Love in Bloom

Chapters

The New Mare In Town
Impressing the Stallion Part 1
Impressing the Stallion Part 2
Stormy Skies and Warming Hearts

The New Mare In Town

Knock knock knock.

A pink hoof knocked on the wooden door of the home of Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville.

The purple unicorn was visibly disturbed, and with good reason. She was busy working on a new study into the infamous poison joke plant, trying to figure out how it and other plants like it worked. Nevertheless she answered the door only to be greeted by her friend Pinkie Pie blowing a noisemaker. On her head, a basket of envelopes. Though startled at first, Twilight remained calm.

“Oh, hi Pinkie Pie.” Twilight greeted.

“Hey Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully as usual. “Guess what? I’m having a party at Sugarcube Corner!”

“That sounds like fun.” said Twilight. “What’s the occasion?”

“Here’s your invitation.” Pinkie Pie said offering the basket to her friend. Using her unicorn magic, Twilight picked up and opened one of the envelopes. Twilight read:

“You are invited to a welcoming party at Sugarcube Corner. This afternoon at four o’clock.”

“Welcoming party?” Twilight asked.

“Uh huh.” said Pinkie Pie. "A new pony just moved to town! So I decided to throw one of my special Pinkie Pie parties to welcome her! There's gonna be cake and ice cream and a big lunch and fun fun fun fun fun!" She chattered loudly, hopping up and down as she did so. “So you gonna come? Huh? Huh? HUH?”

She lunged practically right into Twilight's face as she did so. Twilight was by now used to the hyperactive pink earth pony's mannerisms, but she still recoiled a bit. But it wasn't long before her face was split by a smile.

“Sure Pinkie.” Twilight said. “I’d love to come and meet the new pony.” Pinkie hopped around even more vigorously.

"Yipee!" She cheered. “Meet me at Sugarcube corner in one hour.”

"You got it." Twilight said. “Should I bring any food?”

“Sure.” said Pinkie. “The more goodies the goodier! I’m gonna go invite more ponies!”

Twilight giggled at her friend's exuberance. Pinkie Pie soon hopped away to go invite some more guests.

“What was that all about?” Twilight’s young draconic assistant, Spike asked. The youngster came downstairs, rubbing his eyes, apparently having been woken from a nap.

“Looks like it’s time for another one of Pinkie’s parties.” said Twilight.

“What’s the occasion?” Spike asked.

“There’s a new pony in Ponyville.” said Twilight. "So Pinkie took it upon herself to throw a welcoming party." Spike perked up immediately.

“Well I’m game for any party!” He said. “Thank you new pony!” Twilight just giggled.

Sugarcube Corner was abuzz with activity. Upbeat music played from sound system, courtesy of Vinyl Scratch. Ponies were conversing and enjoying themselves. Though there seemed to be a missing face.

“Wow Pinkie, you sure know how to throw a party.” said Twilight. “But where is the new pony?” Pinkie Pie giggled.

“Don’t worry.” She said. “She should be here soon. Rainbow Dash is keeping a lookout for her.”

Sure enough, the cyan Pegasus was sitting on the top of Sugarcube Corner's roof, binoculars in hoof.

“Let’s see.” said Rainbow Dash. She scanned the area for a pony as Pinkie described. A lavender blue mare with a long brown mane and tail, pale blue eyes, and a cutie mark of flowers arranged into a heart. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Rainbow Dash spotted the said pony trotting down the path. “Aha.” said Dash. “Target sighted.”

“So what all did you say to the new pony?” Applejack asked. “You didn’t ask her to come by singing did you?” Twilight found herself snickering at the thought.

“Of course not Silly McSillypants.” said Pinkie. “I just asked if she wanted to come by for some cupcakes. And then she said “Um sure ok.” then I said “Great! I’ll see you in an hour!” And here we are.” She bounced up and down like she always did when happy.

“She’s coming!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed coming inside.

“Uh oh!” Pinkie yelped. “Red alert! Places, everypony!” Every pony hid in any and all of the available spots they could find. Rarity stuffed herself in the coat closet.

“Oh dear, this is so unseemly.” She said. Pinkie Pie shushed whoever was making noise.

The new pony soon walked in. Not seeing a single soul inside, she grew wary.

“Hello?” She asked. “Anypony here?” She took a look around. The place seemed deserted. “Hello?” She asked again. Suddenly…

“SURPRISE!” all the ponies cheered. She yelped and fell over on her haunch.

“Oh my gosh! What‘s going on?!” She shouted.

“It’s a party!” said Pinkie Pie as she hopped over. “For you! Do you like it? Do you? Do you?”

The pony flinched a bit.

“For me?” She asked.

“Yep!” Pinkie Pie said. She hopped up and down faster than ever. Twilight walked over to them.

“Are you alright?” She asked the newcomer. She looked around and nodded.

“Yeah, just surprised.” She said. Pinkie Pie giggled.

“Well that’s good. This is supposed to be a surprise party.” She said.

“Parties are Pinkie Pie’s specialty.” said Twilight. “She threw one for me when I first came to Ponyville.” The newcomer giggled. “My name is Twilight Sparkle.” said the violet unicorn.

“I’m Bloomeria.” said the new earth pony. She stood up and shook Twilight's hoof. “Nice to meet you.” She said.

“Likewise.” said Twilight. She saw her other friends approach them. “Oh there you are.” She said. “Bloomeria, this is Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, you’ve met Pinkie Pie, and of course, Spike.” They all greeted her.

“Well boy howdy!” Applejack said, vigorously shaking Bloomeria's hoof. “Welcome to Ponyville!”

“Thaa-aa-aa-nk yoo-oo-ou!” said Bloomeria, her voiced altered by Applejack vigorous hoofshake. When she finally let go, her leg was still shaking. Bloomeria laughed nervously as she finally got her leg to stop shaking. Rarity was next.

“Well hello darling It is a pleasure to meet you.” She said, adopting her usual regal tone. "Might I say, that you look absolutely divine."

“Oh?” Bloomeria asked. “Well why thank you. You look very pretty too.”

Rarity smiled. “Oh, but look at you. I simply love what you've done with your coiffure.”

“Oh, this is how I always have my mane.” said Bloomeria. “I don’t think it’s all that special.”

“Nonsense.” Rarity said, continuing to compliment her on her style. Bloomeria began to feel a bit embarrassed, and that's when Twilight finally put a stop to Rarity's praise.

“OK, Rarity, that's enough.” She said. Bloomeria inwardly thanked her. Next up was Fluttershy, who lived up to her name to a T. She was rather shy.

“Um, hi.” She said, moving her right forehoof in little circles and seemingly refusing to make eye contact. "I'm... I'm... Flutter...." The last bit trailed off so silently Bloomeria couldn't make it out. She smiled at her though. Bloomeria returned it, trying to make it as warm as possible. She didn't want to make the shy Pegasus any more nervous than she already was.

“It’s nice to meet you.” She said sweetly. Fluttershy only smiled further.

"Sorry, she's... well, shy." Twlight said.

"It's ok." Bloomeria said. "Truth be told, I'm shy myself sometimes." Next was Rainbow Dash.

"Hi there!" She said, flaring her wings and putting on her most winning smile.

"Uh, hi. You must be Rainbow Dash. Say, aren't you the one who pulled off the Sonic Rainboom?" Bloomeria asked.

“The one and only.” said Rainbow Dash. "Why, ya heard of me?" She asked excitedly.

“Yes I did, actually.” Bloomeria said. “An old friend of mine told me about you. Maybe you heard of him? His name is Soarin’.” Rainbow's eyes went as wide as saucers.

“You probably shouldn’t have said that sugarcube.” said Applejack. Rainbow began to squee.

