Mating Season in Equestria

Chapters

Tipping the Scales - Spike's Ballad
The Call of the Moon - Luna's Story
The Speed of Stillness - Rainbow Dash's Story
Eternal Loyalty - Scootaloo's Choice
Beauty Beyond Sight - Rarity's Tale
Family Bonding - Twilight's New Story
A Party for the Ages - Pinkie Pie's Story
When It All Stands Still - Timepiece's Story
Between the Trees - Applejack's Story
When Earth Kisses Sky - Ditzy Doo's Story
Forced Romance - Twilight's Story
Bonus Chapter! Trivia and Other Little Things
Story Update
My Sincerest Apologies

Tipping the Scales - Spike's Ballad

Spike sighed peacefully, laying back in his bed. "I wonder how Twilight's date is going? It's going to be so boring this week without her to clean up after." Spike felt a soreness in his stomach that was completely foreign to him. He scratched his scaly skin, thinking hard. "I wonder if I'll ever participate in mating season." He didn't know exactly who he was talking to, but the talking made him feel a bit less lonely with only him and Owlowicious, an owl that never seemed all that fond of conversation. "I suppose I'd need to find a female dragon first, because I doubt I'd be able to participate with Rarity."

"Who?" Owlowicious cocked his head, staring at Spike from its perch on the desk.

"I don't know, I've never even met a female dragon." Spike shrugged. "I'm not even sure if there's any left." It hurt his heart to say it, but many times he had doubted the existence of female dragons. He had often found himself having nightmares about being the last of his kind in all of Equestria. He sighed. "I wonder what it would be like to have a mate..." He closed his eyes, smiling a bit as he imagined it.

Spike walked into a large, circular room made entirely of marble. He hung his cape on a hat rack near the door. "Honey, I'm home!" He called out, his voice unchanged by time. A stunning blue dragon walked into the room, her scales shimmering in the light. She smiled at him, her green eyes reflecting the light perfectly.

"Hello, darling." The dragon's voice was smooth as silk, and flowed into Spike's ears like the ocean water gently lapping the shore. "How was your day?"

"Great." Spike grinned. "Queen Twilight and King Macintosh had me running errands all day, so I got to say I was visiting shops by royal mandate! Well, the ones I fit inside, at least." He laughed, stretching out on the large green couch that lay near the fireplace. "But boy, am I beat."

The female dragon smiled kindly. "Well, dinner will be ready soon. How about you take a nap and I'll wake you when its ready?"

"Sounds good." Spike yawned widely, stretching out. He dozed off almost immediately. A loud scream woke him up. He immediately jumped to his feet, the marble cracking under the instant pressure change. He ran to the kitchen where there was a pan on the floor and a small window open. He poked his head out of the window, spotting a large red dragon flying away, Spike's sapphire mate in tow.

Spike gasped. "Nefari! My old nemesis!" He burst through the wall, flying after the dragon at breakneck speeds. He punched the dragon square in the jaw, causing him to drop Spike's mate. "Rarity!" Spike cried out, flying down and catching her in midair, carrying her safely down to land. "Let that be a lesson to you, Nefari, don't mess with Spike and Rarity!" The red dragon nodded quickly, flying away in fear.

"Oh, Spike, you're my hero!" The blue dragon wrapped her arms around him, kissing him repeatedly.

"All in a day's work." Spike smiled proudly, the scene fading to black.

Spike opened his eyes, yawning. The sun had gone down and Spike was sitting in complete darkness. He stretched, lighting a candle with his firey breath. He looked to the nightstand, a picture of Rarity glistening in the dim light of the candle. He smiled a bit. "Someday, Rarity, someday I'll be a dragon worthy of your attention. Someday I'll be Super Spike!"

Owlowicious looked at him, a confused look on his face. "Who?" He asked.

The End of Spike's Ballad

The Call of the Moon - Luna's Story

"Sister, you can't do this!" Luna begged.

Celestia looked down on Luna, her eyes dark, with no emotion showing. "I must do what must be done."

"But there must be some other way! Some other pony!" Luna pleaded.

"You know you are the only alicorn other than me, and only an alicorn can birth an alicorn." Celestia turned from her sister.

"But why do we need another alicorn?" Luna asked. "Aren't we enough?" She reached out to her sister. "Please, sister, don't make me do this!"

Celestia kicked her sister away. "Guards." She called. "Take her to the mating chamber."

"No! Sister! Please!" Luna screamed as two guards dragged her to a dank, empty cell, the only water in the room being a large puddle in the corner, water running down the wall, the singular drops joining together. It was strangely parallel to what was supposed to happen in this room. The cell was small, only about five square feet, and the ceiling was only about five feet high. A small cot adorned the opposite corner, one of the legs bent inward. All over, it was the most depressing room that Luna had ever been in. She was thrown into the cell, a magic absorbing bracelet being affixed to her leg. She shook, terrified of what may happen next. The cell door was opened, a male being thrown in.

"You aren't coming out until you've done the deed!" The guard called, slamming the door.

Luna looked to the male, hoping at least that he would be gentle about it. She gasped as she saw the pony in the cell with her. An hourglass adorned his caramel brown flank, his chestnut mane appeared tattered, as if he had been through quite a rough spot before ending up here. His side was bruised, and he had a black eye. He had clearly been through hell.

"What in Equestria happened to you?" She asked.

"Celestia said something about me being honored, and that I would be mating with royalty... do you think she was coming on to me?"

Luna stared at him in disbelief. "Do you know who I am?"

"No, why, are you somepony important?" He gasped. "I know, you must be Sapphire Shores, right?"

"No." Luna's jaw dropped a bit, unaware that there was anypony who was unaware of her existance. "Why'd they beat you up?"

"Oh, I refused to do the whole mating thing. Can you keep a secret?" He asked.

"Of course." Luna said, a bit confused.

"I don't know what mating is." The pony admitted. "Pathetic, right?"

"Of course not." Luna smiled kindly, relieved that this male wasn't an adversary, but perhaps a future ally. "You're young, you have no reason to mate. What is your name?"

"Oh, me? I'm Timepiece. Dumb name, I know." The stallion shrugged, his scrawny shoulders raising rhythmically.

"I think it's a nice name." Luna smiled at him. I have to get him on my side. She thought. And kindness will surely be the way.

"Gee, thanks!" Timepiece smiled at her. "That means a lot coming from you, Miss Shores."

"I am not Sapphire Shores." Luna said patiently. "I am Luna, sister of Celestia."

"Sister? Then that would make you..... and I was supposed to...... yikes." Timepiece swallowed. "I'm sorry, I promise I wasn't going to try anything, I swear!"

"I know, I know. You seem to be a gentlehearted pony, just like my sister... or like my sister used to be." Luna frowned, looking at the ground.

"Well, what are we going to do? We can't get out of here until we do... that... whatever it is." Timepiece asked.

Luna smiled a bit at him. "You ever overthrow a princess?"

"Overthrow a princess? Certainly not!" Timepiece looked shocked. "How could you even propose such a thing?"

"Look, I don't like the idea either, but I'm afraid that my sister... well, she's not my sister anymore..." Luna closed her eyes tight, not wanting to think about her time as Nightmare Moon.

"Well, who do you propose would take over?" Timepiece asked. Once he had calmed down, he seemed quite intelligent.

"I'm not sure yet. I'm sure not going to do it, but the only other pony that could ever possibly be powerful enough to take over raising and lowing the sun and moon would be her assistant, and she may be a bit difficult to convert..." Luna thought hard, trying to come up with a plan.

"I'm in." Timepiece nodded.

"Even before I came up with a plan?" Luna asked, a bit surprised.

"Sure." Timepiece shrugged. "You seem to be pretty nice."

"Thank you." Luna smiled. Thank goodness that was so easy. She thought. I was expecting that I'd have to come up with the plan first...

"How long has this whole 'mate or die' thing been in effect, anyways?" Timepiece asked.

"It's been in the lawbooks for centuries in the unlikely event that war is imminent and more males are needed, but from what I've seen, there's nopony wanting to declare war on us. I think my sister is mad with power." Luna sighed. "I know how it feels. I tried to create eternal night because I was jealous that the ponies were all awake and enjoying the day, while they all slept through my night. In hindsight, I suppose I should have seen that the ponies loved my night. The darkness perfect for sleeping, the stars shining bright in the sky. I had it made until... well, let's just say I let my jealousy get the better of me." Tears began to slowly drip down Luna's face, her head hung low in shame.

"Everypony makes mistakes." Timepiece smiled at her. "You seem pretty nice now, and that's really all that matters."

Luna looked up at him. "You really think so?"

"Sure." Timepiece grinned. "You want to help your sister so she doesn't become what you became. That's pretty nice in my book."

Luna smiled. "You know, were the situation different, maybe I wouldn't mind having you for a mate."

"Thanks... I think." Timepiece rubbed the back of his head with a hoof. "So, how are we going to bust out of here, anyways?"

"Now that, I have a plan for." Luna smiled a bit. "I'll tell you all about it later. For now, let's get some shuteye, we'll need as much energy as we can get."

"By the way." Timepiece turned his head to the side a bit. "What is your name?"

Luna smiled a bit, looking to him. "I am Luna. Luna Sparkle."

The End of Luna's Story

The Speed of Stillness - Rainbow Dash's Story

Thanks to Claudia Donovan for the help in making a picture for this, expect more for each chapter as time goes on.

Rainbow Dash's wings beat against the wind, her mane whipping about her gracefully. She straightened her back, slicing through the air. Her eyes watered, the rushing air stinging the delicate orbs. She shut her eyes for only a moment, but was just long enough for her to lose her focus. She flapped her wings faster, attempting to slow her descent. She spiraled towards the earth, bracing herself for impact. She crashed through a large window, the sound of shattering glass filling the air. She crashed into the ground, her body flailing around as she tried to regain balance. Her back slammed into a wall, knocking all of the air out of her lungs. She coughed, groaning with pain. She looked up, spotting a very angry looking Celestia.

"Oops." Dash laughed a bit. "Sorry about that, princess, guess I landed a little too roughly."

Celestia glared down at her. "How nice of you to drop in." She hissed.

Dash blinked, taken aback by the princess's break from her usual kindness. "Um... Is something wrong, princess?"

"Yes, but it's fine now." Celestia shook her head, trying her best to put on a smile. "In fact, I was just about to go get you."

"Me? But why? Unless..." Rainbow Dash gasped, her mane standing on end. "The Wonderbolts wanted to see me, didn't they?! I'll bet they want me to try out, don't they?! I showed up just in time!"

"Silence!" Celestia barked.

Dash cowered a bit, taken completely by surprise. "You sound like you need a break, princess."

"Guards." Celestia called. "Take this one to chamber Delta Zero."

"B-but princess, isn't that where we're keeping the-" The smaller of the two guards asked.

"Silence!" Celestia stared at the guard. "Or would you rather go in her place?"

"No ma'm." The guard shook with fright.

"Good one, princess. Pretending you're going to throw me into a dungeon. Classic." Rainbow Dash laughed.

Celestia looked coldly down at her. "Take her out of my sight."

Rainbow Dash blinked. "What?" The guards grabbed her arms, dragging her out of the room as Celestia turned from Dash. Rainbow dug her hooves into the ground. "Okay, this isn't funny anymore." She quickly looked from guard to guard. "Hey, I said stop!" She started to flail around wildly. "Let me go, you jerks!" She kicked wildly, unable to wriggle from the guards' strong grip. She sighed, looking around her. They were in a part of the castle she had never seen before. The walls were made of greying stone, rather than the white marble that made up the rest of it. Moss poked through a few cracks in the stone, making it all the more dismal. There wasn't a window in sight, the hall lit only by a few dim torches affixed to the wall. Rainbow Dash struggled and kicked, her hooves making loud clicks on the stony floor. "Who the hell do you two think you are?!" Dash screamed at them.

The guards did not answer her, but just continued their walk. They threw her into a small cell, stone being the only thing this room was made of. There was no bed, no anything. The only sign of difference in the room was a rather large hole in the wall, a large pile of dirt leading up to it. A small torch flickered on the wall just above the hole, giving little light to this dark abyss.

The larger of the two guards turned to the other. "Think he'll come back?"

"He always does. It is just around dinner time, after all." The other guard smirked a bit. "Have fun, little pony." He shut the iron door leading into the cell.

Rainbow Dash sat in the corner, her mouth wide open in disbelief. "The princess is... bad?" She shook her head. "No. There has to be a reason for this." She thought of something that she may have done that would have caused the princess to become angry. A low rumbling echoed throughout the chamber, growing gradually louder. Rainbow looked around, trying to find the source of the sound. Dirt flew through the hole, a familiar snarling passing through Rainbow Dash's ears. She gasped. "Diamond dogs!"

A large beast burst through the wall, growling angrily. "They took my gems! They took the gems! I want them! I need them!" The beast sniffed the air, turning to the corner in which Rainbow Dash had been thrown. "Well, well, well. If it isn't a pony."

"Stay away from me, Diamond Dog!" Rainbow Dash stood, her legs a bit shaky from being dragged all the way here.

"You... you are friends with the whining one!" The Diamond dog gasped. He was brown, his red vest tattered and covered with dirt. His jagged mouth was pulled into a pained expression. "Please tell me the whining one is not here!"

"Rarity?" Rainbow Dash asked. She thought for a moment. "Yeah, she'll be down soon." She said. "You'd better leave. In fact, take me with you."

The Diamond Dog cocked his head in confusion. "Wait just a moment... why would you want to leave as well? Unless she isn't coming."

"You're smarter than you look, Fido." Rainbow Dash smirked.

"No, no, no." The Diamond Dog shook his head. "Fido is my subordinate. I am Rover."

"Oh..." Rainbow Dash blinked, thinking she had been making a joke. "So, what are you in for?"

"I came to your precious princess with a request that she found... unsavory." Rover waved a large paw.

"What was it?" Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes, unsure of what his request could be.

"I asked for a truce." Rover sighed a bit. "For thousands of years the ponies and Diamond Dogs have been fighting, and I want it to end."

"What? You are the ones that aren't content with what you have!" Rainbow Dash said angrily.

"Should we be happy to live out our meager lives underground, unable to see the sun, unable to do anything but look for gems? We don't even have anything to do with them! We only do it because there is nothing else to do!" Rover threw his paws in the air angrily, his knuckles bumping the low ceiling.

"Why do you have to stay underground, anyways?" Rainbow Dash asked, unable to understand why she was listening to anything this thing had to say.

"A thousand years ago, the Diamond Dogs were the princess's royal gem collectors, and in fact, the Diamond Dogs were once ponies." Rover explained.

"That can't be true!" Rainbow Dash's jaw hung in disbelief.

"But it was!" Rover insisted. "All of the gems that were on the princesses' gowns, their crowns, their jewelry, all of it was found by us. We had been nobly performing the job for decades when the shift happened."

"The shift?" Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow.

"The shift in power. Princess Luna took over the castle, and stayed there for months before Celestia banished her." Rover looked sadly to the ground. "The Diamond Dogs stayed loyal to the throne, rather than siding with Celestia."

"This is crazy." Rainbow Dash shook her head.

"By the time that Celestia finally came back to power, Luna had changed us to be more suited to the job of digging for gems. We were turned into this." Rover waved a hand at himself. "Once Celestia came back into power, we served as reminders of her sister's short rule, so she banished us underground. Honestly, we kidnapped your whiny friend because we were jealous. She was everything we should have been, what we used to be. And she was the descendant of the one Diamond Dog that had managed to escape, she was the descendant of the one Diamond Dog that watched as his friends were turned into... into this..." Rover sat on the floor, his head in his hands. "We've terrorized ponies for years because that is our way of getting revenge, our way of feeling like maybe if we can just make life bad enough for ponies... maybe the ponies would know how we felt."

Rainbow Dash stayed silent. She thought for a long time. "If what you're telling me is true..."

"It is." Rover interrupted.

"If what you're telling me is true..." Rainbow Dash continued. "Then maybe I can help you. I kind of have an in with the princess."

"Then how did you end up here?" Rover asked a bit irritably.

"Good point." Rainbow sighed. "How long have you been here, anyways?"

"Weeks, months, who knows? Time means nothing to me, I haven't even seen the sun since the day we took your whiny friend." Rover sighed.

Rainbow put a hoof on the Diamond Dog's shoulder. "I believe you." She said. "I don't know why, but you don't seem so bad anymore. So you used to be a pony?"

"I still am inside. I still feel like my horn should show up any day now." He sighed. "I tried digging out, but something deep inside myself told me to stay." Rover thought. "Maybe we were fated to meet."

Rainbow Dash laughed. "Cool your jets, loverboy."

Rover blushed a bit. "I'm not even a pony, how could I even think about that?"

"Like you said, you're still a pony inside." Rainbow Dash shrugged. "I suppose it's natural. But right now, we have bigger matters to attend to."

"Like?" Rover asked.

"Like how to get you back to your old self." Rainbow Dash said. "I think I'd like to see the master unicorn that was reduced to a sniveling puppy. I hope he's cute."

Rover laughed a bit, his raspy voice echoing throughout the small room. "Well, I hope this is your old self, because it is pretty cute itself."

Rainbow Dash felt her cheeks redden a bit. "Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard that."

Rover chuckled. "That's surprising."

"Anyways, if you're done hitting on me, I'd like to get out of here." Rainbow quickly changed the subject.

"Well, I had more, but as for right now, you're right. This hole goes directly next to some of the other chambers. What do you say about a good, old-fashioned riot?" Rover smiled maliciously.

"Sounds perfect." Rainbow Dash smiled. "And after that..." She clicked her hooves together evilly. "What say we pay a visit to the princess? I believe she has quite a bit of explaining to do."

"I believe she does." Rover laughed. "Alright, I'm going to finish my tunnel, they'll expect me to, anyways, but I'm not sure they expect me to gather up other prisoners."

"I sure hope not." Rainbow Dash sighed a bit.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure that we'll get out fine." Rover smiled at her.

Rainbow Dash looked at him. Strangely, his gravelly voice offered her reassurance, and a feeling she'd never felt before. She kissed him gently on the cheek. "Good luck."

"With that..." Rover smiled. "I don't think I'll need it." He hopped into the hole, humming as dirt was flung into the cell.

Rainbow Dash put a hoof over her mouth to block the dirt from getting in. She smiled a bit. She didn't know what this strange new emotion was, but she liked it. "A lot." She whispered quietly to herself, feeling her heart flutter a bit.

The End of Rainbow Dash's Story

Eternal Loyalty - Scootaloo's Choice

Thanks once again to Claudia Donovan for the picture!

Scootaloo grinned, the feeling of weightlessness enthralling her. She flapped her small wings, the clouds whisping about her face, small drops of dew gracing her eyelashes. Today was a very important day for her.Today was the day she would get her cutie mark. She could feel it. She was going to spend the whole day with Rainbow Dash, learning spins, flips, all sorts of tricks. She knew that she would learn a lot. After all, Dash was the one who taught her how to fly. She landed on the cloud that housed Rainbow Dash's dwelling. She happily trotted over to the door, humming the Cutie Mark Crusaders theme off key as she knocked on the door. She frowned when no answer came, knocking again.

