Elements of Awesome: Volume I

“I swear! This is madness,” Lazuli protested. Again. Dawn refused to listen to the dark blue unicorn. Usually, she wouldn’t bother talking sense into Twilight’s daughter, but what Dawn was planning was dangerous.

“Madness?” Dawn smirked. Her horn glowed a dull red. She turned to her right and resumed trotting down the road. “No, -”

“Don’t,” Lazle warned. She stepped in front of the other unicorn, walking backwards as Dawn continued. “Don’t make me get my mother.”

Dawn snorted. “You’ve made that threat five times already, Lazle. Either go and get Rarity, or just shut up.”

The blue unicorn opened her mouth to protest, but she couldn’t. The truth was, she didn’t want to let Dawn out of her sight. Twilight’s daughter was clearly suffering from some sort of depression, and it was best that she - Dawn - was with company. Surely after a couple hours, Dawn would give up. Lazuli stepped to the side to let the purple unicorn pass and then followed. Rarity would understand.

Scarcely five minutes had passed since Lazle’s last protest before they were joined by a rather large, pink pony. He was impossibly quiet on those massive hooves and manage to sneak up on the pair while Dawn was doing the glowy-horn-thing again.

“Hey guys,” Party greeted cheerily. Both Dawn and Lazle jumped in surprise and turned toward the earth pony. Party had taken after his mother in that he could seemingly be anywhere at anytime. And he always chose very inconvenient times to be everywhere. Dawn nodded a greeting and took off in another direction.

“Hi Party,” Lazle sighed, resuming her escort position.

Party just started rambling, mostly at Dawn. The pony didn’t talk constantly, unlike his baker mother, but when he did, it was generally just a stream of nonsense. At least in Lazuli’s sophisticated opinion. “.. and I’m really sorry to hear about Twilight. I’m sure Luna will get her back safe and sound. Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be inside, sipping on tea or something? And where’s your mom?” This last question was directed at Lazuli. “Isn’t she supposed to be watching Dawn?”

“I can take care of myself,” Dawn muttered, more or less unheard.

“This fool decided it would be a good idea to go chasing after Twilight. I’m merely... I don’t really know.”

“You were busy complaining about how dumb of an idea it is.”

“Right. Which, by the way, it is. Terrible idea, don’t you agree Party?”

“I don’t know,” the large pony mused, “It can’t be worse than staying home and moping?”

“‘Can’t be worse?’” Lazle’s eye twitched. “Moping is nice and safe and good. Chasing somepony into the unknown? Not nice. Not safe. And ver, ver bad.”

“And yet, you’re still following me.”

“Well, I...” Lazle sighed and shut her mouth. Stupid Dawn and her stupid points.

--

“No, Lazuli is completely right. This is just silly. Besides, Luna said they sent a search party.”

“An’ do ya’ll seriously wanna go into the Everfree forest?” It’s full of-”

“Bah! Where’s your sense of adventure?” Thunder did a small flip. “I think it’d be fun.”

Lazle didn’t bother contributing to the conversation. She’d tried all of these on Dawn earlier. But Dawn refused to listen. Even here, near the edge of the forest, she was planning to continue. Apple Tart, Faith, and Thunder joined them as they passed Sweet Apple Acres. Apparently the three ponies were “helping” with the harvest, though they stopped as soon as Lazle, Dawn, and Party passed the farm. Friends were far important than food and hard work.

“It’s not about fun,” Dawn lectured. “It’s about finding my mom.”

Lazle rolled her eyes. At first, the obsession had been annoying, but at least kinda cute. Now it was just getting on her nerves. But Dawn wouldn’t listen to reason. That unicorn latched onto an idea and stuck with it. She gave stubborn a whole new name.

“Right. Where’s your sense of mom-findage?” Thunder amended his sentence.

The other two started to reply, but Dawn cut them off. “Look, guys, I appreciate the concern and support, but -” Lazle held her breath. Did Dawn finally understand the idiocracy? “- you should really just let me go. You won’t convince me to turn around.” Lazuli gave an annoyed huff. “And I don’t want to put you in danger either. So.. Just go and,” Dawn began to lose her conviction, “and let me do this.”

There was a small silence. The six ponies just glared at each other, challenging one or the other to speak. Finally, Thunder spoke up.

“Danger? Ha! I laugh in the face of danger.”

“Laughter? I laugh in the face of.. Wait.” Party took a second to think. “Whatever, I’m tagging along.”

Dawn smiled softly.

“Ah don’t think Ah should. Ma may need my help on the farm,” Apple Tart kicked at the ground thinking.

‘Good mare,’ Lazle thought. At least somepony had sense.

“Dawn, please,” Faith chimed in, “Don’t do this. First of all, have you seen the things that live in there? Second of all, how do you even know if you’re heading the right way? Third, you aren’t leaving without me. Don’t even think of it.” The pegasus flipped her pink-and-black mane smiling.

