Belle Crush

Chapters

A Show To Remember
Tail Of the Other
To Belle Favor
Winter Glass
New Years, New Disasters
This Fashion's Getting Old
If Rain Should Stop The Prince
Oranges to Apples
Lessons Learned
Got The Best Of Me

A Show To Remember

“Snips, what are you doing here?”

Sweetie Belle approached the sweet shop, surprised to see Snips without Snails. He was munching on a cupcake absentmindedly, suddenly jolting to life when she called his name. He looked around for a few moments, finally locating her after she called his name again.

“Oh hey Sweetie Belle! I got hungry, so I decided to go and buy a snack. Snails is with our new friend, Show Tail.” He continued to eat as Sweetie Belle took a seat next to him. She blinked for a moment before asking,

“Show Tail? Who’s he?” Snips chewed on his cupcake a bit more before answering.

“He’s that pony from Manehattan. He moved here about a year ago? But we got to know him when a spell we were trying to do knocked him out of the sky. It was just a telekinesis spell, but we got a bird and it smacked into him... He laughed it off and offered to be a test subject. And ummm... I forget what else.” Snips finished his cupcake with self satisfied smile. The wheels in Sweetie Belle’s head were turning. This pony that she had never really met could either be mean, or really nice. He could be smart, or... like Snips and Snails. She shuddered inwardly at the thought of another pony with the smarts to bring an Ursa to town.

Then again, he had decided to help them out, even though he had no magic of his own. He couldn’t be that stupid. Then again...

“So what are you waiting here for Sweetie Belle?”He was chewing on the cupcake’s paper wrapper.

“I’m waiting for the Crusaders. We were supposed to meet here for snacks after Apple Bloom helped out at home and Scootaloo practiced with Rainbow Dash. I’m early since my sister kicked me out. One spool of thread can cause a lot of damage...” She tapped her hoof to her chin in thought, to be interrupted by Snips’ brash yell.

“There they are!!” Snips jumped to his hooves, tail flicking in excitement. Sweetie lazily looked past the colt. There was Snails, lazily walking besides a colt of the same size. That must have been Show Tail.

The first thing she noted was that his cutie mark was a silver drum. She gritted her teeth in a bit of jealousy before paying attention to the colt himself.

He looked her age, thirteen or fourteen at most. He was almost pitch black, save for the gold wisps on his ears and hooves, and his brilliant golden mane and tail. His golden mane was ratty and unkempt, the kind of matted mess that would make Rarity scream in horror. Sweetie Belle took a moment to imagine her sister fainting and promptly getting back up, with brush and other supplies floating behind her to ‘attack’. She laughed in her head at the scene till she caught sight of his tail.

Now she understood where he got his name.

His shining golden tail was the exact opposite of his knotty mane. This was the type of tail that rivaled, or maybe even beat Rarity’s. It curled perfectly, looking clean and well brushed. He couldn’t have possibly done so himself, judging by the frizzy mess that was his mane. She marveled at it before flushing in embarrassment at catching herself staring. She slyly met his golden eyes for a split second.

Strange... She thought to herself as the colt came closer to her. I... don’t know what this is... I don’t know the word is.

“Tails, this is Sweetie Belle! She’s from school, but you probably don’t know her all too well. Sweetie Belle, Show Tail, Show Tail, Sweetie Belle!” Snips laughed at his own introduction. Sweetie Belle still felt embarrassed for her staring, especially with Tail’s shining eyes right in her face.

“So you're the famous Sweetie Belle of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. So I hear you’re a so called ‘blank flank’?”

Sweetie Belle glared at the pegasus, feeling the urge to jab him with her horn rising. How dare he call her a blank flank?! It just reminded her of how Apple Bloom was treated. Which made her mad.

“It’s cool though. I just got mine a month or two ago by tripping into some wooden barrels. I decided to give them a little play with my hooves, and well...This baby appeared.” His tail flicked, drawing her eyes to his cutie mark for a moment, then back to his eyes. “No one is a blank flank for life.” He smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to do with himself now. Sweetie Belle chuckled nervously.

Snips and Snails were too busy discussing what to now that school was out to pay them any mind. She never thought this moment would come. She was desperate for them to do something stupid. Tail’s face was revealing more and more confusion. She didn't know what to do, or what to say. This was something strange, and something she wanted to go away. The filly wished she knew some magic to make the parasprites in her stomach settle down. All she could do was stare and watch the colt before her smile coyly. She had to force herself to speak.

“I sure hope so... We’ve been trying so hard to get them; I’ve lost count on what we’ve done.” She laughed wistfully, drawing circles in the cobbles with her hoof.

“Sometimes trying too hard makes you fail. I would know since I did the same thing you guys are doing. I have the scars to prove it. My mom finally got fed up with me and sent me here a year ago... Fun.” He rolled his eyes in exasperation. Sweetie let a smile creep across her face. So they weren't the only ones who were fervently looking for their one true talent. Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to speak, but her own words didn't come back.

“Sweetie Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelle! There you are!”

Scootaloo. At the very worst possible moment.

The scooter screeched to a halt right in front of the pair, scaring Snips and Snails out of their discussion. Apple Bloom sat in the wagon, waving at Sweetie Belle nonchalantly.

“I’m starving! I can’t wait to get some food! I’m really killing for a daffodil dusted cupcake... What about you Apple Bloom?”

As Apple Bloom began to spout her cravings for anything with apples, Tails looked Scootaloo up and down eagerly. He seemed far more interested in her than Sweetie Belle. He suddenly raised his head, puffed out his chest and made his wings look bigger. Scootaloo giggled at his sudden show as she hopped off her scooter and started talking to him. His face never seemed to stop grinning.

Sweetie Belle couldn't understand the feeling that was within her gut once she saw his golden eyes leave hers. It was a nasty twisty feeling that hurt more than anything else she had ever felt. Even the crashes into trees paled in comparison. It shook her to her hooves, and made her chest ache. She would have to talk to Rarity about this for sure. For now, the sight of Scootaloo and Tails chatting was too much to take.

“Sweetie Belle, are you OK...?” Apple Bloom nudged her friend, sympathy painting her face. That wasn't what Sweetie Belle wanted. She wanted to understand what this feeling in her stomach was. Something that could only be compared to parasprites eating away at her insides. Apple Bloom was talking to her, Scootaloo and Tails were talking to each other about her scooter and her utter ‘need for speed’. Snips and Snails were being themselves. She felt crowded and stupid.

She needed to get away.

Sweetie Belle suddenly found herself dashing away at breakneck speed, her hooves blindly leading her to wherever they wanted. She couldn't stop herself, even at Apple Bloom’s confused cries to come back. She didn't want anypony to see her in her current state. She didn't understand, so why would anypony do the same? She could hear Apple Bloom yelling at Scootaloo to go after her, but the Pegasus was too late. She was already out of sight.

“Should we go look for her?” Apple Bloom panicked, waving her hooves wildly. “I mean, we can LOOK for her.” Apple Bloom sighed, shaking her head. Scootaloo shrugged, saying that maybe she had something important that she had forgotten. That wasn’t beyond her. Apple Bloom bit her lip, before deciding that maybe she was taking this too seriously and went over to talk to Snips and Snails. They could distract her from anything.

As Sweetie Belle raced through town, the same thoughts keep replaying though her head. Why am I in pain? Why did it happen when Scootaloo came? Why and where am I running?! She bought herself to a halt, checking her surroundings. She was... home.

So that's where my hooves took me. Good choice hooves. Sweetie Belle laughed to herself a bit before trotting to the door. She was surprised to see Rarity taking a nap in the middle of a pile of fabric. She always wondered what else her big sister did while she was gone. This was a very blatant answer.

"Rarity... Why are you sleeping in the middle of the floor?" Sweetie Belle nudged her sister curiously.

Rarity jolted awake. She squinted at the blurry white and purple blob in front of her. After blinking a few times she finally focused.

"Sweetie Belle? What are you doing here at this hour? I thought you were going to spend time with your friends..." Rarity slowly stood, shaking herself off. “Is something wrong?” Sweetie Belle swallowed hard, shuffling a hoof into the carpet.

“I’m sick.” Sweetie Belle announced frankly.

Rarity reared back, picking up her sister by magic and carrying her to bed. She tucked the little filly in before summoning the first aid kit where she kept all the medicine. She shuffled through it before levitating a thermometer out of the white wooden box.

“Tell me what are your symptoms Sweetie...” Rarity shoved the thermometer into Sweetie Belle’s mouth and tapped her hoof on the ground impatiently. Sweetie Belle waited a moment to answer. She didn't know how to tell her sister how she felt. It was embarrassing, for some reason. Show Tail must have made her sick and that was the only thing that could explain it.

“That colt I met today got me sick.” Rarity sighed heavily but suddenly perked her ears up in interest. What could have possibly happened that would result in her sister getting sick? She tried to remember the colts that she knew. Only Snips and Snails came to mind, and they were far too stupid to do anything to really harm her little sister. Not to mention she had known them for quite a while, so they obviously were not who she was talking about.

“New... colt? Who is this foal?” She gave her typical pout, waiting to hear her sister’s explanation.

“His name is Show Tail, and he’s... something. A Pegasus. But he made me sick! My heart keeps pounding really fast, my throat goes dry, my stomach won’t stop churning, and other weird twitchy things...”

Rarity pulled the thermometer out of her sister’s mouth. She finally gave up fighting back the smile that had started the moment Sweetie Belle had mentioned the colt. She grabbed up her sister in the magic of her horn, swinging her around merrily. She caught herself a few moments later. Rarity put her down, clearing her throat and dusting herself off.

“You, my dearest little sister, have a crush. Simple as that. Oh this is so exciting, I’ll have to remember this day for eternity! The day my innocent little sister got a crush!” Rarity was gushing madly, wondering what to do to commemorate the event. Sweetie Belle stared after Rarity confused.

“A... crush?” Sweetie Belle said hesitantly. She wasn't the type to pick up on things quickly. Rarity huffed in irritation, plopping herself on the bed. She stared directly into her sisters eyes.

“A crush is when you like somepony, mare or stallion, in a very special way, like how I was for... Prince Blueblood. Or Prince Cakeface, when I was done with HIM. What dastardly manners...” Rarity shivered as if a cold chill had washed over her. “And YOU my dear have a little crush on this... Show Tail. He must be rather cute, as you know we have the highest quality standards.”

Sweetie Belle dug her head under her pillow, face flushed and embarrassed.

“Oh great, this is the worst day ever...”

Rarity pouted once more, pulling her younger sister closer to her. She took a moment not to muss up the bed more.

“Sweetie Belle, let me tell you about my first crush.”

Sweetie Belle looked up at her sister, who had fondly glazed over eyes. She sighed gently, knowing that this would take a while. She snuggled up in her sheets, preparing herself for the ‘Epic Tale of Rarity’s Love.’

I was just a simple young filly. But I was still stunningly beautiful, just like you, even at such a young age. I had recently received my cutie mark, just like so many foals. School was a burden for me. So many young dashing colts vying for my affections and attentions. They all wanted to claim dear Rarity as their own! But alas, I never let a single colt have that honor, no matter how much they would ask.

I would get my only solace at recess, when everypony was playing. Recess was Rarity time! I was sitting under a tree, reading up on fashion and various types of gems. I had recently gotten my cutie mark, remember? So I was even more intrigued.

Every pony knew me as the no mess type of pony. I hated to be dirty, just as how I am now. However, that didn't seem to be the will of Fate that day. While I was reading I was startled by something falling out of the sky and landing by me. It was a sliver earth colt that was completely covered in dirt and mud.

The way he was smiling at me, so goofy and silly, it made me think that he was one of the colts that liked me. I felt myself straighten up, I was feeling cocky, and I knew it. I thought I was going to reject another colt. Then what he said next just... crushed it.

“Oh, you're that prissy fussfilly Rarity, ain't cha? Well they’re right; you don't look to be a bit of fun.”

I dropped my jaw. No colt every insulted me as such. Me, the class beauty! Rarity! I simply did not know how to take such a comment. I lost my prideful face in an instant, pouting at this silly colt.

He brought himself to his hooves and glanced up to the sky. There above him was a laughing pegasus colt, who was obviously the one who had been carrying him. I got a good look at him. He was a soft silver, and he was covered in dirt and mud. He obviously was in another class, because there was no hay that he would have been in my class without me noticing all that horrible muss!! But then that earth colt looked me straight in the eye. Those beautiful, royal blue eyes, oh he could have been a prince himself! Much well behaved than that silly Prince Cakeface by light-years. But I digress darling.

“I’m Fall Leaf.” He then showed me his cutie mark, a fall leaf with wind streaks behind it. Oh how... regal it looked. Fall shook himself off, nearly getting dirt on me. I cringed and fell back, but what he did next surprised me. He gave me the most charming look I have ever received in my entire life. He truly was a prince. He left his mark on me darling. He marked me forever, and set my heart ablaze. I simply can’t explain or understand it, but alas, he captured me, heart and soul with that charming smile!

“When you're ready for some real fun, call me and Silver Wind.” And then he was lifted away like some sort of... angel. From that moment on, I tried to spend as much time with him as possible. I chased after him at recess, trying my best to get his attentions... He would often pay me little mind, sticking to the freer flying fillies. Soon, he warmed up to me. I brought him home with me often.

“So, why am I holding this again Rare?”

“So I can sew it right. Besides, I need to practice on colts and stallions. And well... you’re very... fit for the job. Very much so...” He was growing up indeed. His build was slowly becoming one of the finest stallions, most likely from his nonstop running. You see, his special talent was running. He always placed in top 5 during the fall running. He was indeed a great runner, his stamina was impeccable, his long well built but very lanky legs propelled him... It was beautiful to watch. It was even more so to watch the cloth fit onto him perfectly, though I... felt it was a crime to behold, but anyway!

I suppose then was when I realized, in the awkward stage of going from filly to mare, that I was completely falling in love with my fillyhood crush. Suiting him up, watching him shuffle nervously, that was when it all came crashing down on me.

I was very much in love with a very dirty stallion.

He had fallen in love with me as well...

I was so very sure that he would be mine forever. But then he got the letter from Celestia, requesting that he come and teach her guards to be as skillful runners as he. He was indeed famous. We were happy that he was going to live in Canterlot. Then I remembered. I had you to take care of Sweetie Belle. Help out mom and dad. I could not just leave. I had to raise you here, where our entire family had been. I could not go with him.

The last night in Ponyville, we spent it together. That night, I had to make perfect. Everything, every little detail. Perfect perfection. I simply had to. It was almost disastrous. The food got ruined by a flash make up storm; the wind forced us into his home, both soaking wet. We had to light a fire, and we kept together for warmth. He took my first kiss... and other things. It was prince claiming his princess. And then... Fall Leaf was gone... My prince was gone. I somewhat replaced him with Prince Blueblood. Hah, some prince he was.

Rarity was now rubbing her nose with her hoof and blinking hard. She was desperately trying not to cry.

“I was so heartbroken that I over reacted and refused to even look at any of his letters. He sent them constantly. I was so embarrassed that whenever he came to town, I would hide. I know it is not very noble of me... But I was blinded by my dramatics. He still sends me a letter for my birthday. I have them all over there in a corner. I bet he has a family... And love and forgotten all about me...” Rarity pushed her face under the pillow. Sweetie Belle sucked on her lip, beginning to wonder what good love brought.

Tail Of the Other

“What do you have to say for yourself?! Getting into fights over fillies. You're a silly little foal. I should punish you, but your sprained wing should do the trick for me.”

Show Tail screamed in misery as his aunt pulled on his damaged wing. Agony was an understatement at the moment. His aunt, Pica, was mercilessly pulling his wing in an attempt to set it in a splint. He knew that the pegasus was pulling harder than she should have out of sheer disdain. The moment she had found out his talent had nothing to do with math, science or the arts, she had changed.

Pica had been kind at one point. She was a pure white pegasus mare with a shining pile of bits as a cutie mark and a seemingly good heart. She had allowed him to live with her in Ponyville after his desperate attempts to get a cutie mark had finally angered his mother to the point of no return. She could only take seeing her son injured so many times in a row. Nova Cure sent her rather reluctant pegasus to the country side to live with his father’s sister. He forced himself to fly in order to escape the wretchedly placid place. He missed his mother, father, friends and the general Manehattan feel. He wasn't part of the upper crust, but the lower class ponies that knew how to have fun. That was where he felt he belonged, at least until Snips and Snails smacked him out of the sky.

He winced more, biting his lip to contain his screams. Pica really did not show him any mercy, or hide her feelings. He tried to think of better things. Snips and Snails becoming his first real friends and making him want to stay. The fun they had together. Flying with Scootaloo. Just being with Scootaloo. Nuzzling Sweetie Belle.

Nuzzling Sweetie Belle?

He could vaguely remember rubbing his nose with her, trying to make her smile. She had nudged his face up to look at hers, and he had felt her breath on his face. Sweetie Belle’s face was full of concern and worry, and he nuzzled her soft nose to make her feel better. It had made him feel better too. Sweetie Belle, though he only met her a bit more than a week ago, was already somepony he felt he could depend on. Show Tail remembered spilling everything to her. How the pegasus colt and his idiot followers had told him to stay away from Scootaloo, claiming her as his. Sweetie Belle had looked disappointed, probably at his cuss-filled response to the colts. He hated hurting other ponies’ feelings so he nuzzled her nose till she smiled. A smile that made him feel so much better and brought to mind Scootaloo, the filly of his dreams.

Not to say that Sweetie Belle wasn't pretty in her own right. She was a breath of fresh air from his angel. She was goofy, and didn't have her mind mostly occupied by flying. He shut his eyes and thought of her as the splint was set. Show Tail let out one last grunt of pain. He looked back to see the wing bandaged up in its typical resting position, and not slightly hanging as it had before. He could have expressed gratitude to Pica. Before he could speak, she was spraying a burning antiseptic on his wounds. He hissed in agony, forcing his eyes shut to think of other things

“I got into a fight because I like Scootaloo. It’s becoming more obvious apparently. “Sweetie Belle’s face fell. She had been smiling, but now... she looked so unhappy. She really hated the idea of me fighting. I had to do something. I didn't know her that well. I wanted to hang out with her, but Scootaloo was far too tempting to pass up and I felt bad. She was almost as wonderful as my angel, and she deserved my attention. Friends are friends. My mother used to rub my nose when I was sad to cheer me up. Sweetie Belle wasn't family, so I figured I had to do it differently. So I nuzzled her nose slowly, like in the movies. I understood why. Her nose was soft and warm, and made me tingle. And made her smile. Even after that, I just wanted to stay there with her for as long as possible.

I never knew that a nose-rub could make somepony feel so wonderful. It was so strange, to hear my heart beating in my ears. I’ve never had that, at least to something like this. It reminded me of how I felt with Scootaloo, but... different. It made me feel warm. She started to nuzzle back at some point, eyes closed and still smiling. She was telling me that she was OK now, and I felt my wings flutter a bit, though I don't know why. Sweetie Belle’s breath smelled pleasantly of apples, while I was pretty sure mine smelled of grass and dirt from my crash landing. Either way, that sweet smell made me bite my lip, and my wings fluttered more. The sprained one hurt slightly, but at this point, I didn't really care. I just wanted to feel her rub against my nose more.

I caught myself. I was enjoying this too much. I didn't really deserve this filly’s kindness. I stepped back and said my goodbyes. I remembered galloping off at breakneck speed, my sprained wing painfully fighting to go up with the other.

By the time the colt had gotten home, he was late for his lessons. Pica’s iron determination to earn him a ‘second cutie mark’ had made his lessons twice as hard. She had turned as cold and spiteful as Nightmare Moon, with Show Tail desperately wishing for her to return to Luna. Pica smacked him with her wing to bring him back to earth.

“Show Tail. It’s time for your lessons. It matters not that you are injured. Eventually, your true talent will emerge. Maybe at math, like you aunt Pica. Or science... Oh I can’t wait. I will get you your dinner.” Pica kissed her nephew on the head, and trotted off to the kitchen. Show Tail sat by the table, trying his best to do whatever work Pica had laid out. He hated the bulk of his lessons with a passion, especially math. The only one he liked at all was biology, and that was because of his flights over the Everfree forest. He would rather be there than put before these lessons. He wanted to be anywhere else.

Show Tail wanted to be with the silver snare drum he had gotten from his father. It celebrated his cutie mark, his brand, his symbol, the one that he had grown to hate. Yet as much as he hated the treatment his talent earned him, he loved it. He loved music, creating it, listening to it. It was his passion, turned into a guilty pleasure. It was a horrible, dirty, guilty pleasure that his aunt would prefer replacing with something more useful and secure. He wanted his talent to be accepted, but that seemed to be too much to ask for.

The next morning could not come fast enough. He walked to school with his friends for the first time in ages, watching the pegasi fly above him. He was admittedly jealous, his one working wing anxious to follow them into the sky. He just wanted to heal up as quickly as possible. Snips and Snails had escaped from the fight with far less damage than Show Tail, only bearing a few scratches and bandages. But they had won the fight, and walked with victory.

“Tails, what happened you your wing?”

Scootaloo. She was flying right above him, curiously staring at his damaged wing. He cringed. He hated the fact that his princess was seeing him in such a state. “So we won’t be flying anytime soon? I hope you feel better.” She then jetted off to school without another word.

“It’s OK Tails. I’m sure that you’ll get better soon. Then you can go and flirt with Scootaloo again.” Show Tail tripped Snips without hesitation for saying that.

“Is it really that obvious I like Scootaloo, Snails?” Show Tail looked his slow friend in the eyes, waiting patiently for him to say something. Anything. Snails inhaled deeply.

“It’s quite obvious, eh.” Show Tail was dumbfounded by Snails’ response. That was the closest Snails came to eloquent in the many months he had known him. Snails shrugged, continuing onward. Snips got to his hooves, quickly whispered that he was trying his best to teach Snails to speak with more class and it was apparently rubbing off. That answer, however, made Show Tail nervous. Ponies already knew of his crush on Scootaloo. Would that earn him another bashed wing? What made it worse was that he was grounded. He couldn't spend time with her like he used to.

“I guess this is as good a time as any to spend some time with Sweetie Belle. I’m sure she wouldn't mind. I wonder what she’s up to after school today.”

“So it’s just me an’ Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom pouted. The Cutie Mark Crusaders met in their club house after school as they always did, even if only for a few minutes. They would discuss their plans and ideas for obtaining cutie marks. Since they had grown up, they would spend at most an hour together before Scootaloo went off to fly with the younger pegasi, Show Tail, or Rainbow Dash. Sometimes Apple Bloom would help out repairing things at home or just go to the hardware store, leaving Sweetie Belle to help around at Rarity’s. Apple Bloom sighed, puffing up her cheeks. She hadn't been spending time with her friends like they used to. Even though they were in their clubhouse, it didn't feel the same. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were slowly getting older, to the point that their crusading had become less and less deadly.

“Yeah, Show Tail invited me to spend some time with him in the meadow. Besides Apple Bloom, you have the hardware store colts to hang out with. You’ve been spending lots of time there.” Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow at her, suggesting there was much more to it. Apple Bloom squirmed. Her very best friends were glaring her down in such a manner that would get a mute to speak. “We know you like building, but... we’re not that stupid.”

Apple Bloom screamed in frustration, spinning around in circles mindlessly till she fell down. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo took the opportunity to nudge her incessantly.

“One a’ the colts there... He’s a bit... sweet on me. Though most a’ the colts are, him especially. I... kinda like it.” Apple Bloom squirmed in embarrassment. “I don't feel comfortable talking about this...”

“Do you think it’s time we start talking about colts...?” Scootaloo grumbled. The other two fillies imminently stared at her like she was an alien. Scootaloo, the boyish one, the one they had all been sure would never have to do with anything romantic, was suggesting colt talk?

“Who are you and what have you done with Scootaloo. Where is she?!” Apple Bloom screamed before tackling her with all the force she could muster. Scootaloo screamed, unable to escape from Apple Bloom’s grip.

“I’m still Scootaloo! I’m just saying! We’re... kinda getting older. And well... I like colts.” She said rather reluctantly. Sweetie Belle was giggling at this turn of events. A few years ago, Scootaloo was the tomcoltish filly she knew. Now, she wanted to talk about colts. This was a development not even she could foresee. She laughed for just a bit longer, and then her blood ran cold.

Scootaloo liked colts.

Oh horsefeathers, she could get a crush on Show Tail.

“What’s the matta Sweetie Belle? You look like you ate a rotten apple. Did ya eat a rotten apple? Cause I got a cure for that at home. Tastes worse than the rotten apple, but Granny Smith swears by it!” Apple Bloom went on for a bit longer, leaving Sweetie Belle to her own devices.

“Oh horsefeathers! I was supposed to meet Show Tail! Bye!”

“That Sweetie Belle is SO random. Hey, you wanna go zip lining?”

