my strength, my freedom; I have nothing left!” Celestia turned her back on Nightmare Moon. “The only thing I took from you was your ability to hurt our subjects. You took away your strength by yourself. Your rage and anger are what exhaust you so much. If you would only stop to breathe and think quietly, perhaps you would not be so fatigued.” Nightmare Moon’s eyes wandered across the surface until they met the basket. “Food. Again? Really? Ridiculous.” With a single swipe of a dull horn, the basket sparked with magic for a moment before detonating into a burst of smoke, scattering the produce that had been brought within, and shattering the crystalline water bottle. Celestia sighed, still refusing to look at the pony that had once been her sister. She had expected such defiance. She gazed at the scattered victuals. Last week’s vegetables and fruit were gone and it was easy to tell that the prisoner wasn’t going hungry so badly. She knew full well that once she had left, Nightmare Moon would nourish herself. Though they did not need to eat as goddesses, a lack of nutrition did take a serious toll on their power and health. Other scenes attracted Celestia’s attention across the desolate plains. To the east, the remains of a shattered telescope lay near a large rock. To the west, a track of displaced dust seemed to grow with every one of her visits, leading to a crater a few meters ahead. Celestia had often witnessed the obsessive attempts at flying back that invariably ended in a crash. Between the magical barrier and Nightmare Moon’s own exhaustion, there was no way she would be able to fly back by her own means. "You know full well why I have come, Luna, just like last week, and the thousands before. I’ve come to see how you are, hoping that perhaps you would have reflected enough. It was with great sorrow that I sent you here, and with greater sorrow even that I am forced to keep you here.” Nightmare Moon’s disdainful face contorted into a frown of anger. She grabbed Celestia by the shoulders and forcibly turned her around. Mustering what little strength she had left, she pulled herself just inches away from her sister’s face. She flew into a frenzy of shouting, pounding at the mare with her front hooves. "Why won't you let me be, sister? Why do you insist on coming up here and disturbing my solitude? Go away! Leave me alone! Can’t you see there is no hope? Why do you insist on loving me after everything I’ve done! I’ve wounded you! I’ve tried to kill you! I’ve been making attempt after attempt on your life every week since you stuck me here! Why do you refuse to hate me? Celestia! Answer that! Why won’t you hate me!” Her blows barely shook Celestia. The white mare made no effort to stop her sister. She was part of the reason Nightmare Moon was so hysterical, and she knew the only hope to talk to her was to wait out the pure frothing rage, the incoherent outburst of emotion that accomplished nothing except weaken the mare even further. “One day, I will find my way back onto Equestria, and it will be my turn at last! I’ll show you! I’ll crush you! I’ll destroy you! Equestria will see that Nightmare Moon is their true leader!" After what seemed an eternity, the assault finally ebbed. Celestia was shaking in place, horrified by what her sister had become. Her lips quivered as she did all she could to restrain herself from collapsing into tears. It tore her apart to know that Luna was suffering. She couldn’t do anything about it except come week after week and let Nightmare Moon take everything out on her. This was her burden. During the first few years, Nightmare Moon had still been strong, and she had inflicted several terrible wounds to the sun goddess when they clashed. However, as the years had gone by, the Mare in the Moon had become far too weak and exhausted to pose a threat. The only pains these visits now brought to Celestia were emotional wounds. As the years went by, Celestia was terrified that perhaps she would never see her sister’s true self again. Still, she kept coming, week after week. Rarely, she would get a glimpse of the real Luna. She would comfort her for the few precious seconds where she could talk to her before Nightmare Moon began lashing at her anew. "I do not come for who you are now, but for who you once were. I will never abandon you, no matter what abuse you inflict on me. I know you’re still somewhere in there, lost in all that rage. I know one day, I’ll be able to get you out of there. Luna, I still love you. No matter what you’ve done, I still care about you." Nightmare Moon had collapsed onto the ground again. She was out of breath from doing more shouting than could ever be healthy. She was panting heavily, occasionally coughing from having inhaled too much of the dust her outburst had kicked up. Though she no longer had the strength to lash out physically, she kept the verbal assault up, in a broken voice that carried words of rage and sorrow. "You idiot, Celestia. Luna is gone. Now there is only Nightmare Moon. She has vanished into rage and envy. If you care so much, then why do you keep me in this ironic prison? I should be down there. We should have been equals, but you kept it all for yourself, you selfish mule!" "Luna, I know you are still there. You hide your sorrows and anger behind this Nightmare Moon mask. Do you think I enjoy keeping you here? That I come here and let you abuse me for my own pleasure? In this state, you would be a threat to our subjects, I have no choice. I must do what is best for Equestria. I come every week offering you a chance of salvation. Yet, you insist on shouting and lashing out." Celestia looked down at the exhausted figure, her eyes full of pity. Why do you do this to yourself, sister... Tears were beginning to well up in her eyes, and a knot formed in her throat. "You stand so tall and proud in the face of a prisoner. Pitiful. You were always so full of yourself. A show-off! A power-hungry tyrannical show-off! Get out of here! Your light and color repulse me! You make me sick!" Nightmare Moon was shouting again. She lunged at Celestia once more, but the exhaustion was too much for her body to handle. She collapsed onto her stomach. Forcing herself into a sitting position, Nightmare Moon tried to spit on Celestia. However, she was too dehydrated, and nothing came of it. Celestia took a few steps towards her sister, wrapping a warm wing around her exhausted body. and pulling her into a close embrace. Her muzzle gently brushed against the black mare’s starry mane, and she whispered words softly into her’s ear. Her sister was in no shape to resist the affection, and simply snarled her discontentment. "As you wish. I am leaving. You would do well to look down onto Equestria. Some ponies still remember the true Luna; I remember her most of all. I know that one day, you will be yourself again, and I wait for that day like no other. Sister, I love you. I’ll come back next week. I’ll never let go, not until you stop suffering." Celestia turned on her heels for one final time, brushing away a stray tear from her pristine cheek. There was nothing more for her to do here. A single flap of her strong wings shot her out into space, like a beam of sun, leaving behind naught but a sprinkle of fallen tears twinkling to the darkness. Nightmare Moon was left alone, screaming and flailing against the dusty surface. Her angered words eventually collapsed into incoherent screams. She pulled at her mane in fury, violently kicked at the ground, sought violence against everything all at once in a meltdown of insane proportions. Slowly, her rage collapsed into sorrow, until she finally broke down into incontrollable bawling, the black coat of her cheeks glistening with tears. "Come back here! You tyrant! You’re nothing to me! I hope your stupid ball of plasma burns you to ashes! I hate you Celestia! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you so much! I hate you... Celestia... Sister... Please don't leave me alone again..." I’d like to thank the people at Derpyhooves Chat and Ponychan who helped make this fic a possibility with their proofreading, reviews and critique. A special shout out goes to my favorite filly, Cheechos, who was great help with inspiration and helping me figure things out. Another special shout out to Present Perfect and Twilight Snarkle who both gave this fic the rough shakedown of odds and ends it needed. A third and final shout out to Kim Fluttershy Dykas for his great review of the early product, which helped expand this story from the husk it was the first time I asked for a review. My heart goes out to you and your family for the tragic loss. All comments and criticism are welcome, either through comments wherever you’ve read this fic, or through email at autumnwind.mlp@hotmail.com. I ask in particular: What did you think of “Nutmare Moon”? Please do not distribute this fic without my express permission, though I will gladly give permission for this fic to appear on most of any fan fiction sites if I am asked politely. Thanks for reading!

Soulsilver

360

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Adventures of Soulsilver

incomplete

<p>While in the forest looking for some ingredients for an experiment, Twilight finds an injured pony and takes him to the hospital. Who is this strange pony? Why can't he remember anything? And why doesn't he have a Cutie Mark?</p>

everyone

2011-11-28T06:05:18+00:00

2011-11-28T06:05:18+00:00

A Strange Introduction: Part One It was a beautiful Spring morning in Equestria, and flowers were coming into bloom all over. Everypony was just getting out of bed, getting ready for the day. Well, almost everypony. One certain lavender unicorn was already up, and walking towards the dark woods known as the Everfree Forest. On her flank she was carrying a pair of saddlebags, one packed with books and provisions, the other empty. On her back she carried a very disgruntled purple dragon. “But Twilight,” complained the dragon. “Why do we have to collect these flowers so early in the morning?” “Because Spike,” replied Twilight the unicorn. “These flowers are only in bloom for a few hours. We would already have them if you had woken up when I asked.” “Well, fine, I understand that. But why do we have to go into the forest to get them? Who knows what lurks around there this early in morning?” “Spike, I explained this already, they only grow in the Everfree. Besides, they aren’t too far in, I doubt we’ll run into anything. I hope.” She whispered the last part to herself, remembering an encounter with a Cockatrice. She shivered lightly. “Okay, let’s get going,” she said, shaking her fear away slightly with her head. She continued on, walking in between the large trees that made up the borderline of the forest. *** After a half-hour of searching they came across a clearing filled with various colours of many flowers. It was a huge difference between the dark woods they had just walked out of, Twilight almost thought that they had walked in a circle and out of the forest, as there was no canopy covering the clearing, allowing in the sun. Twilight’s assumption of not running into any monsters had been correct. “Spike, we found it!” Twilight exclaimed happily. When she didn’t hear a response she quickly turned around worried that Spike was gone. What she saw instead, was the dragon sleeping on her back. She smiled lightly, and nudged him awake. “Spike, wake up, we’re here,” she whispered. “Huh, wah?” Spike awoke, rubbing his eyes. “What you say, Twilight?” When he open his eyes, they widened in amazement. “Whoa! This is beautiful! Who’d expect that this was in the Everfree Forest?” “Yes, Spike, it’s very surprising,” she giggled. “Come on now, we have to collect these up while they’re still in bloom.” “Sure thing, Twilight,” he said as he opened her saddlebag. “So, uh, can you tell me why we’re getting these flowers?” “I need them for an experiment, Spike,” she replied. “I’m testing to see if different aromas have different affects on chemicals. These are the most aromatic in the area, from what I’ve read, and that means that they are crucial in the tests.” “Huh. You know, you could of just asked Zecora if she had any. I’m sure she would have.” “…..shush you and help me collect these flowers. If you’re a good boy, I’ll buy you a gem from Rarity when we get back.” “Yes Ma’am!” Spike replied enthusiastically, for more than one reason. He hopped down off her back and started to pick some flowers. After a couple of minutes Spike had collected more than enough and hopped back on top of her, putting the flowers in the saddlebags and closing them. “Okay, now that that’s taken care of, let’s get going back to tow-“ “HEY! IS ANYBODY THERE! I NEED HELP!” somepony suddenly yelled from the trees behind Twilight. She jumped a foot in the air screaming and ran behind a tree. “PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP! I’M BADLY HURT!” the voice said. Twilight then heard violent coughing. She felt apprehensive, but was still worried for whoever it might be, as they did sound like they were in a considerable amount of pain. She cautiously stepped out from behind the tree, horn glowing and Spike clutching her mane, terrified. “Wh-Who’s there? Sh-Show yourself!” she yelled back in the direction the voice had come from. After several moments a shape moved out from the shadows towards her. Twilight instantly stopped worrying as a pegasus pony stepped out from behind some trees. She held her ground but as the pony walked out from under the trees she saw that he was limping and hurt. Very badly. He had deep scratches and gashes all over his body, as well as many bruises and what appeared to be several puncture wounds in his side. As he limped over he started to collapse into the ground. Twilight, abandoning all fear and replacing it with concern, ran to his side. He was barely conscious. “Are you alright?!” she asked. He looked up at her and, through his pain, she saw an expression that clearly said ‘Do I look alright?!’ He held that look for a moment before passing out. “Oh no, oh no, oh no, no, no, no, no!” Twilight said frantically. “Hold on Spike, I need to teleport us to the hospital!” Not giving Spike a chance to prepare himself, her horn began to glow, and in a flash of light all three were gone. *** ….. He came to. He was in a grey void, unable to move more than his eyes. Then, all of a sudden he heard a voice. “Soulsilver.” He looked around frantically with his eyes, searching for the source of the voice. “Soulsilver.” It sounded closer. He started to worry, but then realised that the voice sounded familiar, which for some reason filled him with more dread. “Soulsilver.” Completely terrified he tried to move, despite not having control of his body. “Soulsilver. I’m going to kill you. It’s more than you deserve.” Completely gripped by fright, he found himself losing consciousness, until he blacked out. *** Two hours later Twilight was at the hospital in the hallway outside of the strange pony’s room. With her were their five friends Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie, Spike having been taken back to the library. They waited for the nurse to come back from collecting the diagnosis papers. They were all worried, both for the strange stallion in the room next to them and for Twilight, who seemed to have been quite shaken from the experience. Fluttershy was next to her with her wing around the unicorn's body, comforting her. Rainbow Dash was looking at the door to the room, wondering what was taking the nurse so long. She was anxious to find out what had happened to the pony to require so much attention. Applejack was occupying herself by pacing back and forth along the hallway thinking to herself. Rarity was silently fretting over several things, Twilight’s mental well being, the safety of the stallion, and, of course, the state of Twilight’s coat. ‘Just look at her, she’s covered in blood. I suppose that she had tried to stop the bleeding and was too weak from the teleport to use magic. The poor girl, I think I’ll take her for a trip to the spa once all this is over with.’ Pinkie’s reaction, however, was shocking to all her friends. The usually happy-go-lucky Pinkie Pie was just sitting there on a seat, frowning, being silent and looking sad. It was at everyponies relief when Nurse Redheart came around the corner and walked towards them. “Nurse, thank goodness you’re here,” said Fluttershy, a little louder than her usual timid voice. Twilight looked up at the nurse. “How bad is it?” asked Twilight, with worry in her eyes. “It’s not looking good, I’m afraid,” replied Redheart solemnly. “He appears to have gotten into a fight with a manticore. The scratches and gashes on his back and torso were from its claws, and the puncture wounds on his abdomen were from its tail. We had to remove quite a bit of venom from him. And it also seems that both his wings are broken.” She sighed, “I We don’t think he’s going to make it. The venom was in his body for too long, and he’s lost a lot of blood. I’m surprised that he was still alive when he found you.” Twilight looked down at the ground, trembling. “Can-can we see him?” asked Pinkie quietly while stepping forward slowly. “You can if you want, but he won’t be awake,” answered Redheart. “ I’ll just go and change his bandages, and then you can come in.” She opened the door and walked inside, closing it behind her. They all just sat there for a moment before hearing a loud gasp from behind the door. Looking up they saw Redheart burst out of it. “Twilight!” gasped Redheart. “You’re going to want to look at this! The rest of you come as well!” She went back in the room and was quickly followed by the others. Twilight gasped at what she saw. The bloodied and beaten form that was the stallion an hour ago looked as though he had been in a fight with a house cat rather than a manticore, and the wounds that were still visible were slowly fading. “Don’t ask me how it happened, but his wounds have almost completely healed!” Redheart said with joy. “His condition is stabilizing and the bleeding has stopped completely! And if the rest of him is an example, then his wings must be healing as well! He’s going to be fine!” Twilight sighed with relief, and, for the first time since teleporting out of meadow, she relaxed. “Well, I don’t think he needs any more help, I’ll leave you all with him and report this to the doctor. Hopefully he isn’t busy,” Redheart said cheerfully as she turned to the open door. “I’ll see you all later.” After she closed the door Twilight looked back at the mystery stallion. Not having time to examine his appearance beforehand, she looked him over. He was a pegasus, and his coat was completely white, but stained with red from his blood. Almost all of his bruises were gone except for a large one on his cheek. She remembered that his eyes were blue from when he gave her that look. Just thinking about it made her giggle under her breath and she allowed a small smile onto her lips. Then she looked at his mane. It was peculiar. It was pitch black on the right side of his head, but pure white on the left side, the colours split seamlessly. It reminded her of Rainbow Dash’s mane, and figured that multicoloured manes and tails weren’t all that uncommon, herself having partially pink hair. Her eyes lowered to the sheets that were covering his flank and realised that she didn’t get a good look at his Cutie Mark. “I wonder if he would mind if I check to see what it is.” She shook she head slightly, dismissing the idea. “No, that would be rude AND inappropriate. Besides, he’ll be better soon, I’ll be able to ask him about it then.” As soon as she finished the thought she noticed that his leg was twitching slightly. As she leaned forward for a better look, he suddenly shot his eyes open and sat upright, gasping sharply, causing everypony to jump backwards in fright and Fluttershy to hide behind Rainbow Dash. “Where am I?” he asked, looking around the room frantically. “How did I get here?” “It’s okay, you’re in the hospital, you’re safe now,” Twilight said while slowly stepping forward. “As for how you got here, I teleported us here from the forest.” "Teleported?” he asked quizzically while looking at Twilight before shaking his head. “I’m sorry who are you again?” “Oh, I’m Twilight Sparkle.” She said having regained composure. “And these are my friends, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy.” She introduced her friends one by one, motioning at them with her hoof, each of them weakly waving their hooves at him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” he said before turning back to Twilight. “Particularly you, Miss Sparkle. I fear that if I hadn’t come across you in the meadow I’d be in a lot of trouble.” “Oh, it’s alright,” she replied, waving a hoof, but blushing lightly all the same. “I’m just glad that I was able to get you here in time. And…I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name.” She looked at the stallion smiling awkwardly. “Oh right, my name! How rude of me, my name……I can’t remember it,” he said, looking down. “What?! You can’t remember your own name? That’s horrible! If I couldn’t remember my name I would be going crazy, because that would mean that somepony has stolen my name and that would not be very nice of them, but I guess that if they stole my name that means that they don’t like their own name, which is super-duper sad, so I’d throw them a party to celebrate them getting a new name, and then I’d come up with an absolutely magnifical name for myself! And then celebrate THAT with another party!” exclaimed Pinkie, all in one breath. The stallion just looked at her, puzzled. “….Um, what?” he asked, trying to figure out exactly what the pink Earth-pony had said. “Oh don’t worry about Pinkie, she’s always like that,” said Twilight. “Anyways, about you not being able to remember your name?” “…yes, I can’t remember my name,” he said, slowly taking his eyes off Pinkie. “I can remember something, it might be my name, but I’m not sure. I might have dreamt it.” “Well, sugarcube, in my opinion a name from a dream is a darn sight better than no name at all.“ stated Applejack. “Erm…I suppose your right. I think it was Soulsilver?” he said, while trying to remember the dream he had earlier. “Well, Soulsilver, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance!” said Rarity, stepping forward. “Now that you are feeling better it would be my pleasure to take you and dear Twilight to the spa to get you cleaned up and get you a massage! Goodness only knows how tense your back is.” “Massage?” asked Soul, his ears perking up a little. “Rarity, he just woke up, he shouldn’t be going to a spa!” scolded Twilight. “Yeah, not before he tells us how he managed to survive in the forest!” Rainbow Dash suddenly exclaimed, hovering above his bed. “How long were you in there? How did you escape the manticore?” “Well, I THINK I was in there for around three days, but it was hard to tell without sunlight. That forest was DARK,” he answered. “W-What about the manticore?” asked Fluttershy quietly. Soul turned to look at the shy pegasus. “EEP!” she yelped crouching down further. “I-I mean, you didn’t HURT it, did you?’ “Is that what it was?,” replied Soul, while rubbing his face with his hoof. “I’d never seen anything quite like it. And no, I didn’t hurt it, I just punched a nerve cluster in its neck. You know, to paralyse it, and whatnot. And, now that I think about it, aren’t manticores supposed to be mythical?” Rainbow gave him a look like he was slow. “Oh, no, they aren’t myths, but that doesn’t matter, I’m just glad you didn’t have to hurt it,” replied Fluttershy, a little brighter than before. “Oh yeah, that reminds me,” started Soul, while turning back to Twilight. “Why aren’t I dead? Last I remember I was bleeding. A lot.” “Er, well, we aren’t entirely sure,” explained Twilight quite nervously. “The doctors managed to get the venom out of your system, but they said that it was too late, and that your wounds had bled out too much. But when we came in your wounds had almost completely healed and your life signs had stabilized. The nurse couldn’t explain it, so she went to tell the doctor.” “That is quite strange. Wonderful, as it means I’m not dying anytime soon, but strange,” said Soul, his brow furrowing in thought. “So Souly-wouly, how did you end up in the forest? Did you crash there or something? Oh I know, maybe someone teleported you there by accident!” Pinkie said, while jumping all around the room, confusing Soul more and more as she continued to defy physics. “Er…I don’t know,” he answered while watching her. “All I remember is waking up on the forest floor. I couldn’t remember how to do much. I just had my common sense and logical reasoning. I could talk and move, but when I tried walking I just fell onto my face. I didn’t even know that I had wings until I saw them, and it felt strange to move them, like I hadn’t used them in a long time,” “Well then, if you can’t remember anything then you surely mustn't have anywhere to stay!” stated Rarity. “I’d be more than willing to let you stay at my boutique.” She moved closer to the bed, fluttering her eye-lashes. “Really? Are you sure? You don’t even know me. I don’t even know me.” “Oh I am quite sure. And since it’s in town you’ll be close to everything! Though I’d be happy providing you with anything you’d need,” she replied, her eyes sliding half way closed. “And besides, I’m sure Sweetie Belle would simply love to have someone around the house to keep her company while I’m working,” she continued, regaining her normal expression. “Now just hang on a second! Who says he wants to stay with you?” complained Rainbow Dash, who was clearly fixated on learning as much as possible about the strange quick healing pegasus. “Well, darling, it’s a matter of practicality!” retorted Rarity. “We simply can't allow him to stay at a hotel, not in his state, so he'd obviously stay with one of us, but Applejack’s farm is too far from town, Fluttershy has her animals to take care of, Pinkie Pie works for her room in Sugarcube Corner, Twilight doesn’t have enough room; what with all the studying she does, and as for your house,” she said, turning back to Rainbow. “Is in the sky! The poor dear couldn’t even walk without teaching himself how, what makes you think he’d be able to fly?” “I could teach him! I’m an awesome coach!” “In less than a day? I doubt even Celestia herself could manage that!” Soul just watched the two argue for a little bit before turning to Twilight, and expression of confusion and pleading on his face. She giggled to herself lightly. “Alright girls, that’s enough,” she said, dispelling the argument. “I’m sure you all have questions for Soul, but that can wait for tomorrow, as can any plans for accommodation. For now, I think he just needs some rest.” “Yes, rest definitely sounds good,” said Soul, thankful that Twilight had disarmed the situation, and was finding himself slowly becoming drowsy. “In that case, we’ll get out of your mane,” said Twilight turning to the door, but suddenly stopping and turning back to him. “Oh, right I almost forgot. Can you show me what your Cutie Mark is? I’d like to get an accurate description of you for my letter to the Princess.” Soul just sat there looking completely clueless. “I would show you my Cutie Mark, if I happened to know what that was,” he said confused. “What, is it, like a birth mark, or something?” His question was met by six appalled and horrified expressions. “What?” he asked, worried and even more confused. “Soul…would you mind showing us your flank please?” asked Twilight. “My wha?” he said, clearly not focusing on anything in his worry. Rarity lifted up the bed covers with her magic to reveal his lower body, and they all gasped. His flank was Cutie Mark free. “What?! What is it?! What’s wrong?!” Soul asked frantically, trying to figure out what everyone was worked up about. “You don’t have your Cutie Mark!” Twilight pointed out. “What the hell is a Cutie Mark?! I don’t understand any of this!” “Uh..um..” stuttered Twilight, who had obviously never been in this situation before. “A Cutie Mark is a symbol that appears on the flank of everypony when they discover their special talent, and is brought about by the strongest and mysterious magic known to pony-kind,” she explained, while turning around to show him her flank. "See? My special talent is magic, so I have stars, which are usually associated with magic." “Wait, so your saying that the mere knowledge of what my special talent is triggers a reaction deep in my subconscious that causes magical powers that, I didn’t even know existed a moment ago, to suddenly activate and make a mark appear, permanently, onto my flank?” he asked quite dramatically. “Uh, yeah, that’s pretty much it.” “Oh, well then, that’s nothing to worry about.” “Huh?!” they all gasped, more confused than Soul had been. “What do you mean it’s ‘Nothing much to worry about’?” Twilight asked. “Well, if Cutie Marks work the way I think they do, then that means that a Cutie Mark’s appearance is affected by a person’s psychological mind. And since I don’t remember what my special talent is, it makes perfect sense for my Cutie Mark to disappear. I’ll just have to wait until I remember what it is, and I’ll be right as rain.” “Huh,” Twilight said, thinking. “I had never thought of it like that before.” “Uh, ‘scuse me,” said Applejack, breaking Twilight from her train-of-thought. “but ah didn’t understand a word of that sciency mumbo-jumbo. Anypony care ta explain?” “Duh, isn’t it obvious?” asked Pinkie, her usual chipper attitude having returned. “It MEANS that Soul-Sprinkles here lost his Cutie Mark because he forgot what his special talent was!” As she was talking she had pulled Soul’s head to her and hugged it. “……Soul-Sprinkles?” Soul asked, his confusion taking over again. “Don’t worry, she’ll grow on you,” Twilight reassured him. “But now we really need to go. You guys have to get back to work, and I need to write a letter to the Princess. And YOU need to get some rest,” she said to Soul while walking towards the door, using her magic to open it. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back tomorrow to discharge you. Pinkie, down!” At those words Pinkie let go of Soul’s head and bounced out of the room. After he had waved them all goodbye and the door closed, he practically passed out the second his head hit the pillow, his brain unable to process all the new information that had been giving to him in the past few minutes, and slipped into a dreamless sleep. To be continued… ******** AUTHOR’S NOTES Heya everyone, I hoped you enjoyed this fanfic as much as I did writing it. This was my first ever fanfic of anything, so I’m not sure how it’ll go, and I’d greatly appreciate any advice or criticisms that you may have regarding it. (God, did you over-write or what? This was supposed to be 1500 words. It’s over 3700. No-one is that bad at math! Not even my dog!) Also, please make sure to leave a rating and a comment! Feedback REALLY helps!

