Chapters Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
The cottage near the woods where lived the quietest pony in all of Ponyville was never one of much suspicion. Neither was the house's only resident. Well, the only pony resident. All seemed to be happy. All of the land around the cottage seemed to be in an eternal state of happiness. Seeing as Fluttershy's caring and love for each and every living creature never attracted much evil or harm. Usually.
One afternoon while Fluttershy was assisting a bird repair its nest that had fallen during a storm, (Due to Rainbow Dash, of course) this all changed. She was just about to reach for a small branch when, out of the green flora of the Everfree Forest, popped a strange face. It was dirty. Fluttershy gasped, and shrieked to herself. The creature popped out from its cover, and, as it turned out, was a pony. A small, light red stallion. He popped his head up.
Fluttershy noticed the saddlebag he was carrying was ripped. She skimmed over its contents.It was almost empty except for a sleeping bag, an almost flat pillow, and a few scraps of food morsels- a few dropped apples, a bruised orange, two plant roots, a piece of (probably) stale bread.
He looked at her. For the first time in the mare's life, she wasn't frightened of a stranger. Instead, she looked back at him. He gazed upon her small figure with starry, sparkling eyes and his scraped, boyish face. She couldn't help but grin. He grinned back, and began walking toward her.
“Hi.” He broke the ice.
“H-hi.”
“I'm Fluttershy.”
“I'm Emerald.”
“That's funny,” she giggled, similar to Rarity, “you're not emerald colored.”
“Yeah, I've heard that a hundred times.” he chuckled.
They laughed together for a time.
“What is somepony like you doing alone in the Everfree Forest anyways?”
“Wandering.”
“You must be really brave to go out there alone.”
“I gues you could say that.”
“So, you hungry?”
“Well, I think you know the answer to THAT question.”
“I guess,” she giggled, “How about a bite to eat?”
“That'd be great.”
“My treat.”
“No, that's fine. Where?”
“Sugarcube Corner, a little bakery just a little ways away.”
Without hesitation, the pair of ponies left the cottage yard and headed over to the residence of the eccentric pony.
Upon their arrival, the Cakes looked up.
“Oh, Fluttershy, hello dear. Who's your friend?”
“Oh, uhm”
“I'm Emerald. Fluttershy was just showing me to the best place to eat in Ponyville.”
“Oh, well then you've come to the right place! Take a seat where you'd like and I'll be around n a moment.” said Mrs. Cake with a smile.
“Thank you.” said Emerald.
The pair sat down in a small booth, furthest from the Cakes' counter. Sitting across from each other, Emerald initiated the conversation.
“She was nice. Does she own this store?”
“Yes. Her and Mr. Cake. I guess Pinkie Pie does, too.”
“Pinkie Pie?”
Just as he finished speaking, the party pony came bouncing around the corner. She took one look at him and, just as she'd done upon seeing Twilight Sparkle for the first time, gasped and turned to run away.
“Pinkie!” Fluttershy quipped, “Stop!”
Emerald and Fluttershy stood up to talk to the pink pony.
“Okie dokie lokie. Who's your friend? Is he lonely? Does he have any friends? Is he a spy? Has he had a chimmy cherry chonga?” Pinkie inquired in rapid succession.
“I'm Emerald.”
“Hi Emerald!”
“Hi, Pinkie.”
An awkward silence arose.
“Well?”
“Aren't you gonna answer my questions?”
“Oh, sure. I've never had a chimmy cherry chonga, I'm not a spy, and I have a few friends.”
“And?”
“What?”
“Well, are you lonely?”
“I was, until I found Fluttershy.”
He put his hoof around Fluttershy's shoulders. She blushed and playfully pushed his hoof off of her. She hung her head a bit lower than usual. Pinkie-Pie, thinking she'd just now realized something gasped again, rather loudly.
“Are you two- DATING?!?” Pinkie exclaimed and inquired at the same time.
The shy pony and beaming stallion looked at each other. They hadn't even thought of dating yet. Consdering they'd just met, the possibility had been eliminated. Or so they thought. They both knew they wanted to, but neither was bold enough to ask the other.
“Yes. Yes we are.” Fluttershy said. She felt hot, but she couldn't hold it in anymore. She'd been so lonely since her brother died, she needed somepony to love as much as she loved him. Emerald needed somepony to comfort him. Somepony to shield his secrets. Somepony like his previous filly-friend.
He turned and smiled at Fluttershy. She returned the smile. He leaned over to kiss her. Just after their lips met, The door opened and Rainbow Dash entered into SugarCube Corner.
“Hey Pinkie-Pie, you ready for the prank on Twili-” she was interrupted by the eccentric pony, “Hey Dashie? Fluttershy's got a colt-friend!”
“Don't make me laugh, Pinkie! Fluttershy is too shy to even talk to a stallion.”
“Seriously, Dashie. Look!”
The cyan mare turned to look at her fellow Pegasus friend. Her mouth dropped.
“No way. Fluttershy could NEVER get a colt-friend!”
“Excuse me?” Emerald interjected.
“What for?” Rainbow challenged.
“For insulting this mare.”
“I do. She is sweet, kind, loving, caring, gentile, intelligent, and best of all, beautiful. What stallion doesn't want to have all that in a filly-friend?”
Rainbow just stared, trying to take it all in. With this, she said goodbye.
She looked back. She saw the Cakes sharing a piece of pie. She watched as Fluttershy kissed Emerald. Pinkie-Pie just watched Dashie leave the bakery, and returned to making baked goods in the kitchen.