“Scootaloo, I’m still traumatized from the last time. And that was years ago! Let’s just stay here and plot another crusade and talk about those ‘colts’ you were so eager ta suggest.” Scootaloo stepped back warily. She somewhat regretted mentioning she liked them. No colt had really caught her eye in the least, but she still liked just looking. Apple Bloom “Well, you see, the colt that’s all sweet on me has a really nice cutie mark. He loves apples too...” Scootaloo sat back, smiling at her best friend lighting up the room with her story. Her only regret was that Sweetie Belle was missing this.

Sweetie Belle galloped into the town meadow, panicking about being late. She really didn't mean to get caught up with the Crusaders for so long. It felt as if it had been forever since she had spent time with them. She slowed down once her eyes caught sight of a black and gold smudge in the tall grass.

“So Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo tells me that you can sing.” Show Tail turned his head to her as she got closer. He was laying in the meadow and felt her hooves approaching. He rolled over and stood. Sweetie Belle was blushing. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he shook himself off. “You don't like to sing?”

Show Tail tried his best to read her body language. Her head was hanging low, and she was trying to hide her face. Was she really that embarrassed about it? He thought that they were friends. Maybe she really didn't trust him. Show Tail gulped, trying to figure out what to do. Looking her over, he noticed her nose stuck out. That warm and comforting nose of hers. He could feel his own tingle at the memory of feeling again. The tingle that had flooded his body, from head to wing to ho

Show Tail stepped towards her, nervously closing his eyes and pushing his nose against hers. He couldn't help himself. Her breath hitched when she felt his nose press against hers again. Sweetie Belle sat down out of pure shock, crushing the plants beneath her. He continued to nuzzle against her nose, biting his lip. Feeling awkward and comfortable at the same time, he continued, gently and with slight pressure. His splinted wing was somewhat fighting to flare up, like the other one, and was causing him a bit more pain than last time.

He didn't care. He didn't want to care. All he wanted was to feel her warm nose against his, like yesterday night. His mind began to question what other parts of her were warm. He was chewing fervently on his lip, wondering what side to follow. Show Tail took a moment to submit to his morbid curiosity and nuzzle into her neck. This time all he got was slight snort. He opened his eyes, yanked out of his trance. She was giggling. Which turned into full on laughing.

He flushed, once again catching himself in the act. He blinked furiously, trying to understand what he had just been doing. Straightening his wings, he coughed to regain some semblance of composure. Sweetie Belle looked at him confused. Her entire body still tingled as she watched him start to pace about the meadow.

“Tails, what’s...?”

“So I hear you can sing. Got anything for me to hear Sweetie Belle?”

For some reason, she didn't feel as shy. The tingle was influencing her. She quietly began to sing the Cutie Mark Crusader theme song, which she had loyally committed to memory. Sweetie Belle was surprised to hear the sharp sounds of a snare drum trying to accompany her.

“Please ig... nore me, kinda. My dad got me this, and I can't keep it in the house much, or my aunt will throw it out... Also, you're a much better singer than Scootaloo. So much better.”

Sweetie Belle felt her pride swell up as she continued to sing.

Show Tail walked her home, just like in the movies, with them talking about anything that came to mind. For Sweetie Belle, that was humming bits of possible songs. For Show Tail, it was how good Scootaloo was at flying and dancing. And his general affections for her. Sweetie Belle managed to drive the conversation elsewhere long enough to get home. Was he really that stupid? Did he not realize what he was doing? Apparently not. Ponies could really be so stupid. She was tempted to say colts, but the dramatic of Rarity and friends came to mind for a moment.

“We should do this more often, Sweetie Belle. Music and music, right?” Show Tail smiled nervously. They stood on the doorstep, Sweetie Belle rambling on about making a song with him and how good he was. He rolled his eyes playfully, elated at having somepony to talk about music with. He decided to silence her by nudging her cheek with his nose. She quickly stopped, digging her hoof into the ground nervously.

“Yes, Show Tail?”

“Thanks for hanging out with... me. You know, you have a really nice voice Belle. You should be proud of it.” She giggled in a way akin to Snails before saying her goodbyes and slipping inside. Sweetie Belle wasn't surprised to have Rarity in her face.

“Such a ratty-maned colt. But his tail, it is wonderful! It’s one of the gods! And he’s a musician? They do say that musicians make the best lov...ly music! Yes yes, and they're very good friends, and coltfriends... Yes, then again, so are the athletic types. Mmm, Fall Leaf. Oh my, I’m getting off track. But he seems to like you, and oh my, my little sister is growing up...” Rarity was off on her ramble again.

“He doesn't like me! He likes Scootaloo. He’s just... stupid...” Sweetie Belle heaved a sigh in exasperation before trotting off to her room in anger. Just a moment ago, she had felt wonderful, like a princess. Now, she felt like the peasant left at the gate while the big ball went on. She could just imagine it, Show Tail with his darling Scootaloo, while she was left to watch, painfully staring and wishing to be her.

Burrowing herself underneath her sheets, Sweetie Belle curled up in a ball. She could say that he liked her. He was so sweet to her, nuzzling her nose, tickling her like that. She was shown such great affection, like in the romance movies she and Rarity had indulged in a week ago, but he wasn't interested. Was he really that stupid? Did he not realize what he was doing? Apparently not. He had spent some of their walk home telling her he wished he could have this much fun with Scootaloo.

Scootaloo this, Scootaloo that.

“She’s your friend, and you can't help that Sweetie. You can only deal with it and hope your time will come.”

Sweetie Belle stuck her head out from the sheets, coming face to face with Rarity.

“She doesn't even... like him Rare.” Sweetie Belle sputtered out. She was frustrated, aggravated, and all sorts of things that she couldn't even understand. Rarity’s face was full of sympathy. She knew her little sister knew nothing of the romance world, and this was a crash course that nopony deserved. But it was her sister’s course, and she would help guide her through the best she could.

“He doesn't seem to understand that what he’s doing... are romantic acts. It’s a shame I showed you those movies... Oh my. Maybe you can charm him. But you simply must remember. You are only a foal and this is only a foal’s crush. You may get lucky and have something like what Fall Leaf and I had... But. You are only a foal. With any luck, this will pass. Do you understand?” Rarity did not make eye contact at any point of her speech, yet Sweetie Belle seemed to understand. This was not something she should invest her entire heart into. “Sweetie Belle, my dear little sister. The hurt will pass in due time. You must simply wait. This isn't a movie. Then, you will be able to be fabulous like your older sister.”

“But you're lonely, and you refuse to contact the stallion you love. That’s not what the movies say to do! You're supposed to go after them! ”

“Silence Sweetie Belle!” Rarity snapped. “You know nothing of love, and therefore have no right to say anything at all! Go to bed!” Rarity wasted no time making a dramatic exit, leaving her sister alone. Rarity sank against the door she had just slammed, sobbing slightly. She knew in the pit of her stomach that her little sister was right. She had spent years ignoring his letters out of her own irrational fears. Now her innocent little sister was going through the woes of maturity. If she could, she would go back in time and keep her a child.

An innocent foal that simply didn't understand or want to understand the world of love. She rubbed her eyes dry, hiccupping. She had to pull herself together. This was no time to be breaking down at old memories. She had to be there to support her little sister, her darling Sweetie Belle that knew not what to do. Rarity bounced to her feet, marching to her room. Glancing over at the wall, she quickly noticed that her birthday was coming up.

A letter would be due soon, and this time, she would reply.

She promised.

To Belle Favor

Show Tail yawned, struggling out of bed on a bright Saturday morning. He lazily flew straight down the hall to the bathroom, casually bumping into walls along the way. He nudged the door open, and made his way to the sink. He leaned on the edge of the porcelain sink, examining his looks, as teenagers do. His unkempt mane was actually looking better than normal, but still resiliently sticking up in random places. His golden eyes wanted to shine behind the film of general drowsiness. Show Tail flicked his signature tail behind him, and his eyes went to his flank. His cutie mark glared at him, the silver drum maliciously sticking out. Smiling wryly, a dry chuckle escaped his lips. He wanted it gone, or at least changed to something else. That shining drum was making his life with Pica a living hell.

Show Tail closed his eyes, exhaling a shaky breath. He could feel his stomach lurch, adrenaline rush, and his muscles tense like he was about to fight.

Keep calm, keep calm.

He opened his eyes, curiously eyeing his broken countenance. The cracked glass wasn't there before. He stared at the cabinet blankly for a few more seconds, confused on how it happened. He stamped a hoof on the side of the sink.

He had punched the mirror. So much for keeping calm. Show Tail bit his lip nervously, embarrassed that he had lost his temper so mindlessly. He figured that it was one of those moments where stress from the past compiles with current stress. He nodded to himself in agreement, taking note to borrow a book at the library about stress later when he was coming home. Sheepishly, he swept the mess up hoping that Pica would not be too mad with him. He tried to keep his mind off the mare. She was slightly off her rocker, and it wasn't a secret to anypony. The vehement mental mess was out at work, functioning like any other pony. Once she got home, she was a benevolent tyrant, berating him for hours before gathering him up in her arms and begging for forgiveness. She would surely yell at him for this.

Show Tail threw the glass shards out, trying to stay positive, and proceeded to get ready for the day. He trotted into the kitchen, taking in his surroundings. Pica had left out a box of cereal, which he guessed was for him. He snorted and rolled his eyes. He didn't know why Pica left him such paltry foods when he could cook his own meals. Flying up to the top shelf with gusto, Show Tail brought down some fruit, flour, and other things.

“Today’s meal will be Fruit Pancakes with lightly toasted daffodils and roses.” He said to himself in a matter of fact tone. He loved the rare moments when Pica wasn't there. He could do what he wanted to, without math and other things being shoved down his throat. Without the heavy slaps of her wings whenever he did anything wrong. Without the crushing hugs and the insane mumblings of ‘my poor child, my poor son.’ He shivered, putting the seasoned daffodils and daisies in the oven.

Show Tail shook his head. Today was meant to be a great day. The November weather was perfect to go out. Then again, every day was a perfect day to hang out with Scootaloo. He swooned after a pancake flip, nearly missing the pan. He couldn't understand why he was so attracted to her, and yet he was. It was best not to question teenage hormones. She was just so imposing, strong, and a bunch of other words he knew but could not seem to find. That stupid smile he got on his face around her was plastered on now. Show Tail couldn't wait.

When he arrived at the meadow, he was surprised to see another pony with Scootaloo. Frustration was the only thing that could describe how he felt. He trotted up to them with pride regardless. Scootaloo waved him over, and immediately began to speak.

“How long have I known you Tails?”

He tapped his hoof on the ground for a moment. “We met in the beginning of the school year... September. And it’s November now, so two months?” She squealed, turning towards the light blue mare behind her.

“And I haven't introduced you to my idol? The world fastest flier? It’s... Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo squealed. Show Tail stepped back out of shock. Scootaloo was acting very strange. Her eyes looked like dinner plates and she was giddy. A bit too giddy. Scootaloo was rocking back and forth on her hooves as Rainbow Dash got closer. Show Tail raised an eyebrow skeptically. Was this his Scootaloo? The one that he had come to consider a demigod, the one who he had been getting into fights over? If that was his Scootaloo, then frankly, the thought left a sour taste in his mouth. He preened himself on liking her attitude as it was, carefree and not overly prissy, like Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara.

Show Tail snapped back to reality once he realized that Rainbow Dash was talking to him.

“Yes yes, it’s me, Rainbow Dash! One of the greatest fliers in all Equestria, member of the Wonderbolts. Thank you very much. Now, let’s see how fast you can fly!” Rainbow Dash took flight without another word. She looked Show Tail up down anxiously waiting for him to take flight. He shrugged and followed her into the sky besides Scootaloo. “Ready? Set...”

Show Tail was now sitting in the meadow an hour or two later, wishing he had said no. Rainbow Dash was talking to him about something. He really wasn't paying attention or caring much about that something. He was more concerned with the filly that was flying away. The look on her face had made him miserable. Her brows had been furrowed, yet tears were forming in the corners. Scootaloo’s wings were flared high in anger, as if she were about to tackle something, but her body seemed to wobble in the breeze. She opened her mouth as if she was screaming, but nothing came out. Suddenly, she took flight, yelling her goodbyes to them both. Rainbow Dash had just shrugged, assuming that she just had something to do. Show Tail cringed. He could read ponies like a book sometimes.

His heart sank.

“She doesn't love me anymore!” Scootaloo screamed as she crashed into the Cutie Mark Crusader tree house. Apple Bloom screamed in horror, diving out of the way of the speeding pegasus. Scootaloo landed in the pile of library books the other two crusaders had taken out. Stumbling to her feet, Scootaloo rushed into Apple Bloom. She sobbed a bit, sniffling and rubbing her eyes. “Remain cool Scootaloo. Cool. You’re cool.”

“Scootaloo... She doesn't... love you? Who? Rainbow...”

“She ignored me ok?! Just because Show Tail is a faster flier and can't maneuver as well as I can!” She walked over to Apple Bloom before collapsing in a heap dramatically. Apple Bloom sighed, rolling her eyes. She wished that Sweetie Belle was there. Living with Rarity had probably trained her well with dramatic situations.

“Now Scootaloo... She probably just wanted to help him become a better flier! You know that flying means a lot to a pegasus!” Apple Bloom patted her friend on the back desperately trying to find what to say next. ‘’You sound like you're a... what’s the word Pinkie Pie said? Big Jealousy McJealous Jealous Pants? Yeah! That’s tha word! I think...” She tapped her hoof to her chin. Scootaloo sat back, sniffling.

“I... guess you're right... I’m jealous. But he’s faster than me! I can't stand it! I hate him!” Scootaloo pouted, putting her back to Apple Bloom to emphasize her point. Apple Bloom Sighed dramatically, not sure what to do with the devastated Scootaloo. Dash was her idol, her ‘sister’, her mentor. It must have hurt seeing her pay attention to another pegasus foal and not her. Apple Bloom stomped her hoof on the ground before tugging on Scootaloo’s mane.

“Come on, I know just tha thing to cheer ya up.” She tugged Scootaloo to the house, sitting her down for pie and milk. “Alright Scootaloo. You have to remember, Rainbow Dash has other friends too ya know...” Apple Bloom began, trying her best to look scholarly. Knowing Scooatloo’s stubbornness, she might be there a while. She really hoped that at least Show Tail was having fun.

“Oh. Here it is...”

“Aren't you a little young to be taking out books on anger management?”

“Maybe...? I don't know. Hello Ms. Sparkle...” Show Tail shrunk back a bit, trying to assess the look on the mare’s face. She was showing mostly confusion and curiosity, but not the good kind. He felt as if she was examining him. He had to come up with an excuse, and fast. “It’s for my aunt. You know her, Pica?” When Twilight’s eyes sprung open in shock, he knew he had come up with the wrong one. He had to say something else. Anything else to make her not think that Pica was any crazier than she already was.

“Show Tail, are you...”

“She’s having problems at work! She... needs to learn how to deal with a pony with issues.”

“Oh... alright... Anyway, the kids section is over there, and Snips, Snails, and other foals are over there. Go ahead and enjoy yourself.” Twilight nodded awkwardly before going off to her own section of the library. Show Tail breathed a sigh of relief, realizing how close he had gotten to possibly messing up his aunt’s life. Show Tail trotted over to a more decorated section of the tree. Stained glass decorated the edge of the panes, and slightly worn yet soft pillows were scattered on the floor. Snips and Snails had picked the brightest nook, each seated next to a window in the corner. He dragged one of the small pillows not in use over to them, taking a peak at what the two were reading.

Snips was reading a cook book, and Snails was reading something about algebra. He didn't think much of it, before whipping Snails on the flank to get his attention.

“Oh, hey Tails! I’m just reading some math...” Snails returned to his book without another word. Suddenly, he snapped his head back up, staring intently at Show Tail’s face. “What happened?”

“I pissed Scootaloo off by being a faster flier. Dash was interested in training me, since I have very little coordination in flight. So she’s mad at me now. Or something... I feel kinda stupid now.” Show Tail bit his lip, trying to think of what to do to curry her favor. Perhaps make her something to eat? Go flying with her, like they always used to do? No... She’s mad at me for my horrid flying. If only I had focused on skill more than speed. He slammed his forehead into the stress and anger management book he had picked up, taking a moment to marvel in the slight irony of doing so.

“Maybe you're taking this too seriously Tails. I mean, we’re only fourteen. Who needs fillies anyway?” Snips stuck out his tongue, pouting to emphasize his disgust. Snails rolled his eyes at his best friend.

“Is that why you're looking up recipes for apples?” Snips cringed, glaring at Snails as if he was going to smack him with his hoof. “Mmmm... apples.” Snails groaned out, returning to his book. Snips sputtered something in frustration, creating a multitude of excuses to which Snails shook his head laughing dumbly. Snips poked him with his horn, and Snails responded with a rather dull and uninterested ‘Ouch’.

“Well, I just wanted to learn. I hear she has interest in another colt... I have no chance. Besides, I just think she’s pretty. Which she is...” Snips shoved the book to the side, picking up a magazine another foal had left behind. “Yeah Tails, you might be taking this Scootaloo thing too hard. I’m pretty sure there are other pretty fillies that would like you all the same. You aimed too high.”

“What are you talking about, too high?! And how do you even know all this stuff?!” Show Tail snapped. He was getting irritated again. He started chewing on his lip, hoping that he wouldn't lose his temper again. Show Tail flipped open the book, trying to find something that would be helpful. Counting down from ten to one was the first thing that popped out. Show Tail closed his eyes, hoping that would help.

Ten.

“You know, she’s not like Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon, openly worshiped by the colts in our school. But she still has lots of admirers.”

Nine.

“We’ve been getting into lots a fights...”

Eight.

“We keep getting into fights because Scootaloo likes spending time with Tails, and we're his friends. We gotta help.”

Seven. My... fault.

“Does she like him?”

Six. No, she doesn't Snails. She probably never will too.

Snips only shrugged.

Five. Maybe I am taking this too seriously...

“If we don't know, why worry, eh?”

Four. Worry. I shouldn't worry... But I can't help it. This is new.

“Oh Snails, you don't know anything about fillies! We’re old enough to like them you know!”

Three. Oh heavens this isn't working... Fillies are so much trouble. I... think I’m gonna snap.

“He likes Scootaloo. Why not like somepony else?”

Two. If only it were that easy... Heavens, this really isn't working. It still...

“What about Sweetie Belle, Tails? You two hang out a lot anyway.”

Show Tail stopped his count down, if only out of shock. He opened his eyes only to glare at Snips, who shrunk back in slight fear. Snails were laughing in his typical slow minded fashion. Show Tail rolled his eyes before addressing Snips straight on.

“Sweetie Belle is my friend, and only that! She could never compare to Scootaloo like that. She’s pretty, yeah, but she’s just too... too... I don't know I just like Scootaloo more! Let’s drop this topic.” He stomped a hoof on the floor to solidify his point. Snips and Snails rolled their eyes in unison. Show Tail decided not take the topic any further, in fear of treading on some dangerous ground. Snails traded his algebra book for the cook book, and little else was said afterwards.

“Show Tail, please inform me as to why you have this... book? You have anger issues? What could possibly be stressing a young colt?” Pica swatted him with her wing. He tottered in his seat at the dining table, trying his best to finish his lessons quickly. His patience was wearing thin, with Pica and the lessons. He wanted to mope in his room, like any other teenager. Especially after today. Scootaloo was probably angry at him for stealing attention away from her idol. He was ashamed of himself, and that was distracting him more than it should have. “Idiot foal! That’s not how mother taught you to add!”

Another swat of the wing, with more force than the last. That one actually hurt a bit. He could lash out. He could attack her. His common sense warned him against that. It didn't take long for Show Tail to remember the mare was sick. She was berating him about the book now, along with his apparent lack of finesse for the art of math. He finally finished the work, trudging to his room, stress book in mouth. He knew his anger was rising, and that he would lose his temper. Pica’s incessant mumbling to herself down the hall grated on her ears. That mumbling meant she was planning another lesson, and another forced torture. If he didn't care about her so much, he would have begged to go back home.

He couldn't leave her, at least not yet. She needed him, and it was blatantly obvious her life would crumble without him to be her false foal. Show Tail burrowed under his sheets, reveling in the darkness that dusk brought. His room Pulling out the book and a flashlight, he read about identifying and leaving causes of stress. Pica was one. A major one. He knew he could only leave Pica when he was older, when she was sure she had fulfilled her motherly duties. For now though, he would have to stay under her mad hoof.

At least she hadn't mentioned the mirror.

“Hey, Show Tail. I have something to ask you!!”

Scootaloo? He jumped out of his bed, flying to one of the huge bay windows as fast as possible. Indeed there was a rather sullen faced filly right under his window frame. He couldn't tell if he was dreaming or dreaming. He opened his window anyway, letting the filly of his dreams rest on his windowsill.

“You have to tell me how you got to fly so fast!” Scootaloo hissed. She had a look in her eyes that he thought he would never get from her. They looked like they were tearing. There was sheer and unadulterated desperation, heavily mixed with what could be called pure rage. Was impressing Rainbow Dash all that mattered to her? Or did out-speeding her in front of her idol do that much damage? Either way, she looked like she was going to stomp on him.

Show Tail stepped back, not sure of what to say. He didn't want to tell her the truth. He had to keep as much tarnish as possible off his standing with her. He swallowed hard, and came up with the best plausible excuse.

“It’s because I’ve been flying longer than you! You know what I mean?! It’s only been a few months difference, but still!” His mouth went dry under her glare. She narrowed her eyes at him, searching for some fault, anything all to give her more information. A few seconds passed by awkwardly before she finally smiled, seeming to have accepted his vague excuse.

“Sure! I’ll see you tomorrow.” She zipped out his window without another word. He dived back under his sheets, breathing hard. He would be able to tell her everything without feeling embarrassed one day...

As Scootaloo flew back home as fast as she could; only one thing was on her mind.

“I hate him.”

Winter Glass

“Thanks for coming over to help me, guys! I dunno if I could handle all of this baking by myself! It’s sooooo nice to have some extra hooves in the kitchen! Cause, you know I can't just spawn hooves... Oooooh! Put some extra cinnamon in that! More sugar! More more more!!”

Sweetie Belle laughed in delight, nudging Apple Bloom with her flour-dusted flank. The fillies were helping the overworked Cake family prepare sweets for the Winter Solstice Ball. It was to be the longest night of the year, and the few hours of daylight had to be used wisely. In contrast with the wild and informal Summer Solstice party, Luna’s was a much more formal affair, at least in dress. It was too cold to party outside, so the whole event was to be held in the grand town hall. Rarity was already there, hurrying up with decorations, and most likely doing last-minute dress alterations on the spot. Sweetie Belle had felt bad that she was unable to be of any help to her, but over the fourteen years of her life, she knew it was best to leave it to Rarity. Seeing her sister dejected in the corner was pricking at Rarity’s conscience so she sent her to Sugarcube corner after seeing the Cakes drag in some sweets to set up early.

Sweetie Belle glanced over at Pinkie Pie, who was humming one of her many songs as she poured brownie batter into a tin and set it to bake.

“You see, Mr and Mrs. Cake went to the town hall to set up the sweets that are already baked, so they left me here to keep an eye on the place! Thank you both so much!” Pinkie Pie ran all over the kitchen, pouring vanilla, cinnamon and other things into the massive number of labeled bowls spread about. Apple Bloom was stirring some of them, trying to keep pace with Pinkie’s add-ons. She had originally come just to deliver apples, but couldn't find it in herself to leave Pinkie to manage the baking by herself. Sweetie Belle had arrived moments later, giving her more incentive to stay.

As Apple Bloom mixed after Pinkie, Sweetie Belle was busy following the recipes. However, that didn't mean they couldn't talk.

“So Apple Bloom, that colt you met, did he ask you to the dance?” Sweetie Belle asked between bowls. Apple Bloom gave a flighty giggle, her lips curling into a playful grin.

“Why yes he did! He did it all fancy like too. Brought me a flower, though it was half-eaten... It was nice he thought of it though!” Apple Bloom poured some batter into a pan for Pinkie to shove into another oven.

“Oh you little ponies have dates! How cute!! Oh I was sooooo busy baking that I couldn't even find a date! But I’ll probably find a nice stallion to dance with at the party... Oh Sweetie Belle, who’s your date?” Pinkie Pie shoved her face into Sweetie Belle’s, some how managing to frost a cake at the same time. Sweetie Belle cringed. She didn't want to think about dates. The past month with Show Tail made her heart ache. He always nuzzled her nose in a way that made her feel fuzzy and strange, and over time, whenever she saw him, her heart panged harder and harder. Even Sweetie Belle could see that her crush was getting out of hand. He was always so sweet to her, more so than she had ever seen him with Scootaloo. Perhaps he was simply more comfortable with her than Scootaloo. What ever it was, it left parasprites in her stomach.

