Chapters Author's Note
Rarity learns to live in the moment.
Just Run
"So we just run across the field?"
"Yup."
"All the way across?"
"Yup."
"No halfway point?"
"Yup."
Rarity stared across the immense field, where the barn and an ice cold lemonade awaited her. She just had to run a while, alongside her loveliest. She shot Applejack a glance. She pawed the ground to indicate that she was okay with this proposal. Applejack smirked and mimicked her gesture. They both crouched in a running stance.
"Three...Two...One...Go!"
Rarity pelted across the field. She normally didn't gallop for fear of sweating, but it really was exhilarating to just run, the wind lashing her mane back and thwipping her tail about. She really should gallop more often. Applejack pulled ahead of her, but she managed to keep pace all the way across the long stretch of emptiness that resided under the sky.
Every second brought the barn closer to them, its large red shape bouncing up and down as she continued to run. She dimly noticed Applejack's hat had fallen off, but neither of them cared. Laughing, they both skidded into a pile of hay, emerging in peals of laughter.
"That was...*pant*...exhilarating." Rarity smiled, red-faced, at Applejack.
"You thought that was exhilaratin'?" Applejack panted, smiling victoriously as she pulled Rarity in for a kiss. They held the kiss for a while before breaking it in search of air. They both pulled themselves out of the hay, Applejack dusting Rarity off.
"Applejack...your hat." Rarity gestured to the top of Applejack's head, which was distinctly hat-less.
"I'll go find it later. Let's go in for somethin' to drink." They both went inside, their tails brushing each other's flanks.
Author's Note
Button Mash learns something meaningful about love.
Flowers
Button Mash walked through the flower fields, humming Sweetie Belle's favorite song. He was looking for some flowers to pick Sweetie for her cutecenera, which was this evening. Sweetie Belle liked daisies and tulips, particularly pink ones.
One problem.
He couldn't find any daisies or tulips.
He searched and searched, becoming increasingly frantic. He needed to give Sweetie Belle a nice big bouquet, and the only flower he could find was one measly tulip. The sky became darker and darker until it was dinnertime, only an hour before the party. By this time Button was tearing up the meadow, not a single daisy to be seen.
He could see lights starting to flicker on back in town, reminding him of fireflies. The party was going to start soon. But he needed to find these flowers.
He continued to search until he collapsed in the middle of the field, crying a little. He didn't have time to get her anything else other than a mere pink tulip. Even that measly thing was starting to break, a single petal having fallen off.
"Button?"
He turned around, wiping one eye to see Sweetie Belle in all her newly-earned-magic-butt-sticker glory. It was a pink heart with a music note imposed on top of it. She looked concerned.
"What are you doing out here? The party started half an hour ago."
"I was trying to find you some flowers. Daisies and tulips, the kind you like...But I could only find this one." Button held out the tulip. Sweetie took it in her magic, twirling it around before giving him a small kiss.
"I love it." She laughed a little. "You know, you didn't have to get me anything fancy. Just a kiss would do it."
They walked off towards her party, the pink flower held aloft as a tribute, a flag, a testimony to the beauty of simply being there.
Author's Note
Art comes in many ways, shapes, and forms. Who knew it would ever come in the form of wind and rain?
Rainy Days
Twilight nestled deeper into her blankets, the rain tap, tap, tapping her window so insistently, like Rainbow Dash when she wanted to tell her something. Twi poked her head out the window. She had been Dash's marefriend for long enough to know that if the storm seemed to be telling her something, it probably was.
She squinted and saw a small cyan shape darting through the clouds, the lightning occasionally lighting up her form. She smiled. She loved it when Dash put on a performance out there in the rain just for her. All the weather ponies needed to do was set up the thunderheads, let them run their course, then come back out to clear away the stray bits of cloud. But Rainbow insisted on performing for Twilight during the storms, both because she liked feeling like a demigod and because she liked striking a wet-mane pose when she came back to the library.
The storms were Rainbow's art, and the sky her canvas. She would often draw the lightning toward her to make designs, or kick the thunderclouds to make a sort of wild music. It was a breathtaking, heartstopping, artistic sport, and Rainbow reveled in being the only pony with the guts to play it.
Twilight clapped at every lightning bolt and cheered at every thunderclap. True, she didn't have enough skill as a flyer to play Rainbow's game with her, but she would be darned if she wasn't Equestria's best cheerleader.
Eventually Rainbow would get tired and touch down, running toward the library. And she would even make that a show, leaping over carts instead of going around them, landing in the puddles in certain ways to make the perfect splash. She slammed one hoof against the door loudly, too tired and exhilarated for a proper knock. Twilight hustled downstairs and opened the door, where Rainbow had struck a pose for her. Twilight laughed. "Come on in."
Rainbow stepped in, gratefully taking the towel she offered and drying herself off. Twilight went and made Rainbow some coffee, which she accepted when she finished drying off.
They both sat there for a while, contented in each other's company. "Hey, Twilight?"
"What is it, Dash?"
"Thanks."
"It's no trouble. Only you can make a storm a work of art."
Author's Note
What happened away from the camera during the wedding reception.
Flower Girls
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom walked through the castle gardens, in awe of the endless flowers around them, alive in the moonlight's glow. They had snuck off in the middle of all the madness to spend a little time together.
Scootaloo had apparently had enough of the slow pace, as she snatched Apple Bloom's flower wreath off her head and ran off.
"Hey! Give that back!" Apple Bloom ran after her fillyfriend, tripping slightly over her gown.
"You want it? Then come get it!" Scootaloo laughed and dashed around the corner.
They ran through the hedge maze and through the flower gardens and over the decorative stream, kicking up dirt and water and who knew what else as they ran and laughed. Apple Bloom was starting to enjoy the chase, skipping after nimble Scootaloo. Eventually they crashed into each other, sugar-hyped and tired.
"We're alone here, Bloom." Scootaloo whispered seductively into Apple Bloom's ear.
"Sheath your lipstick, pony girl." Apple Bloom laughed and pushed Scoots away.
"But isn't that the whole reason we came out here? To spend some time together?" Scootaloo pouted.
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "Are you that smooch-deprived from your favorite country filly?" She smiled flirtatiously.
"If I said yes, would you hold me like you wanted me?"
"Maybe."
They held each other for a while, not saying anything, just enjoying the sound of trickling water and the feel of each other's bodies and the taste of each other's lips from time to time.
Apple Bloom snuggled deeper into her fillyfriend. "Ah feel so wrong, loving you the way I do an' being all flirty with you. Ah know most of Equestria believes it's okay, and it's not illegal, but..."
"It feels weird." Scootaloo finished. "It feels weird to be loving a filly instead of a colt. And not being able to have kids." Scootaloo stroked Apple Bloom's mane. "But it's okay. It's okay, because love is still love. And if worst comes to worst, we can always move to the Crystal Empire." Scootaloo smiled jokingly.
"This is why I fell in love with you." Apple Bloom murmured softly, half asleep. "You always know just what to say or what to do to make me smile."
They continued to sit together awhile, watching the flares sent up by celebrating unicorns. Eventually, when they started to disperse, Scootaloo nudged Apple Bloom up. "We have to go now."
Then they left, no longer in their bubble of love, fluff, and fun, but no less happy.
Author's Note
Rarity and Applejack have fun with their foal, Jocelyn. Shares the title with a fic by The Princess Rarity.