“Stand back, she's gonna blow!” Twilight said with a laugh.

“You know a WONDERBOLT!?" Rainbow squealed. "AAAHHHHHH!!!"

“Correction.” Spike said, covering his ears. “You definitely shouldn’t have said that.”

"Spike." Twilight said with a laugh.

“Well gee, I’ve known him since I was a little filly.” Bloomeria said. "We went to school together. I even helped him with his homework.” She said with a snicker.

“Who wants a cupcake!?” Pinkie Pie asked holding a tray of cupcakes to Bloomeria’s face.

"Oh, thank you." She said.

"Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash grumbled. "She was telling me about Soarin's colthood."

“Don’t worry.” Bloomeria said. “I’ll tell you what, next time I see him, I’ll tell him you said hi.” She took a bite of cupcake.

“OHMYGOSHTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!” Rainbow Dash said, embracing Bloomeria.

"Erk!" She said. "You're welcome." She rasped. Rainbow Dash let go of her and spent the rest of her happy energy running circles around the ceiling and fangirl spazzing. Pinkie Pie giggled and spazzed along with her.

“This is fun!” She squealed. Bloomeria giggled.

“Is Pinkie Pie always so bouncy?” She asked.

“It’s when she’s not bouncy that worries me.” said Twilight.

Later into the party, everypony was having a good time eating, conversing and getting to know Bloomeria. Bloomeria herself had come out of her nervous shell and was happily conversing.

“You’re opening a new flower shop?” Fluttershy asked.

“Uh huh.” said Bloomeria. “I’ll be selling flower arrangements and garlands and stuff. Daisy‘s going to help me set up shop.”

"That's nice of her." Fluttershy said.

“It is.” Bloomeria said. “And I’m grateful to her. I’ll be right back. I’m going to get some more punch. Anypony want any more?”

“Oh, no thank you.” said Fluttershy.

“Would you fetch me some?” Rarity asked.

“Coming right up.” said Bloomeria. She left to go to the punchbowl. She was in high spirits after everything that had happened so far. So much in fact, that she didn't watch where she was going. As she backed up away from the punchbowl, tray with two punch glasses in mouth, her rump bumped into another.

"Yah!" She heard a yelp.

“Oh I’m sorry.” She said through her teeth, her voice obscured by the tray in her mouth. “Please excuse…me.” Her eyes widened as soon as she saw whom she bumped into. It was a male Pegasus. He bore a dark blue coat and a brown mane and tail. He even had fur around his muzzle that formed a sort of goatee. His eyes were brown and he wore glasses. His cutie mark was a gold and white shield with a blue emblem. Bloomeria felt like she couldn’t even move.

“Oh I’m sorry. Were you going this way?” the Pegasus asked. Bloomeria meeped. The Pegasus stepped out of the way. He smiled warmly. Bloomeria finally managed to get her four legs moving past the Pegasus back to the table where her new friends were.

"Y'all alright, sugarcube?" Applejack asked. "Y'all look like you've seen a ghost." Bloomeria set the tray down and looked back at the male Pegasus as he chatted with some other ponies.

“Who is that?” She asked.

"Oh him?" Pinkie said. "That's Blaze.”

“You know him?” Bloomeria asked.

“Pinkie Pie knows everypony.” said Rainbow Dash. “I know him too. He supervises cloud formations and where they go.”

“He’s also a Colt Scouts leader.” Pinkie Pie added. Bloomeria couldn’t stop looking at him.

Strangely though, none of the others noticed... except for Fluttershy, who always seemed to be in tune with everyone's feelings. Bloomeria sighed. But it wasn’t really a sad sigh. Fluttershy approached her cautiously.

“Um, Bloomeria? Are you all right?” She asked. Then she saw the look on the lavender pony’s face. A slight grin, eyes almost drooping, Fluttershy knew that look all to well. “Hey girls, look at how Bloomeria’s looking at Blaze.” She said to her friends.

"Eh, how?" Rainbow Dash asked. She wasn't the best at reading faces. “She looks almost sick.” She said.

Fluttershy shook her head. "Do you remember how all the fillies used to look at that handsome principal we had one year in flight school?"

“Oh yeah.” said Rainbow Dash. “Boy was he good looking. Meeow!”

“Why, I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s getting a crush on that Pegasus.” said Applejack.

Fluttershy smiled. Bloomeria didn’t even care to listen. All she could hear anyway was her own heart beating.

“Ooh I think you‘re right.” said Rarity. She tapped Bloomeria on the shoulder. Bloomeria gasped as she came out of her dream like trance.

“Huh? What? Who?” She noticed Fluttershy. “Uh…” Bloomeria said, searching in her head for something to say. “I love your hair.” Bloomeria blushed. Fluttershy was confused. Bloomeria just blushed and smiled at them. She had no idea what to do now.

Impressing the Stallion Part 1

“Thanks for your help Daisy.” Bloomeria said as she set a garland of flowers on a hook.

The shop was now filled with the fragrance of hundreds of flowers, all arranged in lovely designs. But the shop wouldn’t open for just a couple more days. Still needed to make more bouquets.

“We really appreciate it.” said Bloomeria. She looked at a little friend of hers, who climbed up her leg and rested on her back. “Don’t we Ginger?” She asked with a slight giggle.

The little ferret squeaked as though to agree with her. Daisy giggled.

"You're most welcome." Daisy said. “I must say your flower arrangements are quite captivating. You’ll have customers in no time.”

“I hope so.” She said. "I'd hate to have all this work wasted.” She spotted an arrangement of roses and daisies. Smiling, Bloomeria grabbed them. "Here." She said. "Take them, no charge."

“Oh you don’t have to.” Daisy protested.

“No, this is a gift.” Bloomeria told her. “A token of my thanks.” Daisy smiled.

“Why thank you.” She said as she took them. Bloomeria smiled back.

"It's no problem at all." She said.

“Well I’d best be off.” Daisy said on her way out, carrying her new flowers. “Good luck with the shop.”

"Thank you." She said. Soon it was just Bloomeria and Ginger.

"Ginger, can you fetch me some snapdragons?" She asked. Ginger trilled and went off to do so.

Bloomeria got some rose petals and arranged them into a pile. She also gathered some string to make a flower necklace. She hummed a cheery tune as she did so. Ginger soon returned. A nice bouquet of Snapdragons was clamped in her mouth.

“Thanks Ginger.” Blomeria said. Ginger trilled as Bloomeria set to work. She then heard someone come in.

“Oh wow the place looks great!” exclaimed a familiar voice.

"Oh hi Twilight." Bloomeria said. “What brings you here? My shop still doesn’t open for a couple of days.”

“I just wanted to stop for a visit.” said Twilight.

“Well would you like something to drink?” Bloomeria asked. “The kitchen’s upstairs, as is the rest of my home.”

“I‘m fine. But thanks for the offer.” said Twilight. She allowed herself to gaze at the shop and it‘s stock of floral arrangements, garlands, and bouquets.

“Oh wow did you make all of these beautiful bouquets and garlands yourself? I‘m surprised you‘re not open for business already.”

"Well I wanted to get fully settled in before I open. And to answer your question, yes I made most of these arrangements." Bloomeria replied. “Daisy helped too. And of course my pet fer…fer…” Bloomeria stuttered as soon as she saw a familiar face outside her shop.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked her. Bloomeria rushed past her to the door, but she only peeked through the top of the bottom half of the Dutch door. "What are you looking at?" Twilight asked.

“Oh…” She sighed dreamily. She saw Blaze walking around town looking at the sky.

"Hellooooo." Twilight said. She approached Bloomeria. Then she too saw Blaze. He was checking the clouds from an Earth pony’s point of view.

