Chapters “You want me to do what?” Rainbow Dash sputtered, her wings bound tightly to her side.
“You know exactly what ah said,” Applejack huffed.
“But what’s up with the rope?”
“Yer one who wanted it the hard way.”
“What did you expect me to do, you ambushed me in my sleep!” Rainbow Dash protested.
“In my tree again ah’ might add.”
“Don’t blame me if your trees are the best napping spots.”
“Ah’ don’t blame you, just wished you’d find somewhere else. An’ here we are.” Applejack said, untethering Rainbow Dash with a jerk of her head.
“I still don’t see how you suckered me into this.” Rainbow Dash grumbled, glaring at the bridge.
“It’s yer fault that you missed the thunderstorm last week, again.”
“How is it my fault, we haven’t made that up yet.”
“Because the next one is going to be a doozy. Ya’ll end up flooding the river again. An that ole’ log under the there will end up comin’ loose causin all sorts of problems downriver, again. An some poor farm pony will have to fix up the mess you made instead of other things she rather be doing, again.”
“And?”
“Just get down there and push it out of the way and quit your procastinatin.” Applejack said, pushing her friend out over the water.
“Fine.”
“An’ stop sleepin in my trees!” Applejack yelled as she was walking away.
“Never!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed, hoof held defiantly in the air.
“Do ah’ need to tell Big Mac about that secret of yers?”
“No.” She said glumly as she flew under the bridge, settling onto the log in question.
Rainbow Dash stared at the large moss covered log as if it owed her a large amount of money. She wondered why everypony in town was worried about this log, it looks like it had been there for years and had no intentions of moving anywhere.
Sighing, Rainbow Dash floated up and gave a half hearted shove, to only be rewarded with nothing but the clop of her hooves on the wood. She braced her hooves against the wall and pushed harder, the log creaking back and forth a fraction.
Grinning in victory, Rainbow started rocking the log back and forth, gaining an fraction of an inch with each rock. When it reached a good swing, she gave it a mighty shove.
The log rolled over once and wavered, and rolled right back into the indention it was originally in.
“Oh you gotta be kidding me!” She yelled as she stamped her hoof on it, putting her hoof clean through up to her elbow.
“Great.” She grumbled, smacking her forehead on the log with a hollow thunk.
“Buck, why is everything against me finishing my nap today.” She complained, trying to pull her leg out.
Rainbow winced as the splinters stabbed her in the leg. So she pushed her hoof in, feeling something crack under her hoof, she used her free hoof to break the wood around the edges of the hole. She had only half freed her leg when something stung her.
“OW!” She yelped, yanking her leg out, ignoring the numerous splinters it earned her.
Out of the hole a small bug zipped out and flew circles around Rainbow Dash’s face. Rainbow tried to wave it off but threw herself off balance and fell backwards into the water.
“You stupid little bug!” She yelled, splashing water up at it in anger.
The little bug skidded to a stop mid air and zipped down, ramming Rainbow’s nose.
“Who are you calling a bug you ugly meanie!?” A tiny voice called out.
“Who said that?” Rainbow asked, looking around.
“Me!” The voice came again as something stabbed Rainbow between the eyes.
Looking cross eyed at the bug on her nose, Rainbow saw that it was in fact a tiny pony wielding a toothpick sword.
“How did you get so small?” Rainbow asked, confused.
“How did you get so stupid, I’ve always been this small, and that’s my house you broke!” The voice yelled, the tiny pony bouncing in anger.
“That pile of garbage is your house?” She laughed.
“That pile of garbage is your face?” The little one fired back, stabbing Rainbow’s nose again.
“Ow, stop that!” Rainbow said, shaking her head, sending the tiny pony flying off into the air.
The tiny pony zipped around her head, getting in close enough to scratch Rainbow time and again, too fast for her to block. Looking around she saw an old mason jar sticking out of the mud. Jumping over, she grabbed the jar, and swung through it through the air, a small clink as she caught the tiny aggressor mid-dive bomb. She then firmly planted her hoof on the opening and looked for a lid in the various pieces of trash under the bridge.
“Ow,” She yelped as the tiny pony stabbed her in the hoof.
Holding the jar up to her eye level, she stared at the angry pony as it bounced around in it’s prison, it’s tiny voice only faintly heard as it repeatedly stabbed her in the hoof. Rainbow, quickly growing angrier by the moment, shook the jar vigorously for a moment.
“Stab me now you little jerk.” She smirked as she looked at the dazed pony.
Looking around, she spotted a rock half buried behind the log. Setting the jar down, she picked up the rock and placed it on the lid, sinking it into the mud. Turning back to the log, she saw that by removing the rock, the whole log had started to sink into the muddy water.
“You gotta be kidding me, all I had to do was move a rock and it would have done all the work?” She grumbled.
Looking back at her little captive, she saw the tiny pony begging something. She picked the rock and jar up and held it to her ear to hear what the tiny pony was saying.
“My sister is still in there and she’s too sick to fly!” It screamed, pounding on the glass.
Rainbow Dash’s eyes shot open and she dived at the log, tearing at it trying to find a grip to pull it up, but only succeeded in tearing parts of the top off. The muddy water lapping over her hooves, she knew that she would never pull the log out, so she grabbed at the hole she made earlier and yanked up, tearing a long strip up, revealing a shattered home. Furniture made from thimbles and scraps were laying in heaps in corners, the kitchen was a wreck of nuts and berries, and the bedroom had two beds laying against the wall. Rainbow grabbed the beds and looked under them, revealing another tiny pony, wrapped in soaked blankets, half submerged in the water.
Gently as she could, she scooped up the sick pony lifted it out of the house as water crashed over the edge, filling the house to the brim with muddy water and carrying everything that was in the house downstream. The house itself, not used to the stresses it had just endured, splintered and broke under Rainbow’s hooves, causing her to fall into the shin high water.
The other tiny pony zipped out of nowhere and crashed into Rainbow’s cradling hooves, holding the other pony.
“I’m sorry. Is he okay?” She asked, bending her head down low.
“She, and no. She needs her medicine, which just floated away.” The tiny voice sobbed.
“What can I do?” Rainbow asked.
“Just go away! You’ve done enough, and somehow I doubt you know anything about doctoring.”
Rainbow looked guiltily at the pair for a moment before she realized something, her whole face lighting up.
“I might not, but I know somepony who does! Hold on down there, they don’t call me Rainbow Dash for nothing!” She yelled as she zipped out from under the bridge into the beautiful sunny day towards her favorite ponies cottage at the edge of the Everfree.
Ch.2 Party at Fluttershy's
*SLAM!*
The interior of Fluttershy’s cottage echoed, the curious animals poking their heads out from wherever they were, all looking at the door and the panting Pegasus standing there. Rainbow ignored them, and the scattered food bowls that looked like they exploded against the ceiling.
“Fluttershy! I know you’re in here!” Rainbow called out, opening cabinets in the kitchen.
Giving up after she was almost sprayed by a skunk in one cabinet, she sat on the couch, the wide eyed fairy still clinging to her leg, sheer terror locking it’s joints. Rainbow thought for a moment on how to bring Fluttershy out of hiding, finally smacking her hooves together with a loud ‘clop’.
“Fluttershy, I found an injured bunny this morning, and I don’t think he’ll make it long without help.” Rainbow Dash said before being tossed into the air suddenly, a frantic streak below her.
“Where is he, did you bring him here? We must hurry!” Fluttershy spat out in speeds that would make Pinkie proud.
“I’m a she!” The little pony protested through clenched lips, still locked on Rainbows hoof.
“Easy there Fluttershy, there is no bunny, I only did that you get you ou-”
“That’s a meanie thing to do Rainbow, you should be ashamed of yourself.” Fluttershy said, turning to put her face inches from Rainbow Dash’s, stabbing at her chest with her hoof.
“Hey, I came here for a reason.” Rainbow Dash said, holding the shaking fairy in front of Fluttershy’s face.
Fluttershy’s mood did a complete U-turn as she scooped the fairy off of Rainbow leg, taking a fair amount of fur with her and rushed over to a cushion that she quickly converted to a bed, poking and prodding at the fairy with various medical instruments.
“What did you do to this poor pony to shrink them?” She asked.
“Hey, I’m big for my age!” Leaf Hoarder complained, smacking a thermometer away from her face.
“Don’t you worry, I’m sure Twilight can cure you.” Fluttershy said as she stepped towards the door, to find Rainbow Dash blocking the door with her wing.
“Fluttershy, she’s just a bug pony, she’s supposed to be that tiny. And besides, she’s not the one I’m worried about. I kinda almost drowned her sick sister.” Rainbow Dash admitted, blushing.
“You almost drowned a pony?” Fluttershy asked in horror.
“It was an accident! I swear!” Rainbow Dash defended herself, putting up her hooves as if to ward Fluttershy off.
“Where is the other one.” Fluttershy continued on, ignoring Rainbow’s feeble defense.
