Tale of Two Bronies

Tale of Two Bronies
A 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' Self-Insert Fanfiction
by milesprower06 and FenixTheFox93

Ending 1
Remain

As the tip of the beaker touched my lips, a single tear fell from my eye, falling down my cheek. I looked over to Rainbow, who could no longer hide her sorrow, and tears flowed freely from her magenta eyes. I immediately felt an undeniable lump in my throat, and ache in my heart.

I removed the beaker from my lips, and looked over at Brady, who too was filled with hesitation. I set the beaker gently on the marble floor and turned to face Princess Celestia.

“Your Highness, please, I beg you to hear me out.” I said to her. She gave me a nod. Nonetheless, I struggled with my words, not because of whom I was speaking to, but the emotions churning inside me.

“I...I don't want to go home. I know we have lives, family, friends, and obligations back there but...but I keep on wondering. Out of all the hundreds of thousands of fans, out of everyone who wishes they could come to this place; why us? Why was it just the two of us? I can't believe that our experience here was meant to be this short. And...” I paused, looking over at the crying Rainbow. “And I don't want to believe that the feelings I've come to have for a friend here amounts to nothing.”

Rainbow blinked, staring at me, perhaps not believing what she was hearing me say.

“Jake, I...I said-”
“I know what you said, Rainbow,” I began, walking back to her. “And maybe my feelings for you are stronger than my reasoning skills. But back where I come from...there's love, and happiness, but there's also a lot more pain, suffering, and strife. People kill each other for no reason at all. Friendships are severed over the most trivial of arguments. Wars are waged for the most pointless of debates.” I turned back to the Princess, tears falling from my eyes.

“I'm...I'm not sure if I could handle living there, knowing what I've experienced here. So I beg you, your Highness, from the bottom of my heart. Please, let us stay.”

The royal sun sister regarded Brady and I with a compassionate expression. She turned to Brady, who had also set his potion down and had gone over to Twilight.

“Brady, do you share Jake's sentiments?” she gently asked. Brady nodded, also visibly crying.

“I do, your Highness.”

Celestia stepped away from the portal, and towards our group of eight.

“I will admit, I fail to understand why you two are so willing to abandon your previous existences for a life here in Equestria. But in my 1,000 years of rule, I have not turned away a single pony who wishes to live in my land; be they from another continent...” she trailed off for just a moment, “...or another dimension.”

Still teary-eyed, Brady and I began to smile.

“Are you two absolutely sure?” she asked us one last time. We both immediately nodded.

“Then I, Princess Celestia of Equestria, hereby decree that Ponyville, and therein, Equestia, bid welcome to their two newest residents. The unicorn Brady, and the Pegasus Jake, from a far away land.”

The portal home shuddered, and collapsed, and I felt a wave of relief unlike any I had felt before. I spread my wings and threw my front hooves around Rainbow, who mirrored the embrace. Brady likewise celebrated with Twilight. Then, we were all caught off guard by two flashes of light.

“What was that?” Brady asked. I too, was clueless as to what had just happened. Our confusion increased, as the mane six looked at us with looks of amazement and joy.

“Why, would ya look at that. You two just got your Cutie Marks!” Applejack exclaimed.

“WHAT?!?” Brady and I said in unison, looking back at our flanks. Indeed, there they were. Mine was a white cloud, with a golden wing fully spread on each side. It was a symbol of my love of the freedom of flying.

“Looks like somepony is gonna really enjoy the airshow next week then!” Rainbow told me, blinking away her tears.

Brady's was a hammer and a wooden plank in the shape of an X.

“A carpenter?” he asked himself. “Well why not? That's one of the best bookshelves I've seen!” Twilight said.

We were overwhelmed with joy. Cutie Marks were as official as it got. This was real. We were ponies of Equestria. Both of us rushed over to Celestia and nuzzled her appreciatively.

“Thank you so much, Princess.” I said. She smiled down at us.

“Welcome to Equestria, my little ponies,” Celestia began.

“Welcome home.”

CLOUDSDALE CLOUDISEUM
5 DAYS LATER

The six Wonderbolts flew overhead with a rush and a roar, splitting and scattering into a star formation, smoke trails in their wake, and the Cloudiseum was filled with cheers as the Wonderbolt Airshow Spectacular began.

Rainbow and I were nearly front and center.

As the wing of Wonderbolts came around for another aerial stunt, Rainbow looked over to me.

“Listen, Jake. I was thinkin' about, well, adding some cloud onto my house. In case, you know, you ever wanted to move in. I can't have you sleeping on the couch forever, now can I?” she offered with a smile.

The Wonderbolts zoomed overhead again with a roar, bringing a pause to our conversation for another few moments.

“I appreciate the offer, Rainbow. I really do, but...” upon hearing the start of the second half of my reply, her expression became one of an unexpected frown.