Rainbow Dash flew up to her cloud home. Face in pillow, she began to think how sweet Emerald had been to his girlfriend. How much love there was between them. How much SHE wanted that. And what she'd give to have that. But she knew she never could. Her prevention, she suddenly remembered. The only thing that she had to hide from her friends. Because it could ruin her relationships with them in a heartbeat. She wished she could say because she's a Pegasus, but then Fluttershy is, too. Her color wasn't a factor either. Nor was her attitude, or her different element she represented. No, it was because she was a...
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
Rainbow gave three bits to help pay for the bill, and sped off to home. She had work to do. Upon seeing how much her friends cared for the relationships they were all in, she knew what she had to do. Correct her mistake. Or what she thought was a mistake.
“Hey, Tank.” she said to her tortoise pet. He smiled and went back to his nap swiftly.
Rainbow got to work. She took all of her magazines, all of the play-colts, and threw them in the trash promptly. She took down her suggestive poster of Spitfire, and replaced it with a more moderate one. She then removed all of the stallions' cologne from her bureau. She then went out to buy some other type. Ugh she thought, I'm going to hate this more than watching the butterfly migration. She approached Rarity's Carousel Boutique.
“Welcome to Carouse-” Rarity stopped, “Rainbow Dash? Hello, dear. Need something?”
“Could you keep it a secret?”
“Sure, anything for my friends.”
“I need some-” she gulped, “p-pe-per”
“What is it, darling? Spit it out.”
“You know what I'm trying to say. Perf-”
“Please just say the entire phrase, deary.”
“PERFUME! I NEED SOME PERFUME! HAPPY?!?!”
“Yes, quite. I knew what you were saying, I just wanted to hear you say it!” she giggled.
“I hate you. So, what've you got?”
“I've got this lovely new one from Dodge Junction, smelling of cherries, if you like it.”
“Mmm, not bad. How much is it?”
“Free for my friends, of course.”
“Oh, I couldn't, here just take ten bits-”
“T'won't be necessary, Dash. Go on, good luck scoring a stallion!” she cheered.
Gee, thanks. Too bad you have NO idea what that'll take. She thought, rather angrily.
She approached the library. Before even knocking, Spike opened the door.
“Oh, hey Rainbow Dash. Twilight's inside.”
“Thanks, Spike. Where 'ya goin?”
“Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie invited me and Fluttershy over for some board game with her and Gummy while she watches Poundcake and Pumpkin Cake. You're welcome to join me if you want to.”
“No thanks, Dragonborn. Have fun.”
Spike walked away, and Rainbow entered the library.
“Oh, hi Rainbow. Come for another Daring Do have we?”
“No, not this time. Do you have any books on how to impress?”
“Three. One's out to Trixie, which is late- why? Looking to impress Scootaloo?”
“Not quite. She's already impressed,” Rainbow gloated with a smirk, “where are they?”
“Over here near the pony to pony interactions section.”
“Thanks.”
“Rainbow,” Twilight said with a concern, “Exactly who are you trying to impress?”
“If you must know, a stallion. I'm getting kinda lonely.”
“Ahh, seeing Emerald made you want somepony, too. I get it. Take it for as long as you need it.”
“Thanks, Twi.”
“Good luck!”
She muttered “Thanks,” then walked off before taking flight up to her cloud home.
Before nightfall, she'd already began to transform herself.
She convinced herself that, if it were true, her life would be simpler, and less awkward, than if she were a Lesbian. To add to her difficulties, she also felt no affection to any one of her friends. Or any mare in general. She did, however, think highly of some, like Spitfire. She thought this simply because of her affiliation with the Wonderbolts, which she didn't have to lie to herself about. In addition, she did enjoy the looks of some rather handsome stallions. Not to the point of affection, but she did agree with Rarity (Most of the time) when she'd point out a good-looking one. She began her transformation rather ambitiously.
To start, she entered in her bedroom. She got out a piece of paper, and, pen in mouth, began to write a list. Not a typical list, but a list of stallions she happened to know. Big Mac and Doctor Whooves were the only two that came to mind. Thunderlane came next, but after that, they were pretty much all older or colts. To add, she hadn't seen most of them since flight school and her first Sonic Rainboom. This pained Dash. Now she had to not only impress these stallions- but also meet them and think highly of them as well. Oh, boy. Or rather, boys.
The club now seemed like a legitimate option. She couldn't just go alone. Fluttershy was too shy, Rarity too proper, Twilight too caught up in her studies, Pinkie-Pie too busy with the new twins- Applejack! Perfect! Now she had to ask Applejack three things;
The mare headed down to Sweet Apple Acres. Upon flight over the picket fence, she spotted Scootaloo and Applebloom behind Big Mac. They were smiling, giggling as they did, presumably for a sleepover at the earth pony's home. Big Mac looked back at the flying cyan pony.
'Wow. Holy Celestia is he strong.' She thought, 'But there's absolutely NO WAY that I'm going out with him.'
“Hey Big Macintosh. Applejack here?”
“Eeyup.”
“She done with her chores?”
“Eeyup.”
“Is she in already?”
“Eeyup.”
“Cool. See ya.”
“Eeyup.”
She flew to the front door. Without even a knock, Granny Smith came out the front door. Applejack was right behind her.
“No, Granny. You can't just buy a windmill.”
“You should rreally rrespect yourr eld-ars, missy.”
“We don't even have the money to replace your hip. How in the hay do ya think we're gonna be able to afford a windmill?”
“I'll just sell this use this useless farm...”
“Granny, we live here. And who in the good name of Celestia wants an apple farm?”
“I don't. I want a windmill.”
“Who exactly is going to sell ya any windmills?”
“The... how'd I get out here? Get me back in, I'm a-freezing my apple buns off!”
“Oh, hey Rainbow. Sorry, mah Grannysmith's just losin' her marbles.”
Rainbow chuckled.
“It's fine.”