“Yep. Everything looks good here.” He said before taking off into the sky. Twilight got a sly grin on her face.

“You know you could always talk to him.” She said.

“Huh?” Bloomeria shook her head out of it. “Who?”

“Blaze.” Twilight said. “You’ve been looking at him like that since you came here. If you like him, you should get to know him.”

“What?!” She yelped. “Oh no no…I can’t do that. I just..he just..he…” Bloomeria sighed. “He’d never like a mare like me.”

"What makes you say that?" Twilight asked.

“He’s a Pegasus. I’m an Earth Pony.” said Bloomeria. “He has wings. And I don’t. It just wouldn‘t work.” Twilight gave her "you gotta be kidding me" look.

"Really?" She said. "That's what's holding you back?"

“How can we even be together?” Bloomeria asked. “We have totally different lives. He works with clouds in the sky, and I work with flowers here on the ground. It’s just impossible.”

Bloomeria hung her head in sadness only to be nuzzled by Ginger. She trilled at her master.

The little pony managed to smile. But it didn’t last very long.

"Oh." She sighed. Twilight looked at her with sympathy. It was obvious that Bloomeria was falling for Blaze. What could she do to help her?

Later, at the library, Twilight met up with her friends to discuss the situation.

“And she thinks they can’t be together because she doesn’t have any wings.” Twilight explained to her friend about Bloomerias’s situation.

"Explain to me how that's supposed to be a bad thing for them?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"That's the same question I asked her." Twilight replied. “But she said that because they have totally different lives, it’d be impossible for them to be together.”

"Whatever did she mean?" Rarity asked, adopting a sudden dramatic form. "Nothing should ever stand in the way of true love." Rarity began to imagine a wedding for Bloomeria and Blaze.

“Why, I can see it now.” She said. "Miss Bloomeria in the most beautiful white dress, provided by me of course, walking over the most fragrant of flower petals." She said dreamily. “And the dashing Blaze at the altar awaiting his fair mare. We, as her bridesmaids would be dressed in a lovely violet ensemble..." She was stopped by Rainbow Dash.

“All right Rarity, that’s enough.” She said shaking her hoof. "No way am I wearing purple.... no offense Twilight."

“None taken.” said Twilight. “But we are kind of getting off of the subject.”

"Oh. Sorry." Rarity said.

“Well I think we need to show Bloomeria that she doesn‘t have to have wings for Blaze to like her.” said Fluttershy.

“Exactly.” said Twilight. “But how can we help her?”

"I think I have I idea." Applejack said.

“What is it?” Rainbow Dash asked.

"If she's afraid to talk to him, we just gotta help 'em out a bit." Applejack said.

“Like what? Think of ways for Bloomeria to impress Blaze?” Rainbow Dash asked.

"Exactly." Applejack said.

“Oh um, I’m not sure if that’s a good…” Fluttershy quietly said but was suddenly interrupted.

“You guys could each teach her stuff that she could do to impress him.” Spike suggested.

Rainbow Dash's eyes lit right up at that.

"And I know just the thing." She said.

The next day, Rainbow Dash and the gang took Bloomeria out for her first attempt at impression Blaze… in a fashion that only Rainbow Dash could have thought of.

Bloomeria gulped. “I’m not so sure about this.” She said shakily.

"Don't worry." Rainbow Dash said. "It's easy." She and the other five were atop a large hill overlooking Ponyville with Bloomeria. Her hooves were shaking in some roller skates Rainbow Dash let her borrow.

The only thing was... she hadn't skated before. Rainbow Dash place a helmet on her head.

“There.” She said. She looked for some binoculars. “If I’m right, Blaze should be with his crew fixing the clouds over town." She spotted him. “Perfect.” She said. “All right Bloomeria. If you want to impress a someone, you gotta show ‘em what your made of!”

“My legs feel like they’re made of gelatin.” Bloomeria said.

"Don't chicken out now." Dash said. “You like this guy right? We’ll start with something simple. Just roll down that hill.”

Bloomeria whimpered, but readied herself. A look of determination appeared on her face.

Dash smiled.

"And.... GO!" She gave Bloomeria a quick push which Bloomeria rolling downhill.

Bloomeria screamed at how fast she was going.

“Hey Rainbow Dash, how is Blaze going to see her when he’s busy focusing on them clouds?” Applejack asked. Rainbow Dash suddenly had a thought... a bad one.

“Uh oh…” She said. “I didn’t think of that.”

They heard Bloomeria scream again. She came barreling down the hill at breakneck speed. “Come on!” Rainbow Dash cried out. Bloomeria saw she was coming up to the town. To make matters worse, she didn’t know how to stop.

“GANGWAY!” She cried out. Other ponies leapt out of her way. Bloomeria raced through the town square. She screamed as she ducked under a fruit stall. She heaved a sigh of relief but it was short lived as she crashed into a stand filled with carrots. The Pegasi in the sky looked up with a start.

“Did you hear something?” Blaze asked. A grey, wall eyed, yellow maned Pegasus popped her head out of one of the clouds and shook her head.

"Sounded like someone hit something?" Another pegasi said. Blaze looked down to see a large pile of carrots on the ground and six little ponies racing to it. Twilight and Applejack dug Bloomeria out of the pile. She had stars flying around her head and a wall eyed look.

“Are you all right sugarcube?” Applejack asked. Bloomeria shook her head out of it.

“Good thing I was wearing a helmet.” She said. “But look what I’ve done.” Bloomeria frowned as she saw the carrot stand completely destroyed.

"Oh dear." Twilight said. They heard another pony clear her throat. Carrot Top. And she did not look very happy.

“I hope you plan on paying for those carrots and the damages to my stand.” She said.

“Y-yes ma’am.” Bloomeria said shamefully. Carrot Top glared at her.

"And I'd also like an apology." She said, her green eyes boring into Bloomeria's.

"Hey, it was an accident." Rainbow Dash growled. “And… it was my fault anyway.” She said softening up a bit. “I let her use the skates and I pushed her down the hill.” Now it was her turn to glare at Carrot Top. "So quit pickin' on her already." Carrot Top looked at Bloomeria who was still on the ground.

“I am so very sorry.” Bloomeria said. Carrot Top could see in her pale blue eyes that this was true. Her expression changed immediately to one of mercy.

"Oh dear." She said. Bloomeria took off her skates. “Here let me help you up.” Carrot Top said.

She helped her out of the skates and onto her feet. “I’ll tell you what.” She said. “I’ll help you clean up this mess and you don’t have to pay me a bit." She said.

“But I should pay you.” Bloomeria said. Carrot Top shook her head.

“Nonsense.” She said. “Jut help clean up and it’ll be water under the bridge.” Bloomeria couldn't help but smile. But then again, she didn't do what she had set out to do.

Later at Sugarcube Corner, they all met up to clean up and get out of the public eye.

“Thanks for sticking up for me Rainbow Dash.” Bloomeria said.

“Oh, no prob.” She said. “I’d never leave a pony hanging. Besides, I should have figured that Blaze might not have been able to see you anyway. Him being busy with the clouds.” She smiled sheepishly. Bloomeria sighed.

“What am I gonna do?” She said. “Even if he did see me, he probably thinks I’m a klutz.”

"You know, the easiest way to a colt's heart is through his stomach." Pinkie Pie said. “That’s what my Granny Pie always said.”

“Huh?” The other ponies asked.

"To the kitchen!" She yipped, dragging Bloomeria out into the bakery's kitchen. The other ponies followed. Pinkie Pie dressed up Bloomeria in a chef’s hat and apron. Bloomeria blushed a bit.

“So what am I doing now?” She asked.