Rainbow Dash held out her other hoof, the bundle of leaves and scraps of cloth was leaking murky water. Fluttershy pounced over and hastily unwrapped the still sleeping fairy and transferred her to the same pillow her sister occupied, grabbing a towel from somewhere on her way over.
Setting her down gently, she dried off the shivering fairy quickly before she shoved a small thermometer into her mouth. The fairy only weakly mumbled and complained as she turned on her side and tried to spit it out, only succeeding in drooling all over herself.
“Oh, my. This is bad. Really bad, I’m going to need help. I don’t even know what type of ponies they are. I’ve never seen alicorns this small” Fluttershy said, looking at the rapidly rising temperature in the thermometer.
“No duh, we’re Fairies, not ‘Bug Ponies’, or Alicorns, there are only two of them in the world.” Leaf Hoarder huffed in exasperation.
“But who would know egghead doctor stuff about fairies?” Rainbow Dash asked in despair.
Fluttershy stared at Rainbow Dash through her hair as the gears in Rainbow Dash’s head churned before the painfully obvious solution popped into her head.
“Oh! Why not ask the Egghead Princess.” She laughed. “Why didn’t I think of that sooner.”
“Maybe you were afraid that she would try to study them like she did with Pinkie Pie’s sense”
“Oh, please, what’s the worst she could do, squash one of them?”
“Hey, that’s not funny, ponies like you are why we fairies hide!”
“Why?” Fluttershy asked.
“Because you big ponies are so curious you don’t hold back! I see what you do to butterflies, you monsters!”
“I swear, Twilight’s not like that, she’s the kindest pony you’ll ever meet, a little crazy at times, but still a good friend.”
“Fine, whatever, but make sure she isn’t going to dissect me for fun, I hear it hurts, like, a lot.” Leaf Hoarder grumbled, settling deeper into the pillow.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
“Hurry, please.” Fluttershy begged.
“Hey, they don’t call me Rainbow Dash for no reason!” She boasted as she flew towards the window.
Rainbow Dash smashed through the window, the tinkling of glass landing outside continuing long after she had left.
“Please use the door.” Fluttershy whispered, half to herself, as she turned her attention back to the sick fairy.
Thunk!
“See Spike, I told you those reinforced windows could withstand a direct impact!” Twilight sang as she bounced over and popped open the window.
“Freakin’ Ow! Jeez Twilight, trying to kill me?” Rainbow Dash complained, rubbing her bleeding nose.
“No, just trying to eliminate the costs of constantly rebuilding my house, the payroll of a Princess goes off of how many years you serve, so it’s going to be a bit before I make it rich.” Twilight explained, helping her friend up.
“So what brings you here this late in the afternoon? The newest Daring Do isn’t expected to be here until next month.” Twilight continued.
“I know, and I can’t wait! It’s going to be so sweet! But that’s not why I’m here. What would you say if I found a fairy.”
“Oh, that’s simple, I would simply observe it in it’s natural environment.” Twilight said as she walked into her house, Rainbow dash close at her heels, blood dripping slowly on the floor.
“Oh, that does sound too bad.” Rainbow said.
“And then I would build them a habitat from what I’ve learned and study them more in depth.”
“Umm.” Rainbow Dash halted, not sure how to respond.
“And I would have to make sure to get very detailed measurements on everything.” She rambled on, not pausing to take a breath.
“Twilight?”
“And once they had died their natural deaths, I would have to ensure to preserve their bodies to ensure that future generations could witness them too!” She finally finished, taking a deep breath before smiling at her friend.
“So why did you ask?”
“Umm, nothing. Just curious.” Rainbow Dash stuttered.
Twilight gave her a weird look for a moment before continuing.
“Sooo, why are you here again? Not that I don’t enjoy you being here, it’s just a bit unexpected.”
“Ummm, Apple Bloom is sick, like really bad, high fever and such. And Applejack asked me to zip down here and grab a medical book so she can try to make her better.” Rainbow Dash lied.
“Oh, why didn’t you say so sooner, I got plenty that would help.” She said, turning to her shelves as a whole stack lifted themselves out and towards her.
“But why did you ask about fairies?” She said, looking at the titles of books and sliding them back into their places on the shelf.
“Umm.” Rainbow Dash froze, not sure what to say.
“Are you trying to sooth Apple Bloom by distracting her with fairies?”
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash seized the idea, “And Applejack suggested we try to get a... A mythological creature medical book too, something to make the real one seem less scary.”
“Oh, that is a good idea, and I got just the one too.” Twilight smiled as a lone book zipped out of the opposite side of the library, nearly clocking Spike in the side of the head as he sat unflinching at the table in the middle of the room.
Turning around, Twilight levitated two books into a satchel and settled it on Rainbow’s back.
“Hope Apple Bloom gets well soon, and tell Applejack she has three over-due books I want by the end of the week please.” Twilight smiled.
“Yeah, thanks Twilight, but shouldn’t you be doing more princessy things than being a librarian?”
“I already told you my Princess salary sucks, but go, I’m sure Applejack is waiting for you.”
With a wave and a whoosh of air, Rainbow Dash zipped out the open window with a characteristic rainbow streak.
Rolling her eyes, Twilight walked to the open window and reached to pull it shut, but froze when she saw a curious group across the street. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were out pulling a cart full of various odd and ends, no doubt for something dangerous. But what had Twilight furrowing her brow in confusion was the fact that Apple Bloom looked like she was in perfect health, straining to pull the over-burdened cart.
Looking at the multitude of clouds that had a pony shaped hole in them, Twilight quickly calculated Rainbow heading, scratching her head as she figured it to be directly north-east, and the only thing that direction was the Everfree and Fluttershy’s cottage. Twilight sat down, rubbing the sides of her head.
“Why would she lie to me?” She asked nopony in particular.
“Hey Flutters, I’m back with that book you needed.” Rainbow Dash cried as she glided through the hole she had made earlier, landing gracefully on the coffee table.
“Rainbow Dash, what happened to your face!” Fluttershy cried.
“What? Oh, you mean this?” She asked, pointing the dried blood under her nose.
“Yes!”
“Twilight has put in break-proof windows. But how are our guests doing?”
Fluttershy held up one hoof in answer and lead Rainbow Dash over to one of her bird houses. Quiet as a mouse, she lifted up the lid and pointed inside at the two sleeping fairies, Leaf Hoarder holding her little sister. Slowly closing the lid, she lead Rainbow Dash into the kitchen.
“I don’t think even with the book that I’ll be able to do much. She needs a doctor.”
“I thought you were going to be able to help her.”
“So did I, but her temperature just keeps on rising and her little heart doesn’t sound right.” Fluttershy said sadly, looking like she was about to cry.
“Hey, don’t worry about a thing, I’ll take care of this.” Rainbow Dash said, pulling her friend into a hug.
“But what about Green Lily?”
“I’ll go downtown tomorrow and get a nurse.”
“What about Twilight?”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea. She’s kinda a little too interested in them.”
“Oh.” Fluttershy said, sounding sad.
*Knock knock*
“Were you expecting somepony this evening?”
Fluttershy looks confused for a moment before a look of panic crossed her face.
“Oh no. I was supposed to meet Rarity at the Spa today!” She squeaked.
“Fluttershy, dear? Are you okay?” Rarity’s muffled voice echoed in.
“Did a big a mean ole meanie plant scare you inside again?” Pinkie Pie yelled out.
“Hush, thats not funny.” Rarity stage whispered to Pinkie.
“Should I get the door or can you get it?” Rainbow Dash asked her cowering friend.
“I got it.” She sighed, walking into her living room towards her door.
She creeped open the door a half-inch and peered out at her two friends.
“Hi, I’m sorry Rarity, but something came up and I missed our appointment.”
“Oh, is everything okay dear?” Rarity asked, worried.
“Yes, everything is okay here.” She stuttered.
“Okie dokie then, let’s have a party then!” Pinkie yelled, cannon appearing at her side, posed of action.
“NO!” Fluttershy yelled, which is about as loud as a normal ponies inside voice.
“Is something wrong?” Rarity asked, putting her hoof on the door.
“Please don’t come in.” Fluttershy begged.
Rainbow Dash zipped over and planted her hoof on the other side of the door, preventing Rarity from opening the door any further.
“Is someone else here?” Rarity asked, looking confused at the sound of an extra pair of hooves clopping against the door.
“Oh! Fluttershy has a stallion over, K. I. S. S. I. N. G!” Pinkie sang.
“Pinkie! Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?” Rarity complained, looking at Pinkie in horror.
Fluttershy, blinked, eyes wide as her cheeks started burning with the heat of a furnace. Rainbow Dash’s hoof slipped from the door, falling to her side. The door naturally drifted open, revealing Rainbow Dash who was trying hard not to laugh.
“Rainbow Dash, you’re not a stallion!” Pinkie Pie yelped, disappointed.
“Well I hope I’m not, if I was then I would have to get rid of my doctor.” Rainbow Dash laughed.