“So, what brings 'ya round these parts at this hour? It's gettin' dark.”
“I know. You're the only person I could ask with this. D'ya want to go to Club Alicorn?”
“A club? Why, Ah haven't been tah a club in ages. Ah met mah ex-coltfriend there. Thinkin' of getting' lucky?”
“Well- yeah, heh, but I'm getting lonely.”
“Yah, I guess I am too. I could use a nice stallion to help me look after the two children.”
“Two?”
“Applebloom and Granny Smith!”
Wild laughter broke out between the two.
“So, on that note, you ready?”
“Yah, ah guess, just let me tell mah brother.”
And, with Big Mac's consent, the two were off for a night of partying. Hardcore. The club was almost full when they arrived. Special thanks to the MVP; DJ Pon-3 (Aka Vinyl Scratch), who went big after her hit beats at the wedding of Shining Armor and Cadance. She'd moved on to Dubstep, and now to Clubstep.
“SO, HOW DO I TALK TO ONE?” Rainbow yelled to Applejack over the pounding bass.
“DANCE!”
“WHAT KIND OF DANCE?”
“SUGGESTIVE! EROTIC! LIKE A FREAK!”
The two walked to the center of the dance floor. Rainbow shook her head, and turned back to her friend.
“Huh?”
“Dance low near his- thingy” Applejack whispered in Rainbow's ear.
“His what?”
“You know-”
“No, I don't”
“His pee-” She trailed off ever so slightly.
“Applejack, just tell me!”
“HIS PENIS!”
Half of the stallions in the vicinity turned to Applejack. Most carrying seductive looks on their faces.
Rainbow looked to the centre of the dance floor. She confidently strode out to a small group of large stallions. She peered in to see one breakdancing on the ground. The rest were stomping their hooves on the ground. The three other mares were all dancing (rather suggestively) within two inches of the stallion they wanted. Rainbow Dash wasn't one who was much for dancing, but she had to try.
She turned, noticing that Applejack wasn't anywhere to be found. She looked around the neonic-lit club. The pounding bass of Vinyl Scratch's sick drops, the aroma of cheap cologne and faint scent of herbs and alcohol made for one hell of a time. Especially for one recently-turned straight cyan pegasus, whose first time in Club Alicorn was just utterly ridiculous. Finally, her eyes met a brown hat, being held close to the rather disgusting floor. She looked up to see a certain farmpony engaging in a kiss with a large, dark maroon unicorn. The unicorn was holding AJ's hat while they enjoyed themselves. Rainbow turned herself to face another group of stallions. This time, two sported sunglasses. One had a hat with a small bolt lightning on the brim, which he was wearing backwards. One of his friends was also sporting a jacket with 'Sierra Flight School Stars' on the back. Rainbow couldn't turn her eyes away from the pegasus with the hat and glasses. He wasn't that big, but he was certainly fast, as Dash could tell from his sleek figure and long wings, which were currently spread out across his back. She immediately stepped towards him. She walked closer. The group was almost within reach now. Dash made her move before they turned to leave.
“Nice entry, kid.”
“Thanks. I try.”
“I'm aware.”
“Name's Rainbow Dash.”
“I'm gonna guess you think you're pretty fast, huh?”
“Well, I am the ONLY pegasus to ever do three Sonic Rainbooms-”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“If you're so confident, why don't you do another?”
Rainbow thought about it. Her consideration and train of thought were quickly interrupted by his gazing, starry eyes. She liked him. He can see right through me, Rainbow thought. Well, at least I can see right through him. She was correct. His interest in her was easily seen. She was reading him easier than a children's book.
“Sure is.”
“Well, then I guess it should've been I who bumped into you. We've got some things to discuss, Miss Dash.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“How long you can hold your breath.”
“Wha-” Dash was cut off by the
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
Dash was cut off by the stallion's kiss. Not much of a long one, but one to force her into wanting another.
“C'mon. Follow me outside.”
She obeyed. She turned around, only to see Applejack giving her a wide-eyed stare, mouth dropped open. The pair exited out the front doors. The stallion turned to face the mare he'd just kissed. He kissed her again.
“Wow, that was quick.”
“Heh, heh. I take it that was your first one.”
“You got it. I just have one question- why?”
“I like you, Rainbow Dash. You're cool. I'm not gonna let you get away. Your excellent rainbow mane, that stunningly sleek figure, the cyan-blue that covers the rest of you. The aggression you almost knocked me over with. I love it all.”
“You do?”
She was getting compliments like she had never gotten before. It was a feeling she now knew that only a stallion could give her. Only a stallion could make her feel this way. And there was no debating that.
Rainbow's face flushed red. She'd never been one to blush, clearly. Her being Lesbian was a mistake, she realized. The simple fact was that she'd never experienced any kind of serious emotion like love. Her sympathy had lain with her fellow mares, pegusai in particular. Her inexperience clearly was her downfall here. She spoke to the stallion again.
“You never told me your name.”
“My apologies. My name is Epic.”
“That's epic.”
“Real original. I haven't heard that a thousand times or anything.”
“Seriously though, that's cool.”
“Thanks.”
“So, Epic, lookin' to score?”
“Not quite yet. I'm not some disgusting sex pig.”
“Truthfully, I'm still a virgin, too.”
“Then we're on the same page.”
“I guess we are.”
“What now?”
“Back to the club?”
“Well, I was hoping we could spend time elsewhere.”
“Definitely. Dubstep is good and all, but it hurts my ears when the bass itself is louder than the actual song.”
“Just let me go tell my friends.”
“I should tell my friend, too.”
“Meet you here in five.”
Rainbow walked into the club with Epic. She went over to Applejack, who was sitting at the bar.