Soulsilver

360

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Adventures of Soulsilver

incomplete

<p>While in the forest looking for some ingredients for an experiment, Twilight finds an injured pony and takes him to the hospital. Who is this strange pony? Why can't he remember anything? And why doesn't he have a Cutie Mark?</p>

everyone

2011-08-28T14:39:09+00:00

2011-08-28T14:39:09+00:00

A Strange Introduction: Part Two Soul awoke some time after having passed out the previous day. The first thing that he noticed was that he had a massive headache that made him feel as if he had charged an oncoming train; all of the information he had gathered about his situation coming back at once. The second thing he noticed was that someone had removed all his bandages and could move freely. He decided that it was a good idea to have a shower to clear his head. He got up and steadily made his way to the bathroom through a side door in the hospital room and locked the door behind him. He quickly showered, more for relaxation than cleaning, and only got out after his headache had subsided. He dried himself off before deciding to go to the lobby and try to get them to contact Twilight. He set off towards the elevator, but shortly discovered that the hospital was smaller than he thought hospitals should be, at only two stories high. He shrugged it off; from what he could see out the windows Ponyville was a small town, which he saw bordered a familiar forest. ‘I still don’t know how I survived all that.’ he thought to himself as he walked down the stairs. ‘It’s probably something to do with that magic Twilight used. Speaking of which, I think I’d better do a little research about that when I get the chance. I think I heard one of them mention a library. I’ll have to visit it sometime,’ As he walked into the lobby he saw that Twilight was already at the counter talking with the receptionist, along with Rarity and a purple lizard, which Soul recognised as the one Twilight had been with when he first found her. “Oh, looks like you have perfect timing, here he comes now!” said the receptionist to the trio, and they twirled around on the spot to meet him. “Oh, hi Soul, I wasn’t expecting you to come down so early ,” Twilight said merrily. “We were just filling out the release papers and then we were going to come up to see you.” “How are you feeling, darling?” Rarity asked. “I’m pleased to say that you look in a better state than we left you in.” “Well, I had a headache when I woke up, but it’s gone now, and I feel one hundred percent healthy! Apart from the memory loss that is.” “I was actually meaning to talk to you about that.” Twilight interjected. “I think I may have found a spell that could help you get your memories back.” Soul perked right up. “Really? That’s amazing! I’ll have to come over as soon as possible to try i-“ “AHEM.”He was interrupted by a loud coughing that brought Soul’s attention back to the lizard on Twilight’s back. “Oh right. I keep forgetting my manners. Who might you be, little….,” he paused looking the reptile over for several seconds, before giving up. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what species you are either.” “Soul, I’d like you to meet Spike. He’s a baby dragon and my number one assistant!” Twilight introduced, beaming, while Spike just looked Soul over, eyes narrowed, obviously still nervous about the pony he had seen covered in blood a day earlier. Soul’s eyes, however, widened to twice their original size.“A baby WHAT now?” he asked, completely shocked, before turning to Spike. “OK, now no offense Spike, but from what I know, dragons don’t exist, apart from in fiction.” “Well, obviously you’re wrong,” Spike rebutted flatly, more than a little irritated. “Besides, I thought you couldn’t remember anything!” he said pointing at him accusingly. “Well, I can’t remember any personal information, or experiences, bar the last few days, but I find can remember general information. You know, like the sky is blue and stuff. Though I’m finding a lot of what I remember seems to be false. I’m going to have to do a little more research to see just how much of what I remember is correct.” Twilight’s ears perked up at the mention of research and was about to say something when Rarity interrupted her.“Right, well, you can work on that later,” she said quickly. “For now, it’ll be our delight to show you around the town! Where shall we go first?” As if to answer, Soul’s stomach growled very loudly. “Oh, pardon me. Though you can’t blame me, I didn’t exactly feel safe eating anything in the forest. Where’s the closest food outlet? I feel like I could eat an elephant’s weight of food right now.“ This was punctuated by another loud rumble, causing Twilight to giggle. “Well, the closest place that sells food wouldn’t be open this early, but I suppose we could head to Sweet Apple Acres first and get you something to eat,” she said turning back towards the counter. “We just need to finish this paper work and then we’ll be off.” *** Half an hour later and they arrived at a kind of farm house in the centre of a large apple orchard that had various other small buildings, and a large barn, surrounding it. Soul took a moment to look around before Rarity called in. “Hello! Applejack darling! We’re here to show Soulsilver around the farm!” After a moments silence the front door burst open and Applejack came flying out and grabbed Soul’s right forehoof with both of hers and started to violently shake it. “Well howdy, partner! Ah’m sorry ah couldn’t give ya’ll a proper Apple family greeting yesterday, but that just means we’ll hafta greet ya twice as hard today!” Applejack said quickly while still shaking his hoof. “H-hand…f-falling…o-off,” Soul managed to stutter through the vibrations Applejack was coursing throughout his body, before she pulled him into the house. Twilight just sighed and walked up to the house. Soul stopped suddenly in front of a large red pony, and was still slightly dazed from the sudden movement. “This here’s mah big brother, Big Macintosh! He’s th’ strongest and hardest workin’ pony this side of Manehatten!” Applejack said proudly as she motioned towards the draft pony, who simply stood there and nodded. while smiling with a wheat sprig in his mouth. Soul noted that his name was appropriate; he towered a head above him. Soul didn’t have a chance to take much more than that before he was pulled away again and stopped in front of an elderly pony asleep in a rocking chair, thankfully a little more prepared than last time. “This here’s Granny Smith! She makes the best darn apple treats you can get yer hooves on!” Soul made sure to make note of the older mare’s apple pie Cutie Mark before being whisked away into what seemed to be the sitting room, which was empty. “Oh gosh darn it, where’s Applebloom gone to? I told ‘er to stay put so we could greet you properly!” Applejack asked looking around the room. “Jus’ a sec, Applejack, Ah’m comin’!” answered a small voice from upstairs. “I was jus’ getting’ cleaned up!” A second later Soul heard footsteps coming down the stairs and a little filly rounded the corner. She had a yellow coat, a red mane with a large pink bow in it, and most notably, no Cutie Mark. “Howdy, mister!” She said brightly, before her eyes slid down to his flank. “Wow! It’s true! You don’t have your Cutie Mark! And is it true that you can’t remember nothin’?” she asked eagerly walking up to him. “Well, I can remember a few things, but not much,” Soul answered, eyeing the curious filly. “I certainly can’t remember anybody being so hospitable to me! Well, maybe the hospital. But where are my manners? My name’s Soulsilver,” he said extending a hoof towards Applebloom, who shook it. “And I take it that you’re Applebloom, right?” “Yep! Ah thought ah was the oldest pony to not have mah Cutie Mark! Ah can’t wait to introduce you to the rest of the Crusaders!” she said happily. “So what do you remember? Do ya know why ya woke up in th’ forest? Was it scary fightin’ a manticore all alone?” she continued to get closer with every question. “Okay, now Applebloom, that’s enough badgerin’ the guest. Now ya’ll run along and get ready for school.” Applejack said, shooing the filly out the door. “Awww! But-“ “No buts. Now get!” As Applebloom left the room Twilight, Spike and Rarity walked in through the other door. “Thanks for inviting us in, Applejack.” Spike said, the sarcasm practically dripping from his voice. “Well, ‘scuse me for wanting ta introduce Soul ta everypony.” She replied defensively, while Spike just grumbled. “And now that the formalities are outta the way, do ya’ll mind me asking what brings ya’ll here?” Once again, Soul’s stomach seemed to answer for him, grumbling loudly. Applejack just chuckled lightly. “Now Ah don’t suppose it has anything to do with that, now does it?” she said smirking. “Follow me to th’ kitchen, ah’ll fix ya’ll up some grub.” She walked out the door she had shooed Applebloom out of earlier, who had apparently gone to find something else to do. “Ugh, Applejack, must you really call it ‘grub’? It reminds me of those awful baked bads you made,” Rarity retched while following her. “What are ya’ll complaining about? You didn’t even eat any!” Applejack snapped back. “Baked bads?” Soul asked Twilight. “Oh, it’s a long story. Let’s just say a lot of ponies got sick. Even Pinkie Pie, and nothing makes HER sick!” “ I liked them,” Spike muttered to himself, crossing his arms. Soul and Twilight followed the others into the kitchen, and their nostrils were instantly filled with the smell of several types of apple dishes. In response Soul’s stomach rumbled louder than all the other times, with a force that made him feel as if there was a small earthquake inside of his belly. He looked at it irritated while taking a seat at the table. “Quiet, you.” He muttered to his gut, which just made Applejack chuckle more. “Sounds like you need somthin’ in there pronto,” she said smiling. She grabbed something from the bench and slid it across the table, it stopping in front of Soul. “Here, eat these. They’re leftovers from breakfast.” In front of him was a very large helping of apple pancakes. He was about to dig in when he realized something. “Um, I’d like to, but I don’t have any money, and I wouldn’t want to take advantage of your hospitality,” he explained while looking at the ground sheepishly. “Aw shoot! You think I’d let ya’ll pay for a meal after what you’ve been through? Naw, anything you get from Sweet Apple Acres is on the house! And I’m not takin’ no fer an answer. Now, eat.” Applejack punctuated the last sentence by stomping her hoof down slightly. Not wanting to make her angry he exclaimed his thanks and grabbed the cutlery carefully with his wings. He fumbled with them looking for a good way to hold them, and once found he quickly started cutting off several large chunks and placing them in his mouth. He moaned in delight as his tastebuds were tickled with flavours he could faintly remember. He continued eating like this for a good half a minute before he realized that everyone in the room was giving him a strange look. “What? What is it? Am I eating sloppily?” he quickly asked before examining himself for any food crumbs that may have been on him. “Err, no, it’s nothing,” Twilight reassured. “It’s just the way you’re eating is kind of strange to us. We didn’t know that pegasai could use their wings like that.” “Oh. Well, I had troubles with holding things in my hooves, so I learned to use my wings instead. Much easier than trying to balance on my rear hooves, and definitely better than carrying things in my mouth. It wasn’t fun carrying sticks in my mouth for fire. They do not taste good,” he explained before grabbing another mouthful of pancakes. “Uh, okay, if that’s what you’re comfortable with, it’s fine by me,” she said, smiling awkwardly, before turning towards Applejack. “Anyways, we were planning on showing Soul around the town, and I was wondering if you’d like to join us.” “Well, shoot, Twi’, ah’d love ta, but ah’ve got an awful lot of applebuckin’ to do ta make up fer missing out yesterday.” “Oh no, was that because of me?” Soul asked after swallowing his mouthful. “I’d be glad to help out any way I can.” “Well, Ah’d appreciate that, but ya’ll have got more important things to worry about, like actually being able to find your way aroun’ town. So ya’ll come back here when you’ve gotten yourself sorted out.” “Well, I’d like to learn more about this ‘applebucking’, but I suppose it can wait.” Soul continued his breakfast as the others departed into the sitting room. “Oh, isn’t he just a gentlecolt? Offering to repay you right away!” Rarity quietly gushed, bringing a scowl to Spikes face. “And you, Applejack! That was the most generous offering I’ve seen you make to anypony! Free produce for life?” “Well, it’s the least ah could do. I don’t suppose he’s got a bit to his name. And not havin’ any memories or a Cutie Mark’ll make it hard to find a job.” “That’s what I figured, but the princess told me to just try to find a way to bring his memories back, and to contact her if nothing works. So I’m sure we’ll have him fixed up in a couple of days.” “Where do you think he comes from? His accent is quite splendid, but I can’t think of anywhere that doesn’t know about dragons.” “Say what now?” Asked Applejack taken aback giving Rarity a confused. “Ev’ry foal and his mama knows about dragons. They live all over the world.” “He thought that dragons were mythical,” explained Twilight. “You remember what he said about the manticore? Though those are native to Equestria, so he might not have heard about them. But anyways, where he’s from isn’t important right now, what we ought to be focusing on is how he lost his memory in the first place. I’ve come up with several theories, ranging from a variety of medical conditions to several magical memory loss spells.” “Memory tampering?!” Rarity asked scandalized. “Who would want to do something like that to such a kind stallion?” “What I want to know is why you’re all trusting him so much!” said Spike, who was getting angrier by the minute. “How do we even know if he’s telling the truth?! For all we know he’s just saying those things to get attention! Or he could just be a madcolt!” “Spike!” Twilight gasped. “How can you say that? He was almost dead when he found us!” “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Spike said before getting off Twilight’s back and walking towards the front door. “If you need me I’ll be cleaning the library.” “Spike!” Twilight called, and was about to run after him when Applejack held her hoof out in front of her. “Now, hold on there, Twi’. I don’t know what’s got his scales in a twist, but it sounds like he needs to cool off. Ya’ll should just give him some space.” Twilight sighed, defeated. “Okay, let’s get Soul. He should be finished his pancakes by now,” she said, turning back towards the kitchen door. When she opened the door she reviled Soul staring at her while nonchalantly holding an apple pie in his wings close to his open mouth. “Uh, Soul, you weren’t about to eat that whole apple pie, were you?” “…nooo,” he quietly said, while looking away. Twilight just cocked an eyebrow at him. “What else did you eat?” she asked suspiciously. “Just the pancakes!” he said a little too quickly, causing Twilight to give him a half-lidded stare. “And some apples. And maybe a fritter or two. I stayed away from the muffins though,” he defended, giving an awkward smile while slowly putting the pie on the table. “And besides, I got them from that fridge over there with a note saying ‘Leftover produce; give away.’” Twilight was about to give him a lecture on asking for things before taking them, and possibly the dangers of eating so much food in one sitting, when Applejack interrupted her. “It’s okay, Twi’. Really. Ah usually just give that stuff ta Pinkie Pie at the end o’ the week, anyways. Ah’m shure that she won’t mind sharing with Soul here,” she said before chuckling. “Ah recon they’ll be best friends, considerin’ how much she eats.” “Yes yes, we can discuss eating habits later,” said Rarity impatiently drawing everyone’s gaze to her. “But for now we really must be going if we are to show Soulsilver around the town. Twilight sighed before turning back to Soul. “Alright, you’re right. Come on, Soul let’s get going. We’ve still got a lot of place to show you.” “Okay then, let’s head off then,” he said getting up before looking around. “Hey, where’d Spike go?” “Um, he had some errands to do! At the library! So he had to run off.” Twilight explained hastily, giving him an overly large false grin. Soul cocked his eyebrow at her. “Really? Well, they must have been important if he couldn’t say goodbye. Oh well, I guess we’ll catch up to him later. Let’s go,” he said before turning to Applejack. “And thank you for your hospitality, Miss Applejack. You’re apples are delicious.” “Why thank ya kindly, Soul,” she replied before they walked back out the door. “Just remember to come back now, ya hear?” she called out after him. When they were gone she walked back into the kitchen to put the pie away only to find that it was gone. Chuckling to herself, she went to start her daily chores. *** Several hours later Twilight and Rarity had show Soul around town and introduced him to several ponies. These included a mint green unicorn called Lyra whose Cutie Mark was coincidentally a lyre, and a cream coloured Earth pony called Bon-Bon who, also coincidentally, had three bon-bons on her flank. The next pony Soul met was a strange blond maned grey pegasus mare whose eyes didn’t seem to want to co-operate. When he asked her what her name was she said “Derpy Hooves! I’m late for muffin pick-up!” before flying off, leaving Soul to give his companions a confused look. They just giggled at his expression before Twilight explained. “Her name is Ditzy Doo. She calls herself…that name because apparently it was an old nickname she had gotten accustomed to. She may seem a little out of it, what with her wonky eye and speech impediment, but she’s actually quite intelligent. She is never late with the mail, though she does have trouble with heavy deliveries.” As she said the last sentence she rubbed her head and frowned. “What about those muffins she mentioned? She seemed kind of enthusiastic about them,” he asked. “Oh, she calls lots of things muffin. Considering how it’s almost midday she’s probably picking up her daughter from school,” Twilight explained. “That’s a bit early for school to be over.” “The classes are split into two lessons, a morning one finishing at midday and an afternoon one, finishing at three. Oh, that reminds me!” she exclaimed turning to Rarity. “Rarity, isn’t Sweetie Belle in the morning class?” “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea, Twilight!” responded Rarity getting Twilight’s point. “We should head over to the school and pick her up and introduce Soul to her! How does that sound, Soul darling?” she said turning to him, eyes fluttering, causing Twilight to roll her eyes. Soul just smiled. “That’s fine with me, I just wonder if she’ll be as overwhelmed as Applebloom was. Let’s head off,” he said as he nodded towards the road. Twilight nodded in response. “Yeah, I’m sure her and her friends are excited to meet you,” she said smiling before trotting off down the road, Soul and Rarity in tow. *** Soul, Twilight and Rarity found their way to the school gate to find three small fillies waiting for them. The first of them was a white unicorn filly with a light pink and purple mane, the second was a orange pegasus filly with a purple mane, and the third was Applebloom, who came running up to the three older ponies. “Soul, Soul! I want you t’ meet mah friends!” she exclaimed before tugging him over to the other fillies. “Soul, this is Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo,” she said, gesturing to the unicorn and pegasus respectively. “They’re mah two best friends in the whole world and fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Soul raised his eyebrow at this, his interest peaked by the mention of Cutie Marks, but held his tongue. “So, this is your sister Rarity?” he asked eyeing the small unicorn before turning to the fashionista, who simply nodded. He turned back to Sweetie Belle who shrank back a little at his gaze. “Well, her name certainly fits, she’s the sweetest thing I’ve seen since those apple pancakes,” he said smiling, bringing a blush to the unicorn filly’s cheeks. He silently chuckled at that before turning to Scootaloo, who seemed to be getting impatient with being ignored. “And let me guess, this one is Rainbow Dash’s sister,” he said chuckling. This brought a shocked expression to her face. “Really? You think I’m cool enough to be Dash’s sister?” she asked, looking up at Soul with a large grin on her face. “Oh definitely. You look like her, you sound like her. Heck, if you were the same age as Dash the only way I’d be able to tell the difference between the two of you is your coat and mane!” As he said this Scootaloo’s grin got wider, before she turned to her friends. “I like this guy!” “See, Scootaloo?” asked Applebloom. “Ah told you he was cool!” “Hey! He doesn’t have his Cutie Mark!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle, who was pointing at Soul’s flank. “You weren’t lying!” “Woah, that’s awesome!” said Scootaloo, wide eyed. “OH! I’ve got an idea! Crusaders, huddle!” The three young fillies huddled in a circle and started whispering to each other. After a moment they pulled apart yelling “CRUSADERS, BREAK!” “What was that about?” asked Twilight. “We can’t tell you, it’s a secret!” Said Sweetie in a sing-song voice. Twilight just giggled. “Okay girls, I won’t pry. Besides, I’m not the best at keeping secrets.” “I’ll say,” said a voice from behind them. This caused both Rarity and Twilight step back, startled. Soul, however, fell straight back flailing around yelling. “My word, Soul, are you all right?” asked a concerned Rarity who rushed to his side to help him up. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just startled is all,” he said as he got to his hooves. “Heh, I wouldn’t have expected somepony who spent more than three days stranded in the forest to be scared by Pinkie Pie,” said a familiar tomboyish voice from above. Soul looked up and saw Rainbow Dash resting on a low cloud overhead. Soul would have been taken aback by this had Twilight not already explained about how the weather works. “Well, you spend a bunch of time lost in a place filled with dangerous monsters and we’ll see how paranoid and jumpy you are,” he replied sarcastically. “Yeah, yeah, I guess that’s true,” she said admittedly flying down to meet them. “I’m sorry I scared you Soul,” Pinkie said, face drooping into a sad expression, which Soul swore pulled his heartstrings to near breaking point, before Pinkie instantly brightened up again. “But I promise I’ll make it up to you! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” she said, going through the motions that were familiar to all but Soul. “Uh, what was that you just did?” he asked, eyeing her inquisitively. “That was a Pinkie Pie Promise, silly!” she replied while bouncing around, only adding to Soul’s perplexity. “It’s a super-duper-special kind of promise between friends, that you have to keep FOREVER!” She emphasised the last word by pulling her face close to his, making him jump back a little, before Pinkie continued bouncing around. “Okay then. That’s good. Nice to know you keep your promises,” Soul said nervously watching her as if she was going to bite him, which actually wouldn’t surprise him at all. Pinkie suddenly stopped bouncing and just hung in mid-air and gasped before falling to the ground again.. “OH! That reminds me! Dashie, we need to go!” “What? Why do we need t-“ she started to ask before her eyes widened in realisation. “OH! Yeah! That’s right! Okay guys, we’ll see you later, me and Pinkie have stuff we gotta do,” Rainbow said before dashing off, Pinkie somehow keeping up with her while waving goodbye. “Where do you think they’re going?” asked Scootaloo. “I don’t know, probably going to plan a prank to pull.” Twilight said, causing Soul to cringe. He did not want to think of the kinds of pranks those two might be able to spring on him. “Anyways, let’s get going to Rarity’s.” “I’m sure you’ll find the living conditions to be superb!” Rarity said beaming. “Only the best can be expected for my guests.” She turned towards the road that led to the town square that the Carousal Boutique bordered. As they walked Soul noticed that there were considerably less ponies out, despite the morning classes just being out. These thoughts were pushed aside as the group of ponies came up to a two story building that Soul realised had been named for the exterior design, which made it look as if it were a large carousel ride. He probably would have thought that it was, were it not for the windows and door. Rarity opened the door and led them inside. What Soul saw was what he would have expected of a boutique; behind several half-draw curtains were pony shaped mannequins , makeup stations were lined up along the left wall, there was a stand with three mirrors surrounding it, designed to allow a pony to look at their sides as well as their fronts. On the far wall was a flight of stairs past an archway. As Soul finished looking around Rarity stepped in front of him “Well? What do you think?” she asked, seeming a little afraid of his answer. “It’s very nice, Rarity,” he said smiling. “A bit girly, but nice.” “Oh, I just knew you’d love it!” she said, apprehension leaving her voice before turning towards the stairs. “Come, follow me, I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.” Soul followed her upstairs into a small hallway lined with a few doors and windows. They reached the door at the end of the hallway before Rarity turned around. “This is your room,” she said while opening the door with her magic. The room wasn’t large, but it wasn’t small either. There was a decent sized bed on the right side of the room, and a built in wardrobe on the left. Why he would need a wardrobe was beyond him, but he didn’t complain. Rarity did however. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make this room a little more fashionable, but I didn’t have enough time.” Soul smiled at Rarity, shaking his head. “No, don’t worry Rarity it’s fine.” Rarity just groaned. “If you say so,” she said dolefully walking back out the door. “But come on now. We need to head to town hall and get you citizenship.” Soul complied and followed her back downstairs. “Where are you guys going?” asked Scootaloo, rushing to their side. “Rarity, Twilight and I are going to town hall for a bit,” Soul answered. “You guys want to come?” “Nah, we need to plan some crusades today. We’ll catch up with you guys later,” she said walking back to her friends. “I’m not sure I trust you girls here on your own,” said Rarity with a worried look. “You get into enough trouble while I’m supervising.” “I’m sure they’ll be fine, Rarity,” Twilight assured her fellow unicorn. “How much trouble can they get into while planning?” “Oh, well,” she paused, biting her lip. The three young fillies gave their most pleading faces, and Soul felt as if he were going into cardiac arrest due to adorableness. “Oh, okay. But if anything is broken or on fire when we return then it will mean no crusading for a week!” “Okay!” the three fillies yelled simultaneously grinning before running up the stairs and into Sweetie Belle’s room. Rarity sighed shaking her head before turning to Soul and smiling. “We really should be off,” she said as she walked towards the door. “Come along, darlings.” Twilight and Soul followed her out the door and across the bridge that led to the town square, in which a large building lied in the centre. The trio went inside to find the inside to be pitch black. “What the hell,” Soul said as he walked forward, looked around, unable to see anything. “Where are all the lights?” “Oh no,” Twilight said worried. “Soul I think this might be a-“ She was cut off by the lights suddenly being turned on, momentarily blinding them, and a large “SURPRISE!” being rung out from all directions. Soul spun around in shock, looking around the large, now illuminated room. He stopped panicking quickly as he realised he wasn’t being attacked. It was promptly replaced by confusion as he noticed that the number of ponies had somehow managed to surround him without his knowing. He shook that thought from his head as Pinkie bounced up to him. “Hiya Soul! Did ya like your surprise? Did ya? Did ya did ya did ya? Because you sure looked surprised!” “Uh Pinkie, what’s going on?” he asked perplexed. “I’m throwing you a “Welcome to Ponyville” surprise party! I invited everypony in Ponyville, because they’re all so super-duper excited to meet you! Have you ever been to a party before? Oh wait, you can’t remember anything,” she said before gasping loudly. “That means that you don’t know how fun parties are! That’s so sad! OH! I know! I’ll just have to show you how fun they can be!” She grinned unnaturally wide and grabbed Soul’s hoof pulling him over to the side of the room. She quickly introduced him to the world of party games and dancing. Soul was glad that the attention had fallen off of him and everyone was partying of their own accord. Pinkie pulled him once again towards the snack table, which was covered with various types of sweets and baked goods. Pinkie grabbed a cupcake and poured what seemed to be sauce all over it. “Pinkie, why are you drowning that cupcake in sauce?” he asked. “Oh silly, this isn’t any kind of sauce, this is hot sauce!” she answered. “I love hot sauce covered cupcakes! Though no one else seems to like them.” She pouted, a little sad that she couldn’t share her favourite treat with anypony. Naturally seeing Pinkie sad would be enough for most ponies to do anything to make her feel better, and Soul was not exempt from this. “I’ll try one,” he said smiling warmly. She looked up at him grinning madly. “YAY!” she yelled before shoving the cupcake into Soul’s mouth. Soul almost started screaming out in panic until he managed to actually taste what was in his mouth. He chewed slowly savouring the taste before swallowing. “That was delicious!” he exclaimed, his grin only around half the size of Pinkie’s, which is still pretty large. “How can anybody not like that?” “That’s what I said! But they were all like ‘Pinkie I’m breathing fire!’ and “Oh Celestia, did I just eat lava?’ But it isn’t even that spicy. Now rainbows, THEY are spicy.” Soul just nodded, not understanding at all. “Well, maybe you should make a spicy rainbow cupcake and I’ll see just how spicy it is,” he said smirking. Pinkie giggled. “Okay, but if I couldn’t take it then you might explode! Twice!” she said before bouncing around. “I’m gonna go see if I can get some rainbow from Dashie. Help yourself to the snacks, but don’t eat them all!” she said in a voice that was somehow singsong and knowing at the same time. Soul chuckled before turning back to the snack table to find Twilight standing there. “Why does everybody find it necessary to sneak up on me?” he asked sarcastically. Twilight giggled. “Need some water?” she asked bringing a glass to them. “Nah, I’m fine. Apparently I’m immune to hot sauce,” he said flatly, bring another giggle from the librarian. “I should have figured that, with how much you can eat,” she said, cocking her eyebrow while putting down the glass. “So I’m guessing you aren’t scared of Pinkie anymore?” “I wasn’t scared of her!” he said defensively. “I was just extremely frightened at the fact that she seems to be able to defy the laws of physics. But she’s nice, if not a little random, so I’ll try my best to ignore it.” “That’s everyponies reaction to meeting Pinkie Pie,” she said laughing before looking at the rest of the party-goers. “I suppose we won’t be able to go to the library today, will we?” said Soul, following her gaze. “Ha, we’ll be lucky if we get any sleep tonight. Pinkie’s parties tend to be a little crazy.” “Does she throw parties for every new pony in Ponyville?” “Yep, even those who are only passing by. But she usually throws parties for no good reason. I’m not saying that they aren’t fun, I love her parties. It’s that she throws a lot of them. I don’t mind going to them, but sometimes it’s not a good time. Like last year, we were avoiding her because we were planning a surprise birthday party for her and she thought that we didn’t like her parties and didn’t want to be her friends anymore. Rainbow had to drag her to the party and we had to explain that it wasn’t a going-away party. It was scary, her hair was all straight and she was really angry. But we explained that it was a birthday party and she got all cheery again, and her hair inflated like a balloon.” Soul just stood and listened with a blank expression. When Twilight finished talking he looked over at Pinkie bouncing around the room having fun. “I’d hate to see her sad or angry. I don’t think I can even imagine it.” “Yeah, it was really weird, Though not as weird as her Pinkie Sense.” Soul just stared at her. “I’m not even going to ask,” he said as he shook his head, enticing another giggle from Twilight. “But anyways, I suppose I’ll have to come to the library sometime tomorrow then. Figure out what I might be good at.” “Yeah, that’d be nice.” Twilight said happily. “But for now, let’s go party.” She turned and walked towards the crowd with Soul in tow. *** Soul and Rarity left after it got dark, not wanting to leave the girls alone by themselves at night. When they got there the house was quiet and dark. They went upstairs to check on the girls to find that they weren’t there. Rarity started panicking and frantically searched for the girls around the room in places they literally couldn’t be. Soul however took the logical path and checked the other rooms. He opened the door to his room to be greeted by a loud “SURPRISE!” The three young fillies were sitting on Soul’s bed wearing capes, a gift wrapped box in the middle of them. Rarity came rushing into the room with a look of worry on her face. “Girls! I was looking all over for you!” Rarity exclaimed, causing Soul to roll his eyes and chuckle. “We’re sorry Rarity, but we wanted to surprise Soul!” said Sweetie Belle with a smile. “We made him a present!” This stopped Rarity from ranting at look suspiciously at the gift as if it were going to explode. “You did? What is it?” “Well Soul has ta open it ta find out.” Applebloom said as she nudged the box forward. Soul opened the box to find what appeared to be a larger version of the capes that the girls were wearing. “We’re making you an official member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Scootaloo said. Soul just stood gawking at them for a moment before pulling the three fillies in for a hug. “Thanks you guys. I’ll take good care of it,” he said as they broke free of the hug. “Come on girls, Soul needs his rest.” Rarity said as she levitated the cape into the wardrobe. After a round of goodnights and the door closed behind them Soul shut off the light and got into bed, which was surprisingly comfy. He looked out of the window at the night sky before drifting off to sleep. *** Soul’s eyes shot open. He was in the void again. A quick test showed that he could move his head and neck, but nothing else, and still couldn’t speak. “She never loved you.” Soul’s head snapped to face forward in shock and confusion. “She could never love you, you were always too focused in your work.” Soul’s head whipped around in a futile effort to find the source of the voice. “That’s why I killed her.” Soul froze out of shock. “She was holding you back, so I arranged for her to die.” Soul felt his consciousness slipping again due to the overpowering emotions gripping him. “It’s a good thing you can’t die, or it would have never worked. So, in a way, it was your fault.” This pushed Soul over the edge, and he blacked out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUTHORS NOTES Heya everybody, I apologise that this took so long, but between doing assignments and pretending to study for exams I didn’t have much time to focus on this. I am also sorry for the lack of exciting material in this chapter. Well, it might be exciting, but I can’t judge my own work.

