A Third Gem

     Leaf was busy testing the limits her of her sisters. It was what happened daily. Then, Rarity had an idea.

     "Leaf," Rarity said to her younger sister, "You remember my friends Fluttershy, right?"

     "Yeah, why?" Leaf asked.

     "Well, her twin brother just died, and her younger brother is going to live with her. He's your age and I want you to be nice to him. Try to be his friend."

     "Alright." Leaf replied.

     "Oh, and we're invited to Pinkie's welcome party for him. Tell Sweetie, won't you?" Rarity asked her.

     "When I see her."

     "When you see who?" the door slammed and Sweetie Belle came inside. What a coincidence. Leaf thought.

     "Sweetie," Rarity said, "We're going to Sugar Cube Corner tonight. Fluttershy's brother is moving in with her."

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     That night, Rarity, Leaf, and Sweetie Belle all headed to the sugary store.

     "Rarity! Sweetie Belle! Leaf! Glad to see you here!" Pinkie shouted.

     "Don't be daft, Pinkie." Rarity said, "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't come. And these two simply love your cupcakes."

     "I gotta fresh batch in the kitchen! Leaf, the guest of honor is your age, you should say hi." Pinkie said.

     "If I see him, I will." Leaf said.

     Later that evening, Leaf did see the guest of honor, and she almost choked on the cupcake she was eating. He looked an awful lot like a colt she'd been friends with in Trottingham.

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     Leaf watched the fireworks go off. This spot truly was special. She couldn't hear the pesky ooh's and ah's of ponies, but she could still see the fireworks. When she heard a twig snap behind her, she turned around. A yellow pegasus with a red mane and blue eyes was next to her.

     "I-is t-this s-seat t-taken?" he stuttered.

     "You can sit here, if you want." Leaf said, smiling happily. The colt sat down right beside her. "I'm Gem Leaf, but most ponies call me Leaf. What's your name?" Gem Leaf asked.

     "I-I'm C-Cloud W-Wing." he stuttered again.

     "That's a nice name, and a cool cutie mark." Cloud Wing had a leaf for a cutie mark.

     "Y-yeah, I just got i-it." he said, opening up a bit, "I-it means I'm g-good with nature, l-like my sister."

     "I wish I had my cutie mark." Leaf said glumly, all she got was a confused look from Cloud.

     "Then what's that?" he pointed to her rear, where a firework had appeared. Leaf was astonished.

     "Oh my Celestia! My cutie mark! Friends forever, alright?" Leaf said to Cloud.

     "Right!" Cloud said.

     "What's in the bag?" Leaf asked, noticing what the young colt held.

     "A toy bear, but I really don't want it."

     "Can I see?" Leaf asked.

     "Sure." Cloud handed her the bag, she opened it and gasped.

     "It's precious!"

     "You can keep it."

     "Really?"

     "Sure, to always remind you of your friend!"

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     "Leaf, is something wrong?' Sweetie Belle asked, noticing her sister coughing.

     "It's fine, Sweetie Belle." Leaf said, "Just swallowed the cupcake wrong. I'm gonna go say hi to Fluttershy's brother."

     Leaf trotted over the the scared looking colt. He definitely was Fluttershy's brother.

     "Oh, hello." he said, "Who are you?" I'm somehow not scared of her. he thought, What's going on?

This is definitely him, but, Leaf thought, he doesn't remember me.

     "I'm Gem Leaf." Leaf said, "But most ponies call me Leaf. You're Fluttershy's brother, right? I'm one of Rarity's sisters."

     "I'm Cloud Wing, but most ponies call me Cloud. Who's your teacher?" Cloud said.

     "Well, I'm in school building seven, Ms. Whisper." Leaf replied.

     "That's my teacher!" Cloud said.

     "Cool, let's sit together at lunch, okay?" Leaf asked.

     "Alright." Cloud replied. They talked all night, but Leaf was worried. Why doesn't he remember me? We got out cutie marks on the same night. We were friends for seven months, how does he not remember? kept going through her head. She didn't show her worry, so nopony noticed. When she returned home that night, she screamed into her pillow.

     "Leaf, what's wrong?" Sweetie Bell asked. Leaf explained Cloud.

     "I'm just going to sleep, I'll think better rested." Leaf said. She looked at a stuffed bear. Their stuffed bear. She fell asleep after that, she dreamed of all the times they'd had together. Good and bad. She dreamed of him.