"Baking cookies, silly!" Pinkie said.

“Cookies. Hmm.” Bloomeria said, smiling a bit. She liked this idea.

“Whatever happened to cupcakes?” Dash asked.

“Oh, Rainbow Dash, we can’t make cupcakes all the time.” said Pinkie Pie. “That’d just be boring!”

“So what kind of cookies do y’all plan on makin’?” Applejack asked.

"One of my favorites." Pinkie Pie said. "White chocolate macadamia nut."

“Ooh that sounds good.” Twilight said. “Can we help?”

“Yes please.” Bloomeria said. “I’m gonna need all the help I can get.”

The oven dinged indicating the cookies were ready. Twilight gingerly took them out using her magic. She set the tray on the countertop. Bloomeria, using a spatula in her mouth, took each cookie and set them on a cooling rack smiling at her work. Everypony took a whiff at the freshly baked cookies.

"Simply divine." Rarity said.

“Are you sure you’re not a baker in disguise?” Pinkie asked. Bloomeria giggled.

“Well I might have learned a thing or two from my mother.” She said. “But really, I couldn’t have done it without you. I just hope Blaze likes them.” Twilight smiled.

"Oh he will. They're fantastic." Pinkie Pie placed the cookies on a plate. They soon heard voices in the other room. Familiar voices.

“Looks like it’s showtime y’all.” said Applejack.

“Why hello dear.” said Mrs. Cake greeting her customer, Blaze himself. “May I help you?”

"Hello." He said. "I was wondering what you had on sale today."

“Well…” Pinkie Pie said, practically in Blaze’s face. “We have a fresh batch of cookies with your name on it. Free sample?”

“Why didn’t you go out there?” Twilight whispered as they peeked through the kitchen entryway.

“Too nervous.” Bloomeria whispered back. Blaze looked at the cookies.

"They look delicious." He said. Rainbow began pushing on Bloomeria. Bloomeria shook her head at her.

"No, I don't want to." She said.

"Come on," Dash said. "take a little pride in your work."

“Sure I’ll try one.” Blaze said. He took a bite. “Mm. Tasty.” He said. “What kind of cookies are these?”

"Well, I'll let the one who made them tell you." Mrs. Cake said. Bloomeria started to slowly walk out of the kitchen. That’s when she saw Blaze suddenly start to break out into rashes.

"Oh no." He said. "These didn't have nuts in them, did they?" He asked.

“Uh huh. Macadamia nuts. Why?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Is that bad?”

"I'm allergic to nuts." He said. Bloomeria gasped.

“Oh no…” She squeaked. Blaze heard her but only saw a glimpse of the lavender pony run back into the kitchen.

"Who was that?" He asked, scratching himself.

“Oh um…” Pinkie Pie said. "The chef." She said, smiling sheepishly. "Please don't sue her!" She then took off back into the kitchen.

“Ah, come along dear.” Mrs. Cake said. “Let’s go see someone about that allergy.”

“Oh. Right.” said Blaze. Mrs. Cake escorted him from the bakery but not before he could catch another glimpse of the familiar pony. When Pinkie found her, Bloomeria was in tears.

“I practically poisoned him!” She cried.

“It’s not your fault.” said Twilight. “You didn’t know Blaze was allergic to nuts.”

“I wonder where that fella gets his protein?” Applejack said. Rainbow Dash glared at her as if to say “not now”.

“Oh now what am I gonna do?” Bloomeria said.

“Would a cookie cheer you up?” Pinkie Pie said offering Bloomeria a cookie. But Bloomeria turned it down.

"No thank you." She said. Bloomeria sighed. She had failed again. Fluttershy looked at her.

She wanted to say something, but she couldn’t get it out. And she wouldn't be heard, as Applejack was next to speak up.

“Aw don’t you fret now.” She said. "I got something that'll be sure as shootin' to get his attention."

Impressing the Stallion Part 2

Later at Sweet Apple Acres. AJ and Bloomeria were outside her barn. AJ had scrounged up two lengths of rope, which she fashioned into lassoes.

“Now,” Applejack began. “one thing that a colt likes in a girl is one who can do something high-flying fantastic." She said.

"Does that have something to do with these ropes?" Bloomeria asked.

“Watch and learn sugarcube.” AJ said. She grabbed one of the ropes and got the lasso spinning.

Bloomeria was amazed. Applejack then used the lasso to grab an apple to pull it right into her mouth. Bloomeria stomped her front hooves together in an equine applause.

"Woohoo!"

“Wanna give it a try?” Applejack asked. Bloomeria gulped.

"Ah, I don't know..."

“C’mon now.” Applejack said. “You won’t know until you try.” Bloomeria gulped again, but knew AJ was right.

“All right.” Bloomeria said. She attempted to twirl the lasso with her tail. She didn't quite get it the first time. In fact, she ended up hogtying herself.

"Eek!" She squealed as she fell over on the ground. Applejack chuckled.

“Don’t you worry. Happens to the best of us. Now let’s try again.” She said. Bloomeria did try again. Several times. But each time, she ended up entangled in the rope. She managed to get an apple stuck in her mouth on one try.

“Don’t laugh…” She said, her voice obscured by the fruit. Applejack tried so hard not to.

Bloomeria sighed. "I guess I'm not cut out for rope tricks." She said.

“Well it ain’t for everyone.” Applejack said, untying her.

"But surely there's something else you can do." AJ began wracking her brain. “Hey maybe Twilight can help.” She said. “For all we know, she’s probably got a book on the subject of impressin’ colts.”

Bloomeria looked up hopefully.

The next day, she met Twilight at her library.

“Hmm.” Twilight said as she searched through her books. She had books on just about everything, so both of them were hoping that she could find something to help.

“Did you find anything?” Bloomeria asked. “Not yet.” Twilight asked.

“I don’t get why you even like this guy.” Spike pointed out. “You hardly even know him.”

"Spike!" Twilight scolded him.

"Seriously, I don't." He said.

"You like Rarity, don't you?" Twilight said. "You started making lovesick faces the very first second you saw her." Spike chuckled sheepishly.

“I don’t know exactly why I like him.” Bloomeria said. “It was… just the way he looked and smiled at me when I saw him at the party.” Spike opened his mouth to say something, but realized Twilight and Bloomeria were right.

“Hmm.” Twilight said. "Well, nothing on relationships, though there is something else I can do for you."

“What’s that?” Bloomeria asked.

"I know for a fact that a lot of colts these days are attracted to intelligent mares." She said.

“Well I don’t know if I’m all that smart.” Bloomeria said.

"We'll see about that." Twilight said, getting some books from the shelves.

“Oh boy.” Spike said.

Time passed and by now Bloomeria’s eyes were getting tired.

"Ugh." She said. Her head spun from everything Twilight was teaching her.

“Now this constellation is called Cygnus. Meaning swan.” Twilight said pointing to said constellation on her chart. "This one is called Aquila, meaning eagle." Soon Bloomeria could have sworn she saw the stars move and fly away. She giggled.

“Heh, bye-bye birdies.” She said dizzily.

“Uh Twilight, don’t you think we should take a break?” Spike pointed out.

"But we're almost to..." She stopped herself when she saw Bloomeria. "Oh." Bloomeria mumbled something unintelligible and fainted. Spike stared at her.

"You killed her." He said.

Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Bloomeria…” voices said to her as the said pony came to.

"Ugh... mommy?" Bloomeria asked. She opened her eyes to see three pony faces and a baby dragon staring at her.

"Whoa." She said.

“Are you all right?” Fluttershy asked.

“I feel like my brain is fried.” said Bloomeria. She rubbed her head. Fluttershy and Rarity helped her up.