“Well then may we come in or are you two in the middle of something?” Rarity asked, a smirk laden with unasked questions.
“No, you just can’t come in!” Fluttershy squeaked, shrinking under her friends gaze.
“But come on! What kind of party only has two ponies and is quieter than a sleeping meadow? What are ya doing, trying not to wake up somepony?” Pinkie asked.
“Ye-” Rainbow Dash started before Fluttershy’s hoof smacked her in the knee.
“No, we are the only ones here and nothing is happening, but you cannot come in, if that’s okay....” Fluttershy said, her voice disappearing into octaves only heard by dogs and dolphins.
Rarity stared at Fluttershy, one eyebrow arched in confusion. Fluttershy withered under her gaze, shrinking into the smallest possible target.
“Oh, they’re so cute!” Pinkie Pie yelled, standing on the ceiling looking into a certain bird house.
Rainbow Dash sprang into action, leaping over, slamming the lid shut and pushing Pinkie away.
“You’re seeing things again Pinkie, I think you need to go lie down.” She said, panicking, pushing her towards the door.
“What the heck was that for?” Leaf Hoarder demanded, poking her head groggily out of the hole in the front of the bird house, the lid still being held down.
“Oh my Fluttershy, did another pony run through the poison joke patch?” Rarity asked, pushing past her friend.
“Is that a size joke?” Leaf Horder demanded, steam practically coming out of her ears.
“No my dear, it’s absolutely horrible that you’re stuck that size, I would never joke about something like that.”
“Hey, I like being small!” She yelled, zipping out of the hole and landing on Rarity’s nose.
“They’re Fairy ponies you silly goose!” Pinkie said, bouncing around Fluttershy’s living room, out of Rainbow Dash’s grasp.
“Don’t be preposterous dear, everypony knows theres no such things as fairies.” Rarity scoffed, batting at the fairy sitting on her nose.
“Then if I’m not a fairy I guess I’m just a really small midget then, use your pea-brain stupid!” Leaf Hoarder yelled, stabbing Rarity’s nose with her sword.
“Ow.” Rarity complained as Fluttershy grabbed Leaf Hoarder by the scruff of her neck and carried her back to the bird house, placing her gently inside.
“Sorry Rarity, I thought I had taken her sword away from her.” Rainbow Dash apologized.
“Oh, the next time I see that pony I’m going to squash her for ruining my beautiful face. Oh, no I’m ugly!” Rarity cried, switching from pure hatred to tears complete with loud sobbing without warning.
“And I’m not tiny! I’m big for my size!” Leaf Hoarder yelled as she poked her head out of the hole.
“Destroy you!” Rarity screeched like a banshee, launching a rock straight at Leaf.
“Eep!” She retreated as the rock thuncked against the wood.
“Rarity, play nice!” Fluttershy scolded.
“So what’s your names?” Pinkie asked, tapping on the bird house.
“Pinkie! Don’t tap on the glass!” Rainbow Dash protested, smacking her hoof away.
“But it’s not glass Dashie!” She sang, twisting under her hoof to tap it again.
“Hey, will you all just leave! My sick sister is trying to sleep!” Leaf yelled, poking her head out of the hole again.
Rarity had opened her mouth, just about to yell something when Fluttershy’s wing flashed to her face, the tip of her feathers inches from her face.
“Zst!” She hissed.
All the ponies froze, looking at Fluttershy, who quickly shrank under their combined gazes.
“I said play nice.” She whispered.
“Anyways, you need to leave, her sister needs her sleep.” Rainbow Dash said, pointing at the door.
“But what about their party!” Pinkie protested.
“No parties either, we need to keep them a secret, if everypony knew about them they would become a zoo.” Rainbow Dash explained.
“But come on! I’ve never thrown a ‘Happy-welcome-to-town And a You’re-a-fairy party at the same time.”
“You’ve thrown a Fairy party before?” Fluttershy asked, retracting her wing from Rarity’s face.
“Of course, you silly. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Pinkie, that makes no sense my dear.” Rarity said, shooting daggers with her eyes at Leaf.
“You met another Fairy?” Leaf asked, leaning out of the window as far as she could without falling out, her wings buzzing.
“You mean you don’t know other Fairies?” Pinkie asked, horrified.
“It’s only been me and my sister since...” Leaf started, but choked up.
“Oh dear!” Fluttershy cried, rushing over and scooping the distraught fairy into a hug.
“Lungs collapsing, ribs snapping, OW!” Leaf complained, flailing her hooves.
“Fluttershy, dear, you’re hurting her.” Rarity said, only half able to hide her happiness.
“Group hug!” Pinkie yelled, leaping and grabbing Rainbow Dash and Rarity, scooping them together with Fluttershy.
“Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash grumbled.
“Yes Dashie-poo!” She sang.
“First, never call me Dashie-poo ever again, and secondly, right now isn’t the best of times.”
“Shhh, just let it happen Dashie.” She whispered into her ear.
“Pinkie, this is only a little creepy.”
“And growing creepier.” Rarity complained, squirming.
“Okay, and besides, it’s getting late, I gotta get home and feed Gummy.” Pinkie said, dumping her friends loose and bouncing out of the still open door.
“I think I should go with her, make sure she knows how serious it is that nopony finds out about our tiny guests, as much as I want to squash you.” She paused for dramatic effect, glaring down her snout at Leaf who stood on Fluttershy's head and stuck her tongue out, “It would be rather unlady like of me to turn you into a sideshow at a carnival.”
And with a flip of her tail, she left also, following Pinkie at a much more reasonable pace. The door creaked shut as Rainbow Dash closed it.
“Geez, I thought they would never leave.” Rainbow Dash complained.
“Now that you are done showing me off, I’m going to check up on my sister, seeing how that pink one was shaking the house.” Leaf grumbled, flying off of Fluttershy’s head and disappearing into the hole in the front of the birdhouse.
“And we need to get to bed too, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
Fluttershy nodded, leading Rainbow Dash up the stairs.
“Oh, you’re all mine now.” Twilight said, watching her friends go upstairs from outside the window, rubbing her hooves together in anticipation.
Ch.3 Government Sanctioned Hits
Twilight waited for the sun to fully set and then some more. Once she was fully convinced that her friends were fast asleep she slowly lifted the window open with her hoof, focusing her magic on a sound canceling spell, just in case.
Twilight slinked through the window, carefully stepping on the floor, feeling for the creaky floorboards with her hoof. As she stepped from shadow to shadow, she flicked a hoof full of sleep powder she had confiscated from Spike towards the birdhouse. She used her magic to guide it like a homing missile til it stuck with a wet thump. A cascade of sparkles rained down on to the floor below it in a silent firework show for one.
She slowly pried the lid open, a bit of leftover sleep magic stirring up into the air as light dust into her face. Twilight scrunched up her face and held her nose as she almost sneezed, tears springing up and running down her face. She spent a long time twitching, facing away from the birdhouse.
After a few moments the sneezes subsided enough for her to function. She wiped the snot off her face, and turned back to her prize. A dozen measurement and probing instruments floated out of her bag and hung in the air around her head, ready to do the deed. She peered into the birdhouse and studied the sleeping fairies the a clinical eye, notes already being joted down without her even glancing at the notepad.
She carefully lifted the first one’s leg from around the other and levitated it out and onto the porch of the birdhouse. She started using her tape measure to start taking measurements of the fairy’s various limbs, still carefully noting everything she saw.
“Sister, that tickles.” She mumbled.
Twilight froze, tape measure stretched the length of her wing, worried that she had awoken her research subject. But the fairy nodded off again quickly, snoring slightly as it stretched like a cat, Twilight sighed and resumed her measurements, more carefully this time after she sprinkled more sleep powder on the fairy’s face.
“Leafie, I’m cold.” The fairy inside the box cried, reaching for her sister, her hooves clopping against the insides of the birdhouse.
Twilight used her magic to tuck it further into the blanket, tight enough that it was hard for it to move around again before she started probing the one she had in her magical grasp.
“Sister, please don’t leave me.” The other one begged, rolling out of the blanket.
Twilight stopped, and set her long hooked probe that she was using to count ribs down next to her current subject. She leaned in over the birdhouse and studied the other fairy as it reached and felt around the birdhouse in a near panic. Curious, she lowered her hoof into the house.
The fairy instantly latched onto her hoof, nuzzling it lovingly.
“Leafie, I wub you.” She muttered into Twilight’s hoof.
Twilight glanced at the other fairy, who was on her back, snoring as her hooves twitched in the air. She wondered about the relationship between the two, thinking back to her biological textbooks and wrote a quick note to herself in the notepad.
“Best sister ever.” The clutching her hoof declared before she hugged Twilight’s hoof harder and started to drool.
Twilight stood stunned. Staring at the Fairy hugging her hoof.
What was I doing? She scolded herself, These are ponies just like me and my brother? What kind of monster was I to think of them as only test subjects?
