Chapters Prologue
Could be for understanding
Prologue – Could Be...
The air around Ponyville holds a chilly winter day dryness, a dryness that turns any pant into a hard to swallow and unfriendly breath of air. Which, unfortunately is exactly what's happening to the light orange coated, dark blue and orange striped maned, pegasus.
Another heavy pant turns into a make believe dragon steam swirl in front of him as he turns his head to the cloud he hovers next to, "Am...-am I done now? *pant*...."
Sparky's usually stuffy nosed voice has been altered to a slight out of breath tone, however it barely turns the light purple mare's head as she just taps her hoof to her mouth.
The larger dry white cloud that the unicorn rest on hasn't moved since Sparky placed it where the mare told him. But the stallion's fast wings that have been kicked into overdrive just to keep his tired out body where it is has started to turn the cloud's once smooth surface into a rippled and bumpy texture.
A wide smile comes over Violet's face as she moves her hoof from her mouth and starts up her hoofing.
Her answer brings a groan from the light orange pegasus as he reluctantly nods his head, "Fine...Last time."
Violet's smile drops as she straightened her posture up a little more and begins to instruct the pegasus like she's done the last few times. Sparky holds his eyes to the mare as she runs through her silent commands. Truthfully Sparky already knows what he needs to do, but even telling Violet that wouldn't stop her.
So instead Sparky follows her lead as he takes in a deep breath like her and begins to slow his wings down like she told him to. It takes a moment for the stallion's wings to slow, but they finally begin to come back to his command with another long and deep breath.
Violet notices the spread out wings and now sparks her already light blue glowing horn up a little, mainly just for show.
To the mare's glowing horn Sparky shifts his own thoughts as he taps into the strange warm swirling that begins to move around his body and towards his wings. His light orange feathers take on their own magical like glow as the beating in his wings and his own breath starts to rise.
Sparky's eyes search the area around him for something to focus on, with nothing more to see other than a few small little clouds around he finally locks his eyes onto one as he takes in a deep breath and flaps his wings back hard.
The quick rush of wing from the sudden and abrupt stop of his wings that now rest as far back as he can extend them only last for a split second as the stallion's held in breath releases with a hard flap forward, "Ahhh!..."
Sparky's involuntary shout is followed by a low almost crack of of thunder as a few bolts of mostly uncontrolled orange magic shoots from his wings.
The spark of magic brings an excited and amused smile to Violet's face as she watches the small cloud Sparky's magic was directed to disappear into a wispy remnant.
Sparky's response however is joyful but for another reason. The young stallion flops himself to the cloud that Violet sits on with an out of breath exclamation, followed by a weak but happy kick of his right front hoof towards the air, "Whoo-hoo..."
The cloud rocks to the added weight and Violet's body stiffens as she forces her mind back to the spell that has been keeping her from falling back to the earth. With a low chime of magic her spell holds and she turns her gaze to the tired out stallion that now lays flat on his back only a hoof in front of her.
Sparky continues to catch his breath as he just lays to the cloud's surface, to tired out to care he's sprawled out on his back. He stares up into the blue and cloudy snow filled sky as he brings his voice up, "H-.*pant*..How did I do?" As his sentence ends he turns his head towards the mare he lays in front of as he waits for a response.
To the stallion's stare Violet brings her hooves up as she gives a little smile.
No answer comes from Sparky for a moment though as he just blinks to the mare he now stares at upside down, "Wait...What is that ten out of ten or one out of eleven?"
Violet rolls her eyes as she repeats her motion.
Sparky watches the motion for a moment as a smile slowly starts to creep over his face, "You really think it was better?"
A quick nod comes from Violet as she holds her gaze only to the stallion's face.
"Good..." A faint chuckle comes up from Sparky as he flattens his front hooves to the cloud around him, "...Because you're training is harder than what I did at the Wonderbolts."
A faint wheezing laugh comes over Violet as she holds her head up proudly.
With another deep and calming breath Sparky slowly starts to turn himself over as he pushes himself up to sit on his flank like the mare that now sits in front of him, "No, really. Wonderbolts stuff was just simple track stuff, I didn't have to create magic for two hours." Sparky holds the new found light hearted smile as he waits for the mare's hooves to come up.
Violet shrugs the comment off as she hooves back an answer.
"Ya... I guess I will have better practice with this stuff.." Sparky cocks his head as he thinks over Violet's comment, "But, I don't think we'll be learning pegasus combat spells...er, whatever Sombra called it." A light chuckle comes up from Sparky as he rolls his hoof to Violet, "Most likely i'm just doing more track stuff."
Violet gives a simple smile to the statement as she continues to listen to the stallion, "...I know you'll be doing magic and it's affect on ponies."
The words flick Violet's ears as she brings her hooves up.
Sparky straightened his posture a little as he speaks up, "Actually Violet, I do know that. Starlight told me."
Violet blinks to the name as he hooves it back out.
However the question that follows her motions turns Sparky's head as his once confident tone turns to it's normal stuttery banter, "Oh, we've been sending letters over the break. H-haven't you two been talking?"
The light purple mare shakes her head to the comment as she shells out another fast paced comment.
Sparky takes notice to the mare's slightly quicker hoofing as he sparks up a new found smile, "What, is Violet Sparkle still jealous that there's another pony in the world that can do amazing spells like her."
The confident and playfully intended comment falls short of it's purpose as Violet takes her head back and up in complete rejection of it, not because she thinks Starlight poses a threat in her school. But instead for another reason.
However before Sparky can speak up, a voice coming up from beneath them turns their attention, "Hey, you two up there??"
The idea of dropping the conversation is quickly snatched up by the young mare as she eases herself towards the edge of the cloud for a better look of who called out. Sparky does the same, but he holds a keen eye to the light purple unicorn’s distance from the edge.
The sight of the two ponies poking their heads from the cloud that hooves a decent distance from the snow covered ground brings a response up from the two young stallion's that stare up. However it's the blue unicorn’s words that really reach Violet and Sparky, "Well are you two coming down?"
Sparky's faded smile comes back to him as he just looks over his annoyed friend's face, "Why don't you come up here Bell?"
For a second the comment brings a slight bit of shock to the blue unicorn, but the shock is quickly taken over by his stronger second thought, which now comes out with his more annoyed tone, "DO I look like a pegasus Scaredy Feathers?-..."
Bell's comment is brought to a halt as the tan stallion next to him speaks up, "Scaredy Feathers? Really Bell you can't do any better than that?"
The unicorn's attention is quickly snapped back to his friend as his light teeth chattering voice comes up, "It...is...COLD!" Bell's voice pops with a slightly feminine like squeal as he turns his head back to the cloud above him, "And some ponies are making us wait!" Futty gives a little chuckle to his friend's voice as he turns his head back to the two ponies still in the cloud.
Bell's comment brings a grin to Sparky and Violet's faces, usually Bell calls all the shots for their little group; so the fact that he's helpless on the ground continues to bring Sparky's voice up as the pegasus calls back down, "What do you mean we made you wait? You two were supposed to be here an hour ago?"
A groan comes from the cyan scarf wearing unicorn as he brings a boot wearing hoof up from the snow and starts to speak up, "W-well we went bowling for a little bit..."
Sparky blinks to the comment as he cocks his head, "What? Why? You guys know we leave tomorrow-.."
"Sparky...It is cold....And i'm not weird like Violet, I actually feel it." Bell's comment has little affect to the light purple mare as she continues to hold her smile to the ponies below her.
As Violet's silent smile holds a brief gust of cold air runs past Bell's body as he shivers for a moment.
Futty's laugh comes back up as he nudges the stallion next to him, "Alright Bell, follow my lead." The slightly larger stallion starts to happily sway himself back and forth as he turns his devious grin to the cloud above him, "Violet and Sparky sitting in a cloud, K.I.S.-...Whoa!"
A small bolt of light blue magic hits the ground in front of the tan stallion, the terrible sung song comes to an end as Bell and Futty both start to laugh.
Sparky holds his eyes from the mare next to him for a moment as he starts up his wings and brings himself from the cloud, "I-i'll put the cloud down."
Violet turns her eyes to the stallion that now starts to hover towards the back of the cloud. Within moment's the cloud begins to quickly descend to the slightly snowy ground.
As the cloud comes to rest the light purple mare stands from the cloud's white surface and moves to the snow covered grassy field the other two ponies stand to.
Sparky takes his front hooves from the cloud and it begins to slowly float back to the sky as he folds his wings behind him.
"Finally..." Bell puffs his chest out a little as he speaks up, "Alright, now what are we going to do for this time's send off?"
Futty trots himself next the blue stallion as he holds a loud, "Hmmm. Well we already ruined Pearl's party two months ago for the last send off..."
"Well I got nothing..." Bell relaxes his posture as he lifts his hoof up lazily to Violet, "Ugh, why are your school's only out for two months? Now we don't have anything to send you two off with?"
Violet rolls her eyes as she points to the two slightly snow covered bags that set up against a nearby rock.
"Ok?" Bell and Futty both hold their confusions to the light purple mare as she trots over towards them.
To his friend's confusion Sparky finally brings his voice up as he clears his throat, "Um, Violet actually had something to show us."
End of chapter
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 –The Send off
"Violet has something planned?" A hint of confusion comes to Bell's face as he swings his gaze between the mare that now hoovers the light purple satchel from the ground and up to her hoof.
Before Sparky or Violet can answer the unicorn his confusion has turned to an amusing laugh as he speaks up, "Oh great, the filly has something planned... Well that's it guys were going to be dragged to dress shop or to get our mane done." Bell gives an overzealous sigh as he waits for one of his friends to agree with him.
However Sparky rolls his eyes and Violet pays no attention to the stallion's pointless comment. Futty does speak up though, as a playful chuckle runs to the unicorn, "Sorry Bell, Violet is the one with something planned...We'll have to do your things later." The heavier stallion leans to his friend as he jokingly pats to his ruffed sand brown mane with his boot covered hoof, "...Although the part you talked about getting are mane done did sound nice..." He holds a sly smile to his friend as he continues, "Maybe you can take me next time we can do tha-..."
The stallion's sentence is cut short as Bell pushes him from his side, "I wasn't the one suggesting that, it was a joke."
Another slightly louder laugh comes to the tan stallion as he stumbles to get his balance, "Sure Bella."
Bell's eyes widen as his voice spikes up, "Don't call me Bella! Fatty!"
The comment has no affect to the earth stallion as he just blows to the comment, "Pff, I can diet. You, well you can't change the fact your parents expected a filly."
Violet's horn holds a light blue color as a small vile of a blueish substance floats next to her from the satchel that now rest against the rock again. Despite the fact Violet has what she wanted she just trots next to Sparky as the two ponies continue to watch their friends go back and forth.
"...They didn't expect a filly, they thought they were having twins." Bell's tone holds his annoyance as he impatiently waits for the tan stallion to respond.
However, Bell's tone doesn't change the laughing stallion's response though as he continues to speak up, "Ya ya, but it's still-..."
Futty's voice is cut off as a light blue hold comes around his mouth, to the sign of the magic Bell rings out with a laugh, "HA! See even the filly thinks y-...MMmff."
The same magic binding comes to Bell's mouth as the two stallions turn to the light purple mare whose horn now glows a little brighter.
The silence brought on from Violet's magic only last for a moment or two as her horn sparks up and the magical binding pops from the two stallion's snouts. As it does Bell speaks up, "Ugh.." He points his hoof to Violet as he continues, "...How come you did that spell on us but not Sparky?"
Sparky gets a little smile to the comment as he rings a little chuckle out, "Because I wasn't tal-.pff-.." His sentence falls flat of any real meaning as a light purple glow comes to his snout, to the glow the light orange pegasus turns his gaze to Violet. But she only gives a little smile to his confusion followed by a quick tap to her mouth with her right hoof.
"Alright Violet, what do you have to show us?" Futty's voice turns the young mare's head and the binding to the light orange pegasus's mouth comes undone as Violet straightened her posture and floats the vile to get everypony's attention.
Sparky stares to the blueish vile for a moment as he squints to it, "Isn't that the spell you've been working on?"
Violet nods her head as she hooves out a response.
A smile comes to the stallion's face as he speaks u, "Oh, cool you were able to duplicate it."
Violet again nods her head, but she doesn't bring her hooves up again instead she uncaps the vile and tilts it into her mouth as she quickly downs the spell.
The three stallions around her both just stare to the action in silence as Bell voices what they're all thinking, "Isn't Celestia's mane in that?!"
The taste of the liquid makes Violet cringe but she shrugs the comment off as she gives a simple nod. "Ew.." Bell squints too the vile as it floats over to sit atop her satchel.
As the vile comes to rest Violet turns her attention to focusing on the spell she supposedly just drank. Sparky trots to where his two friends stand, all the while with Bell's voice hammering to him, "So what spell was this again? Because if it doesn't work Violet's officially eaten something more disgusting then Futty."
"It's a Windigo spell..." Sparky cuts his sentence short as he just watches the light purple mare now closing her eyes as. Her horn has taken on a brighter blue glow and it's magical chime has completely take over any other sound that runs through the grassy and snowy field outside of Ponyville that they stand in.
The glow of her horn continues to get louder as a strange light blue lines of light start to shoot from the mare's horn.
To the louder sounding and more visible magic the three stallions take an extra step back, however their withdrawal is cut short as a loud popping chime of magic shoots from the mare's horn. The immediate area around the four ponies becomes encased in a light blue aura, Violet struggles to push through the spell as she jerks her head up as high as she can.
Her motion sends a bolt of cracking magic up and into the sky, however following the crack of magic is a loud pony like whiny.
Above the rim of blue swirling magic that has formed around the four ponies a bright light blue and white looking tall and long pony like creature, however unlike a pony it's back legs look to be nothing more than a ghostly cloud wisp.
The loud whinny again runs from the Windigo, this time louder as it calls into the circle of blue and light white magic.
Violet's horn has stopped glowing and she's now mixed with emotions of success and realization to the fact her magic no longer is attached to the ghost like pony. Without a second thought she sparks her horn up towards the ghostly figure, but just as Violet's light blue magic begins to glow around the Windigo's sides it quickly dashes away. The two front long horse like legs of the creature go through a galloping motion like a normal pony; but it's the now growing ghostly trail the stems from it's bottom half that brings up any noise as the Windigo starts to circle around the top of the low ring of magic.
The light blue aura that surrounded the four ponies now turns to a bright snow like white that cuts the rest of the world from their sight, the sound of gusting wind begins to fill the four young pony's ears as Bell rings his voice out to the light purple mare that just stares ear down to what's around her, "Well do something, it's your spell!"
Violet snaps from her frozen stare as she again sparks her horn up, although instead of her magic being directed to herself and the three other ponies around her.
With a quick pop of magic the four ponies find themselves teleported just outside of the ball of swirling snow and ice. Bell and Futty both lose their balance from the abrupt change in position and eventually fall face forward into the snow below them. Sparky, doesn't lose his balance from the mare's magic he's grown use too the feeling, he still stumbles a little though.
Violet now takes on a better stance as she watches the swirling ball of snow starting to die down. And within a few moments the light blue and white looking pony begins to appear where the swirling magic once stood, Violet looks over the thing standing a little ways in front of her for a moment. It's a little smaller than what she saw in the book, but the slight bit of pride she actually summoned it holds to her as she sparks her horn up and lowers her head a little to the Windigo.
The light purple mare's stance doesn't change the Windigo's thoughts as it begins to gallop towards the four ponies.
A quick bolt of magic is sent towards the glowing pony like being, but it misses it's target as the Windigo jumps back into the sky again above the four ponies.
"You missed it!" Bell quickly brings himself to his hooves as the darker blue unicorn sparks his horn up with his own pink magic. The stallion's glowing horn quickly springs the tan stallion's hooves up as he moves himself next to were Violet and Sparky stand.
A bolt of pink magic is sent towards where the Windigo now circles above them. The bolt just barely misses the ghostly pony that slightly blends in with the cloudy sky, however the bolt of magic prompts the Windigo to send back it's own bolt of what looks like white magic.
Bell's eyes widen to the bright light that quickly approaches him, and only by luck does he get a small pink shield like magic to form above him.
The Windigo's magic slams into the wall of pink magic and explodes into a wall of fresh pure white snow that forms around were Bell stands, "COLD! Oh that cold!" Bell quickly jumps from his spot as he starts up in a crazed gallop to try and warm himself up.
Violet now turns her eyes back to ghostly looking pony as she sparks her horn up with a green glow.
The young mare follows the Windigo's circling path above her for a moment before she sends a bolt of magic towards it.
Despite the obviously more experienced and fast bolt it misses just misses the fast moving Windigo. To the missed bolt Sparky quickly takes himself from the ground as he tries his own luck in hitting the fast moving creature, the young pegasus quickly rushes through his motions as a small zap of orange magic runs from where he hoovers.
The small bolt of light hits the ghostly pony but only stuns it, however the fact that it's no longer moving is quickly used to Violet's advantage as she sends another bolt of green magic to the stunned spirit above where she stands.
A loud chime of magic emulated from where it hoovers as its figure is hit with the bolt of magic. Instead of falling back to the ground like everypony halfhearted expected the light blue and white creature explodes into a pool of icy cold water that now rains down to the two ponies that stood under it.
"WhoA!" The usually deeper voiced tan stallion beside Violet sparks his voice up in a girlish yelp as the cool water crashes over him. Even Violet who never has a problem with cold weather now shakes with her long wet mane laying in front of her face.
Sparky slowly brings himself down to the now wet grassy snow less ground as he rubs his hoof to his neck, "M-maybe I should have waited for it to not be over you two...You alright Violet?"
Violet blows her mane from her face as she gives a shifty smile and nods her head.
"Is she alright?" Futty takes a hoof forward as he shells out a teeth chattering laugh, "She likes the cold...I-I'm the one whos got Icy-Coat over here."
Bell finally starts to slow his random gallop as he trots closer to the group of ponies, "H-ha! Sssee, it is cold outside!"
A brief smile comes to Violet's face as she nods her head to the comment.
However Bell continues to talk as he points his hoof to her, "W-we should, totally d-do this to Pearl when you get back."
Futty pats his hoof to Violet's side as he speaks up, "Hey, good luck and all...But i'm going home before I freeze to death."
A weak wheezing laugh comes up from the light purple mare as she nods and starts her trot up towards her bag.
Bell copies the goodbye as he shifts his eyes between Sparky and Violet, "Y-ya, and this time d-don't get yourself almost killed."
As his comment comes to an end he gives a simple wave goodbye as he starts up a quick trot to follow after Futty.
Violet' horn sparks up in light blue glow as her and Sparky's bags float from the ground. Sparky takes his bag to his hooves as he pulls out his boots and quickly puts them on followed by a light reddish orange scarf. However as he does this he looks over the light purple mare that never usually brings along her winter stuff, "Hold a second." Sparky drops his satchel back to the ground as he quickly flaps his wings and takes himself into the sky.
The cold air his flapping wings stirred up annoys the light purple mare but she impatiently waits for a moment as she watches her friend disappear through the lay of white snow clouds above her.
For a moment the chilly winter breezes that loft through the open Ponyville field shiver the young wet mare. However the light orange pegasus quickly comes back from the clouds with a white what looks like cloud in his hold.
Sparky hoovers just a little above Violet as he holds out the fluffy white cloud towards her. For a moment she blankly stares to the cloud as she realizes it's shape, the cloud is a cloud but it's been shaped to look like some kind of cloak.
"Here, it's from the top layer of clouds so it's warm..." Sparky doesn't wait for the mare to respond to his words as he starts to ease the warm cloud creation around her, "...Sorry it doesn't really look like something, I may be able to cloud shape but no that fast....How's it feel?" Sparky holds a simple smile as he waits for the mare's hooves to come up.
The warm cloud that now sits around Violet's sides and back does little to get rid of the water that has soaked into her, but the fact that it's warm does feel nice. Violet flops her right ear down as she gives a happy smile.
"You're welcome." Sparky nods his head to the mare's motions as he turns his attention to the bag that still lays on the ground, "See you tomorrow Violet, I can't walk you home-.." Sparky's ear flicks to his own comment and his previous confidence now falters as he stutters a little, "N-not that I didn't want to walk you home, I just have to go and drop something off..Of course i'm not saying I would just have invited myself along I would have asked if you wanted me to walk you ho-..."
Violet's horn sparks up with a light blue magic as she wraps the stuttering stallion's lengthy comment up, that way she can get home and out of the cold. A friendly smile comes from Violet as she nods her head and releases the stallion's snout.
"Ya, uh bye Violet." A little laugh comes up from Sparky as he starts to bring himself further into the air.
Violet doesn't wait to watch her friend leave as she turns to walk back home.
End of chapter 1
Chapter 2 – From the mane down
The later day sun has always been the best part of the day, some what because since Violet did her little dream spell you now know what bacon is and you realize morning will never be quite the same. Not because you want it but mainly just do to the fact you don't understand why you would eat a pig. Still though...Bacon. Either way the main reason you like the late afternoon is because the warming rays of "Celestia's" sun is finally at the perfect angle to shine into the library's windows; without being partially blocked by the branches of the tree. And you've always liked the lazy feelings that come with the warm light on a wintery day.
"Baa!"
You shift your mind from your thoughts as the loud baby sounding word screams to the room. To the sight of your eyes now pinned to the dark cream coated and dark blueish maned foal sends the pink eyed foal into a front hoof wiggling fit as he happily and loudly squalls, "DaaaWAaa!"
Over the last few weeks Twilight and you continued to try and get Aerolight to say his first words, he did...But not the way Twilight wanted, and now the little foal has become loud with his baby nonsense. Really it's too cute to get mad at, but being woken up with a loud sound that sounds like a scream is not the best thing.
Aerolight kicks his little hooves towards you as he again rings out his voice, "Mm~ma!"
Oh...And he still gets the few baby like words he does know confused. You extend your hoof towards the high chair as your purple magic wraps around it, "No, I'm da-da..."
Your words and the fact that Aerolights seat is now almost floating closer to you silences him for the moment as he turns his head for a better look of his seat. Areolight's eyes still have the same baby button like look to them, but a faint rim of white has started to poke out around them. Twilight said the white around his eyes would continue to get bigger with everything new that he learns.
With the thought in mind you give a little chuckle to yourself as you think over what the little foal would look like if his eyes were as big as you and Twilight's.
However your moment of thought and the foal's silence is broken as he starts to squirm in his seat again with a squall.
You tap your hoof to your mouth for a moment as you extend your hoof to try and distract the little foal, "Shh..." Your attempt works as Aerolight now wraps his front hooves around your large one in a slight hug like attempt. The action brings a smile to your face as you turn back to the other side of the library, "Hey Twilight, I thought you said you knew where that book was?"
"I do!"
You blink to the absent mare in the other room as you give a slight chuckle to yourself, "Welllll...where is it?"
No answer comes from the other room and you turn back to look over the foal who still has your hoof in his two hooved hold, "Dose daddy not get his hoof back?"
Your words bring a silent smile to the foal's face as he continues to hold your hoof.
"Found it!"
The voice turns your head as you watch the lavender mare and light purple dragon following behind her into the room. You look over the book in her light purple glow as you speak up, "Alright Aerolight, if you make mommy happy you get to play again."
You slowly take your hoof back from the foal as Twilight's magic pulls another chair in front of where Aerolight sits, "It's not just to make me happy, it's just something we should start up early with."
You roll your eyes to the comment as you speak up, "I don't know why you want to push him so hard to speak a full sentence."
"Oh this book is not for that." Your ear flicks to her words as she sits down, however Twilight holds her head up with a know it all tone as she continues, "Although by about a month and a half old I was able to say three full sentences."
You give a little chuckle as you think to yourself, baby Twilight probably organized her own feeding times. You hold the comment to yourself as you look over the familiar book in Twilight's hold, "What is that?"
Twilight's magic comes up as she starts to flip through the book, "It's Star Swirl the beard's book of Sombrauism...I figured we could at least try and show Aerolight a little hoofing early on."
The comment brings a thought to your mind as you look to the window, how long did Violet say she would be gone again?
(Down the road)
The chill to the young mare's coat has subsided thanks to the cloud made clothing she has on, although it's done little for the mare's still damp head and mane. Luckily though the library has come quickly into sight, and with it Violet sparks her horn up as the cloud creation starts to become wrapped in her light blue magic.
Within moments the white cloud has disappeared and the cool air of Ponyville’s winter has now started to take hold again.
However the world doesn't have enough time to affect the mare as she quickly ducks into the house.
"...Like that Areoli-..." The sound of the door opening turns Twilight's and your heads as you look to the wet maned young mare that closes the door behind her.
Twilight quickly stands from her seat as she speaks up, "Violet? Why are you all wet?"
Violet's ear flicks to the voice as she turns back to the room, her hopes of getting pass you two didn't come to fruition. So she gives a simple nonchalant roll of the hoof as she flips her mane a little more from her face.
Her actions don't stall the lavender mare though as she floats the book to the table and trots over towards the young mare, "Well you definitely need to take a long warm bath."
"Pff..." Spike crosses his arms as he continues to stand in the doorway of the main library, "OH, so when she takes a long bath it's fine."
You shoot him a, really are you serious look, as Violet nods her head.
"I'm just saying." Spike turns back into the other room as Violet begins to trot herself up the stairs, however before she can get to far up Twilight brings her voice back up, "But don't take to long of a bath, you still need to pack."
Violet again nods her head as she brings herself out of sight and up stairs.
To the absent mare Twilight turns her head back to you, "Didn't you want to tell her something?"
You pause for a moment as you think over what you had planned, but you wave your hoof to it as you speak up, "Tomorrow." You turn back to the foal in the highchair but you blink to the book in his hold with a little confusion as you give a little chuckle, "How did you get that?"
Before you can take the book from the colt's hold Twilight's horn sparks up as she slowly starts to move the book from his hold, "Well lets get back to a little hoofing practice."
End of chapter 2
Author's Note
This will be updated by chapters every day or other day.
Chapter 3 – Done this before right?
The morning sun has crept well over and into the library, however the fact of the early morning sun coming up and you being able to see it is nothing abnormal.
The pitter patter of tiny hooves clap to the hard wood floor as you turn your head from the top of the stairs to the approaching sound. Your eyes catch the sight of the small diaper wearing colt dart from the other room, the happy and obvious look says it all as he mindlessly just enjoys his little hop gallop.
"Aerolight, are you sure you don't want to hear a story?" Twilight's voice holds an enticing tone, but you shift your eyes to the dull colorless book as you look it over, yep definitely not a foal book.
You turn your head back to the little colt that now stands under the table with his rump up in the air and his button eyes pointed to were you and Twilight stand. A faint chuckle comes to you as you speak up, "It's a good thing he doesn't teleport..." You take on a baby like chime as you poke your head towards the table just to show the little colt you can still see him, "...Otherwise we'd never find you."
A foal like laugh comes from the colt as he ducks his head down a little more.
"Don't be silly." Twilight trots herself a little more past you as she continues, "Everypony knows a simple teleportation spell can be recalled."
You blink to the comment as you give a simple nod of the head, "Ya..."
The lavender mare doesn't pay your nod any attention as she turns her head to the stairs, "Violet, I thought you said you were packed?"
Violet doesn't appear at the top of the stairs nor does the sound of her hooves come to the house, however a sound does ring through the house as you turn and trot towards the knocking door.
As you open the door you stare to the satchel wearing light orange pegasus standing in the doorway, "Hi Mr.Sparkle."
The initial smile Sparky has always given you has always struck you as odd, it's not one hundred percent cheerful but it's not a hundred percent serious. Instead it's a mixture of the two...Your guess has always been that all the times you told a story about what you did when Sparky and Violet were younger had an effect on the stallion.
You give a friendly smile as you think to yourself, still having the young stallion strangely afraid of you brings a weird pride feeling to you...Note to self, try not to ruin Aerolight’s friends.
With the thought in mind you call up towards the stairs as you motion for Sparky to come inside, to the new pony in the room Aerolight happily gallops out from under his hiding spot. However Twilight scoops the colt up before he can get to far.
"Violet, are you ready to go? Sparky's here." Before you can really finish your second sentence the light purple mare has already taken her first step to the staircase.
As she trots down the stairs you look over the two over stuffed satchels she has around her, "Twilight, does she really need to bring the library with her?"
Twilight cocks her head to the comment, obviously not understanding the sarcasm, "It's less than she had to take last time..." She stops her comment as she trots a little closer to the light purple mare, "Oh, you're bringing your necklace?"
Violet gives a nonchalant shrug to the comment as her eyes turn to the elegant looking greenstone amulet that has now taken on a light cyan color.
"Alright, well don't lose it."
You crack a slight smile to Twilight's comment as you speak up, "Well at least she wears nice things."
Twilight cocks an eye for a moment, her stare halts your voice but you still hold your slight smile as you watch Twilight trotting towards the high chair to set the colt into it.
To the new silence in the room and Twilight putting the little colt into the chair Violet again brings her trot up towards the young stallion who's still yet to leave the spot he stopped at after coming inside.
"Wait." Twilight's horn sparks up in a faint purple glow as a folded piece of paper comes up to her magical hold, "As you know you're not staying at the castle this time...So I made directions to where you'll be staying."
Violet turns her attention to the floating paper as her horn sparks up to take the paper to herself, all the while still listening to the lavender mare, "...Usually the second year dorms are in l'alba Di Canterlot, but this year it seems Luna picked Fantaisie Gras." She taps her hoof to her mouth as she looks off a little into space, "I guess it is closer to the school..."
The name however flicks your ear as you speak up, "Wait she's staying at Fantaisie Gras?"
Twilight waves her hoof to your comment as she takes a few steps towards Violet, "You will send a letter when you get the chance to right?"
Violet nods her head as she moves to embrace her mother in a quick hug, however the weight of her bags brings her back down after only a few seconds as she trots towards the door.
To the approaching mare Sparky opens the door and takes a hoof outside.
But before the young mare can get out of your sight you bring your voice up, "Wait wait wait..." You poke your hoof towards Violet with a smile as you shift your eyes between her and the light orange pegasus, "Alright new rules, do not open any dark magical doors, if you see a bug pony you kick it hard, and do not...I repeat DO not bring back Discord, Sombra or some other evil demon pony thing.” You shift your eyes between the two ponies as you wait for a response.
Sparky gives a slight smile as he nods his head, "Y-ya."
Not really the most confident response but you'll take it, you turn your head to the light purple mare as she brings her hooves up.
You blink to the motions for a moment as her bright light blue eyes hold to you. A smile comes to your face as you wrap the young mare in a tight hug and answer her question, "And we promise not to be in any kind of danger either..." You give a simple kiss to the mare’s forehead, not wanting to embarrass her in front of her friend as you let her go...Although if you would have embarrassed her it's not like you would have cared.
A brief chuckle comes up from you as you trot next to Twilight, "I don't get to tie a bow this time around?"
Violet flicks her tail towards you as you notice the already tired cyan bow, a sweet smile to the mare's face as she nods goodbye to you once more before she trots out of the door.
As the door closes the house takes on a strange silence as you just stare to the door, however it only last a moment as Twilight's voice comes back up, "You know...This will be the first time Violet won't be home for Hearth Warming Eve...."
The comment brings a sad but strangely happy proud smile as you nod your head to Twilight’s continuing comment, "...At least it's only three months."
You take a deep breath as you turn the lavender mare, "Ya..." You both stare to each other for a moment with the same proud and sad little smile, however as you look over her soft purple eyes you widen your smile as you speak up, "One of us is getting old."
Twilight's lighthearted smile is lost as she blows to the comment and trots towards the colt in the highchair, "Oh? And how old are you again?"
"Hmmm..." You turn your head up towards the ceiling as you playfully speak up, "Violet's about six, and she's going off to school by herself for months sooo...I'm about twenty seven in your weird alien years."
A little giggle comes up from Twilight as she breaks away from the conversation.
(Outside)
As the door closes behind them the light orange pegasus speaks up as he begins to adjust his wings, "So I know you want to try your Windigo spell at Canterlot, um- are you still going to do after what happen yesterday?"
Without a second of hesitation Violet nods her head as she turns a slight smile to the stallion.
A faint chuckle comes up from Sparky as he cocks his head up, "Well at least Canterlot's destruction will come with a winter holiday feel."
The comment brings a faint wheezing laugh to the light purple mare as she turns her head to her friend with a smile, unable to really stop her trot to bring her hooves up.
Sparky turns his head back to the road in front of them as he settles into the normal quite trot through town.
The young ponies trip through the town's main street takes a few minutes but the sight of the train station coming into view down the road.
Sparks Violet's horn up to one of the side pockets of her bag as she flips it open and pulls out the new gold train ticket she got in her letter about a week ago.
As the two ponies near the steam rendering train the older stallion at the ramp to one of the train's open door turns his eye to them, "Fine morning to you."
To the comment Violet nods her head as she floats her ticket towards the stallion.
"Aw, Unicorn school pass." A faint chuckle comes up from the stallion as he squints to the mare, "It feels like it's only been a week since I saw those kind of tickets..." He waves his hoof to his comment as he sighs, "But i'll never understand how the new fangled schooling things work, you can come aboard."
Sparky brings his ticket up to the stallion as Violet takes her first steps into the train, "Oh..." The chocolate colored stallion turns his goldish orange eyes to the pegasus in front of him as he speaks up, "You have to fly around in this kind of weather..." The older stallion shivers as he beckons him on with his hoof, "I don't envy you sunny."
Sparky nods to the comment as he follows in after Violet, however as he comes inside the train's care he swings his head around the ponies that sit within, "Uh...Where do you want to si-..."
"Violet, Sparky!"
The two ponies turn their heads to a grayish colored crystal mare with light green mane sitting towards the back of the train car on their left.
A smile comes to Sparky's face as he takes the first step down the train's walk way, "Starlight." Violet follows after her friend as she's forced to silently listen to the faster paced conversation the crystal mare now leads as she stands from her seat.
