Inflorescence

Chapters

Blazing in scarlet battalions
Plug it in and change the world
Through my window, my sugar lump
It's full of charts and facts and figures
A tourist in a dream
Versus curses in your eyes
That is circling all around the sun
In your hoof lies the heartland
Be a cartoon heart
Hush now, quiet now
Hey little sister what's your vice and wish
How soft your fields so green
Slept right through the dawn
Catch this flight flow

Blazing in scarlet battalions

Small white shafts of sunlight drifted through the canopy of the large gnarled cedar trees. Very little light ever made it past the canopy, as the trees that made up this particular hill of the Everfree Forest were in a constant eternal fight for nourishment. Their branches and boughs twisting and wrapping across and into each other over the centuries. World's oldest roughhousing, and perhaps it's most beautiful. It was always dark in the forest due to the canopy, and the tiny shafts of light that trickled down to the moist and mossy ground found themselves in a very alien world. A world of vines, thorns, brambles, mildew and rotting leaves. What few places on the ground were untouched by the nocturnal plantlife were flat and lifeless, made up of old shale and limestone deposits that glistened with a green light at the sunlight bounced off of them at just the right angle to make them glimmer in the darkness. Any creature finding itself this deep in the forest would most likely marvel at the stillness and quiet. It was an old place, ancient and wise. Few creatures lived in this part of the forest, and for the most part it had not had visitors in many an age. But every year like clockwork, it had a very loyal visitor. A small yellow pegasus, the winged horses of the sky. She fit into the scenery well, being very quiet herself, making hardly a sound as she made her way as carefully as possible through the roots and thickets.

In the forest was a small patch where the limestone jutted cruelly out of the soil, making it impossible for the large plantlife to cluster around. The lack of trees and opening in the canopy allowed a large pool of sun to make its way through the darkness, illuminating a patch of the ground below. Thick amounts of crabgrass grew at this spot, dotted with tiny periwinkle flowers. In the center sat a stunning prize, a rare bloom that almost never grew this far south in the forest. It was one of the last of its species. A sky blue flowering herb known as the Pyrola Lunata Borealis. Sometimes known as the PLB or "pleb plant" for slang. Not a very dignified name for such a rare plant that bloomed only once per year, but it couldn't really feel shame. Nobody had called it the "pleb plant" in decades. Also it couldn't feel shame because it was a plant. Plants can't really feel shame, no matter how hard one might try to embarrass one. They have feelings, however. And this plant felt particularly happy as it's yearly visitor drew near. With the sort of nimble reflexes of a cat, the yellow pony stepped out into the sunlight, the beams providing luminescence to her thin body and yellow coat of short hairs, her mane of long pink strands that nearly hid her face from the world. She approached the plant and as cautiously as she could, pulled out a small tin can from the rucksack strapped to her side. It's lid, punctured by many small holes. Gently she tilted the can, showering the flower in a sprinkle of fresh water. A welcome change from the drizzle of rain that it normally feasted from.

And there the two sat, happy as can be. With no way to express it in a way that could transcend the limitations of their species. The pony simply smiled to herself, a small understated grin as she watched the flower seem to stand upright, swaying in the wind as it absorbed the water. The flower could not smile back, but that was fine. Flowers didn't need to smile. Flowers had learned long ago that the mouth was a primitive hole and phased it out. They had other ways of expressing themselves. And so, with a quiet crackle of leaves, the plant rose to its full height as the multiple blue buds along its stem began to open, their fragile undersides flashing a deep red series of stripes. Deep purple stamens uncurled like springs, exposing themselves to the light, exiting from the center of each bud. It's tightly curled fronds began to unfold as well, the dozens of tiny packed leaves unfurling to reveal bright yellow veins, rivaling the sun with their glory. Small clouds of yellow pollen began to exit from the blooms and, carried by the wind, took flight into the breeze and were sent up out through the large hole in the canopy in the hopes that perhaps one day they too could land and become beautiful flowers of their own.

Once per year this happened. And only once. And every year this same pony would make the trek deep into the foreboding dark woods to watch this event. And every year she was always delighted to watch. To feel at one with nature as the forest sang it's quiet song to her, drinking in the beauty that surrounded her as the small fluffy pods of pollen swirled around the clearing, up into the sky like a sparkling tornado. And as every year, the pony who was a mare of very few words, decided to write down her thoughts of the enchanting event in the old book she always brought with her on these trips. A battered and wrinkled tome that was simply titled:

"Fluttershy's Diary"

*****************************************************************************************

"March 13th, Year of Corvus 412

This year I didn't forget to borrow Applejack's camera so I could snap a photo of the Pyrola. I did forget to bring my water bottle along, though. Silly me, always forgetting something important. The Pyrola blooming was beautiful as it always is. I wish I could convince other ponies to come this deep into the forest with me, but I know they'd probably think I'm crazy. But at the very least with the help of Applejack I now have a photo of it in bloom. It really is breathtaking, that something so beautiful and delicate sits way out in the middle of nowhere, almost entirely unappreciated by the world. I wish I could bloom like this flower. Or knew more about it's origins. It's so different and mysterious from the other plants out here.

It's hard to believe it's been a whole year since the last time I watched it happen. So much has happened in the last year. The dragon migration, the crystal empire being found, Discord coming back, and even sillier, Discord becoming a close friend of mine. We've been to the moon and under the ocean and back again in such a short while. Applejack's farm is making money for the first time in so long. I'm so happy for her. Dash has started looking over Scootaloo practically full-time. Her hooves are always full with that girl. Rarity's fashion line has grown in popularity so much. Just a year ago she was a complete unknown in fashion circles. Now she has fashion shows in Canterlot! Even Princess Celestia sometimes has Rarity make dresses for her! I'm so proud. It's been a year of blessings. For all of us.

Now that I think about it, it's been almost exactly a year since Twilight first appeared in town. I was so scared of her back then. I was so scared of alot of things back then. This year has been good for me too. To think that a year ago when I first met that fussy librarian I was frightened of my own shadow. I've gotten over so many social phobias thanks to her and Rarity. Twilight was one of the first ponies to ever have any real faith in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. She always just wanted me to try my best. Speaking of Twilight, she's still getting used to being an Alicorn now. It's been a very strange experience for all of us, seeing our new best friend suddenly grow two new limbs overnight. It seems like the whole world is watching our little town now that we've all sort of become celebrities. Especially with Twilight still living here. I'm still not sure if it's a good thing or not, all this attention.

Well, the sun is starting to dip a bit below what I consider comfortable. And I would not want to be in this forest once it get's dark. So I'm going to head home with my new photograph. It's time to feed Angel, anyway. I promise we will talk again soon, diary!

as always,
Fluttershy

******************************************************************************

Fluttershy rolled her eyes as she entered through the small round door of her cottage only to see that her copper flask was still hanging by the doorknob. She had hung it there specifically to make sure she wouldn't forget it on her way out, but had managed to ignore it entirely after waking up and traveling anyway. Something always went wrong on these little trips, nothing was ever just perfect. But this year was far better because now she had a photo of the flower. Something she was very proud of.

Her cottage sat on the outskirts of the small village known as Ponyville. Right on the edge of the Everfree Forest next to a small river that emptied out into the lake in the park. The cottage itself had at one point been a grassy hill. But with a few bits spent and some hard work, she had turned it into a perfect home, with a roof covered in moss and grass that sometimes bloomed into flowers when spring came. A small cobblestone pathway led from the front door of her cottage, twisted around her vegetable garden and towards the river, becoming a small wooden bridge so that ponies could cross without getting wet. Few knew that under this bridge was a secret tunnel to Fluttershy's basement. In her younger years, it had been placed there as an "escape hatch" of sorts, in case the skittish mare ever felt the need to flee from danger inside of her own house. She had never needed to use it as such, and now the basement tunnel simply served as a quick way of getting to the shaded water under the bridge so she could feed the fish.

A large willow tree covered in birdhouses and bird-feeders sat on the far end of the bridge, and most days was teaming with all sorts of flying creatures. Birds, bats, bugs, sometimes even tiny wyverns would nest up in these facilities and Fluttershy would happily tend to their needs, bringing them food or at times just conversing with them. She had a remarkable talent at caring for animals, and a strange magical ability to communicate directly with them. Her special talent she had earned as a young filly. This had only supported her passion for caring for birds and beasts and now her home served as a sort of cross between a zoo and an animal nursery. Her knowledge of botany and herbal remedies only punctuated this further, as many ponies in town would bring their sick or injured animals to her home so she could nurse them back to health. In a way, Fluttershy's passion had made her into the unofficial town veterinarian, and she didn't mind one bit.

There was a loud series of thuds at the stairwell to the loft that drew Fluttershy's attention away from the flask hanging on the doorknob. On the bottom stair sat a small white fluffy bunny. Normally small white fluffy bunnies were associated with cuteness and having a gentle demeanor. Angel was not like other white fluffy bunnies. He was very grumpy and demanding and generally in an unpleasant mood. With a small squeak of anger and a kick at the wall, the rabbit pointed aggressively at his mouth making small rasping noises.

"Oh, Angel I know you're hungry!" Fluttershy cooed at the frowning rabbit. "How about I make us a big squash salad? I know you like squash."

Angel sneered as hard as he possibly could to convey as much displeasure as his adorable facial features were capable of. Truth be told, he absolutely loved squash and was more than happy to gobble down loads of it. But he wasn't going to let his owner know that. He was the king of this household and he needed to keep Fluttershy on a short leash. So with a nod and a growl, the rabbit hopped up onto his personal stool at the dinner table and waited impatiently for his dinner to arrive.

A few of the other animals that lived in Fluttershy's home woke up at the sounds of dinner being prepared and began to emerge from their various hidey-holes around the room. The two fieldmice who lived in the ceiling beams skittered down to the table. A turtle who enjoyed living between the floorboards hauled himself out through a knothole and slowly crawled to the table leg, his beaky face twisted into an eager hungry smile. The loud toucan who lived in the attic, the brown lop who lived under the couch, and the bumblebee who lived in the peanut butter jar on the bookshelf had all soon joined the others at the table, ready for dinner.

Each hungry creature was given a small wooden bowl of diced squash and tomato that they dug into greedily. Daintily Fluttershy nibbled on her dinner as well. Her only guests were wild animals but that shouldn't mean she should not have proper table manners. Which was more than could be said for the guest who was about to visit her.

"Hellooo Fluttershy!" came a deep and cheery voice from outside. There was a loud snap and a flash of white sparkles and Fluttershy's wooden door had rolled itself up like a scroll, defying the very laws of physics as the rolled up door turned on its side and rested against the frame.

At one point in history, Discord had been the most feared creature on the planet. An evil trickster god with a childish sense of humor who loved chaos and pandemonium. He spent thousands upon thousands of years this way, bullying those weaker than him and laughing at his own jokes. Meeting Fluttershy had changed all that. In a brief moment of self-reflection, the omniscient goofball had come to realize he enjoyed hanging out with those of like-minded interests who could laugh at his jokes without him needing to force them. Of course this didn't necessarily grant him good manners, which proved obvious as he came strolling into the cottage, looking as he always did. A strange chimera with the body of a feathered snake, a bearded face similar to that of a goat, and a long bright red dragon-like tail that stuck up comically in the air as he sauntered in through the doorway.

"I say, my dear, I smell something cooking! Squash if I'm not mistaken. And I'm never mistaken. I keep records!"

Fluttershy frowned in the direction of her guest as he coyly materialized a green and purple striped barstool out of thin air and sat down at the table amongst all the animals, crossing his lion legs in a very relaxed fashion. She wouldn't admit it, but the entrance was rather welcome as it gave her someone to converse with.

"Discord, I thought we agreed you were going to send me letters before you showed up for tea. Or dinner. Or any visits, really."

"We did not agree! We discussed. And I agreed with myself later when I thought how boring and predictable it would be if I simply let ponies know ahead of time before I barge into their houses. Surely this is much more fun?"

Fluttershy sighed, trying to hide a smile as she placed a plate of strained boiled squash in front of Discord. And in the true fashion of a being that loved random chaos, he was soon drinking the vegetables out of the plate with a very curly straw, making loud satisfied slurping and honking noises.

"I must say this is quite exquisite. Much better than the garbage they serve me down in Canterlot at least. You'd think with all her money that Celestia could afford to hire someone more qualified than a blind hobo for a chef."

"Why are you visiting me on this lovely evening, Discord?" Fluttershy asked, eager to change the topic. She disliked hearing Discord badmouth ponies she liked. Although having been trapped in stone for thousands of years by ponies had left him with a bit of a bitter streak.

"Oh I was just passing by. Celestia wanted me out of the castle for a while. Apparently I annoy her while she's trying to do parliamentary business. Can you imagine? Me? Annoying! The old girl's lucky I don't turn her into a weasel and force her to do tricks for my amusement! I could open up a theme park based around a singing and dancing rodent."

"Please don't say things like that, Discord." Fluttershy pleaded. "It always makes me so worried you might do something."

"Oh PFFT. Come now, Shy. Running an entire kingdom under an iron-clad doctrine of pain and suffering is such a pain in the rear. Even if I wanted to take over again, I think I'm simply too lethargic these days to bother. And of course even if I decided I felt like being BIG BAD DISCORD again, now I have four alicorns to contend with as opposed to the usual two. Goody goody gumdrops."

"OH! I wish you could have seen her coronation!" Fluttershy chirped, eager yet again to change the subject to a happier one.

"Wish? My dear I was there the entire time, sitting on a cloud and watching with amusement from above. It was quite an interesting little spectacle until the chorus started chanting 'BEHOLD BEHOLD THE PRINCESS TWILIGHT COMETH', then I couldn't stop laughing!"

"What was funny about it?"

"Oh it's just soooooo serious and melodramatic." Discord ranted, rolling his eyes so hard they fell out of his head and into the squash with a loud splat. "Over nothing! You ponies put so much stock in your species and subspecies when it means so little. It's not as if Twilight and uh...whats the other one's name again? Candy? Cantaloupe? Constantinople?"

"Cadence."

"Thank you. It's not as if Twilight and Cadence are even pureblood alicorns anyway. All Celestia did was a simple spell to change their species around a bit. Why even I could do that."

With that, Discord's tongue reached into his plate to retrieve his eyeballs, and plopped them back into his sockets. He raised his eagle-like foreleg and snapped the talon tipped fingers. There was a blinding flash of light and then Fluttershy discovered she had grown a stubby unicorn horn right in the center of her forehead. Now she too, was an alicorn.

"Oh NO! Oh my goodness! Change it back! Change it back!" Fluttershy squealed in panic.

"Oh fine!" Discord mumbled and settled the matter with another magical snap of his fingers. "But as you can see, changing from one species to another is not that fancy of a trick. Any magical being with a bit of training could do it. Have to be careful of course, don't want to accidentally change someone into a creature that barely has a consciousness. Like an amoeba or a moose. Things get very..... creepy that way."

"I don't think the purpose of the celebration is that Twilight became an alicorn, Discord. It's that she had accomplished enough to be crowned a princess. She's done so much good for the land and even fixed an old forgotten spell and created new magic! That's so exciting!"

"Yes yes, old stuff. So she invented some new magic and got promoted. Whoop dee darn doo. Why, I've invented so many new spells and so much magic I can scarcely keep track of it all!"

"But most of your magic is....um....well.....not very nice." Fluttershy whispered, hoping not to offend her houseguest.

"So? I invented it didn't I? Are my years of sweat and toil meaningless? Where's my medal? Where's my coronation? Where's my half-hour tv special about saving a tree? Where's my beautiful pink ballroom gown, hmm?"

With a snap of his fingers and another flash of flight, Discord had transformed himself into an elegant although very gangly grey stallion, keeping his familiar snaggle tooth and beady red eyes. On his forehead sat several dozen unicorn horns of various sizes and shapes and all over his body sat a massive display of various pegasus wings, all in different lengths and colors, flapping wildly. He had managed to make himself look even sillier than normal.

"Behold behold, I say! The princess Discord cometh!" And with that he began to dance in place, singing loudly to himself. "Go Discord! Go Discord! It's your coronation! Go Discord!"

As much as Fluttershy hated to encourage this sort of childish behavior, the show Discord was performing was just too amusing and she burst into a fit of quiet giggles at the act he was putting on. Satisfied he had finally gotten Fluttershy to laugh, Discord transformed back into his usual, slightly less ridiculous form, and sat down at the table.

"But I digress, enough about my mockery at your silly customs, my dear. What have YOU been up to? What's new in the life of little miss Fluttershy? Find any new animals? Find any keys for that box, yet? Teach Angel Bunny how to play fetch? Or how not to be a scoundrel?"

"No....nothing nearly so exciting. But I did just come back from my yearly visit to see the Pyrola Lunata Borealis. It's a very special flower I found out in the forest and I finally got to take a picture of it while it was in bloom. I also collected some xylaria fungus and bottlecap mushrooms."

"That flower name....." Discord minced, raising a shaggy grey eyebrow. "....sounds familiar. May I see this photo, if you'd be so kind?"

Before waiting for an answer, he had snapped his fingers causing the photo to slide out from between the dog-eared pages of Fluttershy's journal, hovering in front of him as he stroked his beard and squinted at it thoughtfully.

"A HMMMM. You know, Fluttershy....if memory serves me right I believe Celestia had something to do with the very notion of this flower. I think it was a....gift or something. Named after her gothic emotionally-stunted sister or something. But it's been so long now and when it happened was during a time when my thoughts were still nothing but unbridled rage at being trapped in stone. So I can't really recall exactly what happened or why this flower has it's name. I'm sure at least one of the four princesses would know. Or else they wouldn't be very good princesses now would they!"

Discord flipped the photo over to see if anything of interest was on the back.

"But, still. It's a very pretty little trinket is it not? Never seen one with my own two eyes. Or any number of eyes depending on my mood. Something this special deserves to be displayed I think. Rather than going to waste in your dusty little diary."

With a snap of his fingers the tiny black and white photo had disappeared and now on the wall sat the very picture Fluttershy had taken earlier. Only now it was in full color, and massive, framed in glass and hanging handsomely on her wall.

"Ah much better. Lends some ambiance to this cluttered menagerie of vermin you call a home I think!"

Fluttershy's jaw dropped at seeing the photo, now a work of art, adorning her kitchen wall. "Oh my goodness. It's....it's beautiful. Thank you so much Discord."

"Think of it as a gift for putting up with me this evening! And for not biting my head off over that whole...tree of harmony thing. Now if you'll excuse me...." the old chimera began, drawing back the feathery skin on his eagle leg to reveal 14 different types of watches. "But I believe it's getting a bit late for me to be out and about. Celestia has a curfew on me now. Can you believe the nerve of that woman? Me? Discord? The spirit of CHAOS? A curfew? What am I? Some adolescent trying to spray graffiti on the town walls? Honestly."

"She just can't trust you like I can, Discord." Fluttershy said with a grin, giving Discord a warm hug around a section of his snake body that she hoped was his torso. "She'll come around eventually. If you give her a reason to."

"Yes hopefully." Discord sighed and gave Fluttershy a small affectionate pat on the head. "I'm quite tired of all these rules and regulations and....ugh....laws. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night feeling nauseous that I'm surrounded by such things. Anyway, ta ta. Ciao. Toodle-oo. Alvederzane and etc."

And with a small spark of light, and a swoosh of the wind, the cranky trickster god was gone, leaving Fluttershy alone with her animals whom began eating their dinner now that the somewhat frightening guest had taken leave. Fluttershy sat down at the table, enjoying her squash. But a new errant thought was buzzing around her mind. She was a timid pony, but curious. And Discord's words had begun a small fire in her brain.

Had Celestia truly created a flower? A whole new biological species of plants? And if she did, then why? Why was it so unique and different to other flowers? And so rare? Fluttershy knew the only way to find answers would be to ask the Princess of Canterlot herself. But the only way to get a meeting with Celestia would be through invitation. And the only pony who could get Fluttershy the invitation or information she wanted was the very pony who made her feel the most timid to be around.

Twilight Sparkle.

Plug it in and change the world

He was five minutes late. Not five minutes TOO late but most definitely late. Unarguably late. There were an infinite number of possibilities that could explain why he was late. Only a very small fraction of those had negative connotations. So really she could and should rule those out entirely. At least that's what the logical side of her brain said. The other half knew she was wrong. Something terrible had happened. He was hurt somewhere. Maybe kidnapped. He could even be dying as she sat here. And there was no-one around to rescue or assist. And every day she would remember this evening as the last chance she had to save him from whatever horrible thing had happened to him. Even now as the minutes -

"Hey Twilight! I'm home!" called a happy gurgling voice from the other side of the door.

Twilight breathed a long refreshing sigh of relief. Logic once again had been the proper pathway for her to choose her course of action. A small part of her brain was smugly glad Spike was home. Confident that it knew all along that Spike was safe and Twilight had nothing to worry about. Smug that it managed not to make her freak out and panic. She turned towards the doorway entrance of the Golden Oaks Library to see Spike shuffling in backwards, dragging a large red backpack in his outstretched claws across the floor, his stubby baby dragon tail swishing on the wood floor excitedly. Twilight shut the tome she had been going through and went to meet her ward at the door.

"So...." Twilight began with a grin. "How was Spike's first day of normal average pony school hmm? Make any new friends?"

"It was pretty good." Spike replied, as he graciously dumped the heavy backpack full of textbooks against the wall, causing all the tables and chairs to rattle. He brushed the dirt off of his purple scaly feet. "I didn't meet anyone I didn't know before. Snips, Snails, Cheerilee, Featherweight, Applebloom, Scootaloo, the usual gang. Oh and those two rich bullies. They didn't talk to me, though."

"Nothing of interest to report?" Twilight asked with a mischievous grin.

"Nope." Spike bluntly stated, folding his arms.

"Noooooothiiiiing?"

"Hmmph." Spike sat on the floor looking annoyed. "What do you want me to say, Twilight? That you were right and I'm way too smart for school for kids my age due to living with you? And that I was really bored during all the lessons cause its all stuff I knew since back when I could barely talk? Cause I ain't saying it."

"Alright, Spike. You don't have to say it." Twilight replied as serious as she could sound, prancing back to where her tome was, with the fledgling purple dragon following closely behind, looking rather like a chubby purple iguana.

"Spike I made some lunch earlier. It's carrot soup with curry. I also threw in some polished pebbles from the stream since I know you like munching...OH!"

The purple alicorn looked down at her side to see that Spike had managed to squeeze his small body between her torso and left wing, wrapping his short arms around her ribs.

"Well someone is certainly affectionate today."

"I like being able to hug you without distracting you from your work!" Spike quipped, staring down at the tome full of old quill-scrawled text and ancient magical runes.

"Oh and you think this doesn't distract me?" Twilight joked as she flipped the page with a small sparkle of magic from her horn.

"Nope!" Spike nodded in a very matter-of-fact sort of way, leaning against his caretaker, happy to be home.

Spike usually spent most of his time indoors, sorting things or cleaning or playing in isolation. Or at least he did in the past. But as much as Twilight didn't want him to, he was growing up. And growing up meant change. The young dragon was beginning to grow curious of the world he already knew a bit too much about. He had requested to be allowed to attend the elementary school in town, so he could be more like the other children. Twilight had agreed although she had mentioned she didn't think it'd be necessary since Spike knew so much already from years of being home-schooled. And as she tended to be, Twilight was correct. Spike had come to Twilight several years ago as an egg that she had hatched when she was a child. The baby purple dragon that had rolled out of the egg had no parents, no owner, and no origin as far as anyone could tell. So Twilight had taken him in and with the help of her teacher, Princess Celestia, helped raise him into a rascally but generally well behaved and polite individual. Which was uncommon for dragons.

Twilight had come to Ponyville against her will when her teacher had instructed her to do so more than a year ago. It had been very difficult. Twilight had been separated from everything familiar to her. Everything familiar that is, but Spike. The baby purple dragon had loyally moved with Twilight to this town, and had been an enormous help in keeping the library that Twilight ran in pristine shape, and keeping Twilight herself from becoming a hermit. The two were inseparable. Spike was the closest thing to family that Twilight had in this part of the country, and Twilight was the only family Spike really had at all.

She'd been so worried today when the little dragon had been late coming home from his first day of school. Twilight had even measured how many acres sat between the library and the school, carefully and mathematically estimating exactly how long it would require for Spike to walk from one to the other. Her calculations were perfect, but Spike was not. Which was fine with her, as she bent down to give the tiny dragon an affectionate kiss on the top of his head.

"So you've been a real snuggle-monster for the last month." Twilight observed. "Are my wings that cozy?"

"Yeah. I kinda forgot until I saw Rainbow picking up Scootaloo from school. Scootaloo looked so happy in Rainbow's wing. It reminded me how much I like your new wings. And I want to hug you as much as I can in case.....um....." Spike's happy tone of voice fell as he looked at the floor.

"What's wrong?" Twilight felt alarmed. It was rare to see Spike in a bad mood.

"I'm scared I guess. So many things have changed Twilight. What if the Princess makes you start up a new kingdom far away and I can't go with you? Or gives you Luna's old job so I can't see you during the day?" his small voice cracked slightly as he shivered, burying his head into Twilight's ribs.

"Oh Spike." sighed Twilight. "I've already talked about that stuff with Celestia. I'm not going anywhere. So you don't need to worry about me leaving you. Alright?"

"Alright." Spike said, relieved and loosening his grip on Twilight slightly.

"Actually I just remembered something I wanted to ask you about. You know I pride myself on my calculations and you, young dragon, were over five minutes late coming home after school today."

"So you caught that, huh? I guess it makes sense that you'd notice my schedule was off."

"MMmm Hmm."

Spike reached under one of his lustrous fish-like purple scales and pulled out a small folded up piece of parchment.

"I was talking to Applebloom about Applejack after class." Spike explained as Twilight opened the parchment. "She wants you and the others need to visit Applejack and cheer her up. Applebloom says she's real gloomy for some reason. After that someone poked me in the shoulder and I turned around and it was Fluttershy. Wearing some sort of beekeeper helmet. She said she wants to talk to you about uh....bottlefleas....or something. I couldn't really hear! She talks so quietly and all the other kids are so loud, ya know? But she did give me that paper and said for me to bring it to you. Which I did and I personally feel means I should get a raise in my allowance."

"Well you might as well go eat some of that soup while I read this, Spike. Have as much as you want. I'll....think about the allowance thing." Twilight hovered the small parchment in front of her face with a small cloud of purple magic, taking great care to unfold it as gently as possible. The paper itself smelled very lightly of lilacs. A passage scrawled in a very light and loose calligraphic style that Twilight knew could only be Fluttershy's delicate handwriting was etched from top to bottom on the parchment.

Dear Twilight.
I would have sent a letter but those take a while. Please don't think me rude for having sent you this instead through Spike. And I know you've been very busy with your new duties as Princess so I didn't want to intrude by coming to the library. I was wondering if perhaps you'd like to join me in the study of a kind of flower I've been visiting for the last few years. It's very special and very rare! In fact I think it's almost unknown to everypony except a very small few. It's called the Pyrola Lunata Borealis according to some very old books on flowers I have. Really old books! Which is another reason this flower is so special, I think. There may not be many left. Like almost an extinct kind of flower! I think it may have magical properties. When it blooms it does some very strange things. And I know how much you love science and studying magic! So if you have a chance, and if it's not too much trouble, feel free to come over and we can plan on going to see it. I don't really have a preference about when you come over if you decide you're interested. You know how I don't leave the house much. Thank you so much in advance if you decide to help me, Twilight.
- Fluttershy -

"What's a bottleflea, Twilight?" Spike asked from the kitchen as he poured a few soupy pebbles into his mouth, crunching down on them hungrily.

"I think you misheard her say the word 'botany', Spike. Which is what the study of plants is usually referred to."

"Ohhhh! That makes much more sense. Are you and her gonna botany up some plants or something?"

"I think so. Fluttershy claims here that she's found some sort of rare flower that she wants my help studying."

Spike poured the remainder of the soup into his toothy mouth, gulping loudly.

"Rare huh? So are ya gonna do it?" he asked, as he wiped off his mouth with a napkin.

"I think I will. I'll do anything to get away from all this royal paperwork at this point. Maybe I'll go visit this afternoon. It'll be nice to get outside for a bit and do something more relaxing."

***************

A cool spring breeze danced over the hill where Applejack sat, making each sedge with their long sharp leaves seem to bow politely, greeting their guest. Applejack brushed a few leaves off her orange coat before leaning back against the tree, never taking her eyes off the train tracks at the foot of the hill. If she looked away she might miss something important. Like a good friend returning from a long trip. But it seemed the world wanted to distract her very badly. For the orange pony was not alone on the hill. There were others here, friends of hers. They spoke in hushed tones, thinking she could not hear them. Years of tending to a farm that was always in danger of being burgled or attacked by wolves, hares, and other pests had given Applejack a keen eye for observation. And a keen ear. The wind helped as well, picking up the voices of her eavesdroppers and carrying the sound up to her as she grunted in aggravation.

On the opposite side of the hill, behind a fat oak tree were two and a half ponies. Twilight Sparkle had been led to this spot by her enthusiastic pegasus friend Rainbow Dash, and now in whispers, the two observed the sulking Applejack who seemed not to take any notice of them.

"....and she's been like this the entire time?" Twilight asked urgently.

"Yep." Rainbow rolled her ruby eyes and frowned. "And every day she gets more depressing. Pinkie already tried throwing her a surprise party in one of the barns. But that just made it worse I think."

"Has she been sitting there every day?"

"Nearly. I always fly over this hill on the way to the Weather Center. It's getting to be a pretty regular thing to see her draped over that hill lookin' all bored and morbod. Ugh, look now she's back to chugging cider. That's it. Done. I'm taking action."

Rainbow puffed her feathers up, trying to look as intimidating as possible.

"Here, hold this." Rainbow barked, unfurling her wing and dropping an orange fuzzy bundle into Twilight's outstretched arms.

Twilight tried not to snort with laughter as she realized she was holding a sleeping Scootaloo. After Rainbow had decided to take care of the filly, her active lifestyle had left the child tired much more often than usual. It wasn't uncommon to see Rainbow working or going around town without her new little sister snoozing on her back or under her wing. It was a strange sight to see, particularly from the independent and sometimes selfish pegasus.

"Oh hey Princess Twilight." Scootaloo mumbled as she flipped over in Twilight's embrace, her eyelids fluttering groggily. "Is ma...um..Rainbow gonna yell at Applejack?"

"I think so...." Twilight replied looking up with concern at her retreating friend. "Oh, and you don't need to call me Princess Twilight, Scootaloo. You're a friend. Formalities aren't for friends!"

"I dunno what a formality is. Sounds pretty boring." Scootaloo yawned, flipped back over and resumed snoring loudly.

On the other side of the hill Rainbow had begun trying to lecture Applejack. Which wasn't working very well as Rainbow wasn't exactly a gleaming example of purity or morality and had never tried to give a pep-talk like this before. Especially to a pony like Applejack who was as kind and honest as they came.

"Lemme paint you....a story, AJ...." Rainbow began, her face looking grave and serious.

"Oh, here we go." Applejack muttered, pulling her hat over her eyes. "You don't paint stories. Can't ya just drop this?"

"It's the story of a farmer. Well-bred. Very honest pony. The kind of pony every pony should know. Kids look up to her, ya know? Then one day her life spirals out of control. She starts loitering in train stations. STINKING OF CIDER. And then one day she died sad and alone! Do you know who the pony in this story is?"

"For the love of....what do you want, Rainbow?" Applejack cringed as she continued trying to hide her face under her hat.

"Look, AJ. It's not like Rarity hasn't been gone for a while on one of her fashion tours before. Yeah a month is kind of a long time to be gone. BUT GET OVER IT! You think the rest of us don't miss her and Sweetie-Belle? Scootaloo and Applebloom won't shut up about all the fun things they're gonna do once Sweetie gets back. What are we supposed to tell Rarity when she gets back and asks what we've been up to? 'Oh hey Rarity me and the others watched Applejack drink cider all day and cry like a baby on a hill, lowering the general quality of happiness we share'."

Applejack snorted with laughter.

"You still ain't told me what ya want." the smile faded from the farmer pony's face.

"I want you to come play hide n' seek with me and Scootaloo."

"Nah."

"And Applebloom." Rainbow mentioned with an edge to her voice. "Your sister is worried about you, AJ. Look at her down there. LOOK I SAY!"

Applejack peered down the hill to see that her younger sister Applebloom was staring up at her. The filly's massive eyes were overflowing with tears like a broiling tea-kettle, her bottom lip quivering.

"She misses you, AJ." Rainbow muttered. "We all do. Now will you please get off this hill and be our friend again?"

"For Pete's sake. Fine." Applejack snapped, rising to her feet. "But if'n Rare asks why I wasn't here to greet her when she gets back from Canterlot, I'm blaming y'all."

"I'm down." Rainbow snickered. "Lemme go grab Scoots then we can head to the park."

Twilight couldn't help smiling as she handed the sleeping Scootaloo over to Rainbow who gently tucked the slumbering filly under her wing again.

"Well that certainly seemed to work." Twilight grinned at the entire ridiculous situation.

"Nah. Applejack's still gonna be a stick in the mud. But at least we're keeping her brain busy for a while. Say bye to Twilight and Fluttershy, Scoot."

As if on cue, the snoring child snorted very loud in her sleep, mumbling something unintelligible.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, turning around.

Indeed the quiet yellow pegasus was sitting only a few inches behind Twilight, nodding politely.

"Oh dear! I'm sorry Fluttershy, I didn't even notice you were there." spluttered Twilight. "I was so distracted!"

"It's....well it's fine Twilight I didn't even say anything." Fluttershy mumbled quietly. "I was just sort of wondering what's going on over on this hill. Uh.....so what is going on?"

"Not much, Shy." Dash blurted, as she began to descend the hill, with the half-asleep Scootaloo tucked under her arm. "Just an intervention to stop Applejack from getting too lame. Same as usual."

"Oh." Fluttershy glanced at Applejack who was trudging down the hill, looking several varieties of annoyed. "Well...have a nice day, Applejack. I hope you're feeling better."

Twilight and Fluttershy sat as they watched the four ponies trot down into the treeline that separated the fields from the public park. Soon the air was filled with the awkward quiet sort of stillness that Fluttershy was known for. Twilight fidgeted a bit as she tried to get a conversation going.

"That never ceases being strange to look at."

"Hm?" Fluttershy asked. "What never stops being strange?"

"Seeing Rainbow carrying Scootaloo around. It's bizarre seeing her be so....matronly."

"Oh that!" Fluttershy giggled quietly. "She's a big softy. You should see how she treats her pet tortoise."

"So uh....." Twilight rubbed the back of her neck with the elbow of her wing. "I got a note from Spike earlier today and..."

"Yes!" Fluttershy squeaked. "I am glad he was able to deliver it to you! I was worried he might lose it!"

"Spike's very reliable!" Twilight beamed proudly with a nod. "In a very fickle kind of way. Actually, Fluttershy that's why I'm out here in the first place. I was looking for you but you weren't home. Then Rainbow said Applejack was in trouble. And now here we are. A perfectly timed coincidence."

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry I wasn't home Twilight. I had to get some nets so my radishes wouldn't get covered in mites once it gets warm. I....also didn't really think you would even want to do it."

"What? Why on earth would I not want to see a rare flower with you, Fluttershy?"

"I assumed you'd be busy with all your new duties as Princess. Which is fine if you are, Twilight. I know it's important. You don't need to drop everything just to humor me...." Fluttershy flinched as she said these words, hiding behind her long pink locks of hair. The thought of being a distraction was simply too terrible to even dwell on.

"No it's not that at all! I actually do want to see this thing." Twilight sighed to herself. "I needed to get out of the house for a while. I've been so stressed doing Celestia's...busywork and trying to figure out that box, I haven't had hardly any time for me. I really need a break. And searching for lost and mysterious....possibly dangerous....flora and fauna with you sounds like a good way to to relax."

"Well...um...do you want to go now?"

"Unless you'd rather listen to Applejack and Rainbow Dash argue in the park."

*************************************

Twilight always had an appreciation for Fluttershy's cottage. While all of Ponyville was a very comfortable town, nothing seemed to personify it quite as much as this cottage. It was almost TOO comfy. Comfy incarnate. The bastion of comfyness. It had set a bar in comfort that truly nothing could attain. Everything from the green hardwood floors, the stone brick oven, the the redwood walls with the small windows that allowed animals to scamper in and out, it was all just so inviting. Birdcages hung from the ceiling beams, swaying quietly, ready for occupants. All the furniture was hoof-carved out of oak wood, with small floral designs etched into it. All painted with cheery pastel colors. Greens and pinks with hints of orange in highlights. Everything about the place seemed to represent what Fluttershy was like when she was in a good mood. Calm, cute, and dainty. Just entering the house made Twilight feel a deep sense of relaxation. Of course all the scented candles and incense that filled the air with pleasant herbal scents was probably helping a lot more than it should. They served a double purpose. To keep the house freshly-scented and to overpower the rather musky scent of the animals. Having skunks, badgers, squirrels and plenty of other beasts running around the household meant having the animals track in rather unwelcome scents.

But none of these animals seemed to be present at the moment. In fact outside of Angel Bunny and a few sparrows quietly tittering near the stove, the house seemed rather empty and vacant. Angel had curled up next to Twilight, quietly waiting for his lunch, his long white whiskers twitching with impatience. Normally the small rabbit was hostile to intruders. Even ponies he knew were friends of Fluttershy. He was a selfish rabbit, but he was protective of his master. He hated seeing her in a sour mood. But he felt no malice for Twilight. He knew that the purple unicorn wasn't a threat, and she understood the fragile demeanor of his master more than most ponies in town did.

"Hey Fluttershy. I can't help but notice that most of your animals are.....absent." Twilight called aloud as she squeezed herself into the plush green loveseat in the middle of the room.

"Yes I know." Fluttershy called back, though it was almost inaudible due to the low volume of her voice.

"I've never seen you without animals all over your house. Even during that time you were getting it fumigated for termites. I know it's not any of my business but I am curious as to what happened to them."

Fluttershy struggled into the room, a bowl of honey-drizzled carrots balanced on one wing and a large rectangular canvas resting on the other. Although they were clearly a bit too heavy for the thin pegasus to carry, Twilight couldn't help but feel impressed with how well the mare carried herself. Always so ladylike. A trait she shared with Rarity. No matter how stressful or frightening things were, Twilight could always count on those two to act with grace. Well except for that one time at the Gala, but Twilight was content on trying to forget that embarrassing night when she and her friends had managed to destroy a party full of esteemed royal guests.

With a tilt of her head and a small incantation in her mind, a purple spark of magic from the end of Twilight's horn had levitated the bowl of carrots off of the yellow feathered wing of her friend and placed it in front of Angel Bunny, whom in a good show of polite table manners, had soon shoved his face into the bowl, cramming the pieces greedily into his mouth as he slurped. Twilight tried not to frown at the rabbit. She didn't want to show outright disdain but she was not a fan of the attitude Fluttershy's 'number one' pet showed often.

"Thank you, Twilight!" Fluttershy whispered as she placed the canvas upright. "And as for the critters, they don't like being indoors now that spring is finally here. Most of them are in the forest, stretching their legs and looking for mates."

"What's that you have there? A painting? You paint?"

"Oh no! It's actually something even nicer." Fluttershy flipped the canvas around, displaying the enlarged photo of the flower. "It's a photo I took of the Pyrola. Discord was visiting and -"

"Wait, Discord was here? In town? At your house? And nobody noticed?" Twilight frowned a bit. She was but one on a long list of ponies and other creatures that still couldn't trust Discord fully. No matter how nice he apparently seemed now.

"Yes he was. He always pays me a visit when he is passing through. Usually just in time for tea."

"And....are these pleasant visits?" Twilight asked, feeling her eyelid twitch at the thought of Discord, the prince of all lies and the king of all tricks, enjoying tea with Fluttershy.

Fluttershy flashed a small defiant look at Twilight. "Yes actually. They are always pleasant and he is a fun guest to have around. And he was kind enough to give me this."

"A giant... picture of the flower?"

"Oh no! It was very small at first Twilight. And it was in black and white and blurry too, since I used Applejack's old camera. Discord made it into this. This is exactly how it looks when I see it in the forest."

"Whoa." Twilight hopped off the couch and pranced up to the photo. "Fluttershy this is amazing. That's quite a magic trick he pulled off. So this is it, huh? The Pyrola Lunata Borealis. What a strange looking flower. It's like something out of a rainforest. So colorful."

"Even when its not blooming, it's still very pretty."

"And you just happened upon this plant while you were out one day?"

"Yes. I remember when I found it for the first time. I was lost in the forest because Angel had gotten scared by a fox. I was so scared I'd lost him. But then I found him hiding in a tree stump, crying. It was the only time I'd ever seen him cry." Fluttershy picked up the small bunny who was still chewing loudly on his honey carrots and gave him a gentle hug.

"And that's when you saw the flower." Twilight mentioned as she drew closer to the image of the flower, squinting as she studied it.

"No, that's when I saw the glade." Fluttershy trotted around the canvas to join Twilight on the opposite side. "I hadn't noticed it before. Maybe I was too frightened. But there was a clearing out in the darkest part of the forest. And in the middle of it was the Pyrola. Angel and I sat there staring at it as it suddenly bloomed right in front of us. After that I felt like I knew the way home."

"And....you did?" Twilight asked, not taking her eyes from the image.

"Well I am here, aren't I?" Fluttershy drew closer to the image as well. "It's such a beautiful floret. I'd never seen a flower with such a strange inflorescence in it's blooms."

Twilight's ears pricked up, flicking as she heard this. A strange sensation passed through her head as her brain briefly came to a full stop. She turned to stare at her shy friend.

"Inflorescence?" Twilight's eyes grew wide.

"Yes, you know what inflorescence is, don't you? It's when a flower is made of littler flowers. Where the tiny pedical stems that hold up the flowers tessellate off the main stem of the plant and make little wobbly triangular shapes as they branch outward more and more. It's kind of like a simple fractal shape."

"No...no....I know what it is...it's just....n-nothing. Nothing." Twilight turned her attention back to the picture. "Sorry I interrupted."

"I've never seen a flower have such a complex structure and look so pretty at the same time." Fluttershy sighed sweetly and stared at the photo, not noticing the strange expression on Twilight's face.

The studious princess was at the moment having some trouble getting her thoughts in order. She knew what inflorescence was. Fluttershy had a very loose definition of it but she was correct. But that was the whole thing that was making Twilight feel off. She specifically went out of her way not to use long words so as not to confuse her friends, or in more public cases make herself seem too nerdy. And suddenly here, one of her quietest friends was spouting these sort of terms aloud. And knew what they meant. And something about the way she said them. It had caused a new sort of emotional response Twilight had never experienced. It was like a small balloon full of ice water had burst inside of her brain, and she felt a small shiver run down her neck to her haunches. What had that been about?

Twilight turned to look at her friend, studying the pegasus as she thought. Had Fluttershy mispronounced the words? Was Twilight's obsession with perfect diction getting to her? No, no. That wasn't it. Maybe it was just how odd it was to hear those words coming from Fluttershy. She knew the shy mare was a lover of nature, plants, and homeopathic remedies, with a motherly instinct that bade her to care for creatures both great and small. But Twilight would never have thought of Fluttershy to be this informative and well-read. Twilight smiled as she thought about it. It seemed like every day she learned more about her friends. And every day she was happier to have moved to this funny little town. All this meant was on her list of descriptive words for Fluttershy which contained sweet, graceful, and kind, that now Twilight would need to add the word 'intelligent' as a new descriptor.

"....Twilight? Twilight?" Fluttershy's voice brought her friend back to reality. "Are you ok?"

"Hmm? Yeah Fluttershy I was just...observing and thinking and I got into sort of a daze. Now I've lost my train of thought." Twilight scratched her head. "Hmph. I don't even remember what I got to thinking about now. Weird."

"Was....um....it about flying?" Fluttershy asked, looking concerned.

"No, I don't think so. Why?"

Fluttershy waved her hoof in the direction of Twilight's back. The unicorn turned to see that her wings were extended, the sinewy muscles that were above her shoulder-blades trembling slightly as she folded them back to her sides again.

"Odd. These wings seem to have a mind of their own sometimes." Twilight mumbled testing the nerves in her wings with a small nip.

"It's probably just because they're new." Fluttershy placed Angel on the floor and watched the rabbit scurry back to his spot on the couch. "Sometimes with newborn pegasi, their wings twitch and flap in strange ways since their nerve endings don't work quite right at that age. It usually takes a few months until their patagialis muscles are connected to their nerves. I bet yours just aren't formed all the way yet."

Twilight was, once again, taken aback at her friend's knowledge, the tingling feeling returning in full force. "Y-yeah....you sure seem to know a lot of...stuff about that sort of thing, Fluttershy."

"Well I used to babysit for a lot of ponies in town when I was a teenager. I needed to know everything in case something went wrong. Especially for baby pegasi. It's why I asked Rainbow Dash to stop trying to force Scootaloo to fly. Her little patagialis muscles just cant lift her very well and I knew it was frustrating for both of them."

"Wow." Twilight mumbled, feeling her respect for Fluttershy increase massively as a sharp pain ran down her backside and her wings unfurled yet again.

"So......um....." Fluttershy blushed a bit and hid behind her long pink mane. "I think we've gone off-topic a bit. Would you like to see the flower, Twilight? It takes about a day to walk there and walk back."

"Well what about flying? Wouldn't that be shorter?"

"We could try to fly...that is...if you really want to." Fluttershy hid behind her mane some more, her face almost entirely lost to view. "But I've only been there by hoof and it's really the only way I know how to get there."

"Alright. I'm more comfortable with walking anyway." Twilight nodded with a smile. She knew Fluttershy was fibbing. The shy pegasus had a fear of heights and would avoid flying in any way she could unless her, or someone else's, life depended on it.

And with a warm hug and a couple of goodbyes, Twilight left the cottage. Still feeling strange and lightheaded and she strode down the cobblestone pathway back into town. Inside the cottage Fluttershy was brushing her hair back, still feeling embarrassed over Twilight's physical outburst.

"Angel...." Fluttershy began as she took his empty bowl off the couch. "I don't think Twilight's reaction was because of nerves."

Angel rolled his eyes as if to say 'of course it wasn't.'

"I think I caused her to do that." Fluttershy stared at the floor. "I've never had that affect on anyone. How embarrassing. Maybe it was something I said?"

With a small grunt of disinterest, Angel produced a very tiny newspaper from in-between the cushions of the couch and began his usual evening of reading it quietly. Fluttershy sighed and went to the kitchen to clean the bowl, her thoughts mostly about the trip she was about to take tomorrow. The forest was a terrifying place. Dangerous, old and quiet. Fluttershy had only survived going through it the first time by accident. Routine had made her able to traverse it multiple times, but it didn't make her an expert. And it would be far different when bringing a guest. Luckily, her guest was a very powerful alicorn. So should anything go wrong they'd have the insurance of sheer magical power to protect them. But nothing was guaranteed.

While the yellow mare was usually nervous (although she preferred to think of herself as cautious), the idea of bringing a guest to this secluded glade was frightening. Even more so because Fluttershy had no idea what they would talk about on the way there. And it was a long trip. Usually when hanging out with Twilight, Fluttershy was with all their other friends in the Elements of Harmony. And she could quietly laugh at their conversations and put in a word edgewise while mostly being a good listener as they talked and squabbled amongst themselves. This was different. It would just be her and Twilight for an entire day. Fluttershy was awful at being social, and she knew it too.

"I'm going to have to make a list of things to talk about."

Through my window, my sugar lump

Twilight checked her rucksack for the fourth time that morning. Everything still there and accounted for. A large flask of water and a smaller flask of blueberry nectar (as a treat). A first aid kit with rubbing alcohol, gauze, splints, herbs, bandages, and a syringe in case one needed to remove venom from a snakebite. A magnifying glass, several amber colored screw-cap glass vials for collecting samples, safety goggles with several magnification lenses attached, a cord of rope and a small plastic bottle of aspirin. And a few packages of crackers, dry noodles, cereal, and peanut butter. Being a horse, Twilight was no stranger to simply munching on leaves or particularly scrumptious flowering plants, but in a strange new forest with no background knowledge, she definitely felt bringing along some edibles was a sound plan.

Finally satisfied that her rucksack was perfect, Twilight set about her next task. With a small sparkle of white magic, she was soon surrounded by three white rings of light. They orbited slowly, humming quietly as she stood still. Spike crept out from the small wicker basket he slept in most nights. The tiny dragon yawned and watched Twilight go about her business, confused but frightened to interrupt. But eventually curiosity got the better of him.

"Hey Twilight what are you doin'?"

"I'm running a full diagnostic scan of my body and aura, Spike." Twilight answered, managing not to move any muscles besides the ones in her jaw.

"Why? Are you sick?"

The three circles of light flickered off and with a small ping has turned back into white sparkles that flew back into the tip of Twilight's short stubby purple horn.

"No, I don't think so." Twilight said with a sigh. "Just trying to understand some involuntary wing spasms from yesterday. If I'm going to start flying around the country meeting kings and queens and emperors and such, I need to make sure these new limbs are in good healthy conditions. Don't want to fall out of the sky and bring shame to Equestria or something."

"What about the balloon?"

"The balloon is slow, Spike. It's even slower than taking the train. We won't need it eventually."

Spike's face fell. "Aww, but I like the balloon."

"Well it's not like I'd get rid of it. Besides you'd still be able to ride on my back while we fly around. Wouldn't that be fun?"

"Yeah I guess." Spike sullenly agreed. He remembered how many times Twilight had crashed in midair while he had ridden on her back.

Twilight levitated the dragon in front of herself and gave him a small kiss on the forehead.

"Now Spike, I'm going on a trip today. I probably won't be back until very late. I'm counting on you to keep an eye on the library while I'm away and get all your chores done. If you go out, make sure you keep the door locked and make sure Owloysius has plenty of birdseed and water."

Spike sat on the floor, thinking hard about all the responsibility he'd just been given.

"But where are you even going today, Twilight?"

With a bright smile and a levitation spell, Twilight had soon fastened the bulging rucksack to her back, the straps connecting under her tummy.

"On an adventure, Spike!"

*******************************

Fluttershy's morning hadn't started quite as well. A rather chubby caterpillar had snuck into her cottage and feasted greatly on her birdseed reserves, forcing her to make a trip to the fields to collect more. After returning home and finally completing her morning rounds of keeping the animal feeders outside full, she tried to finally pack a modest amount of supplies. Nothing too unusual. Her diary and small charcoal pencil, a bottle of spring water, a few pears and mushrooms for snacking, and a pink scarf that she had received as a gift from Rarity after helping Rarity's pet cat survive a very severe case of the measles. However her packing was soon interrupted again when there was a knock at the door. She sighed with exasperation, knowing it was far too early for Twilight to be here.

With a small surprise Fluttershy discovered it was a concerned-looking Rainbow Dash who sought advice on a rather troubling subject. Rainbow was Fluttershy's oldest friend. She had known the cocky blue pegasus since the two had been fillies at summer camp more than a decade ago. Dash was always trying to inspire bravery and courage in her meek friend, and in turn Fluttershy did her best not to get exasperated at Dash whenever she did something boneheaded. This was one of those times.

"Rainbow that is the absolutely worst possible thing you could have done. That's so inconsiderate!"

"How so?" Rainbow asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"Telling a child who has just had a nightmare to 'get over it' is a terrible policy. She doesn't need you scolding her or trying to toughen her up or whatever misguided idea made you say this."

Rainbow folded her arms and pouted.

"I thought it'd help Scoot. I mean that's how my pops handled things and look how I turned out."

"Yes. Just look." growled Fluttershy. "When was the last time you even spoke with your father?"

Fluttershy regretted it instantly. She hated judging other ponies by their families and personal lives. But children needed nurturing and in her mind she felt like her friend had crossed a line. Rainbow sat in silence staring at the floor for a moment and within a matter of moments the indignant pout and anger on her face had faded away, replaced by horror and despair.

"Oh no. I screwed up really bad didn't I, Shy?" Rainbow asked, her voice cracking as she tried not to sob. "Scootaloo probably hates me now or thinks it's bad to be afraid of things. I've ruined her! Even after flying all the way to Ponyville I still turned into my dad."

"Oh, Rainbow." Fluttershy sighed and embraced her troubled friend. "I'm sure Scootaloo doesn't hate you. In fact I don't think it'd even be possible but....you can't treat her the way you treat your friends at the Weather Center or the Wonderbolts Academy. She wants to be tough like you but she's still a little foal. She needs love right now."

"What do I do now?" Dash asked, sniffling. "How do I fix this, Shy?"

"Next time Scootaloo wakes you up in the middle of night because she's crying or hungry or distressed, try being sympathetic. Comforting. She's in a new house with a new family and you're practically all she has, Rainbow. She's probably very uncomfortable and still adjusting. Hug her, hold her, let her sleep next to you if it chases the nightmares away. Ok? I know you're really used to being such a cool hero in everyone's eyes but....for taking care of a child you have to be MORE than just Rainbow Dash. You understand, right?"

"I'll try to do that. Thanks, Shy. I'm gonna go apologize to the kid right now. Hey, um, as long as I'm here I have another thing I wanted to ask. I was thinking of getting like....a leash to tie Scootaloo's leg to my leg. I'm always scared the kid's gonna scurry off and get hurt or lost and -"

"Leashes aren't for children, Rainbow." Fluttershy muttered sternly, trying not to feel aggravated.

"Alrighty, then that idea goes into the bin I guess. Thanks again, Shy." Rainbow leaped into the air and took off out the doorway. "Oh hey Twilight."

Twilight Sparkle entered through the doorway, her backpack rustling and jostling as she walked.

"So....what are you two up to?" Rainbow asked as she slowly flew away from the doorway, eager to get home but also curious to see why Fluttershy and Twilight were both utilizing backpacks.

"Oh....well....Twilight and I are going to see a very rare flower. It's a bit of a hike."

"Rare flower, huh? Where could a rare flower even be around here outside of like...the Everfree Forest or something?" Rainbow smirked a bit, but it vanished as she noticed the nervous smiles on her friends faces. "Oh jeez are you two going hiking in the Everfree?"

"Yes but I have full confidence in Fluttershy." Twilight quipped. "She's made this journey several times before."

"Fluttershy? Really?" Dash smiled. "That's pretty cool, actually. Well try not to get eaten you two. Seriously, be safe."

With a streak of prismatic light, the brash pegasus was soon lost to view, high above the clouds. Twilight turned to Fluttershy with an apologetic look.

"Sorry I'm here early. I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"It's ok, Twilight. Rainbow was just updating me on Applejack and Scootaloo and how things are going."

"Is Applejack still depressed?" Twilight asked.

"Apparently she's back on the hill by the train station again. Poor thing."

Twilight sighed. "When we get back I'm gonna have a long talk with Applejack. Maybe I can pry deep into her superego and find out what's really troubling her."

Minutes late found the two winged mares standing right on the edge of the Everfree Forest, only about an acre from Fluttershy's backyard. A foreboding warm wind flowed out from between the thick trees, whirling around the horses before dissipating into the air. It was if the forest itself was exhaling a breath, producing a long melancholy sigh that sent small dead leaves and twigs tipping elegantly through the breeze and landing amongst the cheerful and bright green grass of the town. The smell of rotting vegetation and mold was thick, mixing with the cinnamon scents of the town behind them. There was an eerie calm as the two stepped into the shadows of the trees, the canopy so thick that the sunlight could scarcely permeate it.

"Twilight." Fluttershy gave her friend a serious sideways glance. "I...um...I don't want to sound like I'm bossing you around. But uh, well see the thing is....I've done this before. I'm not good at it but I can do it. So if....you hear me tell you to hide or you see me...um...avoiding something because it might be dangerous, well I guess maybe you should try to do what I do, if that's ok with you. I just don't want any pony getting hurt."

Twilight nodded. "I understand perfectly, Shy. This is your expedition and you're in charge. You're the leader."

"Oh good." Fluttershy gave a long sigh of relief. "I was worried you wouldn't like that."

"What? Why?" Twilight tried not to sound offended. "Cause I have wings now?"

"No it's just....." Fluttershy kicked a stone aside as they trotted deeper into the leafy canvas. "You're usually the one who comes up with plans and charts and....you're sort of like a leader to us. Or me at least."

"Fluttershy I'm not a leader. And you're just as capable as I am. Possibly more than I am."

"What makes you think that....oh Twilight don't step on that!!"

Twilight lifted her hoof and quickly skirted around a small nest of tiny brown mushrooms. Within a moment of her darting away a small serrated vine covered in moss with a barbed wooden hook on the end thrust its way out from the center of the fungi. It whipped fiercely in the air before withdrawing back into the soil with a loud thunk.

"What in the name of Celestia was THAT thing?" Twilight asked wide eyed as the plantlike tentacle disappeared into the dirt.

"That's a bark barnacle. I've never seen one that close to town before. They usually try to snatch moths and bugs out of the air to eat. But they aren't very good at choosing what they want to attack."

"Have you ever had one grab you?" Twilight asked, backing away from the mushrooms.

"Yes, actually." Fluttershy winced. "It cut into my knee and by the time I got out of the forest I could barely trot. They always seem to appear in the middle of small groups of lactarius mushrooms and other agaric varieties."

The straps around Twilights waist that held her backpack in check suddenly felt much tighter. She winced as she realized her wings were trying to twitch again. It was such an annoyance but as long as the backpack was there and keeping the wings from moving too much, she could ignore it. She couldn't however, ignore the small shiver that went through her body and distracted her from Fluttershy's talk.

"Lactarius?" Twilight asked as she fidgeted and continued following Fluttershy deeper into the woods.

"Milk mushrooms. Some ponies call them milk-caps. It's because they smell like milk and when they get hurt they ooze out white slime everywhere that kind of looks like milk. Sometimes I get them for Applejack because the milk tastes really good in soup."

"You know so much stuff...." Twilight mumbled as she fidgeted with the straps of her rucksack, looking down at the loamy and moss-covered forest floor.

"I just find nature so fascinating." Fluttershy called back.

"This just ties in to what I was saying before Fluttershy. You're just as capable as I am at being a leader. If it weren't for you, I could have been seriously injured by that barnacle thing back there. You shouldn't ever be nervous or frightened about being a leader if you know what's best. And you clearly know what's best when it comes to nature. You're so...just smart, Fluttershy. You're smart and kind and sweet and I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't trust you to lead them."