“I’m sorry Bloomeria.” Twilight apologized. “I guess I overdid it. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t smart.”

Bloomeria smiled a bit at that.

“Thanks.” She said.

“It’s a good thing we’ve arrived.” Rarity said. "Come dear, it's time to go." She said to Bloomeria.

“Go where?” Bloomeria asked.

"Makeover!" Rarity cheered musically. Bloomeria was taken aback.

"Oh great." Twilight said. "Here she goes."

“A nice time at the spa is just what you need.” Rarity said. Plus, it will be phase one of my plan for helping you to impress Blaze.”

"Phase one?" Bloomeria asked.

“Um, but Rarity…” Fluttershy said softly.

“Come along Bloomeria.” Rarity said ushering her out the door. “You will soon see what I mean. You too Twilight. The more the merrier.” Twilight groaned.

"OK." Twilight soon followed. Fluttershy only sighed.

“What’s wrong Fluttershy?” Spike asked.

"No one's listening to me... again." She said.

“Maybe you should try speaking up.” Spike said. “What’ve you been wanting to say?”

“Well, it’s just that I don’t think that Bloomeria needs to…” Fluttershy said before being interrupted by Rarity calling for her.

"Oh, not again." She sighed. “I’ll tell you later Spike.” She raced out the door after her friends.

“There now don’t you feel better?” Rarity asked as the three little ponies walked out of the Ponyville Day Spa. Indeed, the lot of them were looking like a million bits.

“I know I sure do.” said Twilight.

“Oh yes.” Bloomeria said. “Thank you Rarity. That is just what I needed. I’ve been so stressed out. My shop is going to open soon and all this trouble to impress Blaze. I’m starting to wonder if it’s worth it.” Rarity put a hoof on her shoulder.

“Don’t you worry darling.” She said. “Love is always worth it. Now on to phase two.”

“Which is?” Fluttershy asked.

“The perfect dress.” Rarity said.

"Oh boy." Twilight said. The three of them walked to Carousel Boutique.

“Follow me please.” Rarity said. Bloomeria did so.

“This is where I make all my wonderful outfits." She said. “Each, a work of art.”

“Oh wow.” Bloomeria said. It wasn’t long before Bloomeria was being measured. Rarity carefully took each measurement.

“Mmhmm.” She said. She stood back and looked at Bloomeria. "Idea!" She chirped. “I have the perfect dress in mind for you.”

“That fast?” Bloomeria asked.

“That’s a talent of Rarity’s.” Twilight said. “She knows just what you’ll look good in.”

In a flash, Rarity was off.

“Ah yes. Perfect.” Rarity said as she saw Bloomeria in her new dress. Twilight smiled at her.

“Wow Bloomeria! You look great!” She said. Bloomeria blushed as she looked over herself.

The dress was light blue and beautifully decorated with a white floral pattern.

“Of course she‘s naturally lovely like many ponies. But there’s nothing wrong with taking it up a notch as they say. Now for your mane.” Rarity said.

"My what?" Bloomeria asked. Rarity got a hairbrush with her magic and went straight to work.

Bloomeria sat there, almost afraid of what she was doing. She gulped. Soon her hair was done up in a fancy but simple hairdo.

“There.” Rarity said. “But it’s missing something.” She thought for a moment. “That’s it!” She snapped with a big grin. Rarity summoned a few white flowers and made them into a crown.

"Oooh." Twilight said. Even Fluttershy was smiling.

“Oh you look so pretty Bloomeria.” She said. “But um, don’t you think that…”

“Now on to phase three!” Rarity chirped. Fluttershy sighed. “The date!” said Rarity.

"What?" Bloomeria asked. “Oh you are going to love this.” Rarity said. “I’ve arranged a little get together for you and Blaze."

Bloomeria gulped. “You did?” She squeaked. Rarity nodded.

“Oh my. What’ll I do?” What’ll I say to him?” Bloomeria said pacing back and forth. “Wait. What did you say to him?”

“Oh that just a certain special mare would love to be in your company this evening.” Rarity said.

Bloomeria gulped hard.

“Don’t worry Bloomeria.” Fluttershy said. “You’ll be fine. Although I don’t think that…”

“Fluttershy’s right.” Twilight said. “You’ll be just fine.” Fluttershy tried to speak again but she couldn’t get it out.

“Hey, what dress is that?” Bloomeria asked when she saw a white dress on one of the mannequins. It looked like a wedding dress.

"Oh." Rarity said, blushing a bit. “Um, it’s nothing you need to worry about right now. We have to talk about how your date is going to be. And that will include a crash course in proper pony etiquette.” Despite the smile on Bloomeria‘s face, she was very very nervous.

Hours later came the beautiful work of Princess Luna as the stars twinkled in the night sky. Blaze was waiting at the café for his mystery date. He had been told to dress appropriately, so he did so by wearing what would pass as a tuxedo. Nothing too fancy. He smiled.

“I wonder where this mystery pony is.” He asked. He looked around. He heard somepony clear her throat. He turned around to see Bloomeria dressed up and right in front of him. He gasped.

“Um… hello.” Bloomeria said shyly. Blaze gave her his most winning smile. “I’m Bloomeria.” She said.

"Blaze." He said. “I thought you looked familiar. You’re Ponyville’s newest resident right?”

“Uh huh.” Bloomeria said, blushing. She ran her hoof along the ground in circles.

“Would you like to sit down?” Blaze asked her.

“Yes, please.” Bloomeria said. They both took their seats. Unbeknownst to them, the two had spies watching them.

All six ponies watched from the shadows.

“Aren’t they a lovely couple?” Rarity whispered.

"Uh huh." Pinkie said. They could see the two ponies talking. They seemed to be getting along just fine.

“How wonderful.” Fluttershy said. Twilight beamed.

“Whew. I was afraid something was going to go wrong again.” She said.

“Oh nonsense Twilight Sparkle.” said Rarity. “This plan is foolproof. What could go wrong?”

But soon they were running out of things to say. Blaze was working on his second drink of the

evening, while Bloomeria just sat there, smiling. She was getting nervous. What was she supposed to say next? She desperately wracked her brain. She came up with one thing.

"Oh, aren't the stars simply divine." She said, in a clipped, upper class accent, mimicking Rarity.

“Ah. Yes they are.” Blaze said. “Say uh, what’s up with your voice?”

"Whatever do you mean, darling?" She asked.

“Uh, why are you talking like that?” Blaze asked. “Doesn’t sound like you at all.” She just smiled at him. She was starting to perspire from being nervous.

“Hehehe. Oh my.” She said still trying to act all upper classy. “Is it getting warm out here?” Blaze was confused.

"Oh no." Twilight said. "She's dying out there."

“I uh…” Bloomeria said. She began to sweat even more as she tried to make small talk. “Did you know that there’s a constellation called Cygnus?” She blurted.

"Huh?" He asked. He was feeling a bit uncomfortable now. “Are you feeling okay?” He asked.

"Oh just wonderful darling." She said. Her eye started twitching. “Oh goodness I’m really feeling warm now.” She said. Blaze was taken aback.

“Uh…”

“I’ll be right back.” Bloomeria said standing up. “I think I’ll go freshen up in the powder room.”

She tried to walk with grace with her eyes closed and her nose held up high. But that only led to her bumping into a waiter who was carrying a tray full of food.

"Yah!" They both yelped. All eyes were fixed on them when the food came down on Bloomeria. The other ponies gasped.

“Oh no.” said Fluttershy. Bloomeria looked herself over. She was a complete mess. Blaze looked at her.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

“I…” She said, not even looking at him. “I’m sorry!” Bloomeria took off.

"Wait!" He called. But Bloomeria was either to far away for her to hear, or she ignored him.