Starlight moves to Sparky for a moment as she embraces him in a friendly hug, the hug nothing more than a meaningless friendly gesture to the light orange pegasus as he gives a little chuckle, "How was the ride?"
The crystally mare whose coat glows a slightly more brighter simply rolls her hoof as she trots back to where she was sitting, "It was fine, now come I have four seats near me."
Violet and Sparky both follow after the mare as she leads them back. But as they get a little closer to where the mare stands their eyes turn to the few seats that are filled with a few pieces of bluish paper along with a few opened books.
"Oh-." Starlight's horn takes on a faint gold glow as the items begin to neatly and quickly float up in the air and towards one of the satchels on her seat, "Sorry about that, I have been on this train for awhile now." The well spoken tone Violet remembers about the mare is absent as a more friendly banter replaces it, "Being one of the furthest cites from Canterlot definitely is not a perk when riding a train."
The mare's voice comes to a halt as she moves her bags to the floor next to her seat, "Um Violet, you don't have a problem sitting near Sparky do you?"
Violet blinks to the comment but she turns her head towards one of the occupied seats as she looks over a crystal scaled iguana looking lizard. For a moment she hesitates but she turns back with a friendly smile as she shakes her head and moves to sit down. The light orange pegasus comes to sit across from her with Starlight now sitting on his left side.
The light purple mare's horn start to come up with her low blue magic as she eases her bags from her and onto the floor next to herself. As she does this the two ponies across from where she sits begin to start up in there own conversation that seems to be about something Sparky must have told Starlight in a letter.
Violet's ears stay pinned to the two ponies in front of her instead of turning her attention to mindlessly think while staring out of the window.
End of chapter 3
Chapter 4 – Training the wheels
The train's slight rumble continues to chime beneath the young light purple mare's hooves as she just stares out side of the window. It's been about thirty minutes since the train left Ponyville, and since they left the two ponies sitting just across from her have still yet to break there catching up. Because of this Violet has switched seats with the crystally lizard that was sitting near the window seat, Starlight didn't seem to mind Violet moving the lizard, but since she moved it the dark gray lizard's eyes have yet to move from Violet. Not that the young mare has really shifted her head from her joyless stare out of the window.
However, Violet's ear flicks to the two pony's voices as the sound of their conversation starts to come to it's end.
Sparky finally starts to move his bag from around himself as he nods to Starlight's last comment, "Still, I can't really imagine getting up as early as you had to today."
"Bha." The mare straightened her posture as she continues, "It was no bother, I was able to read a little more in that book you gave me. It is quite fascinating..." She squints to her next few words as she holds her smile, "My mother also has found some interest in it, which is surprising seeing as how she usually thinks all magic books are as she puts it, dull. But she has always found Star Swirl's things interesting-..."
Starlight wiggles her hoof to her comment as she breaks away from it, "But then again I think everypony would find it interesting..." The mare's grayish coat takes on a faint reddish pink color as her smile grows, "...There's so many interesting things in the book, Star Swirl even seems to have meet creatures I've never even heard of like He-U-man-s, very interesting."
The word turns Violet's head as she squints to the mare just trying to see if she heard her right, however to the light purple mare's light blue eyes Starlight now directs her voice to her and Violet's train of thought is derailed as she listens, "So Violet, from what Sparky has told me you were able to successfully perform your spell yesterday?"
Violet blinks to the comment with a slight bit of annoyance as she turns her head to her friend, however Violet nods her head politely as she hooves out a simple response.
"No big deal?" Starlight's eyes widen to Violet's coy comment as she wiggles her hoof to her, "Why, Sparky told me you really were able to summon a Windigo. You should be excited, that truly is a hard spell to create....Even if you were not able to completely get it under control."
Starlight holds her smile to her intentionally good hearted comment as she patiently waits for Violet's hooves to come up. However the comment to Violet doesn't come off as the well intended complement the crystal mare intended, Violet gives a little nod as she hooves out her response.
The light purple mare's comment breaks Starlight's smile as she nods her head and repeats her, "Oh well yes of course I'm sure you will have the spell under control, anypony that could do it on her first try should have no problem mastering it. Although..." Starlight gives a slight laugh as she cocks her head, "But I do not understand why you want to master it so fast. It's not like we have an entrance spell like last time."
Violet's eyes go wide and her mouth like Sparky's hangs open as the two ponies stare to the crystal mare.
"Oh...Did you not know?" Starlight swings her head between the two ponies as Sparky gives a little laugh as he turns to Violet, "N-no, Violet thought it was the same as last year."
"No no, not at all." A louder giggle comes to the mare as she wiggles her hoof to the light purple mare, "I must say, I'm relieved about that...I-I could not imagine my sun moving spell being that improved. After reading that book I think I would rather not push my magic to far...Magic is a bond, not a force."
Violet blinks to the comment as she lets it soak in, however the fact that she has her bag weighed down with extra books and all the things she would need to do a spell that now is no longer needed still messes with the young mare.
To Violet's silent hooves and far off stare Starlight brings her voice back up as she turns her attention to the stallion beside her, "So Sparky I know from your letters your a little apprehensive about your trip back to the Wonderbolts...Do you feel any better?"
Violet snaps from her thoughts as she turns her attention to her friend, the two ponies may talk all the time but not once has Sparky ever told her he feels scared about going back to his school.
Too the light purple mare's gaze and Starlight's choice of words Sparky straightened his posture up as he tilts his head towards the window just trying to brush off the comment, "W-well I wouldn't say I'm nervous...It's no big deal."
Starlight squints to the comment as she cocks her head, "Really?"
Sparky nods his head as he turns back to the mare, "Ya."
The crystally mare pokes her head up a little as she speaks up, "Well, I do believe you shouldn't feel so anxious, it's new experiences." Starlight turns her gaze to Violet as she continues, however before she can speak up the sight outside of the window catches her eye.
The bend of the mountain has reached it's end, and now the tall white stone buildings of Canterlot now gleam in the distance. Starlight holds her gaze to the city as she speaks up in a lower tone, "Canterlot is such a majestic city... I do enjoy the Crystal Empire's unique shine, but I have always found a plain stone interesting." She turns a smile to the stallion beside her, but before she can speak up the crystal lizard in front of her chimes out with a loud almost glass scratching sound.
Violet's ears flop down to the loud sound as she turns her head to the little lizard next to her.
"Oh, don't worry Sparky were almost there."
The light orange stallion blinks to the name for a moment as he just looks to the crystally animal. However the sight of the the little crystal lizard is cut off as the tunnel just before the train station comes around the train.
It only takes about ten minutes for the train station to come into view down the rails and as it does the three ponies begin to bring their respective bags into their laps as they wait for the train to pull into station.
Within moments the squall of the trains wheels starts up as the train begins to slow.
Violet turns her head out to the train station as she looks over the snow less area, to the mare's stare Sparky turns his head as he looks out of the window, "No snow? Hm...Canterlot must not like snow or something."
A faint smile comes to Violet's face as he turns her head back to her friend, however Sparky's comment has sparked Starlight up as she taps her hoof to her mouth, "I believe I read that Canterlot only allows snow on special days. It would most likely mess with the traffic of the city if the snow was to high."
As her comment comes to an end the train's slowed movement has come to a complete stop, and as it does the sound of the older stallion's voice comes up through the train as he calls out, "Canterlot station!"
Starlight's horn sparks up as her light gold magic comes around the crystally lizard in front of her, "I'll see you two later, I want to stop by the library for a little." She turns a friendly smile to the two ponies as she starts to move from her seat.
Violet moves her two heavy satchels around herself as she turns her attention to the light orange stallion.
To the mare's stare Sparky speaks up, "Mind if I tag along for a little?" A faint laugh comes up as he shrugs, "I kind of don't know where you're going to be staying seeing as how it's not the castle."
Violet nods her head as she stands from her seat and begins to trot down the train's walk way.
End of chapter 4
Chapter 5 – Home for the time
There's a prominent nip in the air of Canterlot’s streets, no snow maybe pushed off to the sides of the gray stone walk ways and there is no snow caked roof tops like Ponyville. Instead the snow of this big city is more of a fine powder that just lightly has been allowed to settle on the main street and a few houses. Which serves more as a fashion statement for the city, rather than a tribute to the winter season like it is in Ponyville.
However the ponies that continue to trot past or next to Violet and Sparky as the two young ponies travel down the cities streets are all layered in heavy winter clothing. A few ponies have turned a questioning eye to the two lightly dressed ponies.
For the most part Violet's attention has been to the directions her mother gave her although, the on looking ponies looks are met with the same kinda look from the light purple mare who barely feels the city's sorry excuse for winter.
Sparky slowly starts to turn his head to Violet as he speaks up, "So how much further is this place? We've already passed the castle."
The comment flick's the young mare's ear as she turns her attention from the piece of paper in her magical hold. Her pace slows to almost a crawl as she quickly raises her hoof to speak out the rest of her comment.
"Well are you sure you're not supposed to stop by the school or castle first?"
The fact that Sparky asked another question slightly annoys the young mare, but she pauses her trot as she brings her hooves up in a more detailed answer.
Of course the pause in the flow of the streets is quickly noticed by one of the ponies that now has to walk around the stopped mare, the well dressed and slightly uppity stallion's voice rings out as he scoffs, "I see some ponies still do not follow proper etiquette when in the city."
The stallion's annoying comment turn's the mare's head, but she doesn't turn it to the voice instead she just starts her trot up a little faster, no longer wanting to talk.
Sparky picks his pace up as he follows after the mare, he slowly moves his head a little closer towards her as he speaks up in a low voice, "Welcome back to the city."
A faint smile comes to the mare as she continues to look over the piece of paper in front of her.
However as the two ponies turn off onto a side road the paper that shields most of the mare's face now floats towards the side pocket in the satchel that's draped over her left side.
Just down the road there sits a tall white stone dome building, the white stone cover of the building extends far out into the street. Around each curve in the road that leads towards the few steps that lay in front of the two crystal clear glass door windows there lays elegant marble statues of unicorns in various positions.
The building is not as large as the Canterlot castle, but the brighter white stone and the sleek dome like look gives the building a new modern feel to it that the castle doesn't really bring.
Sparky continues to turn his head around the area as they near the doors, a slight laugh comes up as he turns his head to Violet, "Ha...This place puts my school's dorms to shame."
A slight smirk comes to Violet as her horn sparks up in a light blue to open one of the doors she now rapidly approaches. Sparky's trot slows down a little as he waits for the light purple mare to trot in.
Violet turns her attention to the large goldish orb like chandelier that lofts almost magically above the polished white marble floor. The gold light that shines from the orb gives the whole building a gold like gloss to it, which brings a slight smile to the mare's face as she looks around the large open lobby.
However, her in take of where she'll be staying for the next four months is cut short as a strange sounding voice comes up.
"Hello Madam, may I help?"
Violet quickly snaps her eyes to a light blueish gray coated unicorn stallion, the upper part of his chest and down his back is covered in a sleek fitted tan tuxedo. However Violet's eyes fix to the older stallion's bouncing mustache, "Madam?"
To the words Violet gives a simple smile as her horn sparks up to open one of the patches of her bag. The stallion blinks to the motion as Sparky speaks up, "Uh, this is where the unicorns stay for Celestia's school right?"
The stallion straightens his head up as he speaks up, "Yes, but I will need to see-..."
His voice is brought to an end as Violet casually floats her letter in front of his gaze of Sparky. The stallion's horn sparks up with a deep royal blue color as he takes the paper for a better look, "Violet Sparkle."
"...Sparkle." The stallion's face is blank for a moment as he looks over the light purple mare in front of him, however he only holds the paper for a moment as he floats it back to her with a low smile, "Yes, I remember your name."
Violet takes the paper from his magical hold as the stallion turns towards Sparky, "Who are you monsieur?"
Sparky quickly gives a friendly smile as he shifts a little from the stallion's stare, "Oh, i'm a friend."
For a moment the stallion doesn't say anything, but with a slight nod he sparks up a smile, "Of course. Now, if you two would follow me I would be happy to show you to your room." The stallion's trot starts up towards the staircase on the right of the room as he continues to speak up, "My name is Sérieux, and I shall be here to make sure you have a wonderful stay at fantaisie gras."
His trot holds as he starts to move up the stairs, "This is our first time hosting the Unicorn school's students..." His trot pauses for a moment as Violet and Sparky reach the top of the stairs, "...As the Princess has asked you are all guest here, so you are all welcome to the dining, spa and events that occur."
Violet nods to the comment as Sérieux starts his trot back up, "Students will be on the second floor, stallions in the west wing and mares on the east."
The trot through the upper levels of the hotel comes to an end as the stallion stops in front of a door just a little down the right hall, "Here will be your room..." Before his sentence can even end a flash of magic has brought a brass key into the stallion's blue magical hold as he passes it to the young mare, "Here is your key. Any problems please see the front desk..." His eyes turn to Sparky for a second, but he doesn't speak up as he brings his trot back towards the other hall.
Violet turns towards the door as she moves the key to it and opens. The room has a circular feel to it however this allows the three bright open windows to give a warm homey feel to the room.
Of course, Violet doesn't really pay attention to the room's elegant dark wood furniture or to the all around nice room. Instead Violet's horn sparks up quick as the young mare moves the bags from around her, they fall to the ground with a flop as Violet just rolls her neck just enjoying the absent weight.
The sound of the bags jolts Sparky's awestruck gaze as he turns back to the mare in front of him, "Wow, this place is better then the Wonder Bolt's academy. You got your own dresser, desk bathroom everything..." A wide smile comes to the stallion as he takes an extra step into the room, "Maybe I should try out for Celestia's school."
Violet turns back to her friend as she rolls her eyes and sparks her horn up to close the door to the room.
Another light laugh rolls from Sparky as he shrugs, "Ha, Canterlot's school probably is a lot easier then your training."
The light purple mare gets a sly smile as she brings her hooves up.
Sparky blinks to the comment as he pokes his head a little towards the mare, "Are you saying I'm bad at math?"
Violet just raises her eyebrows to the comment as she stares to him. Her stare quickly takes effect as Sparky backs off with a slight laugh, "Alright, m-maybe I can get a little better."
With a low wheezing laugh Violet's horn comes back up as she floats one of the bags up to herself and over towards the bed. Sparky bends his head towards the other as he bites down to the strap and picks it up, however his nice gesture is quickly regretted as he realizes how heavy it is.
Before the stallion can even get one hoof forward Violet's magic has already taken hold of the satchel as it floats to sit next to the other. The new absent weight brings Sparky's voice up with a little laugh as he speaks up, "Why is that so heavy?"
The comment quickly sparks the mare's hooves up as she begins to run through an answer. From her speed and the now light orange glowing mood amulet that sits around the mare's neck Sparky can easily tell she's annoyed.
Sparky tries to roll his hoof as he cuts through the mare's motions, "Oh come on Violet, you couldn't have brought that much for the spell."
Violet sets her hoof back to the ground as she shoots back an, oh really look. Before Sparky can even speak up the mare turns back to the satchel on the left as her magic quickly turns it upside down allowing all of it's contents to spill out onto the bed's surface.
Books, quills, already written papers and jars on top of jars of items fall to the bed as Violet gives it one last good shake.
"Oh..." Sparky shrugs a little as his friend's light blue eyes turn back to him, "W-well it's not that much... And just because you're not using it this week doesn't mean you won't be using it."
Violet gives a silent sigh as her magic wraps around the clutter and begins following after where the mare now trots as she directs her self towards the drawers next to the larger dresser cabinet. As she nears the drawers her magic wraps to the bottom one as it slides out and she starts to one by one float her things away.
It only takes a few seconds for her magic to put her items away, however just putting the things away isn't good enough as she bends down a little to better organize her things.
Sparky's eyes slightly drift down his friend's up right back side as he realizes the bow on her tail has been placed a little to high on her tail, most likely from rushing this morning. The pegasus quickly averts his eyes back to the other bag on the bed as he clears his throat, "S-so uh what's in this bag? Is it the rest of the library?"
The comment brings the mare's head up from the bottom drawer as she realizes the large and more jam packed bag still needs to be released and organized. The light purple mare turns her eyes to the bag as her magic wraps to it and begins to float it from the bed, while she does she hooves out her own question.
For a moment Sparky thinks over the request but the stallion waves his hoof to it as he speaks up, "Sorry Violet... I shouldn't be late to the Wonderbolt's academy this time, tomorrow we'll do the dream spell." He lowers his head as he shells out a friendly smile, "At least tomorrow we can complain about school."
Violet rolls her eyes to the joking comment as she nods her head and floats the bag towards herself.
Sparky turns his gaze to the windows as he stretches his already slightly flexed out wings, "I don't think they'll let me fly out..." He turns his head to his friend as he nods, "C-ya tomorrow Violet."
The mare doesn't turn her head to her friend as she watches her bag pour out onto the spot on the bed close to her, instead she gives just a simple nod as she begins to sort through her things.
"Bye." Sparky turns back to the door as he leaves the room.
As the door closes Violet stops her sorting for a moment as she brings her head up to look over the quiet room she now resides in. Being in the castle last time made the young mare aspire to be like her mother, however the simple but elegant hotel dorm room feels more like a vacation spot rather than a place to be studying at night or doing work.
The quiet room and more adult like feel to it does bring a new feeling to the young mare as she continues to just listen to the strange quite.
However, the silence is broken as Violet chimes her horn up to a few spell books and storybooks she's yet to read. The low chime of her magic runs parallel to the sound of her hooves as she trots over towards the desk at the other side of the room.
As she sets the books down she floats over a piece of paper, an ink well and a quil as she begins to write a letter home like you and Twilight asked.
End of chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 – Start of a new
The sun over Canterlot has started to creep over the city with a orangey glow and light yellow glow as it bounces off of the white stone buildings and onto the polished marble floor of Violet's room. Despite the fact of the room's new bright and warm aura the young purple mare continues to hold her deep sleep.
Canterlot may not have been cold yesterday, however it's night's definitely are a different thing. The warm cocoon the young mare has spun in her elegant silk and fine cloth bed sheets and covers has made the mare forget everything about the world outside of her sleep.
However, her peaceful sleep comes to an end as the sound of a hoof and a feminine voice begins to echo through the stone and marble room, "Mrs.Sparkle, this is your wake up call."
Violet slowly cracks her eyes to the wall in front of where she lays as she begins to lightly smack her dry lips.
Again the voice calls in as a slightly louder knock comes to the door, "You are to report to the castle, Mrs.Sparkle??"
With a silent groan and huff the young mare moves from her bed as she plants her hooves to the cold floor and trots towards the door to open it. As she nears the door her horn sparks up in a low glow to open the door, the pale yellow mare with cyan blue mane at the door wearing a maid outfit is a little taken back to the scraggly bed maned mare in front of her, "O-oh you didn't have to come to the door Mr.Sparkle, a simple ok would have been fine."
Violet manages a friendly smile as she reframes her desire to speak her hooves up, knowing all too well the mare wouldn't have understood.
"Well um, do go to the castle, Princess Luna has summoned all second semester students." The maid gives a nod as she moves from the door with her sights set to the next one.
From the moved mare Violet sighs as she closes the door and trots back into the center of her room, she looks over the bed for a moment as her early morning magic slowly sparks up to make the bed. As the spell begins to go to work the young mare moves herself to the open bathroom door as she turns to the large mirror.
Her dark purple and highlights of her mane have become a little frizzed, however the sight of her messed up mane doesn't bother the young mare as her brush floats from the counter top to it. With a few quick stroke of the brush her tomboyish half brushed style begins to present itself.
It only takes a few minutes for the young mare to ready herself as she floats a light blue bow to her tail and her dull green necklace to her neck. As the silver amulet wraps itself around her neck it turns a light pinkish red that matches the mare's excited but still groggy mind. Bow now tied and the satchel she grabbed after her bathroom routine now around her the young mare moves back to the door as she torts into the hallway.
However as the light purple mare trots into the hall her ear's are assaulted by an awake and cheaper voice, "Ah, there you are Violet, I had hoped you were up."
Violet turns her head to the well spoken voice as she looks over the winter dressed crystal mare with a slight friendly smile.
Starlight nods her head as she turns back down the hall, "We should get going, I believe today is our orientation."
To the comment Violet brings her trot up as she follows after the mare.
The early morning sun has still not broken over some of the taller buildings, which has left a few shadowy spots on the mostly pony less road. The cooler spots still don't even have the same chill as the winds that run through Ponyville fields, so Violet doesn't really take notice to the temperature changes.
However, as the small group of about ten or so ponies pass into the next shadowy part of the road Starlight's voice comes up, "Oooh, a little chill today hm?"
The crystal mare's gray coat has taken on a faint blue glow to it, it's still hard to see under her satchel, scaf and saddle but Violet still took notice to it. To the comment Violet gives a simple smile, not really wanting to stop and hoover up a better response.
"At least were not to far..."
Violet holds her onward stare as she begins to look over the towers of Canterlot castle that have started to grow taller and taller with every hoof she takes.
And now as her hooves start to trot over the older stone leading up to the castle's lowered drawbridge the young mare's horn sparks up with a light blue glow as the pouch on her satchel opens up to bring the gold ticket out from her bag and up next to her.
The group in front of Violet starts to slow as the guard pony takes a step forward, "All visitors must show a pass."
As everypony begins to spark their horns up Violet trots forwards as she flashes the ticket to the guard stallion. She doesn't wait for the other ponies as she floats the slip of paper to her bag and trots further into the castle's grounds.
However the young mare's trot takes on a new slightly faster speed as her eyes lock to a tall dark mare standing at the top of the staircase up to the castle.
Princess Luna returns the gaze with her own happy smile thats now held to the light purple mare, however it doesn't stay just to Violet for long as Luna turns her gaze to the other ponies that now trot up behind her.
Violet, like the other ponies now bring their trots to halt a little in front of the bottom of the staircase as they look up to the tall mare.
As every pony begins to file into the castle's courtyard Luna's sweet regular and slightly lipsy tone begins to come up, "Hello everypony."
Everypony repays the greeting in their own way as Luna continues on, "...This day marks your second semester attending Canterlot Unicorn School." Luna straightened her posture as she sparks her voice up a little more, "And this marks our first year as it's overseer..." A wider smile comes to the dark mare as she rolls her eyes through the small crowd, "We would like to extend our best wishes for everypony this year, are sister and I understand that last year's school session was cut short. But we both felt that you all showed promise as students, there are a few changes which we hope will ease you all back into what's expected of you all."
Luna lowers her head back down a little as she holds her excited and warming smile, "You all have grown from your first experiences, both in mind and self, we hope to help guide you further so do not be afraid to seek our help if you need it."
Her wings spread out a little as she nods, "Now, all those whom received a silver letter may head over to the school at this time for your first class day... I wish you all a good year."
Violet's ear flicks to the comment as she watches the group around her turning to trot back to the castle's gates, a few start up in a conversation as they begin away.
As Violet turns her eyes around the leaving ponies she realizes that now only her and Starlight remain.
Luna now takes a step down on the stairs as she lowers her voice to the two ponies, "It is customary for the top of the class to escort the first year students to the school after their early morning breakfast... Although it is rare to have two tops of the class. Especially two mares."
Violet and Starlight both give each other a slight look but they both nod their heads to Luna respectfully.
Their gestures bring another comment from the dark mare as she turns her head between Violet and the other mare with a sheepish voice, "How did we do? It was our first time addressing any ponies without our sister."
Violet quickly brings her hooves up to the comment as she holds a smile.
Luna's eyes stay to the mare as Starlight shells out her well spoken voice, "I believe you did quite well Princess."
"We thank you for your comments, now if you excuse me I must get back to my duties." Luna's smile holds as she trots back to the castle, "Our new responsibilities still must be balanced with our own duties."
Violet and Starlight follow after the mare as the castle's doors open to Luna's magic. As the two younger ponies pass into the entrance of the castle they stop as they just begin to bask in it's open and elegant space.
However, their wondering eyes come back to Luna as she speaks up, "The stallion's wing is down the hall on the right and up the stairs, you both should know where the mare's wing is."
As Luna's comment ends she trots away down the front hall. To the dark mare's absence Starlight brings her voice up as she turns to Violet, "Lets get the stallions up first."
Violet nods to the comment, knowing that she really wouldn't have been able to explain to anypony why she was waking them up anyways. As Starlight starts down the hall Violet follows after her.
There's really no difference to the other side of the castle, it still brings the same heavy pride feeling of walking down it. But, as Violet nears the last step of the short staircase she swings her head between the few closed doors of the hall, it's still early in the morning but it's still a surprise to see no pony up, especially seeing as how she didn't even get that much sleep her first time staying in the castle.
Violet's thoughts are brought to an end as Starlight moves to the first door on the right and speaks up with a slight knock to the door, "Hello, were here to escort the first years to the school."
For a moment there's no answer but from behind the door a faint voice rings out, "Alright.."
Starlight nods to the voice as she moves to the next door. Violet gives a little sigh as she follows after her, however as she takes her first step the door to her right opens up.
A light tan unicorn with light brown and gold streaks of mane opens the door, Violet and the stallion both lock eyes for a moment as the stallion's light gold glowing horn adjusts the light white scarf that sits around his neck.
The stallion's jasmine colored eyes roll over the mare, a smile comes to his face as his horn stops with a slight pop, "I knew I would be staying in a kingdom, but I didn't know they would send an angel to wake me up." His voice is smooth and has a slight southern drawl to it, but not as thick as Aj's or as simple as Applebloom's.
Violet's eyes widen a little as she blinks to the stallion's comment.
However, her silence breaks the stallion's confidence as he loses his smile and again brings his voice up this time a little lower as the stallion shifts a little, "I'm sorry, that might have been a little bold. My name is Asher Flax..." The stallion holds a friendly smile as he waits for a response.
However, to the stallion's stare Violet blinks from her stunned stare as she now flattens her ears. Instead of trying to bring her hooves up she gives a simple smile and nods as she moves to follow after Starlight, who now is at the end of the hall on the right.
Asher blinks to the mare's trot as he slowly closes the door behind him, "Hmm no name?" The stallion quickly moves a decent distance beside Violet as he holds his smile, "...That's fine, no name could describe you."
Violet's eyes widen a little to the stallion's tone, however it's the now slightly pink glowing amulet around the mare's neck that catches the stallion's eye.
But before he can speak up Starlight's path of knocking on doors has met up with Violet's trot, and the conversation now takes on a new leader as Starlight turns her head to the stallion, "Oh, good somepony is actually already up."
Asher stops his trot as he looks to the crystal mare, but his eyes don't stay to her for long as he looks around at the other closed doors with a slight chuckle, "I'm just surprised somepony could get any sleep last night. It's far too exciting."
Starlight nods her head with a smile as she looks over the stallion, "Oh, well you should get your bag... After a short breakfast we are to report to the school and trust me you will have things to carry."
The stallion gives a simple chuckle as he turns his sight to Violet for a moment, "I seemed to have scared your friend here, so thank you for the tip."
Starlight shifts her eyes to Violet for a second as she waves her hoof, "Oh, no this is Violet Sparkle, she has Sombrauism." Starlight's intentionally good comment only brings Violet's ears and head down a little as the light purple mare just turns her head to one of the other closed doors.
However, Asher nods his head as he repeats the name, "Violet... And you are?"
The gray mare straightens up a little as he holds her hoof to her chest, "I am Starlight Bright, of the Crystal Empire."
"Asher Flax..." A slight laugh comes from the stallion as he shifts a little, "I hope you two don't mind my asking of your name, i'm from TrottingHam. So proper big city etiquette is not something I fully understand."
Starlight holds her smile to the comment as she shake her head, "Not at all, it's a pleasure to meet you Asher."
As her comment ends the stallion turns back to the hall as he moves back towards his door. With the absent stallion Starlight turns her attention to the last few doors as the sound of the ones behind her begin to open, "Well, shall we finish?"
Violet nods her head to the comment as she moves to knock on one of the other doors.
End of chapter 7
Chapter 8 – Winds to the east captain
The early morning military like trumpets didn't really catch the young pegasus off guard, however at the time they definitely had an effect. There's no clocks in the dorm hallways so at best Sparky has figured out its about an hour earlier than last semester that he's been getting up, the cooler air also gives this thought some credit.
"...Alright, everypony seems to be out now."
Sparky's thoughts come to a halt as he turns his head towards the white coated stallion who hooves above the group, "First things first Puffins, you are not in first year anymore..." Streak's voice holds it's strong deep tone, however despite it's leadership qualities it strangely brings a feeling of comradery as it continues to ring out. "...You all know your rules, and you all know why you decided to come back.-..."
Streak's speech is cut off as the dark brown coated stallion a little ways down from Sparky rushes out a comment,"Ya, I know why I came back, and it wasn't to freeze my coat off. What is with us not being allowed to wear anything for this cold!"
A slight laugh comes up from everypony even Sparky as they all slightly shift a little too another cool gust of air running through the Wonderbolt’s open track.
"Oh, you're cold are ya Chase?" A slight grin cracks across Streak's face as everypony quites down, "...Well soak it in everypony, because every day we have track, air or ground we will be coming out without any winter fluff."
"What?" Chase again speaks up with the same thought everypony now has running through their minds.
Streak waves his hoof to the comment as he continues to hold the smile, "Your first year is the basic stuff, as a Wonderbolt you need to be able to deal with any condition. You need to be able to fly even if your tail is half frozen." His voice comes to an end as he takes a loud and deep breath of air, "Soak it all up boys, because before you can get to your warm period class you all have to demonstrate something."
As Streak's voice comes to an end the chatters of conversations starts to run up from behind the line of stallions that stands on the track.
Sparky, like everypony around him turns his head to the chatter as he looks over the group of cozy winter dressed mares that start to come out of the side building of the Wonderbolt’s hall.
"Today you will be demonstrating something in front of a crowd... And today's crowd will be your mare's counterparts." Streak slowly brings himself down to the ground as he folds his wings to his back.
The group of mares begin to slow for a moment as they all start to look over the slightly shivering stallions they now begin to trot past.
As the group moves to the other side of the track the pale yellow mare with cyan blue mane that Sparky met yesterday emerges from the group and begins to trot towards were Streak stands. A slight laugh comes up from the mare as she looks over the row of stallions, "Still making Puffins stand out in the cold huh Streak?"
The comment doesn't change his deep leader sounding tone, but Streak does cock a smile to the comment, "It builds character."
"Pff, well lets get this going Dodos got the track today." The comment flicks Streak's ear as he nods and looks back to the stallions, "Alright..." Streak's deep gold eyes turn to his row, "...Whiplash, you're going first."
A large dark yellow stallion with white and blond streaked mane takes a step forward as he speaks up with a slight teeth chatter, "O-ok, what do I do?"
Streak and the other wonderbolt outfitted weird mare trot from the track as Streak speaks up, "You decide..." Streak stops his trot as he lifts his hoof towards the right of the track, "You can go down to that end and test your speed or..." He move his hoof towards the other side as he points to the other side of the track that has a few low clouds sitting on it, "...You could try your agility at dodging obstacles while flying, or you could do something else."
The dark stallion nods his head as he sparks his wings up, "I'll do speed."
A slight smile comes up from Streak as he looks over the big stallion, "Good choice."
Whiplash brings himself from the ground as he brings his flight towards the right side of the track.
"Hey Streak, can I race him?" The light blue stallion next to Sparky rises his hoof as he waits for a response.
However, no response comes from Streak as the dark brown stallion a little ways down speaks up, "Whoa, hey if I can get out of the cold now I'll do it."
"Chase stop complaining..." Streak turns his eyes to the stallion next to Sparky as he shrugs, "IF you want to race Jiffy get down there before the whistle."
"Alright." Right as his comment ends the stallion has sparked his wings up as he bolts down the track were Whiplash has already set up.
Streak slowly brings his hoof to the whistle around his neck as he takes another step off the track, as he brings the whistle into his mouth he moves his hoof to a pocket on his outfit as he pulls out a small stopwatch. With the watch now in hoof he gives a little smile to the mare next to him.
The mare nods her head as she brings her voice up towards the group of mares across from her, "Alright, you filles better give it to them."
Sparky like all the other young stallions blink to the comment as they watch the group of mares starting to spread themselves out down the track's side.
As the mare's stop their movement Streak blows to the whistle, "FFFFFF!!" the loud chimes runs down the track and the two stallions waiting at the ends of it start their wings up.
Sparky turns his head to the quickly approaching stallions. There's really no competition between the two stallions as the smaller Jiffy quickly takes the lead.
However, just as he begins to pass by the group of spaced out mares a loud fake giggle begins to ring up from all of them as they point to the stallion.
Jiffy's concentration to his flight path is slowed by the sound as he briefly turns his head to the laughing. However, just the simple slowing down of turning his head has allowed Whiplash to pull a head.
As the stallion pass by Streak he blows to the whistle again, "FFFFFF!!"
The sound brings the two stallion's wings to a halt as they both pant a little to the cold air they've been sucking down their throats.
Streak moves the whistle from his mouth as he looks to Jiffy, "Well, I'm actually surprised that little distraction worked."
As his comment ends one of the mare's across the track starts up still holding a slight laugh, "Better luck next time fly-colt."
The mare's slightly giggly comment brings a response from Chase as he speaks up, "Ya, you looked good out their Jiffy, I really enjoyed the part where you choked."
"Ya ya..."
Streak cuts the stallion off as he points to the building, "Alright, you two get to class."
As the two stallions start to trot away Streak turns his attention back to the group in front of him, "Alright, uh... Sparky your turn."
Sparky blinks to the comment as he slowly starts to move from the group. Streak trots back to his spot as he moves the whistle back to his mouth.
However, Sparky doesn't immediately trot towards one end of the track as he speaks up, "Um, I can do anything right?"
Streak rolls the whistle in his mouth as he nods.
Sparky straightens his posture as he speaks up, "Ok, then what cloud can I use for cloud shaping?"