Twilight gulped and looked up at the canopy, watching the myriad of small specks of pollen and spores drift through the gnarled and velvety branches. She felt a small bead of sweat trickle past her ear as she looked up, trying to avoid Fluttershy's face, her mind racing as she tried to understand why she felt so odd. Fluttershy had just talked to her about mushrooms and suddenly Twilight was gushing and lauding her friend with compliments. What had that been about? Twilight thought for a moment before deciding that finding a kindred spirit who enjoyed the power that knowledge brought was making her act awkward. Like how she used to be so awkward when she was nearly a shut-in in Canterlot, spending all day reading through books and being a bit too dorky to make any real friends. Fluttershy was bringing out that old side of her personality.

'Get it together, Twilight. You don't want Fluttershy to think you're weird.' Twilight silently scolded herself.

"Th....thank you Twilight." Fluttershy called from further ahead on the path, hiding her face behind her hair to avoid Twilight's eyes.

She felt her face grow hot. It wasn't every day she was complimented so highly for...well anything really. And these compliments were coming from Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn who was Celestia's personal apprentice, one of the most powerful magicians in Equestria, who had come to their town and brought so much trouble and joy into their lives. The unicorn who had become an alicorn and through the power of friendship had inspired them all to help save the country on more than one occasion. The unicorn who had been one of the first ponies in town to ever have faith in Fluttershy, the shy fraidycat who was afraid that nobody took her seriously. Fluttershy felt a fluttering feeling in her stomach that made its way out through her body down to her hooves.

It had reminded Fluttershy of a similar incident that had happened many months prior where, again, she had been complimented by Twilight and had felt shyer than ever. Now would be a good time to thank her friend for her words. What was it that Iron Will, the famous motivational speaker, had always said? 'If someones extra nice, send it back with spice!' definitely one of his more friendly and less harsh slogans. And one of the few that Fluttershy had decided to continue using as a mantra long after she had stopped listening to Iron Will. As subtly as she could, Fluttershy slowed her walk speed down until she and Twilight were side by side, steadily treading down through the trees together.

"H...hey um, Twilight?" Fluttershy whispered.

"Yes?" Twilight asked, turning to look at her friend, glad for a distraction from her thoughts and the uneasy silence.

"I just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"Oh....well....all sorts of things. I wouldn't know where to start... but I guess I really wanted to thank you for what you said last Nightmare Night."

"I don't follow." Twilight tilted her head in confusion. All she could remember from Nightmare Night was trying to stop Pinkie from sending the town into screaming hysterics whenever Princess Luna showed up.

"Well...when you visited me I heard you say....that um....I was delicate and demure. And that you thought my voice was sweet. Even though I was terrified that night, I thought it was a very nice compliment." Fluttershy blushed a bit and cleared her throat. "It's not often that I get compliments like that. Or the ones about leadership. It's very...nice."

"I don't even remember that part of Nightmare Night." Twilight said with a shrug. "I just remember trying to get the unending screaming to stop and trying to keep Luna from getting upset. Horrible night. Never again."

Twilight unscrewed a vial and grabbed some dark soil from off the forest floor, collecting the sample and placing it back into her rucksack. She wasn't expecting the dirt to have any sort of particularly magical properties but better safe than sorry. Who knows what they might find out in this mysterious forest?

"I find it weird that you say you don't get compliments often." Twilight began as she took notice of the faraway roll of thunder that echoed through the sky.

"Well....it's just." Fluttershy frowned a bit as brushed her hair back. "Ponies take notice of me because I guess....they think I'm pretty. But...very few ponies really care about what I know. Or compliment me for my nature...stuff. You're the first pony to ever really do that."

"Oh." Twilight swallowed, feeling awkward again. "They appreciate you for your looks but not for your brain or personality. I sort of have the opposite of that problem when it comes to being social."

"I don't see how, you're very lovely, Twilight...." Fluttershy grew quiet as she said this. "At least I think so. And um...I'm sure Rarity would agree with me."

The two glanced away from each other as they continued through the woods. Each feeling awkward and out of place, unable to understand the strange nervous feelings that were coursing through their minds. It was difficult to start a conversation this way. Or to keep one going for that matter. Every now and then they'd stop as Twilight collected a sample of plant matter into a vial, or studied a particularly strange looking rock or crystal with her microscopic lens goggles. After packing away her things she'd give Fluttershy a polite nod and the two would continue on their journey, silently. Fluttershy dearly wished she had written down a list of conversational topics onto some parchment.

"Sorry I'm so quiet." Fluttershy mumbled meekly.

"I used to spend all day in an old dusty library. And now that I live in Ponyville I still sometimes prefer the company of books to the company of ponies. It's fine, Fluttershy. I like the silence and serenity of this place. This forest is old and very magical. I can sense it. The trees speak to each other with some old arcane language nobody but them can understand."

Fluttershy felt a small twitch of the muscles between her shoulder-blades, the ones attached to her wings. It was strange to feel that happen just from hearing Twilight talk about magic. Fluttershy thought for a moment and decided she liked hearing Twilight say words like serenity and arcane. Maybe she just liked hearing the purple alicorn discuss magic in general. But for now she needed to pay attention to the weather. Being caught in a thunderstorm in the Everfree Forest was dangerous business. The storms were unpredictable, causing lightning, whirlwinds, and sometimes even shifting the gravity violently in parts of the forest. None of which would be pleasant to be caught in.

Fluttershy flicked her ear, listening intently to a far off sound. A quiet buzz building up to a high pitched hum. It was a frightening sound she had heard before.

"Twilight you need to do exactly what I do." Fluttershy ordered as her friend nodded. "Lay down as flat as you can near this tree. Do not make any sounds and try to move as little as possible. I'll let you know when we can get up again."

The two ponies were soon huddled under a large root, barely visible over the grey stems of the flowering rush that coated the forest floor around the base of each tree. An eerie quiet filled the air as the buzzing of cicadas and crickets was silenced.

"What's happening?" Twilight whispered.

"SSHHHH!" Fluttershy whispered urgently looking terrified as she folded her ears flat against her head and buried her snout into the rush grass.

Twilight flicked her ears as she turned to stare out into the forest. Off in the distance something dark was approaching. It appeared to be smoke, only it didn't move with the wind nor did it rise into the air. It calmly slithered over the ground, rippling and folding in on itself, a quiet high pitched buzz piercing through the silence as it grew closer. Around the trees it moved, never getting close to the roots or rush plants as Twilight noticed. As it passed over small flowering plants and mushrooms it would ripple and the sound would increase in volume. But then the dark red smoke would move on, leaving the plants and mushrooms stripped of their leaves, flowers, and caps. Twilight held as still as she could, using her magic to levitate a screw-cap vial out of her rucksack. As slowly and gently as she could, she pushed it over the surface of the floor, years of practice with levitation making the glass vial move in complete silence, avoiding any plants as it went. Twilight glanced down at Fluttershy to see that the yellow pegasus was staring ahead at the vial, her eyes wide with fright. In a quick motion, the vial turned downward as the cap came off, it fell through the dark red mist, turned over and rose into the air, now brimming with a small red cloud of the substance. The cap levitated to the top of the vial and the entire glass container fell to the ground. The red mist swirled around the vial, and then all at once emitted a high pitched squeal and darted off at high speeds, disappearing into the forest, leaving the two ponies alone again with the silence.

After several minutes, Fluttershy finally struggled to stand, shooting Twilight an upset look.

"Twilight I told you not to move." she said with a sad expression.

"I didn't, Fluttershy. The bottle did. I had to capture some of that stuff for science. Besides I think it knows it cant hurt glass. It looked like it was scared of it."

Twilight cautiously walked up to the vial in the grass, to see it was still full of the red substance that flew around inside the bottle with a life of its own. She placed her goggles onto her head, bringing down all the lenses across her right eye for the most magnification possible. Fluttershy stood quietly a few feet away, looking pensive, worried the red mist might escape from its glass prison.

"It's bugs." Twilight announced, squinting. "Like mites. Some sort of rare form of arachnida but oh gosh they are so small. And they have wings too. I've never seen a swarming arthropod this small with wings. And their wings aren't even like bug wings. It's like they have these tiny black hairs along their back that they vibrate to -"

"Okay that's really interesting Twilight but can you please get rid of them now."

"What's wrong, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked as she peered into the bottle.

"I...well.....I've seen those things. Smaller clouds of them even. They eat anything, Twilight. I saw them grab a baby squirrel once. It was all covered in red stuff and in a few seconds it was just....b-bones." Fluttershy shivered.

"Oh dear." Twilight hurled the bottle as far into the forest as she could with a zap of magic. "Well. I am not going to hold onto that, then."

A flash of lightning made them both jump, followed by a loud crack of thunder.

"Those bugs are running from the storm, Twilight." Fluttershy whispered. "But that's the exact direction we need to go to get to the glade."

"So are we going to just.....walk through the rain?"

"Oh goodness no!" Fluttershy shook her head. "The weather in the Everfree Forest is very different from in Ponyville. We can't be out and exposed during the storm."

Fluttershy shivered and leaped into the air, fluttering her pale yellow wings as she took off towards the forest canopy, disappearing from sight. In a few moments she was back, shaking even harder, bringing a few stray branches and leaves with her as she landed unsteadily.

"I found something we can use for shelter."

Half a mile from where the two stood, in one of the less dense parts of the forest was an old dead dwarf pine tree. Some disaster long in the past had snapped it in half, but many of its boughs remained. As the years passed and the vegetation of the forest slowly took over, it soon found itself reinforced by lichens, vines, and fungus. Several meters up was a large hole in the rotted bark. A shaft of sunlight that pierced through the canopy gleamed right upon this hole, providing light for yellow and teal orchids to grow around the mouth of the hole. Within that was a cave inside the soft rotting wood of the tree, with a thick floor of tree-dwelling lime green algae filling in the cracks and furrows of the wood. It was here that the two ponies found themselves sitting. Both were shocked that such a comfortable little knothole was conveniently this far from the ground while also not being full of birds or spiders. They had flown up here, and Twilight had taken care to use her levitation spell to get their backpacks safely inside the burrow as well. Now as they watched the dark rain fall, Twilight noticed that Fluttershy was still shaking. She knew why, it was a curious phobia that the shy pegasus had but one that had always confused Twilight.

"Hey Fluttershy. Do you mind if I ask you something...sensitive?" Twilight asked as she brought out one of her packages of dried pasta and began to quietly eat.

"Um.....well. Go ahead if you want." Fluttershy whispered back in the darkness.

"Why does flying make you so....spooked? You're the only pegasus I know who actively tries to avoid it."

"It's strange for a pegasus to dislike flying. I know that. But....I just find it scary. If I'm on the ground and something happens to me....if I need help. Someone will find me. I can walk, I call for help. But in the sky....if something happens.,,, if I hit a bird or I get a cramp or tear a muscle...that's it."

"That's it?"

"Well yes. If I fall out of the sky....who's gonna catch me? Pegasi are pretty tough, I know. It's part of who we are. But we can't survive hitting the ground from falling out of the sky. And if I were lucky enough to hit a cloud, who would find me? I'd be stuck on a cloud. I just....." Fluttershy shivered and sniffled. "That's why I don't like flying, Twilight."

"I guess I'm lucky." Twilight said with a sad smile. "I've always been able to get around with magic. Now I can fly anywhere I want and if something goes wrong I can fix it with magic. I can teleport, levitate, gravitate, alot of stuff. I can see why you wouldn't want to take the risk."

"I usually only fly when Rainbow or another friend is nearby. It's reassuring knowing that if something happens, I have my friends there to catch me."

"Fluttershy...." Twilight inhaled, trying to think of the best way to phrase what she was about to say. "You know....I know a lot of our friends think you're....well...."

"A coward?"

"No. Not a coward, Shy. If you were a coward, you'd never have been able to summon up the bravery to save us from that dragon or convince Discord, the most evil jerk in the world, to be amiable and peaceful. Fraidy-Cat would probably be a better word to describe how I think most ponies see you."

"Yes, and they're usually right about me. I can barely defend myself." Fluttershy frowned and sulked.

"They're wrong, actually." Twilight put her hoof on her friend's shoulder. "You're not a fraidy-cat. You're just cautious. You'd rather avoid the chance of being in danger than having to deal with danger when it happens. You're not a fighter. You're peaceful and you like to live conservatively. Plus if something happened to you, who would take care of the animals? I think the way you deal with issues is perfect...for you."

Fluttershy smiled and withdrew slightly, her hair covering most of her face. "Thank you, Twilight. Sometimes I think you understand me more than I do. Also I'm sorry we're in this mess."

"Mess? What mess? We're in a hole in a tree. A pretty nice hole." Twilight munched on some noodles as she looked around the cave. "Really this hole couldn't be more perfect for hanging out in."

"I know but....so much has happened since we came in this forest. And now this storm is going to delay us even further. It's going to be very late at night by the time we get back to Ponyville. That's why I'm sorry."

Twilight yawned. "It's fine. The farther I am from work, the happier I'll be for a while. Plus I know Spike is fine. He's listening to the radio as we speak, probably eating popcorn or candy for dinner. Then he'll dig into the ice cream and get a tummy-ache. The same thing that usually happens when I leave him home alone. It's not a big deal."

"Spike's such a nice, cute little dragon." Fluttershy mentioned. "I wish most dragons were like Spike."

She turned to notice that Twilight looked weary, trying not to smile as her friend yawned again. Ponies in general were cute, but Twilight yawning seemed extra cute. The librarian swayed slightly, having difficulty sitting up.

"You might as well take a nap." the yellow pegasus suggested. "I can wake you up when the storm ends."

"Thanks, Fluttershy. I need to lie down a little. This is the longest I've walked since....since when we first grabbed the Elements of Harmony from Celestia and Luna's old castle and got lost I think. I'm exhausted."

Twilight rolled over into the darkness of the cave and began to doze off. She glanced at Fluttershy, who was staring out into the rain. This environment was exactly the kind of thing Fluttershy loved, Twilight observed. The yellow mare seemed to happy and peaceful as she stared out into the vast forest, fascinated by all its wonders and dangers, as the quiet tinkling of the rain filled the cave with a quiet drone of ambient sound. Even though the Everfree Forest was one of the most deadly and dangerous environments, it was beautiful. It was untamed wilderness that showed the real side of what nature was like. And the alicorn was happy that she had someone kind and knowledgeable about the environment here, keeping an eye on her as she slept.

It's full of charts and facts and figures

Hours passed in the Everfree as noon turned to evening with the rain finally showing the signs that soon it may be letting up. At first Fluttershy had been content to simply sit idly, listening to the babbling of the rain as it fell through the canopy, making small rivulets that flowed through the furrows in the tree bark. The calm of the forest soon turned mundane, and Fluttershy had found herself out in the downpour, collecting orchids and vanilla blooms and had set out to make flower garlands out of the collection. Gently she had placed one around Twilight's neck, being careful not to wake her slumbering partner. The pegasus quietly watched her friend sleep, feeling proud that she'd managed to keep Twilight safe on this trip. She had managed to bring someone with her into these mysterious woods and keep them safe. A feeling of fondness washed over the yellow mare. It was an odd emotion she had felt in Twilight's presence before. It was like affection but it felt needier. Stronger. And as she smiled at her friend's curled up form on the floor, the emotion only increased, becoming almost bothersome. Fluttershy shook her head to clear her thoughts and glanced out the hole of the tree. The rain hadn't stopped but it was slowing down. Plus it was getting late and they needed to get moving as quickly as possible if they wanted to be back at an even slightly reasonable time.

Fluttershy bent down and gently prodded Twilight in the shoulder with the tip of her snout.

"Twilight. It's time to get up. The rain is dying down."

With a snort and a sniffle the purple alicorn rolled over, experimentally flapping her wings and rising unsteadily to her feet with a yawn followed by another snort. Groggily she glanced around the room, trying to remember how she ended up inside this knothole in the first place.

"Oh good. I was wondering when we were going to get out of -" Twilight's breath caught in her throat as she glanced at Fluttershy.

The yellow mare was sitting on the mossy floor, her innocent turquoise eyes glimmering aquamarine in the shattered sunlight that pierced through the storm into the hole, boring right into Twilight with concern and urgency. Soft orange light was filtering in from the setting sun, making Fluttershy's yellow coat gleam with a golden hue offset by the cool blue tones of the inside of the knothole. A white garland of flowers was about her neck, with more flowers and bits of moss dotting her hair. For many ponies this would have made them look dirty, like savages living in the woods. But for Fluttershy it was the opposite, she looked radiant. She truly belonged here, amongst the trees and natural wilderness. Almost heavenly, as her large eyes blinked in confusion at her friend's sudden silence.

"What?" Fluttershy whispered, looking down at herself, feeling self-conscious.

"N...nothing." Twilight coughed out as she felt her wings attempt to unfurl, and fought back immediately, clasping them tightly against her sides. "You just....you look.....you remind me of a fawn, with all that stuff in your hair. You know the deer at White Tail Wood have such a deep connection with the forest. That's all."

Twilight grinned and peered outside the hole in the tree, gasping in shock at the landscape stretched out before her. Every tree, every bush, every plant was covered in small white tendrils. Mere centimeters long that swayed delicately in the rain. Some receded into the surfaces they sat on, while more extended seemingly out of nowhere to join the rest. They clustered in groups all over the forest. Like white tiny veins, the tendrils ran along everything in sight, stopping at the forest floor, almost appearing like a strange unnatural snow that refused to touch the ground. Tiny white spores occasionally flecked out of these, taking to the air and mixing with the light rain that sparkled as the rays of the sun caught it. It a shocking change for the normally dark and very frightening Everfree Forest.

"Fluttershy....." Twilight gawked, her pupils contracting as she stared around the forest in wonder. "What is this? What happened?"

"Oh the little white fungi? Well that always happens when it rains in the Everfree. Those are called 'Fairy Chanterelle' mushrooms. They hide inside the plants like a parasite. Then when it rains the chanterelle all emerge and try to soak up the rain and pollinate. They taste pretty good.....Twilight? What's wrong?"

"Ow." Twilight swayed slightly, rubbing her shoulder with a wince. Her wings had entirely unfurled, taking up a vast amount of the room inside the knothole. "My wings keep....extending and and my muscles keep contracting whenever I try to stop it."

Fluttershy blushed and swallowed, trying not to stare at her friends condition. She had a inkling as to what might be causing it but the implications of such a thing were so extreme. The uncontrollable wing fluttering. The cute moans and grunts that her friend uttered whenever it happened. It was all so obvious. But Twilight needed to know. She was part pegasus now and would be dealing with the instincts that their species had for the rest of her life. She had a right to know and even though it made Fluttershy uncomfortable to talk about, it had to be done. But not before Fluttershy tested her theory first, to make sure what she thought was happening was correct.

"Aren't the chanterelle just......transcendent, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked in as calm of a voice as she could.

Twilight whimpered a bit, flinching and biting her lip as she tried to nod in agreement and ignore the throbbing her wings had just experienced. Fluttershy's face went red as her theory was confirmed. How was she supposed to explain this to Twilight? It was like explaining puberty to an adult. An adult who happened to be a professor. And worse still, how was she supposed to explain WHY it was happening without making both of them feel embarrassed and awkward to the point where it might not only ruin the trip, but possibly their friendship as well. She dearly wished she didn't need to do this but, she had to. She needed to be brave. Like her friend Rainbow Dash. Dash would never run from something like this. She would take it head-on.

'Brave like Dash. Brave like Dash.' Fluttershy thought to herself as she took a big breath and steadied herself.

"Twilight."

"Yeah, Fluttershy?"

"I know why your wings are...uh....acting up."

"Yeah you explained all that already. Something about some of my new muscles not being fully formed yet for all the stress I put them through or whatever. Paddle-eel muscles or something similar to that."

"Actually the word I used was patagialis." Fluttershy corrected quietly, blushing again as she noticed Twilight's wings spasm at the word. "And your muscles aren't the problem it's actually um....uh....well....."

"Well?" Twilight asked annoyed. "What's causing this?"

"Um.....you see Twilight....pegasi and other winged ponies use our wings for um....not just flight but for expressing ourselves. Long ago before ponies could talk.....pegasi would use their feathers....to show off...and look for mates. Like peacocks and cardinals and other colorful bird types."

"Okay....." Twilight raised an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Well." Fluttershy hid behind her mane, only her eye visible as she looked down at the floor. "Pegasus wings are very sensitive to emotions and....and....sometimes they move involuntarily when something....um....excites us."

Twilight's eyes widened, fear beginning to set in. "Wait you mean to tell me, that this weird wing movement....is happening because I'm feeling.....feeling...."

"Amorous." Fluttershy squeaked out, as Twilight's wings fidgeted again.

Twilight Sparkle went pale, her pupils contracting to small specks as this information sank in. She trembled, her eyes filling with tears as a look of horror passed across her petite features.

"Oh my gosh. Oh...my....gosh." Twilight's face was soon moist with tears as her cheeks went red. "I'm...I'm so sorry Fluttershy. I didn't know...that's just so disrespectful of me to do to you and I didn't know and I just..."

Twilight kicked up a cloud of dust as she scrambled to exit the knothole while Fluttershy continued to stare at the floor, unable to look at her friend. With a clumsy flap Twilight landed on the forest floor, covering her face with her hooves, trying to shut out the sun and the noise as the rain pattered down around her. She couldn't believe it. This was the most shocking and embarrassing thing she'd ever experienced. Such an intimate and strange body function and not only had it been happening where her friends could see, but Fluttershy was the one causing it. How has she not seen this before? It had started happening when she'd first noticed Fluttershy was an expert in natural science. And had only gotten worse from there. Why hadn't she noticed the trend? Why did she agree to come on this trip without getting her condition checked out first? Now Twilight knew she was getting all hot and bothered over one of her friends and now her trip, no her entire life, was ruined.

Fluttershy slowly crept out from the hole, too frightened to use her wings in the storm as she slowly slid down the bark of the tree, the myriad of tiny white fungi receding into the surface so as not to get squished by her hooves. With a quiet 'pomf' she had reached the base of the tree, her mind swimming. She knew Twilight would be embarrassed. Humiliated, even. But now her friend, one of the few ponies in the world who had ever had faith in her, who had believed in her when nobody else did, was crying. And crying very loudly only a couple of meters away. And even though Fluttershy knew there was no other way she could have explained the situation to Twilight, she still felt like this was all her fault. She had made Twilight this way. She had caused this. And now she had to fix it. With tiny soft hoofsteps, Flutttershy crept across the forest floor, making no sound. Cautiously she sat down on her haunches next to her friend, extending one of her small pale yellow wings and draping it around Twilight's shoulders, pulling the weeping alicorn in for what she hoped was a comforting hug. She frowned as Twilight cringed and leaned away from the hug.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry Fluttershy." Twilight choked out between tears. "I've ruined our hike."

"It....it's fine, Twilight." Fluttershy mumbled. "It's just nature. And instincts. It's part of being a pegasus. I mean....I've caused Rainbow to do it in public once or twice."

"You have?" Twilight brought her hooves down, her violet eyes that Fluttershy had always admired, now pink, puffy, and bloodshot as the tears cascaded down her face, leaving dark streaks in her coat.

"Yes. It just...happens by accident sometimes. Pinkie causes Rainbow to do it all the time, actually. She's just really good at hiding it by flying around. But I know better." Fluttershy grinned wryly, hoping her humorous observation would brighten Twilight's mood.

"But this wasn't an accident, Fluttershy! Hearing you talk about nature was causing me to react like this. And you had to sit there watching it happen and knowing what it was and having to endure me acting like some dirty hormonal teenager. It's so offensive and I cant...I just cant." Twilight covered her face again, fresh tears springing anew. "I should have trusted my cognitive dissonance. First I'm running away from my duties as princess and now I'm getting attracted to one of my friends just because of the way she talks? Like some sort of weirdo! That's not normal! What's wrong with me? Why can't I do anything right? I can't even go on a stupid expedition in a stupid forest without disaster happening!"

Fluttershy cringed and hid behind her hair. This was worse than she had thought. Twilight wasn't just humiliated. Her friend was stressed out and miserable. So much had happened in such a short amount of time for the Elements of Harmony. And while Celestia tried to assure them all that their duties as Elements hadn't changed, they'd forgotten what a toll it had taken on Twilight, who had been the centerpiece of the event. Fluttershy thought as hard as she could, settling on one conclusion. She needed to be honest with Twilight. Explain why she wanted to go on this trip in the first place. Make her motives clear and hope that it didn't destroy their friendship, especially now that they had grown so close.

"Please don't cry, Twilight." Fluttershy mumbled, her light voice scarcely above a whisper. "It's really ok. There's no need to be so upset, you know. I....I wasn't offended at all during this trip. Actually I....um...well....I...."

Twilight once again managed to cease her wailing for long enough to glance at Fluttershy, whose pale coat seemed to be turning paler by the second as she fidgeted. Fluttershy's eyes met with hers, causing the pegasus to have a very hard time continuing. The way those sad violet eyes bore into her, full of despair and hope all at once.

"....I was....really f...f-f-flattered actually." Fluttershy's voice stammered and wavered as her will left her in an instant.

Twilight wiped her eyes, frowning as she turned to look down at the ground in shame, her indigo bangs hiding her face from view as Fluttershy desperately tried to summon up courage.

"You don't need to lie to make me feel better, Fluttershy." Twilight rasped, her throat now sore from the grieving.

"I...I'm not. You know...m-me. I'm not good with lying. I really w-was...flattered. You....you're one of the first p-ponies...who ever felt anything for me....about what I had to say and knew....and not how I looked. No pony has ever liked me...for that before. But y-you....of all ponies did. I mean.......you're one of the prettiest, most intelligent, bravest ponies in Equestria. And...and..and you've been such a g-good friend to me. And....and...it's nice to think that...you thought I was special and....."

Again Fluttershy fell silent as her nerves went into overdrive. But she couldn't stop now. Not when she'd gotten this far. Not when she'd gotten this close. This close to getting her thoughts out in the open. 'I need to brave like Dash' she thought. It soon became a chant in her head, spurring her to go onward.

"....I-I-I-I mean....who...who wouldn't b-be f-f-flattered to have.....T-t-t-wilight S-s-s-p-p-parkle.....th-th-think that way about....th-th-them. Y-y-you....uh...uh...are just s-s-s-so..uh..and....."

Brave like Dash. Brave like Dash. Brave like Dash. Brave like Dash. Fluttershy took a deep breath, surging up every ounce of strength and energy she could. Her muscles were locking up, refusing to let her continue as anxiety coursed through the mare. But she had to do this, she had to. And slowly and gently as she could, Fluttershy leaned forward off her haunches. Her lips parted and delicately she put her mouth around the tip of Twilight's ear, closing gently around the velvety fuzz and giving it the softest most affectionate nibble she was capable of. As she drew back feeling mortified, she wondered if she'd been TOO gentle and if Twilight had even felt it. Part of her hoped Twilight hadn't. It was such a simple intimate gesture but it meant so much. A few harrowing moments passed as Fluttershy tried to control her heart rate. Almost instantly, the sounds of crying and sniffling stopped and Twilight raised her head, a look of hope and wonder on her face, her tears having come to an end as she flicked the ear that her friend had touched, her cheeks turning a rosy pink.

For a few minutes the two just sat in the silence, the rain reducing to a low drizzle as the storm passed. The white fungi waving in the air, their spores seeming almost like magic as it trickled up into the canopy around the two mares who were simply staring at each other, their eyes locked together as they fought a war against their nerves. One with a face stained with tears and the other with a face almost entirely lost to view behind her pendulous mane. Their hearts beating wildly, juiced up on emotions neither quite understood. And as quietly as the rain began to cease its gentle shower, a small smile grew on the faces on the two mares, their staring contest of anxiety becoming one of admiration, understanding passing between them. Feeling an inner peace for the first time since the trip began, Fluttershy was the first to break the silence.

"Anyway...um...I can make us dinner out of these chanterelle mushrooms if you want, Twilight. They're really good when they're prepared. That is of course if you, uh, want any..."

Twilight snorted with laughter and smiled, amazed at how graceful and generous her friend was even after all this drama. She wiped off the cold tears on her face with her hoof. Feeling warm and happy and calm for what seemed like the first time in an eternity.

"I'd love some."

****************************

A small bonfire was built, and a metal pot full of rainwater, orchids, slices of pear, and a generous helping of chanterelle mushrooms soon became a thick hearty stew that the two enjoyed, hungry after such an ordeal. After such dramatic admissions of feelings had occurred between them, neither was ready to strike up a conversation quite yet. So they sat in silence, eating quietly. But it was different than before, as they no longer felt the emotional stress and strain that had been leading up to this moment. Side by side they sat, leaning against each other, overjoyed at the physical contact, watching as the small bonfire soon became illumination as the sun started to set, the sky turning a dark cyan with hints of purple signifying that soon the stars would begin to weave their way across the dark sea of clouds.

Realizing they were losing daylight, the two packed their bags and trotted off into the forest. The rain had finally stopped, and with its absence, so too went the small white vein-like fungus that covered the forest vegetation and floor. It was interesting how cheery the fungus has made the atmosphere. But the two were reminded once again that they were in Everfree Forest as soon as it was gone. The trees returned to their dark green and mottled purple states, their twisted branches wrapping across the sky. The amount of bush, vines, brambles, and other plants that had to be climbed over, avoided, and at times cut down was evident. The rain had made the dry ground of the forest into a thin layer of mud, slick and unforgiving and often threatening to make the two ponies trip as they made their way deeper into the forest. The air grew chilly and the wind picked up, carrying the sounds of the forest through the trees, making the eerily quiet day transform into a din of nocturnal noise in the evening.

A shrill reverberating howl split the air, echoing across the woodland expanse, causing Twilight to stop in her tracks. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she whisked her head around, a small ball of energy growing on the tip of her horn, ready to fire at the first thing that made its way toward them.

"Are there timberwolves in this forest?" Twilight whispered as she continued glancing through the trees, trying to catch any signs of movement.

"Yes." Fluttershy calmly nodded. "But they're far away. At least a mile away....I think. Going by the echo. Plus I've kinda managed to make friends with them."

"You've made FRIENDS with timberwolves?" Twilight was dumbstruck. "How?"

"Well....the ones in this part of the forest are different from the ones north of Sweet Apple Acres. They're much smaller and smarter and grassier. I've talked to them."

Twilight's jaw dropped. "How on earth did you even get on speaking terms?"

"It was pretty easy. I didn't hurt them, and I told them I wasn't dangerous and so....they don't hurt me. They visit me sometimes. OH! Please don't tell Applejack, Twilight!" Fluttershy looked over in panic. "You know much she despises them. She'd be so upset if she knew I'd made friends with a few of them."

"Your secret is safe with me." Twilight smiled, shaking her head in disbelief.

It wasn't the first time Fluttershy had managed to tame a savage beast through pacifism. Dragons, manticores, basilisks, cockatrice, golems, serpents, kelpies...even the God of Chaos himself, the nefarious Discord, all had fallen under the hypnotic spell that the shy pegasus seemed to evoke with her gentle acts of kindness. Twilight smiled as she noted she too, was now finding herself enchanted in a similar way.

Onward they went, the trees placements becoming less uniform, soon grouping up in clusters as if trying to strangle the very lives from each other. Dull grey web-like wisps, like bits of string, dangled from the branches and almost reaching the surface at times, sparkling in a strange red shade when the light caught them at a specific angle. Fluttershy made sure she and Twilight avoided contact with these. She didn't know what they were, if they were a plant or the leavings of some massive insect, but she did know from past experience that they burned the skin and left one feeling drowsy for hours. The warm fog from the earlier storm was rudely replaced by a cold wind that blew through the trees, their dead leaves cascading down through the dark atmosphere. The ground remained damp but as they traveled was soon fragmented by shale and large limestone boulders that split the earth and trees, black lichens growing across their surfaces.

As they passed by the clusters of boulders, Twilight noted that in some spots small trickles of pebbles and soil seemed to be floating, lifting off the forest floor and hanging in midair as if by a string. But there was nothing there to support them. Fluttershy avoided these by several feet and Twilight followed suit. The physics-defying stones grew larger and other strange phenomenon began to join them. Dry cracks in the soil where the rain water had formed into perfect spheres that slowly bobbed and weaved in the air, occasionally bouncing into each other and connecting, forming larger spheres. Strange circles that hovered in the air, some small others massive, rimmed with an eerie light. They sat silently, with small balls of soil in their centers. Twilight noted that Fluttershy stayed even further from these than the other phenomena, but on another note these floating circles of light were also warping shadows of the rocks and trees near them. Even her own shadow was being pulled across the ground as she went by, as if being sucked in by some invisible vacuum cleaner.

"What are these things?" Twilight whispered.

"I'm not sure, honestly. They always come out during the rain. The animals in the forest call them ghost holes." Fluttershy nudged Twilight in the shoulder with her snout. "We should hurry. We're getting close to the flower."

"Yeah but this....these things. I've never seen such a strange spectacle. It's like these holes are bending the light around them. What happens if we get too close?"

"Please don't, Twilight." Fluttershy begged. "Bad things happen."

As if on cue, there was a quiet fluttering of wings from the branches above. Now that night was falling, one of the many bright white moths that slept under the leaves of the trees had taken flight, a flash of bright color against the dark treeline. The two ponies watched as it fluttered about, hungry and eagerly floating down to the ground. But it grew too close to one of the smaller hovering circles. Twilight held her breath, feeling a small sense of fright as the moth drew near. One of it's fuzzy antennae was grabbed first. If moth's were capable of feeling mortal terror, this one certainly did, uttering a high pitched squeak of fear as its head impacted with its chest. It's body cruelly bent, unable to fight against the forces inside the ghost hole, as it bent into a fetal position. The wings crumpled, and with a bloodless crunch the body began to implode as it headed toward the center of the orb. Within moments it was but a mere speck, floating with the other specks Twilight had assumed was dirt.

"This is why I don't like to come out here after it's been raining. Let's go. Please!" Fluttershy squeaked, nudging Twilight's side again, far more roughly this time.

The two scuttled quickly from the scene of the accident, returning to darting through the trees. What had become a frightening experience in the first place, running through a cold forest at night, had a whole new meaning now as it truly dawned on Twilight what sort of supernatural terrors lurked in this place. This wasn't just an expedition or some mere hike. This was a test of survival. And of all the unlikely partners she could have had on such a trip, it was the quiet and passive pegasus who spent most of her time petting baby bunnies and caring for sick animals. Once again Twilight was impressed that Fluttershy would ever dream of entering a hostile environment such as this, but now she felt a small pang of guilt.

"Hey Fluttershy?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't be offended or anything but....you are the last pony I would ever expect to come into a forest this dangerous and scary. I don't even think Luna would like this place. How did you even get in here in the first place? Curiosity?"

"Well....one day one of my foxes bit Angel on his foot. He was trying to steal it's kibble and it nipped him on his toe. He was so little back then....and so was I. I didn't even have my cottage then. Angel ran away frightened and I followed him into the forest. We got lost and were stuck in there for three days."

"That's terrible." Twilight gave her friend a sympathetic look.

"What was really terrible was realizing nobody in town had noticed I was gone when I had gotten back. Dash hadn't moved out of Cloudsdale yet so I was all on my own. And I realized I was really alone when nobody came to check up on me. But I had seen so many interesting things in the forest. So many new animals and bugs and birds and flowers. I had to come back."

"Is that when you decided you wanted to put your house near the Everfree?"

"Well.... it was some time after that, actually. When I had finally met Applejack and Rarity and had enough money to start making my own house. I had too many animals to worry about to stay in my apartment by then."

Twilight smiled at this, but the warmth of the memory was splintered with the icy meaning of Fluttershy acknowledging that nobody had looked for her. However long ago this had been, Fluttershy had been all by herself. A skittish recluse with a strange talent to talk to animals, ignored by society. It was no wonder the shy mare was willing to go to such great lengths to protect her friends, despite finding the world such a frightening place. They were all she really had.

"Fluttershy...."

"Yes?"

"I uhh....wanna apologize for earlier. My little outburst. I shouldn't have gone all to pieces on you like that and delayed our trip and just....I had a bit of a panic attack and everything just sort of came out at once."

"It's ok." Fluttershy leaned over, rubbing her cheek softly on Twilight's neck. "It's not good to hold in all that stress."

"The last place I should have been having a nervous breakdown is out in the Everfree Forest."

"I think me and the others are getting used to seeing you have little nervous breakdowns, Twilight." Fluttershy said with a small grin.

The two ponies giggled, their laughter echoing across the forest. As it fell silent, Twilight decided it was time to ask another important question, feeling her throat go very dry.

"Are we um....going to discuss about our little....moment?" Twilight blushed and coughed awkwardly. "That we had back there? I mean I guess we don't have to but...."

"If you want to." Fluttershy's voice grew quieter, which was incredible since it was already about as quiet as a voice could be.

Twilight didn't respond. The moment she'd even thought of approaching the subject she had felt that queasy feeling that let her know her nerd glands were firing up and she was going to make the situation awkward. She tried to steady her breathing and heartbeat, deciding to hastily change the subject.

"Also I'm sorry I didn't save that moth."

Fluttershy said nothing, continuing to look ahead, her face obscured by her mane.

"That was probably really upsetting. I know you have a fondness for butterflies and I could have saved it. It would have taken no effort on my part to save it. But I wanted to see...you know? See what would happen. I could have pulled it away but I let it suffer instead just because I was curious. I do that sometimes. I let things get worse than they should just to see the outcome. It's a part of myself that always.....worries me."

"So....are we not going to discuss our moment after all?" Fluttershy cast a sidelong glance at her friend.

"I'm not sure what to do now."

"I'm not sure either, Twilight. I care about you. So much. But things are really different now. You're famous and Equestria is watching your every move. I can't begin to imagine just.....how scary that is. I'd probably hide in my house and never come out. But I know that now you have a public image you want others to see and.....if you'd rather ignore this ever happened....pretend everything is still...um...normal between us....normal for a princess.....I'd be ok."

Fluttershy felt something cool and wet press against the side of her face. She glanced over to her side, seeing nothing but the large violet eyes she had grown to love. She let out a soft meep of panic as she realized Twilight was giving her a kiss on the cheek. This was followed up by one of Twilight's large regal wings wrapping around Fluttershy's body, drawing the two of them closer together as they walked and stumbled through the woods. Fluttershy's face went pink as her mane as Twilight shook her head in disbelief at her friend's selflessness.

"You're going to give me cavities if you keep being so sweet."

Fluttershy snorted with laughter. "Oh my goodness. Twilight was that...were you trying to flirt with me?"

"Yeah I guess. I overheard Spike use that line once."

"That's a terrible line, if you don't mind me saying." Fluttershy giggled.

It was a cheesy line but it got the reaction Twilight had wanted, the awkward silence was broken by their howls of laughter as they nuzzled each other and continued on their quest.

"Sorry. That's the first time I've ever flirted with anyone." Twilight whispered. "Apologies if I'm not too great at it. I have a lack of experience."

"That's the first time I've ever enjoyed having someone flirt with me." Fluttershy responded as she leaned against her friend. "But we can't keep doing this."

Twilight's face fell. "Why not?"

"Because we're here."

The cool indigo of the moon pierced through the leafy ceiling of the woods, bathing the trees in blue and amber light. The clearing was illuminated, all its secrets exposed in the darkness, and there it was. Only a few paces away, a quiet ethereal glow gleaming off its striped petals. Their prize, their macguffin, their trophy. The flower they had come on this exhausting trip to see in the first place. It was truly beautiful, even now after the thunderstorm earlier that day had battered it into a slumped position, still dripping from the earlier downpour, making small circular ripples in the mud puddles surrounding it.

"It's beautiful." Twilight whispered as she cautiously crept up to the plant, trying not to disturb it. "This is an incredible specimen."

"I always feel better when I visit. It's very comforting." Fluttershy laid down on her belly opposite Twilight, gently blowing some of the dirt from the top of the bloom. "I wish it was in a safer spot."

"Yeah it seems pretty banged up." Twilight attempted to straighten up the squished flower, but it flopped over defiantly. "I'm surprised it's even been able to survive as long in this environment. I'm even more surprised it hasn't been eaten by anything."

"That's why I think it might have magic in it. None of the forest creatures want to go near it." Fluttershy nodded to her left, Twilight followed her gaze and noticed a small black flying serpent was fluttering towards them. As soon as it hit the edge of moonlight in the glade, it quickly turned away and flew off.

"Yeah.....there's magic here." Twilight whispered as she looked around the quiet clearing. "Very ancient magic. I wonder who or what could have caused this. I can almost hear the energy passing through the ground into this plant. Although I can't tell if it's absorbing energy through its roots or just...drinking rain water. It might just be thirsty. Still, I can sense there's something magical about it. Something old but powerful."

"Discord said something about how....he thinks Celestia created these flowers. For some reason."

"And you believed him?" Twilight tried to suppress a scowl.

"Yes." Fluttershy responded with a small pout. "He wouldn't lie. Not to me. But he wasn't sure, himself. It was something he couldn't remember very well."

"Well if Celestia had something to do with it, I guess that's all the more reason for me to study it."

With the artful style of a pony who was an expert in magic, Twilight surrounded the flower by a large hovering mason jar and 4 thin sheets of magical light, hardened into makeshift spades which sank gently in the earth. Slowly they adjusted, moving to and fro, taking care not to sever even the tiniest roots. As soon she felt comfortable that the dirt that had enclosed all the roots was separated, she muttered a small incantation to herself. The four sheets of light slowly came together and rose from the ground, bringing the plant along and settling it into the mason jar. Somewhere in the hole that was left behind sat a very confused earthworm who would swear on his life he had just been visited by aliens.

"Perfect!" Twilight glanced behind herself into the night. "And now....we get to bring this flower all the way back home."

The purple unicorn wobbled unsteadily as she strapped the jarred flower to her rucksack, being careful to ensure it couldn't tip or suffocate the specimen. She fought to bite back a yawn, which hadn't gone unnoticed by her partner.

"Twilight you look exhausted. Maybe we should camp out overnight. We could try to jog back in the morning."

"What about your animals, Fluttershy?"

"Angel knows what to do if I'm way too late getting home. He's very reliable." Fluttershy winked. "In a fickle sort of way. I'll just have to apologize and make him something extra special to eat for being a good helper."

"Well...in that case I'm going to get some sleep. Maybe we can try flying back tomorrow. If you don't mind flying with an aerial novice that is."

"I don't mind flying as long as I have company."

The brisk night air picked up again, sending soggy dead leaves into the air and overhead in the glade. Now that the sun had been gone for some time, the temperature was starting to drop rapidly. Neither pony had expected they'd be out in the woods this late at night. Twilight shivered and glanced over at Fluttershy, who had a small charcoal pencil clasped in her teeth, scribbling on the pages of a small worn book that lay open on the ground in front of her.

"Documenting our progress?" Twilight asked groggily.

"Sort of. I always try to fill out a page in my diary whenever I come into the forest."

"It's very chilly out here. Does it always get THIS cold out in the Everfree?"

"I assume so. I try not to come out here this late ever. I think the last time was when Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo chased one of my chickens out into the woods."

"Was that the same night I got turned into a statue?"

"Mmm Hmm!"

Now satisfied with her entry for the day, the yellow pegasus shut her book and gently placed it into her back pack.

"Being a lawn ornament wasn't exactly what I'd call fun. I can see why Discord hated being turned to stone all those years." Twilight sneezed loudly. "Wow it's cold out here. I wish I'd brought a blanket. Or a tent."

Finally annoyed by the temperature, the two ponies threw as many dry twigs, logs and leaves into a pile and started a shoddy campfire. It didn't remove the biting cold but it did warm the breeze that flowed through the clearing. An idea entered Twilight's head. It was a daring and nerve-wracking idea but it was an attractive one all the same. It'd already been such a stressful day. And such an eye-opening one as well. What had begun as a normal day had been an emotional rollercoaster of tears, embarrassing biological enlightenment, and even light flirting. It was all so strange and new. And difficult to process, even for a well-educated pony such as herself.

"FluttershyIthinkweshouldhuddleupforwarmth." Twilight blurted, immediately swearing silently in her mind that she lacked the ability to not be awkward during times like this. Why Twilight? Why are you so bad at this.

"Oh.....ok." Fluttershy rose to her hooves, trying not to look Twilight in the eye as she lay down next to her friend, feeling the warmth as their two bodies pressed against each other, a warm and inviting tingle spreading over their bodies.

"Are you uncomfortable? You're shivering a bit." Twilight asked, ready to get up and move in case Fluttershy wanted privacy.

"You're shivering too." Fluttershy nuzzled her snout into Twilight's neck, trying not to snort with laughter as Twilight's wings unfurled on their own. "Good night."

"Good night, Fluttershy. Wake me up if you're up first. I don't want to delay you from getting back to your cottage and your animals."

She realized her words had fallen on deaf ears, as the quiet mare who was cuddled up to her side had drifted off to sleep, her gentle snores sounding like small bumblebees. A nervous sigh escaped the studious alicorn's lips as she lay her head against her friend, the smell of honey and firewood leading her into a quiet slumber as well.

A tourist in a dream

The sun and temperature both rose at the same time, pleasuring everything across the landscape. The nocturnal beasts of the night turned in, blowing out their candles and lanterns, pulling up the blankets and ready for sleep. Everything else began to stir, stretching, blossoming, awakening, and ready to begin the day. And what a perfectly beautiful day it was. The rays of the sun came down in white, yellow, amber, and even green. The birds usual chirping was elevated to a fully orchestrated musical number, complete with synchronized flying and a dance. To anyone who had not visited Equestria before, it would all feel like something out of a cartoon. Which was a silly notion. Of course all this glee was lost entirely upon the Everfree Forest. The chilly winds may have left with the rising of the sun, but the atmosphere was still damp and oppressive. Like a wet nun. In a small patch of forest that was able to experience the rays of the sun lay two ponies and a flower in a glass pickle jar. A more unlikely trio of sleepers the forest had never seen.

Twilight awoke with the sun, as she always had ever since she had begun her tutelage under the sun herself, Princess Celestia. Whether it was by mere routine or through the special magical connection Twilight shared with her mentor, she had always found herself waking the moment the first bright spot of yellow showed itself on the horizon. On most days (which for someone as scheduled as Twilight meant every day) she awoke, made herself a cup of Cafe de Olla coffee in one of her enchanted porcelain bowls, and then set out making a schedule of things she needed to get done that day. This morning was different. As her eyes fluttered open and her vision began to slowly unblur she found herself staring at a peculiar sight. The sleeping face of Fluttershy. As her nervous system began to follow her eyes example, Twilight soon realized she and Fluttershy were lying on the dirt floor of the forest, wrapped in each others forelegs, with Fluttershy's frail hind legs clung tightly around Twilight's belly. Memories of the previous day slowly peaked back into Twilight's mind. The embarrassment, the tears, the bite, the flirting, the kiss, her eyes widened as the real impact of all this reared its head. Polite and innocent as these gestures had all been, they meant so much to her. She smiled and tightened her grip on her friend, closing her eyes. For the first time in a very long time, she decided that there was no point in worrying about her schedule, especially out here in the middle of nowhere, and she would sleep late instead.

Sleep is a funny thing, time passes by so quickly. It felt like her eyes had only been shut for a few moments, but in reality Twilight was awakened hours later by a prod to her shoulder.

"C'mon wake up. I'm taking you guys home." a hoarse, cheerful and familiar voice called.

Twilight struggled to turn over, seeing a silouhuette against the noon sun above her. As her vision focused she could make out a toned body and mischievous face, barely hidden behind bright prismatic bangs.

"Hey Rainbow. What time is it?" Twilight coughed out as she yawned.

"It's uh...about 12:30 I guess. You guys have been out here more than a day now. Spike's been worried sick, as have a few others back in town."

Twilight's face turned pink as she realized she was still clutching Fluttershy to her chest like a teddy bear. She sat up quickly and began to gather her things, trying to hide her embarrassment as she prepared to leave.

"It must have been freezing out here if you two were cuddled up like that." Rainbow mumbled as she prodded Fluttershy. "I hate flying over this part of the forest. There's weird flying sting rays and crap. C'mon Fluttershy wake up already!"

Twilight glanced over on the far end of the clearing to see there were several other pegasi awaiting. Some were chatting while others were casting a suspicious eye at the surrounding eerie forest. A folded up piece of cloth lay in front of them. What was that for? Twilight turned to see that Fluttershy was trying to hug Dash in her sleep.

"Tw.....iiiiiliiibfffdfdfff." Fluttershy burbled, nearly pulling Dash onto the ground.

"Dangit Shy, wake up already! I don't have time for this!" Dash yelled, suplexing Fluttershy which immediately woke the yellow pegasus up, albeit very rudely.

They collected their things and moved over to the crowd awaiting them. The tarp was unfolded, with small tethers tied around the waists of the other pegasi. Fluttershy and Twilight sat in the center of the cloth as it was hoisted into the air by the others and they were carried quickly away from the small glade in the woods, their adventure there now over. A sense of regret filled both ponies. Snuggling together under the moon had been such a joyful experience. It wasn't as if they didn't hug regularly. Hugging was just a thing ponies did alot. For some it was almost a job. But now that the two of them had a vague awareness that their friendly relationship was changing to something a bit stronger, the snuggling had felt so much more powerful. So much more special. Every time she would glance at Fluttershy, their eyes would meet and they'd grin sheepishly and go back to seeming disinterested.

"Is that little speck over there the town, Dash?" Twilight asked, squinting her eyes.

"Yep. I'm not sure how you guys managed to take more than a whole day to get this far."

"To be fair, Dash." piped up a lilac pegasus with a bright white spiky mane named Cloud Chaser, "The forest is full of all sorts of weird stuff. Maybe they got slowed down by something."

"They probably got slowed down by Fluttershy." quipped Dash, giving her old friend a critical glance. It was true though, Fluttershy's cautious way of avoiding danger usually meant she caused any journeys to take much longer than they needed to.

"Actually Fluttershy was an excellent tracker and navigator." Twilight curtly responded, coming to Fluttershy's defense. "The delay in our return is mostly because I wanted to collect samples of the plant life and soil. On top of that I wasn't really physically prepared for such a long hike and had to rest quite a few times."

"Tracker? Navigator?" Dash asked, looking confused.

"Yes! Fluttershy did an excellent job teaching me about the dangers of the woods and helping me avoid quite a lot of the natural and unnatural phenomena. I'd probably be dead if not for her."

"Oh....what I do is nothing special." Fluttershy whispered as her cheeks went red, hiding behind her mane. "I'm not really that good."

"Nonsense!" Twilight responded, feeling giddy that her compliments had caused this reaction. "You were amazing, Fluttershy. You should have seen her, Dash. She was like a quiet polite Daring Do."

"That so?" Dash flashed them both a cocky smile. "Well I'm pretty impressed then, Shy. Good work all around. Did you two find what you were looking for? Fluttershy mentioned some sort of flower or something."

"Yes, we already got it!"

"Hey, I don't mean to interrupt..." asked a green pegasus with pink bangs named Merry May, "but uh....why are we carrying these two? They both have wings. I mean...I know the purple one is royalty but this still seems a bit unnecessary."

"Oh that." Dash rolled her eyes a bit. "Fluttershy isn't exactly the speediest thing in the sky. And Twilight isn't the most graceful. This is the fastest way of getting them home, believe me. Plus after spending a whole day in the deadly woods of the Everfree, I doubt either of these two feel like flying, right?"

Two polite nods answered her question.

"Actually...as long as I'm here." Dash's voice went down in pitch and octave, signalling that she was about to change to a more serious subject. "I actually need to thank you, Shy."

"Oh?" Fluttershy poked her snout out from under her hair. "Why are you thanking me?"

"I wanted to thank you for your advice on dealing with Scootaloo's nightmare problem."

"What happened?" Fluttershy's eyes grew wide as she grinned. Helping Dash be less of a jerk always made her feel proud.

"Well...uh...I woke up and she was crying and stuff. So you know I like...held her and had her tell me what her dream was about. Something dumb like giant frogs eating her or something. And after that I took her downstairs and hoof-fed her some ice cream and then she...uh...fell asleep." Dash swallowed, her eyes glassing over a bit.

"You fed her by hoof?" Fluttershy asked, trying not to squeal with glee.

"Yeah....you know the whole....'here comes the airplane'...thing. She fell asleep in my arms and I just sat there watchin' her and...I mean eventually I fell asleep too, but....I think I understand now, Shy. I get why you like caring for youngsters and little animals so much."

Fluttershy nodded, her smile growing.

"It....I dunno it hurt I guess." Dash continued, her voice growing a bit shaky. "But it hurts in a good way. To have that little filly sleeping against my shoulder. Like she knew she was safe with me. It made me feel...special I guess. I was scared at first but...you were right Fluttershy. It felt really good to do that. So thanks."

"That's pretty lame, boss." Cloud Chaser said with a cheeky grin.

"You know what else is lame!?" Dash shot back. "Cleaning out the latrines back at camp. Guess who gets to do it now?"

Cloud Chaser's grin was wiped off her face so quickly that it managed to almost give her whiplash.

******************

Not long after found the two tired adventurers back in their home town. They thanked their rescuers for their transportation and soon found themselves wandering back in the direction they came. Not to re-enter the forest. There was really no time for that again. Not anytime soon. But Twilight simply felt that after all the kindnesses Fluttershy had given, that walking her friend home was the least she could do. Fluttershy was simply happy to have the company. While she was relieved to be home again and able to care for her beasts, she couldn't shake the fact that she was going to feel a bit lonely once the bookish purple alicorn had returned home, leaving Fluttershy alone again. In silence the two trotted to the mossy cottage, it would be suppertime soon. Fluttershy needed to tend to her animals and Twilight needed to tend to Spike. With a gentle push the door to Fluttershy's cottage creaked open and she began to enter. She turned to look at Twilight, noting the false smile on her friends face. Twilight had always been so transparent with her feelings. She knew that they were both feeling the same emotion. A modicum of regret that they would be separated, if but only for a little while.

"Thank you for walking me home, Twilight." Fluttershy mumbled, shuffling and cleaning some dirt from her hooves on the doormat. "I hope you find something interesting in the flower."

"You'll be the first pony to know if I do." Twilight spoke, though her voice lacked excitement.

They stood for a moment, not sure what to say. Twilight thought hard. It had been such an eventful two days. And now she felt such a strong connection to her friend. What could she say at this point? Goodbye? See you tomorrow? None of these responses seemed apt for the moment. Surprisingly, Fluttershy spoke up first.

"So, I guess everything goes back to normal, now." It was impossible to not hear the sad tone in the yellow pegasus voice.

"Yeah. I suppose it does." Twilight responded, sighing.

"Are we....should I just....not bring up anything that happened...in the forest?" Fluttershy asked, staring at the floor.

"I'm not sure."

Twilight swallowed. In her heart she knew what she wanted to say. She wanted to tell her friend how much she cared. How they should be open and honest with each other. How she'd love to spend more time with Fluttershy. Talking to her. Getting to know her friend even better. She'd learned so much from the shy mare, and she only wanted to learn more. Feel and touch more. Maybe even give her another quick kiss. But there was no confidence to spur her into action. No bravery to say what needed to be said.

Fluttershy thought long and hard as well. Her friend had been even more of a social outcast than Fluttershy had ever been. Spending all her time in a library, hidden from the world. Even if Twilight wanted to say something, anything, the poor mare probably wouldn't even know what to say. Fluttershy was no social butterfly, but out of the two of them she had slightly more experience when it came to manners and etiquette. But it would require courage. The same courage she had managed to summon when she had affectionately nibbled Twilight's ear in the forest. Once more she began to repeat her mantra in her head.

I need to be brave like Rainbow Dash. Brave like Dash. Brave like Dash. Brave like Dash. I can do this. Brave like Dash. Just ask her. Brave like Dash.

She glanced up to see that Twilight was turning to leave, a look of despondency on her face.

"Uh! Twilight wait!" Fluttershy called as loudly as she could, which for her was about as loud as a mouse farting.

"Yes?" Twilight asked, turning back, a look of hope and worry in her eyes.

"Would....um....well.....I'd like you to....visit me tomorrow." Fluttershy squeaked, her face going red. "We could have tea and......uh...I k-know a p-place where....we could enjoy the sun and t-talk....about m-magic or nature or anything you want, really....but if you...you're too busy...it's ok."

Twilight's eyes lit up.

"I'd love to, Fluttershy! I can tell you all my findings with this flower tomorrow and we can go over hypothesis and theories! Oh it'll be so much fun!"

And with that the purple alicorn galloped off, seeming very happy. She couldn't see the look of relief in the eyes of her pegasus friend, just as her friend could not see the look of panic that now was etched on Twilight's face. She was going to need some advice. This was something new and different and she wasn't prepared for this. Not in the slightest.

**********************

Fluttershy's mind was occupied by the animal tending for the next hour and a half. Angel and the rest of the animals were quite hungry due to having missed a meal thanks to her absence. Several hadn't even shown up, assuming that Fluttershy was lost in the woods or had gone on an impromptu vacation. A few of the raccoons had formed a search party and disappeared into the forest. Being raccoons they quickly grew bored and decided to invade the alleyways of Ponyville on the search for scraps. The rest of the creatures eagerly followed Fluttershy around the house helping her prepare their snacks and meals as she quietly whispered apologies to them. Outside of Angel, none of them were very cross with her. Small toasted bits of whole wheat bread with chunky peanut butter spread on top was given to the squirrels. Shrimp and nightcrawlers were tossed to the trouts living in the stream. The turtles received little bowls full of strawberries and beetle grubs. A sandwich of steamed tuna, cabbage, and broccoli was given to the grizzly bear, who seized Fluttershy in a rib-cracking hug. Cracked walnuts and smoked cheese was placed into the feeder for the raccoons, for whenever they got back from wherever it was they were. Diced honeydew melon and carrot seeds were given to the birds and finally a carrot and grape salad was given to the rabbits, including Angel who shot Fluttershy a very angry glance.

With the animals fed, Fluttershy got to work making herself a snack as well. She normally tried to eat healthy. She wasn't a very vain pony, but she did enjoy looking her best. However after such a long and stressful journey she believed she owed herself a treat. So some spinach chips were piled onto a saucepan and drizzled with a bit of honey. Chopped onions, sliced tomato, cilantro, and smoked sharp cheddar were layered handsomely on top of the chips, then covered in several dollops of Pinkie Pie's special custom hot sauce. Nobody knew what was in the sauce, but it was perfectly tangy and very very hot with an aftertaste of mango. A perfect kick for a plate of slightly-healthy nachos. She smiled as she watched the cheese melt and bubble as the pan sat on the stove. A perfect treat for an almost perfect day.