Blaze looked at her as she ran off. "Oh no." He said.

“Poor Bloomeria.” Twilight said. Fluttershy frowned. She felt that this was her fault because she didn’t speak up about her opinion on the matter. Not anymore.

“What are we gonna do now?” Applejack asked. “We tried everything.”

"No you haven't." Fluttershy spoke up, sounding a bit annoyed. All the ponies looked at her.

“The one thing you didn’t suggest was just to let her be herself.” Fluttershy said.

"What?" Rarity asked.

“I think that if Bloomeria wanted Blaze to like her, she would let him see the kind of pony she really is.” Fluttershy said. “You don’t need to do anything extravagant to impress a pony. You should just be yourself.” Her expression soured. “I tried to tell you all before but I kept getting interrupted. It makes me feel bad that you don’t appreciate what I have to say.” Her expression then turned to one of sadness. As did the other ponies.

“We’re sorry Fluttershy.” Twilight said. “We should have taken the chance to listen to what you had to say.” Twilight put a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. “Can you ever forgive us?” She asked. Fluttershy gave a little smile.

“You’re my friends.” She said. “Of course I forgive you. I also should have spoken up when I felt I needed to instead of being afraid.” She lowered her head a bit.

“Aw, it’s all right Fluttershy.” said Pinkie Pie.

“But what about Bloom?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“We can swing by her shop tomorrow and talk to her.” Twilight said.

"Good idea." Pinkie Pie said. Everypony agreed.

Stormy Skies and Warming Hearts

The next day, Bloomeria’s shop was now officially open. “There we go Ginger.” Bloomeria said. “We are now open for business.” Ginger trilled with joy. “Yeah.” Bloomeria said. “Maybe some work will distract me from what happened last night.” She sighed. She heard the sound of hooves coming in. "Hello," She said, "welcome to Blossoms and Bouquets.” She turned to see her six pony friends, and her baby dragon friend, in her shop. “Oh hi.” She said trying to be cheerful.

“Howdy Bloomeria.” Applejack said. “Quite a nice little shop you got here.”

“And what an adorable ferret.” Fluttershy said, noticing Bloom’s little friend.

“This is Ginger.” Bloomeria said. Ginger ran right over to Fluttershy and climbed on her. Fluttershy giggled.

“Aw, how sweet.” She said.

"Thanks." Bloomeria said. “What brings you here?”

"To answer your question," Twilight said, "we came to apologize."

“Everything that we tried to help you impress Blaze only led to disaster.” Rarity said.

“Except for the one thing we should have told you to do.” said Rainbow Dash.

"To just be yourself." Applejack said. Bloomeria didn’t quite understand.

“Be myself? But I didn’t think he’d want to be with me.” said Bloomeria. “If I couldn’t fly, I thought I could do something else that’s just as good.”

"You can." Twilight said. "We all completely forgot something. Sometimes, just being you is the best thing you can be.”

“Yeah.” said Spike. “Take me for example. I don’t have any wings. But that doesn’t stop me from being the best assistant I can be!”

“Oh Spike.” said Twilight with a slight giggle in her voice and a grin on her face.

“And for a pony to see that, you need to take the chance and speak up so he can really hear you.” said Fluttershy. “Believe me I know what it’s like to be afraid to say what you feel.” She smiled at her.

“I guess I should have been more straightforward.” said Bloomeria. “But how can I…” Bloomeria froze and gasped. For through the open door, she saw Blaze coming this way.

“It’s Blaze! He’s coming over here! Hide me!” She hid behind the counter. “I can’t let him see me after last night!” The other ponies looked at each other, as though asking what to do.

“So much for being straightforward.” Spike muttered.

“Hello?” Blaze called as he entered the shop.

"Oh hi." Pinkie Pie said. “Is the owner of the shop here?” Blaze asked.

"Oh uh, she's busy at the moment." Twilight said. “But we’d be happy to help you.”

“So what can we do you for?” Applejack asked.

"Actually, I'm looking to buy a flower arrangement." He said.

“Certainly.” said Twilight. “May I ask for what occasion?” Bloomeria listened to what they were saying.

"It's for somepony, actually." He said. “I just met a new pony and I wanted to surprise her with flowers.” Bloomeria felt her heart break.

"Oh, who?" Applejack asked, though she also felt her heart sink.

“Oh just one of the sweetest mares I‘ve ever met. But that’s all I can say.” Blaze said. He looked around. “That one over there looks perfect.” He said pointing to a bouquet of roses and snapdragons. "I'll take it. How much?"

“Oh um, four bits should do.” Twilight said. Blaze dropped the coins on the counter. “Thank you.” said Twilight as she summoned the bouquet with her magic. Blaze took it.

“Thanks.” He said before leaving.

“Have a good day.” Twilight said just as he walked out of the shop. Bloomeria slowly stood up from behind the counter, tears beginning to form.

“Uh, Bloom? You okay?” Spike asked.

“He… he’s met a new pony.” She said. “And after all that trouble to get him to like me. It turns out he likes somepony else.” Fluttershy put a hoof on her shoulder.

“I should have figured.” Bloomeria said. “After making a fool of myself last night, why would he like a pony like me?” She began sniffling.

"You know that ain’t true, sugarcube." Applejack said.

“No.” Bloomeria said. “I might as well face it. He hates me." She started to walk away from the group. If she had hands, she would be clenching them very tightly. Her anguish was getting harder and harder to hold back by the second. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be…FAR AWAY!” She cried out before galloping out of the shop sobbing.

"Wait!" Fluttershy called. But it was too late. She was gone.

“This is all my fault.” Fluttershy said. “I should have spoken up sooner.” Feeling guilty, tears began to form in her own eyes.

“Aw, don’t beat yourself up over this.” said Pinkie. “Then again why would anypony want to beat themselves up for anyway? I mean that’s just crazy. Not to mention painful.”

“Aside from that, we’ve got to find Bloomeria before it’s too late!” Rainbow Dash said. “The Pegasus ponies issued a storm for this evening!” Twilight gasped.

"How big of a storm?"

They heard thunder starting to rumble already.

“We’d better to get a move on!” Applejack said.

“You stay here Ginger.” Fluttershy said to the ferret. “We’re going to bring Bloomeria home. We’ll be back soon.” Ginger trilled, as if to agree.

“Spike, you stay here with Ginger and keep her company.” Twilight said to the baby dragon. Spike saluted.

“Will do!”

“Let’s go!” Twilight said. The ponies ran out of the shop and began searching the town, calling for Bloomeria. Spike remained in the shop as he was told. He looked at Ginger almost awkwardly.

“So uh Ginger…” He said. “Hey, is it true that you guys can tie yourselves in knots?”

Ginger trilled questioningly and cocked her head. “I didn’t think so.” Spike said.

Bloomeria, meanwhile, was running far away from Ponyville, crying from a broken heart.

She was so upset that she didn’t even seem to notice that she was running towards the Everfree Forest.

“Bloomeria!” Rainbow Dash called as she soared over the town. “Where are you!?” Her eyes scanned every inch she could see. Nothing. But her ears caught something.

Blaze’s voice.

“Rainbow Dash, what’s going on?” Blaze asked. “Have you seen Bloomeria?”

"I'm looking for her." She said. “She ran away.”

"Oh no." Blaze said. "Why?" Rainbow Dash scoffed.

“Why would you care?” Dash said glaring at him. Blaze was taken aback.

“What?” Blaze asked. “I do care. Why would you think that I wouldn’t?”

“Because you’re the one who MADE her run off!" Dash said, snarling.

“What!?” Blaze asked. He circled around in front of Rainbow Dash, stopping her in mid-flight. “What are you talking about?” He asked.