Soulsilver

360

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Adventures of Soulsilver

incomplete

<p>While in the forest looking for some ingredients for an experiment, Twilight finds an injured pony and takes him to the hospital. Who is this strange pony? Why can't he remember anything? And why doesn't he have a Cutie Mark?</p>

everyone

2011-10-16T19:26:39+00:00

2011-10-16T19:26:39+00:00

A Strange Introduction: Part 3 Soul awoke in a cold sweat, panting heavily. A quick panicked glance told him that he was in Rarity's guest room. Somewhat calmed, he rolled out of bed moving towards the window. He drew the shades and a ray of light hit him in the eye, making him wince. Rubbing the pain from his eyes, he saw that the sun was just coming up over the horizon. He smiled at the sight before walking out into the hallway and, deciding to skip his morning shower until later, quietly made his way downstairs and into a large back room that held the kitchen, dining table and living area. It was a mess. The Crusaders had somehow managed to turn it inside out and back to front, with various items from both the kitchen and Rarity's shop strewn around the place, in their quest to make Soul's cape. 'Why the hell did they need a spatula?' He thought as he noticed said object sticking out of a pile of fabric. Shaking his head he went to the pantry in search of a most important item. After a few moments of rummaging, he found it. 'Ah, the single greatest invention known to all intelligent life; coffee!' He thought as he beamed at the coffee tin between his wings. He filled the kettle with water and looked over the room once again as he waited for it to boil. 'How is it even possible to make this much mess making a cape? Wait, I'm responsible for this mess! Kind of. I should clean it up for Rarity, it's the least I can do. I wonder if there are planets made completly out of bees. Wait what? Okay Soul, time to stop talking to yourself and get some caffeine into you before you start thinking about Pinkie Pie and how she seems to be able to defy physics, darken an entire room and brighten it again wihout electricity and can keep up with a pegasus known for being the fastest flier in Equestriohgodjustshutupbrainandletmedrink!' Soul shook himself out of his thoughts and found that the kettle had boiled and was he had begun pouring it's contents into a mug without his noticing. "Crap I spaced out. That could have been dangerous," he muttered before taking a sip of the beverage. "Aaahh," he sighed blissfully. "That tastes awful." He said before taking another sip. *** An hour later Rarity groggily awoke to the wonderful smell of eggs. Rubbing the exaustion from her eyes, she made her way downstairs and grudgingly slipped into the back room, preparing herself for the worst. Instead of the disaster area she was expecting, however, she found everything spick and span, with all the fabrics rolled up and stacked neatly in a corner and the kitchen utensils washed, dried and arranged on the kitchen bench. On the dining table were three plates, each holding what appeared to be several pieces of yellow toast, as well as glasses of orange juice to the side. Rarity was so stunned that she almost didn't hear the door creak open behind her. "Oh, Rarity, there you are. I was wondering where you were," said Soul as Rarity turned around, mouth agape. "I went upstairs to wake you and Sweetie Belle up for breakfast. I must of just missed you." He stepped into the room and was soon followed by a still sleepy filly. Sweetie took a quick sniff of the air. "Mmn! What's that smell?" She asked eyeing the table hungrily. Rarity just looked around the room, at the breakfast, and back to Soul. "Soul, is that-" Rarity began to ask. "French toast? Yep!" Interrupted Soul. "And did you-" "Clean up Ground Zero? Sure did." "Did you do all this for me?" She asked, eyes wide. "Of course I did. I don't like it when people give and don't receive in turn." Rarity had to bite her lip to keep herself from drifting into fantasy, while failing to decrease her heart rate. "Well that is most kind of you, darling. There ought to be more ponies as thoughtful as you." "It was nothing," he said, waving off the compliment with a hoof. "You'd do as much for me." 'I would be willing to do far more for you,' she thought, blushing lightly as her thoughts turned more perverse. "Indeed I would. Now, let's eat before it becomes cold." She turned around to find that Sweetie Belle had already started to dig in, not bothering with cutlery. Rarity shook her head and sighed before taking a seat next to Soul. "Mmn! This is good! What is it?" Sweetie Belle asked as she lifted her head from her plate. "It's toast dipped in an egg and milk mixture and then cooked in a pan, kind of like a pancake." Answered Soul, taking a bite out of his toast. "Yes, it is a dish that originated in a country all the way on the other side of the planet. Soul, however did you learn how to make it? I didn't think I had any cookbooks lying around." "I dunno," he said after swallowing a mouthful of juice. "I think I might have remembered it from...before." He struggled to find a more appropriate word before being broken from his train of thought. "Well, in any case, I extend my compliments to the chef. This is simply superb!" "Why thank you, milady." Soul said as he lowered his head in a bow, eliciting a giggle from Rarity. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes and went back to eating. When they were all finished Soul went to collect the dishes before Rarity levitated them out of reach. "Ah ah ah! No you don't! I wouldn't dream of making you wash up after making such a delightful meal!" She said as she moved to the kitchen. "No, it's okay. After all, I've got to do something to repay you for letting me stay here." 'I can think of a few things you could do for me.' She thought as she placed the dishes in the sink. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I have to refuse. I simply couldn't allow a guest of mine to do house work." "Well is there anything else I could do?" "OOH! I KNOW! You could cook for us!" Yelled Sweetie Belle as she jumped down from her chair. "Why of course! That is a marvellous idea, Sweetie Belle! Why Soul, you could make us all kinds of delicacies! Not to mention that you'd look rather dashing in a chefs hat." "Hmm..." Soul tapped his chin with his hoof as he mulled it over. "I suppose it'll be fun. I'll do it!" "Oh wonderful!" Said Rarity as she clopped her hooves together in excitement. "It'll be like going to a gourmet restaurant every evening!" "Well, I doubt I'll be that good." He said, bashfully rubbing his hoof behind his head. "Oh, you'll do fine. There's no need to impress me." 'Not that I need much more impressing," she didn't add. "Anywho, what is on your agenda for today, darling?" "Well I was going to meet Twilight at the library to do some research. You know, try to figure out what I'm good at, why I can't remember anything, and why I'm not dead. That sort of thing." "Ah yes Twilight has always been a bit of a bookworm, so to speak. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but that mare can get so caught up in her studies." "Can I go with him?" Sweetie excitedly asked from the living room couch."I could find what my special talent is too!" "No, Sweetie Belle, it's a week day. You can crusade with him after school." "Awww, please?" She implored while turning on the puppy dog eyes and pout combination that Applebloom had taught her. Rarity turned her head away, not answering. Sweetie had anticipated this and instead set her sights on Soul. Soul, unlike Rarity who had trained herself for these situations, caught the full blast of adorable. "Aww, come on, Rarity. Don't be such a sourpuss. At least let me walk her to school. If only to get her to stop with the face before my brain shuts down from all the cute." Rarity looked at Soul, who seemed to have an expression of genuine pain on his face, and back to Sweetie, who wasn't relenting in her attack. "Oh fine." She finally sighed. Sweetie started to cheer before being interrupted. "BUT! Only if you go and get yourself ready now. You can play in your room after you're done." Sweetie went out the door and running up the stairs in an instant, leaving a small dust cloud behind. Soul sighed and lowered his head. 'I miss physics,' he thought to himself. He lifted his head to find Rarity approaching him with a sultry look in her eyes. She walked behind him and slid her fore-hooves around his neck. She withdrew after a moment and started rhythmically sliding her hooves around his withers. "Uh...Rarity? What're you doing?" "I've noticed that you've been carrying a lot of tension in your muscles. It would be very unkind of me to let you walk around in pain after you've been such a gentlecolt." "You don't have to do that, Rarity. It's fine." He said as he tried to get up, but Rarity just gently pushed him down onto his stomach and moved her muzzle up to his ear and whispered. "I insist." She nibbled slightly on the tip of his ear while slowly kneading her hooves into his worn-out muscles, eliciting a small moan of pleasure from the stallion. "Th-that feels really nice, Rarity. Coul-could you go lower, please?" She complied and lowered her hooves to his lower back, working out any kinks and knots along the way, all while lowering her mouth to his right cheek and placed a series of light kisses on it. "It's funny. You thought I wouldn't notice how you were acting around me? Trying to get my attention with the little things that you do? Not that I mind giving you my attention." She gave his cheek a little lick, causing him to shudder "W-well you're just so well refined. I didn't think that somepony as fabulous and beautiful as yourself would ever even consider wanting to be with some mysterious stallion from the forest that you've barely known for more than two days." She continued giving his cheek small licks, but continued down his muzzle, ending at his snout with a small peck. This caused him to open his eyes, and was immediately captured by those dazzling blue orbs, as clear as the gems on her flanks. He glanced down and noticed that their lips were barely an inch apart. "Rarity, I-" "Hush." She whispered before closing the gap between them, planting her lips on his. They both moaned into the kiss as the warmth of both of them was shared between their lips and they "Mmn...Rarity..." Soul murmured into her lips. "Soul..." Rarity. "Soul.." RARITY! *** Rarity shook her head, tearing herself from her thoughts. "Huh? Wha?" She mumbled confusedly before she noticed Soul standing in front of her, wearing a look of concern and confusion on his face. "You alright, Rarity?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. Rarity stumbled back, blushing fiercely. "Yes yes, I'm quite fine, thank you." She turned away from him, trying to hide her reddening cheeks. "Are you sure? You just kind of spaced out after Sweetie went upstairs." "I did?" She asked facing him again, appalled at the mental image of her just standing there drooling like a fountain. "For how long?" "A few minutes. You kept mumbling some stuff under your breath as well. Are you sure you're okay?" He asked once more while placing the side of his hoof on her forehead, causing her to blush further."You feel a little flushed." "Well, I was...you see, um I didn't get nearly enough sleep last night, and sometimes I just drift right off into a daydream, hehe." "Oh. Well in that case you'd better go get some rest then." "Yes, yes. I'll um...I'll send Sweetie down and then you can go when you're ready." She said as she left the room. "Alrighty then, Rarity. Have a good sleep." He called out to her. When she was upstairs Rarity let go of the breath she was holding and felt her red cheek with her hoof. 'Goodness. I think I may have fallen for him.' *** AUTHORS NOTES Right this is a shorter chapter this time, because I realised that I won't be able to be very consistent, because I was gonna stop the chapters whenever Soul went to bed as you might have seen, but I've decided against that. Also, if you could rate and comment with your opinions it would be very appreciated. And once again, I am EXTREMELY super sorry for the SIX WEEK DELAY, but I've been busy/lazy, what with school and girl problems, but after I upload this I'll take a nap (because I spent all night writing this because I promised Remsaman that I'd finish it by morning) and then I'll write a couple more chapters. But I won't release them right away. ;P Another also: if there are any mistakes whatsoever, PLEASE tell me. I re-read the previous chapters and there were grammar mistakes everywhere. Not big ones, they were just small enough to slip under the radar. So read it once for enjoyment, and another for critique. One last also: the romance part right there isn't meant to be taken very seriously. I grabbed bits and pieces from cheesy romance fics that I read. (What? Rarity reads those, so I imagine that that is what she would fantasize) Alright, until next time, Soulsilver.

Soulsilver

360

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Adventures of Soulsilver

incomplete

<p>While in the forest looking for some ingredients for an experiment, Twilight finds an injured pony and takes him to the hospital. Who is this strange pony? Why can't he remember anything? And why doesn't he have a Cutie Mark?</p>

everyone

2011-11-28T06:06:57+00:00

2011-11-28T06:06:57+00:00

A Strange Introduction: Part 4 Soul waited patiently for Sweetie Belle to come downstairs with her school bags and occupied himself with his hooves. 'Hmmm....nope. They still look like marshmallows. Damn it, now I'm hungry again.' His thoughts were interrupted as something wrapped up in a towel came tumbling down the stairs. "You alright, Sweetie Belle?" Her head popped out of the towel as he approached. "I'm okay, I just tripped." She untangled herself and her bags out from the towel. "So you ready to go?" He asked, gesturing towards the door with his head. "Uh huh!" Sweetie nodded vigorously and galloped out the front door. Soul chuckled and trotted after her, making sure to lock up after himself. He quickly caught up to Sweetie as she headed off in the direction of the school. As they walked they were greeted by the occasional pony before they rushed off towards their destinations. Soul found that small talk with the filly was difficult as she never seemed able to stay on topic. When the subject of Cutie Marks came up however she was off into her own little world, recounting the Crusader's various attempts to discover their special talents. It wasn't until she started describing less than safe situations involving the Everfree Forest did he realise that he had bitten oiff more than he could chew. 'I think it would be wise to focus on helping them get their Marks first, if only to make sure they don't do anything dangerous. Because going into a hell-hole of a forest filled with horrifying monsters with no one to protect you definetly isn't dangerous.' As Soul was listening to Sweetie he forgot to watch where he was going and walked right into a light pink mare, causing her to drop the papers she was carrying in her mouth. "Oh, excuse me, I wasn't watching where I was going." He apologised as he collected the scattered papers. "Oh no, it was my fault, I shouldn't have been standing in the gate." She helped gather the papers before looking up at Soul and gasping. "Hey, you're the new colt everypony's talking about!" "I am? Hmm. Survive a manticore attack without a scratch and all of a sudden I'm a celebrity." Soul deadpanned before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, who are you? I don't remember seeing you at the party yesterday." "Oh, that was rude of me. I'm Cherilee, the local school teacher. As for the party, I'm afraid I was busy working last night. Lots of tests to grade, you know?" "Not really, but I understand. So, you're Sweetie's teacher, huh? What's the lesson plan for today?" He asked as he gave the papers back. "Well since they just had a test, I suppose I'll just let them chat for today, give them a break, but tommorow I'll be teaching them about how the princesses raise and lower the moon and sun." Soul just stared at her blankly. "What." "Oh, that's right, you lost your memory! Looks like you've got a lot to catch up on. I'll take Sweetie Belle off your hooves, class is about to start. We can talk more later. Say goodbye Sweetie." Sweetie ran up to Soul and hugged his leg. "Bye Soul! See you after school!" Sweetie follwed Cherilee into the school yard. Soul's expression remained blank for a few moments before his head snapped up. "When did we get to the school?" *** Twilight was rushing around the library, frantically trying to tidy up all the books that were scattered around. "Twilight,could you calm down? I don't think he's going to care that the place is a little messy." Spike was looking down at the lavender unicorn with an indignant look on his face. "I can't calm down! I've got to make a good impression! Would you want somepony who was unorganised to be messing around with your memories?" Spike's expression remained unchanged. "I don't want to give him a bad impression of me." "Twilight, you saved his life, I'm pretty sure you've made the best impression possible." The lavender pony just sighed. "I know, Spike. You're right, but I can't mess this up! There hasn't been a pony his age without a Cutie Mark in centuries and I don't want to scare him off. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!" "Uh...maybe you should worry less about your research and figure out how to help him." "I AM helping him! But I can't just stand by and let this phenomenon go unrecorded! Now come down here and help me clean u-" She was interrupted as knocking came from the door. "If you need me I'll be in the bedroom," Spike said as he turned around. "Wait, Spike!" She called, too late as he slammed the door behind him. She sigh in frustration before resigning to her fate and went to the door. She put on a smile before she opened it, revealing the white pegasus behind it. "Hello Soul, how are you?" The stallion smiled as he responded. "Still being confused by everything, but otherwise good. Yourself?" "I'm great!" She replied a little faster than she meant to. "I mean, I hope you're excited for today." She stood aside allowing Soul to come inside. "Yeah, it should be fun." He looked around the library, taking note of the books all over the floor. "Something happen here?" He asked, raising his eyebrow at Twilight, who looked down bashfully. "I....sort of made a mess looking for an explanation for your condition." She flinched away from him, as if his reaction would bite her. "Wow, really? All this research for someone you don't even know?" Twilight opened her eyes in shock, not having expected more than an insult. "Uh....yeah. I mean, yes. Yes I did!" "Well, thanks then. Now, should we get started?" He asked as he gestured towards the books. "Okay!" She beamed as she led him to a table where a several pages of notes lay, her mood having improved dramatically. "Okay, from what I can tell, you have two problems. One; you've lost your memory. Two; you don't have a Cutie Mark. I will explain a little about the latter first, it being the more complicated. Now, as you know, a Cutie Mark is an image that appears on the flanks of ponies when they discover what their special talent is. Somepony not having a Cutie Mark isn't entirely impossible, but it's not exactly common either. There are several reasons that you might not have it, such as never finding your talent, but that seems unlikely. Another might be that something er...damaged them and they had to be removed. That is also unlikely nowadays with medical magic coming as far as it has in the past century. I couldn't figure out why you might not have your Cutie Mark, but then I remembered what you told me when you....woke up at the hospital. "It got me thinking that maybe memory loss could affect somepony's Cutie Mark, so I began researching that, which leads me to your other problem. Unfortunately all of the records that I had where ponies forgot their talents their Cutie Mark remained, and the memory loss went away after they tried their hoof at their talent, or somepony they knew explained things to them. So it led me to the conclusion that a very powerful magical force must have stripped you of your Cutie Mark, which in turn led me to a possible answer for the reason you can't remember anything. I believe that somepony or something may have altered your memory and gotten rid of your Cutie Mark to make it more difficult for you to remember." She looked up from her notes at Soul, who appeared to be mulling it over, staring into space as he thought. "Well," He said after a moments silence. "That sucks." Twilight laughed lightly before clearing her throat. "Yes it does, particularly because there are very few beings in this world that would have enough magic to do that, and practically zero with the motive." "Practically zero? What do you mean by that?" He look at her quizzically. "Well, there was this incredibly powerful creature a long time ago called Discord, a draconequus. His magic was even stronger than that of the princesses. He used these powers to keep the land in a constant state of chaos, creating disharmony amongst ponies everywhere for his own amusement. It wasn't until the Princesses discovered the Elements of Harmony and used them to turn Discord into stone." "Oh. Well if he's stuck in stone I doubt that there's much he could have done." He stated while shrugging his wings. "I wasn't finished!" She snapped. "Now as I was saying, Discord was turned into stone by the Elements. Some time after that, Princess Luna became jealous of the attention that ponies gave to Celestia's day, and that jealousy transformed her into Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon refused to lower the moon to make way for the day, and declared that the night would reign eternal. Celestia was forced to use the Elements against her sister, trapping her in the moon for a thousand years. This year was the year that she was meant to return, but by that time everypony had forgotten about Nightmare Moon, believing it to be nothing more than an old mare's tail. "I was the only one who saw the signs of her return and when she did I sought out the Elements of Harmony, along with my friends. We used the Elements against Nightmare Moon once again. But this time, instead of banishing her, they cured her of the jealousy in her heart, turning her back into Princess Luna. The reason for this, according to Celestia, is that in order for the Elements to work properly the bearers had to have friendship in their hearts. Since Celestia was using them by herself they did not work as she wanted them too. When that happened, the Princesses connection to the Elements was lost, until we came along and became the bearers. "Unfortunately, when the connection with the Elements was lost, the spell containing Discord started to deteriorate slowly over time. A few months ago, he escaped. Me and my friends were tasked into stopping him, but he had stolen the Elements. Discord was a trickster, and hardly ever made sense. He made us go through a maze to get the Elements back, but along the way he somehow corrupted them into acting the opposite of themselves. Pinkie became angry, Applejack turned into a liar, Rarity became greedy, Fluttershy turned into a bully and Rainbow became disloyal. During the maze he took away our wings and magic as one of his "rules", but before we could reach the centre he tricked Rainbow into abandoning us and gave her her wings back and said that we lost the game. It turned out he didn't even have the Elements in the maze, and so we went back to Ponyville and found the Elements. Discord taunted us into using the Elements on him, but they didn't work. I don't know if it was because he had corrupted the others or because I used Spike as Rainbow Dash's replacement, but it doesn't matter. It was probably both. "I lost hope and was about to leave Ponyville for good when I found that Celestia was sending me all the Friendship Reports I had sent her since I came here, and they motivated me to keep going. I found all of my friends and used a memory spell on them to get them to remember their friendships. Once we were all together again we faced Discord and trapped him back into stone. He didn't even really put up a fight. I guess he figured that his corruption was still in effect. But anyways, while he was here he made everything chaotic, doing things that are impossible even for the Princess. That's why I think that while he was here he erased your memory and Cutie Mark. Any questions?" She looked up from her notes at Soul who was sitting there with a confused look on his face. "Just one." He said as he stood up. "Is there smoke coming from my ears?" Twilight gave him a puzzled look. "Um...no?" "Oh. Well I could have sworn that there was since my brain feels like it's on fire. I did not understand most of what you said." "Huh? What didn't you understand?" "Pretty much everything. First off, you said that the Princesses raise and lower the sun and the moon, which I suppose they MIGHT if their magic is as strong as you say. And I SUPPOSE that friendship might have certain benefits to someone's magic, what with emotions and the brain being as strange as they are. But the thing I don't understand is if Discord is as powerful as he is then why didn't he just destroy the Elements?" "Well, Discord was the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony, even his body was made up of several different animals, but the Elements were around long before draconeqi existed and were made with MUCH more powerful magic. The magic of friendship." Soul just stared at her for a bit before speaking again. "That is incredibly cheesy." He smirked, earning himself a jab in the side from Twilight's horn. "Oh shut up. Anyways, I thought that I might be able to use the memory spell that I used on my friends. Are you ready?" "Erm.." Soul mumbled, still a little apprehensive about magic. "Er...sure. Just be careful. I don't want you to mess something up and give me the brain of a guppy." Twilight giggled nervously before getting into position in front of him. "Okay, I'm going to start now. Try to be as still as possible." She started to concentrate, focusing her magic in her horn, preparing the spell as her horn started to glow, causing Soul to cringe. Suddenly a beam of light burst from Twilight's horn, hitting Soul in the centre of his forehead. Then, just as suddenly, the beam was redirected back at Twilight, blasting her across the room and into a bookcase, causing her to be buried in a pile of books. "Twilight!" He ran over to the pile and started digging. He eventually found her hoof and pulled her out. "Are you all right?" She was not alright. She was covered in bruises and was giving Soul an annoyed glare. "I'm fine, just a bit dizzy. What did you do? I couldn't even feel you with my magic." "I didn't do anything, your magic just sort of...reflected off me." She tried to stand up, staggering. Soul went to her side and let her lean her weight on him. "Well, whatever it was, I've never read about anything being able to stop magic like that." "Do you think it has something to do with Discord?" "I-I don't know. I think I need to rest a bit, I'm feeling a little woozy. Could you take me to the couch please?" "Yeah, sure." He walked her slowly past the books and lifted her onto the couch,causing her to grunt in pain. "Sorry." She rested her head on a pillow as her eyes started to close. "It-it's okay. I think.."She yawned."I think I'll just take a quick nap." No sooner than she had said that she fell into a deep slumber. Soul took a look around the still messy room. "I think I'll just clean up the library to kill some time." "I'd like a daffodil sandwich, please Spike." Twilight mumbled in her sleep. ".......that sounds gross." Soul said before shaking his head and moving towards the pile of books. One caught his eye and he scooped it up in his wing. The title read "Atoms and You: The Collaborative Guide to the World Around You." and was at least a thousand pages thick. "Hell, why not. A bit of light reading never hurt anyone." He opened the cover and turned to the first chapter. *** I cannot apologise enough for the long wait of this painfully short chapter. This whole month was filled with school stuff that I had to do, and then I graduated and got a few days in for writing, but then I got Inheritance. Read it in less than a day. It was awesome. And THEN I got Skyrim. Worst move for an author to ever make EVER. So yeah, not much else to say apart from FUS RO DAH TO YOU, WRITERS BLOCK! See you guys later. Also, MAKE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT AND RATING! All I want is some feedback. And a massively swelled ego. Now to go kill dragons by luring them into a bunch of giants. I am such a pussy.

Soulsilver

360

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Adventures of Soulsilver

incomplete

<p>While in the forest looking for some ingredients for an experiment, Twilight finds an injured pony and takes him to the hospital. Who is this strange pony? Why can't he remember anything? And why doesn't he have a Cutie Mark?</p>

everyone

2012-02-02T13:02:39+00:00

2012-02-02T13:02:39+00:00

A Strange Introduction: Part 5 Rarity was pacing her room nervously, trying to come up with a solution to her problem. "What AM I going to do? I feel like I'm in love with Soul, but we only just met a few days ago! Oh, though he IS such a marvelous gentlecolt, I couldn't possibly take advantage of him like that! He's lost his memory, he probably has some other mare worrying about him somewhere, and once he's done at Twilight's he'll leave and I'll never see him again. Or worse, he might just want to be friends! In fact, Twilight saved his life, and is currently helping him regain his memory! He has every reason to have....affections towards her. I've heard several colts talking about how adorable and smart she is, and Soul is several leagues above even Macintosh! They're probably in the throughs of passion right now!" She sighed, frustrated. "Then again, I suppose it wouldn't be that bad if he does likes her. Celestia knows she could use a good coltfriend." She giggled. "Not that Twilight would let Celestia know, of course. Oh this isn't helping, no matter what I do I can't make myself any less anxious!" She shook her head to try to clear her thoughts before the calendar on the wall caught her attention. She gasped sharply, eyes twinkling with realization. "It's Thursday! Oh HOW could I have forgotten! It's my weekly spa day with Fluttershy! THAT should settle my nerves a little. Yes, in fact I might just go over there right now and see if we can do it early." She was about to leave when she caught sight of herself in the mirror and flinched. " First though I simply MUST reapply my makeup...and re-do my mane. And tail. And coat." She rambled as she walked to the bathroom. *** Half an hour later Rarity had gotten herself fixed up and headed to Fluttershy's cottage. By the time she had gotten there the fresh morning air had already calmed her down some, and made her think rationally about her situation. "Maybe I should talk to Fluttershy about it. She'll probably be a little embarrassed, but it will feel good to get this off my chest." She went to knock at the door, but was surprised when it opened by itself, revealing Applejack standing behind it. "Woah!" Applejack jumped back slightly in shock before quickly recovering. "Y'all almost gave me a heart attack there, sugar cube." "I do apologize, Applejack. I was just coming to have a little chat with Fluttershy before our weekly spa visit. Why are you here?" She asked in curiosity. "Oh, she was just picking up some medicine for Winona." Fluttershy said timidly as she stepped out from behind her orange barricade. "She's been having a bit of a tummy ache lately. Oh, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Rarity glanced nervously at Applejack before answering. "Well I was hoping to speak with you in private, but I suppose it'll come out sooner or later, and it is good to have more than one pony's opinion about these things." She stepped past the two confused ponies and sat herself down in Fluttershy's living room, gesturing for the others to join her. Once they were all settled Applejack spoke up. "All right, Rarity, what's all this about? Ah've got to get back to the farm pretty soon." "All right, all right. But before I begin, may I ask you girls something?" After getting a quick nod from them she continued. "Okay, what do you girls think of Soulsilver?" She got confused glances from both of them, before Fluttershy spoke up. "Um...well...I haven't really spent much time with him but he seems...nice." She blushed and hid behind her mane a little before brightening up. "Oh, but he did tell me that he likes animals, just, um, not when they're trying to eat him. And he offered to help me out with rounding up the critters in a few days when a big storm is due to hit." She realized that she was being more talkative that usual and hid behind her mane with a small "Eeep!" Smiling, Rarity turned to Applejack. "And what about you, darling?" Applejack tapped her hoof on her chin for a moment in thought before answering. "Well, like Fluttershy said, he's nice, and polite too. Mighty helpful as well, always willin' to lend a helping hoof to ponies. In fact tomorrow he said he'd come to the farm ta work off the 'debt' he says he has. Wouldn't take no for an answer. Why? What he got to do with this here meeting?" Rarity looked nervously between the two. "Well.. you see, the thing is.....IthinkI'minlovewithhim!" She blurted out quickly before clamping her eyes shut. The two ponies opposite her sat blinking in shock for a moment, then, surprisingly, Fluttershy was the first to react. "Oh, Rarity, that's wonderful!" She exclaimed, wearing a small smile on her muzzle. Applejack, however, was not as excited. "Woah, woah, hold on there now, sugar cube, you've known him for less than three days! When did you figure this out?" "Well, when we first met him I was interested by his mysteriousness,and was hoping something might come of it, but when I got to know him I found that he was the most perfect gentlecolt I could have imagined!" "Rarity...." ""He cleaned up the mess that the Crusaders made last night..." "Rarity." "...and then this morning I woke to find that he had made us all breakfast all without being aske-" "RARITY!" Applejack's shout finally snapped Rarity out of her fawning. "Oh, I'm sorry Applejack. You probably don't want to hear me rattle on about my love life." Applejack shook her head. "That's not it, sugar cube. What I'm trying ta say, is that I think you might be over-reactin' a little. You say you're in love with the feller, and that's great. If it's true." Rarity just stared at her incredulously. "If it's true?! Of course it's true! Why on Equestria would I lie about this?" "That's not what Ah meant. You say that you love 'im, but do you really feel that way?" This question was answered by a look of confusion. "I know that you're still a might sore about that Blueblood colt." Rarity looked down in embarrassment at this. "And Ah think you might just be making up for your loneliness by replacing your dream stallion with another one." Rarity continued looking at the floorboards for a while before sighing. "Oh, you're right, Applejack, who am I kidding. When did you become better at interpreting emotions than I am?" She pouted a little before talking again. "But what am I supposed to do? I can't just stop having these feelings." "Ah know you can't, sugar cube, I'm just saying that you should wait a while. Get ta know him and such. After all, you don't even know if he feels the same way. Heck, nice feller like him probably already has a sweet filly waitin' for him." Rarity looked back down at the increasingly interesting floorboards, feeling dejected. "I know, Applejack. I told myself the same. It's just not often that I meet a stallion that actually cares for me." "Well, I can't tell you not to like him, but just get to know him a little more first. Ah know it's hard, but everything will work out in the end." Rarity sighed before looking up at Applejack with a smile on her face. "Thank you Applejack." She got a smile in return as she turned to Fluttershy, who was blushing lightly. "Fluttershy, you've been awfully quite, dear. Do you have something to say?" The yellow pegasi's head shot up in shock. "Oh, no, I was just...thinking." "About what dear?" "Oh...nothing." Rarity thought about objecting for a moment, but decided to drop it. "Well if you're sure, I won't push the issue." Fluttershy nodded slowly as Applejack shot her a knowing smile. "Well, I'd love to stick around, but I've got to get this medicine back to Winona. It's been nice catchin' up, Rarity." She said as she nodded at the unicorn, before turning and smiling softly at Fluttershy. "And I'll be sure to pass along your message, sugar cube." She winked, causing the timid pegasus to blush and hide behind her mane, before taking her leave. Rarity, who was too preoccupied to pay any mind to what just occurred, sighed as she got up as well. "Well, this has been a nice chat, Fluttershy, but I'm afraid I have to go. I can't leave the Boutique closed for too long." Fluttershy nodded slowly. "Okay, Rarity. I hope you figure something out." "Thank you, darling." She replied with a smile before leaving the cottage, closing the door behind her. *** "Hey Twilight!" Spike called from behind the bedroom door. "You've got a letter from Celestia!" When he didn't hear an answer, he decided to go downstairs, letter in claw, to investigate. He still didn't fully trust Soul, and wanted to make sure that he hadn't done anything to hurt Twilight. While they weren't related, He still looked up to Twilight like a big sister and felt as if he had to protect her. He quietly made his way down the stairs and snuck his way into the main room and past Soul, who had his nose in a book, but as soon as he saw Twilight lying battered and bruised on the couch he lost all notions of stealth and quickly made his way to her side. "Oh my gosh! Twilight! What has he done to you?!" he yelled out, causing Soul to look up from his book. "Oh! Hello, you must be Spike. You're a little bigger than I remember you to be-OOPH!" Soul was inturrupted as a large book collided with his face. "Stay back! I won't let you hurt Twilight anymore than you have!" Spike puffed himself out, trying to make himself as threatening as possible, while brandishing an entire pile of thousand paged hard backed novels. "What?! I didn't hurt her! Something happened when she tried to-OUCH!" "You can't fool me! You're some kind of evil pony!" Spike shouted before continuing his onslaught of literature. "No I'm not, I don't even-URG! Look could you jus-ARGH! THOSE ARE SENSITI-HURG! CAN I GET A WORD IN EDGEWIS-NYEH! FINE I'LL KEEP MY MOUTH SHU-OOOOH GOD THAT HURT!" Luckily for Soul, all the ruckas managed to wake Twilight up. "Ugh, Soul, why are you making so muc-OH MY GOSH, SPIKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" As soon as she opened her eyes she was greeted to the image of Spike throwing book after book at Soul, who was slowly getting buried. "Don't worry, Twilight! I'm holding him off! You get out of here and get help!" But Spike's warning was shunned as Twilight lifted him up by the tail with her magic. "Woah! Twilight, what are you doing, he's gonna get you!" "Spike you will tell me why you're throwing books at Soul right this instant, young dragon!" "He hurt you! I was making sure he couldn't finish the job!" "He didn't hurt me! If anypony hurt me, it was me!" Spike just stared at her, confused and still upside down. "Huh?" "A spell I cast backfired and hurled me into a bookcase!" She shook her head as she set Spike down on his feet before going over to the book fort that was Soul. "Did you even try asking him what happened?" "N-no, but I thought he was trying to trick me! I just saw you passed out on the couch covered in bruises, and I panicked!" Twilight just sighed. "I can't be mad at you, Spike. Not when you thought you were protecting me. But I am disappointed that you didn't think to ask what happened before you acted." Spike looked down at his feet in shame. "I'm sorry, Twilight." "Don't apologise to me, apologise to Soul he's the one you..." She stopped as she saw Soul passed out in the pile of books. "...knocked out with books. Great. Why did you come down, anyways? I thought you wanted to avoid him." Spikes head shot up in hock, surprised that he had forgotten, and picked up the scroll from beside him. "OH! Right, you've got a letter from Celestia!" The scroll was snatched out of his claw almost instantly, and Twilight began reading it out loud. "To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. I apologise for the lateness of this response, but court has been particularly hectic of late. This stallion that you described seems to be undetectable with magic, and Luna has been too busy to even inform her. I would suggest bringing him up to Canterlot with you next Tuesday so we may examine him. In the meantime, get him acquainted with the town, and try to see if you and your friends can help recover his memory. I have never heard of memory loss quite as extensive as his, and if he remembers anything useful I would like to know of it as quickly as possible. Your loving mentor, Princess Celestia." Twilight looked up from the letter with a look of disappointment on her face. "Wow," Spike gushed. "Not even the Princess knows what's wrong with him. And what do you think she means by 'undetectable with magic'?" "Well, you know the spell doctor ponies use to check on the vitals of their patients?" Spike nodded. "Well the Princess can do pretty much the same thing, except across any distance, and even read thoughts." Spike blushed at this and his claws covered his head, as if protecting himself. "THE PRINCESSES ARE READING MY THOUGHTS?!" Twilight looked at him confused before he realised what he was worried about and giggled. "Don't worry, Spike, they only do that in emergencies. And even then, I doubt you'd be thinking of anything they need." Spike wiped his brow and sighed in relief. "Well, unless of course they want a never-ending storage of dreams about Rarity." "TWILIGHT!" *** Right. So. That was the longest time between chapters yet. Though I did go away for the holidays. And of course now that I am starting my TAFE course literally tomorrow I get back into writing. I'm only good at it when I have something more important to do, I guess. And now, to publish the chapter and have the massive guilt that has been eating away at me disappear! *remembers he still has to write a bunch more chapters* *passes out*