Little Gem
Jocelyn stood in front of one of the trees in her mother's - well, one of her mothers - orchard, the wind blowing through her pale purple mane. This was the day. All or nothing. Make it or break it. The million dollar matchup.
Today was the day she would buck her first tree.
Rarity and Applejack stood on either side of her, beaming with pride.
"Are you ready, Lynnie?" Rarity nuzzled the young earth pony.
Jocelyn swatted her away. "I was born ready."
"That's our girl." Applejack bucked the tree next to Jocelyn's to demonstrate. "The second you saw me work for the first time you were all over it. Now, go on."
Jocelyn turned around so she was facing away from her tree. She lifted her back legs in a hoofstand, then slammed them against the tree. A good bit of apples fell out.
"One more time!" Rarity called. She had gotten the camera for the occasion.
Jocelyn was a little disappointed that she couldn't get them all down in one go, like her mother. One day, she'd be able to.
She slammed her back hooves against the tree again. More came down.
Applejack peered up into the branches. "Ah think that's all of 'em. Good girl, Lynnie." Both the older mares patted Jocelyn on the back, nuzzling her. An Apple's first buck was one to be remembered for the rest of their life, and its story to be told for many reunions to come.
Jocelyn had always been fascinated with the earth pony side of her family - the side she had gotten her right eye's color from. Ever since she had seen her mother work for the first time, slamming her back hooves against the trees, she had wanted to try it for herself, inherit the orchard one day.
For the first time out of many to come, Jocelyn felt one with her hooves.
Author's Note
Rarity and Rainbow Dash discuss something they have been planning for a long time.
To See The World
Rarity leaned over their apartment's balcony, letting the autumn breeze blow her purple mane around. The love of her life stood beside her, one columbia blue wing draped over her back. She loved autumn in Canterlot, golden leaves matching the pinks and whites of the buildings all around her.
Though one had to wonder...what was autumn like in Griffonia, or Zebrakistan, or Cloudsdale? Griffonia had little to no trees, so they wouldn't have any gorgeous warm-colored leaves blowing about and getting stuck in their feathers. Zebrakistan didn't have that pleasure, either, since they didn't have the special kind of trees that Equestria had. Their trees were more like bushes. She hadn't actually seen Zebrakistan ever, but she'd seen pictures. And one of these days, she would see the real thing.
They had been saving. They had been packing. They had been dreaming. She and Rainbow were going to see the whole world someday, and if all went well, that day could be in a month or two.
"Just think about it, Rares." Rainbow broke the wondering silence. "There's a whole world out there, waiting for us."
Rarity chuckled. "Watch out, Zebrakistan."
"I know, right!? We're going to take all those places by storm." Rainbow fluttered her wings. After four years of being together, Rarity knew that meant Rainbow Dash was excited. Very excited. She was too.
Just a few more months, and they would be flying, flying, flying far away, where boundaries were nonexistent.
Just a few more months, and they would be free. Just the two of them.
No rules, no walls, no rooms.
All there would be was Rarity and Rainbow Dash.
Alone, far from home.
But somehow, that thought didn't scare her.
Author's Note
You have to read this one while listening to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. That is a given.
A Thousand Years
I like it up here on the balcony, lowering the great flaming jewel that sits in the sky during the day slowly but surely. I love creating sunsets more than anything, deep orange and fiery pink staining the sky, with a few pale pink clouds completing my cosmic painting.
As it fell ever lower, and the sky turned ever darker, he sneaks up behind me. That rascally creature who stole my heart all those years ago. Discord, the love of my life.
Some have said that it is unnatural for such a creature to woo a pony; others, most likely nobles, sniff that such a crime against nature is unworthy of my heart. No doubt they wish to have their children marry me. Such a foolish wish.
He gently unhooked the heavy, shimmering purple Court cloak I had yet to take off and tossed it aside, kissing me gently at the base of my neck. I shivered in pleasure, my horn still glowing with light.
"Discord..." I chided, a touch of sing-song in my tone. "If you don't stop that right now I'll drop the sun..."
"Oh, don't tell me you don't like it, Tia." He chuckled. "Besides, what's wrong with the occasional explosion?"
"Well, there's the fire, for one thing." I turned to face him as the sun rested in its cosmic cradle.
"True."
We stood together in silence for a while, as Luna raised her moon and brought out the stars. My sunset slowly faded, the night gently painting over top of the sunset and turning it a dazzling purple.
I turned and kissed my beloved, gently but passionately. We had both missed each other during the thousand years he was trapped in stone; it was an unspoken truth between us.
A thousand years. With any other millennium, it would pass in a blink, but that particular one seemed to stretch on and on, the days going by at a snails' pace. It was a gamble to have Fluttershy reform him, but it worked. It worked, and now the waiting was over.
He nuzzled me in return. "Would you like to join me for a shower?"
"I could never say no to that."
Lyra sat snuggled in a warm bird's nest of blankets on her window seat, all various shades of green. She adored the color green. It was the color of forests yet to be explored and freshly-cut emeralds and the sea sparkling with the help of a drop of golden sun.
She turned the page of her book, hovering in front of her in a gentle amber glow. It was a story about a mare named Liliana who prayed for a hundred adventures. It was a good book, excellent even.
A hundred adventures. She looked out the window, at Ponyville, where everypony was out and about, busy as bees. Colts and fillies playing games, older ponies sitting around and talking, and the adults selling their wares at market. Easily a thousand little adventures, playing out all at once. Maybe they didn't seem like it to her, but that stallion selling cherries could need the money to buy medicine for his daughter. They could mean everything to those participating in them.
She levitated over an empty notebook; one off the top of her ever-growing pile of them. She opened it, grabbed a pen, and wrote neatly at the top:
Two Kinds Of Adventures
Then she wrote below it:
1. Epic novel length ones, with dragons and damsels and revelations. Fun to read about, but not so fun to experience.
2. Little, everyday ones, with flowers and cherries and kisses. Occasionally, some sadness. Not terribly interesting to read about, but the best experiences you'll ever have.
Twilight tossed and turned. She had to stop reading so late into the night; her head was so abuzz with information she couldn't sleep. She yawned and continued throwing herself around the bed like a dying otter. She'd only seen an otter once, at Fluttershy's cottage. Maybe she could write a paper about them and give it to Fluttershy as a present - Gah!
"Can't sleep?"
Twilight jumped. Luna was standing on the edge of her balcony, spectral mane blowing about in all its glory. "Mind if I come in?"
"No, of course not, come right in." Twilight stifled a yawn. Luna stepped into Twilight's room, and sat down beside her bed, giving Twilight a nuzzle.
"I could tell you weren't asleep, so I came over here to check on you."
"Were your Luna senses tingling?" Twilight giggled. Luna rolled her eyes.
"For the last time, I am not Spider-Mane; I don't have a 'Luna sense'."
"Luna..." Twilight hesitated.
"What?" Luna tilted her head in curiosity.
"I know we only just started dating, but..." She stared at the rug. "Could you...snuggle with me?"
Luna slipped into Twilight's bed. "Of course."
In the grasp of her marefriend's arms, Twilight finally fell asleep.
Luna stared up at the night sky, brow furrowed in concentration as Twilight sat on her back wrapped in a blanket and made corrections to their little pet project.
"Move that one over just a little bit please..."