"Oh, like you don't know!" Dash shouted. “You’re the one who bought flowers for your new marefriend! Bloomeria heard everything and she ran off! So why should you even bother asking about her?”

"What the hay are you talking about?!" Blaze retorted, starting to get angry himself. “Those flowers I bought were for her!”

Rainbow Dash's expression turned from anger to shock. “The flowers were for who now?”

“Bloomeria’s the one I like.” Blaze said. “After what happened at the café last night I thought I’d surprise her with a bouquet.” Dash's jaw dropped.

“Wait a second.” Blaze said. “How did Bloomeria know about the flowers?”

“Well that was her shop where you got those flowers from.” said Dash. “She was hiding behind the counter when you came in.”

"Oh no." He said, his expression clearly in shock. "This...this is all my fault! Oh what have I done!"

“Well we can still fix this.” said Rainbow Dash. “We just have to find her.” Soon more thunder started to rumble. Signifying that this was going to be an intense storm.

“I’m starting to worry.” Blaze said. “She could be anywhere and the storm is really starting to build up.” Dash said nothing.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight called from the ground. “Get down here! We might know where Bloomeria might be!”

"Where?" The two Pegasi asked. They flew to the ground and landed next the other ponies. They were quite surprised when they saw Blaze with Rainbow Dash. An expression of great concern and worry was painted on his face.

“Wait, Blaze? How come y’all are helping out?” Applejack questioned.

“Because this is all my fault.” said Blaze. “I didn’t know that Bloomeria owned that flower shop.”

“Turns out those flowers he bought were for Bloom in the first place.” said Dash. “But enough chitchat. Where is she!?”

“Bon Bon told us that she saw Bloomeria run into the Everfree Forest!” said Pinkie Pie.

"The WHAT!?" the Pegasi exclaimed.

From the center of Ponyville, the ponies could see that the storm was growing to be so big that it was reaching over into the Everfree Forest, where only a few brave ponies would dare to enter.

“We’ve got to find her! This storm is growing by the minute.” said Blaze. “She could get hurt!”

"Or worse." Twilight said. They looked up at the darkening sky. "We have to go, now." Twilight said. The ponies took off toward the Everfree Forest. Twilight lit her horn to give them light. Everypony called for her as loud as they could shout. But Bloom was a good distance away from her friends. She began to slow her run to a walk as she felt the energy being drained from her. Still heartbroken, she continued on. Unaware that her friends were searching for her that very moment. Into the search, Blaze began to panic.

“Oh, where could she be?” He said. “If anything happens to her, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”

“Don’t worry.” said Twilight . “I’m sure we’ll find her.” The loud thunderclap overhead signified that not only was this to be a real freak storm, but at any moment it was going to start pouring. But the ponies refused to give up. Soon a glimmer of hope came to them as they came across the domicile of the zebra, Zecora.

“Maybe Zecora has seen her.” said Rarity. She knocked on the zebra herbalist's door. Zecora soon answered. She gasped at the state of the ponies before her.

“My pony friends, what brings you here? Do you not know that a storm is near?” She asked in verse as she always would.

"Zecora, someone is lost in here." Twilight said.

“Have you seen a pony come through this way? Lavender blue colored coat, brown mane, pale blue eyes.” Rainbow Dash asked. Zecora nodded.

“Ah yes. A little pony I certainly did see. Just as you have described to me.”

"Really?" Blaze asked. "Where did she go?"

“The pony you seek was full of woe. Deeper into the forest is where you must go.” said Zecora. At the last bit, Zecora sounded concerned.

“Why didn’t you try to stop her?” Rainbow Dash.

“I did try to stop her young Rainbow Dash. Before I could talk to her she was gone in a flash. But as she ran I could hear her cry. So sad and brokenhearted, I must ask why.”

"There's been a terrible misunderstanding." Blaze said, hanging his head in shame.

“But we don’t have time to explain that.” said Twilight. "Thank you Zecora. We‘re going to keep looking!” The Lighting flashed brighter and thunder rumbled even louder. The wind was picking up and now it started to rain.

“Uh oh!” said Pinkie. “Now what are we going to do?”

“We’re going to find Bloomeria!” said Blaze, determination in his voice. “That’s what we’re going to do. Come on, everypony!" The seven ponies ran out of Zecora’s home and deeper into the forest. It was getting hard to run in the rain and wind. And especially hard to fly.

“Y’all better continue on hoof Rainbow.” said Applejack to Rainbow Dash who had tried to fight the wind current and ended up being smacked against a tree. “It just ain’t safe to fly in this weather.”

“I can see that.” said Dash as she collected herself.

“We’d better move quick.” said Twilight. “All these tall trees make it especially unsafe to be here.”

“Hey over here!” Pinkie pie cried. “I found something!” The ponies came over to Pinkie Pie who was looking down, asking what it was that she’d found. “Look!” She said. “It’s a rock shaped like a heart!”

“Pinkie!” The ponies scolded.

“But look what’s right next to it!” Pinkie told them. They looked down to see something they were hoping to find.

“Hoofprints!” said Fluttershy.

“They must be Bloom’s!” said Blaze. Soon the ponies took off along the trail of prints that they hoped and prayed belonged to Bloomeria.

As it rained and thundered, Bloomeria now kept on wandering. Scared, alone, lost, and heartbroken. She felt like the storm was her own personal rain cloud hovering over her head. She still sobbed as she walked. But it was raining so much on her that you couldn‘t tell which were raindrops or which were teardrops. She shook with each rumble of thunder. Soon she realized that out there was not the right place to be at this moment.

“Oh what am I doing out here?” Bloom asked herself. “I should be at home with Ginger. Not running away. That doesn’t solve anything.” Bloomeria observed her surroundings. She felt completely turned around. Oh why didn’t she pay attention to where she was going? “How do I get home from here?” She asked. She walked around until she came to the river. She saw that the water was rushing roughly as it flowed. She paused for a moment right beside the river to check if she was anywhere near home. Soon there was a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder so big that it scared poor Bloomeria nearly half to death. She stepped into a weak spot of the edge of the river and slipped! She screamed as she fell into the water. The cold water shocked her system.

Resurfacing, she coughed and cried for help. She could swim, but the strong current made it nearly impossible to do so. But by a stroke of luck. Bloom found herself heading toward some large rocks sticking out of the water. She managed to grab hold of one of them with her hooves. But she didn’t know how long she could hold on.

“Oh this dreadful weather is ruining my mane! And we’ve still yet to find Bloomeria!” said Rarity.

“And the rain is washing away the hoofprints!” said Rainbow Dash. “We’ll never find her!”

“Don’t say that!” said Blaze. “We can’t give up now! We just can’t!”

“Help!” a distant voice cried. The ponies looked up and listened. Over the wind and rain they heard a familiar voice. “Help!”

"That's her!" Blaze cried.

“Help me!” it cried again. The ponies quickly ran to the source of the cries. The river. They could see the water rushing as fast as stampeding cattle. They looked over the river and saw nothing.

“Where is she?” Pinkie asked.

"I don't see anything." Applejack said.

“Help!” The voice cried again. Blaze spotted some rocks sticking out of the water. And saw that Bloomeria was holding on to one for dear life! “Somepony please help me!” She cried.

“Bloom!” The ponies cried to her. Bloomeria looked up to see seven faces that offered her the slightest glimmer of hope in her turmoil. She cried out once more.

“Help me!”

"Hang on Bloom!" Dash called. “We’ll get you out of there!”

“What are we going to do?” Rarity asked.

“We can’t fly and get her.” Fluttershy said. “It‘s too dangerous in this storm.” Blaze began looking around for something to use, but all he saw were small sticks, leaves, vines and rocks. Wait, vines?