Soulsilver

360

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Adventures of Soulsilver

incomplete

<p>While in the forest looking for some ingredients for an experiment, Twilight finds an injured pony and takes him to the hospital. Who is this strange pony? Why can't he remember anything? And why doesn't he have a Cutie Mark?</p>

everyone

2012-02-15T12:17:24+00:00

2012-02-15T12:17:24+00:00

A Strange Introduction: Part 6 Soul slept for what seemed like hours to him. Resting peacefully, not a care in the world. Unfortunately, this did not last. He got the feeling that something was staring at him, and awoke with a start. He was back in the void. "Damn it." He exclaimed, before recoiling in shock. He could actually talk. And move. And fall onto his face on the 'ground'. "Ow." Soul grunted as he pushed himself up. "URG, what, now you're just letting me walk and talk? Well good, 'cause I have more than a few questions for you. First off, where are you? Or are you so ugly that you're afraid my eyes'll explode as soon as I look at yMMMMNNN!" He was silenced as he felt something cover his mouth. He grabbed at his muzzle, trying to remove the obstruction, before realizing that his mouth had disappeared. 'Great,' he thought. 'It's gone all Matrix on me.' He blinked. 'Wait, what's a "Matrix"?' His train of thought was interrupted as the voice started talking. "It's amazing. Even with amnesia you still manage to annoy me." Soul looked around for the voice. "Yes, look around for the invisible sound waves. In the mean time I'm going to give you your mouth back, and you are going to listen." Soul felt his mouth open and he gasped for air. "I am going to answer your questions, but only if I want to. I don't want to make this too easy for you. And try not to speak more than you have to. Got it?" Soul nodded. "Alright. First question. Who, or what, are you?" The voice chuckled. "A good first question. Nice to see you still prioritize others before yourself. Unfortunately, that is one that you will have to figure out on your own. Or I'll tell you. Just depends on how quickly you can figure it out." Soul thought for a moment before speaking again. "Alright then, where am I?" "Isn't it obvious? Wait, I forget who I'm talking to. Just look around. Tell me what you see." Soul did as instructed, seeing nothing but blankness. "It's nothing but an empty void." "Exactly. What can you imagine can be so terribly empty as thi-" "We're in my brain, aren't we?" Soul dead panned. The voice chuckled again. "Quick on the uptake, aren't you? Yes, we are in your brain. And, though I WAS going to insult you, it's actually quite sad. It's usually bursting with random nonsense in here. Enough to keep me amused, at least. But what with your amnesia it's all surrounded by an impossibly thick fog, keeping it just out of reach so you can't remember what they are but still allowing you to access them." "So THAT'S why I keep saying things and never have a clue what they mean." "Exactly. Heh, despite all the annoyances you cause me, you are always amusing, one way or the other. Any other questions?" "Oh, yes actually. You probably won't tell me how I lost my memory, so could you tell me what my Cutie Mark is supposed to be?" "Well I WOULD, if I knew what that was. I don't remember anything about a Cutie Whatsit. Maybe whatever affected your memory is tampering with mine, but I can't seem to recollect anything. But I suppose if you want to know what you're best at, well, you've always had a bit of a thing for scien-" "SCIENCE! Of course, why didn't I know that? I love science! But what would a scientific Cutie Mark look like?" The voice sighed in annoyance. Soul could almost see it rubbing it's temple. "I don't know, but you've started to annoy me again so if that's all..." "Wait! I do actually have one more question! An important one!" "Alright, fine. What is it?" "The last two times I fell asleep I had a nightmare that I was here, but I could hardly more. And this voice, a genderless voice, told me that it killed someone, and said something about me not dying and some other confusing things. Can you tell me what that means?" The voice was quite for a moment, before answering. "Oh. Dear. That, is not good at all." Soul started to say something before he felt himself fall out of consciousness. *** Twilight had cleared the pile of books away, and had placed the sleeping stallion on the same couch which she had been on earlier, and was now poking him with her hoof in an attempt to wake him up. "Soul." She whispered. "Get up. Spike wants to apologize." Soul remained asleep, and Twilight was starting to get impatient when she heard Spike's voice call out from the kitchen. "Hey Twi', d'you think Soul'd like banana pancakes?" No sooner than he had finished his question Soul sat up straight quickly, scaring Twilight out of her coat in the process. "Somebody mentioned banana pancakes." He said as he looked around fanatically. "I'll take that as a yes, then!" Spike said as he chuckled. Twilight, no longer startled, approached Soul. "Hey there. Are you feeling any better? Spike hit you pretty hard." Soul managed to snap himself out of his food-rabid state and answered her with a small grin. "Yeah I'm fine. Just concerned for Spike. I mean, how much manual labor must you put him through for him to get an arm that strong?" "Too much!" Spike called out again, promting laughs from the two ponies. Soul looked at Twilight and noticed that her bruises had gone. "Hey, where are your bruises?" Twilight looked herself over before grinning sheepishly. "I may have used the last of the healing tonic that I had gotten from Zecora on myself. Sorry I didn't have enough for you too." Soul waved her away dismissivly. "Nah, I'm fine, you saw how fast I healed from the manticore. Besides, I love having hallucination enducing concussions involving an omnipresent voice talking to me inside my head." Twilight wasn't sure whether or not to laugh at this. But before she could find out more Spike walked in carrying three plates stacked with delicious looking pancakes. They ate in silence, Soul finishing before the others. "Wow," Spike said. "You sure can pack it away." Soul grinned. "It's an art, I know." He said pompously, getting a chuckle from the others. "Now, you said something about hallucinations?" Twilight asked with a hint of worry in her voice. "Well," he started, as Twilight leaned forward, pancakes forgotten. "It was more of a dream, only more livid than that. Remember when I told you that I got my name from a dream?" She nodded. "Well that was similar to this. It started out with me suspended in a void. In my previous dream I could barely move, let alone speak, as a genderless voice talked to me. But this time was different. I could move around and talk, but then a different voice, definitely male, started to talk to me. He let me ask questions, but only answered if he thought it wouldn't make me remember too much. Seemed to be getting a kick out of my struggles. He did tell me what he thought my special talent was, though he seemed to have no recollection of what Cutie Marks were. But the strangest thing is that when I mentioned the other voice, he seemed to be scared. And that is when Spike mentioned pancakes. Way to go, Spike. You and your delicious pancakes may have doomed us all." Spike just rolled his eyes and shook his head. Twilight slumped down on her chair. "Well. That's certainly a lot to take in. And he didn't say who he was? Or where you were?" Soul chuckled. "He said we were in my mind. At first I thought he was insulting me as usual, but he said that my mind had become a blank void due to the amnesia, only able to access a little information. He didn't tell me who he was, though. Said it would be more fun if I could figure it out." Twilight sat in thought before she realised something. "Oh! What did he say your special talent was?" Soul grinned. "Well, he wasn't very specific, but it's quite clear that I was some kind of scientist." Twilight perked up at this. "A scientist? I haven't met many scientists outside of my college professors. Maybe if you come over and help me with some experiments you could find what you're best at!" She practically leaped for joy. Soul smirked. "You're a little too excited about this. Not that I'm complaining. Science is fun." Twilight chuckled nervously. "Well it's not often that I meet a pony who actually likes science, let alone somepony who wants to help me with my experiments." "Yeah, and," Spike spoke up, chuckling. "With you around she won't have to experiment all her spells and stuff on me." "Sooo, I'm a test subject?" He asked Twilight, who responded with a sheepish grin. Soul brightened. "Good idea! We could test how well I can heal different wounds. This is going to be great!" Twilight smiled warmly. "Well, when did you want to get started then?" Soul stopped and thought. "Hmm, well I told the Crusaders I'd pick them up from school and help them find their Cutie Marks, so why not now?" Twilight clopped her hooves together. "Great! Let's go down to the basement, all my equipment is there." She stopped half way to the door and turned to Spike. "You want to join us Spike, or would you like some time off?" Spike chuckled. "You know I love helping you, Twilight, but I need a break, so I'll be at Sugarcube Corner if you need me." They bode him farewell before heading down into the library's basement. *** Alrighty, that's another chapter down. It's a little shorter than the others, but at least it didn't take three months like the last one. As always, rate, comment, and for some reason my S key just randomly stopped working for the beginning of this sentence. And for god's sake, please tell me the things you like and dislike about it! It helps me make it better. Till next time, Soulsilver.

Soulsilver

360

Cutie Mark Crusaders,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

The Adventures of Soulsilver

incomplete

<p>While in the forest looking for some ingredients for an experiment, Twilight finds an injured pony and takes him to the hospital. Who is this strange pony? Why can't he remember anything? And why doesn't he have a Cutie Mark?</p>

everyone

2012-02-26T23:02:16+00:00

2012-02-26T23:02:16+00:00

A Strange Introduction Rarity sighed. It was a slow day, with few customers and no orders to fill. Usually this would be a welcome moment of relaxation for the unicorn, but her thoughts plagued her, filling her with anxiety, worry and longing for her stallion house guest. She looked up at the clock. It was half past 2. She thought for a moment. "Hmm...well Soul will be picking up the girls from school soon...I don't think he'd mind if I accompanied him. Besides, he could use a little help making sure they don't get into trouble." She stood up and walked out the door, flipping the "Open" sign to "Closed" on the way. *** Rarity arrived at the library five minutes later, subconsciously trotting faster than normal. She opened the front doorand poked her head in, calling out. "Twilight~! I'm here to accompany your guest to the school!" When she looked around, however, she found the main room of the library to be empty. She walked inside and searched all of the main floor. She was starting to get worried before a thought occurred to her. "Oh, they're probably doing some experiments in the basement." She scolded herself before going to the basement door. She went to turn the doorknob, but stopped as she heard voices. "Soul, you're brilliant! I've never even thought of doing this!" "Heh, it was nothing." Rarity smiled behind the door. 'So modest,' she thought. "I'm serious, you were amazing! I'm surprised you don't have your Cutie Mark now!" "Well, it's not that impressive You did most of the work, I just told you what to do." "You're kidding, right? Just look at it! Its huge! I'm just glad Spike isn't here, he'd be really angry if he found out." Rarity's eyes widened. "No," she whispered. "Well, I'd be glad to help you do it again anytime. Though you're so smart you probably don't even need me to help." "Well, I don't know about that. Besides, I'd prefer it if you came around every once in a while. It gets lonely here sometimes, and like-minded company is always fun." "Well sure. I enjoyed it too, so I'll make sure to come around again to do this again. Maybe we could even do other things. I have a lot of ideas we could try." "That'd be great." Rarity didn't hear anymore; she ran out of the library with tears in her eyes and a pain in her chest. *** Soul's ears pricked up. "Did you hear a for close just now?" He asked Twilight, who shook her head. "Hmm. Oh well." "What should we do with this gem?" She gestured towards the massive gem on a table by the wall. "Spike will be really mad that we used his stash for our experiments." "Well, we increases it to seven times it's original size. Just break it into smaller pieces so he can eat them." "Yeah I suppose. But really Soul, this is amazing. This could end the gem shortage in Draconia! If they start to run low on them again they can just get some Unicorns to grow them again." "I know. I'm just glad I managed to fix it so it doesn't put strain on the atoms. It would be very bad if they used the spell too many times and accidentally split the atoms and made a black hole." Twilight just started blankly at him as he looked up at the clock. "I should probably get going. I'm going to help the Crusaders figure out what their special talents are." Twilight giggled at this, confusing Soul. "What?" He asked, agitated. "We all know what their talents are." She said smiling. Soul cocked his head. "What." It wasn't a question this time. She nodded her head. "Uh huh. In fact, I think the only ponies who don't know what their talents are are themselves." "Then why doesn't someone just tell them?" "Discovering your special talent is an important part in every ponies lives, and should only come to them when the time is right." "Oh." Soul blinked."Wait, what about me, then? You're helping me find my special talent!" He said accusingly. "Well, you're different. You had your Cutie Mark, but lost it and your memory." Soul shook his head and tutted. "Hypocrisy." Twilight just laughed. "Come on, Neighstein. Go play with the Crusaders. Just make sure they don't do anything too destructive or destructive, okay?" "Sure thing. And I'll make sure not to tell them their special talents if I happen to find out what they are." With that he trotted back up the staircase as Twilight materialised a sledgehammer and turned to face the massive gem. *** Soul arrived at the school house just as the bell rung for class to end for the day. "Maybe uncanny timing is my special talent," he muttered to himself. As soon as he walked in the gate he got tackled to the ground by something small and fuzzy. "Soul! You're here! See, you guys, I told you he'd be here!" Soul looked up from the ground and saw that the ball of fuzz that had knocked him to the ground was Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom and Scootaloo weren't far behind her and joined in with the dog pile. The rest of the class flowed out of the classroom to see what was happening. Soul looked at Cheerilee and smirked. "Hello again, Cheerilee. I'd give you a proper greeting, but I seem to have been commandeered by adorable pirates." The teacher smiled before clearing her throat. "Girls, could you let Soul stand up please?" The Crusaders did as they were told and moved off of Soul who stood up. "Class, I'd like you to meet Soulsilver. He recently lost his memory and will be staying in Ponyville for a while." Soul frowned. "What do you mean? This place is great! Why would I want to leave?" Cheerilee chuckled at this before turning back to the class. "You're dismissed, children. And remember, tomorrow is a student free day!" Most of the class all filed out of the gate, discussing what they were going to do with their day off, leaving only Soul, Cheerilee and the Cursaders in front of the school house as two young fillies walked up to Soul and stuck their noses up at him. "This is the stallion everypony's been talking about?" said the one with glasses and a spoon Cutie Mark. "Not very impressive." "Looks like they weren't lying about him being a Blank Flank." Said the one with a Cutie Mark of a diamond encrusted tiara, and was wearing a matching actual tiara on her head. "He's a total loser. Come on, Silver Spoon, let's get out of here. For all we know he's got some Blank Flank disease." She walked out the gate. "You said it, Diamond Tiara." Silver Spoon followed her friend. Soul stood there for a moment before whistling. "Those two were about as sweet as lemons." He said, bringing a laugh out of the others. "So, what did you girls want to do?" Scootaloo perked up. "I was thinking of all the cool stunts that Rainbow Dash does! So I want to see if being a stunt pony is my special talent!" Soul stared at her. "That...actually sounds safer than most of the things I've heard about you girls. Well, as long as no explosives are involved and you have the proper safety equipment, that is." The orange pegasus started jumping around excitedly. "ALRIGHT! LET'S GO!" All three grabbed his forelegs and started dragging him out the gate. Soul looked back at the bemused teacher. "I suppose I'll talk to you later, then, Cheerilee." The magenta mare waved goodbye and went back into the school house. *** "I take back everything I said." Soul and the Crusaders had made their way to the lake near town, where they found a catapult waiting for them, making Soul wonder if the girls had planned this. He was currently having a helmet and goggles slapped onto his head as they shoved him into the end of the arm of the machine, facing out towards the lake. "It'll be fine, don't worry." Scootaloo said as she tried to guess how far the stallion would go. "Ah don't know, Scootaloo." Said Applebloom, rubbing the back of her head. "This doesn't seem like somethin' that a pony should be doing th' day after they get out of hospital." "He'll be fine! He's a pegasus, if anything goes wrong he can just use his wings to straighten himself out." "Wait what?!" Sweetie Belle gasped. "But he-" "Less talk and more action!" Scootaloo interrupted and pulled the lever, sending Soul flying into the air. As Soul rushed through the air, he found that it felt amazing it was to be airborne. The wind blowing past his ears and through his mane relaxed him. He looked down and that feeling was shattered as he saw how far up he was, and that he had gone right over the lake and was heading straight for the trees on the opposite side of the lake. He clenched his eyes shut and braced for impact, but it never came. He opened his eyes and saw that he was hovering above the trees, having stopped just short of them. He looked back and saw that he was flying, using his wings to keep himself afloat. As he was about to celebrate, he stopped flapping his wings and fell into the tree, hitting several branches on his way to the ground. "That was...something." He mumbled as he got up. He had already healed the bruises he had sustained and started to make his way back to the Crusaders. When he got back to the catapult he found the girls arguing. "It would have worked, if you had it set up properly!" Scootaloo accused Applebloom. "Ah would've been able ta if you hadn't pulled the lever!" Applebloom shot back. "Oh, this is bad! Rarity is going to be so mad at me!" Sweetie Belle was just rocking back and forth with her head in her hooves. "What did I miss?" He called out to them, snapping them out of their worry. They all rushed over to him and started to speak at once. "SoulI'msosorryIshouldn'thavepulledthelever-" "Ahshouldhavemadesureitwasworkingbeforeputtingyouin-" "Iwassoworriedthatyouwerehurtareyouhurt-" "Girls, I'm fine! Just a couple of scratches." He said, trying to calm them down. "Besides, I managed to fly a little. Kind of. So it was worth it." This made them, particularly Scootaloo, perk up in excitement. "REALLY? What was it like? How fast did you go? Did you do any tricks?" She asked excitedly. Soul chucked. "Well, if you count stopping myself from crashing head first into a tree as a trick, then yes. Though I still need some teaching before I can fly properly." "Then why don't you get Rainbow Dash ta teach ya?" Applebloom asked. "She's a good flier." "A GOOD flier?" Scootaloo questioned. "You mean the BEST flier in ALL of Equestria! She will have Soul flying like a pro in no time." "Not a bad idea. I'll talk with her about it tomorrow. For now, maybe we aught to take the catapult to Sweet Apple Acres then head home. I've had my fill of Crusading for today." The three fillies agreed, nodding slowly. "I should probably get some ingredients for dinner tonight." Sweetie gasped. "I forgot about that! What are you going to make us?" "If I tell you then it's it's not going to be much of a surprise, is it?" He asked, smirking. *** Rarity headed home as fast as she could after leaving the library, and ran upstairs and into her bedroom to cry into her pillow. "I should have seen this coming. Of course he loves Twilight, she saved his life. Oh, why do I always set myself up for disappointment? He was only playing with my heart!" She rolled over onto her back, clutching the pillow to her chest. "Why do I even feel this way about him? He's just a smelly no good heart breaker who thinks he can just play with others!" She got up and walked angrily to the bathroom to look at herself in the mirror. "Well," she said after a moment. "He didn't exactly know how I felt...and he is allowed to be with anyone he wants...maybe I just ought to accept it. It is not worth it to lose a friendship over something as petty as this. In fact, I shall do everything I can to help their relationship along! Though they do seem to be quite...acquainted with each other already, they simply must go on a date! I'll even set the whole thing up for them, as a surprise, as Pinkie would say." Her monologue was interrupted as she heard the door downstairs open. "Hey Rarity, we're back! I'm gonna start dinner!" She heard Soul call out. Rarity smiled softly. 'That doesn't mean that I can't enjoy him being a gentlecolt, however,' she thought. *** Alrighty, I finally got this one done. And I don't like it one bit. It just feels really rushed to me, but I can't think of anything to do to improve it. Well, at least it didn't take 3 months to come out again, so that's a plus. Anyways, you all know the drill. Rate, comment, tell me what the heck I can do to improve it and all that.

HiddenBrony

362

Applejack,Caramel,Fluttershy,Granny Smith,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hop, Skip, and a Jump!

complete

<p>Fluttershy ends up spending all morning feeding the animals, and finds she has run out of food at home. Heading into Ponyville, the shy mare finds a fearsome storm is moving in, and finding an open shop is going to be tricky!</p>

everyone

2011-08-10T18:07:04+00:00

2011-08-10T18:07:04+00:00

Looking up at the sky, Fluttershy could see the weather team working diligently on moving in the clouds. Sweet Apple Acres needed a lot of rain after the last few sunny days, and Applejack had ordered Rainbow Dash and her team to get some clouds in, pronto! Well, as quickly as possible anyway. Shaking her head, the shy mare shrank a little at the very idea she could be so... so... "Wishy-washy." In her own thoughts, no less. She didn't like the idea of force behind the words, but all her friends commanded it with such power, and such conviction. Fluttershy blushed slightly, shaking her head. "It'd be so... exciting." She murmured, starting up her trot again. Looking to her side, she wondered what it would feel like, to be so sure of oneself. To just... know what you wanted, when you wanted, and how it could be delivered. Looking up once again, she saw her friend Rainbow Dash streak across the sky, looking for bigger and bigger rainclouds to bring to Ponyville. Fluttershy had tended to her animals this morning and began her tiny trek into Ponyville, intent on getting a couple supplies to wait out the impending storm. As she continued, however, she already could see Dash returning with what looked to be a huge raincloud, and it seemed to threaten her as it flew above her, carried by the proud pegasus pony. She sped up a little, continuing her trot under the cover of trees, almost to hide herself from the raincloud. As she entered Ponyville, she surveyed the area. Some ponies were out in their daily routines, but far less than yesterday. The looming cloud cover set up by the weather team had cautioned the more play-minded ponies to stay inside, lest they get wet from whenever the rain started to poor. Regardless, Fluttershy moved as quickly as she could to her first destination - the Apple Stand set up on Sugar-Cube Corner. However, as she arrived, she found a blue fabric tarp over the stationary stall, with a quick message written on it. Closed due to Weather/Wagon broke down. "Oh no," was all Fluttershy could say, looking it over again as if it would read differently after a second time. She had waited too long to go get food for herself, waiting until she was completely out of her usual stores. Her hooves started moving in tandem on the spot, as she worried and wondered on who else she could trust to buy from on short notice. "Fluttershy?" A sudden voice asked. The pastel yellow pegasus yelped quickly, before turning to see the orange Earth Pony who's voice was familiar to her. "Now don' get yer apples in a bunch, Sugarcube, s'only me." Applejack mentioned, a smile on her face. The pegasus relaxed quickly as the Earth Pony looked her over. "Now what're you doin' out here anyway? Storm's about ta hit any minute." A low grumble emanated from the Pegasus pony's stomach, which caused her legs to freeze up unceremoniously. She hadn't been paying much mind to her own hunger so far, but the mare realized she hadn't eaten at all today - tending to Angel's feeding habits was a difficult task. Between realizing her food stores were empty and getting the rebelling rabbit to eat from his stores, she seemed to have missed her mark slightly. "I.. um, Well you see I'm... Out of food at home, and uh... Well-" "Outta food?" Applejack blurted out. Looking between Fluttershy and the closed down stand, she shook her head in apology. "Ah knew ah shouldn't ah let Caramel close up early. Ah'm dreadful sorry 'bout this." Applejack mentioned, looking about to see if any of the other stores were open still. She could only see Sugar-Cube Corner, and right now sweets were likely the last thing on Fluttershy's mind. As she did, a stray thought filtered itself into the Earth pony's mind. "Look, Lemme make it up to ya. Come to mah place with me, stay the night, and we'll have ourselves a right ol' slumberparty." She said. As soon as it came out she wasn't entirely sure where it came from, but there it was. "Oh. Oh! Um, well," Fluttershy began. She didn't want to be a bother to her friend, but Applejack just looked at her with a caring smile that backed up her words so well. Staring at her green iris, the shy mare mumbled something about not wanting to impose before the Apple farmer waved her excuse away. "Ah know you wouldn't have come here without tendin' to yer animals first, Fluttershy. Ain't no way somepony's gonna argue that ta me, 'specially not you," she mentioned unexpectedly. There went Fluttershy's only real excuse. Applejack always knew what to say, it was so... comforting, to have someone who just knew. Looking away a moment, she gave the impression that she was actually thinking it over, before simply smiling and nodding. "Thas' the spirit! We'll feed you good back at the farm, an' don't hesitate to ask fer anything, ya hear sugar-cube? You're an Apple Family guest tonight." Fluttershy smiled softly, being led toward Sweet Apple Acres by her friend. As they trotted, Applejack related to Fluttershy her day, and the yellow mare simple smiled and nodded, simply enjoying her time, before the low rumble of thunder threatened the sky above. "Eeep!" She squeaked, and Applejack paused, looking up. "That pony's been cookin' up one mean storm, Ah tell ya," she muttered, shaking her head. "Jus' wanted a rainstorm, but that pony's always gotta impress somepony. Come'on Sugarcube, we better trot a bit faster if we're gonna beat the-" A loud crash of thunder shook the ground as the sky lit up with lightning, causing Fluttershy to squeal loudly as the rain decided to cascade downward, as if in taunting Applejack's prediction. "Horsefeathers." Applejack mused, looking toward Fluttershy. "Come on, Fluttershy, we gotta hoof it." She said, as if Fluttershy needed any more compelling. ----- "Now whaddya mean the guest bed's taken?" Applejack stomped her foot down, frustrated. Fluttershy was in the kitchen with Applejack and Big MacIntosh, and they were discussing sleeping arrangements for the night. In front of her were some apple slices, which Applejack had prepared for her just before Big Mac came in with the bad news. "S'what I said," the red, muscular pony said. He stood a full head over Applejack, and was taller than anypony in town, for sure. However, against Applejack, he seemed somehow more manageable a stallion, much to Fluttershy's content. "Caramel hurt himself runnin' here 'fore the storm. Slid on a wet patch 'o grass and sprained himself. Hopped the res' the way here on three hooves." "That clumsy colt!" Applejack muttered, before looking to Fluttershy, and then back to Big Mac. "Ah figure he's already up there, restin' his worries away already." "Eeeyup." "Horsefeathers!" Applejack muttered again for the second time in the hour. Placing her hat on a stand nearby, she looked it over quickly to make sure the rain had caused it damage of any sort. Fluttershy had only eaten a single slice, looking down that she had complicated things. She got up quickly, causing Applejack to hold up a hoof in retaliation. "Oh, uh.. um, I was... gonna go home- There's really no bed for me here, and I don't want to be of any trouble." Shaking her hoof about, Applejack followed suit with her head, smiling. "Nonsense, Fluttershy. Jus' means you're bunking with me tonight. Ah said we'd have a slumber party tonight and that's jus' what were gonna do," the Earth pony mentioned, gesturing Fluttershy to sit back down. "Now go on, Ah'm not convinced that las' rumble came from the sky now, so you eat up and Ah'll be right back. Gotta see if that lazy colt needs anything," she muttered. Always hospitable, Applejack hurried herself upstairs, leaving Fluttershy alone in the kitchen. Letting out a long breath, Fluttershy calmed down a little. The low rumble of thunder was almost calming among the sound of the sweeping rain. Closing her eyes, she took a couple more bites of the apples as she tried to keep her train of thought. She blushed slightly, her thoughts turning to Applejack. She would never, ever admit it, but that Pony was always on her mind. Her confidence, her strength, her honesty... She sighed, a red tint appearing on her cheeks. "Whatcha thinkin' about, Fluttershy?" A little voice popped up. Again, a small squeak escaped from her as Fluttershy looked around, seeing one of the three Cutie Mark Crusaders staring up at her. "Oh, Applebloom," she muttered first, before smiling. "You surprised me! I didn't hear you come in." The pale little filly smiled and leapt up upon a seat at the table Fluttershy was sitting up at, and looked over what food there was that was out. "Aw, ponyfeathers. Usually when we have guests Applejack has the caramel apples out!" She complained, before turning to Fluttershy, completely changing gears. "Hey Fluttershy, what're you over for? It's awful rainy out for you to make the trip." The older mare took a look at herself, still fairly wet from the run to the home. She had completely forgotten about it because her stomach growled loudly and Applejack herder her straight into the kitchen. "Oh, no, I came with Applejack. And um, I guess I'm staying the night here." "Oh! A sleepover then! Like we had at your house!" Applebloom cheered, causing Fluttershy to smile warmly. "Yes, kind of like that." The mare mused, before realizing that the CMC had all slept in the same bed, and at this moment she realized that she'd be sharing one with Applejack, causing her cheeks to flare up something fierce. The caused Applebloom to tilt her head slightly. "Huh? What's wrong Fluttershy?" She asked, putting a hoof on the table and leaning on it. "You're all blushin'!" The accusation only made the pink in her cheeks redden more. "Oh, um, no, I'm just," she cleared her throat in a gamble for more time to make up an excuse. "I just. Um. Get this way during storms. I'm just a little light headed, is all," she smiled, but Applebloom didn't look very convinced. "Are you sure? I don't feel any different." She said, touching a hoof to her face. "Ah donb fheel dibberent ab all!" She said undeterred, her hoof pushing her cheeks around, forcing her mouth to move in weird directions as she spoke. The display made the pegasus a bit more at ease, as she tried to banish the feeling from her face. "No, it's just... a pegasus thing. Um," she murmured, hoping that would satisfy Applebloom enough to drop the subject. However, the filly just raised an eyebrow slightly. If only she could put a little more into it. "But I've never seen that happen with Scootalo-" "Applebloom! What are you doing up this late on a school night?" Called Applejack, enunciating her words for effect. The filly squeaked a bit and quickly rushed past Applejack, muttering a mix of excuses, apologies and rebellion as she went upstairs to her room. Turning to Fluttershy, the mare simply smiled and chuckled a little. "It's not that late, Ah reckon. Cloud're makin' it all a bit darker 'n normal. Still though, should give us a little peace 'n quiet 'round here fer a couple hours," she said, sitting at the table. Fluttershy coughed. "Oh, she really wasn't bothering me. Um. Much," she stated, feeling terrible for even admitting a little bit to how uncomfortable the filly was making her. She didn't want to admit to anything today, it seemed. "Thank you for the delicious apple, Applejack," she mumbled, nosing the plate toward the center of the table. There were still a couple slices on it, and Applejack leaned over and took one, smiling warmly. "Ain't nothin'. Don't you worry 'bout Applebloom, she just get's excited whenever yer around. Sorry she mighta embarrassed you," Applejack noted, seeing the light pink that played on Fluttershy's features. However, the mere mention caused them to become redder than the Applejack's cutiemark, and she shrank into herself a little. "Oh. No, she wasn't... um." Closing her eyes, she wasn't sure what to say. That she was having conflicting feelings about the true nature of their friendship? That she had a crush on Applejack since the day with the dragon? Banishing such thoughts, she simply gave a soft, half-hearted smile. "It wasn't... important." She said, her cheeks slowly returning to their normal complexion. "Yer sure?" Applejack asked. "'Cause Ah don't want her thinking it's arright to jus' say anything to anypony." Fluttershy shook her head. "Oh, no, nothing of the sort. She was just bein' friendly. She, um," Fluttershy swallowed. "She just surprised me is all." From above, there was a bit of a thump as Applebloom's voice could be heard. "Cutie Mark Crusader Ninjas!" It called right above them. Blowing a piece of renegade hair from her face, Applejack merely shook her head and smiled. "Ah reckon we should move to thicker walls," She muttered, putting a hoof to her face. Fluttershy merely nodded, not wanting anyone to just listen in on her. The idea, frankly, scared her a little, and the pegasus was soon having her eyes dart toward every window and every corner of the room. The storm rumbled outside as the worst of it rolled nearer.