Luna let out a quick sigh that sounded like an annoyed puppy. They were trying to make an original constellation, one that wasn't even remotely similar to any other. That required charting stars, moving stars, moving the stars around them so they didn't throw any cosmic balance off, and repeating the process over and over and over again. Oh, and a few calm-down potions for Twilight.
"No, maybe it should go there instead..."
"Twilight?" Luna asked, trying to hide the slight annoyance in her voice.
"What?" Twilight peered at Luna from up on her back.
"Do you think we could just leave it like this? I think it looks how we wanted it to."
Twilight climbed down off of Luna, looking up at their constellation. It looked like two wings, each star within the outline perfectly arranged to give the appearance of feathers. It was in just the right place in the sky so they would be deep purple, similar to both Twilight and Luna.
Twilight hugged the princess. "You're right. It's fine. Completely original, by us."
"By us, and for us." Luna returned Twilight's embrace.
Author's Note
Takes place before the show, when Celestia and Luna are worshipped as gods.
Sermonolatry
Clover knelt in prayer on one of the many mats within the small church, murmuring her prayers feverishly. She was praying to Luna, as she always did during the last vestiges of evening, when the sky grew dark as the Ever-Glorious Luna called forth the moon, and the candles that were always at the ready were lit, giving the room an almost ethereal atmosphere.
She was going to be a High Priestess someday, she was destined for it; that was what the priest had said, and the priest spoke nothing but truth. And as such, she had to pray. Pray every day, twice a day, at dawn as well as at her usual time, to make up for the feelings she had been experiencing.
Clover the Clever had a crush on the Ever-Glorious Luna. She had for a month now. How could anypony not fall in love with such a perfect creature? She was benevolent and wise, as well as beautiful and all-knowing. She was Clover's everything.
But such feelings were as good as banned. How the priest had scolded her when she told him of her crush. The Ever-Glorious Luna was a deity, a goddess made flesh. She was beneath her, nothing more than the dirt on her pristine silver shoes.
But pray as she might, block out the thoughts as best she could, it was hopeless. She finished her prayers with "Amen" as she always did, and a sigh.
She exited the church, the silver crescent moon connected to a sun that she wore around her neck gently whacking against her chest as she speed-walked out. As soon as she closed the doors, making sure they locked behind her, she heard a voice.
"Clover the Clever?"
She turned to face the speaker before gasping and throwing herself to the ground in a sloppy bow. It was the Ever-Glorious Luna, regalia and all, right in front of her.
"Rise, young pony." Luna assessed the violet mare as she scrambled to her hooves. "We would like to tell you that we admire your dedication in your prayer." She gently nuzzled Clover. "We would like to see you around the castle sometime."
"Y-yes, t-thank you, O Ever-Glorious Luna." Clover stuttered in reply.
Luna nodded and walked off toward the castle where she and her sister lived. Clover's heart skipped several beats. She nuzzled me. She admired me. She likes me too.
Twilight and Celestia walked through the crowds of Canterlot, headed toward a certain patch of countryside they both enjoyed. Twilight levitated a picnic basket in her magenta magic, and she kept glancing around, as if she was worried they might be seen.
"I like these disguises, Celly." Twilight whispered to the princess. "Nopony bows or pulls us aside to invite us somewhere. It's great!"
Celestia smiled and nodded. They had cast illusion spells on themselves so nopony would bow or ask after their presence at some social function. And not one magazine photographer would so much as give them a sideways glance, let alone follow them.
Twilight was now a deep blue unicorn mare with a shockingly white mane and tail, and a light blue crescent moon for a cutie mark. Celestia was a unicorn as well, though she was pale pink, with a shimmering gold mane and tail. Her cutie mark was a red flower.
Celestia liked not being a princess for a while. It felt good to be treated as a pony, not a god, and she even relished the thought of getting snapped at. As for Twilight, she enjoyed the return to her days as a commoner, before meeting her friends and getting wings.
They eventually reached the city limits, staring out at the open sky that the city stuck out into. With a flash of their horns, they dispelled the illusion. Twilight shivered, as if she had just exited a tub of cold water.
The two nodded and spread their wings in unison, swooping downward and landing atop a small hill, right beside a small stream. As Twilight unpacked their picnic, a few sideways glances revealed no hiding paparazzi.
Note to self, look into illusion magic when we get back to the castle.
Twilight coughed and nudged Luna, discreetly gesturing to the photographers lurking in the nearby bushes. Luna rested a hoof on Twilight's, silently telling her to ignore them.
They were out at Crescent Cafe, their preferred place to sip coffee and discuss astronomy. It was a lovely place, with the kind of simple homeyness not usually found in the austere city of Canterlot. After about a half hour which consisted of three cups of coffee and pretending not to notice the photographers, Twilight snapped.
"You know what? I can't do this. Ever since Astra was born, the paparazzi have been all over us. I love her, really Luna, but it's nice to have a little me-and-you time, you know?" Luna nodded, letting Twilight rant before the inevitable. "And I can't even have that!"
She stormed over to the bush where they were hiding. "Out of there, now." she ordered. The paparazzi (of which there were three) quickly jumped out of the bush and faced Princess Twilight. She took the photos from one of them and destroyed them with a quick burst of concentrated fire. She pointed at all of them in turn. "You three will leave us alone or I'm going to toss you in prison for harassment. Or something." She grabbed Luna by the hoof, tossing a few bits onto the table. "Come on, Luna."
As the royal couple headed off, they were unaware of the paparazzi snapping pictures as they left.
Octavia finished her performance with a whisper of strings. The audience was silent for a few brief seconds, then erupted into applause for the humble gray earth pony on stage. She bowed deeply and eased her cello onto her back with practiced ease, walking a little quicker than normal to the wings. Once she was safe behind the deep blue curtains, she darted into her temporary dressing room, then turned to her cello case. She slowly lowered herself to the ground, opened the empty case, and eased her cello into its bed, ready for her next performance. She then slumped against the wall, spent but happy.
Her "gig" as her manager Vinyl Scratch called it at the Winter Gala was a success. She sighed again, a relieved laugh punctuating it this time. The Winter Gala was a huge event. A few missed notes would ruin the whole thing in the eyes of the endless music critics that would be writing about it for Musicians Monthly and various other magazines. Including Jewel.
Her heart skipped a beat. Jewel was the music critic. She was famously cutthroat and it took months of grueling practice to even get close to a perfect score. It was every musician's dream to earn that ten out of ten in Musicians Monthly . Including Octavia.
She heard the crowd slowly disperse, going back to milling around and talking. Octavia groaned inwardly, knowing that they would all be watching with keen eyes to see when she would come out of her dressing room. The second she stepped out, there would be conversation after conversation without a second to breath. She heaved a sigh for the third time that night and steeled herself, then she got up and opened the door.
"Hello, miss..." She trailed off. This particular pony was unfamiliar to her. Curly purple mane and tail, marshmallow-white coat, three diamonds for a cutie mark, and proudly sporting a rather lovely amethyst horn ring that matched her silky purple dress with a flared skirt.
"Rarity." The pony supplied. "I know you must think I'm a fanfilly, waiting outside your dressing room door to talk to you, but the truth is...I am!" She giggled. "A huge fan of yours, that is. I absolutely adored your EP, the music was beautiful. I'll be quite surprised if you don't have rave reviews this time tomorrow." As Rarity giggled again, Octavia blushed. Nopony had ever given her such upfront praise except Vinyl. With everypony else in Canterlot, even a single word that was more congratulatory than "good job" was hard-earned.