“Oh no no, Rainbow, it's not you. I like you, I do. I like you a lot. It's just that, well, I'd hate for all that hard work Brady is doing down in Ponyville to go to waste.”

PONYVILLE

Twilight came out of Pony Joe's with several lunch trays, and ten bottles of Apple Family Cider straight from the Acres. From there, she went to an open patch of land not too far from the library, that was slowly becoming less and less open, as Ponyville's newest carpenter worked with a small team to erect a house.

“Wow, Brady. It's coming along great!” she complimented, as the frame was complete, and they were now putting floorboards in to the two story dwelling.

“Thanks, Twi.” Brady replied, sweat dripping from his mane. “I've never understood how magic can make you sweat. Isn't it supposed to be...well, magic?” he asked, wiping the sweat from his brow. Twilight giggled in return. “Even as the Princess' protege, I don't have the answer for that one.” she told him.

Rainbow and I came trotting down the path to the construction site. Rainbow had a rolled up poster in her mouth.

“So how was it, you two?” Brady asked.

“It wash aweshum!” Rainbow said, not bothering to take the Spitfire-signed Wonderbolts poster out of her mouth. Realizing her haste, she removed the poster, and marveled at the under-construction house. “Wow! You've gotten this far in just 5 days???” she said, amazed.

Brady smiled proudly. “Well, clearly, I've had the best of help.” he replied, motioning a hoof to the construction crew. “I can't wait to see how it is when it's done. I might have to move right in with you guys!” Rainbow exclaimed. “What about your cloud home with the Rainbow fountain?” I asked. She only shrugged. “A few ropes and a team of Pegasi, and I can put it right above here.” she said.

“Well, now that you two are back,” Twilight began. “Brady, Jake, I think Rarity wanted to see you two in her boutique.” she informed us. “Did she say what for?” Brady asked. “Why else? Probably has some hot new fashion idea that she wants to try out on you.” Rainbow replied. Rainbow's opinion on fashion aside, we decided to give Rarity more credit than that. Brady let the construction ponies go for the day, and we made our way to Carousel Boutique. We arrived, and gave the front door a gentle knock, and saw ourselves in.

“Good afternoon, Rarity.” we greeted. “Ah, at last. I was wondering when you two would get done. How was the airshow, Jake?” she asked. “Fantastic. We loved it!”

“Anyways, I thought I'd call you here and get your measurements for the suits I'm going to make for you.”

We were interested, and mystified at the same time. “What would we need suits for?” Brady inquired. “Why, for the Grand Galloping Gala, of course!” she informed us. Brady and I exchanged glances. Ponies or no, we weren't much for formal events any more than the mane six were. “Why would we go to the Gala? That's not really our style.” I said. “Now come come, you two. I've seen the way you two have been courting Twilight and Rainbow Dash, and you simply must show them a night to remember!” she stated.

“Uh, Rarity. We saw the last Grand Galloping Gala. If we recall, all six of you hated it.” Brady countered. “Well, yes. But be that as it may, last year we were all hoping for individual fantasies to come true. The Gala is still the perfect place for a romantic evening.”

I thought about arguing that point with Rarity. A nearly-pointless party with the high society ponies hardly qualified to me as a romantic evening. What about a nice local restaurant? I knew from Brady's expression, he was equally skeptical. But the fact was, neither of us had been on anything remotely close to a date. So we'd give Rarity the benefit of the doubt.

“Don't worry, you two. You don't have to wait until the Gala to take them out for a nice evening. This visit is just for measurements. The Gala is several months away, and it'll will take me around that long to get your outfits absolutely perfect!” Rarity told us. While she was taking measurements, we thought she'd be the perfect pony to ask. “Speaking of a nice evening, do you know any local romantic restaurants?” I asked. “Do I ever! What kind of restaurant were you thinking of?” she asked us.

I had no idea what Rainbow's tastes were outside Pony Joe's, and that hardly qualified. “Well, um, good food, nice music, great view. Things like that.” I told her. “I know of this fantastic little place just outside of town, over by Fluttershy's and the Everfree Forest. Quiet, out of the way. Perfect for a first date!” Rarity chimed.

“Maybe Twilight would enjoy that too. Think we could do a double date?” Brady asked, as Rarity measured his forelegs. “Sounds like a plan to me.” I agreed. We let Rarity finish taking all her necessary measurements, and then made our way back out into the town square. We quickly came to another hitch; we had never asked anyone, or anypony, out on a date before. How did one go about doing that.

“Come on, Jake. If we can beg a Princess to let us stay in Equestria as ponies, asking a couple ponies out on a date should be nothin'!” Brady encouraged.

“A date? What, like the airshow wasn't a date?” Rainbow asked me when I asked her out approximately thirty minutes later.