HiddenBrony

362

Applejack,Caramel,Fluttershy,Granny Smith,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hop, Skip, and a Jump!

complete

<p>Fluttershy ends up spending all morning feeding the animals, and finds she has run out of food at home. Heading into Ponyville, the shy mare finds a fearsome storm is moving in, and finding an open shop is going to be tricky!</p>

everyone

2011-07-30T21:44:44+00:00

2011-07-30T21:44:44+00:00

Fluttershy stared at Applejack a moment as the orange pony worked about her room, trying to clean up a bit and set up the bed. "I, um, don't think you need to go to that much work for me, Applejack..." She mentioned, but the other pony wouldn't hear of it. "Nonsense, Fluttershy. My bed's along the corner, an' that's no good fer multiple ponies. Been meanin' to do this fer awhile now, anywho." Applejack muttered, putting her forehead against the bed and sliding it out. Fluttershy nodded briefly before pausing, a rogue thought passing in her mind. "Um, why?" She asked, thinking it over. Applejack paused, as if considering it herself. She didn't answer, however, and set to work pushing the bed away from the wall. In this, Fluttershy couldn't see her face anymore, and couldn't tell that the orange filly in front of her was actually turning a little red in the face. Regardless, the silence threatened Fluttershy, who followed up with a quick, "Um, not that it's... um, any of my business asking." She mumbled, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. Seeing Fluttershy's reaction, Applejack looked up and smiled. "Now don't you worry about that. Sometimes Applebloom has a bad dream and comes to sleep in my bed with me. Silly filly, it just makes it easier for me if I need to get up the followin' mornin' without jostlin' her awake." She explained. Sure it happened sometimes, so she was happy when Fluttershy merely smiled and nodded. Walking over to the bed, Fluttershy worked along with Applejack. Not in any big way, but she kept the sheets neat and tidy while the hard-working applebucker made the last few adjustments. "There! Ah reckon that'll hold my interest for a couple seasons." She said, nodding in approval of her new room setup. "I'm glad to have helped. Some," Fluttershy mentioned, straightening out the last corner on Applejack's bed. As she pulled, she took a small whiff, enjoying the smells of the sheets. She closed her eyes unconsciously, letting go of the sheet and holding a content smile. Opening her eyes, she caught a look from Applejack which caused her to slink down and blush. "Um. A little," she mumbled. Smiling and shaking her head, Applejack placed a hoof around Fluttershy. "Ya sure did. Ah've probably would have kept putting it off if not fer you," she smiled, before realizing how close she was. She paused briefly, the constantly reddening Fluttershy looked away, and the Earth Pony put her hoof down. "Er, sorry 'bout that. You gonna be alright tonight, sugarcube? Ah can sleep on the floor if that makes ya more comfortable." Shaking her head at the prospect, Fluttershy declined. "Oh, no! I um. I mean," she mentally berated herself for making Applejack second guess her overflowing hospitality, and for almost ruining a bit of a dream come true for her. "I kinda liked it. You're, um. Warm." She tried, giving a small smile. The compliment caused Applejack to merely smile sweetly, "Hold on, Fluttershy, I gotta go wash up a little." Applejack mentioned, needing an outlet before the blood flooded her cheeks on how adorable Fluttershy could get. "You can look through my closet over there for something to occupy yer time with, I shouldn't be too long." Trotting out of the room, Applejack closed the door behind her with her back hoof, and headed downstairs to the washroom. Fluttershy looked toward the windows, the storm raging on, and took note - it hadn't really stopped thundering, but she hadn't noticed at all. ----- "Okay sugarcube, just hold it together. You're doing great so far." Applejack muttered to herself in the mirror. The water had hit that magical temperature that just felt right as she splashed some in her face, getting some of the more prominent dirt off of her. "This ain't no big thing. No need ta be awkward. Don't rush things..." She sighed, her hooves hitting the floor as she leaned against the bathtub. She smiled as she took note that Applebloom finished her chores today, as the tub looked very white. Sighing, she looked down, and compulsively moved her hoof to straighten her hat, which she realized wasn't there. Applejack couldn't help but think of the pony in her room. She could barely remember when she started having these feelings for the butteryellow mare. Applejack stared into her reflection, looking at the pony who stared back. She knew why. The caring, the kindness... closing her eyes she pinpointed the exact moment she fell for the girl upstairs. She defended them - she defended them all. She stared down that dragon when all the others had been rebuked, and saved Ponyville - maybe even a large part of all of Equestria. And she did it not by fighting, or tricking... She told the honest truth. Appealed to the dragon's heart. It was only by accident that she also appealed to Applejack's, albeit in a very different way. Sighing, she turned away from the mirror, her steps heavy as she exited the washroom. There wasn't much she felt she could do. "Ah reckon it's just a slumber party fer her," she whispered, shaking her mane. "Not often we have a guest. Tonight we have two, hm?" An old, gentle voice called from the kitchen. Applejack looked up to see Granny Smith in one of the many rockers strewn about the Apple Family house, enjoying what was left of the plate of apple slices the girls had forgotten to finish. "Er.. uh. Yep! Both of them needed a place to stay... 'Parrently." Applejack muttered, kicking a hoof along the ground as she spoke. "My friend Fluttershy and one of our workers who was plum clumsy and ended up hurting himself on the way home." "Caramel?" "Caramel." "Boy's just like his father." Granny sighed, her eyes becoming half moons. Applejack was about to head back upstairs when she was halted by her grandmother's voice. "You ain't foolin' me, Applejack," she said, causing the younger pony to freeze dead in her tracks. "Uh... heh heh, whaddya mean?" Sighing, Granny moved the plate unto the a nearby counter. "Your friend up there. I can tell," she mumbled, moving off her chair and unto her walker. Moving slowly towards her, the orange Earth Pony's eyes darting from side to side. "Ah don't know whatcha mean, Granny. Ah'm just feedin' her and housin' her from tha' storm," Applejack mentioned, giving an obviously forced smile. The old mare nibbled at the end of her apple slice, leaning her head back as she looked at her kin. "Applejack, you know you're a horrid liar." The elder mare said, completely deadpan. This caused Applejack's head the fall, looking away from her granny. "I can tell when you're smitten, one way or another." Granny Smith sniffed the air, before shaking her mane a bit. "But you made no way a' hidin' it this time." Applejack paused, looking about before raising an eyebrow. "Now just how is that?" She'd been the perfect host so far, she imagined. The old mare laughed. "I raise you from a filly to the mare you are now and you don't expect me to pick up on a few things?" She pointed to the plate, where two last apple slices remained. "Cutten up apples, movin' furniture, washin' up." Applejack blushed and again reached for her hat, which, again, wasn't there. "And of course, you're lookin' for your pappy's hat for comfort in yer nervousness." Rolling over to the stand, Granny took the hat off and threw it over to Applejack, who deftly caught it in her mouth and flipped it up upon her head. "This mare's got you doin' every trick under the sun I've seen you do for all those colts back in Gradeschool you were crushing on," Granny Smith sighed wistfully, remembering all those years ago. Sure it wasn't too long compared to her age, but back then she could get around without this confounded walker. "Granny, Ah..." Applejack started. She felt embarrassed, and even a little shameful in front of her grandmother like this. "Ah'm sorry... if this isn't what you want fer me," she admitted, her hoof kicking the ground again. Granny Smith tutted a moment, wheeling herself close to Applejack. "Now listen here, AJ. I was against many things in my hayday," she started. Clearing her throat, however, she continued. "But I was for so much more. And love, little Apple of my eye, was one of 'em." Applejack looked up, fighting back a couple tears which threatened to come loose. "I can tell this one's special to you, and ain't nopony's gonna take that special away." "But... what about the others? All my friends?" Applejack breathed, revealing her fear. "What if I'm rejected?" Standing as straight as she could, Granny Smith looked surprised at how Applejack responded. "You mean yer friends? Twilight and all them?" She asked, getting a simple nod from Applejack in response. "Well if you ask me you have no problems from yer little party friend, or Twilight. And something tells me you ain't got much to worry about offended that Rainbow Dash. Perhaps it'll coax her to come out of her own shell. Ain't healthy keepin' who you are inside like that." Applejack smiled softly. Everyone seemed to have the same opinion about Rainbow. "Granny... yer startin' to ramble a little." She let on, sniffing a little to hold back her emotions. Stopping, the old mare smiled as she stopped. "Er. Right, sorry dear. I'm saying you don't have anything to worry your pretty little head about. They'll accept you no matter what. And don't you worry about the townsfolk either - I'm sure between that Lyra and Bon-Bon they're all pretty fine with the idea." "Lyra and Bon-Bon?" Applejack echoed, before suddenly the gears in her head clicked into place. "Oh." She gave a few blank blinks as realizations dawned. "Well that does answer a few questions, Ah reckon." Laughing softly, Granny Smith put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "I'm surprised you didn't know. You have to stop working so hard everyday and start takin notice of what's around you a bit more. There's a lot of beauty out there." Taking a moment, Granny wiped a tear that had just rolled down Applejack's cheek. "Just like you." Applejack gently hugged her grandmother, a couple tears loosening from her eyes, which she wiped away as quick as possible. "Thank you, Granny. Yer a right old mare and Ah'm proud to call you mah grandmother." "And I could never be disappointed in you, AJ. Now go on up there and tell her how you feel." Granny motioned with her free hoof for Applejack to get along, and the mare smiled back, before hoofing it upstairs. The older mare sighed again, this one contently. Rolling down the hallway to her room, Granny smirked to herself. "Guess I gotta count on Big MacIntosh to give me little fillies and colts to play with and spoil." She said to herself, relishing in the idea of a few more great grandponies before she finally kicked the bucket. A flash of lightning illuminated the room before her, causing the old mare to merely turn her head towards the window.

HiddenBrony

362

Applejack,Caramel,Fluttershy,Granny Smith,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hop, Skip, and a Jump!

complete

<p>Fluttershy ends up spending all morning feeding the animals, and finds she has run out of food at home. Heading into Ponyville, the shy mare finds a fearsome storm is moving in, and finding an open shop is going to be tricky!</p>

everyone

2011-07-30T21:58:57+00:00

2011-07-30T21:58:57+00:00

With every step, her hooves felt heavier. Every stair climbed, she could feel her legs starting to lock up. But Applejack pressed on, reaching the top floor of her home and turning to look down the hallway to her room. What would she say? What could she say? Moving forward, she steeled herself. If she didn't do it now, then she wouldn't do it ever. It's not that it would go away, but what would she think? Lying together in the same bed, harboring such thoughts... It wasn't right. It wasn't honest. Standing outside her own door, she closed her eyes and tried reciting something. Anything, to get her on the right track. "She's mah friend..." She breathed. "And even if this... doesn't work out, she'll always be that ta me. And that's enough." Bolstering her resolve, the pony pushed open the door to her room. "Fluttershy?" She called, expecting to see the mare in her room. However, she was met with the sight of her own room, slightly askew from her earlier shenanigans. Darting her head from side to side, Applejack trotted into the center of the room, seeing if Fluttershy was hiding, as if playing a game. "Nah, she ain't no little filly." Applejack muttered, only after she had already looked. Turning to the closet, she opened the door to find some of her games tampered with, but nothing was really taken out. "Naw where did she go...?" she breathed, staring at the window. It rattled as the wind made it's presence known, and for a moment Applejack believed Fluttershy had left through the window. Maybe she heard her downstairs. Maybe she didn't feel the same way, and instead of confronting her, she left so Applejack could save face. Her legs frozen, she almost fell on her haunches right then and there, before urging herself to the window and looking outside. "Fluttershy...?" She called wistfully. Lowering her head, she resigned herself to the story she made up in her head. It only made sense. Opening her eyes, she paused. "Wait a gosh darned minute." The window was, for all intents and purposes, dry. At least her side was. Rattling again as the wind picked up, Applejack realized that there was no way the yellow pegasus had left. At least not through this window. Turning, Applejack headed again for the hallway, looking both ways as she raised an eyebrow. "Now where did that pegasus get to?" Applejack harrumphed, catching sight of a light and a crease in the door of the guest room. Walking down the hallway, the earth pony stopped short of the door, pausing to look in through the crease. "Thank you, Fluttershy." Caramel mumbled softly as the the yellow mare shook her head. She was sitting at the foot of the bed, a wide smile on her face. "You're a smart pony, I feel a lot better now." He said, nodding his head as if approving his own sentiment. Fluttershy merely shook her head. "Oh no, I have to thank you. I feel like I can take on the world. Thank you, Caramel." Applejack winced, although she wasn't too sure why. Peering closer, she tried to get a better look at the two, but her muzzle touched the door, causing it to creak open slowly. Fluttershy visibly jumped as she moved to her feet, but Caramel just turned his head slowly towards Applejack. "Aw, hey AJ." Caramel waved a hoof toward her, and Applejack - a bit unsure - merely walked into the room. "How long you been out there?" As he said this, Fluttershy suddenly looked almost frightened, her face turning away in shame. "Not... long. Just came up and couldn't find Fluttershy anywhere." Applejack coughed, an almost pained expression on her face. "Figures she'd find her way to some wounded animal." She added, taking a crack at Caramel while she was at it, trying to... do whatever she could to alleviate the sick feeling at the pit of her stomach. Caramel merely nodded slowly. "Well I'm sorry to take your friend off your hands like that without askin'." Was all he let out, his head leaning back. Shaking her head, Applejack smiled as best she could. "No, no, Ah'm sure whatever you two were talking about was more important than what Ah was doing," she said. At this, the yellow Pegasus' ears perked up. Fluttershy looked up, her eyes unreadable, but clear. Apparently whatever Applejack had just said calmed her down a lot. "Oh, um," she squeaked, trying to get her voice under control. "I was just asking him about his injury and seeing if I could help him," she said, looking over to Caramel. "So I got him another pillow from your hallway closet." Applejack looked between the two a moment, before her hoof stamped weakly among the ground. "Now sugarcube, what're you gonna sleep on now?" She asked. "Tha' pillow was meant fer you." Caramel instantly looked up, suddenly aware. He looked guilty as he attempted to move the pillow off his bed, but winced when he unconsciously used his sprained hoof to attempt it. In a rush, the yellow mare moved his leg back, stopping him. "That's, um, quite alright. I'll manage, you keep it." She mumbled, turning to Applejack. "I don't think I'll need it that much," she breathed. Tilting her head, Applejack merely let the pegasus give up her pillow - planning on sacrificing her own should it come down to it. "Well, we better let this one rest, Fluttershy. He's got a lot of healing to do, and staying up late and yammering on isn't gonna help him." She said, waving her hoof about as she did. The pegasus looked at Caramel a moment, before turning to Applejack and smiling. "Right." Trotting out the door, she made her way back to her friend's room, her own resolve burning as she rehearsed her feelings in her mind. ----- "Um, hello?" Fluttershy called, her head bumping open the door to the lit room. In it an adult colt of an orange color was laying in bed, his hoof on a book labeled Lord of the Saddles. Looking up, he seemed confused, but gestured a friendly wave toward the unexpected guest. "Oh, um. Sorry." Seeing that she had interrupted the injured pony's rest, she took a step back, intent on leaving. "No, that's alright Fluttershy." Caramel mentioned, lifting his other hoof to pick himself up on the bed. As he did, however, the book slipped and tumbled off the bed. Pausing, all the colt did was stare at it briefly. "Oh. Whoops." Looking up toward the mare, he looked between her and the book, lifting his sprained hoof as he did. "Do you think you could...?" Fluttershy followed his gaze for a moment before blinking and nodding. "Oh, I'm sorry, of course." Trotting over, she lifted the book back unto the bed, letting Caramel get a better hoof on it. "Sorry." "My fault." He said, smiling. Suddenly, a crash of thunder ripped open the sky, and the house shuttered. As it did, Fluttershy squeaked and fell over, her legs locking up from under her. "Fluttershy! Are you ok?" Caramel asked, leaning on his good hook to get a look at the yellow mare. As soon as he did, the book slipped off the bed a second time, bouncing under the bed. "Aw, horsefeathers!" Freeing her legs, Fluttershy quickly moved to her feet. "Oh, um, sorry." Bending down, she looked to see where the book landed - out of her reach at the moment, a quick swipe at it with her hoof told her that. "Oh darn." She stamped the ground - causing nothing more than a tap along the floorboard. The stallion shook his head. "It's okay, I wasn't reading it all that intently in the first place..." He waved his hoof, before wincing and realizing that was his sprained one. "So... um. Why are you here, Fluttershy? Surely not to see me?" "Oh no. I mean-" She paused, realizing how that must have sounded. "I mean, I didn't know you were hurt - you were just here when I got here and I saw a light down the hall while Applejack was downstairs for a long time and I was curious and nerve-wrecked and-" She paused, stopping herself before she went too far. "Nerve-wrecked?" Echoed Caramel. Fluttershy looked away, realizing that she had gone to far regardless. "Not a big storm fan, I guess," he added. Fluttershy looked up confused, before realizing his mistake and nodded, going along with it. "Oh yes. I mean, no. I'm not really a fan." Smiling, she realized at the moment she was trapped - she couldn't exactly leave Caramel after just arriving. "Um, so, how are you feeling?" She struggled out, attempting to buy some time until Applejack returned from downstairs. Caramel took a moment to look over his leg, before shrugging his shoulders. "Been better. Been worse, too." Lying on his side, he faced Fluttershy a bit more comfortably, a smile playing on his features. "So... when did you decide you had a voice?" He asked, looking at the pegasus expectantly. This surprised Fluttershy, her eyes widening. "Um, what do you mean?" She asked, her eyes darting toward the door - at any moment she was hoping Applejack would come back and free her. "I've never heard you speak much before now. Barely an audible squeak." Caramel mentioned, leaning on his good hoof. All he had known about the yellow mare was that she took care of animals on the other side of Ponyville and was as shy as they came. "Why the change?" He prodded a little, interested on knowing more - seeing as he didn't have anything else to help pass the time. The pegasus paused. It was true, she hadn't spoken to Caramel in the past. "Oh." She pondered. In fact, she remembered only a chance encounter in Ponyville, where she barely uttered a word. "I guess... I guess I'm a little... braver?" The word's crawled out of her mouth, as if unsure. Caramel tilted his head in response, but merely nodded. "Alright, I guess I can see that. But you didn't answer my question - why're you are at Sweet Apple Acres, in this storm." At this, Fluttershy hesitated, but saw no harm in letting the colt know why she was currently in the same room as him - so far from home as it is. She let him know all about Angel's funny business back at her house, and how late it was before she could even leave her house. By this point she was pacing about the room as Caramel simply listened and nodded. When she mentioned Applejack's kindness in allowing her to come, he frowned. "So this was supposed to be your bed for the night? Ah... I'm sorry, Fluttershy," he said, his good hoof pressing down on the mattress alternatively with his sprained hoof, which merely passed through the air. "If only I was looking where I was going..." "No, it's alright, Caramel, it's really no bother. I don't mind sharing a bed with Applejack for the night." She said, before freezing. Had she really just said that out loud? Maybe she could fix it - it wasn't that hard. "Oh." Caramel mentioned before Fluttershy could say anything. "Well, I guess that makes sense," he said, as blunt as can be. Caramel nodded his head a bit as he slid his body unto his back. "What makes sense?" She echoed, unsure of what Caramel meant. It suddenly occurred to her that he had immediately sensed her motive - and furthermore had his own dashed. "Oh-oh I'm sorry Caramel." "Ah, don't worry about it, Fluttershy. I was so caught up in you just sayin' something to me that I let my mind run away with it. I'm not crushed," Caramel said, shaking his head. There was an awkward silence that filled the air, and Fluttershy slowly moved toward the door. "Ugh!" Slamming his head against the pillow, he suddenly looked toward the mare. "I hate to ask, but can you ask Big Mac to get me another pillow? I hate to bother him but this is straining on my neck." He asked, as if the last minute hadn't happened. "Oh. Um, sure!" Was all she said as she walked out of the hallway. Looking about, she tried to guess which room belonged to Big Macintosh. Sighing, she resigned herself to just try the door across the hall, and tried knocking. However, the door merely pushed open, revealing a hall closet with various bed sheets, and perched upon them, a little pillow. "That was easy." Fluttershy smiled, picking the pillow up and happily trotting back towards Caramel. Pausing just outside the bed, she felt a bit awkward. Not only did he get shut down, but he knew of her attraction to Applejack. However, Caramel could pick up on it pretty well, and waved it away with his hoof. "I meant nothing by it. Really Fluttershy. I didn't know you two were an item. Ha, I never even knew Applejack swung that way," He laughed, closing his eyes and lifting his head so the pegasus could more easily place the pillow. Quickly shoving the pillow in the gap, she squeaked out a pleasantry that reeked of suspicion. "Uh... what?" He asked. "Um. Well, you see..." She had already admitted enough at this point. Almost skipped right into it, really. She hesitated, before lowering her head. "We're not really..." She trailed, her voice disappearing into a high-pitched squeak. "Oh. Oh! Oh geez, I'm just eating my hooves tonight." Caramel slapped a hoof to his head, shaking it. Although, he had to admit the pillow was really comfortable. "I'm sorry Fluttershy, I had just assumed with how easy you mentioned it that it was common now. I thought that's why you were braver now." Fluttershy looked away, but she mulled over what the stallion was saying. She had simply put it out there. Almost with conviction. She smiled briefly, which surprised Caramel. "I... suppose I am. A little." She swiveled her hoof around on the ground, tapping it idly as she stared downward. "So why don't you just... bring it up with her?" Caramel ventured, seeing as now he was interested again. "I'm sure she..." He paused. What would Applejack do in return? She had always struck him as too proud for any old stallion... which he guessed was why it made sense to him so quickly that she might have her interests elsewhere. He sighed, leaning his head back. "Well, I'm not sure, but..." Fluttershy turned her head slightly. It really wasn't his place to give relationship advice, but she felt it cute that he was trying to help, regardless. It was an odd feeling, what she had right now. She had taken that first step - maybe she stumbled into it, sure, but she had made it. She had said something without agonizing over every little detail. She didn't even take it back. Glancing toward the door, she could hear voices coming from downstairs, but knew better than to eavesdrop. Looking back towards Caramel, he hadn't moved since he had frustratedly given up on attempting to make her feel better without sticking every hoof he had in his mouth. "Are you, um, all right?" "Am I alright? Yeah, sure, peachy." Caramel mentioned, fairly unamused. He didn't sound angry, but he seemed to be losing interest. Stepping closer, Fluttershy asked again. "Caramel... are you okay?" Looking up, Caramel looked ready to dismiss the mare before he caught sight of her eyes. He froze, suddenly unsure. "I'm..." Pausing, he sighed. "No, not really," he confessed, his hoof falling to his side. "And yeah, it's a little bit that you so easily shot me down. But I know I gotta tell you why or you're just gonna stare at me with those big ol' eyes until I do." He mumbled, causing Fluttershy to blush a little at the compliment. "Guess I feel like I'm doing nothing right, losin' seeds, tipping over apple baskets, breaking wagons, spraining ankles..." Fluttershy nodded slowly. The poor pony before her did seem to hit a spot of bad luck every step of the way. "I'm sorry. It must be very hard to keep going sometimes, and you work so hard," she praised. Caramel paused his revelry to listen to Fluttershy further, a renewed interest in his eyes. "I mean, you help with the farm as best you can. And um, well, I know it's not Big Mac or Applejack who cook the food around here all the time, and there's only so much Granny Smith can do." She was looking away now, trying to come up with more things Caramel did around the farm, but only could stick to more broad ideas. However, looking back toward the colt, he had moved from his interested position back to a relaxed one on his back, a gentle smile on his face. She smiled inwardly, her little plan had worked. Sighing contentedly, Caramel nodded his head. He knew quite well what Fluttershy had done, and he'd admit that her kindness had worked on him. "Thank you, Fluttershy," he said, a smile stretching across Fluttershy's face. " You're a smart pony, I feel a lot better now. ----- Walking into the room, Fluttershy still had a smile on her face once it was clear Applejack hadn't been out there for long. However, Applejack still had a pit in her stomach, and she was starting to pace around a little. As the sound of rain and the low rumbles of thunder caught Fluttershy's attention, Applejack spoke up. "So uh, what'd you an' Caramel talk about?" "Not too much. Just... things," Fluttershy said, kicking at the ground sheepishly. "It was... nice." She nodded in approval to her own statement. Looking over at Applejack, however, she suddenly saw that the strange look she gave in the guest room was still on her face. "Applejack?" She asked, her name enough. Shaking her head, Applejack walked toward the bed. "It's nothin', sugarcube. You takin' a shine to him, Ah reckon?" It was blunt, and Fluttershy could almost feel it physically against her. It hurt, a little, that Applejack could say something so coldly. Without feeling, but yet... she wouldn't be wavered. Not yet. Swallowing, Fluttershy shook her head slowly. "Oh no, nothing like that. He's... nice, but he's not... um. My type," She admitted, the nervousness feeling she had early started to grow, her resolve starting to fade. However, Applejack looked straight up, her face clear from whatever plagued her moments ago, which caused the pegasus to pause even longer. It started to dawn on her that maybe, just maybe... what she was feeling wasn't so strange. "Applejack, I have..." She took her first steps in Ponyville, coming to the Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack's painful feeling had subsided, and she was having a hard time trying to hide it. But more importantly, it was starting to become clear to her. What she held dear to her. What she had wanted. The storm outside blustered and rolled on, the thunder picking up as the main force of the wind started to rattle the window fiercely, as if delivering a crescendo of the utmost magnitude upon the two ponies. "I want to thank you. So, so much for everything you've ever done for me. You've believed in me, led me along the right paths, never gave up even when I wanted to," She continued. She had dwelt on it all night. This feeling inside. And she had let it out, even just a little bit, with a minor bit of stumble, but she kept moving forward. She didn't want to be held back, and in front of Applejack, she didn't feel she needed to. The other pony stepped around the bed and came towards Fluttershy, a calm expression over her face. Behind the pegasus a scene of great force played out, with lightning and thunder and the wind causing branches and stray leaves around and around, obscuring any vision outside. But to Applejack, she couldn't hear a thing. Nothing but Fluttershy's soft, lovely voice. The pegasus looked into Applejack's eyes. She could see what was there. She felt the strength the earth pony was giving her. It was everything she needed. Her voice didn't shake at all. Fluttershy smiled. Explosive sounds of thunder were heard overhead as Fluttershy nuzzled against Applejack's neck, the Earth pony returning in kind. She had come this far, everything seemed so perfect, so easy with the other mare there, with her. Backing away a little, she looked Applejack in they eyes once more. The next part was simple. It was as easy as a hop, a skip... Suddenly Fluttershy's back legs kicked out, causing her to jump right into Applejack. "I love you, Applejack."

