Symbiosis

Twilight stepped off of the train and onto the Ponyville station platform. The town had changed a fair deal in the last century. It had grown large enough to be officially declared a city, and had acquired a rather nice defensive wall much like Canterlot’s only topped with crystal. Twilight’s castle had been the driving force behind Ponyville’s expansion. With the Princess of Friendship living within the city limits many ponies had decided to move into town and Luna insisted that as a Royal City that Ponyville have at least a token defense.

Fortunately the city itself hadn’t changed too drastically. More ponies lived within the walls and in the area outside and more farms spread out around the edge of town, but the quaint feeling of the rustic town Twilight had come to love still thrived. There was simply more if it to go around.

Twilight’s castle loomed on the town’s skyline, as visible from the train station as it was from any other point in town. Unlike Ponyville Twilight’s castle had changed a great deal. The gaudy crystal structure had been a novelty at first, but it lacked the architectural styling which made the Crystal Empire look good and quickly had become an eyesore.

Fortunately Twilight had found construction ponies willing to give the castle a facelift. The castle now had a much more pleasing look to it, one which matched Ponyville waddle and daub construction themes. Plaster, lumber, and masonry all went into masking the castle’s crystal walls save for nice accents on roofs, windowsills, and the occasional statue.

Twilight’s friends piled out of the train after her Rarity taking ht lead as usual. “That was simply the most fabulous party in years! It’s such a shame you missed it Twilight. You know my feelings on… less formal celebrations, but the unicorns who ran the place did the most marvelous trick with magical lights. The entire club looked splendid.”

Applejack nodded, “Yep. They had a whole band play’n not just some record’n. The magic made the entire room change color, an lights made shapes in the air all in time to the music. It was some of the most clever decorations ah’ve ever seen!”

Pinkie bounced from the train car out in front of Twilight, “Oh-oh-oh! I should totally do that for the Founder’s Day party next month! Do you think Celestia could give me a horn just for the party?”

Twilight laughed, shaking her head at Pinkie’s idea. “Pinkie Celestia would give you one if she felt you earned it and needed it. I’m sure you can find somepony to set up the spell for you. It does sound like I missed a great time though. I’m sorry girls.”

Rainbow shrugged and hopped up into the air, hovering along just above everypony. “Eh, It was pretty great. But you have your Royal Duties and stuff. Speaking of which… Anything we should know about?”

Twilight shook her head again, “No. Celestia just wanted to discuss… a domestic affair. I can’t tell you anymore then that girls. I promised.”

Her friends nodded. They were all Equestrian Heroes, Knights, and held somewhat lofty titles in the nobility, but they had all accepted that Twilight had to keep some things to herself for the Kingdom’s sake.

Fluttershy sighed in relief, “Thank goodness. Usually when Celestia talks to you I have so much to do for my poor little animals when we get back from the mission.”

Applejack tipped her hat back with her left hoof, “Speaking of animals, before ah left for the party I was trying to track down a mighty big critter which has been spooking the cows. Little Mac said he’d keep an eye out while we were all in Canterlot but ah still promised to ask you for a little help Fluttershy.”

“Oh my! I hope it isn't another Cockatrice,” Fluttershy fell back to walk behind Applejack, silently agreeing to help, “How big is it?”

“Well, judging by the hole it made in the fence… Spike big.”

Spike had certainly grown up. Twilight’s number one assistant had finally become a young adult several decades ago. His five pony high powerful body and large wings made him perfect for helping out the Ponyville guard on patrols and dealing with some of the Everfree’s monsters. “As big as Spike? Do you think you might need some more help than just the two of you?” Twilight asked.

“Ah don’t reckon there is any critter or monster Flutters and ah can't deal with.” Applejack said with a proud grin as she trotted away, “We’ll run over if we need help, but ah doubt we will.”

Fluttershy waved a wing, “I’m sure it’s just a poor frightened cragadile. I’ll see everypony later, we are still having tea tomorrow right?”

Pinkie nodded rapidly, “Of course! That new tea from Amanezonia came in yesterday. I’ve been wanting to try it since last week so everypony had better be there! Including you Twilight!” Pinkie declared pointing a hoof at the alicorn's nose.

“Pinkie we have tea in my lounge. My study is right next to it. How could I miss tea?”

Rainbow gave Twilight a teasing look “Remember when you teleported to Manehatten to avoid-”

“That was completely different! Thousands of ponies wanted my autograph!” Twilight protested.

Rainbow laughed, wiping a tear from her eye, “And you teleported right into a group of fans in Manhattan having a similar ‘Princess Appreciation Day Celebration’.”

Twilight’s ears drooped in embarrassment, “Yeah well…”

“And then you wound up running outside into your own parade!” Pinkie added grinning before gasping, “Oh my gosh! We should totally do a parade for the harvest this year!”

“We always do a parade for the harvest.” Rainbow asked confused.

