I : Books are a Mare's Best Friend
Princess Celestia, here, alone in the library with me. She… said she… loves me.
“Princess Celestia said she loves me!” she threw her hooves to the sky with glee.
“Twilight, that’s not exactly what the princess said. I was there too ya know.” The dragon sighed the same tired sound he had for the third time today.
“Hush Spike, the princess said she loves all her subjects, I am her student and I also happen to be her subject as well.”
Spike just rolled his eyes, Twilight always got all starry eyed whenever Celestia paid a surprise visit to the library to check on her pupil’s current progress in Ponyville. If only the little dragon could see what unicorn saw, her eyes were filled with far more than stars, they appeared as big as the sun and saw even further.
The princess had come earlier for an entirely different reason this time, to give her ever faithful student her biggest assignment yet; a trial further beyond friendship. Truth be told it had been quite a day for Twilight Sparkle, and it was only just the beginning.
Currently Twilight Sparkle had been sitting for her mentor knows how long in the center of the room, sighing longingly, and eyes ajar to the ceiling. Every now and then she kept taking slow and steady breaths, filling her lungs to keep her belief of what transpired to be true. The scent of heaven was still strong; it was proof for the polymath.
Spike had returned to their room upstairs and tidied his basket, heading downstairs once again for a snack before making the trip upstairs once more to groom is scales; followed by his embarrassing set of stretching and flexes to the mirror.
He didn’t know how long he’d taken to do all these things, but he knew it took a fair bit of time to polish his scales. Spike was almost stunned as he made his way down the stairs once more, Twilight hadn’t moved from that spot. The little dragon ran to her side, hoping he wouldn’t have to call for help like the last time.
“Hello, earth to Twilight! Super-important assignment from Celestia, you might wanna get started soon.”
Her number one assistant had been waving a claw east then west to her vision, still, she continued enjoying her euphoria. Luckily the scaly little devil knew just what to do. Grinning through his teeth, he took one book and replaced its position with another, utterly destroying the alphabetical order of books referenced for magical aliments and cures.
The very second the book was shelved, it was encased in a shimmering, lavender aura and both pieces of literature were returned to their proper place.
“Spike! You know I can’t focus when the library out of order, its best the books are always kept arranged so they won’t be associated to the wrong affliction.”
Ignoring the mare’s frown and lecturing tone, Spike handed her the scroll her teacher left with her in case she had any questions. The letter simply repeated all Celestia had said earlier that afternoon, she’d begun to notice how her student of late usually seemed a bit… off whenever she arrived, she honestly worried sometimes.
The scroll itself stated that Twilight was to understand as much as she could about love; it also said that all literature on the subject of the matter had been removed. Twilight had checked numerous times after reading that, it was indeed true. The last line of the message suggested that she start with her friends first, any and all allies, perhaps acquaintances she’d known to help her get started. And she decided to do just that.
After making certain for the fourth time that she’d shelved the books properly and that there were none to assist her, she turned to Spike with a warm smile.
With the will of her horn she held parchment and inked quill close in preparation. She’d just recently perfected all forms of horn-writing to make task that required proper penmanship less of a burden for her number one assistant, that and Spike couldn’t very well take notes on himself.
Twilight trot to his side and sat herself down beside him, the excitement clear in her tone as she spoke.
“So Spike, tell me everything you know about love, I’m all ears.”
“A-About love, me!?”
The baby dragon had been bewildered by the sudden question, taking a step back in shock; he was the last creature he ever suspected to be considered for such an assignment.
With a talon he rubbed his temple, searching for an answer that would suffice, the last thing he remembered he loved. He looked down at the librarian, she was all smiles, and he was practically sweating through his scales until the answer came.
Oh, that’s it, how could I have forgotten?
Honestly, how could he let that gem engraved beauty his eyes had beheld just the day before, slip through his memory?
Returning Twilight’s smile, he gave his answer in clear confidence. “Boy, I sure did love that gem encrusted cake I made yesterday, ‘he rubbed his belly without a hint of regret,’ wasn’t it the most beautiful, delicious, mesmerizing thing you’d ever eaten?”
The dragon’s mouth had already moistened by the time he’d finished his honest answer, his claws contently clasped as he remembered his wonderful culinary affair; Spike didn’t even recall that ponies couldn’t eat gems, meaning the grandeur of what he gazed upon and gulped down was only a gift to him.
Twilight furrowed a brow at her assistant.
Is he… serious?
Normally Twilight would giggle, sometimes chuckle at how Spike genuinely loved what passed through his palette. However, today something had been bothering her for quite a while and she seemed to have forgotten exactly what it was by the time Celestia arrived that morning, still it was bothersome to have something unknown bucking at the back of your mind.
Her frustration led her to believe it best to force it out, all she could, unfortunately she attempted to force out the wrong thing.
“Ugh! Not like that Spike, what about Rarity? How does she make you feel?”
“R-Rarity! Well, I, uh…”
Spike was still a child but he could tell the clear difference between affection from his palette and for ponies themselves.
“Well Twilight… you see…”
The little dragon fiddled with his claws, trying to find words he never thought could even come close to being described, not what he’d felt.
In the midst of his stammering Twilight heard a familiar whistling sound, one she’d heard only a few days ago, and then… it hit her! Immediately she stood and darted toward the window, throwing it open as quickly as she could.
“WATCH OUT!”
Twilight and Spike ducked for cover as a blur shoot through the window and into the room, crashing into and tumbling into the wall with an unhealthy sounding thud.
The two rushed to her side to aid her to her feet.
“Rainbow Dash, are you alright? she asks, as her and Spike kneel down to help their friend to her hooves.
The stars orbiting Rainbow Dash’s head had finally vanished, using the tips of her wing she brushed herself off as best she could; she was still a bit dizzy from the harsh landing.