“A.J.?”
“Hey ya R.D.”
“Where's that stallion you were with earlier?”
“He went to the bathroom. Too much loonshine, I think. He's got an iron stomach, so I'm sure he's just gotta pee.”
“Wonderful,” Rainbow sarcastically said whilst rolling her eyes, “anyways, me and Epic- that's his name, were thinking of going back to my place to hang out.”
“Rainbow D-Dash fur th-th-the score! Woo,” Applejack burped, “Hoo!”
“Applejack, ya alright?”
“Yeah, m-maybe a little too much ciderdlrink is awhoal.”
“Cider beer, you mean?”
“Yeah, I gue-guess.”
The large maroon stallion exited from the bathroom promptly.
“Let's go to my place.” AJ said to him, “I bet you've neh-nehver got lucky wit no farmpony before.”
“Make it the first time tonight.” the Maroon one said.
He appeared to be in MUCH better condition than Applejack, which was probably due to his body size and his being able to handle more liquor than she.
Rainbow Dash stepped outside to see her valiant Epic standing there. It was obvious he was nervous, his hooves swaying, and his teeth clenched.
“Sorry. I had to get my woozy friend and her drunk bang-buddy out before they got thrown out.”
“It's fine.”
Applejack walked out with her hat on sideways and one of her stallion's hooves wrapped around her tightly.
“Applejack, how are you going to do him without anypony knowing?”
“Trust me, there are TWO clubhou-houses.” She belched again, “One is someplace where nopony would evvvvah find” she groaned, “it.”
“Okay.” Rainbow Dash said before whizzing up ahead of the drinkers to Epic.
“So, where are we going?” Epic said.
“I don't know- where do YOU want to go?”
“It doesn't matter to me.”
“Idea! Let's make a fort out of clouds!”
“Alright, then. Let's go!”
The two nodded. They flew to the closest cumulus, and overheard Applejack seductively talking to her stallion.
“So, can we stahrt now?”
“Only if you want me to finish before we get started.”
“Just let me-”
“Alright,”
Rainbow and Epic turned their heads back up as they heard Applejack complimenting his- well, you know what by now.
“That was...” Rainbow started
“Disturbing.”
“Yeah. Slut.”
They both chuckled.
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
With Club Alicorn behind them, they got to work. One would grab cumulus from the East, the other would shape the cloud's front, and the whole thing was a work of art. In about forty five minutes, they completed a small fort composed of only three rooms; a bed, bath, and entry-area.
The two were now in some comfortable cloud chairs across from each other.
“So, why were you at the club?”
“Well, you know, looking to have some fun.”
“What kind of fun, Rainbow Dash?”
“You don't have to call me by my full name every time, you dodo. R.D., Dash, Rainbow, Dashie, cool-mega-super-ultra-awesome-pony...”
“I get it. Are those all of the names your friends call you?”
“Yup. Except the last one. I got a bit ahead of myself there. Heh, heh”
“I know.”
“Oh do ya?”
“I know everything.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright then. What am I going to do next?”
“Whoa!” Epic exclaimed as 'Cool-mega-super-ultra-awesome-pony' jumped up and tackled him. Just as Dashie was getting up, she felt her back being pressed against his chest again.
“You didn't actually think you would get away with that, did you?”
“Hey! Buzz off!”
He wrestled her to the ground, and once he was on top of her, and he had her arms pinned down, he bent down and kissed her, to which Rainbow gladly accepted. He gradually lifted his hooves up off of hers, and rolled over next to her, still engaged in a kiss. The pair then rolled over like a barrel for a good 45 seconds before coming to a complete stop, still kissing.
“So,” Epic whispered, “what now?”
“More.” Rainbow stated rather defiantly.
She pushed him over to the ground, and she was now on top of him. The sheer force of her agression had knocked his hat to the other side of the room, revealing a particularly stunning horn. Rainbow gasped. She got off of him and was on the cloud chair now.
“You- you're- you're-”
“Yes, I am an alicorn. Please don't leave.”
“Leave? Why would I leave? You're awesome!”
“Everyone else seems to fear me, bow down to me- or go out and tell the town, so I have to move again.”
“Again?”
“I've moved six times.”
“That's crazy!” Dash interrupted.
“In the past month.”
“Well the whole Epic thing makes sense now. You could've at least told me.”
“I was afraid you'd be like all the others.”
“So, why are you afraid of ponies finding out?”
“Because I'm on the run.”
“Epic.”
“Heh, I know. I denounced my father's plans for the future in public. So did my cousin, who isn't an alicorn. We were immediately ceased and were committed for treason. We were scheduled to be hanged in the next month. That was last year.”
“What? Why did you have to make fun of his plans?”
“He would've killed thousands- of ponies from our nation, and those of Equestria, too.”
“Whoa. With what?”
“He planned to take a train car, and put three cannons on it. Then, the train would be removed from its tracks. He'd have three prisoners drive it, a few soldiers operate it, and fire the artillery at the nearest town. The soldiers would jump off of the trains, not before attatching some explosives to it. The prisoners would make it go as fast as possible, ram it into a big castle or building, shoot the explosive, and obliterate themselves and the train, as well as the surrounding area. The catch was that he would institute a whole bunch of new laws, like a farmer can't sell their crop until the weekend, and by disobeying those laws, tons of citizens would become prisoners. Basically, he'd be killing all of the ponies he hated- Earth ponies. He's a very dark pony.”
Rainbow Dash sat quietly. With nothing to say, she looked up at him in awe. She pondered on his words for a moment. She decided to ask him a question.
“Wait- so what happened to your cousin?”
“We escaped, we went into the Everfree Forest- I can't tell what happened to him. I-I don't actually know.”