"Thank you." Octavia peeked over Rarity's shoulder. A couple eyes turned to the dressing room door, and Octavia cringed.
"Oh! Incredibly sorry, you probably want to get out." Rarity stepped aside, clearing the way. No! No, you fool!
"Actually it would be really helpful if you stayed in front of the door." Octavia said in a hurry. "I really don't want to deal with everypony tonight."
Rarity gave an understanding nod. Then a crafty smile graced her features. "In that case, I have a plan. You get your cello case and go, I'll do my best to distract everypony."
Octavia hugged her. "Thank you." Then she grabbed her cello and slipped out, power walking as fast as she could to the door. True to her word, Rarity was distracting everypony who even glanced at Octavia the wrong way. They met at the door.
"Thank you, Rarity."
"Anything for a friend."
Octavia's ears perked up when she heard the door to her and Rarity's apartment open. She put her book down and got up to greet her mare with a kiss. "Hi, Rarity."
"Hello, dearest." Rarity's voice held a song in its tone, and her horn glowed blue as a small shopping bag floated along behind her.
"What's in the bag?" Octavia inquired.
"Something special for my special somepony~" Rarity trilled. "It's your birthday, is it not?"
"Thanks, Rarity." Octavia made to take the bag, but Rarity swept it away.
"You'll have to catch me first in order to get it!" Rarity darted off behind the couch. Octavia rolled her eyes and dashed after Rarity, chasing her all the way back around to their appliances. Rarity finally allowed her access to the little purple bag, giggling all the while. Inside was a little black box. After some fumbling, Rarity helped her open it. Inside that was the prettiest pink silk bow tie.
Octavia swept her unicorn up in a kiss. "I love it, Rarity."
Rarity skimmed her hoof down Octavia's spine, making her shiver. "You are ever so welcome, my dearest Tavi."
"Luna, are you sure this is a good idea?" Twilight asked anxiously as she strapped on her helmet and knee pads, as well as wing guards.
"Positive. Besides, it's for science." Luna said, crouched in a predator's stance while she gripped the plastic sled firmly in her magic, waiting for Twilight to give her the go-ahead.
Twilight sighed. "I guess you're right." She was doing some research on propulsion magic, and after a few calculations, she had come to the conclusion that it was possible to fly across Canterlot without wings or chariots. Luna overheard this and gleefully suggested they test this theory. And since it was the middle of winter, they decided it was only logical to use a sled.
And that's why Twilight Sparkle was currently on the roof of Canterlot Castle above her study being strapped into a plastic sled and numerous pieces of "armor", including but not limited to a thick winter coat, wing guards, a helmet, goggles, and a few pillows. She now resembled a stuffed toy.
With a final snap, Luna fused the ends of the thick strip of fabric they were using as a seatbelt to each side of the sled. "Are you ready?"
Twilight lit her horn in preparation for the spell and nodded. "Launch in three, two, one..."
"FOR SCIENCE!" The second Luna pushed Twilight, she detonated her spell, and she went rocketing off the castle roof and into an arc across the sky. To ponies safely on the ground, it would look like a screaming purple pony-sized marshmallow was flying through the air while Princess Luna flew under it.
Twilight was having the ride of her life. She was flying through the air without her wings or a chariot or any sort of aide. It was almost like teleporting, only much more frightening and with a much higher chance of failure. And in the midst of her terror, she noticed with alarm she was falling. "Luna!"
And then she wasn't falling anymore. She was safely in the grip of the navy blue alicorn that she loved, and she was alive and safe and she was still buckled to the sled. She un-fused the fabric strip and planted a kiss on Luna's lips just so she could know the sensation of it and reassure herself that she was indeed alive.
She snuggled a little deeper into Luna's embrace as they flew back into her study window. Once they were safely inside the heated castle, Twilight took off all her winter gear and safety measures. Then she immediately rushed to her desk, scribbling notes.
"Twilight..." Luna started, but Twilight ignored her.
"I need to reconfigure these calculations, and this spell matrix here most likely, figure out what went wrong..."
"Twilight. Relax for a little while, please. You worry me." Luna gave Twilight a hug.
Twilight gave her a cheery smile. "Isn't that why you love me?"
"One of the reasons why, yes. Now, come here and snuggle with me before you work yourself anymore." Luna picked Twilight up despite her half-hearted protests, and placed her on the cot Twilight had in her study to make sure she slept at least a little, and gently stroked her mane until she fell asleep.
Night Light smiled and laughed along with everypony else as they sat and talked about the reception and congratulated the happy couple. They were discussing their honeymoon now. Everywhere from Fillydelphia to Zebrica had been suggested, and Twilight had jokingly suggested the moon, which caused everypony to crack up. He was happy for them, really - but he still blinked away tears.
Twilight was married. His little girl. His Twily was all grown up.
Every parent knew that some day, they had to let their children go. Teach them to fly so they could leave the nest someday. But that didn't make it any easier.
Both their children had flown rather early. Shining Armor had left as soon as he was eighteen to go join the Guard. They had accepted his decision, and were extremely proud of him. He could see him across the table with Cadance, smiling uncontrollably and patting Twilight on the back.
Twilight had flown even younger, when she was seven. Seven. They'd seen her last at her brother's wedding, and she was a full-grown mare. They had missed her first crush, her first zit, her first dance. So many firsts all slipped between him and Velvet's hooves.
She had become a princess a year ago. Now she was married to Princess Luna. It felt like he had opened a book right at the end, when the main character succeeds, and missed all the steps in between to see how they got there. He sucked in a watery breath as his eyes began to burn.
Hours later, when Twilight and Luna were about to depart for the castle, he grabbed his daughter and pulled her in for a hug. He was crying freely now, getting her shoulder all wet, but he didn't care. "I love you, Twily. Don't forget to write."
Twilight sniffled. "I love you too, Dad."
Sunset Shimmer opened her eyes. The lavender ceiling of her room was a familiar sight ever since she had come home. She replayed the scene in her mind; the burning hatred of Celestia's new student, Twilight Sparkle, followed by regret, followed by everyone in school shunning her, hating her. Some would even go out of their way to avoid her, as if she would suddenly become a demon again, like on that terrible night. Then she had come back through the portal. After a long, long discussion on whether or not she could continue her studies, they had decided she could; under one condition.
Twilight Sparkle was to be her teacher.
At first she hated the very idea that her worst enemy would be teaching her about the very thing she had promised herself to learn about on her own. But Twilight was a good teacher, and after a few weeks she had warmed up to her. Twilight had come up with the ritual of Sunday breakfasts together, where they would discuss what they were going to learn about that week with Sparkler and Dinky Doo, her two other top-ranking students.
But enough with all that. Today was in fact, a Sunday, and being late for Sunday breakfast was one of the worst crimes punishable at Twilight Sparkle's Friendship Academy. But she wasn't even concerned about that. Tonight was the Dusk Aurora, a beautiful sunset that seemed to collide with dusk, hence the name, and tonight she and Twilight were going to go see it together. Just the two of them. Their first date as marefriends. A warm blush lit up Sunset's face as she got her saddlebags and headed downstairs.
"Good morning, Sunny." Twilight smiled, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Morning, Miss Sparkle." Sunset purposefully added a bit of seriousness to her reply to remind her teacher that they were on business now; her name was Sunset. No pet names allowed during class.