“Look,” Dawn was exasperated, “I’m really happy that you all want to come with me, but Tart’s right. You should-”

“Go with ya and find your ma,” Tart interjected.

Lazuli glared at the bay. So much for having a brain. For a moment, she thought about leaving them there. She could easily run back to her mom and tell her what the five were planning. Heck, Sweet Apple Acres wasn’t too far away. She could probably go warn Applejack and Big Macintosh before the rest of her friends got too far. But she couldn’t betray them like that. Lazle sighed, giving each of the expectant ponies an annoyed look.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll come too.”

--

“There. That should do it,” Lazle tightened a rope - well, really a piece of cloth - and sat back, admiring her and Dawn’s hoofiwork. It was, honestly, pretty terrible. But considering all they had were two small blankets and the forest, the tent wasn’t too shabby.

“Yup. Six ponies huddled under a blanket fort. That’ll definitely do.” Lazuli didn’t miss the sarcasm seeping from Dawn.

“Well, sorry you didn’t pack supplies,” Lazle retorted. She was very careful to leave off certain other words regarding her opinion of the unicorn. But her tone definitely filled it in for her. Dawn did not get to drag her friends into the forest and then complain about being unprepared. “Please tell me that you at least packed food.”

“Oh,” Dawn’s face reddened. She chuckled sheepishly. “Food... Right.”

Lazle cocked her head and stared with half lidded eyes, but she didn’t bother saying anything. She just turned away from the firey-maned pony, hiding the majority of her frustration (unfortunately her shaking head let some slip). She couldn’t fully blame Dawn. The unicorn was distressed. Well known fact: stress increases stupidity.

After a few moments of silence, Thunder and Party returned with firewood.

“We are Colt!” Thunder declared, lowering his voice a few octaves. “We bring wood from forest. We make big fire.” The two ponies dropped their bundles in front of Dawn and Lazle.

“By giving wood to unicorn fillies and resting on our haunches,” Party finished, doing just that. Dawn set to work immediately, setting the wood in a pyramid shape. Just as soon she did so, Apple Tart and Faith returned with even more wood, though mostly smaller kindling. The ponies gathered around Dawn as she set to work lighting the flames. Well, trying to at least. The unicorn’s horn was glowing, and, occasionally, a spark would fly out. But the wood didn’t catch. After a few minutes (and several hushed discussions), the group dispersed out of boredom. Apple Tart and Party decided to actually be useful and hunt for food. Thunder and Faith similarly dispersed. Lazle thought about joining them for a moment, but decided against it. She decided that somepony should keep an eye on Dawn.

“Want some help?” Lazle offered as the spark from Dawn’s horn died again.

“No,” the other unicorn replied curtly. She channeled more energy into her horn, which succeeded in doing nothing but creating more light.

“You know, you could-”

“Lazle, go away. I’m busy.”

Lazuli made a mocking face, but backed off. She didn’t want to leave Dawn alone, but given the purple mare’s attitude toward Lazle, the blue unicorn was doing no favors by staying. She slowly retreated from the little clearing, making her way to the nearby river. So far, the trip had been uneventful. Dawn still hadn’t come to her senses. It seemed that her stubbornness had seeped into the minds of the others. Everfree only served to entice them into continuing.

Of course, they’d only been within the forest for a few hours. The sun was just beginning to set. No doubt, the rest of the crew would wise up before morning. Then they would all head home, apologize, and be gone with the whole idea. But, ugh, first they’d have to spend the whole night trapped under their so-called “tent.” The thought of it alone made Lazle shiver.

Then again, on the plus side, she could spend the entire night curled up next to Thunder. Lazle had to admit, that thought alone made Dawn’s lunacy seem like a terrific idea. The grey upon gray pegasus had been the object of her affections for some time, though he could be a little thick-headed. Lazle had made her desires quite clear, yet Thunder miraculously remained oblivious. Of course, we didn’t seem to notice Dawn’s less... graceful advances either. Perhaps he was being a true gentlecolt and trying to protect the purple unicorn from a crushing blow. But that couldn’t last forever. As soon as they (Dawn, Lazle, and everyone) were back home, the blue unicorn planned to set things straight. She and Thunder had to set things straight. Then, the two ponies would be free to-

Lazuli suddenly became aware of the blue eyes staring at her. She blinked and backed up a bit, freeing her personal bubble from the intruder. Party just cocked an eyebrow, smiling slyly. Lazle blushed.

“So, whatcha thinkin’ about?” Party asked sweetly.

Lazle ignored the earth pony. “Do you know where Thunder is?”

“Why does everypony always assume I know where Thunder is? What am I? His keeper?”

Lazle gave him an amused smile.

“Alright, yes. Yes I am.” Party sighed, “He went down to the river for a drink.”