“Sweeeeeeeeeeeeetie Belle!! Do you have a daaaaaaaaaaaate?” Pinkie Pie was in her ear. She must have spaced out. Apple Bloom was right next to Sweetie Belle now, nudging her rump to bring her back to earth.

“No I don't... Why?”

“Well, Scootaloo does. Show Tail asked her and she said yes and...”

“What?!” Apple Bloom cringed at the ear-splitting cry. She turned to Sweetie Belle, who had a morbid look on her face. “But I like him! Why didn't he ask me?!” Sweetie Belle suddenly turned into Rarity, her lip forming her sister’s signature pout. She snapped back to normal, taking a moment to realize what she had done.

“You... like Show... Tail? Sweetie Belle, why didn't you tell me!?” Apple Bloom looked almost offended. Sweetie Belle cringed at Apple Bloom’s disbelief. She hadn't really meant to blurt it out. She just couldn't believe that Scootaloo had agreed to go with him as a date. It didn't even seem to be Scootaloo like behavior. “Well um... you see, he asked Scoots if she was going and she said yes, so they're kinda going together, but more like... friends. Besides, she’s not very very fond of him. She’s jealous of his skills...” Apple Bloom trailed off, glancing at Sweetie Belle awkwardly. Sweetie felt she had blurted out her feelings for no reason. “Should we tell Scootaloo?”

“No. He likes her, remember? I’d be so embarrassed if she knew I liked him. You have to prom...” Sweetie was cut off by Pinkie Pie.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!! Remember, telling a secret is the fastest way to lose a friend...”

“Foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!” All three of them screamed at the top of their lungs. Pinkie giggled for a bit.

“Pinkie Pie, you're all grown an’ such. What was your first crush like?” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at the pink pony hopefully. She may have been Pinkie, but she was older, and most likely had some form of useful advice, even if it was in Pinkie Code.

“My first crush was a rock.”

The fillies stared at Pinkie Pie in shock, till she started to snort and giggle. They exhaled in relief once they realised she was kidding. She quickly reassured them that he was indeed a real colt, and after some gentle prodding, she recalled the tale as they worked.

When I was just a little filly on the rock farm, we were very careful with the rocks. We spent most of our time with rocks! Rotating them, cleaning them, selling them... We had rocks on the brain! Except not really, cause that would hurt...

But that’s not the point! You see, I did go to school, my sisters and I. There were other rock farmers in the area, along with dirt farmers and other earth-based jobs. The families around there didn't want us to go to the local Ponyville school, so they decided to homeschool us all. Every day, all of us little foals would sit in the local schoolhouse and learn all about rocks and dirt and whatever. Shale, marble, sandstone, granite... If it was a rock, we knew about it. I was the second-best in the class. I remembered almost everything. Well, there were only about ten of us anyway.

There was this one pony that I really liked! Colossus Strudel. We called him Seuss. He was the most wonderful chestnut brown, and had the nicest mane ever! He always kept it combed, and he was always so very serious. I liked that in a colt! He was also part of the Strudel Family, our top rock farming competitors! But I guess that was part of why I liked him so much. He was dangerous, new, and forbidden, so to speak. He liked me too, after some rocky persuasion!

“I like... pink quartz.” He said to me one day, and gave me a high quality chunk of it. I still have it to this day. It’s soooo pretty. “I really like... pink.” He said in a very matter of factoid way. It was from that moment on, I began to formulate my Pinkieness. He made me so happy, on the inside at least. It was amazing! We spent every possible moment together. We snuck out at night to go find rocks in the meadows. It was the only time I really remembered smiling... It was wonderful. I can remember the first time he kissed me. We had just found another piece of pink quartz, though not as high quality as the last one. He said that he actually really liked it, since it was like a heart, but not like a heaaaart. You know, the drawing, not the creepy blood pumpy one. We were so little, and all he knew was that you kissed people you really liked. So he kissed me!

“My mom says that you kiss people you really like, and you give them special things. So...”

I think my hair puffed up a little bit due to that...

However, after I got my cutie mark, just few weeks later, it all changed. I threw another party, this time inviting all the foals in my class, and their families. It turns out that the reason why the Strudels and the Pies were such competitors was because the wives were sisters! I was in fact in love with my cousin! We were just so embarrassed, and happy that none of the other foals knew that we liked each other. During the party, we snuck out, and he kissed me one more time or two time. Maybe three or more, I forget.

“This would be strange. I apologize wholly. Pinkie... I just felt I should kiss you one last time, before we halt this affair.” I nodded slowly, feeling just as sad as when I was alone on the farm.

Pinkie. He always did call me Pinkie. I loved hearing him call me Pinkie...

“Oh Pinkie Pie! It must have been horrible realizing you liked your cousin!” Sweetie Belle stirred the latest batter of cupcakes, sniffling miserably. “Do you still keep in contact?” Apple Bloom nodded as she pulled a batch of cupcakes out of the oven. Pinkie stopped frosting and nodded vigorously. Splattering some of the frosting on the floor and ceiling.

“Yeah! All the time! We send letter to each other like crazy. In fact, he’s coming to Ponyville to celebrate Winter Solstice... Oh my I have to get ready... I have to look pretty, and Rarity fixed me a pretty new dress and...” Pinkie Pie continued talking to herself about what she had to do. Apple Bloom turned towards Sweetie Belle slyly.

“So... Show Tail huh...” Sweetie Belle glared at Apple Bloom with a vengeance. She sighed, realizing that she had nothing to be angry about. She had one of her best friends to talk to about her crush. Maybe this night would end well.

Sweetie Belle finally arrived at home as the sun began to set. She glanced around the fully lit room, racks of dresses and suits now decimated and empty. She smiled to herself, knowing that Rarity would be pleased with herself. She snapped back to the world once she thought of her sister. She glanced around in a panic before noticing a white horn buried underneath a pile of fabric.

Yet again, her sister was napping, probably hiding from any last minute dress seekers. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh, walking over to nudge her sister. Rarity spazzed, limbs flailing wildly as she awoke. She screamed something about dresses before coming to her senses.

“Oh... You’re back! I suppose had fun, right? Good. Did you remember to give Apple Bloom her Solstice present? You got her those paints, didn't you? What did she give you?” Rarity shook off the piles of warm fabric, trotting off to the closet. Sweetie Belle nodded merrily, explaining that Apple Bloom got her some pens with musical notes on them, and Scootaloo had gotten her some music sheets. Sweetie Belle had been giving out gifts to her classmates and other ponies all day after she had left Pinkie’s. Finding everypony had been heard, but at least her backpacks were now full of treats, trinkets and other gifts. She quickly remembered that she needed to pack Show Tail’s gift, the one pony she had purposely left for last.

Mostly out of Pinkie’s request.

If you like him so much, you should give him his present dressed up all fancy, at the party!

“Oh Sweetie Belle, I have your dress!” Rarity had a proud smile on her lips as she came back with the gown. “I made this after staring at my gala dress, that horrendous affair. I would very much like to teach that Prince Cakeface how to behave. I suppose he would be better with some manners... But no matter! Here you are darling.” She waved her creation with great gusto.

The slightly heavy looking gown was a powdery and dusty blue underneath a gauzy sparkled layer of translucent material. Once Sweetie Belle put it on, it stopped just above her hooves, an asymmetrical edge slightly gracing her hooves with a magical looking haze. Her sleeves were made of the same translucent material, gem dusted and draped over her shoulders in a bell shape. Sweetie Belle smiled brightly, twirling around in a circle for a bit.

“Oh big sis, thank you so much! It’s beautiful!” Rarity glowed with some pride, quickly summoning some gem dust to dust Sweetie Belle’s cheeks. “You're going to be there, right? Please tell me that you will...” Rarity smiled gently at her sister, nodding her head gently.

“Why of course. But I won’t always be by your side. You're growing up darling. You must learn to sparkle like the gem you are.” Rarity couldn't help but smile broadly. If only their parents could see them now... She dusted her own cheeks with the gem dust, her heart thumping hard, but in a good way. Her little sister looked so happy with herself as she twirled around in the mirror. Rarity took a moment to put a curl her sister’s hair and put more of the sparkling dust in it. Rarity had also gotten ready, her dress a little black dress. It hugged her body and fell to the floor, barely above the ground. She had designed it to be the more daring and sensual copy of what she had made for Sweetie Belle. As she looked herself over, she could agree that she had in fact, done it well, maybe too well.

She had to thank Pinkie for the gem dust.

“Come on Rarity! The party’s probably already started!”

And right she was.

The town hall was bustling with fancily dressed ponies all dancing and partying. It was a dimly lit affair, mostly relying on the full moon and stars to light the room. Sparsely laid about candles added a gentle touch of mystery. The drapes and tapestries were all a powerful yet soothing navy blue, all embroidered with the sharpest white. They were decorated with seemingly meaningless yet beautiful swirls that depicted the stars and night. Rarity had indeed outdone herself.

“Now, Sweetie Belle, go have fun. I’m going to find the girls.”

Sweetie Belle shivered, trying to figure out what to do next after Rarity trotted off. She decided that finding her friends would be her first priority. It wasn't too hard to find Apple Bloom, dressed in a pale yellow dress with puffy sleeves and black stitches. She was sitting by one of the windows, oddly close to...

“Snails?! Snails is your hardware pony?!” Sweetie Belle couldn't believe her eyes. He was the last pony she could have thought of. Snails laughed in his typically goofy manner, nuzzling Apple Bloom’s cheek affectionately. She shrugged, laughing. Snips had a look of annoyance on his face, which quickly melted away. He looked genuinely happy for his best friend. He pulled on his suit bow tie with a nod to himself. He seemed to be assuring himself that everything was fine. Apple Bloom had quickly explained that his slowness had made him great at picking out matching color palettes that never failed, and that he worked at the store part time on the weekends. She had gone in looking for a new color scheme for the clubhouse, and left with something different.

“You look so pretty Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom gushed once she finished her story, standing up to hug one of her best friends. Sweetie Belle assured herself that with this hug, and that cute story, this would indeed be a great night. She glanced around excitedly, happy to see all of the ponies enjoying themselves, dancing to the music. She knew the first thing she had to do. That was to find Pinkie Pie.

Lucky for her, it wasn't too hard.

Pinkie was standing in a rather dark corner of the town hall with a large suited stallion, one that could compete with Big Mac in size. He was a chestnut brown, a familiar color that seemed to stick out in her head. His eyes never seemed to leave Pinkie Pie in her simple grey dress. She looked embarrassed, yet happy, with her eyes trained downwards. She didn't seem to want to look the stallion in the eye, and was giggling softly. Her eyes were flickering everywhere, and she seemed very nervous.

“Sweetie Belle!”

Pinkie was hopping over to her with a typical grin on her face. The stallion behind her was obviously annoyed as he followed her silently.

“This is Seuss, my big cousin! He makes statues for a living.” Pinkie was indeed nervous. Sweetie Belle could in fact read the general annoyance on Seuss’ face. He gave her a sympathetic look, begging her to have Pinkie to himself. Sweetie Belle blushed. So this was the fabulous Colossus that she had been in so in love with. As Sweetie Belle said her polite hellos, it didn't take her long to realize that they were still very much in love with each other. She blushed a bit before cleverly smiling.

“Oh Pinkie Pie, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to find Show Tail. See you!”

“You can do it Sweetie Belle. I believe in you. Go get your colt.” Pinkie whispered to her before she went back to the main party. She stood up tall, proud of herself for encouraging young love. She suddenly felt something warm touch her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

“Pinkie. She may be a foal, but she seems to be a very clever filly.”

She stood as still as a Cockatrice victim, only her lip trembling.

“Seuss. We... you know that. Besides, we’re family, you know that I don’t...”

“Then why are you wearing my favorite color? A bit... dull for Pinkie, is it not?”

Pinkie Pie paused, unsure of how to continue. The grey dress, though stylish, was very much against typical Pinkie style. Her friends had exclaimed in shock, and pretty much everypony else was simply confused. She had all told them she had her reasons. Her body feel inexplicably warm and tingly, and her chest was tight.

“Pinkamina Diane Pie, you haven't seen me in person in years, and you wear this? And you expect me not to think something?” Pinkie turned her head slowly to meet her eyes with Seuss, a nearly pitch black pair of eyes gave her a matter of fact face. He had used her real name. He was quite serious and she couldn't bring herself to speak. She shook her head slightly instead of saying a word. He smiled, quite satisfied with himself. Pinkie smiled back, nodding shyly.

“Shall we go somewhere more... private, my dear Pinkie?”

Sweetie Belle giggled to herself as she watched them leave. Chalk up another tally to making this Solstice amazing. She scanned the floor from the snack table, trying to find one particular pony. How hard could it possibly be to find that glowing tail in all this mess? She stood there for a few minutes, and was very much on the urge of giving up. She could see Apple Bloom with Snails, dancing coyly, containing her obvious excitement. She could spot other foals, classmate or not, dressed to the nines, but not a single Show Tail. Sweetie Belle spotted something on the other side of the room.

She noticed that somepony was waving at her.. A pony that looked very strange with a well combed mane, one that had a brilliant tail... She couldn't help the smile that broke out on her face. Show Tail was waving at her, calling her over. This was indeed going to be he the best night of her life. He looked so handsome dressed up, making her even more sure that tonight was going to be the greatest. She was just about to walk over and say something. Something, anything but preferably witty and charming. Then came Scootaloo.

And she said something witty and charming. She made him laugh. She was making him smile. She was the whole reason he was enjoying himself. She was being everything she wanted to be without even trying. Sweetie Belle cringed slightly, trying to keep her composure. He looked so happy. So happy, and without her. She couldn’t seem to stand it. All this dressing up, the sparkle, the glitter, the lone perfect curl, it seemed to be all for nothing. Sweetie Belle flushed, every cell in her body telling her to just leave. There was nothing that was keeping her here anymore. Her very happy night had been shattered already. She looked down at the present with dismay. What could she possibly do now?

I can never be better than Scootaloo...

Sweetie Belle was angry with herself. How could she of let it go so far? Rarity had warned her to be careful, to not allow herself to make the crush develop. Had she listened? No. How could she? All the nuzzling, sweet words and his general kind demeanor had made her like him more and more. She could compare it to soaring though the sky, as if she had those beautiful wings Rarity had. Then she decided to fly too close to the sun, and she was falling. However, there was nopony to catch her, nopony to save her, and nopony to care.

She found herself walking out the door in order to save herself embarrassment. She may have never been quick on the draw, but this time she wouldn't hesitate. Sweetie Belle knew that if she stuck around to watch, she would only feel worse. He was the prince, Scootaloo was the princess, and she was left alone in the cold, figuratively and literally. She looked up to the sparking sky, a cold breeze whipping across her face with a vengeance, as if to reprimand her. She couldn't tell if it was for leaving, falling for him though she shouldn't have, or for just being Sweetie Belle, but she didn't care either way. This was the worst night ever.

The couples that had dared to go outside to watch the twinkling stars were not of much help.

“Belle! Somepony told me that you went outside! I’ve been looking for you.”

Show Tail. She whipped around to see the prince had left his princess for the pauper. She couldn't understand why he had left the presence of Scootaloo. He came closer to her, smiling and pulling something out. She didn't understand what was going on. Why wasn't he inside with Scootaloo, showing her with the attention he normally had to pry from her? It just didn't make any sense. What was that in his mouth, a Solstice present? From him? She shuffled in her spot, unsure of what to do next. She stared at the present in his mouth blankly. It was a necklace.

“Is that for... me?”

He nodded vigorously, putting the bell shaped pendant on her. She felt like a princess again, if only for that moment. The beautiful clear glass pendant chimed in the wind, lifting her spirits. She indeed felt like a princess, and there was no other word that seemed to fit. Sweetie Belle couldn't remember much after that. She could vaguely recall giving Show Tail his present, and how he had hugged her in delight.

“Sweetie Belle, do you like it?” She nodded trying to avoid saying something stupid. “Good. I thought it was perfect for you!” He stopped abruptly, causing an awkwardly pregnant pause. He couldn't figure out what to say now. He swallowed hard. He never had this problem with Scootaloo. Granted, Scootaloo did not look anywhere near as pretty as Sweetie Belle tonight. She looked like an ephemeral ghost of beauty that was gracing his presence for this one night. She sparkled, she glowed, and she was captivating. So much so that it couldn't help but make his wings pop. He blushed, quietly remembering the quick attempt to scare lesson on pegasi sexuality Pica had given him when she found out he liked Scootaloo. He silently cursed his wings and tried to find a way to bring her attention from his wings.

That way out was sticking his head into the snow.

It was an act of sheer desperation, and it seemed to do the trick. His wings shuddered and snapped back to his body in an effort to keep him warm. He smirked in victory for a moment.

“Show Tail…? What are you doing?”

He totally forgot about her. He popped his head back out, giving Sweetie Belle the gift of another bit of awkward silence. Sticking his head into the snow again would probably bring about the same result. He shook his head the best he could without splattering her. There were very few things he could think of that would make the moment less awkward. At least his wings were listening to him. He caught himself staring at her again, shaking his now damp head again to bring himself back to earth.

“Belle, you want to sit here and watch the stars? I hear that Luna might make a meteor shower.”

“But... I thought you asked Scootaloo here as a date...?” She asked tentatively, looking him dead on for an answer. He shuffled on the porch of the town hall, shame painting his face.

“I wanted to... but I chickened out and only asked her if she was going... I just couldn't, you know? She’s just so... Scootaloo.” He puffed up his cheeks and stomped a hoof on the ground. His frustration was getting the best of him again and this was not the time to let it control him. He grit his teeth, trying not to let his self projected anger ruin what could possibly be a good night after all. He forced his eyes shut, and tried once again to count down to one. This mind, riddled with self mocking thoughts, slowly began to calm down with every number.

“Show Tail?” He snapped his head up, glancing at the filly next to him. She looked concerned. Oh heavens, he hated making ponies upset. He calmed down, taking advantage of her confusion to trot over and sit next to her. She flushed at his body touching hers, the warmth radiating to her very core. She looked up at the dreamy eyed peagsus, her heart thumping so hard she was sure he could feel it. Show Tail nudged her cheek gently, motioning her to look up at the sky. Luna’s meteor shower was now streaking across the sky. Show Tail nosed her cheek again to make sure he had her attention.

“Sit with me and watch the shooting stars.”

New Years, New Disasters

Sweetie Belle felt the crisp New Year’s breeze wash over her as she trotted over to Sweet Apple Acres. Her necklace was gently chiming in the icy breeze, making a mindless melody that made her smile. Scootaloo was flying above her, corkscrewing her way to the house. Appleboom had invited them over to help prepare Sweet Apple Acres for the New Year’s celebration. Sweetie Belle was still ecstatic about her present, and even more so that Show Tail had only gotten Scootaloo a book. Granted, it was The History of the WonderBolts but it was still a book. And it was Scootaloo... She let her mind wander the rest of the way.

By the time they got to the house, Sweetie Belle could barely feel her nose. She was glad to be ushered in by Applejack, and even more so to receive some hot cider. Once she and Scootaloo warmed up, Applejack put them to work decorating and cleaning alongside Applebloom. Mayor Mare had recently asked the Apple Family to host the New Year’s celebration, and after the great success of the Winter Solstice, they were unsure if they could compare. However, the entire town had spent the days after whining, pleading and poking at Granny Smith and any Apple Family member around. Finally, Granny Smith crumbled and hissed a rather dusty agreement. The town’s push to have them on the ground was not without reason.

They simply did not want to have to rush back to get the cider, hard or otherwise.

Scootaloo was hanging the brilliant Pinkie Pie patented light up party streamers on all the doors. That gave Sweetie Belle and Applebloom the opportunity to whisper in off handed tones without much difficulty. As they swept the floor Applebloom began to prod at Sweetie Belle.

“So, he gave you that necklace huh? Must be nice. Snails got me a new bow. It’s blue with silver threads in it. It’s so nice… But I hafta ask, do you think he likes ya now?”

Sweetie Belle paused to think about the right answer to that. They were friends, without a doubt. To say that he viewed her as a love interest would be too much. He was still blatantly in love with Scootaloo. His wings still fluttered at the very mention of her, a permasmile would grace his features, and his ears would wiggle in delight. It seemed as if his very idea of happiness revolved around her and her very existence. That, and Show Tail still asked Sweetie Belle how to win her pegasus friend. Sweetie Belle’s ears fell. Applebloom nudged her with her rump in an attempt to bring her back to the world. The movements made her necklace chime pathetically as she questioned its value.

Had she really put so much meaning into a little bit of glass and metal? Sweetie Belle forced her eyes shut for a moment to gather composure. This was something that she was supposed to avoid. That something, as annoying as it was, was also a cause of joy. The few times she had seen him since the Solstice had been wonderful. They had spent time by the freezing river, making music on their own time, of their own time. She felt as if she could truly sing with him, and during that time the chime of the windblown bell was a perfect melody.

Now, it was only a tune of melancholy.

“Oh Sweetie Belle, you really should cheer up! At least Scootaloo doesn't like him back!” Applebloom nodded in a vain attempt to cheer her friend up. Sweetie Belle smiled weakly, glad Applebloom was at least trying to make her smile. There were just some things that he did Sweetie Belle couldn't understand, and she hoped that maybe one day he would understand her feelings.

“I’m gonna try to do it!” Show Tail yelped, voice cracking sharply. He covered his mouth with his hooves and coughed a bit. “What do you guys think?” He continued in a lower voice, eyes shifting about his surroundings. Snips raised an eyebrow at him curiously. They were all going home from an early morning play in the fresh snow to discuss last minute plans of New Years.

The teenager puffed up his chest to make himself look important, imposing his height upon his friends. Snips and Snails only chucked. They had gotten to know Show Tail over the past few months of their friendship, and his attempts of looking important normally just won laughs. They looked at him with as much respect their snickering faces could hold.

“I am going to give Scootaloo a bring in the New Year’s kiss!”

“You're going to go what?” Snail yelped, nearly falling over in shock. This was indeed a time to panic. If he had been reading the body language of his darling Applebloom correctly, this was a problem. He quickly reeled the data in his head. He silently thanked his slow nature, which allowed him to think fast with the plethora of data he collected by simply listening. The look that Applebloom gave Sweetie Belle as she walked out of the town hall a few days ago when Show Tail was talking to Scootaloo planted the seed. Yes, this was enough. It just had to take a while to grow and bloom.

It was a face full of pity, sadness, sympathy, and a mish-mosh of other things that he couldn't identify. They all led to the same route of sad. His mind then combed through the files of Sweetie Belle’s face. It looked as if it were in pain, like she was sick. However, later on that night, they were dancing together like the best friends they were. So it wasn't Scootaloo. It had to be Show Tail. It had to be something Tails did. Snails facehoofed. Sweetie Belle liked him. No wonder he had such a foul feeling.

“Snails. What are you doing? He’s going to make his big move, and you seem to be upset!” Snips scrunched up his nose. Snails searched his mind for something to say. Anything at all.

“Duuuuh... Good luck on kissing your filly!” he sputtered out. The others shook their heads. Snails would have a long way to go it seemed. “How are you... going to do this?”

“I have a possible plan!” Show Tail grinned devilishly, rubbing his hooves together. “There’s a Pegasus only party right above Sweet Apple Acres where the main party will be. I can try to talk to her in a small space, instead of in the swarm of the whole town. I just hope Rainbow Dash isn't there though. She’s a vicious trainer. I have no interest in flying like that!” Show Tail sat back on his stoop to pout. He hated being forced to do completely pointless things. He was pondering on how to get out of it when the hair on the back of his neck stood on end, even though his warm layers.

“My son! It’s time for you to study a bit before we head out to New Years!” Pica explained grandly.

He grit his teeth. Pica seemed to have mastered the art of ill-timed entrances. She was grinning in her typical motherly way, the way that made him shrink back in terror. She wasted no time extending a shining white wing to smack him on the head hard enough to make him cry out.

“Learning is less painful, don't you agree boys? I would suggest that you two leave, before my poor son has to go too long without learning. Isn’t that right my sweet colt?” Pica’s smile spread even wider, demonically curling at the sides.
Show Tail knew that smile. He dreaded that smile. That smile always came with pain. Show Tail muttered a quick prayer that Snips and Snails were still there, but they had long scampered away from the nightmare incarnate. He wasted no time in marching inside, trying his best to stay calm. He entered the living room, and began to ask question why she was so angry.

“Aunt Pica, did I get too many answers wrong again?” His answer was a whopping smack to the head. He hissed in pain as the belligerent pegasus neared him.

Cider. Extremely hard cider. The smell permeated the air, making him almost sick. Pica was drunk out of her mind, probably in her attempt to ‘celebrate’. She staggered over to the colt, that ever demonic smile growing wider and wider. He was sure her face would rip if she kept it up. Taking flight was his only way to escape her. He flared his wings in an attempt to scare the drunken mare, but only received a hearty and dumb laugh.