“Uh… new trick,’ she groaned, ‘I spun out on the ninth flip.”
There was a competition on the rise, Rainbow Dash had been training for weeks now, but she had indeed intended to come to Golden Oaks today.
Now on all four limbs, she had a cyan hoof to her head, the ringing was almost gone. A few moments later, she shook off the unsightly landing and frantically trot back to the window, pointing the same hoof toward the setting sun.
“Come on Twilight, we’ve gotta jet like, now if we wanna make it to Daring’s latest book signing!”
Twilight would have reminded her friend that things such as doors exist for entrance and exit, but she herself happened to be a bit… ill prepared due to the princess’ earlier visit.
She’d no idea where she last had her bits or her saddlebag, that and the extra-special assignment Princess Celestia had given her over half an hour ago, one which she still had no new information on yet; a new record actually.
The student’s eyes suddenly went wide as she realized her chance; this was her opportunity to ask a mature creature… well… more mature than Spike.
She ran to Rainbow Dash and took hold of her hoof to stop her from leaving too quickly, she took a deep a breath, gazing directly into her eyes only when she was certain the pegasi would stay.
“Rainbow Dash… do you love me?”
She spoke the words so softly, so close, so clear.
Cyan cheeks quickly went crimson, hearts raced while the rest of the room sat still.
“Twilight, t-this isn’t funny ya know!”
Rainbow Dash’s first instinct was to run, but those large, lavender eyes kept her from letting go. The Pegasus took a deep breath, sudden or not something this small shouldn’t scare her away, bravery was her forte after all. She swallowed hard, and exhaled as she fought those fearsome yet adorable eyes.
“Listen, Twilight… the truth is I kinda-“
“Rainbow Dash, ever since we braved the Everfree forest, recovered and revived the elements, and defeated Nightmare Moon: I knew how I felt about you then. And I know deep down you felt the same way.”
Oh my gosh! This pony’s got it bad for me.
The room fell silent, the two seemed to had forgotten Spike was still there, suffering the same shock as a certain Pegasus. Twilight couldn’t tell how her confession was taken, a reddened face could register as many things.
“Twilight! You can’t just go and say that kind of thing to one of your best friends!” Spike shouted toward the two of them.
The moment Spike uttered those words the pegasus unfurled her wings and fled to the door as fast as she could, out the front door she went, flying outward into the sun.
Twilight clearly miffed, turned to her assistant with a glare that would have given a dragon ten times his size a fright, but he stood his ground.
“Spike, what was that all about?!” You say the same things to Rarity all the time!”
“But that’s different Twilight, Rainbow is your friend, Rarity and I are… a work-in-progress. There are different types of love Twilight,” the dragon reasoned.
“But what’s wrong with telling somepony how you feel? I love her the same way I love you Spike, and all the friends I’ve made here in Ponyville.”
The librarian had already begun to pace the floor, as she often did when she was riddled with a thought or situation she couldn’t right in a moment’s time.
Spike groaned at his realization, a claw stamping against his forehead.
She needs this lesson more than I thought.
“Twilight, there’s nothing wrong with what you said, it’s just how you said it.”
A pair of hours passed and Spike had spent every second trying to explain when to properly pronounce love to the appropriate other. But again, he was a baby dragon, not a book; his knowledge was only as matured as he was.
In the end the two decided to retire once the moon sat upon its starry shelf. Spike found himself fast asleep in his warm basket, Twilight lift her head from her pillow and her eyes wandered the sky; her desperation almost demanded she seek out a silly star, in the end she dismissed it as nothing more than an old pony’s tale before she rose from her bed.
The day had taken quite a toll on her, she couldn’t take not comprehending things as quickly as she cared to, again she began pacing the room, and the little pony kept pondering and just couldn’t sleep.
Still in desperate curiosity she made her way down the stairs to visit her shelves, just looking at them always gave her some solace of mind, Twilight checked them all once more, and still she found none on the subject of her frustration.
With a sigh she found herself leaning against the window sill, the day’s events dancing about in perfect order, until the mare felt something odd. The floor, it’d turned to cotton-no, clouds and the front door had found its way to the center of the ceiling. As if they weren’t enough, a knock came upon the door, instinctively the unicorn looked to the front entrance which was now without a shield.
Her attention quickly returned to the door as it slowly but surely began to open with an awful creaking sound, causing Twilight and her ears to cringe in response. Once the door had finally ceased, out emerged Equestria’s one and only living atrocity. It or rather he, was a curious collection of creatures composed of paws, claws, talons, feathers, horns, fangs, fur, and fur.
Twilight readied her horn without a moment’s hesitation, she grit her teeth as she watched the enormous entity slink and slither like a snake. The pony’s eyes never stopped following, even as the creature sank into the clouds and his horns swimming about made him appear more and more like that of a shark about to strike at a second’s notice.
The devil emerged from the cloudy sea and placed a paw to the pony’s shoulder.
“Discord! What are you doing here?!” she practically spat the words at him.
With a grin he gave his answer. “Why, I’m here to help you of course.” He touched his paw to the pony’s snout.
“Help with what? And how is this helping?” she gestured a hoof to the room, marking the uncommon chaos.
The king of confusion simply snapped his talons and the library returned to its original state.
“Well, if I didn’t make an entrance, then how would you know to expect me?” And being the dear, /reformed/ friend that I am, I came to help with your assignment. I’m honestly surprised you hadn’t call upon me sooner.”
Discord treated the very air like a bed, lounging in absent space, neither of his opposite wings ever moving. He was wearing his usual joyous grin he wore whenever he knew a game of his was about to begin.
“No-thanks,” she replied flatly, nothing about her tone was fair.”
Twilight had finally settled once her library was back to normal, although it wasn’t the best thing to alter on arrival if one wanted to win her over.