"HA HA HA HA!" A laugh rolls up from most of the mares for a moment as one finally is able to speak up, "W-why would you do cloud shaping in an academy created to help pegasus learn how to fly and perform better?"
Sparky turns his head to the light pink coated and rose red maned mare as she continues to lead the laughing group around her.
However the giggles come to an end as Streak moves the whistle from his mouth and speaks up, "Chase get a cloud from the obstacle track."
The dark brown stallion hesitates for a moment, but he eventually brings his wings up as he bolts towards the closest cloud.
As the stallion starts to come back with the cloud the mare next to Streak waves her hoof to the mare, "Hey Cloud-colt, what are you going to sculpt?"
Sparky blinks to the pale yellow mare's stare as he tries to figure out if she's talking to him, "Um...Anything?"
The comment brings a smile to the mare's face as she speaks up, "Cocky aren't ya... Alright, Jay, you're going to be the model."
The light pink coated mare blinks to the comment as she speaks up, "What? Why?"
"Because, rule one of the Wonderbolts is to be respectful, and you are not being respectful to your stallion counterpart. So step out forward." The mare holds her smile as she watches Jay slowly moving forward.
As the mare moves a little next to Sparky, Chase comes back with a large white fluffy cloud that he eases to the ground from where he hovers above the track.
"Thank you Chase." Streak's comment brings the stallion back to the line as Sparky looks over the large and ragged looking cloud in front of him.
Streak moves the whistle back to his mouth as he speaks past it, "Nod when you're ready Cloudshaper."
Sparky moves his sight to the mare next to him as he speaks up, "Um...Could you move to your right a little."
The mare blinks to the request but she eventually moves as she speaks up with a slightly annoying tone, "But this puts me further from the cloud..." Her hoof dramatically comes up to her chest as she smiles, "Don't you need to look at my pretty face while you sculpt it?"
Chase starts up with a laugh as the mare's comment ends, "HA! Pretty?"
The mare quickly snaps to the laugh as she turns her pink eyes to the brown stallion, "Go get caught in a tornado Chase."
"Enough!" Streak's voice turns Sparky's head as the white stallion continues, "Sparky can you start please?"
Sparky nods his head as he begins he sprawls his wings back and begins to think over Violet's training.
With and hard flap forward a loud thunder like and bright bolt of orange magic runs from his wings and cuts through the bulk of the cloud, leaving only what Sparky wanted. The sight of his plan working brings a confidence to the light orange stallion as he happily begins to lightly flap his wings to clear the cloud. All the while moving his hooves to the cloud's cool and soft surface as he begins to quickly make a pony like shape out of the cloud.
The area around Sparky is dead silent, not that the stallion pays much attention to it as he continues to just work out a pony like figure from the cloud.
It takes a good minute and a half for a decent figure to poke out from the cloud, it's mane, tail and eyes are not really defined yet but the body is smooth and almost looks like it was crafted from stone.
Sparky stops for the moment as he turns back to the white stallion, his voice is excited but the realization as to how long it's been starts to catch up with the stallion as he speaks up, "Um, how long do I have left?"
No answer comes from Streak as the stallion, like every other pony continues to just stare wide eyed and open mouthed to the bolt of magic they just saw from the smaller orange pegasus.
Sparky's ears flop down a little as he looks around to every ponies's awestruck expression, however to Sparky their faces only bring thoughts of failing the little test.
But, before he can speak up Streak finally blinks his eyes and brings his head back as he clears his throat, "How did you do that?"
Sparky blinks to the comment as he looks back to the cloud figure, "W-well I could have done a little more but I didn't know how long I-..."
"No...The lighting??" Streak's comment brings out a response from everypony as they all nod their heads, "Ya,howdidyoudothat?"
Sparky shrugs as he rubs his hoof to his other, "Oh, it's just a simple spell my friend taught me..."
The mare next to him speaks up as he taps him, "Whoa! C-can you teach me?"
Sparky blinks to the mare's smile as he shakes his head with a laugh, "I-I'm nowhere near as smart as her, I can't teach it..."
"Why not?" The young ponies around Sparky all start to speak up as they all stare to him.
However, just as their chatter starts to get loud Streak blows to the whistle, "Hey hey, you all get a chance to learn Combat magic when you're a Strix..." Streak squints his eyes to Sparky as he continues, "I'm just surprised you can even do that stuff."
The mare next to Streak nudges him as she speaks up, "Ya, that was even better than Streak's attempts."
Sparky gets a slight smile to the comment as Streak quickly brings his voice over the mare, "Alright, we've wasted enough time, get to class Sparky... Next stallion."
Sparky brings his trot up as Streak's comment ends, however as he passes by the line of stallions Chase pops out and begins to follow him towards the building with a wide smile, "H-hey man remember were friends now right so-..."
"Chase, you're turn."
The dark brown stallion reluctantly moves himself from Sparky's side as he slowly trots towards the tack with his head still to Sparky, "C-ya Sparky-lighting."
Sparky gives a friendly smile as he continues to trot towards the Wonderbolt’s hall.
End of chapter 8
Chapter 9 – Schooling the noobs
The breakfast at the castle has taken about an hour, which isn't really bad timing seeing as how there were about fifteen ponies Violet and Starlight had to wait for. But, full stomachs still don't have much effect on the now colder outside world, Violet now even regrets not wearing something.
However, the young mare's mind has kept most of her thoughts about weather towards the back of her mind, instead her thoughts have now drifted more to just remembering where she needs to be leading the group. Starlight, strangely did not take lead which left Violet with it. Not that the young mare is complaining though, seeing as how Starlight has instead become the question answer of the group, which definitely would not be a job the young light purple mare wanted.
Although the questions from the the younger ponies has started to stop as the large weathered two story stone building comes into view from around the last turn in the road.
"Where is the library again?" The silence is broken as the smooth southern accent runs up from somewhere in the middle of the group of ponies following behind Violet and Starlight.
"The library is located a little ways from the train station, if you follow Canterlot’s main street you can find it." Starlight turns her head back from the group as she looks over the building they now near, "First year students are in the lecture hall on the right."
As her comment ends Violet's horn sparks up to the doors as she opens them to the group she leads in. However, as her hoof touches the shining sun stone floor her horn's light blue glow pops.
Starlight quickly turns her head back to the group of ponies as she continues, "Oh, yes the building is made of sun stone, meaning magic only works in permitted areas."
Violet cocks a smile to the comment as her horn sparks up in a green glow to again hold the door open for the still entering ponies.
Her magic quickly takes the light tan colored unicorn attention as he nudges Starlight, "I do believe you meant to say most magic."
To Starlight's turned eyes Violet happily pokes her head high as she slowly brings her magic down with the last pony to trot in.
"Yes well, here is your classroom." Starlight holds her hoof to the hall as she brings a friendly smile up, "Good luck everypony."
It takes a few moments for everypony to file into the hallway and then into the classroom but as they do Starlight turns her head back to Violet, "Shall we get to our class."
Violet blinks to the comment as she loses her smile and brings her right hoof up with a sheepish question.
"Oh that’s fine, I know where the class is." Starlight brings her trot up as she trots further down the main hall to the other side hall on the left.
"Here we are."
Violet casually waits for Starlight to trot in first as they enter the classroom.
However, as they do they stop as a question runs into their minds. The ponies already sitting down are their classmates, but the older white maned and pale red coated stallion standing at the front of the classroom has halted them.
A faint laugh comes up from the stallion as he rolls his hoof, "Oh don't stand there and gawk, and no, you do not have something wrong with your eyes. I am your teacher, again."
Violet and Starlight both give a little smile as the crystal mare speaks up, "Hello again Professor Strokes."
The older stallion nods his head to the comment as he holds his hoof out to the few open seats located at the front of the classroom, "I hope you don't mind sitting in front of the classroom... All of your classmates seemed to mind it for some reason."
Violet holds her friendly smile as she moves to the seat on the right, the classroom and the seat are pretty much the same as last year... And the fact that the teacher is the same does make this whole classroom feel like something she's already done before.
"Good morning class."
Everypony gives their own hello as the old stallion continues to roll his eyes over the class, "As I have already told most of you, I am going to be your teacher this year. Princess Luna felt the best way to deal with your shorter first year was to make sure nothing major changes this semester. So I am your teacher again." The stallion gives another laugh as he raises his hoof, "Now, like I said last time I use to teach second year so you will not be getting off easy this time."
Violet still holds her smile as she thinks over the comment, last year wasn't hard but she does know this stallion likes to give out random test and enjoys long reports. Her smile slowly starts to fade as the stallion grins to his own words.
"...And much like last year I will be expecting a book report on this weeks studies by three days from now."
Everypony in the class goes quiet for a moment as the stallion just nods his head, " But lets not think about that, lets first just talk about what we will be learning this year." The stallion's horn takes on a light glow as a piece of chalk floats up to him as he trots towards the blank blackboard, "Last year we learned how magic affects everypony and the world around them... This year we will be learning...How magic is created, and by how it is created that affect varies."
He turns back to the class as he spells it out on the board, "Any questions?"
There's a moment of silence as the stallion halts, but he brings his voice up as he nods, "Good, now, magic is generated through multiple things big and small, Happiness, fun, a simple smile, yes all these things generate magic. As do pain, sadness and yes sex.
A slight snicker comes up from the back of the classroom as the old stallion's smile is quickly chased from his face, "I see we still have a few colts or fillies in a school like this..." A slight sigh comes up from the stallion as he continues, "So, why would something like sex be considered a form of generating magic? Because it is literally the act of transferring magic."
The stallion gives a simple smile as he looks over everypony, "As we all know magic is thoughts and emotions correct?"
Everypony brings their voices up as Stroke's eyes stay to them, "Yes."
"And what does it affect?..."
The class again speaks up, "Everything."
"Ah, good you were all awake last year. Now, magic affects everything, depending on the creator's mood and thoughts when using magic. I do not believe I need to truly go into detail about the feelings everypony should get from...Activities with another, so lets move on." Professor Stroke turns back to the chalkboard as he speaks up, "Now back to what this year's requirement are for my class."
"The generation of magic... Some things create more magic than others, and these are what we call upper level magical creation."
A faint laugh comes from the stallion as he turns back to the class and begins to speak up, "I forgot to mention with the list earlier, There is of course reanimation magic... But that has been outlawed by well...You all know should know why..." The stallion holds his laugh as he waits for somepony to speak up.
"No? No pony?" Stroke taps his hoof to his mouth as he shrugs, "Well I suppose we can do a brief history lesson, after all you will be required to hoof write a ten page paper on this at some point."
The comment flicks Violet's ear as she quickly brings her satchel from around her to free a piece of paper and a pinnacle. Just as she gets her items the stallion begins to speak up.
"Sagitta, was the first pony to regularly study the form of magic more commonly known as necromancy. For those of you who didn't pay attention last year with your historical unicorns from the past class, he was the mage who took over for Star Swirl upon his strange death-.."
To the comment Starlight raises her hoof as her well spoken voice breaks in, "What did Star Swirl die from?"
The question stumps the old stallion for a moment as he looks off towards the ceiling.
"..Hmm, I am not completely sure, from what scholars have found out he died of an unknown mind disorder that seemed to dissolve his memory and then subsequently his mind entirely. It would have been an awful way to to go, in fact one of the last things written about Star Swirl was by his assistant Clover the Clever. In her journal she described Star Swirl's last days, in which the stallion seemed to have forgotten everything about himself and ponies whom he had known. Quite interesting, but we can't devote a whole day to studying him, which we would if you all would let me. Ha ha."
The stallion taps his hoof again to his mouth as he thinks out loud, "Where was I... Oh yes Sagitta. Now normally in pre-Celestia Equestria the previous mage picks their successor and for most cases it would be their closest assistant. However this did not happen, Clover the Clever at the time was expecting a foal and as a result was unfit for the stress of a mage's responsibility. So the new ruler of Equestria... Celestia, selected the new mage, and at first everything was fine; in fact Sagitta presided over his new power for about five years and within this time he created, studied and proved hundreds of ways to create magic, use magic and the repercussions it would have."
The older stallion's excitement slowly starts to come down as he straightens his posture, "Sadly though, Sagitta's work was halted when he began trying his magic on... Well dead ponies. He was able to prove that magic could be drained from a pony, and that the magic gained would be stronger then just normally generated magic-..."
"Drained? you mean like Changelings do to normal ponies?" A stallion's voice from the back of the classroom brings Stoke's speech to an end as the old stallion rolls his hoof to the comment.
"Ah well Changelings, yes they do feed from ponies but it's a little bit more complicated. There are two known ways Changelings feed, the first is from form taking. From what we currently know Changelings gain power by literally feeding off of another ponies thoughts, for example the Canterlot attack... " Stroke stops his comment with a laugh as he looks around the classroom for somepony else to join in.
"Hmm...I do believe you were all too young or not even born when that happened. Either way, what happened was during the wedding of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence the Changeling ruler formally known as Chrysalis took the form of the Princess. Now by doing this Chrysalis was able to feed off of every ponies thoughts. If somepony knew Cadence, the real one, then all of the feelings they had towards her would be transferred just by the residual magic the two ponies previously shared... Very fascinating."
A silence comes over the class, half because their confused and half because they're waiting for more. Violet, on the other hoof hardly is even paying attention to what the stallion is saying as she continues to write down what he had said earlier.
"...Yes, well the other way is a more understandable one. Changelings have evolved with magic receptors in their eyes, and they are able to induce a hypnosis that drains a pony's magic. So much so that the pony will become receptive to commands even though their unaware if a command has been given."
The stallion holds his hoof up to Violet as he continues, "Now that's all I know, and some of it may even be wrong. Perhaps if you all would like more information you could all ask Violet Sparkle, after all Shining Armor is her uncle."
The sound of her name makes the young mare jump a little as she snaps her head up from her notes. It's at this point she realizes everypony's eyes have now been focused onto her, with a hesitant nod she gives a little smile to everypony.
"Now where was I on Sagitta...." Stroke's rubs his chin as he hums to himself, "Hmm... Oh well the day must go on. Lets get back to what's expected from you all this school year. You are all required to have more in depth study of the magic that is generated from love, and friendship."
Stroke brings his hoof up as he points it to all the stallion's in the room, "Now before all you stallions start to wonder your eyes I am not asking or telling you all that you must go out and well... Join a herd or something.... I am simply saying that you all need to allow yourselves the opportunity to enjoy one of life's strongest magic, in the form of a simple or makeshift date or some other form of social gathering of two or more ponies where you would inspire feelings of happiness or uncertainty."
"Hmm, perhaps uncertainty is not the right word..." Stoke rolls his hoof to his own words as he shakes his head, "Either way, before you can graduate from this class there must be an extensive report on your own experience with the creation of one of the simplest magics a pony can generate."
A deep breath of air is taken in by the old stallion as he hoovers the chalk next to himself again, "Well, now that everypony knows what's going to be expected of them by the end of their three month stay I believe we should turn our attention to today's work..."
However, as the chalk begins to run to the blank board the old stallion who loves to hear himself talk brings his voice up, "Oh and do enjoy this last year of easy school, because next year and the year after will actually be six months long each."
"OH!!" The stallion quickly sets the chalk down as he turns with a wide smile, "I forgot, the new school headmaster, Princess Luna wanted everypony to get a new text book."
The stallion's horn pops with a magical chime as a book poofs to his desk, "Ah yes, how the celestial bodies of the outer world affect magic and generate magic. Um, we'll start on this side of the room, Violet could you come get your new book?"
The light purple mare hesitates for a moment as she just stares to the large heavy looking book on the desk.
End of chapter 9
Chapter 10 – Lie Berry
The day has rolled on rather slow the young light purple mare, mainly because the tedious day of learning pretty much the same thing she did last year. But as the day's afternoon sun continues to bake the earlier morning's chill from Violet's coat the thoughts about school begin to drop out of the mare's mind.
Violet turns her head towards the large marble and stone looking building quickly approaching. The sign of the library sparks the mare's horn as it's light purple glow comes over the heavy satchel that sits around her body.
It only takes a few moments for the young mare to ascend the two small flight of stairs to the building as she opens the door to the warm and bright area.
The library has always brought a homey feel, although the main reason is from the potent and slightly stuffy odor emanating from all the bookshelves.
Violet's trot turns away from the center of the room as her eyes set to the older light yellow and pale lemon maned mare at the checkout desk. As the young mare gets closer to the desk the pony looks up as she adjust the large glasses that just barely rest to her snout, "Ah, hello again Violet Sparkle."
A slight laugh comes up from the mare as she tilts her head, "It's been two months already?"
The comment brings a friendly smile to Violet as she raise her hoof to one of the side pockets of her satchel.
The older mare patiently waits as she watches a folded piece of paper come to Violet's hoof, "A letter I presume."
Violet nods her head as she extends the folded paper towards the librarian.
The older mare gives a warm smile as she takes the letter from her, "I'll make sure the library sends it soon."
With another nod Violet turns her head back to the long row of bookshelves that extend throughout the building's length.
The young mare waste no time as she trots towards the first row in front of her. Truthfully, she doesn't even know what book she's looking for, but anything involving magic is a pretty good bet.
Violet continues to run her eyes between the two bookshelves as she trots along it's length. However the weight on her back that has already been whittling the mare's desire to start her report early has finally started to break the mare's spirit.
With a silent sigh Violet's horn sparks up as she pulls a random book from the shelves and looks it over, 'Magic for Derpys'. The young mare squints to the title as she shrugs it off and begins to trot from her hidden spot between the bookshelves.
As the bright open center of the library comes into view her eyes drift to the sitting area as she sets her sights on one of the open tables towards the back of the room.
The book Violet pulls just barely lofts behind her as she anxiously wraps her magic to the strap that wraps around her. The table could not have come any faster as the light purple mare quickly flops the bag to the table along with her flank to one of the more pulled out seats.
Violet closes her eyes as she rolls her neck, just enjoying the absent weight.
But, like most things the mare tries to silently enjoy another pony's voice starts to knock to her ears, "Well hello... Violet correct?"
The light purple mare opens one eye as she lazily just holds her head and mane to one side, however as she looks over the tan coated unicorn stallion hovering a stack of books next to him, she straightens her lacked head posture.
"I do hope I'm not imposing, just didn't really see any'were else to sit." The southern drawl holds over the stallion as he shoots a friendly and slightly sheepish smile.
Violet blinks to the comment as she looks around to the other now almost full tables, it's a little surprising this early... But there are only about ten tables that barely sit four. As the light purple mare turns her head back to the stallion she hesitates not knowing how to tell him he can sit down.
So instead Violet just shoots back a friendly smile as she shakes her head and holds her hoof to the chair across from her.
"Why thank you." The stallion's light gold hold over the stack of books comes to an end as they set to the table, "I suppose Starlight was right when she said to get here early." A slight chuckle comes from him as he pulls the white scarf from around his neck.
Violet just gives a little nod as she floats her one book up to her.
The sight of the smaller and slightly more foal like book brings a smile to the stallion's face as he turns his eyes to Violet, "Second year must be easy huh?"
His comment strikes Violet's ear just as she looks over the childish text of the book she randomly selected. However, instead of casually just smiling the comment off the young mare sparks her hooves up with a smart-ass comment.
The stallion blinks to the motions as Violet's smile slowly fades from her face. Too a blank stare Violet wiggles her hoof as she just again brings her book up more over her face.
A faint chuckle comes up from across the table as the southern accent rings out, "We'll I guess you're right, magic doesn't really change so why would you need a more grown up book."
The comment flicks Violet's ear as she slowly lowers her book and squints to the stallion across from her. However, no smile comes to the mare's face at the fact of the stallion understanding her hoofing. Instead Violet closes her book as she straightened her posture and hooves out another comment.
The stallion's friendly smile changes as he looks over the amulet around Violet's neck now glowing a fighting red. Another laugh comes up from the stallion as he shifts a little in his seat, "Well I guess I have not been entirely truthful with you..."
He clears his throat as he holds his smile, "So i'll try now... To your question, um no I do not know who your family is. Should I?"
Violet slowly blinks from her hard squint as she hooves out her name.
It takes a moment for the stallion to speak up, as he nods his head, "O-OH! Sparkle, like Twilight Sparkle? Celestia student right?"
Violet rolls her eyes to the excited stallion as she hooves out another comment.
However, the stallion doesn't answer as he just rubs his hoof to his neck, "L-like I said, I should be more truthful. I do not really know hoofing..." The stallion gives another light laugh as he continues, "I kinda just started learning it after King Sombra came back, I kinda thought the idea of magic being stronger from not being able to express emotions through words interesting... So I learned a few things, you know just simple words and letters. Sorry if I offend ya."
As the stallion's comment ends Violet slowly resettles in her chair as she just blinks to the stallion's words.
But before she can bring her hooves up again the stallion brings his voice up as he extends his hoof with a smile, "Want to start over?"
Violet cocks her head to the comment as she tries to understand what he means by start over.
Again though, the stallion speaks up as he sways his extended hoof, "My name is Asher Flax... What's your name? Or should I just call you angel? O-or better yet, the Judgment-Angle?"
The stallion's tone brings a low wheezing laugh to Violet as she looks over the stallion.
Asher holds his smile to the strange laugh though as he nods his eyes towards his extended hoof, "Is that a yes?"
Violet quickly shakes her head as she hooves out her name.
Asher lowers his hoof as he nods, "Fair enough, Violet it is." As his comment ends he brings up a more sheepish smile, "And seeing as how I'm still being truthful I have two more things I would like to say." Violet perks her ears up as she waits for the shifting stallion to continue, "...First off, that necklace is very nice, second... One of the reasons I came over here was for the opportunity of get'n help from an upper class student."
The comment rolls Violet's eyes, but she holds her smile as she nods her head and holds her hoof out for one of the books in the stack.
(Outside)
The late afternoon sun has started to drop below the skyline of Canterlot as the day begins to move to it's end. And now the winter chill has started to promptly take over, luckily for the light orange pegasus he's no longer under Streak's requirements... Meaning he's now dressed to the tail in his winter things.
However, the saddle, bag, boots and deep red scarf do little to fend off the cold gust. Sparky slowly starts to extend his neck as the doors to the library comes within hooves reach.
The light orange stallion waste no time trotting into the warm and bright building as he slowly shivers off the weather from outside.
It takes a moment for the young stallion to really bring his mind back up as he mindlessly just turns his head around the area inside.
"Looking for somepony dear?"
The feminine voice snaps Sparky's mind into action as he turns to the familiar older mare, "Y-ya, i'm looking for Violet?"
The old mare nods her head as she balances a few books next to her as she speaks up, "She's sitting over there last I saw her."
Sparky turns his head to the other side of the library as he tries to look for the light purple mare, however he turns his head back to the old mare as he looks over the few books she seems to be struggling with, "Do you want some help?"
The comment flicks the mare's ear as she sparks up a smile, "Why yes, if you could." Without a second guess the mare passes all of the books to Sparky's hold as the pegasus quickly takes himself to his wings in order to keep them from falling.
"Could you just go and put them on the checkout desk please?" The old mare shakes her head as she starts to trot away, "I will never understand why no pony puts their books back..."
Sparky gives a friendly nod as he quickly dashes over towards the desk to set the books down. As he places the books to an empty spot he turns his head back to the study area as he sets himself to the ground and starts up his trot.
For a moment the groups of ponies at every table yield no results for his search, however it only takes another look for Sparky's eyes to lock to his friend.
But his eyes slowly drift to the tan unicorn stallion as he nears the table's on going conversation, "...Oh, ok i'll try that spell tomorrow."
Sparky is silent as he nears the two ponies, however the sight of the brighter coated stallion turns Violet's eyes as she looks up from the opened book with a smile as she hooves out a hello.
"Hey Violet..." Sparky slightly shifts his eyes to the stallion as he continues, "Sorry I'm late, I went by your room first... I didn't know we would be meeting up at the library today."
Violet blinks to the comment as she starts to look around the room, it's at this point her eyes turn to the darkening orange sky that just barely pours in through the top of the library's glass dome in the middle of the room.
Asher speaks up as he slides his book a little away from Violet, "Actually that's my fault, I shouldn't have asked for help on everything." As he pulls the book back to the stack he turns his head to Sparky as he speaks up with a smile, "Oh... I don't believe we've meet."
Sparky shells out the same friendly smile as he straightens his posture, "I'm Sparky."
"Hello Sparky, my name is Asher Flax..." As his comment ends Asher turns his head towards the dome window as he stands up, "... And I think it's time I head back to the castle, I would hate to get lost in the city."
Sparky blinks to the comment as he takes a step to his right for the stallion that now sparks his horn up to collect his things.
However before he leaves he turns to Violet as he speaks up, "Thank you again Violet, we'll have to do it again sometime."
Violet gives a little nods as Asher turns to trot away.
As the gold and brown maned stallion trots away Sparky brings his voice up as he looks to his friend, "C-castle huh?"
The comment doesn't really turn Violet's head as she just gives out a simple reply while she turns to collect her satchel.
"Oh, first year student huh?" Sparky gives a little chuckle as he starts to move towards the seat.
However, before he can sit down Violet turns a confused eye to him as she brings her hooves up.
Sparky blinks to the comment as he speaks up, "What am I doing?... A-aren't we going to study?"
Violet wiggles her hoof to the comment as she stands from her seat and moves her bag around her, all the while as she hooves out another comment.
"Leaving? You tired already?" Violet squints to the comment as she hooves out a quick response as she adjust the bag around her.
A faint laugh comes up form Sparky as he finally picks up on the mare's comment, "You trying to say i'm slow or something?"
Violet happily nods her head as she sparks up another teasing comment.
Sparky blows to the joke as he stands up and waits for the mare to lead on, "Pff, I'll have you know i'm still the smartest in my class."
The light purple mare holds her smile as she takes a step forward, only to stop and hover out another comment.
Sparky keeps his head held high as he smiles, "How do you know I didn't count math?"
The choice in words brings a low wheezing laugh from the mare as she starts her trot up, Sparky follows close beside her as the light purple mare leads the way.
It only takes a few moments for the two young ponies to trot out into the cold wintery weather, as they do Sparky shivers a little as he speaks up, "So how far is it again?"
The comment brings a sly smile to the mare's face as she takes on a proper stance and sparks her horn up. Sparky blinks to the quickly glowing blue magic as it starts to creep over to his coat, however just as the warming effects of the magic start to take over a slight poof sound comes up as the area around them turns into a blue shine.
End of chapter 10
Chapter 11 – Sit with me for awhile?
The rush of air and chime of magic comes to an end as Sparky's stance shivers a little from Violet's teleportation spell coming to an end.
Violet however pays no attention to the spell that just carried her halfway across town, instead she just casually trots towards the bed as she just drops her bag to the floor.
As the plopping sound of the mare's bag rings through the room Sparky finally brings his voice up, "Well that beat walking..." He stretches his wings as he gives a little chuckle, "Maybe next time you could warn me?"
Violet rolls her hoof to the comment as she moves to sit on her bed.
"Ya I figured you would say that..." Sparky slowly starts to move his bag from around him as he looks around the room, "Where do you want me to put my bag?"
The comment sparks Violet's horn up as her magic quickly wraps to the bag and hoovers it towards an empty spot on the bed. As the bag comes to rest Violet turns her head back to her friend as she straightens her seated posture and points to the spot on the bed next to her.
Sparky blinks to the gesture as he slowly trots forward, "Dream spell?"
Violet rolls her eyes as she gives a, no dah kind of face.
To the mare's expression Sparky moves to sit next to her as he speaks up, "Alright whenever you're ready..."
The comment brings a smile to the mare's face as she points to her eyes as she closes them and takes in a deep breath.
Sparky follows the action as the low chime of Violet's magic starts to lowly chime in the room; it only takes a few second for the warming feel to come over the light orange pegasus's body.
The low chime continues to ring in the stallion's ear but it begins to die down as a tomboyish voice breaks through the magical chime, "You know you can open your eyes now right?"
To the sound of the voice Sparky opens his eyes, however as he looks over the room around him, "Whoa..."
The tone brings a smile to the light purple mare's face as she perks her head up, "Pretty cool huh?"
Sparky continues to look over the room as he holds the excited smile, the room may not look exactly like it does outside of Violet's little dream world but the detail has definitely been improved since her last spell.
Violet begins to turn her eyes around the room as she gives a normal mare like giggle, "I guess my spell has gotten a little stronger..." Another much wanted laugh rings from the mare as she continues to hold her high, "Not really like I could tell when it's gotten better seeing as how we always try this spell on a cloud or outside."
The light orange stallion slowly brings his eyes from the room as he just stares to his friend's happy and proud smile. However, his own smile changes as he starts up his mind and voice with a slightly teasing comment, "Well it's not that fancy..." Violet quickly snaps her head back to the stallion as she raises an eyebrow.
Despite Violet's now turned eyes Sparky continues with his little joke as he pokes the simple and dull white bedspread, "...I mean, you would think Violet Sparkle would at least get the thing she's sitting on right."
The tomboyish voice backs up as Violet pushes her hoof a little to her friend, "Oh ya? And what if I sat on you, would I be able to get that stupid mane cut right?"
Sparky laughs a little to the comment as he darts his eyes to the split ends and raggedy looking mane that falls a little to his eyes as he speaks up, "Well it wouldn't look so bad if I didn't have to fly all over Canterlot to figure out where to meet."
"Ya ya..." Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as she takes her hoof from the stallion's chest as she points to the door, "Hey, go open the door." A wide smile comes up from the mare as she waits for Sparky to move from the bed.
"The door?" Sparky turns his head to the simple one shaded brown door as he moves from the bed, "Won't I wake up from the spell if I open it?"
Violet just holds her smile as she wiggles her hoof, "That or you'll fall out of the dream and into a nightmare."
The comment pauses the light orange pegasus as he turns wide eyed back to her, "W-wait can that happen??"
A giggly laugh comes up from the mare as she jabs her hoof forward a little, "Just open the door Sparky."
"Alright..." Sparky's wings flare out a little as he extends his hoof to the door. He hesitates for a moment but he eventually opens the door as he tightens his jaw not knowing what to expect.
However as the door opens nothing but a plain hallway comes into view, Violet starts up in a laugh as Sparky slowly pokes his head out to the rest of the hallway. The hall is a plain white marble setup that only extends a little ways in both directions, but the ability to soak in the rest of Violet's world is brought to an end as the sound of the mare's laughing turns Sparky's head.
To Sparky's face Violet's laugh goes a little bit more high pitched as she covers her mouth and tries to speak through her giggles, "Y-you should see your face."
Sparky tightens his eyes as he trots back into the room, "Oh really?" He holds his sly little smile as he turns to the blank mirror near the simple dresser, "Well, the mirror doesn’t seem to work."
Violet slowly brings her giggle down as she turns her gaze to the mirror, "Funny..."
The mare's comment sparks a smile in the stallion as he returns to his spot on the bed, "So... How was your first day back?"
"It's fine..." A slight sigh comes from the mare as she relaxes her posture, "Although, I have the same teacher again."
"What?" Sparky gives a slight chuckle as he tilts his head, "Same teacher, why?"
Violet rolls her hoof to the comment as she continues, "Luna thought it would be a good idea to not mess too much with us... Seeing as you know... King Sombra and Disord kind of ruined last year."
"Oh... Ya." Sparky gives a simple nod as he takes in a deep breath and begins to change the topic, "So what do you think is it going to be an easy year?"
Violet proudly pokes her head up high as she speaks up, "Well I already have a report due... But it's just the normal explaining magic affects you know the easy stuff."
The comment brings a chuckle to Sparky as he nods, "Ya... Easy stuff."
"T-there is this other thing I have to write a report on." Violet's confident tone starts to shift a little as she starts to lower her voice.
"Oh ya? What is it?" Sparky takes his head back as he looks over the mare, "Wait, it's not breaking into Luna's room right?"
A faint laugh comes to Violet as she waves her hoof to the comment, "No no... It's..." The young mare lowers her head a little as she blinks to her friend's patiently waiting expression, however as she looks over her friend she changes her thoughts, "How long have we been friends Sparky?"
The words strike Sparky a little odd as the young stallion looks over blankly into the room with a slight laugh, "Um...ha ha... Since like preschool?...Why?"
Violet thinks over the comment as she slowly just nods her head, "N-no reason." A faint smile comes up from the mare as she continues, "I was just wondering if you know."
Sparky gets a smile as he quickly rings out a response, "How could I forget meeting you?" The stallion's confidence falters as Violet's eyes roll over him, "Y-you know like the things that you can do."
The slightly stuttering stallion waste no time with another comment as he speaks up, "So what was that other report again."
"Oh just some magic affects thing...No big deal." Violet puts on a little smile as she wiggles her hoof to her friend, "What about your first day?"
"Ya..." Sparky rubs his hoof to his neck as he stammers a little, "Well I kinda showed off a little."
"Sparky? Show off?" Violet shakes her head as she continues, "Did you apologize afterwards?"
As the mare starts up in a faint laugh Sparky extends his wings as he speaks over her, "N-no. But I did use the spell you've been helping me with to cloud shape."
The light purple mare's giggle comes down as a wide smile comes up, "You did huh?"
"Ya... ha-ha, you should have seen everypony's faces." Sparky slowly folds his wings back as he shrugs, "But I think I might have made everypony think I mastered it or something."
Sparky shrugs to the comment as he waves his hoof, "Ya, but only because you helped."
The comment brings Violet's head back as she playfully brings her hoof to her chest, "Go on." Her gesture brings a slight smile to the stallion as he again shrugs, "Ya ya, Violet Sparkle is still the best..."
Violet sighs to the comment as she brings her voice up, "So anything else?"
"Nope... Today was actually pretty easy." Sparky continues as he starts to stretch out his front hooves a little, "I don't even have homework." The light purple mare smiles to the comment as she speaks up, "So do you need to study at all?"