“And I just-” Lazle stopped at the sound of Faith’s voice. Unable to overcome her snooping nature, Lazle dropped into a crouch, cautiously approaching the forest’s edge. Thunder was lying on the bank, lazily dragging a hoof through the water. Faith sat off the side, blushing deeply.

“I just wanted to say... uh, wanted to say....” She squeaked and fell quiet.

Thunder chuckled a little. “Go on.”

“I think that I love you and I was wondering if you wanna go out sometime ohmigosh-eep!” Faith spat out quickly, hiding her face underneath a foreleg.

Lazle’s jaw dropped. Faith asked Thunder out. Faith! The two pegasi spent a large amount of time together admittedly, but no-one ever assumed that there was any real connection between the two. Everypony assumed that Faith was.. that Faith flew the other direction.

Lazle darted away from the river’s clearing. Annoyed didn’t even begin to describe her mood. The blue unicorn had been so focused on Dawn that she failed to see Faith’s own attraction. And the yellow pegasus managed to undermine them all by stealing Thunder away when the unicorns were distracted. What a -

Lazuli managed to compose herself before her annoyance forced her mind to unlady-like thoughts. Petty was one thing Lazle wasn’t. Faith worked up the courage to present herself before the unicorn, and though Lazle couldn’t see what Thunder could possibly see in the yellow pegasus, she would make no fuss.

Dawn was still trying to ignite the woodpile. Not a single spark had lit. Dawn muttered a curse. Her mother had taught her the simple candle starting spell, and it usually, almost always, mostly worked. But apparently lighting a wick was far easier than wet kindling. Dawn closed her eyes in concentration. One more pulse leapt from the tip of her horn to absolutely nothing.  Dawn looked up to see Lazle had shifted the pile over. Currently, blue unicorn was drilling a small stick into one of the larger logs. Dawn glared.

“Lazle, I said I didn’t need any help.”

Lazle didn’t respond. She just drilled faster.

“That is such a slow way of -”

Suddenly, a large flame burst from the log. Lazle jump, flinging the the wood into the rest of the fire. After making sure that she hadn’t caught fire, she smile coldly at Dawn. The purple unicorn stared through half-lidded eyes.

“You were saying?” Lazle said as smugly as she could.

“Oh, hey. Y’all got a fire goin,” Tart observed, shrugging off Dawn’s saddle bags. “Perfect timing too. Now, any y’all see my cousin?”

“He’s right here,” Party answered, plopping down in front of the fire.

“No, Ah mean the one Ah like,” Tart teased. She grabbed a peach from the bag and awkwardly placed it on a stick to roast.

“Oh, that one.” Party snorted. “She’s-”

“Down by the river with Thunder,” Lazle finished bitterly. The unicorn pulled a couple peaches from the bag and ate them raw.

The other three ponies exchanged a glance but didn’t say anything. Not too shortly later, the missing pegasi returned to the group, acting as if nothing happened. Party and Thunder quickly dominated the conversation, each trying to outdo one another with their (mostly fictionalized) tales of bravery. Lazle paid little attention to the conversation. Her thoughts slowly drifted from Thunder and Faith to her parents. Rarity must be worried sick. First, one of her best friends disappears to Celestia knows where, and then her own daughter leaves without even a note. Inwardly she was cursing herself for not turning back. But at the time, she’d only been concerned for her friends... alright, and for Thunder.

“Uh Lazle?” Dawn nudged the blue unicorn. Lazuli blinked in surprise. The other four ponies were still talking animatedly, though the darkening twilight had, well, darkened. Dawn was staring at the blue unicorn with concern. She spoke barely above a whisper, trying to keep the conversation private. “Are you alright?”

Lazle opened her mouth to snap, but thought better of it. Dawn was only concerned for her well-being. She smiled softly. “I’m just tired,” she lied.

Dawn nodded, accepting this. “Yeah,” she spoke louder, turning her attention to the rest of the group, “I think it’s best that we get some sleep.”

The other four ponies snorted. The snorts were almost immediately followed by yawns and consent.

“Maybe Party and I should sleep outside,” Thunder offered as the four fillies climbed into the tent. Even with only the four smallish mares - Tart being an exception - they managed to take up the entire available space.

“What? Ya afraid we got cooties?” Tart joked.

“Oh yes,” he rolled his eyes, “mares are icky. But seriously, we can’t all fit under there. And it’s not that cold.”

If only to prove him wrong, the gently breeze gusted into a chilling wind. The six ponies shivered simultaneously.

“Okay, make room. We’re bundling in the tent,” Thunder decided, teeth chattering.

It took a few minutes of finagling, but everypony managed to get settled, if uncomfortably, under the tent. Lazle, who was squished between Dawn and Tart, sighed sleepily. She watched the last of the embers fade as she drifted into dreamland.