Discord furrowed a brow, so surprised that the most curious pony he’d ever known could refuse his favor so quickly and even turn her back to him.
“You’re not even going to ask /how/ I knew, or how your entire home stood on a cloud?”
He flew closer to the stubborn mare, now he was the curious one, it was rare that he couldn’t reason with another, a rarer case was him using reason with another.
“Chaos can’t help me here Discord,” the mare said with her eyes shut to her uninvited guest and his ideals.
“Oh my dear Twilight, but it can. The two are attached at the hip more than most would have you believe. I could show you a truth no book ever would, something better, something a pony would never find between pages.”
His eyes and newly formed smile began to glow, silhouetted in the surrounding darkness; he smiled a smile so sly because he knew he had gained interest yet again, because he knew he was right and because he’d seen her earlier desperation.
Twilight couldn’t help but wonder as she turned to Discord, he was thousands of years beyond her in terms of experience; he had to know something on the subject.
“How so?” she inquired as she took a cautious step forward.
“Ah, but I can’t tell you that, if I did that would be cheating. But I could lend a helping paw I suppose.”
The trickster snapped his paw again, this time a sack appeared out of thin air and landed in the center of the room.
Twilight couldn’t help but follow the deity over to it, captured by her own curiosity before she even realized it. Discord reached inside and pulled a miniature plush of the unicorn herself.
“Inside are copies of you and all your little friends, including everypony from Ponyville. Put a pair together, for example: have their noses touch, and their worlds will intertwine; their hearts will have tied knots by the next day. As long as the pair remains outside the sack and only a few inches apart, they’ll remain affected by the spell. You could experience a relationship yourself, or just up close, at any time.”
Discord placed the miniature back in the sack, in turn he took two others and set them about the table, they’re adorably snitched snouts touching one another in the dark. He chuckled at the two he’d chosen, making certain they weren’t seen by the sun’s student.
“Oh, and there are no Canterlot residents in here, no Luna, nor Celestia to be precise. I can’t have love-struck princesses about, that is a power even I wouldn’t dare play with.”
“Now, any questions?” he asked all smiles, knowing full well the answer.
“Actually I-“ Discord suddenly tossed the sack toward the unsuspecting unicorn, the very item she caught catching her and her question off guard. “Good, I’ll be going then.”
And with a haunting laugh Discord’s entire form coiled in midair and furled, tightening further and further until he vanished in a tuft of smoke.
“Remember Twilight… all is fair in love and war.” Discord’s words echoed in ear, only when they ceased was she certain he was gone.
Twilight was undoubtedly a bit saddened to hear Celestia hadn’t been added, even if she was sure this was a trap she at least knew she’d enjoy it if she could spent time with /her./ Honestly the mare still hadn’t decided what to do with the sack just yet. She knew Discord was hiding something other than details, and it was true he couldn’t be trusted, but, who else could she turn to after today’s embarrassing events?
Twilight trot to the table to see the pair Discord had placed atop the table, she’d almost forgotten as she had begun tying the sack once her guest had gone.
With an audible gasp a completely new color flushed to her cheeks, a hoof brought to her muzzle in fear she might speak their names, nevertheless the unicorn was again embarrassed beyond words. Quickly she took both from the table with her horn, holding them over the sack, she paused… it wasn’t the worst pair she’d ever seen; it was certainly possible.
And just like that, in the dead of night, she was left with an interesting decision.
Author's Note
This is my first time attempting a romance fiction, I actually was a bit nervous while writing it. 
I'd love to know your opinion on it, good or bad criticism, don't be shy.
I was also hoping I could do a kind of a poll if any were interested.
Something along the lines of this: #1 Twilight & ??? #2 Applejack & ???
I'd make the poll/list on my page depending on the level of interest.
Regardless of how you feel in the end, thank you for reading.~
II : Holding An Honest Gem
Twilight stretched out her hooves as she yawned with the rising sun, blinking the rust and worry of yesterday out from her eyes, as much as she could anyway. Her removal ceased as her blush from the following night had returned this late morn. The unicorn’s upper half setting itself up from her pillow, but she kept still.
In the end she had decided against Discord’s decision for a duo, she put them away and told herself the same fable she had as she’d made her way to bed the previous night. She believed it was best her and that equine remain platonic, the tale she’d told herself had become her bed time story.
But that’s the thing about being clever,(and Twilight Sparkle was indeed clever) anything clever happens to always be curious, meaning the mare couldn’t pass up the opportunity to form a pair of her own.
She’d felt a bit of shame seeing as they were her friends after all, even now she was fiddling her forehooves, wondering if she could have done worse than Discord for assistance; she hadn’t found an answer, but it was safe to assume she wouldn’t find it in bed.
Tossing the sheets to the side, she rose from her spot of repose, shaking the last of the blush from her cheeks. A light emit from her horn and a shimmering aura grabbed hold of her blanket and pillow, putting both in the same perfect, precise order they’d been before she’d settled in for slumber.
She trot toward the mirror, gazing at her own bed-mane, thinking back to Discord’s callous choice as she considered it, she imagined it to be some cruel jest of his. The librarian gave a small smile to the mirror. Who would want to wake up to this? she thought to herself as she stuck out her tongue to the mare she hadn’t made presentable yet.
With the exact amount of forty-six strokes of her brush, Twilight’s mane and tail were finally in order once again. As she turned to address the rest of room, she noticed Spike had already left his bed and the air held the scent of something sweet, with a hint of hay.
Out the door and down the stairs she went, as she arrived at its end she was greeted by breakfast, and in her opinion, Equestria’s greatest assistant.
“Morning Twilight,” Spike placed the warm plate of haystack pancakes he’d prepared atop the table. The little dragon had thought himself to be a bit harsh the other evening with his keeper, he had never tried teaching and probably wouldn’t try again anytime soon.