“Which is why we should totally do one this year. Readishion! I mean tradition!” Pinkie beamed before zipping off towards city hall, “I’m going to go make arrangements for the parade!”

Twilight sighed, “Does she really need five months to plan a parade?”

“No but I’m pretty sure it takes Ponyville five months to save  up enough money for it.” Rainbow chuckled. Turning to Twilight Rainbow put on a more serious expression, “So what’s up? You were lost in thought for the entire train ride.”

Twilight frowned, Rainbow had always been great at understanding when Twilight was working her way through a problem. How much of the truth can I tell her? She will know if I am lying… Well… I do need somepony else to help me care for the foal. Twilight bit her lip as she mulled a few ideas over, “Well… I’ve decided that I want to adopt a foal.”

Rainbow dropped out of the sky, landing on her chest with a thump, “What? When?”

“Last night. Celestia was talking about her life as a younger pony and the topic of foals came up… I just think it would be best to have that experience. Did you know that Celestia has never had a foal of her own? If I ever have to mentor somepony like Celestia has I think that if I knew how to be a parent I could do a better job.” Twilight informed.

Rainbow got to her hooves, “Ok but why adopt? I have always seen you as the ‘family’ type. Why not find some stallion and have one of your own? I remember when you were trying to date Flash. Too bad he wasn't interested in you, but I bet you could find somepony similar to him.”

Twilight sighed, talking about her past attempts at dating was not something see enjoyed. “Well Flash was a special case. I actually don’t find myself attracted to many stallions. Besides… You know what it’s like living forever. If I married somepony they would age and die while I didn’t. Unless Celestia saw fit to grant my lover immortality like she did for Shining Armor. But we both know she only gives that out as a reward to Equestria’s heroes. Watching a lover die would be a very hard thing for me to go through.”

“Ok, fair points. But won’t you see the same thing happen to anypony you adopt?”

“I think it would be easier to steer a foal in the direction of earning immortality then a grown pony. I’m going to think of that as a test of sorts. Can I guide somepony on the path to becoming a paragon of… some virtue or another.” Twilight smiled at Rainbow, that honestly did seem like a fun test of her abilities.

Rainbow nodded, “Right, ok. But do you actually want to be a parent? You shouldn’t adopt or have a foal of your own unless you want to be a parent first. It’s not fair to the little filly or colt if you want them for some other reason.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Since when do you know what it takes to be a parent?”

“Since I unofficially adopted Scoots 80 years ago.” Rainbow proudly proclaimed.

“That’s right. I forgot you were basically her mother all during her teens.”

“That’s right!” Rainbow hummed, “Which reminds me… I couldn't legally adopt her because nopony would share financial responsibility with me. Unless the law’s changed in like 30 years you are going to have to find somepony anyways Twilight.”

“Hold on the last thirty years?” Twilight asked in confusion.

Rainbow blushed and looked off into the sky for a moment, “Oh well you see there is this mare…”

Twilight had never been one to ignore a friend, but she had never once heard Dash mention anything about any relationships, or even crushed. “Hold on, you have never once told me you liked anypony. You know that all of us think that you simply aren’t interested in a romantic relationship? If you haven’t said anything because-”

Rainbow’s face scrunched up with worry for a moment, “What? Oh nono! I kinda sorta have ever only felt anything for two ponies. One was Soarin, and the other is a mare who is well, almost as awesome as me! I just haven't mentioned anything about it because it’s nopony’s business. I mean if I actually was in a relationship then I would have to tell my friends, but why would I talk about a crush or love? That just isn't me Twilight.”

Twilight nodded, this was true.

“Anyways I keep up on marriage and adoption laws in case I ever get the courage to ask her out.” Rainbow informed.

“That’s really sweet of you.” Twilight wanted to giggle, but simply smiled not wanting to upset Rainbow. Her ears fell a little however as she informed, “You are right though. I do need another pony’s help to adopt… I was going to ask you if you wanted to raise a foal with me but if you-”

“YES!” Rainbow exclaimed ecstatically interrupting, her wings snapping open in delight.

Twilight stared at Rainbow incredulously.

Rainbow cleared her throat, “Ahem… I mean, sure I would love to help you.” She beamed happily, wings twitching slightly.

“Umm… Are you ok?” Twilight asked concerned until suddenly it clicked, “Oh… You have… Since when?”

Rainbow kicked the ground in front of her with one hoof, “Since you got wings. Seriously, you have the most awesomely beautiful wings.”

“Is that the only-”

“No! You are also really smart, and awesome, and my best friend. You just kinda became really hot one day… Look I had an entire month of trying to deal with developing a crush on you. I know that this has to be really awkward for you… It’s kinda awkward for me and I’ve been thinking about how to admit it for well you know… If you need time I can just go.” Rainbow frowned, a hurt look in her eyes as she added, “Just… lets stay friends if you don't want to be more ok? Oh Celestia I don’t even know if you like mares… Let’s just forget this happened.” Her wings folded back to her sides as Rainbow turned to walk away.