Sparky blinks to the comment as he sheepishly rolls his hoof, "Naw, just thought you might need some help... You know, breaking into castles, stealing pillows or-..."
"Ya ya I get it..." Violet rolls her eyes as she continues, "I finished everything at the library when I was helping Asher."
The name flicks Sparky's ear as he slowly brings his laugh down, "Ya...S-so he's like a first year student right?"
Violet gives a simple laugh as she starts to stand up from her seat, "Ya, he came here from Trottingham or something."
Before Sparky can bring his voice up Violet's horn starts to flicker as she gives a little yawn. The sight of her horn brings the light orange stallion's voice up a little lower as he speaks up, "Oh, so he's not in your class?"
Violet squints to the comment as she cocks her head, "No? He's first year...Why?"
"Just wondering..." A fake smile comes to the stallion as he just looks to the mare. Violet shrugs to the comment as she speaks up with another slight yawn, "Hwaaaa~ Well, do you mind if we end the spell a little early? I guess the cold is getting to me."
Sparky nods to the comment as he watches the mare's horn start up.
The rush of magic runs fast to the simple room as Violet's spell starts to end. As the room comes back to sight Sparky stands from his spot on the bed as he looks over the mare still sitting down who now rubs to her horn, "You alright?"
Violet wiggles her hoof to the comment as she lowers her hoof.
To the mare's lowered hoof Sparky brings his trot to his bag as he pulls it from it's spot and begins to bring it around him. However he turns back to Violet as he speaks up again, "Hey Violet... You don't think this year is going to be to different do you?"
The comment brings a slight smile to the mare as she sparks her hooves up.
"W-well obviously I want it better than last time..." Sparky gives a little chuckle as he starts to flex his wings.
To the stallion's comment Violet cocks her head as she hooves out a question.
But Sparky doesn't answer it as he just waves his hoof, "Nevermind... So meet here or the library tomorrow?"
The light purple mare pauses for a moment as she thinks over the question, but she hooves out an answer as Sparky trots towards one of the dark night sky windows.
Sparky slowly opens it too the chilly outside world as he turns back to the mare, "Night Violet.."
The comment brings a happy nod from the mare as she waves goodbye. From the nod Sparky starts to flap his wings as he brings himself out of the room.
(Across Canterlot)
The night time cold has now placed the shining city of Canterlot under it's hold. Luckily, the cold that has run through the light orange pegasus wings with every beat has carried Sparky through the city with a decent pace; and now as the Wonderbolt's building comes into sight he begins to lower his flight.
Within moments Sparky has started into the main hall, however as the warm air of the building strikes against the stallion's coat a heavy thought runs into Sparky's mind as he looks around to the mostly empty hall. The thought runs from his mouth as he whispers to himself, "Oh...I'm not late am I?"
Before Sparky's slowed trot can even turn to the staircase his eyes lock to the taller and larger stallion that now trots towards him with his own locked eyed gaze.
Sparky straightens his posture as Streak's voice rings up through the mostly quiet main hall, "Cloudshaper..."
As Streak continues to near him, he brings his voice up a little more, "I'm not late...am I?"
The comment stalls Streak as he stops a little in front of the light orange pegasus, "No, Puffins have an extra hour to return to their dorms..." Streak turns a sharp eye as his deep voice comes up, "You did know that correct?"
Sparky blinks to the comment as he slowly nods, "No."
"Hm..." Streak takes a step closer as he turns his head around him for a quick second, "Do you mind if I ask how you learned that spell you did today so fast?"
The low and unsure tone of the stallion catches Sparky off guard as the young stallion looks over the wonderbolt outfit wearing pony in front of him, "Well, i've been practicing with my friend."
Streak nods as he holds his voice down a little, "The unicorn right?"
The comment quickly brings a response from Sparky as he speaks up, "Ya, Violet."
Streak straightens his posture a little as he nods, "Do you think you could help me with the spell? After classes of course."
Sparky thinks over the comment for a moment as he looks too the brawnier pegasus, "I guess... I mean ya, I can show you a few things."
A smile comes to Streak's face, but he quickly chases it away as he clears his throat, "Th-thank you Sparky, maybe we can try something when your done with your classes...If you have the time." Streak puffs his chest out as he takes his head up a little, "Now, get into your dorm..." He lowers his head a little as he loses his deep voice, "I cannot give you any kind of special treatment, you understand correct?"
Sparky respectfully nods his head as he starts his trot up, "Yes sir."
End of chapter 11
Chapter 12 – Could be for a chance at...
A light sigh runs from you as your ears begin to bring in the faint but constant sound of low snoring. The sound cracks a slight smile to your face as you slowly start to crack your eyes to the gold morning sun colored wooden room around you, however you direct your sight to the clumps of multicolored purple mane next to you.
It's at this point you realize the weight that's being held above your numb right leg that Twilight still lays on, your left hoof drapes across the lavender mare's mid section. Knowing that you're not going to get your hooves back anytime soon you turn your eyes back to the window as you look over the now rising sun colored sky.
However, no calm or warming feeling comes to you as you quickly just close your eyes with a thought, no...no! It's not morning, it's just a dream a horrible dream...
It's been a little over two weeks since Violet left for her school and since the young mare left you haven't really had a good nights sleep. Half because you always worry about the young mare when she's not around you, letters do little to quell your fatherly fears even if they do come everyday... But, that's only half of the reason your sleeping problem has come back. The other half is something you could never control, Aerolight has gotten more energy in the day times. Meaning the little colt tires himself out and goes down for a nap, it’s not really a bad thing seeing as how you and Twilight now get a little bit more of the day back... But since the little colt now sleeps in the day a little more his nights have gotten shorter and shorter, which means you're now up all night just listening to every little whimper the colt makes.
A faint smile comes back to your face as you continue to try and force sleep back into your mind, when did I become the diaper king at night?
Twilight’s light snoring continues to peacefully chime away as your ears now focus in on it. The sound does bring a slightly happy thought to your mind as you realize Twilight may have actually had a decent night sleep.
Over the past two and a half weeks you and Twilight have been able to get the little colt to start eating solids, which has now for some reason made the little colt want milk even more; meaning Twilight has been nursing and milking more. The lavender mare may be able to do any spell she wants whenever she wants, but for some reason nursing takes a lot out of her... Even if she doesn't admit it to you.
Your thgouhts come to a standstill as a faint whimper comes up to the room. The light snoring next to you even halts as you feel the mare starting to stir.
However before Twilight even gets a chance to another breath you've already open your eyes and started to slowly move your still asleep leg from her, your voice is low as you nussle your head a little to the back of her head, "...I got it."
"Mhmm..."
The inaudible response is not really the cheer for your heroic deed you wanted, but you move to the side of the bed all the same as you take in a deep early morning yawn and begin to rub your hooves to your eyes. "Alright..."
You plant your hooves to the cool ground as you turn your head to the cozy crib up against the wall, it only takes you a few steps before the sound of your hooves bring a louder whimper up as the crib’s blankets start to stir.
The sound brings your hooves up a little quicker as you peer down into the crib as you look over the colt already starting to stand himself up. Aerolight’s mane is matted to one side from where he was sleeping but his diaper still looks and smells fresh from the last time you checked on him...Which was most likely only two hours ago.
You startup your baby like banter as you look over the colt's pink button eyes, "You're ready to get up aren't you?"
"DAh-da!" The loudish baby like sqwell rings to the room for the moment as you give a little chuckle and start to rush your hoof to scoop the little colt up, "Sh shhh shh, i'm getting you."
You don't really like trying to balance on three hooves when you walk, but it's not like you can't carry the little foal...And you also know how loud the little colt can get.
As you start your trot up towards the door you give one last glance over to the lavender mare still in the bed. There's a slight stirring to it but it looks as though you might be able to give the mare a few more minutes of shut eye.
Your attention comes back to the colt in your hold as you spark up your magic to bring the small light gold mane brush from it's spot on the dresser next to the crib.
Your voice is still a little hushed as you ninjaly bring yourself out of the room with the brush following behind you in a purple glow, "Alright Aerolight, don't squirm on the stairs ok?"
The tone of your voice brings a little grin to the colt's face as you slowly start to ease yourself to the first stair.
It takes you a little longer then normal to bring yourself down the stairs, but you finally make it as you set your eyes to the high chair, "Ok..." The brush behind you comes up in front of you as you try to set the colt into the chair.
However, Aerolight’s little legs don't comply with your actions as the little colt happily kicks his legs and gives off a loud baby laugh, "Ahh-aa haa!"
You hold your smile as you speak up, "S-stop kicking your legs ah...There we go." You finally place the little colt down as you squint to the colt's now frizzy mane, "Alright...What do we do with this?" Aerolight holds his smile as he watches the brush slowly coming closer to him, the colt's smile brings your voice up as you pause the brush, "Not food."
With your comment you begin to run the brush through the colt's mane as you try to flatten the colt's frizze. Really the young colt's mane only takes a few seconds to flatten down and put into a style, but you've turned it into a slight game as you just watch his baby like O face come up every time the brush touches his mane.
"There..." You look over the combed mane as you lower the brush, "...At least mommy doesn't make you look like her."
Your words spark the colt's hooves forward and you close you eyes half expecting to be poked in the face by the foal's reach, however as you crack one eye open you just look over the colt now wielding the brush with two hooves as he slightly bashes your head with the bristles. The hardly feelable pats on the head bring a smile to your face as you speak up, "My mane's a mess to huh?"
Aerolight ignores the comment as he just continues to enjoy his little game.
However, the colt's baby like grasp to the handle comes undone as a hoof to the door rings through the house. You pick the brush up and set it to the table as you quickly trot over to the door to open it.
"Oh, you're actually up right now."
You give a slight smile to the cyan coated and rainbow maned mare as she takes a step in from the snowy outside world, "Hi Rainbow."
Rainbow nods her head to the comment as she continues into the house, "Sup? Is Twilight coming to the winter wrap up meeting today?"
You close the door as you repeat the comment to yourself, "Winter wrap up meeting?"
"Ya, you know that thing Twi has us do every year... You know..." Rainbow sways her head back and forth as she continues, "Because it supposubly makes us perform our jobs better-.."
"Ram-bo!!" Rainbow's tomboyish voice is brought to an end as she turns her attention to the happily wiggling dark yellow colt sitting in the high chair. However Aerolight’s voice brings a slight chuckle to you as you speak up, "How come he says your name better?"
The cyan mare starts up in a cocky laugh as she takes the rainbow colored scarf from around her self, "HA! Why what's your name today?"
You shrug a little as you repeat the sound you heard earlier, "Dah-da."
Rainbow cocks her head to you as she rolls her hoof, "Pff, that's not that bad. What's Twilight's?"
"Well she's not up yet, but normally it's Mmmma, or bot-le." Your comment brings a laugh to the mare as she tosses her scarf to the table, "Ha ha, bottle?" She holds her laughy tone as she quickly takes herself from the ground, however her tomboyish voice gets a little lower as she turns to the colt, "Aw, come on the spawn of Cheesy Heart is only a little past two months old."
The name rolls your eyes as you trot a little forward, but you don't spark your voice up as Twilight's rings to the house, "Hello Rainbow."
The cyan mare stops her hooves for a moment as she tries to hold a laugh down as she speaks up, "H-hi Twilight...Nice mane."
You turn your head to the bed headed mare as you bring your voice up, "You can go and lay down if you want?"
Twilight waves her hoof to the comment as she pause her descent of the stairs, "I'm fine." However just as her words come to an end a yawn runs from her.
The yawn brings another laugh from the cyan mare as she brings the colt up from the highchair, "Come on, you know Twilight can't take the day off." Rainbow turns her head to her friend with a wide smile as she adjust her hold to the happily wiggling colt in her hold, "You know, unless you want to you know take the day off... Which totally would be cool with me."
Twilight's eyes widen to the comment as she speaks up, "Oh no, today was the Winter Wrap up meeting isn't it?!"
Rainbow casually turns her low flight away from her friend as she speaks up, "Maybe..."
You bring your voice up as you wave the comment off, "Well when do you need to go?" Before Twilight can start her voice up Rainbow's rings out, "Technically we don't even have to do anything unless Twilight calls the meeting."
"We can't just-..."
"Twilight."
A yawning boyish voice comes up from behind the lavender mare as Spike appears behind Twilight with a letter, "Hey Celestia sent a letter earlier this morning for you."
Twilight's horn sparks up as she cocks her head to the folded and gold sealed letter, "A letter?"
Rainbow quickly brings her voice up as she slows her flight a little, "Hey is it about the Element's of Harmony? Cuz, Rarity keeps bugging everypony if we know when we're getting them back."
The lavender mare floats the letter next to her as she takes her last few steps down the stairs, "Discord did something to the Elements... Celestia did say she would send me a letter when she wants me to pick them up."
"Whoa whoa..." You wave your hoof to the comment as you speak up to the little purple dragon that's starting to slink back to his room, "Wait, first off is this from Celestia?"
Spike turns his head back to you as he gives a sleepy nod, "Ya, it didn't taste like the Canterlot library so it's not Violet and it's not something I've never tasted."
"Tasted?" Rainbow slowly starts to bring the little foal back to his chair as she squints to the dragon's words. However her question goes unanswered as you nod to the comment, "Alright second, Twilight we're not taking something Discord corrupted home with us."
A faint giggle comes up from Twilight as she comes to stand near you.
You blink to the giggle as you speaks up, "N-no i'm serious."
The letter floats a little between you and her as Twilight brings her voice up, "Oh, it's probably not even anything about the Elements..." The letter unfolds as Twilight clears her throat and begins to read out loud, "Ahem...
Dear Twilight my most faithful student, as you know Vanhoover's castle was made vacant due to the event that transpired a few months ago. My own duties have kept me from giving Vanhoover the attention it rightly deserves. I trust your judgment Twilight, and I am asking you and your husband to preside over Vanhoover until a fit ruler can be selected. You will find an all purpose train ticket attached to this letter, please do travel to Vanhoover when you can, the guard station there will have already been informed of your visit. Princess Celestia."
There's a moment of silence as you let the letter sink in, but as it does you quickly bring your voice up, "She wants us their today? With no notice?"
Twilight stammers on her sentence as she looks the letter back over, "W-well..."
"Nope, alright game plan." You point your hoof to Spike as you speak up, "Send a letter to Violet telling her i'm coming up to check on her, then send a letter to Princess Luna..." You quickly set your hoof back to the ground as you float the train ticket from the letter's flap as you continue, "I'm going to get on the train now after I go and put on a cape." Despite the last part you hold the badassery you think you've just created.
However, it doesn't last long as Twilight's horn sparks up to pull on your tail, "Wait wait, lets just send a letter to Celestia... And if it's real...Then will take it from there."
You give a slight chuckle to the laugh as you shake your head, "Twilight do you really believe that we need to leave to go to Vanhoover to pick a new ruler for the city? What's next go and chop down the Everfree forest because the plants are growing to fast?" The point of your comment sounded a little better in your head, but you still stand by it.
A slight giggle comes up from Twilight as she takes a step towards you with a slight know it all voice, "The Everfree forest is controlled by magic, the Elements of Harmony reset the magic of Equestria when they were charged... You should remember that." She reaches her hoof to the ticket you have floating next to you as her hold to your tail comes down.
You allow the ticket from your magic as Spike's voice comes up, "So are we going somewhere?"
"No/Maybe." You and Twilight's word goes unheard as you both speak up, however Twilight brings her voice up again as she continues, "Spike send a letter to Celestia if it's true... Then I don't know." Twilight drifts her eyes to the paper as she rereads it.
"Hey Twi, I could watch Aerolight." Rainbow nods to the little foal who now is playing with the little mane brush.
You blink to the comment as you look over the tomboyish mare, "Thought you don't foal sit?"
Rainbow's voice comes up a little offended as the tomboyish voice rings out, "Hey, I can take care of a foal. Every mare knows how to take care of a foal."
"Oh ya Rainbow? Then why are you letting him eat the mane brush?" Your words bring Twilight's head up as she turns to the little foal, "Aerolight, don't put that in your mouth." The brush quickly is taken away from the foal's hold as it floats to the table.
The cyan mare sheepishly puts her head down as she speaks up, "Well... That wouldn't have happened if you didn't distract me."
Twilight turns her head to her friend as she brings her voice up, "Rainbow, i'm sure you would be a good foal sitter. But if we're going somewhere for what Celestia wants we'll be gone for at least two days, so I would like it if we took Aerolight to my parents-... Spike, when you're done with that letter send one to my parents just incase."
Spike nods his head as he turns back to the hall, "I have some paper in my room."
"Wait, we're considering this?" You blink to the lavender mare as she nods her head, "Let's just wait until Celestia sends another letter... Right now i'm going to get something for Aerolight."
You give a loud sigh as you nod, "Ya if the letter goes to Celestia and if she sends one back..." You give another sigh as you continues, "Whatever."
Twilight nods as she trots towards the kitchen, to the absent mare Rainbow brings a smile to her face as she speaks up in a whisper, "At least there's no meeting today."
You smirk to the comment as you just shake your head, "Ya, now you can work on a date for the Winter Wrap up party or just a-..."
"Work on? Pff, ya ok." Rainbow rolls her hoof as she takes a seat at the table, "You should be more worried about what you two are going to do if Celestia sends a letter back, then what i'm doing."
You roll your eyes to the comment as you think to yourself, ya thanks for the encouragement.
End of chapter 12
Chapter 13 – Do for the nothing
There's a strong hint of annoyance to your face as you continue to blankly stare off to the other ponies that sit around you in the train. Even if the second letter was real you still don't understand why you and Twilight have to jump to your hooves and run out the door. If it were up to you, you would have sent another letter back saying you couldn't do it today and that you two would maybe try tomorrow... However, it's not really up to you.
The rumble of the train gets a little stronger as it begins to swing itself around the last mountainy bend before the city. Your thoughts about Celestia and your current predicament slowly start to run from your mind as the sound of tiny hooves banging against the glass come up.
You turn your head to the dark yellow diaper wearing colt just as Twilight starts to pull him away from the window, all the while still holding her expertly crafted baby voice, "Yes Aerolight we are close to the city...But don't bang on the glass anymore ok?" The little colt smiles to the comment as he starts to slow his wiggling bootie covered front hooves.
You shift your eyes to the bright white city coming into view as you start to adjust the heavy bag you and Twilight packed in a hurry.
Twilight picks up on your expression as she gives a little smile, "At least we'll be able to see Violet before we get back on the train."
You think over the comment as you cock your eyes to the little dragon beside you, "Well that's if she got the letter yet."
The comment turn's Spike's head as he proudly points his claw to his chest, "Hey, I have never sent a letter to the wrong place. If she was still at that hotel then she got it." You nod to the comment as he turns his attention to the lavender mare in front of him, "So Twilight, what was Vanhoover like? Do you think it will be cold?"
The mare taps her hoof to her mouth as she begins to think out loud, "Well, we we're there a few months ago and it wasn't that different... Vanhoover is more towards the frozen north so it's most likely going to feel just like Ponyville this time of year."
"OH...Really?" Spike lets out a loud groan as he shifts his attention to the small bag next to him that he begins to open, "Well at least I packed for it."
You watch the little dragon pulling out his books, scarf and beanie for a moment as you slowly drift your eyes to the city you now rapidly near.
Twilight's voice comes up as the train's speed starts to slow down, "It's after Heart Warming eve Spike, there's not going to be any snow in Canterlot; and the wind is not as bad as Ponyville."
"YA, tell that to my drying scales." Spike holds his arm out as he quickly puts on his mittens.
You get a slight smile to the comment as you move your hoof to the long and warm light blue scarf you have around your neck, "Figures Celestia wouldn't want to get her hooves wet in snow."
Twilight rolls her eyes with a slightly giggle smile as the squeal of the train's brakes run through the train car.
As the station starts to come to either side of the train cars windows you begin to stand yourself up like some of the other ponies around you. You respectfully wait as two ponies that were sitting behind you and Twilight starts down the train car's path way, but as they get a little further towards the door you and Twilight stand up.
"Alright Aerolight let's go see grandma." Twilight's words bring a little squeal from the colt as he's scooped up from the train car's seat.
You and Spike follow after the lavender mare as you trot towards the now open door of the train.
As you start out of the door the older chocolate coated stallion wearing a faded blue train conductor’s cap speaks up, "...Enjoy your stay everypony, and welcome to Equestria's capital."
The cool air runs through your coat as you trot from the warm insides of the train, however the cold air is nothing compared to the Ponyville weather you just left and it's actually kind of refreshing.
"Berrr... How far is the house?"
Spike's comment turns Twilight's head as she rolls her eyes, "You know how far it is Spike... Now lets get going."
The streets of Canterlot are not as crowded as they usually are, which is definitely a nice thing, and seeing as how there's no awkward moments of you accidentally knocking into somepony nor are there any snotty ponies that usually give you the once over with their eyes.
Looks like Canterlot ponies aren't as cold resistant... I knew I was a stallion's stallion. The stupid comment holds as a little gust of wind sends a shiver through your coat, although before the wind can make any real affect on you, you turn down the familiar back road.
"Finally..." Spike still holds his claws to his arms as he starts to pick his speed up towards the two story stone house at the end of the road.
You bring your trot a little more ahead of the group as you move to knock at the door. The sound of your hoof to the door brings up a feminine voice , “Coming..."
It only takes a few seconds for the familiar white coated mare to come to the door as she greets you four with a wide and warm smile, "Well that was fast..."
You give a little smile as you nod to the comment, "Well you know how Twilight is, always ready to jump when Celestia says so."
The comment brings a friendly giggle from the mare as Velvet rolls her hoof and turns her attention to the little colt in Twilight's hold, "Oh... Look how big you've gotten!" She quickly takes a step back from the door as she speaks up, "Come in come in, get out of the cold."
You let Twilight and Aerolight in before you as you trot in behind the lavender mare, however as you four come into the living room your eyes turn to an unfamiliar older light cream coated and gold orangey maned mare sitting on one couch.
The mare turns her eyes to the ponies coming into the room as she puts her hot tea cup down, "Why is that little Twilight?" Her voice has an elegant tone to it, but it doesn't really sound as friendly as Rarity's.
Either way you give a friendly smile as you continue to listen to the older mare as she turns her attention to you, "Oh, and is this the lucky stallion?"
Twilight brings her voice up Velvet starts to take Aerolight from her hold, "Hello Lucy."
The mare nods to the comment as she turns to Velvet as she sits back down to the couch with the little colt now in her hold, "Oh, is this Violet?" Lucy gives an uppity little laugh as she wiggles her hoof to Aerolight, "...You know Twilight your mother was telling me that she gave Violet that mood necklace from Unicorn Range..." She causally directs her hoof to the light gold glowing amulet around her neck as she continues, "They are all the craze right now, so I know I had to get one for my dear friend."
Velvet gives a little giggle to the comment as she nods, "Yes, um...But this is Aerolight, Violet is my grand daughter."
The light cream coated mare blinks to the comment as she gives a little gasp and turns back to Twilight, "OH, i'm so sorry I didn't know you had another since the wedding. How old is little Violet anyways?"
Twilight shrugs a little as she speaks up, "She is almost six now."
The number again turns the mares face as she nods, "Oh six? Well I would guess she's no filly then-...but haven't you only been married for five years?" The mare squints her eyes as she runs her gaze over you and Twilight a little judgmental.
Despite the mare's friendly tone you now start to lose your smile as you and Twilight shift a little to the comment. But Twilight brings her voice up as she answers the question, "Well yes, we have."
"Hm..." The mare brings a smile to her face as she looks to Velvet, "Well I should get going, pleasure catching up with you dear... I hope you'll come to our dinner party this evening."
Velvet brings a wide smile as she taps the little colt's flank that sits next to her, "OH I don't think i'll be able to make it today."
The mare is silent for a moment but she gives a respectful nod as she continues, "I understand..." She turns to you and Twilight as she stands up, "Well nice too see you two..." She shifts her eyes to you as she continues to talk, "You both don't look like you've aged a bit since your wedding."
You give a friendly nod as you think to yourself, I have no idea who you are.... You quickly push the thought out of your mind as you remember the fact that you were hungover for most of your own wedding.
"Well goodbye Twilight." With the comment the mare starts her trot out of the door.
As the door closes Twilight brings her voice up, "Mom if you and Dad are busy we can-..."
Velvet's eyes widen as she wraps her front hooves around the dark cream yellow colt, "OH no you don't, I can't stand attending all these preppy parties. I would much rather spend my time with somepony else." She happily pokes her hoof to Aerolights snout as the little colt sparks up his hooves with a happy baby squeal.
Twilight nods to the comment as she sparks her horn up, "Alright... Well I packed all of the things you would need..." Her magic doesn't come from the bag as she floats it over to the floor next to the couch as she continues her voice, "...I have a list of how to get him to eat, don't try and give him any milk other than what I packed because he won't drink it."
The comment turns Velvet's head as she looks over the heavy looking bag, "Aww, is he a nurser?"
A faint sigh comes from Twilight as she sheepishly nods her head.
Her nod brings Velvet's voice up a little high pitched as the mare looks over the lavender mare in front of her with a loving smile, "Shining was to..." She turns her eyes to you as she raises her hoof, "Stop making my little Twilight grow up so fast."
You give a little chuckle to the comment as you just shrug it off with a thought, ponies growing up to fast? Ya! I know how you feel Velvet.
Spike quickly takes a step forward as he claims the slightly quiet moment, "I'm not growing up to fast!"
Velvet gives a little giggle as she looks over the little dragon, "Of course not my little Spike." As her comment ends she turns her head back to you and Twilight as she speaks up, "So is Violet stopping by?"
You look back to the door as Twilight brings her voice up, "We sent her a letter but I-..."
A knock at the door brings your already slightly turned body into action as you trot towards the door to open it.
As you do you get a wide smile as you almost pull the light purple coated and dark maned mare in with a hug as you speak up, "How's school sweetie?"
Violet give a faint wheezing laugh as she prys herself from your hug to bring her hooves up.
However, the sight of the light purple mare has made the house a little louder as Aerolight rings out a happy little baby cry followed by Twilight's own embrace and hello.
Velvet just looks on as she brings her voice up, "Oh good looks like you will be able to see Nightlight when he gets back..." Her hoof comes up as she squints her eyes, "Seeing as how you haven't stopped by the whole time you've been in the city."
Violet's ears flatten as she sheepishly brings her hooves up.
"School work huh? Velvet perks her head up as she continues, "Of course."
You finally close the door as you begin to give the outside one more look, "So no Sparky huh?"
Violet shakes her head as she hooves out her reply.
But the answer brings a little chuckle to you as you repeat it, "He is teaching after class?" You blink to the comment as you try to think it over. However Twilight brings her own voice up, "You know we're going to Vanhoover for a few days right?"
Violet nods her head as the lavender mare continues, "Okay, well while we're gone just make sure you stop by to check on your brother okay?"
Again Violet nods her head, but Twilight's comment has brought Velvet's up as she rolls her hoof to it, "Check on him?..." She turns her head to Aerolight as a baby like tone comes over her, "I think somepony forgot who raised her."
Twilight gives a little giggle to the comment but she holds to her own planned out speech as she continues down her mental list, "...Also you should wear something because it does get cold in Canterlot." Her hoof rolls over the young mare's exposed coat and hooves with nothing but the now light orange glowing mood amulet on as her comment's continue, "...And make sure you keep your windows shut at night."
Violet's head slowly lowers as she continues to just hoove out the words, yes mom.
Twilight gives a little giggle as she embraces the young mare with another warm hug, but she's forced to break it as she turns to you and Spike with a sigh, "Well we need to get back to the train or we'll have to wait until tonight."
You hesitate for a moment but you eventually move back to the door as you give out one last comment to Violet, "You two didn't release anything this time did you?"
Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as she just shakes her head.
The fact that you annoyed her brings a sense of fatherly pride as you open the door for Spike and Twilight with one last comment to Violet, "Love you Violet."
The young mare brings her right hoof up to her chest as she does a quick circular motion and then points to you and Twilight.
With the last gesture you follow the lavender mare out of the door.
The sound of the door closing brings Velvet's voice up as she stands for a moment, "You still have about a month of school left right?"
Violet nods to the comment as the older mare gets a smile, "Well then you can spare today when you're done with school right?"
Violet forces her hooves up as she answers the question.
"OH you're done for the day? Well then you should stay, i'll make lunch." With her comment Velvet brings her trot up as she starts towards the kitchen.
A silent sigh comes up from the young mare as she turns her attention to the happily smiling colt still sitting on the couch.
The smile of the little colt brings Violet’s trot up as she moves to sit next to her little brother.
End of chapter 13
Chapter 14 – Training your eyes
It's been about two and a half hours since you and Twilight left Canterlot, sure you know Vanhoover was far but you never rode there from Canterlot. And the worst part is that there's really nothing to look at out side of the window, most the fields of flowers that surround Ponyville to the north and east toward Canterlot are all covered with snow and the stuff around the outskirts of Vanhoover are just tall barren pine trees.
Sure, there's not as much snow as when the pegasus bring it in but the fields of green and multicolored fall trees are all absent.
Your drawn from the window as Spike's voice rings out with the same question he asked only a few minutes ago, "So it's not as far as the Crystal empire right?"
Twilight gives a little sigh as she looks up from the book she had packed, "Yes Spike..." She turns her head towards the window as she notices the treeline starting to thicken, "...In fact I think we're almost there."
"Actually you're correct."
The cheerful but deep sounding stallion's voice takes you and Twilight's attention as you look to the older train conductor pony as he nods with a slightly lower voice, "Just wonder, seeing as how the last time you two road the rails for a long time there we're rumors of King Sombra and Discord returning..." The stallion pokes his head a little closer as he continues, "There's nothing anypony should know right?"
Twilight waves to the comment as she shakes her head, "No, not at all."
The stallion nods his head as he takes his head up with his voice a little louder as he trots towards the front of the train car, "Approaching Vanhoover, next stop Vanhoover."
His words flick your ear as you sigh and bend down to grab the bag you had set down, however you spark up a faint chuckle as you start to bring the satchel's strap around you, "Twilight why is this bag so heavy?"
The lavender mare folds the page she's on as she closes the book to her voice, "Oh nothing really." She floats the book next to her as she casually waves her hoof, "It's just some stuff I thought we might wear in case we need to dress formal."
You drift your eyes back to the heavy bag, but before you can speak up Spike runs his comment out, "Hey Twilight, do you think Celestia might ask us to stay at Vanhoover if there's no pony suited for it?"
Twilight pauses for a moment as she drifts her eyes to you, "Well...I don't think she would."
You don't bring your voice up as you just squint to the idea of possibly becoming some kind of lord or whatever. Hm... Alien shape shifter fire-bending wizard library badass lord of Vanhoover number one superpony. A dumb smile comes to your face as you just stare off into space with the thought in mind.
Spike and Twilight now just stare to your strange and dopey stare as you snap from it, "I like Ponyville."
Twilight nods to the comment as she turns back to Spike, "Ya, I mean all of our friends are there and it's where Violet and Aerolight were born. There would be no reason to leave it..."
The squeal of the train's wheels comes up and ends the conversation as you all just look to the dark cobblestone train station you now cross into. The tall fall colored trees the you remembered covering the city's skyline no longer have a prominent leaf cover and the light of the sky now shines in like streams of gold through the tree branches.
"Vanhoover station!" The stallion's voice comes up as the door opens.
You, Twilight and Spike quickly bring yourselves up as you all move to the door, this time you're the first ones out... But it's really no contest seeing as how you're the only ones out. Your guess would be that the realization that Changeling’s ruled the city probably scared off the tours.
As you take your first step into the open cobblestone station you're hit with something unexpected, the weather under the tall trees that wrap around the city actually have blocked all of the cool wind. Making the feeling outside actually pretty nice, and the warm golden light that pours from the tree's cover gives an added bonus to the windless city.
However, your enjoyment of the city's uniqueness is brought to an end as a young feminine but proper voice comes up, "Welcome to Vanhoover can I help you with..."
The young tan coated mare with curly orangy and fall like yellow mane cocks her head for a moment as a smile starts to come to her face, "Twilight Sparkle..." Her wide eyes turn to you as she calls you by name, which is pretty surprising seeing as how you have no idea who the young mare really is. "...Welcome back."
Twilight gives a slight giggle as she squints to the warm welcome, "You remember us?"
The young mare happily nods her head as she continues, "Oh yes, ever since the old Countess left everypony's been feeling well rested and are no longer as drained as we all were." The mare points her hoof down the cobblestone road as she continues, "...The city even asked for Princess Celestia to erect a statue in your honor right next to the Vanhoover Falls where Tall Tail forest meets the city."
You and Twilight are silent as you both just blink wide eyed to the comment.
The mare does not change her tone as she continues, "...It's not finished yet but it's started." Her comment stops as she widens her eyes, "Have you two been selected as Vanhoover's new rulers?"
Twilight snaps back to reality from the comment as she gives a little laugh, "No, we're here to select the new ruler."
The young mare pauses to the comment but she nods as she speaks up, "Princess Celestia must really trust your judgement... and so does our city." The mare holds her hoof out as she gives a friendly smile, "I was asked to escort all new arrivals to the city to the castle."
You and Twilight nod to the comment as you follow after the now trotting mare, Spike on the other hoof has just snapped from his stunned state as he now quickly follows after you and Twilight with an excited voice, "Whoa... You got a statue?! Celestia only gave me a dumb old piece of glass in the throne room for vanquishing Sombra."
You give a little chuckle to the comment as you start to swing your eyes around the older but nice looking predominantly dark cobblestone city.
The trot to the city and the hard to forget long staircase up to the castle have come to their end as you pant a little hard to the last stair you step from.
The large dark stoned older style castle now lays only a short gallop away as the young mare's voice comes up, "Here you are." The mare gives a little nod as she waits for you and Twilight to trot forward.