Twilight returned the smiled she’d been given. “Morning Spi-" Her tongue failed his name three times over. “Where are they!?”
The pony ran to her plate, lifting it with her horn’s strength and began frantically shuffling hooves over and under the surface to find what she’d lost.
“Twilight, what is it? Where’s what!?”
The dragon threw down his chef-inspired hat to the floor, ready to assist and yet as well panic alongside the librarian.
“The miniatures!”
“The mini-what!?”
“The plush ponies that were right here! The ones of Rarity and-” Spike removed his apron before interrupting. “Oh, those! Say no more Twilight, they’re right over there,” he pointed a claw to the desk behind her.
With relief she saw the two together, standing side by side, she touched their noses once again just to be sure. She wiped the sweat from her brow as she was finally certain they were safe, turning back to her breakfast.
“Thanks Spike,” she smiled as she sat herself at the table, as usual whatever Spike craft in the kitchen came out smelling as wonderful as it taste. Twilight had taken both utensils to the air as she slowly made incisions and began enjoying her gracious meal.
Still, the assistant tilt his little head in confusion. “Gee Twilight, I’ve never seen you so worked up over a couple of dolls. And when did you get these anyway, we spent the whole time studying before bed?”
Spike eyed the miniature's odd position, as his head started putting things together he came to a conclusion, one he thought hilarious.
Twilight had nearly finished her meal, but she stilled her utensils to give Spike an explanation, she felt he was at least owed that much. “I’ll have you know Spike, they are both being used for an experiment, my assignment actually and-” The dragon was snickering. “What’s so funny Spike?” Twilight narrowed eyes at her assistant’s nonsensical noise.
"Experiments, like that?” he pointed to the duo once more, their stitched snouts and muzzles pressed so fondly against the other.
It was clear to the unicorn now that her helper had just insinuated she was doing something foalish and inappropriate. Fork and knife that had been hovering midair no longer did, they feel to the floor as Twilight’s face flushed a less flattering color.
“Spike I-I can’t believe you’d think I was doing that with them!”
True or not the thought was hilarious enough to bring tears to the hatchling’s eyes. The notion of his own tutor taking dolls of dear friends, giving them voices with her own and putting their pretty little muzzles together as she made a sweetly mocking sound was just too much.
Spike had already toppled over, as it was a rare occasion to see Twilight virtually Speechless. “Spike that’s not… really they aren’t-” But Spike’s laughter only continued.
By this point Twilight was glaring at her assistant as she contemplated turning him into a mouse for Owlicious. In the end she just took her plate and cleaned it along with utensils in the sink. As she left the kitchen she did her best to ignore Spike’s fading laughter and made her way up the stairs into their room.
She had only come to check underneath the bed, it was where the rest of the collection was being kept within the sack, she only wanted to make certain Spike had seen it. Once Twilight confirmed such, she made her way back down the steps, to her surprise all laughter had ceased and Spike held in claw her usual to-do list of the day.
“Are you done laughing already?” she asked, eyes ajar with sarcasm spilling off the tongue.
“Aw, come on Twilight, you know I didn’t mean anything by it, just a joke between friends.”
Twilight sat upon her haunches and waited for Spike to read the list. The poor pony was still sulking, or rather pouting to be precise as she fold her forehooves and huffed.
I hope she isn’t like this too long.
Spike knew all too well how the student would let the smallest thing, the slightest of details or delay slow her down for far too long. He’d feel terrible if he became the blame for her wasting away hours pondering a harmless jest.
Still, his duties came first, Twilight had taught him too well on time and diligence. He cleared his throat before he began the list. “The first thing on the list is-well, the only thing on the list for today is Rarity’s presentation.
The mare gasped, she’d forgotten she and all her other companions scheduled themselves weeks in advance for this occasion. Her eyes shot to the clock, it was already a quarter past noon, and she’d have to rush if she planned to remain punctual.
She set her balance to four limbs and she galloped toward the door, coming to an immediate halt when her eyes crossed paths with the plushies. Turning to Spike she point a hoof at him to emphasize her warning.
“Spike whatever you do, don’t more those miniatures. Do you understand?”
The little dragon was still puzzled by the how protective the polymath was being toward them, he gave his answer with a furrowed brow. “Alright Twilight, I won’t touch’em.”
“Promise me Spike.”
“Okay, okay I Pinkie promi-” Twilight looked at the clock again, then she bolted toward the door. “I don’t have time for that now!”
A familiar light came from her horn and the door’s latch and lock loosened, effortlessly opening.
“I trust you Spike, look after Owlicious while I’m gone.”
Those were her final words before heading out the front door.
Twilight had arrived, and according to her calculation it was exactly one o’clock in Ponyville. Sure she might have to explain to a few that the constantly flashing ball of light they saw appearing everywhere and all around was her, but that’s the price a pony pays when in a hurry. She’d made it on time, and right now, that’s all that mattered as she knocked on the door to the Carousel Boutique.
After a few moments passed, her ears could hear clicks, the door opened slowly but surely, and she was greeted by… Applejack?
“Well, Howdy Twilight. Come on right in, Rarity is still getting ready.” The farmer smiled and stepped aside to allow her friend inside.
While it wasn’t rude to invite one friend into another’s home, it was a bit peculiar, especially with how particular Rarity was about such things. As Applejack shut the door behind her, Twilight could already hear the other voices from the kitchen ahead. Before either of them took a step further, Rainbow Dash flew into the room, eyeing the apple herder with a single narrowed eye and forehooves folded in mid-flight.
Her stare only stalled once she noticed Twilight’s presence. She welcomed her companion, although be it with a twinge of annoyance that she presumably held toward Applejack.