“What kind of pony was he? Pegasus? Earth? Unicorn? None?”
“He was an Earth pony.”
“Where did you two split up?”
“When two agents found us in the forest. I used my magic to tie them up.”
“Seriously. You're making yourself more and more attractive with every freaking word.”
Rainbow came closer to him.
“We split up somewhere near an apple orchard in this town.”
“Sweet Apple Acres.”
“I think he said he saw a chicken coop,- but then we heard a huge clap of thunder and I ran for cover from the rain and lightning- he went towards the coop.”
“What's his name?”
“His name is Syenergy. He never tells anypony his real name.”
“Does he use any other name in particular?”
“He's used various gemstones for names before.”
“Oh dear Celestia. I know where he is.”
“You do?”
“He's at Fluttershy's cottage.”
“Where?”
“He fell for the shy animal caretaker, Fluttershy.”
“Already?”
“Yes. He did it so quickly because he needed protection from somepony who wouldn't say a word she didn't need to. That's Fluttershy.”
“He mght have played that fake 'love at first sight' act he's pulled a few times before. I hope she understands.”
“Oh no- she won't. She may be intelligent, but emotionally,- she can be a wreck if you say something she doesn't understand or that upsets her in the least. She's also awfully stubborn sometimes.”
“What are we waiting for? Let's go see him.”
“Epic? It's the middle of the night.”
“Oh, right. Well, let's get to sleep.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and they laid down to sleep. And sleep they did.
Morning came, and something was wrong. Something was horribly wrong.
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
Chaos at the Library In the Tree
The sun had hardly come up over the tops of the trees when Spike, now awake, went downstairs from his small bed to the rest of the library in the tree.
“Twilight? What are you doing?”
“Research.”
“On what?”
“Magic surges.”
“Huh?”
“Well, when a unicorn like Rarity and I gets a surge, a lot of magic can be used. It's like letting the syrup in a bottle all collect at the top so it comes out faster when you tip it upside down.”
“Oh. Well, why would you need research on that?”
“Because surges are powerful, elusive things. You can have positive surges and negative surges. The positive ones give unicorns much more ability than normal. Negative ones drain the energy to use magic.”
“When do they happen?”
“When another source of powerful magic either gives off magic, it's positive.When it is so powerful it takes away from others' magic to supply its own, it's a negative.”
“So, you had a surge?”
“Yes. The largest negative one I've ever had. I can't even use a simple levitation spell.”
“So, it's just you?”
“Magic surges usually happen to a single unicorn, but if they're powerful enough, they can effect up to fifteen unicorns.”
“Why does it happen?”
“Wow, Spike. I've never seen you ask this many questions about my work. What happened?”
“Well, I was wondering if it happened to anypony else.”
“Only because I mentioned Rarity, correct?”
“Well- yes.”
“I knew it. Well, the causes are usually positive due to an herbal blend that somepony smells or drinks in a tea. Negatives are usually the same, but when somepony tries to do something like the time travel spell we did when I met myself from the past.”
“So, it's probably just you?”
“Most likely.”
Just after Twilight finished her sentence, Pinkie Pie burst through the door with Rarity on her back.
“Twilight! Spike! Thank Celestia!”
“Pinkie, why do you have Rarity on your back?” Spike asked
“Sweetie Belle- then fainting- then the 'Twilight always knows what to'- and the 'Zecora!'- then the falling Derpy-”
“Whoa, Pinkie! Take a deep breath, and explain what happened.” Twilight demanded.
“Okie-dokie lokie. Well, Sweetie Belle rushed down to Sugar Cube Corner, and told me to help. So, I went to Carousel Boutique, and Rarity couldn't perform her spells. Then Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew over us, then Emerald rushed by the door to meet some other stallion, and then Rarity just fainted. Sweetie gasped and said she got all weak. Then she reminded us that you always know what to do. Then Zecora might, too. Then Emerald rushed by us with some other stallion chasing after him, and Derpy fell out of the sky, but somepony was watching her and put her on the ground before she hit. Then we got here.”
“Wow. Spike, go find Fluttershy and Emerald, and bring them here. Pinkie, go find Sweetie Belle and tell her to come here. Then go get Zecora, and bring her here.”
The two rushed out, and Twilight was alone with Rarity.
“I knew something was coming. I knew it.”
Spike ran to Fluttershy's cottage. He ran across the bridge, and up the stairs.
*Knock, Knock*
“Hello- oh, hi Spike.”
“Hi Fluttershy. Where is Emerald?”
“He's around here somewhere.”
“Well, could you two come to the library? Something AWFUL happened to Rarity and Sweetie Belle- Rarity fainted, and Sweetie Belle got sick. Twilight thinks you two could help us.”
“Oh, dear. I'll go find him and be over right away.”
“Thanks, Fluttershy.”
Spike ran to the library as fast as his small, purple legs would carry him. He was almost there when he tripped on a log. Then, something unexpected happened. He grew, just like before. His legs grew almost six whole inches (15 cm), and his arms grew four inches (10 cm). He entered the library.
“Twili- wow. My voice sounds EPIC!”
“Spike? Oh, not again.”
“Fluttershy and Emerald are on their way.”
“Twilight? I don't feel so good.” A small white unicorn stated.
“Come here, Sweetie. Can you use your magic?”
“I've never been able to, so that's a big no.”
“Okay.Can you tell me what weak exactly means?”
Before she could get a response, Emerald entered, leading Fluttershy.
“Twilight Sparkle, you wanted to see me and Fluttershy?”
“Yes, one moment. Take a seat wherever, I guess. So, what were you saying Sweetie?”
“Oh, like my joints hurt and I feel a teeny bit dizzy.”
“Okay, then. Spike will bring you over a chair.”