“Those vines!” He said. “We’ll use them like rope to pull her here.” He grabbed the thickest he could find. Applejack fashioned it into a lasso. Blaze checked the knot and then turned to Bloomeria. He saw that she was getting weaker by the minute. "Bloom!" He called. "You have to catch this vine!" She looked at them. Applejack tossed the rope but the wind and rain altered it’s landing. Bloomeria couldn't reach it.

“Consarn it!” Applejack said. She got the vine back and tried again. But with the same result.

Blaze saw she was starting to lose her grip. He gasped. They were running out of time! Applejack pulled the vine back in. “Let me try that again” She said.

Without thinking, Blaze snatched the vine, put the loop tightly around his waist and leapt into the water.

“Blaze!” The six ponies exclaimed.

"Are you crazy!?" Twilight shouted. But Blaze just kept swimming towards the mare in distress.

He grunted as he fought against the current. Soon Bloomeria was just too weak to hold on much longer. But just as she lost her grip, Blaze caught her and held her close.

"I got you." He said. “I got you.”

“Pull!” Rainbow Dash called out.

The ponies pulled as hard as they could. Soon they were able to bring the Blaze and Bloomeria back on land. Blaze quickly got her away from the water. But Bloomeria was shivering vigorously. Blaze curled up beside her, as close as possible.

“We’ve got to get back home.” said Applejack. “It just ain’t safe here.”

“But it will take too long to walk home.” said Fluttershy.

“And this storm won’t make it any easier.” said Rarity. Bloomeria was still shivering, and close to losing consciousness.

"I know what to do." Twilight said. "Everyone gather around." The ponies grouped up. Twilight focused as hard as she could as she readied her teleportation spell. One that she hoped would take them all to someplace safe. She concentrated with all her might as her horn began to glow with magic. Soon in a flash of light, the ponies disappeared.

“Bloomeria?” an echoed voice said. Bloomeria's vision was clouded. She couldn't tell where she was, or who was with her. She moaned softly and shivered still as she was coming to.

"Bloomeria?" Another voice echoed. Her vision started to clear up and she could see some familiar faces.

"Ugh." She said. "Where am I?"

“Oh thank goodness you’re okay.” said Fluttershy.

“You’re in Fluttershy’s cottage.” said Twilight. "We needed to get you warmed up, and she had the closest fireplace."

Bloomeria could she that she had a warm towel draped over her to help her dry off. And that she was in front of a roaring fire. She felt the warmth washing over her like warm bathwater.

“Hey where’s Spike?” She asked.

“He’s back at your place with Ginger.” said Rainbow Dash.

“I hope they’re all right.” said Fluttershy.

Meanwhile at Bloomeria’s, Spike and Ginger decided to busy themselves with some games.

“Ha! King me!” Spike said. The two were sitting on the floor, playing a game of checkers. And now Spike had one of his pieces at the opposite end of the board. Ginger obliged and placed one of the pieces she previously jumped and placed it on top of the other piece. “You’re move.” said Spike with much confidence. So sure that he was going to win this round. Ginger trilled and proceeded with her turn. She jumped the remainder of Spike’s pieces on the board and ended up on the opposite side, much to Spike’s chagrin. “Hmph. Lost to a weasel.” He muttered. “Again. Best three out of five?”

Ginger trilled happily.

Back at Fluttershy’s, Bloomeria was still trying to warm up, shivering still.

“Y’all feeling all right hon?” Applejack asked.

“Still kind of cold.” Bloomeria still felt a bit chilled after taking a major dip in the cold river.

But then she felt something else being draped over her. A quilt helped to provide extra warmth for the little pony. She looked up to see none other than it was Blaze who was helping her to get warm. He was smiling and in his expression he seemed relieved that Bloomeria was all right. But Bloomeria turned her head away from him, refusing to even look. Blaze was surprised.

“Thanks for saving me.” She simply said. “But why would you do that? I thought you hated me.”

“Hate you?” Blaze asked.

“Bloom, there’s something you got to know.” said Dash. “Those flowers he bought from your shop were actually for you.” Bloomeria looked up.

“Had I known that was your shop, I would have gotten you something else.” said Blaze.

“What?” Bloom asked. “But last night… I acted like a complete fool.” Blaze said nothing. Instead, he laid down next to her and placed a wing over her providing extra warmth.

He then leaned over and gently nuzzled her. Bloomeria‘s eyes widened and she gaped as she felt her heart race.

“Oh Bloomeria, I could never hate you.” Blaze said ever so gently. “I already liked you. From the moment I first saw you.”

“You did? But why would you want to be with a wingless pony like me though?” Bloomeria asked.

"Wings?" He said. "All these things do is make you able to fly." He said. "It doesn't make you any less than me." Bloomeria looked at him.

“Really?” She asked. He nodded, flashing his warmest smile. “You… you really like me?” Bloom asked. “Because I kind of had a little… crush on you since I saw you at the party.” Bloomeria’s cheeks turned pink. She couldn’t believe that she just said that to Blaze.

Blaze however, grinned at her. The other ponies could even swear they saw a blush form on his own cheeks. They were beaming.

"Bloom?" He said.

“Hmm?” She asked. Blaze didn't say anything. Instead, he leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. Bloomeria’s cheeks turned red on the spot.

"Awwww!" the other ponies exclaimed with glee. Bloomeria giggled nervously and excitedly at the same time.

“I uh, I’m sorry for what happened last night. And about those cookies. I didn’t know you were allergic to nuts.” She said. Blaze smiled. “And I’m sorry that I ran away and got you all worried.”

“It’s okay.” He said. He continued to nuzzle her. "You know If you‘re willing, I wouldn‘t mind another try at a date." He said. Bloomeria grinned.

"Really?"

“We could have a picnic tomorrow after the weather clears up.” Blaze suggested.

Bloomeria felt like her heart would burst into firecrackers. She felt tears in her eyes, but they weren't tears of sadness. But tears of joy. “Well okay. I‘d love that.” Bloom and Blaze began to nuzzle each other affectionately. Soon there were tears starting to form in the other ponies’ eyes. The joy in the room was infectious.

“I think it’s safe to say that these two are an official couple.” Twilight said to her friends. Fluttershy sniffled.

“Y-yay.” She cheered in her characteristically soft way. “It’s so wonderful.” She said.

“And so romantic.” said Rarity.

Rainbow Dash rubbed her eye. "I’m not crying. It's just an itch." Twilight rolled her eyes. Pinkie Pie was crying her eyes out and blowing her nose into a tissue.

“Do y’all think this would be a lesson to report to Princess Celestia?” Applejack asked.

“Oh yes.” Fluttershy said. “I learned that a good friend should always be willing to speak up, especially if it’s about something important.”

“And that you should always take the time to actually listen to your friends instead of brushing them off.” said Rarity.

“And Bloomeria learned that if you want to actually be a friend to somepony special, the best thing is to reach out and be true to yourself despite your differences.” said Twilight.

Bloomeria turned and nodded. Blaze scooted closer to his new marefriend. Making sure that she was as warm as possible. She sighed with content. Blaze kissed her again, this time on the forehead.

"Come on girls," Applejack said, "let's give them some privacy."

“Right.” said Rarity.

The sound of twenty-four hooves leaving the room let the new couple know that they were alone. Bloomeria adjusted herself so she could get a good view of the fire. The flames danced in front of the two ponies. She felt Blaze's wing wrap around her. The two were engulfed in their newfound love for each other. Neither said anything, as nothing needed to be said. The warmth of the fire and the warmth in each other's hearts said it all. They just looked at each other, and pressed their noses against one another.

What a lovely sight.

The End