“Hiya Twilight, lucky you didn’t get here as early as the rest of us. Applejack and you-know-who were having make-out sessions all over the place,” she made the most unnecessary gestures she could. “I’m telling ya, the second we turned our back it’s like BAM! They just-” Applejack stamped a hoof. “Rainbow Dash not a lick of that is true and you know it! You can’t just go round telling ponies that sort of stuff!”
The Pegasus couldn’t help but snicker at what she’d said, Applejack’s face was blood red, which only made her wonder just how much of her own story she should believe. Aside from that she just found messing with Applejack was just so… fun!
Rainbow Dash came a bit closer to her flustered friend. “Well AJ, you gotta admit you two were whispering in each other’s ear an /awful/ lot. Your face was just as red as it is now, oh, and let’s not forget when she got super close to your ear and you-“
“Rainbow! If’n you keep-” The farmer hadn’t finished her sentence due to her flying friend’s curious expression, it took her eyes toward the only other in the room. Poor Twilight’s entire face was beet red, at first glance you’d think she had a fever. The shape of her muzzle and shut eyes showed her unease.
R-Rarity and… Applejack together!? Her heart was racing, and mind so unstill even her own thoughts were stammering.
Her cyan companion was the first to try and calm her, putting a hoof over her shoulder. “You okay Twilight?”
“Dang it Rainbow Dash! See what your silly stories are doing?”
“What? But I tell those kinds of stories to everypony all the time.”
Applejack’s eyes showed just how shocked she was, news always did find way to reach the Apple family last.
“Just who in the hay is everypony?”
The two continued bickering as best friends sometimes tend to do, though if there were a book of Equestrian world records, these two might have won a medal for most arguments within a single minute.
It wasn’t long before the owner of the home had made her way down the stairs, the sound of arguing bleeding through the walls didn’t mix well with any designs demanding stitching or sowing. The seamstress simply sighed at the sight she witnessed and shook her head. She wondered if the two actually knew they enjoyed half their own arguments. Fortunately for Twilight, Rarity saw her current face and decide to fix her first.
She approached Twilight and lowered her own eyes so that there would be at least be a chance encounter of their eyes meeting.
“Twilight dear, is everything alright?” she asked with both curiosity and concern in her delicate tone.
Oh no, its Rarity. I can’t just "ask" her if they're dating. But… if I do… and she says yes, then that means Discord’s magic worked!
That final thought, the possibility, was enough for the unicorn to find her smile once again as her head rose.
“Actually Rarity, I think I’m doing much better now. I-” Twilight’s sentence was cut short as the farmer and flyer’s volume grew. Rarity had only just arrived and she’d already had enough. Her horn shone a familiar shine, the same aura enveloped a single ear from both parties and pinched.
“Ow! Alright, alright we’ll stop!” the bickering pair spoke in unison, now both rubbing their stinging ears. This of course hadn’t been the first time such a problem had been solved by pulling ears.
“Consarn it Rarity, did ya hafta pull so hard?” Applejack winced.
Rarity trot to her side examining the reddened pinna with close eyes, when she began to speak her every breath sent a small shiver to the sensitive spot.
“You know just as well as I do that you’d argue through the affliction if I didn’t pull just so for you.”
Being as tender as she could she kiss the apple’s ears, instinctively the ear fold backward and she gained a bit of blush. “There, is my sweet Fuji feeling any better?”
“Rarity! I thought we-” With the warmest smile Rarity nuzzled against her cheeks, moving underneath her chin. She knew what was about to be said, but she didn’t care.
Applejack had never been good with public displays of affection, in fact, she had slowly begun to sweat. It was… strange to see such an unfamiliar thing indeed. You’ve no idea how fiercely Twilight wished she could takes notes, but in the midst of her reason she’d caught glimpse of something; however she was uncertain of what that something was. Her concentration was broken by an outburst.
“Hey! You yanked my ear too ya know,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed, forehooves still folded as she slowly descend to the floor.
The fashionista stuck out her tongue to the Pegasus. And out from the kitchen had emerged two heads, one that resembled cotton, the other resembled fluff.
“Aren’t they just adorable,” Pinkie cooed.
“Mhmm,” Fluttershy nodded in agreement.
“Yeah… adorable,” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
The librarian had finally been given the evidence she needed, the spell was an absolute success. Yes, yes, yes! The spell worked without a single Discord disaster in sight.
Twilight had involuntarily begun bouncing about in circles, all her spry energy and smile moving her like a spring. Only when she opened her eyes did she become aware of her actions, an awkward grin and seconds later she found herself cemented to the floor, the collection of furrowed brows being the cement’s foundation.
“Twilight darling… are you sure everything's alright?” Rarity asked a similar version of her earlier question, her cheeks still pressed against her southern delight.
“Heh… I’m fine, really,” she answered sheepishly as she waved a hoof in protest for any to worry further. “I’m just so… happy for you two.”
Rarity returned the sentiment Twilight had just given the both of them. “Thank you dear, three months went by quite quickly, far faster than we realized.”
“Three… months?” she furrowed a brow at the sudden mention of a time skip.
“Yes, a truly wondrous trio, why we had our anniversary dinner just yesterday eve. Isn’t that right my one and only?”
By this time Applejack had already hidden her face, rather buried it, within her hat. She wasn’t sure if she’d die of embarrassment or blush.
“Eeyup,” her muffled response barely heard. She was apparently the Big Mac in the relationship.
Twilight put a pensive hoof to her chin. Three months, is that always the time, or does the span differentiate depending upon the pair in question?
“Sooo, when are we gonna get this party started!?” Pinkie beamed into the room, cannon ready and willing.
Rarity cleared her throat as she came upon her enchantingly active friend, pushing the cannon to ensure it was facing in the opposite direction to avoid it going off in her mane… like the last three times.
“Ahem Pinkie, this is a small gathering and nothing more, a get-together if you will, with a small showing.”
“That’s what I just said, duh!” said the ball of cotton still sitting atop her weapon all smiles.