Twilight walked over to Fluttershy.
“Do you think you can help Sweetie Belle and Rarity for a moment until Zecora gets here?”
“I can try.”
“Thanks. Emerald, do you remember being near Carousel Boutique?”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, why?”
“Who were you with?”
“Fluttershy.”
“What about Rainbow Dash?”
“We saw her.”
Twilight wondered why he was being so short with his answers. His eyebrows were in a fixed look of suspicion towards Twilight. He wasn't telling her something.
“Who else?”
“Nopony.”
“So no other Pegasus?”
“Nope.”
“You sure?”
“One hundred percent.”
“Okay.”
“Why?”
“I'm just trying to figure out what caused the magic surge. It caused Rarity to pass out.”
“Did it? That's awful.”
“Yes, it is.”
Emerald walked over to Fluttershy when Pinkie Pie came back.
“Zecora's gone!” Pinkie Pie shouted.
“Oh dear.” Twilight said.
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
Twilight paced around the library. Spike walked over to Pinkie Pie.
“Did you see anything there?” Spike asked, with an incredibly masculine voice.
“Wow, Spike, you sound like Fluttershy after the Poison Joke! Well, there was a note on the doorstep.”
“Really? What the HAY did it say?” Twilight inquired rather demand-pantsy.
“Well, it said,” Pinkie now started to talk in an extremely deep voice, “I've gone back to my home, out of Equestria, to assist my people, to bring down Celestia!”
Gasps all around.
“What?”
“Pinkie Pie! How do you NOT think that's a threat?” Twilight shouted.
“I- I don't know.”
“Ugh. Whatever. Spike!”
“Yes, ma'am?”
“Take a letter. Dear Princess Celestia, I have regret to inform you of a horrible attack that is...”
Twilight was interrupted by a large bang as the door to the library swung open, revealing cousin Braeburn of the Apple family.
“Appleloosa's been attacked!”
“Cousin Braeburn! How in th hay did you git over here so quick?”
“Train. Ponyville was the first stop.”
“Attacked by what? Buffalo? Zebra?” Twilight needed to know.
“A locomotive off of its tracks. It had cannons, and suicide drivers. It smashed into our clock tower and it exploded. It killed half the town!”
“Oh no.”
“Somethin' you're not tellin' us, Sugarcube?”
“Umm, no.”
“Fluttershy, we need you to tell us.”
“I promised I wouldn't.”
Emerald left the library in a panic. Applejack and Twilight ran after him.
The two were out of the street, and behind Carousel boutique, still in pursuit of Emerald, when they saw Rainbow Dash fly above. Twilight collapsed, grabbing at her horn.
“Twi!” Applejack shouted.
“GO! Catch him!”
Applejack nodded. She ran in pursuit of Emerald. Getting close, Rainbow Dash flew and picked her up just as she was about to catch him. She bucked Rainbow, knocking the wind out of her.
She tackled Emerald. Emerald kicked wildly as he was tied up by Applejack's seemingly ever-present lasso. Just as she was about to speak, a large figure appeared above her. She was picked up, and thrown into a deep ditch. She was tied with her own lasso, and hit with a branch that now covered her.
The swift beating was not delivered by Rainbow Dash. Nay, (zing!) it was delivered by magic, of which Dash posseses none. However, it was delivered by Epic, who'd flown atop Carousel Boutique.
Emerald was out of sight, and so were Dash and Epic. Applejack caught a single glimpse of Epic. She recognized him, and once her memory kicked in, she made the connection.
Once Epic was gone, Twilight was able to stand back up and continue her now idle pursuit of Fluttershy's colt-friend. Instead of finding Applejack on top of the stallion who they were pursuing, she found the rodeo champion of Ponyville tied with her own lasso.
“AJ? What are you doing?”
She couldn't speak, the rope was through her mouth. Twilight removed it promptly.
“There's an alicorn here. A MALE alicorn.”
“What? No there's not. There's not a single one of them in all of Equestria.”
“Exactly. That's why we never see none of 'em. He ain't from Equestria. Neither is Zecora.”
“Oh my gosh- you're right. Applejack, you may have just saved Equestria. Or just foretold how we get destroyed. Either or.”
“Oh. Let's get back to the library.”
“Okay. First, we need to tell Fluttershy to get Rainbow Dash here, stat.”
The two friends ran back to the library. Once they were there, Rarity was able to speak, and Sweetie Belle felt fine. Fluttershy successfully brought back Rainbow Dash. Once she got there, Braeburn and Applejack lassoed her to the ground.
“Now, Rainbow, who was the alicorn?”
“Celestia or Luna or Cadance. What alicorn?”
“Rainbow Dash! Don' you play dumb with us!” Applejack yelled at her.
“Nopony was with me!”
“That's not true, Rainbow. Who was he? We know you know.”
“Fine. He's my colt-friend.”
“WOW Dashie! Your colt-friend is an alicorn? Awesome!”
“Yeah, it is awesome Pinkie.”
“Duh. I just told you that!”
“Focus, girls! Now, why is he here?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Then you can't leave.”
“Fine.”
“So you'll tell us?”
“No. Buzz off, Twilight. What could be so important? Why do you NEED to know?”
“Appleloosa got attacked!” Braeburn shouted at her.
“Oh, gosh. By what?”
“Some death-train.”
“Oh no.”
“Now do you see?” Twilight begged. “You HAVE TO tell us.”
“I will. Promise you won't freak out?”
“I promise.”
“Do you Pinkie promise?” Pinkie instinctively inquired.
“Of course. I don't want to end up like that stallion in Mexicolt City. I bet he broke his Pinkie promise.”