But the vigor of food preparation soon wore off and the realization of what she had done hit Fluttershy with the force of an asteroid, causing her to shake uncontrollably as her pupils contracted.

"Oh my sweet Celestia. I just asked Twilight out on a date didn't I? Oh no I did. Oh no. OH NO! OH NO!!!"

Her dainty hooves clicked loudly across the floorboards as she rushed into the living room, tripping and falling flat on her face. The sounds of eating stopped as all the animals turned to stare questioningly at their master as she rose unsteadily to a standing position.

"Okay everyone stay calm!" She spoke aloud, mostly to herself. "Everything is fine. It's just a get-together. We're just going to um....uh....whats the word? Hang out! Yes. WE are hanging out. It's not a date. I didn't ask Twilight out on a date."

The look of disbelief on the faces of all the staring animals spoke volumes.

"Who am I trying to fool?" Fluttershy sadly muttered as she sat on her haunches. "Oh Fluttershy, you blockhead. Now what am I supposed to do?"

Angel whipped out a small piece of parchment and grabbed a crayon from the box in the corner where he liked to scribble. He quickly drew an image, his face contorted in a look of concentration with his tongue poking out the side of his mouth. One it was done he held it up, giving it some self-criticism before folding it up and hopping up to his master. He laid it flat in front of her. It depicted a purple circle with 4 sticks for legs and a smaller purple circle above it with two dots for eyes. Some scribbles representing feathers jutted from its back. Opposite this purple creature was a yellow one of very similar design. The two ovals that represented their heads were pressed up against each other, with crudely drawn pink and green hearts firing off between the blobs that represented their mouths. Fluttershy's face went red as she realized what Angel was suggesting.

"Oh my goodness, Angel! I could never kiss Twilight...l-like that! On the m-mouth! How incredibly lewd that would be of me!"

A pungent smokey smell of cheese and oregano drifted past her nose a moment later.

"My spinach nachos!"

*************************

Twilight sighed as she pushed open the door to the Golden Oaks Library. She wasn't going to have any time to relax tomorrow and sort out all these strange new emotions in her brain. On the flight home she hoped that she might get a day or two to recuperate. Try to figure how an innocent trip into a scary forest had wound up with her flirting with Fluttershy. Try to figure out where these feelings of attraction had originated. Had they always been there? Just laying dormant waiting for her and her friend to be secluded and vulnerable before springing out like an awkward socially inept jack-in-the-box? She couldn't even be sure anymore. Never had she felt an emotion so powerful. Even the memory of it sent chills down to her hooves. How was she going to concentrate on studying this flower if these thoughts were nagging at her?

"Twilight!" gurgled a happy young voice. "You're home! You're ok!"

With his small claws scraping noisily across the bark floor, Spike ran as fast he could, tackling his caretaker and embracing her as he tried not to tear up.

"I was so scared, Twilight! I thought something had happened."

Twilight smiled and wrapped the tiny bundle of purple scales up in her wings, hugging him fiercely.

"Well something did happen, Spike. There was a big thunderstorm and then I got very...tired. I'm so sorry, Spike. Was everything alright? Were you able to get food?"

"Yeah I just warmed up some cans of beans and ate those. I gave that annoying owl some popcorn seeds. He seems to like them."

"I'm so proud of you! Taking care of Owloysius while I was stuck in the woods." Twilight nuzzled the baby dragon, hoisting him onto her back.

"Did you find the plant you were looking for?" Spike asked, his greedy claws already rummaging into Twilight's saddlebag.

"That I most certainly did!" Twilight chirped as she levitated the glass jar out of her bag, placing it gently on the table where she kept her magnifying glass and test tubes. "And I am very sure it has magical properties."

"What kind of magical properties?" Spike asked, pressing his nose right up against the glass.

"I'm not sure yet, Spike. That is why I need to research it. But now I'm not going to be able to concentrate and get anything done!"

"Why not?" Spike asked, squinting at the colorful plant in the jar.

"Well, I have a bit of a problem, Spike. Okay actually maybe I'm fibbing a little bit. It's actually a very large problem that I've been doing my very best to ignore. But the problem is simply far too large for that. And there's nothing I can do to really reduce it's size or make it less evident. And it's very distracting and annoying and it could possibly alter the very course of my life. And did I mention yet that it's a very big problem? Because it is." Twilight paced impatiently.

"And uh....." Spike raised his eyebrows, amused at Twilight's frustration. "What exactly IS the problem?"

"Ahaha...ha....oh yes that. The problem. Well, Spike....erm. I've been asked out...kinda."

"Asked out?"

"Asked out."

Spike grunted suspiciously. "Like....asked out on a date?"

"Yes. Well no. Well yes, no. It's complicated, Spike. There's many layers to this and I can't really get through them all and make sense of it."

"Right."

Twilight approached the table, freeing the flower from its prison and depositing it into a porcelain flowerpot, giving it a small trickle of water and beginning to extract various books she'd need for research from off the shelves. She piled these up, one after another, next to where the plant stood. Charts, protractors, beakers, hotplates, runes, amulets, and dozens of other trinkets used in the scientific and magical processes were soon joining the books on the table. Spike stared at Twilight as she frantically grabbed these things, his large eyes giving off an air of skepticism at Twilight's story.

"So...." he began, a small grin growing on his face. "What brave colt had the guts and grit to ask Princess Twilight the alicorn out on a date?"

"It wasn't a colt." Twilight mumbled, biting her tongue immediately. "And it doesn't matter who it was, Spike."

"Oh ho ho." Spike's grin blew up into a full wicked smile. "Well well well! So it was a girl, huh? And that's what got you all wound up? Well I mean it's not like you agreed to go on the date, right?"

"I practically encouraged it." Twilight groaned, drumming her forehead against the table in exasperation. "I'm so stupid. I was not ready for this sort of social interaction. I barely understand how friendship works. I can scarcely not look like a fool at any large public spectacles. I JUST got promoted. And now this."

"Wait.....wait....." Spike's smile faltered a bit. "You like....uh...mares?"

"No. Well....UGH...yes I guess I do. Maybe." Twilight growled, pacing around the room. "I don't know, Spike. I think I like one and I found out in the most embarrassing way possible which is what led to all this."

"So you just became a princess....as in....you need a prince and now you just realized you prefer...princesses." Spike was trying very hard not to laugh as Twilight's pacing became an angry trot around the library. "With the exception of Flash I guess."

"I don't PREFER them, Spike. I just prefer this one....well I don't even know if I do. I mean I kissed her...."

"YOU WHAT?!" Spike jumped, running forward to keep up with his master.

"It was just on the cheek, Spike." Twilight grumbled. "I'm not sure what came over me. I think my hormones must be out of control thanks to my recent transformation. It's the only logical explanation as to why I can't control myself. As for the royalty thing I'm not even sure what to do with that. If word got out a princess didn't want a prince...."

"Nobody would care." Spike quipped, very matter-of-factly as he grew tired of chasing Twilight and plopped down on the couch. "It's not like you'd be the first."

There was a loud sound like that of tires screeching as Twilight skidded to a stop in front of Spike, her face livid.

"What does that mean, Spike?"

The tiny dragon nonchalantly flipped over onto his back.

"Luna didn't have a prince. If you catch my drift."

"Those were just rumors, Spike." Twilight sighed loudly.

"Nah. It's true. From what I overheard when she and Celestia were talking, Luna had like....a harem. A very very long time ago. Celestia forbids having that many suitors now since it's kinda....dirty. But I don't think either of them would be too bothered if you told them you like girl ponies."

"Oh goodness." Twilight massaged her temples. "This is too much information far too quickly."

Spike hopped off the couch, giving his master a hug.

"You're worrying too much, Twilight. You should just relax. Do what you always do. Follow your lists and schedules and other things that keep you happy and calm. And don't worry about the date. It's a first date right? With a friend, even. Just treat it like you would any get together. It's nothing fancy. Fluttershy probably just wants you to spend some time with her. Maybe you'll even enjoy it."

"You're right, Spike." Twilight said with a sigh as the tensity in her body subsided. "I'm getting all worked up over something so insignificant. I'm being very silly. I'll just test this flower for magic, make us some dinner, and then get some sleep. Then I can worry about my date.....hey wait a second."

Twilight levitated the baby dragon in front of her face, studying him.

"How did you know it was Fluttershy who asked me, Spike?"

A cunning grin cut across his scaly face as he smugly folded his arms.

"Well it's kinda obvious. You spent almost two days alone with her. You had no interest in dates or dating before EVER. And I doubt that somehow on the trip back from wherever Rainbow and the others dropped you off that SOMEHOW you managed to get asked out and kiss a pony all at the same time between then and getting back home. I mean come on, Twi! I'm no great detective or anything, but it's kinda obvious what happened."

"What am I going to do?" Twilight whined, dropping Spike to the floor. "She invited me over to tea tomorrow. What am I supposed to do? Or say?"

"Twilight, Twilight, Twilight." Spike shook his head, happy to be the voice of reason. "This is Fluttershy. The nicest, kindest, pony in all of Ponyville. And a friend you've known for almost a year now. Just do what you always do. Ignore the fact it's a 'date' if it helps. It's not like you and her haven't had tea before right?"

Twilight's eyes lit up. "You're right, Spike. You're absolutely right. I'm getting myself all worked up over nothing. Fluttershy is probably at home relaxing and feeding her animals and not letting this bother her, while I'm here having a heart attack. I need to just calm down and treat our get-together like I would any other visit with a friend."

She picked up the small dragon and gave him another hug.

"Thank you, Spike. I don't know how I'd keep my life together without you around."

"That's what I'm here for, Twi." Spike said with a wink.

Versus curses in your eyes

Fluttershy generally didn't keep her life too well organized. She knew when the sun was coming up it was time for breakfast. When breakfast was over it was time to feed the early birds. After that it was time to tend to her garden and then the chicken coop. She would check eggs for signs of life. If they showed none she'd collect them. Sometimes if she had enough she'd sell them to Applejack or Pinkie Pie, who baked often. Eggs that showed life, and their mothers, would be moved to a second more secure coop where the eggs could be incubated and the chicks never separated from their parent. After this was done she'd fly up to the roof and make sure the bird feeders were full. With those early chores done, one of the two things would happen. If she was in need of groceries, she would head into town and shop at the various open markets, waiting patiently in line and chatting with townsfolk she knew, always as politely as she could. However if she wasn't in need of anything from the market, she would generally visit Rarity or Rainbow Dash. More often than not, it would be Rarity. The two would spend time discussing fashion, design, and spoiling themselves at the salon or spa. Rarity had a relatively large income and would often treat Fluttershy to these things, and in turn Fluttershy always made sure that Opal, Rarity's beloved pet cat, was always healthy and getting the best cuts of fish that Fluttershy could find. But with Rarity being out of town for almost a month now, Fluttershy often found herself visiting her old friend Rainbow Dash instead. Which was difficult. Dash was outgoing and loud and loved to get in fights and race around. Fluttershy preferred to sit quietly in the sun, enjoying the day around her. They often wore on each others nerves.

But that was just a vague guideline. Fluttershy generally didn't try to plan her days too much ahead. She ignored her calendar most of the time, and often had no idea what day it was. She liked the freedom of no schedules. No lists. No organization when it came to her life. She could do whatever she wanted any day she pleased if she felt like it. If someone in town needed her to check on a pet or sickly animal, she could drop anything she was up to easily and check it out. This was how her life had always been, and she hoped in some way always would be. Of course having such a lax system of doing things meant that when the time came to actually do something organized she kept second-guessing herself. Which meant planning her tea party for Twilight had gone from a simple list to a full fledged council amongst all the animals.

In the upstairs loft she sat, a piece of paper covered in inane scribbles and notes, surrounded by a large assortment of chickens, raccoons, chipmunks, and of course Angel who was tapping his foot impatiently.

"Okay, so....uh...." Fluttershy crossed out some more text on the sheet. "I think we've all come to the agreement that rooibos and chamomile tea blend would the best tea for the picnic. Yes? Are we all agree'd? Please raise your paws if anyone disagrees!"

One of the chipmunks fell over.

"Well now that the tea flavor has been sorted out, we can move onto the cookies. I know the original plan was some simple whole grain and oatmeal cookies but....those would probably not be very exciting. Not for Twilight, anyway. She probably eats way better cookies whenever she goes to Canterlot. We don't want to seem old hat. So I think perhaps some croissants with some lemon icing and honey on top would be nice. They're easy to make and very....um...regal! What do you all think?"

A raccoon in the back of the crowd sneezed loudly.

"Not a fan of croissants?" Fluttershy asked.

She was met with silence. The animals had no idea what a croissant even was.

"Oh dear. Well, I guess....." Fluttershy crossed out the croissant on the page. "....I suppose I could always make chocolate chip and hazelnut cookies. Or....maybe scones. Scones are more traditional with tea I think. Oh I wish I knew some of Pinkie's recipes. So I could make something elegant."

Angel exhaled a small loud squeak. It was rare that he made sounds, not being a very talkative type. In most cases ponies would find his shrill squeaking to be annoying, but Fluttershy's rare talent to understand animals meant she could hear what he said on a level most could never hope to.

"SHE'S NOT GONNA CARE." the rabbit squeaked angrily. "I'M HUNGRY."

"Maybe you're right, Angel. Twilight is my friend and I'm sure she's expecting the same sort of tea parties I usually host. I suppose I don't have to be fancy. Actually.....maybe being fancy might alienate her. I'm sure she's tired of being treated differently ever since she became a princess. I should make something nice and simple."

"MAKE ME FOOD SIMPLE! HUNGRY! MOVE BUTT! GO GO!" Angel squeaked, jumping up and down to get attention.

Once every blue moon Fluttershy got angry. It was a very rare sight. Like seeing a Sass-Squash. Or a ghost. And it was always very frightening. Fluttershy furrowed her brow and gave Angel the most damning look she could. The kind of look that turned one's blood to ice. Every frustration, sorrow, and wrongdoing the yellow mare ever experience were sent hurtling forward in a glance of pure rage that ponies simply called.......THE STARE. Effective on misbehaving animals and misbehaving children!

"Angel." Fluttershy spoke calmly and sternly, as her stare bore into him. "You are being very rude today and I already made you breakfast. I am very tired and worn out and now Twilight is coming over. You KNOW how I feel about this and her and the last thing I need is you making me stressed. So when Twilight is here you are going to be quiet and behave yourself like a good little bunny! Understand?"

The rabbit flinched and looked away shivering slightly before nodding his fluffy head. It was very rare he was scolded. After all, he was her favorite pet. For reasons nobody could ever really understand.

"Alright. Well I suppose I'll just do little scones to go with the tea. I hope she likes scones. It'd be unusual for a pony not to like those but you can never be too sure these days."

Two hours later found Fluttershy and several of her animals with their noses pressed up against the glass windows, staring out past the path near the stream, awaiting any signs of visitors. Her tea party was in the final stages of preparation right now. The tea was brewed and keeping warm in the pink kettle that she loved so very much. The scones, now a mere memory, had been replaced yet again by croissants which were baking in the oven, each with plenty of lemon rind baked right into the dough. And as the baked treats rose from their baking sheet, so did Fluttershy's anxiety. She stared out at the hills, seeing the sleepy town just beyond, her heart rate speeding up as the minutes passed. Feeling her throat become dry and her skin become cold as endless amounts of negative thoughts jigged merrily across her mind.

What if Twilight didn't come?

What if Twilight didn't even like tea parties?

What if Twilight had only flirted with Fluttershy just to get her hooves on the flower?

What if the flower WAS magical? What if it had hurt Twilight?

Twilight could be being eaten right now by a giant magical flower and nobody would know until it was too late.

Before Fluttershy knew it she was hyperventilating. The sweat poured from her brow, and into her mane and coat. She looked like a mess in a matter of moments. Angel held up a mirror, letting his master know she was getting far too worked up and looking less than appropriate. The pegasus sighed and breathed slowly. Calming her nerves and getting ahold of herself.

"No need to panic, Fluttershy." She whispered aloud. "This is the first date you've been on with a pony you actually like. And she likes you. Everything is going to be ok. Flowers don't eat ponies. You're just messing up your hair with all of this fretting."

She trotted upstairs to her bedroom and sat on the small knitted cushion that looked like a tree stump that she had made herself during one of her feverish knitting sessions. She glanced at herself in the mirror, wiping the cold sweat from her brow. She looked down at a small book that was hidden behind the mirror. It was a book that had managed to improve and ruin her life simultaneously quite some time ago.

Iron Will's Habits of Highly Effective Ponies

It was a good book. Fluttershy had taken some of the lessons to an extreme once, and harshly criticized her friends. Their relationships had never been the same since then, despite her attempts to mend it. Some kinds of hurt just don't go away and only time can make them better. That was the day she had closed the book and refused to follow it's lessons. And she was going to keep that promise to herself. But one of the book's slogans peeped back into her memory as she reminisced. It was a good book, and dangerous, but nobody would disagree it was great for building confidence. The slogan seemed to swim out magically into Fluttershy's vision as she thought about it.

"Being a mess is the cause of your stress. Looking your best is the dress for success. It's like playing chess. Just pound your chest. Show them you're the best. And then nobody will EVER dare think of you less."

It was a brutish slogan. But then, Iron Will was a very brutish minotaur. But he had a point, as he often did. If Fluttershy was hoping to feel confident, she was going to need to look the part. Luckily she had spent enough time in the presence of Rarity and the fashion world to know what subtleties she could partake of to improve her appearance. A bit of powder on her cheeks, a small curl to her eyelashes, a small dab of the amber eyeshadow she never got a good chance to use. Her hair rarely needed brushing but this was an important day! She felt a small tingle on her backside as she brushed. It was a familiar tingle that she knew was Angel, hopping his way up to the top of her head.

"Angel what are you....OH!" Fluttershy gasped in surprise as she saw one of her locks of hair fall in front of her face, a tiny white hibiscus with it's stem tied around the strand. In a few minutes Fluttershy had several of the white blooms sitting neatly in her hair, giving her a beautiful nymph-like appearance.

Fluttershy stood back, observing herself in the mirror.

"Oh, Angel, this was such a good idea!" Fluttershy cooed, picking up the small rabbit and hugging him. "They look so nice. Thank you!"

Angel grinned. He wasn't gonna get scolded again for a long long time. And if keeping his master happy was going to keep him happy, then he might as well help encourage this strange new fondness between her and the purple smart horse who comes over sometimes.

*************************

Twilight took a deep breath as she reached her hoof towards Fluttershy's door. It had been an exhausting night. Testing the flower into the wee hours of the morning before finally falling asleep. Spike had carried her to her bed before curling up on top of her tail. They had both woken very tired, but feeling like they'd made some real progress in understanding the properties of the flower. All this Twilight had documented with notes on scraps of parchment. She had taken these, graphs, and the flower itself and brought them with her. In her mind she had convinced herself that this meeting with Fluttershy would be as professional as possible. They would discuss her findings, enjoy a get together, and then call it a day. Twilight was going to stay in control of her emotions and not act weird or awkward. She was smart, she was collected, and now she was a princess. The least she could do is act like one.

The door swung open the moment Twilight's hoof had given it a single knock. The two stared at each other, their resolve gone, their trains of thought entirely derailed. Twilight's jaw worked but no sound came out.

"Hi Twilight." Fluttershy spoke, her voice almost inaudible. ".....um?"

"OH ACK!" Twilight coughed aloud, realizing she'd been staring. "Sorry sorry! Those flowers in your hair just....sorry. DISTRACTING!"

Twilight cursed inwardly. She hadn't been here more than a minute and felt silly. Deciding it would be best to get down to business, she calmly tried to walk inside the cottage.

"Oh, wait!" Fluttershy grabbed a small picnic basket and placed it on her back. "I think....that um.....we should have our tea outside. While we talk. If....if that's ok with you. We can go inside if you like."

"That's fine." Twilight mumbled. "Outside is fine."

The two made their way to a shaded area near the park. The sun was in just the right position in the sky to make the trees cast long shadows over the flowered hills. An acre or so away was the park itself, it's bright orange picnic tables sitting in the sun with nobody to occupy them. It seemed as if they had the whole place mostly to themselves. The privacy would be welcome in case something embarrassing happened.

The pink and teal blanket was unfolded and the small delicate croissants that had been drizzled with honeysuckle nectar were distributed on two paper plates. Twilight had a small white glass of dark green tea shoved into her face.

"Hmm. This is very good!" Twilight said, downing the cup. "What type of tea is this? I don't recognize the flavor."

"Thank you! Oh and it's ragweed flavor."

"I was unaware ragweed even had a flavor. I thought it was just a pest."

"Yes, I discovered it by accident and thought it was nice."

An awkward silence followed as Twilight and Fluttershy quietly ate. Twilight stared at the plate of food, afraid she'd do something weird if she looked up at Fluttershy again.

"Um....so.....did you find anything interesting about the flower?" Fluttershy asked, eager to get Twilight talking and end the silence.

"Oh right, the flower!" Twilight shouted, pulling all her notes and papers out of her saddlebag.

She plopped the flowerpot with the Pyrola in the middle of the blanket.

"So here's just a few snippets from my notes. Spike and I pulled an all-nighter on this thing. Which is why I'm not really looking my best. So first I simply measured the amount of magical energy output with a spell that Starswirl himself came up with. He originally used it to determine if another wizard was more powerful than he. I've never had the opportunity to really need to use it. It proved that the Pyrola Lunata Borealis is indeed magic. But the amount of power coming from it seems to be fluctuating. Whether that's of it's own accord or due to some outside forces, such as me tampering with it, I'm not entirely sure. It might also have to do with the flower's resistance to magic which I'll get to later. Originally I thought that perhaps it was terra magic. Something ancient and old like the hamadryad's used that quite a few historians believe might have created some of the first plants and trees on this side of the planet. No-one is really sure since they left Equestria a very long time ago."

Twilight took a deep breath, flipping her notepage over.

"So I tried exposing the flower to old terra runes in an attempt to evoke a reaction. In this case, trying to bless the flower with pure joy. Nothing substantial happened. No change in magical fluctuations. After that I decided to deduce if perhaps the flower was being enchanted by fey magicks like those created by the satyrs or spriggans. The creatures that changelings are descended from. I attempted to fire a few very light and mostly harmless classic hexes onto the flower. Vau, Aleph, Bacchus, Magus, Adept, and other ancient offense hex types. Not only did these not cause any magical disturbance to the flower, they didn't work period, Fluttershy. I KNOW these hexes still work. Spike accidentally managed to cast one on me once and I was sick in bed for a week with bees coming out of my nose. This meant the flower was immune to that type of magic. Really old magic that nobody really uses anymore."

Twilight pushed aside another paper, her brow furrowed. Fluttershy could feel the nerves on her spine tingling as Twilight's melodious voice continued to drone on about this strange research.

"Dark magic was next." she said quietly.

"Oh, Twilight." Fluttershy cried with a sad tone. "You didn't!"

"I know, I know, I shouldn't." Twilight muttered as she continued skimming her notes. "But I had to know, Fluttershy. I had to test literally everything. This meant things that....even though now we tend to forbid them, these spells used to be very common back in less civilized times. So I drew a decagrodon on the floor with some chalk and forest soil and used some very old chants. I tried the Mercury Incantation of Never Aging to see if I could freeze the flower in time and space. That didn't work. It froze the air around the flower but not the flower itself. Then I had to clean up all the frozen air which is very messy. After that I tried putting the flower on a circular talisman I drew and attempted to cast the Mi-Go Intonation of Soul. On creatures with consciousnesses, this spell is designed to remove their conscious or will, and place it into a small bubble that can then be manipulated, often called a Soulstone. For plants and less complex living things it tends to simply extract some life energy and put it into a very small bubble. As you can imagine, it's very forbidden for a reason. Outside of Celestia and I, nobody knows that spell. Then I tried hitting it with some of Sombra's dark manipulation beams."

"Okay....." Fluttershy had never heard Twilight speak in such great detail about any of her spells. It was frightening but also so exciting all at the same time. "So..... did that....work?"

"Nope!" Twilight quipped piling all the notes to the side and pulling out one last sheet of paper. "Now that I knew all the old magicks didn't work, it was time for something more modern and more scientific that has defined predictable results. I attempted a very basic humidity spell. I tried to turn the moisture in the air around the flower into dew. Very similar to what you pegasi do with clouds but on a much smaller scale. That worked."

"It worked?"

"Yes it did. After that I wiped it off, and did a very VERY drastically reduced lightning spell. Not very much. Just enough to get the electrons buzzing and get a bit of static electricity flowing through the plant. Then I flicked a small wad of dust at the leaves to see if it would stick. It did! Which meant the plant was susceptible to practical efficient pony magic. However it was also immune to any old unused types of magick. Which is very important because it supports your theory."

"My......my theory?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.

"Well....Discord's theory." Twilight levitated the potted flower over to her body, turning it slowly as she studied it. "Fluttershy, the only reason this flower would and could be immune to elder magick is because it was MADE to be that way. And at the same time if it was immune to ancient spells, it should also be immune to modern ones like the types we use. But it isn't. This means that an equine created these flowers. And it couldn't be a changeling because their magic is always destructive to plants. The only pony that could have been around when these flowers were made, and have the knowledge to make them immune to dangerous old out-of-date magic would have to have been Celestia or Luna. That means that Discord was correct, Fluttershy. Either Celestia or Luna created this flower and also put safeguards on it's entire species just to be sure it would be around for as long as possible. These flowers have to be thousands of years old! And that means that...."

Twilight glanced up from the flower, feeling her heart leap in her chest and her muscles seize up. Fluttershy's eyes were gleaming, her light lanky wings fully outstretched. The rays of the sun pierced through her feathers, casting dozens of specks of light across the picnic blanket. The flowers in her hair gleamed as the sunlight pierced their semi-transparent forms, making them appear to glow as they framed Fluttershy's round grinning face.

"What?" Fluttershy asked, her throaty whisper completely drawing Twilight away from the waking world.

"You're a....g.. goddess." Twilight mumbled, the note falling from her hooves.

"I'm a what!?" Fluttershy asked, giggling loudly which snapped Twilight out of her reverie.

"What did I say? Oh I meant we need to VISIT the goddesses. Celestia and Luna. And see if one of them remembers making this flower. And if so, why?" Twilight wanted dearly to smack herself in the face as her cheeks went bright red.

"Do you think....that....maybe they hid this flower away? Twilight?"

"Hmm what?" Twilight shook her head again, trying to free herself from gazing at her friend. "Oh. No, I'm not sure what you mean exactly."

"Well......the Everfree Forest has always been dangerous, right? Even Celestia and Luna don't like it in there. So if everyone is afraid to go in there.....wouldn't uh......that be perfect? For hiding the flower?"

"That's a really good point, actually." Twilight set the flower back down on the middle of picnic blanket. "Why place something somewhere where almost nopony can find it if you didn't want it to be found. They could easily have destroyed this flower, and any other flowers of the same type in the forest. But they didn't. Yet they still hid it in there. Oh well! More things I'll have to bother Celestia about. Maybe I should write her a letter."

Twilight picked up a croissant and chewed it thoughtfully, trying to pretend to pay attention to the plant and not the massive social faux-pas she had just committed. She shivered as she she saw the blanket rustle, knowing Fluttershy had stood up, and twitched as she felt Fluttershy sit next to her, just close enough where their sides rubbed up against each other, sending small shock-waves through her nervous system. It took all her energy not to seem distracted as she felt her friend's head rest against her shoulder.

"By the way I'm sorry for my outburst." Twilight mumbled. "I keep....saying these stupid things when you're around. I don't know what's wrong with me. My diction just flies out the window."

"Um....d-did you mean what you said, Twilight?" Fluttershy whispered, her cool breath blowing up against Twilight's ear, causing the bookworm's purple wings to unfurl. "About me being a goddess?"

"I......yes. Yes I did." Twilight sighed. "I'm sorry. Fluttershy I keep trying to not think about what happened between us in the forest and it's not working."

"Why don't you want to think about it?"

"I'm....frightened a bit. I've never felt this way about.....well any pony. Anything ever in my life. And..."

Twilight turned to Fluttershy and for a moment their muzzles brushed against each other. Both ponies first instinct was to pull back. This was too close for comfort, especially out here in broad daylight. But nature and love had other plans.

"W....would you....l-like to snuggle...with....me?" Fluttershy squeaked. "Sorry if I-I-I-I'm being...um...pushy."

"No no! Actually I think that's an excellent idea. Or maybe its not... I can't be sure my mind is sort of swimming right now. I do really want to snuggle. Like REALLY REALLY. Let's snuggle near that tree over there. That seems like a prime spot. At the height the sun is at, the shadows of the tree should keep us hidden in case any of our friends show up. I'm not sure if I'm ready to explain to them all this....stuff. Are you?"

"Oh goodness.....no!" Fluttershy replied, grabbing Twilight's hair in her mouth and pulling the alicorn over into the shadow of the nearby oak.

And there they lay, wrapped in each other's arms and nuzzling excitedly, experiencing wonderful physical stimuli they'd never felt before. Several hundred miles away, a pony inventor had just completed his invention that could detect cuteness. His machine's 'cute gauge' immediately flew off the scale and exploded causing a small fire, overloaded with the amount of info it was being hit with from Ponyville. The inventor would never know what had broken his product. And Twilight and Fluttershy would never know that their snuggling was powerful enough to disrupt the natural order of cuteness that flowed across the landscape. They would also never know about the three pairs of eyes that were watching them at that very moment.

**********************

"Too many secrets, Gummy!" Pinkie whispered darkly.

The pink excitable pony with the curly poof of mane happened to be hopping happily through the park that day. Hopping happily was always one of the most important parts of the day for her. Generally if she wasn't hopping happily from one place to another, one could take it an ill omen. On this day, she happened to be happily hopping through Ponyville Park with her tiny pet alligator, Gummy. Pinkie was a bit of an airhead but she had the observational skill of a hawk at a salmon convention, able to pick up things most ponies would never notice.

So it only made sense that somehow, either due to clairvoyance or sheer luck, she happened to wander near enough to her friends to see them having a picnic. Her first thought being that no picnic was a REAL picnic without Pinkie Pie present. That simply would not do. Wherever there was a party, or a shindig, or a box social, Pinkie was THERE. However she stopped in her tracks when she noticed Fluttershy pulling Twilight next to a tree. Then dove into the bushes when she noticed the two of them appeared to be nuzzling. And not in the 'thank you' sort of way ponies usually did. But in the sort of way Mrs.Cake would nuzzle Mr.Cake when he was came home after a long day of delivering food.

"First Rarity told me a secret I can't tell. Then Applejack. And now we know another secret, Gummy." Pinkie sighed, turning away from the two ponies sitting a few meters away. "These two like each other, Gummy. And not in the normal way. But in the very very special somepony way. Now we can't tell anyone and they didn't even ask us not to tell."

She scratched her head pensively.

"But even though they didn't ask, we can't! They would say something to all of us if they wanted us to know! So they must not want us to know! Curses, Gummy! Curses! My head is so full of secrets it feels like it's going to explode!" Pinkie flopped onto her belly. "My tummy hurts. Too much smelly gossip. We need to get one of these ponies to talk, Gummy. I can't go on knowing all the thingies that I know. Too many secrets."

A flash of realization hit the pink mare. She sat up abruptly and held her pet alligator aloft, squinting with sincere suspicion into his blank stare.

"You don't have secrets do you, Gummy? SPILL THE BEANS, MISTER!"

The tiny alligator adjusted his eyes in a very chameleon-like motion and opened his toothless mouth, emitting a small hoarse squeak.

"That's what I thought! Good boy, Gummy."

As quietly as she could, which was difficult as Pinkie had a natural affinity for being incredibly loud, the pink mare slunk out of the bushes and resumed hopping happily down through the park, her pet alligator clinging to her neck like a koala. Pinkie had a plan to get one less secret out of her head. And since Rarity was out of town and Fluttershy and Twilight were....busy at the moment....she had to resort to pestering Applejack instead. Applejack was stubborn as a mule, but Pinkie was very convincing. Perhaps the most convincing pony in Ponyville.

********************

With a wistful sigh and a small grunt, Fluttershy pushed herself slightly farther up along Twilight's back so she could lay her head on the alicorn's neck, having already draped her torso over Twilight's shoulders. The two had been laying there for a while now, wordlessly. Fluttershy couldn't recall a time where she'd felt this comfortable and exhausted all at once. Twilight had felt the same way. Their surprisingly exciting hug session had eventually made its way back to the picnic blanket where the two now lay, panting quietly.

Bags were forming under Twilight's eyes, her lids seeming to droop. Her hair a mess, sticking out everywhere. Even her breathing seemed uneven. Her feathers were unkempt, badly in need of preening. Fluttershy felt a small pang of guilt. While Twilight was still beautiful, at this moment the purple alicorn seemed to be a bit of a mess. Was this Fluttershy's fault? This thought process, as it often did for Fluttershy, lead down an even darker line of thinking.

"Excuse me, Twilight..." Fluttershy whispered. "I wanted to ask you something. It's....sort of sensitive...."

"Ask whatever you please." Twilight grunted, flipping over to look Fluttershy in the face.

"Well...you know....as nice as this is. Us...being like this. Did you ever feel this way....before you became an alicorn?"

"I'd never really felt this way period, Fluttershy." Twilight rolled her eyes. "I spent so much time worrying about how much I knew I never took the time to get out of the Canterlot Archives and live. I always assumed I'd go looking for a mate after I completed my studies. But really I think.....I was just afraid of being social."

"I mean......" the yellow pegasus began to tremble. "What if....you only feel this way now....because something is wrong? Because you changed into this new form? What if this isn't real? What if..mmph!"

Twilight levitated a croissant into the air and shoved it into Fluttershy's mouth.

"That's silly, Fluttershy." Twilight smiled, leaning forward to plant a gentle kiss on her friend's forehead. "Honestly I haven't changed much at all since the transformation. I don't feel any more powerful. I don't feel like a Princess. I don't feel like the chosen one or whatever else ponies call me now. Outside of getting used to having these heavy wings on my back....I've felt the same. All that's changed is how ponies see me. Before I could fit into any crowds because I was the same as them. Now I stick out and everyone notices. Everyone expects me to save the world or perform miracles. To be the sort of charitable, social, outgoing pony that Celestia and Cadence are. But I'm not. I'm just....me. And it's been very stressful dealing with everyone overreacting to me....being me."

Fluttershy nodded.

"But here....now. This is the best I've felt in months, Fluttershy. I haven't felt this relaxed in a while. In these few days I've experienced so many new things I'd never felt before. I made out with a pony, romantically. I flirted. I even kissed a pony for reasons out of just being polite." Twilight nuzzled her friend. "You've made me feel more like a princess recently than these big wings and the formal gowns and crowns and trinkets ever did. So thank you, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy felt her eyes overflowing with fluid as she managed to squeal, "You're welcome."

Tearfully the two embraced, which was the perfect opportunity that a small fuzzy stowaway had been hoping for. With the kind of agility that could only come from a small subtarranean mammal with powerful hind legs, Angel slipped out of the picnic basket. He had been hiding in it for quite some time, afraid to move. Angel was no fan of the mushy stuff, and had been trying not to gag as his master traded lovey-dovey talk with the purple horse he didn't mind as much as the other horses. It had been difficult, but he had succeeded in not giving away his hiding place, sitting quietly between a stack of napkins and knitted potholder. Now as he peered between two laces of the wicker picnic basket to see that the two ponies finally had their eyes closed, he knew his patience had paid off. His chance was here. With a few hops and a roll that would have impressed any athlete he had launched out of the picnic basket, Fluttershy's diary clutched in his fluffy white paws, and rolled into Twilight's saddlebag.

"I wish I knew why Celestia made my wings so...large." Twilight said with a sheepish grin as she and Fluttershy separated. "These things are a bit ungainly. And they make my shoulders sore."

"Well...." Fluttershy brushed her hoof along Twilight's wing. "All the pegasi used to have wings around this size, Twilight."

"Really?"

"MMmm Hmm. It was many generations ago. I think as we spend more time on the ground and in the presence of unicorns our wings are getting smaller and smaller. We probably won't have wings at all one day."

"That's.....kind of a sad thought." Twilight said with a frown.

"Yes...I guess it is."

***********************

Spike had the entire house to himself the whole day. And unlike the previous day where he'd been alone and beside himself with worry over Twilight, today he felt comfortable. As if he was now the king of the castle. A throne constructed of feather pillows and books had been assembled, and he sat smugly on top thumbing through one of his favorite storybooks. Having grown up in a library next to Twilight, he had a fondness for books. But not the dusty boring institutional tomes that his caretaker often flipped through. His preference had always been for flights of fancy, adventure stories, and comic books.

Spike looked up with a smile from the latest issue of the "Silver Stallion: Requiem" comic book to see a very disheveled but happy Twilight lope through the door.

"Well well well!" Spike smiled broadly, trying not to smirk. "How was Twilight Sparkle's first date ever in her whole entire life?"

Twilight grabbed the tiny dragon out his makeshift throne and tossed him into the air, catching him in her arms.

"It was wonderful, Spike. Elating. Majestic. Pulchritudinous!" Twilight giggled as she spun around, depositing Spike back into his throne, upside down as she cantered merrily out of the living room, dropping her saddle bag to the floor.

"I dunno what those words mean, but I guess that means you had a great time!" Spike replied, righting himself and finding his spot in the comic book again.

"Oh I did, Spike." Twilight sang as she flung open all the cupboards and began pulling out various odds and ends in the kitchen. "I haven't felt this relaxed and energized since....I'm not even sure. The Gala maybe. I feel happy enough to make us something for dinner instead of us going out like usual! How do you feel about bowtie macaroni and cheese tonight, Spike? I can put some of the leftover jasper stones in yours! I know how much you like them."

"You are speakin' my language, Twi!" Spike called, licking his lips. He did love jasper. Of all the gemstones there were, those had always been his favorite. Like little rock-hard chunks of heaven.

His joy came to an abrupt end as he saw a small fluffy white bunny come hobbling out of Twilight's pack, with a large weathered journal clutched in it's arms. Had anyone unfamiliar with Angel seen this, they might have thought this was their chance to follow a rabbit into the enchanted world of Wonderland, where everything was happy and nice. But Spike had dealt with this rabbit before, and wasn't entirely pleased to see it.

"Oh great. And what are you doing here? And why are you in Twilight's bag?"

Angel squeaked something that Spike couldn't understand and made a very rude hand gesture.

"Ugh. Hey Twilight!" Spike shouted. "Fluttershy's bad bunny is in your bag with your book!"

"My book?" Twilight asked, trotting into the room and lowering her head to be level with the rabbit. "This isn't mine. What is this, Angel?"

The rabbit quickly thumbed through several pages of the book until he arrived at the page he was looking for. Leaping up and down frantically, he eagerly pointed to a passage in the book for Twilight to read. It had been written a few days prior.

"March 17th, Year of Corvus 412

Twilight and I have stopped to rest for the night in the Everfree Forest. I pretended to sleep so that I could sneak away a little and write this. I'm watching her now as she sleeps and I write. It's been a long day. Bark barnacles attacked us and then a thunderstorm struck......"

Twilight skipped down to the bottom, not entirely eager to recall some of the embarrassing events of that day.

"......I never thought I'd feel this way. I started thinking that maybe love like the way Rarity describes it wasn't real. Like it was just some form of lust. And all the wonderful things I'd ever read about it in books was just wishful thinking. But I was wrong. This is the strongest thing I've felt in my entire life. It's intoxicating. I wish I had the bravery to say how I felt. But I'm not sure I should. Twilight was so upset after I explained what her wings were doing. I was afraid she'd never want to speak to me or anyone ever again. But since then she's changed. She seems almost happy about it all, but frightened. I'm frightened too. I don't want to lose a friend as special as Twilight. I've never had many friends, and the ones I have mean so much. I'd hate for Twilight to think I was taking advantage of her during these stressful times. So for now I'm going to be quiet. Which is easy for me because I'm always quiet, too scared to speak. I'll wait quietly and see how things pan out. Try not to encourage it. See what happens and hope. Just hope Twilight will one day like me as much as I like her. I shouldn't be writing this. I should be asleep or trying to protect the Pyrola Lunata Borealis. But I can't. All I can think about is this lavender pony. I think lavender has become my new favorite color."

Twilight grinned sheepishly as she closed the book and handed it back to Angel.

"Well Fluttershy certainly has a way with words." Her expression turned stern. "But I already DO like her, Angel. There was no need to show me this passage. And certainly no need to show me her private diary."

The rabbit frowned and kicked at a small dust pile on the floor.

"You know she's probably wondering where her diary is." Twilight gave the rabbit a gentle pat. "And I'm sure she's also wondering where you went to as well, Angel. Worried sick about where you've gone to. When you'll come home. If you'll come home."

Angel felt terrible. He had hoped showing the purple horse this diary would help make it infatuated with his master. But now he learned that he was too late and it had already happened, making his plan and trip redundant. He had wasted the whole day. And worse, now his master was probably sad because he was missing, and would scold him when she found out he'd taken her special book.

A moment later the door to the library burst open, with a terribly frightened looking Fluttershy stumbling in.

"Twilight! Spike! Have either of you seen Angel? I think he might be missing and oh......he's here."

Twilight took note of the rabbit's grievous expression. With a quick zap of magic she had teleported the book out of the library and as close to Fluttershy's cottage as she could manage. Teleporting objects was always tricky when one couldn't see the destination with one's own eyes. But the book landed safely out in the lawn of Fluttershy's cottage where it was quickly beset by a group of ladybugs, eager to read through it and gossip amongst themselves.

"H-hey Fluttershy." Twilight mumbled with a crooked grin. "Yeah he's here. I think Angel smelled the macaroni I was making and decided he wanted some."

"Oh." Fluttershy whispered, pawing the welcome mat with her hoof.

The bright yellow pegasus looked up at Twilight and an awkward silence fell over the room. Spike glanced between the two mares, raising an eyebrow. Shaky knees? Check. Visible nervousness? Check. Tongue-tied? Check. Unable to break eye contact? Check. These two had it bad, and it was going to be up to Spike to help move this along, or else he'd never get macaroni and these two would never move beyond this awkward stage. For a moment Spike face-palmed before finally walking in front of Fluttershy and waving to get her attention.

"Fluttershy....what Twilight MEANT to say...." He began, politely smiling. "...is that she was wondering if you'd like to help us prepare dinner."

"Yeah....dinner." Twilight mumbled, blushing.

"Oh....." Fluttershy glanced down at Angel for guidance, to be met with the rabbit rolling his eyes and nodding vigorously. "Yes I'd love to Twilight. I don't really know how to make....macaronis. I usually just make....you know....veggie stuff."

"Well I will just have to show you how." Twilight replied.

The two ponies made their way to the kitchen giggling quietly and, as soon as they were out of the line of sight of their wards, nuzzling happily thinking the dragon and rabbit were none the wiser. Spike shook his head at the embarrassing display. It was like watching two small children trying and failing to hide a crush from their friends. But at least Twilight and Fluttershy were happy. And he and Angel had managed to convince Fluttershy to stay over. He glanced at Angel and gave the rabbit an approving nod, as if to say that he now knew that the two of them were on the same page. Angel nodded back, approving of Spike's decision. And so Spike went back to reading his comic book, now joined by a small fluffy bunny that sat on the armrest of his makeshift throne of pillows. The bunny couldn't read very well but he did like the pictures in the story.

*************************

The moon was beginning to go down by the time Spike's favorite radio show had come to an end. He hadn't really been listening, trying to distract himself from the sounds on the couch with his comic. After they'd finished eating dinner, Spike had switched on the radio while Fluttershy and Twilight had sat on the couch, whispering to each other just quietly enough where he couldn't hear what they were saying. He was thankful for that. Occasionally he'd hear the quiet peck that let him know the two ponies were kissing. Despite his occasional calls of "can you two tone it down?" the sounds had continued. He knew there'd be no chance of him getting any sleep while hearing Twilight make out with one of her best friends only a few feet away from the basket he slept in.

He closed the comic and glanced over at the couch, seeing precisely what he'd expected. Twilight, still looking tired and stressed in her sleep, laying on her belly. Fluttershy lay perpendicular across Twilight's back, her wings protectively wrapped around Twilight. It was sweet, and Spike probably would have appreciated it more if it hadn't interrupted his sleep schedule. He grabbed a blanket and draped it over the two of them, noticing that Angel had managed to wrap himself in Fluttershy's hair. As much as he disliked the rabbit, he couldn't deny how happy and peaceful the bunny seemed. It reminded Spike of when he'd been really little, how he loved curling up in Twilight's bangs, feeling safe and cozy.

"Sorry I can't tuck you in, Spike." Twilight whispered with a very slurry sleepy voice, apparently still slightly awake. "I'll make it up to you."

"It's ok, Twilight." Spike replied, blowing out one of the candles. "It's just nice to see you relaxed and happy. You haven't really been either of those things since...y'know. The coronation."

"Yeah, I know."

"Maybe, Twilight.....you should just.....take a break for a while and just hang out with Fluttershy. Ever since you became a princess it's been like....old times again. When you would never have time to leave the library. Always working and studying. I didn't like those times."

"I think that's a good idea, Spike. When I get up I'll write Celestia a letter, so she knows I'm taking a vacation. A long vacation. Then Fluttershy and I can hang out until we get sick of each other." Twilight chuckled slightly, followed by a yawn. "But for now I think I'm just gonna go to bed. Goodnight, Spike."

"Goodnight."

That is circling all around the sun

Dear Princess Celestia,

I'd like again to thank you for my new title and rank amongst the royal family. It has been an honor to share it with you, Luna, and Cadence. But as the saying goes 'Heavy is the Crown' and ever since the coronation, the torrent of events and work has been overwhelming. I still have weird dreams about that human world I briefly stepped into. I still have nightmares about the overgrowth of Discord's vines that tried to choke the life out of the Tree of Harmony. My wings keep my back sore, everybody treats me differently now. It's like everyone is on pins and needles around me.

I won't lie I've been trying to downplay the princess angle as hard as possible. Try to explain to the other citizens here that I'm just like them and haven't really changed. But it's not helping. Simultaneously, I know with the parliament meetings coming up that you need my help signing the stack of treatise and treaties that arrive at my door every morning. And were this at any less exciting point in my life, I'd be happy to fill them out. You know I like paperwork.

But I'm sorry to inform you that I'm just too weary, Celestia. These changes in my body, my network of friends, this mysterious lockbox that perplexes me, the way all the other ponies have been treating me. I've been hiding away in my library, just working mostly. I'm settling into old habits and this place is becoming a prison.

So, starting today I'm taking a break. I'm not really asking, I'm telling. Please don't be upset. I need this very badly. I'm pretty certain my physical and mental health both depend on me getting out and away from all this business for a little while. I've just been exhausted for some time now and until recently not very happy. I should probably explain that last sentence further. I've met someone. Someone I really like who likes me back. I'm not really at the point where I'm ready to say who it is.

This has been my first experience with this sort of love. It's very addicting. I realize now what a tremendous power Cadence has, and what a mature and profound way she has of utilizing it amongst her ponies. I may or may not send a report about this sort of friendship.

Oh! I forgot the reason I needed to write this letter in the first place. Fluttershy and I have rescued a very rare plant from deep within the Everfree Forest. We believe that you or Luna had a hoof in creating it. It resists all forms of magic except modern day pony varieties and if my tests have proved anything, it should be a few thousand years old. It's scientific name is Pyrola Lunata Borealis. I believe it was thought to be extinct but Fluttershy found one and I'd like you to see it as soon as possible.

I shall patiently await your reply.
As always, your faithful followers,
Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy (who helped write this while I ate breakfast)

******************************************

"Looks good to me." Twilight said around crunches of oats as Fluttershy folded the letter up. "Thanks, Fluttershy. You really didn't have to write it down for me."

"Spike and I both agree you need to rest for a while, Twilight." Fluttershy cheerily spoke as she cautiously held the letter in front of Spike's sleeping face. "At least until you feel like you used to. I could show you how to meditate if you want. I find its very good for soothing the spirit. Um....uh......."

She turned her head this way and that, trying to figure out how to send the letter. On most days Spike would simply roast it with a spurt of green dragon fyre, sending the letter a great distance across the continent and magically disposing it into the royal bedchamber of Princess Celestia. When Twilight had first arrived in Ponyville, she and her friends had been asked to send letter to Celestia, updating her on what they'd learned about friendship. As time had passed, these letters had become less frequent.

"Uh.......Twilight....." Fluttershy whispered, glancing over to her friend. "Little Spike is asleep. How do we ....um...you know. I don't want to wake him. That would be very rude of me."

"Oh that. Just pinch his nose and give him a little pat on the back."

Fluttershy extended the two longest feathers of her wings, pinching the nostrils of the purple dragon shut, causing him to emit an annoyed gurgling sound as he snored. Gently she gave him a soft poke between his shoulders.

"Nothings happening!"

"Well you can't do it that lightly. Pretend you're....burping a baby."

With a cringe Fluttershy raised her hoof a little higher, bringing it down with enough force for it to make a very quiet patter. A loud fiery belch exploded from the mouth of the tiny dragon, incinerating the letter as it promptly disappeared into the air. A strange stench filled the air that smelled like wet concrete.

"Is.....is that it?"

"Yep." Twilight hopped off the couch and affectionately rubbed her snout against Fluttershy's neck. "Now we just wait for Celestia to send us back her reply."

"How long does that usually take?"

"It really depends on how busy she is. With all the meetings at parliament trying to enact new laws, I imagine she's probably as bogged down as I am right now. Problems always seem to ramp up at this time of year."

"Ramps......ramps....." Fluttershy muttered, her eyes glassing over. "OH NO!"

"What?"

"I was supposed to help Dash and Applejack build a ramp today for Scootaloo outside of Dash's house!"

"Well you still could...I mean it's not like -"

"No! You don't understand! I was supposed to be there almost an hour ago! Dash is probably going to be very upset with me. Applejack as well."

"Actually I'm not, really." came Rainbow Dash's scratchy voice as she opened the door to the library and soared in, landing on her hooves and sauntering into the middle of the room. "I was pretty much expecting you to be here. And not to show up."

If Dash wasn't upset, she certainly didn't look it. There was a definite tone of 'grump' about her face, and a stronger tone of 'not so grump' as she carried herself into the library. Her face was offset by the foal carrier she had on, with a sleeping Scootaloo bundled up on her chest in the harness.

"I'm so sorry, Dash. I was being selfish and forgot all about my plans for the week. Please forgive me." Fluttershy said sadly, looking at the floor.

Rainbow gave her a mildly sympathetic look. "It's ok, Shy. Applejack didn't show up either so I wound up building it all with Scoots. Poor kid's all tuckered out now. But the ramp came out nice at least. So that's that."

Rainbow flinched a bit before glancing at Twilight and clearing her throat.

"Hey...Shy...can I uh.....talk to Twilight. Alone. For just a bit."

"Of course you may. I need to go home and feed my animals anyway. C'mon, Angel. I'll see you later ok, Twilight?"

The look that passed between the two mares was unmistakable, but not entirely unsurprising to Rainbow. She'd been suspecting this for a little bit now. As Fluttershy exited, Rainbow shut the door, then fluttered over and sat in one of the mushroom-shaped stools near the couch Twilight lay on.

"What do you need, Rainbow?" Twilight asked in as upbeat a tone as she could, worried this conversation was going to be taxing on her nerves already.

"So uh....you and Fluttershy have crushes on each other, huh?" Dash spoke, her voice emotionless. She watched as a look of fear seemed to briefly pass over Twilight's features. "Yeah I figured it out."

"B-b-but....h-how?"

"I could just tell by the way you two looked at each other on the ride back from the Everfree. No offense meant, Twi....but neither you or Fluttershy are exactly masters of subtlety. You guys were practically drooling."

Twilight looked at the couch, frowning sadly, her voice growing very quiet. "I take it you probably don't approve of what....me and Fluttershy are going through."

"I...uh." Dash scratched the back of her head. "How do I put this? I don't...mind too much. But I'm really really concerned for you two, Twilight. For all of us. This is a big deal and could be really REALLY bad for the Elements of Harmony, ya know?"

"How so?" Twilight asked, tilting her head.

"I've been through this stuff before, Twi. Back in Cloudsdale I had a group of buddies and we all used to hang out. Then two of them started dating and it got.....really weird between all of us. Then they broke up and didn't want to be friends anymore. We all drifted apart after that. Nobody wanted to hang out with each other anymore since it felt so off. After that all I had was Gilda... and you saw how that turned out. And I'm....just...." Dash bit her lip, looking very nervous. Which was rare as she was generally considered a very brave pegasus. "I'm not sure I want to see that happen again, Twilight."

"I understand, I think." Twilight replied softly. "I've never lost a friend, before. I couldn't imagine what it'd be like losing one of you girls. I'm not sure what I'd do with myself."

"And it's not just that, Twilight." Dash trembled slightly. "You know....we get into alotta trouble. You, me, and the rest. Fluttershy's always along for the ride. But we both know she doesn't enjoy it. She and AJ would rather be here in town, where it's calm and safe. I always feel bad for Shy. She's always there with us and always so scared..."

Twilight nodded.

"....our group has been through so much junk." Dash swallowed, trying to stay calm as she felt tears form. "I've been protecting Shy since we were little kids. From bullies and jerks and monsters. Her safety is always in the back of my mind, bugging me. And...Twilight it's like.....you know..... well you're already part of the royal family. You and your family have had to deal with so many weirdos and nutcases and stuff. This is normal stuff for you. And we're always there to help. We've defeated armies of changelings, dragons, seen all sort of wild stuff. I mean....Cadence killed a guy. Like she made Sombra completely explode. That's scary stuff right? Seein' a dude explode. And I know I like to pretend I'm brave but I'm actually very scared for everybody and....."

Dash fidgeted, wiping her eyes.

"Fluttershy is the closest thing I've had to family for most of my life, Twi. And...please don't be upset by what I'm about to say but....now that you're a princess and everyone is watching you....it's like a big target has been painted on your head. And if something happens, if another spooky crazy monster comes out and attacks us....I don't want to see you or Shy get hurt. And Shy can't really defend herself. I don't want her to be collateral damage. I just want her to be happy. Ok?"

"Oh Dash." Twilight trotted up to her friend, embracing her in a comforting hug. "I would never EVER let Fluttershy get hurt. I swear. I know exactly how you feel. It's why I try to keep Spike out of dangerous situations. I'm not sure what I'd do if I was responsible for getting him injured. I'm sure you feel the same way about Scootaloo as well."

"Okay good." Dash said breathlessly, returning the hug. "I don't like worrying. Worrying sucks."

"Yeah believe me, I know." Twilight grinned and rolled her eyes. "Is that the only reason you came over today? To worry us?"

"Well that and making Fluttershy feel guilty about the ramp thing." Dash smiled, that cocky toothy grin that let Twilight know she was feeling better. "Plus uhhh...what else. Pinkie swung by and said something about all of us going to Sweet Apple Acres around noon to discuss something. She said it was very serious."

"I can't imagine Pinkie and serious in the same place." Twilight said with a chuckle.

"Yeah me neither, just passing the message along."

And with that, Dash hoisted herself into the air with a mighty flap of her wings, sending dust and bits of parchment scattering around the room. She adjusted the harness to be sure that Scootaloo couldn't fall out, and then soared out the doorway, leaving Twilight in the library with a lot on her mind.

*****************************

"So now that I've been thinking about it, I'm kinda curious."

Rainbow Dash was hovering down the cobblestone path through town that went past the fenceposts of Sweet Apple Acres. After having talked with and delivered a message to Twilight, she had delivered the same message to Fluttershy. And now that it was nearly noon, they felt it was a good a time as any to head to Sweet Apple Acres and see what Pinkie had to say. After a quick stop at Dash's floating cloud house that looked like a flying castle to drop off Scootaloo, the two had begun their journey to Applejack's home.

"Curious about what?" Fluttershy asked, prancing quietly down the road with a joyful leap in her step.

"You n'.....Twiiiiliiillllight." Rainbow made a devious grin and a kissy face.

Fluttershy slunk low to the ground, her long mane nearly enveloping her entire head.

"Oh dear. So you know." Fluttershy said softly.

"Sure do, pal." Rainbow gave Fluttershy a friendly jab to the ribs. "So how did YOU know? What attracted you to Twilight of all ponies? Her brains? Her nerdiness? Her uh.....purpleness?"

"All that stuff!" Fluttershy giggled aloud. "I always liked her. Now she likes me. We've only been on one date so far. I'm awful sorry I didn't tell anyone. I didn't want to seem like a loudmouth. Are you....not bothered by it?"

"Of course I'm bothered." Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes. "Two of my best buddies are dating. If something were to go horribly wrong in you and Twilight's little thing it could totally destroy our whole friend group. It would be the end of the Elements of Harmony. But then I got to thinkin'....you and Twilight are already so passive and nice to each other....maybe I don't need to worry too much. Probably. So you guys are cool by me."

Fluttershy returned the jab to Rainbow's ribs as the two continued down to Sweet Apple Acres.

******************************

Five of the elements of harmony had gathered on the lawn of Sweet Apple Acres. None quite looking their best, but all happy to be together for the first time in ages. Save that is, for Rarity who was still in Canterlot slowly becoming famous. Applejack sat near a tray of apple fritters that she had prepared for her friends, Pinkie Pie at her side.

"Hey y'all. I guess ya got Pinkie's message after all." there was no mistaking the small hint of disappointment in Applejack's voice. As if she didn't want her friends to be there.

"I made some fritters here if ya get hungry while we....er I....talk."

"Whats this all about, AJ?" Rainbow asked, darting for a fritter and cramming it into her mouth. "Deciding to have a party after bein' a sad sack and ignoring us for weeks?"

"Well I didn't mean to ignore y'all I've just had a lot on my mind. Actually um, that's why yer all here."

Expectantly the five ponies waited. From inside the barn approached two more. Big Mac, Applejack's large and oft silent brother, and Granny Smith, their grandmother and owner of Sweet Apple Acres.

"Oh no." Applejack groaned under her breath.