Twilight yanked her hoof out of the house, she used her magic to grab the other one and dumped her gently into her sister’s arms as she backed away. She let go of the lid, which snapped shut puffing sleep powder in Twilight’s face again and she also dropped all of her instruments with a slight clatter.
I was going to imprison them for nothing other than my curiosity! She screamed at herself as she yawned, And I was going to stuff their bodies afterwards!
Twilight yawned again as she tried to stand up, only to find herself to fall flat on her face. Her legs refused to move and were numb. Twilight’s eyes shot open in horror as she realized what was happening.
The powder! She panicked, I can’t sleep here, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy will find me here in the mor-
“Good morning Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said coldly, splashing water on Twilight’s face.
“Gah! I’m innocent, I did nothing I swear it!” She sputtered, spitting water out of her mouth and sitting up in a flash.
“Then explain this!” Rainbow Dash said, holding up a particularly vicious looking probe.
“And this please.” Fluttershy said, holding up a dark purple velvet bag full of sleep powder.
“I’m the princess of the teeth, I was collecting a tooth from under your pillow and fell asleep.” Twilight sputtered out quickly, panicking as Rainbow Dash glared at her.
“Twilight, please don’t lie.” Fluttershy said sadly, dumping the powder into the trash.
“I’m sorry! I came here to study the fairies.” She said, hanging her head in shame.
“Study me! Do I look like a freakin lab rat?” Leaf Hoarder demanded, landing on Twilight’s nose at about mach five.
“No, that’s why I stopped, I realized you were just like me or any other pony. I couldn’t do that to you. I’m sorry!” She sobbed, collapsing on the ground.
“You’ll be sorry once I’m done with you!” Leaf Hoarder screamed, whipping her sword out of nowhere only for it to be yanked from her grasp by Fluttershy.
“Seriously, how many of those do you have?” Rainbow Dash questioned.
“Enough to do this!” She yelled, pulling another out, only for Fluttershy to take it also.
“Don’t stab Twilight in the face please.” Fluttershy asked of her, hiding behind her mane.
“Then I’ll cut off her mane and shave her face!” Leaf screamed, going to pull a sword but to come up empty-hoofed.
“Fine, you win this round purple.” She huffed, diving off of Twilight’s nose and zipping up and around into the birdhouse.
“That escalated quickly.” Twilight said shakily.
“She does that, but you deserved it, what were you thinking? Maybe there was a reason we didn’t tell you about them.”
“Please don’t say things like that Rainbow Dash, she is still our friend.” Fluttershy said.
“Oh come on, you know if Pinkie or Rarity were here they would be saying the same thing.”
“Wait, you told Rarity and Pinkie Pie? Who else knows?” Twilight asked.
“Hopefully just them, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pinkie Pie wasn't already preparing a par-”
*SLAM*
“PARTY! Yes, I am! Though, since I can’t have a party with all my pony friends in town, I baked a cupcake representing everypony!” Pinkie yelled as she rolled a card that was sagging under the weight of so many cupcake stacked on it.
The tension in the room was as thick as tar as Twilight and Rainbow Dash stared at Pinkie Pie, who looked very tired but was still bouncing with her boundless energy as she rambled off traits of ponies and cupcakes.
“Wait, when did you tell Twilight.” Pinkie paused, holding a purple sparkly cupcake that had Twilight’s cutie mark on it.
“Uh...” Twilight started, blushing bright red.
“It’s a long story Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow Dash said, holding her face with her hoof, “And where did Fluttershy go?”
Looking around it was easy to spot a pink tail sprouting from under her couch. Pinkie Pie bounced over and slid under the couch in a single move and Fluttershy was shoved out the side, her eyes wide enough that it seemed like they were going to pop out of her head.
“What were you doing under here Fluttershy? The par-tay is out here!” Pinkie sang, somehow appearing in the pile of cupcakes without being seen leaving from under the couch.
“Is she always this insane?” Leaf horder asked, her head poking out of the window.
“Yes, have a cupcake!” Pinkie cried, plucking her out of the window and flinging her into the pile.
“HEY!” She sputtered, popping out of one, flinging crumbs everywhere.
“And I brought a guest too!” Pinkie yelled, lifting the cloth draped around the base of one of the carts revealing a tied up mare who was wearing a nurse’s hat.
“Pinkie, please tell me you didn’t ponynap that nurse.” Twilight asked, her voice monotone as she stared with horror at the very angry looking nurse.
“Mrrfff.” The nurse grumbled through the gag in her mouth, shaking her tied up hooves violently.
“”Pinkie, can you please let her go, if that’s okay....” Fluttershy said, hiding behind both Rainbow Dash and her mane.
“Well duh, that’s the plan.” Pinkie said, yanking on a rope, freeing the nurse.
She shot out from under the cart like a cannon ball and was halfway through the door before she ran into a purple magic wall.
“First she pony naps me, then la-dee-da I find out it’s a government sanctioned hit!” She screamed, hurling a cupcake at Twilight.
“I just found out about this myself,” Twilight said sourly, wiping the cupcake off her face, “And besides, the Princesses haven’t done anything like that for more than a century.”
“Hey, don’t leave the party yet, this little pony needs your help.” Pinkie said, holding a tiny bed to her face.
The nurse went cross-eyed as she looked at the fairy thrust in her face.
“You got to be joking. You ponynapped me to show me a doll. And ponies think I’m unstable.” She said.
“You silly, she’s not a doll, she’s a fairy.”
“And my sister! Get away from her you creeper!” Leaf screamed, leaping from her cupcake towards the nurse, running into Rainbow Dash’s outstretched wing.
“Ignore her, she’s a bit of a cranky pony.” Rainbow Dash said, holding Leaf still and carefully avoiding being stabbed by yet another sword.
“Was that a...” The nurse sputtered, mouth hanging open, pointing at Leaf Hoarder.
“A Fairy, yes.” Twilight said.
“And so is...” The poor nurse continued sputtering, pointing at the sleeping fairy between her eyes.
“She is a fairy too.” Fluttershy whispered, hiding behind Rainbow Dash.
“Oh Celestia.” The nurse said before she face planted the floor, furniture all across the room bounced a few inches into the air.
“Pinkie, didn’t we have a talk about ponynapping ponies?” Twilight asked, turning on her friend.
“Yes, that’s why I borrowed her, I left an IOU.”
“Pinkie....” Twilight started, but was stopped by Rainbow Dash holding a hoof up and shaking her head.
“Fluttershy dear, are you home?” Rarity asked as she walked through the front door.
“Oh, did I miss something?” She asked, looking with disdain at the piles of cupcakes lining the room messily.
“Pinkie ponynapped a nurse who is now working with Lily in the kitchen.” Twilight explained without looking up from her book.
Rarity stood at the doorway, staring at Twilight, who ignored her and kept on reading her book. Leaf Hoarder was pacing back and forth on the arm of the couch next to Twilight, biting her lip and muttering something.
“Yes, Twilight knows about the fairies.” Rainbow Dash explained from her spot at the card table, where she, Fluttershy, and Pinkie were playing a card game.
“Oh, okay, so how are things going with Lily then?” Rarity asked, stepping around the cupcakes littering the floor.
“I don’t know, she won’t let me into the room!” Leaf cried, flopping onto the arm of the couch, flailing her hooves in the air.
“Don’t worry dear, I’m sure there is a reason she’s keeping you out. Oh, and by the way.” Rarity paused to pick up the largest cupcake she could find.
“Revenge is sweet!” She snarled, smashing the cupcake down on Leaf, splattering crumbs all over Twilight and her book.
“Hey, this is a first edition! Celestia herself gave this to me.” She protested, holding her book up and away from the mess as it exploded.
“Hey, what was that for?” Demanded Leaf, digging her way out of the cupcake.
“This!” Rarity yelled, pointing at her face.
Twilight and Leaf leaned in, squinting to see better.
“You got me, I see nothing.” Leaf said.
“You scarred my perfect beauty! You scratched me!” She said, pointing at a barely visible pink line on her face.
“Rarity, I think you are over-reacting a bit. I can barely see that.” Rainbow Dash said, throwing her cards down as Pinkie pulled the pile of cookies in the center of the table towards herself, adding to her already impressive pile.
“No my dear, I think I have reacted just as much as a lady should in a situation such as this.” Rarity said, trotting over to the armchair and sitting in it.
“I hope you know this means war.” Leaf said, eating her way out of the remnants of the cupcake.
“Mrs. Leaf, your sister is awake and wants to see you.” The nurse called from the kitchen.
The cupcake practically exploded, covering a protesting Twilight as she used her magic to protect her book with even more crumbs as Leaf Hoarder shot into the kitchen.
The nurse walked out of the kitchen, tossing a medical mask into the trash as she walked by it. She walked over to an empty chair and plopped into it very un-lady like, gaining a gasp from Rarity, who was about to protest when the Nurse spoke up.