HiddenBrony

362

Applejack,Caramel,Fluttershy,Granny Smith,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hop, Skip, and a Jump!

complete

<p>Fluttershy ends up spending all morning feeding the animals, and finds she has run out of food at home. Heading into Ponyville, the shy mare finds a fearsome storm is moving in, and finding an open shop is going to be tricky!</p>

everyone

2012-11-15T22:18:36+00:00

2012-11-15T22:18:36+00:00

Picking another apple from the tree, the pony smiled as the apple feel towards the top of the basket, coming to rest on the others. Pausing briefly, she looked about the tree and decided it had been picked enough. She went to the apple cart and overturned the bucket, causing the apples to lazily roll out, unbruised and looking absolutely delicious. Hopping off the truck, she smiled at all the hard work she had done, before turning her head to see another pony coming up next to her, nuzzling her neck sweetly. Blushing profusely, she giggled and put her bucket down. "Oh Applejack, stop it!" Fluttershy giggled, the nuzzling turning ticklish. "Ah, forgive me, sugarcube, Ah can't help myself." Smiling sweetly, she dropped her own charge of apples into the truck before turning to her feathered friend. "Ah really do appreciate all you've been doing fer me and the family..." Looking out to Sweet Apple Acres, an odd sight could be seen with many of the trees there. While the direction where Applejack came from had trees completely barren of apples, many of the treetops of unbucked trees were barren as well - The very tops had been picked clean Fluttershy. "Ah can't believe how many apples we've been saving from your hard work." To be true, many of the apples which fell from the highest heights of the trees had often become brutally bruised, and in the worst scenarios had fallen upon previously pristine apples, damaging the crop twofold. "Oh Applejack, I couldn't stay back while you and the others were out working so hard." She mentioned, shaking her head. Looking down at the ground, the smile never left her face as she recalled the last year. "I've had so much more free time since Applebloom's come over to help me with my animals. Angel's never been happier." Ever since the night she stayed with Applejack in the storm, Applebloom had been coming over more often to help with the animals Fluttershy took care of. Applejack herself often came along, although her reasoning were far different than the little filly's. While at first doing no better taking care of animals than she had discovering her cutie mark, Applebloom had really come into her own when dealing with the animals, and while it wasn't her special talent, she had really come to enjoy it - even so far as staying the night at Fluttershy's to help out with the morning routine some nights. However, that was only on weekends, and only when Applejack just so happened to stay as well. ----- It was Twilight and Pinkie Pie found out first. Applejack and Fluttershy had wanted to keep it on the down low for a little while longer, neither wanting to go too fast and complicate the more individual aspects of eachother's lives, like their work. Despite this, they had just come into the library together while Pinkie Pie was visiting with Twilight Sparkle, discussing who knows what - all the couple knew was that Twilight looked relieved to see them. "Oh, hello girls!" Twilight greeted them, walking over to them. "It's so good to see you - I haven't seen much of anypony after the big storm a few nights back." Twilight gestured to a nearby open book, which was filled with information about the wind speed and direction from and around the Everfree Forest. "I was so busy studying weather patterns-" But before the violet mare could finish, a high pitched gasp cut off her train of thought. "Ohmygosh!" Pinkie Pie gasped again, her body flying into the air, seemingly hanging in the air. Landing, one of her hooves pointed toward the two mares. "You two are in love!" The sudden accusation caused both Applejack and Fluttershy to take a step back in surprise, their faces blushing considerably as they did. Undeterred, Twilight rebutted her almost immediately. "Oh Pinkie, what're you going on about now?" Twilight sighed, turning to the pink pony with a raised eyebrow. Before she could say much more, she noticed something off about the pink earth pony. In front of her, as Pinkie pointed at Applejack and Fluttershy, her ears were flopping, her tail twitching, her back was trembling and her stomach was visibly grumbling. "All at once?" She breathed, suddenly feeling like she should take cover. "It's-It's... A HYPER COMBO!" Pinkie shouted, before rushing forward and tackling both Applejack and Fluttershy in each outstretched hoof. "And it means two ponies are in loooo-oooove!" She sang, getting up and hopping around, causing Twilight to look between the hyperactive pony and her two other friends. Pinkie on the other hand had a enormous smile as the two blushing mares got back to their feet, Pinkie now facing them. "And it happened when these two walked in! Ohmygosh I am so happy for you. I knew that Applejack liked Fluttershy, I mean, come on, the whole dragon thing! Aaaaaaahhh-veeeeeeee-uuuuuusss! And Fluttershy, I didn't know about you but I hoped! I Pinkie hoped that you would like her back and you do! You do you do!" She cheered, hopping from one side of the couple to the other in enormous jumps. Twilight, on the other hand looked supremely amused, but also extremely confused. She had learned long ago to trust in Pinkie's random convulsions, but for something so grand as love? She hadn't even begun to research it! However, she was curious. "Is it true, you two?" Was all she could mention, mentally berating herself for not coming up with something more intelligent. Applejack was busy watching Pinkie Pie jump around, and reached for a nearby discarded book. As Pinkie Pie landed nearby, Applejack instinctively stuffed the book into the pink pony's mouth, causing her to freeze. "Nah just stay in one place, Pinkie Pie," she pleaded, glad to get the mare to stop. Fluttershy, however, was still trying to find her voice, but her face was red as an apple. However, she still moved forward, looking to Applejack for assistance and guidance. The orange mare merely sighed and shrugged, breathing out a simple, "Might as well, sugah." Turning to Twilight, Fluttershy put on a brave smile and nodded. "Yes, Twilight. We're... we're in love!" She squeaked out, her voice high, but not impossible to decipher. Despite this, she seemed proud of herself, and in a show of contentment, leaned against Applejack, pushing her head into Applejack's neck, taking comfort in the earth pony's warmth. This time, it was Twilight's turn to expel a sharp gasp, before smiling hugely and clopping her hooves together. "Oh my Celestia, I'm so happy for you two!" She galloped over to her friends, capturing both of them in a tight hug before releasing them and giving them room. Her eyes shining, she looked between the two. "You have to tell me everything. When did it happen? How did it happen? Was it romantic?" She asked, shifting her view to each pony as she asked a question. Spitting the book out, Pinkie still had a giant smile on her face. "Oh! Wait until I tell everyone! OH! I know! I know! This calls for a party! A big one! With balloons and streamers and heart shaped cupcakes! Oh oh oh and some sarsaparilla! It's been awhile since I had any of that! A giant fantabulous party!" "Now just hold on apple-pickin' minute, Pinkie Pie! We haven't gone and told anypony yet, 'specially not Rainbow Dash and Rarity, and Ah reckon they best know from us rather than somepony honoring us with a party!" Applejack rebutted, a look of worry on her face. Pinkie frowned and stopped hopping up and down, looking absolutely crushed at the idea of no party at all for her friends. Her friends who were in love. Fluttershy stepped forward, looking between Applejack and Pinkie Pie. "I, um. Maybe we could tell Rarity and Dash... and let Pinkie let everyone else know?" She murmured, her foot kicking against the ground as she let the others think about it. Looking into Applejack's eyes, the Earth pony initially seemed against it, but suddenly softened. "Ah- Ah reckon that would save us a lot of time." Applejack conceded. No one could let the whole town know big news quite like Pinkie could. Her ability to get around was second only to Rainbow Dash - and even then she wasn't completely sure about. Somehow that pony could get anywhere faster than what should be possible. Looking again to Fluttershy, she finally nodded. "Well okay then. Ah guess we'll have us a party after all." Gasping again, Pinkie's smiled returned as she hopped into the air higher than Twilight could prove ponies had to ability to, and landed without a hitch. "Oh yay! Oh yes! It'll be huge! It'll be Gigantic! Enourmous! The hugeosity of it all will put all my past parties to shame!" Pinkie Pie looked wildly about before Applejack stuck her hoof over her muzzle. "Jus' make sure not to be invitin' anypony until after we've had words with Rarity and Rainbow, okay?" She asked, looking Pinkie in the eye with a critical look. The only response from Pinkie was a simple head shake until Applejack let her hoof drop to the ground. "I Pinkie swear! No pony will know until Rarity and Rainbow Dash know. Until, no pony knows! Except us! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" And with that, Pinkie Pie rushed out to get the party ready, but what for, nopony knew but those present knew. Cringing, Twilight was reminded when she had completely whiffed that saying and had stuck a hoof full force into her open eye - the pain of which was enough to make sure she never made such a mistake again - only using a Pinkie promise in the most dire of situations. Sighing wistfully, Twilight picked up the book that Pinkie had spit out and levitated it back into the shelf, before turning back to her friends. "It's so great that you two found happiness in each other. I've spent so much time here, I hadn't even begun to think about something as deep as love," she confessed. "Oh, well, we haven't been... together, for very long," Fluttershy admitted, blushing a little. Twilight nodded. "Of course not, Pinkie would have exploded twice if it had happened anytime before now and held it in," She let out a soft laugh which Fluttershy repaid in kind, even eliciting a snerk and a chuckle from Applejack. "Still though, I am happy for you two. I can say right now I can think of no two ponies better suited for each other's strengths and weaknesses than you two." Smiling, she gave them both another, softer hug, before heading to the door. "I've got a couple things I need to do, and I hate to leave you because I have so many questions, but they are rather important. I'll see you two later at Pinkie's, though, okay?" The two mares looked at each other, before looking back at Twilight. "Well alright then. Thank you, Twilight, fer bein' so understandin'," Applejack said. Twilight shook her head. "Think nothing of it." Smiling, she waved and headed out into Ponyville, to settle a few tasks before tonight. ----- "So you two are..." Rarity breathed, her hoof pointing from Applejack to Fluttershy and back again. Fluttershy nodded meekly, a bashful smile playing on her featured, while Applejack just tried to look proud of her decision in front of Rarity. There was a long moment of silence, before Rarity simply just fell on her haunches. "Well... I'd be laying to say if I wasn't disappointed." Suddenly Fluttershy's face fell, and even Applejack looked crestfallen. Looking away Fluttershy sighed, her voice wavering on a whimper. "Disappointed...?" She breathed. "Well, yes, dear. I'd of thought you'd have told me by now." Rarity said, her eyes unassuming. "We spend almost every weekend together, darling. But I suppose this is my fault for not bringing up the subject of romance." Applejack simply looked peeved at Rarity's aloof display, but Fluttershy had moved alongside her, nudging her partner to simply let it go. "Of course, I suppose this means you're invited to our little trips to the spa, as well, Applejack. I have so much to ask you and it would be ever so much fun!" Rarity went on, pulling out fabrics and laying them on her table. Shaking her head violently, the farmpony rejected the idea outright. "Ain't no way Ah'm going ta' any fru-fru spa." Applejack berated, her eyes falling into half-moons. Rarity was always trying to get her to go and pretty herself up, but between working on the farm and spending what quality time she had with friends, she couldn't go wasting her time on things like that. Fluttershy giggled beside her, obviously entertained by the thought. "Oh, now you're wantin' me ta go to the spa, too?" "Oh, no." Fluttershy shook her head, before pausing. "Well, I mean. Yes." She smiled, tilting her head to look at Applejack full on. "I think it would be fun. We wouldn't necessarily have to go with Rarity, but I think it could be... fun." She said, forcefully stopping herself from muttering more 'um's into her speech. Sighing, Applejack shook her head in mock exasperation. "Confound you ponies, drivin' me ta spas." She mentioned, causing Rarity to pause. She had been talking the entire time about the two, but the couple hadn't taken any time in listening to her tirade. "Ah guess Ah could give the spa a try." "Oh darling! That is wonderful news!" Rarity commended, before halting and merely smiling warmly at the two. "But do so at your leisure. I, for one, will not be forcing you to do anything you don't actually want to do to please me. I learned that lesson already." She said, nodding and smiling at Fluttershy. "Now, I simply must ask, if only to keep this pony from being driven mad - when did this happen?" Fluttershy smiled, glad to know Rarity still embodied the generosity and compassion she was chosen for, and Applejack swallowed a bit before delving into the short version of what happened. Fluttershy stayed next to Applejack for the story, at one point merely laying down before Rarity shooed them over to her chairs towards the back of her boutique. As Applejack got to the part where Fluttershy confessed her feelings, the mare cleared her throat a little, 'causing the Earth Pony to pause her story. "It was after I admitted it... accidentally, though, to Caramel." She admitted, causing Rarity to smile. "Oh, if only it were me you said it to. I would have loved to be there for you two." Rarity chimed in. In her mind, it was a thousand times more romantic, the storm, the pegasus, the hard-working earth pony. Why, she could simply write it all down in a love story and it would sell millions across Equestria! "Now, settle down there Rarity." Applejack chided, a smile still on her face. "It ain't nothin' to be writtin' about. Just two ponies..." She trailed, nuzzling against Fluttershy. "Just two ponies gettin' closer than they ever dreamed." Rarity smiled warmly, before levitating her dressmaking glasses over and placing them on her head. It was a sign that she was completely content with the two ponies' story, and was ready to let them go without trying to hold them back for more. Despite this, the three friends spoke for another hour afterwards, talking about just about anything. They noticed the time before too long, and Fluttershy reminded Applejack that Pinkie wouldn't want to wait long before the party. "Party?" Rarity echoed, a look of interest on her face. "Don't tell me you told Pinkie Pie before you told me?" She asked, taking mock offense at the sheer suggestion. "We, um, really didn't have a choice." Fluttershy related, blushing slightly. "She started shaking and everything all at once and-" She said, before Applejack finished for her. "She got her Pinkie sense all over us before we even said hello." The orange pony seemed a little cold about it, but it didn't seem to bother her for very long. "Oh, say no more, I know how our excitable Pinkie can get. She probably go you with her old hyper-combo as she so bluntly puts it. Really, it's everything a pony can do not to go mad when she's around to remove such secrets." Rarity would have gone on, but Applejack cut her off with a wavering hoof. "Either way, yer invited to the party at Sugarcube Corner later on t'night. Ah suppose Applebloom will want to see Sweetie Belle there, so go ahead and bring yer sister." "Oh, I wouldn't dream of leaving her behind for a party like this. I'll see you both there." Rarity said, waving them off, knowing full well that they still had other ponies to tell before the party. As the two walked off, Rarity sighed contentedly. "I suppose that's two ponies I won't have to worry myself over..." She said, looking back inside, a smile on her face. "Right, now what kind of dresses can I make for those two now..." She resolved to make new dresses for her friends to commemorate this occasion, and smiled. "Maybe French Haute couture..." She mused, before shaking her mane. "I wonder if Applejack would really go for something so high class..." ----- Looking up at the cloud house, Applejack nudged Fluttershy a bit. "Now go on then, Ah can't go up there myself." She mentioned, waving side to side to drive home the point at the lack of wings. "Just get her back down here and we'll tell her together." Applejack added, not expecting Fluttershy to do all the work alone. "Ah wish Ah'd have remembered ta ask Twilight fer that cloud-walkin' spell again." Applejack mentioned idly. When she was up in Cloudsdale, she quite liked the sensation of walking on the fluffy white masses. Gracefully taking to the sky, Fluttershy didn't have to go very far up to reach Rainbow Dash's home, and took a look around. Same as always, the rainbow river that flowed between the clouds silently tricked and repeated its journey, somehow keeping itself from flowing all its colors together in a way that Rarity had continually asked Rainbow how she pulled off. Apparently, Rainbow fabric was hard to come by without intense magical persuasion. Breathing in deeply, Fluttershy reached a hoof out and knocked deftly on the door. As she waited, Fluttershy reflected on her last few days. They'd had been like a dream, full of companionship, lost hours just enjoying each others company, talking about just about anything. Looking over the edge, Fluttershy could see the orange earth Pony smiling up at her, 'causing her to fill with feelings of elation. "Fluttershy? What're you doing here?" A voice called from behind the mare. Turning back around, the pink pegasus could see the tired face of the fastest flier of all of Equestria staring back at her. "It's like, six in the morning..." She complained, yawning long and loud, before walking out into the sunlight. "It's... It's past four in the afternoon, Dash," Fluttershy informed, expelling a soft giggle at the mare's sleeping schedule. "You must have really tired yourself out after that storm," she added, looking up at the now cloudless sky above them." Rainbow Dash completely ignored how off her frame of time was, and merely gave the sky a look of pride. "Oh, yeah, that storm was awesome. Totally cooler than any other storm this year. Clearing the sky afterwards it totally awesome too, you should try it sometime. You can jump on a few clouds and they'll rumble and flash!" Dash seemed content with playing up the work of weather ponies, and Fluttershy simply waited for her to finish, as with Rarity. "And then Cloudkicker almost stood on the cloud too long. Oh man, I've never seen a pony have their mane stand up like that! Hilarious!" Laughing heartily to herself, the pegasus suddenly realized that Fluttershy probably wanted something from her, causing her to briefly pause her story. "So what's up 'Shy? You got clouds that need bursting over by your house?" She asked, looking out in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage. "Oh, no, not at all. It's gorgeous out there. Applejack and I were out there this morning." Fluttershy breathed in deeply, she reminded herself that she wasn't entirely good at keeping things as under wraps as some of the other ponies. Dash raised an eyebrow in response, "Applejack was out there?" She asked. Fluttershy meekly nodded at the question, but Dash seemed to guess that the Earth pony would still be around, and checked over the edge. Sure enough, there was Applejack down below. "So, do you guys need my help or something? Twilight get another letter of 'extreme importance' from the Princess?" Fluttershy quickly shook her head. "Oh, um. No. Well, I'm not sure, she could have since we were there, but um." She trailed. Blinking hard, she built up her strength again, looking to Rainbow. "We just had something we needed to tell you. Before Pinkie does." She gave a small giggle, reminded of the other ponies reaction. Unlike Applejack, she had found the display to be cute, far used to the pink pony's antics. Considering it a moment, Rainbow dash outstretched her wings and checked them quickly, giving a self-confident smirk as she took to the air. "Alright, but what's with all this 'we' stuff with your two? I swear, I've flown around Ponyville a lot and I keep seeing you two everywhere," she mentioned idly, shooting down to the ground where Applejack stood. Fluttershy slowly followed suit, glad to have her solo part over with. "Well howdy there, Rainbow." Applejack greeted, nodding her hat at her friend. "Catch enough shut-eye today?" She teased, 'causing to cyan pegasus to look indignant. "Ah, don't worry about it, Ah'm not here ta tease ya today." Rainbow took a second for that to register, before giving a suspicious look towards the Earth pony. Fluttershy landed nearby, walking around Rainbow and coming up next to Applejack, a little closer than most ponies would. "Okay, now what is up with you two today?" Rainbow Dash accused. "You've been around each other for days and now you're here, waking me up at all hours of the morning-" "It's tha' afternoon, Dash," Applejack muttered, raising an eyebrow at the pegasus. Unamused at being corrected twice on the same subject so quickly after the last, Rainbow simply shook a hoof as if dismissing Applejack's remark. "Whatever, AJ. Just tell me what's up, I got some more napping to do before the next big trick I try. It needs clouds and I don't want to look all over Equestria to find enough for my next routine!" "Rainbow, would you just put a hoof in it and let me and Fluttershy tell ya the news?" Applejack said, her own unamusement clearly stretching to her face. Someponies just love to talk. "It's right important and we'd like to get it done with while the sun's still out." Pausing, Rainbow finally took a second to let the others have their moment. "Yeah, okay. What'd you want to talk about?" The pegasus finally said, giving Applejack and Fluttershy the room they needed to tell her. "Nah ya see, Dash..." Applejack began, before finally going into the reason of their visit. Fluttershy helped out with some of the areas Applejack started to get a little red in the face in, and eventually felt sure enough in herself to take over once Applejack had had enough trying to relate the entire story to the now incredulous Rainbow Dash. "And now we're, um, a couple now," Fluttershy ended, sheepishly. Applejack took the opportunity to nuzzle against her mane, which caused the blushing pegasus to redden completely, but she didn't object to the affection in front of Dash. It was a long time before Rainbow Dash said anything. She just stared between the two, her rose colored eyes darting between the two as the gears in her head tried hard to digest this information. "You two are..." She paused, shaking her head. "No way." "Well, um. You see.... Ahem. 'Way'." Fluttershy said, looking over Rainbow Dash's features. "Oh no, you're not... upset with us?" She started to feel absolutely awful, seeing her friend like this. She seemed like she was hurting, somewhat. "No." Dash mentioned, closing her eyes. "I'm... not upset with either of you. I'm happy. Really, I am! But... have you told... any other ponies?" She asked, her voice shallow. "Yep, we already told Rarity," Applejack informed, pushing her mane up a little to mimic the fashionable pony. "An' we didn't get a chance to tell Twi and Pinkie Pie 'fore Pinkie ambushed us. 'Parrently that party pony's been waiting awhile to hear this - she told us 'fore we could tell anypony," she admitted, chuckling a little. "Now Dash, I know that look on yer face. What's wrong?" Cutting to the chase, she had known that filly for longer 'n most in Ponyville, and she knew when something was up - not as well as Rarity, mind, but she was getting better. "I just... didn't know they were all... alright. With... y'know, that," Rainbow chuckled dryly. "I mean, I knew Pinkie would, but I had no idea about any of you. Or any clue that you two were fillyfoo-" Applejack's hoof instinctively shut Rainbow's trap before she could finish the term. "Nah don't go around saying stuff like that. Ah don't like that term one bit!" she expressed adamantly. Rainbow paused and rolled her eyes, backing off to release her mouth. "Sorry, I guess," she dismissed, before stopping herself. Blinking hard, the pegasus repeated herself. "No, I mean it. Sorry. Really." Fluttershy stepped forward. "Don't be, I know that's the only term we ever hear back in Cloudsdale," she expressed, causing Applejack to nod slowly. She always guessed that's why she always heard the term fly out of the cyan mare's mouth. "Dash, is there something you'd like to tell us?" Fluttershy had gotten wind of Dash's mood at this point, and was busy trying to figure out just what could be holding her friend back from her normal attitude. Applejack, however, had a pretty decent idea. "You can tell us anything, sugarcube. We're your friends, we won't treat you any different, just like you won't treat us any different now that ya know." In response, she gave Fluttershy's cheek a peck, causing the pegasus' cheeks shift from yellow to red in record time. "Well, you see..." Rainbow sighed. "I'm kinda... like you two. In a way. Not completely." She kept backing up with her words, before sighing. At this point Fluttershy caught on to the real reason, and nodded slowly. Seeing her friend's reaction, Dash sighed long and hard. "Yeah, I guess. I guess I like mare's too," she breathed. Stamping her hoof, she looked up hard and fast, "Not that I don't like colts, too! It's just that ever single one has been a jerk or tried to prove something, or race me or... I just don't get a lot of that from girls," she admitted slowly. Applejack looked visibly surprised, regardless of her previous expectation. She had thought Rainbow didn't have time to think much on the subject, but the way it was affecting her - it must of been on her mind a lot. "WAAH-HOOOOOO!" Screamed out a voice, causing all of the present ponies to look wildly about. A small bush, not more than two feet around, suddenly shook about violently. From it, a pink blur came shooting out, coming between all three girls and coming to rest near Rainbow Dash. "Oh this is wonderful! Truly amazing!" Pinkie shouted. Dash looked absolutely terrified a moment, but Pinkie just went about bouncing around the trio, laughing as she did. "Applejack and Fluttershy are in love! And now they've told everyone! And now I'm excited, hey Dashie are you excited? We're gonna have a party with cake and streamers and ballons! Ooo! I wonder if I can get Twilight to make heart shaped balloons! That'd be A-Maz-Ing!" The mare cheered and whooped for her friends, until it was Dash's turn to stick a hoof out to halt the Element of Laughter. "Pinkie, how long have you been there?" she exasperated, not getting into the how or why she had managed to conceal herself in such a small bush. "For an hour. Maybe two. I was just SO excited that I wanted to throw a party for these two but they wanted to tell you and Rarity before I could so I hopped around all day trying to get things together and I stopped by Rarity's but I saw this Caaaaa-yute couple in there already and I figured if they were talking to her then they hadn't had time to talk to you and I wanted to know, just know when I could start telling everypony and get the party started and-" "Pinkie!" Surprisingly, the call had originated from Fluttershy, who was trying to hold back a fit of laughter from the pony's speech. "I mean, um... I'm happy you're happy, but if you want to start the party... I think you need to go and get ready," she asked, tilting her head somewhat. "Oh! Uh-huh! That's right, parties take a lot of time to plan and set together! At least the fun parties are, and mine are always fun!" Pinkie said, putting a hoof to her chest as if solemnly swearing on it. "But it's sooooo great that Dash is open too, because now everypony can congratulate her on being so super-dooper brave! See you later gators!" As she hopped off, the others shook away their dumbfounded looks as they watched the pink earth pony go, a toothless alligator snapped to her tail, waving about as Pinkie made her way back to town. "Pinkie Pie.... She's so random." Dash sighed, shaking her head, a welcome smile playing on her face. Suddenly, her face froze as she looked after Pinkie. "Wait, open? Pinkie?! PINKIE!" She shouted, chasing after the blur of pink to the laughter of the happy couple. ----- And from there the other citizens of Ponyville had come to understand their relationship as something more than Friendship. It didn't take long for Applebloom to start putting two and two together and outright asking Big MacIntosh just what was up with those ponies. "Ah didn't know two mares could do that!" She gasped, before stomping her feet. "Now why hadn't anypony told me?" Big Mac smiled at his little sister, "'Causin' you never asked," he bleated, setting the table as Granny Smith prepared the dinner alongside Caramel. "Ponies can love each other, don't matter if they're the same gender," he said, nodding his head as he took a seat on the floor, his large size bringing him up to the table higher than those sitting in chairs. Applebloom paused at this. "Well okay." She said simply, not giving the issue much more thought. "Ah just wish they'd have gone and told me instead of just askin' me to come home like this. Ah'm a big pony, Ah can understand when ponies need alone time to hug and stuff." She said leaning over to take a bite of hay that Caramel had placed on her plate. Granny Smith started to laugh, which caused the older ponies to crack a smile, Big Mac stealing a few guttural chuckles as Applebloom looked between them all. "Now just what in tarnation is so darn funny?" ----- Alongside the barn was a hill that looked out over all Sweet Apple Acres, and unlike the rolling hills, it was not peppered with multiple apple trees, but only a single tall one at the very top, a small tire swing attached to one of the low hanging branches. Underneath the leaves, Applejack and Fluttershy rested after another day of work. Fluttershy was nestled right up against Applejack, breathing rhythmically as the two stared into the sunset, completely at peace. It had been a couple years since the party Pinkie Pie threw in their honor, and it was one where a surprising number of ponies let on to their true colors, Rainbow Dash included. Even Twilight Sparkle mentioned in passing that she didn't see anything wrong with it, and wasn't adverse to the idea of dating a mare should the occasion arise. It was the start of so much for the ponies in Ponyville. But for now, the two loving ponies were simply enjoying their presence together. It was a long time before any of them spoke, but Applejack finally broke the silence. "Fluttershy?" she asked softly. The yellow pony lifted her head up slightly and turned to look at the honest pony. "Ah was thinkin'. I really do appreciate all the hard work you do here at the farm, and I know Applebloom is givin' you a lot of free time with the animals..." she trailed. Exhaling deeply, Fluttershy closed her eyes. "I understand, Applejack. I'm not stressing myself, and I'm making sure not to carry more apples than I know I can," she said simply. "I know you're worried, but I can take care of myself," she said, before smiling up at Applejack, "Not that I mind you doting over me." Nuzzling against Applejack, the Earth Pony sighed, defeated. "Well alright then, but only for another couple of weeks, max. After that, it's more rest and relaxation than yah'ever thought possible, ya hear?" Applejack said, her voice tinged with worry. "It's at the tail end of applebuckin' season anyway. So most of the work is done anyway," she continued. Fluttershy closed her eyes and put her head back down on her hooves, nuzzling back into the hold she had earlier in Applejack's hooves. "Okay, Applejack, it's a promise." Fluttershy giggled some. "I'll stop working so hard. I guess I'm just used to doing things no pony thought possible." She murmured softly. Applejack smiled warmly, nodding. "Thas' right, we are," Applejack agreed, her mind turning the idea over in her head. "With a little help from Celestia on our most recent occasion." She added, chuckling. As they lay, Applejack's free hoof stroked Fluttershy's mane, reaching the pony's inflated midsection. As they lay, she could feel the little foal coming to rest underneath, and she smiled. Granny Smith needn't worry about waiting much longer for great grand-fillies.