Twilight shuffled her hooves “I actually don’t have a preference.”

Rainbow’s wings flipped open again, “What?”

“I said I don’t have a preference. Gender doesn't really matter to me. Sure I liked Flash because he was cute and his counterpart helped me out… But that was when i was really young Rainbow. Since then well… the only thing I want in a lover is somepony who would enjoy that sort of bond with me. Gender, race, species, all of those simply don't matter to me anymore.”

Rainbow turned around, a smile splitting her face from ear to ear. “Sooo you do like mares?”

“Well yes, but it’s more accurate to say I like the pony, not the body.” Twilight shrugged.

“Soooo you wouldn’t have a problem being my marefriend?”

“Well... “ Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin, “In theory I don’t think there would be any problems.”

Rainbow jumped into the air, entering a full on squee mode Twilight hadn't seen since Rainbow had met Daring Do. “Oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh! This is the best day ever! I’ll get the Wonderbolts to perform for our wedding, and my parents are still alive so we can have our honeymoon at their cloud mansion in Pegaopolice, and Pinkie will plan the most awesome perfect reception ever, and-”

“Dash!” Twilight exclaimed in a firm tone.

“Huh?” she blinked at the interruption.

“I didn’t say I would date you.”

Rainbow slowly drifted back to the ground, “Oh…”

“But… I do really need to raise a foal, and I know you have experience raising one. Also well… apparently you have somehow kept a crush on me hidden for decades and are one of very few ponies I won't out live.”

Rainbow blushed, “It’s pretty easy when you study all the time and I can just zip off if I realized I was acting all weird. Also I got everypony to Pinkie Promised they wouldn't tell you anything.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “They all knew? Since when?”

“Heh heh… Since that night you and Luna attempted to see if you could replicate her dream walking ability. We decided to play truth or dare after some hard cider. Everypony Pinkie Promised we wouldn't ever mention anything anypony said that night.”

“But that was fifty three years ago!” Twilight exclaimed in shock.

“Yeah. Remember when AJ broke a Pinkie Promise?”

Twilight nodded. “Point taken.” She smiled at Rainbow, “Well… It would be mean to not give you a chance. How about we have a date and see how it goes?”

Rainbow shook her head. “Nope!”

Twilight blinked, surprised washing over her face. “What? But you-”

“Twilight we have known each other for literally a century. We both know exactly how the other will act in any given situation. You go on a date to get to know somepony better, and well we can’t really do that.”

“Well… that is true…” Twilight was forced to admit.

“You want my help raising a foal, you are going to have to be my marefriend.” Rainbow informed.

“But I-”

“Twilight… Going through the dating game would drive me nuts. I’ve been thinking about this for longer than most ponies are together. I know you are well… you. You don’t like running head first into anything and that’s fine. I wont force you to sleep with me, and jump into every couple thing right away I’ll give you all the time you need. I just need you to at least call me your special somepony. If… if it doesn't work out I’ll still help you raise a foal like you want. That would almost be like being a family so It’s a good second prize.”

“I… um… well…” Twilight awkwardly stammered.

“Oh for Celestia’s sake just kiss her already!” Rarity exclaimed.

Rainbow and Twilight looked over in shock and alarm, only to see Rarity unloading her mountain of luggage from the train close enough to have heard the entire conversation. “Seriously Twilight, Rainbow would be a good match for you. Also she came to my shop drunk last month and made me make dresses for your future wedding. I will not let good fashion go to waste without at least an attempt at a romance.”

Twilight blushed a deep red, Rainbow following suit. “So that’s what happened to those bits I had saved up.” Rainbow muttered.

Twilight cleared her throat, “Rainbow… I would be happy to be your marefriend.”

Rainbow grinned and moved to tackle Twilight in a hug only to be quickly immobilized by Rarity’s blue aura, “Now now, this is a public train station. Don’t make a scene.” Rarity scolded before letting Rainbow down.

“Sorry… heh heh.” Rainbow trotted over to Twilight and wrapped her front legs around her shoulders in a hug.

Twilight squirmed for a moment, then hugged back tightly, “This actually feels really nice.”

Rainbow let go after a few moments, beaming happily. “So… when do we adopt this foal you are so interested in raising?”

“Oh! Right!” Twilight giggled, she had completely forgotten Celestia’s mission. “Today. As soon as possible. I actually got a magic gemstone which will help us pick the best one.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, “You really do have a spell for everything don't you?”

“Not yet, check back tomorrow.” Twilight teased.

“Well let’s go!” Rainbow jumped into the air, flapping to stay aloft just above Twilight’s ears, “After you my adorable egghead!”

Twilight winced, “Let’s save pet names for later.”

Rainbow laughed “Sure.”

Twilight joined Rainbow in the air and with a few heavy flaps of her wings began to fly over Ponyville towards the old orphanage.