“That is one of the worst cases of pneumonia I’ve seen in all of my years as a nurse. I am just hoping there will be no serious lung scarring. And while I do not agree with how you arranged this house call, it was a good thing you did.”
“So is there anything we can do?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Nothing at the moment, besides not dunking her in anymore rivers and trying to drown her.” The nurse said, giving Rainbow Dash an evil glare.
“Sorry, I promise I won’t do it again Mrs....”
“Joy. I’m the same nurse who’s helped you numerous times Miss Dash.” Nurse Redheart sighed, smacking herself in the face with her hoof.
“Heh, sorry.” Rainbow Dash muttered, rubbing the back of her head.
“You seem to be taking your first fairy patient very well.” Twilight said, quickly diverting the conversation before Rainbow Dash was embarrassed more.
“Well my grandmother always told me stories of trolls, humans and other mythical creatures, so seeing one that is exactly like a normal pony just smaller isn’t that much of a mind blower. And besides, as far a patients go she has been one of the few to actually be appreciative of what I’ve done.” Joy huffed.
“Oh, come on now Mrs. Joy, surely it’s not that bad.” Twilight said.
“I still have a bruise from when Rainbow Dash hit me with a book.” She deadpanned.
“Rainbow, how many times do I have to tell you books aren’t weapons.” Twilight said, glaring at Rainbow Dash.
“Oh, hey, look at the time, I’ll go check on the fairies.” Rainbow Dash said, zipping off into the kitchen.
“Anypony want to take a bet on how long before she gets stabbed in the face?” Pinkie asked innocently pulling out a notebook from somewhere.
“So is everything going okay in here?” Rainbow Dash asked, flying towards the table.
“Hi *Cough* so you’re the pony who pull- *Cough* pulled me from my sinking house.” Lily said, waving weakly.
“She’s also the one who sank our house!” Leaf Hoarder yelled, bouncing around like a boxer ready to fight.
“Calm down Leafie, she *Cough* didn’t know my house *Cough* was the log, I’m sure she had perfectly good reason.”
“Heh, Leafie.” Rainbow snorted.
“HEY! Only my sister is allowed to call me that!” Leaf Hoarder yelled, hoping in anger.
“Leafie, sit.” Lily coughed sternly.
Leaf Hoarder froze mid air and plopped down next to her sister’s impromptu bed, scowling at Rainbow Dash. Her wings were buzzing with barely contained energy.
“So, no hard feelings then?” Rainbow Dash asked, holding a hoof to the back of her head.
“Not as long as you build me a new house.” Lily said, her smile never slipping.
“Umm, what?”
“You *Cough* heard me correctly. I refuse to go live with my sister, her house is a horrible mess. Wall to wall with nothing but junk”
“Hey, that’s my collection you’re talking about!” Leaf protested.
“And seeing how you’re *Cough* huge and I’m sick, it all works out.” She said, her smile growing ever larger.
“Umm, I’m a weather pegasus, not a construction pony. I won’t be able to build something you would like living in.”
“Don’t worry, I have faith in you.” She said.
“Rainbow Dash, do not bother my patients too much or I will have to pluck your feathers.” Nurse Joy yelled from the living room.
“Umm.. I better go now, after Pinkie Pie ponynapped her, I wouldn’t put it past her to pluck all of them out.” Rainbow Dash said nervously, shifting from hoof to hoof.
The two fairies watched Rainbow Dash leave before turning to each other.
“Did she just say she *Cough cough* took the nurse captive?” Lily asked fearfully, looking wide-eyed at her sister, clutching her sister’s hoof tightly.
“I told you we need to escape. They’re going to experiment on us! Why else would a princess be here? There are only two of them and I’m sure they have more pressing manners like raising the moon and sun then to just ‘entertain’ houseguests.” Leaf whispered at her sister, pointing at the door with a shaking hoof.
“I’m sure you’re over-reacting a bit *Cough*. Why else would they help me?”
“Because they don’t want sick specimens. Look at that yellow one, her cutie mark is three butterflies! She probably got it by pinning those poor creatures to some board as a part of her collection!” Leaf sputtered, waving her hooves in the air.
“Calm down, they’ll hear you.” Lily whispered, pointing at the door with one hoof and making shushing motions with her other hoof.
“We need to leave, and quick!” Leaf said, zipping off to start grabbing supplies.
“I can’t *Cough* leave! I’m too sick to be moving around, and winter is coming, I cannot be homeless li-*Cough* like this.” Lily cried, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll be here to protect you!” Leaf announced heroically, her voice cracking.
“Leafie, they’re just going to trap us like what happened to our parents.” Lily cried, tears streaming down her face as she grabbed her sister and pulled her into a hug.
“Lily, that won’t happen. I will not let it happen. Not again.” Leaf said, hugging her sister back, her brave face slipping completely as she also broke down.
“I miss them so much.” Lily sobbed before breaking into a coughing fit, laying down and curling into a ball.
“Don’t worry Lily, I’ll never let anything happen.” Leaf vowed, covering her sister with her blanket and leaning against the side of her bed.
“Well that explains a few things.” Nurse Joy whispered to herself, having just witnessed the whole scene from the small crack in the door.
“Nurse, is everything okay?” Twilight asked.
“Umm, yeah. I’m fine.” Joy said, closing the kitchen door slowly and walking back to the couch.
“I thought you were going to go check on them?” Pinkie asked as she put down a king, a uno reverse card, and a set of dize.
“They’ll be fine, and if anything happens I’m sure Leaf will tell us.”
“Pinkie, I’m sorry, but that’s not a real hand.” Fluttershy said, pointing at the cards she had put down.
“Yay, I win, now I can go check on the fairies! Maybe they’re ready for those cupcakes.” Pinkie yelled, bouncing out of her seat and towards the door.
“Stop!” Joy yelled, grabbing her by the tail.
“Why? Are they allergic to my frosting?”
“No... Umm.... Cupcakes aren’t healthy, what she really needs is a potion from Zecora, tell her I need my usual.” Joy said, struggling with her words.
“Cupcakes are healthy you silly filly” Pinkie protested angrily.
Nurse Joy tried containing herself, her eyebrows twitched in anger, the sides of her mouth turned downwards as her jaw clenched. Twilight, noticing this, stuffed a cupcake in Pinkie’s mouth and turned her towards the door quickly.
“Okay, we’ll have to leave now if we want to get back before it gets too dark.” She said.
“And while you’re there you might want to see if she knows anything about fairies, I’m sure she has at least heard stories about them.” Fluttershy said, nudging Rainbow Dash towards Joy.
“And heck, I should probably take Nurse Joy home, I’m sure her family is worried about her.”
“No need.” Joy spat out quickly, “The only thing I have back home are my cats, and they only care about me when it’s time to be fed.”
“That’s how I know you, you’re the one who has the super-whooper cutie Snookems and the beautiful widdle Mr. Wiffles.” Fluttershy said, grabbing either side of Joy’s face and squeezing her face together.
“Wet go o my fwace.” Joy said, trying to pull back.
“Sorry.” Fluttershy said, shrinking back to her usual demeanor behind Rainbow Dash.
“And I thought you knew, I’ve been bringing my cats to you for years, I even adopted them from you.” Joy said.
“Yeah, she has that problem a lot actually. She remembers the pets and not the ponies who adopted them. I’m sure if it wasn't for the fact she buys supplies in town, she would never leave her house.” Rainbow Dash
“Great, she just remembers me as that crazy cat la.....” Joy stopped herself as she realized what she was about to call herself, Rainbow Dash biting her lip, trying not to laugh.
“Pinkie, we need to go if we are going to get back before dark.” Twilight said.
“Twilight dear, do you need a sane pony to go with you?” Rarity asked.
“What fun if there in being sane?” Pinkie asked, twisting her head at a crazy angle.
Twilight looked at Pinkie for a moment, you could hear the gears in Twilight’s head grind to a stop as her eye twitched.
“Pinkie dear, what have we told you about quoting Discord.” Rarity said as she trotted over.
“Yes, but it’s funny to break Twilight, cause that’s when I can do this!” Pinkie yelled as she picked up Twilight, who was frozen in her stance, and ran out the door with her.
“Pinkie, come back, you know Twilight hates it when you move her!” Rarity yelled as she ran after the pink blur that was rapidly disappearing.
“Should we be worried that in one week that one pony has kidnapped both a nurse and a princess?” Joy asked.
“I would be worried if she started locking ponies in her basement.” Rainbow Dash said, shuddering.
“Why would she do-”
At that moment, there was a mighty crash in the kitchen, followed shortly by battle cry and more crashing. All three ponies froze, staring at the door, before they all leapt into action.
Author's Note
Sorry about the delay, meant to up this last Saturday, but ended up driving a MEV all weekend (And week)
And for those that don't know, MEV stands for Medical Evacuation Vehicle, aka it's an offroad, armored ambulance
Ch.4 The Storm is a Brewin!