"What's all this then hmm?" Granny Smith asked, her dentures clacking loudly. "Havin' some sort of meetin'? Is another one of them uh...whatsemcalled...wizards attackin' the crystal kingdom?"

"Crystal Empire!" Twilight corrected. "And Applejack was just about to tell us all something important."

"Yeah but I didn't want....." the orange earth pony glanced helplessly at her brother and elder grandmother.

A very soft hoof stroked Applejack's back, trying to comfort her.

"Go on, Applejack." Pinkie whispered reassuringly. "Just tell them what you told me. Go on!"

"Yeh but....what...what if...." Applejack spluttered, glancing again at her grandmother.

"They won't love you any less. I just know it!" Pinkie squeaked giving her friend a hug.

Applejack stared at her hooves for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Alrighty. Guess I can't run from this any longer. I got alot ta' say an if'n ya don't wanna be my friend afterwards I understand."

For as long as anyone could remember, Applejack had always worn a brown stetson on her head. It was rare she pulled it off, even for formal occasions. But she was removing it now and pulling out a small purple glass bottle. It was very tiny, like a perfume bottle, with a small heart drilled into the glass and two letters chiseled inside the rounded curves of the heart: "F+W".

"That looks....very familiar." Fluttershy gave the bottle an experimental poke with her hoof.

"Well it should. Rarity helped make it." Applejack replied. "Y'all remember when Rare went down to that all-natural wellness center?"

"Oh yes! Flax and Wheat's All Natural Wellness Center! I remember Rarity managed to help keep them in business." Twilight smiled at the memory. "She made them so successful too."

"Yep." Applejack said dryly. "You know Rare was always tellin' me how that place was all muddy n' dirty and all about relaxin' after a good days work. Said I'd probably love it there. I'd thought a' doin' it a few times. Takin' a lil' break to get myself together."

Applejack licked her lips, which were becoming very dry. "So ya know when I asked Rare how she kept Flax Seed and Wheat Grass in business, she told me she'd industrialized 'em. Made them a machine. Cut down their workload, allowed them to make tons of bottles of their natural beauty products. I was proud of her, Rare helpin' out some farmers she barely knew. But I was really interested in the machine she said she made...."

Applejack put her hat back on her head.

"I couldn't believe that our Rarity...one of the most hooves-off ponies in Ponyville...someone who can barely build a sandwich...had managed to build an automatic bottlin' clockwork contraption. Out of tools and garbage, even. I just didn't think she was capable." Applejack grinned, looking at the ground. "But I guess that was always my problem. I always underestimated Rarity."

"What's your point, Applejack?" Rainbow growled, grabbing another fritter. "This is takin' forever."

Applejack shot Dash a dirty look. "I'm gettin to it! Anyway, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to go down there a few weekends ago when Rarity was there. I figured it'd be more fun if I was there with a friend and not alone. Wheat and Flax showed me where Rarity had been staying. It was an old barn she'd been patchin' up for 'em. Used to be a right mess at one point they said. So I walked in and she wasn't there but her bed was there, with a lamp and nightstand."

Applejack cleared her throat loudly, casting a worried glance at Pinkie. Pinkie beamed and nodded, urging Applejack to continue.

"So...ya know I don't mean to snoop but somethin' caught my eye in there. On Rare's nightstand was her clock, and an old photo of her cat....and uh..well....a photo of me. A photo of me the night before we went to the Gala. My glamor shot or whatever she called those. And that was it. All the rest of her photos of her and Sweetie Belle and Spike had been packed away or weren't there. All that was there was....me. Lookin' at me. Front n' center."

Fluttershy trembled a bit, feeling apprehension at the direction this story was taking. As quietly as she could she wrapped her tail around Twilights, hoping to find comfort, and happy to feel Twilight squeeze back.

"Rarity walked in a moment later. She saw me lookin' at the photo and there was this.....look she gave me. Like...I caught her doing something bad. She seemed so scared of what I'd say next. So I tried to joke and wonder why I was the only photo there. And she just gave me this sorta...sad smile and said it made her feel...safe. We didn't talk much durin' that trip or afterwards cause I felt....funny...and Rare looked..I dunno...sad I guess."

"So...you think Rarity might have a thing for you?" Rainbow munched around bites of fritter.

"Well yeah, sugarcube. It's just...you know I'm real close with Rare. And after I found out...that Rare ...you know...it was such a shock to mah mystem. An' as the shock wore off, well...I think....I'm pretty sure I...."

"You care for her?" Twilight offered.

"In that special sort of way?" Fluttershy added.

"Yeah I...guess I reckon I do. I was gonna tell her before she left for Canterlot but...." Applejack gritted her teeth and looked away at the grass. "I was too scared."

Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"So is that why you've been moping all day all this time on the hill near the train station? This is what's been on your mind?"

"I'm so proud of you, Applejack!" Pinkie gave her fellow earth pony a warm hug. "Don't you feel better now?"

"Guess I just lost 10 bits." Big Mac grunted in his deep voice, handing a few copper coins to Granny Smith.

"Wait what!?" Applejack spluttered.

Granny Smith pranced over, her old bones creaking loudly, drawing her granddaughter into a comfortin' hug.

"I just knew y'all liked that there pretty lil' Rarity unicorn, Applejack. Big Mac didn't o' course cause he's as stubborn as a mule and twice as thick. So I had to have me a lil' wager with him. I knew I'd win o'course!"

Big Mac frowned and wandered off.

"But Granny....how....how did ya know?" Applejack asked, her green eyes darting left and right, searching her grandmother's wrinkled face for answers.

"Well...yeh talk in yer sleep sometimes honey." Granny said with a wink. "'Course it's also the only time I ever see you brush yer hair is when she's comin' ta' visit."

Nobody had ever seen Applejack turn more red.

"So you're...not......" Applejack trembled, unable to finish the sentence.

"What dearie?" Granny cocked her head. "I'm proud of ya. I don't mind it's a mare...I'm jes' glad ya found some pony you like. And it ain't some hooligan. Was startin' to get worried. Guess that means yer as fruity as this here orchard!"

"Good one Granny Smith!" Pinkie laughed loudly, falling on her back in a fit of giggles.

"Why did Pinkie Pie invite us to Sweet Apple Acres if you were the one confessing a secret, Applejack?" Twilight asked.

"I was just tired of having so many secrets in my head!" Pinkie replied, hopping up and down happily. "Seeing you and Flutters smoochin' in the park was the straw that broke my camels back!"

Twilight and Fluttershy both looked horrified at the same time.

"Oops!" Pinkie stopped hopping in midair, looking ashamed. "I've been a bad pony."

"We've only been on one date!" Twilight shouted.

"Wait a minute....so I...ain't the first?" Applejack asked, looking bewildered and relieved. "Well I feel much better now."

Rainbow shook her head at the absurdity of it all, and grabbed another fritter.

"Well you shouldn't. A very tentatively okay situation just got escalated into no-holds-barred badville."

"How do you reckon?" Applejack asked.

"Because now instead of having JUST two of our best friends in love with each other, now you're in love with a fourth best friend! You and Rarity can hardly even get along! How do you think she's gonna react when you ask her to go steady?"

Applejack looked horrified. "I ain't tellin' Rarity any of this! What's gotten into you, Dash?"

"Oh Rainbow you mustn't be so negative!" Fluttershy protested.

"Why not!" Rainbow shot back, looking panicked. "This is just like what happened before! I'm gonna lose everyone I care about just like in Cloudsdale!"

"You didn't lose me." Fluttershy said coolly.

Dash calmed down immediately, looking at the grass with an unhappy expression.

"Yeah, Shy. I guess you're right. You always stuck by me."

"And I always will!" Fluttershy cheerfully replied. "You really shouldn't worry about losing your friends again, Dash. It's different now. Don't you think we're all much better friends than your old...kind of jerky ones....from Cloudsdale?"

Dash cracked a smile. "Yeah. They were kind of jerks."

"I really do think that our friendships can overcome any hardships." Twilight gave Fluttershy a hug. "We just need to be strong. And patient. And not jump to crazy conclusions."

"Just trust that we're making the right decisions." Fluttershy said with a nod.

"Alright, I'll try. First you and Twi, now AJ. Everyone is fallin head over hooves for somepony these days. I guess I'm the only one not affiliated." Dash smirked.

Pinkie's large blue eyes turned to Dash, an expression of confusion and sorrow mixed on her face.

"What do you mean not affiliated?"

"I mean I'm the only one here apparently not bitten by the love bug."

"Ooooh!" Pinkie gave Dash a very speculative look. "But what about last Thursday when you helped me make that cake and then you ate half of it and got a tummy ache and I rubbed your tummy until it went away and you said -"

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Dash shouted. "All of Ponyville doesn't need that broadcasted!"

"Aww but it was so cute, Dashie!" Pinkie squealed, fluttering her eyelashes and leaning uncomfortably close to Rainbow. "I'd never heard you neigh before. You have such a cute neigh! We were so comfy curled up on the kitchen floor I don't know why you don't-mmph mmpohhh mmph!!!"

Dash had put her hooves over Pinkie's mouth clamping it shut, looking annoyed as her cheeks went red. A deafening awkward silence filled the air. Granny Smith chuckled and walked off, leaving the rest of the gang sitting in a circle, unable to look at each other.

"We are not talking about that!" Dash hissed, flying on top of the roof of the barn and sulking.

"Well...." Twilight began. "Now that we've all managed to embarrass ourselves publicly....who would like to see the interesting magical flower that Fluttershy rescued?"

*******************************

Despite having been isolated from the Everfree Forest, the flower in question was doing quite well. It swayed delicately of it's own will in the tea kettle full of soil that Fluttershy had deposited it in. Five small colorful ponies crowded it, curious that such a beautiful thing had emerged from a place so terrible.

"Purty little thing." Applejack said. "Imagine havin' a bunch of 'em right outside yer windowsill, greetin' ya every mornin'!"

"Yes it would be nice." Fluttershy agreed with a smile. "But I don't think it's meant to be. Technically its home is still in the forest. We're just borrowing it for a little while."

"What a tryhard plant." Rainbow muttered, snorting on the plant, making it sway slightly harder.

"Tryhard? Really?" Twilight asked with a bemused expression.

"Well yeah look at it!" Rainbow scoffed. "Polka dots? Stripes? All those clashing colors. No sense of coolness or streamline design. All those curly antennae things sticking out of the center of it. It's like the flower that wanted to be pretty and then went WAY overboard with it."

"Looks good enough to eat!" Pinkie leaned forward, ready to clamp her tiny white teeth over one of the plants frail leaves.

Twilight frowned and dragged Pinkie back from the plant a few feet with a bit of telekinesis magic.

"No eating." She stated sternly.

"So what'd y'all call this thing again? A Pyola Lunar Boreal? Or summat?" Applejack asked.

"Pyrola Lunata Borealis." Fluttershy corrected. "It's very very rare. I'd been visiting it for some time and then thought Twilight might like to see it. And Twilight deduced that either Princess Celestia or Princess Luna must have made the flower."

"So ya both went into the Everfree? With all the ghosts n' goblins n' timberwolves n' such?" Applejack looked very impressed. "So....did Fluttershy get scared n' jump into yer arms or somethin', Twilight?"

Applejack, Pinkie, and Dash all chuckled loudly.

"Sorry Fluttershy!" Applejack wiped away a tear of merriment. "Just can't imagine either of ya goin' into that forest on purpose!"

"It was actually quite the opposite!" Twilight rubbed the end of her muzzle on the tip of Fluttershy's nose, eliciting a happy squeak from the pegasus. "Fluttershy was in charge and when I was distressed...she was there in my time of need."

"Time of need." Dash quipped with a mischievous grin causing both her and Applejack to snort with laughter.

"I don't get it!" Pinkie announced happily.

"Ignore them, Pinkie." Fluttershy said with a snort. "They're just being immature."

"That's my favorite kind of ture!" Pinkie said, feeling left out.

Twilight stomped her hoof on the ground, causing the rest to cease their laughter. "ANYWAY, if you three are done....this flower only blooms once a year and has magical properties. I have tried casting every variety and sub-variety of ancient spells on it from before pony magic and none of them have worked. But pony magic works."

"Water also works." interrupted Spike, who waddled over carrying a large watering can with a striped spout in his short chubby arms. "Time for the 2 O'Clock shower. Stand clear from the splash zone."

He wasn't kidding. Due to his short size and stubby limbs, a large majority of the water missed the plant entirely, spattering across the table and the floor. Fluttershy picked up the tiny dragon, giving him a gentle hug.

"Spike's been helping us take care of it. He's been very responsible." she cooed.

"Meh." came Spike's answer. "It's easier than sorting Twilight's books all day."

A deep gurgle rumbled out from inside the tiny dragon, followed by a loud fiery belch. A scroll wrapped in a red ribbon with gold trim flew out from the dragon's mouth, hitting the ground with a moist splat.

"Oh! Celestia wrote back already!" Twilight clacked her hooves together with glee.

"Why is that letter all wet?" Rainbow asked, hovering close to the soaked parchment on the ground. "Is that dragon slobber?"

"It's worse." Spike gagged slightly. "I think it's just sweaty."

"Well that confirms my suspicion that Celestia has been working as hard as I am." Twilight grimaced. "Sorry Spike."

"I'm gonna go brush my teeth." Spike growled, stomping off.

Twilight unfolded the letter with a spark of magic and held it in front of herself as a small cloud of purple magic enveloped it.

"Wassitsay, Twi?" Applejack asked, as the rest stood watching Twilight skim the letter.

With a smile the small alicorn folded the letter back up and placed it next to the flower.

"Celestia says she created quite a few flowers in the past. Having her recall a specific one is too hard. So she'd like us to bring it to her so she can inspect it herself! She also says I can take as long of a vacation as I want! Sounds as good a reason as any for us to take a trip to Canterlot."

"Hey we can visit Rarity and Sweetie-Belle while we're there, too!" Rainbow did a backwards somersault in midair. "We should totally bring Scootaloo and Applebloom along with us, AJ."

"Yeah, I know Applebloom has been missin' Sweetie something awful, RD. I bet the little ones will be happy as pie to hang out again." said Applejack.

"Oh! And you can tell Rarity how you feel!" Fluttershy whispered. "It'll be so special to do it there in Canterlot!"

"Y...yeh...I s'pose I could do that while I'm there." Applejack said nervously, looking worried. "Though...I'd rather not."

"Aww don't rush poor Applejack!" Pinkie gave the farmer pony an affectionate nudge. "She's already nervous enough. Oh! I should tell the Cakes I'm going out of town! And find someone to feed Gummy while I'm away!"

"Why not just have the Cakes feed Gummy?" Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie looked at Fluttershy in the way a cat looks at a rottweiler. "Why would I ever do that!?"

"We should all prepare." Twilight said.

The others nodded.

***********************************

Planning an out of town trip takes rather a lot of preparation. Even for ponies. And especially for ponies with families and careers and pets. I would be several days before any of the Elements of Harmony were ready for travel. Applejack had to pack clothes for herself and her sister in case they needed to attend a formal event in Canterlot. She also needed to pack a few extra hairbows for Appleblooom so the filly wouldn't be forced to wear the same one every day. Dash bought an entire cabbage for her pet tortoise, Tank, to feed on. Instructing him that any cabbage he didn't eat should be kept in the icebox so it could keep fresh. Pinkie delivered her pet alligator Gummy to the remainder of the Apple family at the orchard. Big Mac had a keen interest in reptiles after being bitten by a rattlesnake years ago, and was more than happy to care for Pinkie's pet, though he was certain that the strict diet Pinkie fed to the gator was not exactly healthy. Mostly candies, cookies, and cakes. Dash didn't pack anything except some bits. She figured that if she and Scootaloo needed anything while they were in Canterlot, she'd just buy it. Better than hauling luggage around.

As for Twilight, all she really needed was to pack up her notes, her crown that she rarely wore, and find an efficient small terrarium to keep the flower in while she traveled. She was quick about it, eager to spend as much time helping Fluttershy get her affairs in order for the trip as she could. And simultaneously getting to spend time with Fluttershy. Both mares were still unsure if they should make their relationship public, although it was growing painfully obvious the two liked each other

. It would be nearly a week before everyone was ready to go. In that time Twilight spent more time away from her books than she'd ever spent in her entire life. And Fluttershy for the first time in forever was able to happily sleep in the arms of someone she loved, unworried about the creepy noises that echoed through the woods and town painting nightmares in her head. In Twilight's arms she felt safe, calm, knowing that her magical friend of capable of a great and sometimes shocking power. She still felt guilty that Twilight made the walk to her cottage every day and offered multiple times to visit Twilight in the Library. Spike had realized that as long as Twilight was out of the library, he was no longer needed for the endless stream of obsessive-compulsive chores that his caretaker seemed to come up with out of nowhere. Her being at Fluttershy's place was a perfect setup. Twilight got to relax and be with a friend, Fluttershy got to do the same, and Spike got to lay around all day or go play in the park with the other little fillies and colts after school. He couldn't think of a better opportunity to hang out with children of his age.

Fluttershy generally was a pony of few words. She enjoyed staying out of the way and preferred the silence. But with Twilight around, the skittish pegasus found herself saying more things in a day than sometimes she'd say in months. It was as if having the newly crowned princess in her house gave Fluttershy the urge to chat about everything that she'd never had the nerve to say anything about previously. She told tales of her embarrassments and escapades as a child. What it was like to be stuck on the ground as a pegasus and figure out how to fly back up to Cloudsdale. Her harrowing and terrifying years in high school. How she and Dash had first really become friends. What life was like in Ponyville before Twilight had arrived. How she'd come to find Angel and raise him. She even found herself sometimes explaining how Iron Will's self help books had, in a strange opposite sort of way, helped her realize she didn't need to pretend to be someone different to be happy. And that most of all was why she liked Twilight. The purple alicorn would listen intently as Fluttershy went on and on, listening with fascination. She thought Fluttershy was perfect, and didn't want her to change one bit. When Fluttershy would finally grow tired of speaking, Twilight would in turn try to tell her tales of what life had been like for her before arriving in this quaint town. But Twilight didn't have as much to say, having spent most of her life as a very introverted scholar living amongst the dusty archives of Canterlot, being taught by Princess Celestia herself. Her life had been nowhere near as adventurous or harrowing.

It was funny in a way, they both thought how similar their lives had ended up being, despite the roads being so different. Fluttershy's life had been filled with running and avoiding the outside world, learning to deal with her low self-esteem and often dark brushes with self loathing. Twilight's life had been filled with knowledge, magic tricks, illusions, and the joy of quill upon page, rarely seeing the sun and hiding herself away from society, determined to be the smartest and brightest and win approval. Yet despite these differences, both had ended up leading very stressful lives as adults, trying their best never to lose their nerve, never to lose their temper, and knowing that so many individuals relied on them. For Fluttershy, she had learned to relax from making her own candles, incense, and herbal stews. Finding hobbies in caring for animals and knitting. Twilight had never really learned how to relax. So as the week went by, Fluttershy taught Twilight how to meditate. And not the concentration form of meditation, designed to focus one's will for magical purposes like the enchantress Zecora would preach. But the quiet kind where a pony would stretch her muscles, bend, twist, and quietly enjoy the sun on her face and the sounds of nature around her. Twilight came to love these times where she and Fluttershy would simply sit back to back, their eyes closed, finding contentment in mere existence. For the first time in her life, Twilight truly felt at peace. Her mind, normally a storm of thought, becoming a calm tranquil sea. At least that is until Friday, since Pinkie Pie enjoyed meditating as well and did it very loudly.

"YOU TWO ARE SO CUTE!" Pinkie screeched, shattering the silence like a dragonfly being hit by a train.

"Pinkie we're supposed to be meditating." Twilight said with a slight edge to her voice.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Pinkie whispered, resuming her position of sitting upright in the grass with her eyes closed.

She couldn't keep them closed for long. Fluttershy and Twilight looked so happy together. She's never seen Fluttershy seem so excited, or seen Twilight seem so calm. Their effect on each others natures was palpable. And as they sat in the grass leaning against each other for support, Pinkie simply couldn't help but squeal with delight.

"eeeeeEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

"Oh for goodness sakes." Twilight muttered, exasperated as she stood up shaking her head. "Done. I can't do this like this."

"Poo! I'm sorry Twilight!" Pinkie crooned. "I just can't help it. I wish I had a special somepony. Someone to party with and bake pies with and ride balloons with and kiss with and sing improvised musical numbers with..."

Twilight waltzed over to Fluttershy's windowsill, pouring herself a glass of cherry iced tea and taking a long drought. She had hoped she'd get to spend her last night before the Canterlot trip with Fluttershy.... alone, but Pinkie was ruining the mood and rustling the jimmies with her ineffable need for chatter.

"Pinkie." Fluttershy began, walking over to her very pink friend. "I don't think Dash would enjoy singing improvised musical numbers. At least not the kinds you sing."

The pink pony turned, tilting her head til it was almost upside down with a confused expression.

"I never mentioned Dashie." she stated flatly, flicking her ear.

"Oh!" Fluttershy backed away, realizing she'd possibly made a rude inclination. "I'm so sorry, Pinkie. I just assumed that...you know...that uh...um...she was...special to you."

"She is." Pinkie said with a smile, turning her head back to its correct position. "I've never liked anypony as much as I like her."

"Why not...you know do something about it, Pinkie?" Twilight asked from over near the window. "You never know, she might like you just as much. It took me having a complete nervous breakdown in the middle of a forest expedition in a rainstorm and blubbering my eyes out to realize how much Fluttershy meant to me. I know Dash seems like a pretty tough egg, but I'm sure under that hard shell is a very soft....yolk?"

"Yes. Dash is a big softie, you know." Fluttershy agreed with a nod.

"I like yolk!" Pinkie exclaimed, nodding vigorously, but then just as quickly her smile faded. "But I could never ask Rainbow about that stuff. It'd be bad for me and her."

"Bad....for you and her?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well yeah." Pinkie said, her voice growing quiet as she looked away. "It'd be unhealthy for me to do that to Dashie. I'd be a very mean Pinkie to say I like her."

"Wait what?! Why?" Twilight asked, befuddled at Pinkie's logic.

"She doesn't belong here." Pinkie looked at her hooves in the grass. "She's always fidgeting when she's indoors or here on the ground with us. I always notice. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't keep her here with me. She's meant to be in the sky."

Fluttershy frowned, walking up to her friend.

"Pinkie...."

"She's gonna be famous one day, you know. She's gonna be a Wonderbolt! Accomplish her dream! She's already halfway there!" Pinkie's eyes shone with glee as she spoke, but there was a hurt there, deep behind those blue irises. "She's gonna be the top athlete, a hero....in Cloudsdale. Which is.... where she... belongs."

Twilight put down her glass, afraid she might drop it as her hoof shivered. Pinkie's words were very different than the usual lighthearted babbling she normally spouted. It was almost frightening.

"She's gonna be a superstar. She's gonna see the world and do tricks and win races and be what she was meant to be. And I'm always gonna be here." Pinkie's smile faded completely as her voice grew even quieter. "Ponyville is my home. I'll always be an earth pony in Ponyville, making sweets and treats and saying greets. But not Rainbow. This isn't her home. And we all know it. And that's....that's why I can't."

The small pink pony began to tremble.

"Because I know that....one day....probably not too far from now...my Dashie is gonna fly away. Fly away and do what she was meant to. And I....won't ever see her again. You girls might...you can fly. You're meant to be in the sky. But I won't. I'll always be here. Behind. I'll never see her again. Ever."

Pinkie stood up from the grass, shaking her head, the characteristic crazy smile slowly returning to her face.

"Huh. My face is all wet." she said with a sniff. "Well I think that's enough meditationeering for me for today! I think I'm gonna go home and bake a little. I'll see you girls tomorrow at the train station. Okey-dokey?"

"See you there, Pinkie." mumbled Twilight breathlessly, still trying to process everything she'd just heard.

"Goodnight! Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite!" Pinkie called as she stumbled off into the darkening path as the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the hills.

For a minute the two watched their friend gallop away until she disappeared into the sleepy little town, lost to view.

"Poor Pinkie." Fluttershy whispered.

"Yeah. I never thought she'd feel that way. Denying herself even a chance at love just to be sure her friend could succeed. I'm not sure if I should admire her or pity her." Twilight yawned and frowned. "Pity I guess. I wish I could help."

"She has a point, though."

"Yeah. I never thought about it but....you know this won't be the last time Rarity is gone for an extended period. As Rarity becomes more popular, she's going to have to go on business trips and become a fashion superstar." Twilight grinned wryly. "That's her dream. And she can't accomplish it here with the rest of us. Same with Dash."

"Dash was right to be frightened about our little group falling apart." Fluttershy whispered, with her eyes downcast. "Nothing lasts forever. Maybe not even friendship. Eventually some of us will have to go our separate ways and....that will be it."

Twilight furrowed her brow. "I hope that isn't for a long time."

"Same, but I don't think I could ever leave Ponyville." Fluttershy said, walking over to give Twilight a kiss on the cheek.

"Neither could I." Twilight wrapped her arms around her marefriend, holding her close. "As much as I love Canterlot, and as much as I miss it. This is my home now. I'm happier here...and with you...then I've ever been in my whole life."

"It's getting late." whispered Fluttershy, looking at the crescent moon. "I should probably go to bed. Do you want to stay over tonight, Twilight?"

"No not tonight." Twilight sadly replied, nuzzling her friend. "Me and Spike have to make sure the library is pristine before I head out tomorrow. I'll see you at the station, Fluttershy."

And with that the two parted, one to the comforts of her home, and the other on the path to a similar end. Their hearts now heavy with a sense of foreboding. Four little ponies were in love, now. Two of them were happy and two were not. Or at least so they thought. They didn't know about the blue pegasus with the prismatic mane who happened to be trying to sneak up behind them as they meditated, holding a crate of water balloons for a prank. They didn't know how she had hid in the branches of the willow tree, eavesdropping their conversation. They didn't know how wet her own face was, as she watched her pink friend walk away. And so those four ponies, unknowingly were five. Whether the hiding pegasus could admit it to herself or not, she was now among their ranks.

In your hoof lies the heartland

"Did you know that almost 45% of all train-related deaths begin during the camshaft ignition?" Twilight blurted as she tried to stay calm. "That means half of ponies who have died on trains have died the moment the conductor turned the control key! Isn't that fascinating!?"

Twilight's high pitched nervous giggle fooled nobody.

"Twilight you've ridden the train with us so many times." Fluttershy whispered, gently rubbing her wing on her friend's back reassuringly. "You know it's a very safe train."

"I know I know. It's just.... no matter how many times I ride the FE it never gets any easier until we're actually on the move. I really prefer that hot air balloon." Twilight groaned and hung her head. "I shouldn't have had that coffee."

"How do you even know so much about trains anyway, Twilight?"

Twilight sighed and waved a hoof dismissively at Applejack.

Applejack shrugged. "What? Trains are neat. I like 'em."

Fluttershy was right of course. There hadn't been a train accident in decades in Equestria. Even stagecoach robberies were becoming a thing of the past. Ponies both good and bad realized how important the railways were to the progress of the country and any hindrance to it would hurt them in the long run. And of all the trains in Equestria, none were as safe as the Friendship Express. It was a steam locomotive, with brass wheels and gold chains. Painted a bright purple with pink highlights with periwinkle trim and yellow hearts with hounds-tooth designs on the engine's cab and funnel. Blue and yellow stripes slid vertically down the pilot guard in front. The carriages were alternating shades of cookie brown and lavender with alternating sky blue and peach roofing. And to tail it off was an old caboose, pink with blue stripes on its wheels. It was very striking and had long since been the method of choice for the elite of Canterlot to get to other cities in style. It pulled through Ponyville twice a day at the same time every day, and had never once had an accident. For very good reason. It's engine was stoked by magical fires that could never get out of the boiler or burn a pony. This kept it safe and efficient.

At the moment five members of the Elements of Harmony and several guests had boarded the train, patiently waiting for the whistle that would signal their journey was about to begin. One of the guests, Applejack's younger sister, had come idly strolling into the carriage, looking deep in thought.

The small chubby filly sat next to her sister, signaling she had a question with a small poke to the ribs.

"Hey Applejack!" she began, her large red bow bobbing as she spoke. "I been thinkin'....I don't think miss Cheerilee let me go on this here trip to learn about plants."

"Oh?" Applejack gave her tiny sister a nudge. "Why's that?"

"Well I think she just wanted you n' me away from the farm so she could see Big Macintosh without us bein' around."

Applejack laughed loudly. Every day these kids found new ways to surprise her with their cleverness and keen observations.

"Yeh...that's probably right, Applebloom." the farm pony wiped away her tears of laughter. "But I'm sure she also knows y'all miss Sweetie Belle a whole awful lot."

"Like how you miss Miss Rarity?" Applebloom asked innocently, catching her sister off-guard. The elder of the two sighed and gave the younger one a pat on the head.

"Yeah...just about the same way I guess."

A few meters away down the cabin Rainbow was trying to clean Scootaloo off. The two couldn't have been more alike in many ways. They both loved to fight, push their athletic limits, and brag. But one way in which they differed was hygiene. Dash had always thought that a pony who feels at her best should look her best. Looking awesome was part of being awesome. Scootaloo on the other hand had decided to splash around in some mud puddles before boarding the train and wasn't exactly happy to need to clean up. Rainbow had the small filly in the bathroom sink, trying to clean her off with faucet water, hoof soap, and paper towels.

"It'll flake off on it's own!" Scootaloo argued. "This is stupid!"

"Do you really wanna see Sweetie and Rarity while looking like you just stepped out of a garbage can?" Rainbow growled. "How is anyone gonna see how cool you look if you look like one of AJ's pigs?"

Scootaloo pouted, glancing at the door to see Pinkie Pie stick her head inside.

"Need any help?" the pink pony gently asked, causing Dash's angry expression to drop immediately.

"Oh hey Pinks. Nah nah, I got it handled. How are you?" Dash asked, wincing a bit. She rarely asked anyone how they were or how their days had been. But she'd resolved to try to be nicer to Pinkie after what she'd seen the prior night.

"I'm absolutely great! Fantastically good! Wonderfully uh...." Pinkie thought hard for a moment. "Well!"

"Okay....well good." Dash smiled. She looked down trying to think of her next words, suddenly spying a purple reptile scuttling into the train car. "Why is Spike with you?"

"He is?" Pinkie swiveled her head around 180 degrees like some sort of owl. "Oh hey Spike! Why are you on the train?"

"Spike!" Twilight shouted at the approaching purple dragon. "Why are you on the train? I thought we agreed you were going to stay home and take care of Owloysius!"

"It's taken care of." Spike grumbled. "It's not like I wanted to come here. HE made me."

There was a quiet hissing sound as a curled plume of grey smoke spewed from the canal of Spike's green fin-like ear. The smoke fell to the floor, collecting quickly into a large cloud that twisted itself upright, wriggling like a serpent as it took on a new form. White beard? Deer antlers? Snake body with bird talons? Yup, it was Discord alright.

He yawned loudly stretching his body out like a rubber band before popping back into place, looking complacent.

"Well hello Fluttershy!" he said happily, bowing, then glancing around the room slyly before adding. "....and friends."

"Hello Discord!" Fluttershy said nervously, extending a wing protectively over Twilight. "Why....are you on the train? And why were you inside of Spike's head?"

"Oh that!" He guffawed, waving away at the question as he sat down next to Fluttershy. "Well you never wrote me back my dear. After your frightful quest to find that flower you cherished so much, I assumed I'd receive an update at some point. When I didn't I decided to make my way back to Ponyville under the assumption there had been some sort of disaster. Of course when I arrived I found you weren't home. So logically I asked your rabbit for help. After that didn't work I flew around town and saw neither hide nor hair of you. So I made the assumption you and the rest of Celestia's special forces were off doing some sort of mission with your de facto leader, Twilight."

Discord picked up Spike and gave the tiny dragon a not-too-friendly pat on the head.

"Spiffy here was kind enough to tell me that you all had rushed down to the train station. And since he had nothing better to do than pretend to feed an owl that was clearly more than capable of caring for itself, I asked him to be my chauffeur. And so here I am. And there is the flower I see."

"His name is Spike!" Twilight spoke with an edge to her voice. "And I don't appreciate you hiding in his head or making him come down here."

"Oh don't worry about it." Discord snapped his fingers, making the terrarium the flower was in appear in his hand. "As long as I'm accompanying you all on this excursion, it will be good for him to come along. Perhaps I can teach him some dragon magic, hmm?"

A small pink beam of light came out of one of Discords yellow eyes, surrounding the flower. Almost immediately the light refracted and with a loud pop shot up towards the ceiling. There was a loud crack and a smokey explosion, leaving a large crooked hole in the roof in the traincar.

"Oh dear." Discord blushed. "Well I see this flower is resistant to anything I could possibly do to it."

"Twilight already tried a whole variety of magic types on it Discord. It's probably a bad idea to try anything else on it. Especially now that the roof is gone. Perhaps you should....um...fix it?" Fluttershy smiled, hoping to diffuse the situation as her other friends walked up, their faces showing clear disdain for their new guest.

"Hey!" Dash shouted. "What's your deal, Discord? You can't just barge in here uninvited! And now you just blew a big hole in the ceiling!"

"Yeah! Y'all are bein' awful rude!" Applejack chimed in.

Discord looked around guiltily at all the frowning faces before turning to Fluttershy, her face as always a mask of forgiveness.

"Am I being rude?" he asked.

"A little bit." Fluttershy whispered.

Discord grinned sheepishly, extending his paw and snapping the longest digits. There was a flash of yellow light and soon the hole in the ceiling was now a circular porthole with a ladder extending from the ceiling down to the floor.

"There we are. Now the hole in the roof of this infernal steam-powered train thing you ponies like so much is a nice observational area. Should help air flow too, I wouldn't wager. There's even a guard rail up there for the little ones. Fixed, eh?"

The others rolled their eyes as Discord plopped down next to Fluttershy. He was about to speak when Twilight spoke up first.

"Discord why are you even on this train? Why did you have to bring Spike away from home? Who's supposed to care for the library while I'm gone? Did you even stop to consider all the planning that went into this trip? Do you ever stop to consider anything before shooting your spells all over the place!?" Twilight rubbed her throbbing temples.

"You look awful, Princess Twilight." Discord replied, putting emphasis on the word princess. "Are you getting enough sleep? You know if I recall from the time I destroyed part of Celestia's castle I believe it is customary for a Princess to get at least 10 hours of sleep per day."

"That doesn't answer my question!" Twilight growled through gritted teeth.

"Oh no I suppose it does not. Don't fret about your library for now. At the moment it's currently a very large bird nest housing a very happy owl. I dare say it's quite an improvement over that old dead tree it was before. However if upon arriving back home you find living like an avian is not up to your standards, I will quickly revert it back into the dork fortress it was previously."

Twilight seemed ready to launch into a full-on screaming rant at the mischievous trickster before a quiet nuzzle from Fluttershy distracted her. Fluttershy gently placed the end of her muzzle in Twilight's ear, whispering gently.

"He's right you know. You should be relaxing Twilight. You've had such a busy morning. Try to sleep. I'll talk to Discord I have a....uh sort of way with him. He trusts me."

"Fine." Twilight grumbled, resting her head on Fluttershy's foreleg, the long pink locks of the pegasus covering her eyes. "Thank you for dealing with him, Fluttershy."

Spike curled up next to Twilight, shooting Discord a dirty look before closing his eyes and leaning against his caretaker. Within a few minutes the two were asleep. Fluttershy nuzzled the two affectionately before turning her attention to Discord, prepared to give him the kindest dressing down she could. But she stopped as she noticed the ancient sinewy creature was leaning back in his seat on the train, arms folded, seeming unhappy and deep in thought.

"I'm not....trying to be a pest. Not anymore." Discord mumbled. "Sometimes I wonder if....just perhaps...this attempt at turning over a new leaf...at being well-mannered...just isn't what I was meant to do."

"But you've done so much good, Discord. You've changed so much." Fluttershy offered, finding it very strange to have Discord, the evil god of chaos, seeming unhappy in such a reflective fashion. "But nobody can change overnight. It takes practice."

"It's been months, my dear." Discord replied with a pout. "Everywhere I go I seem to apparently ruin someone's day. For every pony I've tried to help I've annoyed several others. It's as if the world or my subconscious wants me to stay bad. It's highly aggravating. Perhaps I should just give up. Let Celestia put me back in a rock again."

"Oh C'mon now there Discord." Applejack piped up, having sat silently observing the group for for the last few minutes. "That there's just stinkin' thinkin', You ain't ruined anypony's day here. It's just ya know....nobody likes surprises."

"W...what?" Pinkie squeaked, looking heartbroken as she leaned out of her seat, lip trembling.

"I mean...folks like surprise parties, sure." Applejack said giving Pinkie a reassuring smile. "But surprise guests...well not so much. I mean yer a pretty well-mannered sort o' guy right, Discord? You wouldn't really appreciate it if'n someone just sorta came into your house uninvited, right?"

"I suppose not. If I had a house that is." Discord mumbled, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I'm quite used to just...appearing in places I need to be."

"Nothin' wrong with that...if you let folks plan ahead." Applejack said with a nod and a smile. " 'Specially so they can accommodate themselves for someone as...uh...interestin' as yerself."

"Thank you, Applejack." Fluttershy agreed. "That's exactly what I was just thinking."

Discord's dour expression returned to the keen wicked grin that normally plastered itself across his grey features. With a loud whistle the train began it's journey away from Ponyville, moving through the pale green fields of wheat and sawgrass that peppered the landscape just outside of the village. The plumes of pink and minty smokey steam that clouded the air above the train, flattened out and faded at an low altitude, giving the train the appearance of leaving a colorful trail as it made its way downwind. Rainbow Dash and Applejack took Scootaloo and Applebloom down the train to the Coach where the food was kept, as the two little ones were eager to eat brunch, and simultaneously the elder of the four weren't sure they wanted the youngsters learning any bad habits from Discord.

Riding trains wasn't Discord's usual cup of tea. He preferred the speed and instantaneous method of magical teleportation. So in order to fight off the numbing boredom, he found himself playing a game of riddles versus Pinkie Pie, whom as he expected was a very clever opponent.

"Serpentine in gale abound,
Solely on clay finery found.
Gaze of earth that it may turn,
To see the beast upon the urn."

Discord grinned wryly, leaning backwards. Pinkie grinned harder.

"Awww! That's an easy one!" Pinkie stuck out her tongue. "It's a Coatl."

"I'm shocked you even know what a Coatl is, little pony." Discord muttered with annoyance as the grin dropped from his face.

"I know all buncha stuff. My turn hmmmm.....oh!

Red and Black and Blue all over.
Proudly draped upon the shoulder."

Discord sighed as he picked his nose, pulling a pipe out of his nostril and placing it between his wrinkled lips as he gave it a puff.

"It's either a cape or a flag. Most likely a cape so I'm going to go with that."

"Correctamundo!" Pinkie shouted throwing some confetti into the air. "You win the prize."

"What prize?"

"A hug!"

"I see! Let's.....not and say we did, hm?"

"Okey dokey! I think it's your turn now!"

Ancient primordial gears turned in the labyrinth of Discord's mind. It had been eons since he'd found any sentient creature clever enough to guess more than one of his riddles. Pinkie had managed to figure out 12 in a row. He was impressed but also highly annoyed. If he planned to win this game he would need to pull out a whopper. One he hadn't used in centuries.

"He runs but does not tire,
He wades into the land.
She sang but cannot sing,
She moves but never stands.
He feasts and never ceases,
When he's passed he will cremate.
She drinks as long as she may live,
Her thirst is never slaked.
Four siblings unalike.
Four siblings all the same.
Round and round they are our life.
Can you mention them by name?"

Discord smugly sat back in his seat, idly picking at some plaque between his fangs with one of his elegant claws, feeling assured he was now victorious. After removing an entire banana stuck between two molars, he stared out the window, patiently feigning indifference as he waited for Pinkie Pie to raise the white flag of surrender. He opened his eyes in confusion after a few minutes of sustained silence.

"Feel free to give up if you like, Pinkie Pie." He jeered. "I am the master of this sort of thing after all. You've held your own quite well, no need to feel ashamed for losing to a superior mind! Second best is perfectly good."

Another moment passed and Discord's short temper finally distracted him.

"Oh for heaven's sakes, Pinkie! It's not even a hard one. The answer is...." Discord tilted his head at confusion at the pink pony who seemed to be dancing and wriggling in her seat, her hooves clasped over her mouth as if she were trying desperately not to scream in delight. "....what on earth are you doing? Why aren't you saying anything? Are you trying to notify me you need to use the restroom? Does Celestia force ponies to notify others about this sort of information in her new republic? Or are we playing charades? I do like charades....oh....it's...two words, yes?"

Pinkie pointed urgently at the seat next to Discord, causing the old chimera to turn and see the heartwarming scene to his right. Twilight Sparkle was still sleeping peacefully, wrapped in Fluttershy's pale yellow wings. Fluttershy was quietly preening Twilight's lavender wings, making not a single sound as she happily worked, straightening each barb on each feather. It was rare for Discord to smile at anything that wasn't one of his own jokes, but he couldn't help but grin a bit.

"So Fluttershy," he began, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"OH!" Fluttershy jumped as she noticed she was being watched. "I'm so sorry. Did someone ask me something? Did I ruin the riddle contest?"

"Not at all. The answer to the last one was the elements. Water, Wind, Fire, Earth. Pinkie was apparently unable to guess and thus I win by default."

"I thought there were five elements!" Pinkie argued.

"There are four technically. The fifth one is the one that controls the other four. Can you guess what it is?" Discord pointed to himself with a claw and mouthed the word "chaos".

Pinkie pouted angrily as Discord turned to his friend.

"Moving on. Fluttershy is there something the matter with Celestia's Pet?"

"You mean Twilight? No....why?"

"Oh nothing...." Discord scanned the ceiling, acting innocent. "I simply can't help but notice you two have been clinging to each other ever since we stepped into this tin box on wheels you ponies love so much."

"Oh....." Fluttershy grew quiet as she averted her eyes.

"I also can't help but notice a little bit of a spark in your eye, Shy. You know I'm very powerful. Nearly omniscient, really. And I notice little things like this."

"W...well...I um....you see..."

"You can tell ol' Discord. I've been around the block so many times. Why I practically built the block that I've been around."

"Fluttershy and Twilight like each other! Eeeeee!" Pinkie squealed, hopping up and down in her seat. "It's been like this for a little bit it's so cute I can't stand it!"

"Oh my gosh you are so right, girlfriend!" Discord squealed, appearing next to Pinkie Pie in a dress and lipstick and blonde wig. "Y'all just gotta gimme all the gossip you got! Ooh hoo hoo hoo!"

"I.....don't even really know!" Pinkie immediately ceased hopping and adopted a very serious expression. "Hey Flutters how did you and Twilight even figure out you liked each other so darn much?"

Fluttershy sighed with annoyance at the two eager smiles in front of her. Dealing with these two was like dealing with children sometimes. But she knew eventually all of her friends would end up asking her the same questions repeatedly until they got an answer. It would be best to come clean about it now and get it over with.

"Well...hm...this is sort of an embarrassing story but...I'm not sure where to start. Um....well.... do either of you understand how pegasus wings work? I mean for...emotional stuff."

"Nope!" Pinkie shouted as Discord shook his head solemnly.

"Oh goodness....well you see...usually when a pegasus would spread their wings for a pony it's was a way of attracting a mate. Now it's just sort of an instinct....and sometimes our wings flap when um....we see a pony we really like...or are feeling uh..."

Discord snorted with laughter, causing Fluttershy to give him a cold glance.

"Sorry sorry, please continue." he said, giving a small wave.

"As I was saying...they can sometimes move on their own if we're feeling....infatuated...or um...well...excited." Fluttershy mumbled, noticing Pinkie's eyes lighting up. "What?"

"Is that why Dashie's wings always unfold really whenever I hug her or bite her ear or we have a pillow fight or I bake her a cookie? Or sometimes when I'm talking to her. Or when we pull a prank. Or actually a lot of things. I mean it seems to happen a lot."

"What in the world is a Dashie? Sounds like a frozen dessert." Discord remarked. "I could go for a frozen treat at the moment."

"Oh it's what I call Rainbow Dash."

"Hmm I see. Yes. Interesting. Really. Yes." Discord scarfed down a fudge-covered ice cream bar that he had materialized out of thin air. "But why?"

"Cause....I don't know!" Pinkie replied as her cheeks went a bit red. "It's just what I've always called her by ever since we became friends!"

"Excuse me." Fluttershy interrupted, feeling exasperated. "I'd like to continue the story. But at least you two seem to understand what it means when pegasi show off their wings. And Twilight.... didn't. And she couldn't control her new wings around me."

"So you knew she liked you!" Pinkie squeaked, clapping her hooves together.

"Well....I suspected it. I'd already liked Twilight for a while and I certainly didn't want to convince myself she could ever feel the same way. Give myself false hope." Fluttershy continued. "Eventually as we hiked into the woods looking for the flower her wings started hurting her every time we talked...or at least whenever I talked about...nature or wildlife... and....when I explained why it was happening well...she...um...started to cry."

Fluttershy glared at Discord who appeared to be trying very hard to contain his giggling. Pinkie soon was glaring at him as well. With a flicker of magic, Discord had caused his mouth to vanish entirely off his face, leaving nothing but his enormous chin and beard. Satisfied with the change, Fluttershy continued.

"And I'm not sure how to really explain this...I went to try and tell her it was okay when she was crying and...uh...something just clicked.... I guess. We just knew that...we felt the same way. We ended up curling up together under the stars that night because we were too tired to walk back. I was really happy and she was too."

"And they've been inseparable ever since!" Pinkie chirped.

Discord curled into a ball and bounced back into his seat next to Fluttershy, working his jaw as his mouth reappeared.

"Sorry if this all seems so weird and sudden, Discord." Fluttershy whispered. "It's been a big surprise for all of us. I never would have thought..."

"Thought what? That you'd ever fall in love? Go head over hooves for someone? Happens to everyone my dear Fluttershy." Discord said with a grin. "Even happened to me once a very long time ago. I'm rather pleased to hear all this actually. Someone as kind and nice as you doesn't deserve to be alone. Growing old and rotten by yourself. The resident crazy old cat lady except with bears and opossums. Although I must admit I think you could do better than picking Celestia's court jester but I'm happy nonetheless."

"Hey don't call Twilight a jester!" Spike suddenly angrily spluttered, having been roused from his slumber by the slanderous words being levied at his former master. "She's a princess now! You should give her at least some respect you jerk!"

"Tell me Spike...." Discord began, eying the tiny purple dragon. "Have you ever tasted meat? I'd assume not, having lived among ponies and brought up to eat like they do."

"Of course not!" Spike looked horrified. "What do you think I am? A barbarian? I'll keep eating fruit and gems, thank you very much!"

"Thought so." Discord waved his eagle clawed arm briefly, causing a silver dish to appear on it. Upon it sat a strange sort of sandwich. The bread was very round, and between the casually layered vegetables sat a large dark flat cylinder, giving out a thick salty scent as he levitated it over to Spike. "This, little fellow, is called a cheeseburger. They were very popular once a very long time ago when griffons and dragons weren't so....uncommon. Go ahead and take a bite. I know you'll like it."

"Is this meat?" Spike asked, sniffing the sandwich, unable to control the drool now pooling in his mouth from the scent.

"Mmmmmmayyyyyybe." mocked the trickster. "Just give it a little bite, Spike. A small nosh if you will. A little chew a little chomp."

Spike nervously picked up the sandwich, taking a small bite out of it. He squinted his eyes shut, chewing hard, afraid of what might happen. Fluttershy and Pinkie stared in curiosity as slowly Spike's eyes opened, widening, and he furiously took another bite. Then another and another. And soon the whole sandwich was gone, scarfed into his toothy mouth.

"Oh my gosh." Spike panted, breathless after his feast. "Oh my gosh that was good. Oh man."

"Twilight's going to be so upset if she wakes up and finds out you gave Spike meat, Discord. She's tried really hard to keep his diet like ours." Fluttershy said.

"Well it's too late now, my dear." Discord moaned with a sorrowful expression. "Spike knows the glee of flesh now. He has a taste for blood. Soon he will come after ponies in the night desiring to feast...ahaha ahaha oh I'm sorry that's just too ridiculous. Oh I slay myself sometimes. He'll be fine Fluttershy. It's just food."

"You don't wanna joke about stuff like that, Discord." Spike replied with a sheepish grin. "I actually kinda had a similar problem during my last birthday."

"Was it greed?" Discord asked flatly.

"Yep! Spikey got really huge!" Pinkie exclaimed, waving her arms. "He was as big as Celestia's castle by the time Rarity stopped him."

"Not too impressive. I ate a planet once." Discord glanced over at the sleeping Twilight. "Why does the new princess look so...awful anyway? I was under the impression ponies were meant to be cute, after having ruled over them for a few hundred years. Miss Sparkle looks like she hasn't slept in weeks up til now."

"There's just been so much going on. With the coronation and the celebrations and then having to go through a crystal mirror to an alternate dimension because someone stole her crown. Then coming back and having to do so much paperwork for the Equestrian government. And then all the trouble you caused with your vines. Twilight's been very stressed out." Fluttershy lay down in her seat, gently resting her head on Twilight's neck, ready to join her friend in slumber. "This trip is going to be a little vacation. For all of us."

"I suppose I should apologize eventually for the mess with the vines." Discord mumbled, looking agitated.

Fluttershy nodded. "I think that would be a good idea!"

By the time Applejack and RainbowDash had returned from the food cart with their sisters in tow, Fluttershy and Twilight were asleep, and Discord and Pinkie were now in some sort of staring contest. Which was easy for Discord since he could give himself as many eyes as he wanted. The two entering ponies exchanged glances as they sat back in their seats, knowing this trip would be a weird one.

****************************************

Twilight's restful slumber was awakened hours later by a piercing scream of terror and the sound of several voices crying out all at once. Immediately her fear of the train snapped her back into the waking world. Her eyes shot open, only to perceive darkness. There was nothing. But she could still feel the vibrations from the train and hear the audible calamity. Her mind immediately went to Discord. This was some nefarious trap. He had plunged the train into darkness to kidnap and control all of them. He had finally taken advantage of the fact that the Elements of Harmony were locked away in a tree. That had to be the reason!

"Hello?! HELLO!? WHAT'S GOING ON? IS EVERYONE OK?" Twilight shouted over the noises of shouting around her, trying to flicker on some ghostly light from the tip of her horn.

Immediately she felt the gentle embrace of Fluttershy around her chest.

"Don't worry, Twilight. It's fine. We're just in a tunnel and...Pinkie...." Fluttershy's voice shook a little. "Had an accident but I think she's alright. Or at least...I hope she is."

Like a giant blanket unveiling the sun, the tunnel came to its end, basking the Friendship Express in the warm rays of the afternoon light. Twilight squinted as she adjusted going from total darkness to the bright light now flooding the train car. Discord, Spike, Applejack and her little sister along with Scootaloo were all leaning up against the ladder leading up the hole in the roof.

"Is she alright? Say somethin', sugarcube!" Applejack shouted, breathing out a sigh of relief as a rainbow tail and a pink curly tail both appeared at the hole.

Rainbow Dash entered from the ceiling, with Pinkie in her arms. Both were covered in scratches, and Pinkie in particular had a large purple bruise on her neck and a grotesque gash on her rear leg. The pink pony was shaking like a leaf as Dash lowered her to the floor.

"Ya ok Pinkie? Is anythin' broke?" Applejack asked, rushing over to inspect Pinkie as the trembling pony wobbled to her feet.

"No....I'm ok I think. I have a big lump on my neck from the tunnel smacking me, though."

"Wait! The mouth of the tunnel hit you Pinkie?" Twilight asked, rushing over with some bandages out of her travel bag, ready to apply them to anywhere Pinkie might be bleeding.

"Yeah it bopped me good! Then I fell off the train and..." Pinkie inspected the sizeable gash on her left hind leg. "I hit the rocky wall with my leg and it got squished between me and the wall and all this happened so fast. But Dashie saved me."

"Well I'm just glad you ain't hurt, sugar." Applejack breathed a sigh of relief. "You probably shouldn't have gone up there in the first place. 'Specially after me n' Dash told ya it was dangerous."

Dash was shaking as she suddenly stepped forward around the ladder, shoving Applejack out of the way so she could be level with Pinkie Pie. Her normally cheery face twisted in a scowl of rage and fear, her entire body seeming to quiver with anger, causing Pinkie to stare at her wide-eyed.

"WHAT....IS..YOUR PROBLEM, PINKIE?!!?" Dash hissed through clenched teeth. "DON'T YOU THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH STUFF TO WORRY ABOUT WITHOUT YOU CAUSING AN ACCIDENT?!?"

Pinkie pawed the floor looking dejected. "I just wanted to see what the top of the train looked like. It seemed fun. I didn't know it..."

"FUN?!? FUN!?!" Dash shrieked, growing louder with every word as her ruby eyes filled with tears. "YOU COULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW PINKIE! YOU COULD HAVE DIED! AND WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THEN, HUH!? WHAT AM I...SUPPOSED TO DO ALL DAY IF YOU.......IF YOU'RE GONE, HUH!? If you aren't around. YOU STUPID....stupid....pony."

Dash coughed loudly as her screams became a tangled sob, leaning forward as if to embrace Pinkie. But she quickly withdrew, snorting angrily and stomping out into the other train car, leaving the rest in stunned silence and a small trail of dripped tears leading to the door.

"Oh dear." Fluttershy whispered.

"I'll go check on her." Scootaloo mumbled as she quickly followed the path taken by her adopted big sister, scuttling out the car on her tiny orange hooves.

Twilight frowned and turned on Discord who had remained suspiciously quiet throughout the event. "This is all YOUR fault Discord! If you hadn't shown up and decided to destroy half the train with your stupid chaos magic NONE of this would have happened! Pinkie wouldn't be hurt and Dash wouldn't be upset and we wouldn't have this big dumb hole on the ceiling!"

Discord said nothing, snapping his fingers and whisking the hole away.

"It's not his fault Twilight." Pinkie squeaked. "Please don't yell at him. It's my fault. I was silly and didn't look where I was going and now I...made Dashie cry. This is on me."

"If the hole hadn't been there in the first place, no one would have gone up it!" Twilight barked, giving Discord another dirty look that caused the monster to shrink away.

"I....I'm sorry."

"What was that?" Twilight asked, stomping over to Discord who appeared to be flattening against the floor like a pancake to avoid the purple alicorn.

"I said....I'm sorry. I apologize. I made a mess of your little trip. And I'm sorry about the whole mess with the tree of harmony. I was just having a bit of fun. Sorry."

Twilight's expression softened slightly as she stared into Discord's beady yellow eyes. The small red pools of color that made up his irises were darting all over Twilight's face, his fuzzy grey eyebrows slowly curving into a worried expression. He was grinning sheepishly, but in his eyes he looked truly afraid. This wasn't a trick, or a way of weaseling out of trouble. What she saw was something she often saw in Spike on those days where he'd done something bad but was too afraid to fess up to it. She saw remorse, and a bit of fear. Fear of rejection and fear of disappointment. In those eyes she saw the reflection of a creature whom, despite being as old as time itself, was not wise. Was not well-mannered. A creature that had the same constitution as that of her apprentice. The mind of a silly young boy, hidden beneath centuries of bitterness and loneliness, dressed up as a cantankerous old creature.

For the first time Twilight felt pity for Discord. He wasn't a menace or even very evil. He was simply desperate to not be alone. Desperate to have meaning in his life. He'd been alone at the beginning of the universe, and so too would he be at it's end. He was contradictory and reactionary. Pretending to dislike the things he yearned for most. Things like love and friendship. Afraid to be seen as he really was. A lonely creature with a heart that was a bit softer than he'd ever admit.

"You're really destructive you know that?" Twilight muttered, gently placing her hoof on Discord's paw. "But you know I think....I get now...why Fluttershy trusts you. You're not evil. Just....impulsive. And rude, I guess. It's not entirely your fault. You don't know any better. You're...forgiven...I guess."

"Really?" Discord asked, looking suspicious. "I find that odd."

"Yep. Just please no more magic for a while."

"This is nice n' all but uh...what're we gonna do 'bout Rainbow?" Applejack asked.

Pinkie stood up again, taking a deep breath.

"I'm the one who did this so I think I need to be the one to apologize and try to make her feel better. I really REALLY scared her. So I'll see if I can un-scare her." Pinkie's voice wavered slightly as her nerve left her. She was used to cheering up sad ponies, but never before had she been the cause of the sadness.

Gently she pushed open the door to the next train car, closing it behind her as she made her way to the other end. Scootaloo was sitting on the edge of her seat, kicking her tiny legs as she cast a forlorn look at the bathroom. Past the orange door was the sink, faucets on at full blast as Rainbow was cleaning off the scratches and cuts that were on her legs and wings from the rescue effort. Once satisfied she dunked her head into the deluge of water, savoring the numbing peace it brought before pulling out and letting out a long sad sigh, shaking her head and flinging small drops of water everywhere. Staring at the tile bathroom floor, she didn't even notice the pink pony slowly approaching her.

"Hey Dashie..."

"Pinkie wait. Just....stop." Dash interrupted, holding up a hoof. "Look I.....it's not your fault, ok? I shouldn't have shouted. I've just been really stressed out. First I find myself caring for a kid and doing it all wrong, and then the Wonderbolts accepted my application. Now my best friend since I was little is dating my other new friend. It's just...stressful I guess. And...I shouldn't have blown my top and yelled at you, Pinkie. You nearly got hurt and all I could do was yell at you and that wasn't fair of me. It was really uncool and I'm sorry I was such a jerk. So just...save your apology cause I don't deserve it, ok?"

Pinkie sat on the floor, dumbfounded. That had been the exact opposite of what she'd been expecting to happen! Now her apology plan was all screwed up. But it didn't feel right.

"No! It's not ok!" Pinkie growled in as serious of a voice as she could muster.

"It's...not?" asked a very confused Rainbow Dash.

"No it's not!" Pinkie crept up to Dash, shrinking the distance between her and the surprised pegasus until their muzzles were nearly touching. "You...you shouldn't say sorry to me when I'm the one who screwed up. I was being a big silly dumbo-head doing dumb things and you saved me. You're always there for me, Dashie. You're always there for me and...you were my first real friend. And...I'm sorry I scared you and made you cry! Please don't hate me."