“You're... so stupid, you know that?! Worthless little... thing! New Year’s... Is supposta be wonderful. But... you're so stupid you RUIN it. Ruin ruin RUIN. Why can't YOU be USEFUL.” She rushed forward, pulling him to her body. By this point, the crazed mare was sobbing, shaking her head wildly. “I thought I loved you enough! Taught you better! BETTER! And here you go and insult me! Insult me! You disgusting foal! You can't even make mama... happy! Happy!”

Show Tail was trying his best to stay still. Pica did not drink often, but when she did, she had a lot. Her alcohol induced madness was nothing new. He knew what would come next. She slowly began to calm down, sniffling in frustration before holding him closer and cooing sweet nothings and apologies.

“Mama is so sorry... Will baby ever forgive her...? My son... My darling son... Mama just got mad... She’s so silly...”

Show Tail gulped down air, the precious thing he had lacked under her weight. Pica’s hugs were bone crushing, and she was sobbing all over him. He forced his eyes closed, trying to dull the pain by thinking of soothing and happy things. A far away tuneless chime...

“I know what’ll get your mind off him! Hey Applejack!” Applebloom called her sister over from lugging a barrel of their hardest cider upstairs. She trotted over to the fillies making decorations, taking a seat in between them.

“Yes Applebloom? Ah kinda gotta get ready for company; you know who’s coming over to...”

“Can ya tell us all about your first crush? It would be nice to help pass the time insteada just making all these popcorn necklaces by ourselves!” Apple Bloom nudged her sister till she finally agreed out of annoyance.

“Fine. But only cause Ah know that if I don’t, Ah’ll regret it. Now where do Ah begin...?”

After Ah just got my cutie mark, Ah was quite a happy filly. Ah had finally found myself. Ah was going back to school and had a smile on my face that didn't seem to go away. I could finally rub my cutie mark in the face of those hoity toity priss fillies that had picked on me for being a blank flank. Ah was happy to the point that Ah was bucking as hard as Big Macintosh, and you know how he almost always dents the tree...

But anyway, one day in September, the teacher comes up to me with the biggest trouble maker in the whole school. A navy blue colt with green eyes, a gold mane and a smirk that was bred to cause problems. His cutie mark was a white gavel and his name was Vinny McColt. He didn't even look me in the eye, which to me is a huge sign of disrespect. The teacher was telling me some nonsense on teaching him something useful. I was too busy having a fillyfit over this colt.

Who was he to not even look me in the eye? That was just plain rude.

He finally snorted at me and looked at me like a buncha rotten apples. Ah had never been so insulted in Ponyville in all my life. Ah could feel mahself aching to buck him in the face, but the teacher was right there. All Ah remember hearing her say was that Ah was supposed to teach that colt applebucking.

How was Ah going to sully the art a applebucking by teaching this foal how to do it? Ah felt the right to downright refuse. He wasn't worthy of it, and the nasty stinkeye he was giving me wasn't exactly incentive.

“Applejack, you are the most reliable of ponies in this school. I’m sure you can shape him up into something wonderful”

That’s what she told me. So Ah had to take that colt home with me and introduce him to the family. Applebloom was such a littun that she probably doesn't even remember him. Big Macintosh didn't like him one bit. He kept on trying to pick a fight with him, making fun of his cutie mark and generally being well... a real jerk. Lucky for us, Big Mac is a calm ol' pony, and just brushed him off for apple bucking.

We went out into the fields every day, Vinny doing his best to live up to his cutie mark by judging me and calling me all sorts of names. He seemed to love calling me a hillfilly. Hillfilly. Hillfilly. Never by my actual name. In fact, ah can remember the first applebucking lesson.

“Now you see here, you put ya legs up like that... and then you hit tha' very center of the tree...”

“You’re such a stupid little hillfilly. Can't you talk like normal ponies?”

Ah resisted bucking him in the face.

Ah guess that after a while, after a few bumps on the head by apples, he kinda started being nicer to me. He had no choice really, after seeing me bucking a few trees, he kinda started being nice. He still called me hillfilly. But Ah quickly figured that he kinda had a crush on me when Ah got my hat from Granny. He kinda just... shuffled around, bucking all the trees wrong and generally just hurting himself. Ah couldn't stand it at all. Ah was supposed to help him build up character, not build up scars. You wouldn't believe him that day. He was like a whole ‘nother pony.

“You don't look as ugly as usual you... stupid hillfilly. Stupid hillfilly!” He then bucked a tree so hard he just collapsed. It was that moment there that I realized that Vinny had gotten a crush on me. Ah didn't know how. Maybe it was amidst all the applebucking, watching me do it, all the talking, all the scolding, or maybe befriending Big Macintosh. But Ah realized in that flustered colt’s actions that no matter how much of a jerk he was, he had feelings.

Ah found those feelings... cute.

Ah didn't understand what was going on, but Ah found myself playing with the hat whenever he was around, my heart pumping faster than ever. Ah’d gotten a crush on Vinny. Apple Bloom was the only one that Ah could trust with those feelings. And she was just a youngin’... A ‘course, Ah still had to pretend Ah didn't like him. Ah couldn't let anypony know Ah was crushing on the school’s worst colt. Ah tried to smother it and hide it, but then one day my hat blew away in the wind while we were walking to the farm in the pre-summer heat.

We chased after it till it landed by the school’s number one bully. She sneered at us and put the hat on her head. Why, Ah can't remember seeing a madder colt in all my life. He rushed at her with the force only a school year of applebucking could give a colt. He smashed into her so hard she went flying, which is pretty funny when you're hitting a pegasus. He got my hat back, sneering at her with success.

“That’s my hillfilly’s hat!”

Ah’ve never been happier to be called a hillfilly in my life.

It didn't last too long. It was all taken away... One fall day, Ah was busy bucking and told him that Ah’d meet him by the barn entrance. I had no idea that the hired aides were unloading hay from the loft. Ah had no idea... One of the bales... landed on him. It did more damage than I ever thought a bale could do. He dodged most of it, but a leg still got stuck. He was crippled. And it was all mah fault. Ah remembered them hauling him up, taking away my crippled crush. He did say one thing before he left though.

“I didn't mean to call you hillfilly AppleJack...”

Ah couldn't believe it. He actually called me by my name, for the first time ever. Even to this day, Ah think about it every now and then. Ah never did take kindly to being called a hillfill till Ah met him. He made me view it as a good thing after a while. He called me that... with love. It was nice Ah visited him till he moved, due to Ponyville being ‘too dangerous.’ Ah didn't even get to kiss him goodbye...

Applebloom swallowed the bit of popcorn in her mouth with dismay. She had no idea that her sister had that kind of story behind her. She nudged her sniffling sister in an attempt to bring her out of her funk.

She glared over in the general direction of Scootaloo’s laughs and cries. Sweetie Belle huffed, standing up and marching over to the filly who was yelping about some madness. Sweetie Belle wasn't surprised to see Rainbow Dash flying in.

“Hey Applejack! I’m back for New Years! I just had to be back at Ponyville, since I had to miss Solstice for a Wonderbolts show. Hey, what’s with you?” Rainbow trotted over to one of her best friends, worried about the look of despair that was leaving her face. Apple Jack snapped back to life, smiling nervously. She sputtered a bit, lost on what to say. Her ears perked up as an idea came to mind.

“Say Rainbow, as long as you're here, why don't you tell these little fillies the story of your first crush? You know that they won’t be little fillies for long, and well, Ah just told mine! Ain’t that right my little ponies?” Applebloom nodded, smirking at the exasperated Scootaloo. It was obvious that she did not want to hear this mushy stuff, even it was about Rainbow Dash. She opened her mouth to protest, but was stopped by Sweetie Belle punching her lightly.

“You should listen, since she is after all, your idol. Learn more about her.” Sweetie Belle smiled, knowing that she had sold the idea to Scootaloo. The orange filly sat by the table obediently, looking at Rainbow Dash with the sweetest look the she could muster. Rainbow sighed in exasperation. She saw no way out of this. She had intended to brag a bit to Apple Jack about her amazing Wonderbolt adventures, about all the mares and stallions she had met and all the tricks she had learned. Not tell a mushy story. However, with her little idol looking at her, she couldn't bring herself to say no.

“Fine, I’ll tell the story, if I can remember the stupid thing...”

When I was a filly, I had a crush on the leader of the Wonderbolts. Not the Wonderbolts you know today, I mean the old Wonderbolts, Spitfire’s father, Fire Breeze. He was the fastest flier in all of Equestria! I really did admire him. His flaming mane, his sleek wings, his slender... Oh I’m getting off track, aren't I?

The point is he was the stallion of my dreams. Of course I knew better than that.He was just somepony I happened to like. Now, like most other pegasi, I went to basic flight school. It was there I remember my happiest days. In Cloudsdale, school is different. We have longer hours. We learn the same stuff earth ponies do on weekdays, and weather stuff on Saturdays. But every day, there were flight lessons after school. It was there all the classes would come together as one big mass. It was then I met the two ponies I had a crush on.

Yes, I said two.

The first one was a filly names Star Crash. She was the best... Second best, only to me! Ok... She was the best, and a bigger Wonderbolt fan than me! She had no interest in being one of them though; she just wanted to be as good as they were. For a filly, she really was. She was so pretty too. She had pretty blue eyes, orange hair and was a pure white. The prettiest white I’ve ever seen! Her cutie mark was a lightning bolt, but not like mine. It was branching lightning, the dangerous one that’s still in the clouds. She was a very obedient and shy filly though, which normally I would hate, but with her, I loved it. She’s the reason I was able to become good friends with Fluttershy. I spent most of my days with her after flight lessons. We were the best, after all.

The other crush was a colt named Tornado Tizzy. The Tizzies were a decently respected family in Cloudsdale, with the oddest and most glorious wings. His wings looked more like bat wings than anything. Even though he had those curious wings, he was still hooves down the worst flier I have ever seen, unless you add Show Tail to the mix. Show Tail’s the worst.

He could stay aloft, and he had speed, but he was basically like Show Tail, all speed, no flight. He was a light grey and always had a damp and misty coat from clouds. Which he constantly fell through. He hung out with us though, to learn how to fly. We taught him the best that we could, but it seemed that we could never teach that silly colt much of anything.

Somehow, with all that flying and crashing into me, I got a crush on him. He was so... confident. Even if he wasn't a good flier, he accepted it, you know? His cutie mark was of a speeding raincloud. Though he had very little coordination, he was hands down faster than most of us in a straight race. He beat all of us. Asking him to turn though, would result in lots of injured ponies. He knew that he was a bad flier, but he was clever. He was proud of his smarts and played to his strengths. I loved that about him.

Of course, it didn't take me long to realize that I couldn't have them both... I looked only to Fire Breeze for advice. It told me to pick the pony that agreed to me more. So I went with Star Crash. It went something like this.

“Star...?”

“I know already Rainy. You don't even have to ask. I’d love to be yours.”

I suppose I was a happy filly. Tornado Tizzy didn't seem to pay it much mind, even as we snuggled in front of him. It became evident a bit later that he was peeved. I had to ask. One day, in the middle of flight practice, I pulled him behind a cloud. This was the only time I had to speak to him.

“Listen Tornado, I can see that you're jeal...”

He snorted at me, glaring at Star Crash below us.

“You’re just part of her...ha... ha... harem of fillies, Bowie. She likes a bunch of them, and you're just one of them.”

I didn't believe him. The only thing that kept me from bucking him in the face was that I knew he couldn't fly right. Who was he to ruin my happiness by saying my girl was just adding me to his collection? I couldn't tell you how angry I was.

“You're just jealous!” I screamed before rushing off. I didn't like the idea one bit. I wasn't going to break up with my first fillyfriend because some colt says that she’s been flirting. I wasn't that stupid, or so I thought. I stopped hanging out with Tornado and stuck only with Star. Tornado kept trying to convince me that she was interested in other fillies, but the thought was too much.

It took him dragging me by the wings to see her actually trying to flirt with Fluttershy to make me realize that she wasn't all I had hoped. Tornado was right, and he had been right for some time. I had wasted two months of my life on her.

In my life, since my father cheated on my mother, I always thought that stallions were the ones to be wary of, that mares would never let me down. Turns out I was wrong, and that I couldn't really trust any pony. I was happy to have Tornado with me though. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and a smile.

The kind of smile that you needed after finding out something really bad. I was happy though. Happy that he told me. It made me realize that sometimes; you really have to trust your friends, and at least give them a chance to explain. Tornado remained my friend. Star, I completely ditched. I didn't take kindly to my girlfriend flirting with other fillies, especially one of my other friends.

“I have a feeling that Tornado likes me. We wrote to each other when I moved here, and I’ve been seeing a lot of him in Canterlot thanks to being a Bolt. He’s become one of Luna’s chariot drivers and guards. Seems he can fly after all.” Rainbow Dash nodded firmly, to reassure that she was done. Sweetie Belle could see that Scootaloo was trying to hold back some faces of revulsion. She never was a fan of mushy things, even if it had to do with Rainbow. Scootaloo blew a slow raspberry. Rainbow Dash chuckled with a smile, her face flushed after mentioning Tornado.

“So, where’s Show Tail at Scootaloo?” Rainbow’s face was only of concern for her haphazard student. Scootaloo’s tossed her head, in a vague disgust that was more than what she held for the ‘mushy story’.

“Why do we need him? He’s the worst flier in Equestria.” Scootaloo flapped her wings to make her point, floating a few feet in the air. She smirked, a haughty look dominating her face. “You should really be working on someone who can actually fly.” Rainbow was laughing at her show, but Sweetie Belle felt something different. She glanced over at Applebloom.

“Applebloom. I don't think she likes him.” Sweetie Belle hissed under her breath.

“She’s just jealous that Rainbow is paying more attention to Show Tail’s flight and not hers. And you of all ponies should know, he can't fly. I’ve seen him over Ponyville, and he has no coordination if he goes too fast.” Applebloom shuddered. “I saw him crash into a tree when he tried to make a u-turn. The tree was two houses away.”

Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh at that.

“Come on now though, let’s help finish up the house Sweetie Belle, before we end up eating all the popcorn for the decorations.” She nudged Sweetie Belle, who was merrily chomping some of the popcorn. Sweetie Belle blushed and went back to carefully gluing on the popcorn. At least she could have the satisfaction of helping to make this New Year’s amazing.

“Tails?” Snips was surprised to see the pegasus trotting up to him. Snips and Snails and most of the entire town had gathered at Sweet Apple Acres for drinking, fun, company, and drinking. The majority of the adults were tipsy, and the foals had all the non-alcoholic cider they could drink. The yard and barn were brilliantly decorated with popcorn strings, streamers, and all sort of Pinkie Pie-delivered oddities. It really was a party atmosphere.

The large cloud of pegasi above them made it even more festive. They were having their own personal party, and causing a gentle flurry to float down to the ground. Every single pegasi in town was attending, save for the young one trotting up to his friends.

“I got kicked off.” The colt said, not single drop of emotion in his voice. Tails tilted his head.

“Don't you mean out?”

“No, I mean off. Those bullies saw me trying to talk to Scootaloo and literally kicked me off the flurry cloud.” He slumped against the side of the barn and pouted. There really was nothing else he could do. If he went back up there, he would just get his face shoved through the cloud again. He couldn't go home. Pica was sleeping by the couch where he had left her, snoring soundly after she had cried herself to sleep. She would wake up, hungover and bitter, drink the Hangover tea he had left, and go back to sleep in her own bedroom.

Show Tail knew if he disrupted this ‘sacred ceremony’ she would cry on him all over again and add more bruises. He flicked his ear as a heavy snowflake fell on it, looking up at Snips. He gave Show Tail a look of pity before dragging him off to the middle of the party.

“Come on, you need some fun. The rest of us are over here.”

Show Tail grunted something unintelligible. He wanted to be in the cloud above, talking to his beautiful angel, the one that he had so fallen so deeply in love with. At least, what he felt was love. She was just so pretty, he reasoned. How could it not be love? His father had told him so many times that he loved his mother because she was so beautiful, that everything about her was so beautiful. Scootaloo was just the same way, her bright smile and her wonderful purple eyes. He knew he didn't much like her attitude at times, and how she never seemed to slow down, but those could be ignored for love he figured.

After all, what was love but sacrifice? Even if he couldn't stand her overly cocky habits, general forcefulness, and a whole slew of things, he couldn't let that hold him back. Love was meant to be sacrifice.

“Hey Tails, what are you doing grounded?”

His ears perked up at Sweetie Belle’s voice. Of anypony in the world, she could cheer him up. She spun towards him clumsily, lacking the grace of his angel. But who was he to turn down the company of a swan. She was panting from all the dancing she had been doing with the rest of the foals and still had a smile to present to him even though she looked near exhausted.

“You've been having fun Belle? I kinda didn't want to be at that party anyway. Too many pegasi...”

“You got kicked out, didn't you.”

“Off, not out.”

Show Tail stared at Sweetie Belle for a moment.

Am I really that easy to read? Or maybe Sweetie Belle just knows me that well. I have been spending a lot of time with her, with Scootaloo seeming to...

“Your right ear twitches when you lie. I’ve come to notice things about ponies.” She inhaled deeply before waving a hoof in the general direction of the school foals. “Come on and dance, since you're down here.”

“No thanks... I’m kinda bummed. I think I’ll just sit this out.”

Sweetie Belle shrugged, still smiling. “When you feel better, you better come out and dance! Have some cider. It’s really good!”

She’s trying so hard to put me in a good mood. I feel bad... But I can't help it. My New Year plan is ruined... Everypony keeps coming up to me to cheer me up, but I don't want to. I want to mope.

He set himself down against a tree, watching his friends dance and drink and generally enjoy themselves. He couldn't bring himself to to it. His night had been ruined by one stupid pegasus with an attitude. Everypony kept coming over to him, dusting the fluffy snowflakes off his mane, saying kindly things and generally trying to raise his spirits. As the clock ticked closer and closer to midnight, the colt slumped further and further down the tree. By 11:50, he was laying on the ground with his head buried under his hooves.

“Sweetie Belle, why don't you go over and cheer the poor colt up? He’s been moping in that corner for an hour or two, and the poor thing is such a dreadful drain on the party atmosphere.” Rarity was tipsy, that much Sweetie Belle knew. Her slight sway, clouded eyes, and sickly sweet smile could only mean that she was buzzed. Sweetie Belle, perhaps influenced by the smell of liquor everywhere, found herself walking towards the dejected colt.

“Tails.” Sweetie Belle plopped down next to him, a stern look on her face. “You've been sulking in this corner all night. Don't you think that you should go have some fun? The New Year is soon.”

Show Tail ‘harumphed’. He obviously didn't want to be cheered up, aggravating the filly even more. She couldn't stand seeing the colt like this, especially with the thought of how his crush really felt about him on the back-burner of her mind. He needed some serious cheering up, and fast. It was 11:55 and she couldn't have him start the year in misery. She bit her lip, looking around at the party goes and trying to think.

“I tried... to ask Scootaloo for a New Year’s kiss, like the big ponies do. But then I got kicked off the cloud. If I go back, they’ll just do it again. Trust me, I tried going back. This is a horrible holiday.” He sat up, stretching his feathery wings. He gave them a few flaps to work out the soreness, blowing snow in Sweetie Belle. She cringed at it hitting her face, sputtering. Show Tail began to apologize, the young filly puffing up her cheeks.

Sweetie Belle didn't need to hear that he was going to kiss her. Scootaloo didn't even like him, and most likely wouldn't have kissed him anyway. Sweetie Belle had half a mind to tell the colt the truth, months of frustration boiling her blood. She snapped out of it when she felt his wings brushing against her face. They were soft, feathery and wiping the snow off her face.

“I’m sorry Sweetie Belle… I… just really wanted to try, you know? I like her. And…” He continued to mutter under his breath as he continued to dry her face off. She blushed, completely calmed from her rage earlier. He chuckled, cupping her face the best he could with his wing. A smile had formed. “Thanks so much for cheering me up this time Belle. I can always try again another day. I just wish…” Show Tail groaned in exasperation, looking up at the huge clock that was the party’s centerpiece. He dropped his wings to his side, sitting up as the countdown for the last ten seconds of the year started. Show Tail paid no attention to the filly sitting next to him at that. The drunken attempts to countdown by most of the ponies in town were far too entertaining to not join in.

Sweetie Belle looked up at the colt beside her, her cheeks still warm for his tenderness. She felt compelled to do something. Something dramatic, outrageous, wonderful. Something that her sister would do. Besides faint. Her time was running out, she had to think fast, and only one thing could come to mind.

Sweetie Belle found herself leaning up, unable to rebel. She had to, she was so close. She pressed her lips against his cheek for what felt like an eternity, the words ‘Happy New Years’ blaring in her ears. She had closed her eyes, but she could feel his cheeks heat up, his body tense and his breath hitch. She could imagine that his ears were flared up in embarrassment, or maybe disgust.

I bet he’ll hate me now… That was too dramatic! I… he’s upset. Because I’m no Scootaloo… I never will be. Why do I even…

Sweetie Belle dashed off without another word, her necklace chiming violently with her fleeing body. Show Tail stared after her, flicking his tail in the show. He was stuck in a limbo, body both willing and resisting movement as the filly retreated. Nopony seemed to pay her much mind, too busy swigging down cider to even bother. His throat felt dry and his cheeks tingled. He felt horrible.

She… ran away? I guess she feels bad for me… Great. Pity kiss. She just pities me. What kind of a friendship is that?

Show Tail looked up at the huge cloud looming above him the full of snow driving pegasi. A surge of contempt ran through his veins, making his wings flare out in response to the heightened emotion. The pegasi of this town were going to drive him mad. Maybe he already was.

This Fashion's Getting Old

“Sweetie Belle, darling, you know that today is the Spring Equinox, and we have to clean up winter. You're going to help me make nests, heavens willing Ditzy doesn't go the wrong way. She’s such a lovely little mail mare, but she has no sense of direction.” Rarity put a scarf on her little sister, still gaily chatting away before pulling her into a tight hug. The filly squirmed around for a moment. She didn't understand this sudden show of affection. “Sweetie Belle, my darling sister. You haven't spoken of or to that little colt since you came home in near tears New Year’s. You should really talk to him again... I’m so sorry... I didn't know that you would develop such feelings for him. You're such a little filly...”

Sweetie Belle snuggled into her sister’s warmth, relaxing. She really needed the hug. Ever since she had been stupid enough (in her opinion) to kiss the colt on that night, he had been different. To the point that they had stopped seeing each other. She clung to her sister to give her the love she needed, resisting the urge to never let go. Rarity put her sister down, kissing her on the forehead.

“Dear, I may be a bit particular at times, and can be a downright monster, but you must remember that I love you. And as a sister, I am always here for you. Now come along, we have to get to making the nests my dear sister.” Rarity led her out the door with a smile. “And dear, you know, maybe, just maybe, if you're good, I might ask Mom and Dad to allow you to just... live with me.”

Sweetie Belle now had a reason to be happier.

Sweetie Belle had a smile on her face, the chime of her bell necklace matching her mood. She was glad that Rarity was finally allowing her to be of some help. She kept herself busy tying ribbons through the nests, listening to her sister and the other ponies talk. She was happy. There was no other way to describe it.

“Belle, I need to talk to you.”

Sweetie Belle turned around and looked up at the sky to see golden eyes looking down on her pitifully.

“Go away Tails.”

“But Belle!” he huffed, nudging her with his hoof. Sweetie Belle growled. She now had a new sympathy for Rarity when she was working. She was tempted to stab him with her horn, but she knew that would probably encourage him to be more irritating. She finally glared up at him.

“What do you want?”

He hovered behind her, speaking into her ear in a hushed whisper that made her blush. She tried to concentrate on the baskets, and not the low murmur in her ear. She felt her face heat up at his warm breath tickling. And this was his attempt of being discreet.

“I’m sorry for New Year’s. I’m sorry I made you feel that way about me. I didn't mean it. But Sweetie Belle, I need you.”

She could feel her heart beat faster and her brain scream that she was being stupid again. Sweetie Belle exhaled slowly, sitting up straight as the colt continued.

“You’re the only filly I can really talk to about Scoots anyway. Snails already has a filly, and Snips is... not very good at them...”

Her brain was laughing at her... She looked him in the eye with a look of disbelief she had picked up from Rarity. She had obviously done it correctly due to his raised eyebrow of confusion. She smirked, quite pleased with herself by pulling off one of her sister’s signature moves. Moving in with her sounded better than ever.

“Show Tail, please go away. I need to work.” He grunted and whined, brushing her with his wing.

“But I need you, Belle!” He hissed again, bothering her with the feathers even more. She was about to stab him with her horn when Scootaloo swooped down with a stern look on her face. She quickly scolded the pegasus for shirking his duties. She gave Sweetie Belle a smile before booting the pegasus back to the sky. Rarity raised an eyebrow and waved her sister off to get more hay from the barn.

“But Rarity, Big Macintosh is bringing..."