"Hello?" Scootaloo called out, confused at Rainbow's absence. She peered into the window, seeing only darkness and the reflection of her own disappointed face. She thought for a moment, trying to figure out where Rainbow could be. when it came to flying, Rainbow was never late. Scootaloo gasped, realization flooder her mind. "Cloudsdale! Of course! She's in Cloudsdale!" She smiled, proud of her own powers of deduction. She fluttered her wings, slowly lifting off of the cloud. She placed both of her front hooves in front of her, flattening her body as much as possible, just as Rainbow Dash had taught her. She flapped her wings as hard as she could, speeding through the air towards Cloudsdale, home of the pegasus ponies.

Scootaloo closed her eyes, breathing in the crisp, fresh air, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of being so high up and completely alone. A large cloud loomed in the distance, and Scootaloo instantly recognized it. The pillars, the stadium, the cloudy homes, this was Cloudsdale. However, something seemed different about it today. Honestly, she had only been to Cloudsdale once before, and that was only because Rainbow Dash had an errand to run during one of their flying lessons and had asked Scootaloo to do it instead. But now, an air of worry surrounded the town, the air feeling somehow thick even though it was so high up. The houses were all shut tight. The windows were closed, the doors shut, giving the impression that each house was its own world, shut off from everything around them. Scootaloo landed on one of the streets that ran towards the town's main hub, the colosseum.

"Hello?" The tiny orange pegasus called out, hoping that something hadn't gone wrong.

"Halt!" An armored pegasus landed in front of her, seeming to come from nowhere. "State your business here." The pegasus guard held his wings out, his impressive wingspan completely blocking the road. His coat was jet black, causing an unusual contrast with the milky white armor he wore. His eyes were a light shade of orange, and contained no hint of any emotion.

Scootaloo had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She swallowed, trying to get the lump out of her throat. "I'm looking for Rainbow Dash." She said, hoping that she could just find Rainbow and leave. This town was making her nervous for some reason.

"Rainbow Dash? She is not allowed in Cloudsdale anymore." The guard glared down at Scootaloo, whose face was frozen with shock. "What was your business with her?"

"S-she was supposed to give me flying lessons today..." Scootaloo backed up a bit, feeling terrified for the first time since her run-in with the cockatrice. "W-what did she do wrong?"

"She is wanted for treason for siding with Celestia." The guard answered stiffly.

"Siding with Celestia? Of course she would, isn't Celestia the princess?" Scootaloo asked.

"Maybe to those on the ground. Have you not heard? As of three days ago, Cloudsdale has officially seceded from Equestria. Welcome to the country of Cloudsdale." The guard smiled at her, appearing to be trying to look friendly, but he obviously was not at all used to being friendly at all.

"I don't get it, Princess Celestia always cared about Cloudsdale as much as she cared about any other town, why would you guys secede?" Scootaloo demanded.

The guard narrowed his eyes at her. "She cared? Ha! She only cared about Cloudsdale stadium. She couldn't care less about the ponies living here. We have ponies living on the streets, we have no way of growing any crops, many of our ponies are starving, and she has done nothing to fix it!"

"But why are you so mad at her? If you've seceded, then isn't everything okay now?" Scootaloo asked, feeling very grown up for talking about it.

"The Equestrians have let us suffer in silence for too long. Tell me, have you ever heard of a magical substance known as boom powder?" The guard smirked.

Scootaloo shook her head, wondering what such a thing could even be.

"Boom powder is something the zebra shared with us. If it is mixed just right... let's just say Equestria and its earth ponies won't be a problem anymore." The guard laughed heartily.

Scootaloo backed away, her mouth hanging open. "B-but my friends... what about them?"

"If they are earth ponies, they will perish. So is the price of the freedom of pegasi." The guard smirked. "Besides, why would you want to be friends with filthy earth ponies anyways?"

"They are not filthy!" Scootaloo was fuming. "They're ponies just like you and me, it's not their fault that your life sucks up here!" She flapped her wings, floating into the air. "I hope I never come back to this stupid town!" She zoomed towards the ground, rushing to Ponyville. She had to warn somepony, she had to save Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, she had to save her friends. Scootaloo rushed towards Carousel Boutique, not used to seeing it from above. She screamed as she crashed through the window, landing on a pile of mannequins.

"Oh, dear, I see Rainbow Dash has been teaching you to fly." Rarity sighed.

"Oops, sorry Rarity." Scootaloo looked at the floor, embarrassed.

"Oh, don't worry about it." She shook her head, putting on a smile. "When you're friends with Rainbow Dash, you get used to this kind of thing."

"Is Sweetie Belle here?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yes, she's in the main foyer, helping me attract customers." Rarity told her.

"The what?" Scootaloo blinked.

"That big room with the glass cases." Rarity explained.

"Oh, right." Scootaloo laughed a bit. She walked out to the big room, spotting Sweetie Belle looking very sullen and standing behind a sign. "Sweetie Belle!"

The white unicorn perked up, looking around. "Scootaloo!" She grinned from ear to ear, tackling her friend.

Scootaloo laughed. "Hey, do you know where Apple Bloom is? We have some official Cutie Mark Crusader's business!"

"Yeah! She's at Sugar Cube Corner baking, come on!" Sweetie Belle grinned. "Siiiiiiiiiiis!" She called out. "We're going to Sugar Cube Corner!"

"Just don't bother Pinkie Pie too much!" Rarity called back to them.

"We won't!" The two said in unison, rolling their eyes. They hopped out of the shop, wandering towards Sugar Cube corner. It was a Saturday, so there were ponies all over bustling about their business. Scootaloo had never seen the town so crowded. The houses looked far different now that she was on the ground. While in the air, they looked so small, as if she could crush them with a single hoof. Now they towered over her, even though she had grown a bit over the summer. Rainbow Dash was even going to let her help with Winter Wrap-up this year... if it ever came. That was really the scariest thought for Scootaloo. So many experiences she'd never got to have with her friends... so many things that would have to be left unsaid... She shook her head a bit, not letting herself think that way. She was going to stop this and save Equestria, she'd have to. She looked over at Sweetie Belle, sighing sadly, the though of losing her friend too much for her. Scootaloo crashed into a door, seeing stars.

"Woah!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Scootaloo shook her head, feeling slightly dizzy. "Should've watched where I was going." She laughed a little bit.

"Well, we're here." Sweetie Belle looked up, the large confectionery shop looming over her head. The chocolate roof laced with icing had always entertained Scootaloo, reminding her of the story her mother used to tell her of the two foals that got lost in the woods. The colorful flowers surrounding the shop gave off a pleasant scent, while not covering up the delicious scent of the various cakes, breads, and candies being made in the store. Scootaloo's favorite part of the entire shop, however, was the large cupcake on the roof, three candles protruding from it that strangely never went out. Scootaloo opened the door, the strong scent of burning cupcakes immediately assaulting her nostrils. She coughed. "Hello?" The room was filled with thick black smoke.

"Hi!" The voice of Pinkie Pie rang out, the smoke clearing a bit. "Doesn't it smell yummy?"

"No." Scootaloo said, wrinkling her nose. "It smells awful. Is Apple Bloom here?"

"Yeah! She made this batch all by herself!" Pinkie Pie giggled.

"I figured." Scootaloo muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Apple Bloom stepped out from the smoke, her eyes watering a bit.

"I think you burned the cupcakes." Scootaloo said.

"I just... changed the recipe a bit, that's all." Apple Bloom said defensively.

"Seems like you changed it to make crapcakes." Scootaloo said mockingly.

"You're just jealous because I'm going to get my cutie mark before you." Apple Bloom smirked.

"Are not!" Scootaloo insisted. "I was going to get mine today, but Rainbow Dash is.... somewhere!"

"Yeah right!" Apple Bloom teased.

"No fighting in the sweets shop, or they turn sour!" Pinkie Pie sang.

"Sorry, Pinkie Pie." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo said in unison.

"Do you need some help cleaning up?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Nope! You just go on and play!" Pinkie Pie grinned.

"Okay, thank you, Pinkie!" Apple Bloom called as she ran out the door with her friends.

"So, what's up? I thought you were going to be training with Rainbow Dash today." Apple Bloom said to Scootaloo.

"I was. She's missing. But more importantly, we have to get to the library right now." Scootaloo told them. Her friends nodded, seeming to understand how important it was, even if they didn't quite understand why.

The three walked to the library in silence, all of them understanding that whatever had to be done was severely important, although only Scootaloo knew why. They opened the door to the library that served as Twilight's home. They poked their heads in, looking around. The room was mostly dark, a single candle being lit on the writing desk. The only sound that could be heard was a faint snore from upstairs, along with the occasional murmur of "I'll save you, Rarity." Apple Bloom giggled.

"Shhh..." Scootaloo held a hoof to her lips. "We need to find that book that Twilight always looks for whenever Equestria is in trouble."

"This one?" Sweetie Belle asked, pulling a book off the top shelf with her weak magic. The book was brown, with gold molding in the shape of an Alicorn head on both the front and back covers. On the binding, gold print stated the title of the book, The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide. Scootaloo opened the cover, reading. Most of it was what they had already known, things they'd heard about from their parents and friends after the return of Nightmare Moon. A note fell out as Scootaloo turned a page. She struggled to unfold it, finally allowing Sweetie Belle to open it with her magic. She read it out loud.

"'What is the seventh element?'" Sweetie Belle blinked. "Seventh? I thought there were only six..."

"There are... I think..." Scootaloo rubbed the back of her head.

"I know!" Apple Bloom grinned. "Let's ask Princess Celestia!"

"Shhh!" Scootaloo hissed. It was too late, however.

Spike walked down the stairs, a lit candle in his hand. "Who's there?" He asked. "Is that you, Owlowicious?"

"Umm... yes?" Apple Bloom shrugged a bit.

"Oh, okay. Well, stop being so loud. Some of us need sleep." Spike grumbled, heading back up the stairs.

The Crusaders stared at each other in disbelief. Scootaloo quietly stuffed the book into her bag, motioning to the others that it was time to leave. The three snuck quietly out of the library, closing the door behind them without a sound.

All three of the friends burst into laughter. "I can't believe he fell for that!" Scootaloo giggled.

"Me either! I thought we were goners!" Apple Bloom laughed. "Hey Scootaloo, what did we need that book for anyways?"

"Well, I don't know if I should tell you..." Scootaloo frowned.

"Come on, Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle grinned. "We're your best friends!"

Scootaloo sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anypony." Scootaloo took a deep breath in, explaining everything to her friends, from not being able to find Rainbow Dash to her visit to Cloudsdale, she didn't leave a single detail out. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom listened intently, not interrupting, not even reacting until she had finished.

"You're telling me that if nothing is done to stop this..." Apple Bloom's eyes widened.

"Correct." Scootaloo sighed. "All life under the cloud layer will be gone."

"Scootaloo..." Sweetie Belle said after a long pause. "Why did you come back? You could have stayed in Cloudsdale and you could have been safe, but you left..."

"I had to warn you, I had to stop it." Scootaloo had tears forming in her eyes. It was the first time she had cried since her parents had passed away many years ago. "I couldn't lose you, I couldn't lose anypony... not again." Her mind flashed with images, memories of that awful day many years ago. The day her family died.

"We're almost there, Scoots." Scootaloo was standing in a room with a larger orange pegasus, her green mane cut short. The room was narrow, with four beds, two on the longest sides. The green carpeting had a plain, diamond-shaped pattern that almost looked as if it were moving. A window was placed over each bed, showing the dry, dusty desert rushing by, the occasional flash of green cacti contrasting with the lack of life out here. The train that the room was attached to rushed through the wasteland of sand, grinding noisily along the tracks. On the bed across from Scootaloo, a female earth pony lay sleeping, her long purple mane lying haphazardly across her face, her orange coat glistening in the sunlight that peeked through the shades of her window.

Scootaloo laughed. "Mom can sleep through anything, can't she, sis?"

"I'll say." The older pony snorted. "Dad's almost as bad."

"Am not." A gruff voice came from the other end of the room. A grey pegasus with an untidy green mane stepped off the bed. "I've been up for quite a while."

"Sure, Dad." Scootaloo snorted. "How much longer until we get to this stupid town, anyways?"

"It's not a stupid town!" The gruff voice of Scootaloo's father replied. "It's not even a town yet! That's why we have to move there, so that I can help them with the construction of this town. I'll be the only non-earth pony in the whole town! Well, other than you two..."

"I just hope it's cloudy, I can't sleep on these earth pony beds." The older sister grumbled.

"I've made sure that there will be a few clouds, after all, you need to practice, the Wonderbolts are going to come to the town coronation next month, and I know how much you've always wanted to try out." Scootaloo's father smiled at her.

"Really?! You're going to let me?" Her eyes sparkled.

"Of course, sweetie, I wouldn't ever dream of keeping you from your dream. After all, flying is your special talent."

The elder sister smiled, looking back at her flank, a picture of a pair of wings resting on each haunch. "Maybe I should try to teach the squirt, too, I'll bet she'd love to learn how to fly."

"Yeah!" Scootaloo grinned. "Stop calling me squirt, though, or else I'll call you by your name."

"Don't you dare." The elder sister warned.

"I wouldn't ever dream of it...... Bethany." Scootaloo smirked.

"You're dead, pipsqueak!" Bethany jumped off the bed, rushing over to the bed Scootaloo sat on.

"Daaaaaad!" Scootaloo squeaked, jumping out of the way of Bethany's lunge.

"Girls! Please! You're going to wake your mother!"

"Too late." A groggy voice muttered from the opposite side of the cabin. The orange earth pony raised her head. The two sisters immediately stopped fighting.

"Sorry, Mom." Both of them said in unison, hanging their heads. Their mother glared at them for a few seconds before finally softening her expression.

"I just can't stay mad at you." She laughed, smiling cheerfully. Even with her mane looking untidy and covering most of her face, she was strikingly gorgeous. Scootaloo had often wondered how her plain-looking father had wound up with her mother, a former model. "Now, once we get to... to... What are they calling this town again?"

"Appleloosa." The father answered. "Don't look at me." He added when he saw the strange looks he was getting from his family. "I didn't pick it."

"So we're going to be living here in an undeveloped town for the rest of our lives?" Bethany scoffed. "Sounds like fun." She rolled her eyes.

"Watch your mouth, young lady." The father warned.

"Sorry, Dad." The orange pony sighed, laying down on her sister's bed. "It's so boring, though." She stretched out, her sister laying next to her. Scootaloo smiled a bit, climbing onto her sister's back. She curled up in her mane, yawning. Bethany smiled a bit. "Night, squirt." She whispered. The train shook, a low rumbling resounding over the entire cabin. Bethany squealed with fright, pressing her face to the window. A herd of buffalo ran next to the train, led by a single large, black buffalo with a large tribal headdress.He snorted, ramming the side of the train with his broad shoulder. The cabin tipped a bit, knocking Bethany and Scootaloo to the floor. Scootaloo jumped out of her sister's mane quickly.

"What's going on, Dad?!" Scootaloo asked in a panic.

"I'm sure it's some sort of mistake, just get low to the floor!" Scootaloo's father kicked the window, shattering the glass. He flew out of the now broken window, coming in low next to the buffalo. Scootaloo couldn't hear what her father was saying, but from the repeated hitting of the cabin, she guessed it wasn't working. Her father flew back in, screaming something, but the wind rushing through the window drowned it out. What happened next, Scootaloo didn't exactly know. The train tipped, the entire family being thrown about the room randomly. Scootaloo felt herself lifted from the ground as she tumbled through the open window, spinning in the air multiple times before she passed out.

When Scootaloo came to, she was somewhere in the middle of the desert, surrounded by fire and twisted metal. A great, hulking figure stood over her. "One still lives." It spoke with its gruff voice.

"You are insane!" Another, equally gruff voice answered the first. "We agreed we would not harm any ponies!"

"I did not harm them, their deaths were fast, and painless." The first voice answered. Scootaloo recognized the headdress of the buffalo standing over her. It was the leader buffalo that had rammed the train.

"What of this one?" The second voice demanded. "She has clearly been hurt, and you have orphaned her!"

Scootaloo's mouth dried up, tears stinging her eyes. "M-my parents..." She rasped out. "My sister... where are they?" She tried to sound as menacing as she could, which wasn't easy when she could barely breathe.

Both buffalo fell silent, neither able to speak. Scootaloo slowly and shakily stood, her front right leg useless to her. She winced, pain shooting through every pore of her body. "Where are they?" She demanded again, her vision fading around the edges.

"Chief, look at what you've done! She is hurt! This is not the way of our tribe!" The second buffalo snorted, his nostrils flaring with anger.

"Thunderhooves!" The chief growled. "You forget your place!"

"No." The one called Thunderhooves glared at the chief. "I've just learned it." He charged at the chief, catching him off guard. The chief fell back, landing on his back on a large piece of flaming wood. He cried out in pain as his fur singed off, his skin becoming exposed. The skin almost appeared to bubble as the buffalo burned alive, his shrieks of pain cementing themselves along with the vision in Scootaloo's mind. She let out a shriek of fright, fainting.

Scootaloo's eyes fluttered open. She gasped, sitting up in a bed. She blinked, wondering how exactly she had gotten to a bed. She heard voices from outside the room.

"Do you really think you're capable of taking care of a filly?" A female voice asked.

"Of course. After I heard what had happened, I couldn't just let her sit here in the hospital, now could I? After all, she is the only orphan in all of Equestria, where else could she go?" A female voice answered back.

"Well, I suppose if you're sure, Miss... what was it now?" The first voice inquired.

"My name is Cheerilee." The second voice answered, happiness apparent in her tone.

"Well, the paperwork's all filled out, you can take her with you whenever you're ready." The first voice said a little cautiously.

"Thank you." The voice that belonged to Cheerilee practically sang. The door to the room Scootaloo was in opened, a purple pony with hair the color of bubble gum walked in. Her face was very kind, reflecting the smiling flowers that adorned her flank. "Hello. My name is Cheerilee, and I'd like to help you out. I'd like to be your new sister."

Scootaloo shook her head, trying to stop the tears that she knew had come long ago.

Her friends sat around her, waiting patiently for her to come out of her stupor.

"How long was I.... spaced out?" Scootaloo asked.

"A few hours." Sweetie Belle answered.

Scootaloo blinked, looking around. She was in a small, familiar room. It was the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse. "H-how did I get here?"

"We took you." Apple Bloom smiled at her. "We couldn't leave our friend outside and confused, could we?"

Scootaloo's eyes filled with tears. "You guys..." She put her hooves around her two friends, bawling loudly.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked surprised, awkwardly hugging their friend back.

"I love you guys." Scootaloo whispered, her tears saturating her snout. She looked to the ceiling, thinking about her parents, and most of all, thinking about her sister, and the name she preferred instead of Bethany. "I love you... Dash..."