Rarity just sighed. “Applejack still needs to get ready for her part, now, everyone into the kitchen and Applejack, upstairs.” The unicorn shooed everpony to their proper place. Once they returned to the kitchen they spotted a spotless table and a sparkling sink with dishes in the same state.
She gasped. “Fluttershy, what did we discuss about you doing such things in another’s abode?” Rarity scolded.
“Oh, um, I-I’m really sorry I was just-” Rarity wrapped her friend in her horn’s flattering light and sat her beside the others. “Dishes, décor, and delights are all my responsibility while you’re guest here. Just relax dear, mingle, you’re among friends.”
This wasn’t the first time this had taken place either, Fluttershy cleaned whatever she could the second somepony turned their back. She was somehow sneaky whilst making things squeaky clean.
Things had soon settled down and everypony began to notice Applejack hadn’t returned still. And just as their concern was beginning to build, THUD! The front door burst open.
An adorable yet fiercely, filthy little filly came galloping through, tracking mud wherever her hooves happened to step; mud splashing upon the elegant tables, ponyquins, designer drapes, and even upon the small but spectacular stage for the coming performance.
One could have thought she might not have noticed the mess she was making, it may have seemed even more so as the little one hugged the mare she admired most.
“Rarity!” she smiled as she nuzzled more and more mud and filth onto her elder sister.
“S-Sweetie Belle, what brings you home so early? I thought you to be crusading the day away.” She winced only once and not a single time more. The wincing was however signal enough for the filly to finally turn and catch glimpse of the unsightly storm she’d sentenced upon the boutique.
Her little ears fold as she’d foreseen the ineluctable frown and scold coming. “Gosh… I’m really sorry I made such a big mess. I’ll clean it up this instant,” said the foal with nothing but sorrow in her now hung head. Who knew how long I would take to clean the massive mess, her crusading would undoubtedly be crucially cut short.
“No… no, that’s alright Sweetie Belle, it’s just a little dirt and grime is all, I can clean it myself.”
The more mature sister gave a warm smile and pet her sibling’s petite little head. Sweetie Belle was honestly confused at first, almost frightened, believing this to be a ploy or part of some bigger punishment Rarity had planned for later. But, the smile was sincere and her words never paused, she was… being earnest.
Maybe the mud had already soaked through her skin, sailed into her blood stream and now affecting her brain? Sweetie Belle came to similar silly notions as she pondered why she’d heard something she never imagined she ever would.
“Now dear, what’s got you moving so frantically?” her smile never ceased.
“I came for the first aid kit, after the crusaders hang-gliding incident, I try to keep it with me just in case.”
In a bind of light her keeper’s horn took hold of the kit in the cupboard and guided it to its adorable destination.
“Thanks Rarity, I promise I’ll be clean before I get back,” she ran for the door, kit now in teeth.
“Be careful, and be back before dinner time,” she called out to the foal before the door flung shut.
With a sigh the elder sibling took rag from the sink and held it with horn, little by little she began cleaning the mess that had been left. And one by one the others rose from their places at the table to assist her, all but Twilight, she was more shocked than surprised at the moment.
What’s going on? It looks like a tornado hit this place, and Rarity "hates" mud, even somepony just mentioning it. Yet, she didn’t even raise her voice or make a fuss?
Twilight was so confused, what could have change the unicorn this much? At the table she remained, eyes to the ceiling until she realized what had been said earlier, three months. Twilight then began to believe it may have been a matter or who more than what.
Could Applejack have done this, all by herself? But how, and in such a short time? she mused softly to herself. She buried her head in her hooves upon the table, the spell should be giving her answers, not more questions.
Soon enough she decided against letting her fermenting thoughts push her further into what would be frustration, she removed herself from the table and took a cloth the same as the others to aid with the cleaning.
It’d only taken a little over ten minutes and no more before the living room and all upholstery was posh once again, two horns and sixteen hooves scrubbing made quite a formidable foe against said filth. Rarity was the last to abandon her weapon within the sink.
“Excuse me for just a moment girls, you can all go wait in the living space for the show to begin.” The seamstress was the first to exit the kitchen, she thanked the others for their efforts and made her way upstairs to fetch the star.
She reached the top stair only to find the door to her own room, locked no less and proper manners stated that one must always knock first before permitting themselves entrance. The hostess knocked three times. “Applejack, is everything alright in there?”
It was silent for quite some time, almost suspensefully so, until she heard steps steadily growing in volume toward the door. The lock clicked, the handle turned and the door opened inviting the mare into her own domain.
As she entered she saw the dresses and sequence she’d constructed for the farmer. Behind the door she found Applejack, face now the same color as her mark, she donned unnecessary undergarments; white and full of frill and lace. But that wasn’t the cause of her current color.
Rarity shut the door behind her, turning to her ever sweet apple. “Whatever is the matter Applejack?” she looked the mare over, she hadn’t any scars, and to Rarity her body was as beautiful as always. Applejack sighed, making her way toward the line of five fashion choices.
“Its these fancy dresses of yours Rare… I didn’t know which to wear. This one here looked mighty nice, but ya always said to save the best fer last, and this one here was just too frou-frou for me; and this’n here was just way too… revealing, not to mention-”
She stopped once saw Rarity smirk… that smirk, the one that she had when she was feeling extra confident or affectionate, in other words about to embarrass the apples out of her significant other.
Though Applejack had been upstairs for quite a while already, she was still plenty embarrassed. She just wasn’t sure if she were more bothered by the dresses themselves or the fact that she’d finally understood enough of fashion to fathom concern. She took another glance at them, yes… the dresses were definitely more embarrassing.
Rarity was grinning ear to ear, as she gave the apple of her eye a smooch.