"Don't ever think like that, Pinks! I would...could NEVER hate you. What kind of friend would I be if I hated you for just being you? A lame friend, that's what. And I wasn't crying.....okay maybe I was crying a little." Dash flinched as she mentally prepared for her hyperactive friend to shriek with grief and seize her in a painful hug.

"I'm sorry." Pinkie said softly, her large sky blue eyes peering deeply into Dash's own ruby ones. She didn't move to painfully hug Dash or even say anything. She simply gave a small sad smile, sitting on her haunches, waiting for Dash to continue.

"You really scared me, pal." Dash mumbled, swallowing hard and trying to avoid Pinkie's piercing gaze.

Pinkie wrinkled her snout in a way that made Dash feel tingly all over. "Promise me you won't ever cry like that again."

"Only if you promise not to risk your life jumping off any more trains like an idiot." Dash shot back.

"Deal!"

"And....um..Pinkie...." Dash began, pushing the bathroom mat around a bit idly with her hoof. "I know that...you're worried I might skip town to fly with the Wonderbolts permanently. Well that's not gonna happen. What kind of Element of Loyalty would I be if I just abandoned half my Ponyville friends? What kind of mentor would I be if I just tore Scootaloo away from everything she knows just as she's getting settled in at my place? A crappy one, that's what. So...I don't want you worrying about that stuff. I don't want you making yourself sad about things that.....aren't gonna happen."

And there came the hug. It was about as painful as she predicted, her ribs screaming for mercy as Pinkie's forelegs wrapped around Dash's torso like a boa constrictor around a delicious antelope. Pinkie grinned as she watched Dash's wings unfold on their own. She gave one of the longer primary feathers a small flick with her hoof, grinning wickedly as she felt Dash squirm slightly in her grip.

"You know Fluttershy told me what it means when your wings do this!"

"Aw geez." Dash muttered, quickly clasping her wings to her sides, snorting angrily and looking somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry about that."

"It's ok." Pinkie giggled to herself, before returning to looking very serious. "Did you mean what you said? About not leaving?"

"Of course, Pinks. Ponyville is my home." Dash quickly rubbed her muzzle on the end of Pinkie's snout, trying not to laugh as she saw her friend's pupils dilate. It felt good to make Pinkie smile. "I'll never leave you behind. I promise."

"Okey dokey!"

Dash leaned forward, nuzzling her pink friend's forehead, eliciting Pinkie to squeal happily and dragging the pegasus into another painful hug.

"EEEWW!" shouted a small voice.

Pinkie and Dash jumped, leaning out to see Scootaloo looking impatient and annoyed with a frown of disapproval as she sat a few feet away from the bathroom..

"Are you two done making up yet? All this mushy stuff makes me want to barf."

Dash grinned and picked Scootaloo off the ground with one arm and gave the tiny pony a noogie with her hoof.

"You're lucky I'm your big sis now or I'd kick your little butt from here to Manehattan."

The door to the car carrying the other ponies swung open, admitting the three back in amongst their friends. Well, their friends and Discord anyway. A look of approval and a small nod from Dash seemed to dissipate the tension in the room. Applejack let out a small sigh of relief, removing her hat to wipe the sweat from her brow.

"Is everythin' alright then? Nobody hurt? Physically or otherwise?" Applejack asked, trying to hide her smile as she saw Dash blush slightly.

"Yeah it's cool." Dash mumbled, hopping into her seat and placing Scootaloo in the seat next to her. She lowered her voice a bit to whisper to Applejack. "Why's Discord lookin' so...happy. And not stupid happy like usual."

Applejack chuckled. "He and Twilight sort of called a truce between the two of 'em. Mostly to make Fluttershy happy since she hates seein' em in a bad mood."

"Ha!" Dash sat back upright again. "Hey guys how much longer 'til we're in Canterlot anyway?"

Twilight's horn glowed with a white light, firing a tiny spark above her head. It turned skyward, becoming a tiny comet that spun into a circular pattern, becoming a small compass that hovered in midair. A tiny luminous map folded out behind it with a red "X" representing the train.

"Probably another half hour by the looks of it." Twilight shot a beam at the compass, absorbing it back into her horn.

"You know you could just have asked the train conductor." Discord mumbled, drawing a cold stare from Twilight. "Just thought I'd point it out."

"Discord did you just suggest something that made sense?" Fluttershy asked.

The old creature stroked his beard for a moment, appearing very pleased with himself. "Hmmm yes. I do believe I did."

"I'm glad you guys are getting along." Rainbow smirked and leaned back in her seat. "Did Discord tell you that he fed Spike meat earlier, Twi?"

"HE WHAT!?"

Be a cartoon heart

The orange hills that had rolled by the train gave way to deep ravines and cliffs, each thriving with vegetation and natural wonders. Crystals, gemstones, waterfalls and vines adorned the rocky sides that sank several stories into the earth. Many of these had small wooden support bridges across and within them for ponies adventurous enough to explore these above ground caves. The largest of these ravines opened out into a canyon full of lush tropical plants and a cliff-side leading to a valley near Equestria's southern mountain range. An ancient waterfall, sending great clouds of foam of mist into the sky, cascaded down the smooth green cliff faces and ending in a large inlet, its shores peppered with tiny cottages. Atop this waterfall, proudly standing taller than the mountain it clung to, was the city of Canterlot.

It rose over the horizon, a heavenly sight with it's pearly white gates and royal purple steeples nearly touching the clouds. Elegant mansions, keeps, and apartment complexes curled from it's perfectly clean teal cobblestone streets, all seeming to compete for attention. Each more regal and beautiful than the last. On the far end of the city, where the waterfall emerged from the mountainside, was the jewel of city. The largest and most important landmark of all, Canterlot Castle. The ancient white and gold fortress that Celestia had called home for many centuries. It was the capitol of Equestria, and a symbol of hope amongst its ponies. They needed only to see the ancient structure to feel imbued with a newfound sense of pride. Knowing just how blessed they were to be cared for by a deity as seemingly perfect and benevolent as Princess Celestia.

With a loud hiss and a toot, the Friendship Express pulled into the train station, grey and pink clouds of steam billowing from it's cylinders as it came to a stop, the ornate wooden doors slapping open so the various passengers could get off and on. The small crowd from Ponyville stepped off onto the platform, finding themselves surrounded by the rush of elegantly dressed ponies finishing up their commute before the evening hit. Even in the crowd they could make out the distinct voice of their old friend, her fancy trill easily recognizable over the din.

"Yoohoo! Girls! Over here!"

Through the crowd they saw her approach, her younger sister right behind her. Rarity stood out, even amongst all the well-dressed elite ponies that trotted around her. Her coat was a very light slate grey, almost white. Both her cutie mark on her flank and her eyes were a dazzling deep shade of blue, both sparkling like diamonds when the sun caught them at just the right angle. A sea of indigo hair lavishly clung to the side of her face, ending in a perfectly curled coif, her tail similar in color with a spiral curl that made sure it bounced and swung with every step she took. There was no doubt that Rarity was perhaps one of the most beautiful unicorns in the country. But it didn't come naturally. Being an expert on fashion and makeup meant Rarity was up early every day making sure she looked her best and working hard to ensure she and her friends looked as nice as possible. Ponies who didn't know her well would have thought her to be a snob, with her high-class accent and well-mannered way of speaking. But she was no snob, simply very fastidious about everything, with a deep hatred for ruining hours of work by getting dirty. Of course, it'd be hard to see that in her now as she scrambled like a hyperactive lobster through the crowd, shoving ponies out of the way, and sliding to a stop in front of her friends, dragging them into a hug as tears ran down her face and the cloud of dust cleared.

"How'd you know we were coming, Rarity?" Dash asked as the hug broke apart.

"Celestia told me you'd be arriving today!" Rarity turned her eyes down towards her little sister. "She knew how much it meant to me and Sweetie."

"Sweetie-Belle!" both Scootaloo and Applebloom shouted at once, tackling their friend in a hug. Sweetie-Belle could have been mistaken as a tiny clone of Rarity with how similar they looked. But Sweetie's mane had light pink stripes in it.

"Why is the Prince of Lies and Lord of Deceit here with you?" whispered Rarity as she noticed Discord sitting behind the group looking around with an amused expression.

"I can hear you, miss Rarity." Discord muttered, not even looking at the pony he was addressing. "Don't mind me, I have my own business affairs to attend to here. I have a quota to meet based upon how many times I can prove Celestia wrong in a month and I'm already VERY behind. So I shall take my leave. Goodbye Fluttershy and cohorts. Hope you have a nice time in this....ghastly....city."

And with that, Discord coiled like a spring before bouncing into the sky, floating on the breeze like a runaway ribbon or kite as he floated over the tall buildings and disappeared.

"Discord kinda became a traveling buddy, Rarity." said Dash as she watched him disappear. "It wasn't too bad outside of him giving Spike some sort of meat sandwich to eat."

"It tasted better than I would have thought." grinned Spike as he hugged Rarity's leg.

"Oooh Spikey-wikey!" she cooed, levitating the tiny dragon in front of herself with a small ghostly envelope of magic from her white horn. "You're getting so tall. You're at least half a foot higher than when I saw you last. I suppose that means the sweater I made for you no longer fits. Such is the downside of designing clothing for children."

Rarity placed Spike back on the ground, turning her attention to Fluttershy.

"How are things back in Ponyville? Is the spa still going well without me there every week throwing my bits at them?"

"Oh it's fine Rarity!" Fluttershy answered with a smile. "Lotus and Aloe wanted me to tell you hello from them."

"Twilight, dear you look very pale and tired." Rarity tilted her head a bit, expressing concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just trying to get my life back to some sort of schedule."

"Twilight's been very stressed out." Fluttershy added. "She's had so much work to do."

"Oh you poor thing." Rarity rubbed Twilight's back. "We shall have to make sure you have the best of care as long you're here. How are your new wings doing, hmm? Beating Dash in races yet?"

"She wishes." Dash quipped with a cocky smirk.

"Twilight's gotten much better at flying. She even outpaces me in the sky now." Fluttershy said softly.

"I may be faster but I'm not nearly as graceful in the air as Fluttershy." Twilight argued, trying hard not to blush. "I have about the same grace as a rhinoceros beetle. Fluttershy is like a mayfly, every time she's in the air its like poetry."

"Does that mean I'm like a hummingbird?" Dash asked.

"I'd say you're more like a parrot, Dashie!" Pinkie replied. "You're really loud and really colorful!"

"Thanks...I think." Dash looked very confused.

"How is the bakery, Pinkie?" Rarity asked. "Are Mr and Mrs Cake still doing well? How are the twins? Are they talking yet?"

"They can say 'mamma' and 'poppa' now! And Mr and Mrs Cake renewed their vows in secret. They eloped and renewed. I don't know if that's allowed or not but it seemed very nice and they were really really happy! They went on a second honeymoon too and I stayed home for two weeks and took care of Pound and Pumpkin. When they got back they made a deal with the Apple family to buy their apples and turn them into tasty treats that have been very delicious and popular. We have alotta ponies coming into the bakery these days!"

"Well that's wonderful! Speaking of Apples....we seem to be missing someone." Rarity leaned out to see Applejack pushing a small trolley of bags and suitcases.

"Decided to give the luggage guy a break." Applejack called from behind the cart. She trotted around the cart to find herself locked in place, her green eyes staring into the blue eyes of her friend. Her muscles seized up instantly, quietly staring as Rarity pranced up to her.

"Hello Applejack." Rarity said softly, throwing her arms around her friend and hugging her tightly. "It's been quite a while."

"....hey Rare." Applejack mumbled, returning the hug.

"How are things on the farm?"

"Fine. Same ol' same ol'."

"Are you alright, Applejack? Are you cold? You're trembling."

Applejack drew away from the hug quickly, pretending to inspect herself as she hid her face beneath the brim of her hat.

"M-maybe. I thought I might be comin' down with somethin'."

"Well I shall just have to make you something to keep you warm then." Rarity turned to the others. "Come now, we have a lot to talk about. You all need to unwind a bit, plus I want you to see what I've been working on."

********************************

The Canterlot Convention Center was an old brass and wood building, not quite as perfect or regal as it's fellow structures in the city. However what it lacked in modern pizazz it made up for in design. Two massive hoof-carved wooden spheres made of curved planks sat upon each other, held together by brass piping. Glass windows dotted the outer edge of the upper sphere with spotlights around the lower one facing upward into the sky. Atop both of these was a large brass saucer, covered in ornate harlequin-print diamond etchings from the days when the Center was simply a theater. Round portholes windows ran around the diameter of this as well. Truly it was a strange building, and far ahead of its time when it had been constructed nearly 100 years prior. To be able to book the Center or use it for any large distinguished event was considered an honor. And at the moment the bottom sphere was home to Rarity's 'Cœur du Silence' fall fashion show. Or at least...what was left of it.

"So it's over? We missed it?" asked Fluttershy sadly.

"Afraid so!" Rarity said, unlocking the door to the stage area. "That's not to say we're alone here or anything. My assistants are packing everything away as we speak."

"Rariiiityyy!" Sweetie whined sadly. "Can me and Scootaloo and Applebloom please go to main street? I don't wanna spend the whole day AGAIN watching all the helper ponies set things up."

"Oh you poor thing!" Rarity gave her little sister a kiss on the forehead. "You've been so helpful these last few weeks and all I've done is keep you cooped up here with me. Of course you three can go to mainstreet. That is of course...if their big sisters approve."

"Well sure o' course." Applejack said giving Applebloom a playful nudge. "Y'all go have some fun. Make sure you don't talk to any ponies you don't know, right Bloom?"

"Yes'm!" Applebloom agreed, nodding her head vigorously.

"Spike!" Twilight ordered, distracting the small dragon from a bowl of mints on a nearby desk. "I want you to stick with the little ones. You should give them a tour of Canterlot."

"Yeah that sounds like fun!" Scootaloo shouted. "Spike you should show us a place where we can grab some grub! Like an ice cream parlor!"

"Scoot I know you're probably hungry but remember what I said about eating ice cream before dinner...." Dash began, giving Scoot a very sour glance.

"That strawberry is the best flavor?" Scootaloo squeaked, flapping her tiny wings excitedly.

"That's my girl!" Dash gave Scootaloo a small nudge to follow the other two youngsters. "Love ya, kiddo. Try not to cause any headaches while you're out there!"

Applejack snickered a bit while Rarity nodded her head approvingly.

"Well I must say...you and Scootaloo have certainly bonded." Rarity gave Applejack a cold look to stop her snickering. "I assume things have been going well since you took her in, then? Is she adjusting well to living on a cloud?"

"Well not...perfectly. Like...I'm really bad at taking care of kids but...Fluttershy's always there for advice." Dash rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "I do like it though. Carin' for Scoots. Little scamp makes me proud on a daily basis. Clouds kinda freaked her out but now she just sorta flops over and sleeps everywhere. Kinda like me I guess."

"Yeah she never comes to me for advice." Applejack muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah cause you'd just use it to poke fun." Rainbow shot back. "Plus, Fluttershy is more interesting to talk to."

The two rambunctious ponies stuck their tongues out at one another.

"Alright now, everything on the stage shouldn't be tampered with." Rarity began as she pushed open the offstage door. "Mainly because I can't recall what on stage is for retail and what on stage is for show yet. Everything in the dressing rooms you girls may try on. Or keep if you so like since I have duplicates."

"That's very generous of you, Rarity." Twilight nodded with a smile.

"No, what's generous is Celestia letting me use all this!"

With a loud click the door swung open and five little ponies gasped in unison. To say the stage was large would be an understatement. It could easily have had nearly a fourth of Ponyville's cottages sitting on it with room to spare. Two catwalks, each covered in small twinkling lights along their rims, extended quite a fear yards outwards, curving and connecting at their ends to form an extended "U" shape for the models to walk down, around, and back to the stage. Out the center of the gap in the "U" was a large mauve parasol, long fluttering ribbons of various shades of violet and mulberry. It vaguely resembled part of a carousel, which made a lot of sense since Rarity's little business was called The Carousel Boutique. Several dozen rows of dark red cushioned seats extended away from the stage and catwalks all the way to the walls, shadowed by several large balconies for the second and third floors. The arched ceiling had several massive chandeliers, each covered in stage lights in various colors beaming directly at the catwalks. And above these was the ceiling, a perfect dome with an ancient painting of a hippogriff scrawled across it. From the cathedral-styled architecture one would never guess that the convention halls were often used for things like open mic nights and strange performance art. But for the last month it had been used for something special, the fashion show planned and put on by Rarity to present her autumn line of clothing.

"Impressive, no?" Rarity called as she happily skipped forward onto the stage. "Last night was the final show. It was...marvelous."

"Did you meet anyone famous?" Twilight asked as she and the others sauntered to where Rarity stood.

"Oh pshah! We're the famous ones now, Twilight! The Elements of Harmony. Heroes of Equestria, defenders of justice, maidens of freedom, and all of that nonsense. Oh, right here, RIGHT HERE!"

Rarity pranced forward to an area on the U-shaped catwalk.

"Right here is where Hoity Toity himself climbed onstage."

"You mean he just climbed onto the stage?" Pinkie asked. "Isn't that like against the rules and stuff? Or are ponies allowed to climb wherever they want during fashion thingies? Can I climb all over everything?"

"Technically yes. Out of respect and rules one generally does not interfere with the models. However you see this moment was great. I was making my way around the bend here with Sageroot and Pearl Beads in front of me. I was wearing that little number right over there." Rarity waved a hoof at a white gown with a crystal brooch that resembled a seashell. "And so I'm walking along here and suddenly something stops me. Naturally I assumed that the model behind me had stepped on my hem but it was actually Hoity Toity."

"What did he want, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked, carefully making her way across the catwalk. "Did he say anything?"

"Not at first. But when I turned to him he was furiously writing a check. I'm sure you can guess the rest." Rarity said with a wink. "One of the best nights I've had in a long time. I was a star. Like a dream come true."

"So....does that mean Mr.Toity is gonna....carry your clothes now or somethin', Rare?" Applejack asked, nosing through the various dresses and gowns that hung on the rack just offstage.

"It means that, besides obviously him calling upon me for haute couture work for specific clients, that I'll also be designing clothes for his exclusive lines. I am now one of his partners. A very short list I should add. It also means that ponies far and wide will soon know the name 'Rarity' and just what it is I do. Feel free to put that on if you'd like."

"Maybe later." Applejack mumbled, placing the frilly dress back onto the rack. "Well shoot, Rare it sounds like you got what you always wanted."

"Oh I did, I did. But it comes with a price you know." Rarity sighed longingly. "Being away from home for so long has been....hard. Hard to sleep, hard to eat, hard to think. Without Sweetie-Belle here and your letters I'm not sure if I'd have been able to keep it together. Luckily next time I do one of these I'll have a full staff of Hoity's assistants so I don't have to be away from home for so long. Speaking of home, is everything alright at the boutique, Applejack?"

"Yes, ma'am! Me and Mac patrol by it once a night, just to make sure no shifty types are sneakin' around. I bet your house missed you a whole awful lot. I know the rest of us have." Applejack's voice grew soft as she finished her statement.

"Well perhaps we can all go back home together, then!" Rarity quipped, prancing back to the stage looking very exhausted but happy. "What you see is all that's left. The rest is just about ready to be packed away and mailed back. You've all arrived at a very coincidental time. Just as Sweetie and I were about to head home, and just as Canterlot was facing a bit of a small problem."

"Small problem?" Twilight asked.

"Yes.... well. Not small. Not big either, mind you. A medium-sized problem. I won't go into it now. For now let's get dinner. I want to see this flower Celestia mentioned and tell you all about my stay here."

******************************

A large broccoli pizza was delivered promptly to the doorstep of the third room on the second floor of the Canterlot Bed and Breakfast Royale. A modest but elegant housing area for visitors to the royal family in Canterlot. Ambassadors, dignitaries, deities, and world leaders from areas outside of Equestria were often given rooms in the Royale to stay in. On days where it wasn't full, one could rent a room to stay in there, finding themselves in an undeniably comfortable and impeccably clean little slice of heaven. The largest suite of which had currently been rented out by Rarity for herself, her sister, and her small pet cat, Opal.

"Um....Rarity...." Fluttershy asked as politely as she could flipping the pizza box open with the tip of her snout. "If you're staying in Canterlot surrounded by some of the most revered bistros and bakeries....why...um....are we eating delivery pizza?"

"Clearly Rarity has realized that pizzas are the best food ever!" Pinkie declared, scarfing an entire slice in one bite.

"I concur." Dash stated seriously, folding a slice and jamming it into her mouth. "Mmmmm."

"Thirded!" mumbled Applejack around a mouthful.

Rarity rolled her eyes at the three, failing to contain her smile. "We're eating this because for the past month I've been going to dinner parties with aristocrats, lunch parties with nobility, and breakfast parties with snobs. I'm tired of eating well. I miss pizza and I miss apple pastry and candy and hoof-made food from home. And out here this delivery pizza is the closest thing."

"It's pretty fancy for delivery pizza." Twilight observed as she chewed slowly, savoring the salty taste. "This is real cheese. And this sauce is made of ripe tomatoes and not just whatever tomatoes the restaurateur grabbed. Even the crust is like fancy toast with little seeds in it."

"Yes. So many imperfections in it's quest to be perfect." Rarity minced, leaning out and giving a curious stare at the small terrarium that sat at Twilight's side. "Is that the flower?"

Before Twilight could answer the glass case was quickly floating in Rarity's magical clutches, as she observed it.

"Well now....this is a beautiful thing." With a glance to her side and a beam of blue magic, Rarity had grabbed a quill and scrap piece of paper and began to furiously sketch. "Such color, such poise, such...independence. Very inspiring, I simply MUST make a dress based on this flower. I adore these stripes on the underside of its um...petals? It seems to be wilting a little bit."

"Probably from spendin' so much time on that train." Applejack said as she and Pinkie leaned over to see what Rarity was drawing. "That looks awful fancy, Rare!"

"Well it's an awful fancy flower." Rarity replied as she finished the sketch, holding it this way and that to make sure it was up to her standards. "I've never seen a flower with so many strange little colorful pieces coming on its stem. What is it called again when a flower is made up of lots of little ones?"

"Inflorescence." Fluttershy happily answered, causing Twilight's wings to spread open briefly, the purple alicorn quickly folding them to her sides again as her cheeks went pink.

"I still think the flower is trying too hard." Dash mumbled, giving an unimpressed glance at the glass tank as it floated by, landing back on the bed next to Twilight. "What's the point of it having all that stuff stickin' out of it?"

"Well don't forget it's not of natural origin. We won't really know until we get to show it to Celestia." Twilight picked the tank off the bed and placed it next to the window in the fading sunlight. "Hopefully it doesn't wilt too much more before we get a chance to have her see it."

The door to Rarity's room swung open, a small dragon and three tiny ponies tumbling in at once. Spike growled angrily and extracted himself from the pile of youngsters, waddling up to Twilight and holding out a small scroll of parchment tied with a golden ribbon.

"One of the royal guards gave this to us. He said it was some sort of urgent message but stressed not to think of it as an emergency. Which was sort of strange."

Twilight tore off the golden ribbon, folding it and placing it on the floor while simultaneously whipping open the scroll, furrowing her brow as she skimmed through it. Years of living amongst books had granted the studious mare the ability to decipher massive amounts of text in relatively little time.

"Apparently there's going to be a mandatory meeting of parliament to discuss royal matters and she needs me to be there." There was no mistaking the tone of disappointment in Twilight's voice. "Furthermore it says here....oh to me specifically...Princess Luna is missing. PRINCESS LUNA IS MISSING!?"

"Oh yes that was the small problem I wanted to tell you about earlier." Rarity minced, taking a small sip from her champagne glass. "Poor dear has run off."

"HOW IS PRINCESS LUNA MISSING A SMALL PROBLEM!?" Twilight bellowed rising to her feet. "WHAT IF SHE BECOMES NIGHTMARE MOON AGAIN? WHAT IF SHE'S BEEN KIDNAPPED? WHAT IF-?"

Immediately sensing Twilight's panic was sending her over the deep end, Fluttershy turned her head, craning her neck in just a way where she could delicately nibble the tip of Twilight's left ear, causing the alicorn to slump back onto the bed, breathing heavily but still looking pensive and annoyed. A small kiss to the neck soon had her calmed down as Fluttershy gently stroked Twilight's back with her wing.

"Twilight please." Fluttershy whispered. "You remember you're supposed to be on vacation. You should be trying to rest and relax. If Rarity and Celestia don't consider Luna missing as an emergency....well...maybe neither should you."

"You're right as always, Fluttershy." Twilight murmured, gently pressing her muzzle against Fluttershy's nose. "I'm getting ahead of myself again."

"Why do you consider Luna missing to be a small problem Rarity? Uh....um....Rarity?" Fluttershy waved her hoof in front of Rarity's face, who looked both delighted and frightened all at the same time.

With an almost unnatural slowness, Rarity's dilated pupils slowly turned to stare at Fluttershy as her eyebrows wrinkled into a look of confusion.

"Fluttershy......." She began, her eyes growing wider. "Why are you and Twilight...erm...kissing?"

"OH! Oh dear!" Fluttershy mumbled, quickly backing away and turning red, hiding her face in Twilight's mane. "I think we forgot to tell you! Oh we did! We completely forgot! I'm sorry Rarity!"

Fluttershy let fly a high pitched 'eep' of dismay as she hid her embarrassment in Twilight's hair. Rarity's look of shock careened sideways, crashing on the shore of Twilight who grinned sheepishly.

"Yeah I guess....we've been so caught up on catching up that....well. Hmm. You see Rarity...Fluttershy and I...uh...we've sort of uh...that is to say...."

"TWILIGHT IS FLUTTERSHY'S MAREFRIEND!" Pinkie squeaked, landing on Rarity and embracing her, sending the glass of champagne flying out the nearby window.

"It's been so cute, Rarity! I can't stand it! I CAN'T STAND IT! IT'S TOO CUTE." Pinkie nearly seemed to be throttling Rarity as she shouted. Rarity in turn made a long loud gasping sound. This was followed by a high pitched shriek that, had it been coming from anyone but Rarity, one would mistake as being a shriek of terror. Luckily it was far from it.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! When did this happen? Wait..wait...HOW did this happen? Tell me everything! Details!" Rarity rolled off the bed, sitting expectantly in front of Twilight giddily bouncing up and down like Pinkie Pie often did after far too much sugar intake.

"For goodness sake, Rare." Applejack muttered, rolling her eyes. "Give the two of 'em some room to breathe."

"Well I guess I'd better start at the beginning." Twilight smiled at Rarity, seeing how eager the unicorn looked. "Fluttershy and I were going on an expedition into the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy was the leader since she'd had experience going into that environment a few times and had a flower she wanted me to see."

"You travel in the Everfree?" Rarity asked, her eyes filled with wonder as she stared at Fluttershy. "That place is like endless death. How on earth do you survive in there?"

"Oh....it's...nothing, really." Fluttershy whispered, slowly extracting herself from Twilight's mane. "I've had to rescue animals in there so..."

"Nothing?!" Dash crowed, flying into the air and giving Fluttershy an affectionate punch in the shoulder. "Nah it's awesome! You're braver than most ponies I know, Fluttershy!"

"Well I must say that is certainly very impressive. So what happened in the forest that caused you two to become so taken with one another?" Rarity asked. "Did Fluttershy save you from a Timberwolf and you saw that behind her quiet exterior she was the capable mare I always tried to convince her that she was? You fell into her arms and you two knew it was love! Or something to that affect I assume."

Twilight sighed and shook her head at Rarity's theatrics. "Nothing quite so over the top. Fluttershy kept me safe from a few deciduous horrors but...the turning point was that I just couldn't control myself around her. Her intelligence just drew me to her like a moth to a lamp. Apparently my wings made it really obvious. And when she pointed it out to me and I felt so upset... it turned out the feeling was mutual."

"Very mutual." Fluttershy sighed, resting her cheek on Twilight's shoulder.

Dash grinned mischievously. "Yeah when me and the stratus team from the Weather Control Center went and found them in the woods, Twi was squeezin' Shy like her life depended on it."

"Well it sort of did." Twilight mumbled, her face growing hot.

"Oh well this has simply made my day. Fluttershy I was getting so worried you were never going to find anyone. I was about to start setting you up on blind dates. But now I needn't worry as you've fallen for Twilight, whom outside of that one castle guard had yet to show any interest in any ponies for the last year. How absolutely perfect that you two found love in each others arms." Rarity sighed wistfully. "I can see it now. Romantic nights spent out in Fluttershy's garden, studying the constellations. Getting the 'couples only' discount at the spa. Sitting together at Celestia's side during important governmental affairs. Oh I simply must make you two matching dresses! The question is what. Your color schemes are already complementary."

"Rare it's awful sweet n' all that yer so happy about Twi and Fluttershy bein' sweet on each other but uh....Luna. I mean why ain't anyone panickin' in the streets? Why's everyone so calm? Do folks not really know? Why do you consider it a small problem? I'd think a whole princess goin' missin' AGAIN would be kind of what we'd call a really BIG problem."

Rarity hopped back onto her bed, straightening Applejack's hat with magic before turning to the group again.

"Well it's because she's not really missing." Rarity stated calmly, pouring herself a glass of some sort of fiery liquid from a bottle. "I know exactly what's become of her."

"But Rarity if Luna is missing and everyone says she's missing but she isn't missing and you know where she is then that means she isn't really missing and if she isn't really missing then....oh! Is she hiding? Is she under the bed?" Pinkie, took a quick peak underneath the bed, her excited smile quickly drooping to a disappointed frown. "Nope. No Luna's here."

"No she's not here, Pinkie. I wish she was. I'm sure she'd have plenty of questions for Twilight and how her promotion is going. But no she's somewhere out in Canterlot, in disguise." Rarity took a long draught from her glass. "She altered her appearance slightly and I let her use one of my old dresses. Outside of her voice she's practically unrecognizable."

"Why is Luna hiding in disguise in Canterlot?" Twilight asked.

"She has nowhere else to go." Rarity sighed. "I suppose I need to simply share the whole story. It was about a week ago that this all started. You girls remember the times Luna has visited us in Ponyville, correct?"

"Of course!" Pinkie nodded. "She's always really loud but loads of fun. I'm super happy that everyone in Ponyville ended up liking her after all...even though she was kinda scary. And shouty."

"Yes it is wonderful how eagerly Ponyville accepted her. Even with her...quirks. Sadly they're really the only ones." Rarity's voice slipped into a sad tone. "Luna's been doing a lot of traveling. Trying to earn the respect of the ponies again. Trying to blow away the old rumors and folk tales of her being crazy and evil. But it...well....isn't working. Not every pony city is as kind and forgiving as Ponyville. Most ponies still fear her. Many even resent her, despite the fact none of them were around back when she WAS doing wrong. Quite a few were openly hostile with her. They actually chased her out of Vanhoover!" Rarity shook her head with disgust, looking angry. "They chased her out like she was some sort of plague. Her and the entourage she came with. She went there to help build homes and they treated her like a swarm of locusts."

A silence fell over the room as the other reacted in shock to the news.

"You know what she said to me when she arrived back in town? She said.....of all the places I've been, I prefer the land you come from miss Rarity. Ponyville is a jewel amongst sharp rocks."

"Have you two been talking a lot while you've been here, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes. Luna trusts me since I too got to experience the displeasure of being Nightmare Moon. Even though it was only brief. She thinks of me as a sort of kindred spirit. Which I can't argue with as I do enjoy talking to her. She is a very wise although rather naive creature. The story doesn't end here though, I'm afraid. The riot isn't why Luna is hiding."

"You mean it gets worse?" Rainbow asked with disbelief.

"Unfortunately. Anyway Luna gives up on trying to be a social force for justice like Celestia and Cadance and decides instead to try to be more involved with the governmental side of Royalty. I happened to be at the most recent Legislative Union meeting at Canterlot. I wanted to bring Sweetie-Belle along so she could see how our country gets its laws and rules."

"It was really cool!" Sweetie piped up. "Or...it was until Luna got angry."

"Yes I'm getting to that. So a friend of mine happened to be in the courtroom that day. Mrs.Scratch, the DJ whom has the radio show and who I often have providing music for my fashion shows."

"And my really big parties!" Pinkie added. "I see her everywhere these days!"

"Yes she gets around. Either way, Scratch was there that day. She wasn't there for any sort of fancy law requests. When her turn came up and Celestia asked what she wanted Scratch said she was curious why there was no loudspeaker system in the castle. And for that matter, why they didn't play the Equestrian anthem through the often very silent halls."

"That sounds like a really good idea for adding some life to the place." Twilight said. "I remember in the mornings we'd all stand up in class and sing the anthem together but it was always pretty jumbled since half the ponies didn't know the tempo and the other half didn't know the words and basically hummed."

"Celestia thought it was a good idea as well. So she asked about the easiest way to do so. Scratch explained that she could install a sound system into the halls of the castle in a few hours. On top of that she had a friend in the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra who could play a mellow version of the anthem to be played. Then they needed only to record it on CD and keep it in a player in Celestia's room. And this is where everything fell apart. Luna was clearly confused as she had no idea what loudspeakers were but the name was probably enough for her to figure out what they did. However when Scratch and Celestia began discussing the CD....well....."

Rarity shook her head at the absurdity of it all.

"Luna asked why we would need the aid of an alphabet letter that lived in the ocean."

"Wait what?" Pinkie asked.

"A CD Pinkie. She had no idea what it was and thought we meant the letter D and that it was in the sea as in where all the fish live."

"Oh. That's silly!"

"Yes it is but that's what happens when someone is out of touch by several thousand years. So after a moment or two of asking that loaded question, all the representatives in the room start to laugh. The dukes and duchesses joined in, all the onlookers, and so forth. On most days one would take it as simply good-natured ribbing but...Luna was already feeling very vulnerable. I could see the pain in her face as everyone laughed. And then Celestia started to giggle as well. That really quiet gentle way she does that usually makes one feel so comforted. However it had the opposite effect and I saw Luna's face quickly fill with rage. Those little black spots in her coat around her cutie mark began to grow and spread very quickly across her body and apparently I was the only one to notice. I really thought Luna was about to become Nightmare Moon again."

"Rarity was really scared! She grabbed me and was about ready to jump out of her chair!" Sweetie added.

"Yes, but then the colors on Luna receded to normal and she stood up. And she just gave this....look...to the crowd. Almost like a defiant look. Very bitter but not quite hatred. And everyone fell very quiet. Luna just took off her slippers and her little black crown and placed them in front of Celestia. And very calmly she simply said 'I quit. I'm done.' and trotted towards the door. She swung it open with magic and Celestia ran to stop her or apologize and the door slammed shut. And I mean it REALLY slammed! The foundations around the door-frame shattered. Poor Sweetie was deaf for about an hour or so."

"That's the part that scared me the most! It was like an explosion! Like when Rainbow does her sonic raincloud thingies!" Sweetie waved her arms for dramatic effect.

"Rainboom." Rainbow corrected.

"Yes, anyway. Celestia had torn the broken door off a moment later, looking absolutely heartbroken. And Luna was gone. She was nowhere in the hall or the castle. Vanished the moment she had slammed the door shut on her sister and her old life. That night she visited me, saying that she was tired. Tired of not being respected. Tired of not being loved. Tired of being feared. Tired of being treated like the villain of her own life story. The girl looked close to tears. So I did what any sane modern pony would do when faced with such a heartbreaking situation. I made her a drink." Rarity smiled slyly. "Cures what ails you and never fails you. After that she and I talked for a while and she decided she wanted to live a normal life. Live amongst average ponies as an average pony. So I gave her a gown and styled her hair a little and outside of her visiting every few days, she has yet to be caught."

"Poor Luna." muttered Applejack. "I didn't know things were so bad for her. I thought after Ponyville that she'd found some good luck finally."

"It hasn't all been bad. Last time she visited me she had gone to a sports game. She went to the rugby match of the uh...Canterlot Centurions versus the uh..."

"Dodge City Double Donkers!" Rainbow laughed aloud, clapping her hooves together. "So she was actually at that game, huh? Hiding in the audience?"

"Yes. She went on and on about her time there." Rarity continued, her voice sounding happy. "She'd never had buttered popcorn or cotton candy before. Or had ever tried soda. Nor had she ever seen something as exciting as an organized competition between two teams to kick a rubber ball around. She seemed absolutely elated."

"I'd be elated too if I got to see the Donkers beat the Centurions 27 to 0." Dash snickered. "I guess Celestia doesn't know about any of this."

"She does not." Rarity said sternly. "Nobody other than me and Sweetie knew about this until this point."

"Yeah! She made us promise to make you guys promise not to tell anyone!" Sweetie barked in her high pitched voice, nearly falling over as she leaned in to give everyone in the room a serious look. "Luna's gonna be really angry if we ruin her vacation from being a princess."

"So Luna's vacation is going to wreck mine, oddly." Twilight sighed, giving a half-hearted smile. "Well at least she's having fun."

"Pinkie....." Rarity began, her eyes growing wide with shock. "Why on earth...are...you're bleeding! Oh you're bleeding quite a lot! Did you hurt yourself?"

"Aw shoot." Applejack looked at the gash on Pinkie's leg from the earlier accident, wincing. "Ya done opened yer wound up again lookin' under the bed Pinkie. Looks sore n' infected, too. Honey did you even put anti-bacterial lotion on that? Y'all are gonna make yerself sick."

"Ew! ew ew ew!" Sweetie squeaked, leaping from the bed.

"I just wiped it off with some water and paper towels!" Pinkie whined. "It seemed okay after that."

"Why do you have that garish cut on your hind leg, Pinkie? Did you get into an accident? I notice Dash has a few bumps and bruises as well."

"Rarity I'll tell you the story while we clean up this mess." Dash groaned as she pushed Pinkie off the bed, revealing the dark red stain that had formed near the injury on the bedsheets.

****************************************************

Scootaloo yawned peacefully as she snuggled into the soft linens that had been stuffed into the sock drawer. The little fillies hadn't wanted to leave while the elder relatives looked for hotels or inns to stay in. So for the night a rather rushed sleepover had been organized. Sweetie Belle was curled up on her small bed, next to which lay Applebloom who was curled up in a sleeping bag that Applejack had been wise enough to bring along. Dash as usual had been unprepared and had simply tried to make due. Sweetie's large sock drawer had plenty of room for a small filly to sleep in, so that is where Dash had placed her charge for the night, glad she had remembered to at least bring Scootaloo's favorite pajamas. Which weren't pajamas at all but actually one of Dash's winter stockings that she'd never worn, with four small holes cut out along it to allow the filly to slip her body inside comfortably and have her scruffy orange legs stick out the holes. It gave her the appearance of being some sort of deranged cloth caterpillar, but it was quite comfortable.

"Hey Dash?" Scoot whispered as Dash tucked her in.

"Yeah, Squirt?"

"Why did you cry earlier? When you helped Pinkie? Wouldn't that make you happy?"

Dash sighed and collected her thoughts. She'd been expecting this question to come.

"Scoot you remember when you had that nightmare where Applebloom and Sweetie-Belle got eaten by giant frogs? And there was nothing you could do to save them? You remember how much you cried?"

Even in the dark of the room she could make out the filly nodding her head.

"Well that's how I felt today. I felt like I lost someone I cared about very very much. And I felt like...for once in my life I might not be fast or strong enough to do anything. Like I was helpless. You understand that, right?"

"I guess."

"Great. As long as we're on this subject...erm...what do you think of Pinkie, Squirt? Like if...I were to hang out with her more.... would it bother you?"

"She's cool I guess." Scootaloo deadpanned, yawning loudly as her eyes drooped.

"You think Pinkie's cool?" Dash's tone was laced with disbelief.

Scootaloo turned over in the drawer, her eyes slowly closing as sleep overtook her. "No, but you think she's cool. And you invented coolness. So she must be."

Whatever comfort that could have brought to the pegasus was lost on the fact that her adopted child was sleeping in a sock drawer. A sock drawer that didn't even belong to her. Quietly she sulked, unaware of the quiet clicks of two pairs of hooves that came up behind her.

"I'm real proud of ya, sugarcube. Treatin' lil' Scootaloo like she was yer own flesh n' blood. You've been doin' such a good job, ya know?"

"Says the pony who remembered to bring sleeping bags for her sister." Dash muttered, her voice breaking as her frustrations began to ebb out.

Applejack snickered a bit. "Aw, c'mon now. It coulda been worse. You coulda forgot her at the train station!"

The smile on Applejack's face from her little joke faded as she noticed her friend's shoulders seemed to be silently shaking with grief. She stepped forward, feeling a knot in her stomach as Dash began to sniffle.

"Oh hey now, sugar. Hey now! I didn't mean nothin' by it. I meant what I said when I said yer doin' a good job. I ain't ever seen you or Scootaloo so happy since when ya took her in."

"I feel like I'm doing everything wrong." Dash rasped as she sullenly made her way to the doorway. "First I tell the kid to buzz off when she's having nightmares, now I have her sleeping in furniture. I'm probably traumatizing her."

"She doesn't seem traumatized to me." Applejack whispered with a comforting grin, peering down at the filly sleeping in the sock drawer. "She seems happier than a weevil in an acorn tree."

Dash sat glumly in the doorway, wiping her eyes. Approaching from the hallway came Rarity, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at her sad friend. She glanced up to see Applejack approaching, the farmer pony sitting next to her friend and placing a friendly hoof on her shoulder.

"What's been botherin' ya, Dash? I've never seen ya like this."

"I know I know!" Rainbow spluttered. "I'm an emotional wreck these days. I've cried twice today. I never cry."

"When did you cry the first time?" Rarity asked, taking out a small lacy handkerchief and wiping the tears from her friend's face. "Was it before you arrived in Canterlot?"

"It was after her brave speedy rescue of Pinkie Pie earlier today on the train. Dash went all to pieces on us." Applejack replied with a frown. "I ain't ever seen her cry before. Not like that. Is everything alright, RD?"

Patiently Rarity and Applejack sat watching Rainbow quietly sniffle and wipe the fresh tears that had sprung to her eyes. It was difficult watching the normally confident and brave pegasus weep, unsure of how to help her. Eventually after a few minutes the tears had stopped and Dash took a few deep breaths, finally feeling calm as her body stopped shaking, feeling embarrassed for looking so weak and timid in front of two of her best friends.

"Can....can I tell you guys something?" Dash whispered in the dark of the doorway. "It's kind of a secret."

"Of course you may." Rarity responded gently, wiping Rainbow's cheeks off again.

"Well....you know ever since Fluttershy and Twilight started...dating or whatever...I've been trying to keep a close eye on Fluttershy. It's not that I don't trust Twilight but....I just want to be sure Shy is safe. She was my only old friend who stuck by me back in Cloudsdale. I owe it to her. I owe her so much. Anyway I knew she and Twilight were over by her house and I decided I was gonna toss a few water balloons over at them as a prank. Lighten the mood a bit."

Rarity's screwed up her face as she gave Dash a very disapproving look.

"I pull pranks okay?" Dash mumbled. "If you aren't used to it by now I dunno what to tell you. Deal with it. Anyway when I got there Pinkie was with them and....Pinkie....has feelings for me. Like...lovey type of feelings. And she's unhappy because she thinks it would be bad if she told me and it hurts her."

A look of annoyance passed between Rarity and Applejack, followed by both of them giving Dash a look that pretty much said 'are you serious?'

"That's it?" Applejack asked.

"That's what's been bothering you?" Rarity asked simultaneously.

"Mostly." Dash's eyes grew wide with surprise. "Wait you guys knew? You KNEW?"

Again a skeptical look passed between the farmer and fashionista.

"Uh....sugarcube I don't wanna alarm ya or nothin'....but that ain't much of a secret."

"It's not?"

"Goodness no, darling!" Rarity tried hard not to smile. "Have you never really noticed? With the way Pinkie chases you all over town? Conveniently forgetting her sleeping bag at slumber parties. The surprise parties she throws you every time you accomplish a new trick. Always finding ways of sneaking off from her job at the bakery to watch you practice."

"Heck...her pupils even turn into lil' pink hearts whenever you ain't watchin, RD."

"She's been smitten with you for ages. Ever since you first rolled into town you've been a favorite topic of conversation with her. She sat by her mailbox for a week waiting for you to send her a letter when you were at the Wonderbolts Academy. Poor thing was beside herself with heartache."

"I mean heck....Dash ain't you ever noticed how whenever Hearts n' Hooves day rolls around Pinkie always leaves ya stuff? How she always invited ya over to Sugarcube Corner just to hang out with her and the twins? It never struck ya as odd she invited ya for dinner on THAT specific holiday?"

"Last year she gave you a whole cake on Hearts and Hooves day."

"Yup! And the year before that she got Dash that silly hat with the moose antlers on it? Y'all remember that right?"

Dash fell into a sitting position, dumbfounded as her friends laughed to each other. How had it been so obvious to them?

"I never even noticed a pattern...." Dash mumbled as she thought. "I don't even pay attention when Hearts n' Hooves day rolls around cause its such a sappy excuse for a holiday. I didn't even realize....that......wow...." Dash's expression turned to one of slight worry. ".....I've spent so much time trying to train for the Wonderbolts. So much time I didn't even notice Pinkie giving me special treatment. And then to make it worse, Pinkie's been scared to tell me she likes me because she thinks I'm gonna fly off to join the Bolts and leave her and Ponyville behind."

"Well......" Applejack began, her mirth fading as her eyes grew sad, her voice dropping a few octaves. "Wasn't that always your plan, sugar? To leave?"

Dash's eyes widened as she looked up at Rarity and Applejack. Their was a strange look on their faces. Like they were pleading. Like a sad hope. As if they were hearing good news for the first time in a long time. It dawned on the pegasus that her friends all shared the same fear Pinkie had.

"Wait....you ALL thought I was gonna just move out of town once I became a Wonderbolt?" Dash asked.

"Well Cloudsdale is just so very far away....and we knew it was your dream to fly with them for so long. The five of us have all been trying to prepare ourselves for the day you decided to relocate. Most pegasi move to Cloudsdale when they have employment there. We assumed you'd be doing the same. We couldn't even get through our slumber party while you were staying over at the academy. It just wasn't the same without you there. We all felt so truly empty. Pinkie broke down and then Fluttershy came next...."

"It was like dominoes. Crybaby dominoes." Applejack added with a unenthusiastic grin. "We were all bawlin'. Then we just sorta called it a night and went home."

"Would it be safe to assume that we no longer need to worry?" again Rarity's eyes lit up with hope.

"I'm not leaving!" Dash growled. "I'm really sorry if you guys ever thought I would but I'm not. I can't. You....all...mean everything to me. And...you know I already said this to Pinks but...now that I have Scoots under my wing...how awful would it be if I was to drag her away from her home? And all her friends?"

"It'd be truly awful." Rarity said with a sigh. "You know when Sweetie-Belle said she wanted to come to Canterlot with me, I knew it was going to be hard. Two months away from everyone she knows. The first week there was so much for her to see. So much for her to do. But then routine sets in and....I started losing that happy pep in my step without you girls around. And Sweetie couldn't sleep at night after a while. She was so depressed. I tried to convince her to take a train back to Ponyville but she refused. She didn't want to feel like she abandoned me."

"Yeah it hasn't been easy on us back home either, Rare." Applejack looked down at the floor. "It's hard to function when a pony you care for is gone. Even though it's only temporary."

"Yeah AJ has been beside herself with worry, Rarity. She's been patrolling the train station every day waiting for you to get back." Dash's grin faltered as she noticed Applejack giving her a look that could have frozen magma. "It's understandable I guess. I thought I was gonna lose Pinkie today. And not temporarily either. It's the worst thing I ever felt."

"Do you feel the same way for Pinkie as she does for you?" Rarity asked quietly, her eyes studying Dash.

"I....I'm not sure. I don't have much experience in this stuff. The last time I even tried I lost like...everything. So I don't have anything good to go by." Dash replied with a sad shrug. "I do care about Pinkie a lot. More than pretty much any pony I know. Or have ever known. I'd do anything for her if she asked...I guess."

"Hmmmmm." Rarity tapped her hoof to her chin, deep in thought. "Well I consider myself a bit of an expert in these sorts of things. When Pinkie fell from the train earlier today...how did you feel? What was on your mind? Something made you spring into action, yes?"

"I sprung into action so Pinkie wouldn't get squished. That's a silly question. Not gonna just sit around while a train smashes my pals." Dash rolled her eyes. "As for what I was thinking....I was thinking that I wasn't gonna make it. And if I didn't move fast enough....I was gonna lose......"

Rarity nodded. "Go on."

"....I was gonna lose something I couldn't be happy without. Losing Pinkie would be like losing a family member. Like losing a piece of myself. And I didn't realize it until today." Dash furrowed her brow, rubbing her shoulder awkwardly. "But you guys noticed before I did. Does that make me a bad pony? That I missed something that was obvious to everyone?"

"Yer a bit self-centered Dash, but you ain't a bad pony. Shoot, you just don't have the eagle-eye observational skills me n' Rare got."

"What do I do now?"

"Well at this very moment Pinkie is still trying to clean up that wound on her leg. I could hear her cursing from the restroom on my way over here to check on Sweetie."

"Pinkie curses?" Dash asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Rarity grinned wryly. "Like a drunken sailor. Only when she thinks nobody is around. Especially when she's had too much taffy. I sincerely doubt Pinkie knows how to tend to that injury on her leg. But I'm sure you two probably would, and I personally think Dash should be the one to do it. I have a first-aid kit in the third closet down the hall. You should help out your friend and perhaps try to talk to her? Hmm? That seems like a splendid idea to me."

"Yeah go help Pinkie with her boo-boo, sugarcube. Kiss it n' make it all better." Applejack chuckled to herself, laughing harder when Rainbow shot her an angry glance.

***************************

The bathroom that Rarity had been calling her own for roughly two months looked as impeccable as one would expect from the fussy unicorn. Everything was clean and disinfected, with a floral bathmat, and multiple bottles of Flax and Wheatgrass brand beauty products crowding around the sink and tub. Even the single tiny spider who lived up in the corner of the ceiling had taken to bathing regularly and cleaning up its web, simply because it felt so out of place. Normally the floor tiles were pearly white as well, although they were difficult to see at the moment. A spread out pile of paper towels was slowly swamping the room, each towel dotted with bright red and pink splotches, from Pinkie's fruitless attempts to clean the reopened wound from the earlier accident.

Her mind was abuzz with confusion and a bit of fear as well. Pinkie never got hurt. Her clairvoyance, agility, and strange brand of reality-defying athletic skills were basically a guarantee that she could never be tricked. Never hurt, physically at least. It was these traits that kept her so energetic, and allowed her to do things most ponies would never dare to do. Things normally reserved for pegasi. But this train accident was different. Pinkie had climbed to the roof out of childish curiosity, not even expecting the roof of the tunnel to hit with her head. Had she known it was coming she could have ducked, dodged, maybe even sucked her head down into her chest like some sort of turtle. This would be impossible for any horse besides Pinkie, but she had a knack for the impossible. But none of those had happened. For the first time Pinkie felt adrenaline mixed with pain and fear, the latter two being emotions she rarely experienced. For the first time in a very long time, Pinkie lost control and had come close to death, escaping only because of her friendship. And as she dabbed at the bleeding wound with the umpteenth paper towel, it began to dawn on Pinkie just what a fragile creature she was. She was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of a plastic first-aid container being dropped onto the floor.

"Jeez louise, Pinks." Dash looked around with a grimace at the mess as she flew in. "It looks like a horror flick in here. Night of the Living Pinkie. It Came from Beneath the Pinkie."

"Dashie...."

"Return of the Pinkie of the Dead. Pinkie's Ladder." Dash chuckled to herself as she began to move some of the bloody garbage around so she could comfortably sit. "Frankenpinkie."

"Dashie."

"The Chronicles of Pinkie: Bordello of Blood."

"Dashie!" Pinkie shouted.

"What?" Dash looked up from the space on the floor she'd cleared from sweeping all the paper towels away, finding herself face to face with her friend. The bright blue eyes of her companion searching her, filled with dismay.

"You've been crying again."

"No I haven't!" Dash protested, immediately wiping her face with the back of her hoof and mumbling, "I thought Rarity had cleaned all that eye goop off."

"I'm so sorry, Dashie. I didn't mean to scare you so much earlier and make you feel this way. If...if I could I'd go back in time and tell myself not to go onto that dumb train roof! You shouldn't be crying! You're the last pony ever who should be crying! Oh I wish I had a time machine! Or knew how to build one!"

"Actually I feel a bit better after crying for a bit." Dash admitted with a crooked grin. "Anyway, Pinkie if we don't close up that wound it's going to get infected. That or you're gonna keep bleeding til you like...deflate like a balloon."

Pinkie laughed aloud at the joke which was enough to make Dash feel less nervous. She pried open the first aid kit and began sorting through it. All the needed things for a suture were there, a curved needle with an eye, antibiotics, gauze, and soft metallic string that would dissolve over time.

"Pinkie uh....I'm gonna try to do this as quick as possible. I'm not gonna lie its probably gonna hurt like hades if you've never had to do this before. I've had to sew myself up a few times and I'm pretty used to the pain but, not every pony is ready for this kind of thing."

"I'll be ok! I've poked myself with needles so many times by accident when I try to clean up after parties. I have to get rid of all the balloons somehow! You can only really use a party balloon once!"

"You mean you pop every balloon after a party? You don't just let them like...lose air on their own?"

"Gasp! And have them sit around all day? Of course not, Dashie. That would be loitering and littering!" Pinkie frowned giving Dash a very serious stare to drive home her point. "They'd throw me in the clink!"

Rainbow rolled her eyes and smiled as she got to work. True to the pink one's word, if it caused her pain she didn't express it. Outside of the occasional flinch of her leg muscles, Pinkie simply watched with a quiet respect as Rainbow threaded the curved needle through the tissue on either side of the gash, her small smile growing as the wound soon became merely a crooked dark red mark, criss-crossed by knots of dark brown string. The only sound being that of her fluffy pink tail swishing excitedly on the tile.

"How'd you get so good at stitches? You're like Rarity with that thing except its...you know, skin instead of clothes but still its really neat! I'm good at leaving ponies in stitches but I could never leave stitches on a pony! I'd probably accidentally sew my face to them or something."

Dash leaned back to survey her work. "Not bad. First aid is part of being a Wonderbolt. If you find an injured pony and there's no medical professionals around, a Wonderbolt needs to know how to treat emergencies with care. Cuts, snakebites, fractures, all the typical stuff that happens to unlucky ponies when they're hiking or flying. All part of being a rad rescue team. Gotta be prepared."

Pinkie wobbled to her hooves, turning in a small circle in an effort to crane her head around and see how her wound looked now. Dash felt her heartbeat speed up as Pinkie spun, looking adorable as ever.

"I'm surprised, actually. You took that like a champ, Pinkie. I wish you could see what AJ is like around needles. Every year she drags me down to Redheart's Clinic to get flu shots with me. She howls like a little kid every time they stick her with the shot. Makes me laugh every year. I don't get it. I've seen AJ willingly shatter her ankle to get fruit off trees, but needles send her into hysterics. Big Mac just goes 'nope' like it's nothing."

As she put the medical supplies back into the small plastic box they had come in, she felt the eyes of her friend upon her. With the icky job of cleaning a literal bloody mess up out of the way, it was time for an ickier job: talking to her friend about emotions and feelings and other stuff. Stuff Dash wasn't the hugest fan of talking about, but she'd been avoiding it too long as it was. Luckily, Pinkie was the first to speak up, her large blue eyes seeming to grow even larger as she stared at Dash with a look of adoration and admiration.

"That's the second time today you've kept me safe! I should hire you as a bodyguard. You could wear sunglasses and a tie and talk into a microphone." Pinkie quietly shuffled up to Dash, closing the distance between them. "You're always there for me."

"Well it's just cause you're always there for me, pal. Always there when I feel bad or bored or when I've gotten tired of flight training. You're the best friend a pony could ask for. Heck you're one of the main reasons I'm able to get out of bed some mornings." Dash frowned a bit, ruffling her feathers as she began to feel uncomfortable. "And I haven't been returning the favor very well. I've been real short with you Pinkie, and I shouldn't be."

"It's okay. I know you're just worried cause everything is changing. And you're really scared of change." Pinkie giggled as she continued moving closer, feeling the short hairs along her back bristle. "But you don't have to be. Look how much has changed for us in the last year. All we've been through. Change is good, I think. And really fun!"

"Um...I gotta be honest, Pinkie. I have a bit of a confession to make. Before we all came to Canterlot.....I was just kinda...flying around a few days ago and..."

"You were spying on me and Flutters and Twilight while we were exercising and you overheard me say some stuff, right?" Pinkie grinned wickedly at the look of shock on Dash's face.

"W...what!? How in the hay...." Dash spluttered.

"You're so silly, Dashie!" Pinkie laughed as she drew ever closer, smiling as Rainbow was unable to avert her eyes from the pink pony's own, feeling the trembling breath of Dash on her muzzle. "My Pinkie Sense is tuned to home in on fun stuff wherever it is. You think I wouldn't sense you trying to pull a prank? On Pinkie Pie? Besides you also made it really obvious when you apologized to me on the train earlier."

"I'm sorry I've been ignoring you, Pinks." Dash mumbled. "I've been hurting you and didn't even realize it. Heck...I didn't even realize how I felt about you until today. I've been kind of a bonehead."

"So how DO you feel about me, miss bonehead?" Pinkie asked, leering forward with a wicked grin slowly stretching across her face at her flustered friend. Her grin only got larger as she observed Dash's wings slowly extending, pushing the pegasus away from the wall and up closer to Pinkie.

Dash sighed. "Pinkie we're both a couple of weirdos. You're always pretending to be happy when I know you're not."

"And you're always pretending to be brave even when I know you're really scared." Pinkie said softly, her muzzle slowly sliding along Dash's cheek, reveling in the way it made the cocky pegasus shiver. "I guess we are kind of weird."

"You wanna be weird....together?" Dash asked sheepishly.

A gentle kiss along Rainbow's jaw was all the answer she needed. Her mind swam as sensations she'd never experienced flowed through her, wrapping her arms tightly around her pink friend and squeezing as tightly as she could. Every frustration, worry, anger, and joy she'd felt over the last two weeks was poured out into the embrace, losing herself as she peppered her friends face with short dry kisses, inspired to continue at the happy giggles that poured from her pink partner. Pinkie squirmed happily in Rainbow's arms at the affectionate onslaught, returning kisses whenever she got an opening, while Rainbow for the first time in months felt stable, a sense of internal peace pervading the momentary excitement. She felt normal for the first time in a long time. How appropriate, she thought, to feel normal in the arms of a friend.