But you wait a few seconds as you both wait for the wheezing little purple dragon who finally reaches the last step, "W-oah *pant* that is a really long staircase..."
The mare gives a little giggle as Spike comes next to you and Twilight as you start your trot towards the castle.
However as you reach just halfway into the courtyard the large elegant doors of the castle open up to a white and gold armored dark blue stallion with light and dark purple mane.
The stallion brings a smile to Twilight's face however as she speaks up, "StoneGem!"
You blink to the name as you watch the stallion happily nodding his head, "Hello Twilight, hows your brother doing?"
You slow your trot as Twilight turns her head to you, "This is StoneGem, he and Shining we're best friends when we-..."
The stallion gives a friendly chuckle as he speaks up, "Were? Twilight he did make me captain of the guard when he left Canterlot."
A little giggle comes from Twilight as the stallion continues, "Of course a lot of good i'm doing for Canterlot when Celestia sends me to Vanhoover with no notice."
I like this guy, you hold your smile as you continue to listen to him, "...But hopefully my four day stay here won't be for nothing."
Twilight holds her hoof to you as she introduces you. However just as she finishes Spike brings his voice up, "Hi StoneGem."
The stallion nods to both comments as he speaks up to you, "Ya I remember you, not everyday somepony gets married at Canterlot castle and then is late for there own wedding."
You blink to the comment as a thought runs through your mind, why is everypony talking about our wedding today?
Before you can bring your voice up the stallion bows his head as he continues, "But, that's not the only thing you're known for..." He turns his head to Twilight as he holds his hoof out, "Some of the would be rulers have been here since I got here, but the guard stationed here has been doing all the deeds so far."
As you three start into the castle StoneGem follows in next to Twilight as he continues, ".. Truthfully I hope you're able to pick somepony soon, i'm not the political type." A faint chuckle comes from the stallion as he nods his head to the two stallions standing in front of the closed throne room doors.
They open as he shells out one last comment, "But I understand if you're not..."
Twilight nods to the comment as she speaks up, "Well I'm sure we'll do our best."
You would dwell on the fact Twilight just said we, but at the moment your eyes lock to the empty regal gold and red throne as a sharp chill runs through your spine with the memory of this place.
"You two will be staying in the lord and lady's room while you stay here."
With StoneGem's voice you blankly follow after Twilight as you pass by the empty throne towards the door that sits directly behind it hidden from the rest of the throne room.
StoneGem stops next to the door as he speaks up, "What will you be needing?"
Twilight pause for the moment as she taps her hoof to her mouth, "Could we get a survey from the city's ponies stating what their concerns are for a new ruler?"
StoneGem nods his head as he speaks up, "Anything else?"
"Hmm..." Twilight slowly brings her voice up as she squints hard to her own thought, "How many ponies are there again?"
"TrottingHam's lord and lady, and Rain-VerFall's lord ... Celestia said there were going to be four and I do believe that included you two." StoneGem's comment turns you and Twilight's heads but the lavender mare quickly waves it off as she speaks up, "Okay, well then tell everypony there will be a dinner party tonight, that way we can meet everypony."
StoneGem nods to Twilight's words as he turns to Spike, "Alright Spike i'll show you to your room."
As the stallion trots away with the little dragon following behind you and Twilight turn your attention back to the room as you open the door. However you both pause as you look over the incredibly large and lavishly furnished room.
You both stop at the threshold of the door as you both just look over the room, but it doesn't stay a quite stare for long as you bring up a chuckle, "Huh... So this is why Celestia never leaves her room to do anything."
The comment brings a giggle from the mare as you both trot in, however as you close the door you bring your voice back up, "So, a dinner with a bunch of snooty ponies huh?"
Twilight sheepishly lowers her head as she speaks up, "Well it should help us figure out who is the most suited..." She sparks her head up high as you start to move the bag from around you, "...Celestia always had test about leadership, a leader should be calm, respectful, ready and able to do whats best for everypony, but above all else they have to be understanding of everyponies needs."
You give a little chuckle as you shift your eyes to the few bookshelves that sit to one side of the room near a fireplace, "Celestia said a leader should be ready and able to do things?"
Twilight rolls her eyes to the comment as she trots to the bag were you rested it, "So, do you want to see what I packed?"
End of chapter 14
Chapter 15 – Okay now, bye-bye then
The late after noon day sun has taken it's warm bright yellowy hold over Canterlot, which has brought out most of the ponies of the city as they now rush to the next warm building.
Violet however, doesn't even attempt to move fast as she continues down the main roads of Canterlot. The young mare's stomach is stuff full with food and her mind is still cramped with all the compliments her grandmother could ring out. Truthfully she didn't think the older mare would ever let her leave the house, but with a little white lie about having to study she was able to free herself from the food coma that most likely would have formed if she stayed.
The library coming into sight slowly brings the young mare's head up as she continues. Violet may not have to study, but over the last few weeks she has been helping Asher out just about everyday after school. The young mare didn't really expect to start her study sessions almost everyday, but not meeting up with Sparky until later in the day has sort of left the mare with no one to really hang out with.
Violet brings a friendly smile to her face as she passes through the library doors, her change in face does chase away the expression that just begs to sleep off all the food she ate but it does little to change the way she feels.
(Across town)
A low chime of magic rings up next to the light gray crystal mane whose coat and mane give off a bright aura of colors from the bright sun above her as she continues her trot down the dirt road.
However, Starlight's trot comes to a slight halt as the young mare looks over a small circular group of mares and stallions that's formed a little off the road towards the empty track. The mare blinks to the group for a moment but it's the familiar stuffy nosed voice that turns the mare's trot as she hoovers the folded letter that she was asked to deliver a little closer to her.
As she nears the group a lean chocolate coated stallion wearing a bright orange satchel around him turns his head with a cocky smile as he looks over the crystally unicorn mare, "Come to watch the show?"
Starlight looks over the turned stallion who now casually tries to flex his wings as she speaks up, "What show?"
The stallion gives a little chuckle as he takes a step back and points to the middle of the group, "Sparky-Lighting that is who."
Starlight takes a step forward to the now opened spot as she looks over the familiar light orange pegasus who's still talking.
"...Alright remember you have to straighten your wings back like this." Sparky puffs his chest out a little as he extends his wings out far behind him.
"Like this?" The larger white stallion next to him holds his wings out as he waits for Sparky to speak up.
Sparky nods to the stallion's stance as he gives an encouraging smile, "Good now you got the rest?"
"Ya..."
Sparky takes a step back as he folds his wings and turns to the group that usually forms around him when ever he and Streak work on the spell. Truthfully all the onlooking ponies made the slightly shy stallion a little nervous when he first helped out, but after a few more practices he got use to the ponies that gathered, "Um, can everypony just take a step back?"
Everypony takes a step back as Sparky brings himself to stand at the end of the group, to the backed away onlookers Streak takes a deep breath as he gives a hard and fast flap of his wings forward.
A loud clap of thunder runs from the stallion's wings as a white streak of lightning strikes the cloud target that was set up a little above the track.
Starlight blinks to the bolt as she looks to the remnants of the cloud that just loft in the wind, however she doesn't hold her gaze for long as she turns to the light orange pegasus at the end of the group.
Everypony starts up in a little cheer as Sparky's voice comes up, "Good job Streak."
The white stallion turns his head to the voice with an excited and slightly jittery tone, "I think I finally got it done, it's actually pretty easy after you get the hang of it."
Sparky nods as he gives a little laugh, "Ya I think you got it."
Streak folds his wings down as he quickly brings his excited trot up, "Perfect, and today is my last tryout, this should really help thanks Sparky. Now I need to get going before Sorin docks me points for being late." He clears his throat as he tries to run the excited tone back down to his normal deep and calm tone, "A-all you ponies should go and study if you need to, today may be a day off but you shouldn't slack off.”
A slight laugh runs up from a few ponies as they start to drift from the group, but the stallion next to Starlight speaks up as he gives a coy smile, "So ya, i'm like Sparky's best friend... You want to meet him? I mean heck I could probably show you what I know to."
Starlight gives a slight laugh to the comment as she trots away from the stallion with a little shake of the head, "No, I think i'm fine with that."
The stallion blinks to the mare as she trots towards Streak, "A-alright ya that's cool maybe later."
"Excuse me." Starlight floats the letter up to the stallion as he turns around, "I was asked to deliver this to Sorin, but I wouldn't know where he's meeting if he's not in the school."
Streak nods to the comment as he takes the letter from the mare, "That's fine, I can handle it."
"Starlight?" Sparky now trots over to the crystal mare as Streak begins to take himself from the ground with the letter in hoof.
The mare turns her head to Sparky as she gives a friendly smile, "Hello Sparky..." A faint giggle comes up from the mare as she wiggles her hoof towards him, "I know you had said that spell was loud but you did not mention it was also dazzling."
Sparky rubs his hoof to his neck as he shrugs, "Well actually Streak can do the spell a lot better then me."
Starlight nods to the comment as she continues, "That's just because he is an older-..."
"Oh Sparky-Lighting, this is the unicorn you moan over in the bathroom huh?" The chocolate stallion gives a loud chuckle as he wraps his hoof around Sparky in a friendly gesture.
However Sparky's eyes go wide as he stays silent. His silence though, does little to the stallion that leans to him as the slightly bigger stallion gives a little chuckle to the stunned stallion, "Just a little joke man, oh here's your bag bro."
Sparky gives a little chuckle as the stallion moves his leg from around his neck and to the bag he now holds out, "Y-ya, thanks Chase."
The stallion waves his hoof to the comment as he nods to Sparky, "No problem bro." He turns his cocky smile to Starlight as he gives a little nod, "Nice to meet ya Vi-.."
"Hey Sparky!" Chase's comment is cut off as a high pitched feminine voice comes up the chocolate coated stallion turns his head to a group of three pegasus mares that now trot closer, "... So like we we're all like wondering if you want to like hang out or something, you know show us some more of that spell thing."
Sparky gives a friendly smile too the three mares as he starts to put the bag around himself, "Oh... Well actually I head to the library for a bit around now."
The light pink and rose maned mare in the center now speaks up as she cocks her head, "Oh you do?"
Chase now cuts in as he rolls his hoof to the comment, "Hey I can show you a few things..." He quickly trots past them as he nods, "Ya, I'll show you the pose and everything come on." Chase gives a little smile to Sparky as the mare's slowly follow after him, "See ya Sparky-Lighting."
Sparky gives a little smile as he just gives a weak wave of the hoof, "Uh, ya bye."
To the now mostly absent area around them Starlight brings her voice up, "So you're going to the library now huh?"
Sparky starts his trot up as he nods, "Ya, I actually have a little math I need to work on."
Starlight brings herself next to him as they start down the road, "Mind if I tag along?"
A friendly smile comes to Sparky as he shakes his head, "No it's fine."
To the comment Starlight sparks up another question as she squint a little, "Good, because I actually was wondering what kind of math you had to do in the Wonderbolt's academy."
"Oh ya..." A little chuckle runs from Sparky as he nods a little to the left and right, "Mostly it's angles of flight paths and cloud density." He cocks an eye to her as he continues, "And trust me, the cloud stuff is NOT easy."
A little giggle runs from Starlight as she nods, "I'll take your word for it."
"What about you, how's your stuff going?" The comment brings a slight huff to the crystal mare as her vibrant green mane darkens a little, "Well, it would be ok but our magic teacher wants the first part of our main report this week and I haven't even started it."
Sparky cocks his head to the comment as he smiles, "Haven't started it?"
Starlight shrugs to the comment as she continues, "Well it's not the easiest sort of assignment, we have to have a... Partner for this report, and it's not that easy seeing as how everypony besides from Violet still thinks i'm trying to out shine them somehow."
"Well how come you don't just work with Violet?" Sparky's comment slows Starlight's trot as she looks the stallion over, "A-aren't you helping Violet with her main project?"
Sparky thinks over the comment for a moment as he starts to shake his head, "Mhmmm nno? No, I can't remember her saying there was a report she needed my help on." A faint chuckle comes up from Sparky as he cocks his head,' Why what's it on?"
Starlight blinks to the question as she straightens her head, I-its just a generating magic assignment..." She bites her lip for a moment as she slowly brings her voice up, "W-would you be able to help me with mine?"
The comment again pauses Sparky as he just tries to think over why Violet wouldn't need the help, but the only conclusion is that she already finished it and didn't need the help, "Ya I guess, what do I need to do?"
His comment brings Starlight's crystally mane up with a slight pinkish glow as the mare stammers a little, "I-I don't actually know... I'll ask around to see what every pony else did."Starlight brings her voice down as she lowers her head, "So you and Violet never talked about the report?"
Sparky shakes his head to the comment as he speaks up, "Well she's mentioned it a few times, but I think she finished it."
"Oh maybe that's why Asher and her have been spending a lot more time together." The comment flicks Sparky's ear as he thinks it over, "Y-ya, maybe that's why... I mean it would make sense to do a project about magic generating with a unicorn." Sparky's own words bring his ears down a little, but Starlight's voice rings up as she shrugs a little, "I suppose... But I don't mind Sparky." A sweet smile comes up from the mare as she just continues to trot next to the light orange pegasus as they start onto Canterlot’s hard stone roads.
End of chapter 15
Chapter 16 – What he knows when he knows it
The two young ponies trot through town has been filled with mostly with lighthearted comments and giggles from the slightly more excited crystal mare. However, as the library comes into view the mare starts to drift from the conversation as she brings her trot up a little faster, "Oh good, let's get out of this cold."
Sparky gives a friendly chuckle to the comment as he tries to pick his speed up to the door, but Starlight's horn has already opened the door as for her faster paced trot. Sparky follows in behind her as the two ponies start to look around the inside of the library.
"Ah, there's Violet." The crystal mare's trot continues to hold it's speed as her eyes like the light orange pegasus beside her lock to the light purple mare sitting at one of the tables in the far back of the study area.
However, Sparky's eyes slowly drift to the tan coated stallion across the open book cluttered table. There pace quickly brings them to the table as Starlight's voice turns Violet and Asher's heads, "Hello you two."
Violet gives a friendly smile to the two approaching ponies as the stallion across from her quickly runs his hoof to his mane while his slightly nervous tone shakes the smooth southern drawl, "Don't tell me it's that late already? I haven't even gotten to the history stuff."
Starlight brings her voice up as she waves her hoof to the comment, "No I do believe it's still relatively still after noon."
The comment turn's Violet's head as she brings her hooves up to her friend, Sparky blinks to the motion as he nods, "Actually I think Streak won't be needing my help anymore, he really got good with the spell."
A slightly happy smile comes to the mare's face as she nods.
"Oh Violet." Starlight wiggles her hoof between the two sitting unicorns as she sheepishly continues, "Could you perhaps tell me how you started your report? I seem to have a little trouble with the...Topic.""
Violet cocks her head to the question as she sparks her hooves up.
Starlight puts her hoof down to the ground as she squints to the comment, "You have not started?"
The light purple mare again shakes her head as Sparky speaks up, "Wait, you needed help with something?" Sparky shifts a little as he continues, "Well... Why didn't you ask me?"
Violet shrugs to the comment as she quickly sparks her hooves up, but the comment brings a fast response from Sparky as he shakes his head with a slight laugh, "Oh come on Violet you know my thing was only in the day, it's just a magic generation report right? Can't you just write about the spell you've been helping me with?"
Before Violet can bring her hooves up Starlight speaks up, "Well it's a little bit more than that, we're supposed to go on a date or other kind of social gathering and then write about how it affects magic."
Sparky blinks to the word as the stallion tries to think over what to say.
Starlight turns her head back to Violet as she gives a slightly embarrassed laugh, "I would understand if you change your mind and would rather go with Violet, after all you two are friends."
Violet's ear flicks to the comment as she turns and takes her head up with a quickly hooved out answer.
However Starlight blinks to the answer as she squints her eyes, "I'm sorry what?" Sparky picks up on his friend's expression as the light orange stallion repeats the comment, "What do you mean have fun? I can still help right?"
Violet rolls her hoof to the comment as she casually just looks back to one of the open books on the table.
"Violet I-.."
"I can help."
Sparky's comment comes to a stand still and the three ponies now look to the tan stallion that's slowly putting away some of the books from the table. To the sight of everypony staring at him Asher shrugs, "Heck, if all we got to do is go on a fake date for class then i'll help out." A slight laugh rolls from the stallion as he continues, "If first year was that easy I would be top of my class."
He turns his head to Violet as he nods his head, "What'cha say angle of Ponyville, care to go on a date? After all without you I probably would be failing."
The comment pauses Violet for a moment as she just blinks to the calmly waiting stallion, but Violet perks her head up as she nods yes.
"Wonderful." Asher stands from his seat as he starts to move the brown and tan colored satchel around himself, "If you want we could all just eat at Fantaisie Gras's restaurant. That way we could all just double date and you two could start on your reports right after dinner if ya'll wanted."
Violet happily nods her head as she starts to stand up, Starlight seconds the nod as she taps her hoof to her mouth with a sheepish voice, "Do you want to do that Sparky?"
The light orange stallion swallows hard as he nods and slightly stammers out an answer, "Ya sounds fun."
Violet gives a little smile to the stallions comment as she quickly trots past him without a second look.
"Alright, then I guess we'll see each other tonight. Bye you two." Asher gives a friendly smile as he starts to trot towards the door.
To the now absent two ponies Starlight starts to sit down as she gives a sweet smile to the stallion still standing, "If you want, I could help with your math."
Sparky snaps from his thoughts as he gives a friendly smile and starts to move to the seat across from her, "Ya I guess."
(Across Equestria)
It's been about a few hours since you and Twilight arrived at the city, and so far you two have done almost nothing productive at all. No pony has come to give Twilight the surveys she wanted and no pony has come to tell you and Twilight to do anything.
In fact, the only thing you and Twilight have done is reshelve the few bookshelves in the room. It may not have done much for one of the ponies you were supposed to be picking from, but it has helped you and Twilight push the idea of staying out of your minds.
A faint giggle comes up from Twilight as she hoovers a book to where you sit, "...Oh Celestia, look at this."
You look over the book as one final thought runs through your mind, reshelving the books may not have been the funnest thing to do, but knowing that the changeling queen or whatever she was picked the books kind of helps you understand her a little better. You squint to the title that's wrapped in a purple glow as you try to read it out loud.
However, Twilight's voice cuts through as she helps you out, "The pony and the throne."
"Ok?" You shrug to the name as you just continue to enjoy the soft and large chair you're still some how sinking into.
"That's the tenth book that is about a group of ponies or kingdom that takes over another..." Twilight stares to the book as she shakes her head, "I should inform Celestia about this..."
You give a slight smile as you tap to one of the piles of books you two have yet to put away, "So war books and romantic stuff. I'm not really sure how it's hard to believe a changeling would have all this."
Twilight wiggles her hoof to your comment as she continues, "The books somepony keeps in their room says a lot about them." Her know it all voice rings through the large room as her magic places the book neatly in the alphabetical order she's created in the last shelve.
You give a little chuckle as you lean forward, "And what books have you been hiding under the bed?"
Your comment flicks the mare's ear as she rolls her eyes and gives you a grin, "And how do you know I have books under the bed?"
The smile you had widens as you nod, "Touché Mrs.Sparkles."
Another giggle rings from the lavender mare as she speaks up, "Is that all the books Mr.Sparkle?" Her hoof extends to the last pile next to you as you sit up a little more, you start your magic up as one of the books floats up towards her, "I'm never going to get use to Mr.Sparkle."
Twilight glances over the book as she speaks up with another little laugh, "I think it sounds nice with your name."
You cock a little smile to the comment as you think it over, ya, if you're an immigrant to Equestria you lose your last name when married... You float up another book as you just look over the lavender mare in front with a warm smile.
However before you bring your voice up a hoof to the door takes you and Twilight's attentions, "Come in."
Twilight turns herself to the door as the familiar dark blue stallion comes in with a glowing horn followed by a long cloak like thing trailing behind him in his magical hold, "Sorry to bother you to, but I thought you might want to know everypony in the city has started to write down their concerns and that every pony would be ruler that is here has been told of your dinner party."
Twilight nods her head as she speaks up, "Thank you."
StoneGem nods as he continues, "The last guest has not arrived yet, but they did send a gift." His horn sparks up a little brighter as a bottle of dark red liquid floats from the lavish blue and gold cloak, "I believe it's a bottle of some kind of special wine or something."
Twilight's magic comes over the bottle as she just blinks to it, "O-oh... Well we will have to thank them." She floats it next to her as StoneGem turns his eyes to you, "One last thing. Vanhoover tradition says that the reigning lord has to wear a cloak at any social event... Even if it's not public."
The cloak comes to float towards you as you just blink to it.
"...It's made from some kind of magic stuff I'm not really sure, but the castle's tailor said it would bind to fit you." StoneGem gives a little nod as he turns back to the door and trots out.
As the door closes you and Twilight just stare to each other as you feel your hooves to the soft cloak. But the stare is brought to an end as you shake your head and drape the cloak behind the chair, they're trying to make me an uppity pony.
You hold the comment as you look over the bookshelves, "Hey Twilight there wasn't a hidden compartment behind the books was there?"
A little giggle comes up from the mare as she holds her hoof out, "Book please."
End of chapter 16
Chapter 18 – Who it's really for
The darkening sky outside has been multiplied by the fact Vanhoover's skyline is mostly covered by the tall forest trees that surrounded it. Really though, you've never been good with telling time without a clock so it could be later or earlier then you're thinking.
Either way it wouldn't change the fact that you really don't want to do what you're being pretty much told to do. It's been about forty or so minutes since one of the no name guard ponies came to the door to tell you and Twilight that all the guest have arrived, meaning you and Twilight should get ready for the dinner party she called for.
The news came as a surprise seeing as how you and Twilight never even were asked to look over what's being served or even asked what to serve for that matter... But then again your assumption as to how things should go was most likely wrong seeing as how you've never really hosted or been a part of a dinner party at a castle.
You slowly bring your mind from your thoughts as you continue to just stare to the bottle of dark red wine that you float above where you lay, "Twilight?"
There's a moment of silence to the room filled only with the low chime of your now purpley green magic that holds the bottle. Not wanting to be soaked in wine you float the bottle to the side table next to the bed as you slowly start to bring yourself up from where you laid on the bed.
You shift your eyes to the closed bathroom door as you adjust the magically form fitting cloak you have on, "So... I guess we're not doing this now huh? I mean it's been what an hour since you went in there?"
"Almost done..."
You roll your eyes to the comment as you just turn your attention back to the cloak around you. The fabric is actually strangely fun to just run your hoof though, seeing as how it makes a slight static electricity sound every time you touch your hooves together. You stop your hoof as you think to yourself, whoa i'm amazed by static electricity...
Before you can think over your newest realization the door to the bathroom comes open.
You sit up a little as you hold your head to the mare that now steps out of the bathroom. Her mane has been curled on either side as well as flipped up to reveal the silver horn band that proudly sits around her horn. You slowly drift your eyes down the mare as you take notice to the elegant dark purple and starry night looking gown. "How do I look?"
Her words snap your eyes back to her face as he blink to her for a moment for something to say, however you can't quite pick the words as you decide to just speak your initial reaction, "Well... I would say beautiful, but I can't remember a day where you don't look beautiful."
The low comment brings the mare's ears down as a faint blush runs to her face, but she doesn't let it show as she just wiggles her hoof to you with a slight giggle, "S-so this is what you're wearing?"
You quickly bring your outfit less body upright as you flare the cloak out a little with a slight chuckle, "Well I didn't know we would be doing something like this..." You cock your head to the mare as you speak up, "So that's why our bag was so heavy huh?"
Twilight holds her smile as she shrugs, "Could be."
You nod to the comment as you start to stand, "You look very nice Twili-..."
A knock to the door breaks your comment as a stallion's voice comes up, "Mrs.Sparkle, are you two ready?"
Those knocks are getting a little annoying, Twilight speaks up as you just stare to the door, "Yes, we'll be out in a moment."
Twilight turns herself to the door as she holds her head to you, her voice starts up in a strangely regal tone as she speaks up, "Care to accompany me?"
You crack a smile to the try-hard voice as you take a step next to her, "After you... My dear." The last part of your comment has a deeper tone that holds your smile as you bring your hoof up towards the door.
Twilight gives a little giggle as she trots towards the door with you behind her, the light purple magic brings the back part of the throne room into view along with the earth pony stallion at the door into view as you and Twilight trot out.
"Follow me." The stallion starts to lead the way as you and Twilight follow after him.
The castle is still very different to you, and it does bring back a few uneasy feelings. But the trot through the brightly fire lit throne room is brief as you both just continue to follow the stallion out into the front of the castles hallway on the left. After a short trot and another left turn you find yourself now trotting into a tall and large hall with a lengthy bright light oak table spanning the room’s length.
"Here you are, I shall go and gather the others." The stallion bows his head to you and Twilight as you two just look over the room you've stepped into.
Twilight speaks up just before the stallion leaves the room, “And Spike?”
The stallion nods as he speaks up, “The dragon has already ordered something to be brought to his room.”
You give a slight chuckle to yourself as you continue too just look over the room.
However your stare doesn't last long as a light brown coated and sandy maned mare wearing an apron trots up to you and Twilight. She bows her head a little as she speaks up, "Welcome back savoirs of Vanhoover... I have your seats laid out for you both."
The mare's choice in words stuns you and Twilight but you both casually nod as you follow the mare down the one step decline that brings you next to the table. The trot was short for you as the earth mare pulls the large green and gold cushioned chair at the head of the table out for you.
You blink to the spot at the head of the table but you sit down as Twilight is directed to the spot on your right.
"What can I get you to drink?" A smile comes to the mare as she waits for you or Twilight to speak up.
"Um, just water for me." Twilight nods with a slight smile as the mare turns her head to her, you second the comment as the mare speaks up, "The water is from Vanhoover falls, I think you will greatly enjoy it."
As the mare trots away you and Twilight turn your eyes to each other with hopefully the same thought that rings in your head, this is way too much.
A faint chuckle runs from you as you slowly start to ease back into your chair, your lighthearted laugh brings Twilight's up as she does the same.
But your laughs are quickly brought down as the sound of hooves come to the room.
You both turn your heads to the door you came in through as you look over a regal dressed light blue pegasus trotting in followed by equally nicely dressed earthly colored earth ponies.
The three ponies turn their heads to you and Twilight as the stallion directs them to their spaced out seats, "Lord Windsnap your seat is here. Lady and lord Way yours is across."
A little laugh comes up from the pegasus as he takes his seat one seat down from Twilight, "I must say, this castle is very elegant." The stallion's very deep tone flicks your ear as you just look over the pony with a strange thought Morgan Freemen?
You shake the strange thought from your head as the stallion on your left speaks up, "I would agree with you on that, but it is rather chilly." You watch the stallion as he pulls the seat out for the orangy goldish coated mare he trotted in with. These two ponies definitely are older than you and Twilight and most likely the pegasus but not by the much.
As the light gray blond maned stallion finally sits down to his seat he holds his eyes to you as he speaks up, "Well hello again."
You bring your voice up a little as you try a friendly smile, "W-we do?"
Your comment doesn't change the stallion's smile as he lets out a friendly chuckle, "You may not remember me it was a rather long time ago, but we had meet at Fantaisie Gras."
You give a simple nod as you slightly turn your eyes to Twilight to check to see if she's drawing the same blank as you, she is so you bring your voice up with your best shot, "Was it our wedding?"
The stallion cocks his head to the comment as he slowly starts to shake his head, "I-i'm not quite sure if it was..." The stallion quickly brings his voice up as he holds the friendly smile, "How is your daughter?"
Twilight now chimes in as she nods, however the formal voice she brings up actually surprises you a little as you just listen to her, "She's well... Do you have any kids?"
The goldish mare next to the stallion speaks up as she brings her hoof to a little wiggle, her tone has a slight southern drawl to it but it definitely is more of a regal sounding tone rather than like Applejack's. "Yes, we have a daughter, MilkyWay." A faint giggle comes up as she continues, "In fact when Celestia asked us to attend this selection we almost didn't want to leave her at the manor by herself... But she assured us she would be fine."
As her comment comes down a faint laugh comes up from the once quiet pegasus, "Well I seem to be at a disadvantage here... I do not have any foals of my own to boast about." The pegasus shifts his eyes between you and Twilight as he nods, "But I have heard of both of you, and I feel as though I must thank you both for what you've done for Equestria."
The comment both slightly puts you and Twilight in an awkward position as she speaks up, "Well thank you... But we could not have done the things with did without help from-..."
"Terribly sorry we're late everypony..."
The voice flicks your ear as you, like everypony around you turn to look at the newest addition to the room. However, as you look over the half eyed gazing fancy dressed white coated and blond maned stallion you lose your smile.
The stallion's eyes finally lock to you and Twilight as his cocky and flashy smile is chased from his mouth, but he quickly brings a nonchalant grin back as he trots a little further down one side of the table, "My my, Twilight and her... Husband are the host my aunt has picked."
The unicorn's horn sparks up as he pulls the chair out for the nicely dressed cluelessly smiling bright white mare with curvy gold mane that would even make Rarity jealous.
"Yes, Celestia did pick us Blue Blood." Twilight holds her tone as she waits for a response.
But Blue Blood's response is nothing like what you expected as he takes his seat next to the mare, "Well at least she choice some ponies with a good idea as to who should rule... I could not think of anypony better then you Twilight."
The comment doesn't alter your stare as you look over the straight backed stallion.
Your stare turns his head as he speaks up, "How have you been?"
You pause for a moment as you think for something to say, but you bring a smile to your face as you speak up, "Did you do something different with your mane...Blue Blood?"
Blue Blood's smile lightens as he speaks up calmly, "Not in a very long time, I would say five years."
Everypony around the table just blankly listens to the conversation as you nod your head with a faked surprise tone, "Oh really?"
Blue Blood turns his eyes to the silverware in front of him as he continues to calmly speak up, "Yes, actually around the last time we had a little chat." He cocks his head as he continues, "Which reminds me, that pegasus you were with that night. Did you ever take her up on the... As she so elegantly put it when she jumped up on the stage, free pony ride?" Blue Blood casually shifts one of the butter knifes as he continues, "After all, when you left my club I would not know."
He holds his faked questioning expression as he waits for an answer.
You might not know exactly what he's talking about, but that fact only annoys you more as you take a deep breath and just look over the stallion half way across the table. But the slightly warm magic under your coat slowly calms your mind as you bring a little smile to your face, "Well I would have told you, but I could never find you in Canterlot after that."
The slight smile to Blue Blood's face comes to an end as he adjust himself in his chair, "Quite."
As his comment comes to an end the tension that hangs above the table is quickly broken by a slightly high pitched voice of the mare next to Blueblood as she cheerfully speaks up while she wiggles her hoof to the ponies around her, "Did y'all get your wines? Me and Bluey picked them out special for this little event." The mare childishly nods her head as she takes a look around the room.
As his voice comes down the mare next to him starts up her slightly high pitched voice as she looks to Twilight, "Oh my name is Felice Jewels" Everypony nods as they give their own little remarks.
Blue Blood brings his voice back up as he looks to everypony, "Yes, I thought that the wine would be a nice gift, after all it's a magically enchanted brew that helps chase away even the worst of headaches..." He casually runs his eyes towards you as he directs his voice to the room, "...For all those who do a lot of thinking ."
You take a deep breath as you turn your head to the labyrinth of silverware that sits in front of you all the while as you think to yourself, this is going to be a LONG dinner... If I make it through it."
End of chapter 18
Chapter 19 – Just saying how I feel about it
The main floor of Fantaisie Gras has started to become desolate with mainly only staff ponies or other guest coming in just to head to their rooms. It's a little later in the night now, but that fact doesn't bother the light orange pegasus seeing as how today was a day off anyway; meaning no curfew. Although, the sweet relief of knowing he can not be late is not actually what keeps the stallion from dwelling on the ever moving night. Instead his mind has been riddled with questions and the continuing function that allows the trot next to the crystal mare without her noticing that he's not really paying attention.
However Sparky starts to drift from his thought swelling mind as the crystal mare's voice comes up, "...Sparky, I know you have not been listening."
The light orange stallion quickly snaps his eyes to the mare as he gives a friendly smile, "Of course I am." He shifts a little as he tries to hold the smile.
Starlight gives a little sigh as she just looks the stallion over, "Sparky you are not a good liar."
Sparky hesitates for a moment as he looks around the room. The walk Starlight asked for was actually not a walk around town, but rather a walk through Fantaisie Gras's decently sized art gallery. The stallion's eyes quickly come back to the mare as he speaks up, "You were talking about Star Swirl's statue."
A smile comes to Starlight as she nods her head to the painting in front of them, "The statue was at the front of the gallery Sparky."
The nod turns Sparky's head as he looks over a painting of a waterfall landscape, "Oh..."
Starlight brings her trot up as she moves herself to the next light oak display case, "Sparky, how come you lied?"
Sparky gives a faint laugh as he lowers his head, "I didn't want you to think I wasn't liste-..."
"Not just now." The crystal mare stops her trot as she turns to the stallion, "Why did you lie at dinner?"
"What do you mean?"
The comment rolls Starlight's eyes as she speaks up, "You said the reason you did not tell anypony about King Sombra was because you were scared."
"I was!" Sparky gives a faint laugh as he takes his head back a little, "Anypony would have been."
Starlight cocks a slight smile to the comment as she shakes her head, "One of Star Swirl's biggest discovers when he was alive was that everypony had magic, even pegasus... Did you know this?"
The off topic and slightly meaningless comment pauses Sparky as he just nods, "Y-ya?"
"And you know that magic is created from thoughts and emotions?" Starlight's words again bring a nod from Sparky as the crystal mare continues, "Then you should know, some ponies are more susceptible to magic."
Starlight bats her eyes a little as she lowers her head, "I can tell that you're lying Sparky..."
The pegasus blinks to the mare as he swallows, "Alright..."