End of Scootaloo's Story

Beauty Beyond Sight - Rarity's Tale

Rarity sighed, picking a mannequin off the floor, dusting off the dress that had been placed on it. "Those fillies have been causing me so much trouble." She sighed. "I do adore them, though. Ah, to be young again." She smiled a bit with remembrance. "Then again..." She thought a moment. "My skin was far worse then..."

A knock came at Rarity's door, causing her to come out of her stupor. "Oh, do come in, won't you?" Rarity called out. She hurriedly tidied up the room, walking out into the main foyer. "Ah, hello, Vinyl. What brings you around?" Rarity smiled, spotting the white unicorn with the electric blue mane. Her sunglasses glimmered in the faint amounts of light coming from the large windows.

"I've got a gig tonight, baby." Vinyl said, her voice sultry. "You always know just what's right, baby, and for my show tonight, I need just right."

Rarity laughed a bit. "Oh, you always were blind as a bat when it came to fashion, darling."

"I'm blind as a bat when it comes to everything, baby. Or did you forget?" Vinyl Scratch removed her sunglasses, revealing her red eyes that seemed to be staring through everything they passed.

"Of course not, Vinyl, darling, but please do put those back on, you know you shouldn't have them off. Bad for your eyes." Rarity scolded.

"Don't worry about it, baby, bad for my eyes don't matter. About my threads, though, I need some real kicking ones, can you hook me up?" Vinyl Scratch asked her.

"Of course I can." Rarity grinned. "After all, you are one of my best customers. I can't say I appreciate your... style, as it were, but I do appreciate a friendly face."

"My style is my style, baby. It ain't for everypony." Vinyl Scratch shot her a bright smile. "And I don't want it no other way."

"You certainly are original." Rarity agreed with a small laugh. "What event are you performing at tonight, Vinyl? I'll need to plan my design accordingly."

"It's a wedding, baby, some lucky pony is getting a real fine chick." Vinyl laughed.

"Now Vinyl, you know I don't like talk like that in my shop. I don't care that you prefer the company of mares, but I'd prefer if you didn't talk about it." Rarity gently scolded.

"Come on, baby, don't tell you never sampled from the other side of the snack tray before. A pretty young thing like yourself must get all kinds of attention from both sexes." Vinyl laughed a bit.

"I have been... propositioned, yes, but I have never obliged. Oh, listen to me, this is not a ladylike conversation at all." Rarity put a hoof to her cheek.

"Relax, baby, Vinyl Scratch don't tell nopony's secrets. Who are ya' pinin' after now, anyways, after that old Blueblood turned out to be a rudeblood?"

"Oh, nopony, really." Rarity sighed a bit. "I'm afraid that I haven't really had time to go looking, not that I'd want to. Sweetie Belle sure doesn't make it easy for me. She tires me so. I must have horrible wrinkles right now."

"Naw, baby, you look damn good." Vinyl Scratch smiled at her. "Why you taking care of that pipsqueak, anyhow, she's your sister, not your daughter."

"Our parents are not in town. They've been out of the country for a few years, doing Celestia-knows-what." Rarity sighed a bit. "And watch your language, missy."

"You watch yours, baby, I'm nopony's missy." Vinyl Scratch said, not angrily, but a bit annoyed.

"Sorry, Vinyl, I didn't mean anything by it. I'd forgotten how much you hate it when I call you that." Rarity frowned. "Sorry." She repeated.

"Don't worry 'bout it, baby." Vinyl Scratch smiled.

"Tell me, Vinyl," Rarity said, pulling out her trusty measuring tape and beginning to take her measurements. "When did you know you didn't like stallions?"

"My first date." Vinyl Scratch laughed. "He was a real charmer. Tried to get me in bed after a few drinks."

"Did you?" Rarity asked.

"Not at all." Vinyl laughed. "Not that I usually kiss and tell, but he was a loser, and I wasn't going to have any of that."

"Is that better with mares?" Rarity asked, writing a few measurements down.

"Oh, baby, mares are so much better. It's like, like dating your best friend, you dig?" Vinyl smiled a bit. "I just ain't find the right mare yet."

"Chipper up, Vinyl. I'm sure you'll find somepony. In fact, if you just grew your mane out and perhaps brushed it every once in a while, you could be a model, I'm sure of it." Rarity smiled.

"Oh, baby, you're too kind." Vinyl Scratch laughed a bit. "Hey, Rarity, baby, when was the last time you got out of this stuffy old shop?"

"Oh, probably since the gala, I've been far too busy since that." Rarity sighed quietly. "Not to mention that I haven't really wanted to date much after my last disastrous date." She set down a few swatches of fabric, hemming and hawing as she tried to decide witch would be best.

"You could be like me, baby, I see it in you. You need the tender lovin' only a mare can give." Vinyl scratch laughed.

"That is quite enough of that, Vinyl." Rarity warned. "I am not like you... in that regard at least."

"If you say so, baby. It's too bad, you're one fine unicorn." Vinyl laughed. "Or so I hear."

"Now now, Vinyl, let me finish my work." Rarity said, seeming a bit annoyed.

"Sorry, baby." Vinyl stayed silent for a while after that while Rarity began stitching a few pieces of fabric together.

"Tell me, Vinyl, how did you get into the DJ business? It must have been somewhat difficult with your vision problems." Rarity said casually.

"Naw, baby, this here blindness gives me excellent hearing. And as for how I started, well, I suppose you could call me the black sheep of a musical family. They were all into that classical stuff, violins and crap." Vinyl stuck her tongue out in disgust. "You should've seen their faces when I told them I wanted to be a DJ. I don't think I've ever seen such disappointed ponies."

"Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that, darling." Rarity said, dressing Vinyl Scratch up in something that was a mix of a fancy dress, and a bit of Vinyl Scratch's "street," as she called it. "How do you like it?"

"Looks great, baby. Tell me, you got the time?" Vinyl asked.

"Of course, it's still pretty early, about..." Rarity looked up at the clock. "Eight A.M."

"Oh, baby! You're fast with them hooves." Vinyl laughed. "I got hours until I got to go to that wedding. You want to grab a bite?"

"Well, I suppose I could go for a nice daffodil sandwich, although it's a bit too early for that." Rarity frowned a bit.

"It don't matter, baby. Why care where the sun is in the sky? You won't be able to see it forever." Vinyl Scratch grinned. "Live life to the fullest, baby."

"Hmm... I suppose you are right, Vinyl. Oh, what the hay, let's go." Rarity smiled.

"Alright, baby. I know the perfect place." Vinyl Scratch laughed a bit. "You're gonna love it, baby."

"Very well, just let me close up shop." Rarity said, going around the shop and shutting off all of the lights and putting up the closed sign. "Alright." Rarity looked around, double-checking that everything had been done. "Would you like me to lead you?"

"Baby, I've been there thousands of times, I'm going to be leading you." Vinyl Scratch opened the door. "I may be blind, but I sure as hay ain't lettin' nopony lead me around like a dog."

"I'm sorry, Vinyl, I didn't mean to offend you." Rarity frowned, feeling terrible.

"Don't worry 'bout it, baby, I'm used to it." Vinyl Scratch waved a hoof. "But for that, you're paying." She smiled.

"Oh, of course, darling, I wouldn't dream of making you pay." Rarity said in her drawling accent.

"That makes this a date, you know." Vinyl Scratch laughed.

"I guess so." Rarity laughed with her, walking out the door.

Vinyl Scratch smiled, leading the way through Ponyville. She made a point of walking directly in front of Rarity the entire time so she was forced to look at her rump. She rather enjoyed teasing Rarity, although she had to admit to herself, Rarity was definitely a charmer, and she really couldn't help but to be attracted. She crashed into a pony in front of her, gasping a bit. "Oh, I'm sorry, baby!" She said quickly.

"No problem." A familiar sultry voice replied.

"Rarity? How did you...?" Vinyl Scratch said confusedly.

"You were about to walk right into the wall of this building, so I figured better you hit my flank than the hard building." Rarity said.

"So, wait... what I just hit was...." Vinyl Scratch searched for the ladylike term for it.

"What you'd refer to as my ass." Rarity said bemusedly.

Vinyl felt herself blush bright red. "Oh, ummm....." She dropped her "street" accent momentarily, unable to keep it up in her embarrassment.

"My, my, my, so we are hearing the true Vinyl Scratch now?" Rarity asked, chuckling a bit.

"N-no, baby." Vinyl Scratch quickly recovered, her cheeks still feeling red hot.

"Oh, Vinyl." Rarity chuckled. "How long are you going to keep up this charade? We both know you secretly would love to be in my body."

Vinyl Scratch stifled a laugh. She thought a bit. "Ummm... I'm kind of lost now..."

"Don't worry about it, Vinyl, I'm sure that I can find it, what's it called?" Rarity asked.

"Well... it's..." Vinyl coughed a bit. "It's called... The Hot Flank..."

"You were going to take me... TO A LESBIAN BAR?!" Rarity growled.

"No! No! ... Well, yes, but it's more than that. They understand me there like nopony else." Vinyl Scratch frowned, knowing this was a bad idea. "Honestly... you're the only straight pony that knows..."

Rarity sighed a bit. "Come on, we'll just head back to my place for tea or something." She said. She led the way through town, using a spell Twilight had taught her to gently guide Vinyl Scratch along with her. She opened the door to her home, stepping in. The house looked just like everypony else's, identical in every detail to the thatched-reed houses that were all over town on the inside, even though it looked large and elegant on the inside.

Rarity sighed. "I know how you feel, having a secret that you want to keep from everypony. My house, inside of its walls, are completely and utterly identical to every other house in Ponyville. I always pretend I only care about grace and elegance, but deep down, all I've ever wanted was to fit in with the regular ponies."

"Why do you always try to act so fancy then?" Vinyl asked, speaking with an unfamiliar voice, a voice that wasn't phony and cool, but a voice that she had always imagined she'd use with somepony she was more intimate with.

"Everypony's come to expect it from me." Rarity sighed. "It was just something my parents wanted of me. 'Speak properly, Rarity,' 'Don't slouch, Rarity,' 'A lady doesn't do that, Rarity.'" She kicked at the floor. "I only ever wanted ponies to like me. I guess I succeeded. But now Sweetie Belle is the only one who knows the real me. I can't even bring myself to tell Twilight, and she's one of my best friends. Even Fluttershy doesn't know. Hell, Sweetie Belle hardly even knows, she only knows that my house is very normal on the inside. I do worry about her fragile little mind. What would she do if her sister was an outcast? Or worse, just another pony that has been doing something she's hated her whole life!"

"I know how you feel. I never wanted to be a DJ. I didn't want to follow in my family's footsteps by any means, but I wanted to be a singer. Not just any singer. A jazz singer." Vinyl Scratch smiled a bit. "I used to spend hours listening to jazz records in my room... but now... I hate most of the music I play. I only did it to piss off..." She put on a fake snooty Manehattan accent, "Mummy and Daddy." She stuck her tongue out. "And now I'm in too deep to change things. Ponies depend on me
to be DJ Pon-3. God, what a stupid pseudonym."

"That's a word I'd never have expected from you, Vinyl." Rarity laughed.

"Few have. I used to want to be an author." Vinyl Scratch sighed a bit. "But that's something my parents forbid even though it met their fancy standards. 'The Scratch family is in music, and we always will be.' They always told me that."

Rarity put a hoof on Vinyl Scratch's shoulder. "Do they even know about your... preferences?"

"Oh, hell no." Vinyl snorted. She quickly recovered. "Oh, sorry, you don't like that language."

"I really don't give a damn." Rarity laughed a bit.

"So Rarity, why do you make dresses if you hate it so much?" Vinyl asked.

"Oh, no." Rarity shook her head. "I don't hate making dresses, but the customers, those I hate. Do you remember the fashion show I had last year?"

"Of course I do." Vinyl laughed a bit. "That's where I met you."

"That was the only time I had ever hated my friends. And so far, the last." Rarity sighed. "It's the only part of this whole façade I actually like."

"Rarity, I'm real sorry for trying to bring you to that bar. I thought maybe if you saw how we lived, you wouldn't think we were so different and would... maybe you'd change your mind..."

"Oh, Vinyl..." Rarity sighed a bit. She placed a hoof on Vinyl's cheek. "You wouldn't have had to." She gently kissed the unicorn pony, taking her in a close embrace.

Vinyl Scratch gasped a bit, her heart fluttering as she felt her lips touch Rarity's. The two stayed there with their lips locked together for what felt like eons before finally pulling apart.

Vinyl breathed out heavily. "That was... that was... wow."

Rarity nuzzled her. "I've never got along well with stallions anyways."

Vinyl Scratch smiled. "Are you sure you want to be with a mare with so many... issues?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing." Rarity laughed a bit. "Secrets are easier to keep between lovers anyways, are they not?" She allowed her voice to take on the fancy air she had been using for practically her whole life.

"Yeah, baby, it'll be our little secret, as long as you don't tell anypony about me crashing into your flank." Vinyl Scratch laughed a bit.

"Speaking of which, you may want to wipe your horn off or something. You may have hit me at a bit different angle than I previously led you to believe." Rarity said, her embarrassment apparent in her voice.

"Oh..." Realization hit Vinyl Scratch like a truck. "Ohhhh....... Oh!" She giggled a bit, something Rarity had never heard her do.

"From now on, that only happens on purpose. I'll pencil you in for another appointment, say... noon?" Rarity laughed a bit.

"Shouldn't you go back and reopen the shop?" Vinyl Scratch asked, pretending she hadn't heard Rarity's plan.

"I'd much prefer to stay here with you. After all, Sweetie Belle is away for, most likely, the whole day, and I'd like some company. You have a while before the wedding, yes?" Rarity asked Vinyl, stroking her short mane.

"I suppose so." Vinyl Scratch smiled. "And I don't think they would object to me bringing a date."

Rarity blushed a bit, glad that Vinyl couldn't see it. "I would be honored to go with a fine mare such as yourself."

"I would be honored to be escorted by a mare such as yourself." Vinyl Scratch smiled.

"So, who's getting married tonight, anyways?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, you didn't hear?" Vinyl Scratch asked, a bit worried. "I mean, yeah, it was a bit rushed, but I thought you of all ponies would know."

"Who?" Rarity repeated.

"Your friend Pinkie Pie." Vinyl Scratch responded.

The End of Rarity's Tale

Special mad crazy props to JuyUnseen, who has kind of been my unofficial proofreader, telling me what I've been doing wrong and helping me right these wrongs. Make sure to check him out if you get a chance, he's written a few fics that are (I believe) pretty darned good, especially The Alicorn's Pride.

Author's Notes: This chapter was sort of meant as a break from the semi-intense story we have been getting, to show that life is still going on for all the ponies in Equestria, not to say their lives won't be affected by the events taking place, but currently, they are completely unaware of what is going on. Also, I liked the idea of two ponies, both basically living a lie, coming together and using that common ground to come together. You may have noticed a distinct lack of environmental details. I did this so that the reader at times got a sense of what Vinyl Scratch is currently going through, not having any idea what most things look like and not being quite able to picture it. I tried to use details only when absolutely necessary to understand what was going on. I realize this is a bad writing style and I will probably not be employing it again, but as I stated earlier, the entire point of this story was for me to step out of my comfort zone, and it just kind of blew up after a few chapters. These chapters have been taking quite a lot longer to write lately, partially because now that I know it's under far more scrutiny, I've been trying to take things more carefully, and also because my life is so crazy. I would not be at all surprised if the next chapter, (which may be my longest yet, it will be a combination of Scootaloo's chapter and this chapter with tons of story and quite a lot of shipping,) is posted until late next week.

Family Bonding - Twilight's New Story

You all know the drill by now. Thanks Claudia Donovan, I didn't really do anything.

Warning: This chapter contains stronger language than previous ones, has now been fixed of many of the errors that had plagued it. I couldn't do much about the fast-paced exposition, but to be honest, I kind of like it better that way. No more waiting for the action. I will replace the note about this chapter with a small bonus section with some facts about the story, a bit of behind the scenes, that kind of stuff. At the very least, it will remain that way until the next chapter is out.

Twilight sighed happily, leaning back against Big Macintosh. "You know, being locked up in this tiny dungeon isn't all that bad."

"I never really pictured you as a glass-half-full kind of pony, Twi." Macintosh laughed.

"I'm not, normally." Twilight shrugged a bit. "But after the past two days... well, it's hard to not be happy." She smiled, kissing his snout.

"This don't seem at all like something the princess would do." Macintosh thought aloud. "Locking ponies up and forcin' 'em to mate, it just ain't right. I miss my kin."

"Sorry for this..." Twilight frowned, feeling terrible. "I guess I should have asked before volunteering you for mating. I feel really bad."

"Don't worry about it, appleseed. After all, you know what they say. Love is blind." Big Mac shrugged a bit, laughing. "Besides, it's not like it turned out all that bad, did it?"

"Oh, not at all." Twilight smiled a bit saucily, the look seeming completely foreign on the reserved pony's face. "Who would've ever imagined bookworm Twilight Sparkle losing her virginity in a mating dungeon of all places?"

"Certainly not I." Big Macintosh laughed. "Even less likely that I'd be the one to.... you know..."

Twilight nodded a bit, nuzzling his chest. She looked at him, fire in her eyes.

"Oh, and Twilight..." Big Macintosh cleared his throat a bit. "Stop trying to be sexy for me. It's... weird."

Twilight looked at him innocently. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean stop looking at me and trying to be sexy. That ain't the you I fell in love with." Big Macintosh looked to the ground.

"This is a side of you I've never seen." Twilight laughed. "Deep down big old Macintosh is just a big softy."

"Hush." Big Macintosh said, embarrassed.

A low rumble emanated from the wall beside their chamber. Specks of dirt and clouds of dust fell from the bricks on the ceiling. Bricks fell from the wall opposite the door, revealing that behind the brick lay a wall of dirt, rocks, and other natural subterranean substances. The dirt shifted, a creature popping its head out.

Twilight immediately stood, a bit shaky on her feet. "Diamond Dog!" She gasped, putting on an angry face.

"So, the purple pony is here as well..." Rover looked at her with some disdain. "You are friends with Rainbow Dash, yes?"

Twilight gasped. "What have you done with Rainbow Dash?"

"Nothing, she's back in our cell, waiting." Rover waved a paw nonchalantly.

Twilight blinked. "Cell? So you two were also here to...?"

"To what?" Rover scratched his head, trying to figure out what in the world she could mean.

"Mate..." Twilight said, a bit disgusted.

"Oh, no!" Rover assured her, laughing. "That part just came naturally later."

"What?!" Twilight gagged a bit.

"What's with the holdup, Rov?" A voice came from behind the dog.

"See for yourself." Rover said, hopping out of the hole. Rainbow Dash followed after, her legs wobbling a bit. She gasped at the sight of Twilight, her eyes trailing to the unicorn's knocking knees.

Rainbow smirked a bit. "I did not expect this at all." She laughed. "The bookworm and the workhorse."