Everypony laughed except Pinkie Pie. (These two lines previous are a refrence to another fic I wrote recently)
“Okay, so I went to Club Alicorn with Applejack, and when she was off makin' out with some stallion she just met, I met him.”
“The alicorn?”
“Yes, Twilight. The alicorn. He's not from here. To be frank, I don't even know WHERE he's from. I do know that he and his cousin are on the run from a different nation.”
“Why?”
“Because they tried to prevent a horrible attack on Equestria, but they were convicted for treason.”
“Were they, by any chance, trying to prevent some armaggedon train?” Braeburn asked.
“Yes. Why?”
“Then we might have quite a large disaster on our hands. They didn't prevent much.” Twilight declared.
“Huh?”
“In Appleloosa, we were attacked. It killed half the town. It killed buffalo, too. Includin' Little Strongheart. Ah tried tuh save her, but it was just too late.”
“Oh, sweet Celestia.”
“We have to get to the elements.” Twilight quipped.
“The Elements of Harmony. They will do nothing.”
The entire room turned to face an alicorn who was standing in the doorway.
“Epic!” Rainbow Dash flew over to him in a heartbeat.
“Nice to see you, too Rainbow Dash.”
“Will you please stop leaving?”
“Once I am safe.”
“Is this the same alicorn who flew by earlier?” Twilight asked him.
“Yes, it is me.”
Applejack, now enraged, grabbed her lasso and whipped it at his head. Epic's horn lit up a neon green, and the rope dissintegrated out of the farmer's hooves. Twilight and Rarity both dropped to the floor. Sweetie Belle covered her horn.
“Ow!”
“What's the matter, Sweetie?” Pinkie asked.
“My horn! It hurts!”
“Mine, too!” Twilight complained.
Rarity passed out again
“Rainbow, what's his name?”
“Epic.”
“Epic, I think YOU caused all of the surges.”
“Surges? I've heard of them, but I've never had one.”
“Just look at your power! You just dissintegrated Applejack's lasso out of mid air!”
“You don't study that spell?”
“NO! That spell is unheard of!”
“Do you practice ANY destruction ma- oh, nevermind. Equestria only practices conjuration and teleportation. I understand what's happening.”
“What?”
“Basically, my nation's magic is entirely different from Equestria's. We practice the darker magic; desruction, illusion, that sort of thing.”
“Then that explains the trains.”
“I suppose.”
Spike grabbed at his mouth and produced a letter. Twilight Sparkle grabbed it and opened it with ease.
“It reads; Dear Twilight Sparkle, you and your friends must get to the Elements of Harmony now!”
“Don't listen to the letter.”
“What? Why not? It's from Princess Celestia for pony's sake!”
“Precisely! She doesn't know it, but the Elements of Harmony have no effect on destructive forms of magic; the sheer strength will destroy all of the power the elements have.”
“Wha- how do you know?”
“Altai has its own Elements of Harmony, and our king, my father, has yet to be defeated by them, even after four uses. I represent the sixth element- magic.”
“As do I.”
“Do you really?”
“Yes.”
“Um, not to alert anypony, but there's a big cloud of black smoke over there.”
And then a shot rang out.
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
Yet another short chapter
The near danger suppressed, everything slowed. Nopony was willing to speak to one another, in amazement at the feats they'd accomplished. An entire war train was vanquished. It was like it never existed. The same was true for Epic. He was nowhere to be found. Or Rainbow Dash, who was presumably with him.
Twilight Sparkle spoke up, “Where is Rainbow Dash? And Epic?”
It was also true that Rainbow had followed the stallion alicorn.
“I'm sorry Rainbow.”
“For what? You were AMAZING!”
“For everything. I hurt your friends. I hurt your relationships with them. I made the world a worse place for you. I'll leave.”
“Don't be ridiculous.”
“I'm just being rational.”
“No way are you leaving.”
“But my magic hurts your unicorns. My very existence hurts your world.”
“I'll keep my boyfriend and my unicorn friends apart. Easy shmeezy.”
“A-are you sure?”
“Yes, I'm sure. I love you, Epic. And there's nothing that can change it.”
They kissed.
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
Rainbow Dash flew up to her cloud home, up to her bedroom. She flopped down on her bed. Face in pillow, she began to think how sweet Emerald had been to his girlfriend. How much love there was between them. How short a time it took them- and how their bond was truly love at FIRST sight. It wasn't like Fluttershy to act like this. Then again, why would you be shy of one you look at and immediately know you love? She knew how much SHE wanted that. And what she'd give to have that. But she knew she never could. Her prevention, she suddenly remembered. The only thing that she had to hide from her friends. Because it could ruin her relationships with them in a heartbeat. She wished she could say because she's a Pegasus, but then Fluttershy is, too. Her color wasn't a factor either. Nor was her attitude, or her different element she represented. No, it was because she was a- Lesbian. Oh lament- how she hated the word. Had it written, she would surely torn it.
Now wet and still sobbing, she sat up. She'd been in her room for four hours now, and it was getting late. She already missed her solo flying session for the evening. Nothing was important now. She began to get sleepy, and began to enter a dream. What the dream contained frightened her, but she knew that dreams didn't happen by accident. So she slept to see what it would hold.
Rather than seeing a dream, she saw reality. The reality scared her. She was in the center of Ponyville, flying along as she did, when she bumped into a purple mare, who was flying in her path. She looked at the pony opposite her. The other Pegasus smiled. Rainbow smiled back. She had starry eyes. Upon seeing her complection, Rainbow decided she was unattractive. The purple pony went on her way. As Rainbow watched, she saw her land next to her boyfriend. She turned. She saw more happy couples, but all were straight. She couldn't help but cry. Her pillow was now drenched in a terrential downpour of sobbing. Like a sponge, it inflated and, when she kicked at it, it let out all of the salty tears by which it had held.