“Ooh, I've never read anything about dates. What would that be under...” was Twilight's response when Brady asked her.

Once I had told Rainbow that a two dates in one day was perfectly fine, and once Brady had Twilight convinced that dating was not something that had to be strenuously researched beforehand, we had a time set of 7:00.

We opted for no clothes, as until the house was finished, we had no place to put them. So that night it was just four regular ponies going out for a bite to eat. The restaurant ended up looking like a very homey looking place, built just off the bank of the river that flowed through Ponyville into the Everfree Forest. The four of us went up the front walk, and the maitre d' greeted us upon entry.

“Good evening, and welcome to the Everfree Landing. How many tonight?” he asked. “Four.” I said. “Excellent, this way.”

We were seated at a booth that had a great view of the river. “May I get you ponies an appetizer while you decide what you want to dine on tonight?” he asked.

We whispered amongst ourselves for a few moments, and decided on smothered cheese hay fries. He took the order on a small notepad, and was off. I looked over to Brady, who was sitting across from me, and I couldn't help but notice that he looked a little nervous.

“Whats wrong, Brade? Nervous?” I asked, taking a bite of cheese fries. “Yeah, a...a little,” he admitted. “You didn't seem nervous at all when you asked me out today.” Twilight encouraged. “It's not that, well, it is...sorta. It's just that...” he paused, and knowing he had the entire table's attention, continued. “...are you two comfortable getting this close to...you know...humans?” he asked sheepishly.

After a moment, Rainbow scoffed. “What humans? All I see are two ponies.” she said. Twilight nodded in agreement. “But, we were” Brady said. “So? It doesn't matter what you were, it matters what you are, now. Besides, why should we care about what you look like on the outside? It's what in here that counts.” Twilight said, putting the tip of her hoof on Brady's chest. “Gee, I guess you're right.”

“I mean, I'm not saying I'd come right out and date somepony of a different species, but Twilight's right. It doesn't matter anymore. You're ponies now.”

We soon had the plate of cheese fries done, and were ready for the next course. It came soon enough, and our noses were greeted with some of the best aromas we'd experienced. Rainbow Dash and I shared a generous plate of spaghetti with a robust tomato sauce, with a side of Stormcloud Soup. Twilight and Brady opted for separate entrees of the Honeycrisp Apple Salad, each with a cup of Fancy Onion Soup topped with Provolone cheese and croutons. For the end of our dinner, we all shared a gigantic slab of double-fudge chocolate cake, meant for the entire table.

To end the evening, we all went out and sat on the dock to listen to the crickets and look at Princess Luna's starry night sky together.

It was one of the best nights ever.

PONYVILLE
THREE WEEKS LATER

Rather than keep daily tabs on Brady's progress on the house, I decided to take a job with Rainbow in the Ponyville Weather Patrol. Those complimentary bits the mayor supplied us with while we got jobs secured weren't going to last forever. Especially since we spent a good chunk of them on that first date out together. Rainbow was all too happy to have me on the team, and assigned me a section of the sky above Ponyville that included our in-progress home, for convenience. I learned the ropes fast, and before I knew it, I was performing my weather-related duties nearly as fast as Rainbow was.

A few weeks after the dinner at the Everfree Landing, I awoke to a few light pokes on my head, and was surprised to see Brady and Twilight standing in front of Rainbow's couch.

“What are you two doing up here?” I asked groggily.

“Well, I couldn't let you sleep in. How else would we welcome you to our new house?” Brady told me. That grabbed my attention immediately. I was up in an instant and zoomed off to get Rainbow up. Shoving her across the floor out of her bedroom with her still rubbing her eyes, I was ready to go down and check it out. Brady and Twilight got back in the hot air balloon, which was floating outside the front door, and Rainbow and I flew down ahead of them. We waited for them to descend, and we walked to the site together.

It was amazing. What was just a collection of wooden 2x4's a few weeks ago, was now a beautiful two story house. It was in the style of other Ponyville dwellings.

“Wow! It's...it's incredible!” I said, awestruck. “Just wait until you see the inside.” Brady said. With that cue, the four of us went inside the front door. The place hadn't been furnished yet, so there was most likely the illusion that it was bigger than it actually was. But here it was. A living area, kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms. It was indeed, incredible.

“You're more than welcome to move in, Rainbow.” I offered. “I might do that. Gotta get my house moved above it though.” Rainbow replied. “You too, Twilight.” Brady said. “I don't know about that, yet. I'm Ponyville's librarian, and I really enjoy the library.” Twilight replied.

Regardless of who moved in with us and whenever they moved in, one thing was for sure; we were home.

And then, it took all this time for the possibility to enter our heads.

“Hey, does this mean we're part of the show now?”