"You actually mated with that... that... that thing?" Twilight narrowed her eyes.

"His name is Rover, and yes, I did." Rainbow said, seeming almost proud. "Gotta do something when you're locked up in a dungeon."

"But he's not even a pony!" Twilight said.

"Not right now, but he will be. We just have to convince Celestia to change him back." Rainbow Dash smiled.

"Yeah, because after how she's been acting lately, that's real likely." Rover muttered.

"Watch it, bub, or you ain't getting any more of this." Rainbow swung her hips.

Twilight felt sick. "H-how did you even manage...?"

"I was going to ask the same thing. Or does height not affect size?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

Twilight blushed crimson. "Shut up. What are you doing here, anyways?"

"Escaping, you in?" Rainbow asked.

"I don't know..." Twilight looked to Big Macintosh for guidance.

"I suppose it'd be for the best to go. Applejack and the others'll be wonderin' where I've been." Big Macintosh nodded.

"I just hope Celestia isn't mad." Twilight frowned.

"Well, we're going to gather up some of the other prisoners first, you want to come with?" Rainbow asked.

"Sure." Twilight shrugged a bit. "Does us no good to just sit here."

"Alright, Rover is going to dig a tunnel to the next cell, we should probably wait here until he's ready for us." Rainbow said.

"Yes, ma'm." Rover grunted a bit, obviously not appreciating being ordered around. "Live for a thousand years as a filthy mutt, now I have to put up with this." He grumbled as he jumped back into the hole, digging away at the dirt.

"So, you guys came here specifically to mate?" Rainbow Dash asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Well, I knew about it, he didn't, but I guess that... yeah, that's pretty much what happened." Twilight said very awkwardly.

"She got her choice of mates." Big Macintosh said. "I was it."

"Oh?" Rainbow laughed a bit. "Not a big surprise. We all kind of figured it out, Twilight."

"How?" Twilight asked.

"Well, there was Pinkie's Winter Solstice party where you told everypony you could how you were looking for a big, strong, stallion to wrap your hooves around. A big, red, strong, stallion." Rainbow Dash laughed.

"You should've told me that there was alcohol in that punch!" Twilight said.

"It was winter! The grapes had been stored for a while and they fermented!" Rainbow Dash said. "You made a point of telling me that multiple times the next day!"

"It had never happened in Canterlot." Twilight mumbled.

"You never went to parties in Canterlot! That was another drunken confession!" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

"Rainbow!" Twilight said through gritted teeth. "Not in front of Mac, please!" She pleaded in a hushed tone.

"Y'all know I can still hear you, right?" Big Macintosh asked.

Twilight sighed. "Yes, Macintosh, we know."

Rover poked his head in. "Uhhh, everything okay in here?"

"Peachy." Twilight muttered.

"Fine." Rainbow said simply, turning her head away from Twilight.

"Now, now, ladies, y'all are friends, surely you can work this out." Big Macintosh frowned a bit.

"We're just fine, Macintosh." Twilight put on a fake smile.

"Yeah, fine." Rainbow grunted.

"I will never understand mares." Big Macintosh shook his head, laughing a bit.

"And that's why you were born a colt." Twilight laughed a bit.

Rainbow couldn't help but to chuckle at Twilight's joke, although she was still somewhat miffed.

"You won't believe what I found in the next chamber!" Rover said in a hushed whisper, poking his head out of the hole.

"No, I won't, so just tell me." Twilight said.

"The princess has been imprisoned with an earth pony!" Rover said.

"Celestia?" Twilight gasped, frightened for her teacher.

"No! Luna!" Rover said. "Come and see!" He hopped out of the hole, holding his paw out to the hole.

Twilight jumped into the hole, crawling down the dirty, dark, wet tunnel. She poked her head into a room, spotting a small, dark alicorn sleeping soundly in one corner, a brown Earth pony apparently dreaming next to her. She gasped. "Psssst!" She hissed, trying to wake Luna.

Instead, the brown pony awoke, screaming at the top of his lungs.

Twilight quickly tried to shush him, extremely annoyed. Luna opened her eyes, gasping. "Twilight!"

"Hi Luna." Twilight said extremely awkwardly. "Just... popping in."

"Twilight..." Luna frowned, looking to the cold stone floor. "You shouldn't be here."

"Actually, I'm the only one who should, I accepted when Celestia asked. You must have too, right?" Twilight said.

"Not exactly." Luna sighed. "Twilight, we need to talk."

"Isn't that what we're doing right now?" Twilight joked.

Luna looked at her very seriously. "Twilight, I'm serious."

"Right, right, sorry, my head's kind of messed up right now." Twilight shook her head.

"Anyways, we have to talk in private. However, I have this damned magic reduction band on, and it's making me very weak." Luna groaned.

"Oh, speaking of which, I don't think mine is working correctly, I'm feeling fine." Twilight said.

"Twilight, you are acting very strangely." Luna said.

Twilight shrugged. "Maybe I'm going through a second puberty or something."

"Twilight, it is imperative that we speak immediately. Just get in here." Luna said. Twilight wriggled her way through the dirt, falling into the room.

Timepiece sat in the corner of the room, blinking. "What is going on here?"

"Timepiece, I would like you to meet Twilight Sparkle." Luna sighed a bit. "This... this is my daughter."

Twilight blinked for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. "What?!" She said, laughing so hard she was crying.

"Twilight, you are my daughter." Luna said very seriously.

"But you were on the moon when I was born." Twilight laughed.

"No, Nightmare Moon was on the moon when you were born. I was still here, only in a different form." Luna said.

"What form?" Twilight said, still not sounding at all convinced.

"The form of a unicorn pony. I... borrowed her body for a few years so I could scope out the Element Bearers to stop me... er, Nightmare Moon, that is. Her name is Lyra." Luna said.

"You were Lyra?" Twilight raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"That is correct. Your... 'parents,' let's call them, they were friends of mine, and they helped me out by raising you." Luna said.

"This is impossible. If what you're saying is true, that would make me Lyra's daughter, not yours. You said it yourself, it was her body." Twilight said.

"No, the body that was impregnated was mine. I used my magic to make it so that it would be I who had the child. I had far less of it, but I knew how to use it well enough that that didn't matter. That is why you are feeling strange, Twilight. My magic has diminished to almost nothing. The magic that hides your true form. The magic that stops you from being an Alicorn." Luna said.

"You have to be kidding. It's probably because I just went through a huge change in my life." Twilight said. "You're just overreacting."

"Oh?" Luna pointed a hoof at Twilight's side, where a small bump was beginning to form on each side. "Your horn is getting longer too."

"Oh, no! What will Big Macintosh think?" Twilight panicked, her brains working in overdrive. "Mom, Dad, it was all a lie? Did Celestia know about this?!"

"After your mishap on the day she accepted you, she suspected, but she was never sure." Luna sighed a bit.

"Do you think I'm stupid or something?!" Twilight demanded.

"Not at all, in fact, I believe you're the smartest pony in all of Equestria." Luna said with confidence.

"This is all so very unlikely. What is my real name then?" Twilight asked.

"It is Twilight Sparkle, and I am Luna Sparkle." Luna said.

"So wait, you're telling me Celestia has the same family name as me, and she didn't realize it this whole time?" Twilight asked skeptically.

"Well, actually, Sparkle isn't her family name. We aren't really sisters." Luna explained.

Twilight stared at Luna for a moment. "What.... WHAT IN THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!" She cried out, completely and utterly confused.

"I understand that this is a lot to take in. That is why I am telling you so briefly." Luna sighed a bit. "You see, one day, over a thousand years ago, the sun and the moon aligned perfectly in an eclipse. allowing two alicorns to be born to two couples, both made up of two earth ponies." She explained. "One was me, the other, Celestia. It was decided by the former king that we were fated to rule, side by side for all of eternity."

"This is ridiculous." Twilight fell back on her haunches, shaking her head.

"Twilight, it is true. I am your mother." Luna said. "I know none of this really makes sense..."

"Damn right it doesn't!" Twilight screamed.

"Twilight, please." It was very obvious by her voice that Luna's heart was breaking.

"No!" Twilight was fuming. "Why wouldn't you say anything when I beat Nightmare Moon? Why have you said nothing ever since?"

"I know, I know." Luna hung her head. "I messed up, big time. What I did was worse than Nightmare Moon."

"Oh, that's another thing, how the hell could I be the daughter of the pony that became evil and turned into Nightmare Moon?!" Twilight snapped.

"I think it's time you heard the story... the story that isn't in any book. The story of Daytime Glare." Luna sighed.

"Daytime Glare?" Twilight raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Yes." Luna said. "It happened just over a thousand years ago. The zebra were ready to declare war on the ponies, arguing for equal rights.They were treated just awful, no thanks to Celestia."

"Celestia?" Twilight laughed a bit. "You're trying to blame this on Celestia?"

"The Celestia you know is different from the one back then. Celestia was young, and selfish. She didn't care about the problems of the people, she only cared about being the ruler. She hated the idea of sharing her power with me. When I think back, I guess I should have seen the signs..." Luna hung her head, looking ashamed.

"The signs of what?" Twilight asked.

"Her change." Luna sighed. "You see, her greed and selfishness caused a change in her. Her coat got brighter and brighter until it shimmered with all the colors of the sun. She began becoming more secluded, not even wanting to go out to be praised by her subjects. She looked like Nightmare Moon, only... somehow, her light was so much more powerful, you couldn't even stand in the same room as her without being severely intimidated. The final straw for her was when the zebra declared war on her. Not all of Equestria, just her. Perhaps they were the only ones who saw what she had become." She wiped a tear from her eye. "I tried to reason with her, but she just kept pushing me away. The day after war was declared.... the sun didn't come... at least, not to Equestria."

"What happened?" Twilight asked, unsure as to why she was listening to this story that she didn't really believe.

"The sun came up on the Zebra Homeland that day... for the last time. To be more accurate, it came down on the Zebra homeland... there were almost no survivors..." Luna now had tears flowing down her face. "If I would have stopped her, if I would have just done it sooner..."

"Done what sooner?" Twilight felt a lump in her throat, as if she somehow already knew the answer.

"I took her evil into myself. Equestria needed its charismatic leader, it could survive without the princess nopony remembered. I knew what I was doing. What I was changing myself into, but... I suppose I had grown to really think of Celestia as a sister, and... well, I was willing to take her place if it meant that she'd be safe." Luna sort of rambled, trying to rationalize her change to both Twilight and herself. "If only I'd known it'd affect me that much..."

"Wait, wait, wait, you're telling me that the Princess was a big, evil dictator, and you took in her evil, which turned you into Nightmare Moon, but she had more evil than you thought?" Twilight rubbed her temples, trying to comprehend this.

"I can understand why you wouldn't believe me." Luna sighed.

"Why would you pick Lyra, anyways? Why wouldn't you just do something like... oh, I don't know, take over Celestia and make her send you back to Equestria?" Twilight said.

"As for Lyra, she was a good pony with a pure heart, even the littlest bit of corruption could be sensed by Nightmare Moon, so I had to pick her. I communicated with her through a kind of telepathy, and I explained my plight. She seemed more than happy to help. She even agreed to allow me to have her be pregnant." Luna said, a bit sadly.

"W-who was my father, then?" Twilight asked, hoping that she was being tricked.

"You do not have a father." Luna sighed a bit. "I know it may be hard to believe, but I impregnated myself."

"W-what? Why?!" Twilight demanded.

"Because I knew... I knew that only a pony that was extremely powerful in the element of magic could defeat Nightmare Moon, only the child of two alicorns. As for not taking over Celestia, well, I asked to be sent to the moon." Luna said, waving a hoof a bit.

"Why would you do that?" Twilight asked.

"I knew that what I was becoming, what was taking over me, I knew that it was an enormous danger to all of Equestria, and couldn't exist here on Earth." Luna sighed. "I know you must not believe me. I don't even believe me sometimes."

"Luna... I don't know why, but I believe you." Twilight thought back to her mishaps with Pinkie's strange signals that would somehow tell her something was going to happen, wondering to herself why her skepticism had gone away so quickly in this case. Was it this emotion that had encompassed her life these past few days? Was it the emotion of love? She shook her head, trying to focus. She looked to her back, small feathers beginning to grow from the bumps on her side. She shuddered a bit, trying to get back to the conversation, thinking she must have just imagined it or something. "But if what you say is true, what is making Celestia evil again?"

"You mean you haven't heard about Cloudsdale?" Luna asked. "I thought for sure that everypony would know by now..."

"Know what?" Twilight asked.

"Cloudsdale has seceded from Equestria, and is now declaring war if Celestia doesn't step down." Luna sighed.

"Then... then... the reason she's locking us up must be..." Twilight gasped with realization.

"Correct, she is getting rid of everypony that could force her to step down, I believe." Luna frowned.

Twilight racked her brain, trying to figure out what to do. "Wait... the elements got rid of your evil, maybe we could do the same with Celestia." She nodded, smiling.

"Sorry, Twilight, I tried that when she first began her change. It would appear that her evil was better protected than Nightmare Moon's, it would appear that there is a secret seventh element that nopony knows about." Luna said.

"Yes, one of my books said something about a seventh element that was too powerful to be held by any one pony. But I couldn't find anything on what that element was." Twilight nodded. "I didn't really believe it, I mean, sure, nopony knew about the original six to begin with, really, but to have a super-secret seventh just seemed ridiculous."

"I can assure you, the book was right. There is a seventh element that not a single pony understands, not that we really understand how the six we have discovered work." Luna sighed a bit. "Twilight, I know that it doesn't mean much now..." Luna frowned, staring down at her hooves. "But I'm very sorry I couldn't be there as your mother like I should have been. I feel just awful."

"Luna... um... Mom... I don't blame you. I do feel kind of upset that my entire existence is for the reason that you thought I could beat Nightmare Moon, but I don't think you meant any harm by it." Twilight said after a long pause. She shook her head. Did I really just say that? She thought to herself. This pony that I barely know is telling me she's my mother, and now I'm saying it's fine? What the hell is wrong with me?

"I'm very glad to hear that." Luna sighed with relief.

"As of right now, we have more important matters to deal with, anyways." Twilight said.

"Such as?" Luna asked.

"Well, for one, I believe it's about time we pay our princess a little visit, and after that, we have to go and convince Cloudsdale to rejoin Equestria." Twilight said.

"You always were quite the planner." Luna laughed.

"Thanks." Twilight blushed a bit. "I'd better go through first, Mac will be happy to see me."

"Mac, you say?" Luna asked inquisitively.

"Yes." Twilight blushed a bit. "He's my mate..."

"Well, well, well." Luna laughed a small bit.

Twilight hopped into the dirt hole in the wall, an overwhelming sense of happiness strangely encumbering her. She didn't think that a revelation such as this would ever make her happy, but here she was, grinning like a fool as she crawled through a tunnel of dirt to the jail cell she had been placed into. What in the world could it have been that has made me so happy? She thought to herself. She looked back at the pony crawling behind her, smiling brightly. This pony, the one she traveled through hell to defeat, was her mother. And she didn't think she could have asked for a better mother. She looked at the bit of light at the end of the tunnel that was her cell, containing her lover. She sighed blissfully. "Yup." She murmured to herself. "I've got it made."

End of Twilight's Second Story

Well, hot dang, one hundred tracking this story. I'll post a special chapter sometime soon in addition to my next chapter, which, by the way, if you want spoilers to it, here is a big one. I put it in picture form so that you don't have to see it, and I didn't want to post a different chapter for it or anything. This right here is for real, yo, I double checked it and it makes sense this time.

A Party for the Ages - Pinkie Pie's Story

As the broken record that is I said: "Thanks to Claudia Donovan for the picture."

Author's note: This chapter takes place the day before Twilight and Big Macintosh left for Canterlot.

Pinkie Pie bounced happily around the shop, cleaning up from the mess Apple Bloom had made earlier. Her ear began to flop. Her eye fluttered and her knee twitched. "I wonder who that could be?" She said to herself. A knock came to the door. "Come iiiiiiiiin." Pinkie practically sang.

Applejack opened the door, stepping into the bright room that was Sugarcube Corner's kitchen. "Howdy, there, Pinkie."

Pinkie gasped. "Hi Applejack! Did you come here looking for snacks, because I've got some snacks! I've got cupcakes, and candy, and I've got cupcakes... did I say that already? Oh well, I still have them! So, do you want them? Huh, huh, huh?" Pinkie rattled on.

"Hold on there, sugarcube, I ain't really got time to get into pleasantries with ya'. With Big Macintosh gettin' ready to go to Canterlot, I gotta work double if we want all our apple bucking done by the time winter comes. I came here because there's a new pony in town and I know y'all like to throw parties for every new pony." Applejack said, obviously very tired. "His name's Stefano, and he's holed up over at that little shack near Sweet Apple Acres."

"Oh, boy! I can't wait to throw him a party! I'll bet he's tons of fun!" Pinkie grinned the wide grin that her friends rarely see her without.

"Just you be careful, sugarcube, he's kinda' grabby with mares." Applejack said, a bit dismayed.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm slippery!" Pinkie grinned, hopping in place.

Applejack shook her head a bit, laughing. "Good luck, hon. Y'all may need it." She walked out the door, sparing one more worried look back at Pinkie before shutting the door.

"Oh, boy, a new pony is in town!" Pinkie Pie giggled excitedly. "I can't wait to introduce him to everypony!" She hopped over to the window, turning the open sign around to closed, and bounced out the door. "Hello, new neighbor... no, wait.... Greetings, new neighbor... no, wait... Welcome, new neighbor!" Pinkie sang each line a few times to see how it would sound. "Yeah, that'll work." She giggled, bouncing past the Carousel Boutique and the library, singing to herself. "Is this it?" She wondered, stopping by the small shack that Applejack had told her that Stefano was staying at. She smashed her face on the door a few times, which was her own little way of knocking.

The door opened to reveal a pony with a dark blue coat, his mane was jet black, and slicked back straight behind his head. But his most distinguishing feature was the small mustache that clung to his upper lip. "Allo?" He said, raising an eyebrow. "What is this? A beautiful mare on my front porch? Must be a gift from the heavens!" He had a very strong latin accent, all of his r's were rolled, and his i's sounded like e's.

Pinkie Pie stared at him for a few seconds before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. "Your voice! It's so funny!" She giggled.

"Ah, chica, you wound me." The stallion said, turning his face away from her. "But I shall persevere! Would you care to join me for tea?"

"Oh, right! I forgot that you're new here!" Pinkie Pie cleared her throat, humming a note. She burst into song.
"Welcome, new neighbor, I hope you like our town!
We all love new faces, so thanks for coming down!
We're glad you chose our humble burg, where good times never end!
We're all so very glad you came, we'd like to all be friends!"
Pinkie finished her song, grinning at the confused stallion.

"Well... I thank you..." The stallion looked very very confused. "But, about the tea?" He shook his head a bit, trying once again to pour on the charm.

"Okay!" Pinkie grinned. "But after that I have to go get a party ready for you!"