“Just think of how far we’ve come. A little over a month ago I couldn’t even get you to consider wearing something of this caliber. And just look at you, now I’m the one seeing you in your undergarments.” The unicorn giggled at what she’d discovered.
Applejack couldn’t stand when Rarity said such things aloud, but she was right. Not too long ago she believed that even the slightest sight of frou-frou was too much to take, that being dainty meant you were headed toward being a damsel in distress one day or another.
Eventually she came to realize that she shouldn’t be in fear of ever becoming such, she wasn’t even a fraction of the frilly that Rarity was and even she rarely played the part unless she intended to.
“Oh my lovely, robust Fuji, you really have been listening to my lectures.” She nuzzled her sweet fruit.
Applejack returned the affection she received. “My squishy little… Rarity.”
“Squishy!? Squishy is not something you call a lady, and it is certainly not a proper pet name.”
“But Rare I told ya, I’m not so good with those kinds of names and all that… sweet talk.”
“Hmph. I’m sure Bloomberg would disagree. I bet even he would say-” Their muzzles met and there was no more mention of the subject. Rarity always found herself melting when Applejack made the first move, and her accent made her a natural when it to matching tongues.
Rarity loved when those taunt hooves held her, held her own or as of now her flushed cheeks, the heat emitting from the two smelting diamond and gold into one grand, glorious gem.
The mare had begun removing the lingerie that was the same pearly shade as herself from her partner, her horn taking hold of the straps that fit over the farmer’s shoulders, tenderly unfastening buttons. Rarity had become the type to keep her eyes ajar when the two meet in such an embrace, it was the only time she could see Applejack’s uninhibited affection, it was difficult for her to envision anything more appealing most nights.
One shimmer after another the strings came undone, Applejack’s undergarments loosened their grips more and more until it effortlessly spilled to the floor, she bucked off what was left around her legs and pressed deeper into dearly beloved.
Unfortunately… Rarity did just the opposite, bringing their embrace to an abrupt end. “Now, since this is only your first show, pick three and meet me downstairs, the stage is already set /and/ clean.”
“B-But-” Rarity put a gentle hoof to the earth mare’s muzzle. “Not to worry Applejack, you didn’t need the underwear for this little show. We don’t normally wear clothes anyway, remember?”
She’d never admit to anypony face to face, but she had been jealous of Bloomberg for a time now, no matter how silly she knew it seemed, she’d longed for words just as silly and sweet for her as well.
Applejack just groaned, Rarity had always been good at doing that, the very thing she’d just done and she’d fallen for it every time. “Whoa there, wait just a sec missy.” She called Rarity before she could make her exit. She noticed spots on her hooves and coat. “Where’d you get that extra color from?” she pointed to the muddy brown.
“Oh this, it’s nothing. Sweetie Belle came by a little earlier, she was a tad dirty, but foals will foals.” She smiled as she tried to brush off a bit of the color.
Applejack couldn’t help but take pride in a job well done, one most thought impossible before, her smirk said it all. “Well I’ll be, Ms. Prissy isn’t as persnickety anymore.”
Normally Rarity would frown at such a seemingly snide remark. But her companion was correct, she’d make a such a fuss of trivial things like this before. “I reckon I’m not the only one who’s learned a thing or two, even if it did take me two months just to get ya to stay one night on the farm; almost three to help out.
The unicorn took a breath and exhaled. “Well yes, Applejack, I suppose I can be just stubborn as you sometimes. Not long ago I misconstrued poverty with peace, I couldn’t understand how you managed to stay so… happy, and so honest. However, after only a single stay of chores and seeing the charm of your rustic farm alongside your equally charming family, it makes more sense than I’d ever imagined.”
She gave a gentle smile, she never liked admitting she was wrong, but she knew when it was the right time to do so.
“Aw shucks, that’s mighty sweet of ya sugarcube.”
Never in a million blue moons did the two ever think they’d be better with the other or together at all, they barely remembered how it began, almost like magic; that’s what gave it its majesty and times mystery.
“Anytime…” Her eyes and tongue were both becoming shy, the sudden expression surprised even her. Both blushing, one turned toward the door and the other faced her choice of attire.
“And remember, you’re speaking for the dress. It’s all in your stride.” She exit the room on her final remark.
Applejack didn’t have the posture of a slob, but she didn’t exactly have the best show of stride either, she did however have the sense. She noticed when Rarity stepped, when she showed her how to speak-with-her- hooves, the stride for the walkway was the mare’s normal trot. Apparently to Applejack her marefriend must have imagined the entire world a runway to step with such motion and pose.
Her head always forward, her haunches’ rhythm would have you believe she was floating at times, she even gave Applejack a little show and a wink as she head down the stairs. The unicorn’s stride could make any metronome jealous.
But as Rarity would often say, “Work with what you’ve got.”
And as the farmer recalled she housed natural charm as Rarity often told her, as well as her frame, taunt and toned from her healthy lifestyle. Her form would show in whatever she wore, all she had to do was relax on the catwalk and the rest would naturally come.
She’d only been trying for Rarity’s sake, to go outside her comfort zone with her choices, even allowing there to be choices at all. In the end she chose the one style occupied by overalls first, the second consist mostly of plaid and she forced herself to choose the final frilly fit for the dressmaker. The one that seemed, rather was, too revealing could come later.
Once she was outfitted with her first choice, she swallowed down as much of her doubt as she could. How in the hay did I let that girl talk me into this? she asked the same question over and over as she slowly made her way out the door and to her expecting audience.
What she should have questioned was why question what she already knew? That devilish mare and her sweet talk, those sparkling eyes, Applejack rarely ever stood a chance once she got started. Honestly that happen to work both ways, the apple herder could be just as appealing at times as well, though more so with actions above words.
Cautiously she made her way down to the living space, where the stage would be. Her eyes were shut as her heart beat three times with every step, before she knew it she had arrived and all eyes were hers alone as the dazzling lights welcomed the star.
