Moving silently through the jungle, your team waits for you command. Pointing in the direction of a small fishing hut, they quickly surround and infiltrate the compound.
“Empty sir. But no worries, as me old ‘mam used to say: at least that's one less to do!”
“Your old ‘mam can go to hell for all I care Simons. Who’s giving us this Intel?”
“Celestia won’t say sir, but she assured me it was from a trusted source”
While Simons was a nice lad, you swear he had gone partly insane in the jungle. In fact, 6 weeks with out food or water was starting to take its toll on the whole group. The conditions where almost unbearable, with humidity levels souring to... wait a second.
“...she wants us to die...”
“Sir?”
“Don’t you see! Celestia didn’t send us out here to find Makarov, she thought we’ll...”
A clapping sound starts emitting from the bush, followed by a pony wearing a safari kit with a big, twirly mustache stepping out.
“Bravo sir, you’re almost correct. But who said that it was the real Celestia? Any who, since you have to be so selfish and try to live, I’ve been sent to do finish the job myself. Boys.”
20 ponies leap out of the dense jungle bush, there faces completely camouflaged with branches and leafs, surrounding you on all sides. You need to think fast.
A rope hangs over a fire swayed in the distance. A stand of fishing poles complete with bate stood a few feet away. If you could get to the fire, you could cause a distraction big enough to allow...
“Hey, you’re cool! Want to hang out a bit?”
What the? Spinning around, you see a girl standing there looking strangely… nice. Wait, what where you doing! You’re on a mission man, pull yourself together. This is no time for girls! Especially not ...
***
“Psst. Wake up! Oh no... *boot*”.
Snapping awake, you see Sweetie Belle sitting next to you, drawing innocently on a piece of paper. Wait a second, the classroom? Miss Daisy’s going to…
“You weren’t asleep where you mister?”
Eeep. Shaking your head as fast as you can, you can only hope that Miss. Daisy didn‘t notice. This could get you some serious detention if she finds out, or even worse a letter home.
What’s was wrong with you lately? Daydreaming in class was one thing, but about a girl? Man, things where sure getting weird around here. For one thing, it seemed like every pony in your class had gotten their cutie marks now. Sure, your mom said that these things took there time and that it‘ll happen eventually, but what about the funny things that happened downstairs when you woke up? And why are girls trying to take over your dreams! It made no sense....
“Just checking! Now class…”
Turing to Sweetie Belle, you mouth a thank you. Although she just carried on drawing, you could swear she was blushing slightly. Nervously laughing, you look away.
“…time to put what you learnt today into action. I want you to study the effects of the moons cycle and how Princess Luna manages it. It’ll be partners again, but to try and spice things up a bit, I going to pick them for you! Not only will it encourage learning, it’ll encourage friendship as well! Alright then, pick a number and find the person it matches. Simple! “
Pulling a number out, you turn around to see Sweetie Belle standing behind you, wide eyed staring at your card.
“Are you number 3?”
Oh no. Please no. Flipping the card over… 3. Dammit.
Her eyes widen up as you drop down on the desk. While Sweetie Belle was nice and all, she had always made you so nervous when you spoke to her and so you tended to...
“When are we going to do it then? We could go round mine now but my mom doesn’t really like me having people round while my sisters watching me. Something about being to annoying…”
Her face turning to the side, a puzzled look appears on her face.
“Are you ok? You look a bit…”
“Umm yeah, I’m fine… if your not busy you can come mine after school... if you want to that is…”
“Sure!”
With that, the school bell rings, followed by cheers.
“Alright class, remember the projects in for Monday. MONDAY! Don’t show up without it ok? Have a nice weekend!”
***
The walk home was a weird one. While the Sweetie belle you had always known was quiet and reserved, once you asked about her quest for a cutie mark the awkwardness vanished. For the next 20 minutes stories of rope slides, talent shows and some sort of stare where told.
“Wow, you must tell that to a lot of ponies…”
“Not really, only to you. I mean, it’s just you seem... different to the other boys...”
Different? What was that supposed to mean....
Without warning, a crack of lighting whips along the sky, bringing with it a sudden downpour of rain. Within seconds, everyone and thing around you was soaked to the bone. Running home you’re both stopped in your tracks by your mother.
“Dry your hoofs first, I don’t want... Oh my, aren't you adorable! You poor things, your soaked! Wait right there while I get you two a towel...”
Standing there, dripping in rainwater, you both can’t help but giggle. Sweetie bells mane had fizzled up to look like cotton candy, while you where sure you looked like a piece of art as well.
“I guess the projects off then. I’ll just get going...” Gently kicking the ground, a look of disappointment creeps onto her face.