"You will go talk to him because you like him, and he needs your help. Maybe you can turn it to your little filly favor. “Rarity waved a hoof around. Sweetie Belle puffed up her cheeks and shuffled off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres without another word. Rarity nodded to herself and smiled at the black wobbling streak in the sky that followed her little sister.

"Honestly, if you yell at me to talk to Fall Leaf, why not talk to that foal..."

“Belle, I need to talk to you, and I’m not leaving until we do!”

Sweetie Belle cringed at him yelling, dashing into the barn without thinking. She dived into a pile of hay, scrambling to hide. She wasn't surprised to hear him laughing at her attempt to disappear. She tumbled out, sitting back the hay stack with a pout. He wobbled in flight next to her before plopping down.

“Why do always run away from me, Belle? I wanted to talk to you! I’m having a really hard time.”

Sweetie Belle huffed, sitting up. She had half a mind to yell at him. He had no right to talk to him out of nowhere. She didn't deserve this kind of treatment. She took a moment to look the colt over. Show Tail looked genuinely upset, and was begging for her to listen. She could hear her brain laughing at her already, but her heart wouldn't let her leave. She had to listen to him. At least this time she could get some answers.

“I’ll listen to you. If you tell me why you can fly so fast. And everything else. If you want me to help, I need you to tell me everything that you won’t tell Scootaloo.”

Show Tail sighed, his ears drooping in response. She stared him down, trying her best not to allow her heart to be swayed by the somber look in his eyes. He obviously did not want to share, but her curiosity was getting the best of her, and she really needed to know more. Her affection and concern for him would have to beat his reluctance down. She pouted a bit to make her point, and the colt sat up. He suddenly flung himself onto her, nuzzling into her chest. Sweetie Belle felt her entire body heat up as he snuggled into her. She swallowed hard, her body frozen by the sudden show of affection.

“I don't want to tell... But I need you to help me... So... At least let me get comfortable, alright?” She nodded stiffly, eventually allowing her body to melt into the warmth of the colt. “So... let me begin in Ponyville.”

I came to Ponyville after I nearly cracked my skull open from falling off a tree. I couldn't fly at that point. All I wanted to do then was find out my talent. My family always gave me that typical ‘you’ll find it when you find it’, but I wanted it as soon as possible. It wasn't that my parents didn't care about me... It was just... I wanted to be like them, you know? They were good at something. My mom is an earth pony nurse, and my dad is the weather commander of all Manehattan. I was busy getting myself into trouble with my mates and my mother was sick and tired of bandaging me up so much. I was one of the last few to get my mark, and my crusading would always end up with me in pain and bandages. My father would come home at nights from weather patrol and simply ask my mother what she had bandaged up today. They loved me, they told me that always, but my mom was tired of patching me up. She always wanted me to be safe.

That’s how I got to live with Pica. She was the closest relative that my family kept in contact with. My father told her all about my crusading and she suggested that I live with her. Pica lived here, in Ponyville, a place that both my parents could reach easily. Ponyville was quieter, safer, and a whole bunch of other things Pica told them. My father knew that Aunt Pica was lonely. He sent me off without another word.

I hated it at first. Aunt Pica turned out to be totally different than what I was expecting. She home schooled me in many different topics, hoping to give me a cutie mark. Something to do with math or science or something ‘useful’. That’s what she told me. I had to be useful in the world, and to do that, I had to be good at math, or at least chemistry or something. So I studied really hard, and I was still horrible with math. She always hit me with her wings when I got too many problems wrong, which was often. I was only somewhat good at the sciences, enough to keep her somewhat happy. As much as I didn't like the home-schooling, she was still very... motherly. She insisted that I called her ‘mother’ or mommy or something like that. Of course I refused at first, till she finally begged me into it. I still call her mother at home. She allows me to call her Aunt Pica only outside. It was so strange...

I spent my nights during that year sneaking out. I forced myself to learn how to fly and learned how to cook since Pica wasn't all that stellar at it. I missed home and Pica was strange. My parents sent me letters all the time, but I couldn't tell them about Aunt Pica. She was really lonely and I knew that. I hate upsetting other ponies, so I decided that just flying away would be better. After I taught myself to fly, I spent my nights just... flying around Ponyville as quickly as possible. For hours and hours and hours on end. My wings are as strong as somepony five years older than me or something like that. But I quickly realized why there was a train to Manehattan. Not even Dash could make that flight in one night. It was too far. I tried so many times, but I never even made it a quarter of the way before crashing and having to fly back to Pica’s. So I was left alone in the house to study all that time.

When summer came, Pica finally let me out of the house. I was able to play, but I had missed out on the school year. I had no friends. So I just flew in the meadow till one fine day, Snips and Sails smacked me with whatever it was, and they were my first friends. They were quite nice to me, and they were quick to let me join them. It was with them I found my cutie mark. That’s how I crashed into those barrels and liked the noise. That’s how I learned that music was my talent in that instant.

When I got my cutie mark, everything got worse. Pica hated music and artists, for some reason. After she learned about my mark, she enrolled me in regular classes to see me less. She told me herself...

“And that’s... pretty much it.” He nuzzled into her chest again, breathing softly enough to tickle her skin. Sweetie Belle swallowed hard as the colt seemed to pull her closer. She couldn't think of a thing to say to him after that. She had no idea that Pica was so hard on him. He burrowed his face into her, his warm breath added on to her embarrassment fueled heat. “Now... will you help me?”

“Sure...” She said slowly. How could anypony say no after that? “Ask away.”

“Do you know what fillies like?” He looked up at her. “Like... most fillies? I know Scootaloo isn't...”

“Most fillies like...” Sweetie Belle tapped her hoof to her chin. Scootaloo may have been Scootaloo, but there were just some undeniable things fillies liked. She pouted, her legs kicking and digging in the hay as she pondered. Her mind went to the movies that she and Rarity had indulged in. “Fillies like nice things. Like doing what they like and hugging and kissing.” Sweetie Belle waved a hoof around, not sure of what to say.

Show Tail took a moment to process what she had just said. He exhaled into her chest, gears turning. Sweetie Belle’s warmth suddenly made the cogs and wheels grind to an abrupt halt. He got off the filly, turning her to him and nuzzling her nose like he had so many times before. He forced his mind to function even though its track was being diverted in a way he’d never experienced before. He looked Sweetie Belle in the eye before swallowing hard as he crashed his lips into hers.

His ears and wings flicked up at the pleasantly warm tingle her lips gave him. It reminded him of how he felt all those times that he had pressed his nose against hers but a billion times better. Maybe closer to infinity. Show Tail exhaled slowly, his curiosity making him linger far longer than he should have. He sat back, looking down at the filly feeling strange and tingly in weird and suspicious places, his face hot and flushed.

“Was that... nice?” He asked tentatively. Sweetie Belle sat up, biting on her lip slowly. She looked Show Tail, blinking as slowly as possible. She nodded, unable to speak. Show Tail hopped to his hooves, taking flight. He looked down at Sweetie Belle. “I... Have to thank you for teaching me. Yeah, teaching me. Thank you for your help.” He flew out of the barn, barely avoiding the frame.

Sweetie Belle stared after him, unsure of what to think. Her lips felt like they were on fire, more so than the rest of her body. Her first kiss had been taken by a clumsy colt that didn't think of much more of her than a magazine for advice. And yet she couldn't have been happier. It lasted only for a moment before she realized that those lips only had desire for one filly. Scootaloo. She sighed, sliding off the stack as quickly as possible. She had to get away from there, the place made her feel a stew of emotions.

Why did Scootaloo get the affections that she so desperately wanted? Scootaloo didn't even want it. She didn't deserve it. She... Sweetie Belle caught herself ranting, taking a moment to calm herself. Getting angry at her friend wouldn't solve anything. It wouldn't make him like her, and it would surely ruin any chance in the future. She grumbled to herself, unsure what to think. All she had been feeling lately was utter confusion.

With that swirling in her mind, Sweetie Belle couldn't bring herself to see her sister just yet. She aimlessly wandered the streets, avoiding anypony possible. She was quite pleased with her invisible status until a voice called out to her as she passed town hall.

“Sweetie Belle! What are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be helping Rarity?”

Twilight Sparkle was trotting up, half stern half curious. Sweetie Belle blinked, the sound of Twilight’s voice flying over her head and quickly returning to smack her. She smiled at the mare, doing her best to keep her previous melancholy hidden. Twilight ushered her to the town hall steps, petting her on the head and mentioning that she had seen how shad she was. Sweetie Belle could feel a lecture coming up.

“Twilight? Can you do me a favor? Can you tell me what your first crush was like? I’m curious. And I don't think that I’ll be able to work if I don't!” Sweetie Belle forced her sweetest smile on her face. Maybe Twilight would have some insight on how to deal with the other gender. Sweetie Belle knew that Twilight Sparkle may not be the most social of ponies, but she couldn't possibly be made of stone. Twilight sighed.

“Since you seem so interested, fine. But only if you promise to go back to work.” Twilight smiled weakly, closing her eyes as she put on her best voice.

When I was thirteen in the school for young unicorns, I didn't have many friends. I was by myself most days. I didn't mind. I spent my time in the library, hiding in the shelves and burrowing my face in books and reading away. That was how I stumbled upon the works of Octavius Port. I had read all six of his books on advanced transformation and teleportation at least twice in the first month of the school year. The books had said that he recently began working there, and needless to say, my own excitement drove me to look for him. I never found him on the roster of teachers, much to my dismay.

Not even my old trusty librarian could help me find him. One day I was sitting on the bottom shelf after a week of fruitless searching. I was reading one of his books, ‘The Introduction to Advanced Teleportation’ when somepony found me in my secret place. I didn't give him much thought, thinking it was the old librarian coming to give me another stack of books.

I looked up to see a much younger stallion watching me in confusion. He had obviously never seen me before. He was older than me by a good deal without a doubt. His fur was a light blue that looked well kept, and a slicked back mane that made his black tie look even more official. He raised an eyebrow at me in a way that made me blush, and his black eyes were piercing behind his glasses. I felt that I had seen him before, but I couldn't put my hoof on it. He was looking at me in disbelief, and smile broke out on his face.

“Such a little filly reading my book! I’m impressed. Do you understand it?”

There was Octavius Port, right in front of me, and my heart was racing. I was talking to the very man that I had written all the books I had been obsessing for the past month. And he was talking to me. I forced myself to regain composure before shaking my head. I had to reign in my fanpony urges. I was determined to make this a fruitful relationship.

I didn't expect to... get a crush on him. It just happened. I had been spending most of my time with him, learning magic, becoming better along with my classes. I learned more from him than my teachers some times. I always used to ask him why he wasn't a professor. He said that all that rigidness wasn't for him, that he wanted to delve deeper into the subject without being restrained with work. I admired that about him so much. He was a clever and smart free spirit. There was nothing bad I could find in him. And that was how I came to love him.

He was... ten years older than me. I knew that it was wrong, but I couldn't help myself. He was just... so perfect to me. I became enamored with him. He tried to fend me off, but I was persistent.

Then one day, the day after my birthday, I came up to him in my most beautiful outfit, after reading so many books on romance, sure that I would win him over.

“Twilight. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes Octavius?” I was so excited, hoping that he would tell me that he loved me, cared about me, something. Just anything other than what he said next.

“I’m getting married! The wedding is on a Saturday, and I would love my pupil and her family to be there.” The smile he had on his face when he said it. It was glowing. I felt pain in my heart for the first time in my life. I didn't understand what was wrong with me. I knew all along that I was too young, those months, those preciousmonths; did they mean nothing to him? I really couldn't believe that I had put my heart into a stallion so much older than me. My heart was crushed, to say the least. I had put all my eggs into one basket, and they were falling. I couldn't bear it. I put up a strong front, saying how happy I was and that I couldn't wait to go, but I think that he knew that deep down I was hurting. He kissed me on the top of my head, something I didn't expect of him at all. The smile he gave me made me realize that he did indeed care for me. I knew what I had to do.

I attended the wedding a two months later, a changed filly. I had pushed myself to get over the first stallion I had ever brought myself to like. The first stallion that I had ever let in, or even got into my heart. It had been a painful two months, full of unlikely tears, eating and a few other unsightly things. That was the only way I could allow myself to walk into that wedding with any form of dignity. For some reason, even though he was getting married... I was happy for him, but I knew that part of me was angry. It stayed angry. It pushed me to study and become what I am.

“Wow Twilight...” Sweetie Belle bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

“It’s alright Sweetie Belle. You just go back to work, after all, that was the deal. No more about it. I hoped that helped. Now I have to go see if... Spike is working. ” She smiled before leaving so quickly that Sweetie Belle had to question. She sat on the steps of the town hall alone, eyes trained on the sky. A certain black blur was catching her attention. The clumsy golden and black streak in the sky seemed more so than ever, crashing into pegasi every few minutes. He would chuckle, say sorry and fly off into another one. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to anything.

Sweetie Belle shuffled in her spot, her face heating up and her lips tingling once again. She couldn't keep her eyes off him, no matter how hard her brain attempted to tear her away. her brain reeled all those romance movies in her head, knowing very well that this high would lead to a crash, a sickening crash. Love seemed to always end with that. None of the crushes she had listened to had ended well in the least. Their first loves had all seemed to hurt them. Sweetie Belle forced her eyes shut, a sudden wave of fear washing over her. What if she ended up the same way? Grown up and hurting on the inside because of somepony that hurt their feelings.

And yet, with that thought gnawing at her mind, her eyes opened back up to greedily take in the sight of the uncoordinated colt. His flight made him look like the ponfication of puberty, awkward and lanky. There were many other colts in the sky from school that could probably fly with more skill with only one wing. More attractive ones. But her heart had set on that stupid and dense little colt that flitted after Scootaloo’s every movement with less coordination than ever before. Something else was distracting him, that much she could tell. Was it too much to hope that she was it?

She trotted out into the square, her eyes slyly trained on the sky. There she saw her colt. Her colt? She stopped herself mid-thought, another blush working her way onto her cheeks. Since when did he become a stallion to her, or hers for that matter? Sweetie Belle’s monologue was interrupted by a horrible crash that could wake the dead. She looked ahead to see a familiar gold and black lump slumped against a side of the wall of a house. He stumbled to his hooves, shaking off the snow on him. He winced up at Scootaloo, who scoffed as if disgusted before flying higher. Sweetie Belle trotted over to him, dodging the snow he shook off.

“Show Tail, I know you're a bad flier, but you hit a house.”

“I was just flying and something and stuff. I wasn't looking where I was going!”

“Obviously. You were so busy trying to get Scootaloo’s attention that you hit a house I bet.”

“No! I was um looking at the ground and well I saw something interesting, but not that interesting! It wasn't too interesting! It was somewhat interesting! It was pretty! Not too pretty! But uh...”

Sweetie Belle couldn't help but burst out in laughter at him. He was embarrassed, for some heaven given reason. She smiled at him, her mind totally forgetting what had occurred earlier. She placed a hoof on his shoulder to silence him.

“Tails, relax. What was so interesting?” He stood frozen for a moment before shaking his head and taking to the sky. Sweetie Belle shrugged, watching him jet off as quickly as possible. She didn't bother to put any thought into it. She had to return to Rarity and help her the best a sister could.

I’m so happy that you still send me a birthday card every year. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve been rather scared to open your letters. I know that my birthday was a few days ago, but I’ve finally pulled myself together. Fall Leaf, how are you doing? I’m still here in Ponyville. I’ve gotten myself my own little place, the Carousel Boutique. Wonderful place, wonderful business.

I have to ask what you’ve been doing lately. I suppose you’ve gotten married, had a foal or two, which sounds lovely. You always were quite the stallion, so it wouldn't surprise a mare in the least.

“Rarity, he could still be single.”

“I know! But I don't want to seem like I'm still clinging on! I want to applaud that lucky bi...” Rarity shook herself off, turning to Sweetie Belle with a smile. “And you will tell me what happened between you two. You should expect me to be like this. Friendship is magic. I wonder what love is then...” Rarity had a visible blush on her face as she continued to write. “Well Sweetie Belle? My darling little sister? What did he want?”

“He wanted help on how to be good with fillies. Then he decided to kiss me and see what it’s like...” Sweetie Belle cringed at the ear-splitting scream Rarity emitted. She hadn't expected that at all. Rarity soon hugged her as tightly as possible, laughing. She was asking so many questions that Sweetie Belle couldn't understand one. But she couldn't help but smile at her sister’s excitement. At least somepony had to be. Rarity finally put her down her little sister, giggling.

"So what was it like?" She asked, raising her eyebrows coyly. Sweetie Belle flushed, the memory returning and

"It... was nice. It made me feel warm."

Rarity's hair seemed to poof up a few inches in response to that. Her head turned to her little sister in such a way it looked almost detached. Sweetie Belle fell back, a bit scared at that response. Rarity’s lip trembled as she spoke.

“Did... mother ever tell you how foals are made?” The pure white pony blanched even more at the slow shake of her sister’s head. Rarity placed a hoof on her forehead. There was no time to delay. If Sweetie Belle was going to move in with her then she best start acting like both a sister and a guardian. Rarity calmed herself, repeating in her mind that it was going to be alright if she went about this correctly.

“Now Sweetie Belle, when a mare and a stallion love each other very much...” Rarity cringed at the absurdity of her own statement before awkwardly yelping, “Be careful with your horn!” Sweetie Belle flinched at the outburst, staring at her out of place sister like an alien. Rarity sighed, biting her lip.

“Let me tell you about... unicorns.”

If Rain Should Stop The Prince

Today was going to be a good day. Sweetie Belle could feel it in her blood.

Her precious glass bell was tinkling in the bright sunlight of the April sun. It was chilly, but not enough to dampen her spirits. She had moved in with Rarity, recently celebrated her birthday, and was still in post turning fourteen bliss. To make things even better, Show Tail had been sweeter than ever to her, being the epitome of a gentlecolt. He really could act like a prince to her. He had been opening doors, pulling out her chair, and even walked her around puddles. Could she really be blamed for feeling like a princess? No wonder Rarity had liked Blueblood and Fall Leaf. She could see the perks.

Today though, was a special day. After months of practice, Show Tail had finally gotten the hang of a corkscrew loop, a slightly advanced maneuver, without going completely haywire. He had been so excited that he had learned one of his favorite moves that Sweetie Belle had to go and do something special. She trotted into Sugar Cube Corner on a mission.

“Pinkie Pie, give me two of the biggest, most frosted, delicious carrot cupcakes you have!” Pinkie Pie looked at the filly with her usual broad smile. Her eyes seemed to have an even brighter twinkle than before. Sweetie Belle looked her up and down, questioning if it was even possible for Pinkie to be more... Pinkie. But she was. Pinkie Pie nodded as she packed up the two cupcakes.

"Pinkie Pie. Something good happen?"

Pinkie Pie twirled around, placed the wrapped up cupcakes on the counter and began to dance as she spoke.

“Seuss has been visiting me more and more often! And it’s all thanks to you encouraging me! Thank you Sweetie Belle!”

A good day indeed. Sweetie Belle went on her way after paying, making grand movements to make her bell chime as she walked. The cupcakes would make their usual music sessions much more fun. She made a mental note to pick up the pace after seeing some grey clouds float by. She wasn't sure if that meant rain was coming, but she wouldn't take the chance. Spring was one of those seasons that the crueler pegasi took a sick pleasure to. Sweetie Belle Shook her head and laughed, continuing on her way to their usual rock.

He had to take a mental note to see if he was alive. Had Scootaloo really just asked him to hang out with her? This had to be a dream, a dream that had gone too far. Show Tail stared after her for a moment, confused. She had never asked him to spend time with her. He had always asked her, and then she would agree because she had nothing better to do for the day. This time however, she had come to him with a bright smile and beautiful face. A true angel sent from heaven. A yes squeaked out of his throat. As she flew away, he couldn't believe the information that his brain now held. His mind couldn't help but entertain the thought of possibly getting that kiss from her that he had been vying for and for so long.

His face flushed as he momentarily remembered Sweetie Belle. Kisses were likable for sure. He wanted another one. He flushed, training his eyes on the ground as he walked to the library. Show Tail was delighted to see Snips standing by the door, waving at him. He flew the extra few meters, skidding to a stop past him.

“Hey Snips. Snails with Apple Bloom again?”

He nodded, kicking a rock.

“I helped him pick out a nice tie. Seems that the Apple Family is practicing for the Orange family visit. They’re trying to work on table manners from Applejack, so he’s with her all day. Must be nice to have a fillyfriend.” Snips dramatically waved a hoof at the sky, laughing. “We’ll get them eventually. You have Scootaloo. I don't know who I like anymore, Tails...”

“Don't worry Snips, you’ll get her soon enough. Let’s go read the next edition of The Crimson Stallion. Been waiting too long to see if he makes it to the Lair of Ice to beat the Golden Mare!” The two raced into the library. Show Tail had a grin on his face that couldn't be moved. He had a date with Scootaloo later. As he sat there though, in the comfort of the tree and a long awaited update, he couldn't help but feel something picking at his brain. Like he’d forgotten something. He shook his head, laughing. It couldn't have possibly been as important as a date with Scootaloo. Nothing could ever be. He nodded to assure himself, but the slightest prick of forgetting something important started to bother him. He pushed it aside for more important matters, like the dastardly affairs of the Silver Stallion’s now villain girlfriend, Golden Mare.

“You should head inside little pony. We’re going to have a big storm later.”

“No thanks. I’m waiting for somepony.” Sweetie Belle smiled up at the pegasus stallion that shrugged and flew off. Sweetie Belle lay back down under the tree, looking around for any sign of the clumsy pegasus falling to earth. She saw nothing but grey skies that made her slump farther into her own sadness. She nudged the bell necklace, hopeful that the sound of the tiny metal clapper against the glass bell would cheer her up. She rang it weakly for a bit before sighing and hiding her head in her hooves. She looked at the carrot cupcakes, remembering how she’d managed to poke it out of him that they were his favorite, how he said he’d once gotten sick eating a baker’s dozen and regretted nothing. She laughed ringing the bell solemnly.

She tried her best to keep herself entertained, even with the wind picking up and the sun hiding behind fat clouds. The thought of him being a knight or prince once again.

“He would be a knight, and come to rescue me from whatever tried to foalnap me and hold me for ransom. All I would have to do is just ring this bell, over and over again. Just ring it. And he’ll hear it and come to save me, just like in the movies. He’ll be here, I know he will. I rang the bell...”

She pushed the dirt with her snout with a sigh. Sweetie Belle snorted the dust off, looking to the sky. The sun was gone, the clouds were now all in place and the low rumble of thunder met her ears. She sighed, laying back down and doing the only thing she could think of. Ring the bell.

The rumble of the thunder jolted him out of his thoughts. Show Tail looked around at the pegasi around him with a slight disdain. Sugar Cube Corner felt cramped and crowded to him. He had expected it to be just the two of them, finally just being together alone. Not flying or practicing or some lame half baked excuse he cooked up to get her to himself, but her asking him.

Only to find out that she was just inviting him to hang out with some other pegasi. The storm outside was the only reason he was even staying. He jumped up at that. He quickly reminded himself that Scootaloo was the reason why he was staying. He gave an impatient flutter of the wings as her laugh floated in the air. He felt a slight smile crawl onto his face. She was always pretty when she laughed. Then again, when was she not pretty? He laughed, slowly slipping back into his own thoughts. By now, the pin prick of something he forgot was now a nail with a hammer over it. It hurt, but it hadn't been pounded in quite yet. He looked up at the counter.

Pinkie Pie was glaring at him. He cringed and faltered back, trying his best to keep his cool around the other pegasi. She was giving him a glare that could burn through titanium. He blinked for only a second, but it was more than enough to allow Pinkie to appear next to him with that still annoyed glare.

“Shouldn’t you... be somewhere with somepony?”

“N... no...” He sputtered out, unsure of what she meant. She placed a hoof on his shoulder with a dry laugh.

“She came in here and bought two carrot cupcakes to share. You were supposed to meet her for a celebration.” Show Tail cringed. She had hit the nail on the head.

“Sweetie... Belle. Sweetie Belle!” He shot to his hooves, looking outside the window frantically. He wasn't surprised to see thick heavy raindrops and lighting streak the sky. Show Tail glanced back to see that the group he was with had all turned their heads away in slight disdain. He gritted his teeth. This wasn't where he should have been at all. He looked up at Pinkie Pie, who shrugged.

“She... may still be there. Lying to a friend is one of the fastest ways to lose a friend FOREVER.” She smiled at him bolting out the door in the rain. She paused a moment later, tapping a hoof to her chin. “Maybe I should have given him an umbrella... Oh well.”

Show Tail blinked the raindrops out of his eyes, almost blinded by the amazing storm his kind had created. He could the adrenaline of the run take over his mind. He felt horrible over all. For forgetting Sweetie Belle, for leaving Scootaloo... He mentally slapped his fourteen year old thought patterns with a bit of maturity. She could still be there, after falling asleep waiting for him. She’d be wet, cold, and upset, and it would all be his fault. This wasn't the time for petty thoughts about silly things. Though he felt like a hero, a prince or a knight.