That didn't stop them from sharing a nuzzle once breakfast was over.
"Twilight?" Luna called as she roamed the castle halls. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of her for two days, and she was getting worried. "Twilight, where are you?"
As she turned the corner, she heard a loud bang and a yelp coming from the entrance to the library, where Twilight used to spend her days before she went to Ponyville. That's most likely where she is.
Luna pushed open the door and carefully made her way through the bookshelves like a skittish cat. She found Twilight in the corner, where at least four or five different chemistry kits were stacked on top of a large wooden table, along with numerous bits of metal and machine parts. The purple scientist in question was up against the opposite wall, breathing quickly. A big black scorch mark was right next to her head. She caught sight of Luna and ran toward her.
"Luna, I did it! It works!" Her expression was one of pure jubilance.
"What works?" Luna asked, stealing a glance at Twilight's lab table. A particular device caught her eye - a combination of springs and wires that currently crackled with leftover magic from some spell.
"My transistor!" Twilight tugged off her goggles, her eyes shining. "It redirects electricity, and I thought this one was going to work and so I used a mild electricity spell on it and it worked and and and-"
"When's the last time you ate?" Luna interrupted. Twilight's stomach growled, and she blushed. Luna rested a wing across her shoulders. "Let's go eat, then you can show me your transistor."
Twilight jumped to the side as Celestia's magical blade slashed the area she had once been. Block, block, parry, stab, miss, stab again...it was all a blur at this point. The match had been going on for a while.
For a couple weeks now, Twilight had been taking sparring lessons, with Princess Celestia as her teacher. It was an excellent workout, and a good way of relieving stress. She had been trying out different blades for a while now, and she quite liked this one. The hilt wasn't too bulky, and the blade extended and retracted easily.
Twilight saw an opening and swiped hew newest blade at the other Princess' hooves, causing her to jump back and open her wings on impulse. She continued to stab and slice at the other princess with her lavender sword until Celestia was nearly backed into a corner. A golden blade swiped the area above her head, but she quickly ducked and pointed her own sword at Celestia's chest. One...two...three...four...five.
Breathing heavily, the two princesses retracted their blades. "Good job, Twilight. Do you think you'll be sticking with that one?" She indicated toward the hilt Twilight gripped in her telekinesis, now bladeless.
Twilight smiled and nodded. Yes, she quite liked this one.
"Are you coming, Twilight?" Celestia called from the bottom of the winding staircase that led to Twilight's room.
"Yes ma'am, coming!" Twilight shouted back. She scrambled up on top of the staircase railing and slid down, having discovered long ago that it was much faster than walking down. Unfortunately, she misjudged the distance and braked late and would have earned herself a nice blue bruise for her troubles. If Celestia hadn't caught Twilight in her warm golden magic, safely lowering her to the ground.
"Did you get your balaclava?" Celestia asked the little filly. "It's cold outside."
"I knew I was forgetting something!" Twilight gasped. "I'll just run upstairs and get it-"
"No need." Celestia summoned Twilight's balaclava to her and gently eased it onto Twilight's head, making sure it wasn't too tight.
"Thank you, Princess." Twilight said earnestly, her voice slightly muffled due to the balaclava covering her mouth.
"You are very welcome, Twilight. Now, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah! I'm going to make a snowpony and maybe collect some samples and..." Twilight continued to babble on about all the things she would do once they were out there in the snow. Celestia smiled warmly, drinking in every word.
"White, purple, and pink balloons?"
"Check." Dashie tossed a purple one over to Fluttershy, who tied it into one of the four clusters that were placed around Sugarcube Corner.
"Streamers that match? Rarity likes it when they match."
"Check." Twilight and Applejack finished putting the streamers up, Twilight adding a little extra shimmer to them with her magic.
Oh! Wait! My dress! I ran upstairs, shouting a quick "Be right back!" to my friends behind me. After a little digging, I found my flapper dress that I'd worn in Appleoosa for my dance number. Afterward, Rarity had confessed that she really liked it when I wore it. So it only made sense to wear it at her birthday party!
I walked down the stairs really slowly like Rarity does when she wants me to notice her outfit - right as she came in. I tried to scramble the rest of the way down, but she had already noticed me and caught her breath. "Pinkie, you look lovely." She turned to everypony else. "Thank you for setting all this up for me." She smiled her beautiful Rarity smile.
"It was all Pinkie." Dashie said, winking at me and mouthing the words "Go get her.".
I made my way downstairs, Rarity watching me the whole time. I felt really blushy. I stared into her big blue eyes on the last step. "Happy birthday, Rare-Bear." Then I smiled and kissed her full on the lips.
Twilight bent over the pot, wearing a look of intense concentration as she began to make some powdered hot chocolate.
She and Cadance were camping a few miles outside the Crystal Empire's borders. Shining Armor had been wary of the idea at first, but after some negotiations, they had been allowed to go for one night only - as long as they put up all of the barrier spells they knew.
Cadance peeked into the tent, wrapped in all manner of scarves and a thick coat. "How's that hot chocolate coming?"
"I just started it, Caddy." Twilight laughed despite the cold. She poured in a generous amount of chocolate powder as Cadance sat next to her.
"I kinda-" Cadance yawned. "-kinda wish we could have brought thermoses full of the good kind."
"We needed the thermoses for water. Besides, this way we're roughing it." Twilight grinned.
"I know." Cadance rolled her eyes and planted a happy kiss on Twilight's cheek, laughing as her face turned pinker. "I am never going to get over how adorable you look when I surprise-kiss you."
"Same here." Twilight returned the favor and smiled smugly as Cadance's already-pink complexion took on a shade of magenta.
"Okay, I deserved that."
There was silence after that, until the hot chocolate was finished. Twilight distributed it into two plastic cups, and then they brought it outside, sitting on a blanket and gazing at the stars.
"They're so pretty out here." Twilight whispered in awe. "So far from the Empire and its artificial light. I wish we could come out here more often."
"Same here." Cadance whispered back, feeling the same need for secrecy Twilight did. Twilight then sipped her hot chocolate, and Cadance spoke up. "I've had a lot of homes in my lifetime. Hollow Shades, Canterlot, and now the Crystal Empire. But I think my definition has changed since my earlier years."
"What's your definition now?" Twilight asked.
"Wherever somepony I love is." Cadance smiled fondly, almost contemplatively.
"The ratty old tent is probably a new low." Twilight giggled.
Cadance took a sip of her own hot chocolate and grimaced. "If we had to get the powdered kind, at least spend a little more. They watered this kind down."
Twilight sighed happily, and the two were silent for the rest of the night, content for now.
"I just don't know, Trixie." Twilight sighed, looking at Trixie's reflection in her mirror adorned with Hearth's Warming lights. Trixie applied a little more eye shadow and nodded sympathetically.
Trixie had been able to get back on her feet rather easily after "the whole deal with the Alicorn Amulet" and had become part of another traveling stage show performing magic. Her and her crew happened to be in Canterlot, and upon hearing that the new Princess was also visiting the city had immediately sent Twilight a letter with tickets to her show and an invitation to catch up. Twilight had accepted, and had ended up spilling all of her mare troubles to her old frenemy, particularly those involving Princess Celestia.
"I really don't know what you're getting hung up about." Trixie closed the eyeshadow and began to put on a bit of shimmery blue lip gloss. "Just tell her you fancy her and stop all this worrying. No fuss, just over a cup of tea or something."