With a titter of glee, Pinkie gave Rainbow another kiss on the tip of her snout, trying not to laugh as the exhausted pegasus leaned back against the wall, panting heavily. "Is this how it's gonna be every time we make out? A loud kiss explosion tornado? We probably woke everyone up! You need to show some self control, missy!"

"Pinkie Pie, of all ponies, is telling ME to have self control?" Dash asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's pretty rich. And I don't think we woke anyone up......isn't that RIGHT RARITY AND AJ?"

The two expected to hear the sound of two pairs of hooves clattering away from the door. But all that came was silence.

"That's odd....after the pep talk Rarity gave me I would have sworn her and AJ would be spying on me." Rainbow mentioned, taking a peep out of the crack in the doorframe.

"I guess some ponies have more class than to just spy on their friends all day, huh?" Pinkie winked at Rainbow. "Unlike SOME ponies I know."

"As if." Dash stuck her tongue out at Pinkie, trying to look offended.

Pinkie's eyelids were drooping as she yawned quietly, leaning heavily against Dash. "I guess you're tired too." Dash commented.

"We've made a horrible mess of Rarity's bathroom." Pinkie mumbled, looking upon the vast pile of paper towers and feathers and drops of blood. "She's gonna blow her top once she sees this. And then her sides and bottom too. All her parts will be bouncing around the room shouting at us."

"Not if I clean it up first!" Dash remarked, quickly using her powerful wings to sweep all the mess into a pile so she could cram it into the tiny garbage bin. Seized with a new happy energy, Dash cleaned the room with almost the same speed she summoned for flight.

"So now what?" Pinkie asked as she swayed, nearly toppling over as sleep tried to claim her. "Are we gonna go tell everyone that we worked out our stuff? We could have a 'Pinkie and Dashie kissed in Rarity's Bathroom' party. Those are always the best!"

"Nah let 'em figure it out." Dash smirked as she wrapped her arms around Pinkie's torso and took to the air, hoisting her friend to the living room and depositing Pinkie on the fluffy Bed and Breakfast couch. "You need sleep. You've had a long and crappy day, thanks to me."

"It ended happily thanks to you as well." Pinkie whispered, leaning up to lick Rainbow's chin, trying not to laugh as the pegasus almost fell out of the air from her wings losing control.

"Yeah well, I'm gonna go see how Shy n' Twi are doing. And then..." Dash yawned, regaining midair stability. "I'll make sure Scoots is comfortable. I guess I'll hit the hay, too. We have a lot to do tomorrow and I don't wanna wake up feeling tired."

Author's Note

gosh what a long and horrible chapter this was.
if you're still reading, i'm so sorry.

Hush now, quiet now

Rarity watched with great amusement as Rainbow Dash attempted to hide the small olive pill inside a large blob of egg white. Originally it had been a fried egg but now seemed like it had been scrambled by someone who had no idea how to cook, due to the pegasus's multiple attempts to get the pill into the egg unseen.

"So this is how you get her to take her medication, hm?" Rarity asked with a grin reeking of smugness. "Hiding it in her food? I do the same for Opal's flea medication. I know quite a few do it for their pets meds. Never thought I'd see it done for a little pony. Particularly Scootaloo."

"It's the best I can do. She hates the taste and have you seen the size of these things? You'd think a capsule meant to be taken by fillies wouldn't be so large. Even I couldn't swallow this stupid crap if I wanted to. Scoot always gags. I'm almost gaggin' just looking at this nasty thing. Why can't they make a gummy version of these?" Dash sat back, finally satisfied with her work, turning her head upward to bellow, "SCOOT! BREAKFAST! EGGS!"

A blur of orange appeared through the doorway, the loud scraping of tiny hooves against tile as Scootaloo leaped onto the table, nearly inhaling the eggs as her tiny wings buzzed loudly. The plate was clean in mere moments with Scootaloo licking her snout and leaning over to nuzzle Dash.

"SCOOT!" Dash shouted sternly. "I know you have better manners than that!"

Scootaloo let out a small burp and bowed. Dash laughed uproariously and hugged the small orange filly.

"That's my girl! You ready to go to the park with me and Sweetie and Applebloom and Pinkie? Have a nice fun day while the other grownups get to meet ol' boring Celestia?"

"Yeah! Sweetie says there's lots of birds in the Canterlot gardens! Is that true, miss Rarity?" Scootaloo asked, her eyes lighting up with hope as she turned to the unicorn.

"Yes it's true. The gardens are absolutely teaming with all sorts of filthy tree creatures. Plenty of birds. They even have an area where you can feed peacocks with little cups of sunflower seeds. Because heaven knows we should reward those colorful turkeys with free food for crowing all night while ponies try to sleep."

"Cool!" Scootaloo squeaked. "Me n' Bloom n' Sweetie can get our birdwatcher cutie marks!"

Dash watched her new little sister scamper happily out of the room as Rarity turned to her.

"You know you could always put it in her tea." Rarity mused, taking a sip of her coffee.

"What kind of little filly drinks tea?"

"Sweetie enjoys a nice cup of tea with brunch, much like myself. What does Scootaloo like to drink?"

"Chocolate Milk."

"Ah yes, a very healthy choice. Well why not grind up the tablet and mix it into her milk, then? That seems a lot easier to me than trying to find new and interesting ways of cramming it into her breakfast meals."

Dash looked at Rarity in a similar manner as an armadillo would when it comes face to face with a speeding truck.

"Oh.... my gosh.... that is such a good idea."

Rarity nodded sagely and smiled as she took another sip of her coffee.

**********************************************************

Fluttershy sighed contentedly as she worked her hooves around Twilight's shoulders. It seemed like every time the studious alicorn finally seemed relaxed, something else would come up in her thought pattern, and the bunched up muscles would immediately return, aching to be massaged back into a relaxed state as Twilight chattered incessantly about her worries. Worries that Fluttershy was all too happy to help Twilight fret less about.

"Look at it, Fluttershy. It's wilting. Brown creases on the leaves. Grey tint on the petals. I can practically hear the lignen and carbon in it floating away." Twilight groaned, studying the pyrola.

"You're wilting, too." Fluttershy whispered, pushing the plant away and gently rubbing her muzzle on Twilight's neck. "You look more tired than ever. Didn't you sleep?"

"Not very well." Twilight admitted. "I keep trying to think about what I'm going to be expected to do at this summit. With Luna out of the picture it means Celestia is going to need help with the night again. What if she makes me move back to Canterlot to be the NEW Princess of the Night?"

"Oh Twilight that's a silly thought. Celestia was perfectly fine making the night and day for a long time. I'm sure she can do it again. And she'd never do something so cruel as forcing to move somewhere you don't want to go."

Twilight winced at those words.

"But she did once." Twilight mumbled. "And besides that....none of you have been to a royal meeting but it's basically like a potluck. All the members of parliament bring something and it's like a little feast. It's good because it helps visiting dignitaries feel more at home. It's also bad because I have nothing to bring."

"But this is an emergency meeting, Twilight." Fluttershy said softly. "I'm sure....that Celestia wouldn't expect you to bring food for an emergency meeting. Would she?"

Twilight's look of annoyance was the only answer Fluttershy needed. The two sighed sadly.

"I was really hoping you'd get to relax." Fluttershy lay her chin across the top of Twilight's head. "But you're more stressed than ever. I wish I could help."

With a grunt Twilight flipped over, pressing her lips against Fluttershy's own, feeling some of her stress seem to disappear.

"You've been a huge help, Fluttershy." she said, wrapping her forelegs around the yellow pegasus and holding her close. "I'm not sure how I'd have gotten through this trip without you. I just wish this had been like I'd hoped. Just you and me and our friends having fun. Now instead I need to find something to cook to bring to this stupid summit."

The door to the room creaked open as a pair of familiar jade eyes peered in, followed by an even more familiar thick southern drawl.

"Beggin' yer pardon Twi n' Shy but I couldn't help overhearin' y'all sayin' ya need somethin' cooked."

"We do but...." Twilight frowned a bit. She'd love Applejack's help but this seemed unfair. "It's really not a big problem. I could probably buy something from a nearby bakery or dessert parlor and try to pretend I made it. Not that any of them would know the difference."

"Well now if it ain't a big problem then I don't see why it'd be too problemic if'n I just cooked somethin' for ya to take." Applejack said with a wink. "Besides y'all shouldn't be spendin' any bits at all these hoity-toity snooty second-class bakeries round here. Celestia deserves the best. And I personally think when it comes to bakin'...that the best round these parts is me."

**********************************************

Few would argue that Applejack was indeed the best when it came to this sort of thing. Few ponies would argue to her face either, knowing the tough farm pony wasn't one to mince words. And if she claimed to be the best, she probably was. For her sake, when it came to baking she really was one of the best and within a few minutes had a freshly made crumb cake sitting neatly in a tray. Thinking the cake might be a bit too plain, Twilight politely asked for Applejack's advice on how to make it seem fancier. As far as Twilight could recall, Celestia was a fan of pineapples...or so she thought. It had been a long time. Regardless, soon the cake was drizzled with a sweet yellow syrup made of pineapple glaze. Twilight thanked Applejack, promising to return the favor one day despite the farmer's protests. With a last check in the mirror and a few goodbyes all around, she was soon walking briskly down the cobblestone streets of Canterlot, with Fluttershy beside her. They hadn't made it more than a minute before Fluttershy spoke up.

"Um.....Twilight."

"Yes, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, peering at a street sign to be sure she was heading in the most efficient direction.

"This seems....unnecessary."

"What? The pineapple icing? I would agree but Canterlot ponies really like decadence. Even on their food. One of many things I don't miss about this city."

"No I mean.....me."

Twilight stopped in her tracks, turning to look at Fluttershy with a concerned expression.

"What do you mean...you?"

"Why do I need to come, Twilight? Celestia wants to see you....not me. I don't want to be barging in on official royal business. That would be rude of me."

"Honestly it's because....I really really like you Fluttershy." Twilight leaned forward and gently nuzzled Fluttershy under her ear. "I don't like being apart from you. I don't know what's going to happen at the meeting. I don't know what kind of implications and obligations Luna quitting her job has caused. I'm scared and I need you by my side."

"Oh."

"And it's not just that." Twilight's eyes filled with determination. "I don't want you hiding away. You're too wonderful and special for that. Everyone should know what an amazing pony you are and that we love each other. I'm not scared of them knowing anymore. I'm not bothered by them knowing one of the princesses of Equestria is in love with one of the Elements of Harmony anymore. They have a right to know and if they don't like it then they will simply need to deal with it."

Fluttershy grinned. "You could have stopped after saying you really really liked me. But....I'm honored you want me attend as your date, Twilight."

"The honor is all mine, Kindness." Twilight said in a very regal accent, kneeling before her friend.

"Thank you, milady." Fluttershy said with a quiet giggle. "I hope they don't mind me being there."

"With all the work Celestia's been sending me over the last few months....." Twilight said with a toothy rebellious smile. "I really hope they DO mind."

***********************************************

Hippity Hop Hall was somewhat of an underwhelming last stop on any tour through Canterlot Castle. It lacked the pearl walls of the rest of the interior, the stained glass windows that invited the sun within the other wings, the gold trim along the structural columns that ran along the corners. It had been one of the first pieces built of the massive fortress that would later become Celestia's home. It had once been a stargazing building, where ponies would look through telescopes to see the stars. Centuries in the past, a young pegasus named Hippity had saved a large fleet of hares from one of the most brutal winters that Equestria had ever seen. She had housed the rabbits in this very building, caring for them like a mother. When spring had finally come, the rabbits were set free. However the pony who had cared for them had grown gravely ill. Celestia and Luna set up camp next to the building and nursed Hippity back to health, conducting all royal business within the astronomy building. As time passed, more additions were added to the camp and eventually it had become the grand royal castle seen today. Every time an important matter came up, any meetings for it were held in Hippity Hop Hall. Diplomats, delegates, and legislative issues were all seen to in this room. It was a tradition. A very old tradition.

It hadn't been the first time Twilight had been in this building. Part of her studies before moving to Ponyville had been all about how ponies around Equestria would come to this very room to ask questions, ask for favors, ask for help from the powerful roundtable of ponies who conducted much of Equestria's business under the leadership of Celestia. Countless times the mare had been in this wing of the castle. She knew it by heart, as she knew Canterlot by heart. Every crease in the marble, every chip in the pearl, every scratch on the tile. Every stain, every mark, all were forever marked in her brain. And for the first time in Twilight's life she felt like a stranger in the place she once called home. All that was once familiar was now frightening, and she hugged Fluttershy to her side with her new wing, trying to fight the urge to run as she brought up her hoof, knocking four times upon the great brass door, as was customary.

Fluttershy had never been to something like this before. It was so different from going to Grand Galloping Gala or any of the other royal events that were usually a cheery public spectacle. She sat at an oblong table, surrounded by ponies from all walks of life. Each with a very serious and dour look on their face. Government officials, the ones elected to help Celestia run the nation now that it had grown so much over the centuries. Celestia was a goddess, able to raise the sun and see into the future. But even she didn't have the strength to take care of every matter that required attention in her Kingdom. Especially in a land full of a couple million ponies, horses, donkeys, and deer. And although these ponies were of all different breeds and creeds, one fact they shared in common was they took their jobs very seriously. They nearly reeked of "nofun" as they mumbled and chattered amongst themselves. Fluttershy sat to Twilight's right, trying not to cower under the lavender wing wrapped around her shoulders as her partner made small talk. Every now and then a few of the officials would glance at Fluttershy, some curious, others with a crafty grin, and they would whisper amongst themselves. To her relief, none of them seemed to disprove of Fluttershy's closeness to Twilight, as far as she could tell. But it didn't make it any easier to sit this in crowded room full of strangers. She busied herself trying to listen to the various conversations around her.

The topics were of all sorts of things important to the welfare of Equestria. Peaceful conquests, merging of statehoods, mopping up what was left of the villainous tribes of changelings. Somewhere up north where it always snowed, a group of ponies had found an old circlet that caused the wearer to say all manner of vicious things. The famed and lost Crown of Cruelty, which was now on it's way back to Canterlot, to be guarded by Celestia like all dangerous magical artifacts. Elsewhere down to the east where the bay met the ocean, a coven of moose witches had enchanted several mushrooms and made them able to bake bread. Normally giving a consciousness to an object that had none was a forbidden magic, but because mushrooms were living things a great debacle had broken out. Was it ethical to force mushrooms to become bakers? And if it was ethical, should the mushroom men be paid? These were questions that this roundtable of serious ponies would have to solve, or at least come to some sort of compromise on. But these conversations came to a halt, as silence filled the air and many pairs of eyes looked onward at the large curtain that lead to the royal chambers.

There she was. Princess Celestia, goddess of the sun and queen of all that was radiant. A shimmering tall steed, easily several feet taller than any of the other ponies, with dainty features and a graceful step as she entered the room. Her mane was like a nebula, a gleaming undulation of colors and transparent tones, moving on it's own, and gently bouncing with every step her large white cloven hooves took along the tile, brushing the polished ceramics with her near transparent fetlocks. A golden usekh collared her long neck, a purple chiseled hunk of obsidian sitting nestled in the brooch, hardened by dragonfire ages ago. On her head sat a small golden tiara, almost invisible amongst the light that poured from her form. Almost as gracefully as she stepped in, Celestia nodded at her colleagues, and smiled at Twilight and Fluttershy. Every head bowed in respect.

And almost every head snapped back up in confusion and annoyance as Discord, god of Chaos and Pandemonium, shuffled through the curtain behind Celestia, a large granola bar in his claw, crunching loudly as he greedily chewed. He stepped into the silence that had now become awkward. With a sniff he glanced around at all the serious faces before swallowing the candy whole, pulling out a chair by scraping it across the tile, and plopping himself down at the table.

"Please, don't everypony applaud at once."

*************************************

Celestia's amethyst eyes roved silently over the Pyrola Lunata Borealis as she held it aloft, encased in a bubble of yellow light. Her smooth features pouting in a look of deep concentration. Any initial smalltalk had stopped as the three stared at their princess. Discord's claws drummed with annoyance on the marble table. All at once Celestia's eyes lit up and she nodded knowingly.

"I do know this flower. Quite a wave of nostalgia. You did well to bring it to me, Twilight and Fluttershy." Celestia folded the flower up neatly with a magical spell, turning it into a small square like origami, depositing it within her mane. "I hope you don't mind if I hold onto it for a short while. I feel that I may know of a very important use for it."

"Yes yes that's all very nice. So who made it? It's clearly unnatural." Discord said with a snort. "I'm pretty certain YOU made it Celestia. I'd like to know before I grow a second beard."

"I did make it. For my sister a very long time ago."

"But why?" Twilight asked.

"Yes do tell." Discord motioned, taking a drink from his mug of wine. "An answer that cryptic usually comes with a story. Plus I find it strange that Celestia would do something as dangerous as creating a whole new type of plant."

"I created it for Luna. Something to bloom on nights when the moon was full and she was at her proudest." Celestia said with a sad smile. "I was to present it to her on her birthday a very long time ago. When I was certain I'd perfected it."

"She never got the flower, did she?" Fluttershy asked.

"That she did not." Celestia said with a sigh. "Her birthday was the day after I...."

"BANG! ZOOM! Straight to the moon!" Discord said with a chuckle, drawing more than a few dirty looks from the crowd. "What an awful turn of events."

"Yes it was." Celestia sighed again, shooting Discord an annoyed but fond glance. "And now Fluttershy and Twilight have managed to find my lost flower. And of course it's after Luna has vanished. The universe is certainly having an ironic jest on me as of late."

"How did you make this flower?" Twilight asked. "I performed a whole wide array of experiments on it. I tried every sort of sigil and rune based enchantments I could to mark an origin for this plant and nothing came up! I tried vodun spells, totems, even basic cosmological seals! How could this one plant be...like this?!"

Fluttershy had been quietly observing this conversation at Twilight's side, trying not to interject. She felt it wasn't her place to get involved with these sorts of discussions as she had very little to add. And even if she did have something she felt was important for the conversation she could always mention it to one of her friends and have them speak for her. But hearing Twilight's voice trill about magic and science sent a pleasant shiver through her spine, her wings shifting outwards slightly. Twilight apparently noticed and smirked slightly, wrapping her own wing around Fluttershy to hide the yellow pegasus reaction.

"The flower was made with pure magic, Twilight." Celestia answered. "A very old sort of magic. Magic these days is very different than it once was. Pure magic was completely natural. Brought to us by the wind, the air, the water, and fire. It was the one type of magic that was incorruptible. And one of the only kinds of magic that Starswirl the Bearded and I could never fully understand."

"And what happened to this so-called 'pure magic' of yours Celestia?" Discord asked, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.

"It's gone." Celestia said simply, taking a sip from her tea. "It died a very long time ago."

"How?" asked Twilight.

"Luna and I killed it with our quarreling, my faithful student. Pure magic died the night that me and my sister shattered the original Elements of Harmony. I was the Element of Grace and Luna was the Element of Devotion, but I wouldn't know it until I had destroyed the other 6 elements to banish my sister to the moon. But those are gone now, scattered in many pieces all over Equestria, much like this flower. The only ponies now who wield such magic are you and your friends, Twilight. It's why you were able to seal away Discord the Element of Chaos, repel pure wickedness like the changelings, and even resist pure infinite evil like King Sombra. It is the most pure and powerful of magic and it's source is love. Without love, the magic dies, and without the Elements of Harmony it has no way to be channeled. This is why you and your friends are so important to Equestria, even now that the elements are sealed once again inside the tree they came from."

The grin on Discord's face had long since faded as he stared down at his mug, his brow furrowed.

"What's wrong, Discord?" Celestia began with a light jeering tone. "Shocked to learn yet again that love is a more powerful magic than any of us could ever hope to attain?"

"You learn something new every day, I guess." Discord replied with a weak smile, drinking from his mug.

"But....how did this flower end up in the Everfree Forest?" Fluttershy asked. "It was there long enough for ponies to give it a name and record it in my botany books. So many thought it was extinct. But I know there's more out there."

"Well I didn't just make one flower." Celestia said with a wink, her face turning sad. "I made a lot of precious things back then. But when Luna and I fought...in the cataclysm that followed...a lot of those precious things were lost. Things I yearn to have back but never can."

Celestia cleared her throat. "But anyway, that's enough about my regrets. Twilight in your letter you sent me, you claimed you've been very tired. Unable to perform some of your duties as princess..."

Twilight trembled slightly. If there was one thing she hated in the whole world, it was disappointing Celestia.

"...but that's not too important, really. You said you had discovered a new sort of friendship. That of falling in love. You said you found it 'addicting' which I found very amusing."

Twilight grinned sheepishly.

"You said you weren't ready to say who it was you had fallen for. But I'm afraid I already know."

Celestia turned to Fluttershy and gave her a small nod.

"I am glad that it is somepony with your gentle demeanor and not some ruffian."

"But...but how..?" Twilight stammered.

"Discord told me." Celestia said with a smile.

"DISCORD!" Twilight growled.

"What? Was it supposed to be a secret or something?" Discord asked, looking offended and baffled. "You two could have told me that back on the train. You can't just tell me things like this and expect me not to blab about them everywhere. I blab about everything. I have the gift of blab. I'm a connoisseur in blabberating!"

"I think I would have figured it out anyway." Celestia interrupted. "I haven't seen you hold a pony so tightly in all the years I've known you." She gave the wing Twilight had wrapped around Fluttershy a poke with her royal hoof, chuckling slightly as the two mares cheeks both turned red.

"This is very sweet and all, my Queen." began one of the elder senators at the table, whose conversations amongst themselves had come to an end. "And while Princess Twilight loving a mare will make it difficult for her to have heirs, assuming she even desires any but...what of your sister? This entire meeting was planned to discuss the very fact that one of the most important members of the royal family has disappeared without a trace. Leaving not only a great void in how we do things here in Canterlot, but a void in the cosmos themselves. What of the moon? What of the time?"

"And people think I'm rude." Discord muttered haughtily, pouring himself some more wine with the end of his floppy tail.

"Now now...he's right." Celestia began, giving Discord a stern look. "This is business, after all. We can't keep Equestria moving smoothly if we don't try to help with this crisis."

"I fear it's already out of control." said an old grey mare at the table, with purple spectacles on the tip of her snout. "On my way here, pretty much all the local papers and rags are claiming Luna was kidnapped. There's misinformation in the air and everywhere."

"Then the first thing I need to do is make an announcement about what really happened." Celestia sighed. "Let them know that Luna quit and as far as we can tell, has left Canterlot. That they have no reason to fear. And that we shall continue running the nation to the best of our accumulated abilities without her. Which we did for a very long time while she was...away."

"Yes, we did it once and we can do it again!" piped up a younger senator with a beehive haircut on her head. Her face was full of pride which slowly melted away into melancholy. "It won't be the same though. I enjoyed having Luna around for a second opinion on royal matters and matters of state."

"I miss having her around as well." Celestia said softly. "I thought the Summer Sun Celebration would be the end of our troubles but I misjudged myself."

A sad silence filled the room.

"Princess...." began the new leader of the royal guard, seated at the table as well. "What of you? Surely you can't go back to raising both the sun AND the moon again like in old times? With as busy as we've been these last few months, it'd be a real blow to have you undergo the stress of controlling both celestial bodies again. You already have so many responsibilities here as it is."

"I know I do. That is why I've been having Twilight Sparkle take up some of the workload for me. But it's already proven too much for her." Celestia said, giving Twilight a glance.

Twilight felt her stomach knot up. Such a short glance it had been. But what could it have meant? Was Celestia giving her a sympathetic look, knowing the stress and exhaustion she'd been through lately. Was it a look of criticism? Letting Twilight know she'd been underperforming in her new duties as Princess? Twilight couldn't be sure but she knew how she felt as those eyes glanced at here. The crushing weight of guilt fell upon her, smothering her. She leaned heavily into Fluttershy, trying not to faint, a lump forming in her throat.

"At the moment," Celestia continued. "We simply will have to cope. I'm going to write a letter to Princess Cadance soon to see if perhaps she can take over moon duties for a while. Or at least after she feels her Empire has recovered from Sombra. If not then I will simply have to control both sun and moon again. My schedule will be altered to the way it was about a year ago. Meetings of parliament will once again have to be mostly the rest of you making the decisions and asking for my guidance from afar if you feel you need it."

"But! But Princess!" the senators and diplomats protested.

"It's going to be just fine." Celestia cooed, always seeming calm and collected. "You ponies ran the more complex parts of parliament perfectly fine on your own without me having to oversee everything. You are all much wiser than you think you are. Probably even wiser than I, despite my age. I have the utmost faith in you all."

A few hesitant nods were had around the table.

"There, now. Now with that ugly road bump out of the way, let's eat." Celestia said, using small sparkles of magic to pass plates around the table. "After we eat I think we can adjourn. I'll continue trying to locate Luna with magic."

"Had no luck?" Twilight asked, chewing on a mouthful of spinach. "Your location spells were always so accurate."

"That's what worries me." Celestia mumbled, as she curled some angelhair pasta onto her fork. "Luna is so adamant at not wanting to be found....and she seems to have learned how to block my magic. That was one of the few advantages I had. Our metaphysical connection with our minds. Without that I am powerless against her and helpless to find her."

Celestia leaned over to Twilight and Fluttershy, glancing at the other governing bodies at the table to be sure none could hear her as she spoke.

"I fear I may have made Luna very cross." Celestia whispered. "I don't think she would turn into Nightmare Moon again or anything quite so drastic but...still....I am worried. I made a grave mistake to laugh at her cultural differences. Now she's gone and I'm absolutely terrified I've ruined any chance at seeing my baby sister again."

"I wish we could help." Twilight muttered.

"I....I must admit I've peered into the mind of your friend Rarity after she was acting...suspicious. I think she may have seen or talked with Luna since Luna's disappearance. She claimed she did not but...her memory wisps said otherwise. Twilight and Fluttershy....I know Rarity is your friend, and I would never ask you to betray her. I'm sure if she knows something...and didn't tell me....it has to be for a very good reason."

"Celestia..." Fluttershy began, looking helplessly at Twilight. "I don't think I could lie...about this. Rarity...has...um...well she's been keeping in contact with Luna. Please don't be upset with her. Luna doesn't want to be found."

"But why?" Celestia pleaded, looking almost ready to weep.

"Luna is trying to live life as a normal pony, now. Hiding amongst the citizens of Canterlot. Rarity's been helping her." Twilight grimaced, fearing she might have said too much.

Celestia bolted upright, her eyes scanning the room with a determined look. But it faded and a look of amusement played about her face as she ate her pasta.

"Is she happy? Is Luna..... happy?" Celestia asked quietly.

"Rarity said Luna's been having a lot of fun living like a normal pony." Twilight offered, feeling relief as Celestia smiled. "Going to sports games, parks, and nightclubs and such."

"Well good. Bless her, I hope she is finding joy in these endeavors. I'll tone down the search parties and pretend I'm still looking for her. I guess Luna just needed to take a vacation just like you did, Princess Twilight." Celestia sighed, wiping her eyes with a dainty kerchief. "I'm glad she's having a good time. I shall keep this secret...a secret."

"Should I keep this a secret as well?" Discord asked, slithering out of Celestia's mane like a curious snake. "Sorry, couldn't help but eavesdrop."

Twilight shot Discord a dirty look while Celestia giggled at the antics of the spirit of chaos.

"Yes, Discord. Please keep it a secret." Celestia plucked Discord from her hair and deposited him back into his seat, where he quickly grew to full size and downed the rest of his wine.

"No blabbing then, I take it?" He asked.

"No blabbing. This is a royal decree. Blabbing about this is outlawed for the time being."

Discord nodded knowingly and pulled his mouth off his face, crunched it up like tissue paper, and stuffed it into a pocket along his dark brown scales. As if to say 'the secret is safe with me'. Celestia stifled a giggle. The representatives around the table continued eating, having smalltalk amongst themselves. Discord didn't eat much, preferring to turn the food into tiny soldiers and having them fight each other atop one of the pies on the feasting table. Celestia quietly nibbled at a bowl of spinach and celery, saving her appetite for the cake that Twilight and Fluttershy had brought in. Celestia had always had a weakness for sweets, with most photos of her that showed up in the newspapers usually depicting her eating some sort of confectionery treat.

"This looks delicious." Celestia murmured, licking her lips as she hovered a large slice of the cake over to her plate. "Is this crumb cake?"

"Yes it is! Fluttershy and Applejack made it." Twilight nuzzled Fluttershy.

"Oh....well it was mostly Applejack....I just helped a little." Fluttershy whispered, her face going red.

"Well it's certainly delicious." Celestia garbled through a mouth full of cake, small crumbs toppling out of her mouth. "How has Spike been, Twilight? I haven't seen him in so long."

"He's doing fine. He's been taking this whole....princess thing...much more calmly than I've been. He's growing, too. Naturally this time. It's getting harder to carry him around." Twilight grinned. "He was supposed to show up but I wanted to let him sleep in."

"How is he doing in school? I imagine being away from home all day must be challenging for you both."

"To be honest he's bored." Twilight chuckled nervously. "I warned him he was already far beyond the level of education for someone his age. I already talked to Cheerilee to see if he could come home early after he finishes his work so he isn't sitting around for too long. He wasn't a fan of that either since it meant he couldn't hang out with with Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack's little sisters."

"You should let me teach the boy." Discord muttered as he watched a piece of toast impale a marshmallow with a pretzel. "I could use a new apprentice. He knows basically nothing of his species."

"Well...that's probably a good thing." Fluttershy replied quietly, looking away from the eyeroll Discord sent her way.

"Spike also had me visit class during...erm..." Twilight cleared her throat. "...parent's day."

Celestia stopped chewing for a moment to raise her eyebrows slightly. She sat for a moment or two motionless before a very faint smile creased across her noble features, chewing slowly and thoughtfully.

"Oh?" the pearly white alicorn asked, calmly as if this were something ordinary. "How did that make you feel?"

"Weird." Twilight scrunched her face up a bit. "He even accidentally called me 'ma' while he was addressing the class. I mean...I love Spike so much....but I'm not sure if it's a good thing for him to look up to me that way. I'm not even a dragon."

Celestia scratched at her throat for a moment. "I don't see why not. You've been there for him his entire life. Spent more time with him than I ever could. Raising him to be the dragon he is today. It's only natural that he'd latch onto you. I would have thought you would feel the same."

"I do...I always have felt like....he was my little guy but....hearing him say it." Twilight wiped her eye a bit. "It's not that I don't like it...but it makes me all...teary."

"Yes I know that feeling very well." Celestia said with a small sigh, her voice wavering. "I miss my little Cadance every day. I know she's happier away in her own kingdom but it doesn't make it hurt less."

"So do I." Fluttershy agree'd with a tone of sadness. "I've only been away from home a day and I already miss Angel."

Celestia wiped her brow, coughing a bit.

"Are you alright, Celestia?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head. "You look very pale."

"Well her coat is white, Fluttershy." Discord quipped with disinterest as he armed several strawberries with toothpick spears. "She's going to look pale no matter what. She'll never be able to achieve a tan, no matter how many beaches she goes to."

"I'm fine....Fluttershy." Celestia gasped, breathing heavily and leaning back in her chair as she took another bite of cake.

"See? Fine." Discord mumbled, turning back to his food army. "Now my grapemen, the time has come to seize control over the lands that the strawberries have stolen from you. Use those little martini umbrella halberds to defeat them in these times of war. I won't lie, it will be a bloody battle and many of you will end up part of a fruit salad I will be eating. But you will die in honor of conquest. And of course in honor of me."

A hoarse garble of pain uttered from Celestia's throat as she leaned heavily against the table. Her eyes streamed with tears as she doubled over, the golden boots she wore on her hooves flailing and clawing at her throat as she made indecipherable noises with her mouth. Everything stopped at once. Every official in the room who sat around the table, every guard who stood by a doorway, every fruit minion on Discord's plate, all stopped and watched in horror as Celestia gasped and frantically tried to breathe. A small pink stream of blood dribbled from her mouth.

"CELESTIA!" Twilight shrieked, leaping from her chair, putting her small purple hooves on her mentor's shoulders. "IS SOMETHING CHOKING YOU? I'LL HELP JUST LET ME UH...UH"

Twilight scanned the room frantically, searching for something, anything that might aid the princess. She turned back to see Celestia's eyes give her a look of pure sadness, and all at once Celestia's limbs hung to her sides, limp and lifeless. The world moved in slow motion as every able-bodied pony leaped from their chair, eager to catch the falling princess as she toppled backwards from her chair. Muted shouts and screams tore through the air.

Then the most powerful pony in the world, the queen of sun and light, and leader of Equestria, fell to the floor. A pony who had only ever desired tranquility and happiness, and was by far the most benevolent ruler that the land had ever or would ever be blessed with, crumpled onto the tile. A deafening silence filled the room. Twilight stood in horror looking down upon Celestia's still form, the purple eyes she had seen every day as a child, the eyes of the teacher who had been like a second mother to her, rolled upwards as the eyelids slowly creaked shut.

Twilight couldn't hear a thing, the shock numbing every sense in her body. She didn't hear Fluttershy crying. She didn't hear all the shattering plates as tables were overturned. She didn't hear the shouts the politicians made for the guards to rush into the room and find out what happened. As the gears in her mind finally began to turn again she heard only one sound. A quiet clap of hands and a familiar chuckle. She turned to see Discord giving her a very approving nod and chortling to himself, his yellow eyes filled with glee and respect for Twilight. He stood from his chair, the wooden throne screeching loudly across the tile. That sound silenced everything and the calamity in the room made itself clear but just as quickly died down as every eye in the room turned towards the most powerful creature in Equestria now. Discord, god of chaos, stood next to the table clapping loudly. All the tiny fruit warriors on his plate clapping as well, their applause thundering throughout the room.

"Well, Twilight I must admit I didn't think you had it in you." Discord said with a laugh. "I always thought you were a goody two-shoes but this...this is amazing. I am really impressed. I've done some foul things in my time my dear but I never would have thought to do this."

He picked up the cake Celestia had been eating and took a large bite. His glee turned to confusion for a mere moment.

"Hmm that's odd. It certainly doesn't taste like poison. But then again if it were magical poison I'm sure it'd be flavorless and odorless. Either way, it doesn't make what you've accomplished any less impressive."

Twilight's jaw hung. "Y...you....think....."

"Think what? That this was all set up? Of course. It makes so much sense. Twilight Sparkle, personal protege of the QUEEN OF EVERYTHING, always kept on a short leash. Never very social, never very well known, but with clearly very high ambitions. But only an alicorn is allowed to rule Equestria as it is. You might be a rebel, Twilight but you're too nerdy to break rules. Celestia making you into an alicorn was the perfect opportunity for you to rid yourself of her. You've been patiently waiting your entire life to make this moment happen haven't you? You're so diligent! You've managed to do in one dinner what Sunset Shimmer failed to do in two lifetimes."

"No!....I would never!"

"Oh of course you wouldn't." Discord said with a wink. "I mean who would want to rule Equestria and have all the money, power, and magic they could ever want? Have every library, and illegal book of dark magic all to themselves. Certainly not Twilight Sparkle, a glutton for education. No need to be so humble my dear. This is how Kings and Queens ascended each other all the time back in the past before you ponies arrived. It's actually quite refreshing to see someone take out their leader in such an oldschool style. Very retro."

Every eye in the room turned from Discord to Twilight, their eyes filled with terror as Twilight's eyes grew wide and she tentatively took a few steps back from the crowd.

"GUARDS! GUARDS!" shouted one of the politicians. "TWILIGHT SPARKLE HAS MURDERED THE QUEEN! SEIZE HER...I think?"

There was a green explosion of fire as Discord leered at the politician, the incoming guards giving him a wide berth.

"Seize her?" Discord shouted in a booming angry voice. "You should be WORSHIPPING her you imbecile! She's the leader now! She's your QUEEN."

"Why are you doing this!?" Twilight shrieked at Discord as he turned away from the guard.

"Fluttershy had me promise to the leader of this ridiculous cluster of horses you call a nation, to serve our fearless leader and use my powers for GOOD. You're the leader now Twilight. Which means I work for you. And I won't have these ruffians ruffing you up. Besides those wings are still pretty fresh aren't they? Can't have a bunch of steroid stallions getting their armored hooves clamped all over them now can we? How ghastly!"

"I am NOT YOUR LEADER!" Twilight bellowed angrily, clambering off the table and away from several angry guard ponies.

"Of course you are. Celestia's clearly dead. Like a goldfish you win from a carnival. Belly up, as they say! RIP in pieces."

"Celestia is not dead." came Fluttershy's voice from near Celestia's still form.

During the chaos, Fluttershy had crept from her chair, the grief of knowing her queen was dead, and wanting little more than to hold Celestia's body, and hope against hope that she could do something, anything to help. Every day since she was little Fluttershy had been thankful that she was so easy to ignore. Nobody ever paid attention to her or the things she did. And as the guards filled the room and cowered from Discord and Twilight's shouting match, she had quietly made her way to the white lump on the ground. Through her tears, Fluttershy had noticed something that had immediately given her hope. The pool of blood at Celestia's mouth had small ripples going through it every second or so. The Princess of the Sun was still alive, her lungs heaving to keep her alive. But there was something else. Something....toxic about the blood. Small red welts were forming around Celestia's snout. Were those hives? Then that meant....

"Twilight..." Fluttershy whispered, turning to see that quite a few ponies were now staring at her. "I think....I think I can help Celestia. But in case I can't...find Luna."

"Oh yes. Let's put the fate of our great nation in the hooves of the Royal Goth!" Discord said with a grin.

"Discord SHUT UP!" Fluttershy shouted. Discord nearly flopped over with grief as he looked sadder than anyone had ever seen him. "I'm sorry, Discord but you're really just...making this situation worse right now. You aren't on your best behavior and it's making this situation even more of a mess. You understand that, don't you?"

"Yes." Discord muttered, clearing his throat and shuffling sheepishly away from the guards. "Sorry."

"Why should we trust you?" shouted one the politicians, pushing her way to the front of the guards. "How do we know you didn't poison Celestia as Discord claims? How do we know that you aren't planning to finish her off?"

"Because I'm the Element of Kindness." Fluttershy said as sweetly as she could, trying very hard not to lose her temper. "You also don't have much of a choice. Don't be stubborn and let me HELP or Celestia WILL die."

The two locked eyes for a moment. The mare's face was angry, but her eyes were full of fear. Fluttershy could understand that. This was probably the most intense moment any of them had ever been through. With a nod, she gave way and went back to standing behind the guards.

"Twilight." Fluttershy began as she started collecting herbs from the feasting table. "Take Discord and see if you two can find Luna. I think Celestia is very sick but I might be able to help her if some of these other ponies are willing to help me. But in case I can't......find Luna."

"Don't you worry about a thing, Fluttershy." Discord quipped, grabbing Twilight and shoving her under his arm so he could carry her like a suitcase. "Twilight can't fly very fast but I can. Plus honestly how hard could it be to find Luna? She has a voice like a megaphone in a city full of the most polite and snooty ponies in the land. Like finding a foghorn in a haystack."

"Fluttershy if something happens...." Twilight wriggled under Discord's arm. "I really love you, ok?"

"Don't worry so much." Fluttershy replied with a weak smile. "And I love you too. So much."

With a burst of grey smoke Discord had transformed himself into a short fat biplane with his nose for a propeller. With a loud buzz and a honk like that of a goose, the propellers spun, and Twilight yelped in fright from the cockpit as the Discord plane flew through a stained glass window, shattering it. Leaving behind nothing but a trail of exhaust and the echoes of Discord's hooting laughter. Fluttershy felt her heart ache as she watched them go. Knowing full well she could be in the dungeons by the time they returned. She turned towards the group of guard ponies slowly advancing on her with their spears lowered, aggressively looking for combat.

"I know you're all very upset. But I can help her. Please....let me help her."

A few of the guards flinched at the pleading cry.

"Please."

Hey little sister what's your vice and wish

The fear and grief that had filled Twilight's form during her hasty escape from the castle was quickly being replaced by vast amounts of frustration which stemmed from several things. For starters, Twilight had no idea how to find Princess Luna in the giant golden city of Canterlot. To make matters worse, she was looking for Luna while also trying to hide. Word had already spread of what had happened to the Princess, and some ponies were already panicking in the streets. Twilight was determined to keep a low profile, which meant flying from rooftop to rooftop, observing the streets below and staying in the shadows. What little practice Twilight had for flight had clearly not done her as much good as she thought, and soon her knees and hooves were scuffed from crash-landing on pavement and shingles, ruining her attempts at stealth. And then as if this all wasn't bad enough, Discord was not taking the situation seriously at all. Darting from shadow to shadow, transforming his body into all sorts of various things. At one moment he might be a hideous beast with blood red quills, the next a juggling clown, and the next a toilet with legs. All the while making loud noises and chattering to himself. A din that Twilight was trying to drown out. But the battle was being lost as Twilight grit her teeth and rounded on the old serpent.

"STOP MAKING IT WORSE!" Twilight shrieked, nearly falling over from the force of her own shouting. "STOP HAVING FUN! STOP ENJOYING THIS!"

"What on earth has gotten into you?" Discord asked with a stare as if nothing was wrong.

"YOU. You've gotten into me. I hate you so much and I can't believe you would think I'm sick enough in the head to try to murder Celestia! I LOVE Celestia! She's one of my most favorite ponies in the entire world and now she might be dead and thanks to you and your big fat stupid mouth, everyone thinks I did it!"

"What was I supposed to think?" Discord asked, arms akimbo. "I would have done that if I were in your position."

Twilight pointed a shaky hoof at him. "SEE? That's it. That's just it. Right there. That is your problem, Discord!"

"MY problem?"

"Yes YOUR problem! You think every pony should think the way you do. Act the way you do. You are so narrow-minded and shallow you think it strange that others might not share your stupid views on chaos! You're so set in your ways you can't even turn off your arrogance for a few minutes just to appreciate the fact that maybe you aren't perfect! Maybe you aren't the funniest best creature to ever grace this planet! Did that ever cross your mind? Did that ever even make a dent in your psyche? That ponies find you infuriating because you refuse to compromise? That you hurt the very ponies who still CARE about you?"

"What on earth does this have to do with Celestia?"

"IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HER!" Twilight bellowed. "In your perverse little world you think it's perfectly ok to lie and cheat and steal and kill. But that's not how everyone else THINKS, Discord! Celestia was my friend! She taught me so much and I've known her my entire life! She practically raised me and Spike! In what deranged setting would I ever want to see her killed? You realize what you've done? Accusing me of that?! That's TREASON, Discord! I'll be tried for murder thanks to you! I'll get locked away for ages! Fluttershy will be locked up too! I'll never see Ponyville or my friends again! I'll never see Spike again! I'll never see Celestia again! Or my family! It would be the end of my life, everything I love, and the Elements of Harmony!"

Twilight fell to the ground, laying on her belly, using her wings to cover her face as months of frustration poured from her, wailing loudly on the silent rooftop.

"Would that make you happy, Discord? You'll have the whole stupid world to rule over, again."

"No it wouldn't." Discord replied very quietly, causing Twilight to lift her head. "In fact I couldn't think of a worse punishment in all of my days."

With a slight crouch to his step, Discord walked over to where Twilight lay, sitting down in front of her, his face full of pity.

"Twilight I don't think you get....me. Which is a rather common thing, I'm rather complex. Few get me. You see my dear, I try to find happiness in my own way. Some ponies think me cruel because I spent a very long time not caring about what happened to others while I continued living my rather pleasant, although hedonistic lifestyle. But you know why I did what I did Twilight? Do you know why I made the world of ponies my own personal puppet show? Made them dance and sing for my own amusement?"

Twilight shook her head.

"Because I was lonely. Because I was bored. Both results of having no friends. Nobody was ever going to like me and I had long since stopped trying to achieve what I thought was a very lofty and stupid goal. For eons, Twilight, I lived this way! Believing that happiness could only be TAKEN and not SHARED. Living in an ocean of selfishness! It took one day....one very amusing but reflective day....with Fluttershy to prove me wrong. You haven't lived as long as I have, Twilight. And I hope you never do because it is awful but...to realize.... that you've been wrong about everything for centuries upon centuries....is a tremendous experience. Never have I been so devastated and happy all at once. I had a friend. A real legitimate one. Not someone pretending to like me out of fear."

Discord scratched his knees, pulling out a few colorful frogs and setting them aside as he glowered.

"But being wrong doesn't change who I am, Twilight. And as much as Celestia may brag about LOVE and how pure its magic is, she doesn't understand that my magic is pure as well. Oh yes! But it's the opposite spectrum to that of love. I am chaos, Miss Sparkle. I am the base that forms everything." Discord stood, rising to his full height, looking very intimidating. "I am pandemonium. I am the unidentifiable cry in the night that makes little ones scared to sleep. I am the darkness of the sea where only monsters dare tread. I am the shattered glass in an old house. I am the whirlwind that destroys the town. I am the spatters of rain in the storm. I am the dirt in the wind. I am the adrenaline of a broken mind! I am the void that the stars and planets happily sit in, never once thanking me for all I provide! That is what I am. I can't change that, Twilight. Not immediately. I'm old. I'm an old man and I'm still trying very very slowly to change myself. Make myself better so I can fit into this new world. Make myself better so I can be a better friend to others."

He bent low, picking up the quivering purple alicorn in his arms, gently holding her up so he could see her face to face.

"You think you're scared Celestia might die? You think you're scared you may never see Fluttershy again? Think, Twilight, THINK. THINK about me. Think about CHAOS. Do you truly believe I would ALLOW such things to happen? Do you really think I'd risk making my friends, my only friends, MISERABLE? Especially if I had a way of preventing it? How silly! You silly pony! I'm not shallow. Nor am I simple. Believe it or not, I AM your friend, Princess Twilight. You need to have faith in me as you do, your fair Celestia."

"What....what do you mean...Discord?" Twilight asked, trembling.

"If Celestia dies I will simply undo it. If you and Fluttershy are torn apart from each other, I will undo it. I have that power, Twilight. I have more power than you ponies could ever imagine! Celestia feared me for a reason. The Gates of Tartarus are MINE to control. I am CHAOS. I can bend the stars, atoms, time itself to my very will! I can bend it as easily as I will bend this delicious bar of candy! DELICIOUS." Discord then proceeded to pull out a chocolate heath bar with almonds, bend it, then chew it noisily. It sort of ruined the serious air of his speech, but he had a point to make.

"Do you think I don't care for Celestia? My former MORTAL ENEMY who took me into her home? Who cared for me? Who treated me like a brother? Do you think I don't care about YOU, Twilight? A tiny girl whose life I nearly destroyed, whose friends I corrupted into irreconcilable fiends, who found it in herself to forgive me not once, but twice? Are you daft? Are you mad, woman? I'm DISCORD! I'd never let anything so awful happen to ANY of you."

"Are you saying you like us, Discord?" Twilight asked, her eyes filling with hope. "And that you're honestly trying to help? This isn't another trick?"

"More or less, yes. I am your...ugh....ally, Twilight." Discord said with a grimace. "Or at least I'd like to be. And that my dear, is why you need to stop lying around crying and help me find Luna. And for heaven's sake get a grip. I'd prefer NOT to have to reset the universe to fix all the problems we are dealing with tonight. So the faster we find Luna the better. Less work for me. Less tears for you."

"You can really reset the entire universe?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I can. It's the only way to pull an immortal from Tartarus. Done it before when I accidentally created an infinite elephant. I might have actually created the universe now that I think about it." Discord scratched his head. "I'm not sure now. It's been a while. Can't remember things as well as I used to. Did I mention by the way that I'm very very old?"

"You did." Twilight said with a smile, feeling at ease for once in the clutches of a creature she had long regarded as a monster.

"Good! Now...." Discord placed Twilight on back onto the roof, his eyes shifting side to side to be sure nobody was overhearing. "Now with the friendly formalities out of the way....be honest with me. Did you try to kill Celestia tonight?"

"No!" Twilight said with a grumble. "How many times do I have....why? Why would I even...WHY!?"

"Alright, alright!" Discord said, backing up. "I believe you, now. Merely asking. Of course if you didn't....then that means someone else did. And they somehow did so by sabotaging you and Fluttershy's delectable dessert. It's a heinous thing, ruining a perfectly good dessert by turning it into a weapon. Weaponized cake! How foul! Yet genius all the same."

"Yes...." Twilight scrunched her face up in thought. "I can't imagine who would do such a thing. Celestia doesn't have many enemies...."

"Ho ho!" Discord chuckled. "She has many more than you think, little miss-know-it-all. You should ask her one day why the antelope kingdom want nothing to do with her or Luna. Of course, all her enemies are cowards for the most part. Besides former younger me, that is. I was always pretty brave. Lady villains were always asking for my phone number because of my courage."

"These jokes...." Twilight said with a frown. "Not really a good time for them."

"Yes yes." Discord rolled his eyes. "So serious all the time, bleh. Anyway, you and Fluttershy are innocent of tampering with the dessert. Did anyone else help you make that cake? A friend? A relative? A random stranger on the street who just so happened to be conveniently nearby with a baking pan?"

"None of those things." Twilight grinned, but it fell off her face very fast. "Oh wait....wait...but...Applejack did help us make the cake. But Applejack wouldn't hurt Celestia. Ever."

"She's the one with the hat, yes?"

"Yes."

"Hmmm yes she seemed very friendly from what I saw when I peeped into her head and made her into a liar. Less abrasive than the blue pegasus one. Not all tomboys can be cute and cuddly I suppose."

"DISCORD!"

"Sorry sorry! Chaos! Old! Maybe whomever your apple friend bought her ingredients from is responsible for Celestia's near death experience. Are cakes still made of ingredients? Flour and eggs and whatnot? I was in that rock for a very long time, so a lot of this new technology is a mystery to me. For all I know cakes come out some space-age plastic tube now."

"Yes Discord, cake is still made of those things." Twilight deadpanned.

"Ah good, glad some things haven't changed. Back in my day, when I ruled everything, we didn't have any fancy ovens or microwaves. All we had was fire. And we had to walk fifteen miles in the snow both ways to get it. With as many conveniences as you ponies have now, it's a wonder you all aren't incredibly fat. No need for hard work anymore."

"DISCORD!"

"Whoops! Off-topic once more! Apologies again, my dear."

"It's fine." Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes. "I think I know who we need to visit to find Luna."

"Who?"

"Rarity. Rarity was in contact with Luna not long after Luna's disappearance. If anyone can help us, Rarity can."

"Ah the fashion designer who's been chatting with Celestia the last few weeks. You know I was thinking of asking her to make me a suit but I realized I'm far more beautiful when I'm naked."

Twilight laughed aloud, causing Discord to smile.

"One point for Discord! I knew I could make you laugh if I kept trying!"

"Yeah you got me." Twilight replied with a grin. "Alright I'm going to teleport us to the park. Rarity and the rest are supposed to be there."

"Why not let ME teleport us?" Discord asked. "You shouldn't be spending all your energy warping my handsome visage around town."

"Erm.....I guess....." Twilight fidgeted.

"Think of it as a trust exercise! Think how happy Fluttershy will be to know we're getting along."

Twilight frowned a bit. "No funny business."

"Twilight Sparkle...when am I EVER funny?" Discord's face split into a devilish grin as there was a loud snap and a flash of light.

The purple alicorn and old chimera were soon lost from sight, vanishing into the grey smoke that they'd left behind on the rooftop.

*******************************************************

Three tiny ponies scrambled happily over the metal jungle gym in the middle of Canterlot Gardens, the park located on the northeast side of Canterlot. Long since forgetting or caring about getting their cutie marks, they played. For a brief time, the children forgot entirely about trying to grow up as fast as they could, instead absorbing the unending joy that came from their own imaginations as they climbed, tussled, and jumped all over the metal dome structure. In months they had not seen each other, and now had the whole day to frolic, their elder sisters sitting by, watching over them and chatting amongst themselves. It was perfect weather for chatting. The afternoon sun was beginning to dip, and a cool breeze was rustling through the willow trees that filled the park, sprinkling their thin green leaves to the ground.

Rainbow Dash sat on a tree branch, overlooking the playground, watching her new relative like a hawk. Applejack and Rarity sat on the ivory park bench on the sidelines, with Rarity grilling Applejack about the goings-on in Ponyville.

"Fluttershy wrote me letters, you know. Trying to keep in touch since we couldn't gossip at the spa." Rarity began, leaning back against the bench and turning toward Applejack who was trying to feign disinterest.

"Sounds nice." Applejack mumbled. "I was never good at writin'."

"She said in one of them that the Sweet Apple Acres were turning a profit for the first time in a while."

"Yeh it has. Me n' the family decided to start sellin' apples directly to bakeries outside Ponyville. It's worked pretty well I guess."

"Oh? How well? Sorry to pry but I want to alleviate my fears for your well-being."

"We made about three times as many bits as usual. Three times as much as our quota we hadn't really been meetin'. Granny was sort of opposed to the idea but...she came around once the money started comin' in. And she loved the idea when the money didn't really stop. So it's been goin' pretty swell."

"That is simply marvelous!" Rarity shouted, "I don't know what I'd do if your farm closed down. It's like a monument in our town, isn't it? One of the first things visitors see when they arrive, and the last thing they see before they go. I hope it stays around for a long time. I'd hate for you and your family to be homeless."

"Me too, Rare. I don't know what I'd do if'n the farm closed down."

There was a loud shout from Rainbow Dash from the tree overhanging the playground.

"SCOOT! Don't jump all over the monkey bars like that! You're gonna hurt yourself!"

"Yeah yeah!" the small orange filly pouted, fluffing her feathers up and climbing sullenly from the structure with a hop.

Rarity couldn't help but smile as she observed Rainbow Dash keenly playing watchdog for her ward. Rarity had been worried Rainbow might not be up to the task of caring for a child but it seemed like things had gone well thus far.

"So how ARE things with Dash and the little one?" Rarity asked, taking a sip of tea. "I wish I hadn't had to leave town right as the two were bonding. I was hoping I might be able to lend some helpful advice to Rainbow, provided she came asking."

"She still might, Rare. Ya saw how broken up she got when Scootaloo was sleepin' in the sock drawer. You'd think she'd hurt the lil' darlin' or somethin'." Applejack shook her head. "But yeah things have been fine. Odd a little I guess. Dash carries Scootaloo around in that thing."

Applejack pointed to the foal carrier that was draped into a pile near the water fountain.

"Really? Now that I must see." Rarity chuckled. "Dash carrying around a child as if it was her own."

"Scoot might as well be at this point. Dash cares for that lil' filly as if it were her own flesh n' blood. Celestia knows her parents sure don't seem concerned for her well-bein'. Too drunk I guess." Applejack snorted derisively.

"Speaking of drinking...." Rarity began, her tone lowering to signify she was about to tread upon a more serious subject, wrinkling her snout in a very critical way. "Rainbow Dash told me something very...interesting this morning, over breakfast."

Applejack felt the hairs on the back of her neck stick up. "Yeh? What'd she have to say?"

"She said you've been drinking." Rarity stated haughtily, furrowing her brow a bit. "Specifically that you've been drinking cider rather heavily, by the hill near the Ponyville Train Station. Almost every day."

"And what if I was." Applejack grumbled, looking away.

"'And what if I was?' Is that really all you have to say about that?"

"What do you want me to say, Rare? It helps the time pass. Gets my mind off my troubles."

"Time pass? What were you waiting for? Me to return?" Rarity snickered a bit.

"Yeah actually." Applejack frowned, feeling her insides knot up. "With the harvest over I just couldn't find nothin' to preoccupy myself with most days. My mind started wanderin'. Went to some dark places I didn't wanna think about. I can't remember what I used to do all day before we became friends, Rarity. Thought I'd just...fill all my free time with work. But then I did all the work and had nothin' left to do. Took a day or so and I realized I can't....function without all my friends. 'Specially you, Rare. So I just waited. And drank a lot I guess. Scold me if ya want."

"I won't scold you. Though I should." Rarity let out a long sad sigh. "The truth is, I've been in the same boat. Applejack this city is breathtaking. It has everything I could ever want. Everything my business could ever need. But it doesn't have my friends. So many nights I spent...just...crying. Sweetie Belle, as well. It was like someone tore off a piece of me. I couldn't sleep. Couldn't work. Couldn't think. It was worse for Sweetie since there are so few fillies here. It felt like I was punishing her. I'm not bringing her again, even if she begs. Assuming I ever dare return this way, without you and the others. It's much too hard, darling! I did so well here. I've made more money than I could ever imagine. But it came at the cost of having nobody to REALLY talk to for nearly two months. I've never made myself so many hastily-tossed together rum runners and martinis. I can't do this again. I'm a social pony but even Hoity Toity's crowd of phonies can't keep me interested."

"Yeah it's been hard on Applebloom and Scootaloo, too. Bloom's always askin' me when Sweetie's gonna be back home. Scootaloo has her new home to distract her a bit, but I know she's been chatterin' Dash's ear off, askin' the same questions."

Rarity smiled, watching the three tiny ponies play. "It makes me feel so much better to see the three of them together again. I'm glad we're all together again as well."

Rarity reached over and pulled Applejack into hug, which Applejack was more than happy to return. Gently Applejack wrapped her strong limbs around Rarity's delicate form, feeling like her heart was splintering from the contentment that had thundered into it, releasing all the pent up feelings Applejack had tried to ignore by drinking. Grief and loneliness broiled inside the farmer as she held her friend, for the first time in what seemed like ages. It churned up into her throat and eyes, eliciting a few sniffles and quiet sobs.

"Are you....crying Applejack?" Rarity asked, starting to pull away as tenderly as she could.

"I dunno. I guess, a little." Applejack tried to swallow back her tears, feeling a bit of shame.

But the feeling passed as she noticed Rarity appeared to be blinking away a few tears of her own.

"Oh goodness!" Rarity clucked, mostly to herself, as she pulled out a kerchief and dabbed at her face. "I'm a bit on edge. It's been much too long since I've seen any of you."

"Sorry, Rare." Applejack mumbled, blushing. "I ain't one to cry, usually. Just missed ya so much."