Some brave pony haybent on saving his mare fair. Show Tail shook his head at that thought. Even in the cold rain he could feel his cheeks flush. When was Sweetie Belle ever his? He bit his lip, fighting back the rain in his eyes with some pain. Sweetie Belle was his friend, but she was not his princess, no matter what. Scootaloo was meant to have that position. The rain was starting to hurt his eyes more. He automatically lifted his rain soaked feathers, hoping to high heavens they weren't too wind mangled and waterlogged to give him lift.

He had a brief moment of self celebration at the few inches he managed to get off the ground before continuing on his way, using his almost uncontrollable speed to his advantage. He’d be there to save his princess.

“Shut up stupid brain.”

He huffed at his own thoughts, reminding himself constantly that it was Scootaloo he wanted, not Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo was the perfect pegasus, the perfect prize for anypony of his race to claim. He had to like her, like all the other colts in his class. It was strange for a pegasus colt not to have a crush on her. She was everything a pegasus could want. That’s what he was told. It made him normal.

He snapped back to the world when he smacked into the tree he was meant to meet her. He looked around frantically at the woods behind it. The first speck of white sent him reeling. He bounded towards it, yelping out a ‘Sweetie Belle’... at sopping wet carrot scented mush that could have only been cupcakes.

“She really did remember... Great.”

“Come on you dumb bell. You’re supposed to ring...” She sighed, continuing her somber walk through the town. She had decided to just go home after he had failed to appear. She had left as slowly as possible, giving him precious seconds to come and sweep her off her hooves and fly her to Sugar Cube Corner to get more cupcakes to save the day.

All she had to her day was a broken heart. She knew she was crying. The hot tears quickly ran into the cold rain, quickly forgotten. Just like he had forgotten about her. Rarity was right. Love was a horrible thing. All it did was make her feel worse and worse about everything around her. All she wanted to do was to be left alone.

“Sweetie Belle, what are you doin’ here?”

“Big Macintosh? What are you...?”

He smiled at her after spitting out his now water weighted straw.

“Ah’m heading to Fluttershy’s to pick her up for the practice dinner. Granny Smith said Ah have to have my fillyfriend over, no matter how shy she is.” He shrugged, looking the soaking filly over. “How about you come with me to Fluttershy’s? Ah’, sure she won’t mind much.” He nodded to her, pulling her close so she could walk under his umbrella. Sweetie Belle looked up at him, a blush forming on her cheeks. She, like most of the fillies in town had found him a fetching stallion. He was undoubtedly handsome, but that wasn't it. Something else was making her feel drawn to him. It wasn't love, like how she had been for Show Tail, but something special and odd. She felt warm and happy, as if he was a blanket. Yes. He was a blanket she could hide under when the world made her sad. Just like Rarity did. “Now you have to help me get her out of the house.”

“Eeyup.”

“I don't think I should go Mac. I don't think that you would like your family to meet a shy mare like me... And it’s raining now...”

“But Flutter... It’s only practice for when the Oranges come visit, and Granny said Ah have to. Even Apple Bloom’s got her little colt comin.”

She sighed, approaching them with towels. She looked down at the dripping filly. Fluttershy then perked up with a sly smile. She pet Sweetie Belle on the head, drying her off with the towel and putting her on the couch.

“Ah... well you see Sweetie Belle, I hear from the rest that you’ve been asking about the first crushes of ponies... And I’d like to tell you mine, if you don’t mind.” She made that same wide grin she used in dire emergencies of persuasion. Sweetie Belle’s eyes lit up, and she nodded.

“Sure Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy grinned, ushering Big Macintosh to sit next to her. He shook himself off one last time before placing a towel on the couch and sitting next to her. She smiled up at him, a look that somehow mixed satisfaction and genuine delight. He smiled back, knowing there was no way he could possibly resist her sweet nature. He kissed her on the crown of her head before she began.

Well, when I was a filly, after I got my cutie mark, I became very interested in animals. In Cloudsdale, there were plenty of birds and other flying things to learn about, but there were so many creatures that can't fly. I didn't really know anypony that lived on the ground... I was a pegasus after all. So I would fly down there on occasion, unable to really learn anything because I was so scared of some of the creatures.

One day though, I happened to wander to this very house. There was a unicorn inside. At first, I was very afraid of him, and then I was a little less when I saw the squirrel on his head. And then, I was delighted when he sent the squirrel over to me. It was very polite. It even shook my hoof. I suddenly lost all fear for a moment and walked over to him. It was the first time I had ever seen a unicorn up close. His mane was filled with dirt, making the grey even darker. His coat was a creamy color, I suppose, but he had these really pretty green eyes that stood out because they didn't seem to fit.

“Hello there! I’ve never seen a pegasus before! I’m Wave Wire.” He was so upfront with me. Of course I cowered a bit, at least until the squirrels nudged me into shaking his hoof. Then I realized that there were animals everywhere! I suddenly forgot all about being shy and ran around asking him about everything. I spent the majority of my day there, and even stayed for dinner with his father. It was a very nice day. I went back home, excited to have met such a pony.

After that, I spent all my free time with him. Wire Wave taught me everything about animals. I used to always wonder why his cutie mark, a broadcasting tower, could possibly make him so good with animals. It didn't take long for me to realize that his talent was speaking in general. He had such a way with the animals. He could make them do anything he wanted without even trying. I called it the Voice.

He would stand tall, and speak in this big voice that didn't possibly look like it could come out of such a tiny colt. But it did. Even though he was barely any taller than me, he could give orders that made you think he was six feet tall. I spent the year with him, each day a crash course in an animal or two. It was so much fun. I think it was halfway between a lesson on bears when he kept floating flowers behind me it was obvious that he liked each other...

I was really happy then. It was funny how we had both just gotten crushes on each other without even realizing it. It was great. We spent the next eight or so months together, playing with animals, taking care of them, sharing in the casual peck on the cheek. I thought that it would go on forever.

I remember my first kiss. He came up to me with a baby bunny, cute and wriggle nosed as could be. I was surprised when he let me have it. I would never turn down such a thing. I smiled to say thank you and he kissed me from there. It was strange and made me tingle. Kisses are like that... We kissed for a moment before he panicked and decided it was time for me to learn about bunnies. It was abnormally in depth lesson, even for him. I had guessed it was because of the bunny.

It was really because he was leaving. The next day, nopony was there. I looked everywhere... only to find a note in the bunny pen, right next to the bunny he had given me. His father had apparently decided that with him being a veterinarian and all, he would get more profit in the city than on the edge of the EverFree. He told me to take care of Angel, and that he would hopefully be back soon.

“I haven't seen him in years. I finally moved into this house to care for all the animals, and of course, Angel here is a living reminder of him. He was the one that noted my Stare, so that too.” She smiled and nuzzled Big Macintosh before continuing. “I’ve got Mac here with me, so I’m fine...” He flushed, giving Fluttershy a peck on the lips. “Now it’s your turn Mac, it’s only fair.”

The stallion could only squirm in place for a few moments before conceding to his fillyfriend’s demand.

Ah was a scrawny little thing when Ah was growing up. Mamma and Dad gave me my first yoke in order to give me some muscle. But Ah was still a bit of a weakling for my size... Taller than mosta the colts, but still scrawnier then the rest of em. They picked on me a bit, Ah know that. ‘Rotten Apple’ an such, but I didn't pay them much mind. They were just bored. Ah did have my fair share of friends though. Mah best friend was a colt though. He was far stronger than the rest of us... He was pitch black, went by the name of Black Torrent. The best swimmer besides a sea pony that Ah ever met. Gave him strong legs that looked like they could carry a full grown mare or two even as a colt. Ah really looked up to him. Even with all the apple bucking I did, Ah never seemed to be strong enough to get them off in one kick. Daddy always told me that it was OK, that Ah would grow into my Apple Family legs in time. And like ma little sister and her cutie marks, Ah wanted it now.

Ah started to stick with Black Torrent though. He taught me how to swim, making my legs get stronger and stronger. We ended up spending a lot of time together... And that’s how Ah ended up liking him as such. He was so nice to me, I couldn't help it. Ah guess it was pretty mutual. He kissed me first an such. Ah would say that we were a couple, but we were very secret about it. We didn't want any of our friends to know we were coltcuddlers. Ah suppose it was our own embarrassment that drove us apart.

“He went on to be famous. Ah went on to be one of Equestria’s best applebuckers. We still send letters. and such, but it ain't the same.” He shrugged and kissed Fluttershy on the nose. “But Ah have may Fluttershy now...” He smiled at her, making her giggle softly. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but smile as well. If this was what love could be like, then maybe it wasn't so bad after all. She was stabbed by her own thoughts. Her brain quickly reminded her of where she was and why she was there. Sweetie Belle started to cry all over again. Fluttershy looked at Big Mac with the softest face she could muster.

“I’ll go tell Rarity that Sweetie is staying at my place... I suppose we can’t go now, can we.” Fluttershy sighed, writing a letter. Big Mac nodded, a resounding ‘eeyup’ coming from him before he froze and began to protest.

“Hey! You just don't wanna go!”

“That’s only a bonus.”

“She’s... not here? Can you tell her I came to visit? And that I’m sorry and I miss her? I really do Miss Rarity... And give her this” Show Tail whimpered up at Rarity, who held a face of utmost confusion. She could have questioned him if he had not taken to the skies. She closed the door, picked up the box, and turned around, taking note of the horn poking out from the kitchen.

“He’s gone you know.” Rarity picked up the filly with magic, placing her on her back and trotting to her room. She placed Sweetie Belle on the bed, taking a brush to the filly’s hair. She walked around, grabbing her idea book and starting to draw lazy dresses. Sweetie Belle harrumphed. She had come home few hours ago after staying at Fluttershy’s and taken a bath to clean off her muddy body. Rarity was dutifully brushing her hair with a sisterly smile. “Fall Leaf and I have been talking. He has a fillyfriend, but sadly, she isn't his type...” Rarity wore a Cheshire grin on her face that made Sweetie Belle laugh.

“Rarity... Is love really worth it?”

Rarity froze a moment, all the things in her magical grasp holding still. She turned to her younger sister with a raised eyebrow, confused.

“Why would you ask that? Love is always worth it darling! My dear little sister, love is what makes the world go round. Love is what makes me sew, makes Twilight read, Fluttershy care for her animals, Rainbow fly, Applejack take care of her farm, Pinkie throw parties... Love makes us do all these grand and wonderful things. Because we love them. There are many different kinds of love.”

“Different... kinds?” Sweetie Belle cringed as the brush resumed. Rarity took a seat next to her on the bed, looking at her sister with care. She had never expected that she would be the one helping her with these sorts of problems. She had always imagined her rather discombobulated but loving mother to be the pony to deal with the affairs of the heart. But their mother had taught her, and Rarity knew she had to pass on the odd seeds of wisdom she had received.

"Well... I love you. And we love mom and dad, right? That's family love. And how I really care about and appreciate my friends. That's how you love your friends. Then you have loving something you do. Like... How you love to sing and I love to sew! Like that." Rarity looked over at Sweetie Belle before continuing. She had to make sure to approach this right. One wrong word could make her hate love forever. She looked into her little sister's attentive eyes and smiled. "Then... You have love, in the romantic sense. It's very... Heavy. It weighs in your heart. You always know it's there. But when you're with your love... And they love you back... It's wonderful. It makes you just... Fly. You feel like you can do anything with them by your side. And you want them to be there forever..." She exhaled the breath she had no clue she had been holding. Her face was flushed red and her heart was racing. She could see those desperately saved images of Fall Leaf crawling out from the back of her mind. All those memories.

The burning one of their first time. It was clumsy, awkward and an all out disaster. She could see him smiling down at her as she giggled and shivered from being caught in the rain. How it was dark and how they curled up together in his living room, staying as quiet as possible. The kisses. That warm smile that made her feel as if everything was going to be alright for the rest of her life. Then after that... Everything went warm. Hot, clumsy, silly and uncoordinated. And yet it was absolutely the pinnacle of perfection...

"Love... Sounds wonderful..."

Rarity snapped out of her reverie at Sweetie Belle speaking. She looked at her with a smile before stretching out and lying next to her, still commanding the brush absentmindedly. Rarity closed her eyes and settled into the sheets, her heart starting to calm. She had succeeded in not completely destroying her sister’s innocent heart.

“Yes Sweetie Belle. But you must remember. If they hurt you too much... then it might not be worth it anymore. You must not let them have complete control over you. Do you understand?” Out of a knee jerk reaction, she grabbed the filly into a tight hug, resting her head on the still slightly damp mane. She smelled sweet mint, a safe and comforting scent. Her sister would only be little for so long. She could finally understand her mother. The thought of Sweetie Belle growing up and being exposed to the painful world was something she could not take. But she couldn't very well lock her up and be happy with herself. The filly had to grow on her own, and no matter how horribly it sat with her, she had to. She had to be strong for her little sister and support her. She clung to Sweetie Belle, feeling the urge to protect her rising.

Rarity held her tighter, as if the world was trying to tear her away from the filly. She was the only wall Sweetie Belle had to defend her, and she was crumbling and starting to cry. It took her a moment to realize that they had both been. Sweetie Belle sniffled into her sister’s coat, wiping her face into it. She looked up once she felt Rarity move. They locked their tearing eyes for only a moment before clutching onto each other as if their lives depended on it.

“R... Rarity... He really hurt my f... feelings...”

Rarity paused a moment, a bit of rage starting to build before she realized that the colt had come to say sorry. It took her a moment to put it all together. That he wasn't as much of an idiot as she had first thought. That he was a bigger one, but in this case, this was a good thing. He liked her, and liked her a lot. What other reason would a colt come by before noon just to see a filly? She sighed deeply, pulling Sweetie Belle to her even tighter.

“And I hurt Fall Leaf’s... But I am trying to fix it... And you’re too young to lose a friendship like that. He came to apologize... You should forgive him eventually.” Rarity let go, shuffling to her hooves. She wiped her face off, turning to the filly with a slight smile. “Also... he left a dozen carrot cupcakes.”

Sweetie Belle bolted upright and bounded off the bed. She stared at her sister in disbelief, till the box was in front of her face. The white and glossy box had the heavenly smell of carrot wafting out of it. She nudged up open and squeaked a bit, a smile spreading across her face. Rarity looked in the box and began to laugh.

“I must say, for a little colt, he’s got some class.” Rarity chucked a bit more at the fondant letters on the cupcakes, all different colors, which collectively spelled out ‘I’M SORRY’. Sweetie Belle was staring at it as if enraptured. “I suppose this means you forgive him.” Sweetie Belle looked up at her with a shrug.

“Maybe...”

“Let’s go watch come movies, eat cupcakes, and laugh at all the silly fillies being funny in love. We should be laughing at ourselves... But we don't know how our movie will end do we?” Rarity picked up the box with magic and turned to her sister.

“Movies are supposed to have happy endings anyway Rarity!” She dashed past Rarity giggling. Rarity could only hold her smile for so long after she left.

“Life is nothing like a movie my dear little sister...”

Oranges to Apples

“What do you mean, you don't want to hang out with me? You forgave me a week ago, right? You said so...”

Sweetie Belle looked back at Show Tail with a genuine lack of interest before closing the door behind her. She had other things planned for the day, and the colt did not fit in at all. She felt her heart beating madly in her chest. She had never had to do something like this. Normally she would have dropped almost anything for him. Her mind rolled back to her utter desperation for his attention and she could not help but laugh. Had she really been so silly over a colt? She snickered to herself and turned to him.

“Look, Show Tail, I don’t have time for you today. Maybe tomorrow. Day after that... or after that... Or something. I just don't have the time in my day to mess around with you. Now, I’m going to Sweet Apple Acres. I told Big Mac I’d see him today.”

Sweetie Belle reeled back at the black blur landing in front of her as she descended the stoop. Show Tail was glaring at her, in a way that almost scared her. He was flapping his wings the same way he had done when he had met Scootaloo, large and imposing. His golden eyes were her shooting daggers and she had no clue why. She felt a prick in her neck, and her heart pound in her ears.

“You’re... going to hang out with... Big Macintosh. And... Why?” He froze, his voice suddenly one of a full grown stallion. She stepped back, falling onto her flank with a squeak. Show Tail landed ans started moving towards her and puffing up his body. He pushed his face into hers with a snarl on his lips. His wings flared and his back arched to make him look bigger to. Even though his gut churned and part of him was screaming to stop, he still still persisted. He was being an idiot and he knew it. But he couldn't stop himself. She was his and Sweetie Bell needed to remember that. Show Tail stepped a bit closer, their noses touching as he kept his glare on her and his body tensed.

Sweetie Belle let out a small whimper and held her breath, her heart pounding in her ears. She couldn’t understand where this came from. This was not the Show Tail that she had come to know. She had never expected this kind of behavior from him. It took her a split second to realize how close their faces were and flushed. When her mind wandered to the thought of that clumsy kiss in the barn when he suddenly gave a heavy sigh, stepping back. Show Tail stood tall, still somewhat projecting himself. “Go... do what you want... I can’t even say anything.” He hissed out, taking flight without another word. She stared after him for a moment, before picking herself up and heading to Sweet Apple Acres for the day.

“Big Mac! I’m here to help!” Sweetie Belle trotted over to the large stallion picking up stray branches. The pegasi had warned about blustering winds that night, so any branches would be a hazard. Fluttershy waved a wing at the filly with a smile, snapping down some of the higher up strays. She wasted no time dropping her pack and getting to work nudging the branches together.

“Big Mac... How can you tell when a colt likes you...?” She asked, unsure of if she should even be speaking. Fluttershy suddenly began to laugh, stopping just as quickly as she began. Big Macintosh looked at her with his usual half interested look, sighing in annoyance before shooting a glare at Fluttershy. She laughed more and flew off to snap some other branches.

“When a colt likes you...” Sweetie Belle reeled back and nearly fell.

“Big Macintosh... Your... Your voice! It’s... the accent!”

“Yes... I know...” He sighed, shooting daggers at Fluttershy giggling in a tree. “Fluttershy, I would very much appreciate if you would not laugh at me as such... The Oranges are coming to visit, since Applejack reminded them that they have not seen us in ‘such a terribly long time’. I have to speak like this, you see. And if I stop, it takes me an eternity to get it back.”

Sweetie Belle held back her snickers, not wanting to irritate the stallion more. He grumbled something under his breath before turning to the little filly.

“When a colt likes you, he will... be different...” He sighed an glanced at his fillyfriend giggling in the trees. “He’ll want to spend more time with you, and he’ll tend to get jealous. Whenever you see her with another stallion, you will often get jealous... Even if you know nothing will happen. You want to take no risks. Often, he will have claimed her in his mind, declaring her off limits to others. How intense that becomes varies by stallion.”

Sweetie Belle glanced up at the stallion with some curiosity. Jealousy was a good thing? She dug a hoof in the ground and began do dig a shallow hole in thought. Her ears began to feel hot as her mind began to piece things together. Could it be possible that he liked her? No... He had already professed his love for Scootaloo, and there was nothing that could change that. She had already decided what her place was, he had made sure to set it for her. Sweetie Belle looked down at her necklace, the one she almost never removed, and gave it a half hearted ring.

“He couldn’t possibly...” She gave her mentor a harsh look before pacing around. “So being jealous is something that means he likes you? But this morning... he got mad at me for spending time with you Mac... Does that mean...”

“When a colt doesn't tell you he likes you, he may just not want to look or feel stupid...” Fluttershy suddenly spoke up, landing beside them. She watched Sweetie Belle pace up and down with a slightly amused look. Sweetie Belle suddenly stopped, looking at Fluttershy curiously.

“But what if he’s already stupid?” Sweetie Belle asked with utmost sincerity. Fluttershy stared at her for a moment before shooting a glare at Big Macintosh for chucking at the filly’s response.

“Then he’s already told you, outright or in his own special way.” She nudged Big Macintosh again to stop his laughing. “Or maybe he really is just that stupid.” Fluttershy mumbled under her breath

“Eeyup!” He laughed for a bit more before cringing. “Awwww Ah lost that silly fanceh accent. Fluttershy, will you help me?” She placed a hoof on his mouth and nodded. “Ah right. Applebloom wanted me to tell you that...”

“Clubhouse. I’ll be going.” Sweetie Belle kept an eye on the sky as she made her way though the apple farm she knew like the back of her hoof. She had almost forgotten that the three of them were supposed to meet up again. In fact, she could barely remember the last time all three of them had really spent time together. Scootaloo would always jet off to fly with other pegasi, Applebloom was often busy with either Snails or the colts at the hardware store, and even Sweetie Belle herself had become friends with the band class at the school. She bit her lip as the club house came into view, a new coat of gloss gleaming on it. She smirked, knowing that Applebloom hadn’t spent all her time in vain. As she trotted into the tiny clubhouse, Scootaloo crashed in, toppling a pile of Applebloom’s books on architecture.

“Scootaloo... Can you ever come into this place without destroying half of it?” Applebloom sighed, setting the books back into their neat pile as Scootaloo laughed at her lack of accent. She shot Scootaloo a glare before smoothing her coat. She fixed the bow Snails had given her before sitting down and looking at her two friends. Her very best friends in the entire world. Seeing Sweetie Belle absentmindedly playing with her precious bell and Scootaloo flapping and stretching her wings as if ready to take flight made her happy. She didn’t know what she would do with out them. She paused for a moment, remembering their name, the title that had brought them together. The Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Applebloom sighed, a horrible churning in her stomach. She whimpered, looking up at her friends.

“G... Guys... Do you realize... that we haven’t gone crusading in a long time? We’re...” Applebloom swallowed hard before tapping her hoof on the wooden floor as she spoke. “We’re not the Crusaders anymore. I don't think we should go by that name anymore. That’s why I called you here.” Applebloom looked at both fillies, hoping that their responses wouldn't be too harsh. Scootaloo’s wings froze in place, her jaw dropping before she simply shook her head.

“We’re... the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We’ve always been the Cutie Mark Crusaders? We haven’t been anything different... ever! Are we really...” Scootaloo's eyes began to tear up as she paced around the room, sputtering only gibberish. She couldn’t believe it and she could not deny it. She could barely remember the last time she had gone crusading with her friends, the last time they had legitimately spent time together as friends for more than a few minutes. They weren’t as close anymore. They were slightly drifting as they sifted into their own little niches.

Sweetie Belle stared after her pegasi friend. Her mind was blank till a gust from Scootaloo’s wings made her necklace chime. The tiny ring of the bell was enough to spur her thoughts. No longer being the Cutie Mark Crusaders by name was like no longer being alive. It had become part of them, something that defined them. It didn’t take her too long to realize that they were all indeed quickly developing new definitions, new parts of themselves that did not revolve around crusading but what they wanted to do. Perhaps she had clung too tightly to the idea.

“It was happening whether we liked it or not...” Applebloom choked out, trying to hold back the tears that were forcing their way out. “I was the main reason we all ended up like this, I feel I should at least end it. Formally.” She looked at the two fillies with a soft smile. Sweetie Belle nodded at Applebloom, deciding that words were not needed. Scootaloo finally sighed, looking up at her best friends and nodding as well.

“We’re still best friends, right?” Scootaloo forced a smirk on her face. “I mean, you two need someone a little cool in your lives...” She grinned, standing tall and flaring her wings. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but laugh. The fillies found themselves in a tight hug and laughing at themselves. Sitting back, they giggled away their tears and Scootaloo finally spoke through the laughter. “Remember the zip line?”

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom stopped laughing and shot her a glare before starting up again. They sat there, laughing about their past adventures for what felt like hours. Applebloom froze mid laugh and her ears perked up at a bit. She could hear a huge commotion happening over by the house. She groaned and picked herself up, dusting herself off.

“I do apologize girls, but I must be on my way. The Oranges are here for their visit, and I simply must be on my way, lest my sister be very... displeased. I will have to see you fillies later.” Applebloom galloped off, screaming in frustration when she did indeed see a carriage. Applejack was welcoming the Oranges and Snails was helping them by bringing in luggage. Applebloom sped up and slipped next to Snails as if she had been there the entire time. She helped him drag in all the luggage, tugging a rather large cloth bag inside with him. She helped him drag upstairs and raced down the steps to get the other bags. She froze in place, a question forming him her mind.

Where is Big Macintosh...?

“Hey, you! Yeah you... you... jerk!”

Big Macintosh froze and turned around. He looked about the acres of trees surrounding him, peering though them for whatever had said the insults. He shrugged and turned to the house barely in view. He could make it there quickly, make up an excuse about sweeping up branches... A moment passed before he remembered that it was the truth and he shrugged. There was not much else he could do about it anyway. It had taken Fluttershy a while to get him to slide out of his accent, a requirement that Applejack had demanded as simple courtesy to the Oranges. Quite frankly, he couldn’t understand it, but he loved his little sister, and she had pulled ‘the Face’ on him, and he couldn’t say no to that pleading face. It was just impossible.