"I see, so you enjoy the parties?" Stefano asked.

"I love parties! Do you love parties?! I love parties because they're parties! What's your favorite thing about parties?!" Pinkie asked excitedly.

"I enjoy the chance to look at beautiful ponies. But none I have met so far have rivaled your beauty." Stefano gave a small bow to Pinkie Pie.

"Oh! That reminds me, I still have to introduce you to Rarity! She's really pretty! She'd love you! She loves good-looking stallions, except for Prince Blueblood, but he was a big dumb meanie-head." Pinkie Pie giggled.

"Ah, good-looking stallions like myself, yes?" Stefano smiled proudly.

"Sure. I think Rarity would call you... a... a..." She tried to recall the word. "Oh, I remember! A hunk!"

"Ah, you flatter me, miss." Stefano bowed slightly. "Please, come in."

"Okay!" Pinkie Pie grinned, hopping in. "Oooooooh." She said, looking around the house. It was decorated with various statues and paintings. The walls were brilliantly striped with a multitude of bright colors: reds, greens, blues, all the colors of the rainbow.

"Do you like my decor?" Stefano asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow.

"It's so pretty!" Pinkie's eyes were wide with excitement. "It reminds me of Sugarcube Corner!"

"It reminds me of your beautiful eyes." Stefano took her hooves in his. "You are a gorgeous creature, and I do not even know your name. Tell me so I may shout it from the rooftops!"

"I never told you my name?!" Pinkie gasped, jumping up. "Oh my gosh, how could I forget?! I'm Pinkie Pie! I loooove parties!"

"Allow me to greet you how my people greet each other, with a kiss." Stefano leaned in.

Pinkie Pie giggled. "That's silly! If you kiss everypony, then what do you do with your mate?" She snorted a bit.

"Ah, chica, you have speared this poor stallion in the heart with your harsh words." Stefano feigned fainting.

Pinkie Pie giggled. "You're funny! I like you! You're going to have a good party!"

"Ah, of course, chica, the party." Stefano nodded a bit.

"Sorry to leave you so quickly, but I've got to get things set up! I'll come get you when the party's ready!" Pinkie Pie grinned.

"Ah, yes, chica, but first..." Stefano sighed as Pinkie bounced out of the open door. "It would appear the old Stefano charm will have to be turned up to capture this slippery mare. Time to turn it up to diez!"

Pinkie Pie was back at Sugarcube Corner, decorating with her seemingly endless supply of streamers from a small box placed next to her. She happily hummed her welcome song, smiling brightly. "He was really funny!" She giggled quietly to herself. Gummy stared blankly at her. "What's that, Gummy? Smitten? I am not!" Pinkie said defensively. Gummy's tail wagged back and forth, his tongue poking out of the side of his mouth.

Pinkie coughed a bit nervously, blowing up a balloon. She tried tying off the balloon, but to no avail. The balloon flew across the room, letting out a loud noise as it did so. Pinkie blushed a bit. "Oh, Gummy, what's wrong with me? I've had crushes before, why is this any different?" She thought hard. "He makes me laugh a lot. I guess that's different." She gasped a bit, bouncing. "I know! I'll go and tell him I like him, and then he'll say he likes me, and then I can set the party up with no issues!" Gummy yawned, blinking his eyes. "I am not being ridiculous!" Pinkie said. "Come with me and see!" Pinkie picked Gummy up, holding him up to her hair, which he promptly bit down on. She giggled, hopping out of the building. She spotted Applejack walking tiredly through the town square, appearing to be in quite a rush.

"Heeeeeey! Applejack!" Pinkie called out to the orange pony. Applejack turned around, looking very surprised.

"I thought y'all would be setting up that party right about now." Applejack said.

"I was, but now I'm heading over to Stefano's house to tell him I like him!" Pinkie grinned.

"Pardon?" Applejack asked. "You just met the feller an hour ago, sugarcube! Y'all can't possibly like him after that short time!"

"Rarity liked Blueblood before she met him." Pinkie said pointedly, still not losing her grin.

"And look at how that turned out." Applejack replied.

"Oh, you're just a silly." Pinkie Pie said.

"Now, now, Pinkie, don't you think y'all should put a bit more thought into this?" Applejack suggested.

"Nope!" Pinkie grinned. "Gotta act while I can! Don't want any other mare scooping up my stallion!"

"Pinkie!" Applejack was shocked at her friend's behavior. "This just ain't like you! Well, I suppose you've always been pretty eager..." She sighed a bit. "Just you be careful. I ain't gonna be happy if I have to kick his rear 'cuz he got y'all pregnant."

"Of course I'll be careful!" Pinkie giggled. "After all, I still have to set up the party today!"

Applejack sighed a bit. "Well, I gotta get goin'. Good luck with yer... whatever." She shook her head a bit sadly, walking back towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Pinkie bounced to Stefano's house, knocking on the door in the manner she always did, knocking her face against the door. The door opened, a very distraught looking Stefano standing in the doorway.

"Ah, it is you!" Stefano said. "That took... very little time."

"Oh, I'm not here to get you for your party yet. I'm here because I like you!" Pinkie grinned.

"Ah! You... wait... what?!" Stefano looked very confused.

"I like you! You're cute! Like Gummy! Oh! This is Gummy!" She turned around, showing him the alligator clinging to her mane.

"You flatter me." Stefano suddenly seemed much happier. "You have filled this past hour with dismay at your absence."

"You're silly!" Pinkie giggled. "So, do you like me? Huh, huh, huh? Do ya, do ya, do ya?!"

"Miss Pinkie... I have loved a great many mares, but... until now, none of them have made me feel as you have. Few ponies have made me work as you have." Stefano chuckled.

"I didn't make you work at all." Pinkie cocked her head.

"I do not think you understand quite how simple it has been in the past." Stefano mused. "But no longer! This stallion is a one-mare-pony forevermore!"

"I don't believe you!" Pinkie grinned. "You always were! You just didn't know it!"

"Uh, what?" Stefano asked.

"Nothiiing." Pinkie sang happily. "So, when are we getting married?" She asked.

"Pinkie, I do not think you understand how it works." Stefano said, a drop of sweat rolling down his cheek.

"Sure I do!" Pinkie grinned. "I like you, you like me, let's get married!"

"But, Pinkie-" Stefano started.

"Tuesday? Good idea! I'll go get everything started!" Pinkie grinned, humming as she hopped back to Sugarcube Corner.

"What have I gotten myself into in this new town of Ponyville?" Stefano sighed, shaking his head. "At least she's cute."

End of Pinkie Pie's Story

Author's notes: This was a bit more of a relaxed chapter, sort of a comedic relief to lead into some story. Don't worry, we certainly are not done with Pinkie Pie and Stefano.I liked the idea of having a saucy latin playboy attempt to seduce the oblivious pink ball of energy, and ending up being seduced himself. I tried extremely hard to keep the characterization in this one perfect, and I believe that I succeeded, at least on Pinkie's end. I made this a shorter chapter simply because there was not a whole lot of story to it, and it was really more of an introduction to future chapters. I still have no idea exactly how many chapters this will be, but I'd say we're probably less than halfway done. Enjoy this chapter, because it's the last you'll see for potentially a week, as I will be fixing up a few things in the older chapters before going on to the next one. Also, before anypony says it, there was a reason for Applejack to be in town square, and, as I'm sure you're getting tired of hearing, it'll make sense in a later chapter.

When It All Stands Still - Timepiece's Story

Timepiece sighed a bit, happy that the two female ponies has been too absorbed in their conversation to notice him much. He stayed behind while they went through the hole in the wall, leaving him alone with his thoughts. His head was pounding, and he felt nearly as surprised as the strange purple pony that was apparently Luna's daughter. In all this craziness, his life had seemed almost tame. He pulled a small device from its hiding place in his mane, pressing a small button on it. A tinny female voice rang out, echoing in the small room.

"Agent 4792, status report." The voice commanded.

"Agent 4792 reporting, I'm in." Timepiece cleared his throat a bit. "It would appear that there's more to this royal family than we thought. Princess Celestia isn't as crystal-clean as expected, and Luna appears to have quite a large secret under her sleeve. A daughter-sized secret. Luna has a descendant. A unicorn... well, an alicorn, soon."

"Good, good." The voice was laden with malice. "Don't act just yet, watch them, figure out their plan, then strike when the time is right. I am counting on you, Agent 4792. Don't mess up."

"Of course." Timepiece grunted, placing the device back into his mess of a mane. He sighed a bit, pretty sick of taking orders from the mysterious female pony. Unfortunately, this was the only way he knew how to keep his family safe, the only way he knew how to find the bastard that killed his mother. He hated the idea that some of the ponies he killed may be innocent, but he found that if he didn't think too hard about it, it didn't really bother him all that much.. He focused hard, making sure to get back into character. He knew it was slightly cliche, but he felt that when he pretended to be Timepiece, he really was Timepiece. He sighed a bit, feeling the timidity coming back. He was under control of it, after all, he was the one making himself like this, but it still felt weird. He jumped into the dirt tunnel, crawling through the soil. He poked his head into Twilight and Big Mac's room. The room was far too crowded for him to come in, so he simply stayed in the tunnel with only his head showing.

Luna looked to him, nodding a bit. "This is Timepiece. He is the one Celestia wanted me to mate with." She explained.

"Well, howdy, there, Timepiece. I'm Big Macintosh, but if ya' want, you can call me Big Mac, or even just Mac if you'd like." Big Macintosh smiled. Twilight was resting against him.

"You already know me." Twilight shrugged a bit. "Not really much else to tell... not that I'd even be sure that anything else would be true..."

Luna hung her head. "I apologize."

"Stop worrying about it. We don't have time for you to." Twilight said a bit impatiently.

"Right, of course." Luna nodded. "But as I was saying. I think Timepiece would be the best to sneak topside and alert the bearers of the other four elements. He would draw less attention than an alicorn, so Twilight and I are out, and Rainbow Dash thrives on attention, so she's out, and Big Macintosh is... well... big. Celestia doesn't seem to be as powerful as she was before... at least... not yet..." She frowned. "I sure hope the power of the six is enough."

"Well, the six were found on accident, really, maybe the seventh will be as well." Twilight sighed a bit. "I sure hope everything will be okay." She extended her newly grown wings a bit. They were still slightly underdeveloped, the feathers lying askew and the wings unable to extend to their full length. Her horn pained her as it extended. She felt more powerful magic than she had ever felt surge through her, only to be diverted to the brace her leg was held in.

"I say we just go up and give her the old one, two punch!" Rainbow Dash said, grinning.

Twilight sighed, rubbing her temples with her hooves. "Rainbow, this is Celestia that we're talking about. I think we'd all like to see this come out with nopony getting hurt."

"Maybe you would, but from what Luna says, Celestia deserves a good kick in the head." Rainbow said stubbornly.

"Hush." Twilight said. "If we do this carefully, we may be able to avoid a huge war."

"Say, Princess, what made your sister go bonkers anyways?" Rainbow asked.

Luna sighed a bit. "Well, I'm afraid somepony from her past has... shall we say... popped back up?"

"As in..." Twilight thought for a while. "Like, a rival or something?"

"Quite the opposite. There was a time when Celestia was kind, like the Celestia you all know. It wasn't really until after she left her mate that she began really getting bad." Luna said.

"First you tell us she was always bad, then you tell us she was sometimes bad, and now you're staying she turned bad after a while?" Twilight said a bit irritably. "How about a bit of consistancy?"

"When I said always, I was using hyperbole. I thought you of all ponies would appreciate a literary device." Luna said, seeming a tad miffed. Her face quickly softened. "I'm sorry, Twilight, I'm just a mite stressed." She sighed.

"I know how you feel." Twilight grumbled a bit.

"I know this is really hard on you, Twilight, and I'm sorry." Luna frowned.

"No, I love finding out that I'm the daughter of what used to be the most evil pony in existence and that my whole life has been a lie. Thanks, Mom." The last word was said particularly acidic.

"Twilight, that ain't like you at all!" Big Macintosh said.

"I know, I know." Twilight sighed, looking to Luna apologetically. "My whole life has just been turned upside-down, and I'm having some very conflicting emotions."

"I understand. Your recent... kinship... with Mr. Macintosh probably isn't helping." Luna said.

"I keep tellin' ya, you can call me Big Macintosh if ya'd like. I've never been too partial to 'Mr. Macintosh." Big Macintosh said, trying to be friendly.

"So, what do we do now?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Are we gonna send the pipsqueak up or not?"

"I don't want to endanger him..." Luna frowned, looking to him. "He seems to be frail, and I couldn't forgive myself if I let him be hurt."

Timepiece spoke for the first time the entire day. "I thought you were the dark one..."

"I thought you'd never heard of me." Luna looked at him, surprised.

"I didn't! I mean... I haven't." Timepiece said quickly. Damn. He thought. I'm getting sloppy.

"Well, either way, do you think you're up to it?" Twilight asked.

Timepiece sighed, a bit relieved. "Yeah, sure." He said casually.

Luna stared at him for a few seconds. "Then come with me back to our cell, it's the closest to the surface entrance, and I have to write a note for you to send." Luna stood, her knees shaking weakly. "The sooner I get this band off, the better." She mumbled. She weakly climbed through the tunnel, jumping out into the room, collapsing almost immediately. Timepiece followed close after her, frowning.

"Are you alright, Princess?" He asked.

"I'll be fine." Princess Luna said. "Alicorns can live without magic, we are just very weak. On an unrelated subject, when exactly were you planning on killing me?"

Timepiece stumbled back a bit. "W-what?"

"You are a spy, are you not?" Luna asked, still putting on a slight smile.

"I... I..." Timepiece was speechless. "How did you know?"

"Female intuition." Luna said. "Not to mention that you got sloppy. The whole communicating through small transceivers thing doesn't work very well when your mane is too short to hide it."

Timepiece stared at her, stunned. "Why haven't you gotten me, then? Why haven't you snapped my neck while I slept?"

"Oh, I could never do something like that. Despite what rumors Celestia may have spread during my incarceration, I have never killed anypony. So, are you going to tell me who you work for? Or are you just going to kill me?" Luna asked.

"You aren't even going to try to defend yourself?" Timepiece asked.

"I doubt I could." Luna said. "I'm severely weakened, not to mention that you're small, and could more easily escape."

Timepiece sat down slowly, unsure of what to do. "So, you want to know why I'm spying on you?" He asked, a bit unsure of why he'd be willing to tell her.

"It'd be nice." Luna smiled kindly at him.

"To be honest, I don't know. I've only dealt with her over the transceiver, and before that, some strange pony came to me due to my..." He cleared his throat a bit. "Distaste for a rival spy faction."

"Why?" Luna asked. "Did you used to work for the rival spy faction?"

"No." Timepiece sighed. "They killed my mother."

"I'm very sorry to hear that." Luna frowned.

"You're telling me." Timepiece grunted.

"So why haven't you killed me yet?" Luna asked.

"I was under orders to observe." Timepiece sighed. "I was not to act yet."

"Do you really want to be a spy?" Luna asked skeptically.

"Why wouldn't I? The pay's great, my family is guaranteed protection, and I have an outlet for my rage." Timepiece said.

"Because for every pony you kill, you may be putting many young colts and fillies in the exact same position you were in. You aren't a bad pony. You wouldn't do that." Luna said gently.

"Great, now the princess of darkness is lecturing me." Timepiece grumbled, obviously knowing that she was right. "You don't even know me."

"I apologize." Luna said. "But I think it's obvious from your actions that I seem to know you better than you yourself do."

"Shut up." Timepiece said quietly.

"You came here expecting to mate with me, then kill me, didn't you?" Luna said.

"No! I wouldn't have mated with you!" Timepiece's cheeks were rosy.

"You really wouldn't have?" Luna raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"No! Not at all!" Timepiece said.

"You see? You're not a spy or an assassin. You're just a kid that got in way over his head." Luna said gently.

"You're wrong!" Timepiece screamed.

"Oh, really? If you're such a big man, prove it." Luna challenged. "I won't believe that you are a killer if you don't."

Timepiece growled with rage, jumping on her back, placing a hoof on her chin and a hoof on the back of her head, preparing to snap the neck of the princess. An image flashed through his mind of the man who killed his mother. He was positioned exactly like he was, hooves ready to end the life of a pony. He began trembling, falling off of Luna's back. He shook, laying on the floor."I'm a monster." He whimpered, his eyes wide.

"Shhh." Luna put a hoof on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I had to do that, but I had to make you realize who you were."

"I really am a kid." Timepiece sighed. "A stupid kid."

"Saying that proves that you aren't." Luna smiled. "No kid I know admits to being a kid."

"I sure as hell am not a man." Timepiece said. "No man would go around hurting innocent ponies."

"You weren't a man." Luna corrected. "Now, I think you've learned your lesson pretty well."

"Thank you..." Timepiece said. "For everything." He pulled the small device from his mane, clicking a button.

The familiar tinny voice sounded once again. "Agent 4792, have you completed the task?"

"No, I haven't." Timepiece replied. "And I never will. I quit." He said the last two words with a strange jubilance in his voice.

"You what?!" The voice screamed. "Nopony quits on me! You'll regret this! I happen to know who your brothers are, and let's just say that you may be missing one or two when you return." The voice had particular malice, but it was out of control, as if she couldn't contain her rage. "In fact, I believe your brother is about to get married. It'd be a shame if somepony just happened to plant an explosive in the church set to go off at about the same time."

"What? Francisco would never get married! He's too timid." Timepiece said angrily.

"Well then, perhaps I could be mistaken." The voice had a strange happiness to it. "But I believe you do have another brother."

"...Stefano?" Timepiece gasped.

Well, this chapter has been kind of a nightmare for me. I've been far too busy to write lately, and when I have, I haven't been in the mood for it. On a completely different note, I am looking for pictures to make a new cover to this story. Either send the pictures to me through the private messaging system, or email me at ydderf.rm@gmail.com. I will send my eternal gratitude to all who help me in the form of Thanks Points, a new system of money that I just made up that has no value whatsoever. Now, for the moment that you have all been waiting for... this week's spoiler: I will be very surprised if anypony figures this out. Goodbye, everypony, and happy readings!

Between the Trees - Applejack's Story

Applejack sighed, leaning back against a tree for balance. She looked over the orchard, where many of the trees still bore fruit. She looked at the cart beside her. It was completely filled with apples, a small hill of them coming up and almost dropping from the cart. She looked down the row of trees at the barn. It seemed a million miles away. She hadn't felt this lonely since she'd gone to Aunt and Uncle Orange's. Granny Smith was visiting some relatives in Manehattan, Big Macintosh was at Canterlot, Apple Bloom was staying with Rarity during Apple Bucking season, and Applejack was left to tend to the farm and do all the work. She had thought about sending a message to Braeburn, but she didn't really want to be a bother. It felt a bit strange for her, it wasn't something she'd ever worried about, bothering anypony, but apparently, that's one of the things you develop with age. She stood up straight, her legs threatening to collapse. She laid down on the ground.