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy wedged themselves in the doorway as Nurse Joy jumped over them. Her rear hooves caught on Rainbow Dash head and she crashed onto the floor on the other side coming to a sliding stop under the kitchen table. Scrambling out from under the table she saw Leaf wielding a plastic spork like a spear, it’s blunt tip a few inches from a white bunnies face. Lily was underneath her blankets shaking so hard the whole bed seemed to be vibrating.
“What’s wrong?” Rainbow Dash demanded.
“That monster attacked my sister!” Leaf yelled, slowly circling the bunny.
“Angel, I told you to play nice.” Fluttershy scolded.
The bunny pointed it’s furry finger accusingly at Leaf and made wild gestures with his other hand before it was pointed at a broken vase with some flowers scattered near it laying on the floor next to the counter.
“It looks like she was only trying to give her flowers.” Nurse Joy said, putting two and two together
“Is the rabbit *Cough* gone yet?” Lily asked.
“Flowers of Doom!” Leaf yelled, stabbing at Angel with her spork threateningly.
“Gimmie that, you are no longer to allowed to have anything even remotely dangerous.” Nurse Joy said as she yanked the spork out of her grasp.
“Hey!”
*Thunk*
“Ow! What was that for?” Leaf protested, rubbing her forehead where she was just smacked by the spork that was just taken from her.
“Try talking your issues out next time without resorting to violence. Violence leads nowhere except more violence.” Joy lectured her, waving the spork through the air, punctuating her point.
“Then why did you hit me?”
“Because thats the only way to get through your thick skull.”
“Umm, excuse me, but why would Lily be afraid of little Angel here, he may not have the greatest of attitudes, but he would never harm anypony.” Fluttershy said, picking up said bunny and giving him a rib crushing hug.
Lily poked her head out from underneath the blanket, tears on her face as she explained, “When I was little our house collapsed when a warren was expanding their own home, I was buried alive, but I could see the ra-*Cough* rabbits, just ignoring me. I was there for two days before Daddy found me.”
With that, she pulled her head back under the blanket and hid again.
“I think we should let her go back to sleep, she’s had a long day and she needs her rest. Don’t make me make that an order.” Joy threatened, waving the spork near Leaf’s head.
“You just made a non-violence speech and are now threatening me?” Leaf questioned, placing both of her hooves on the spork and forcing it out of her face.
“I’m a nurse, I can fix what I can break.” She threatened, smiling evilly.
“And I’ll grab the cookies too!” She continued, switching completely to a sweet and innocent demeanor as she grabbed a bowl from the counter and walked into the living room.
“Anypony else suddenly more afraid of that nurse than anything else on this world?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Uh huh.” Fluttershy whimpered from between Rainbow Dash’s legs.
“I no longer need to pee.....” Leaf said.
“Ew.” Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy said in unison.
“Are you coming?” Joy demanded as she poked her head into the kitchen.
“So how are you going to explain this to Dr. Whooves?” Joy asked, looking at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy as she munched on cookies.
“How am I supposed to know, I’m not the one who ponynapped you, so why are we responsible for making up excuses.” Rainbow Dash said, reaching for the bowl of cookies.
“C-could you say that you took a sick day?” Fluttershy said, hiding behind her quickly, but sturdily built pillow fort.
“No, I’ve already used up my sick days. Next.” She said, smacking Rainbow Dash’s hoof away from her cookies.
“Maybe that you had a pressing family matter.” Fluttershy suggested.
“He knows I live with only my cats.” She said, picking up the bowl and pulling it closer to herself.
“Then just tell him the truth.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Yes, because telling another pony who has access to tools and abilities to dissect me? Yeah, right, pass!” Leaf said, rolling a cupcake from the pile towards the couch.
“He always did want to discover something new.”
“See, and discovery sounds a lot like dissection to me.” Leaf protested.
“So what now then?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I could just say that I misread the schedule and thought I was off today.” Joy said, grabbing the cupcake from Leaf.
“Hey, that’s mine.” Leaf Protested, hanging onto the cupcake.
“And eating twice your weight in baked goods is bad for you, you’ll get fat.” Joy said, peeling both the wrapper and Leaf off in one deft movement and took a bite out of the cupcake.
“Same could be said of you.” Leaf grumbled as she flew back towards the pile.
“What did you say?” Joy demanded.
“Nothing!” Leaf yelped, leaping into the pile and hiding.
“What did you send Twilight to get from Zecora, if you don’t mind me asking.” Fluttershy asked.
“That should be obvious, she is a shamanistic healer who is able to brew the best of the best alchemical remedies. And little Lily in there is way too small for me to administer the usual antibiotics accurately.” She explained, waving a cookie in the air.
“And we can trust her not to poison my sister with an evil brew?” Leaf demanded.
“I can vouch for her myself, she is the gentlest of souls, even if she always rhythms, which trust me, it gets annoying fast.” Rainbow Dash said, Fluttershy nodding in agreement.
“And she can cu-”
The door thumped open and Zecora rushed in, a wide eyed Twilight and Rarity clutching each other as Pinkie bounced around in excitement.
“I was told there are fairies here.” Zecora said, looking around frantically.
“I thought you said she always rhythmed.” Joy said, looking at Rainbow Dash.
“I, umm, came here as soon as I heard it by my ear.” Zecora said, sputtering.
“Told ya, even if she was a bit slow on the second part.” Rainbow Dash said in triumph.
“It is the fairy I seek, and I brought a cure for the weak.” Zecora said, holding up a vial of blue milky liquid.
“I’ll take that.” Joy said, reaching of the vial only for Zecora to hold it away from her grasp.
“The fairy I seek, and I ask they do not be meek.” Zecora said.
“Why do you want to meet me so badly? Leaf asked defensively, only poking her head out of the cupcake pile long enough to ask her question before disappearing as Zecora rushed over.
“Why my little friend, I will only question you too no end. Do not fret I mean no foul, I will quit when you are ready to throw in the towel.” Zecora said, sifting cupcakes aside, revealing a panicking, cornered fairy.
“I’m not going to let you harvest me foul demon, I saw what you did to that fairy in the forest!” Leaf yelled, diving into a cupcake and attempting to dig her way through it.
Zecora shook her head sadly and held up a hoof to stop Rainbow Dash who was coming to Leaf’s aid. Zecora them picked Leaf up by her brown tail and pulled her out of her hole and set her on the coffee table. She also set the plate of cookies on her tail to prevent her from flying off.
“Did what to whom? I guess it is this who you presume.” Zecora asked.
A small face appeared in Zecora’s mane, it’s eyes grew wide when it saw Leaf. It lept out of her mane and tackled Leaf in a rib crushing hug.
“Another Fairy! I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of my life!” It sobbed, yanking Leaf free, causing her to lose her the last few inches of her tail.
“Owie! I’m glad to see you also, but let me go.” Leaf gasped.
“Umm, excuse me, but Lilly still needs that medicine.” Fluttershy said, pointing at the vial.
“Oh, right, this will restore her might.” Zecora said, handing it to Joy who walked into the kitchen.
“But I saw you grab that fairy in the forest after you smashed it to the ground.” Leaf said, pushing the other fairy away.
“No, I was attacked by a manticore, she saved me from being a snack. She’s spent the last year nursing me back to health and has given me a home.” The new fairy explained as it released it’s hug.
As the two fairies separated their size difference became obvious. The new fairy was about half the size of Leaf.
“Why are you smaller than her?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Because I’m only a colt, duh.” He said, flicking his tail in frustration.
“Where did your parent’s go?” Fluttershy asked.
The smaller fairy sat down suddenly, looking at the ground sullenly.
“I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” Fluttershy said, panicking, grabbing teddy bears and other cutesy stuffed animals from somewhere and surrounded him with them.
“Hey kid, it’s alright, just let it all out. I know what it feels like.” Leaf said, climbing over a leg to hug him, patting him on the back as he shook.
Zecora leaned in towards Rainbow Dash and whispered into her ear, “I tried my best, but they now permanently rest. Their fate, was what the manticore ate.”
“Oh.” Was all Rainbow Dash could say as she watched Fluttershy frantically try to calm the sobbing fairy.
“I knew I could count on you to help cure Leaf’s sister.” Joy sang as she walked into the room.
“That is good to hear, perhaps you can still become nurse of the year.” Zecora said, grabbing a cupcake from the pile and popping it into her mouth.
“I am not sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.” Joy said, annoyed, but still happy.
“Sister? Wait, you mean there’s more than just one of you?” The young fairy asked.
“Of course, why else would she drag us all the way here to cure a healthy fairy?” Twilight asked, recovering enough to untangle herself from Rarity.
“But it was so fun!” Pinkie yelled, bouncing around the room.
“But look at my mane, it is ruined, it’ll take me weeks to repair this much damage!” Rarity cried, holding her mane in front of her eyes, a few twigs poking out of it.
“Rarity, it’s not that bad.” Twilight said
“Not that bad? Fluttershy I require your immediate help now!” She continued, grabbing Fluttershy by the hoof and dragging her upstairs.