HiddenBrony

362

Applejack,Caramel,Fluttershy,Granny Smith,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Hop, Skip, and a Jump!

complete

<p>Fluttershy ends up spending all morning feeding the animals, and finds she has run out of food at home. Heading into Ponyville, the shy mare finds a fearsome storm is moving in, and finding an open shop is going to be tricky!</p>

everyone

2012-11-15T22:16:00+00:00

2012-11-15T22:16:00+00:00

Applejack tasted the dry, arid atmosphere, her tongue lazing out absentmindedly. The constant clatter of metal against metal was dulled through the wooden cabin of the train car, the last vestiges of the day hanging just over the horizon. The mare yawned, her sun dried tongue hastening its retreat back into her mouth. The feeling of it in her mouth was not unlike sandpaper, and Applejack made as if to move to get a drink of water, but an ebb of warm softness kept her from moving. Eyes trailing against the obstruction, Applejack’s gaze fell upon the sleeping form of Fluttershy, nuzzled up against her in a peaceful embrace. Oh yeah, that. Applejack inwardly commented, feeling a bit silly. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t even noticed her friend’s drift into slumber. The two had spent much of the early morning and afternoon playing whatever entertainment they could find, exploring the train they hadn’t a chance to see the last time they had taken the express to Appleoosa. It was no wonder the poor pegasus had tuckered herself out. The trapped pony’s ear twitched as she heard the tell-tale clang of glass against metal as the refreshment trolley came through their car. As the stallion made past the girls, the farm pony hissed so as not to wake her sleeping friend, causing the green unicorn to pause his cart. Applejack was pleased with the result, quickly reaching up for her hat with a free hoof. “How much can Ah trouble you fer somethin’ to wet this poor mare’s whistle?” she whispered. The stallion looked over his remaining choices on the cart before his phoenix-red aura took hold of a number of different drinks. His eyes never once fell upon the buttercream colored pegasus, merely dealing with his customer. “I got water, sarsaparilla, and a bit of applejack left. You’re not gonna get better outside of Appleoosa, that’s for certain,” the stallion returned with equal volume, knowing not to wake sleepy passengers. Tempting as it was, Applejack herself had to forego her namesake, her eyes trailing across the smooth pink mane in front of her. “Ah’ll take water. ‘Tain't much longer to Appleoosa, Ah reckon. Ah’ve not made the trip all awake, but Braeburn said the car makes it out just ‘fore ten, and he’s meeting us at the station. No good bein’ silly ‘fore bed.” Applejack’s explanation was without active audience, the stallion having been focused on pouring the water expertly, sliding the wide open cup in front of the mare, who greeted the sight with a grateful smile. Pulling her hat down, the orange pony was about to pull out some bits before the auburn maned pony shook his head. “That’ll be alright, miss. I know these tracks like my front hooves; we ain’t got much further to go - we’ll restock on beverages when we hit Appleoosa.” Before Applejack could cut in with a proper retort, the unicorn quickly retreated out the back car, taking full advantage of the mare’s position as pegasi pillow to get away with going against Applejack’s honest nature. Eliciting a small chuckle at the unicorn’s tactile perception, the mare took a long hard drink from her cup, nestled neatly between her hooves. “Appleoosa. It’s gonna be good to see Braeburn and the others again.” “Mmmph...” was all that squeaked from the shuffling form of the pegasus beside her. She nuzzled even closer to Applejack’s rough body, heat rushing toward the conscious mare’s cheeks as Fluttershy’s wing reflexively landed across Applejack’s back, pulling her in as the mares touched muzzles. Planting a feathery light kiss on Fluttershy’s lips, the blushing Earth pony couldn’t help but feel the butterflies in her stomach. In her mind, it was only right for this pegasus to be the pony to make her feel this way, and she had long since forgotten that they were two mares in love. To her, and to most of the folks at home, she was a pony in love with another pony. But out here, that old thought was coming back to her, nipping at her subconscious. The ponies of Appleoosa were a far more conservative bunch. As memory served, Big MacIntosh had come out here following a small problem when their sheriff, Silverstar, had run off to be with a buffalo. Ever since, Braeburn hadn’t written of any trouble, but her cousin was never much for writing home to Sweet Apple Acres to begin with. Still, he had invited Applejack out to Appleoosa for a visit, and seeing that it was off-season at the orchard, by golly, she was gonna go see her favorite cousin. Applejack smirked as her eyes fell on the sweet, slumbering pony beside her. Not to mention it was time that could be spent alone with her marefriend. However again, as soon as the thought entered her mind, that freeze of unease filtered through her body. Her tail twitched against her will, brushing uneasily against Fluttershy’s own, causing the fragile form to fidget. Calming herself, the honest mare took another drink of water, finishing off a third of the generous cup as she laid her head down next to it. Opting to stare out the window, the mare could see some track for a turn up ahead, and beyond it, Celestia’s sun was fighting a losing battle against the horizon to the west. Applejack’s mind diverted at the thought of the Princess. It was gratifying to learn that Celestia herself condoned the relationships between similarly gendered ponies. What she hadn’t been too keen on was Twilight’s revelation that that knowledge had come when she had sent a letter regarding something she had learned about friendship during Applejack and Fluttershy’s ‘coming out’ party Pinkie Pie threw. While there was no harm done, the pony felt the cold shiver of ‘what if’ Celestia hadn’t been in support of it. It took a male and female to make a newborn. ‘Twas only natural that way. At least, that’s what she had been brought up to know by Mayor Mare’s old classes in Sex Ed. Applejack shivered at the memory. “Applejack...?” The sound of Fluttershy’s voice, however quiet, startled the pony, causing the farm filly to jump. The sudden movement prompted Fluttershy to lock her wings, which only caused Applejack to nuzzle closer to the pegasus, much to the blushing of both ponies, Applejack’s tail twitching abruptly. After a moment where they moved feet and wings to get into a separate yet comfortable position, Applejack gave a pained smile to her marefriend. “Sorry fer wakin’ ya, sugarcube. Didn’t mean to upset ya like that,” she apologized, the pegasus shaking her head as Applejack spoke. “No, I’m sorry. I said I was going to stay up with you until we got there, and then I went and fell asleep.” Averting her gaze, the pony could only give a sad smile as penance for her mistake. “I’m sorry.” Applejack smiled, sweetly moving closer to her best friend. “Now don’t worry about it none, ‘Shy. It’s a long, hard trip out to Appleoosa and it’s been a long day full a’ games and what-have-you on this train. Ah don’t blame ya one bit fer bein’ plumb tuckered out by sundown.” Looking out the window, the rumbling of the train saw fit to steal away the window view she had before, opening up the landscape before them. Apple orchards could be seen, stretched out like a spider’s web, with large, bulky shapes barrelling through the trees below. Applejack’s tail twitched about as it swung left a moment. “Well, look’n like we’re nearin’ our destination.” “Applejack...” Fluttershy called, the orange pony turning towards the large sapphire eyes. She was surprised at the look of concern that hung on the graceful features, and more so when she kept eye contact. “You’re bothered...” “I’m sorry?” Applejack gaped, her eyebrows askew at the accusation. “Bothered ‘bout what?” The steely cold wind from her heart brushed the tips of her hooves as Applejack’s face slowly began to fall, her heart not letting her hold out much longer. Fluttershy looked back at Applejack’s twitching tail. Slight as it was, the twitches and random directions it flew were not swapping any flies. “Your tail always fidgets when something is bothering you,” she said innocently, her eyes matching against Applejack’s own emerald orbs. “Is something wrong?” Applejack opened her mouth as if to speak, but only a strangled breath managed to escape her mouth. She hadn’t imagined herself in any sort of bother, but the cold that crawled up her leg and took hold of her heart was present, and Fluttershy’s kindness would not ignore it. Sighing, the pony took a large draft of water, feeling the cool drink pass down her throat and cool her nerves. “Ah should know better than to try and keep somethin’ from you, sugarcube.” “I didn’t think you wanted to, but if it’s that important, than maybe you shouldn’t, if it makes you uncomfortable, I mean,” Fluttershy backpedaled, not wishing for Applejack to feel forced. “I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up.” “Nah, Fluttershy, you have every right to get me ta come clean, and if ever you ‘spect Ah ain’t being proper with you, you let me know straightaway. Uncomfortable has everything to do with it, ‘Shy,” Applejack confessed, her eyes narrowing at her own weakness. “Ah’ve been sittin’ here, idlin’ with mah thoughts about Appleoosa. Ah don’t know much about the ponies out there, but they’re mighty old fashioned.” Fluttershy merely nodded, not letting go of her marefriend’s eyes for an instant. She inwardly recalled the town from their last visit, the southern rustic feel of the shanty town was very thorough. “Ah remember Big Mac tellin’ me about some scuffle out here on account of somepony runnin’ and fallin’ in love with a buffalo, and they were just... plumb run outta town. They didn’t see it as proper, I ‘spect.” “And you’re worried about us?” Fluttershy finished, having arrived at the point moments before Applejack could voice it. The orange Earth pony closed her eyes and averted her gaze, the cold grip of shame tightening around her heart. “A-Ah’m sorry sugarcube. Ah thought Ah was over this silly thing when... when Pinkie threw us that party.” Hurt crawled from her voice as she looked through faded tears, watching the trees of the orchard blow by. “Ah guess it just got everythin’ out in the open for everypony, Ah didn’t have ta really think about how ponies reacted to us. But this is a different thing altogether, Ah don’t want Braebu-” She felt a light peck on her cheek, her ponytail lightly pushed aside as Fluttershy cuddled closer. “Sugarcube?” “I love you, Applejack.” Another peck on the cheek. Tears started to drop from Applejack’s chin as she her pain screamed away. Another kiss, this time on the lips. “I love you.” A smile, wide as can be, accompanied the tears that rolled down the honest mare’s face. “Love you,” another kiss, this time fully returned, as Celestia’s sun gave way into night. “Ah love you too, Sugarcube. And don’t let me ever forget it.”

BrianBlessedPony

363

Big Macintosh,Fluttershy,Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Rarity,Twilight Sparkle,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Smooth Tales

incomplete

<p>A series of stories based around my OC, Smooth. Anything and everything I can think of that is mainly linked to her will go here.<br/>A massive thank you to Virgil Pony of Everypony.com for the picture!</p>

everyone

2011-08-03T16:05:10+00:00

2011-08-03T16:05:10+00:00

In a quaint little cottage in Ponyville, just off of the marketplace, a mare smiled to herself. It had taken weeks to sort this out, but that was fine. It hadn’t been cheap either converting her cottage for this. But money wasn’t an object or everything. It could only bring slight enjoyment for a while. No, this was much better. - A bush twitched outside a quaint little cottage near the marketplace of Ponyville. Nopony took any notice of it. A pink tail stuck outside of the bush, which was only part of the spoiler. The other major spoiler was the fact that the bush had apparently grown through the middle of the cobbled path, partly blocking the way. The lavender unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle trotted up to said foliage and sighed to herself. The badly disguised bush had been there a week now. Birds were actually setting up a nest in it. She went to open her mouth but before any sound could come out, the bush hushed her. An insane pink mane and forehead appeared out of the top of the bush. “Twilight! Can’t you see I’m on a stake out! I’ve got doughnuts and everything!” the bush said. A doughnut rolled out of the greenery and down the path. “And WHAT are you staking out exactly? You’ve been watching that cottage for a week Pinkie!” Twilight replied, watching the unhealthy treat roll on through Ponyville. Suddenly the top half of Pinkies head submerged back into the bush and her legs popped out to drag Twilight in. Before the unicorn could protest or scream a glazed doughnut was crammed into her mouth. Pinkie held her hoof to her mouth and made a slight “shhh” noise. Twilight took stock of her surroundings and was surprised. The bush outside looked like it could barely hold Pinkie. Instead she found that there was more than enough room for both ponies to stretch, and that was including all the cake boxes, board games and portable oven. It appeared that Pinkies tail just wanted to sit outside. The pink earth pony pointed out of a gap in the bush. Outside the staked out house a group of pegasai had arrived. One stallion, sporting a baseball cap and nine o’clock shadow positioned himself slightly higher than the building and started barking orders to the others. The unicorn could just about make out local mailmare Bright Eyes, also known as Derpy Hooves, screwing a pole into the wall above the door. After a short while which involved something heavy dropping, some shouting and somepony asking where slot B was, they dispersed. The cottage now had a sign outside of it, which from their angle; the peeping ponies could just about make it out as a series of wavy lines. It looked almost like a picture of calm water. Twilight gulped down the doughnut in one go. “It’s a new shop Pinkie...” she sighed, slightly annoyed at all of this. “But, why all the secrecy? Why haven’t we seen the new pony? I’ve asked everypony I know and none of them know who’s opened it up. And what does it sell? Boating gear?” Sighing some more, Twilight pulled up a pair of binoculars and peered down them towards the shop. It was hard to see what was inside the building, there seemed to be nothing but darkness in there. What she did spot though was that the sign on the door flipped from closed to open. “Well, let’s go and have a look” she said, looking for the exit to the bush. “But, there could be eeeeeevil things in there!” the Earth pony cried, dragging Twilight away from a possible exit. “Like an evil canoe or lifejacket?” Twilight forced her way out at last. Pinkie Pie clung on though, being dragged through the partly busy street. Neither pony took any notice of the stares thrown at them as the unicorn marched up to the door. Gingerly Twilight pushed the door open slightly, peering inside. Pinkie Pie had decided to raise her viewing position by resting her chin on the lavender ponies head. Darkness greeted them. Despite the large lounge windows, the only light to come in was from the door. The student guessed that the curtains hadn’t been drawn yet. The two mares pushed forward, the door silently opening further. Eventually it caught a catch and a bell above chimed. Both ponies squeaked in fear, Pinkie flying in the air before collapsing onto Twilight. There was a slight gasp heard in the gloom and somepony moving around. “Just a moment, I wasn’t expecting anypony to come in yet.” A voice sounded out. The mare’s voice was calm despite the minor shock and would be the sound of velvet incarnate. Suddenly the curtains to the room were flung open, blinding the pony heap for a moment. As their sight returned the two mares looked up to see the pony owner. She was an Earth pony, with a dark brown coat with a lighter brown to beige mane and tail. She wore a red blazer and her Cutie Mark was a mug of coffee with stars surrounding it. The oddest thing about this pony was the wooden pipe that sat in her mouth. “Oh dear! Are you two okay?” the pony asked. With each syllable she said a bubble or two came out of the pipe and popped a moment later. “We’re fine, thank you...” said Twilight, just about standing up. As she slowly rose, Pinkie Pie slipped off into her own little pink heap. Her face was a picture of wonder and confusion. “My names Twilight Sparkle and this is my friend Pinkie Pie. We were wondering what thus shop was.” The unicorn continued, taking note of the room now. It was obvious it was a former living room that had recently been converted. A counter had been set up with a till near a door to outback. In the centre of the room was a pair of comfy cushions divided by a small coffee table. Shelves stacked with labelled boxed covered the walls and a small fireplace sat in the corner; a single kettle sat waiting to be used. “Well, my name is Smooth. I recently moved in from Manehatten. This is my Relaxation Shop. It’s to try and help ponies relax.” The blazer wearing pony stated, a stream of bubbles floating around them. Pinkie suddenly shot up, popping a bubble with her nose. “I remember you!” she cried, causing her friend to stare at her in disbelief. “Pinkie! You said you didn’t know who owned the shop!” Twilight almost shouted back. “Well DUH! That’s because I hadn’t seen her! She just said she’s only just moved her. Anyway, when did I last see you...” the party pony trailed off, audible gears whirring from her head. “It was when we were fillies. I was visiting Ponyville with my mother and sister.” Smooth helped her, slowly sliding towards the fireplace. She left a trail of bubbles behind her. “Yeah! I had just moved here after getting my Cutie Mark!” There was a clunk as the kettle was filled up and put over the fire. The new arrival was nodding as she was sifting through some of the boxes. “A lot has changed since then, but as my first customers, let me make you a drink and have a see if I can help you relax. Please, have a seat.” As Twilight went to protest, Pinkie Pie had suddenly teleported onto one of the comfy seats. Smooth was coming back round from the counter with a stool, notepad and pencil, looking at her expectantly. Relenting under the pressure, the purple mare sat down. “So, where do we begin?” Smooth started. - It was an hour later when they finally left the shop. At first, Twilight has been unwilling to divulge much information. It wasn’t until the herbal tea had been poured that she had felt relaxed enough to talk. She now found herself with a bag of blended herbs, a recommendation for music and some advice on how to sleep. She wasn’t sure how many Bits it had cost her. Pinkie on the other hoof hadn’t been affected at all. The only thing she’d left with was a list of goodies Smooth would like and a suggestion to cut down on caffeine. “So, who should we tell about Smooth first?” the pink pony asked, looking at her list. Through the sea of tranquillity and the sea of insanity, both minds came to the same conclusion at the same time. “Fluttershy and Rarity!” they both cried. - Smooth sighed to herself, leaving one bubble lingering in the air. It had been three days since her first and only customers. She wasn’t sad, nor annoyed at this fact. It was just so, dull, sat in what was her den. She’d had the time to organise everything twice, which made her twitch slightly. A mailmare with a strange eye condition had come by the day before with her post. Smooth had attempted a sale but the grey pegasus had further post to deal with. Smooth sipped her herbal tea and sighed again. It tasted of strawberries and cream and she could feel some of the tension she’d built up melt away. Placing her pipe on a special stand, she picked up a pencil and attempted to find a blank spot on her notepad. Finding a space in-between two games of noughts and crosses and some doodles, she made a note to ask for tea from her father. She could never make that sort... There was a gentle thud against the door, making the Earth pony look up. There was somepony out there, she knew it. She pulled the pipe to her mouth and got up to check the door when it slowly opened. Smooth could just about make out a light yellow leg pushing the door open. The door clicked on its catch, causing the bell to let out a cheerful chime. A female squeak was heard and the leg suddenly retracted. Eyes widening, Smooth leaped to the door, landing too early and sliding the rest of the way. Looking up she saw a slightly frightened pegasus with a long pink mane staring down at her. “Oh, I’m sorry, I was looking for a pony called Smooth...” a very timid voice mumbled from behind the pink mane. “That’s me!” Smooth panted. Exercise has been something that happened to other ponies. “Oh! Well, I, erm, hear that you run a relaxation shop, but I can see you’re busy...” the mare stumbled. “No! I mean, I’m not buys! Far from it, please, come in.” Smooth said, partly losing her calm facade. Getting up off of the ground, she opened the door fully, the pegasus meekly stepping in. She was ushered to one of the seats as Smooth quickly grabbed a cup. The Earth pony took her seat and poured the newcomer a cup of her tea. “So, first of all, what’s your name?” she asked, flipping a page in her notebook. “Well, I’m Fluttershy...” Smooth made a quick note, juggling the pipe and pencil in her mouth. “So, what seems to be the problem?” she asked, somehow ignoring the blatantly obvious for the sake of the pegasus. “Well, I get very, um, nervous...” the timid one mumbled. “About anything in particular?” "Well, the only things that don’t worry me that much are my bunny wunnies, and my animal friends, and sometimes my pony friends...” Fluttershy trailed off again before sipping her tea. Smooth nodded her head. “Out of interest, have you ever tried deep breathing? That’s usually a good help.” She said, bubbles floating around. “Well, kind of. Like this really.” Fluttershy started breathing in and out rapidly. “Well, it’s a start. But that’s actually hyperventilating. It should be like this.” The Earth pony stated, before taking slow deep breathes. Fluttershy nodded and took another sip of her tea, finishing the dainty cup. She allowed a nervous smile to creep onto her face and put the cup down. Smooth could see the pegasus still had a lot of anxiety, despite drinking an entire cup of HER tea. This was something that had never happened before. She poured Fluttershy another cup. “Oh, thank you. It’s very nice, did you make it yourself?” “Yes, I make different flavours and use medicinal herbs to help ponies relax.” Smooth responded, thinking she’d made a breakthrough. “Do you notice anything?” “Oh yes!” cried the pegasus. The Earth pony screamed for joy in her head. “It tastes like strawberries and cream!” Steam gently rose from the pipe as the brown pony maintained a face of pure calm. On the one hoof, this might be harder then she thought. But on the other, this would be a REAL challenge. - In the kitchen behind the ship front, Smooth washed the teapot and cups up. She’d been tempted to pile Fluttershy with a large quantity of high dose herbs but had decided against it. She was going to relish this challenge, and she WILL win. Despite her protests, Fluttershy had left some Bits for the tea and herb, so maybe that was progress. Sitting at her kitchen table, Smooth opened a box she had got at daybreak from Sugarcube Corner. A plate of cookies stared back at her. Smooth would have been the first to admit she had a self control problem with some confectionary; if her mouth wasn’t crammed with cookies that is. Technically these were meant for customers as they talked, but seeing as her one and only customer hadn’t given much time to grab them, well... Placing the pipe to the side, she picked one up with her teeth and bit down on it. A barrage of flavours hit her mouth and she couldn’t resist inhaling the rest. Triple chocolate cookie goodness washed around her mouth as a single tear came to her eye. ‘Pinkie Pie, you are a deity of bakers...” Smooth thought in her sweet bliss. As she leant down to grab another treat, her confectionary based euphoria was interrupted by a cheerful jingle in the shop. “Hello? Is anypony around?” a voice cried out. It sounded to Smooth like the sort of pony her father hated; stuck up, snooty and vain. After grabbing her pipe, the Earth pony stuck her head through the door to see a white unicorn stood by a shelf, looking at a box of herbs she had levitated down. ‘Father would have sneered at her if she was lucky by the looks of it.’ Smooth thought, noticing the elegantly styled mane and tail. ‘Still, I’m not father. “Hello there, how may I help you?” she said, stepping out behind the counter. The unicorn turned and smiled at Smooth, her eyes widening as she took in the Earth pony’s appearance. The azure eyes seem to focus on the bubble pipe a moment more than needed. Smooth smiled back; her father would have described her as a marshmallow with less brains. “I take it you must be Smooth? My name is Rarity and I was wondering if there was any help you could give me.” The unicorn introduced, not allowing Smoother a moment to confirm her identity. To the Relaxation Expert, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with Rarity. There were no physical indicators of stress, her voice seemed calm enough and there was nothing in the eyes. But then again, as Smooth knew too well, stress didn’t always show straight away. “Well, that’s what I’m here for. Would you like some tea?” she asked, smiling. “That would be wonderful, thank you!” Rarity responded, no hint of force in her voice. She popped the box back in its place. Crying on the inside, Smooth bought the cookies out first, followed by a pot of hot water. Judging Rarity to be a pony of class so high she could almost be pegasai, she chose a combination of herbs to give a rich taste but only a slight calming effect. Once it was poured, Rarity sipped her tea politely. “Mmm, exquisite! I must have the recipe!” “Of course, on the house naturally.” Smooth's pride took over her sales side. It had seen that Rarity was being honest and couldn’t accept more of a reward. “Oh but I insist! It’s not every day I meet a pony able to make such a wonderful blend!” the snow coloured unicorn added, silencing both the pride and sales mare in Smooth. “Well, thank you. So how can I help? I have to admit, so far you are the only pony to trot in here without any real issue.” “Oh, that’s because I’m not actually working. I’ve found that since I’ve started taking more orders from Manehatten and Canterlot, I’m starting to stress out more easily. And according to my friends, I can’t help but focus on the smaller things too much at times. I have to make sure things are perfect.” Smooth sat there for a moment rubbing her chin with her hoof. A bubble floated up now and then as the pony thought to herself. In the silence, Rarity took a cookie and gently nibbled it. Eventually the intermittent bubbas ceased and the mare had come to a conclusion. “Well, I’d say that the latter is a mild form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Really, nothing wrong with either thing in my opinion. Maybe some mild herbs for your nerves as you work.” The unicorn nodded and levitated her tea back for another sip. “Also, you mentioned orders to Canterlot and Manehatten; you’re Rarity of Carousel Boutique?” Smooth continued, an eyebrow raised. “Why yes! You know of my work?” the unicorn said, her face lighting up. “Yes, my mother has ordered a few dressed from you. She loved them to bits.” “Of course! Twilight did say you came from Manehatten! I simple must give you a make at some point, my treat!” Smooth found her jaw wide open. Did she just get offered a maker over for free? In an attempt to not appear rude, she quickly crammed a cookie in her mouth and gulped it whole. “Y-you don’t need to do that! Honestly, I’m here trying to help you. Besides, this would just create more work for you!” she said, her stomach making off noises from swallowing the cookie whole. Ignoring the noises, the two carried on their discussions for some time, Smooth making sure to avoid any of own life. Eventually, the tea fully drained, Rarity rose from her seat and smiled warmly at Smooth. “Now, let me see, the recipe, the tea, and the advice. I hope this is enough.” some of Bit’s were put down on the coffee table as Smooth handed her a piece of paper. A moment later, a few for Bit’s jingled on the table. “For the herbs to make this up darling, I don’t think I have the ingredients.” Dumbfounded by the small pile of Bit’s that now sat in front of her, Smooth merely nodded at her customer. Eventually her legs found more sense than her brain and got up to gather a week’s worth of herbs. Once she had passed the paper bag over to unicorn, she had only just gathered enough sense. “Well, thank you Smooth. I’m sure I’ll be back, don’t you worry!” Rarity said, before leaving. As the door shut behind the unicorn, Smooth collapsed over the counter, looking at the door, the pile of money and the half eaten plate of cookies one by one. The full force of meeting Rarity was just coming to light. “What the hay just hit me?” - The next morning, Smooth trotted into her den. She was feeling better, that was certain. Her experiences with Fluttershy and Rarity had cheered her up. Who knew what the day would bring. If it was quiet, let it be. After setting the kettle up over the fire and placing muffins she had got earlier on the counter, she made for the door. Breathing in, she unlocked it and flipped the sign on the window. No sooner had she done that it began to open, forcing her back quickly. Looking at the new comer, it was a large stallion with a red coat. Smooth knew big stallions, and even these would hide behind him, with his orange mane and sliced apple cutie mark. A tiny bubble floated from the pipe from her hidden shock. “Ah, sorry miss. Ah wasn’t expectin’ you to be right there. I had heard about your shop, and Ah need some help.” He said, looking sensible. “Er, certainly, what’s the problem mister...” “Macintosh, Big Macintosh Ma’am. And it ain’t mah problem. It’s mah sister. She has an awful stubborn streak, and Ah I heard from her friends ya’ll might be the one to help.” “Her, friends?” Smooth just about uttered, and heard a murmur behind the giant pony. He stepped in and she could see a small crowd. There was a light green unicorn and a cream earth pony talking hurriedly to one another; a mare who reminded her of a brand of toothpaste; a stallion with an hour glass Cutie Mark and what seemed to be a pink mare with grapes as her Cutie Mark holding her filly tightly. And these were the ones she could see! “Eeyup. Miss Fluttershy was telling mah sister about you, and Ah heard it in the market as well.” “I heard it from Rarity as we were looking for formal clothes!” cried the cream coloured mare, her pink and blue mane bobbing up and down as she tried to get inside whilst being held back by her friend. “I think, I’m going to need to put on another a kettle for you all.” Smooth said, a little smile forming on her calm face. There were so many of them, she’d have to find a way to thank the four whirlwind like mares for attracting this much custom to her. Outside, among the queues, a single, rolling doughnut finally came to a stop as it nudged against a very obviously fake bush. The bush, in turn, got up and slipped away, as smooth as possible.

BrianBlessedPony

363

Big Macintosh,Fluttershy,Original Character,Pinkie Pie,Rarity,Twilight Sparkle,Adventure,Comedy,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Smooth Tales

incomplete

<p>A series of stories based around my OC, Smooth. Anything and everything I can think of that is mainly linked to her will go here.<br/>A massive thank you to Virgil Pony of Everypony.com for the picture!</p>

