The Fillyhood of Sprinklejinx

I sprinted down the crowded streets of Fillydelphia as fast as my little hooves can carry me. Princess Cadence flew above me. I rammed into an earth pony while trying to get through the hustling crowd.

“Hey! Watch where you’re goin kid!” He shouted waving his hoof in the air. I was too happy to say something sassy at the time. I skid to a halt in front of my apartment. I levitated the key out from underneath the welcome mat and went inside. I smiled from ear to ear and jumped around the house like a bunny.

“Hey mama! Hey mama! Guess what?” I asked cheerfully.

“Pipe down, Sprinkles. What is it?” My mother asked pushing the unpaid bill across the table. “Oh look. You got your cutie mark.”

“Well yeah… But I have even better news.” I said.

“Better than a cutie mark?” She asked.

“Yep. I met Princess Cadence. She wants ME to be her student.” I said.

“Oh yeah?” She asked incredulously.

“Yes actually.” Princess Cadence said trotting through the door. My mother’s jaw dropped.

“I-I… Can’t believe it. Oh my Celestia! It’s really you!” She said kneeling down and kissing her hooves.

“Is all your family like this?” Princess Cadence said feeling flattered and a little creeped out at the same time. I shrugged. I couldn’t blame her for being excited. I was even still having trouble keeping my cool.

“I am such a big fan. I think you’re amazing! Tell the other princesses I said hi. It is such an honor to have you here Princess.” My mother said.

“I have important matters we need to discuss.” Princess Cadence said.

“Would you like something to drink?” My mother asked.

“Not right now, thank you. Your daughter has powerful magic, you know.” Princess Cadence said.

“She’s been practicing. I am so proud of her.” She spoke patting me on the head.

“It seems that she has a little trouble controlling it. When she’s upset her magic grows to be very dangerous. I witnessed her magic make bad luck wherever she goes. I want to help her learn to control her magic and her emotions.” Princess Cadence said.

“What was bothering you so badly?” She asked.

“I got my cutie mark.” I said staring at the ground. My mother and the princess looked at each other and laughed hysterically.

“Now you’re laughing at me again.” I said covering my flank with my tail.

“Getting your cutie mark is supposed to be a good thing.” Princess Cadence said.

“Yeah, but now Destiny doesn’t like me anymore because she wanted to get her cutie mark first.” I said.

“She’ll get her cutie mark soon enough and she’ll get over it. Our family is known to be early bloomers.” My momma said.

“I’m not so worried about her now. I’ll make new friends at Cadence’s school. Atleast… If you let me go.” I said giving her the puppy dog eyes.

“Are you sure you want to be her student? You still struggle a little with your magic. I don’t want it to be too hard for you.” She said.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that. All you need to do is study hard and you’ll do fine.” Princess Cadence said.

“I think I can handle it.” I said.

“Good. Your first lesson starts in three days. I must be going now. I need to foalsit a pony in Canterlot.” Princess Cadence said.

“Goodbye.” I said watching her teleport away.

“I have a little surprise for you.” She said leaving the house.

“Yay! I like surprises.” I said. I took the newspaper off the kitchen table and began solving a crossword puzzle. About ten minutes later she returned with a little box.

“That smells like carrot cake.” I said.

“That’s because it is carrot cake, your favorite.” She said opening the box. The only time we get to eat something that isn’t grass is for special occasions. Not too long after that, Dice got home from school.

“Where were you, Sprinklejinx? I was waiting for you outside.” Dice said putting his saddlebag on the floor.

“Sprinklejinx saw Princess Cadence today.” My mother said.

“Notice anything different?” I asked.

“You got a manecut?” Dice asked.

“No. I got my cutie mark.” I said.

“Oh. Cool. Does that mean we’re going to celebrate like we did for mine?” Dice asked.

“Of course.” Mother said.

“Where’s Clovermane?” I asked.