"I can't do that!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Why?" Trixie turned to directly face the distraught princess. "You keep saying that you don't know whether you should tell her, but you haven't given me a reason not to."
Twilight sighed and looked at the floor. "Trixie, I...I wouldn't really expect you to understand, but me and Celestia are like sisters. She's been my surrogate mother ever since she took me on as her student, what with my real mother working so much. Over time, we've only grown closer. It was only recently that I realized that I wanted more out of our relationship, but at the same time I didn't want to ruin everything we had by confessing. It would be shallow of me." Twilight sighed again.
Trixie was silent, and Twilight wondered if she had offended her with her opening comment. "You're right. I've always been more of a loner, so I don't really get it. But, I still don't see why you shouldn't tell her. If you two really are that close, then the worst that could happen is that she doesn't return your feelings, and maybe it'll be awkward for a little while. Just give it a shot, Twilight. You spend so much time playing it safe, it'll be good for you to take some risks."
"And now, introducing The Great And Powerful...Trrrrrrrixie! " Roaring applause sounded from outside the caravan.
"It's showtime, Twilight. Better run back if you want to see me in my full splendor, rather than from the wings." She grinned and ran out onto the stage.
Twilight left as well, hurrying to her seat next to Princess Celestia. Celestia smiled down at her. "I trust your time with Trixie went well?"
Twilight nodded, watching the show. During the intermission, she took a breath and steeled herself. It'll be good for you to take some risks. "Celestia?"
"Hm?" Celestia turned to face her.
It's showtime, Twilight.
Luna sighed as the familiar sounds of giggling echoed from inside Celestia's room. "I swear, those two are going to be the death of this castle."
Cadance laughed. "Don't be such a sourpuss. They're still in that 'new couple' phase, it's natural to be super sugary with each other during that time."
"You would know." Luna grumbled, tossing another glance at Celestia's door. The two other princesses were chatting in the Atrium, a parlor located in the middle of the two sisters's chambers, and the other two princess's guest rooms.
Cadance smiled knowingly. "Besides, once they get over it some, it'll be just like before, just with more public kissing and less...nights like this."
Luna shuddered. "I've seen some things I don't wish to discuss inside Celly's room since those two got together."
Cadance rested a sympathetic hoof on Luna's foreleg. "Ever since my Aria became a teenager, I've wondered about some things I wish I didn't have to."
"Took after you a bit too much, hm?" Luna chuckled ruefully.
"Jerk." Cadance playfully socked Luna.
All the while the sounds of giggling turned to kissing.
-*-*-
Celestia and Twilight lay together on Celestia's bed under the cooling sheets, breathing heavily while listening to Cadance and Luna's conversation.
"I don't know why they hate our Twister nights so much." Celestia rolled off of Twilight while she poured some wine for the both of them.
"I think they think we're doing...something else." Twilight mentioned, holding out a glass for Celestia.
"That's ridiculous. There's no way we'd do that so early in our relationship." Celestia accepted the wine, sipping daintily.
"Some couples do." Twilight shrugged. "Besides, Caddy can be a bit of a pervert."
"True." A devilish smile crossed Celestia's face. "Are you up for another round?"
"Sign me up."
Twilight and Cadance walked together down the light purple hallway, not talking, swimming in their own thoughts. Tears still dripped down both their faces, silent but for the plip of each one landing on the marble floor.
Captain Shining Armor was dead.
He was killed not by sword or spell, but by disease. A mutant strain of deadly flu that had taken many citizens in the capital city of Canterlot and its surrounding cities. Twilight and her friends had to move to the Crystal Empire temporarily until it passed, the north's cold hopefully keeping the ponies that lived there safe from the virus. They were wrong.
Shining Armor had not died a hero's death, Twilight thought, he died writhing in a hospital bed. He didn't deserve that. My BBBFF and Cadance's husband deserved better.
"We're here." Cadance's whisper was barely audible.
They were standing in front of Shining Armor's office. Twilight stared at the oak door, with the motto carved over it that didn't even register from so many times viewed. Here and now, with her brother dead, the virus became real in her mind. Not an outside conflict that threw a wrench into some plans, but a wild beast, lurking at the edges of her world, waiting to pounce and ruin everything. Something to fear. Twilight took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
The office was hardly remarkable - an oak desk covered in neatly-stacked piles of paper, pictures of past captains hanging on the royal blue walls. Twilight only had eyes for the left side of the desk, where the only remnants of her brother remained. The two mares moved swiftly to the desk, Cadance opening the ever-so-important left drawer.
Inside was a black box. And a picture with a silver frame. The picture for Twilight. And the box for Cadance.
Cadance opened the box with a gentleness that bordered on reverence, likewise Twilight levitated the picture out of the drawer to gaze at it as if it was about to divulge all the owner's secrets to her.
Inside the box was a silver horn ring. A Royal Guard present to him from Cadance, he always wore it on the days when she could come to visit. So many memories came rushing back to the pink princess as she examined the ring from every angle. Kisses and light dinners together, and stolen nights of intimacy, and so many more happy times. Her tears ran faster as she submerged herself in the sea of thoughts.
Twilight's tears mimicked the other mare's as she looked at the picture. Her, Cadance, and Shining Armor all together, the day before he was scheduled to leave for the Guard. She was still a child back then, about ten, still thinking that her big brother and big sister would be with her forever. Silly filly. There's no such thing as forever. She hunched over to hide her crying.
Cadance slipped the ring on her horn, helping her to get herself under control. With this little piece of silver, Shining could always be there with her. It would be okay. She rested a pink wing on Twilight's back, causing the other mare to cry all the harder.
"It'll be okay, Twilight." Cadance said quietly to the sound of Twilight's audible sniffles.
"What are we going to do?" was Twilight's choked up response.
"I...I honestly don't know, Twilight." Cadance moved closer, hugging her little sister. She had to be the foalsitter now. "But we'll work it out. I know we can. Just...not right away."
Kept company by two pieces of silver, the two remaining sisters fell asleep.
Rarity read Coco's newest letter one more time, glancing fondly at the spool of rainbow thread on her shelf before she got up to start packing.
Since the Fashion Week incident, Coco and Rarity had been exchanging letters. As such, she knew all about the Night Of The Stars, a fashion showcase in Manehattan that weekend. She had wasted no time in sending for an application by means of Spike, filling out said application, notifying the girls, and generally preparing. Any addition to her resume was a good one, after all, and it meant another chance to see Coco in person.The train would be arriving at three-thirty, and it was three right now.
"I probably won't need much." She murmured to herself. "At least two suitcases, one for the outfits I'll be presenting, and one for my own possessions. Just a formal dress and some jewelry to go with it, and of course my makeup kit..." Rarity was lost in her own world when Sweetie Belle knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Rarity, it's three-fifteen." Sweetie Belle pointed to the clock hanging over Rarity's work table, which indeed read three-fifteen. "And I made you something." She lit her horn and levitated from atop her back a small basket of sugar cookies. "For you and your friends to share."
Rarity took the sweets and nuzzled her sister. "Thank you so much, you really are a sweetheart. I've got everything I need, there's my purse..." She added a small cross-body bag to her appearance. "Oh! And of course I'll be taking this." She pocketed the rainbow thread.
Author's Note
Flitter and Cloudchaser play Extreme Mess Around With A Ball.