everyone

2011-10-05T14:15:10+00:00

2011-10-05T14:15:10+00:00

Smooth yanked the curtains in her bedroom open and smiled. A thick blanket of snow was all over Ponyville, the street’s covered by the white substance. Having grown up in Manehatten, most of the time she saw snow it had already become mixed with the busy city life, making it grey slush rather then snow. It was the first time in years she’d seen snow like this. After a quick mane brush, she pulled on her jacket and grabbed her pipe, bounding down the stairs like a little filly. After a quickly made meal of oatmeal and getting the fires going in the cottage, she went into the shop. It had changed a fair amount since she’d had first opened up a few months ago. Whilst it’s main goal was still to help ponies relax, it had turned a bit more into a coffee shop. It made a bit more money, and it helped more ponies then before. There wasn’t anypony in yet though, far too early. For the moment, it was just her in her den. Sipping a homemade herbal tea, she began to flick through her morning copy of Equestria Daily. The weather looked to keep this winter bliss up for months, making her giggle slightly. She didn’t often show her emotions, but on her own, the calm facade she put on was allowed to drop slightly. After finishing off her tea she began to check on the shares section of the paper. Before she could get into her grove, there was a pounding at the door. Letting out a single bubble out of her pipe she got up from her seat and trotted over to door. She unlocked it slowly. “We’re not open yet. Come back after nine, when the fire’s had a chance to wa-huh?” she tried to say, before the door was forced open. Stepping in was a pink pony with a light green mane. Smooth blinked before she recognised who had just barged in. “Daisy? What’s wrong? Do you need a tea that urgently?” She tried to joke with a deadpan voice. “It’s terrible Smooth, you’ve got to help us!” the mare cried, putting her front hooves onto Smooth’s shoulders and shaking her about slightly. “There’s a trio of ice trolls heading to Ponyville, and they look angry!” A small bubble emerged from the pipe as shock went through the calm ponies head. “Surely it would be better for the stallions to do something? Or even Rainbow Dash and Applejack? What can I do?!” Smooth responded, the last question causing a barrage of small bubbles. “All the stallions are up at Sweet Apple Acres helping some planting accident or something! The same with Rainbow, Applejack and their friends! We’ve sent Ditzy up to get them with a letter, but there’s no time! Come on! You’re the pony of relaxation! Nopony can stay tense with you around! I haven’t even fainted yet!” She couldn’t ignore this fact. It seemed that no matter what, she was going to have to face these, ice trolls. From behind the door she pulled on a thick winter coat over her regular blazer. It covered all over from her neck down to flank. Daisy galloped ahead, forcing Smooth to try and catch up with her. - The town was deserted as the two galloped into town. There was evidence there had been some life, but it all seemed to have lead into the buildings. Looking around the two ponies could make out that there were ponies peeking out of the windows and doors. Before Smooth could motion towards them to come out, the ground began to shake. Coming down the street were the ice trolls. They were large creatures, walking on two legs, as wide as a cart and over a storey tall. The skin was thick and blue, covered only in scraps of fur, making the monsters modest. One carried a thick branch like a tree club, despite all three having limbs like tree trunks and hands like ploughs. It was rare to see such creatures this far into civilisation, as they usually had their own food stored for winter. Looking at the trio, Smooth heard the gently thud and crunch of snow behind her as Daisy fainted. The standing mare gulped heavily and readjusted her mane into a less windswept position. Adopting her normal calm features with a slight grin, she slowly trotted to the three trolls. “Why good morning gentlemen, how can we help you this fine day?” Smooth said, the bubbles surrounding her. What Daisy had said was to, a degree, correct. Smooth gave off an aura of calm; much like many ponies did when it came to their special talents. Fluttershy radiated kindness and you could bend steel around the feel of Honesty around Applejack. But Smooth’s ability relied on trusting her face and being enticed by her products and voice. The trolls though, driven to stalking the pony town, were not easily swayed. The lead troll swung his monstrous fist round. THUD Smooth flew into the wall of a cottage and bounced off into the ground, her pipe landing several feet in front of her. The ponies hidden in their buildings gasped at the sight of the downed mare. Their gazes then turned to the trolls, advancing towards the prone Daisy, licking their lips. They didn’t notice at first as Smooth raised her head, her calmed features replaced by pure rage. Shakily, she got up, stretched her aching body with a few pop’s and clicks and began her charge, scooping up her pipe as she did so. Steam roared from it as she launched herself at the lead troll. The troll was only able to see the front hooves smash into its face, knocking the huge creature clear out; forcing Smooth onto the ground to avoid even more serious injuries. Letting out a small gasp as the tree branch rose above the mare's head, she dropped the pipe and rolled away as it smacked into the ground. Not giving the beast the chance, she quickly galloped up its arm, spun on its massive shoulder, and bucked it with all her might. It shuddered with the force, the top half of the body swaying over as it fell into pain induced sleep, teeth flying out to spread on the snow. The third troll, confused by the event, could only gawk at the pony as she leapt from the falling figure. A silent snarl was etched all over the face of the mare as it stalked towards the troll. Realising that fist alone might not be able to stop the pony, the monster moved as fast as possible, snatching up the tree branch and swung wildly at the pony. Except, it wasn’t there. Dashing round the sides the brown pony was able to smash her hooves into the backside of the creature, sending it into the lead troll, who was shakily attempting to get back up. In the distance, the gallop of dozens of hooves on snow sounded, alerting the two conscious trolls to reinforcements of these mad creatures. Nodding in agreement, they got up, using one another for support, and continued that way as they shambled out of town. Smooth stood there, gasping silently for air. When it was clear they were not going to come back, not even for their friend, calm took over her again. Ignoring the pain, Smooth began the search for her pipe, only to realise where it lay. In the imprint in the snow, left by the branch smashed into the ground, were the pieces of the crushed wooden pipe. The bubble liquid dissolving into the snow as it thawed around it. The galloping hooves drew closer and stopped at the sight of the fallen troll and Smooth, who had begun to weep. The weep turned into a waterfall of tears, gushing down her cheeks as she opened her mouth. Where a scream or yell or roar should have erupted, there was only silence. Rounding on the unconscious beast, the mare pounced to its stricken form and began slamming hooves into its face. The first blows caused immediate damage to the knocked out troll, cutting through the skin and dislodging more teeth. But after each blow, the strength gave out on angry mare until eventually, her hooves were just weakly smacking into bloody face. Finally, Smooth gave up and rolled off the creature. “We’ll, take it back to the Everfree...” a stallion said, attempting to put his hoof on Smooth’s shoulder. Shrugging it off, Smooth galloped away towards her home. - An hour later, Twilight opened the door to the library to Daisy. “Daisy? Are you okay? After what had happened earlier, I didn’t expect to see you about...” Twilight started before the mare on the other side of the doorframe raised her hoof. “I’m fine, I only fainted. It’s Smooth that you should be worried about. She’s well, locked herself in her shop, and she left this...” The Earth pony showed Twilight a cardboard box filled with the fragments of the pipe. “We think it’s her voice...” Twilight looked at Daisy as if she had been shaved right in front of her and was now wearing a bikini made of cheese. The unicorn raised an eyebrow. “Now I know what you’re going to say Twilight, but hear me out. Ever noticed that Smooth ALWAYS has this in her mouth when she talks? And she doesn’t without it?” “Well, yes, but that-“ “But, when she didn’t have the pipe in her mouth in the fight, she made no noise! She looked like she was screaming, but the ponies indoors said they heard nothing! And when she was crying her eye’s out, once again, they didn’t even hear her gasp for air! The girls said it may be a magic pipe...” “And, you want me to look it over, repair it and return it to Smooth so she can speak?” Daisy nodded, handed the box over and left Twilight to examine the pipe. The unicorn set the pieces out on a desk and began to probe each individual fragment, seeking any possible ounce of magic. At the same time, once a piece was considered useless, she began to loosely reassemble the pipe, like a 3D jigsaw puzzle. “Oh! I remember these! They were really popular a few years ago and then everypony forgot about them! I got an Eifel Tower set one!” Shocked, Twilight propelled to an empty space in shelves as Pinkie Pie bounced round her desk. The party pony poked the pipe periodically before hopping over to Twilight, a grin on her face. “PINKIE?! How did you do that?! And what have I told you about doing that?!” “Oh silly filly, I had to come by when I saw Daisy drop this off here! I mean a brand new puzzle! I had to be here when you started work on it! Although, it doesn’t seem to connect in anyway... Is it meant to be a model then? Have you got any glue?” Sighing, Twilight clambered out of the shelf space and shook her head, trotting back to the desk and broken pipe. “No, it’s Smooth’s bubble pipe. She was asked to take on those ice trolls, and it got smashed in the fight. There should be magic in this pipe, to help make her talk, but I can’t find a single trace-“ Twilight stopped when Pinkie put her hoof on her shoulder. Looking at the pink mare, the normally cheerful pony shook her head solemnly. “It’s magic Twilight, but the wrong sort. Put it back in the box, I know a pony that’ll be able to fix it.” The unicorn went to argue but Pinkie let a small smile creep across her face. It held more confidence then Twilight had ever known somehow, so she merely nodded and gathered the pieces together. - “The Joke Shop?! Pinkie, how will this help Smooth get her voice back? You can’t prank something like that back!” The purple unicorn screamed as Pinkie leads her to the shop. Life had returned slightly to the snow covered town, but few were near the toy shop. “Do you know what ponies often forget about the joke shop Twilight? It sells more than jokes, which isn’t so bad.” Before Twilight could question or argue. Pinkie had hopped up to the door and was going in. Twilight had to gallop quickly to catch back up with her, and was instantly greeted with a horrible sight. A pale pony puppet hung from the ceiling its mane a dark green and it appeared to be wearing a purple tuxedo. It also happened to be wearing the most awful grin to ever be present on a puppet, or even a pony in fact. The horrible sight appeared to go past Pinkie Pie who bobbed past it and right up to the counter. “Hello? Miss Quinn? Are you there?” There was an almost uncomfortable moment when from behind the counter a head eventually appeared. The unicorn seemed to be a cross of red and black in colour, and had died her blonde mane into two bangs. On her flank was the image of a Harlequin sticking its tongue out at the world that dared to look at it. Her naturally set grin was evident behind her face paint of a grin. “Oh hey there Pinkie Pie! I didn’t know it was you and a friend!” her accent was thick from the south of Manehatten. “How can I help you today? I’m sorry to say that the order of whoopee cushions you made last week isn’t in yet.” The pink pony shook her head and adopted a more sombre look on her face. “Can you repair anything you made, no matter how long ago it was made?” The question was met with a high pitched giggle. “Of course I can sweetie! If I made it, it can be rebuilt! Hayseed, I bet I can repair things other people made. You don’t need to worry about ol’ Mistah Jay there purple, he won’t bite, hard…” The last comment was made to Twilight, who instantly stepped away from the puppet again. Miss Pie ignored this. “What about this then?” The package was slung up onto the counter. Quinn’s magic instantly surrounded it and ripped it apart to find the destroyed pipe. “My my, I haven’t seen one of these in a few years. It stopped being ‘proper’ to have these, even if they did just blow bubbles. Shame really, I used to put some real craftsmareship into these. This looks like it’s seen a fair amount of use though…” “How much will it cost to repair?” the other unicorn couldn’t help asking, interrupting the natural flow of conversation that was being shared by the two fun loving mares. She looked a little sheepish when the two gave her a look. “This toot’s, nothing at all.” Before the two friends knew it, the pipe was wrapped in Quinn’s aura, the colour deepening as she work on it. Piece by piece it reassembled, the cracks sealing up as if they never existed. It a matter of seconds, it was done. Any damage made by the fight was now gone, a memory. All that remained were the scuff and bite marks that had worked its way into the pipe. It was quickly placed into a new box. The shop owner wiped her brow with a hoof and smiled at the pair. “I’d forgotten how much passion I’d made things back in those days! Just tell the owner to bring it by for a buff and a shine at some point!” “We will Miss Quinn! Thanks for everything!” Pinkie blurted out, grabbing the package and Twilight at the same time, before galloping off. For a moment, there was no sound but the dust settling. “And they say I’M crazy…” the voice came out of the air. Sighing, Quinn walked out from behind the counter and trotted up to the puppet. Her eyes never left the sight of the creepy doll. “Yes, but you are nothing more than a puppet that I put too much magic into making, Mistah Jay. Besides, she’s a cute kid…” “Cute yet my dear,” the puppet said, its head turning to face the unicorn. “But not as cute as her butter coloured friend, the one with the long pink mane.” “Mistah Jay! Say it ain’t so!” Quinn gasped, grabbing Jay with her magic and dragging him to her face. “Harley my dear, you’re the only mare for me and you should know that.” The red and black pony squeaked with delight and nuzzled the toy with a tight hug, content with what she had. - The pink hued pony leant against the door, willing it to open. Behind her, Sparkle looked bored and frustrated in front of the snow covered shop, shivering a little in the cold. “It’s locked Pinkie. She won’t let us in this way, and we can’t just break in…” Seconds later, Twilight was wishing she hadn’t mentioned that to her friend. They were round the back of the Relaxation Shop, Pinkie clambering over her back to climb the wall. The purple pony was then pulled upwards and with great care, dropped on the other side in the little garden. Herbs and flowers sat in small greenhouses in an attempt to keep as much of Smooth’s wares fresh. Leading the way, the Earth pony tried the back door; it opened with ease. Stepping into the kitchen was a shock for the pair. Smooth always gave the impression of a pony that was well in control of her actions, and a degree of organisation. The kitchen, normally bare of much more than the essentials, looked as if a whirlwind of parasprites had hit it. The larder and all the cupboards hung open, the wares scattered on the work surfaces and table. Most of the food had been consumed it appeared, even the goods meant for the customers. A messy trail led up a flight of stairs, which the two followed. A short hallway at the top gave way to two doors, the trail leading to the most immediate one. Using her magic, the student of the Princess quietly opened the door, also using it to silence the squeaks of the door. There was no sound but the gently clip clop of the hooves from the friends as they looked about. Unlike the kitchen, the room seemed to have more life to it, a painting over a small fireplace, a well-loved sofa, a bookcase overflowing with novels and a gramophone with a stack of records waiting to be used. Then, from round a corner, there was a short sudden gasp for air, but no other sign of life. “Smooth?” A head appeared, then the rest of the pony. All of the calm, the relaxation, was gone. Her mane was a mess, hey jacket all over the place. Her face was covered in dirt from her depression lead binge, bar two streaks from hey eyes. Even then, she continued to cry as her mouth moved. There was no sound as the mouth got wider and wider, words failing to sound out. It was obvious what she was saying though, but the two refused to leave. “Smooth, we have something for you…” Pinkie said, sliding the parcel across the floor. Looking at as if it was something strange and unusual, the pony just about managed to open it. The eyes went wide. - Hopping around the place, the young Pinkie Pie couldn’t believe her luck. Since leaving her parents, the filly had been able to get a job at the local bakery, despite her age. It has only been a week, and already she’d had three parties and two requests to host more. Ponyville it seemed was the greatest place in Equestria. Hey eyes immediately fell upon a group of Earth ponies leaving the bakery, what appeared to be a mother and two fillies, younger than her. One was dark blue, almost grey with dark brown mane and tail. The other filly was a dark brown with a cream like mane and tail. The second of the fillies seemed to hang behind the other two, almost in fear of the world around her. Neither of them had their Cutie Mark’s yet. All three wore coats of some sort, thought the fillies seemed to be growing into theirs. Realising she knew none of them, the pony darted up to them. “Hi there! I’m Pinkie Pie! Are you new in town? If you are, that’s so funny because I only just got here myself!” All this did was startle the three, the brown filly retreating further behind the elder pony. “W-well hello there Miss Pie. I am Mrs Rollings, and these are my children, Adal and Smooth. Say hello girls.” “Hi there Pinkie…” the bluish mare said. She then leaned over to her sister, who whispered something. “Smooth says hello as well.” “Aww, is Smooth ill? Why can’t she say hi to me herself? I can throw her a get well soon party...” “No, she is just like that Miss Pie.” The mother said, smiling sadly at the pink one. “And we’re only stopping for a day before we go on home. I don’t think we’ll have time for your party.” “Well, that’s okay! I’m sure you’ll come back at some point!” Pinkie cried before hopping away merrily. The family stood there, confused at what had just happened. - Later, on yet another merry bounce scaring the locals who still hadn’t gotten used to the insanity that was Pinkie Pie in a good mood, the pink mare couldn’t help but notice the Rollings family again, sat outside the local restaurant. Smooth seemed to be leaning in on her sister, as if she were afraid to lose her. The waiter came over to the table, took the order and left a bottle of something in front of the sisters. Adal, confused, opened it up to reveal what looked like a plastic spoon missing the middle. A gust of wind went by, creating a small series of bubbles that floated around them. Smooth clapped her hooves together and giggled wildly. “Do it again!” The voice seemed uncertain to itself, but it was clear that it was there. Another burst of bubbles floated out, causing more giggles and the brown pony began to talk at lengths to her mother, her voice fading as the bubbles died out. But Pinkie had seen enough. She spun on the spot three times until she pointed in the right direction, and sprang into action towards the Joke shop. - The sister’s pushed their plates away, having finished what was in front of them. Neither of them looked too content, having been forced to eat all they had been given, even the yucky stuff they hated. “Good girls. Now, you can have a treat when we get home.” Mrs Rollings claimed, getting a pair of groans as her reward. She let out a small one herself as she spotted the mad pony from before bouncing, actually BOUNCING up towards them. She wasn’t a nasty or stuck up mare, but sometimes, well, living in Manehatten rubbed off on you in more ways than one. She went to try and stop the pink pony but she was beaten to the punch as a box was placed on the table. “Hi again Mrs Rollings! Sorry to interrupt, but I thought of something that might help Smooth talk better!” Flabbergast was a word that previously had no context to her life. But sure enough, that’s what Mrs Rollings was now. Noticing the parcel had a simple tag on it that said the name of her youngest daughter, she nudged it over to Smooth. Shaking a little, the filly opened it up. Whilst she looked at like an alien object, Mrs Rolling’s gasped loudly. “MISS PIE?! How dare you present such a, a vulgar item to my child! Where is your par-“ a well-placed cupcake from nowhere ended the verbal assault. “Smooth, put it to your mouth and give it a blow!” Pinkie cried, smiling widely. With her mother unable to talk and her sister as equally amazed, Smooth picked the pipe up with her mouth and blew. A stream of bubbles came out, causing the fillies eyes to widen along with her smile. “Oh wow! That’s so cool!” Smooth said, confidence radiating off of her for a brief moment, stunning her mother and sister. - Gently biting the toy, Smooth picked up the pipe in her mouth, shaking a little. It felt perfect in her mouth. “Th-thank you, Pinkie…” the voice came. It was rough from crying and had lost the calm, smooth tones it usually had. “I suppose I;ve made a foal of myself…” Pinkie wrapped the younger mare up in a hug, getting covered in the mess Smooth was in. “No, you just need to maybe learn how to cope without your pipe…” Twilight said, sitting on the sofa. “I, need it too much. Without it, I’m mute, I have no confidence…” Pinkie stepped back and pushed Smooths head to face her own. The smile was inviting, not the insane, over the top one she usually wore. “We can help you know. There’s nothing wrong with what you do, but you can’t rely on it too much silly. I never thought you’d have kept my gift after all these years!” Smooth blushed and looked away, then groaned, clutching her stomach with a hoof. “Lets just say, that’s the first part of motivating you to cope without your pipe Smooth.” Twilight said, discovering she’d sat on a half eaten custard pie. “Anytime you lose control, your just going to get a stomach ache!” The three giggled as Smooth looked out the window at the beautiful snow. - Dear Princess Celestia, Today I learnt that sometimes we rely on a comfort zone that we create for ourselves. We don’t like to break it, but when we do, it’s usually for the right reasons. Whilst I didn’t learn this from one of my friends today, it is still valuable. Having something to support you isn’t a bad thing, but you must be ready to one day face the world without it. And that friends are always there to help you cope with it, for better or for worse. I also learnt that Pinkie Pie still confounds me, somehow able to be so many different levels deeper then you’d expect her to be. Like how she seem’s to know elocution lessons. Okay, she admitted that she lernt those off of Fluttershy, but still, I would never have guessed that! Your Faithful Student Twilight Sparkle. (Excuse the pie stains, Pinkie hugged me a bit too tight…)

Fawfulcopter

365

Derpy Hooves,Scootaloo,Snails,Comedy,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Detective Doo

complete

<p>When Bon-Bon's house is broken into and stolen from, only one mare has the intelligence, gusto and profession to solve the case. Along with her assistant/sidekick, Scootaloo, Detecive Ditzy Doo will solve any crime that comes her way!</p><p>Take everything you think you know about Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves. Now erase all of it that isn't canon. Go into this fic with an open mind, and have fun.</p>

everyone

2011-08-01T04:13:30+00:00

2011-08-01T04:13:30+00:00

DETECTIVE DOO. A one-shot fic, written by Fawfulcopter Disclaimer: The following fan fiction contains spoilers for this fan fiction. Ditzy Doo flew over to the table and examined it closely. This was the first time she had been in this house, but it felt like all the others, a warm return to an old friend's house. This room in particular seemed to recur: a large, poorly lit room, oddly containing naught but a small table and a lamp in the corner. She flew over the floor so as not to disturb any hoofprints the culprit may have left. Ditzy was a mare of few words, but many thoughts. Those thoughts she did voice were usually vague, but concise. Her favorite snack was muffins, although because she was often seen snacking on them at Sugar Cube Corner, other ponies gossiped that she had an obsession with them. She was a bit clumsy, but if she thought her actions through before doing them, she occasionally made mistakes, just like anypony else. She felt sorry for the mare that got hit with all that luggage. A crime had happened in the back of the moving truck, so she had to investigate. She may have accidentally tossed some things aside willy-nilly, and they may have hit the wheelchair-ridden mare on the head. She saw her walking around town later perfectly fine, though. She's heard rumors that that mare was the physical embodiment of one of the elements of harmony, which would certainly explain her capacity for injury. By her side hovered her newest assistant. She had gone through a lot of assistants as a detective. The baby dragon was cute, but not much else. The red stallion wasn't too bad of an assistant, but his crops beckoned, so he had to leave her services. She really liked the one with all the carrots, but she kept insisting that Ditzy ate all her food or something. She suspected it was that soft-spoken animal caretaker's pet bunny, but that was not today's crime. Her newest assistant, an orange pegasus filly, was even more of a klutz than herself, and often served to be more harm than good. But she was very intent on getting her detective Cutie Mark, and Ditzy couldn't say no to such an adorable kid. She was bothered whenever the orange pegasus - oh, what was her name, Scootie, or something? - Whenever Scootie brought her friends, the self-proclaimed Cutie Mark Adventurers or some-such nonsense along. Fortunately, today was not one of such days. She examined the table thoroughly. She was supposedly investigating a robbery. The shelf on the table had been raided, and that had been where her client kept all her valuables. She examined the handle for hoofprints, and found none. Either the robber was a unicorn, or owned a quartet of socks. She gingerly opened the shelf, and found it completely barren, except for one thing in the corner the robber evidently forgot, or left there on purpose. Ditzy started wondering why the robber would know the valuables were all there. The robber had to be a friend of her client... what was her client's name? Skittle or something like that? She distinctly remembered the pony's appearance: pale body, Navy mane with a streak of pink, and three wrapped candies on her flank. She just wasn't great with names. The only thing left in the drawer was a photograph of another pony, a minty green one with what appeared to be a harp Cutie Mark. Ditzy realised that this whole time, her assistant had been babbling and she just ignored her. She decided to tune her in for a second. "-So there's this girl at Apple Bloom's school who also doesn't have a Cutie Mark and her name is Dinky and she looks a lot like you but she's a unicorn hey how come unicorns have horns I mean were ancient cave ponies just born with them or what I mean I've been learning evolution in school and they say that when two ponies with similar aspects reproduce they pass on genes and what does reproducing mean because I think once I saw one of Apple Bloom's cousins reproducing with-" Yikes. Ditzy did not want to be part of that conversation, if it even was one. She flew out of the room, holding the picture gently in one hoof. She spoke to her client, Jolly Rancher or whatever, holding out the picture. "Know?" was all she said. From any other pony, it would have made nearly no sense, but Ditzy knew how to convey a message simply and quickly, and miss Lollipop got it quick. "Well, yes, that's my... friend, Lyra. Thing is though, I never put that in that shelf." The pale pony whose name still escaped Ditzy answered. Ditzy was wall-eyed, but confident that they had a good chance at finding the culprit now. "Lead." Was all Ditzy said, and what's-her-face led Ditzy to Lyra's house. --------------- “Who?" Ditzy didn't enjoy speaking so much. Most cases didn't involve interrogating mint-colored ponies, however. Her query was directed at the green pony in question, who had just claimed to not be the culprit. "Well I don't know of course, or I'd be telling you!" Harper or whatever pointed out. "Why are you even asking me, anyway?" Ditzy held out the picture, and nudged her assistant. Her assistant took a second to understand the push, but figured it out quick enough. "This photograph was found placed in Bon-Bon's shelf-table... thing, supposed to be full of valuables. But it was found empty except for this picture... which she never placed there." Skater or whomever said. "I'm sorry girls, I know nothing about the crime or have any leads for you." Plucker said. Disgruntled, Ditzy flew back to that... candy-pony’s house. With no further leads here, she slipped the photograph into a baggie, and went on her way, gesturing for Wheeler to follow. On the way to the crime scene, Ditzy had some time for quiet introspection, her favorite kind of introspection. She made a note to herself; she really needed to write down pony’s names. It was getting a tad bothersome, her inability to remember anyponys name. Ditzy’s stomach growled. She decided to get the public to lay off her loving muffins so much, so she floated over to a nearby apple stand in the city bazaar. An orange pony that she had seen around town a few times stood behind the stand. A jar sat on the counter behind the display of apples. It was full nearly to the brim with bits, despite the fact that the display was rather full still. Something seemed off to Ditzy, but she decided not to inquire further... yet. A further examination of the stand revealed that a familiar filly with a yellow coat and no Cutie Mark sat next to the bigger, orange one. Ditzy inwardly groaned as... was it Scootaloo? Scootaloo and the yellow one caught sight of each other and started yapping about the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Ditzy’s stomach growled, and she remembered why she came to the stand. She pulled a couple bits out of her knapsack and placed them in the salespony’s hoof. Ditzy grabbed an apple, and placed it in her bag. Ditzy gestured for Scootaloo to come along, but Scootaloo started bawling about how she couldn’t get any crusading done without Apple Bloom or some nonsense like that. Ditzy hesitated, realizing she had remembered not one, but two other pony’s names. She was improving, and thanked Celestia. “Ten.” Ditzy said sternly to Scootaloo, who quickly understood that meant ten minutes. She and Apple Bloom started playing, rolling around in the dirt and whatnot. Ditzy turned back to the mare who mared the shop. “Sorry.” Ditzy said to the shop-keep sincerely. Despite the words vagueness, it communicated the message alright. “Oh, it’s not as bad wit’ jus’ the one... usually.” The appletastic pony said. “Say, ain’t you Derpy Hooves? Ditzy was agitated. “Ditzy Doo.” She corrected, making sure to convey how much she disliked being called that. “Oh dear, Ah’m very sorry... Miss Doo.” The orange pony apologized. “Ah’m Applejack, but if that’s hard tah remember y’all can call me AJ.” Applejack grabbed Ditzys right front hoof with both her front hooves and shook profusely. “So tell mah Ditzy, why’re y’all watching Scootaloo t’day?” Ditzy pulled away from the hoofshake and shook her exhausted leg. “Detective. Mark.” These two words conveyed to Applejack that Ditzy was a Detective, and Scootaloo was tagging along to get her Cutie Mark. Ditzy was never sure how so little said so much, it just did. Part of her Cutie Mark, she supposed. The bubbles represented a Detective’s Pipe, as Ditzy learned from a quick browse through a Cutie Mark reading book. She had read the book while gazing at a stallion that caught her eye not long after she got her Cutie Mark. Ditzy turned her attention back toward AJ and the foals, each one getting an eye. Applejack was dealing with a customer who appeared to be her friend; a unicorn with an elegant purple mane. She overheard that her name was Rarity. The two fillies played with each-other fine, rolling about in the mud and whatnot. She smiled a bit, as they kind of reminded her of herself as a child. Not as talkative, though. She turned back to Applejack. Rarity had gone, and Ditzy pointed at the jar, impressed. Applejack knew what was meant here without Ditzy even needing to speak, which she was thankful for. “Funnah thing is, most o’ this was from just one sale!.” AJ explained. Ditzy raised an eyebrow, so as to inquire further, while inwardly grinning. Perhaps this could help on her case. “Yeah, a colt bought a single apple, poured his knapsack full o’ bits in the jar and galloped off.” “Who?” There was that word again. “Ah ain’t sure. He was tall, with a long neck. I didn’t know ‘im, but I bet Pinkie Pie could tell ya. She knows darn near everypony in Ponyville, you could prob’ly find ‘er at Sugar Cube Corner.” AJ explained. “Apple Bloom!” She barked, and the earth filly begrudgingly walked up to Applejack, with Scootaloo behind. “Yes, big sister?” she sighed in a depressing monotone. “Remember that weird customer from earlier? Well ah need you to lead Der... Ditzy to Sugar Cube Corner, and describe him to Pinkie.” “Alright, big sister... ” ------------ “Oh, you mean Snails? Yeah, he’s not bright. I’m not sure how he got all that money, though. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t intend to give AJ all the bits he had. You know, this one time he and his friend Snips brought an Ursa Minor to town just to win the affection of this show-offy mare? Yeah, her name was Tammy or something. She left town after that, and was upstaged by Twilight Sparkle, the best magician in all of Ponyville!” The pink pony babbled almost as bad as Scootaloo and her friends did. But at least it was educational. “Where?” Ditzy inquired of the pink pony, wondering where she could find this Snips fellow. “Oh, Twilight? She lives in the library, which is really weird. I mean, I know she likes books, but why is there a house built into the library? For that matter, why is the library built into a tree? Seems like flammable central to me. And Twilight isn’t even the librarian, so like, why does she live there? I just don’t get it. Hey, do you know why they call it a hacksaw? Fluttershy once asked me why they call it a hacksaw and she was snickering but it’s a good question! Hacksaws don’t hack, they saw! Knives hack, although they can also saw, depending on how you use them. Knives should be called hacksaws, and hacksaws should just be called saws.” Ditzy was getting tired of this. She stuffed a hoof in the pink ponys face. “Where... ” Ditzy took a second to remember the name. She was getting better at this, but she wasn’t sure why. She had always had a problem with names, and no deus ex machina had popped up to fix that. Ah well, she thought. “... Snails.” She finished. She slowly took her hoof out of Pinkie’s mouth, and Pinkie made an ‘aaaah’ of understanding. “Snails lives... ” Pinkie trailed off. “I can show you! Say, what is this for, anyway?” Pinkie said as she walked out the door, gesturing, for Ditzy and the fillies to come along. Ditzy sighed. One of the last things she needed was this mare alongside her, especially with 2 of the 3 Cutie Mark Crusaders there as well. ------------- “And then I won the Best Young Flier’s competition using a Sonic Rainboom! Oh, and that time I stood up to a sleeping dragon? Oh, and then there was the time that I got rid of all the Parasprites!” Pinkie did a double take. “Wait, no, that last one wasn’t me. Heh heh, never mind.” All 3 of Pinkie’s traveling companions were confused. She apparently single-handedly stopped Nightmare Moon, pulled off 2 Sonic Rainbooms, and had 6 different Cutie Marks. Regardless, they had arrived at the house of Snails and his parents. It was an odd house, fitting Snails’ appearance. Ditzy gave Pinkie and Apple Bloom a look that indicated something along the lines of “Get out of my face”. Pinkie grabbed Apple Bloom and bounded away cheerfully oblivious. Ditzy tapped the door with her hoof. It was opened by a grinning red stallion with a very long neck. When he spoke, he spoke with a heavy Trottish accent. “What can I do ye fer, lass?” Ditzy reached into her saddlebag and pulled out her badge. “Good day to ye, detective. Please, come inside me abode.” Ditzy walked inside the house, and observed the area. A television was on, and a yellow mare with long legs was watching something. A flight of stairs presumably led to the bedrooms, which is likely where her suspect was. “So tell me lassie, what’s the problim ‘ere?” The stallion asked. Ditzy tapped Scootaloo on the shoulder. “There’s been a robbery, and one of our leads is Snails. We have been told he resides here, is this correct?” Scootaloo explained. Ditzy had to give the kid credit for being able to get down to buisness when it was needed. “Och, what’s ‘e gottin ‘imself into now?” The Trottish stallion groaned. “‘E’s upstairs, in ‘is room. Uh, second door on yer left.” Ditzy trotted up the stairs and knocked on Snails’ door. She heard lots of shuffling, a bit of whispering, and very slow hoofsteps. A unicorn colt that matched Applejack’s description stood there; orange coat, green mane, odd proportions. “D’aallo,” The colt said in an odd, nasally voice that he must have gotten from his mother. “How would you like to buy a jewelry tuhday?” Ditzy was confused; just about everypony she’d run into today was unbearable. “Theif.” Ditzy said. She tried her best to not make it an accusation. “Yes, we will have all the-” Snails began, seemingly confessing, but was cut off by two very loud sssshes from somewhere else in the room. If this kid really was the crook, this would be officially the stupidest criminal she had ever seen. Realizing that whoever his accomplices, the shushers, were, they had to be smarter than him, she started looking around the room. It wasn’t hard to find the long, white tail sticking out from under the bed. Ditzy hovered above the ground, and flipped upside-down, peering into the space. Under the bed were another colt, a short and pudgy green one with a cutie mark of Scissors, and a blue mare wearing a pointy hat covered in stars. They were huddled together, clutching a plastic bag full of money, jewelry and other various valuables. Pulling the mare out by her tail, Ditzy recognized the mare as the one braggart pony who came to town a while back with her magic show. She remembered the debacle about the space bear thing. “Scootaloo.” She said to her orange assistant standing in the doorway. Scootaloo grabbed the blue mare and held her as Ditzy pulled the colt holding the bag out from under the bed. “You idiotic foal, you’ve ruined the amazing plans of me, The Great and Powerful Trixie!” the Unicorn mare proclaimed. “And I would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for that meddling mare, and that stupid filly!” ------------- Ditzy wasn’t too suprised when the jury voted guilty. The colts were underage, so all they got was a few months of juvy, but Trixie’s charges were much worse, and she was sentenced to several years in prison. The photograph was left there by Snails, who they had evidently made do all the dirty work. When asked why he put it there, his answer had something to do with only eating omelets on Tuesdays. It remained a mystery, but considering Trixie’s confession, perhaps it didn’t need to be solved just yet. Trixie had revealed that ever since Twilight Sparkle one-upped her and revealed her fraud, she’s been unable to perform, and thus unable to make a living. She had her lackeys in Ponyville steal some valuables, and sell them to support her. Scootaloo got tired of detective work, and Ditzy searched around town for another one. She ended up meeting a stallion, a handsome brown one with an hourglass Cutie Mark. He became Ditzy’s new assistant, and, perhaps, a bit more. Scootaloo and her friends continued crusading, as they always do. Bon-Bon let Applejack keep the money Snails mistakenly gave to her, and Applejack used it to fix things up around the farm; The saggy old barn, Big Macintosh’s saggy old plow, Granny Smith’s saggy old hip. Pinkie threw a party to celebrate the successful capture of the thieves, and Ditzy, despite attending the party, attempted to avoid Pinkie like the plague. She failed. Not too long after the incident, Snips and Snails were let out with good behavior, and got a stern talking-to by their parents. But they were fine, and if anything, a couple months in the pit helped them clean up their act, and be better ponies. Carrot Top caught Angel, Fluttershy’s bunny, raiding her fridge, and profusely apologized to Ditzy for accusing her. Lyra and Bon-Bon remained... friends. And just about everypony lived happily ever after. Except for... ------------- The ‘Great and Powerful’ Trixie sat in her Great and Powerful jail cell, with a magic clasp upon her horn preventing her from what she did best. A guard came up to the cell and tossed an apple in to her. The apple was small, and a tad overripe, but it was basically the best Trixie got in way of prison food. She spoke up to the guard. “You know, one day I’ll be free... and the first thing I’ll do when I escape is wipe that Derpy fool off the face of Equestria!” She heard a cheer from a few cells over, and another from somepony else. Trixie grinned; looks like she wasn’t the only one with a grudge against Ditzy Doo. This would be easier than she thought... THE END... ? Yes. Not kidding. I guess you guys can continue this if you want, and maybe the persona I’ve made for Ditzy here will recur in other fics, but I’m done with this. Probably. If I get a good idea for another Detective Doo story, sure, maybe I’ll keep going. But don’t expect it, guys. And definitely don’t expect a resolution of this ‘ere Cliffhanger. Trixie fans, go ahead and believe Trixie got her revenge. Ditzy fans, go ahead and believe she defeated Trixie again. Fans of both? You’re on your own. Derpy/Trixie shipping fans? Uhhhh...sorry?