“She’s out on a date with Filthy Rich.” She replied. Filthy Rich was the wealthiest stallion in Fillydelphia. He was a bit full of himself and thought that he deserved the best. That’s why he wanted to be with Clover Mane. He had enough money to buy fancy clothes and was able to eat whatever he wanted. My parents owed him money from the time my father hurt his leg and couldn’t work. I wished that she would dump him and get with some pony better. He thought of her more like a trophy than a marefriend. He’d buy her nice things occasionally, but he wouldn’t do fun things with her like take her to the movies.

“We can eat the cake as soon as your father and sister get home. Maybe you can help Sprinklejinx practice her magic while you’re waiting.” Mother said.

“Okay.” Dice said taking his crayon box out of his saddlebag. He took out a red crayon. “Try to turn this crayon blue.” I stared intently at the red crayon. I pictured the color blue in my mind. My horn glowed brightly. The crayon’s color began to change from red to purple.

“Ugh! Why did it change to purple!” I groaned.

“Red and blue make purple. You just need to add a little more blue to cancel out the red.” Dice said. My horn light up even brighter this time. The purple crayon turned darker and the reddish tint faded away. Then Dice stomped on it with his hoof.

“You broke it.” I said.

“Can you fix it?” He asked. I levitated the broken pieces of the blue crayon together. My horn’s light stopped flashing and the crayon turned yellow.

“Stupid crayon!” I grumbled. Dice laughed. He took the newspaper with the finished crossword puzzle on the table and folded it into a paper air plane.

“When I throw this paper airplane at you try to make a barrier to block it. Okay, Jinx.” Dice said. He launched the paper airplane into the air with his magic. The paper airplane soared towards me. A pink bubble surrounded me for a split second and then disappeared as soon as the airplane hit my nose. I levitated the airplane off the ground and passed it back to Dice. Dice went into the kitchen and poured a glass of water.

“Try not to spill it.” He said. I levitated the glass into the air. It tipped from side to side. I tried to concentrate on keeping it straight up in the air. I finally got the glass to balance in the air. Sweat trickled down my ear. “Think fast!” Dice said tossing the paper airplane. I blocked the airplane with the magic bubble. The glass of water poured on my head. I shook the water out of my mane.

“Quit horsing around and let’s have a slice of this cake.” My father said.

“It smells delicious.” Clovermane said. She looked at my flank and smiled. “I guess you’re our little puzzle solver now.” She said.

“How did you do on your quiz, Dice?” Mother asked as she cut the cake.

“I got a B+.” Dice said.

“Good job. I’m glad you passed.” Father said.

“It seems like everypony has good news today.” Mother said.

“I have some good news too.” Clovermane said.

“What’s the good news, Clover?” I asked.

“I’m getting married.” Clover answered showing us the shiny ring. I put a fake smile on my face.

“I don’t mean to seem negative but, isn’t it a little soon. I mean you’ve only been together for three months.” I said.

“Who cares? I’m finally going to have a brother to play with!” Dice said.

“It will be great to have a new addition to the family.” My mother said.

“He’s sleeping in your bed, right?” I asked. We didn’t have much room for another pony to live in and there was no way I would want to share a room with Filthy Rich.

“He’s not staying here. I’m going to move in with him.” Clover Mane said.

“You’re leaving?” Dice asked.

“Yes. But I’ll come to visit as much as I can.” Clovermane said.

“Do you have to go?” I asked.

“If I get married to him we’ll have enough money to get you toys for Hearths Warming Eve this year and you’ll be able to have carrots whenever you want. The Horse Shoe Factory won’t go out of business and he’ll take care of me.” She said.

“But will you truly be happy with him?” I asked. She hesitated for a moment.

“Yes.” She said.

“Are you sure? We can find another way to come up with the money if that’s what you’re worried about.” My father said.

“I’m just… Nevermind, I’m sure.” Clovermane said playing with her food.

“He seemed to treat you alright. We should be grateful for what he’s done for us. I just think that it’s a bit soon to be thinking about that.” My mother said.

“I guess so.” I said levitating my fork into my slice of cake.

“I’ll tell you what. How would you like to be my flower filly? And you could be my ring foal.” Clovermane said cheering up a bit.

“I would love to be your flower filly.” I said feeling relieved.

“It would be awesome to help out with the wedding.” Dice said.

“You guys are the best.” She said hugging us both.