"Oh it's fine. It's fine. I suspect there will be more tears before we all get back on that train. Too much happiness to go around. Isn't it amusing in a way how much life can change? A year ago we couldn't stand each other, and now each of us needs the others company to not get all distraught."

"Yeah...I guess that is kinda odd. How much we've changed."

Applejack leaned back against the bench, feeling relieved and content for the first time in a while, wiping away the stray tears with her forelimb. It struck Applejack that all this time she and Rarity had been discussing matters at home and not how the unicorn's business trip had been.

"How ya likin' Canterlot anyways?" Applejack asked, watching Applebloom build a sand castle. "Outside a' business stuff."

"Well.... besides the drinking to stave off the crushing loneliness it's been a ball, I suppose." Rarity leaned back against the bench as well, staring at her hooves. "Even convinced Sweetie to sing in front of a crowd at Vinyl Scratch's club."

"That so? How'd she do?"

"She loved it, Applejack. Her stagefright went away the moment the spotlights shown on her." Rarity sighed happily. "I knew she'd love the attention. She's going to be a singer, Applejack. And I hope maybe if anything, this trip gave her the boost she needs to realize what her special talent is and get her cutie mark."

"That's wonderful, Rare. Sweetie'll probably be the first out of those three to figure it out. We'll have to throw a mighty big hootenanny for her when it happens. Bloom ain't tried buildin' much of anything since the tree house. I'm scared she's gonna be a late...bloomer. Kids in school tease her enough as it is."

"Why not encourage her to build YOU something?" Rarity asked, tilting her head to look at Applejack. "Faust knows the little thing worships the ground you walk on."

"Well that's just it! I don't need nothin' built!" Applejack shook her head again. "Shoot, wish I did. I want her to figure it out, Rare. I do. So she can shove it in the face of all those bullies."

"Why not have her try to build something that slices up apples? Or peels them? Or grinds them into applesauce? Something to help speed up work on the farm?" Rarity offered.

Applejack snorted and raised an eyebrow. "Sure! We can all it the Super Seedy Spider Sneezy 6000 or somethin'."

"Point taken." Rarity said with a grin, leaning back against the bench. "Or perhaps you could get Applebloom to make you a sewing machine for waxed thread so you can fix that ghastly looking tear in the brim of your hat."

Applejack took her brown stetson off her head, fumbling with it, casting a quick hopeful glance at Rarity, then back to the hat.

"Oh? That look, hm? You want ME to fix it?" Rarity asked, her smile broadening.

"Yer the only one I'd trust with it."

"Would you like me to trim your mane as well." Rarity giggled a bit as she motioned to Applejack's unkempt golden locks. "You look like you haven't had it cut since I left town."

"I...s..s'pose that'd be alright if'n it wouldn't be too much work for ya." Applejack mumbled, feeling herself blush slightly.

"I can and will. Although you really shouldn't wait so long to get it trimmed. I know you don't like to 'gussy yourself up' as you so eloquently put it. But, your bangs are hiding your beautiful eyes, you know. It's such a shame."

Rarity's horn glowed with a pale periwinkle blue, a small cloud of warm magic dust surrounding Applejack's forehead as her blonde bangs were pushed aside, tucked neatly behind her fuzzy orange ears. Though she'd never admit it out loud, Applejack loved when Rarity fussed with her. It made her feel pampered, and pretty. Which were two things the farmer pony was never described as within earshot, even though at times she really wished she was. It had been so long since Rarity had fussed with Applejack's hair, the farmer lost herself in the sensations, bowing her head and being silent as Rarity tried to get her looking presentable. A soft affectionate nicker escaped Applejack's mouth as Rarity worked, causing the farmer pony to look up and blush in shock that she'd made such an intimate sound. Rarity just grinned cheekily and raised her eyebrows in mock surprise.

"Well, then! You really DID miss me, hm?"

Applejack's face turned red as she cleared her throat.

"S...Sorry."

"I have that effect on many ponies." Rarity bragged with a wink, poking Applejack in the snout with one of her cloven white hooves. "Boop! It's part of being as fabulous as I am. Oh would you look at that!"

Rarity pointed her hoof at the nearby willow tree, a coy grin on her face.

"Pinkie has appeared out of nowhere."

"She tends to do that." Applejack said with a shrug.

"Ah yes, but I noticed her stealing a quick kiss from Dash. They think I didn't see it. And Dash didn't seem annoyed or aggravated."

Applejack scratched her head with a hoof. "So that means....the little talk we had with Dash went well I guess."

"I was wondering why Pinkie had such a bounce in her step this morning. She's always been such a naturally bouncy pony. But she was bouncing more than usual. And a sillier smile on her face than she usually has. She didn't say a thing to me though."

"Maybe she wanted it to be secret?" Applejack mumbled, putting her hat back on. "Can't imagine why."

"Did Fluttershy and Twilight come right out and tell everyone they were dating?"

"Nah, I don't think so. Pinkie let it slip. It was a surprise, sorta." Applejack grinned. "You shoulda seen the look on their faces, Rare. Looked plum horrified. Everyone took it pretty well, I guess."

"I'm sure they were terrified how the rest of us might react."

"Think Pinkie n' Dash might feel that same way?"

"Certainly. I always had a small inkling Fluttershy might prefer mares." Rarity went back to watching her little sister play. "Just as I always suspected Dash of being more fond of Pinkie than probably even she realized."

Applejack wrinkled her snout. "How'd ya figure that stuff out?"

"Subtle things. The way Fluttershy could only talk to mares without going dead silent from shyness. Or how as much as Rainbow Dash likes to roughhouse, she never would with Pinkie. Remember the time she chipped your tooth by crash landing on top of you?"

"Yeah I do." Applejack laughed aloud at the memory. "I remember the time she accidentally gave ya a black eye, Rare."

"Quite the shiner, it was. She was so embarrassed and ashamed. She was like my personal slave that week, trying to earn my forgiveness. But you know despite how rough Dash is...I always noticed....never with Pinkie. She always treated Pinkie with the same sort of physical tenderness that she now treats Scootaloo with. A soft touch, as if handling something precious to her. Same way she held that trophy she brought home. It's those little subtle nuances in a pony's body language I always pick up on, you know. I can always tell what's in a pony's heart. Just as I can always tell if a pony has feelings for another one. That stuff never gets by me. I have an eye for that kind of detail. Never miss it." Rarity gave the briefest of sly glances towards Applejack, who was doing her best not to look back.

Applejack's breath caught in her throat for a second. It almost seemed like a dare. Like Rarity was testing her to look over, lock eyes with her, and spoil the secret Applejack had been harboring. But Applejack nodded her head in agreement, continuing to stare out into the park. Rarity turned back to watch her little sister frolic around the sandcastle that her friend had built.

Pinkie had managed to scramble up to the tree branch Dash was laying on, a paper bag clutched in her mouth. Dash had been too preoccupied to even notice the pink pony slyly creeping along the branch, setting the bag down, and growing ever close. Dash nearly jumped when she felt a warm kiss on the side of her mouth, quickly whipping around and feeling elated that it was Pinkie.

"Hey pal! What's in the paper bag? Hooch?" Rainbow asked with a mischievous grin.

"Open it. It's for you!" Pinkie squeezed low to the branch, slinking underneath Rainbow as the pegasus opened the bag slowly, unaware of Pinkie wrapping her torso around Rainbow's backside, like a pink boa constrictor. The pink pony smiled eagerly as she rested her chin on Dash's shoulder.

"Pinkie is this a......"

"A cinnamon muffin with cottage cheese filling!" Pinkie giggled happily to herself. "I know how much you like cottage cheese cause whenever you came into Sugarcube Corner you always liked to put it on bagels! And you would always get the cheesecake for dessert! When I got back from shopping I thought you might be hungry for lunch sooooooOOOOooo...I made you this."

Dash sat quietly staring at the muffin, as if deep in thought. Nearly an entire minute ticked by as Pinkie's smile began to fade.

"What's wrong? Not hungry?"

"Pinkie um....are...are we supposed to be getting each other gifts and stuff already?" Dash asked, shifting uncomfortably as she stared at Pinkie. Her ruby eyes looking confused, with a tiniest hint of fear and regret.

"What do you mean, Dashie?" Pinkie asked.

"Well I mean like...now that....me n' you are....an item or whatevs...like...was I supposed to get you something after our first kiss or....I mean..." Dash let out a long sigh as she tried to get her thoughts in order. "I'm sorry, Pinks. I'm really not very good at this whole relationship thing. Like I don't even know what I'm doing so...I mean...if you were expecting a gift..."

Pinkie giggle-snorted loudly, nearly falling off the branch.

"That's the silliest thing I ever heard! And NOOOO of course I didn't expect a gift! This muffin isn't a gift either, you silly filly! It's just a muffin! What kind of weirdo would give a muffin as a gift? Huh? HUH? Cause that would be weird!"

Dash let out a relieved sigh. "Ok good. I was worried I was screwing this up already somehow."

"I know you aren't the type of pony who just gives out gifts willy-nilly! That's my job. I like you just as you are, Rainbow. But I suppose it would be nice if we got each other little things every once in a while. Things that aren't muffins." Pinkie drew close, rubbing her snout happily on Dash's shoulder, watching the two beautiful blue wings she'd admired for years extend outwards. "Now eat your muffin you big stinky worrywart!"

With a sheepish grin Dash bit into the baked treat, letting out a small squeal of glee.

"Oh my gosh...that is so amazingly good." Dash mumbled as crumbs flew from her mouth, consuming the entire muffin within a bit or two. She smiled and nipped at Pinkie's ear, causing the earth pony to laugh and blush. "Thanks, Pinks. You always find a way to make my day better. Wish I'd realized that sooner."

"It's ok." Pinkie's voice dropped in pitch slightly as she spoke softly. "I never thought I'd ever even get this far."

"I never thought my first kiss would be....." Dash suddenly turned her head to the left, adopting a very sour and annoyed expression. "SCOOTALOO! What did I JUST say about those monkeybars? I swear if I catch you jumping across them again I'm gonna ground ya once we get back to Ponyville. I don't wanna but I will."

Scootaloo ruffled her feathers up again, trying to look intimidating, giving Dash a defiant look. But try as she might, the small orange foal didn't really have the willpower to disobey Rainbow so openly. With a grumble she hopped off the monkeybars again, landing in the sand and scuttling back over to the sand castle with her friends in tow.

Watching the pegasus's annoyed expression soften as her disobedient ward slouched away, Pinkie couldn't help but admire Rainbow. The cocky pegasus had always been so brash and unruly, never able to be responsible about anything besides her job. And that was an obligation. But still, she'd managed to surprise everyone when she'd decided to care for Scootaloo. Announcing it passively during a sleepover and acting like it wasn't a big deal. Dash was always that way, making big deals seem....not so big.

"You've been such a good new mommy for her!" Pinkie slurred as she leaned against Rainbow, surprised to see Dash frown and flinch. "What?"

"Don't...call it that." Dash muttered, looking worried.

"Why not?"

"I dunno!" Dash flailed her arms a bit. "It's inappropriate. She still has a mom."

"Have you met her?"

"Not since the night I walked Scoot home from the camping trip. I've never seen a pony look so disappointed to have their child back. Now I know why AJ was so upset after we got back from rescuing the kids from the changelings. You know how AJ is when she sees bad parents."

Pinkie scratched her head. "Applejack always makes Scootaloo's family sound pretty icky."

"Yeah well they are. I guess. You can tell from meeting them they never planned on having kids. They treat Scoot like she was some sort of accident. It's no wonder the kid latched onto me. I mean...I am the coolest pony in Ponyville. But I'm not her mom."

"You know she calls you that!" Pinkie sang quietly aloud in a slightly mocking tone.

"Calls me what? Mom?"

Pinkie nodded. "MMMmm Hm! Yuppers yup! Whenever those three are in Sugarcube Corner and start talking about their homework or chores or other stuff that keeps them from hanging out, she always refers to you as her mommy. I always thought it was sooooooooooo cute! But then again I guess anything little kids say is cute because they're little kids. Like if a tiny little baby came up to me and threatened to stab me with a knife or something I'd probably say 'awwww aren't you so cute' and then get stabbed. And I'd still be going 'awww' while I was bleeding too and they were dragging the baby to jail and I was in the grave and......Dashie?"

Again the pegasus looked deep in thought, which was difficult for her in a way as while Rainbow Dash was very fast, she was not exactly the brightest pony in town. But she understood emotions, and was getting a good handle on all the new ones she'd been blessed to experience as of late. But in Pinkie's jabbering, Dash came to realize something new about herself and the small pony she'd been housing for two and a half months. A warmth spread over the mare as she glanced up from the tree branch, down at the three small fillies playing in the sand.

"Hey Pinks, gimme a second. There's something I gotta do."

"Okie Dokie!" Pinkie grinned as she watched Dash take off from the branch, ever impressed by her friend's grace and agility.

"Now what's got Dash all rustled?" Applejack mumbled, drawing Rarity's attention.

There was a moment of quiet in the park as Dash hugged Scootaloo fiercely. The filly was confused at first but, realizing she was in the embrace of her hero, quickly hugged back. It was the sort of moment that would have been very touching had a giant sharp eagle claw not suddenly burst forth from the sand. Several curse words came from Dash's mouth as she quickly grabbed the other two fillies and flew to the tree where Pinkie sat in panic. Applejack was on her hooves immediately, gaping in horror as the talons swished about, moments before a second arm this one coated in hazel fur like that of lion burst out a few meters next to the talons. Both groped the air as a large lump in the sand grew and grew, plastic shovels and playground equipment falling everywhere.

"BRAINS! BRRRAIIIIIINNNNNSSS!!!!" bellowed a deep familiar voice beneath the sand, as a long sinewy feathered body achingly pulled itself out from under the ground. "I say! BRRAAIIIIIIIINNNNNNSSSSS!"

"YAY! A zombie invasion!" Pinkie squeaked hopping up and down merrily, and then stopping as a moment of clarity hit her sugar-addled mind. "Wait! I mean.....AAAAAAA! ZOMBIE INVASION!"

"And I ain't got mah shotgun!" Applejack cried, backing away in fear and nearly toppling over Rarity who was cowering behind the farmer.

"Oh for heaven's sakes! Put a sock in it, Discord!" came Twilight's voice from somewhere unknown.

The sand and playground equipment shifted away from the creature revealing that it was, in fact, Discord looking very annoyed as his jaw creaked open, his tongue unfolding into a red staircase as Twilight crawled from his mouth and down the tongue-stairs rolling her eyes.

"You ponies are so dull, sometimes." Discord muttered as he looped his tongue around his arm like a garden hose before stuffing it back into his mouth. "Speaking of which, hello friends of Fluttershy, we're in need of assistance from one of you. The fancy one, specifically."

"Twilight!" Rarity shouted, bounding forward with a comb in tow. "You look DREADFUL, darling! Did Discord do this to you? Oh that brute!"

"Oh please." Discord muttered. "She's looked like this for the last half hour."

"Rarity there's no time!" Twilight shouted, swatting the comb away. "We're in a real emergency right now and we need your help!"

"Emergency? What's happened?" Rarity's eyes grew wide.

"Well I.... uh....it involves Celestia. She's very very hurt at the moment and I need to speak to Luna! As quickly as possible! How do I get into contact with her? Show me!"

Rarity shuffled slightly, sitting softly on her haunches. "Oh well, there's a signal spell I use that calls to her. She usually does it for me when she wants to talk. It's sort of like a dream-based radio beacon I suppose."

"TEACH ME!" Twilight begged.

"I can't, Twilight." Rarity grinned sheepishly. "I can only do it for the same reason Luna can. We were both Nightmare Moon and it affected us both in odd ways. We have a sort of...connection. It's not a spell I can really.....teach."

"Oh no!" Twilight looked defeated, slumping to the ground. "Now what am I supposed to do?"

"Oooh! Ooh! Pick me!" Discord shouted, waving his arm in the air.

Applejack sighed, putting a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Sure why not, sugarcube. Let's see what Discord thinks."

"Look what's above my head!" Discord announced gleefully.

Several sets of eyes looked upward to see a large gleaming cartoonish light-bulb hanging in the air above Discord's noggin.

"A....uh light-bulb?" Rarity offered.

"Yes it is. Do you know what it means?" Discord asked slyly, his eyebrows gyrating seductively. "It's a rhetorical question, don't bother. It means I have an idea! And it's quite a stunner amongst the gold I usually think up."

Discord grabbed the floating bulb in his claw, took a few hops back winding up his arm, and hurled the light into the sky where it quickly shrunk and vanished as it soared. For a moment they all stared at the horizon, waiting for something to happen. With a loud honking sound there was a burst of green fireworks in the sky followed by a large silly-looking green moon. On the face of the moon was Discord's eyes and mouth. The mouth stuck out it's tongue and began blowing loud raspberries while a group of giant neon letters orbited the small planet saying simply, "LUNA. RARITY. HELP."

"You....you've made a false moon that makes....farting sounds?" Rarity minced, giving Discord a look of heavy disapproval. "That's a bit childish don't you think?"

"First of all, little miss ignorance, those are called raspberries. They are a mouth sound, not a butt sound. However if you'd prefer me to make it play a cheerful symphony of flatulence, then I can easily change it."

"No don't!" Twilight begged.

"DO IT!" Pinkie squeaked happily from up in the tree.

"Pinkie, shush." Rarity deadpanned.

"Discord how is yer chaos magic supposed to help Twilight find Luna with that thing?"

Discord guffawed loudly to himself, wiping away a few tears of merriment.

"Oh you ponies!" He began, chuckling occasionally as he spoke. "So shortsighted when it comes to chaos."

"Well why shouldn't they be?" Twilight challenged. "All it causes is trouble."

"Trouble? Oh please. Every time something new and daring comes along you label it as trouble. You should all be so grateful to me for providing these fresh experiences. Do you know what real trouble is? It's the thousands of soldiers Celestia has at her command who truly believe they are the main line of defense should Equestria ever find itself in conflict with things from beyond its borders. It's the belief that Celestia is perfect and has never made a mistake and will always be around to watch over all you little ponies. A story you ponies tell yourselves over and over and over until you've all forgotten its a lie!"

"And I supposed you'd prefer if we abandoned our faith in Celestia?" Rarity asked curtly.

"And put the whole country in yer hands? So it could be a big pit o' chaos that only you could enjoy again?" Applejack seconded.

"A pit of chaos? Oh don't be so naive, ponies. Chaos is a good thing. This moon is a good thing. It's saving you! And much like how I pulled myself from the sand, so too can you from this troubling situation if you simply choose to believe that I am not your enemy. Chaos is not a pit, my dear ponies. It's a ladder! Many besides myself have tried to climb it. They never got very far. They lacked my tenacity. The fall breaks them. Just like old Starswirl the bearded." Discord snorted with giggles to himself. "And some, like your friend Fluttershy, are given a chance to climb. But they refuse. They cling to what they think is happiness. To their faith in Celestia. To the power of love."

Discord curled into a ball, slowly rolling around the group.

"But these of course, are all illusions. Only the ladder is real. And all that matters is the climb." Discord came to a halt in front of Rarity, flashing a charming smile. "Tell me Rarity. What do you believe will happen when Luna sees that moon in the sky with your name on it? Where do you think the first place she's going to rush to is? Home? Neighagra Falls?"

"Well I suppose she'll......" Rarity thought for a moment. "Go...to...the cafe that I always meet her in secret at.....the one on the corner of Acorn Street."

"Then that is where Twilight and I must go!" Discord grinned cheekily, giving Rarity a gold star sticker like a teacher to a student. "You did very well. You've learned the first law of chaos: it is neutral! And now I must bid you all good day!"

Twilight looked mortified as Rarity and Applejack both gave her a questionable look. "He's honestly a nice guy. He's just...you know....off."

"Off, eh?" Discord replied, picking Twilight up and taking to the sky. "We'll see who is off once we find Luna. Thank you again, Rarity. I shall have to commission you to make me a fetching hat when I return."

"HEY DISCORD!" came a high pitched scratchy voice from the willow tree next to the demolished playground.

Discord turned abruptly to see Rainbow Dash staring at him from it's boughs, a look of admiration on her face and a Scootaloo clutched in her arms.

"That prank where you made everyone think you were a zombie just now....." Rainbow raised a hoof. "That was rad, man. Prank of the year material. I'd give you a thumbs up but ponies don't have thumbs."

"Well then allow me!" Discord shouted happily as he gave the group below two thumbs up, disappearing into the clouds with Twilight.

The two flew over the city of Canterlot, long shadows beginning to form over the smaller buildings as the sun was starting to set. It would be evening soon. And the constant PBBBBTBTBTBTBBTB noises from Discord's moon weren't very comforting as the two of them flew.

"It really does sound a bit like farts." Twilight muttered aloud.

"Oh I know." Discord said with an evil smile. "That's what makes it fun!"

"Do you also find it fun to scare my friends?" Twilight asked.

"Mmmmmm.....maybe a little."

How soft your fields so green

Fluttershy never really thought about how large Celestia was. There was never really a reason to ponder why the princess was so tall compared to most ponies. But it was one of many things in her mind as she held Celestia's forelimbs in her own, her wing gently rubbing the back of her leader. Celestia had been unconscious when they had brought the ailing princess to her chambers. Fluttershy felt it would be best to try and assist her princess within Celestia's room. Not only because it was large and spacious but, should something go wrong and Celestia indeed pass away, at least she would be in her favorite place, as dreadful as the idea was that Celestia should die while Fluttershy tried to help. The Canterlot Castle medical staff had been called in immediately to help as well. Palace guards stood by at the doorway with other members of the royal council, all staring in fear and horror at the events transpiring within. Smelling salts had been used to rouse Celestia from unconsciousness. Immediately she had tried to speak, only to find that her throat was painfully swollen. She had coughed up some blood which caused several ponies to faint. A mixture of sugar, water, lavender oil, and poppyseed milk had been mixed into a thin drink which Celestia was asked to force down, with hopes of causing Celestia's stomach to expel whatever was causing her such pain while also providing some light pain relief.

Now Fluttershy held Celestia's large trembling form in her arms, a large porcelain medical basin sitting in front of the princess, as she waited. There was a loud gurgle and Celestia squirmed uncomfortably, heaving repeatedly as a pained grunt came from her mouth. She retched, filling the basin with vomit and blood, and after a few minutes of this fell silent, sliding backwards out of Fluttershy's arms to lay on her belly as the doctors wiped her face. Fluttershy and the doctors prepared a new drink, composed of crushed wintergreen sprouts to relax Celestia's stomach and throat muscles, along with extract of cloves, chamomile, water, and a little bit of apple cider. Celestia quickly drank several glasses of the substances and lay still, seeming to fall asleep quietly. Fluttershy places the rest of the poppyseeds into a chalice with wax from bees and some pure water, smashing it into a gooey balm with her hoof to help rid Celestia of the red hives that had broken out all over her face.

"Is....is she going to be alright?" asked one of the royal guards quietly.

"She's going to be fine." replied one of the doctors as he collected his things. "You're very lucky Fluttershy was able to identify this as an extreme allergic reaction. Quick thinking has saved Celestia, and Equestria as well."

"Fluttershy....." Celestia whispered, her voice nearly inaudible. "...you....you have saved my life."

"No it's my fault you're like this in the first place." Fluttershy bowed her head, feeling ashamed. "You were allergic to something in the cake Twilight and I made. You almost died because of us."

"Shhh...you could....not have known....." Celestia mumbled, a pained chuckle echoing across the room. "....I should have recognized...that it was pineapple. Please....don't feel guilty....if it weren't for you..."

Tears began to fill Fluttershy's blue eyes, she tried to hold back, hold in her grief. But Fluttershy had never been very good at keeping her emotions in check, and found herself weeping quietly as the onlookers stared. Her tiny yellow form shook as the sobs came, doing her best to hide behind the long pink hair she'd had for ages.

"I'm so sorry Celestia!" the yellow pegasus coughed out. "I'm so sorry this happened. Please forgive me! I...I'll help in any way I can!"

"No need for tears, Fluttershy. I know...you would never hurt me. Or anyone." Celestia whispered. "If you want to help I could use some company while I recover in here. And perhaps......more cider as well."

A few uncomfortable chuckles came from the crowd of onlookers. Celestia weakly raised her head and gave them all a respectful but clearly very weary nod.

"I....feel I should....apologize for frightening you all." Celestia began. "But....I'm feeling better....or at least not as bad. You may go home if you wish. You need not stay here if you have business to attend to."

"What about us, my queen?" asked one of the guards as the politicians began to shuffle out.

"Well....do as you have always done." Celestia said, laying her head down onto a pillow. "Do not fret for me. Today is a beautiful day like any other. Spend it as you always do. We will speak more when I am able."

And with that, Celestia drifted off into a fitful sleep, her body still in great pain.

*************************************************

Luna breathed heavily as she quickly jogged through Canterlot. Her day's plans having now gone off the deep end from all the chaos surrounding her. She had planned on going to an art festival. Before being exiled, Luna had quite the passion for art, being an artist herself. The sky was her canvas and the stars her paint. She had greatly encouraged many artists in the old days, or at least those who had not found the Princess of the Night to be terrifying. Having been thrust back into the modern world had reawakened some old flares that had resided within her heart. One being her love of art, particularly public displays. And now that she was incognito with the brilliant disguise Rarity had concocted for her, Luna was free to attend public art and music festivals without causing a ruckus.

Glee had turned to annoyance when she had arrived to find that the festival had shut down, a hastily scribbled sign claiming it was due to a local emergency. That annoyance had turned to worry as she had followed a crowd of gossiping onlookers to the gates outside the royal palace. Worry became panic as she heard shouting and watched the royal guard pushing townsfolk away. Panic became chaos as ponies claimed there had been an attack upon Celestia. Chaos became a riot as Luna had fled from the angry crowd. And the riot quickly became pandemonium as up in the sky a great moon had appeared. But not the moon that ponies were familiar with. This one didn't shine, didn't gleam, didn't give one a sense of peace. It had Discord's face upon it, and it made the ground tremble as its mouth stuck out it's tongue and made a very loud PLBBLBLLBLBLBLBLBBTBTBTBTBT noise. The crowd had scattered far quicker than it had formed as ponies assumed the worst, fleeing to their homes and families.

'Rarity! Help!' had floated around the moon briefly, giant glowing letters spelling out a message clearly meant for Luna. Now she jogged quickly down the cobblestone streets to the place she usually met Rarity in secret. She had no guarantee that the unicorn was there. She couldn't be sure what she would find. If Discord had already broken his vow to be civil, then Luna could have a real problem on her hooves. Particularly now that they no longer had the Elements of Harmony to rely on to turn him into stone once more. The tension became almost agonizing relief as she saw the cafe nearing on the horizon. Only two customers were there, sitting on a bench in the veranda with two cups of coffee. An unlikely pair to not only see together, but particularly on a day where the world seemed to be falling apart. Discord, the spirit of chaos, and the newly crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle, element of magic, sitting side by side looking impatient and worried. Luna let out a long sigh as she sped up her pace, slowly coming to a stop in front of the table on the porch and giving the two there a pensive glance.

Twilight tilted her head to gaze at the stocky earth pony that stood before her, with a coat of grey and a mane of dark brown, small white spots on her shoulders and flank. "....L...Luna?"

"Hello Looney." Discord nodded with a hint of affection. "Nice getup. Enjoying your paid vacation?"

"Let us drop the pretense, shall we? And converse as equals." Luna said sternly as there was a quick radial flash of darkness before she had returned to a more familiar form.

Luna was not as tall as Celestia, nor did she gleam with a brilliant solar light as her sister, but Luna was no less impressive to behold. A slender almost gangly mare, easily taller than most, her coat a deep midnight cerulean, and a black splotch with a white crescent moon for a cutie mark. Her mane was like layers of fragile shadows upon the sky, flowing with a ghostly movement from spectral winds none could see or sense besides she. Tiny specks of starlight moved through these shadows, giving Luna's mane the appearance of staring through a hole into deep space itself. Her eyes were blue, and had the smallest look of aloofness to them. Whether it was her natural appearance or from the years of living as a being of pure hatred was anyone's guess.

The wooden bench opposite Twilight and Discord creaked as Luna plopped herself down on it.

"Well what has happened? I awake in the hopes of enjoying the frivolities of the public art spectacles to find there is mischief and whispers of my sisters undoing. Now there is an imposter moon in the sky making....toots. If this is some sort of practical jest, it appears no ponies are laughing. In fact, the very opposite is taking place."

"Oh yes, that. Let me just clean up my mess, shall I?" Discord flailed his arm wildly in the air as the moon in the sky shrank, disappearing with a loud quack and a starburst.

"Luna something.....terrible....has happened...." Twilight began, beginning to tremble. She couldn't look into Luna's eyes. Not after all that had occured. Her words blurted out, a stream of almost incoherent babbling. "We...I was....at the royal summit and....I'm not sure how....but we screwed up the cake and Celestia started choking and coughing and there was so much blood and so I ran away and left Fluttershy there and Celestia didn't seem like she was able to breathe and she might be dying and I don't know what to do so we decided to find you!"

"We fear the cake might be have been tampered with." Discord mentioned nonchalantly, putting a comforting claw on Twilight' back. "Poisoned? Sabotaged? Infected? Who knows, really. I had a piece myself and tasted nothing out of the ordinary. It was a bit flaky, could have used more butter and maybe a pinch of nutmeg, but in the end it seemed like a normal cake. I already mentioned to Twilight that....should Celestia die....I can fix it. But you, Luna, you of all ponies know the high price of me fixing something like that. You know the price that comes when I reverse something as final as death."

Luna nodded sagely. "I do. And I'm in no rush to see our universe be destroyed and birthed anew. Not without Celestia's guidance, that is. If what you two say is true, then perhaps my sister has been affected by some other means. Magical venoms are uncommon now, but they do still exist for those who know how to apply them. If she's been hurt by one of these, then I can purge them from her with an aether connection within our minds."

"You can connect to Celestia?" Twilight asked, shaking even harder as tears bubbled in her purple eyes. "But...she couldn't connect to you...or find you when you left the castle."

"She could not because I did not want her to. There are some things that I have more skill at then my sister." Luna reached a hoof forward and placed it under Twilight's chin, lifting the purple mare's head so she could look into her eyes. "Calm yourself, Twilight. Now is not the time for grief. That may come later, should my sister pass. Your behavior is unbecoming of a princess."

Twilight tried to sit upright and stop trembling, wiping her tears with her foreleg.

"Sorry." she squeaked.

"Go easy on the poor thing." Discord muttered in Luna's direction. "She's had a rather ghastly day."

"I can only imagine." Luna mumbled, turning to look skyward.

For a brief moment the evening sky began to fill with stars, then all at once they were gone, replaced again by the fluffy orange-tinted clouds of the hour. Luna's eyes glowed a bright white, yellow shafts of light beaming upwards and dissipating into the warm air. Silently Twilight and Discord watched as Luna murmured incantations to herself.

"Sol...Högni....Keph....Nach....Xeper....." Luna spoke quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What is she saying?" Twilight questioned quietly to Discord who was staring intently.

"Beats me." Discord said with a plain shrug. "Maybe it's some sort of moon magic."

With a sniff, Luna lowered her head, the lights receding as a small smile crept over her face. She let out a long relieved sigh. She nodded silently at Twilight and Discord.

"Celestia is fine." Luna lay her head upon the table, feeling exhausted from her brief connection spell. "She has not been poisoned. In fact the cause of her great pain is something far simpler. Twilight...was there pineapple in the cake you served to my sister for supper?"

"Yes." Twilight said looking horrified. "Why?"

"She is deathly allergic to pineapples. At one point in time we tried to incant a spell that could remove allergies from a pony so they could enjoy things they previously could not. It did not work, obviously. But Celestia is alive and the fruit that was causing her such pain has been removed. She is resting...and speaking to Fluttershy. From what I sense it seems like Fluttershy may be the one who nursed my sister back to health."

Twilight slouched back in her chair feeling both relief and a new dread overtake her. Relief from knowing her longtime mentor was now safe, and dread from the realization that while Twilight could no longer be accused of purposefully poisoning Celestia, she had still served her mentor a fruit that had made Celestia deathly ill and could have very well killed her. She would never be forgiven for this. No pony would ever be forgiven for this. The guilt pushed Twilight down further and further until she was nearly doubled over. She had doomed herself and Fluttershy.

"I thought I had no more love for my big sister." Luna shakily sat back up, wiping her eyes of a few stray tears. "But I feel so....relieved yet cautious. As if I were being strangled by my own hubris. I suppose some bonds truly can't be broken."

"I doubt you two could ever truly hate each other." Discord took a sip of his tea. "You two don't know what true hatred is. It consumes you entirely and eats you away til there's nothing left. What you and Celestia have is nothing more than petty sibling squabbles, I'd say."

Luna gave Discord a very unpleasant glance.

"Just tellin' it like it is, sister." Discord grinned. "Not trying to offend. Anyway, we should all be pleased that Celestia isn't dead and was in fact simply sick. I suppose she'll want me to feed her noodle-soup and read her bedtime stories while she recovers because I clearly don't have better things to do. I guess that wraps up this little caper."

"Well not entirely....." Luna began, turning around as she flicked her ear.

There was a faraway sound, like that of a small child crying. It grew in volume, echoing down the alleys of the street. Then Luna saw it, a small purple speck rushing towards them, growing in size as a small purple dragon scuttling on all fours down the street.

"Your apprentice is here, Twilight." Luna barely got the words out when Spike had rushed by, tackling Twilight and clinging to her chest, large tears rolling down his chubby face.

"Spike! Spike, what's wrong!" Twilight wrapped her arms gently around the whelp, trying to comfort him.

Spike gasped for air a bit between sobs before finally getting a handle on himself. "I...I woke up an, an, you were all gone so I decided to go explore the castle...cause I hadn't been there in so long and...there was all this screaming and shouting and ponies sayin' Celestia was dead! And some of them were saying YOU had killed her, Twilight! And when I told them you'd never do that they chased me out of the castle and down the street and I was so scared cause I couldn't find you!"

"Back when I ruled, royal pets were treated with much more respect." Luna quipped, looking disappointed.

"Spike's not a pet." Twilight sternly stated, looking back down at the dragon. "He's family. I've cared for him ever since he first came out of his egg and started following me around thinking I was a momma dragon. I'm so sorry, Spike. I didn't mean to be gone for so long. Fluttershy and I were going to head back but just...so many terrible things happened at once."

The lavender alicorn gently kissed the small dragon's forehead several times until his weeping had subsided into quiet hiccups. Spike wiped his face with his flat spiked tail, sheepishly gazing at Twilight with the same large green snakelike eyes he had done so all his life.

"Is....is Celestia...ok?" Spike's voice was scarcely above a whisper. It seemed cruel to even ask, considering how important Celestia was.

"She's fine, Spike. She was very sick but...she's better...maybe. I...I don't know how she feels right now, Spike. She's at the castle with Fluttershy now."

"Ponies panicked over poison pineapples but it was just allergies apparently." Discord rolled his eyes. "Not nearly as exciting as someone trying to usurp the throne. Blech."

Luna cleared her throat loudly, drawing attention back to herself.

"Speaking of Fluttershy....when I was peering into the minds of those at the castle to locate my sister...I felt a very strong connection. A connection of a very strong and pure love. Not the ubiquitous kind one sees between various equines of camaraderie, but a far more powerful one. And as I sit here I realize that connection ends...but also begins...at you, Twilight Sparkle."

Luna tilted her head. "Art thou courting miss Fluttershy, Twilight? Harboring feelings for the quiet forest mare?"

"Oh THAT." Spike smiled mischievously. "Twilight and Fluttershy went into the woods to check out a weird plant and ever since then they haven't been able to keep their hooves off each other."

"Spike!" Twilight looked flustered and aggravated.

"That's far less pleasant than the version of the story Fluttershy told me." Discord said with a smile. "Still, good effort there, Spiffy."

"It's, Spike." huffed the tiny dragon.

"Magic and Kindness have taken a liking to each other." Luna murmured, thinking to herself. "In the old days we had a saying for when two ponies found love. For you and yours, two souls weaved. Thine hearts amend, and joy not leave. Fluttershy is a very kind and loving filly. I am sure you will both be very happy."

"I remember that old saying." Discord began with a faraway look in his eyes. "I recall a pony saying it when I turned an entire guest-list at a wedding into frogs with trumpets for noses. Ah, that was a fun day."

"We...I mean, I...am surprised you can even recall memories from the past, Discord." Luna quipped, smiling mischievously. "After all, it has been so long since this earth has born thee hence."

"Was that an attempt at making an old joke? Are you calling me old?" a tone of annoyance rising in Discord's throat as he snorted. "You're calling me old while using words like 'thee' and 'hence'?"

"Perhaps!? Who can say, Discord? Art thou not the master of these sort of jests?"

Discord was about to unleash what he hoped was a witty retort when Spike turned to Twilight and asked the question that had been in the back of everyone's mind since the beginning of the conversation.

"Is...Celestia going to be angry with us?" Spike asked innocently.

For his entire life, any time Spike had a problem or had run into trouble, Twilight was there to help. She was the support the baby dragon needed as he grew into a child in a world he could never quite fit into. It was more than reliance, it was a maternal connection. And Twilight never disappointed. She knew the answers to everything and was always so reassuring when Spike was troubled. Which made it all the harder when Twilight looked down at Spike and simply whispered....

"I...I don't know, Spike."

"You don't know?" Spike turned to Luna, looking frightened.

"My sister is in comfort now, young Spike. But I could still feel the mortal terror that languishes in the back of her mind. It has been many eons since my sister has courted Death itself in such closeness. I imagine she is probably upset, yes. Though how upset I can not be sure. Celestia was always very good at repressing her more negative emotions." Luna nodded. "Something we...I mean I... always envied."

"Do you think Celestia might....banish us?" Twilight squeaked, her eyes filling with tears.

"It was only an accident right?" Spike spat in panic. "She wouldn't do that, right?"

"I......." Luna cleared her throat, looking to Discord. "Perhaps I am not the best person to ask...about what requisites one must fulfill to earn banishment from Celestia. While I attacked my sister...and hurt others in the process....I never came as close to killing her as you have this night, Twilight. My sister has a tendency to....do away with....or ignore...the things she finds pestersome."

Twilight's eyes grew wide with fear.

"I suppose I have to agree." Discord mumbled, a bitter tone entering his voice. "I feel like I'm stepping on eggshells whenever I'm around Celestia. Like even an innocent prank might land me back into being a gargoyle on her lawn again. I mean...I came back for a day and messed with some ponies heads and turned some clouds into cotton candy but....is that really worth locking me away for ANOTHER thousand years? I'm anxious half the time I'm around her that I'm going to screw up and get tossed away like garbage again."

"Thou preach to the choir, Discord." Luna said sadly, staring down at the table. "I love my sister but...sometimes I feel...the punishments she gives...do not fit the crimes. I deserved my banishment....I did some cruel...unforgivable things. Things that even now haunt me at times. But you, Discord.....I....I'm sorry. I helped lock you into stone and never thought about the idea that....as strange, confusing, and often evil as you were...you were still a living thing. A living thing with your own ideals and culture that we could not comprehend. Death would have been preferable to being locked in stone for so long."

"It would have been, yes." Discord grumbled. "Every day...unable to move. Unable to feel the sun on my face. But retaining my mind. But I did some cruel and unforgivable things as well, my dear. I'm no spring chicken. I did the crime and did the time. I'm flattered you want to apologize but I really can't accept it. But Twilight doesn't deserve what happened to us."

"And neither does Fluttershy." Twilight felt a small notion of confidence returning. "If what I've done gets me banished then I'm going to take all the credit for this incident. I could never forgive myself if I got Fluttershy removed from her home."

"What about me, Twilight?" Spike asked.

"I'd want you to remain in Ponyville, Spike. Where my friends could care for you. Where you could still go to a normal school and live a normal life. You'd be able to stay there and grow up and be like a regular citizen. Instead of traipsing around the wilderness with me! That'd be ok, wouldn't it?"

"Nooo!" Spike wailed, burying his scaly face in Twilight's chest. "I don't wanna go to pony school or stay in a pony town if you aren't there! I wanna stay with you!"

"You might not be able to, Spike." Twilight whispered, stroking the sobbing dragon's head. "Much as I wish I could bring you."

"Before we get TOO ahead of ourselves in the pity party...." Discord began. "Perhaps, Twilight, you should visit Celestia herself? Beg her for forgiveness and...lenience, hm? Groveling, flank-kissing, the works. You ARE her apprentice...and probably her favorite pony...no offense, Luna. I'm sure she'd be civil with you."

"You're right, Discord." Twilight sat up, depositing the mewling Spike onto her back as she puffed out her chest and began to march away. "I need to go and speak with Celestia. I need to tell her how sorry I am. I'm sure Fluttershy is worried sick about me as well. I can't stay here any longer."

"I pray you find better fortunes than us, Twilight." Luna sighed with a nod. "This will all blow over, I'm sure of it."

"Yeah, like a concrete balloon." Discord leaned back and banged his fist on the glass window of the cafe and began to shout gruffly. "Whose life do I have to ruin to get a cold drink around here!?"

*************************************************************

The sun was setting, which made Fluttershy feel better. It could not set on it's own without a powerful force instructing it to do so. And at the moment Celestia was sleeping quietly, her ragged breaths echoing around the bedchambers. A mug that had once had several droughts of cider in front of it lay on it's side near her, empty. Celestia had mumbled how rarely she drank, as it was unbecoming of royalty to drink outside of social gatherings, but having survived a very violent allergic reaction seemed like enough cause to celebrate. Fluttershy had cautiously joined her, taking a few sips of the sweet cool liquid that burned in the throat and belly before watching Celestia fall asleep. Now the small yellow pegasus sat on the floor, watching the sun set, knowing that it was a good sign. For the only other pony with the power to control the cosmos in such a way was Celestia's sister. Which meant somewhere, someplace out there in the city of Canterlot, Luna was aware that Celestia was too weak to control the sun, and was taking care of it.

Now all Fluttershy could do was sit patiently and wait for Twilight to return. Curled up at the foot of the very short stairs that led to the elevated platform that the royal bed sat upon, she stared at the giant redwood doors that made up the entrance to Celestia's chambers. Gold stiles worked around the frames of the giant doors, molded to be shaped like decorative wings, ancient etchings of unicorns and pegasi going along the edge's. Brass lintels arced over the doorways, covered in minute brass leaves of ferns and holly, wrapping around the plaster columns and down to the red marble sills upon the floor. Fluttershy's eyes roved around the room, thinking how beautiful this castle was and how little the occupants probably even noticed. How many times had Twilight sat in front of these doors as a little filly, waiting patiently for her teacher to exit, eager for a new lesson or spell. How often had the marble halls outside this door echoed with the laughter of little unicorns, all happy to be chosen to be taught by Celestia herself, causing a noisy ruckus as they stampeded around the castle. It was hard to imagine with the silence. A silence that was broken as the two doors swung open with a loud thud, a scruffy and bedraggled purple alicorn stomping her way in, a fledgeling dragon clinging to her backside.

"Twilight!" Fluttershy squeaked, tripping on her hair as she rushed forward to embrace her friend. "Oh I'm so glad you're alright. Did you find Luna? Where's Discord?"

"I left him with Luna." Twilight said breathlessly, warming her body as she pressed her lips up against Fluttershy's own, feeling a brief elation amongst the panic. "Is Celestia...ok?"

"Well, no. Um...she's probably going to feel awful for at least a week or two. I already told her she should probably eat cold soup for a few days until her tummy's inner lining has healed a bit."

"So it was you...Luna was right...it was you who saved Celestia." Twilight wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy and held her close, swallowing the lump in her throat. "You're amazing, Fluttershy. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you around."

"I saved her but...it was us she needed saving from." Fluttershy mumbled sadly. "She hasn't seemed upset at me for the incident....yet."

"M-maybe we should try to sneak out while she's still asleep? I could write her an apology letter and we could hide in Zecora's hut for a few weeks. Although that might make her more disappointed in me." Twilight whispered, urgently looking back at the doors she had just entered through, considering her options and also noticing her passenger was missing. "Spike?"

Fluttershy and Twilight swiveled their heads around briefly, looking for the small dragon who had mysteriously vanished. They both simultaneously felt their bodies turn to ice when they noticed the tyke pulling his chubby scaly body over the pillows where Celestia lay, extending his chubby webbed paws to her shoulder and giving it a gentle shove.

"Oh no! Spike she's sleeping!" Fluttershy whispered urgently.

Undeterred, Spike continued nudging Celestia's shoulder, his large green eyes looking moist as he let out a sad whine. Celestia groaned in pain and fluttered her eyes open, using a hoof to wipe her eyes as she slowly raised her head. A small grin slowly grew on her face as she looked down upon the small familiar dragon at her side.

"Well hello, Spike. You look very troubled. What's wrong?" Celestia asked softly, lowering her head to look him in the eyes.

"Please don't send us away." Spike croaked, his harsh high pitched voice cracking under the strain of not wanting to panic and cry when surrounded by friends.

"Send you away?"

"I know you're probably really upset cause Twilight nearly killed you but I know she didn't mean it and you know she'd never try to hurt anyone! She's been trying really hard to be the best princess she can be and she's been up all night almost every night since the coronation just working as hard as she can while I help!" Spike blubbered, while Fluttershy and Twilight looked on in agony. "We're sorry if we made you upset but we'll do anything to make it up to you! Please don't banish us!"

Celestia sat for a moment staring at the dragon, then turned her eyes to look at the two small ponies a few meters away, their eyes full of fear and apprehension, quivering as they sat. It was heartbreaking for the goddess of the sun, to see her subjects act in such a way. Having them look upon her with mortal fear instead of love. Celestia let out a long pained sigh and gently stroked Spike with one of her giant white wings, trying to calm the sniffling child. As she sat she found herself sniffling as well, trying to understand how it all had led to this. How had things gotten this bad so quickly?

She turned to look upon the two Elements of Harmony who sat in her bedchambers, looking remorseful.

"What kind of monster do you take me for? Twilight you have known me...ever since you were very small. I have given you so much....so much love. Why do you...of all ponies...think I would ever send you away?"

A silence followed as Twilight hiccuped, a pained sound emanating from her throat as she tried to contain her grief. But it was too late, the breaking point had been reached. Her cries echoed through the chambers.

"BECAUSE YOU DID IT TO ME BEFORE!"

Celestia's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"

"YOU SENT ME AWAY BEFORE! I TRIED TO WARN YOU ABOUT CADANCE NOT ACTING LIKE HERSELF AND YOU SENT ME AWAY! I TRIED TO WARN YOU THAT NIGHTMARE MOON WAS RETURNING AND YOU FORCED ME TO MOVE AWAY! YOU MADE ME LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND! I HAD TO LEAVE MY FAMILY, MY HOME, YOU, EVERYTHING I CARED ABOUT!"

Twilight collapsed to the floor, sobbing loudly as Fluttershy draped her body gently over Twilight, trying to calm the alicorn.

"YOU SENT ME AWAY WHEN ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS HELP! YOU TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING AND THE ONE TIME I GOT TO USE MY KNOWLEDGE TO DO SOMETHING GOOD YOU SENT ME AWAY AND MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS....NOTHING! LIKE I MEANT NOTHING! AND THEN YOU EXPECTED ME TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS IN A TOWN I'D NEVER EVEN HEARD OF! YOU EXPECTED ME AND SPIKE TO JUST BE HAPPY WITH OUR NEW LIVES LIKE THE OLD ONE WASN'T IMPORTANT OR MEANINGFUL!"

Twilight curled into a ball, her voice lowering in volume.

"I KNOW...I know....I've been awful. You've given me so much. You've given me everything and all I've managed to do is complain. You made me into an alicorn and all I've done is try to get away from it, to ignore my own promotion. But I can't handle it. I CAN'T. I've spent my whole life trying not to disappoint you and I can't do it this time, Celestia. All I've managed to do since my coronation is make things worse. I can't handle all the work. I can't handle the responsibility. I can't handle how ponies look at me differently. I'm supposed to be connected to my friends and the world on some sort of new level now, but I've never felt more disconnected from them than I do these days. I didn't even realize I was in love til I had an anxiety attack while being lost in the Everfree Forest. You've given me everything...and...I just wanted to feel like I deserved it. Like I deserved any of this. But I don't. I don't deserve any of it....and I'm sorry, Princess. I'm sorry."

Celestia's jaw hung open, trying to process all the information that just hit her. This was the last thing she was expecting on a visit from Twilight.

"But Twilight...are you not....happy in Ponyville?" Celestia asked softly, her eyes brimming.

"Of course I am! Of course I'm happy in Ponyville!" Twilight squeaked out. "I don't ever want to leave Ponyville!"

"Then why are you so upset at my decision?"

"BECAUSE YOU NEVER EVEN GAVE ME A CHOICE!" Twilight shrieked, crying again as she tried to hide her face in Fluttershy's chest. "You made me pack up and leave and made me feel like I wasn't wanted anymore. Like I wasn't your number one student anymore. And I see why, now. I don't deserve to be your number one student. I nearly killed you and I'm the one complaining. I'm terrible."

"Please....she doesn't mean any of the things she's yelling right now." Fluttershy asked quietly. "She's...just...um....really stressed out."

A light yellow mist billowed out from the end of Celestia's horn, drifting calmly over the steps and enveloping Twilight and Fluttershy, carrying the two up into the air and gently depositing them next to Spike. Celestia adjusted her wing to gently caress all three as they sat on the pillows to her side. Eventually Twilight got a hold of herself and looked up at her mentor, her coat stained with tears and her hair in tatters, sticking out in every direction.

"You look like a mess." Celestia murmured affectionately. "But I think that is my fault."

There was a silence as Celestia cleared her throat, trying carefully to think of her next words. With great effort she shifted her body and lifted her foreleg so she could hold her hoof aloft before the three guests.

"You know...when you first came to me Twilight...you were so small you could fit right here in the cup of my hoof. Sometimes you'd fall asleep while reading and I'd just watch you because you'd make magic while you slept. Little visions of your dreams would fly out of your horn and dance around before fading away." Celestia lay back down, trying to smile. "I remember my royal advisor, Kibitz, asked me why I wanted to teach you in particular. And I showed him how you made magic in your sleep. I remember saying to him, she is the one. She's the one, Kibitz. She's going to do what Sunset and Starswirl never could. She's going to understand magic in a way that I never could dream of."

Celestia smiled. "And I was right. You were the one, Twilight. But I was frightened. Your thirst for knowledge was so great. And as much as I tried...I couldn't satisfy it. I'd already lost so many ponies close to me. I never understood friendship the way you do now, Twilight. I couldn't be a friend to my sister in her time of need when she felt outcast and lonely. And we were both punished for it for a thousand years. I couldn't be a friend to Starswirl when I let his experiments in magic destroy him from the inside because I too, let my curiosity get the best of me. For that I lost him forever. And I couldn't be a friend to Sunset Shimmer when I let her own thirst for knowledge turn to greed, then jealousy, and then hatred. For that I will most likely never see her again."

Celestia pulled Twilight closer to her form.

"I've lost many things so precious to me, my little Twilight. And I didn't want to lose you. I didn't want you to become a shut-in. A hermit. Or worse, to grow to detest me for keeping you by my side like Sunset. So I sent you away to spare you the rigors of Canterlot royalty. But I didn't think it through very clearly did I, my faithful student?"

"It's ok, Celestia." Twilight sniffled. "I shouldn't have yelled."

"No, do not apologize." Celestia commanded as gently as she could. "You're right. You're right to tell me these things. Ponies are afraid to tell me when I've made mistakes, and so I can never learn what I've done wrong. And I have wronged you, Twilight. I never thought how you might feel, when I took your life from you and thrust you into a new one. I sabotaged you while trying to save you. I took away all your self-esteem and then expected you to have the confidence to meet and befriend strangers in a land that was foreign to you. I am lucky it happened but it could easily have been a disaster. And for that I am sorry, Twilight."

Celestia used her magic to lift the mug that had once held cider up to her eye, frowning a bit when she noticed it was empty, and letting it clatter the ground as she rested her head back upon the pillow.

"Hmmph. Empty. Now that I think of it, I've wronged you a few times, Twilight. I trusted your judgement to take care of so many problems in Ponyville, then doubted you when you came to me about Cadance's kidnapping. I made you into a princess and gave you no time to adjust to your new body, the changes that would come with your new power. And then I thrust a bunch of work upon you, giving you no room to breathe."

"That's why we came to Canterlot, princess." Fluttershy said softly. "Twilight wanted to take a break from all the work that she'd been up to."

"Yes I remember the letter you two sent." Celestia said with a wink. "You know when Cadance became an alicorn, she was still very very young. She had few responsibilities, being a small child, so she was able to relax, and think about her new power, get used to her new wings. I never gave you that chance, Twilight. I was so busy with my own problems I forgot all about how tired you must have been. But that's always been something I've struggled with. Empathy. And that is why my sister isn't here, now. Because I couldn't see as she saw. Or feel as she felt. And I did it to you as well."

With a grunt of pain, Celestia had forced herself into a sitting position, and softly clutched Twilight to her chest.

"You and Cadance are like daughters to me, Twilight. I love you so much. I will love you until the sun burns out and the stars drop from the sky. And I know things can be hard. I know I can be a hard pony to speak with. But you should tell me when something is wrong. And you should REALLY tell me when I've hurt your feelings. But most importantly...you should never be afraid that I will ever send you away. When I said how proud I am of you, I meant it. You could never disappoint me Twilight. Ever. And I would never ever even consider sending you away. I'm never sending someone I care about away again for as long as I live and breathe. So put such thoughts out of your head. And that goes double for you....Luna."

Celestia looked up from her embrace with Twilight at the empty room. A dark shadow slithered from behind a pillar and made its way to the steps, forming into the former Princess of the Night, her expression that of nervousness. She took a tentative step towards the others, her voice shaking.

"Thou aren't cross at me for abandoning my post, sister?" Luna asked, the usual authoritative tone of her voice missing.

"No, Luna." Celestia brought Luna to her side as well, embracing her sister. "I made the same mistake I made a thousand years ago. I hurt your feelings. I forgot how different you are from the rest of us and mocked you for it. I made you not wish to be in my presence. Luna....if you don't want to be a princess any longer....I'd understand completely. When you came back I assumed you'd want to go back to doing your old job as if nothing had happened between us."

"It is...fine, sister. We...I mean I...enjoy making the night sky. In this day and age, ponies are much more fond of the night than before my banishment. I simply wish they were more fond of....myself."

Twilight finally peeled herself away from the embrace to wipe her eyes and glance at Luna.

"Luna....you've had so much fun in Ponyville the few times you've visited us. If you aren't happy visiting Canterlot and Manehattan why not just...come to Ponyville more often? Me and the other Elements would be more than happy to accommodate you."

"Could..I?" Luna asked looking up at Celestia.

"You don't need my permission." Celestia smiled warmly. "We rule as one, Luna. You may go as you please. But if you want my personal opinion I think it sounds like a splendid idea."

Luna smiled happily. "Good. I shall schedule time to stay there. Also Twilight...I am sorry I contributed to your small vacation being ruined. I was entirely unaware of the stress you've been under."

"It's fine, Luna. Um...I am curious though did you follow me here all the way from the cafe?"

"Ahem, well yes. I wished to be certain my big sister was recovering and in good health without drawing attention to myself."

"If you're here....." Fluttershy began. "Then where....is Discord?"

"Well he WAS following me." Luna began. "I'm not quite sure where he ran off to...."

With a loud crash the other doorway in Celestia's chamber swung open, and Discord came trotting in, his arms full of food from the earlier banquet, spilling over onto the floor.

"Goodness, Tia. All these overpaid bigwigs you have in the parliament are such pansies. One small brush with the possibility of death or poison and they've all lost their appetites. Most of this food is cold by now but I'm sure it's still good. Let's try to keep away from anything that reeks of pineapples this time, shall we? Speaking of, did Twilight ever show up?" Discord stretched out his neck to peer out from behind a stack of trifles and pies that were blocking his vision. "Oh so she's here. So are Fluttershy and Luna. Are we having a group hug of some sort? A pow-wow?"

Celestia chuckled a bit while Twilight shook her head in disbelief. Discord trotted over and dumped the food unceremoniously around the area where the ponies sat, licking his lips greedily as he began stuffing treats into his maw.

"Nobody is going to have anything?" he asked around a mouthful of cake, sending crumbs and spit splattering everywhere.

"Celestia really shouldn't eat anything so sugary for a while...um...not that I want to sound pushy." Fluttershy said softly.

Celestia placed Spike into Twilight's arms and gave Fluttershy a gentle nudge, causing the butter yellow mare to turn around.

"Fluttershy you have done me a great kindness this day and saved my life." Celestia said softly. "You're a hero now, you know that?"

"Oh...well...not really...I was just.....I don't like seeing ponies in pain." Fluttershy mumbled looking at the ground.

"Fluttershy's been doing a really good job helping Twilight learn to relax." Spike peeped up.

"And they both showed excellent leadership skills today I thought." Discord mentioned, causing the rest to look at him. "What? I'm serious. Oh I'm not allowed to give a non-jokey compliment now? You all expect me to have some sarcastic retort every time I do something nice? Hm? Is that it? How rude of you all! The very nerve! I am completely offended!"

Discord went back to eating and looking bored while Celestia and Luna both rolled their eyes at him.

"Discord was very helpful today." Twilight began. "At first I was infuriated at him because he accused me of something awful....but after he realized he was wrong he helped me locate Princess Luna. He took me around Canterlot and made a giant fake moon to get her attention when we weren't sure where she was. In a way, he's a hero today as well, even though our trip to find Luna didn't really help you at all."

"I think it helped." Luna said quietly, leaning against her big sister.

"Thank you, Twilight." Discord looked away, feeling slightly sheepish at the praise.

It was a good feeling, seeing them all get along, thought Celestia. She had always hoped to have peace with all those she once called enemies. Things seemed to be moving in the right direction. But there was still one important thing left to talk about.

"Twilight I don't think I've ever seen you in a worse state than you are in right now." Celestia said with a smile. "You sort of look like how Cadance did when Shining asked her to marry him. Your coat is sticking out everywhere and your mane looks sort of a bit like a bird's nest."

"Yeah, Rarity is probably going to freak out." Twilight giggled, wiping her face with her foreleg. "It's been a long day."