“Is it always this crazy here?” The younger Fairy asked, sniffing and wiping at snot.
“‘Fraid so kiddo, at least they look were they step.” Leaf said, taking one of the cookies from the plate and rolling it in front of the other fairy.
“So what is your name? I can’t put ‘Fairy Colt’ on your welcome banner or use it a thousand times in that fanfic I’m writing about you!” Pinkie Pie asked at the top of her voice.
“It’s Fire Fly, just call me Fry though.” He said, grabbing the cookie and pulling it up like a blanket, nibbling at the edge.
“I’m sorry, but I’m just about to explode!” Pinkie said, bouncing around the room.
“Pinkie, calm down, you are not going to explode.” Twilight said, holding her hoof to her face.
“But he is so cute!” She said, bouncing over an amused Zecora.
“I must agree, he is cuter than any of we.” Zecora said.
“How come you didn’t tell us about him earlier?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“You never inquired, so information you never acquired.” She simply stated, reaching for the plate of cookies to grab herself one.
“So do you know of any others?” Joy asked, smacking Zecora’s hoof away.
“Growing up the only fairies I knew were myself and my parents. They did mention a fairy city, but they never told me where.” Fry said.
“My parent’s said the same thing, but they never told me where, just that it existed.” Leaf said.
“Well, we have to find it. Reunite you with your people.” Twilight said.
“Could I bring my Auntie with me?” Fry asked innocently.
“Aunt? Thought you were alone.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Yeah, Auntie Zecky.”
“Aww, isn’t that cute, you’re an Auntie.” Rainbow teased, nudging Zecora in the ribs.
“Jest if you must, we have earned each others trust.” Zecora said solemnly, her wise look ruined by cupcake crumbs on her face.
“I’m sure that there has to be something in my books about a fairy city, and if not, I have full access to the entire library at Canterlot.” Twilight said helpfully.
“Couldn’t you just ask Princess Celestia or Princess Luna?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“And have them start a zoological study on me? Have I mentioned that dissection hurts, a whole freakin’ lot!” Leaf protested.
“The Princess would never do anything like that to ya.” Twilight protested.
“I’d rather not take my chances, seeing how it’s my sister and my life on the line if you’re wrong.”
“But-”
“No buts, no flanks, and no donkeys! This is final. I do not want everypony in the world knowing about me!” Leaf huffed, screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Hey! You’re scaring Fry.” Rainbow Dash said, gingerly covering the whimpering fairy with her hooves.
“Hey, I’m sorry kid,” She started, quieting down and using a much gentler tone, “But you just can’t trust the biggies. To them little pony’s like us are just playthings. You gotta trust me when I say you cannot trust them.”
“Why should I trust you when she’s the one who saved me.” He sobbed, taking a wobbly flight straight back into her mane, hiding again.
“It is not always easy to trust, but sometimes you must.” Zecora said, shaking her head sadly as she turned and trotted out of the door.
“Smooth going Leaf. First you insult the people helping you and then you chase off the only one of your kind that’s not related to you.” Rainbow Dash teased.
“Oh shut-up or I’ll.... I’ll.... You know what, forget all of you, me and my sister are leaving.” Leaf yelled, flying towards the closed kitchen door.
She hovered there for about a minute, flapping hard trying to move the door, which refused to budge. The room was utterly silent, the ponies shocked at her sudden outburst.
“You know you could be nice and open this huge friggin’ door ya know!” She grunted angrily.
“Leaf, I know you’re angry, but even with the medicine I just gave her, your sister is still very sick. Too sick to be moving out in that cold weather.” Joy said gently as she walked up behind the still struggling fairy.
“Then she won’t move, I’ll do the moving for her!” She grunted.
“She needs to stay warm and dry, somewhere well sheltered.” Joy continued.
“I got a house too! I’m not a hobo you know.”
“But sh-”
“Will you just shut up and open this damn door!” She yelled, stopping her struggles long enough to slam onto the top of Joy’s head, shaking a hoof at the door.
Nurse Joy sat still for a moment, her shoulders slumped in defeat before she put her hoof out and turned the door knob. The door clicked and swung open on it’s own, but Leaf was through it before it was even half way open.
“We just can’t let her go!” Twilight protested.
“Or what, you’ll fillynap her and her sister too? Way to go government sanctioned crimes! The only thing that would do is to push both of them away and ensure they would definitely not trust anypony ever again. The only thing we can do is try to help them when they want help.” Joy said sadly.
“But I haven’t been able to throw them parties yet.” Pinkie wailed, tears flowing freely down her face.
“But maybe you can still give them presents, they’re going to needs blankets and food.” Rainbow Dash suggested.
*GASP* “You’re right, don’t let them leave without seeing Auntie Pinkie first!” She announced, disappearing upstairs.
There was a series of bumps and scrapes upstairs, followed by Rarity screaming something about privacy, before Pinkie came thundering down the stairs again, followed by a basket floating on a couple of brightly colored balloons.
Leaf came flying out of the kitchen at that moment, her sleeping sister balanced between her buzzing wings, still wrapped in the blanket from her bed.
“What?” She demanded, glancing at all the ponies staring at her.
“You sure you want to do this? You can stay until your sister is better you know.” Twilight said softly.
“Yeah, right, and give you all more chances to trap us? Nah, I’ll take my chances.” She said, flying past Twilight’s face.
“Here!” Pinkie said cheerily, pushing the balloon gift at a surprised Leaf.
“The heck is that?” She asked, looking between Pinkie and the basket.
“It’s just a couple blankets I borrowed from Fluttershy and some food. Since I can’t throw you a party I’ll just have to give you your gifts now.” She said, smiling.
Leaf hovered there, staring at the basket for a minute before blinking and shaking her head. She kicked it to the side and flew towards the door.
“You can’t fool me, you had that evil purple one cast tracking spells on that junk. Ha ha, no thank you.” She yelled, flying out the door into the growing gloom.
“But I didn’t do anything....” Pinkie protested quietly as she sat down, bowing her head sadly as the balloons popped and the basket fell, spilling its contents across the floor.
“It’ll be okay Pinkie, she’s just angry.” Rainbow Dash said, putting her arm around her friend as she started sobbing.
“I hope they’ll be okay.” Twilight said, walking to the door, looking sadly into the early gloom.
“So do I, and I hope they find shelter before that storm hits.” Joy said as she walked up next to Twilight, pointing at the growing thunderclouds, as a gust of wind hit them in the face.
“Wait, did you say storm?” Rainbow Dash demanded, springing towards them.
“Yeah, I did. That is a storm I see right Ms. Weather Pony?” Joy asked sarcastically.
“Crud, I forgot all about this storm, I need to find them.” Rainbow Dash yelled as she zipped over Twilight.
“What’s so important about this storm Rainbow Dash?” Twilight yelled at her friend as she zipped in a swooping search pattern over the path to ponyville.
In the distance, a jagged bolt of lightning lit up the sky, blinding everypony while the thunder was loud enough to hurt their ears and enough force that it could be felt through their hooves. Another gust of wind slammed into the ponies, carrying the fresh scent of ozone to them, and powerful enough to force Rainbow Dash to land with a thump.
“Because that’s gonna hit harder and faster than you think!”
Ch.5 Parties of Another Kind
Leaf had just had it to the edge of the forest when the first gust of wind smacked into her and slammed her into a tree. She felt something in her wing crunch as is was caught between her sister and the tree.
She timbledl to the ground in a heap, her sister bouncing against her back when she hit the ground, knocking the breath outta her. Leaf whimpered in pain as she tried to move her her twisted wing out from under her sister.
“Leafie, what’s wrong? Why are we outside?” Lily asked groggily before she slumped over Leaf.
“Remind me to put you on a huge diet when this is all over.” Leaf grumbled under her breath, resting for a moment before she yanked her wing free with a cry of pain.
Leaf rolled away from her sister and threw up. She tried standing but her world was spinning and it was growing harder for her to see. She lay there, avoiding her fresh vomit, holding her head for a long time before she felt strong enough to do anything.
The first thing she did was look back at her wing, grimacing when she saw it. It was bent in multiple places where it shouldn’t have and was folded upon itself like cheap paper. She reached back and poked at it, instantly regretting it as a lance of pain shot through her whole body.
“Okay, I feel stupid now.” She said to herself, carefully standing up and staggering over to her sister like a drunk.
“Mrh.” Lily grumbled, curling into more of a ball under her blanket, hiding herself from the stiff breeze.
“Come here sis.” Leaf grunted as she nudged her head under her sister’s side, rolling her onto her back. She cried out in pain as Lily brushed against her wing lightly.
“Yup, diet, for sure.” She gasped, struggling to keep on her hooves as waves of pain washed through her, radiating from her broken wing.
Leaf collapsed onto the ground under her sister, tears spilling down her face as she heard the thunder roll ever closer.
“Not quitting time yet!” She said, lifting herself up on shaky hooves, grimacing in pain.