Much like trying to figure out who had called him. Fluttershy had gone to the house early under his request, hoping that Applejack would be able to calm down under her friends influence. He was somewhat regretting it now. He spun around a bit, ears twitching and trying to gather what direction the sound had come from. It was the voice of a young colt, he could make that much out. He had heard it before, but he couldn't place it.

“Look up!” The voice growled. Big Macintosh tried to fight the smirk that was creeping across his lips. The pegasus colt that was giving him a stern stare down had to be nopony other than Show Tail, the one of Sweetie Belle’s affections. He resisted the urge to chuckle.

Show Tail glared down at the red stallion, keeping his explosive temper under wraps. The voice in his head was already reprimanding him, a nagging mother buzzing in his ears. This was pointless. There was nothing to gain from this. He was no competitor in anything but her time. And yet that drove him crazy. He could feel his wings spreading out as far as possible, the blood boil under his skin and a scowl imprint on his face. He was irritated and bordering on anger with the stallion. He had taken Sweetie Belle away from him. He cleared his throat, keeping himself steady in flight.

“You should stay away from Sweetie Belle. She’s mine, and I want to spend time with her. You have your own fillyfriend... Spend time with her... Sweetie is my friend and you shouldn't take her away from me.”

Big Macintosh inhaled deeply.

“Eeyup. You sure do like her.”

Show Tail fell to the dirt, wings frozen in shock. He glared at them, the black feathers frozen in place. He was still too stunned to move. He gave his wings a few frustrated flaps before whimpering up at Macintosh. He had lost his slight advantage of height, and with it, his confidence. Show Tail shrunk back under the inquisitive stare of Big Macintosh, his towering size making it more intense. Clambering to his feet, Show Tail put on his bravest face.

“I do not! She’s just... my... friend. That’s all. Right?”

“Eeyup.”

“I mean... it’s not my fault! She’s my friend! I always want her around...” Show Tail flared his wings to make his point, standing firm and doing his best to glare up at Big Macintosh. He could see the larger stallion holding back a few laughs. His attempts to show that he had any shreds of self confidence remaining were shredded to bits. He whimpered at the slight laugh, the urge to cry welling up in the back of his throat. The burning and choking pain made it hard to breathe. He made pathetic whimpers, trying to find his way around the gaze of the stallion. Big Macintosh was calm and all knowing, and he could feel frustration taking him over.

“Eeyup...”

Show Tail stomped his hoof, pounding the grass into a slight mush. That... answer... His temper was starting to make his blood boil, his anger beginning to take the best of him. He forced his eyes shut to avoid Big Macintosh’s all knowing look.

“I... can’t. I’m not supposed to like her. I’m a pegasus. I’m supposed to like pegasi. Like Scootaloo. She’s the very epitome of pegasi, the very meaning of it. I have to like her. Like all the other colts in my class. I can’t not like her... And I’m one of the few that’s gotten close to her. I have to.”

“Eeyup.”

“But I hate the way she is sometimes. She’s nice. But... I don’t see why any of the pegasi like her like that, really. She’s really brash and loud sometimes. She’s amazing to fly with. But... I don’t get it... I like spending time with Sweetie Belle... She sings so wonderfully for somepony that hasn’t really gone though training, and she’s getting better every time we practice. I love making music with her. Understand?”

“Eeyup.”

“It’s not my fault that I want to spend all my time with her! She’s amazing. Every time I hear her voice I just want to make music. It’s a great feeling. And I want her to sing it. It just isn’t the same when anypony else does it. It’s like I write songs just for her. Can’t you see why I’m so upset that she picked you over me?”

“Eeyup.”

“But I can’t like her like that! I can’t! It would be weird and everypony would laugh at me for not liking my own kind, just like my father! Half of his family got mad him for loving my mother since she can’t fly! Applebloom and Snails both can’t fly, even if they aren’t the same race, so they don’t have to worry much, but to think of what my classmates and my father’s family will think... I’m not supposed to like her. I can’t. I’m not allowed to. I’ll be laughed at. But I can’t take any other stallion with her.”

“Eeyup.”

“I don’t understand why I’m not like this with Scootaloo. Maybe it’s because she’s so confident. But with Sweetie Belle, I know she can handle herself. But I can’t help but feel that I need to keep her around and be a knight in shining armor. She’s mine, and nopony else’s... I feel like I have to be around her a lot, and if I can’t hear the bell on the necklace I gave her, I’m too far away. We’re that close as friends.”

“Eeyup.”

“Besides, she can't possibly like me.” Show Tail paused, finally realizing what he had devolved into. He was staring at the bare dirt his hoof had been digging into, reminding himself that he had rubbed out all the grass in his little rant. He had gone on for far longer than he had thought, and his wings rested around him as if to shield him from himself. Show Tail looked up at Big Macintosh, ears drooping. He felt uncomfortable with the stallion’s gaze upon him after he had just babbled out everything he could never tell Snips and Snails. He took a deep breath to steady his shaking body, counting from one to ten over and over. All he could feel was the pain piercing his stomach, the choking pain of held back tears and the ache in his heart. And the anger. The anger that was growing his body, causing his wings to flare out once again. He was inexplicably angry, and there was only one pony around to let it out on.

“You... You! All you say is eeyup, like you know everything! I can’t like her, I won’t like her! Why don’t you say something other than that damned ‘eeyup’ and actually be helpful?” Show Tail glared up at Big Macintosh, his instinct driving himself to look bigger and possibly intimidate the stallion. Big Macintosh sighed, looking down at Show Tail with a great deal of sympathy.

“You really do like this filly, don’t cha. Well Ah reckon that you already told yourself what to think. You like her, and t’ain’t nothing you can do about it, much like Ah can’t help but like Fluttershy. Ah think you need to think about how you feel, cause you have one of the biggest crushes Ah’ve ever seen.”

“I’m not... She’s just my friend!” Show Tail screamed, taking flight, desperate to be anywhere but there.

“Well now, Ah never seen a colt so far in denial in my life. Aw horsefeathers, Ah got my accent back.” Smirking to himself, Big Macintosh turned his hooves to the house and went on his way. “Ah hope that colt finds his way out of it...”

Lessons Learned

“Guys, I think that this is going to be the best summer vacation ever.” Snails looked up to the clear blue sky, a grin dominating his face. Lying by the river with friends was always peaceful. June was now creeping to its midway point, which meant that soon school would be out and finally the hot days would be theirs. Snails laughed to himself. The summer would be filled with friends, playing in the river, snacks and his lovely fillyfriend. He craned his neck to see Apple Bloom playing in the river with the others. Snails smiled as he watched her have fun with their other friends before turning to Show Tail sitting beside him.

“Maybe.” Show Tail said. “Aunt Pica is sending me off to camp for the summer. I have no clue why...” Snails bolted upright at the rather monotone voice of Show Tail.

“Tails, you’re gonna be... leaving?” Show Tail nodded as he slipped himself into the water, wading out into the clear river. Getting away from his best friend’s questions was what he needed right now. He could hear Snails yelling at him to come back, but he shut his ears and thought of the matter at hoof. Pica was sending him off to camp, saying that it was a rite of passage for all pegasi, or at least it was in their family. He didn’t want to go at all. Summer was time for friends and just being silly, at least to him. He had actually made friends after being stuck in the house for an entire year, and he did not want to just leave them behind. He swam towards the other foals, trying his best to get away from Snails, as cowardly as it was. He could make out Snips talking to Twist and sunk into the water. Perhaps a bit of teasing would cheer him up.

Show Tail didn’t expect Snails to grab him out of the water with magic and leave him furiously flapping his wings in an attempt to get away. The unicorn colt trotted over and pulled Show Tail onto the bank of the river, trying not to get slapped by flailing wings.

“Tails, what’s all this bout going away, eh?” Snails forced the colt to look him in the eyes, even though he knew very well Show Tail’s temper was nothing to be messed with. Snails reminded himself that he had created a pissed off pegasus, but there were more important things to deal with. “So, what are you gonna do?”

Show Tail was struggling to get away, wings flapping frantically. Unicorn magic was starting to annoy him. Snails was trying his best to keep him still. Show Tail tugged and pulled until Snips waded over and added his own magical touch.

“Oh Tails, we know how much you like to avoid things, so we decided that if it was ever really important that we would just hold you down!” Snips waved his hoof around gaily, as if it were an everyday occurrence. At this point Show Tail considered getting more idiotic friends. He shrugged and decided that it was better to have friends that cared than anything else.

“I’m going away to a flight summer camp. At least Scoots is going to the same one, so I won’t be alone... But I’ve been arguing with Auntie to let me stay... And what was that about avoiding things?”

“You avoid any talk of Sweetie Belle since she’s joined the chorus. And she’s right over there you know.” Snips tossed his head in the general direction of the filly playing in the stream with a few other foals. And a few colts. One of them was getting too close to her for Show Tail’s liking.

Show Tail’s wings froze in place as he starting shooting daggers at the colt. He was talking to her as if he was so great, with that sly smile that seemed to just make him angry.

“What the hell is he saying that’s so funny?”

“Tails, calm down.” Snails pat him on the back and signaled at Snips to release the magical hold.

“I mean, you’re going to make yourself look silly. It’s just a colt you know... Sweetie looks like she’s enjoying herself, and so is he.” Snips nudged the taller colt, wiggling an eyebrow. He wasn’t surprised when Show Tail shoved him over into the water.

“Oh, well I hope he enjoys my hoof up his... Never mind. I sound like an idiot. I’m letting my temper get the best of me again. But heavens be damned if I don’t just want to...” Show Tail scooted back into the river, laying on the bottom and blowing bubbles. His nose was barely covered by the water and he waved off passing remarks that he was now a hippo. His eyes were trained upon Sweetie Belle as he dragged himself around the bottom before finally deciding to just swim his troubles away. If he didn’t look, he wouldn’t be so bothered.

“Seems he’s having a hard time, Snails... We should do something to help him, right?" Snips glanced up at Snails, who shrugged, unsure of what to suggest.

Show Tail flicked his wet yet tidy tail out of the water as he sulked around the river. Sweetie Belle lay right in his sights at almost all times. He felt the need to run over and shove the colt out of the way, maybe even fight him. The unicorn colt was starting to scoot closer to her. Show Tail stuck his tail in the air like a sail as he waded aimlessly trying to ignore her. He could not. Every laugh made him snap his head around to look at what she found so funny. He couldn't possibly be that funny. He didn't have a cutie mark in humor, it was for the trombone. Who the hell can be so funny with a trombone on their flank?

Show Tail finally made up his mind and waded over to the two, keeping a harsh glare on the unicorn colt.

“Oh hey Tails! I’m just talking to Shining Note here...” Sweetie Belle waved a hoof in his general direction. “He’s in the band and the chorus. You should join the band. I mean, you do like to play the drums, so I don’t see how it could be bad in any way.” Sweetie Belle continued on, her bell necklace making chimes to make it sound even more beautiful. Show Tail’s face melted into a soft smile and he shrugged to agree. What could possibly go wrong?

“Why did I drag myself here... “

Show Tail groaned in exasperation as he sat in the very back of the band room. He was uncomfortable without a doubt, and made a mental note not to let his decision be swayed by a filly no matter how pretty she was. He couldn't help it. In the middle of contemplating his theoretical escape, Sweetie Belle made her way over, taking a seat next to him and smirking. He straightened himself up and tried his best to smile. There was no way she was going to know of his general discomfort.

“How are you Tails?” Sweetie Belle said. “I haven’t seen you really talk to anypony since you got here. You should try, they’re all quite nice you know. They don’t bite.” Sweetie Belle nudged him again, hoping to entice a smile to form on his face. It was obvious to her that he was quite uncomfortable, and she had to do something about that. It was after all her idea to make him come here.

Show Tail could see that she was doing her very best to cheer him up, and that alone made him warm up. He turned his head to face her, maybe even be daring and give her a nuzzle, but she was no longer paying him any mind. She was talking across the room to the colt from before, the light grey one from the river. Show Tail could feel his skin prickle. They were talking about songs, or something like that, and he kept on being so funny to her. She was always laughing and smiling with him it seemed, and the thought alone made him angry. She wasn’t supposed to be this happy with another colt, at least not like this. He could read Shining Note from a mile away. He liked her, and Show Tail was not going to let that pass. Even if she was happy and laughing.

To Show Tail, Sweetie Belle’s every laugh seemed to have lost its luster, as if something was missing, as if it had lost its chime. Chime... He paused his hectic thoughts for a bit and took some careful observation of her. It didn’t take him long to realize that her necklace was gone. The tiny glass bell necklace that he had spent the last of his bits on was gone. Show Tail realized that not even one thousand could calm him down now.

He could feel his pitch black wings start to rise as the frustration began to build. Show Tail tried his best to keep his composure. Composure, however, was not one of his strong points. As his wings reacted to his questionably steaming rage, his logic stepped up for a last ditch attempt to prevent self destruction.

Show Tail forced his wings to behave and turned to Sweetie Belle. She was still talking to Shining Note. That’s when he started to hear the blood pounding in his ears, clearer and crisper than ever before, as if his cutie mark were rallying him onward.

A smirk crept onto Show Tail’s face as he seethed next to her, listening to her chatter and giggle with the colt across the room. He suddenly shot to his hooves and walked out of the room, but not before shooting Sweetie Belle a glare. He had to get out of there, lest he embarrass himself with transforming into some unholy creature. The last thing he saw was her beautiful and confused face, and the very last thing he felt like seeing.

He walked out of the school and began to aimlessly wander the streets. It wasn’t like he had anything better to do. He bit his lip. He could never understand himself. He could question many things that he saw as pointless behavior, like his adverse reaction to Sweetie Belle without the trinket, or the fact that he was angry at Shining Note and yet ignored other colts with Scootaloo. Show Tail took flight, landing before Sugarcube Corner with some newly acquired skill.

Show Tail walked in, keeping an eye out for Pinkie Pie. He desperately needed somepony to talk to. Making his way to the counter, he did not see the pink mare, but instead a yellow stallion with a sleeping pegasus on his back. He was swaying his hips side to side slowly to keep the foal sleep and gave Show Tail a slight grimace.

“Foals, what can you do... Anyway, what can I get you?”

Show Tail hesitated a bit, raising an eyebrow at Mr. Cake. He knew very well who Mr. Cake was, and he was probably much better at these kinds of things than Pinkie Pie. After all, he was married. Show Tail shook his mane, flinching at the random leaf that fell out before looking up at Mr. Cake.

“Hi Mr. Cake, I’m Show Tail. I was looking for Pinkie Pie to talk to, but... You’ll probably be more helpful since you’re married...” He shuffled in place and stared at the floor. Show Tail bit his lip, hoping that the stallion would not laugh at him, or worse, not help. Instead, Mr. Cake smirked and looked at Pound Cake on his back.

“I’d be glad to help ya. Just let me put him to bed and I’ll be right back.”

Show Tail’s shifted in place a bit more, unsure of what to say. With Pinkie, she could always just read his mind, or something like that. He never tried to put much thought into Pinkie powers. Carrot Cake was a full grown stallion with a family, and the very first Ponyville adult he ever had a conversation with that wasn’t about school or lessons. His mind ran though various scenarios, all ending with the destruction of Ponyville, or maybe the re-release of Discord.

He was snapped out of his rambling by Mr. Cake tapping him on the shoulder.

“Hey, you alright? What did you want to talk about...?” Mr. Cake smiled a bit as he looked down at the colt and leaned on the counter.

“Well...” Show Tail began, the tall stallion making him feel more nervous. “I gave... a filly a necklace, and well she never takes it off. I thought so anyway. Today I saw her without it and for some reason I got really upset...” Show Tail stared at his hooves, unsure of what he could possibly reply with.

“Oh well, I understand how you feel. You see those earrings that Mrs. Cake wears all the time? She’s my high school sweetheart, and that was the first real present I ever got her. I worked my hooves to the bone for it.” Mr. Cake gave a dreamy sigh, waving a hoof around as he spoke. “She treasured them, and I’ve only ever seen her without them once in my life, a few weeks after I bought them. I had no idea why, but I was upset. I felt as if my hard work was just thrown aside... I got a bit upset at her too. Turns out that she took them out because her mother advised her that it wasn't wise to wear them for so long... A fine reason... After she saw me so upset at that, she never took them off again.”

Mr. Cake looked down at the stallion with a stern look. “She did it because she loves me. She’s never really taken them off since. It’s how I know she cares.” Mr. Cake straightened himself up and nodded at Show Tail. “I hope that helped you.” He smiled a bit more, hoping that Show Tail would say something.

“So... I’m mad because I got her something special and she’s not wearing it...?”

“Yes, you must really like her then. How cute, young love...”

Glaring at Mr. Cake, Show Tail flared his wings.

“I don’t like her! I’m supposed to like Scootaloo.” Show Tail hissed, totally forgetting his manners. Mr. Cake reeled back a bit and then suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. Show Tail stared at the laughing stallion, confused at his sudden laughing. He straightened himself up, ruffling his riled wings and doing his best to smile politely at Mr. Cake. Maybe the stallion would over look his rudeness...

“Oh you sound just like me when ponies started pairing Cup Cake and I together! I was very against it, you know, but after a while she grew on me. It was baking together that did it. When you enjoy something with somepony special, it becomes even more so. And that’s how Sugarcube Corner was made.”

Show Tail stared at Mr. Cake for a few moments before snapping back to reality once again. He had been spacing out far too much for his liking lately. The older stallion looked down at him with a half a smile.

“Just be careful about her, alright? You might learn your lesson a bit too late.” Mr. Cake nodded solemnly and perked up his ears at some customers entering. “Sorry, can we talk later? I mean...” Show Tail cut him off, holding up a hoof in protest.

“It’s alright... I think I’ll just go...”

Show Tail slipped out of the the store, glancing back at Mr. Cake for a moment before taking flight. He had two choices in his mind: Find Sweetie Belle or go back home. Going home was always the last choice. He hated being there with Pica. Even though she had lightened up with the lessons, she still persisted in the ‘second cutie mark’. Show Tail huffed, giving his silver drum a glance. For the first time in a long time he felt the need to scorn it. The shining drum against his black flank had caused him far too much trouble. He took flight, doing his best to do a fly over Ponyville without crashing into anything, which proved harder than he thought.

After bumping into a few clouds, he finally spotted the filly sitting in front of the school with some other foals. She was giggling with them and singing, leading him to guess that they were the chorus. Landing with ease, he walked up to them and waved at Sweetie Belle. She hopped to her hooves and rushed towards him.

Sweetie Belle hugged him tight, and he could feel the press of the glass bell between them. His heart skipped a beat.

“Oh Tails, where did you go? I was so surprised when you left...” She tilted her head, confusion painting her face. “Did something happen? Shining Note was also surprised when you left... Why did you leave?”

Show Tail swallowed hard as his logic began to reel once again. He could ask her, or he could simply lie... Lying was looking more and more attractive by the second. Not to mention his temper was already welling up at the memory. He took a deep breath, smiling at the pretty filly before him. He didn’t want to tarnish his record with her anymore.

“Shining Note told me that I should take it off. The jingles might be heard as we sing.”

“You did what now?” Show Tail mentally slapped himself as his wings flared in response. Sweetie Belle stumbled back a bit, a flash of fear in her eyes. He gave a nervous chuckle, staring at the ground between them. “Sorry... I didn’t mean to... Um...” She smiled, walking over to gently nudge his flank with her own. He felt his face flush at the contact. He lowered his head and began to chuckle nervously. He had to pull himself together. The filly was right there before him. His mind quickly brought up a very important fact. He had yet to tell Sweetie Belle about his swiftly approaching departure. He ushered the filly away from the other ponies, his heart once again drumming in his ears.

He tried his best to keep himself from reacting to the cat calls behind them, concentrating every fiber of his body to the filly that he was walking with. She seemed excited and joyful, and the thought of telling her she wouldn’t be able to see her in the summer was heart wrenching. Or maybe it was the fact he would not be able to see her beautiful face, hear her silly jokes or listen to her angelic voice singing.

Show Tail chewed on his lip as she began to sing a random tune. Perhaps he was taking this harder than she would. He shook his head, trying to remove it of the terrifying thought. She could possibly not care about him enough, or maybe she would just laugh at him. What if she didn’t care...? He shook his head with more force, as if it would make it any better. It took him a moment to realize that Sweetie Belle had stopped walking and was staring at him. He trotted back to her, hanging his head to hide his face.

“Tails, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been like this since we left. Muttering to yourself and shaking your head... Is something bothering you? I mean, I normally don’t notice these kinds of things but...” Sweetie Belle nudged the colt’s face up a sympathetic smile on her face. “You can tell me, right?” She nuzzled his nose for effect, causing him to stumble back and flush. He kneaded at the ground, feeling nervous. Show Tail mentally slapped himself. He was never nervous, and she had no reason to make him nervous. She was just some filly, and she was just standing there confused.

Sweetie Belle moved closer to him, the bell on her necklace making a soft ring as she did. She pulled him to sit on the side of the road, staring up at the trees across from them as she took a place right next to him. She nudged him with her nose gently, a soft smile on her face.

Show Tail groaned, a grimace flashing on his face for a moment before he snapped upright. After reminding himself that he shouldn’t be nervous over a few times, he sighed at Sweetie Belle.

“I’ll be going away to flight camp this summer. At least Scootaloo is going as well, so I won’t be totally alone... But I wanted to let you know that.” He looked up and down the street then at the sunset hazed sky. It was distracting him long enough to wait for her reply.

“You won’t be here this summer?” Sweetie sighed, her ears falling in defeat. He nudged her a bit, chuckling.

“Tell me something good then Belle. You must've had a nice day.” He decided to be brave and nuzzle her neck gently, making her blush. She coyly smiled, looking at the colt with affection. Perhaps she did like him after all.

“I’m going to sing a song with Shining Note, since we’ve been spending most of chorus and band together... He says he loves the way I sing and that we should sing together.” Sweetie Belle smiled up at Show Tail, hoping that he would congratulate her.

“But... I don’t want you to.” Show Tail said under his breath, pushing his face into her neck, desperate to hide his blushing face.

“Why not...?”

“Because then when I sing and play music with you, it’s awesome and just us. You already joined the choir...” He waved his forehooves around, still keeping his face close to her. Sweetie Belle blushed at his fidgeting and held back her urge to laugh. Show Tail flustered. This was not something that happened often, and she would be sure to enjoy it. She giggled at the soft tickle of him shorting heavily into her neck, squirming in place as her face heated up in response. “You can, if you want, but you have to promise me that we’ll practice together every day till I leave for camp. I really like hanging out with you.”

“Sure... why not? I mean I like spending time with you too.” Sweetie Belle sighed softly, calming down her thumping heart. She reminded herself that there was no reason to get too excited over his proximity, even if her body was going though an unforeseen lock up. She stretched out a foreleg in a vain only to see it shake and resist her orders. She sighed in exasperation, her ears flopping as the slight frustration that her current state was getting to her. There was no use complaining, so Sweetie Belle let a smile spread on her face. This was what she had wanted all along, was it not? To have him to herself, to have him pay attention to her, want to be with her for her. This was the moment that she had set her heart on. Nothing could ruin it.

“You’re really nice when you are, Tails...” Sweetie Belle paused, her breath stuck in her throat as she started to panic. She felt his wing curl around her. She had been oblivious to its slow creep from his back, inching with caution to the other side of her body. Sweetie Belle lay her head on his, surprised that his messy mane was quite soft. His wing was a warm and welcome comfort, allowing her a moment to just enjoy his presence. She nuzzled the top of his head, smiling gently at his slight flick of the tail. Sweetie Belle felt herself slip into a dreamy haze, humming to herself. Perfection incarnate.

It was too perfect. A sudden bolt of panic jolted her out of her daydream. Sweetie Belle found herself scooting back, chewing on her lip as her face flushed even harder. She could feel him looking at her, eyes filled with something she could only describe as... disappointment? Sweetie Belle kept her eyes trained on the ground after that, grinding her hoof into the ground. He didn’t like her like that... He had said so...

“You’ll make Scootaloo really happy...” Sweetie Belle mentally slapped herself, making note that she would never allow herself to speak again.

“Yeah...”

“Have you... told her?” Sweetie Belle felt as if each word were coming from another part of her, a part she was learning to disdain. She could not shut herself up.

“Well, no... Do you think I should?” Show Tail kept his head low, glancing up at the filly on occasion. He had forgotten she still believed that he liked Scootaloo... He snapped up, ears perked as he shook his head in confusion. No, he was supposed to... Show Tail slumped back down, shuffling closer to Sweetie Belle and laying his head on her shoulder. She was speaking, saying something that he wasn't paying much attention to, something about what Rarity had said to her. He knew he should have been listening to her, but he was too distracted by is own thoughts and the fact he was so close to her. It was time to give it up completely. There was no more denying it at this point in his young life. He opened his eyes slightly and looked up at her. Sweetie Belle, the filly he liked. Show Tail felt a smile grow on his face, the idea of having Sweetie Belle all to his own now much more appealing.