Sisterly Love
Flitter ran through the lush grass, a hoofball gripped firmly with one wing. She would not, under any circumstances, let Cloudchaser get the ball.
She tossed it up, pumping her wings and catching it in her tail as she flew just above Cloudy. Cloudchaser was quick to fly after her, dodging and weaving through the clouds Flitter kicked in her path. Fillydelphia must have heard them screaming and whooping, it was that loud of a racket.
Eventually Cloud tackled Flitter, knocking the ball from her grasp. They lay on top of each other, panting, for a few moments, before Cloudchaser made a desperate lunge for the old thing, the two rolling and shoving each other before Cloud grabbed it and flew off. Flitter dashed after her, this time with the roles reversed. They kept at it until Cloud dropped the ball.
Then they weren't just playing Keep Away. They were playing The Hunger Games.
Both of them dove and looped and whirled through the air in a chaotic frenzy that spooked every squirrel in their right mind out of their trees. They both crashed into things and ponies multiple times, but nothing could stop them in their quest to retrieve the ball.
Then the ball fell into one of AJ's apple trees, where Rainbow Dash happened to be sleeping. The hoofball landed neatly on Rainbow's stomach, waking her up to two expectant, sweaty mares.
Rainbow grinned. She was familiar with Flitter and Cloudchaser's games.
"Not a chance." She flew off with the hoofball in her grasp.
It was a chase of the century, all three parties making their best efforts to obtain the legendary ready-to-be-put-out-of-its-misery hoofball. All three crashed into clouds at points, and different ponies had control. Various eyewitnesses have different accounts, including just saying 'the horror' over and over, but the general consensus is that Discord would be proud.
Eventually they all crashed into a cherry blossom tree, petals raining down on them. They were all piles of giggles, Rainbow lounging in the branches. Flitter pulled Cloudchaser in for a hug.
"I love you, sis." Flitter brushed a few petals out of Cloud's mane.
"I love you, too."
Author's Note
A night in the life of two extraordinary sisters.
Video Games
"Son of a-" Luna's anguished cry rang through the bedroom she and her sister shared. They liked the arrangement - despite the various things the media said about them, they had kissed and made up over the whole "thousand years in the moon" thing, and now enjoyed late night sessions of Mareio Party together.
"Now, now, Lulu, don't curse." Celestia tried in vain to hide her laughter.
"You shut up." Luna sulked, her controller hovering in front of her in a gentle blue aura.
"Your turn, Lulu."
Luna pressed a couple buttons to roll the dice and have her character move across the board. She didn't know how she survived those thousand years without even a Neightendo DS in sight. The moon hadn't been as boring as ponies had thought (Extreme Boulder Duels still didn't get old) but come on! Come to think of it, she didn't know how she had lived back before she was banished and video games hadn't been invented.
"Tia?"
"Yes, Lulu?"
"I probably wouldn't have gotten banished if we just had a console and a Mareio Party game. Mareio Party is the best way of sorting out conflicts."
Celestia was quiet for a moment before cracking a smile. "Yes. Yes, it is. Now, how about that cola?"
Luna cracked open a bottle of the fizzy, cherry-flavored paradise that was cola. Yet another creation she had missed while on the moon.
"Tia?"
"Yes, Lulu?"
"Let's make it our mission to make trials games of Mareio Party instead of those boring court affairs."
"I don't think our courts would stand for that." Celestia chuckled.
"Well, we're the princesses, we outrule them if we find their ruling unjust. Boredom is quite possibly the most unjust thing this side of chariot sickness."
Celestia smiled as she thought about this leap in logic. "Luna, I haven't realized how wonderful it is to have you back."
"I won't lie, I did miss you a little while I was banished. Now, go ahead. Make my day with your stupid dice hax."
Author's Note
Octavia plays for no one. (And I just love that song, okay, I had to write more about it don't judge please)
Sing
Octavia stepped onto the gleaming wooden stage, the spotlight on her. She set her case down with the utmost care, and removed her instrument and her bow from within its silky black depths. She adjusted herself so as to comfortably saw the bow along the strings of her cello, and began.
It was a slow, steady melody, not unlike the ones she so often played for a packed concert hall, but this one was different. Special. It was the song Vinyl had helped her perfect and mold so she could play it on her cello. Her favorite song.
"Heart beats fast, colors and promises. How to be brave, how can I love when I'm afraid to fall." She quietly sang to the endless rows of empty red seats. She already knew it was performance-ready, but she wanted to finish it. Even though there was no one there to listen, she wanted to play the whole thing for herself.
"But watching you stand alone, all of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow."
"One step closer."
This song was different in the way she played it, too. Instead of a partnership between her and her instrument, she felt as if her and her music were one, as if her bow was merely an extension of her body.
So this is what a real creation feels like. She thought as she continued to sing.
"I have died every day, waiting for you. Darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you for a thousand more..." Her voice grew stronger with each note, the radio that aided her in the melody and lyrics gradually fading away. She didn't need any sort of help. She would sing with all her heart tomorrow, there was no doubting it.
"And all along, I believed I would find you. Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you for a thousand more..."
As she brought the last chorus to a close, Octavia bowed for no one.
Twilight squinted across the cobblestone plaza through the sheets of silvery rain. She hadn't thought to wear a raincoat, as she hadn't checked the weather schedule before catching the nearest train to Canterlot as soon as she got the letter from Tia. Never again will I say "I'll check the weather schedule later."
The rain was coming down hard, instantly soaking any poor birds who happened to fly out into it. She would hate to be half-curled in her chair at the cafe shivering and getting the welcome mat all wet. Instant-warmth spells were generally rude to perform in public; it made whatever room you were standing on uncomfortably hot for a good minute or so. A quick glance at the clock revealed she was late for her coffee date as well. Great.
She took a deep breath and dashed across, nearly crashing into several umbrella-toting ponies. Lucky them.
She made it halfway across when she bumped right into Princess Celestia. "Hi, Tia." She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry for being late."
"It's fine, Twilight. Why didn't you bring a coat?" A teasing smile twitched at the corners of Celestia's lips.
"Forgot to check the weather schedule." Another sheepish smile.
Celestia gently nudged Twilight under her umbrella. "Let's walk together. What are you working on in that lab of yours?"
And as Twilight babbled, and Celestia drank in every word, the rain slowly went away.
I can't. She's my sister.
I can't love her the way I do. I can't imagine her holding my hoof with anything more behind it than platonic affection. It just ain't right. I am Big Macintosh, an upstanding member of society, and such lewd imaginings about my sister are wrong. Wrong in every sense of the word, and I can't have them.
I can't let my eyes linger too long on her toned flanks. I can't let my traitorous eyes travel down her mane, let my traitorous mind conjure images of me running my hooves through it, and her laughing and kissing me. Kissing me like a lover would, not a sister, lying down together, my hooves traveling down her flanks - No! I can't. I can't, I can't, I can't have those thoughts, I just can't. What if she found out I loved her as more than a sister, what would she think of me? The idea of her shocked, disgusted expression drove those fantasies out of my head. For now.
As soon as I made my way over to where she was working - not long now - they would all come back. They would all come rushing back, and I would be endlessly grateful for my red coat to hide the red warmth spreading over my face, and I would give her only one-word answers, because every second I'm dreading that it would all spill out, or I would say something stupid and try to cover it up and she'd be onto me. My sister, she's on you the second you say a half-truth or lie, she can sense it. I guess that comes with being the Element of Honesty.