The show had gone on without a single mishap. The large stage lined with lights and a runway that didn’t require a pony too much work to impress upon.
The crowd stomped, whistled and cheered. They even shot a cannon filled to brim with confetti to enhance the experience. Applejack had no idea why she needed summer wearor why she needed to be seen in them this way, but the entire atmosphere made it a moment, a feeling she’d never forget she felt.
When it finally came time for her to flaunt the final piece, Rarity met her behind the curtain. She came equipped with her ever stylish ruby frames and tape, running the final measurements over her mate before fitting and flinging her onto the flashing catwalk.
The experience was exactly as she’d expected, her face was as crimson as it could be and a certain cyan colored friend falling over in laughter. But Applejack fought off the frown and moved forward as fashionably as she could, remembering the filly she had done this for, it made almost everything tolerable, even one’s torturous laughter. Her final run was finished as the curtain fell and the spell that cast the stage was broken.
The sun was setting, the day was almost done and friends were preparing for departure to their homes before the humbling moon fell to comfort them to bed.
It had been quite a long day, nopony ever expected Applejack to be the star of the show, of course they all knew it was Rarity’s doing. One by one they all found themselves exiting through the boutique’s front entrance, all expressing their favorite moments of the show with delight.
“Thank you two for the wonderful performance, I never would have guessed Applejack to take the stage, especially in the last dress, she even-” Rainbow Dash interrupted Twilight with her laughter, now mid-air as she made her exit. “I know right, it was hilarious AJ, I’m surprised you had the guts to put it on.”
Despite how that sounded, it was indeed a compliment to them both, one for wearing something so uncommon to her, and the other for being able to weave such a thing the other would actually wear.
“I thought Applejack looked wonderful, especially in the last piece,” Fluttershy smiled as she spoke through her soft tone.
Rarity nodded in agreement. “I for one thought she looked ravishing as well.”
“Isn’t anypony going to talk about how super-spectularly-amazing that stage was!?” Pinkie sprung out the door and bounced into the air.
“It was mighty fine wasn’t it? A bit too much for this gal though.”
Rarity nuzzled her appreciative partner. “Only the best for you my love.”
“AWW,” three in unison could be heard aloud.
“I’m outta here,” Rainbow Dash took to the clouds, she couldn’t stand mushy moments for too long and she’d already had her fair share today.
The rest followed suit, sharing goodbyes and farewells as they follow their familiar paths home. The unlikely two now finally left alone as the door shut. Their noses touched as they spoke sensually to one another.
“I told you today would be one to remember, that nothing would go wrong whenever we work together,” Rarity cooed as her eyes fluttered, the scent of her breath smelled of lavender.
The orange equine leaned into her ear, her own breath brushing against it, warm whispers and earthly scent sending shivers down her lover’s spine. “Ya know, there was one more piece of yours I was meaning to try on.”
Unbeknownst to the two who’d begun making their way upstairs, a little filly was quite close to coming home.
Twilight had arrived at Golden Oaks by the time the moon had made its own bed amongst the sky. Once she was inside she noticed Owlicious sound asleep and her miniatures the same as she’d left them, she sighed in relief.
The librarian knew of her assistance’s current status, she could hear him snoring all the way upstairs, a habit she hoped to fix in time.
“You two really surprised me today… I still don’t understand it all, but the best discoveries are never deciphered in a day. “She smiled at the plush ponies she now spoke to, though, in truth her words would be seen as a soliloquy to anyone who happen to be spying.
The student took every moment that she still considered a mystery, along with proper and precise notes consisting of brackets to categorize all she’d witnessed and felt today. She compiled for hours, she finally ceased because she ran out of pages to fill. Only now did she feel the fatigue of the day, yawning she took books along with the echoes of the equines she called friends with her up to her room.
As she entered she poked her head under the bed and took hold of the sack the chaotic entity had entrusted her with, placing the plush of the most earnest pony she knew inside first. And queer enough she reached inside to retrieve one, the same one she dismissed that very morn. She held it in her hooves as she her horn assisted the sack, tying its knot and setting it aside.
She brought herself from beneath the bed’s frame, the plush she snuggled now was indeed the one Discord had chosen for her, perhaps he knew something she’d never admit. The miniature of the most generous mare she knew still stood mid-air as she slowly unfurled the blanket and tucked herself into her starry sheets.
It was just too much, the unicorn was simply too tied to untie any knots, her lids were growing heavier every second. She placed the pearly white plush beside the lamp and only took one to bed that evening with a smile that last the whole night through.
Morning came as it always did, the difference being Twilight’s excitement to start it. Again Spike was early to rise as usual whenever Twilight was up late studying. She met the mirror and gave herself the perfect forty-six strokes of the brush and returned her night-time friend as she knew she would never hear the end of it if Spike found out.
Today was a day for discovery and research! She would scan her notes later, even though she already had them memorized them. She found a familiar face as she made her way down the stairs.
“Morning Spike, no need to make breakfast, I’m off to see Rarity and AJ will help with something extra special today.” She grinned through the entire sentence.
“Rarity and Applejack… together?”
“Why of course silly.”
Spike gasped, as if Twilight had spoken some kind of taboo.
“Twilight are you crazy!? Those two hate each other, don’t you remember the disaster those two caused the last time they were together? They haven’t spoken to each other in months!”
Author's Note
I hoped you all enjoyed the latest chapter, I plan to divulge more of the "darker" side of things in the next one, still not entirely sure about the shipping though.
Please comment whatever you're feeling, every bit of criticism helps I can assure you. 
I would have had this chapter up a week before but life became a bit more... busy than I thought it would be.
And again as for the next chapter I've yet to decide upon a pair, I currently doubt it'll be another pair from the "mane six" unless suggest.