"So, why did you lie at dinner?" The mare takes her head up as she looks over the pony in front of her.
To her stare Sparky slowly brings his voice up, "Because."
"Why?"
Sparky shifts a little as he nods, "I was scared, but Sombra didn't just threaten me... He threatened everypony known."
Starlight nods as she looks over the stallion, "Then why would you not say something like that when asked? It's a noble thing to keep everypony else safe when you, yourself are in danger."
"Because that wasn't the reason I stayed quiet..." Sparky gives a little laugh as he continues, "The first thing Sombra asked me was who I was and here he was, I knew there was no way he could have been reading my mind. The spell he used on me was no different than Violet's dream spell when he talked to me..." Sparky swallows as he pauses, "...But, before I got a chance to tell anypony he got to see Violet."
The stallion brings his head up as he tries to to hold his smile to the crystal mare in front of him, "He knew everything about Violet when I saw her... H-he felt everything I was feeling. I-I can't imagine life without her..." Another laugh rolls from the stallion as he shifts a little more in his stance, "I-I've known her forever, if anything happened to her because of me I-I don't know what I would do."
He quickly shoots his head back to the clear white marble floor as he tries to stop the bubble of emotion that was just about to burst from his own realization.
Starlight holds a sweet smile to the light orange pegasus as she brings her hoof to his chin to raise his snout back to her face. But she doesn't say a single thing as she just takes a step closer to steal a kiss from the stallion.
Sparky's ears shoot up as his eyes widen to the kiss, but it only last a moment as Starlight brings her head back with a smile, "You know Sparky, you're really dumb for coming with me tonight..." The young stallion doesn't speak up still a little too stunned as he just listens to the mare, "...Especially when there's somepony you need to say that to."
Starlight takes her hoof from his chin as she gives one last comment, "She's probably back in her room by now, you should go and talk to her." A faint giggle comes up from the mare as she nods, "And seeing as how tonight has been a night of new things I think i'll actually go and check out the spa here."
The words finally start to bring Sparky back to the real world as he looks over the crystal mare in front of him, "T-thank you Starlight."
With one last nod the crystal mare trots away as Sparky turns his attention back to the main lobby of the hotel with a goal in mind.
However, as the young stallion's eyes drift a little towards the staircase leading up to where his friend's room is he halts; knowing that if he tells her what he wants to it's all out in the open and there's no going back.
Sparky holds the halted spot in the center of the room as he turns his eyes to the crystal mare that hasn't even attempted to look back. The sight of Starlight and the confidence she brings is lost as her figure ducks behind the spa area's hall way.
The stallion now takes a deep breath as he starts up his slightly wobbly trot, the short staircase poses no obstacle to the young pegasus as he makes quick work of them.
As the second floor stone comes under his hooves he turns his eyes to the slightly winding hallway as he continues forward.
His heart pounds a little as the close door of the room comes into view, truthfully there's no guarantee the light purple mare is even back yet. But that thought stays well out of Sparky frontal mind as every step brings him closer.
With another deep breath Sparky puffs his chest out as he knocks his hoof to the door.
However, the stallion's stance, smile, confidence and ability to speak falter as a stallion's voice rings up from behind the door, "I got it..." The door opens to the sight of a bright gold glowing horned unicorn that hovers a few books next to him as he opens the door, "Oh, hi Sparky."
Asher takes a step aside as he turns back into the still hidden room, "Violet, Sparky's here." As his comment ends he takes a step aside.
The door's low glow now comes up to Violet's magic as she comes to the door, the sun dress the mare had on at dinner is still around her and the slightly fading pink glow of her necklace still holds to the center of her chest.
Violet blinks to her friends face as she brings her hooves up with a question.
Sparky licks his lips a little as he shifts, "Well Starlight's not with me anymore, she had to do something...I-i wanted to talk to you." His eyes slightly flick to the stallion still standing in the room that's now been trapped by his and Violet's position at the door.
The light purple mare squints to the stallion's shifty tone but she nods as she waits for him to speak.
However, the stallion's eyes that casually have fallen on to Sparky and Violet's own soft blue eyed gaze turn the stallion's heart into a frenzy as he lowers his head, "J-just wanted to see if you got back..." He swallows hard as he rushes a comment, "N-night Violet."
Sparky doesn't wait for a response as the embarrassed and dumb feeling stallion quickly moves from the doorway and down the hall without a look back.
Violet pokes her head out of the room for a moment as she watches the quick trot but before she could even begin to think of something to do Asher's voice comes back up.
"So thanks for the books Violet." Asher gives a little smile as the mare turns back into the room with a simple roll of the hoof.
The tan stallion holds the smile as he continues, "No really, thanks. It turns out the library only had one book about summoning magic..." Asher's magic hoovers the few books a little in front of him as he continues, "Guess Celestia didn't want ponies with these kinda books huh?"
Violet shrugs to the comment as she moves a little from the door.
To the mare's movement Asher shifts his eyes towards the door as he trots in front of it, all the while still holding his eyes to Violet, "Did you have a good night?"
A friendly smile comes to the mare's face as she nods.
Her nod cocks Asher's head as his eyes flicker a little green and the southern tone is slightly lost as he speaks up, "Did ya have fun?"
The exposed amulet around Violet's neck flicks the same dark green color as the smile slowly fades from Violet's face too a now dull expression. But the light purple mare doesn't take notice to the change in her own expression as she just focuses to the stallion's voice.
"Just make'n sure." A little smirk comes over Asher's face as he nods, "Good night Violet."
The light purple mare stares almost zombified to the nod goodbye as Asher averts his eyes to the door as he trots out of the room.
To the absent pony the amulet's green glow quickly reverts back to a light pink glow as Violet turns her head towards the few pieces of paper she had set aside for a draft of her report. Without even a second thought about the few moments that were just obviously lost to her, she moves to begin her homework.
End of chapter 19
Chapter 20 – What happens in other rooms
"...Finally!" You roll your neck as the door comes up to your magic as you quickly trot into the room. There was no fight at the sorry excuse for a dinner party, instead your flank is sore from all of the kissing everypony at the table tried on you and Twilight.
Your light green magic is quickly taken over at the door by Twilight's very faint purple glow as she comes in behind you with a little giggle, "Shh... They might hear us."
You stop in the middle of the room as your eyes widen a little to the comment, "Oh no really?" Your faked surprised tone comes out full force as you pull to the cloak that started to choke you just after the first bite of food, "Pff, I would hate for somepony to hear us, they might try to buy us Canterlot or something."
Twilight closes the door with a little laugh as she watches you quickly floating the cloak to a near by empty spot, "I take it you don't like anypony either?"
The comment flicks your ear as you smile to her, but you don't bring your voice up for the moment as you look over the familiar mood emulate that hangs down the lavender mare's neck, "Like anypony?" You nod to the necklaces Blue Blood's mare gave Twilight just as dinner finished, your voice comes up with the same slightly high pitched tone the mare had as you try to repeat excually how the mare worded it, "OH, Twilight Sparkle, you're dress would look ever so lovely with the season's newest fashion statement...."
Your memory over the rest of the spiel comes to an end as you start to wiggle your hoof a little, but you give up as she continues, "Ah- anyways here's a necklace, crafted from the finest goldddd. " Your tone brings Twilight to roll her eyes but she holds her giggly smile as she floats the necklace from herself.
"I don't understand why Celestia would invite the ponies she did..." Her weak purple glow brings the necklace to set next to where you placed the cloak as she continues, "It seems like a no brainier as to who would be the best choice is, Blueblood and his... Friend? Are too rude, the lord of Rain-VerFall would want to bring his cloud city closer to Vanhoover, which would mess with the weather. That leaves only Trottingham, which at least would be a couple, meaning both mare's and stallion's in the city would have a say and they didn't seem to be as judgmental."
The mare's casually skip of the fact you and her are also choices cocks your head as you just look her over. However, you drift your eyes to the horn band on her horn that still resticks her magic that she now uses to loosen her gown.
You lower your voice as you speak up, "Twilight, you know you can take the horn ban off when you want."
Twilight turns her eyes up a little as she looks to her horn, but she waves her hoof to you as she speaks up, "Oh, I had forgot I still had it on."
You give a little smile to the comment as you just sit your flank to the edge of the bed.
However as you sit down Twilight rolls her eyes over you as she slowly starts to take the ban off, "You know I like it."
Without even thinking over the comment you nod your head as you speak up, "I know, but I also know you don't like it when you do magic."
The glow of her magic gets a little brighter as she gently floats the band to it's own spot on the dresser next to the cloak and necklace, "You alright?"
You give a little chuckle to the comment as you wiggle your hoof, "I'm fine..." You hold the light tone as you nod to the wine, "Just having everypony trying to kiss your flank can give you a headache." You hold the rest of your comment in your head as you play it out. Also having to listen to Blue Blood for longer than two minutes can bring a headache.
Twilight lowers her head as she lets the gown hang a little, "Headache huh? I bet I can make you forget tonight."
A laugh rolls from you as the mare's slightly know it all voice still pokes through her low tone, "Oh ya?"
"Yes."
The mare's voice turns your head as you now just look over the playfully smiling mare in front of you. The smile hits you as a surprise, but the formal mane and nice dress holds your thoughts at bay as the reason you're here stay to your mind, "Hmm... Should we try the Special wine Blue Blood brought us?"
The lavender mare's smile holds as she takes a slow step towards you, "Maybe later."
Her unchanged tone and gaze now perks your ears up as you look over the mare now slowly trotting closer to you, "What's this?"
"Well, this is the first time we've had a night to ourselves since Aerolight was born." Twilight lowers her head as she stops a hoof or two from you, "And besides... Like I said, I bet I can make you forget tonight."
You now join in on the little game as you lean forward, "I have a really good memory."
Twilight directs her half eyed gaze to you as she leans her head foreword, "Oh really?"
You slowly start to bring your hoof up as you nod to the comment, "Well for starters... I know that if anypony tries to help you restock the library you'll take over." You fiddle with the last strap on her dress as you continue on, "...I know that when you get nervous you stutter a little and start pacing around the room." The last strap comes undone as you Twilight's soft purple eyes hold to your mouthing lips, "...I also know that you blush when anypony tries to tell you how beautiful or smart you are." She slowly starts to free herself from the gown as you widen your smile and dip in a little closer towards her,
"...But more importantly, I remember you can't stand it when somepony..." You lean your head to the right side of her neck as you give a little kiss just below her ear where her mane drapes down. Your lips careen her neck a little as you rumble your comment to it's end, "...Kisses on your neck."
As your voice dies down you continue to lightly kiss to the soft lavender fur on her neck. However, a chime of magic comes up that pulls your mane and your head back as Twilight playfully sharpens her gaze, "Oh no you don't... I said I would make you forget the night. I still need to remember why we came here."
The moment her last word rolls her mouth with the inexperienced sexy tone she put on her front legs jet to the bed to either side of where you sit on the bed as a giggly laugh rolls from her widely smiling face.
The fact of her taking charge has actually stunned you as you hold a slightly dopey smile to her.
However just as she brings her head close to yours in a would be kiss a hoof to the door shatters the lusting haze that has started to build to the room around you both.
Twilight's eyes widen as she quickly turns her head towards the door with an almost cracky voice as she speaks up, "Y-yes?"
"The surveys you asked for are ready."
The deep stallion's voice coming in from the door snaps you back to reality as you slightly turn your eyes down your excited body.
Twilight quickly takes her front legs from there spot on the bed as she brings her trot up still trying to regain her voice, "J-just a minute." Her horn sparks up the dress that layed in a pile beside the bed as she tosses it off to the side.
The quick trot comes to the door as she cracks it a little to the stallion at it, "I'll take those."
"Um, StoneGem said they are magically compressed, so be careful when you open them."
Twilight tries to close the door as she nods to the comment, "Thank you." The door quickly comes to close as the lavender mare like you stare to the heavy and exponentially large double bound bundle of papers.
There's a moment of silence as you clear your throat, "S-so uh... That looks like a lot."
The lavender mare stares to the papers a little as she casually floats them off towards the seat near the bookshelves, "Yes it does... And that, that is something that will be tended to much later."
You get a little smirk to the comment as Twilight starts back towards you.
However as Twilight brings herself closer to you the ability for her to come back into control falters as she tries to retake the same little pose she had before.
You slowly bring your hoof to caress the mare's exposed upper chest as you run your hoof through the soft under fur.
A faint giggle comes up from Twilight as she gives a little smile, "S-sorry that didn't work out, I-i didn't think tha-*Mmphh*."
You quickly cut off the nervous stutter as you rush your lips to her, you break the kiss as you hold a smile, "I need to remember to check the books under the bed when we get home don't I?"
A heavy breathed laugh comes from the mare who still has you pinned to the edge of the bed as she speaks up, "N-not if I make you forget."
The kiss has started to bring back the mood as you both just stare to the other pony a few inches away.
You hold the passionate embrace as you slowly start to bring your hooves around the mare's frame. But your traveling hooves don't even get half way as Twilight quickly frees herself from the kiss with her horn sparking up, "Oh no you don't."
Her comment is followed by a slightly hard pull on your mane as your sent unexpectedly towards the bed from the pull of her magic. Your hooves now sprawl out beside you with a slight thump as you just stare to the mare with a bit of confusion and amazement.
The thump of your hooves chases Twilight's confidence for the moment as she speaks up a little under her breath, "Sorry..."
The comment brings another faint laugh from you as you just look up to the ceiling a little, "It's fine Twilight..."
You feel the warmth of her body slowly coming over you as you crawl a little more to the center of the large bed. As the mare brings herself to about half way over you, you spark your hooves up as you run them to her sides.
But, like before she breaks from of the hold with a comment as her horn now wraps lightly to your front hooves, "I said no..."
You bring your head up from the bed's surface as much as you can without the help from your hooves as you look the mare still slowly creeps up over you. The smile on your face yells your thoughts as you continue to look over the mare that now has mastered her little sexy smile.
The lavender mare brings her body now fully over yours as she drapes her mane over your head. You both just stare deep into each others eyes as she nods her head, "If you can keep your hooves to yourself." A filly like giggle comes up from her as she lightly starts to kiss at your neck like you always do to tease her.
You can’t help but smile as you feel her inexperienced and slightly sloppy mouth trying to work your neck. Out of pure defiance you now turn your head to her neck as you try to show her how it's done.
You let out a slight whine as you just stare through the light purple mane that slightly lays over your snout as the mare over you continues to tease your neck.
Her touch and the fact you're helpless to do anything about it slowly starts to bring your excitement to a new level as you feel your member slowly starting to perk up.
A faint giggle rolls from Twilight as she casually bumps her lower stomach to yours.
The light kissing of the mare starts to drift down your neck as you watch her beginning to nuzzle your upper chest.
You hold your head to the mare as you just watch her continuing her closed eyed trail, however the burn of your gaze brings her left eye open as she stares back to you.
Within the moment her already glowing horn sparks up as you feel the pull to your mane cut your eyes sight to the stone ceiling above you. Another now annoyed and pleasure filling whimper comes from your tied up snout as you feel her tail starting to lower to your stomach.
You close your eyes a little not wanting to just stare to the ceiling as you feel your member flex a little to the mare's moving body.
Your breathing hardens as you feel the damp and heat rending snout come over your awarding body. The seconds of unknowing anticipation are long for you as your mind races, but as you feel a damp and warm hold come over you another whimper comes up from you as you desperately try to jet your eyes down the mound of fur between you and the mare.
Twilight's inexperience to what she's doing shows a little, but the movements of her tongue that flick to your now rapidly extending rod start to drive you a little crazy as you just try to focus on breathing through your nostrils.
Your body shutters to the mare's mouth as she starts to better adjust herself on the bed. A chill runs up your back as you feel the hold over your mane starting to loosen, as it does you tilt your head up.
Twilight's horn has stopped it's glow as her focus now directs to her closed eyed motions, you now start to breath a little from your mouth as you jet your hooves to the mare's mane.
You lightly rub to her slightly flicking ear as you just watch the light bob of her head. Only really the tip of your shaft is covered, but this actually only makes the pleasure running up your back a little more intense as she continues to flick and playfully dance her silky and wet tongue over the ring of your member's head.
A faint pant rolls from you as you continue to watch her, "Twilight..."
The sound of your voice and the touch of your hoof trembles the mare's eyes as she slowly tries to wonder her snout further down the length of your hardening shaft.
Your breaths deepen as you continue to rub the draping mane from her face.
Every flick of her tongue starts to send your mind into a haze as you just force yourself to the building feeling growing in your loins.
Twilight's motions and movements may be lacking, but that doesn't lower the thumping heart in your chest or the throbbing each time she runs her tongue over the right spot.
The mare's motions start to pick up in speed a little as the slight trembling in her mouth starts up a little more prominent.
Another faint pant comes up from you as your hooves to her head start to slow. You squint your eyes a little as your jaw starts to tighten a little as the mare's rhythm continues to speed up.
"T-Twilight..."
Like before her name only causes the building pressure of pleasure to rise. You feel yourself starting to flare as you quickly jet your hooves to the mare's upper chest as you pull her up and over you as your member throbs hard to the absent attention.
You hold your eyes shut as a warm stream of liquid starts to run down your still flexing extension.
A wide smile comes up from Twilight as she rubs her hoof to your lower body, "I thought I said not to move your hooves?"
"Ahhh..." You can't help but moan as the fur to her hoof tickles at you. With a quick thought you take attention as you turn the table on the mare.
You flip her onto her back as you feverishly try to mess her neck up just trying to get your mind off of what your body is telling you to give into.
A moan slowly helps you to win your fight as the lavender mare you have trapped under you finally gives into her own desire.
But she pushes her hoof to your chest as she rolls out from under you on to her stomach. As she settles into the middle of the bed she slowly raises her flank as she holds her eyes to you. Her outer lips are already glistening with her our excitement, which only brings your raring body even more into action and lust.
No words need to be spoken from the gaze as you bring yourself up behind her.
Twilight's tail lightly flicks to one side as she continues to hold her soft round eyed gaze to you.
You slowly bring your hooves down her back, making sure to rub past her cutie mark as you begin to mount up over the mare. Your member now hangs under her stomach as it slightly taps to the swollen crotch teats.
You're still slightly reeling from your would be climax as you just slowly tease in between the two hanging pear shaped couch boobs. Your motions hold Twilight's turned head as she just slightly giggles to the slow move of your hips.
But the giggle flicks your ear as you feel her hips backing up to you, a smile breaks across your face as you lower your head and bring your member back to the threshold of the mare.
You slowly prob to her already moist marehood as the giggle runs from her face as her teasing hips now halt.
You slowly start to ease yourself forward as you just savoir the mare's changing expression. Her interior walls already start to slightly tighten to your painfully slow pleasure bringing startup.
But you don't let the mare wait for long as you slowly start to bring your hips into motion. Twilight's held head now starts to come to rest on the bed as she continues to hold one eye to you.
The rock of your body starts to come up a little faster with every continued thrust as you begin to lower your body to the mare's back.
As you hold a steady pace you bring your mouth down next to the mare's standing up right ear as you just start to tease at it.
Your motion and tease close Twilight's eyes as her mouth opens to a heavy pant and moan.
Her cute little noise only sparks your now pelvis as you continue to slide yourself in slowly increasing speed.
"Ah...Deeper. .." The words roll form the mare's mouth as you start to lightly bash your hips into hers with the same speed.
You now begin to lose your focus on your tease as you tend to the request.
"Nghaa...." Twilight's head slightly presses to the bed's covers as she moans.
The rock of her hips starts up as her eyes tremble to her emotions.
Not knowing how long you can last after the little game she started you off with you start to raise your speed to your own desire as you now start to slightly slap to the mare's slightly bouncing flank.
"Ahh!" The moan from Twilight raises your heart as you hold the beat of your thrust.
"Nahh...ahh. .." You feel her body tremble a little under yours as you feel her own pleasure starting to build.
You start to lower your snout to the base of her mane on her back as you just lightly kiss to her. The pound of your hips and hers starts to echo to the castle's room as you feel the burning to your loins starts up again.
You close your eyes lightly toTwilight as you tighten your jaw line.
"Mmm~aah! F-faster?!"
A heavy pant starts up as you try to answer the request, the noise thump of your bodies against each other rings to your ears as you finally start to feel yourself giving into the building climax.
"T-Twili-.!" Your word ends hard as the hard and much needed throb of your member starts to spasm as your hips attempt to bury yourself as far into Twilight's marehood as possible.
The yell of her name and the warm seed you now spill into her send the mare over her edge as her body quickly reacts to your throbs trying to milk you for your worth.
Your strength falters a little as you flop to the mare's rapidly panting body as the hard flair of your member finally starts to run it's course.
As it does you try to regain your breath as you slowly start to free yourself from the mare's tightening hold. With a faint and sloppy plop sound you roll yourself to one side of the bed as you just lightly start to kiss to the still closed eyed mare.
Her marehood winks a little to the slightly dripping combination of you and her as she slowly starts to squint her eyes open to you.
After a moment she slowly starts to lower her body as you pull her closer to you.
A little whimper comes up from the mare as she wraps her hoof to your body, you follow the embrace as you continue to lightly kiss at the mare's forehead.
End of chapter 20
Chapter 21 – Forget what?
It been maybe two or so hours since yours and Twilight's little after dinner activities, but that doesn't mean the night was over for you two... Well, at least it wasn't over for the lavender mare whose magic still rings lowly to the room.
A faint sigh rolls from you as you turn to the other side of the bed. You have no idea when or how long Twilight actually laid with you in the bed before she decided to get up and take a bath. All you know is you eventually heard the low chime of magic and decided that being the only pony still damp with sweat had gone on long enough.
The quick little bath was nice and it actually stirred Twilight from the papers she got up to read, but not for long obviously.
The light muttering coming from the other side of the room slowly flicks at your ear as you open your eyes. Truthfully you thought she would eventually give into being tired but that thought finally starts to falter as you just stare too the lightly purple glowing room. The night has definitely taken hold over the room and the slight sound of crickets roll from one of the many large windows to one side of the room.
As you start to turn yourself around in the bed you realize that the only light in the room is not coming from the moon, but instead from the lavender mare who still sits at the little desk near the bookshelves. You slowly bring yourself out of the bed as you trot towards where she sits.
The sound of your hooves doesn't even turn her head as the light mutter continues to ring on as her head shifts to the page.
"Twilight..."
Your words startle the mare as her horn sparks up a little brighter and she turns to you, "Oh, you're awake?!"
You nod to her words as your magic comes to the paper still in her hold, "It's late Twilight, don't you think you should get some rest?"
The hold you had of the paper is quickly lost as Twilight waves to the comment, "No, the ponies of this city voiced their opinions, and I want to read them..." She holds her eyes to the paper for moment as she quickly floats it to the large stack on her right, "...See only a few more."
Her hoof comes to point at the small stack of papers still left, however this only makes your eyes widen a little as you speak up, "Twilight, you didn't have to do all of them."
Twilight shakes her head to the comment as a very faint yawn rolls from her, "I asked for them, I should read them."
Knowing that you can never win an argument with Twilight even when it's for her own good you start to change your tactic as you again bring your magic up to the paper. However, before she can get a chance to speak up you distract her with a light nuzzling kiss to her still damp mane from her earlier bath.
"What are you doing?" The confused but lighter tone assures you that your little trick worked as you start to push the unread papers neatly off to the side, "Trying to get you in bed."
Your choice in words widens Twilight eyes as she lets out a little laugh, "Y-you didn't forget everything we did tonight...Did you?"
A faint chuckle rolls from you as you take your head from her neck, "Not at all...Now it's time to get some sleep."
"But I need to-..."
"We." You cut her off as you speak up with a light smile, "Princess Do-Nothing did ask us both to come up here."
Twilight pauses for a moment as she looks you over, "Everypony that wrote something wanted their voice to be heard, and they deserve to have it done as soon as poss~Hwaaa~ possible." The yawn the stopped her last word only brings your eyes into a harder stare as you lower your gaze to her, "Twilight, if I can get a little colt and filly to bed I can definitely get you."
The lavender mare sighs as she stands from her seat, "I guess having a good night's sleep would help my judgment..." Her horn sparks up as she starts to lift the other stack of paper along with the tally sheet she seems to have made.
However you bring your magic over hers as you nod to the bed, "I got this..."
Twilight gives you a little smile as she starts to bring her trot up a little. You hold your gaze to her for a moment as you watch her faked bright and awake expression almost melt away into a sleepy eyed gaze.
The face brings a little bit of pride to you as you hold your head up high and start to organize the little stacks on the desk. It only takes you a moment to bring your magic down as you start to turn back towards the bed; but just as you do a strange sound flicks to your ear.
You look to the door as you just squint to it waiting for the sound to come up, Twilight does the same as she stops her easing into the bed, "What was that?"
There's a moment of silence to the room as you just listen, but you turn your head back to her with a slight smile as you speak up, "One of the castle's hidden doors opening." The comment brings a dumb smile to your face as you just brush off the sound as somepony else in the castle is walking around.
However just as you start to round the bed towards your spot the sound comes up a little louder, "Ssssrrrrrraaahhhh..."
Twilight brings herself out of the bed as she holds her head to the door, but before she can take a hoof forward you start back towards the door, "It's probably just somepony looking around the castle... I'll look."
Your voice only pauses the mare for a moment as she blinks to the idea of just sitting in the room. You both bring yourself to the door pretty fast as you open it still halfway expecting to just see somepony cleaning the floor or a guard pony dragging his armored boots to the floor.
But, none of these things come to view as you both just look to the back part of the throne room where your bedroom is located. The area outside of the door is dark with only the faint dull orange light of the large fire filled gold bowl like things that sit to either side of the carpet leading up towards the throne that faces away from you. However, just because you don't see anything doesn't change your thoughts as your eyes lock to a faint blue glow that pokes out behind the large throne that you stand behind.
Your mind quickly places the light chime of magic, and with it your legs start up as you begin to move yourself for a better look, "Hello?" A quick sound of hard fabric ripping comes to the room as you and Twilight quickly jump out to see the still dinner dressed white coated and blond maned stallion that stands in front of the now ripped open cushions of the large throne.
The sight of the stallion brings nothing but pure annoyance as you shift between the now ruined seat and the stallion in the room. "What are you doing?!" Your bellows round the room as you just stare to the stallion.
"It I can not have the throne no one can!" Blue Blood's answer confuses you as your eyes shift to the crinkled up and slightly old looking scroll that hovers next to him. With a burst of magic the scroll erupts in flames as it's remnants fall to the ground.
The bright flame that just flashed to the room quickly brings your instinctual magic up as you rush a small bolt towards the stallion.
However the purple light sent to Blue Blood parts to the unicorns own magic as it rushes towards you.
Just as your split spell slams randomly into the room you're struck by the blue light. But you are neither sent slamming back into the wall or knocked to your flank, instead your eyes go wide for a moment as a high pitched ring pops to your ears.
You jet your hoof to your head as you close one eye to try and stop the intense ringing, your motions quickly start Twilight's magic up as a bright and heavily loud bolt of cracking purple magic is sent relentlessly to the white stallion.
Without question Blue Blood's fancy and tailored suit like top is cinched as he's sent back hard to the floor.
Twilight quickly snaps her head to you as she speaks up, "That was a counter spell are you okay?"
Your head runs hot with rage as you try to listen to Twilight's voice through the screaming headache that has now come up. You hold your eyes to the groaning white stallion as you groan, "Ahhh! How long does this last?"
"Counter spells are created to just stun somepony." Twilight holds her hoof to your side as you slowly bring your own hoof to the ground as you shout to the down pony, "WHY?!"
Just as the shout comes down the doors to the throne room open up to the unarmored dark blue stallion and a few other guard ponies, "Is everything-..." His voice stops as he looks to Blue Blood.
Twilight brings her voice up as she holds her hoof out, "No, I think something is going on here. Blue Blood destroyed a scroll when we found him. I need you to make sure no pony leaves the castle."
StoneGem nods to the comment as one of the guard ponies behind him starts up out of the room. But Twilight doesn't stop her commands as she continues, "Make sure the Felice is still in Blue Blood's room."
StoneGem nods as he takes a step towards the still groaning stallion on the ground, "You mentioned a scroll Twilight?"
You continue to rub your head as you just try to listen to Twilight's voice, "Yes..." She turns her eyes to Blue Blood as she nods, "But there's no telling what it was for until he recovers." Her posture strengthens a little as she speaks up, "Put him in the castle's dungeon until he's ready to talk."
The word gives a cheerful smile to your face as you watch StoneGem and another stallion coming next to Blue Blood as they help the stallion to his hooves with their magic.
Twilight turns her attention back to you as she does you turn your back towards the room, but she doesn't close the door as she holds a sweet tone, "You should lay down, those spells take a while."
You try to nod to the comment but the pressure in your ears kinda stops you as you come to just sit on the side of the bed, "Ah...."
"Here..." Twilight's horn sparks up as she holds the low tone, "I'll help you get to sleep."
The word flicks your ear as you speak up, "What? What are you going to do?"
"I need to send a letter to Celestia, and somepony needs to be awake." The mare's words don't change your thoughts as you just look over the tired out mare's expression, "Twilight i'm not going to let you stay awake all-..."
Before you can bring your voice up the mare's horn building spell has come to your head as you feel your eyelids getting heavy. You feel Twilight's hooves come to your side as you feel yourself being lowered into the bed.
End of chapter 21
Chapter 10
Chapter 22 – Behind closed eyes
Twilight holds her eyes to you for a moment as she slowly watches her spell take hold over you, but the expertly executed spell only takes a few seconds for it to fully work.
"Twilight."
The stallion's voice behind the lavender mare turns her head as she looks to StoneGem who now continues to the mare's directed eyes, "Is everything alright? We can get a doctor from the city."
"No." Twilight's formal voice now comes back full force as she straightens her posture, "That won't be necessary and we can't afford to have the city in a panic." The mare brings her trot up towards the throne room that now starts to brighten to the fire bowls that now start to be rekindled.
A slight laugh comes from StoneGem as he shakes his head a little, "I have to say... You are not the little filly clinging to Shining's leg like I remember."
Twilight gives a little giggle to the comment as her trot through the throne room continues, "We all grow up at some point StoneGem."
The entrance hall to the castle starts to come to the two ponies hooves as the dark blue stallion nods his head, "Correct you are Twilight." As his words and StoneGem's horn comes up as Twilight's figure quickly comes wrapped under the stallion's magic.
Her legs are bound as she falls to her side on the hard multi-colored stone floor with a thud, "Ah!"
Twilight's mouth quickly comes wrapped to the magic as Stone Gem trots next to her, "Sorry Twilight nothing personal."
The sound of hooves comes to the room as Twilight's breathing turns to a panic and muffled scream for you.
The sound of hooves gets closer as Twilight turns her eyes to the on coming ponies, however as she looks the figure in front of her over her eyes widen.
"Hello Twilight..." The sweet and calming tone stabs to the lavender mare's confusion as her eyes start to shutter to the tall white mare in front of her.
"...I see my most faithful student followed up on my letter with the haste I expected." Celestia holds her smile as she lowers her head, "Do you believe I would allow such a threat to my rule?"
The muffled screams of the lavender mare only tighten the magical hold around her mouth as the tall white coated mare continues, "You should save your breath for when you see what's happened to Violet and Aerolight-..."
The names quickly shake you from the magically induced sleep as you shake with a cold sweat heavy to your coat.
Your eyes quickly dart around the morning light drenched room as the sound of your heart pounds to your throat.
"Whoa...You okay?"
The boyish voice quickly snaps your eyes as you turn to the light purple dragon sitting in the comfortable chair near the bookshelves.
"Twilight, wheres Celestia what happened?!"
Your loud and slightly panted tone widens Spike's eyes as he stands from his seat and speaks up, "Whoa whoa, slow down-.."
You start to throw the covers from your body as you speak up, "C-celestia where is she!"
"I-I don't on her way, she only got the letter a little while ago..." Spike stutter voice and confusion drenched face slowly start to bring your mind from your dream as you take a deep breath and move your hooves to your face.
It's at this point the pouding to your head starts to come back.
"Twilight told me to make sure you got up ok and-..." Spike voice brings yours up as you cut him off and look around the room, "Where is she?"
"Uh..." Spike looks to the door for a moment as he continues, "...I think she had to go and talk to some ponies, it sounds like what Blue Blood did didn't just stay to the castle's knowledge."
You slowly start to sink your body back to the bed as you take another deep breath.
Spike looks you over as he squints to you, "I know magic does weird things when you're sleeping but what was all that about?"
A faint laugh rolls from you as you speak up, "Spike...When is anything simple." The light chuckle continues as you shake your still throbbing head, note to self don't wake up and scream.
You sit up a little as you sigh.
"Hey, you want a gem to suck on?" Spike quickly moves back to the seat as he pulls a bowl of multicolored stone up, "They always help me feel better."
You blink to the comment as you wave your hoof to it, "I'm good..." You shift your eyes to the bottle of wine near the other side of the room as you think to yourself, does this make me an alcoholic? With the thought in mind you wiggle your hoof towards the bottle as you speak up, "Could you hoof me that with a glass?"
Spike turns to your point as he starts to move towards the bottle, "Uh sure..." He take the bottle in claw with a glass that was next to it as he comes over to you.
You take the bottle in hoof just hoping not to drop it as you ease the glass under it and begin to pour, "Let's see if Blue Blood's little brand is as good as he thought it would be."
You float the bottle to the end table near you as you float up the almost medicine sized pour of dark red wine. You quickly take the drink down as you move the glass next to the bottle, the flavor is sweet and goes down pretty easy but it's the after taste of mint that really hits against your tongue.
"Mmh..." You turn to Spike as you suck your teeth a little, "I should have brushed my teeth first."
As your comment ends the door to the room comes open as the lavender mare comes trotting in with a few pieces of paper floating next to her. It only takes her a split second to lock eyes with you as she speaks up, "How are you feeling?"