She lifted one hoof, it felt like it weighed thousands of pounds and set it down in front of her in the barely visible path.
“One down, a million to go.” She sighed looking ahead weakly as the first drops splashed down next to her.
“Leaf! Where are you?”
“Rainbow Dash, slow down!” Twilight called out, ducking under a fallen tree.
“You heard what Nurse Joy said! She cannot be out in weather like this or she might get much worse.” Rainbow Dash said from under a bush, popping out and leaping to the next one.
“But we wo-”SMACK Twilight fell backwards as the tree branch snapped back straight after Rainbow Dash had released it, holding her nose, “Ow! We won’t be much help to them if we hurt ourselves or step on them accidentally.”
Twilight was tackled from the side and held up in the air, Pinkie Pie searching the ground under Twilight before examining her hooves.
“Pinkie, what are you doing?” Twilight demanded.
“Just making sure you didn’t step on Leafie.” She explained.
“Do you mind setting me down?”
“Hurry up, we need to find them before it’s too late!” Rainbow Dash called back, her colorful mane rapidly disappearing into the heavy rain and thick underbrush.
“Scootaloo, ah told you we should have gone back to the farm earlier!” Apple Bloom protested, pushing a bucket under one of the many leaks in the ceiling.
“How was I supposed to know that there was going to be a storm today?” Scootaloo demanded.
“You do know they post the weekly weather schedule up at town hall right?” Sweetie Belle asked, who was dumping a full bucket out the window.
“Yeah, and it’s always wrong, so why bother.”
“Maybe we could just make a run to the farmhouse.” Apple Bloom suggested.
The walls shook for the umpteenth time as the thunder clashed again. Even with the windows fully shuttered there were still spots dancing in their eyes due to the lightning striking so close.
“Should we even be in a tree in a thunderstorm?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Oh, we’ll be fine. We’re in a tree surrounded by trees. As long as we don’t have too much metal we’ll be good.” Scootaloo explained.
“Umm.” Sweetie Belle and Apple Boom said in unison, looking at the metal buckets and pails surrounding them, before looking at the metal stove that had it’s exhaust pipe sticking out of a hole in the room.
“Who’s idea was it to put a wood stove in here anyways?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Hey, I was this close to earning my heating installation cutie mark.” Scootaloo protested, holding up her hooves about an inch apart.
“Did any of you hear something?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking around in confusion.
“Is that really a cutie mark you would really want?” Apple Bloom asked, tossing a wet towel towards the growing pile near the door.
“It’s better than being a blank flank for sure!” Scootaloo protested loudly.
“And what’s so horrible about being a blank flank, you do remember all of us here are blank flanks!” Apple Bloom yelled back.
“Don’t remind me!” Scootaloo screamed back.
“Girls! I think some pony is stuck outside.” Sweetie Belle said, sliding between her arguing friends.
“I didn’t hear anything.” Scootaloo said, stepping to look out the window.
“Neither did I, are you making up things again?” Apple Bloom asked, pulling a full bucket towards the door.
“I am not!” Sweetie huffed, blowing her cheeks out in anger.
“If you’re not careful you’ll get a cutie mark for lying.” Scootaloo teased.
“Better than installing a heater cutie mark.”
“Oh come on, your sister has one for bucking apple trees!” Scootaloo yelled as Sweetie Belle opened the door for Apple Bloom.
“And it’s a good cutie mark to be had, and she earned it by coming home, so it’s not about bucking apples, it’s about family!” Apple Bloom yelled, turning from the door to face Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes as they continued to scream at each other. More and more recently they’ve been at each other throats about the sillier of things and neither of them ever backed down until one or both of them said something they regretted. She sighed as she grabbed the bucket and walked out onto their little patio. She dumped it over the edge and turned back to head inside when the door clicked shut.
She grabbed the door knob and was starting to twist it when the sky light up again. She yelped as she flinched and snapped the door handle clear off.
“Great, I’m never going to hear the end of this.” She muttered looking at the handle in her hoof.
Sweetie Belle froze as she heard another sound just over the rain. It sounded like somepony whimpering. She looked out underneath the patio, ignoring the rain pattering against the back of her head as she scanned under their tree house.
“Is any pony there?” She called.
The sound of rain was her only response. Shaking her head she walked back to the door and knocked on it, calling out to her friends inside.
“Let me in, it’s getting cold out here!” She called, hoping they would hear her over their argument.
She waited for a few moments before she banged the bucket against the door with a loud clang.
“Let me in!” She yelled louder in frustration.
She waited for a couple more seconds, listening to the steadily rising voices of her friends before she threw the bucket against door. It bounced off the door into her forehead before it flew over the railing down to the ground below. It bounced once and rolled under the picnic table and into a dry patch of ground.
Sweetie Belle grumbled in anger as she walked out into the rain and down the ramp. Ignoring the rain as she stomped through the muddy grass and crouched under the picnic table. She grabbed her bucket and turned to leave when she saw a bright red handkerchief behind one of the pillars. Curious as to why it was there, she reached for it, grabbed one of the corners and pulled it towards herself.
“Ow!” She yelped as something stabbed her hoof.
“This is mine, go get your own!” A tiny voice called out.
“Wh- Who’s there?” She asked, using her bucket as a helmet as she scanned around for the invisible ghost pony.
“Doesn’t matter, now go away!” The voice called out again.
“Okay, just please don’t haunt me!” Sweetie Belle cried, scooting backwards as fast as she could.
“Wait, do you have something I can use to dry off with?” The voice called out, tentatively.
“Why wou-would a ghost need to dry off?” She asked.
“I’m not a ghost.” The voice said as a tiny mare stepped out from behind the pillar, brandishing a sword in a hoof.
“Why are you so little? Did you step in some poison joke?” Sweetie Belle asked, scooting closer.
“What? No, I’ve always been this big. But do you have something I can dry off with?” She asked.
“Not out here, but I do have some things up in the tree house that will dry you off.”
“So will you go get them, it’s really important I get dry and soon.” She begged.
“Umm.” Sweetie Belle hesitated, holding up the broken door handle.
“Don’t tell me, you broke the door and now you’re locked out.” She deadpanned, holding her head in her hoof.
“Would you be angry if I said yes?” She asked innocently, blushing.
“Fine, I can probably get us in there, only if you help carry my sister. I’m really pooped and I don’t think I could carry her up that ramp.” She said, pointing at the red handkerchief corner poking around the corner.
“Yeah, I can do that.” She said, helping the little pony pull the other one towards her.
She gently picked up the other pony and set it on top of her head underneath the bucket helmet. The other tiny pony sat, watching her warily, waiting for her to finish before she gestured for her to lead the way.
“Let me carry you too.” She said as she reached down and grabbed the pony.
“ARGH!” She screamed, squirming as Sweetie Belle released her quickly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hurt you did I?” She asked, leaning down to get a closer look at the collapsed pony.
“Yes, you freakin did! That hurt a whole freakin lot! Can’t you see my wing is crumpled and crushed?” She demanded, pointing at her very obviously destroyed wing.
“I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Yeah, try not to grab my left side again.” She said, standing back up slowly.
“Okkaaayyyyy.” She said, reaching down to pick her up again, on her right side this time. The pony still flinched as she was picked up, but didn’t scream out in pain this time. Sweetie Belle put her under her helmet with the other pony before she stepped back out into the rain.
She quickly trotted back through the mud and up their ramp to the front door, ignoring the water leaking of the pair huddled near her horn. She walked up to the front door and took off her helmet, careful to not hit either of them with the it.
The sounds of her friends fighting still drowned out the pitter patter of the rain. They were really going at it tonight, of course, insulting Apple Bloom's family always had a tendency to make the argument that much more explosive.
“There’s more ponies inside?” The awake one asked.
“Yeah, they’re my friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. And no, they won’t hear us out here, or if they do, they’re too busy to notice and open the door.”
“Are they aware that they are supposed to be friends with each other?” She asked, climbing onto Sweetie Belle’s hoof and allowing herself to be lowered onto the floor.
“I don’t know anymore. So can you open this door?” Sweetie Belle said nudging the pony with her hoof
“Gimme a second, will yeah.” She said, wiggling herself under the door.
Sweetie Belle waited outside impatiently waiting for her little savior to open the door from the inside. There was a little rattling on the inside before the door popped open an inch. Sweetie Belle pushed it open the rest of the way slowly, making sure she didn’t hit the little pony with it.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo continued arguing, not even sparing a glance at Sweetie Belle as she reentered the little club-house. The little mare was sitting on the floor, wavering back and forth before falling over, on her left side too.
“Hey, stop fighting long enough to help me! These ponies need our help!” Sweetie Belle yelled, throwing the bucket at them.
“Hey, what was that for?” They demanded in near unison.
Sweetie Belle pointed at the collapsed pony, and watched as their faces went from confusion to shock.
Author's Note
Sorry about this one bein' shorter than the others, and like always, please drop a comment below