"I'll just take a lil' ole' nap right here." She yawned, having been working for about three days straight. She settled in, curling into a small ball, wrapping her tail over her own nose. "Goodnight Applejack." She sighed gently, dozing off almost immediately.

Applejack woke up after what felt like ages, her eyes too tired to open. She yawned, stretching out, her legs sore and aching. She winced a bit, opening her eyes a bit. She recognized the shape of her small bedroom in the farmhouse.She blinked a bit, looking about her. The bedroom was definitely hers. A picture of her, Apple Bloom, and Big Macintosh sat on the stand next to the bed, from just slightly after Apple Bloom was born. She smiled slightly, that day being one of her best memories. The room was very simple, the walls made of simple wood paneling, the only light coming in from the open window. Small bits of dust floated through the light, distracting Applejack's tired mind. She shook her head a bit, looking up. Her hat was hung on the small hook above short wooden bed. Her plaid blankets lay over her, and she was tucked in just how her mother used to tuck her in. She blinked. "What in the hay?" She sat up in the bed, rubbing her sore back.

"Oh, good, you're up." A small voice said. "Sorry for moving you, but I was a bit worried with you out there."

Applejack could swear she'd heard that voice before. She looked over to the source and she did, in fact, recognize the speaker. "Well, now, if it ain't Little Strongheart. What're you doin' 'round here?"

"Well, I came into town to buy some supplies for some renovations they're doing to Appleloosa... with the chief's consent, of course. Braeburn told me I should stop by and visit you while I was here. I saw you sleeping and I figured that I'd take you to bed. This room looked like it could be yours, so I took you here." Little Strongheart smiled at her.

Applejack smiled back thankfully for a moment, then gasped as she had a realization. "The apples! I have to go get the apples and get to work!"

"Settle down." Little Strongheart said. "I took the apples into the barn and I even bucked a few trees for you. The buffalo have been helping with the harvest lately. We're basically Appleloosians by now, we visit so often."

Applejack laid back, sighing with relief. "I don't know how to thank ya', Little Strongheart. Shouldn't you be heading back, though? It's gettin' pretty late."

Strongheart shook her head. "I sent a letter with the mailpony. She's a bit strange, but she's pretty nice. She didn't even mind going all the way out to Appleloosa. I told them that I was going to stay here and help you. I can just sleep in a hotel or something."

"Oh, really?" Applejack was a bit taken aback. "Well y'all don't have ta' go to a hotel or nothin', I'm here alone for a while, y'all can take Big Mac's room if ya' want."

"Oh, I don't want to be bothersome." Little Strongheart shook her head. "I still feel bad for taking Bloomberg, after all."

"Oh, don't you worry your silly head none." Applejack waved a hoof. "Water under the bridge. Yer' helping me with the harvest anyways."

"Well, in that case, thank you very much." Little Strongheart said, still looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Why, it'll be just like a sleepover... with no Rarity!" Applejack chuckled a bit at her own joke.

LIttle Strongheart cocked her head a bit. "What?"

"Long story." Applejack laughed.

Little Strongheart nodded a bit, still quite curious. She looked around the room absentmindedly, her eyes lighting on a small picture frame next to the bed. She stared at the picture, a strange knot appearing in her throat. The picture was of a younger Applejack, standing in front of a small apple tree sapling. At her side was a large red stallion with an apple half on his flank, an enormous smile on his face. On his back sat a tiny filly, no older than two years of age, a comically large red bow neatly tied in her mane. She was yellow, with a bright red mane that bore a strong semblance to the setting sun. The filly was grinning happily, her hooves wrapped around the stallion's neck.

Little Strongheart scrutinized the photographs, finding herself unable to pull away. "I didn't know you had a mate, Applejack." She tsked quietly. "And aren't you a little young to have a filly?"

Applejack laughed a bit. "No, no no." She shook her head. "Those're my kin. That's my brother, Big Macintosh. He's two years older than I am, and he handles all the financial matters on the farm. I never was one for those fancy mathematics." She waved a hoof absently. "The filly is my sister, Apple Bloom. She's seven years younger than me, and she tends to be a hooffull, but she's a good kid. You may recognize Bloomberg, he's the saplin' in the background."

Little Strongheart stared at the picture. "Why aren't your parents in the picture?"

Applejack sighed a bit, her smile slipping for the first time. "Ma' died while giving birth to Apple Bloom, and I ain't seen Pa' in years."

"I'm very sorry to hear that." Little Strongheart looked at the ground, feeling bad for having brought it up.

"It's fine." Applejack forced a smile. "After all, Big Macintosh is the best father figure a foal could ever want.

Little Strongheart sighed, her chest hurting her a bit. "I wish I had a father figure. My mother died shortly after I was born, in the yearly stampede, and my father is far too busy with his duties."

"Duties? What duties does your father have?" Applejack asked curiously.

"Duties as chief. Didn't you know? Chief Thunderhooves is my father." Little Strongheart sighed a bit. "Doesn't surprise me he wouldn't tell anyone, after all, he doesn't even seem to know I exist. I suppose I should be thankful. It sounds like your life's been harder than mine."

"I won't disagree with ya'." Applejack shook her head. "Each year's been a little harder for us. We've lost more and more apples each harvest, and that means we can't afford to hire help to buck the apples. And with all the disasters happenin' lately, mostly due to somepony or another's antics, our trees are getting destroyed out there!" She took a deep breath to calm her. The sky outside began to darken. "What the-? The pegasus ponies should have taken care of this! There was no rain scheduled for today!" She jumped out of bed, wincing a bit, her legs sore from apple bucking. She looked out the window at the gently rolling dark clouds, lighting arcing from one to the ground with a loud clap that could have waken even an ursa major. Applejack sighed. "Well, looks like you may be stuck here for a few days, this one looks like it'll be a doozy."

"I don't mind." Little Strongheart smiled a bit. "It'll be nice to have another female to talk to. I'm the only one in the tribe. "

"That's gotta be hard, havin' all that pressure on ya'." Applejack nodded a bit.

"Pressure?" Little Strongheart blinked.

"Well, yeah, it's mating season, after all." Applejack said.

Little Strongheart blinked. "What?"

"The time when all creatures get together and... well... they..." Applejack struggled with how to describe it.

"Oh, you mean they do it?" Little Strongheart asked.

Applejack's jaw dropped. "Where'd you learn something like that, L.S.?!"

"I've learned all kinds of things while hanging out around Appleloosa." Little Strongheart said. "I haven't actually tried it, but I've heard about it."

"Well, if y'all want to avoid it, perhaps y'all should just move here." Applejack said. "We have more than enough females to go around, it's males we gotta worry about."

"Wait... you mean here with you?" Little Strongheart asked.

"Interestin'..." Applejack laughed a bit. "But not quite what I had in mind. I was jus' sayin' you should move to Ponyville. We cater to all sorts here." Applejack smiled at her.

"Oh, of course. Little Strongheart felt the stinging in her chest return with a vengeance. It felt strange, wanting to get a feel for this broken family. The feeling of loneliness, the feeling of wanting a family like Applejacks, a family that cared about each other. Not a distant father, a dead mother, and a tribe that saw her as nothing more than their chance for reproduction. When Applejack spoke of her family, there was something visible in her eyes. A sense of love that surpassed anything Little Strongheart had ever seen. The love of a family. She shook her head, quickly wiping a tear from her eye.

"Ya' okay, there, L.S.?" Applejack asked.

Little Strongheart stared out the window for a bit, trying to come up with a response. Rain had begun falling gently. The leaves of the apple trees shuddered with anticipation of the coming storm. The rain glistened on the shiny apples. Reds, greens, yellows, all co-mingling, just as the buffalo were doing with the settler ponies, and just as Little Strongheart's heart was leading her to. There was something about the apple trees that made her feel everything on a deeper level. She loved apple trees. She never complained when the settler ponies were moving in because she got to see all of the pretty little trees, which were then just saplings. There was something beautiful about it, the process by which small trees become big trees, which become bald trees, which then go back to being a regular tree. The circulation of it had always impressed Little Strongheart. Perhaps when she got older, she too would become bald, only to once again grow all of her coat back and be strong once more. She found herself smiling at the thought of herself with leaves all over her.

"Little Strongheart? Y'all alright?" Applejack repeated.

Little Strongheart found herself blushing a bit, not realizing that she had spaced out. Suddenly, she remembered what she was talking about, and the bad feelings came back in spades. Her feelings of loneliness, of worry, of not knowing what was to come, but worst of all, the feeling of loving somepony she knew she would not be with. The feeling of the respect she had grown for Applejack possibly not being returned. The worst feeling in the world, the feeling of unrequited love. "Y-yeah." She coughed a bit. "I'm fine."

"Do y'all think ya' can get away with lyin' to the bearer of the Element of Honesty?" Applejack raised her eyebrow a bit.

"W-what do you mean?" Little Strongheart shifted nervously.

"I can tell 'yer lyin'. Don't try to say you ain't, because I can tell you are." Applejack nodded at her, sitting back on her haunches. "I promise I won't make a peep 'bout it unless y'all want me to."

"Well..." Little Strongheart thought for a moment. She wondered how much she should say. She wanted to tell Applejack how she felt, how her dreams for the past year had been haunted by her visage. How every waking moment filled her with dread because she loved a pony that couldn't love her back. She wanted to tell her how every night she'd be unable to sleep because her thoughts would always turn to Applejack. She wanted to say so much, but she knew she could not. She thought of how best to tell Applejack her feelings. "I'm..." She wanted to badly to say "I'm in love with you," but she just couldn't, so she quickly came up with an excuse. "I'm jealous of you, Applejack." Her statement was not a lie, she truly was jealous of the gorgeous orange pony.

"Jealous? Of me?" Applejack asked, seeming almost amused by the notion.

"Yeah." Little Strongheart was a bit relieved she didn't say what she was really thinking. "You have a job, a loving family, and all of those friends you have... All I have is my tribe, and they don't even really like me that much.

"Oh, sure they do, sugar cube." Applejack patted Little Strongheart's back comfortingly.

Electricity ran down Little Strongheart's spine at her crush's touch. She bit her lips to stop herself from saying anything about it. She cleared her throat a bit. "Not for anything other than doin-" She paused for a moment, looking to Applejack. "Other than mating." She corrected.

"Now I don't believe that 'fer one second. Not that I don't think that they want to mate with you, but I think they like you and want to mate with you..." Applejack frowned a bit. "Wait, that didn't quite come out right. Anyways, about your sleeping arrangements, it's just me an' Apple loom here 'til matin' season's over. Problem is, Big Macintosh never really cared for beds, said they were too unnatural or somethin'..." Applejack laughed a bit at the ridiculousness of it all. "Anyways, his room's just got straw. I s'pose we could be bed buddies, if y'all don't have an issue with that." Applejack suggested.

"Yes!" Little Strongheart said quickly. She blushed lightly, coughing a bit. "I mean... sure, if you want."

Applejack looked at Little Strongheart strangely, cocking her head a bit. "Anyways..." She finally ceased her scrutiny, turning her head back to the window. "So, why'd you say you came here again?" She sat in front of the window, staring out at the apple trees.

"Well, the chief... my dad sent me to Appleloosa to help them get ready for winter. They sent me here to pick up some supplies. I don't really remember what they were. I mean, it seems like they'd be able to get most supplies there, but who am I to judge. They surely know what they need."

Little Strongheart shrugged a bit. "I'm just glad to leave all of those males back there."

"So, does that mean..." Applejack coughed a bit. "Are you one of them that likes... that likes females?"

"Never really thought about it." Little Strongheart shrugged. "It's really more that there's someone I had in mind..." She began kicking herself mentally. Why did I just say that?! She screamed inside her head.

"You go, gal. Who is it?" Applejack asked. "Come on, spill it."

"Well..." Little Strongheart bit her lip. "It's somepony you know..."

"A pony I know?" Applejack thought for a moment. "Oh! Braeburn! It's gotta be Braeburn. Good job, L.S., he's quite the catch."

Little Strongheart braced herself, ready to confess, ready to tell Applejack just how she felt. "No, it's..."

"It's Rarity, ain't it? I don't know a mare or a stallion alive that ain't thought of it at one point." Applejack nodded.

Little Strongheart sighed a bit. This confession would be easier without the interruptions. "No! It's..."

"Don't tell me it's Spike. I know y'all like dragons, but I didn't think you liked them." Applejack grimaced a bit.

Little Strongheart groaned loudly. "It's you!" Little Strongheart screamed. "I like you..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of her confession setting in slowly. She looked to the floor, wanting nothing more than to jump out of the window, but her small legs refused to move.

"Oh..." Applejack said quietly.

"I'm sorry." Little Strongheart sighed. "Go ahead and tell me that you don't like me back." She felt very childish saying such a thing, as if she was going to pout at any moment. More than anything, though, she wanted to cry. Tears pushed through her eyelids, wetting her cheeks as they rolled gently down her cheeks.

"I can't..." Applejack said after a few minutes. "I can't say that honestly..."

Little Strongheart's ears perked up a bit. "Really?"

Applejack shrugged slowly. "You're rugged, strong, and perty cute." She sighed quietly. "Unfortunately, I don't really have the time or energy for a relationship these days..."

"Oh... of course..." Little Strongheart sighed.

Applejack frowned. "Of course, we'll be stuck here alone for a few days until the rain clears up, and Apple Bloom's always wantin' to stay at Rarity's, apparently she lets them sleep in the boutique. We could always just hang out for a few days and see where it takes us."

Little Strongheart looked up at Applejack. "Hang out?"

"Y'know, hang out." Applejack shrugged. She thought for a moment. "Although, if the weather allows, I've got somewhere to be tonight."

"Where?" Little Strongheart asked.

"Well, y'all remember Pinkie Pie, don'tcha?" Little Strongheart nodded. "Well, in a few hours, she's getting married." Applejack sighed a bit.

"Really?" Little Strongheart gasped.

"Really." Applejack nodded. "I'd always figured Rarity'd be the first of us to get married. Whoo boy, I sure hope she don't find out 'bout the weddin'."

"Why not?" Little Strongheart asked.

"I'll explain it later." Applejack said, thinking for a moment. "Hey, do y'all wanna go to the wedding with me? I s'pose it'd be like... a date of sorts." Applejack shrugged a little bit.

"Of course!" Little Strongheart shouted excitedly.

Applejack laughed. "Yer quite different now than you were back by Appleloosa, L.S."

"I've been spending more time in Appleloosa than with the tribe. I suppose I'm more pony than buffalo now." Little Strongheart laughed.

"You do look it quite a bit." Applejack laughed along with her. "Welp, we should probably get ready for this shindig." Applejack said, moving from the spot by the window she'd occupied for quite a while. "Let's go shock some ponies."

Little Strongheart smiled at her."Sounds like a plan."

The End of Applejack's Chapter

Whew. Here we are, the next chapter. Sorry this one's taken so long, but situations were crazy between having school stuff, band competitions, and play practice to deal with. And to make matters worse, I just went through a pretty bad breakup and that's the last time you want to write a romance story. Also, starting with this story, all of my writing will be done by hand first, then transferred to computer to give myself a chance to proofread before sending it to my proofreader. Oh, by the way, did I mention that I have a prereader now? Thanks a bunch to JuyUnseen for being my official proofreader. From now on, expect, if we're lucky, a schedule of a chapter every two weeks. As a side note, (I really should organize this part more,) I am still looking for pictures to replace the rather bland title picture that currently serves as the picture. I have been working my fingers to the bone today trying to get an entirely new story out for Halloween, but time, not to mention at times the stuff I write about makes me a bit sick to my stomach, (I should probably be institutionalized,) have prevented me from finishing, so maybe coming up within the next week. Also, to any bronies from the Western Michigan area, I am planning on going to the brony meetup that is currently being set up, so if I hear that any of you are going, I may just have to distinguish myself so you can punch me in the face for messing up a few chapters. As for the next chapter, I won't give you a spoiler hint with some hidden message or anything, but I will ask a question that is related. (Don't worry, I wouldn't abandon my Fluttershy, I just want hers to come in a place where it fits in to the story.) Anyways, the question is: does it piss anyone else off that Derpy Hooves/Ditzy Doo is almost always portrayed in fics as either mentally challenged or total badass? Why is there no middle ground. Anyways, I've talked enough, and I don't know if any of you are still reading, so if you are, have an internet cookie. I love you guys. Bye! (Man, I'm long winded, aren't I?)

When Earth Kisses Sky - Ditzy Doo's Story

I will make no excuses for the very very long absence. I will simply say that I do plan on finishing this story.

--==--

Braeburn hummed, wiping the sweat from his brow. He looked about him at the nearly-bare apple trees surrounding him. He smiled a bit, watching a young colt kicking at a tree, trying to coax the apples from their spot closer to the heavens. Braeburn trotted towards him, rubbing the small colt's head playfully. "Havin' fun, Bucky?"

"No, I shore ain't!" The little pony frumped, groaning with frustration. His short, frizzed mane was a bright blonde color, slightly browned with dust. His coat was a very bright white, or rather, it would be were it not for the dust turning it a light brown. His eyes were a very light shade of blue, and were squinted with concentration "Ya' see, I figger that everypony's name is usually what they're good at, right? Mah name's Bucky, so I'll probably get a cutie mark fer buckin' apples, right?"

Braeburn laughed, shaking his head a bit. "That's a good idea there, Bucky, but apple bucking ain't really somethin' that anypony as young as y'all can do. I didn't start 'til I was 'bout twelve." Braeburn smiled comfortingly at Bucky.

"Hey, Braeburn, when's my ma comin' back from Canterlot?" Bucky asked, looking up at Braeburn, his eyes large and sad.

"Umm... soon, Bucky, soon... Hey, why don't you try buckin' the apples again? Maybe you'll get it this time!"

"Yeah, I'll do it! I"ll get it!" The colt giggled, his large eyes glistening with excitement. He turned to face away from the apple tree, closing his eyes and rearing up on his front legs, slamming his stringy legs against the thick trunk, small bits of bark chipping off as his hard hooves connected with the dense wood. The apples swayed, threatening to fall from the branches. Bucky stared at the tree, his eyes beginning to wet themselves with tears when he saw that he did not succeed in his endeavor. Braeburn coughed gently, kicking his leg to the side and skillfully hitting the tree powerfully, yet silently. Apples began to rain down on the stallion and the small colt. Bucky gasped, wiping the tears from his eyes, astonished that he had accomplished his feat. He jumped up and down with glee, laughing happily.

"Oh boy! Where is it? What's my cutie mark look like? Is it an apple tree? An apple? " Bucky stared back at his flank, searching for the image that did not exist.

"Sorry, Buck, but ah keep tellin' ya, These things take a while. Ah didn't get mine 'til I was quite a bit older than y'all. 'Sides, ya don't wanna grow up too fast, you're still just an itty bitty thing." Braeburn frowned, placing his hoof comfortingly on Bucky's back.

"Ah know, ah know..." Bucky grumbled, shaking a bit in his frustration. "Ah just wish ah knew what was right fer me!"