You hold your voice back as you just look over the mare, her expression strangely doesn't have a tired look to it and there's no stress to it which gives you a slight reassure you that everything that happened earlier was just a dream. But your eyes only stay to the mare's face for a moment as you drift them to the pink glowing amulet around her neck that drapes down to the regal looking cloak StoneGem gave you yesterday, "I'm fine... How about you?"
Twilight hoovers the papers a little lower as she nods, "Good." She shifts her eyes to her body as she speaks up, "Hope you don't mind me using the cloak, some ponies from the city where asking questions an StoneGem said it might make them feel better if they saw somepony playing the part of a leader."
You nod to the comment as you speak up, "Blue Blood?"
"Blue Blood still won't talk, and his... Friend, has no idea why he would do what he did." Twilight gives a little laugh as she shakes her head, "She didn't even know Blue Blood left the room. But I made sure all the guest are confined to the castle until Blue Blood speak up."
As Twilight's voice comes down you look her over again as you speak up, "No wonder Celestia is afraid of you..."
Your comment blinks Twilight's eyes but before she can question it StoneGem has come up behind her in the door. His sight locks your eyes as he nods between you two, "Sorry to bother you, but Blue Blood is ready to talk."
Twilight turns around to the comment as she speak up, "Good then le-..."
StoneGem holds his hoof out as he stops her, "H-he said he'd only talk to you." StoneGem nods to you as he waits for a reply.
However you just blink to the statement as you speak up, "What?"
"Blue Blood refuses to talk to anypony else but you. He wouldn't say why."
You pause for the moment but you bring yourself up from the bed as you speak up, "Where is he?"
StoneGem holds his hoof to the door as his posture tightens, "He's being held in the castle dungeon per Twilight's request."
You bring your trot up as you nod, "Alright... Show me." A little bit of the dream starts to play back in your mind as you bring yourself to trot next to the armored stallion as you both begin to trot into the now well lit throne room.
But you keep the thoughts at bay as you follow after the stallion's lead. The castle is now bustling with guards that you've never seen before, in fact the nameless ponies that trot past you actually start to bring a question to your mind as to how they could all even stay in the castle.
The sight of most of the ponies is cut off as a white coated and blond maned mare being escorted by a armor dressed pony comes up to you, "You're okay!" It takes you a moment to place the frazzle maned mare but you finally do as you give a simple nod.
The mare returns the nod as she shakes her head, "I-i'm so sorry Bluey did what he did, he just gets so worked up about somethings.-..."
StoneGem brings his voice up as he cuts in, "I'm sorry Felice, we have something to do right now, if you'll excuse us."
You follow the stallion's turn into a tighter hallway that starts to descend a little. It only takes you a moment to reach the bottom floor of the castle as you now see how there could be so many ponies.
The halls that you pass my not be as elegant as above but they definitely still have their own regal feel to them.
Your eyes turn to a large dark wooden door at the end of the next right turn hall.
StoneGem's horn sparks up as his voice rings out, "The dungeon here is a little different than Canterlot’s but it's all pretty much the same."
You nod to the comment as you try to lighten the darker feel of the room you now pass into, "Canterlot’s is a little brighter."
Your comment flicks the stallions ear as he looks to you for a second, but he doesn't bring his voice up as a few iron bar cell doors come into view. The trot comes to it's end as you come to stand in front of the last cell in the room.
A little cough comes up from you as you stop your trot in the musty old underbelly of the castle.
"Alright Blue Blood." StoneGem stands next to you as you both look to the white stallion who stands in the dusty cell's floor. The fancy dinner party clothing he had on no longer is around his now slightly yellowish white coat and the uncombed blond mane almost gives the snobby pony a down to earth look.
But the voice that rings out is nothing like his look as the still uppity tone comes out, "I said alone."
StoneGem gives you a little glance as he starts to trot back towards the door.
As the armored stallion moves from sight and the sound of his hooves leave the area Blue Blood quickly jumps to the iron bars as his tone completely alters, "You have to help me!"
You blink to the rushed voice as you think for something to say, your annoyance to the stallion slightly melts away as you look over his strangely pleading eyes, "Why?"
Blue Blood tries to press his head out of the bars as he turns his eyes down the hall, "I-I know you will believe me. We have been through so much ri-right mud pon-...I mean friend." A smile cracks across his face as he looks you over.
The choice in words doesn't amuse you as you speak up, "I don't like you Blue Blood."
"Yes yes! I know that is why you must believe me!" Blue Blood wiggles his hoof out a little through the slightly rusty bars as he nods, "You know I would never be interested in a throne over seeing these...these filthy ponies, y-you know I would never! Destroy a throne! Or ever harm anypony."
The whiny tone starts to work on you a little but you just squint to the stallion in front of you as you think over the last comment, "Never harm anypony? You tried to keep me from my wedding?"
Blue Blood's eyes widen as he nods, "Yes! Keep you, by burning the ticket. I would never fight!"
You look over the stallion silently as the smile to his face weakens, "Y-you believe me yes? You have to! Look at me!" He takes a hoof back from the bars as he rolls his hoof to his coat, "I-I am a covered in filth! Believe me! Let me go!"
You harden your stare as you speak up, "Why would we let you go?"
Blue Blood's voice falls as he just pants wide eyed to you, "Y-you didn't stop her?" The words halt any response from you as Blue Blood starts to panic trot in his small cell, "YOU stop me but not her!"
"Who-..."
"The mare I was with, the changeling!" Blue Blood slightly bangs his hoof to the cell as he continues, "It's a changeling! The filthy mud pony mare is a changeling! The necklace thing she gave me was not a mood necklace at all." Blue Blood's rant continues as he stares you down, "How can you have gotten so revered and yet not seen the obvious?! That scroll you all keep asking me about is a list of what ponies are changelings!"
You stand there as your mind races, the necklace are changelings... You stare off into space as you play back everypony you've seen with these necklaces for just the last few days. However, your mind is cut from it's run as a slight coughing fit hits you.
The coughing shifts your stance a little as you lean to one side for a moment.
Blue Blood's voice lowers as he speaks up, "The wine... You didn't drink it did you?"
You turn your eyes to him as you clear your closing throat, but you don't say anything as you quickly bring your trot up towards the door at the end of the hall. Your slight gallop is wobbly to say the least but you focus on just what you need to do as you ignore the call behind you.
"What! You cannot leave Prince Blue Blood in this place?!"
You send the door flying open as you turn your head to StoneGem and the other armor dressed mare next to him as you speak up, "The mare, is a changeling." You don't wait for a response as you quickly bring your trot up towards the hall you came into though.
StoneGem blinks to the words as he watches you slightly stumble down the hall, although he's slow to move he starts up as he turns to the pony in front of him, "Find her."
End of chapter 22
Chapter 11
Chapter 23 – It's all coming back to you
Your legs make quick work of the castle's stairs up as you bring yourself to the entrance of the throne room.
However, you're brought to a halt all the same as you look over the slightly gathered ponies that stand in front of the throne room's closed doors.
Your nostrils have started to become stuffy, with what you don't know either way you now try to slow your breathing that expels from your mouth as you quickly move to the light purple dragon that stands outside of the door, "What's wrong?"
"Twilight said she needs us out for a minute and now she won't let anypony in." Spike shakes his head as he looks to you with a slightly rushed tone, "Is everything alright?"
You turn your head to the door and then to the few ponies that mutter around you as you look them over, there not all guard ponies and the ones who are, are not unicorns. But the thing they all have in common is that they all still look to you as they wait for you to speak up, "Tell StoneGem not to come in."
The ponies blink to the comment but they nod all the same as you close your eyes and just bring up the sight of the throne room to your mind. The rush of your magic and poof of your spell only last a second as you teleport inside of the room.
"There you are."
Twilight's voice brings your eyes open and your head to her as you look over the lavender mare sitting in the tiered open throne.
Your eyes drift to the bright green amulet around her neck as you pause not knowing how to proceed from here.
The pause in your response brings Twilight’s voice up as the lavender mare cocks her head to one side as her mane slightly droops down, "Quite now I see?"
You can't bring yourself to speak, both from your tightening throat and because of the fact you don't want to even give a thought to the lavender mare in front of you. However you bring your voice up as you clear your throat, "Twilight... Take the necklace off."
A little giggle rolls from the mare as her still soft purple eyes hold to you, "I think it looks good on me. Don't you?"
The mare's voice has not changed and it does not have the formal tone your not use to... Instead it's the same voice you've heard every day and every morning, you speak up again a little lower as you turn fully to her, "Twilight you need to take it off."
Twilight straightens her posture as she shakes her head, "No."
You clear your throat again as you take a step closer towards the throne, "Twilight I-..."
Your voice is cut off as a quick bolt of magic slams into the floor in front of you.
"That's Princess Twilight..." Her horn still holds the purple glow to it as her eyes slightly sharpen to you, "OR at least it would be Princess Twilight."
The angry tone from the mare doesn't annoy you and it doesn't make you mad, instead you just stare to the love of your life as you just listen to her angry voice continuing, "...I worked my whole life for Celestia's school. I did everything asked of me, and I did everything for the greater good of Equestria."
Twilight's horn sparks up a little more to her racing tone as the rant continues, "But nooo... I just had to try and make Equestria safer...I just had to find that spell."
The lavender mare shakes her head as the glow to the amulet continues to rage on, "I-I just had to meet you!" Her hoof raises as her eyes harden to you.
Your breathing and muscles continue to weaken, both physically and mentally as you just stare to the lavender mare, knowing that you could never do anything to hurt her.
"...You. Everything. Gone. Just gone, thrown away." Twilight slams her hoof back to her as she shakes her head, "A-all of my hard work and dedication."
Her own voice starts to shake as she continues, "...I would have been a Princess, I would have been what I was destined to be. B-but you and-and Violet had to ruin it!"
You stare to her as you notice a slight tear coming to her eye, but it's not anger. The glistening water in her now puffing eyes is simply disgust to her own words. But the green raging necklace continues to drive her on as she speaks up, "...And it never was enough for you. Even when I threw away my crown and wings it wasn't enough. Oh no."
The sight of the struggling mare to her own words starts to quiver your lips as you watch her forcing herself just to speak, "...Y-you just had to ruin my life more, with Aerolight."
Your own building weakness runs rampant to the sight of the red puffy eyed mare as her voice like the building spell to her horn rings out, "You were never happy. That's why when Celestia asked us here I knew oh I knew! My last chance to fulfill my destiny. But you just had to ruin it again..."
Twilight's body starts to tremble as she continues, "You never loved me, tell me, was last night better than Rainbow?"
Your silences finally pushes the lavender mare over the edge as she speaks up, "WHY don't you say something!?"
You shake your head as you no longer try to hide the tears in your own eyes as you speak up, "I never stopped loving you... Now please Twilight don't cry anymore."
The words send a whimper from Twilight's mouth as the amulet to her neck now almost rings out with it's own magic, "You know...She said what I had to do." Her lips quiver as the magic to her horn chimes out, "She said I had to kill you."
You give a little smile as you realize the numbness already building to your legs, "I'm already dead then." You close your eyes as you strengthen your posture.
Twilight's head trembles as her horn slowly starts to lower towards you.
However just before her spell is sent to you, you collapse to the ground no longer able to stand.
Twilight yells your name as the amulet around her snaps with a loud and powerful chime of magic. The spell that was building to her horn is dropped as she jumps from the throne and gallops towards you.
But the sound of her hooves starts to echo out of your mind as you just stare up to the ceiling as your eyesight starts to fade in and out with every pulse of your heart.
End of chapter 23
Could be a chance for love
Chapter 24 – Just about to be perception
(Few minutes earlier)
StoneGem's gallop up the stairs comes to an end as he swings his head around the two hallways trying to decide where to go. But before he can decide the other guard pony that followed him up has already started down the hall on his left.
Which the choice now made the dark blue coated unicorn bring his speedy pace back up as he gallops down the hall.
StoneGem's trot doesn't last long though as he swings his head to the mass of ponies in front of the closed throne room doors, "What's going on here? Who's in there?"
One of the armor earth ponies quickly turns his head as his voice rings out, "Twilight has locked herself in the room and her husband has asked us to stay out."
StoneGem turns his eyes to the door for a second but he quickly sparks up with another mission, "Where is Felice? Where did she go?"
"T-the dining hall sir, but shouldn't we-..." StoneGem doesn't waste a moment as he brings his trot up, "Follow me."
The stallion and another guard pony follows after StoneGem as his quick gallop makes short work to the castle's hallways as he burst into the dining hall's open area.
At the table there sits three ponies, but for StoneGem his eyes only lock to the white coated mare as he takes on a commanding voice, "By the power given to me by acting Captain of The Guard for Vanhoover I hereby place you under arrest for conspiracy against the greater good of Equestria and it's citizens."
The lord and lady of Trottingham who sit just across the table hold their eyes open wide as they just stare to Stone Gem. However the white mare across from them just gives a little laugh as she rolls her hoof, "Oh really? Conspiracy against the greater good? Am I not a citizen of Equestria?"
StoneGem takes a step forward as he nods to the escort pony behind Felice.
The movement of the stallion behind her drains the smile from her face as she nods, "I see we are not... So be it." As her words end a flash of green magic comes to the earth pony's body as she stands from the chair and knocks the stallion behind her to his back.
Felice's white coat stays the same but her facial features and mane's shape alters as she quickly stands. The new white unicorn proudly stands as her horn glows bright, "I am the Countess of the changelings current ruler, and I am not bound by your petty laws!" A bright bolt of magic is sent through the room towards StoneGem.
The plates on the table rattle to the magic and the other mare still sitting down screams to the bolt as it smashes into a quick wall of magic StoneGem created.
With a quick retaliation StoneGem sends all that he can muster at the moment as a light bolt of magic rushes towards the mare.
It makes it's contact with her coat and she's sent to her back as she slightly bangs against the floor. StoneGem blinks to the successful hit as he stares to the downed mare, however he waste no time as he points to her, "Get a horn ban on her and lock her in the dungeon until Celestia arrives."
The two ponies that he came in with quickly jump to action as they hold their magic to the mare they now have in their control.
StoneGem holds his eyes to the mare as she's brought back to her weak hooves.
The Countess pants hard as she just looks to the stallion, "My goal has already been fulfilled."
"StoneGem, StoneGem!" A mare gallops to the doorway as she quickly speaks up, "Something has happened in the throne room!"
(Across Equestria, a few hours later)
The late morning sun shines bright to Canterlot's light cheerfully colored buildings, today is a rather unusually warm day for winter and because of this fact a few extra ponies now wonder down it's main street.
However the light orange pegasus is clueless to the world of Equestria as he continues to trot down the road as he recites the mantra he created last night for confidence for today. His voice is low, stuttery and only to himself as he runs through it, "...Hey Violet, just wanted to tell you I been thinking about you alot-...No. Hey V-violet I was wondering if you- No.. Vi-violet, would you.."
Sparky shakes his head as he lets out a little sigh, "Come on Sparky, it's not like Equestria is going to collapse if she says no..." His own words widens his eyes as he stare to the library coming in to view, "B-but what if she does say no..."
The stallion trots slowly as his heart begins to thump to his chest and sweat starts to roll to his inner legs.
The library has come now into hooves length whether the young stallion wants it or not, with one last breath Sparky opens the door as he continues to lightly repeat the things in his mind for the right thing to say.
"Can I help you?"
Sparky jumps to the older mare's voice as he looks to the librarian mare, "Um...H-has Violet Sparkle come in yet?"
The mare squints to the comment as she slowly shakes her head, "N-no, I don't believe she has. Although a stallion did come in and pick up her mail a few minutes ago." The older mare gives a little smile to Sparky as she continues, "Charming young fellow, you must have competition."
Sparky blinks to the comment as he stutters out a question, "A stallion came to get her mail?"
"Mhmm." The mare nods as she trots a little towards the library check out desk, "It's nice to see young stallions still acting like gentlecolts."
Before the mare can continue talking, Sparky rings his voice out, "Ya, um... I need to get going."
End of chapter 24
Chapter 25 – Could Be a chance at love
The young stallion's trot to the hotel has come to it's end quick as he passes into the lobby of the building. Sparky holds his head from the ponies at the reception desk as he just holds his eyes to the rapidly approaching staircase. Since he left the library the thoughts about actually not being able to tell Violet how he feels or worse her not care have grown, but even though these forbearing feelings have grown so to has his determination to speak his mind.
Sparky holds his head up high as he trots up almost flies himself up the stairs, unlike last night the hallway he now turns to no longer brings a cold sweat to his coat, instead a fire just burns to the young stallions eyes as he brings himself to the door.
For a split second he pauses as he just stares to the wood of the door, but the moment of doubt passes as he swings the door open and takes a large step inside, "V-violet I love you!"
The rush of adrenalin and arrogance that drove the bold comment from the shy stallion quickly falters as his eyes turn to a sleek black coated slightly taller blueish green eyed bug winged unicorn. In front of this pony sits a dull light purple mare whose eyes glow with a faint green shine.
"Oh, that's sweet." The voice has a strangely regal and feminine tone to it as the taller pony standing in the room turns itself towards Sparky all the while as it's lengthy serpent like tongue flicks a little through it's narrowed fanged snout.
Before Sparky can even scream out the long horn of the pony chimes out as a green rim of magic runs to the room and slams the door shut.
Around Sparky's legs and wings a binding tightness takes hold as he drops to his left side as he just stares up towards the black creature, "WHO ARE YOU!?!"
The changeling gives a little laugh as it's tone starts to take on a southern like drall, "Why, i'm no pony special..." The sleek black coat starts to shift to a tan like color as Sparky's eyes widen to the familiar tan stallion, "...I'm just a new student looking for a little help in class."
Asher's horn sparks up the scarf from the bed as he wraps it around his neck to cover the what looks like burn spot on the left of his chest.
Sparky now flails his head towards the door as he screams up, "HELP! Anypony!? He-.."
Asher's horn glows a little with a green like chime as he takes in an almost sensual moan, "Ah...You two really are chalked full of emotion. Tell me who was that yell for help really for?"
Sparky's eyes swing to Violet's dull expression as a fire burns to his eyes, "What have you done to her!" A faint orange glow comes to Sparky's wings as he impatiently waits for a response.
Asher holds his eye to the pegasus's wings as he trots a little over to him, "You know, I rather enjoyed our little chattes me and Violet had." He pokes his head a little closer to the stallion as his magic tightens to around Sparky's wings.
The tightening magic runs a sharp pain up Sparky's back as the orange magic fades from his feathers, "AHH!"
Sparky holds the cry of pain as he just looks up to Asher, "W-what do you want?"
The comment blinks Sparky's eyes as he just listens to the stallion, "You see Sparky for too long we changelings have been hunted down, everypony believes we're evil and want nothing but destruction." Asher shake his head, "We want to live Sparky, we no longer won't to worry..."
Asher holds the smile as he starts to stir a little emotion in Sparky's stare, "...We know you would help us Sparky, you must understand that not all evil of old is truly evil. Help us like you did Sombra..."
Sparky thinks over the words as he just stares to Asher's strangely calming expression, "W-what do you need?"
The grin widens to Asher as he continues, "There is something in the Canterlot Archives, something that will help our race find its way to peace-..."
"Release Violet." Sparky's comment through Asher's calmed voice as the tan stallion gives a friendly little chuckle.
The tan stallion takes his head from Sparky as he turns to Violet, "Isn't fate strange? We sent out these necklaces to every pony of power we could safely deliver them to..." Asher brings his head back to Sparky as he continues, "We never even planned for the destroyer's daughter to be involved."
Sparky's voice heightens a little as he speaks up, "I agree to help, let her go."
Asher holds a slight grin as the low chime to his horn continues to chime, he stays silent for the moment as he looks over the light orange stallion.
"Heres the thing Sparky... We never planned for Violet to get a necklace, but seeing as how she did we can use her to help." Asher pauses as he thinks over the word, "...Violet's magic will be greatly beneficial."
"What magic?" Sparky's words bring a quick response from Asher as he nods, "The magic would be reconstruction summoning." Asher cocks his head as he chuckles, "I believe Sombra gave you some experience with this."
Sparky shakes his head as best he can as he runs out his comment, "No. No, you can't ask her to do that it's too strong she could get hurt."
Asher cocks his head as he looks to Sparky a little confused, "I'm sorry... Did I lead you to believe that I didn't know that?"
The comment flicks Sparky's ear as he watches the stallion trotting towards Violet, "But I agreed to help..." The words don't turn Asher's head as he speaks up a little louder, "But I agreed to help!"
A faint chuckle comes from Asher as he speaks up, "Come Violet, I believe it's time to go." To the words Violet stands from the bed without even a second look to the stallion bound to the floor.
Sparky's heat much like his voice rages on as he speaks up, ""I agreed! Let her go."Shhh please Sparky... A changeling can only bear so much emotion in one session."
"Mpffh!!" Sparky's eyes widen as he tries to scream to the stallion.
"Don't worry Sparky, nothing will happen to you." Asher bends his head down as the regal feminine voice comes back to him, "I kinda always liked pushovers." The tan stallion quickly presses his lips to Sparky's as the green glowing horn continues to ring out.
The forced kiss ends fast as the tan stallion brings his head up, "Goodbye Sparky." As the words end the spell building to the stallion's horn shoots out to Sparky as his head flops to the hard floor in a faint.
Asher turns his head to Violet as the southern speech comes back to his voice up, "Lets take a walk Violet."
The light purple mare nods to the command as she trots to the door to open it, as the door opens the magic to the room pops with a low chime as Asher follows after Violet and into the hallway.
End of chapter 25
Chapter 26 – How did you say it was going ponyboy?
"...When do we tell her?" The low voice doesn't turn the tall white mare's head as she continues to look towards the bed where you were brought to rest.
"Princess Celestia?"
StoneGem's voice turns the mare's head as she finally nods, "I believe now would be best... We should not keep her waiting any longer."
"Yes Princess." As the stallion's voice comes down he turns to the closed bedroom door as he opens it.
The slight creak of the door halts Twilight's trot as she snaps her gaze to the stallion that now steps out. But no words ring from her mouth as she just waits ear perked high towards the ceiling as she awaits the stallion's voice.
"Twilight you can come in now." StoneGem takes a step aside as the lavender mare tries to search the stallion's face for an answer.
However the quick look over of the stallion is brought to an end as Twilight turns her head to where you lay on the bed and then quickly to Celestia, "D-did it work?"
"...That depends on what she did."
The groggy voice from the bed sends Twilight's hooves into a quick gallop as she rush to your side with a tight embrace.
But just as her hooves wrap to your coat a shock of pain runs through your body as you clench your teeth together hard.
Twilight feels your body tense up as she tries to compose herself, "S-sorry sorry..."
Celestia brings her voice up as she trots a little closer to Twilight, "The poison you drank in the wine was derived from a lupine plant...It causes spasms in the mussels and will lead to a collapse of the throat."
You take a deep coughing breath as you continue to hold your eyes shut.
The conversation chimes around the room beside you as StoneGem speaks up, "It seems that all of Blue Blood's wine was tainted. The lord of Rain-VerFall was found in his room this morning."
StoneGem shakes his head as he looks you over, "Truthfully I do not understand how you're alive. The wine was almost completely made of the plant, any normal pony would have suffocated within moments."
The words brings your eyes open as you now stare up towards the ceiling, however Twilight's voice is the one to ring up as she tightens the hoof that's still wrapped around yours, "S-so is there anything wrong?"
StoneGem goes silent as Celestia brings her voice up, "It's too early to tell, the poison's effects could be long term. But for now, there is nothing to worry about."
A coughing laugh rolls from you as you're still groggy mind sparks up a thought, "I've died twice already right? And I've lost part of my ear, whats a little *cough* poison." You turn your head to Twilight as your eyesight blurs a little. However as you look her over you bring your voice up, "Violet! The necklace!"
As the words come to an end you try to move yourself from the bed, but you're unable to move from it as Twilight holds you down, her voice still holds an emotional tone but her take charge attitude has come up as she holds you, "We already sent a letter...She sent a reply a little while ago. She's fine."
You blink to the comment almost unable to believe it as you shift your eyes to Celestia, but the always calm looking mare just runs her eyes over you with an almost emotionless face, "The mare with Blue Blood is the changeling queen. There is nothing more to worry about.-..." Nothing more to worry about. The words tumble in your mind as you just stare to the white mare next to the bed. "Now I suggest you get some rest, you two can leave tomorrow after a good night sleep." The mare looks you over again as she shifts to Twilight, "I thank you both for what you did here."
As the mare gives a little nod as she turns towards the door, to her trot StoneGem moves from the room. However before she can leave you bring your voice up, "Celestia..."
A thought now burns to your mind as you try to push yourself up from the bed, "Blue Blood said he did what he did because he was mad about not getting the throne." Twilight tries to ease you back to the bed as you quickly rush your voice up, "H-he said something completely different than the real reason."
Celestia blinks to the slight bit of nonsense as your emotions run a little high, "H-how do we know Violet didn't send a letter with the necklace on?"
The white mare stares to you for the moment in silence, however her silence brings Twilight's voice up as she turns to her, "C-can you tell Luna to check on her?"
Celestia nods to the comment as she answers the request, "I will tell my sister to check up on Violet, Luna is in charge of the school so it will be no problem."
You slowly start to give into Twilight's push as the tall mare moves from the room. As Celestia leaves the bedroom the door closes behind her and you now turn to Twilight as her voice comes up.
"You should get some rest."
The words don't stay to your mind as you look over the wet fur around her soft purple eyes, "Twilight... Who did you pick for the ruler here?"
Twilight squints to the comment a little confused as she stays silent.
You look her over in the silent moment as the thoughts of your last memory flood into your mind, "I know you-..."
Her hoof comes over your mouth as she shakes her head, "Celestia taught me so much as her student." She holds her smile as she brings her head a little closer to yours, "...But nothing more important to me then to enjoy life. I love you, and nothing that has happened to me would change that."
You ease your head a little as Twilight plants a slight kiss to your head, "Get some rest, we'll see Violet and Aerolight soon."
As the lavender mare trots towards the door you slowly start to turn your head towards the window as you look over the outside world with a slightly uneasy thought, nothing to worry about.
(Across Equestria)
The warm winter day's sun runs through the sparse clouds above the city's street as Asher continues to trot next to the light purple mare.
Violet's eyes don't have a prominent glow to them, but anypony who even looks in the direction of there trot has been immediately distracted by the tan stallion with a simple good after noon.
However, the true test now lays only a few hooves away as Asher takes a slightly fast paced trot forward towards the guard pony stationed outside of the castle's lowered drawbridge, "Good After noon."
The guard pony's attention shifts to the stallion's comment as he looks the stallion over, "Hello Asher..." He turns his eyes to Violet as she halts her trot with her head still directly pinned to the road in front of her.
"Violet is with me." Asher takes a step in front of her as he continues, "Now if you excuse me we have to study for the midterm. Ha-ha, never done huh?"
The guard pony gives a simple nod to the comment as Asher and Violet direct there trot towards the little side road of the courtyard.
Asher turns his eyes over the white and gold dome building in front of him as a smile come to his face at the sight of the two flags with Celestia and Luna's insignia. The smile holds as the tan stallion brings his eyes down to the three bright armored ponies at the doors entrance.
The large stallion in the middle of the group turns his head to Asher's trot as he speaks up, "Halt, no pony is allowed to-ugff~"
One the ponies quickly takes the helmet from his head and now has been bashed to the back of the stallion's head.
The larger stallion is dropped to the ground as Asher nods to the other pony at the door who now opens the building's gate.
"I trust you have had no problems?" Asher shifts his eyes to the stallion on his left who now drags the knocked out stallion into the bushes.
As the darker inside of the building comes over the tan stallion's coat his southern voice and coloring begin to shift as his eyes start to glow green, "Now, lets see if Discord told us the truth."
End of chapter 26
Chapter 27 – By mind and body
A high pitched magical chime bounces to the room as Sparky rapidly blinks his eyes to the white stone floor he lays on. However, before his mind could uncover the reason he's been laying on the ground, or how long he's been laying on the ground..
"Sparky are you okay?" A crystal hoof comes to Sparky's side as the mare next to hims tries to bring the stallion to his hooves.
Sparky's mind still lays dormant from the magic as he just speaks up, "Why are you here?"
Starlight blinks too his comment as her voice takes on a more confused and quicker paced tone, "What am I doing here? What are you doing here? And where's Violet she never came to school today?"
The name snaps Sparky's mind back to it's panic as his wings flare out, "Violet!" Sparky gallops himself towards the window as he flings it open.
"Wait!" Starlight's horn sparks up as her magic wraps to Sparky's tail, "What's going on?"
The stallion struggles to the hold on his tail as he runs his voice up, "Changelings! The archives, I need to get over there."
"Sparky you're not making any sense." Starlight slowly starts to lower the hold to the stallion's tail as she tries to think over the comment, but the weaker hold brings Sparky out of the door as he pulls a little mane from his tail. Starlight only sees a glimpse of the stallion as she gallops towards the window, "Wait Sparky!?"
No answer comes from the stallion as she's just left to stare out over the city's empty sky.
Sparky's flight over the city of Canterlot is fueled by both fear, anger and determination. Every flap of the wing sends a chill of air over his heating body, below the young pegasus there trots hundreds of ponies just rolling on through their daily routine.
The flight has been held at the fastest speed the young pegasus has ever managed, but even as the castle's tall towers start to come into view he still feels as if he's not moving at all.
"HEY!"
The deep stallions voice a little behind him snaps Sparky's locked gaze as he turns to an armored pegasus flying a little behind him, "You are flying into restricted airspace, stop your flight!"
Sparky ignores the order for the moment as the castle's courtyard comes within a few flaps of himself, but he slowly starts to descend his flight as he comes down in front of the castle's lowered drawbridge.
Just as he sets his panting body to the ground the stallion behind him comes next to him, "What are you doing?"
Despite the stallion's commanding voice Sparky trots a little closer towards the courtyard's entrance until the unicorn in front blocks him.
"I asked you a question." The pegasus comes in front of Sparky as he holds his hard eyed gaze.
Sparky's voice is panting and his heart racing along with his mind with the thought of stopping being the wrong thing to do, "T-there are changelings in the Canterlot archives."
The words squint the pegasus's eyes a little more as he looks over the young stallion in front of him, "Son have you been experimenting with any moon dust lately?"
"YOU have to listen to me!" Sparky's own raised voice and hard tone strikes the young stallion as foreign as he just stares to the pegasus that now takes a step forward.
"I think you need to come with me."
Sparky swallows hard as he feels the warmth coming to his wings, however before he follow through with his unplanned attempt at being a hero a voice comes up.
"What's going on here?"
The two stallions turn to a slightly larger stallion as the unicorn at the gate speaks up, "Nothing sir, just a crazed pony."
Sparky looks over the older stallion as he takes a step closer, "There's changelings in the archives!"
The stallion just blinks to Sparky as he gives a little, "Hm..."
Sparky's comment has brought the pegasus's hoof over his back as he presses his wings down a little, "Don't worry sir, we'll take care of this."
A faint pained groan comes from Sparky as the magic to his wings is chased away from his body.
The larger stallion brings his hoof up as he rings his voice out, "Now now, there doesn't need to be any problem here."
"Sir?"
"If this young stallion believes there to be changelings in the archives we should prove him wrong." A faint chuckle comes up from the stallion as he continues, "Otherwise it will only be a matter of time before rumors of a conspiracy begin to spread."
The two younger guards just blink to the comment as the stallion beacons his hoof to Sparky, "I'll take him."
"But sir-..."
The stallion cuts the voice off as he looks over the young and shrimpy looking light orange stallion in front of him, "I don't believe i'll have a problem."
"Yes sir..." The hoof around Sparky's wings is removed as Sparky starts to bring himself a little closer to the large stallion on the bridge.
"Now, time to see these changelings right?" The stallion brings his trot up just as Sparky brings himself next to him. The slower trot is nerve racking to say the least, but Sparky doesn't break away from the unicorn knowing that if he did the whole castle would come alive.
The dome building starts to come into view down the slightly winding path, Sparky swallows to the building's sight as he turns to the large stallion.
But no emotion is shown to his face as his eyes just lock to the building, however Sparky's gaze turns the stallion's head as he speaks up, "Don't wander off now." The stallion's horn comes up with a faint blue glow as the door to the Canterlot archives comes open.
Sparky is the first to trot inside as he quickly runs his eyes around the inside of the building, but nothing but the smell of dust and the sight of old books or scrolls comes to his senses.
The sound of the door closing behind Sparky brings only the dim light of archives as the only source of light.
"I think you've seen enough." Sparky turns his head back to the smiling stallion as he notices the stallions darkening coat.
Sparky's eyes widen as he quickly snaps his wings into action as he shoots up towards the height of the dome building. The moment he moved a bolt of magic has rushed towards the floor where Sparky once stood.
The magic that has just slammed into the pony-less floor now brings a shriek from the sleek black and smaller sized changeling that now stands where the guard unicorn once stood. "EkkkRRR!"
The high pitched screech turns Sparky as he quickly flaps his wings hard towards the screaming changeling.
The boom of Sparky's orange magic throws the books and scrolls from the shelves where the changeling stood.
But the hard to aim bolt of magic missed it's target as the shining blue eyes of the changeling turns to Sparky with a smile. A sickening sound of flesh breaking runs through the room as the unicorn changeling arches it's back to reveal dark black bug like wings.
Before Sparky can muster another bolt of magic the changeling has lunged itself into dust filled air as it's fangs direct towards the light orange pegasus.
Sparky quickly and successfully dodges the poorly flying changing, but the miss of it's target does little to stop the nimble little bug pony as it quickly kicks it legs to the ceiling of the dome to jet itself faster towards Sparky.