“Well, if you want to stay for a bit until the rain goes away you’re more than welcome... I think I have Kerplunk around here somewhere…”
***
10 minutes into a hardcore game of Kerplunk, thunder crackles in the distance. Jumping up in shock, Sweetie belle wraps her hoof around you and squeezes tightly. Normally you would be horrified at such an act, but she’s shaking so much you can’t help but feel sorry for her.
“Wait... are we friends? Because I think we are but my sister says I’m a bit slow sometimes. Something about being a needle short of a sowing kit...”
Butterflies floating around your stomach again, you suddenly feel nervous again.
“Well, of course we are...”
“You don’t sound too sure...”
“Oh, I don’t really know”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t...”
“I mean... I like you, but I just get so nervous talking to you. I don’t really know what that means...”
“Really? I feel like I can talk with you about anything. The only other people I can do that with are, well, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Rarity...”
“And sometimes ... I get I funny feeling when you’re around. ”
“Like something’s floating in your tummy? My sister said that means that you like someone. ”
Blushing heavily, she puts her hoof in front of her face to protect her from more embarrassment.
“Not like I asked her about it or anything...”
“Yeah! It’s just like...”
As another lighting strikes, she clutches you even harder. Suddenly a idea so good you can’t believe you didn’t think of it earlier pops into you head. Grabbing a blanket and pole, you create a make-shift tent, complete with pillows inside.
“Well then, no lightning scares my friend! Get in, it’’ll protect us...”
Her cheeks still bright red, a shy smile appears on Sweeties Belles face as she looks at you before climbing in. Her smile is infectious, causing you to shyly smile back. Staring out the window at the storm filled night, she shuffles closer to you.
“Wait...So are you my boyfriend now? I’m confused...”
“I don’t know...maybe if you want to be?”
“Yay! Oh hey, those things floating in my belly again...”
Brushing her mane into yours, she snuggles up next to you. Feeling her heart beating against your chest, you eyes slowly... start to... *yawn...
***
As the sunlight breaks through the cloudless sky, you begin to wake up. Sweetie was still asleep, using your arm as a pillow, snoring gently with each breath. Slowly opening her eyes, she seems pleased to see you. After stretching her arms and yawning, you both walk down the to the... oh please no.
In a photo frame by the fridge was a picture of you and Sweetie Belle asleep in the tent together.
“MOM!”
“Oh I’m sorry, but you two but you looked so cute! And don’t worry Sweetie Belle, I rang your mom up, she’s knows your here. Oh, and can you tell her I’ll give her the photo when we meet up next. Now what do you two want for breakfast?”
“ What! Mom, how many did you take?”
“Oh only one dear. But I don’t know how many copies I'll make though, so someone better be a good boy or else grannies going to get a nice surprise! Who wants eggs?”
Even though you hate to admit it, she was clever. Really clever.
***
15 years later
“...and that’s how I met your mother.”
Lying on the floor, the young white filly simply stares at you. Tilting her head to the side, a puzzled look appears on her face.
“Wait a second …............ what’s Kerplank?”
“Ahhh, Me and your father used to play Kerplunk all the time when we where little. He never could beat me though...”
Sitting on the stairs, Sweetie Belle was clearly eavesdropping on your story. Popping up from behind her, a little blue foal jumps up and starts to pounce at the trail left by her dress as she slowly descends. Her mane dangling down the side of her red dress, she playfully picks up the young foal and sits down next to you.
“So your cutie mark to do with Kerplank then?... Oh oh! Mom, how did you get cutie mark again?”
“Oh, I remember that day as if it where yesterday. It was the day of the …..”
Even though you had heard this story a million times, somehow it manages to get told every other week. Glancing back at the photo of you two in the tent, you can’t help but smile. After all these years Sweetie Belle hadn’t changed a bit; still the caring, loving and slightly slow filly you fell in love with on that rainy day 15 years ago.
“... and when I was done, they all gave mommy a standing ovation! And when I looked at my flank, well it just appeared! Or at least, I think that’s how it happened... Oh look at the time, I think it’s time for bed now. Your moms got a big show tonight and ...”
“Arrr, but we’re not even tired yet!”
Taking advice off your mom, you point to a photo of the two siblings asleep together by the fireplace. Gulping, she quickly grabs her oblivious little brother and runs straight upstairs.
“You do know that one day she’s going to realise that everyponie’s already got a copy of it
... don’t you?”
“Well, we can only hope that day will never come... come to think of it, I think my mom has two copies of it somewhere...”
Rubbing her mane against yours, her gentle touch silences you.
“You look... stunning. Are you sure you don’t want us to come tonight? ‘Cause I’m sure we can get some tickets if we... ”
Blushing slightly , she covers her mouth with her hoof and starts to giggle like a school girl.
“Oh you. Don’t worry, I'll be fine. Sis and the gang are going tonight, and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo seem to have everything perfected on their end so it’s just down to me I think. Besides, it’s only in front of 20,000 ponies...”