She fell into a hole. The happy straight couples looked over the edges of the holes' banks. Seemingly descending upon her, they laughed. Evilly. Meniacally. Horribly. She shielded her face. The laughs got louder, and more prominent than before. They now deepened in tone. She was suddenly thrust out of the hole. She was now on even ground. The demons laughed at her. Her friends laughed at her. The schoolponies laughed at her. Even Scootaloo, her number one fan. She now was in the air. The piece of land on which the hole had been turned into a large hill. The entire town was laughing at her. Big Mac, Granny Smith, Cherilee, the Mayor, Bon-Bon, Carrot Top, even Derpy. Even Derpy, who couldn't remember her own middle name. Then the hill got skinnier. And taller. Now ponies from other towns could see her. Zecora from the Everfree, Lyra and Octavia from the ball they were performing. She wept louder. She peered over the edge. She was now above Canterlot's largest Tower. All of Equestria was laughing. Gilda, Cadence, Shining Armor, even the princesses. Luna and Celestia had now begun to shine an evil light, one of deep midnight purple and light yellow like the sun's rays. She had not a friend in the world. Or a mare-friend. Once she was up at the highest point, she tried to leave. But her wings had been turned to stone. She tried to jump and comitt suicide, but cinderblocks her feet were chained to held their ground thoroughly. She screamed as the Pegusai above descended evilly on top of her. The stallions teased her with their groins, the mares by covering up their bodies. To a certain cyan Pegasus, this was horrifying. The torturous feeling of her friends abandoning her, the other ponies, most she didn't even know, laughing, mocking, horribly condemning her to a painful death. She liked adrenaline, but not this kind.
Meanwhile, her friends had heard her screaming. It was around 11:00 AM the next day. Fluttershy flew up to the cloud, and knocked on the door. There was no response. She knocked again, and, almost immediately, a teary-eyed Rainbow Dash with puffed out bags under her eyes opened the door. Still sniffling, she blinked slowly and the two Pegusai began to converse.
“H-hello Rainbow.”
“Oh,” Rainbow sniffled, “Hi Fluttershy.”
“Uhm, we heard your screaming, and um, wanted to know if you're okay, if that's alright with you.”
“Heheh, I'm fine Fluttershy. Just you, I see.”
“Oh no, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle are all down below.”
“HI DASHIE!” Pinkie-Pie yelled out as soon as she heard Fluttershy state the names of all f her friends.
“Hey Pinkie Pie. Hi, guys.”
“Rainbow, I must ask, are you alright up there darling?”
“Ya, you alright up there sugarube?”
“Just a nightmare. Thanks though.”
“More like a TWOnightmare!”
“What are you talking about, Pinkie?”
“You've been asleep for two nights, you silly filly!”
“Oh man- so you guys heard everything I said?”
“Not quite,” Twilight intervened, “You more or less mumbled everything while screaming.”
“Thank Celestia.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Tank decided to crawl outside. Rainbow picked him up.
“We were just going out for some orderves- would you care to join us?”
“Food? Yeah, sure. I'm famished.”
“Fluttershy was going to bring Emerald along so we could meet him and get to know him better. Care to join us?”
“Sure, Rarity. I'm coming.”
She put Tank down and he returned to his nap inside. She flew down, and they had themselves a swell brunch. Truthfully, nopony had ever seen Fluttershy happier. With, of course, the exception of Spike, when Fluttershy met him for the first time. Rainbow tried not to look at Emerald or Fluttershy, for if she did she'd certainly scream in horror.
Life is What You Make It, Or How You Happen To Have It Thrown At You
“What 'n the hay was that?”
Epic flew to the top of the library. He was followed by the other pegusai, then those who couldn't fly took the stairs.
“Look.” Epic said.
“That's one of the trains!” Braeburn shouted.
“We have to stop it!” Rainbow shouted.
“Twilight Sparkle!”
All heads turned to face the regal alicorn herself, Princess Celestia.
“Twilight, I expect a response from my stude- oh my me what is that? Who is he?”
The princess was growing frantic. She was scared now.
“That thing is a death-train. I am Epic of Altai, and my father wants control of your kingdom.”
“Oh, my. Well...”
“There's only one chance we have at taking this thing out before it destroys Ponyville. We have to use all of the magic we can muster. Twilight? You and the Princess focus a shield in front of the train. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, you two enter the train and take out the explosives. I'll take out the cannoneers. Everypony else, stay indoors.”
“Epic?”
“What, Rainbow?”
“I love you.”
They kissed.
“Awww.” the crowd murmured. All except Spike. (But really, what else is new?)
Shortly after, the rebel group left the library, and their plan went into action.
Celestia and Twilight slowed the train with their magic, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash grabbed the explosives and disabled the charges, while Epic killed the drivers in balls of fire. However, as soon as he shot the fire from his horn, Twilight collapsed,as did Celestia. The train was slow enough nonetheless, and the five warriors came back to the library.
“Epic!” Twilight called out, “Epic! Stop!”
Epic's horn fell back to its original color. Twilight prepared to explain.
“Epic, I figured out why we are having the surges!”
Now, even Celestia turned to the student.
“Your magic, Epic. It's more powerful. Your raw abilities overpower mine and, even Princess Celestia's.”
“No- that's not possible!” Celestia chimed in.
“Yes, it is, Princess. His magic is destruction.”
“I see. Still, how is he here?”
Epic took it upon himself to explain. He did, and Emerald entered the room.
“Hello.”
“Um, hi.” Fluttershy beamed with excitement.
“I'm sorry everypony, but I have to leave. I have to instruct my guards to take out these 'tanks'.”
She flew off.