Braeburn sighed quietly, looking to the clouds floating gently above. "Ah know how ya feel, bud..." He paused, turning his gaze to the baked earth, cracked from the lack of rain. "More than you know."

---===---

On the outskirts of Appleloosa, A pegasus pony was flying closer with each impending moment, the small town now appearing as only a tiny dot. She hummed a tune as the air whipped past her, her eyes watering. On her side was a large, brown bag made of enchanted cloth, cloth that would never show any sign of wear and would never grow heavier no matter what was placed inside. It was the bag given to all mailponies by Princess Celestia herself, and so carrying one is one of the greatest honors most ponies would ever have. The pegasus sighed happily, her blonde mane flowing behind her, the sun glistening off her light gray coat. Her eyes were looking straight ahead, or as straight ahead as she could make them.

"Mom, are we almost there?" A small voice peeped from the pegasus's back. The pegasus looked to her back, smiling at the smaller pegasus that clung to her. The smaller pegasus was a nearly exact copy of her mother, except for her cutie mark. Rather than the bubbles her mother bore, the filly had a pair of racing goggles. Her large eyes were squinted, the wind causing her eyes slight pain and discomfort. Normally she would be wearing her goggles, but she'd lent them to her friend Scootaloo.

"Everything's always about speed with you, isn't it, Little Doo?" The larger pegasus laughed gently, shaking her head. "We'll be there very soon, dear."

Little Doo rolled her eyes. "I'm going to be a Wonderbolt, Mom, I have to worry about speed."

The filly's mother laughed gently. "Not everything is about speed, Little Doo. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the view. Besides, this may be a business visit, but I'll be taking care of some personal things while I'm here."

"But I'll be so boooored!" Little Doo groaned.

"Deal with it." Her mother smiled at her. "Besides, one of my friends is watching a little boy your age, I'm sure you two will get along."

Little Doo rolled her eyes a bit. "All parents think that any two foals around the same age will always get along."

"Well..." Her mother shrugged as much as she coud while flying. "We're almost there." She looked at the fast approaching town. Other than the train tracks leading from Ponyville to Appleloosa, the town was the only sign of life for miles. The town was very distinguishable, its large, colorful buildings contrasting the yellow, thirsty ground dramatically. The pegasus circled the town a few times as if she were looking for something. She gently descended, landing in the apple orchard next to Braeburn and Bucky. "Hello Braeburn! I have a letter for you." She couldn't hide the enormous grin on her face. She unclasped her bag and reached into it, pulling out a small, brown envelope marked to Braeburn.

Braeburn took the envelope, ripping it open with his teeth and reading the enclosed letter. "Ah see, so... there's a storm brewin' in Ponyville?"

The older pegasus shrugged. "I don't really pay attention to the weather. I have to deliver the mail no matter what the weather is, so what's the point in knowing ahead?"

Braeburn laughed a bit. "Just as bubbly as always, ain't ya, Ditzy Doo?"

"I told you, just call me Ditzy." The older pegasus smiled at him. "And I'll bet you're wondering who this social creature is." Little Doo was still clasped to her mother's back, looking up at Braeburn suspiciously.

"Not at all. This has gotta be the Little Doo I've been hearin' so much about." Braeburn laughed. "It's alright, I promise not to hurt ya'... So long as you listen to yer ma."

"Braeburn!" Ditzy Doo scolded. "You can't say that to a child!"

"You look like Apple Bloom." Little Doo squinted at him.

"I should. She's mah cuz." Braeburn smiled. "Gosh, I ain't seen her since she was apple-sized."

Bucky looked up at the pegasi in awe. He had never seen a pegasus in his life. Appleloosa was founded by earth ponies, and the few pegasi that used to live in the small town had left when the drought began, the year before Bucky arrived.

"Little Doo, dear, why don't you go play with Bucky? I need to talk to Braeburn." Ditzy Doo smiled at the filly still sitting on her back.

"Okay." Little Doo hopped off of her mother, landing with a small cloud of dust. She shook her head, her mane flopping about her. "It's so dusty!"

"You'll get used to it." Bucky grinned. "Come on, let's go! I know this place with great climbin' trees!"

"Cool!" Little Doo hopped a bit. "I love climbing!"

Bucky ran ahead down the path that ran between the yellowing trees, kicking up a cloud of dust in his wake. Little Doo ran up to him, catching up easily with the help of her wings. The two skidded to a halt in front of the largest tree in the orchard. The tree was leafy, and had small, infant apples hanging from the branches, which hung low to the ground.

"Wooooooow!" Little Doo grinned. "This'll be a great climbing tree!"

"It shore is!" Bucky grinned, jumping up and wrapping his front hooves around a low branch, flailing his back legs around, trying to raise himself up on the branch. The branch snapped, bringing Bucky to the ground. Little Doo ran to his aid, picking up the now even more browned colt. A deep scratch ran down his flank, a small amount of blood trickling out. Bucky groaned, trying to stand on his leg, only to have it buckle under him.

"Are you okay?" Little Doo gasped, looking around for anypony to help them.

"Do ah look okay?" Bucky said through gritted teeth. He winced as she gently touched his flank, slapping her hoof away. "That hurts!"

"Sorry!" Little Doo took a step back. "It looks broken..."

Bucky groaned, slamming his front hoof into the crusted earth. His face was contorted in a mixture of pain and disappointment. "Shoot! How am I gonna get my buckin' cutie mark now?!"

"I know you're in pain, but that's no excuse for language like that..." Little Doo said gently.

"No! A cutie mark for apple buckin'! It's what I have to be good at!" Bucky grunted, forcing himself up on three hooves, his back left hoof hanging on the ground uselessly.

Little Doo quickly got under him, letting him fall onto her back. "We have to get you to a doctor."

"The only one in town who knows a lick 'bout doctorin' in town is Chief Thunderhooves." Bucky said, the pain evident in his voice. "And he's all the way back in town."

"Well, I don't want to brag, but I can get there in 30 seconds flat." Little Doo smiled.

"Impossible! It's too far!" Bucky said.

"I won't let you stay in pain any longer than you need to be, Bucky, ol' buddy! Now hang on!" Little Doo grinned, happy to take any opportunity to show off.

"Well, I ain't really your ol' buddy, ah mean, we jus' met like, twenty minutes ago." Bucky said.

"Well.... still!" Little Doo laughed a little, lifting off the ground, adjusting her wing flapping to adjust to the weight of another pony. She shifted her weight forward a bit to avoid dropping Bucky. She took off like a blast from Pinkie's party cannon, racing towards the town, careful not to jostle the colt too much. She skidded to a stop, landing in the center of town.

"Well? Which place is it, Buck?" Little Doo asked. "By the way, twenty-eight seconds."

Bucky's mouth hung wide open, staring at her in stunned silence. "I-I... that one..." Bucky slowly pointed towards a building modelled after a teepee.

Little Doo smiled brightly, trotting happily towards the building, knocking her head on the door a few times, afraid to lift her legs and knock Bucky off. The door opened, a large, intimidating buffalo staring down at Little Doo and Bucky. Little Doo gasped, slowly backing away from the beast.

"Bucky?" The buffalo asked, his deep voice calm and soothing. "What happened?"

"I think I broke my leg, Chief..." Bucky winced, suddenly reminded of the pain he was feeling.

"I see. Bring him in, please, miss." The Chief stepped inside, leaving the door open for Little Doo. She stepped in, still nervous about the lumbering creature.

"You didn't tell me he was a... whatever he is." Little Doo whispered to Bucky.

"He's a buffalo, and I didn't think it mattered none." Bucky whispered back.

"Please set him down on the floor, I need to treat the scratch and wrap his leg." Chief Thunderhooves said, producing a bottle of alcohol and a sort of greenish cloth that seemed to be covered in some sort of gel.

Little Doo obeyed, carefully setting down the injured colt.

"You may leave, if you'd like, this will be fairly boring." Chief Thunderhooves began applying the alcohol to Bucky's leg, Bucky drawing back in pain.

"No. I'm staying." Little Doo said, sitting right in front of Bucky and taking his front hoof in hers. "Just squeeze if it hurts."

Bucky nodded, wincing as the alcohol was poured onto his leg. "This will hurt." Chief Thunderhooves warned, grasping Bucky's leg at the top and bottom, wrenching it from the strange angle it was at and putting it back how it belonged. Bucky screamed in pain, squeezing Little Doo's hoof hard as a few tears dripped down his face.

Little Doo winced, trying not to let Bucky see how much his squeeze had hurt her. She wiped the tears from his face with her free hoof.

"The worst of it is done. I'm sorry I had to do that, but we don't want it healing wrong." Chief Thunderhooves bowed his head in apology, then got to work wrapping Bucky's leg.

Bucky hesitantly let go of Little Doo's hoof. "Why are ya bein' so nice to me?" He asked. "We barely know each other."

"Because, you're my friend." Little Doo smiled. "Besides, your dad and my mom seem to be more than friends, if you know what I mean."

"My... dad?" Bucky looked at the ground.

"Yeah. You know, Braeburn." Little Doo nodded at him.

"He's not... My dad is... He..." Bucky frowned, turning his face from Little Doo.

Chief Thunderhooves leaned towards Little Doo. "His father passed on." He whispered to her.

"He... oh... I... Oh, gosh, I..." Little Doo frowned, not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry, I just..." A tear slipped down Little Doo's cheek.

"It's okay, y'all didn't know." Bucky put on his best fake smile he could. "I'm fine, really."

"I'm sorry... So, then Braeburn is...?" Little Doo asked

"He's just takin' care of me while my ma is off in Canterlot guardin' the princess." Bucky said.

"It is finished." Chief Thunderhooves said. "You should be able to walk on it, just no running. You'll want to go tell Braeburn what happened, he went to the mess hall."

"Mess hall? Like at camp?" Little Doo cocked her head to the side.

"Well, we ain't big enough fer a full-sized restaurant, but we need someplace to eat." Bucky shrugged, standing shakily on his injured leg. "Thanks, Chief."

Chief Thunderhooves smiled, nodding to him. "I will expect you back in two weeks, the medicine on that wrap should make your leg healed by then."

Bucky nodded, starting his way to the door, Little Doo close behind. Bucky hung his head a little as he walked towards some of the larger buildings in town.

"How did... what happened to your dad?" Little Doo asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"He was a conductor on the train when it crashed last year." Bucky said sadly. "And then mom had to leave, so now it's just me and Braeburn."

"Sorry..." Little Doo said quietly.

"No, it's fine. It gets real old pretendin' it didn't happen. 'Sides, Braeburn's as good as any dad. Speakin' of him, why'd you say him and yer mom were more than friends?" Bucky asked, turning his head back to look at her.

"Mare's intuition." Little Doo smiled, walking up so she was next to Bucky. "I can tell."

"So, yer dad is...?" Bucky asked cautiously.

"Up in the clouds, probably. Mom said he was 'just a fling...' whatever that means. I don't think I was supposed to hear it." Little Doo shrugged.

"And... Ah hope ya don't mind me askin', but what's up with yer eyes?" Bucky inquired curiously.

"My mother says it runs in the family." Little Doo nodded knowingly.

"Ah see..." Bucky nodded back at her, and for a while, they walked down the dusty road in silence. Bucky turned right and stopped in front of the door to a large, blue building. "Would ya mind? I'm not used to havin' three hooves."

"Oh, sure thing." Little Doo opened up the door for him.

"Thanks, Little Doo." Bucky smiled at her, walking in, limping a little.

"Call me Doo." Little Doo grinned right back at him, following him inside. She looked around the small tables, spotting her mother sitting at a table, her hoof placed on top of Braeburn's, with something different about it catching her eye. On her hoof was placed a large, golden ring.

--==--

Thirty minutes earlier...

--==--

Ditzy Doo nuzzled Braeburn's cheek, grinning widely. The wind rustled the leaves of the apple trees. "I've missed you." She whispered into his ear, moving one of her eyes up to face him, her other eye looking down at the ground.

Braeburn smiled back at her, kissing her snout. "Ah know, but we're both so busy."

"We both have children to take care of." Ditzy Doo smiled. "When will his mother be returning, anyways?"

Braeburn's face fell. "She... she isn't..."

"What do you mean?" Ditzy Doo slowly asked.

"His mother... she was killed protecting the princess..." Braeburn looked to the ground. "Ah just... ah haven't had the heart to tell 'im..."

"Oh, Celestia... how did it happen?" Ditzy fell back on her flank, her face flushed.

"An assassin... a pegasus... he brought a bomb made of that zebra boom powder..." Braeburn sighed. "Ah'm his legal father now... He's had such a hard life, ah just... I didn't wanna make it worse."

"You can't keep lying to him, though..." Ditzy Doo put her hoof on his shoulder. "One day he'll find out..."

"It's jus' that... the boy needs a mother... and so... well... never mind." Braeburn sighed.

What is it, dear?" Ditzy Doo prodded him gently.

"Ah was just..." Braeburn gave out a heavy sigh. "Ah suppose it's now or never... Ah know this isn't how you probably pictured it, but..." Braeburn reached into the pocket of his vest, pulling out a large ring. "Would you marry me?"

Ditzy Doo gasped, reeling back on her hind legs. "M-marry you?!"

"Yes." Braeburn's voice was tense, and his face was contorted in a kind of preparation.

"Oh, Braeburn, of course I will!" Ditzy Doo wrapped her hooves around him, her eyes beginning to tear up. "How long have you had this planned?"

"About a month..." Braeburn fell on his flank with relief. "I'd been waiting for the next time you came..."

"You're so cute!" Ditzy Doo grinned, smooching his cheek. "I can't wait to tell Little Doo!"

"Tell me what?" Little Doo asked, walking up to the table.

Ditzy Doo blushed a little. "How long have you been there?"

"How long should I have been?" Little Doo inquired.

"Little Doo... Braeburn has just asked me to marry him..." Ditzy Doo said slowly, unsure how she'd react.

"Really?!" Little Doo's eyes began to sparkle. "I'm going to have a dad?!"

"If yeh'll take me." Braeburn smiled at her.

"Of course!" Little Doo ran over and wrapped her hooves around him.

Bucky limped over to where the three were. "What 'bout me, Braeburn?"

Braeburn looked down at Bucky's leg, gasping. "What happened, Bucky?"

"I broke it climbin' a tree, but what will happen to me?" Bucky said quickly.

"Well... You'd be with me still. In fact..." Braeburn sighed. "Bucky, I need to speak with you."

"Okay..." Bucky hung his head a little. He trotted over to an empty table with Braeburn close behind. Bucky sat on the floor in front of the table, laying his head on the table. "You're leavin' me." He said sadly.

"Bucky, yer mother... she... Ah'm sorry Buck, but she died..." Braeburn looked to the floor, trying to keep the tears from falling to the ground.

"Ah know..." Bucky said sadly, his voice shaking a little. "Ah've known fer a while now... Ah can just... Ah can feel it..." He lifted his eyes, his head still resting on the dark brown table. "An' now with you gettin' married, Ah'll be alone..." Bucky kicked at the floor, his mind flashing back to when his mother was still with him and... alive. Being a part of the princess's royal guard meant that although she was still living with him in Aripona, she was called away so often that it seemed as though Bucky was on his own. He had to learn to fend for himself, since his father was at that time already in Appleloosa conducting the train. But whenever she would return, it would be as though Hearth's Warming Eve had come early. But now... Now he would never feel that happiness again, and he felt as though a black hole opened itself up in his heart, sucking in all emotions and feelings that he had, leaving nothing but a shell. And though he had felt in his gut that his mother would never return, nothing compared to the emptiness he felt when he heard it said. It was as if somepony had ripped out his heart and threw it on the ground. He closed his eyes tight, a few solitary tears dripping down his face, washing off some of the dirt to reveal the creamy white coat of the colt. He tried to hold in his tears, only succeeding in causing himself to cough uncontrollably.

"Buck... yer mother knew this might happen, so... she made it so that if it did, Ah would become yer father. Buck... Ah'm yer dad now." Braeburn reached his head across the table, kissing the top of his head. "An' I couldn't ask fer a better son."

"D-do ya' mean that?" Bucky sniffed, looking up at the stallion, his eyes filled with tears.

"Ah do." Braeburn smiled at him, reaching a hoof across the table and placing it on Bucky's shoulder lovingly.

Bucky jumped up from the floor as fast as his broken limb would allow and ran around the table to Braeburn, wrapping his hooves around the stallion. "Really?" He asked, tears freely flowing from his eyes.

"Of course." Braeburn held him tight, wiping a few tears from Bucky's eyes. "An' now yer gonna have a mother an' a sister too."

"Ah will?" Bucky smiled a bit in spite of himself.

"Yes." Braeburn smiled slightly, turning Bucky to face Ditzy and Little Doo.

The mare and the filly simultaneously smiled at the colt. Bucky walked over to the two, limping heavily.

Ditzy Doo gasped a bit. "What happened to your leg, Bucky?"

"He fell out of a tree... well, more that the tree broke and then he did." Little Doo informed her.

"The climbin' tree I showed ya?" Braeburn asked Bucky.

Bucky nodded slowly. "Sorry fer breakin' it..."

Braeburn frowned deeply. "Oh, no, this drought is worse that I thought... If the biggest tree in the orchard is so weak, the harvest will be ruined..."

"Drought?" Ditzy Doo frowned. "I thought the pegasus ponies were supposed to keep the ground hydrated enough to grow crops."

"They are." Braeburn sighed. "From what Ah've heard, they're refusin' to even talk to anypony that's not a pegasus, and even some of them ain't allowed. If this goes on, we'll starve..."

"Maybe I should talk to them." Ditzy Doo rubbed her chin with her hoof.

"No, Ah don't think you should. Apparently all pegasuses that get sent up there have to stay or leave forever." Braeburn trotted to her side. "When was the last time y'all were up there?"

"Oh, my, it must've been what... two years now? Why?" Ditzy Doo asked.

"Apparently somepony made themselves king up there recently. There've been talks of war." Braeburn lowered his voice so only she could hear. "If that happens... Nowhere in Equestria'll be safe."

"Dear Celestia..." Ditzy Doo gasped loudly.

The door to the mess hall slammed open, a darkish brown pegasus stomping in, snorting loudly, his messy blonde mane falling over his eyes.

"Dumb-bell!" Ditzy Doo bit her lip, drawing her face away from the door.

"Ditzy! So this is where you ran off to!" Dumb-bell angrily trotted over to her, grabbing her mane in his hoof and yanking her from her sitting position. She let out a scream of pain. "What the hell are you doing in this Earth town?"

Braeburn delivered a hard kick to Dumb-bell's side, the cracking of ribs echoing throughout the hall. "Get off of her!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.

Dumb-bell spit blood from his mouth, standing up as if nothing had hit him. "Who the hell are you?"

"Ah'm her fiancee." Braeburn growled, placing a hoof gently on the bloody spot on Ditzy Doo's head where a small patch of mane had been ripped out. "And y'all just got yourself into a world of trouble."