The unforgiving bright blue eyes of the changeling pierce through Sparky's ability to drum up any concentration for a spell, instead Sparky just cocks his rear legs back.
"EeEekkkkrrRRR-Er..." The ear pounding shriek is cut from the dorm room as Sparky's hooves connect full force to the changeling's body.
Sparky's now pointed down wings lose their balance as he falls to the book cluttered ground. The changeling fares much worse as it's sent knocking into another tightly packed bookshelf, it's impact topples over most of the dusty items on it as the changeling is buried in a mound of scrolls, books and random objects.
Sparky just pants to the ceiling of the room as he lays where he landed, however with a faint groan he brings himself to his hooves as he scans the room. With no idea where to go in the maze of packed bookshelves he brings himself up again as he tries to look around the room for any hints as to where to go.
The young stallion brings himself to the middle of the room as he hover’s under the light rendering glass dome center.
However knowing that his friend couldn't even scream up to tell him anything starts to pound to Sparky’s head as he just looks around the room. Sparky continues to scan between the hallways of books as he turns himself, but just as he gets to the last row he notices something.
Opposite of the entrance down the corridor of bookshelves the young stallion's eyes lock to an indent in the wall.
Sparky's wings quickly start up as he rushes himself through the building, it only takes him a moment to adjust his flight as he angles himself down the straight shot staircase. However the moment he reaches the bottom of the stairs the stallion's wings lock as he slides to the hard stone ground he now crashes into.
A faint groan comes up from Sparky as a voice rings out to the room, "Tell me Sparky, when did you decide you where the hero?"
The sound of hooves echo to the room a little as the chime of magic holds to Sparky's wings, a faint feminine laugh comes up as a white coated and blond maned mare comes in front of Sparky, "...I mean really? You did not even bring somepony with you?"
The mare shakes her head as she clicks her tongue, "Very foolish." Her green eyes turn from Sparky as she nods.
From the nod of the mare the warmth of magic that has bound Sparky's wings now grows to his body as he is pulled to his hooves by the unicorn changeling that's standing against the entrance.
As Sparky's brought to his hooves he looks around the room, the room is dark with only a few lights, around the mostly empty area there sits hundreds of wooden crates stacked atop each other. However Sparky's eyes only roll around the room for a moment as he locks to the unmoved light purple mare that stands in the middle of the cleared area with green shining eyes.
"Violet!"
The word does nothing to Violet as the white mare trots in front of Sparky's eye sight, "Please don't speak."
A band of magic comes to Sparky's muzzle as the mare takes a deep breath, "Perfect... Now we're was I." Her trot directs to one of the stacks of crates as she carefully reads the labels on them.
Sparky watches in his forced silence as the mare's horn sparks up to pull one of the crates out from under the others, the tumble of the other heavy wooden boxes does little to change the mare's voice as she speaks up, "There we are...Pre-Celestia objects."
The mare's horn glows bright again as the box's lid is broke off of the top. Her head dips a little into the crate as the glow of her horn brings out an old silver looking crown. The crown has a faint green rim of tarnish around it and most of the what looked like colorful gems have fallen off, but despite it's desperate looking condition the mare's smile holds as she lets out a wicked little giggle, "Hello mother."
The mare gives a little sigh as she hoovers the crown a little ways in front of Violet. "I beat you are wondering why the changelings are not after the Elements of Harmony or the Heart Sombra so coveted." Her happy but regal tone holds as she trots away from where Violet stands, "...There's a simple answer really, sometimes there's just more important things than power."
The smile holds as she takes her spot off to the side of the changeling that still holds Sparky, "The crown however... You just have to know your history." As the words end her horn sparks up in a bright green glow as she speaks up, "Violet if you please."
Her words and horn have straightened Violet's posture as the light purple mare's horn starts up in a heavy blue glow.
Sparky watches the dirty crown on the ground quickly being wrapped in the blue magic as it just lays dormant to the ground. However the motionless crown only sparks Violet's horn up more as the ear pounding chime of magic starts to turn into a faint green color.
The crown now starts to wiggle a little as the few gems on it start to glow a little.
But Violet's magic is still not enough as the mare beside Sparky sparks her horn up, "More!" The words continue to deepen Violet's magic as her mane and tail begin to take on a duller color.
Sparky's eyes hold to his friend as he watches her body trembling from the magic to her horn, as the young stallion continues to listen to the ear pounding magic he closes his eyes as he just tries to focus on a spell.
The crown now begins to rattle as Violet's stance starts to falter, to the sound Sparky's wings flare up breaking the bound of magic as he turns towards the two changelings behind him with a hard and thunderous clap of his wings.
The white mare's smile fades from her face as the wall of orange magic is rushed to them, without question the magic slams into them as the two changelings are knocked to the ground.
Just as the mare falls to the ground Violet's magic stops and the green shine of her eyes are flushed from sight.
Violet quickly turns her head around the room as she struggles to stand, however as her panicked look to place herself comes to an end she stares to the light orange pegasus. As she looks over her friend her eyes lock to the sparks of orange magic that continue to zap between the stallion's feathers.
Sparky's voice is weak as he speaks up, "hi violet.."
Before Violet can take a step towards her friend the chime of magic that still runs in front of her now pops as the room takes on a sickly green glow.
"Ahh...I thought that magic was familiar, hello Violeta."
Violet and Sparky both turn there heads to the tall frail sickly looking pony in front of them. The light blue wings on her back look like nothing more than shreds of light blue bug skin, her coat's dull black is riddled with boils of shining dark green and her fangs have a faint slime to them that drip to the floor. However, her oval shaped eyes bring an uncanny fear to the two young ponies as they just stare to the thing from the stories they both heard.
The white mare slowly drags herself up from the wall behind Violet and Sparky as she speaks up, "Mother..."
Her words turn Chrysalis’s head as she looks over the white mare, "Mother?" The sickly green slime rolls from her teeth as she continues, "How dare you say that to me when you hid your beauty under that coat and mane!"
The mare is stunned to the words as she takes a step from the wall, "B-but."
"Why have you taken so long to bring me back to this world!" Chrysalis’s voice echos around the room as Violet starts to spark her horn up. However her horn does little to the dark mare as she turns her eyes to her with an unamused smile.
"We did not know how to bring you back." Before Chrysalis can bring her voice up her head comes back to the white mare that has continued to trot forward, "And why have you brought me back?"
The mare's voice is still weak as she leans to one side but she speaks up as she bows, "We wish the mother to lead us into freedom."
Chrysalis scoffs to the comment as she continues, "Then we must have the Elements of Harmony!"
"No. Celestia hunts us. Do you not see that our fighting only hurts our own?" The mare's words bring an angry response for the weak dark mare as she sways, "Equestria belongs to me! Our victory will bring our freedom!"
The white mare shakes her head as she speaks up, "We wish for your guidance in helping us blend in with the others."
For a moment no response comes from Chrysalis as she just blinks to the mare in front of her, "You would suggest our perfection to be tainted with inter breeding!? I see that my return should have come sooner!" Her eyes glow a brighter green as the other changeling quickly springs to it's hooves and wraps the mare in a magical hold, "Our revenge will be swift and clear."
Chrysalis turns her head to Violet as she sparks her jagged horn up, "Starting with my revenge."
Before Chrysalis can even manage a spell Violet has sent a bright blue bolt of magic crashing into her, "AH!!" Chrysalis’s weak body stammers to the frost that now has coated her side.
Violet's assault doesn't stops though as her horn sparks up again, however the bolt's magic is missed as the changeling holding the white mare lets go and charges into Violet.
As the magical hold over The Countess is lost he r horn sparks up as her body is clouded in the shine of her magic, her body disappears with a pop with the end of her teleportation spell, just as Sparky brings his wings up.
The room fills with the quick clash of orange magic to the the changeling's frame followed by a blue bolt of magic to Chrysalis’s body.
The dark mare falls to her front leg, but she doesn't stay down long as a wall of green magic stems from her horn as Violet, Sparky and the other changeling are all knocked to their backs, Chrysalis’s hold her sharp eyes to the light purple mare as she speaks up, "I will not be defeated again Vi-..."
The room's dim lighting is quickly chased away as a bright whitish blue light runs to the room, Violet and Sparky both squint their eyes to the dark mare in front of them as she screams out in a pained voice.
Just as the chime of magic reaches its apex the light purple mare closes her eyes as she tries to block out the bright magic.
"...Are you two okay?"
The slightly lispy voice snaps Violet's eyes open as she slowly picks herself up from the ground, all the while never taking her eyes off of the dark blue princess in front of her.
Luna shifts her head between where Sparky and Violet both stand from as she speaks up, "Your friend Starlight told us where to find you."
Violet doesn't spark her hooves up as she gives a simple nod, the light purple mare's mane has lost a little bit of it's color, her face and her coat is caked with dirt and dust along with a few cuts but the worst of her problems is in her body as she's left feeling completely drained. As the light purple mare brings her stance up Sparky comes to her side as she leans to him to get her balance.
Sparky's coat has fared no better on cuts and bruises, but the pegasus still has some of his strength.
Luna holds her eyes to the two ponies for the moment as she steps aside from the staircase, "Please go to the castle, we will make sure you two will be looked after while we sort this out."
Sparky nods to the comment as he directs Violet's trot up the stairs.
As the two young ponies move from her sight she turns to one of the guard ponies next to her, "Could you send a letter to our sister."
End of chapter 27
Epilogue VII
"...Like I have said before I will be aiding you in the transition for as long as you two will need." StoneGem holds his proper posture as he waits for a response from the two ponies in front of him.
The well dressed stallion nods to the comment as he clears his throat, “Well thank you for the support um StoneGem, we are still a little surprised Twilight did not just stay ruler of this city."
StoneGem gives a little smirk to the name as he speaks up, "I think they have more important things to tend to on the daily basis." He sways from the conversation as he spikes his voice up a little, "Yes well, you two should have a throne made within a few days, and I will get the city reports you have asked for... Is there anything else?"
The stallion turns to the mare beside him as he shakes his head, "N-no I don't believe there's anything else... Thank you StoneG-.." His comment is cut short as the closed throne room door's come open to a young light brilliant yellow with two tone blue mane.
As the freckled face mare gets a little close the Lady of TrottingHam speaks up with a smile, "Milky, what are you doing here?"
"I received your letter mother." The mare turns her head around the room as she continues, "I must say, it is very nice here."
"Oh, StoneGem." The stallion brings his hoof up as he points to Milky, "This is our daughter."
StoneGem gives a little nod to the comment as he brings his trot up, "Well I will let you three catch up then. Pleased to me you." With a smile he begins to trot out of the throne room.
The sound of the doors closing behind him brings the yellow mare's eyes to the throne as the southern bell tone continues, "Well I trust that there was no problem?" Her trot comes towards the throne as the two ponies beside her shake their head simultaneously.
Milky runs her hoof over the torn up fabric as she gives a little sigh, "We may not have gotten our freedom from Celestia's hunt...." Her eyes turn back to the two older ponies as she smiles, "But at least we have a home... Isn't that correct mother and father."
The two ponies nod their heads as they bring their hooves up to the collar of their clothing, a smaller gold necklace sits around each ponies necks, "Yes." Their eyes give off a little green shine as Milky nods, "Enjoy your lives. I must get back to TrottingHam."
As her words ring out a low green glow comes to the two necklaces as they disappear with a little pop. The Lord and Lady of TrottingHam both shift a little in a daze, but it only last a moment as the older mare turns her eyes to Milky, "Oh, Milky when did you get here?"
Milky brings her hoof from the throne as she tries to master the southern bell tone, "Not long, I just wanted to congratulate you both. I really should get going."
The two ponies blink to the comment as the stallion speaks up, "Um...Alright? Good bye sweetie."
A faint smile comes to the mare's face as she nods, “For now.” Her trot doesn't stop as she continues towards the throne room's closed doors.
End^ Unless....
Author's Note
Thank you to all who've followed the MAybe series!
Chapter 28 – Nothing to worry about.
The soft and cooling cloud breathes a little relief to the sore stallion's body, however the stallion's ears stay alert to the mare in front of him as the tomboyish chime continues to roll out, "...I haven't gotten the chance to thank you Sparky."
The light orange stallion gives a little chuckle to the comment as he tries to flex his slightly sprained right wing, "It's fine Violet..." He swallows a little as he just watches the light purple mare trot a little closer to where he's seated.
Violet's coat no longer has the dirt or dust filled color to it, but her mane and tail did retain the slightly duller dark purple color. As Sparky looks over his friend he starts to bring his voice up, "Violet I wanted to tell you something yesterday...A-and after what just happened I don't think I want to stay silent anymore."
A sweet smile comes to the light purple mare as she trots a little closer to the stammering stallion, "I wanted to tell you, t-that I really l-..."
His voice is cut off as Violet presses her lips to his, the slightly blurry colors around the cloud literally starts to melt away as Violet's spell comes to an end.
As the two young ponies open their eyes they stare to each other with a little smile, their original spots on the cloud Sparky pulled close to the open window of the castle's room have been altered. Violet no longer sits across from the stallion but rather she's been pulled over where Sparky lays, realizing this Sparky loosens his hold of his friend as he just gives a little chuckle to the mare, "S-so where do we go from here?"
Violet gives a little smile as she presses her lips to the stallion for her second first kiss. Sparky again brings his hooves around the mare as he holds her close, Violet moves from the embrace as she just rest her head to her friend's chest all the while enjoying the warm feelings she has swirling in her heavy beating heart.
Sparky's breathes have turned into a slow and relaxed sound as he nuzzles the mare's head as he just stares up to the late day's light blue open sky above them.
"So uh...You're telling your dad right?"
A faint wheezing laugh comes from the light purple mare as she continues to lay over the stallion.
(Across Canterlot)
Your slightly fast paced trot towards Twilight's parent's house is slowed for the moment as Twilight's voice comes up, "You need to walk slower...Luna's letter said that Violet was fine and already at the castle." Her horn comes to adjust the satchel around her as she trots next to you, "And your not going to the castle, you are going to rest when we get inside." Spike turns his head too the comment as he speaks up, “Can I stay too?”
Before you can speak up Twilight nods and knocks her hoof to the door.
You think over the lavender mare's words but you don't bring your voice up as you just sigh to the aching in your legs.
It only takes a moment for the door to come open as the white mare blinks a little surprised to you and Twilight, "Your back?" Velvet cocks her head as she continues, "I thought you said a few days?"
Twilight waits for you to trot in as she speaks up, "Um...We finished early."
Velvet turns her eyes to your trot as she closes the door behind Twilight and Spike, "Are you okay dear?"
You nod your head to the comment as you shell out an answer, "Super pony." As your words come into the house a happy baby like wail comes up.
Velvet quickly trots in front of you and Twilight as she speaks up, "Very funny you should say that... Because me and Nightlight noticed something about Aerolight." The white mare turns her head back to the dark cream colored colt as she brings her voice up in a baby like tone, her horn takes on a magical glow as the light cyan rattle comes up next to her, "Look Aerolight, your rattle."
You and Twilight hold your eyes to the rattle as you both watch Aerolight happily kicking his legs to it like he normally would. However both of your smiles slowly start to part your mouths as you both watch a faint yellow-green magic come over Velvet's. A faint little giggle comes up from Velvet as she turns her head to you two, "Honestly I think you two should have told us, it was a little strange to just find things moved around when there's no way he could reach them....Um Twilight?"
You and Twilight are both silent as you both just stare to the colt.
End of chapter 28
Chapter 6 – Welcome back
Sparky's trip from the hotel has started to come to it's end as the large sky blue building begins to come into view. Truthfully, the young stallion would have arrived sooner but his flight through the city was cut short. Even still, the trip from Violet's has only been about thirty or so minutes, and as the light orange pegasus starts to trot up the few steps of the main building he keeps that thought in mind.
The stallion pushes open one of the large bluish glass doors as he takes his first hoof into the main hall.
For a moment Sparky just mindlessly trots a little into the room as he looks it over, nothing has changed since the last time he entered the mixed blue and white stoned main hall. The only difference that can actually be seen is that there appears to be more ponies staying here.
The low echoes of conversations that steam from all the ponies snaps Sparky's mind as he turns his attention to search for somepony who might be able to tell him where to go. As the stallion turns his head around the room he moves his right hoof to his satchel as he fishes out his acceptance letter.
With the letter now in hoof the light orange stallion's eyes land to a vibrant yellow coated mare with sun colored mane wearing what looks to be a wonderbolts outfit. Sparky brings his three hoofed trot up as he continues to look over the mare, it's now as he gets a little closer that he realizes she's not a wonderbolt. Instead of the normal Wonderbolt’s gold lightning insignia, there’s a silver bolt that is stitched into the blue outfit.
Despite this fact Sparky still brings his voice up, "Um, can you tell me where I check in?"
Sparky's voice flicks the mare's ear as she turns her eyes from the bulletin board on the wall she was fixated on, "Hmm?"
"Where do I check in." Sparky holds a friendly smile as the mare blinks to the comment.
However, the mare's voice comes back up with a slightly more professional sounding tone, despite the fact she's only maybe a year older than Sparky, "Oh, yes stallions need to check in with their dorms Strix or a WonderBolt instructor..." She holds her hoof out as her eyes move towards the letter in Sparky's hoof.
Sparky extends the paper to her grasp as she continues to speak up, "...The stallion Dodo's Strix is Wind Snap or Streak, they should-...Oh." The mare tilts her eyes up as he gives a little chuckle, "I'm sorry, I thought you were new here..." To her own words she relaxes a little as she cocks her head to Sparky with a slight smile, "Welcome to your second year Puffin."
"P-puffin?" Sparky blinks to the word as he repeats it.
The mare extends the paper back to his hoof as she nods, "Ya, Puffin, all second years are Puffins-...Hey..." The mare squints her eyes a little as she speaks up with a slightly less professional sounding voice, "You wouldn't be that Sparky Volt that was kicked out last year are ya?"
Sparky shifts a little as he takes the paper and places it into his satchel pocket, "Y-ya that was me."
"Really?" The mare cocks her head as she continues, "...Whoa, i'm surprised you got put in second year then."
The comment has slowly brought Sparky's ears down as the stallion just nods his head, "Ya..."
"Hey, don't feel bad about it." The mare wiggles her hoof towards him as she continues, "I heard you knocked out Flaps with your wings, and -ohhhh...." The mare's smile fades a little as her hoof comes back to the ground, "You knew Streak right? The stallion's dorm overseer?"
Sparky blinks to the comment as he speaks up, "Ya, why?"
The mare waves her hoof as she brings her voice out again, "N-nothing, although you need to get checked. Puffins already had orientation and I know Sorin's not in the best of moods today." The mare points her hoof to the near by hallway as she continues, "Go through here and it's the first door on your right."
Sparky nods his head as he turns his attention towards the hall.
Despite the slightly more crowded building there's no pony that seems to be going or coming from this part of the building, so it only takes a few moments for the young stallion to reach the door.
However as he moves his hoof to knock to the door he stops to the two stallion's voice coming from behind it.
"...I understand what you're saying, but at this time there is nothing more I can do for you."
"With all do respect sir I feel as though I-..."
"Listen, i'll see what I can do. But for right now your paper is final and at this time I can not change any of your schedule. I'm sorry."
"...Yes sir."
Sparky quickly takes his hoof from the door as a figure comes to the obscure glass window of the door. However as it opens the young pegasus looks over the familiar white coated and dark maned stallion wearing a wonderbolt outfit.
For a moment the stallion just stares to the younger pegasus standing in the doorway, but he eventually brings his voice up as he gives a slight friendly smile, "Dodo Cloudshaper? How you doing?"
Before Sparky can bring his voice up Sorin has come over towards the door as he speaks up now holding his sight to the light orange stallion, "...Sparky correct?"
"Y-yes sir." Sparky nods his head as he fumbles his hoof to his bag.
"You're late Sparky." Streak moves a little from the doorway as Sorin's voice comes back up.
The comment pauses Sparky's hoof as he nods, "S-sorry."
Sorin blink to the comment as he continues, "Do you have a reason?"
The stallion's stare continues to pierce through Sparky, not because Sorin's eyes and face scream anger or annoyance. In fact the reason the light young pegasus feels a little uneasy is because of the stallion's stern and emotionless face that awaits his answer, "I didn't know when to arrive."
"Did the train arrive an hour and a half ago?"
"Yes sir."
Sorin nods his head as he sighs, "Well, second year orientation is no different than first years I suppose..." His hoof extends towards Sparky as he continues, "The same rules apply, no fighting and you must maintain respect while here."
"Yes sir." To the extended hoof Sparky quickly rushes the paper forward as he hoofs it to the sky blue pegasus.
Sorin looks over the paper for a moment as he nods his head to it, "Everything seems to be in order, i'll sign this in a moment." He moves his right wing up a little as he tucks the paper under it to hold it as he speaks up, "..You know, for suspensions the Wonderbolts academy usually makes the applicant wait at least six months before we even consider renewal. As you should remember, we value the idea of being mature. Truthfully, you should not be standing here today...But, Princess Luna has personally asked us to recognize your approval..." Sorin nods his head to his own words as he shifts to Streak, "And I suppose the ponies that did vouch for you should count for something..."
With a deep sigh Sorin turns his head back to Sparky as he speaks up, "Welcome back to the Wonderbolts Academy."
Sparky quickly nods his head as Sorin turns through his last comment, "Streak, could you please escort him to his dorm."
Streak nods as he starts to trot away, "Follow me Cloudshaper."
As Sparky starts to follow after the stallion Sorin closes the door.
The sound of the door closing turns the taller stallion's trot into a more relaxed walk as he turns his head to following stallion, "Don't let Sorin get you, he doesn't really like it when the princess tells the Wonderbolts what to do... And he's had a few problems lately with the snow duty."
Sparky nods his head as he looks over the wonderbolt outfit the white stallion has on. However for a moment the light orange stallion doesn't speak up, however as he looks over the outfit he finds his voice, "So how is it being a Wonderbolt Apprentice?"
The comment slows Streaks trot down a little as the stallion perks his head up with a deep intake of air, "I didn't pass yet."
"What? Why?" Sparky pokes his head a little closer towards the stallion as he impatiently awaits an answer.
"...My ability as a leader was not adequate." The stallion's voice goes hard as he continues to just stare in front of him, focused on the path across the long building, "...I could not keep my dorm in check and to many problems occurred because of it."
A hot feeling of guilt starts to swirl under Sparky's coat as the young stallion swallows hard, "W-was it because of what I did-..."
Streak quickly turns his head back to Sparky as he gives him a hard look, "No no, you and everypony else in my dorm were my responsibility. And it's my fault that I allowed curfews to be broken and fights to occur. Now lets forget the past, it's a new semester."
Sparky blinks to the comment as they begin to near a staircase at the far side of the room, "It was me who-..."
Before Sparky can finish his comment Streak halts his trot and turns around to him with his hoof raised, "Cloud Shaper, you don't need to say anything. A Strix's year is for six months, I still have time." He moves his hoof back to the ground as he nods up the stairs, "Now, my year is almost up, yours however just restarted. Your room should be the one in the far back up the stairs... Just keep your head out of the clouds this time around." A light smile comes from Streak as he trots away before Sparky can speak up.
With a simple nod Sparky starts up the stairs.
It only takes a few moments to reach the second floor, Sparky holds his head down as he continues to trot down the walk way.
However as he reaches the last few doors in the back his eyes turn to the simple note on one of the closed doors that reads 'Sparky Volt'.
Sparky opens the door as he pulls the note from the door, the room is not much different than the one from last time; however it seems to be a slight bit bigger.
With a sigh Sparky begins to move the satchel from his back as he moves it to rest on the bed. To the absent weight he begins to stretch his wings out as he just takes in the simple relaxed feeling.
However, the moment of relaxing is brought to an end as a familiar sounding voice creeps in from the door's threshold.
"Filly Flank...I thought they put that name on this door by accident..."
Sparky quickly jerks himself around to the doorway as he looks over the dark brown coated and chocolate maned pegasus at the door way. However, Sparky doesn't speak up as he hesitantly just looks over the stallion that now moves a little more into the room.
"You know Flaps still didn't even get the chance to send in a letter, and Streak ended up taking most of the heat for what you did." Sparky feels his wings tense up a little as the stallion's eyes stay to him, "...Streak is a pretty cool guy, and he's still on track for becoming a Wonderbolt if he can prove he can handle a dorm."
The stallion rubs his right hoof to his left leg a little as he shifts to his own words, "And... I know what Flaps did was pretty dumb, and I also know that thing you did with your wings wasn't the funnest thing to feel... So what's you say to a truce?"
Sparky blinks to the stallion as he watches him slowly raise his hoof towards him. However the moment of absent thought is quickly pushed out of Sparky's head as he slowly raises his own hoof, "Ya, alright."
The hoof bump ends quick as the dark stallion nods his head and sways a little, "Alright cool... See you around then Sparky."
As the stallion moves away from the doorway Sparky turns back to the bag on the bed as he slowly begins to unpack, however the stallion looks back to the door one more time still in a little bit of disbelief to what just happened. The stare to the empty door though brings a slight smile to the stallion's faces as he thinks over Streak's comment, it's a new year.
End of chapter 6
Chapter 17 – A night to remember
The low chime of magic continues to bounce off the still fogged bathroom walls as the light purple mare just stares to herself in the mirror. Violet gives off a silent sigh as she sets the mane brush back down to the counter, it's been about thirty minutes since the young mare got out of her bath but she still has yet to leave the room.
This will be the first time the young mare has ever done anything even remotely considered a date, even if it's just a faked spur of the moment friendly gesture to pay off tutoring help. Violet blows the ragged mane that still lays in her eyes, in her almost six years of life not once has she ever truthfully cared about her mane but as she just looks to the tomboyish mare staring back to her in the mirror she can't help but feel that for some reason she needs to look actually like a mare tonight. Even if it is for the wrong stallion.
Violet squints her eyes as she again brings the brush up as she attempts to flip her mane to match a more formal look like her mother or Rarity. But as she tugs to her laid down mane she just gives up as she drops the brush back to the counter.
A thought rolls through her mind as she realizes something, hanging out with no ponies but stallions for most of her life and almost never caring when some mare talks about dressing up has finally come back to haunt her.
But the thought also brings up the fact that she doesn't even have a dress or something to wear. Violet holds the thought as she floats the bright red bow up and over to her tail as she adjust the bright pink amulet to set a little further down her neck.
The time of hiding in the bathroom seems to have come to an end as Violet's ear flicks to the sound of a hoof knocking outside.
Violet hesitates for a moment as she quickly steps out of the bathroom and towards the door, but as she comes back into the room the knock starts up and she now turns towards the late day dark orangy window.
For a moment she just blinks to the light orange pegasus with neatly combed down mane, but she shoots her head up as she slowly trots over to the window to open.
As it opens Sparky brings his voice up as he looks over the mare, "Did you do something with your mane?"
Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as she hooves out a question.
Sparky shrugs as he speaks up, "I just didn't know when you two would want to go-.."
His comment is cut off as Violet cocks her head with a silent HA as she hooves up a quick comment.
"Well...I thought I would ask you first." Sparky gives a little smile as he shrugs, "Asher is already down stairs, he said he had a table for whenever."
Violet nods as she sparks her horn up and starts to close the window, to the closing window Sparky brings his voice up, "Violet you're not mad I didn't kno-..."
The window cuts his voice off as Violet turns her trot back towards the door. Before she even gets to the door her horn sparks up to open it, just as it does the crystal mare that was just about to knock stumbles a little as she quickly slams her hoof back to the floor, "Whoa.."
Violet holds her hoof out to the mare as Starlight gives a little laugh, "Oh it's fine..." She tugs on the bright three shaded calm blue dress she has on as she continues to talk, "I think I over did it a little."
Violet runs her eyes over the light gray mare as she looks over the gold and bright cyan blue crystals that adorn her already sparkling mane that has been styled to lay on one side with a curl. Her tail matches her mane's curl as it pokes out from the well fitted dress the mare has on.
As Starlight recomposes herself she looks over the light purple mare in front of her, "Oh, you're not going to wear anything?"
The comment snaps Violet back to the real world as she sheepishly hooves out her reply.
"Nothing to wear?" Starlight blinks her eyes a little as she leans her head in a bit, "You know, I did bring a sun dress. It's nothing really special it's just tradition for a mare of the crystal kingdom to have something formal... Would you like to borrow it?"
Violet blinks to the offer as she shifts a little, but before she can speak up Starlight has already started to pull her out off the room, "Oh you really should... That way i'm not the only pony dressed up tonight."
The light purple mare slows her trot as she brings her hooves up, but Starlight quickly waves the comment off with a slight giggle, "Keep them waiting?" She wiggles her hoof as she continues, "I don't think it will matter, Asher seems to formal and Sparky... Well he would most likely check in rather than get mad, and besides I read your supposed to make the stallion wait a little on a um date."
Violet blinks to the mare's slightly embarrassed comment as she brings Violet to her room.
The restaurant is dimly lit for the most part with the smooth sound of a piano just lowly chiming to the room. Sparky and Asher both sit at a table a little ways from the entrance of the dining area, there really are not a lot of ponies in yet seeing as how it's still relatively early but Sparky still shifts his eyes every so often to the doorway just to make sure the two mare's their waiting on see them.
Just because it's been a few weeks doesn't mean that Sparky and Asher have spent much time together, in fact the two stallions have never really even held a conversation.
Sparky shifts his eyes over the light cream casually tuxedo dressed stallion has on as he speaks up, "So um... You're just doing this because Violet helped you with your classes huh?"
The casual comment brings Asher's head up from the menu as he looks over the light orange stallion in front him. He takes a deep breath as he brings his hooves up to the table to rest, "You know how every once in a while somepony will ask you to do something and you hesitate just because you get that butterfly feel'n in your stomach?"
Sparky blinks to the comment as he nods.
"...Well I like that feel'n." The stallion gives a slight laugh as he shrugs, "My ma always use to say, why live in the shadows when you can have all of Equestria." Asher nods to the comment as he continues, "I always kinda liked that quote... But yes, you could say I owe Violet something."
Sparky again nods to the comment as he slowly drifts his eyes to the door, as he does he's eyes lock to two nicely dressed mares.
But as they trot closer he shifts his eyes to the light purple mare dressed in a nicely fitting dark yellow and orange swirl patterned sun dress. However it's the mare's flipped up mane with bright crystal shards in it that really hold the stallion's eyes, Sparky continues to gawk at his friend as Starlight and Violet come to the table.
"I do hope we didn't keep you two waiting."
Starlight's comment brings a little laugh to Asher as he waves his hoof to the comment, "Oh no... We haven't been waiting at all." He holds his gaze to Violet as his horn sparks up to pull the chair next to him out, "Why, you look as stunning as a sunrise over a spring meadow." The comment brings Violet's head down as she tries to almost hide the smile the comment brought.
Sparky's mouth hangs a little to the comment but he snaps from his stare as he stands to pull the chair back for Starlight.
"Thank you Sparky."
As Starlight settles into her seat Sparky comes back to his seat.
Violet shifts her eyes to her friend as he settles back to his chair, their eyes lock for a moment as Sparky gives a little smile, "Um... N-nice mane Violet."
As Sparky's comment comes to an end the conversation to the table dies down as Starlight just shifts a little to Sparky and Violet's set gaze.
However in the silence Asher brings his voice up as he looks around the three ponies around him, "Well I hope you we're all not hoping to just sit around silently." His lighthearted comment doesn't change the fact that the three other ponies are still on their first dates, but it does slightly break the ice for everypony as they finally begin to relax.
The early night dinner date has rolled on pretty quickly for the four ponies as they continue to warm up to each other. The empty plates in front of them stand as a token to successfully making it through the night.
The happy and slightly joking tone of the night slowly starts to come down as it's leader starts to wiggle his hoof to the only pony who still hasn't completely joined in on the good time, "Hey...I have been wanting to ask this for a while now, hope you won't mind it."
Sparky shakes his head to the comment as he speaks up, "What?"
Asher leans in a little as he forces his eyes to the stallion, "Why did you never tell anypony when you had that King Sombra in ya head?"
Starlight and Violet both cock their heads to the comment as Sparky holds his mouth shut for the moment, "...S-scared I guess." A slight smirk comes up as Sparky rubs his hooves together under the table.
Asher nods to the comment as he leans back to his seat, "Hmm."
"Does anypony want dessert?" The group turns their heads to the waiter as he starts to clear away the plates with his glowing horn.
Starlight waves her hoof to the comment as she speaks up, "Oh no... I'm actually a little too tired and stuffed to eat anything else."
Asher gives a little laugh to the comment as he speaks up, "Nonsense, get what'cha want Starlight, I got this little shindig."
Starlight shakes her head to the comment as she gives a little smile, "No i'm fine."
Asher shrugs as he looks to the light purple mare beside him, Violet's once flipped mane has started to turn back to it's normal tomboyish lay but the stallion hasn't really paid any attention to it, "You want to try that sunday vanilla muffin thing?"
Violet's ear flicks to the word as she gives a casual shrug.
To the mare's slight nod the waiter nods as he speaks up, "Good choice." As the comment comes to an end he trots away.
Starlight gives a little smile to the tan stallion's earlier comment as she speaks up, "Are you really going to pay for everything tonight?"
Asher gives a little chuckle as he sparks his horn up to reveal the gold unicorn school's card, "Well Princess Luna did say these were for school things right?"
A faint laugh runs from Starlight as she turns to the light orange stallion next to her, "Sparky, would you care to walk with me for a little..." She gives a little smile as she shrugs, "It helps me think."
Sparky blinks to the comment as he watches Starlight standing from her chair, "Um...Sure." He turns back to Asher and Violet as he speaks up, "Bye Asher... Bye Violet.."
The light purple mare holds her eyes to the two ponies as they start to trot away from the table, but her attention is brought back to the stallion next to her as he speaks up, "Looks like it's just me and you, Violet."
End of chapter 17