“You should tell her. Tomorrow, maybe? How does that sound? At least then I can help you out then.”

“Sure...” Show Tail agreed mindlessly, spreading his wing to wrap around her again. He was far too lost in his pleasant day dreams, ignoring her personal discomfort. He was thinking of other things, like staying close to her, playing music with her, or perhaps he could be daring and reach to kiss her. As Show Tail debated the kiss with a hot blush, he felt the filly stand up abruptly and was completely confused by her swift yelp of farewell before dashing off. He shrugged, deciding not to question the fleeing filly and go home himself.

Sweetie Belle trotted off with her head held high. This was no time to lose composure. She would simply have to run this by Rarity in order to figure out what to do. Her older sister always had the right answers. Sweetie Belle trotted into the house, looking around for her older sister. She wasn't surprised to see the mare sitting at the kitchen table and drinking a cup of tea. Sweetie Belle sat next to Rarity, looking up at her as if the wisdom would come pouring out if she stared long enough.

“Yes, Sweetie Belle? If you have something to say, which I know you do, staring at me won't do you any good...” Rarity took a long sip of tea before continuing, inhaling the scent before kissing the filly next to her on the head. “Do tell me what's happening...”

“Tomorrow I told Show Tail that I was going to help him confess to Scootaloo... I have no idea what to do now...” Sweetie Belle looked up at Rarity with wonder. She knew that her sister would have some amazing wisdom to give her, some wonderful genius...

“You help him confess and then wish him good luck with her.”

“But... I like him... Still...” Sweetie Belle allowed the scent of tea filling her nose the sweet smell of peppermint distracting her wandering mind. Rarity was speaking to her, something about feelings and controlling them, but she payed her no mind. How could she possibly not know how to solve this? She was Rarity, she was the one with all the relationship experience, the one Sweetie Belle had come to depend on... How could she possibly not know what to do, how to make him not like her.

“You can't make him like you, darling... You can't. There's no magic in the world that will make him truly like you as you wish... And even if you did use some kind of potion or magic, it wouldn't be real. It wouldn't be them... It would be a weird and twisted heart that was forced to love you, and that's just not the same thing. It has to be natural, true, and devoted. There is nothing you can do...” Rarity took another sip of tea before petting the filly on the head with a slight smile. Sweetie Belle's lower lip was trembling and her eyes began to tear up. Rarity sighed, her heart aching. She had such good news while her sister was dealing with her own personal troubles. There was only one thing to do. She pointed her horn at the fridge and smiled.

“You know what makes everything feel better Sweetie Belle? Ice cream. Ice cream makes everything feel better, even if only for a spoonful.”

Got The Best Of Me

What are little colts made of?

Snips and snails

And puppy-dogs' tails,

That's what little colts are made of.

What are little fillies made of?

“Sugar and spice, And everything nice. That's what little fillies are made of,” Show Tail grumbled as he watched Ponyville from above, using his wings to steer a cloud slowly across the sky. Repeating the poem Pica had taught him was the only thing keeping him calm. There was nothing better to do. Maybe he should just bide his time until the day was over. That seemed like the best idea right now. He could just avoid Sweetie Belle and everypony else in town, he would be golden. Embarrassment and crisis would be averted, and he would go back to his normal life of being berated by his aunt... who seemed to be heading his way. He shook his head, disregarding the shape. It was most likely Cloud Control, right? Yes, it had to be.

“Tails, your tail hangs off this cloud. I could see you from the ground, my darling son. I’ve been looking for you.” The chilling voice was indeed Pica. She sat beside him calmly and began to chew on a clump of cloud as if nothing had happened. He stared up at his guardian, used to her odd habit of eating strange things, unsure of what her motive was this time. Was she here to make another comment on the drum shining on his flank? She smiled, a sickly sweet smile that made her green eyes shine as if she were possessed. He was scared, but running from her would get him nowhere.

“What is it Auntie?”

“There were many points in your life I wished to give you Cutie Pox, in hope that you would become more useful to the world.” Pica took another bite of cloud and laughed a bit at Show Tail scooting away in horror. She extended one of her large wings to pull him close to her, nuzzling his mane. “Oh, but you are growing up into such a handsome young stallion, my son. You won’t be here forever. You’re fifteen and only getting older. You’ll be leaving tomorrow. Tomorrow you will transition from colt to stallion, and learn how to truly fly. I’m so proud of you, my son.” The white mare stared up at the clouds and sun above them, giggling. “What will I do with you? I tried so hard to make you what I saw as perfect. So hard for something that not even the Princesses could have a hoof in.” She tugged him close and tousled his messy mane before starting to tidy it up.

“Auntie, what are you trying to say?” Show Tail whispered under his breath, unsure of why his aunt was suddenly being so kindly.

“Snips and snails and puppy dog tails may be what you are made of, but there is nothing I can do about it. As much as it pains me, I must let you grow up and be your own stallion. I can’t be your mother forever. That’s why I set out to find you.” Pica nipped at his ear and forced out a laugh. “I had to tell you before I changed my mind, before I let myself regret it. You’re my darling son, and I need you to know that I love you, no matter how much I hate to admit it. You’re quite wonderful on your drum, and you sing well too.” She kissed him on the forehead before continuing. “You have great potential. Maybe you’ll show me that music isn’t as useless as I perceived. I had to tell you that. I really had to. You’re going to leave me, and if I let you leave without saying sorry, I could never forgive myself. Having you come back an angry stallion. Unforgivable. It’s my last chance to say sorry.” She craned her neck to look him in the eyes. “Please forgive your mother, she knows not what she does.”

Show Tail was frozen in place, unsure of what to say. Was she really trying to apologize for her madness? He tried to comprehend it, but he was still in a slight state of shock at the mere mention of Cutie Pox. This mare, the one that was coddling him like a foal, had been a cause of general madness for the past two years of his life. Did she really just expect him to forgive her? He may have been young, but he wasn’t stupid, at least not anymore. He wriggled out of her grasp and shook his mane, allowing it to fall back into its usual bed head. He stood in front of her, wings spread wide as he spoke. If he was on the way to becoming an adult, he should at least try to do adult things.

“Aunt Pica, I love you, you’re family, but I am not your son. You are not my mother.”

Show Tail cringed as she jumped back. Disgust painted her face and she looked as if she were about to vomit. Show Tail cocked his head to the side, unsure of what to do now. She was now ripping at the cloud, her body starting to lurch as if possessed. She started to retch, shoving her face into the cloud in a vain attempt to control it. Show Tail stepped towards his aunt, completely confused on what to do. He screamed when she suddenly popped up with a wide smile. Pica brushed back her frizzled mane and looked like the epitome of calm.

“Of course you’re my son...” She pet him on the head. “I treat you like one, don’t I? Therefore you have to be. You’re my family. My only child.” She kept her smile even as he shook his head and tried to explain to her that he was in fact her brother’s child and not her own. She stood up and kissed him on the forehead and scoffed. “You’re such a silly foal. My little...” She swallowed hard and looked down at him. “Nephew.” A forced smile to crept onto her face and she exhaled a shaky breath before pulling the colt against her with her wing. “So, tell me about this filly you’re after. I’d like to know if she’s good enough for family.”

Show Tail stared at the mare that he was now leaning against, his heart thumping in his ears. Was she really trying? He decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She deserved at least that much. She was family, and you always had to do the best to help your family, no matter how much they needed it. He laughed to himself, taking the opportunity to finally bond with Pica, even a she was adamantly chewing on a chunk of cloud.

“Her name is Sweetie Belle, and she sings like an angel...”

“I should look pretty, right Rarity?”

“Yes Sweetie.”

“What do you think of this dress?”

“Don’t you think that a dress is a bit much? I mean, you don’t want to make it too obvious that he should forgo his supposed crush and pick you.”

Sweetie Belle shot a glare at her older sister as they both rummaged around her room. Rarity’s comment did not make her feel any better. The high from Fall Leaf’s arrival had worn off after breakfast had been cleaned up. In a few short hours she would be meeting up with Show Tail and Scootaloo, and bringing them closer together. She shivered at the thought. Bringing them closer together would be her own personal nightmare.

Sweetie Belle sat back on a pile of clothes, lost in her own imagination. It would be hell. She could see them, soaring above Ponyville, laughing and enjoying themselves. The thought of him happy without her made her face flush with the tell tale sign of emotion. Her jaw tensed up. How could she allow this to happen? She wasn’t supposed to allow them to like each other. She had set her eye on him for so long, and could almost convince herself that he liked her as well. He always did try to stay in her good graces. And the necklace...

“Rarity, when a colt gives you something pretty, what do you think?”

Rarity stopped fishing though the closet to look back at her sister with a raised eyebrow. She smiled at the filly, trying her best to pull upon the knowledge she had on relationships to the forefront of her mind. She petted Sweetie Belle on the head, summoning a brush with her magic. Styling the filly’s mane in a solemn and slow manner, Rarity tried to gather a semblance of what to say. It took her a few more brushes come up with anything at all.

“Well, normally my dear sister, it means that he thinks quite highly of you. It’s not everyday that a stallion takes up his money and treats a filly to something special.” Rarity pulled up Sweetie Belle’s mane into a ponytail for a moment, before shaking her head and deciding against it. She continued to brush without much of an aim. “Think about it Sweetie Belle; He’s just a little foal... He must have spent the very last of his bits on that for you. Now isn’t that special?” Rarity stood up to look her sister over. Her mane gleamed like silk from the brushing, even though it lay as it usually did. She wriggled her nose, looking over her sister, trying to find something to work on. “Oh Sweetie Belle, why are you so pretty? It’s so much harder to improve a pretty picture than something horrendous. Then again, you are my sister... What can you expect?” She gave a barely audible giggle as she set back to work. She had to find a somewhat decent improvement to her sister’s mane. Rarity tapped her hoof to her lips as she pouted slightly. Normally, this process was effortless, something that just came to her. This was her sister, she had to make her fabulous, better than anything else she had ever done. She sighed, trotting around the mess of Sweetie Belle’s room for inspiration.

“Hello, darling. What are you looking for?” Rarity looked up from the pile of clothes she was inspecting and smiled at the stallion at the door.

“Oh nothing, Leaf. Just trying to pretty my little sister up for her big confession. But it’s so hard when she’s already so pretty.” The two laughed and Sweetie Belle responded with sticking out her tongue at the both in aggravation. She didn't need their little comments, she needed to prevent the first love catastrophe of her life. Or at least tolerate it. She ran a mental checklist in her head from all the movies that she had watched with Rarity. There was plenty of ice cream, they had gone out and bought some yesterday. There was also some scant scraps of chocolate, Fall Leaf had brought some with him as a present. Cookies, there were some in her private stash, and Rarity had baked a cheesecake for Fall Leaf herself. There was milk, if she recalled correctly. Sweetie Belle nodded to herself, feeling prepared for the heartbreak. There was plenty to eat, and her sheets were clean. Of course, there was the matter of figuring out what to do if her friends came to visit...

“What do you think of this, Rarity?” Sweetie Belle was drawn out of her own thoughts at Fall Leaf tying the silken white ribbon in her hair. It was a cool and pleasant surprise, and the smiles on the couple’s face made her feel confident about the way she looked. All he had done was tie the ribbon into a simple bow beside one of her ears, and yet she felt amazing. She smiled up at Fall Leaf, a whisper of a thank you coming out.

“Oh darling, she looks lovely, thank you! Now you try to calm her down while I pretty her up.” She kissed the stallion on the cheeks few times before brushing the filly’s tail.

“What if he thinks I look silly?” Sweetie Belle said, looking herself over frantically. She may have felt good about her looks, but that was her own thoughts.

“Then he is a damn stupid colt,” Fall Leaf grunted under his breath. Rarity swatted him with her tail, scolding him for his mouth and hissing things about why she liked such an uncouth stallion. “She’s a fussfilly, but she’s my fussfilly. And he’d be damn stupid not to like sucha pretty little filly. You remind me of Rari when she was your age.” He looked up at the mare with a smirk. “Save, you know how to have some fun in the mud.” Rarity swatted him with her tail again, a playful glare upon her face. “Isn't she just a silly little mare? I love her anyway though. Good thing that we have so much in common. Though I dun look it, I actually am a very stylish colt. Blame your sister for getting me into fashion.” Fall Leaf waved a hoof at Rarity as Sweetie Belle laughed. “And well you see, she got that competitiveness from me. I use to challenge her to make things all the time. That’s why little Rari is so amazing.”

“Oh you’re so full of yourself, you know that?” Rarity said under her breath as she continued to brush.

“I hear that the colt gave you that pretty little necklace. Well isn’t that nice? Normally colts only give jewelry to mares that they like, you know.”

“I know.”

“Ya know, I think you know that this colt has a liking for you, and you’re just denying it.” He poked her on the nose. “You’re just being a silly pony now. You know he likes you, don’t you?”

“He can’t, he says that he likes Scootaloo.”

“Sometimes ponies say things so that they don’t look stupid around others. Or so that they don’t feel stupid themselves.” Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to speak and was cut off by the stallion’s hoof being placed near her mouth. “I think you’re doing that now too, but it’s alright, since you’re just a little one. Make sure that you learn to be brave when you need to, alright?” He folded his arms and nodded, grunting in affirmation to make himself look wiser. Sweetie Belle looked the stallion over as if he was an alien and took a moment to think it over.

“Alright Sweetie Belle, I’m all done grooming you up for now. I put a ribbon on your tail as well, and don't get messy. Now you go out and charm that silly colt.” Rarity nudged Fall Leaf with a gentle smile. “Oh look at you, you sound just like a father.”

It didn't take much thought for Sweetie Belle to realize that it was time to leave when Rarity’s face turned three different shades of red at something he had whispered into her ear. Sweetie Belle made a mental note not to ever involve herself into such things. She shivered at the thought, had a horrible flashback to sexual education class, and dashed off to distract herself from the horrors of foal making.

“You said you wanted me to be a better guardian.”

“No.”

“Show Tail, get over here.”

“No!”

“Do as I say or there will be repercussions.” Show Tail cringed. Nothing scared him like an irked Pica. He slinked over to the bathroom sink, shrinking away from the white mare. Her eyes shone with malevolent intent and his only reaction was to scream. There was a horrific downside to never combing his mane. It was a tangled knotty mess. Pica dumped some water on his head before working on the golden knots, flinching at every squeal that he made. She didn’t want to do this, but if the colt liked that filly so much, she would be damned before not attempting to help. That had to start with cleaning him up, and with his unkempt mane, it was proving difficult.

“No, my mane can stay the same, auntie. Please don’t let me do this.”

“So you don’t want to get the filly?” She cringed at her statement. His mane being an awkward mess would have no effect upon her feelings, but looking nice might be in his favor. Maybe it would even charm her more, allow him to have the happy ending that she could never reach. So she had to be harsh. Her hooves wrapped around the colt when she finally came out of her own thoughts, scooping him up and dropping him into the bath. Maybe this would be a better idea. Besides, his coat could use the wash. By this point, he had stopped struggling and conceded to his fate of being scrubbed. Pica’s heart began to race as she scrubbed him down. This was... nice. She should have had more moments with him, instead of trying to force herself down his throat. Two years gone and she had never combed his mane, made him breakfast, of even given him the proper congratulation for his cutie mark. Instead she had scoffed and dismissed him as if he were some plague.

Though he was screaming and yelping through every tangle and knot, she had never felt closer to him. He stood his ground against the pain, and even then it was a bonding moment for the two. One that almost brought her to tears. She shook the thought from her head. The both of them didn’t need to cry. She could barely remember the last time she had to help groom somepony. The last times were all blurry memories that she had forced out along with the last shreds of sympathy that were not stained with disgust. The married stallion that had taken that from her... She shook the thought from her head. This was not the time to wallow in the self pity the liar created, but to help the one pony she had vowed to take care of. She was meant to be council, not judge. And as the last knot in his mane slipped out, that’s exactly what she would be.

“Are you done crying now?”

“I am not crying.”

“Anymore.” Pica picked up a towel and rubbed him down with care. She had to stop thinking about them. The stallion she had dried off in her own affection, only to find she was washing away her scent from his wife. She cursed her horrible luck and glanced at the cologne in the medicine cabinet. It was the only thing she had left of him. She ripped at the label, stuffing the paper in her mouth. The taste of aged paper was always one of her favorites.

“Auntie, are you upset again?” Pica cringed. Show Tail was too attentive. She splashed some of the cologne on him as a distraction.

“There. Now look at how handsome you are, my dear... nephew. You’ll impress her with your looks alone.”

“My head feels funny.”

“That’s because your mane is combed.” She huffed as she continued to brush, trying to slick down a few reluctant hairs. “You look wonderful, and if that filly is half as good as you make her out to be, then you do not need to worry. I’m sure she’ll like you.” Pica pat the colt on the head. He was smiling at her for once. Maybe she really could do this parenting thing correctly. After all, that’s what she had wanted all along. Pica leaned forward and kissed Show Tail on the forehead before trapping him in a hug. “Oh I can’t believe that you’re growing up and have this cute little crush and...” The mare rambled on while squeezing him. Why should she hold back her joy? She had been restraining herself to be a prim and proper parent only to find out he hated her for it. Now it was time to be the caretaker she was meant to be, even if he whined.

“Auntie! Let me go! It’s not that big of a deal.”

“When you get older, you’ll understand. Now come along, you should practice what you say to her.”

He had never been so happy to be in front of Sugarcube Corner in his life. The now spunk filled Pica had spent her time lecturing him on how to deal with girls. The entire conversation had left him with more questions than answers and a craving for anything to distract him. He shuddered at the memories. At least he had Sweetie Belle now. And she was looking lovelier than usual. Show Tail took a moment to slick back his now neat mane and trot up to her.

“Hello Belle! I hope you weren't waiting too long.” Show Tail said. Sweetie Belle giggled at the very audible crack in his voice.

“No, not at all, Tails.” The first part of her grand plan had arrived. Soon, Scootaloo would fly in and he would confess his love to her. Or at least say he liked her. Her stomach rolled at the thought of the two having their nervous confession. She had to think of an escape plan to give the two privacy. Perhaps dash inside Sugarcube Corner for a snack? She would need it anyway. Rarity had always subjected herself to eating whenever she got in a mood.

She pulled herself away from her thoughts long enough to look him over. A smile etched its way on her face as she tried to hold back her urge to laugh. His mane was brushed back, a welcome change from his usual tattered mop. He looked charming. The work that was put in evident. Somepony had taken the time out to pull out the kinks, making his mane match his tail instead of just using gel like at the Winter Solstice. It shimmered like his impeccable tail, causing her to smile wider.

“Wow Tails, you really groomed yourself for this.”

“Yeah... I had to run out so Pica wouldn’t put a tie on me.” He blew an exasperated raspberry. Like he would let her know that she was the real reason he had cleaned up. “She’s trying really hard to take good care of me now. But she’s been eating paper again.”

“Paper?”

“She has pica, she told me.” Show Tail ran a hoof through his mane and laughed. “Pica isn’t even her real name. It’s Golden Heart.” The pegasus shrugged. “But I don’t want to remember how she tugged at my mane. Do you know when Scootaloo will get here?”

Sweetie Belle knew Scootaloo well enough. She would fly over in a few minutes, wings flared wide and proud like her own signature banner. She would dazzle him with her brash wits, her bravado, her smile and then they would... She shook her head. She had no time to be jealous. She had to put herself aside for her friends. Or at least for Show Tail, no matter how jealous she was. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh at where she was standing.

Some months ago, Show Tail had been let out of his aunt’s home and into the world, and into her world. At this very building, she had developed a flighty crush that she had assumed would go away in time. Through all of the madness that the socially challenged colt had put her through, all she had to show was that crush blossomed into first love. Most ponies would have been delighted at such an outcome. But most ponies did not have to set up their first love with their best friend.

“Scootaloo has arrived!” Scootaloo touched down before them. She flashed a cocky grin and flared her wings proudly. Just as expected. Sweetie Belle could only laugh. Same old Scootaloo, the fabulous daredevil flier that idolized Rainbow Dash. She gave her attention to her best friend. “So what did you want me for Sweetie? I was about to go and...” She paused mid speech to wave at Show Tail. “Hey Tails, you wanna go and practice with me later? We can try some corkscrews.” She waved her hooves in the air to demonstrate.

Sweetie Belle shot Show Tail a glare. He stepped back, looking the filly over in fear. He knew what that glare meant. He was supposed to confess to Scootaloo, at least in her mind. Biting his lip was the only thing he could do at the moment. He was stuck, between the babbling of Scootaloo and the heavy glare of Sweetie Belle, he could only hope that some brilliant idea would strike him. Maybe the world would implode, or by chance some horrible event would come in and allow him to escape. But the sky remained blue, the sun shined, and the birds chirped. There would be no heaven sent blessing to save him.

“Scootaloo, Show Tail has something he wants to tell you.” Sweetie Belle wanted to get this over with. The nervous colt was tripping over his words allowing the feeling to seep into her bones. This was taking too long for her tastes. She thought this would be easy, that an overeager colt like Show Tail would simply blurt out his feelings.

“Oh Show Tail!” Scootaloo’s cry interrupted Sweetie Belle’s thoughts. Had Scootaloo already put the parts together? “You have a crush on me, don’t you? Almost all the pegasus colts do. I can’t believe you actually confessed to me! Though I can’t blame you for having a crush on me.” Scootaloo smirked at her company. She looked even more confident, the look in her eyes filled with impatience at the ‘Yes’ that had not come out.

“I don’t like you, I like Sweetie Belle.”

Sweetie Belle froze up. Did he just say what she thought he just say? No. Impossible. She had to have been daydreaming, caught in her own imagination trying to distract her from the two getting along. She turned her head, a lock of her mane flopping down to attempt blocking her vision. And yet, she could see that Show Tail snorted as he gave the filly a dull look.

“What? How can you not like me? Every pegasus colt likes me, most of them, I’m sure. Some of the fillies too. How can you not?” Show Tail scoffed at Scootaloo’s words.

“You’re really cocky, single-minded, you’re really brash, and you can’t sing. Not everypony is going to like you, you’re not better than everypony else. I tried to like you, but Sweetie Belle was just more fun than you ever were!” Show Tail hissed out. “You’re a good friend Scoots, but I really like Sweetie Belle. She can make music with me and sing with me. And she sings really well. And I can make songs just for her.” He shyly smiled at Sweetie Belle. All he had to do now was hope. Hope that she would accept his feelings and possibly like him back, as small as that hope was. He hoped that his antics with his close friend had possibly charmed her over. Everything he was saying swirled about in Sweetie Belle’s brain, along with the angry protests of Scootaloo.

“Wha... What? No!” Scootaloo sputtered, her face flushing. How dare he say that to her? “I hate you! You’re a stupid jerk that doesn't know awesome when he sees it!” She stomped her hoof into the dirt, snarling out every syllable like a mad pony. She was always the one that turned ponies down. No pony was a fast flier like her, they couldn't keep up with her. That’s why they loved her, chased after her. He was supposed to be just like those other colts that were all so sweet to her. They loved and adored her and she challenged them to become better, and left the colts uninterested in her favor and friendship alone. But Show Tail befriending her without the hope of charming her was something she could not comprehend. Worse, she had lost to Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle, of all ponies! They may have been best friends, but there was no way that Sweetie Belle was overall more awesome than she was! “I’m leaving!” She spread her wings with a nasty scowl and took off.

“Did she really just leave?” Sweetie Belle managed to dig up the courage to speak, turning her attention to Show Tail. He shrugged and patted her on the shoulder. There was nothing more to be said about Scootaloo. Making a note to talk to her later, Sweetie Belle turned to the colt beside her. “Do you really like me, Tails?” Sweetie Belle said. She swallowed the lump in her throat. She smiled at his wide golden eyes paired with the lip he chewed on for his life. He would have to speak eventually.

“Ah well... yes. I do like you Sweetie Belle. A lot.” He puffed up his cheeks if only to let out a sigh of exasperation. “I’ve liked you a really long time, and uh... you’re really cool?” Rubbing the back of his head with his hoof, another shaky sigh escaped. “I don’t know how to do this. Can you tell me?”

“Well... in the movies, they kiss.” Sweetie Belle squeezed her eyes shut, sure that her face was a blazing shade of red. She mentally slapped herself for even saying that. The very idea... No, it was time to be brave, for once in her life. This allowed her the strength to rocket forward and crash her lips into his. It was a moment of blurry madness, the jingle of her bell and his surprised grunt the only thing she could hear. When Sweetie Belle stepped back and got a full view of the dreamy look on his face, she lay another kiss on his cheek. “That’s how you do it.”