"This country hick is marrying you? Your standards must have dropped to zero after me." Dumb-bell sneered, walking back to the table, his access to Ditzy blocked by Braeburn.

"What does he mean, hon?" Braeburn asked, not taking his eyes off of the pegasus.

"Mom?" Little Doo asked quietly.

"Mom?" Dumb-bell looked over to the small filly. "So this is the little bastard child, is it?"

"Don't call her that!" Bucky grunted, stepping in front of Little Doo.

"And who is this useless little runt?" Dumb-bell reached out a hoof, smacking Bucky to the ground.

"Hey!" Braeburn fumed, his muscles tensing as he smashed his back hooves into Dumb-bell, his years of apple bucking causing his kicks to be powerful enough to crush bone without much effort. His hooves connected with Dumb-bell's front left leg, a deafening crunch resounding as the bone was pulverized, bits sticking out of the skin, stained red with blood.

Dumb-bell paid no attention to his shattered leg, simply staring at Little Doo. "Do you know who I am, little bastard?"

Little Doo slowly shook her head. "Don't do this!" Ditzy Doo cried out, her voice hoarse from her pain.

"I am your father, the pony that your mother tried to hide from you all these years. She was quite a slut in flight school. I barely had to get her drunk at all before she was all over me." Dumb-bell smirked.

"You're lying!" Little Doo shouted. "You're just a bully!"

"That's what they used to call me." Dumb-bell laughed darkly. "Now they call me Captain."

"How are you still standing?" Braeburn growled angrily.

"The king has given me magic that you earth ponies and unicorns could only dream of." Dumb-bell smiled his evil smile.

"Why did you come here?!" Ditzy Doo screamed at him, hatred seething from her voice.

"I came to take my blood. I want to teach the little bastard the pegasus way. And she can't do that when she's surrounded by scum." Dumb-bell chuckled a bit at his own insult.

"Over my dead body." Braeburn stepped in front of Little Doo.

"Mine... too..." Bucky coughed, a spot of blood appearing on his creamy white coat as he stepped in front of Braeburn.

"Bucky..." Little Doo gasped.

"This here's mah sister, and that means Ah gotta protect her." Bucky's legs trembled as he stood.

"An' this is mah daughter, an' Ah'll be damned if Ah'm lettin' you take her away from the pony I love." Braeburn growled, stepping in front of Bucky, almost face to face with Dumb-bell.

Dumb-bell grunted, falling to the ground, his shattered leg no longer supporting his weight. He coughed up blood as his cracked ribs began to affect his breathing. He limped towards the hall's exit, grunting with the effort. He kicked the door open with his good front leg, knocking it off of its hinge. He stomped outside, unfurling his wings, lifting a little. Every beat of his wings obviously caused him great pain. He took off slowly towards the sky, looking behind him. "You've made a huge mistake! This was the last bit of mercy the king was willing to offer! Remember the name of the king, as he will soon be yours as well! Remember the name of Discord!"

--==--

End of Chapter

Forced Romance - Twilight's Story

Thanks to Claudia Donovan for the picture!

Twilight Sparkle paced the floor impatiently. "What on earth could Celestia want to meet me for? She's never set up a visit specifically with me." She hastily adjusted a vase sitting near the door. "Spike, are the refreshments ready?"

"You betcha', Twilight. I've got daffodil sandwiches and carrot soup." Spike smiled proudly.

"Thank you very much, Spike. I'm so nervous. Celestia's never come to the library before, and I want everything to go perfect." Spike saluted her, laughing a bit as he ran back upstairs to clean more. Twilight nervously kicked at the floor. A knock came to the door. Twilight jumped, her heart pounding. "Okay, Twilight, you can do this." She whispered to herself. She blew out a puff of air, opening the door.

Celestia stood at the door, her royal mane billowing around her despite the lack of wind. "Hello, my most faithful student." Celestia seemed a bit distracted, looking around the library. Each book was placed perfectly in its own place, and each surface had been meticulously dusted to the point of perfection. "How have you been?"

"I've been lovely, princess. Please, come in." Twilight stepped aside, her hoof held out in welcome.

"Is Spike home?" Celestia asked, walking in.

"Yes, he is. He made some refreshments for us." Twilight smiled. "It isn't what you'd be used to in Canterlot, but I've grown to adore a simple meal during my time here in Ponyville."

"Twilight, I'm afraid I didn't come here to talk. I have... an alternative agenda that I must adhere to." Celestia confessed, guilt flashing in her eyes, along with another emotion Twilight couldn't quite identify. It looked almost like worry, or possibly even fear. Twilight shook her head a bit, convincing herself she was simply imagining it.

"Oh, really?" Twilight asked. "Well, what was it that you needed to discuss?"

Celestia looked to the ground, frowning. "Twilight, do you know what next month is?"

"Of course I do, princess, it's going to be mating season." Twilight thought for a moment. "Not that I'm going to participate." She added quickly, a light blush gracing her cheeks.

"Twilight, do you know how mating season works?" Celestia asked.

"Yeah, my parents showed me the book, or rather, I found it." Twilight shrugged a bit. She was slightly confused as to the origin of these questions. "It doesn't appeal to me much."

"I didn't think it would." Celestia sighed a bit. "That makes this a lot harder."

"Makes what harder?" Twilight cocked her head to the side.

"Twilight... Equestria is dying." Celestia frowned.

"What are you talking about? Everypony's happy, the economy's never been better, not to mention that there haven't been any major disasters since Nightmare Moon's defeat, everything's great!" Twilight smiled brightly.

"Twilight, surely you've noticed how few males there are. Ponies aren't breeding like they should be, and Equestria cannot survive without new foals each year." Celestia sighed a bit. "Twilight, you are going to have to mate this year."

Twilight's mouth opened in shock. "What?! B-but princess, how am I going to find a male that quickly?! How can I possibly do... that? It's so disgusting!" Twilight looked at the princess, her eyes full of fear and, for the first time ever, anger towards her teacher. "Please, don't make me do this."

Celestia turned from Twilight, looking to the ground. "Twilight, I am sorry, but in order for Equestria to survive, you must come to Canterlot. There is a male there that has been chosen for his fertility, and he shall be your mate."

"This is messed up, princess! You can't expect me to do this! And why have none of my books said anything about this?!" Twilight was fuming, unable to believe that this was the same Celestia that once taught her, that was practically her mother, that she had once called friend.

"We have had to keep it a secret, or else we'd risk ponies moving away to the Zebra kingdom to avoid it." Celestia sighed. "I know I am asking a lot of you, but you are the only pony I am giving a choice to, because I know you'll make the right decision."

"Princess, this is a big decision for me to make..." Twilight sighed, pacing the floor once again.

"Equestria needs you, Twilight. I need you." Celestia pleaded.

Twilight allowed herself to think long and hard about it. After all, being out of commission for a few months, not to mention that she would have to actually mate first, this was looking bad. But it was for Equestria, and maybe she could use it to her advantage. "I'll do it, but on one condition." Twilight finally said.

"Of course, my faithful student, what is your request?" Celestia sighed with relief.

"I want to choose the male." Twilight bit her lip, hoping her plan would work.

"Oh." Celestia seemed a bit taken aback. She smirked a small bit. "Did you have anypony in mind?"

"Well...." Twilight blushed a bit. "There is somepony."

"My, my, Twilight, you surprise me." Celestia chuckled. "Who would you like?"

Twilight looked down, mumbling something unintelligible.

"What was that, dear?" Celestia asked.

"Big Macintosh." Twilight blushed.

"Oh, really? The red stallion who works at Sweet Apple Acres?" Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Twilight shrugged a bit, blushing. "He's cute."

"I will have it set up." Celestia smiled a bit, relieved that her student accepted.

"When will I have to go?" Twilight asked.

"You will have a week to prepare, then you will come to Canterlot for a week, during which time... well, you've read the book." Celestia chuckled softly.

Twilight nodded. "I will see you then."

"Farewell, Twilight." Celestia smiled. She walked out the door, her chariot taking her high into the sky and out of view.

The entire week, Twilight refused to leave her home, and instead read every romance book she could get her hooves on, trying to learn the secret art of seduction. Spike wasn't helpful at all, because he just laughed each time she'd practice. The day finally came, the first day of mating season. Twilight nervously stamped her hoof, waiting for the time to come when the chariot would arrive to take her and Big Macintosh to Canterlot. A knock came at the door, causing Twilight to jump. She panted. "Okay, okay, you can do this Twilight." She took in a deep breath, opening the door. One of the princess's guards was standing at the door, his armor flashing in the midday sun.

"Miss Sparkle, I am here to escort you to Canterlot." The guard told her.

"Of course, sir." Twilight looked over his shoulder, a large red stallion already in the chariot. He looked very confused. "Hey, Big Macintosh!" She called out to him in a small moment of bravery.

The stallion looked to her. "Oh, hey Twilight, y'all know what's going on here?"

"Um..... no." Twilight blushed a bit. She climbed into the chariot with him.

The guard hooked the harness to himself and began to fly towards Canterlot.

Twilight shuffled her feet awkwardly, unsure of what to say. "So..... how is it going?" Smooth, Twilight, She thought. Real smooth.

"Fine, I suppose." Big Macintosh shrugged a bit. "A bit behind schedule on the apple buckin', but we'll make it, we always do."

"How interesting." Twilight smiled, a lump settling in her throat.

"You alright, Twilight?" Big Macintosh turned to her. "Ya' seem a bit distracted."

"Yes, of course I'm fine, why wouldn't I be fine? Everything's fine." Twilight said quickly.

Big Macintosh looked at her strangely for a second, but eventually just shrugged and looked off the side of the chariot.

Twilight remained silent for the rest of the journey, not wanting to say something stupid.

The two landed and were brought into a large, pure white chamber that felt just as much like home to Twilight as the Ponyville library. They had arrived at the castle's throne room, the room where Twilight used to give her reports to Celestia from. Large, intimidating marble columns stood like soldiers on either side of the main walkway designated by a red, velvet carpet. The two stopped directly in front of Princess Celestia. Big Macintosh immediately bowed.

"Mister Macintosh, rise, for today, you are more important than I." Celestia gave him a welcoming smile.

Big Macintosh slowly rose, very confused. "What in the hay is going on here?"

"Twilight hasn't told you?" Celestia asked.

"No, princess, I don't know what's going on either." Twilight winked at the princess, hoping she'd get the hint.

"Oh... Of course." Celestia smirked. "Mating season has begun, and you two have been chosen as one of the couples that will be mating this year."

"Matin'? Me? With Twilight? No can do, missy." Big Macintosh shook his head.

Twilight's heart dropped to her stomach. "W-what? Why not? What's wrong with me?!" She started to get mad.

"It's nothing against y'all, Twilight, but I couldn't possibly take advantage of ya' like that, even by order of the princess." Big Macintosh bowed to the princess again. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"No, you don't have to, you wouldn't be taking advantage!" Twilight pleaded. "It's for Equestria!"

"You feelin' all right, Twilight? Y'all don't seem ta' be actin' like yerself." Big Macintosh furrowed his brow.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." Twilight sighed. "I'm sorry, princess."

"I'm sorry as well." Celestia looked at the two, her eyes filled with yet another emotion Twilight had never seen the princess wear. This time, however, the emotion seemed to be malice. "But you will have to do this, it is too late for us to find anypony else."

"How can you make us?" Big Macintosh asked a bit angrily.

"Guards." Celestia turned to the two guards that were by her side. "Take them to The Mating Chambers."

"Princess..." Twilight looked to her. "You don't have to do this, I'll pick a different male."

"Wait, pick?" Big Macintosh blinked.

"I'm sorry, it is too late." Celestia turned from Twilight, turning her nose up at the unicorn.

The guards dragged Twilight and Big Macintosh into a small room made of stone. The stones were all pristine, and it appeared that this room had been deserted for a number of years, if it had indeed ever been used. A small cloth cot was the only furniture to be found in the depressing room, and even that was ripped. "You won't be coming out until the deed is done." One armored guard said.

"This is crazy!" Big Macintosh said angrily.

"Y-yeah... how dare they." Twilight said sadly. She laid in the corner, staring at the wall.

"Twilight, what did you mean you'd pick a different male?" Big Macintosh asked.

"I meant... well, I... I was..." Twilight sighed. "Oh, well, you would have found out eventually. The princess let me choose who my mate would be. I chose you."

"Why on earth did you choose me?!" Big Macintosh asked, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Because... because I like you, okay?" Twilight stared even more intensely at the wall, wishing she had never spoken.

Big Macintosh blinked a few times. "Really?"

"Yes..." Twilight said quietly. "I don't really know why, but... you make me feel all... weird."
"Twilight..." Big Macintosh seemed unsure of what to say. "You really wanted to mate... with me?"

"I did." Twilight sighed. "I'm sorry to have forced you into this situation."

"Don't be." Big Macintosh smiled at her. "After all, mating with a pony like you, as long as she's willin', well, that would be just fine for me."

Twilight's ears perked up a bit. "But, didn't you just say..."

"I said I wouldn't mate with a lady that was only doing it because the princess said so." Big Macintosh smiled at her. "I'm a bit sweet on you myself."

"Really?" Twilight's voice cracked, causing her to blush.

Big Macintosh smiled, licking her cheek. "Of course."

Twilight's face exploded in blush. She turned and looked at Big Macintosh, looking into his eyes. His eyes were staring gently into hers. She shook a bit, nervous. "A-are you sure you want to do this?"

Big Macintosh shrugged a bit. "If you are. It seems like the only way out of here anyways."

"Yes, I am." Twilight blushed a bit. "But... I don't really know how..."

Big Macintosh blushed a bit, although with his red coat, it was nearly invisible. "Me either. Ah' mean, I've watched while the animals have done... it... but I don't think that I could ever... do it... Ah may seem all big and confident, but between the two of us, I'm actually pretty shy."

Twilight sidled closer to the stallion, nuzzling his neck. "We have a week, we might as well start here."

"I don't know if I can do this... you are one of my sister's closest friends." Big Macintosh frowned a bit.

"Not tonight." Twilight shrugged a bit. "Tonight I am your mate. Nothing more, nothing less."

Big Macintosh looked at her, his eyes meeting with hers. "But you are more."

"More?" She asked.

"There is no such thing as just a mate. If we do this thing, we'll be together forever, whether we like it or not." Big Macintosh looked to her. "Are you sure I'm the stallion you want to spend the rest of your life with?"

Twilight smiled." I am more sure of this than anything I've ever done." She gently kissed his cheek.

Big Macintosh blushed a bit, putting his hoof around her. "Twilight, I think this may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship."

"I hope so." Twilight nuzzled his neck, smiling happily.

"Eeyup." Big Macintosh smiled, wrapping his neck around hers in an embrace. "I do too."

Twilight had a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she should be more worried about Celestia's behavior, but right now, all she wanted to do was lay on the cold, dank floor of the prison she was locked in and cuddle with the mate that she had basically caused to be kidnapped. And she had never felt more happy.

Bonus Chapter! Trivia and Other Little Things

Thanks everyone for sticking with that last mishap of a chapter, and I am proud to say that it is now back up with a few things fixed. I have decided to do a bit of trivia-type stuff for the bonus chapter, as it doesn't take long and can be quite entertaining. For those of you that don't want to read useless trivia, good day to you, and thanks for reading.

1: This story actually stemmed from a small idea I had about how to make Equestria seem less... well... perfect. Sure you've got the Everfree Forest filled with terrifying monsters, but the gentlest pony in all of Ponyville can take them down with almost no trouble. I decided that to make it less perfect, I would try to find a reason for the lack of males, or at the very least, a reason for it to be significant that there aren't many. I wrote the first chapter in about two hours, figuring I'd get flamed, swallow my sadness, and go about my merry way. However, while I was writing, I noticed something. I was actually happy to be writing. I wanted Twilight and Macintosh to have a happy ending. The overwhelming response certainly helped, so I decided that if I could write a chapter and have fun with it, two chapters could be just as fun. The next few days were a total storm of inspiration for me, during which I put out chapter after chapter of the story, slowly beginning to notice that people actually liked it. I am used to writing in the total dark or total comedy style, so writing in a romantic style was a huge challenge for me, especially since I find it very hard to stay on subject, such as right now, I began talking about how the story began, now suddenly I'm talking about how different it was.

2: I actually do love to read criticism from people, as it lets me know that people aren't just reading it, saying "eh, okay." and leaving, it tells me that there are people out there who want to help out any way they can, and want this story to succeed.

3: Speaking of succeeding, 16,000 views............ wut? The idea that this story could get so popular is shocking to me, especially since I don't think it's my best work. But the people have spoken, and who am I to question the wisdom of the brony community.

4: Before writing Rarity's chapter, she was my least favorite pony, and I honestly hated her. After writing it, well, I put my canon with the show's canon and... well, I like her a lot more now. For those of you wondering, here's my pony hierarchy:
-Fluttershy
-Pinkie Pie
-Twilight Sparkle
-Rarity
-Applejack
-Rainbow Dash

I realize that I just alienated about half the community, but I for one don't like Rainbow Dash quite as much as everypony else. No real reason, just my opinion.

5: (The final one before I go to bed to prepare my brain for writing the next chapter.) The whole reason for that last chapter having the picture for people to translate was so that I could see if people would do it. Honestly, I didn't think anypony would, simply because translating it isn't the easiest. Writing in Standard Galactic Script is so much different on the computer than on paper, which is why the first one was basically awful. For those of you who haven't seen it yet here is the picture. I personally love the way the text looks, and I have started using it all over, causing my teachers in school much confusion, hopefully.

See you all next chapter, I hope you like it! It contains an...

Story Update

I know, I know, I've appeared to be dead for the past few months. However, you will all be happy to know that I have the next chapter written and will be working on transferring it to my computer this week. The reason I haven't updated for a while is rather complicated. First I came down with mono about two months ago, and was sleeping essentially 20 hours a day. Once I had recovered, practice for the play I just completed was in full swing, meaning that I was home for about an hour a day. I am now more free, but only for two weeks, as musical auditions are coming up. I will try to release two chapters in that time, but I won't make any promises. Sorry for making you all wait, and thank you to those of you who have stuck with me. I love you guys!

My Sincerest Apologies

I know that by now you all must be extremely fed up with me, so I will implore you to just read this note. My life has been absolute hell recently. A beloved pet of mine has passed after a long battle with an illness, causing me to spiral into a slight depression. I am extremely busy working on getting ready for my music major audition next month, and solo and ensemble festival in just two days. I apologize for being so wishy-washy with release dates recently, which is why I have come up with a solution that will work best for me, but unfortunately will involve a hiatus. I am going place this story on an official hiatus for at least a month, during which time I will be finishing the rough drafts for the rest of the story. That is correct, I will be writing the end rather soon, however, once I have finished the writing, I will be able to release the chapters on a regular schedule. I apologize for the inconvenience I have caused for you all, and hope you all understand why I must do this. I still love you all and appreciate you sticking with me for so long. I am working hard to put out the best quality work I can.