Here she comes now. She's telling me lunch is soon, so we better finish this section up. I nod. Eeyup, I say, the response I've come to depend on.
"Hearts and Hooves Day is tomorrow." She mentions.
"Eeyup." I say in return. I don't have any plans.
I can't bring myself to love any other mare.
Rainbow Dash emerged from the bathroom in their hotel room wearing a simple white dress. Rather like her Wonderbolts Academy uniform, but a bit looser. The skirt went only halfway down her back legs, and the sleeves were short; it was more like a play dress than a fancy one. "How do I look?" She asked, smiling sheepishly.
Rarity pursed her lips. "Hold on." She floated over a plastic blue-green flower hair clip, using it to gently pin Rainbow's mane into a loose ponytail. "There." She smiled at her work. Her expression became worried. "Oh, I'm just so nervous."
Rainbow planted a small, breezy kiss on Rarity's cheek. "Don't worry. You're gonna be a star, Rares. I know it, you know it, quit buckin' denying it."
"Oh, stop it, you." Rarity gave Dash a playful push.
They were staying at Hotel Glamour in Manehattan, and off to Hoity Toity's Night Of The Stars, a fashion exhibition where numerous small-time commissioners like Rarity's designs were going to be showcased and available for purchase.
Rarity took a second to look in the mirror. Her black dress was far more extravagant and expensive-looking, at least in Dash's eyes; the sleeves went all the way down her front legs, and one of her flanks, as well as one of her hind legs was exposed, the long skirt covering the other and touching the floor. She wore small purple saddlebags in which she kept makeup for touch-ups. She wore no makeup outside of a bit of lip stain and her usual blue eyeshadow. "How do I look?"
"Awesome." Rainbow slid next to her mare, whispering in her ear, "So awesome, I could take you right here, right now..."
"Save it for the evening, dearest." Rarity gently nudged Dash away and added a purple diamond pendant before motioning for her to come out the door with her.
They headed down the grand golden stairwell and out of the hotel, Rarity's foreleg instantly up in the air, waving for a taxi. After about ten minutes of waiting in line, they were safely inside one.
Rainbow Dash looked up at the night sky, at a particular star. It shimmered blue, the color of Rarity's eyes and Dash's coat simultaneously. Rainbow Dash had pointed it out to Rarity when they were staying up late pretending they weren't tired; Rarity had gotten a kick out of it and deemed it their lucky star.
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and did her best to send her wish up to the star: Dear Star, please give Rarity an edge in the Night Of The Stars. Please. I'll drink some wine for you if you do. You shine a pretty awesome color.
Rainbow Dash stood at the end of the Wonderbolts HQ runway, looking out at the sea of clouds in front of her. She was going to spend the weekend with her friends, and she had to get going. She unfolded her columbia blue wings and prepared for liftoff-
"Rainbow Dash!"
She stopped and looked behind her to see Soarin skidding to a stop beside her. "I wanted to see you one last time before you left for the weekend so I could say goodbye and stuff but I kept putting it off because goodbyes are generally kind of unspoken around here because ponies go to visit friends and family all the time but then I saw you out here getting ready to leave and so I ran out here before-" Rainbow Dash placed her hoof over Soarin's mouth, effectively shutting him up.
"Soarin, I'm not going away forever, just for the weekend. Chill out." Soarin nodded, and Rainbow Dash let her hoof fall back down to the smooth white cloudstone. They stood there for a while in awkward silence, one waiting for the other to say their piece, the other having so much to say to the first but not knowing how to.
Soarin eventually spoke up. "I guess this is goodbye for now, then."
"Yeah." Rainbow Dash skimmed her hoof across the ground.
Instead of giving a playful salute and flying off to the Ponyville train station, she continued to stand there on the runway, another awkward silence stretching to infinity between them. She could sense that her teammate had more to say, and so she continued to wait as he fumbled for the words. He did have more to say, quite a bit more, but now that Rainbow waited in front of him to say what he needed to, he was second-guessing his entire short speech.
If she had to wait much longer Rainbow was going to be late to meet her friends, so she leaned forward and whispered in Soarin's ear, "You're not fooling anypony."
"Wha-" Rainbow Dash kissed him on the cheek.
Soarin stood shell-shocked with a blush spreading across his face as Rainbow Dash unfolded her wings and began to fly off. "I'll see you in a week!" she called to the stallion behind her.
He held up a foreleg in wordless acknowledgement as Rainbow Dash disappeared in the clouds, a swiftly-fading rainbow contrail the only evidence of her presence.
Soarin, co-captain of the Wonderbolts, squealed like a fanfilly.
Author's Note
Written in class. I regret nothing. :3
Twilight stared in shock at the (quite expensive) vase now nothing more than scattered shards on the floor. "Nonononono that wasn't supposed to happen! I've been doing so well on my levitation!" Her parents were coming home soon - she would been in SO much trouble if they saw this! They could take away her personal spellbooks, or worse - take away her library card! Her life would be ruined!
Okay, okay, calm down and take a deep breath, Twilight. You can fix this. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began to magically feel around the floor for each shard of pottery. Once she had them all in her grasp, straining mightily, she managed to arrange them so a vase with millions of cracks in it was now hovering before her. She took another heaving breath, then began to fuse them together...
"Twilight?" Cadance poked her head in the dining room doorway.
"Huh?" Twilight turned and lost her focus, the vase once again falling to the floor. She quickly realized what had happened and rushed to explain, her mouth having a hard time keeping up with her brain. "I'm sososo sorry Cadance I was practicing my magic before my next lesson with the princess and the vase fell even though it wasn't supposed to do that I swear I've been doing really well-"
"Shh, it's okay." Cadance speed-walked over to the now-in-tears filly and touched her horn, glowing blue, to Twilight's, flooding her brain with a feeling of relaxation and calmness. "It's okay. I'll fix the vase, we'll put it back, and then we can go back into the living room and I can help you with your magic. How does that sound?"
"That sounds good, Cadance." The relaxer spell and the complex spell she had attempted both weighed on her, this becoming clear from her wide yawn. Cadance carefully repaired the vase, placed it back on the shelf, and levitated Twilight onto her back, nestling her carefully between her pink wings.
"Thanks, Cadance." Twilight said sleepily.
"You're welcome, Twilight." Cadance said softly.
Twilight Sparkle was dying.
Not from sickness or injury or old age. She was quite healthy, she hadn't been hurt (at least not physically), and she was quite young. She was dying of chronic jealousy.
Every single time Cadance and Shining Armor snuggled just a little closer to each other, Twilight died just a little more. Every single time they shared a peck on the cheek when nopony was looking except her. Every single time they laid their love out for the world to see, Twilight Sparkle died.
She wanted to be happy for her brother and her crush, but she just couldn't. Instead, she contemplated the bitter dregs of jealousy. Every time she looked up from her meal and saw Cadance and Shining Armor looking at each other with love in their eyes, she couldn't help but think That should be me she's looking at. Cadance is supposed to be mine. And then she would deny the thoughts to herself and reapply her fake smile. Nopony noticed that she didn't speak much at all.
And this was the very first time they would have Cadance over at their house for dinner.
The first time - implying there would be many more dinners that pricked a million tiny holes in Twilight's heart.
Something told Twilight that it would never get any easier.
Author's Note
One of the 100th Prompt Specials for the Twidance collab.
