The Strength of Bonds

As the library slowly filled with ponies of various colors and dispositions, Twilight was having trouble maintaining her sanity with the noise level rapidly reaching deafening levels.

“QUIET!” the alicorn shouted with an intensity produced only by one other, Luna herself.

The entire library became silent, as she moved to retrieve the one pony that was missing. The room he was sitting in was soundproofed by Twilight herself so she wasn’t surprised that he couldn’t hear the volcano of noise in main lobby.

I heard movement behind me and turned around only to see my new teacher standing there.

“I’ve only started getting into the basics…” I started out. Yet was cut mid sentence by

“Your friends are here.” She stated with a small twinge of annoyance in her voice.

“Ohhhhh, crap she must not like the library so packed” I thought to myself.

As she led me to the others another thought crossed my mind, causing me to sinker “Gregg must be REALLY enjoying himself.”

As I entered the lobby I was met with four bright happy faces and one slightly disgruntled one.

Twilight smiled as the friends embraced for the first time since waking up.

“How have you all been?  I mean besides the possible second degree burns and concussions?” I said with my trademark sarcasm.

“Well I crashed through a window. No wait two windows!” Crystal Rose exclaimed excitedly.

“You know you owe me for that right?” Twilight said visibly irritated.

“Well she would need a job to do that now wouldn’t she?” I quipped at my teacher. She looked at me obviously frustrated but at the same time defeated.

“So back on topic, we need a plan if we need to stay here for any extended period of time.”  I said, my ROTC training kicking in. Just then a knock was heard at the door. I looked over to Twilight who had a look of reassurance on her face as she went to the door. As the door opened both me and Bass almost died at the sight of who was at the door.

“Hiya everypony,” said the pink blur that had gathered us up into an impromptu group hug.

“Pinkie darling please let them go before they start turning blue,” said Rarity.

Trying not to sound rude I asked “What are you all doing here?”

“Well sugarcube we came to help ya’ll find a place to stay will yer here, “commented Applejack.

“That’s nice of you all but we don’t have any bits.” I said with a note of caution.

“Um we were talking and we decided that it might be good if some of you stayed with some of us until you could get your own places, if that’s ok with you all,” whispered Fluttershy.

“Well I need to stay with Twilight to finish my studies but I don’t know if there is enough room for me.” I said worried.

“Don’t worry I have had the basement renovated into a guest room so there is plenty of room here for you my new student.” She said putting emphasis on the last to words to break the news to all present.

Other than a few gasps from my friends and hers the reception to the notion was well received.

“This is going to gut into our flying lessons, isn’t it?” asked a concerned Rainbow Dash.

“Unfortunately yes Dash, I’m sorry but his studies take priority over learning how to fly,” she said matter of factly.

I looked at dash and mouthed “I’m sorry” to which she simply responded with a shrug and a smile.

“So if I’m staying with Twilight who do the rest of you want to stay with?” I asked my friends.

“Well I guess I would stay with Pinkie, it just makes too much sense not to,” said Crystal..

“I couldn’t agree more!” me and Pinkie said simultaneously.

“Well who would like to stay in the boutique with me?” asked Rarity.

“Did you say boutique?” asked KindWind.

“Why yes darling, I am Ponyville’s premiere fashonista after all.

“I’m going with her,” she said in a no nonsense tone that rivaled even my own.

“Aww, no one wanted to stay with me! But I’m so awesome!” exclaimed a disappointed Rainbow Dash.

“Sorry Dash but the rest of us couldn’t live with you, I know I don’t know the cloud walking spell and besides it’s only temporary,” said Bass with an apologetic look on his face.

“What about you two?” Twilight asked.

“Well to be totally honest I would really like to stay with Octavia and get to know her better, sorry,” Autumn cautiously stated.

“And I would like to try to be Vinyl’s roommate but I’ll stay with Fluttershy for now,” Bass said looking towards the yellow Pegasus.

“That’s…nice” she said quietly.

“Ok now that that is settled lets all go get some rest, this has been a crazy day for all of us and I think it’s in our best interests to get some sleep,” commented Twilight.

“Well Key looks like you’re coming with me,” Applejack said.

“Ok I guess I’ll go along with this,” Key said nonchalantly.

“What in the hay is that supposed to mean?” Applejack questioned.

“Nothing I was being sarcastic, let’s go,” Key said as he followed Applejack to Sweet Apple Acers.

“Well I guess I’ll get back to my studies, good night Twilight,” I said politely.

“Good night Ram see you in the morning,” she said as the door to the study closed.