"Twilight as your teacher, and as chief of state, I am hereby ordering you to take as long of a vacation as you need." Celestia said sternly. "We can't have you feeling like this the next time Equestria needs you. You need to be well rested and perky. Looking and feeling your best is a very important part of being a princess."

"Perky?" asked Luna with a snicker.

"Oh shush." Celestia turned back to Twilight. "Obviously you lack the self-control to relax on your own, and me sending you paperwork is not helping so I will cease at once, but we will need an advisor of relaxation to help you. It should be someone smart. Someone very good at understanding emotions. Someone who knows how to relax. With a talent for being peaceful and tranquil. Someone who loves both you and Spike very much. But most importantly, someone who can help you be the best you can be."

Celestia's horn glowed, small rays of sunlight beaming out as she lifted Twilight into the air and deposited her, bridal style, into Fluttershy's arms. Both ponies faces turned bright red while Spike laughed and snorted at their reactions.

"Perfect." Celestia said with a smile. "The job is yours, Fluttershy."

"I...w-w-will do my b-best, princess." Fluttershy stuttered, holding Twilight close, and giving her marefriend a gentle nuzzle along the cheek.

"I know you will." Celestia nodded respectfully. "First you saved Discord. Now me. You continue to find ways to impress me, Fluttershy. And I owe you a big favor for saving my life. Ask anything of me, and I will make it so."

"Anything?" Fluttershy asked meekly.

Celestia nodded sagely. This was not something she did on a regular basis. But this was a special occasion.

"Oh...w-well....um." Fluttershy wrinkled her snout as she thought. "I already have such a nice life. I have my house near the river that I built myself. And I have so many good friends now. I don't really need money and now I've found love....so....um...I guess all I really want is me and all my friends back together...so we can enjoy the rest of the weekend."

"Then it shall be so!" Celestia's horn began to glow.

"OH! Wait!" Fluttershy panicked. "Also could you maybe...also...please...remove Discord's curfew? I...I'm pretty sure he doesn't like it very much...if that's ok with you, that is."

"I think Discord has proved I no longer need to keep such a watchful eye on him anymore." Celestia gave Discord a nod. "You are no longer bound by a curfew, Discord."

"Thank you, Fluttershy....oh and Celestia." Discord said with a cheeky smile, giving a small wave from behind a large roasted eggplant he was chowing down on. "I am very grateful! Now I can stay up late like a big boy!"

Celestia and Luna rolled their eyes again.

"I'm going to send you three back to the Canterlot Bed & Breakfast Royale where Rarity is staying. I hope that will be alright." Celestia asked as her horn began to glow brighter.

"That seems fine to me." Fluttershy said, dipping her head to nuzzle Twilight. "What do you think?"

"Yeah, let's go." Twilight looked up at her mentor, amazed again at Celestia's nobility and forgiveness. "Thank you, Celestia."

"No, thank you...princess. Remember that I love you and you shouldn't be so concerned with my approval. You make me proud ever day." Celestia said softly. "We should speak more often."

There was a bright light. Bright as the sun. And a muffled thud as the gleaming specks of a million tiny stars enveloped Fluttershy, Twilight, and Spike and in an instant they were gone, leaving the gods alone in the bedchamber with only the echoes of Discord's noisy chewing filling the room. Celestia let out a grunt of pain and flopped back onto her pillows, wiping the sweat from her brow.

"Art thou alright, sister?" asked Luna, her face etched with concern.

"I just need to sleep a little. Long range teleportation spells consume so much energy. And I already felt drained. I think I'm going to sleep for a bit. You should help Discord eat what's left of dinner, Luna. Besides the pineapple crumb cake, all the food there is excellent."

Luna got up and shuffled over to the food pile, eyeballing it hungrily.

"We...I mean I...must admit, that while the cheap street foods about the streets of Canterlot are most delectable in their own way...particularly the donut sandwich at Donut Joe's...I have dearly missed well prepared meals such as these."

And so Luna and Discord tucked into what was left of the feast. The feast that had caused so much chaos and sadness this day. But their hearts were no longer as heavy, and they felt a sense of happiness as Celestia quietly slept, knowing everything was going to be alright.

*********************************************************

It was growing late when Discord had finally had his fill, turning himself into a large flock of moths and hurtling out one of the open windows declaring he was off on an adventure. Luna had smiled, knowing most likely the reformed villain was off to get cruel jollies off a few odd pranks in town. Her stars had been twinkling for some time now. It would soon be time for all the nightclubs and music bars of Canterlot to open, admitting the nocturnal denizens of the city in. Luna was eager to go into town and see it for herself again. Being an average pony had been an eye-opening experience. Trying foods she never got to try, drinks she would never have imagined to exist, and dancing the night away for the mere sake of having fun. It had been intoxicating, but impossible now since Rarity's disguise spells had long since worn off. Altering appearances was not a skill Luna was talented with. If she wanted to go out on the town without drawing attention she would need a more efficient method than asking Rarity to dress her up every time. But that was something she could figure out for another day, another night. For now, she had a mess of plates and tins to clean up.

A dark blue magic enveloped the mess and lifted it into the air, crushing it into a ball of trash that Luna could easily fling into the royal dumpster. Or perhaps into outer space if she was in the mood. The alicorn winced as the refuse made loud crunching noises as she compacted it. She glanced over at her sister, unsurprised to see Celestia's eyes wide open.

"Apologies, sister. This rubbish was in need of management and eradication, and it would seem rude to call one of the royal maids to clean at this hour. We, I, did not mean to wake thee. Sleep once more and try to feel better."

Celestia smiled. "I haven't been sleeping, really. Though not for a lack of trying. My insides still feel like they're on fire. And my poor stomach feels like it was run through a washing machine."

"I find it strange that ponies wear garments so often in this age. And that they use bewitched electrical apparatuses to clean them."

"I'm sure you find many things strange in this time now, little sister." Celestia's smile faded. "And I should have been more supportive when you were frustrated. I thought things would return to normal after the summer sun celebration."

"Do not dwell on it, sister. It is in the past." Luna said simply, returning to collecting the garbage on the floor. "Would you like me to move thee onto the royal bed?"

"No no, I must admit I am not fond of that bed anymore. I find myself falling asleep in my chair usually, reading letters."

"More pillows, perhaps?"

"Don't worry about me, Luna. I'm fine."

Silence and squishing noises filled the room again as Luna nodded and returned to attending to the leftover trash from the earlier feast. She flicked her ear as she heard a rustling noise behind her. Turning with a worried expression to see Celestia struggling upright.

"You should be resting." Luna clucked with annoyance, walking to where Celestia stood.

"I have something I need to say." Celestia whispered. "And I would like to stand before you when I say it, instead of lying on the floor."

Luna creased her brow with worry as Celestia's horn faintly lit up. There was a tiny sparkle of light as a small flat object hovered out from one of the many creases in Celestia's spectral mane. The object appeared to be a folded piece of paper, covered in strange designs and stripes. It unfolded in front of them, gentle prods of Celestia's magic easing it back into its original form. When it had finished Luna's eyes roved the object, curious and with a sense of wonder. The paper had unfolded into a flower. A flower unlike any she had ever seen. A strange orchid, with multiple sky-blue flowers dotting its stem, their undersides striped with bright red vein-like markings. The curled branches between the flowers unfurled, like a forest fern, each small dark teal leaf uncurling to reveal bright yellow petiole arteries that ran down the length of each leaf, giving them the appearance of being painted. The dark red markings on the petals of the flower brightened to a cheery magenta as the buds began to bloom, happily absorbing the sunlight and moonlight it was being showered with as it sat between the two radiant goddesses. Out of the center of every bud uncurled several stamens, each a deep dark purple that ended in a lighter shade of lavender near the tip. Small mists of yellow pollen took to the air creating a gentle cloud around the plant that dissipated as it flowed upwards, making a pleasant scent similar to that of ginseng as it wafted around the room. The Pyrola Lunata Borealis sat tall and proud between both ponies, as beautiful now as it had been on the day of its creation.

"Sister...w...what IS this beautiful thing?" Luna asked, her voice barely above a whisper as the plant seemed to lean towards her, clearly preferring the moonlight to the sunlight.

"Over a thousand years ago, Luna, I made the mistake of ignoring you when you needed me most. I let the divide between us become a chasm of hatred. I lacked the empathy to see your pain. And worst of all....in the heartbreak that followed I forgot to give you this. It was something I made just for you, Luna. A precious thing I thought I had lost long ago, as I had lost you. Twilight and Fluttershy traveled all the way to Canterlot to bring it back here. It's what brought them together."

"You...you made this?" Luna's jaw hung.

"I made it for you, Luna. A plant to bloom when your moon was in the sky. Something to decorate our home with, so with mother and father gone, and me being so busy, you would not feel so lonely. I never got the chance to give it to you."

Celestia put her hoof on Luna's indigo shoulder, nodding.

"I know this gift is very late, but....I'd just like to say....Happy Birthday, little sister."

Author's Note

Mmmm delicious closure.

Slept right through the dawn

As the warmth of the sunlight faded and the small specks of light scattered, the two ponies and dragon found themselves exactly where predictions said they'd be. Out on the flowered lawn of the Canterlot Bed & Breakfast Royale. A few of the nightshift butlers and gardeners glanced over, giving the three a very confused look as they took in their surroundings. The three untangled themselves and made their way off the lawn to the path to the front door, suddenly hearing a familiar voice call to them.

"There ya three are!"

Applejack trotted briskly up to them, her little sister on her back clinging to her neck. The tiny filly quickly scrambled off her elder sister's back, looking worried. Rainbow Dash wasn't far behind, losing altitude as she came in for a landing looking annoyed.

"So I 'ssume everythings alright?" Applejack asked. "Rarity thought everything was gonna be fine once the real moon went up but when we din' see hide nor hair of y'all me and Rainbow figured we should go and investigate."

"Yeah so what happened?" Rainbow landed beside the other two. "I hear people shouting in the street Celestia had been poisoned, me and the others panic looking for you, and then a few hours later everything was calm and ponies were talking about a false alarm and stuff. Did Discord pull a prank that got out of control or somethin'?"

"Nope. Actually he was very helpful...in his own...unique way." Twilight smirked. "Actually the whole pandemonium was...because...well... was that Celestia is very allergic to pineapples."

"Aw shoot." Applejack looked at the ground in shame. "I helped y'all make that pineapple cake too. Shoulda trusted my gut and used normal apples instead of the pine variety. Never trust apples in wolf's clothin' granny always said. Oh Applejack, when will ya learn? Celestia ain't sore at me, is she?"

"It's all been sorted out, Applejack." Fluttershy answered softly. "We all had a very long talk about...all sorts of things and uh... and everything is going to be ok. Celestia didn't even care where the fruit came from. And best of all Twilight can finally take a long break from work, on Celestia's orders."

"So Celestia's healthy or.....?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Well....the food she ate caused some internal bleeding and swelling in her esophagus but...she'll be fine now." Fluttershy grinned meekly. "Although she's going to feel awful until her tummy heals and all the medicine is out of her system."

"Fluttershy saved Celestia!" Spike shouted, waving his stubbly arms. "She's a national hero now. Like...even more than usual from all the world-saving you guys do anyway!"

"Oh...well...not really..." Fluttershy whispered, hiding her face in her hair. "Just trying to help."

Twilight picked Spike up with her magic, depositing him on her back and nuzzling him lovingly as she turned to trot inside the building.

"You should be in bed, Spike."

Applejack nodded and turned toward Applebloom. "It is gettin' awfully late. You should be in bed too, Bloom. We got a big day of fun tomorrow, then we all get to go back to Ponyville."

"That sounds swell." Applebloom yawned, suddenly being hoisted into the air by the scruff of her neck, the nape clutched gently in her elder sister's teeth. "I miss Big Mac n' Gran already."

****************************************************

One little filly was wrapped up in her sleeping bag, its bright green color patterned with red and yellow prints of apples. She smiled happily as she snoozed, unaware that her best friend was a few feet away, not nearly as pleased about the prospect of going to bed.

"I'm not sleepy!" Scootaloo growled obstinately, her small orange face scrunching into a pout as she sat on her rump, arms crossed, in front of Applejack, Pinkie, and Rainbow.

Rainbow winked at the other two adults as she pranced over to the filly, picking Scootaloo up in her arms and holding the filly against her body in a warm embrace.

"Not sleepy, huh?" Rainbow asked, with a slightly mocking tone in her voice. "You sure about that?"

"Mmm hmm! Not sleepy. It's way....too early...for bed..." Scootaloo mumbled, the effects of being pressed against her caretaker's chest becoming evident as the natural lullaby of Rainbow's heartbeat began to lull the foal to sleep. She yawned and tried to struggle one last time as her orange eyelids began to droop against the comforting cyan fur of her adopted parent.

"I dunno, Scoot. You look pretty sleepy to me." Rainbow challenged with a gentle smile as she covered the filly's eyes with the elbow of her wing, shrouding the child's face in darkness. Almost immediately Scootaloo's body went slack, and small snores could be heard from under Rainbow's wing.

With a cheeky smile, Rainbow placed the sleeper into the sock drawer and gave her ward a gentle kiss on the forehead, turning with a proud smile to the other two.

"Check that out. Every time she doesn't want to sleep, I do that." Rainbow chuckled. "Works every time. Like clockwork."

"Well ain't that the sweetest thing!" Applejack smiled brightly as she glanced at the foals. "And to think the other night you were bellyachin' about how ya weren't good with kids."

"I'll probably need to learn how to do that when the twins get older." Pinkie mentioned, giving Rainbow a hug. "Usually these days Mrs.Cake just nurses them for a few minutes and then they go out like a light. Boop!"

"Food always does the trick with young'uns. Glad Applebloom never gives me any trouble when bedtime rolls around. Some warm brown betty and the lil' darlin' just keels over." Applejack stretched her back out as she stood up. "Well, I think I'm gonna hit the hay as well."

"DID YOU ASK RARITY IF SHE LIKES YOU YET?!" Pinkie blurted out, causing Applejack to cringe and freeze in her tracks, her eyelid twitching. "Whoops!"

"For heaven's sakes, Pinkie!" hissed Applejack. "Bloom is sleepin' right over there!"

Angrily, Applejack shoved Pinkie and Dash out of the room, through the hall, and out the front door onto the lawn, quickly surveying around to make sure nobody was listening while Dash snorted with laughter.

"And to answer yer question, NO." Applejack muttered. "I wasn't plannin' on tellin' her and I still ain't. That was YOUR idea, Pinkie."

"But why not!" Pinkie's lower lip trembled as she pouted and flopped onto her stomach. "Ouch!"

"Pinkie don't do that." Dash mumbled placing a hoof on the stitches on Pinkie's leg wound. "You're gonna open this thing back up."

Dash huddled next to Pinkie, stroking her friend's side softly, grinning sheepishly as Pinkie leaned her head on Dash's shoulder. Applejack rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.

"Besides, y'all are givin' me guff when you two ain't even come clear that yer a thing now." Applejack retorted, causing Dash and Pinkie to both blush and look at the ground. "Worst job at hidin' anything ever."

"WHAT!? How'd you figure it out?" Dash asked, a slight tone of annoyance in her voice.

"Well....for starters you two were eatin' each others faces up in that there tree in the park." Applejack shook her head. "I've told ya once, I've told ya a hundred times, Dash. Bein' up in a tree don't make ya invisible. I'm just glad the little'uns didn't see what y'all were up to. Puttin' all sort o' questions in their heads. I'm still dreadin' the day I have to give Bloom...the talk."

"The talk?" Pinkie asked, as her face broke out into a smile. "Oh you mean the birdies and the bees! You mean where baby ponies come from?"

"Yes, that. After Mrs.Cake had her twins I was dreadin' her askin' me how it works. For the time bein' the stork story is workin' but eventually she's gonna need to know how it all actually...goes down. Hopefully no time soon. And I know Granny is gonna make me tell 'er when the time comes."

Pinkie stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry. "That's silly, AJ! You should have told her that baby ponies come out of cabbages. The stork story is so old and dumb!"

"Yer implyin' that baby ponies comin' out o' vegetables is less silly than a big bird politely droppin' em off at yer doorstep?" Applejack deadpanned, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes. Why would I want a baby being held by a big creepy birdy? And not one from a nice veggie?" Pinkie shot back. "Don't you know how birds feed their own babies? They barf worms into their mouths. Would you want a baby pony full of bird worm barf?"

"OKAY....." Dash interjected. "This argument is stupid and is getting weird really fast. And we've gone totally off-topic. AJ why don't you want to tell Rarity how you feel? Ask her about the photo? You have a pretty good chance of her feeling the same way, if your story about the photo is anything to go by."

"Because....." Applejack sighed. "This trip....has gotten me thinkin'. Seein' all Rarity has accomplished. It wouldn't feel right. It wouldn't be right. Even if she said yes....it wouldn't be polite for me to bug her about that now, ya know?"

"No, I do not know!" Pinkie tilted her head with a worried expression. "What are you trying to say, AJ? Ponies always say I don't make a lot of sense but I think you're making less sense than I usually do!"

"Rarity deserves someone better than me." Applejack stated flatly. "And if I ask her about this now she'll probably think I'm just after part of her fame n' fortune. She knows I work hard so I can support myself and the farm. I don't want her thinkin' I'm cozying up to her just to sort of....get stuff from her or somethin'. I ain't gonna ruin our friendship. She deserves a pony as successful in life as she is. Simple as that."

Pinkie's eyes widened as Dash frowned.

"You're kidding me right, AJ?" Dash growled. "You're top tier material. You're pro. You're just below me on the list of ponies most likely to be rad. Rarity would be lucky to have a special somepony as awesome as you."

"Yeah Applejack just teeeellllll heeerrrrrr." Pinkie begged, waving her arms.

"Y'all don't understand. I'm in this position cause I underestimated Rarity. Cause I don't understand Rarity." Applejack hung her head. "Goin' on this trip just reminds me of that. Look what Rare accomplished without our help. Without my help. She's got everything she always wanted. And as much as I like hanging out with her and bein' her friend, the truth o' the matter is....Rarity is a high-class mare. And I ain't. And I never will be. She's out of my league, hon."

Pinkie and Dash fell silent as Applejack sighed and shook her head.

"I know y'all think it'd be cute if we were a couple but....it couldn't work. Me and Rare got nothin' in common. She hates dirt, working in the sun, manual labor, and that's all I do all day. Rarity is smart, creative. Stuff I ain't. Stuff I'll never be. She's elite. She's a princess to me. And she deserves a prince. Someone who can treat her how she deserves to be treated. Give her the best things in life. Someone who can give her a castle to live in. Not a barn. Not an old apple orchard. Not a financially strugglin' rancher filly trying to keep her daddy's dyin' legacy alive. She deserves more than that. She's earned more than that. Y'all understand that right?"

"Aw c'mon, AJ. You don't really believe she'd be unhappy with you...do ya?" Dash asked, feeling a twinge of agony for her friend.

"My mind's made up, sugarcube." Applejack mumbled. "Sorry if I disappointed ya."

"Applejack...you shouldn't think that way." Pinkie said softly, her large sky blue eyes shimmering. "I liked Dashie for a really really really long time and...I never said anything cause I was scared I would hold her back."

"Which was a dumb idea." Dash replied with a snort, holding Pinkie close.

"It was a dumb idea!" Pinkie buried her muzzle into Dash's neck with a happy whimper. "But I was so scared, I ended up trying to think of reasons not to do it. I let fear keep me from being happy and taking a risk. I was a big meanie to myself for so long. Don't do this to yourself AJ. I did it and it hurts a lot. Don't be like me."

"Yeah, AJ. This doesn't sound like you. This is like...Fluttershy logic." Rainbow grinned at the thought. "This is like...that think Twilight mentioned once. Pizzamism or whatever when a pony only sees the bad side of things. You're a brave pony who kicks flank on a daily basis. You shouldn't be afraid of Rarity. Quit being so stubborn all the dang time."

Applejack rolled her eyes.

"It ain't fear. I ain't afraid of anything but lettin' my family an' hers get hurt. It's common sense. Rarity is like family to me. And I ain't gonna hurt her by askin' her to compromise her life to be with me. I'm sorry but I just can't do that." Applejack looked over at Dash and Pinkie, who both looked hurt. "Awww c'mon now. Don't gimme that look. You gals dont need to worry 'bout me. Things will go back to normal soon enough."

"But what about YOU, AJ." Pinkie squeaked. "Don't you want to try? Try and find happiness?"

"What makes ya think I ain't happy?" Applejack replied, giving the two a half-hearted wink. "My life is pretty swell, I think. And sure, I'd love if under different circumstances, I was qualified to win Rare's heart but...I ain't. And it's ok. I got everything else I could ever want. I got some bits now, I got a job that I love, and friends that I adore. I got you two rascals lookin' out for my best interests. I don't have a special somepony but....I got love and family."

"Well what if Rarity asks YOU?" Dash asked. "Then what?"

"I'd tell her the same thing I'm tellin' y'all. That a mare as special and kind as Rare shouldn't be with a lumpy vegetable like mah'self. She'll probably think I'm bein' stubborn like y'all do. And maybe I am but I have good reasons for it. I ain't stubborn cause I'm scared or proud. I'm stubborn cause...I'm in love with Rarity."

"What a pile of bunk." Dash snorted with anger rolling her eyes.

"I wish I could change your mind, AJ." Pinkie said softly. "I wish I could convince you that you're worth it."

"You're a good friend, Pinkie. You too, Dash. But y'all don't need to be sad for me." Applejack stood up shakily, her legs wobbling slightly. "I'm gonna be ok. I really am. My life is full of blessin's."

Applejack yawned loudly, wiping her nose with a hoof.

"Now I don't wanna talk 'bout this no more. It's late, and I'm tired n' turnin' in."

Applejack went back inside the building, leaving Pinkie and Dash outside on the lawn. The quiet din of crickets and echoes from the nightlife of the town, being carried by the wind over the grass, settled into the melancholy atmosphere. Pinkie sighed and leaned into Dash, hugging her marefriend close. Despite the painful wound in her leg, she was joyful with how this situation had turned out. To be in the arms of the pony she loved most. Pinkie would give anything to let everyone feel this way. The love that is, not the wound part. But it was impossible. And Applejack was so stubborn, Pinkie would never be able to convince her otherwise.

"There's one problem with AJ's theory." Rainbow whispered to Pinkie. "If Rarity likes her, she won't take 'no' for an answer. She'll pester AJ until she goes out on a date with her."

Pinkie giggled at the thought of Rarity finding a new way of annoying Applejack. "I hope so. But it's been so long already."

"Guarantee it. If Rarity want's something bad enough, she'll find a way of getting it. We just have to hope she does. And I bet she does. She's just waiting for AJ to make the first move."

"Well......" Pinkie mumbled, looking up at Dash's ruby eyes. "Rarity...did...tell me a secret....before she left...."

"Are you gonna tell me what it is?" Dash asked, squinting her eyes in a serious expression.

"NOPE!" Pinkie squeaked joyfully, giving Dash an affectionate bite on the ear. "I made a Pinkie promise! If I spoiled Rarity's secret it could ruin my friendship with her FOREEEEEVER! Which is a very very very very very very long time!"

"Ok." Dash raised an eyebrow. "What if...I asked you questions about the secret....and you didn't directly tell me anything. Just simple yes and no sort of stuff."

Pinkie nodded, looking unsure if she liked the sound of this.

"So...biggest question right at the start...does Rarity's secret have something to do with how she feels about AJ? Just nod or shake your head, it's cool." Rainbow grinned mischievously as Pinkie nodded. "Cool. Awesome. Well that was my only question."

"Awwwww....I like question games." Pinkie said sadly, her ears flattening against her head.

"Well at least now I know I don't need to worry about AJ. But while that stubborn mule of a pony decides to sleep, I am still full of energy. You know, Pinks, I've always wanted to see what the nightlife in Canterlot was like. Must be pretty good if Luna likes it, right? Why don't you and me go downtown and have fun?" asked Dash, as she took to the air, flying in small circles.

Pinkie's eyes widened. "OHHHHHHHH like a date? This would be our first date, Dashie!"

"Yeah...I guess it would." Dash thought for a moment, scratching her chin. "All the more appropriate for it being here in Canterlot. The city of love, or some schmaltzy junk like that. I hear the food here is the best in Equestria at some bar the Wonderbolts hang out in. Wanna test that theory with me, Pinks?"

"I doubt they could have food better than the food in Ponyville but...YES...I'd love to!" Pinkie shouted, leaping upward as Dash flew down and wrapped her forelegs around Pinkie's middle, causing the pink mare to giggle loudly as she was elevated into the sky.

Together the two flew over the topiary on the lawn of the inn and were lost to sight, eager to spend a night on the town as a couple for the first time in their lives.

**********************************************************

Sweetie-Belle passed by Applejack in the hallway, her floral pattern pajamas on with her sleeping bag draped across her back. Applejack grinned down at the little filly as she passed by, clearly ready for bed.

"If you're hopin' for a slumber party, I should warn ya that Scootaloo and Applebloom are already tucked in, Sweetie."

Sweetie's smile didn't falter as she heard this news, scurrying past, her rosy curls bouncing.

"That's ok! I want to be near them when they wake up! I don't want to miss a moment of all the fun we're gonna have tomorrow!" Sweetie slowed down briefly as she scrunched up her snout. "Oh, Rarity had a message for you miss Applejack. She said that she finished fixing your hat!"

"Well thank ya kindly for lettin' me know." Applejack watched the tiny white filly get to the doorway and leap to get her teeth around the nob to let herself in.

Applejack sighed and ran her hoof through her mane. While she wasn't particularly in the mood for talking with any more ponies tonight, she really needed her hat. It was a hat she'd won at the fair back when she was very very young. It was one of her last memories of spending time with her parents. She'd always hoped to one day give it to her own daughter, if she were lucky enough to have any offspring. It was a pretty important relic and Applejack always tried to keep it around, sometimes even forgetting to take the hat off when she went to bed. After having it missing for quite a few hours while Rarity used her tailoring skills upon it, Applejack was eager to reunite with her headgear again. Even if it meant having another awkward conversation with Rarity before going to bed.

She stood before the door to Rarity's personal quarters. A large white sign with words on both sides, currently displaying the quote "the genius is IN" to anyone coming to visit. Applejack took a deep breath and knocked eagerly on the door, the way she always had at Carousel Boutique. Four loud knocks and a soft one, something she did every time to help Rarity identify who it was, lest she prefer not to be disturbed by potential customers or strangers if she was busy or trying to take some time off.

"Oh! Who is it? Applejack?" called Rarity's voice from somewhere on the other side of the door.

"It's Applejack. Sweetie Belle said my hat's done so I figured I'd take it off yer hooves."

There was a soft noise like that of fabric against fabric, a few clicks of hooves, and then the quiet knock of something wooden being struck. Like a small door closing or an object being dropped onto an old oak floor. A silence followed with an eventual quiet whistle, like that of tiny chimes. The kind of sound only the horn of a unicorn produces. The doorknob glowed a light periwinkle blue, the hue of Rarity's own power, as the door swung open. The seamstress walked forward, wiping her face with a small lacy kerchief, and smiling warmly at Applejack, nodding to let the farmer know it was fine to enter.

"Come in! Come in! I was just...writing a little. Do wipe your hooves before you come in, Applejack. I know it's not my home but I've already put the poor housemaids here through so much this month as it is. I fear I may need to live a very large tip if I want to be welcomed here again. Or at least not find saliva in my food."

The inside of the room was exactly what Applejack would have expected of Rarity's travels. Dress form dummies on wooden pedestals lay against the far wall, the scraps of unfinished or undesirable dresses still laying over them in tatters, pincushions filled with myriad pins atop these. Spools of string and skeins of yarn lay in heaps, hoof-sketched sewing patterns pinned to the walls and some even on the ceiling, covered in lots of little notes. Photography of orchids, precious stones, and rare minerals were pinned to a pegboard for inspiration in design. A folding cutting table sat several yards from the bed, with two sewing machines and a small drawloom on top, next to quite a few rolls of fabric. Some manufactured, but quite a few hemmed by Rarity herself. Under the table sat a briefcase filled with stitching awls, leaning against the treadle of one of the elder of the two sewing machines. Crochet and knitting needles sat in plastic bags, all labeled. Travel chests and cases sat open, their contents filled with darning mushrooms, folded fabrics, silk, and paperwork. Ready to be packed away and sent back to Rarity's home at the Carousel Boutique in Ponyville. Rarity wasn't a fan of dirt or dust, but one thing the unicorn certainly was not was tidy.

Applejack felt her face break into a grin as she entered the room, the chaos and mess from all of the bits and bobs Rarity required to make her dresses as nice as possible all making the room seem like a colorful explosion of clothing. She shuffled her way past the mat where she'd wiped her hooves.

"Sorry about the mess. With all that's happened today, my mind's been a bit elsewhere. Still need to pack quite a few things up for the trip back home, you see. I started sketching some new ideas for my fall line and before I knew it, it was night."

The pearly white unicorn did look tired. Her lower eyelids were puffy, and the normally clear whites of her eyes were slightly pink. Applejack nodded politely, wondering if Rarity was going to continue. A short awkward silence followed before Rarity tilted her head in confusion.

"Oh um...what was it you were here for again?"

"My hat."

"Yes yes that was it! I did repair your tattered chapeau....I just uh....hm..." Rarity turned this way and that, her eyes peering about the cluttered room. "Well I must have it in one of the other rooms. Do make yourself comfortable while I go fetch it, Applejack. I shouldn't be long. Feel free to have a drink if you want."

Rarity haughtily made her way into the bathroom, annoyed with herself. "It's a sherry that Hoity Toity gave me to celebrate our partnership. I don't know if you're a fan of white wine. Or even wine in general, its a bit of an acquired taste, but it's pretty delectable, in my personal opinion."

"Well shoot, Rare. Just cause I love apple cider don't mean I don't like other drinks." Applejack called back, though Rarity had already exited leaving Applejack talking to the air, and then to herself. "I 'spose I might as well have a lil' sip. I do like some sorts o' wine. Though they're usually apple wines."

The bedside cabinet next to the bed had Rarity's beautifying equipment. The herbal supplements she used to keep her hair gleaming, the very pale blue mascara she often wore when she was out. Applejack had always thought Rarity looked fine without her makeup, but the unicorn had insisted on wearing it every day. A particularly large bottle of wine sat amongst all the tiny cosmetic bottles, clearly being the wine. The white label had a stitched pattern of thorny thickets on its outer edge, with "Palomino de Karabakh from the Canterlot Gardens" in fancy calligraphy etched on by some old quill. It was clearly a very fancy wine, and Applejack knew it. Best to let it stay as a gift for Rarity. A small sip would do. Who knows how rare this wine might be? It'd be impolite to drink a lot of it. With a pop of a cork, Applejack had filled a small glass with about two inches deep of the amber fluid. Applejack wrinkled her snout at the scent. It smelled of yeast and grapes, with a scent of rice. As she sat drinking, a glimmer caught her eye. The glow of the lamp on the dresser catching on something glass, reflecting and glinting in the darkness while peaking out from the drawer of the bedside cabinet.

Applejack gave the drawer a prod with her hoof to shut it, surprised to see it shut then creak open ever further, clearly very loose on its rolling hinges. She brought her hoof forward again to shut it slowly, only to feel her breath catch in her throat as she looked inside at the glass that had caught her eye in the first place. A small pink pictureframe, with a glass front to protect the photo within. The same photo Applejack had seen months prior at Flax and Wheatgrass's farm, in Rarity's personal quarters. The photo of Applejack trying to make a sultry face, trying her best not to laugh, hours before the gang had all gone to the Grand Galloping Gala. The photo that had changed everything.

"Me lookin' at me." the thoughts echoed around Applejack's head, haunting her like this image had done so for months. This was the same situation she had been in before.

Never the brightest pony, Applejack's mind went haywire as the last few minutes of her life and the events around her suddenly made sense. The wood knock before she'd entered the room had been Rarity trying to close this broken drawer. She'd been wiping her face when she'd answered the door, and her eyes had seemed pink. True, Rarity seemed tired but, could it be possible she'd been crying? Why would she be crying while looking at this photo? As if to answer her question, a chill wind blew in from the open window, sending a shiver down Applejack's spine. She finished her drink, realizing she was going to need it, before slowly making her way to the window. Dreading she was going to see something that would ruin possibly everything. And so it was, Applejack's luck had run out, for as the mare stood at the window looking down to the grounds below, she realized Rarity's room was just above and a few feet to the right of the entrance of the Canterlot Bed & Breakfast Royale. The hoofprints of Pinkie, Rainbow, and Applejack still sat freshly in the soil of the pathway to the entrance.

Rarity had heard everything. The entire conversation and confession. And she'd been crying over it. She'd been hurt. Applejack mumbled a few cursewords to herself. In her panic to keep her secret from her little sister, she'd unknowingly revealed it to the exact other pony who should never needed to hear it. The sound of clicking hooves echoing from the other room made the hairs of Applejack's neck stand up. She quickly shuffled from the window back over to the wine, pretending to read the label as Rarity entered.

"Well?" Rarity asked softly as she peeked her head into the room. "What do you think of the wine? For being so old and special I think it tastes a little too sweet. Almost like those cheap wines they carry at rest stops. Though I must admit it certainly makes one tipsy very fast."

"It's uh...real good Rarity." Applejack bluntly stated, not turning around entirely so as not to look Rarity in the face. "I'm not much of a fan of uh....white wine but it's pretty good stuff, this here."

A cold sensation enveloped Applejack's neck, the quiet ethereal whistling of Rarity's magic swirling towards her as she was spun gently on the spot, facing the unicorn. Her hat hovered gently over her head, being placed down with little force, pushing Applejack's bangs into her eyes. She felt the empty glass fall from her hoof as the pleasant tingles of Rarity's magic pushed her hair away. Applejack swallowed, she knew she needed this to stop, for Rarity's sake. But she couldn't deny how happy it made her feel. How beautiful she felt as Rarity untied the old red ribbon Applejack tied her ponytail with, her blonde locks falling around her shoulders. She felt her eyelids droop, the back of her mind feeling warm and empty, leaning forward. Her nostrils filling with the scent of aloe. She glimpsed at Rarity who had a small smile on her face as she gently worked. A tiny sense of panic filled the farmer as she realized she was leaning toward Rarity, slowly drawing closer. It was enough to snap her out of the sensation.

"Perfect." Rarity whispered as she finished toying with Applejack's golden mane.

"Um!...so thank ya for fixin' my hat." Applejack mumbled, sitting back and feeling her face burn, wishing she could slap herself right there. "And thanks for the wine, Rare."

"Oh....." Rarity's expression didn't change, but the luster in her eyes was gone. "Well you're very welcome as always, Applejack. You know all I want is for us all to look our best."

"Yeah I know. Can I uh...have my ribbon back?"

Rarity levitated the small red piece of cloth in from of her eyes, casting a critical glance at it.

"Let me wash these first. You clearly haven't cleaned it in some time. Its coated in soot, soil, and sweat. I'll assume the other one is just as bad."

Applejack felt a small tug on her tail, the red ribbon she used to keep her tail hairs bunched up, keeping them out of the way as she worked. The ribbon unraveled and hovered over to Rarity, joining its brother. The fussy unicorn sniffed a bit at them before giving Applejack a friendly nod, the luster going back into her eyes again. As if she'd just thought up of a clever idea.

"It should only take me a moment or two to get these looking like silk again." Rarity chided. "You're in no rush, I hope?"

"Well...n-naw not really I 'spose." Applejack mumbled.

"Excellent. Have some more wine! Pour me a glass, too." Rarity winked, turning and leaving the room. "We can talk while these get washed."

The long purple curls of Rarity's tail brushed lightly against the tip of Applejack's snout, flicking into her face as the unicorn turned quickly on her white cloven hooves, swiftly exiting the room again. Applejack sighed with annoyance. Now if she tried to leave she was going to look rude. Not that being rude was something Applejack was completely opposed to, but to her friends? Unthinkable. She growled a bit as she poured two more glasses of wine. She wasn't sure who she was more upset with. Rarity for tricking her into staying in this room or herself for flatly not saying YES and leaving for bed. Why hadn't she said yes? Was being near Rarity that intoxicating? No. Applejack would ask for the ribbons back in the morning and go to bed. Then she'd go back to Ponyville and everything would go back to normal.

"Alright they're washing. So...." Rarity began as came back into the room.

"Look, Rare, I can't stay here and drink with ya. I should..." Applejack looked away from the glasses towards her friend, shaking her head. But she stopped and stared as Rarity entered.

While in the washroom, Rarity had quickly rinsed her hair. It made the meticulously perm curls of her deep blue and purple mane fall slack, strands of indigo waving wildly off her neck, nearly reaching the floor. It was an uncommon sight as Rarity generally tried to keep her hair in tip-top shape, the only times it becoming like this were when the poor unicorn was dropped into the sea or caught in a rainstorm. But something about her mane seeming so relaxed made her look so wild, so untamed, so different to the cleanly huffy mare she was so commonly known as. Any excuse Applejack had immediately fell from her immediate thoughts, her mind entranced.

"Fine then." Rarity huffed. "If that's how you're going to be."

Rarity eyes glistened with angry tears as she grabbed the two glasses of wine, downing them both and making a sour face. She turned and sat haughtily at the window, glowering into the night. Applejack stood wearily, watching Rarity's silent sulk. For a moment the sight of Rarity in such a state made Applejack want to sit down next to her, comfort her, and maybe apologize. But she'd already said her piece. She made her way to the door, ready to let herself out. This had gone as badly as possible. Applejack sauntered to the knob, her head hanging in a glum expression of defeat. But the familiar almost silent whistle tingled through the air again. Applejack's green eyes darted up to see the door being shut gently with a small cloud of periwinkle magic. She felt her stomach knot up as Rarity spoke.

"No."

"No?" Applejack asked, turning toward the form of her friend at the window. "What do ya mean, no?"

"I mean...I'm not letting you leave until we talk. We've been apart for months, we're finally here together after you apparently missed me so much and now you're suddenly avoiding me." Rarity's voice trembled, nearly robbing Applejack of her fear of having this conversation. "And I know why."

"I don't feel like talkin' I feel like layin' down. I'll buck this door down if I have to, see if I won't!"

Rarity spun around, her eyebrows quivering in an expression of grief, small tears finally forming under her moist eyes. Willpower left the farm pony as she silently removed her hat and set it on the floor next to the door. The quiet clacking of her large sturdy earth pony hooves leaving a dull echo in the room as she made her way over to sit next to her friend.

Feeling tense and nervous, Applejack sat still, trying to seem polite even though she felt like bolting. She expected Rarity to talk, say something, but time ticked by and Applejack realized Rarity probably didn't know how to start. How could she? This wasn't the sort of event a pony ever prepared for, and as the silence continued to drive a wedge between them, Rarity finally cleared her throat, taking a deep breath.

"We've been apart for two months. Our little group of friends. You and I. Two months and I've been miserable. So have you. And now here we are....together again. But it's not the same is it? And now I know why. I finally know why." Rarity let out a long sigh as she slouched.

"Rarity...do you mind if I ask you a question?"

The unicorn nodded silently.

"Why do you keep a photo of me by yer nightstand?"

Rarity grinned briefly. "You've asked me this before. And I gave you my answer before."

"I know ya did but....there's more to it than that, ain't there? I mean......of all our friends.....why me?"

"I think Applejack, the better question would be....why NOT you?"

Applejack sniffed, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. "I dunno. We ain't been friends real long....n' shoot you like hanging out with Fluttershy or Aloe more than you do me. Why not either of them?"

"Because I don't feel safe around them." Rarity said simply, turning back to look out the window. "Because they don't save my life on a regular basis. Because they didn't help me learn to not be so selfish. Because they lack a certain roguish charm and casual beauty that I find so very attractive. Because they aren't who I yearn for at night, when I feel insecure and frightened."

Applejack tilted her head slightly as she thought.

"Here's a better question." Rarity continued. "Do you remember what I said to you when we first met? It was in the market a week or so after I'd moved in from Manehattan. Applebloom was barely able to talk and Pinkie introduced us."

"Heh...yeah I remember....I think ya just wrinkled yer nose and said 'yuck'." Applejack chuckled at the memory, it had been so long ago.

"Yuck." Rarity said sadly, looking out the window down at the hoofprints in the soil. "My first word to you was yuck. And ever since then, even after we became friends.....I was always trying to make you less...yuck. And I fear I've hurt you. Really truly hurt you. Slowly chipping away at your self-confidence."

"I'm fine, Rare." Applejack mumbled, feeling a chill go down her spine.

"You aren't. The Applejack I met that day...whom I know....would never think she wasn't good enough to love a pony. The Applejack I know doesn't care what other ponies think of her. She does what she pleases, often in a very stubborn way, and she believes in what's right. But there's one exception. The pony she loves. The pony who made her feel imperfect. The pony who called her yuck." Rarity choked as she spoke the last few words, wiping her eyes and shaking her head. "This is my fault."

"What?! No...Rare....I like when ya fuss with my hair. I like when ya try to make me pretty. I mean...I know...I don't say nothin' or even thank ya as much as I should but....you always make me feel special."

"I don't mean that. I know you enjoy that. I'm talking about the times I've said you were a careless brute. Or pretended like your work on the apple farm wasn't as important as helping me with something. Or as important as my job. Or when I've criticized your diction. Or how you speak to others. Or how you solve problems. These things have hurt you."

"I ain't hurt." Applejack mumbled, her voice barely audible.

"I was so shallow. So shallow." Rarity whispered. "All I wanted, ever since I was old enough to understand love, was a prince. Or a rich husband. All I cared about was myself. I nearly drove my own baby sister away with my carelessness. I nearly shattered my family with my selfishness. And even when I learned how I'd wronged her....I tried to improve the situation only to make MYSELF feel better. Some element of generosity, I am."

"Don't say things like that, Rare." Applejack nervously placed a hoof on Rarity's shoulder, hoping to instill some sort of comfort. "You ain't shallow. You're not a shallow pony. You're one of the most giving ponies I know. Shoot...look at me....I can't even say things I wanna say. I couldn't muster up the courage to tell ya how much I care for ya. Some element of honesty I turned out to be."

"And still even after our talk that night......the night before the Sisterhooves Social....when you taught me how to connect with my sister, I carried on with my foolish dream. Hoping one day to live like an aristocrat. To meet Mr.Right. Some stallion who was wealthy and handsome. Kind, brave, and honest who would sweep me off my hooves. But after spending so long in the Crystal Empire...and spending even more time here in Canterlot....I've realized I don't want that."

"You don't?"

"No. You said it yourself, Applejack. Beautiful things are better when they are a rarity." Rarity turned her head to Applejack, shifting to move closer to the blonde earth pony. "And you are a rarity, Applejack. You may not be wealthy or handsome, but you are beautiful. Inside and out. And you are kind and brave AND honest. And even when I was at my most selfish you've treated me with nothing but respect and fairness. Treated me like family. Me. The pony whose first word to you was yuck."

Rarity leaned in, fluttering her eyelashes as she continued to close the gap between her and Applejack.

"I'm the yucky one. I've pushed you away and now you can't even see how special you are. Maybe...I can make you see...."

She was stopped by a soft pressure on her chest, glancing down to see Applejack's hoof slowly pushing her delicately away.

"Rare...I....my mind's made up." Applejack snorted, getting to her hooves. "I love ya, Rare. I honestly do. And I'm sorry what I've put ya through tonight but...this is exactly why....I ain't no good. Not for you."

"Stop it!" Rarity barked sternly, narrowing her eyes. "I will not hear any more of this nonsense. You are perfection, Applejack. It is not you who is out of my league, it is I who is out of yours if anything. I was a monster when we first met. But our friendship has changed me. You've changed me. You've made me a better pony. And....I'd like to give us a try. Because we both know something is there."

Applejack's green eyes searched Rarity's face for a moment, then glanced at the door. Back to Rarity, then back once again to the door. She wasn't quite sure how to take this apology, or this proposal. This conversation was winding up quite the opposite of what she'd expected. Rarity noticed Applejack's uncertainty and smiled as she came up with an idea.

"Part of you wants everything to go back to normal. Part of you wants to walk out of that door and pretend this never happened. But part of you wants to stay. Because part of you is like me. Part of you is tired of laying alone in bed at night. Part of you has found ways to bury your problems with work. Part of you is tired of feeling so single on Hearts n' Hooves day, finding new distractions and avoiding the prying eyes of others. But most importantly...part of you is tired of going home after a long day of work and feeling......just so...."

"...lonely." Applejack rasped, feeling her body begin to tremble, her throat beginning to hurt as she dared herself not to cry.

"Applejack....I want to convince you to stay. To stay here and be with me, even when we get back to Ponyville. And I think I know of a way."

"A way to what?"

"A way to change your mind. A way to make you feel like the goddess I know you are." Rarity's cheeky smile widened as Applejack looked at her, quizzically.

"And how's that?" Applejack asked, the words barely out of her mouth before a small cloud of periwinkle magic surrounded her body.

With a grunt she slid forward, propelled by Rarity's magic, and felt her lips lock together with Rarity's. Truth be told, Applejack had never been kissed before. And for that matter, she'd never had a kiss from a unicorn, lips infused with magic. She had no idea how it worked outside of seeing paintings of ponies kissing. Or the occasional film. For a moment, she panicked. This was the opposite of what tonight was supposed to be about. But that half-second of struggle was quickly diminished as realization set in. Applejack had her friend, Rarity Belle, possibly the most beautiful and talented pony in the country, kissing her. And telling her that she was amazing. And holding her as if her very life depended on it. She was in love with her friend, and her friend loved her back. Applejack let out a happy whinny as she reached her powerful forelegs around Rarity's torso and seized the unicorn in a happy bearhug, feeling tears of joy form in her eyes as Rarity nuzzled her lovingly, making fireworks of joy and elation crackle in Applejack's head. And as she sat there snuggling Rarity, and awkwardly kissing her every few moments or so, Applejack truly felt like this was what she should have been trying to do this whole time.

"Pinkie was right I guess." Applejack muffled voice was hard to hear as she buried her snout into the soft dimple of Rarity's slender neck. "I was just....too scared to tell ya...how much I love ya. So I started finding reasons not to do it."

"And I'm sorry I contributed to those reasons." Rarity cooed as she kissed Applejack's scruffy orange shoulder, listening with delight as Applejack nickered loudly. "I love you, Applejack."

"n' I love you too, Rare." Applejack chuckled happily, feeling distracted as she heard the clinking of glasses. "What's that?"

"Well....since this is our last night in Canterlot...." Rarity began, hovering Applejack's hat over and placing it onto her own head, followed shortly by two more glasses of wine. "And since soon we'll be home and no longer have a reason to drink our miseries away....."

"Ah, I getcha." Applejack grinned, accepting the glass. "I'd love nothin' more than to spend my last night here with you, Rare."

Again, they came together and kissed, Applejack still not sure how kissing worked, but more than content to let Rarity lead. The unicorn clearly had more practice and expertise on the matter, sending fiery sensations passing from the tip of Applejack's muzzle to the tip of her hooves. She squirmed as Rarity's dark violet tail twisting and wrapping around Applejack's own golden tail. Rarity laughed out loud as she watched Applejack's amusing faces as the farmer reacted to all the sudden affection she was receiving. Applejack made a mental note to tell Pinkie she had been correct all along. It always surprised her how wise the pink mare could be at times. But for now she was more than content to sit, feeling Rarity's soft silky coat alongside her own rugged orange fur, feeling happier then she had felt in a long time. So happy in fact, that neither of them heard the door open. And neither of them heard the small shuffling of tiny white fetlocks upon the floor. But they both knew the voice that spoke to them and broke them out of their embrace.

"Rarity! Why are you kissing Miss Applejack?" Sweetie asked innocently from the doorway, her eyes wide.

"OH MY GOODNESS." Rarity's jaw hung for a moment. "Well....Sweetie....you see...that is...well...um...Applejack?"

"Uhhhhhhhh." Applejack froze, staring down at the tiny pony.

"And why are you both so sweaty? And why are you both blushing? And why are you both so nervous? And...and...." Much like a child who finds their christmas present stashed somewhere in the house early, Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up as she gasped loudly. "Are you each other's special somepony?!"

In a flurry of motion almost too quick for Applejack to see, Rarity had managed to huffily pick her little sister up by the soft scruff of her neck, carry her down the hallway, and plop the filly back into her sleeping bag. There were a few whispers followed by the closing of the door at the end of the hall, before Rarity came striding back in, looking frazzled.

"Well. I shall have to have yet another talk with her about knocking before entering." Rarity let out a long breath trying to calm her nerves, grinning sheepishly at Applejack. "I do apologize."

"Aww it's fine. No harm no foul."

There was a awkward silence as Rarity and Applejack sat, not quite sure where to take the conversation. A yawn escaped Rarity, causing Applejack to wrinkle her snout in a grin at how cute the unicorn was, feeling a yawn bubbling up her in her own throat. But this sparked an idea in the farmer's head.

"Say, Rare...for your last night in Canterlot....I was thinkin....." Applejack shifted a bit uncomfortably. "I know you don't like....experiencing nature firsthoof but....do you wanna sleep under the stars tonight? There's a mighty comfy-lookin' hill just a bit to the east of this here shack. I mean...if that sounds too itchy or somethin' I'd understand I just-"

She was silenced by a gentle cloven hoof pressed against her lips. Rarity smiled as she withdrew her hoof, nodding.

"I'd love to."

Catch this flight flow

The bathrooms at the Canterlot Bed & Breakfast Royale were as fancy as the rest of the establishment. Silk washcloths, hot towels, multiple showerheads, and particularly fluffy bath mats decorated the pearly white walls and tile floor. Several bottles of Flax & Wheatgrass brand haircare products sat on the edge of the tub, next to a loofah so fresh from the sea it might still be alive. For a moment Twilight and Spike simply stood in shock at how nice it all was. Not even when the two had lived in Canterlot within Celestia's own palace, had they seen such stately class for something like a bathroom. Even the toilet was guilded. For a minute the two forgot how exhausted they were as they gazed around the bathroom. What little energy kept Spike standing upright near his guardian gave way and the tiny dragon stumbled into Twilight's foreleg, making the alicorn smile fondly at her ward and pick him up gently with her magic, depositing him in the tub.

Spike smiled sheepishly. "You don't have to help me, Twilight. I've gotten pretty good at washing myself up."

"I know." Twilight said as she rubbed some of the fancy soap onto the nearby loofah. "And even though I should be relaxing, I want to do this. You deserve a break as much as I do, Spike. Plus it's been a really long time since we've gotten to do this, huh?"

Spike giggled a bit as the soapy loofah rubbed his face, splashing his flat barbed tail in the warm soapy water. It had been a long time since Twilight had cleaned him. Probably before he could read. Although Spike had the demeanor and size of a small child, by dragon standards he was still considered an infant, which meant Twilight used to enjoy babying him. He didn't mind, he quite enjoyed the attention.

"Plus I wanted to talk to you." Twilight continued, clearing her throat as her voice dropping in octave. "I'm very proud of how you acted today, Spike."

Spike wiped some bubbles from his face before raising an eyebrow. "How come?"

"Fluttershy and I were too scared to talk to Celestia about what happened, Spike. Despite everything she's done for us, I didn't have the courage to speak with her. I was ready to run away. You weren't, though. You marched right up there and asked for her to forgive me. That was very brave of you, Spike. You did the right thing."

"It's...ok, Twi." Spike blushed at the praise. "You were just really scared and out of it. I just didn't want us to get sent away."

"I was out of it because I let my problems eat away at me for months, Spike. Which is what I wanted to talk to you about."

Twilight lifted the tiny squirming reptile out of the tub, drying his soft scaly form with one of the hot towels and holding him closely in her arms. Spike's large green eyes roved over Twilight's face in confusion.

"You know, Spike, ever since I was little, Celestia was like a second mother to me. I spent so much time at the castle it became like another home. I love Celestia, and I think my love and respect for her is what made me so frightened to really tell her about my problems. I let all the stress and fear stay inside of me, Spike. And it just got worse and worse and then just...all exploded out at once. I said things I wish I hadn't and made myself look foolish in front of Celestia. All because I was too scared to admit I couldn't handle my responsibilities. Because I was afraid of disappointing someone who was like a second mother to me."

Twilight sighed and nuzzled Spike affectionately.

"I don't want us to be like that, Spike. I know you see me as sort of a mother at times." Twilight noted how Spike averted his eyes, still uncomfortable about this subject. "But it's ok, Spike. If you want to see me in that light, if you want me to be your mom, I would be more than honored to be addressed as such."

"You aren't weirded out?" Spike asked innocently, his eyes full of hope.

"Of course not, Spike." Twilight hugged the bundle close. "But I want you to be honest with me always. If you ever feel frustrated, if you ever feel like...I've been unfair or hurt you in some way...made you feel neglected, I want you to tell me. I don't want you to keep that stuff inside of you. I want to be the best parent figure I can for you. Alright?"

Spike sniffled a bit before burying his snout into Twilight's wing. "I love you, tw...mom...Twilight."

"I love you too, Spike."

**************************************************************************

On most nights Spike would sleep at the foot of Twilight's bed at the library, in a small wicker oval basket. Just large enough for him to curl up comfortably in with a large downy pillow lining the bottom. At the moment Twilight had placed him onto one of the many pink cushions the inn had laying around, making sure he was sleeping well before retiring to the room Rarity had given her. She stretched painfully, a few audible pops and cracks coming from her weary body. Fluttershy gently grabbed the tips of Twilight's wings, spreading them akimbo to her form on the bed, making the alicorn wince in pain at her sore torso joints. The dainty hooves of the yellow pegasus began to softly massage the areas where wings met spine on Twilight's back, easing away the bunched up cramped muscles and general stresses of the day.

"You don't need to do that, Shy." Twilight grunted. "You've been through enough today as it is."

"Celestia's orders were that you need to relax, Twilight. And I want to be sure you do." Fluttershy tried to sound as formal as she could. "Besides I think your day was quite a lot worse than mine ended up being, if ...you don't mind me saying so."

After a few minutes, Fluttershy gently lay next to Twilight, listening to the alicorn's ragged breath. It had been a long and horrible day. This entire trip to Canterlot had been the opposite of what she and Twilight had hoped for. But at least tomorrow they would be going home. Fluttershy already knew what she would do when she got back to Ponyville, she had it all planned in advance. She'd pick Twilight up onto her back and carry her to her cottage by the river. Keeping Twilight away from the library would prevent any urges to do paperwork or studying when she needed to be resting. The alicorn would complain at first of course, insisting that she needed to be at the library, insisting she felt fine. But Fluttershy had already made up her mind not to believe any of that. The two of them were going to spend some peaceful days just trying to enjoy the weather and general activities of the town. No worries or troubles to interrupt them.

"Since you're my official consultant on relaxation now..." Twilight began, a smile creeping onto her face as she shifted her body to snuggle with Fluttershy. "What will we be doing when we get back to Ponyville? I've never really been forced to take a holiday before. So I think it's best if I leave it all up to you."

"Oh my...well. I think for starters, you should stay with me for a while, Twilight. If...if you want to that is." Fluttershy blushed as she noticed Twilight nod approvingly. "After that maybe we could hike through the forest some more....the parts that aren't dangerous of course. We could go to the beach and lay in the sun. I could show you where all the really cute animals live around town. Or go to the spa with Rarity. I know you like the spa. We could help Applejack bake turnovers for the homegrown food festival in a few weeks. There's all sorts of things we can do besides working."

"As long as it's with you, I'm all for it. Good night Fluttershy. And thank you again. I love you." Twilight yawned and leaned against Fluttershy, her eyes fluttering closed as sleep finally took her.

Fluttershy watched Twilight's body rise and fall gently as she breathed. She looked around the room and where she was, the importance of all that had happened finally hitting her, making her shiver a bit. Ever since she had been a small filly, and first decided to live in Ponyville after falling from the lofty sky haven of Cloudsdale, Fluttershy had always assumed she'd be alone. And for a long time, she was alone. But she never felt angry or bitter about it. She had just assumed this is what life had in store for her, and she would make the best of it however she could. But now here she was years later, saving the life of the ruler of Equestria. And laying in a bed next to Celestia's protege. A pony who was now not only her best friend, but something more. Her lover, her marefriend, her confidant. Fluttershy had always been a humble pony, but here in the quiet stillness of the room, she felt truly proud of herself, and all that her life had surmounted to.

Gently she leaned forward and gave the purple pony at her side a gentle kiss on the cheek, before laying her head down amongst the violet and magenta lochs of hair and falling gently to sleep, still thinking of all the fun activities she and Twilight could do when they got to town. Like the seasons, the list was endless and ever changing.

***********************************************

Not far from the inn, up on one of the windowsills near the top of one of the many ornate bailey towers of Canterlot Castle, the Pyrola Lunata Borealis was blooming. Being a flower it couldn't quite understand concepts such as happiness or forgiveness. And it certainly had no idea what was going on when the creature whose hair it had been folded inside of had fallen over. Or started vomiting hours later, for that matter. These were of little concern to the flower. But there was one thing it understood. It understood the significance of when it had been handed over to the darker creature. Though it did not know Luna's name, and never would since it was a flower and thus didn't have much of a memory, it knew it had been made for her. Deep inside its flowery core, it knew this had been the moment the flower had waited for.

Thousands of years had passed since the flower had first peeped its head out of its seed, growing into the beauty it was today. But it had always felt hollow and empty. Like something was missing from its life. Some would define it as loneliness, another concept the flower would never understand. The only times things felt right, was on those particularly windy nights, when the gusts would move the boughs of the trees and the canopy of the Everfree Forest would give way. And there the moon would be, the eternal orb of light and life, its beams piercing the darkness of the forest and landing upon the Pyrola. And from there it would bloom towards the light, trying to reach it.

Things had changed so much in the last few days, and the flower now stood on the window of one of the highest towers in the land. And next to it, gazing at it with respect and admiration, was Princess Luna. And although the flower did not know her name, it knew what she was. It knew she was the one thing it had been made for, designed for. And so, filled with the closest thing to joy a flower could experience, the Pyrola Lunata Borealis bloomed, encased in the light given off by the Princess. Its red and periwinkle tendrils waving as its yellow sparkles of pollen spread into the air. This was it's silent song, a hymn to sing for the night after arriving home after a long and perilous journey.

And Luna was more than content to sit and listen.

Author's Note

That's all, folks.
Remember to tip your bus driver and put the cat outside.