Chapters Fanfic by foxvolt
--- Act One - Chapter One --- A friend, A saviour
"Dash! C'mon, ya' can't stay cooped up there forever!"
The winds of Equestria were crisp and fine this particular morning, and most residental towns were out and about, doing daily chores, shopping, mingling, ect.
This was all but the case for a particularly lonely pony.
" Dash, please! " Somepony pleaded from the ground.
Somewhere in the outskirts of Ponyville a cloud home, or more accurately, a mini fortress, sat gloriously in the airspace. The only resident of the home, Rainbow Dash, was going through a self-induced depression, locking herself from everybody, including HER.
She lay on her bed of cloud, incapable of removing herself from a fetal position. Her tears starting to darken the 'material' as it was absorbed into the structure.
It had all started with that damned mare Applejack...
----- 48 hours previous to current time -----
Rainbow Dash had taken a liking to the favor of the winds today, and decided it was time to fly. Having nowhere in particular to go, she let herself glide with the wind for the moment, debating what to do, before deciding on aerobatics.
She dipped slightly lower and got caught in the gusts whipping around her. Instead of pulling up to regain balance, she let the wind continue pulling until that one perticular gust came...
And she waited little, as a current whipped up from beneath her, spirling her into freefall. She tucked her wings in to accelerate even further, neglecting almost all air resistance, letting gravity do the work.
The feel of the G-force tugging against her was enthralling, and it had the same euphoria about it every time... This feeling of rebirth that just seemed to make everything... Okay.....
She shook her head free of the thoughts, at the risk of some melodramatic, sappy, feminine thoughts running through her head.
She was nearly 100 feet up now.... 80... 55...
' Just... A bit.... More....'
30... 28.........24.......
Time slowed as the coherent danger of the ground came upon her. If she didn't pull up NOW she'd crash straight down... But she was so close to her record!
Time crawled. Two more feet.... Just two more....
9..........8!
Her instincts screamed to pull up now, and she did. Her wings expanded, she crouched mid-air, and a mere foot from the ground, traveling an excess of nearly 450 miles per hour, she forced the gained momentum and inertia upon itself, and in one great push, bounded back skyward! The resulting force of the momentum nullifying the inertia caused a forceful explosion of many colors, her signature move, the Sonic RainBoom.
At least, that's what she planned on. At 15 feet up, Rainbow Dash finally gave into her instincts, and beat her great wings faster than a hummingbird. But, even that can't stop, or even slow sufficently, a pegasi in freefall.
Celestia granted, she slowed herself to nearly 200 mph, but she tumbled and barreled everywhere on the ground with the remaining speed. Hell, it was better than just crashing.
Everything was disoriented, and she felt herself banging against several trees.
Something thumped her on the head and Dash felt herself slip into unconsiousness.
----- 14 hours later -----
Dash awoke unsurpisingly sore. It was dark, she must've fallen asleep in the forest. Then why wasn't it cold? And she was on something soft... Like a bed...
Dash thought a moment, trying to recollect herself.
" The Rainboom.... How could i fail it...? " she realized.
" Dash? Y'all up an at 'em? " a voice resinated from across the room, the unmistakable accented voice of Applejack.
Dash groaned, Applejack, why was she here...?
Searching for a source of light, it was suddenly blinding her.
" Naagh! Ow! " she groaned as her pupils attempted to dialate much too quickly, sending shockwaves to her brain.
" Uh, sorry 'bout that partner, shoulda' warned ya. " she said, nearly amused by Dash.
Dash cracked an eye open, sitting up in the bed, kicking off the blanket. " Where am I...? " she said dumbly, as the entire area screamed 'FARM!!!'
Applejack stood taller on her front hooves, an act of pride. " Why, you're back at Sweet Apple Acres! Ya crashed in section three! Good thing too, any further an' I wouldn't have heard the crash! I came a-lookin' ta see what could'a caused all the ruckus, and I figured three fallen trees an' this mess of a pegasus was the most logical answer! You did get a nice ol' lump on the head though, apple must'a thunk'd ya. " she finished with a chuckle.
" You dragged me... Three acres here? This is the first section... Right? "
Applejack made a noise somewhere between a groan and a boasting 'humph' of pride. " Nah, each section's 'bout 4 acres, and I wouldn't drag ya all that way, I carried ya' on mah back! "
Dash, mildly surprised Applejack would endure such a feat for her, had enduced a gratefulness she hadn't felt in a long time.
" So what- "
Applejack cut her off. " Listen, you just hush and rest up, y'hear? I'll bring ya somethin to chow on in a sec. Okay? "
Dash saw that Applejack's tone left no room for debate, and shook her head dumbly, her mane scrambling in front of her face.
Applejack giggled lightheartedly before going to fetch some apple stew from dinner for Dash. But, when Applejack returned, Dash was already snoring.
'Somepony right there, she is. Some pony.....' she sighed to herself, Carrying herself to the bed beside Dash's where her little sister(s) slept on occasion, she laid down, and fell asleep to the thought of the pegasus she had just saved sleeping in her bed.
----- End Chapter One -----
Fanfic by Foxvolt
Inspiration by: TheXxxX and Buttersc0tchsundae.
My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic & My Little Pony - Return of Harmony (c) Linda F and/or perspective owners. I have, in no way, any affilation or influence over the My Little Pony franchise/series/etc...
Thanks for reading! Chapter 2 will be out later in the month, leave a review or comment to tell me how i did.
Be warned this chapter uses some language which some readers may find innapropriate or disturbing. If the use of curse words offends you, you have been warned. Also, there's big words and kissy-kissy faces made.
/)^3^(\
--
Fanfic by Foxvolt
--
---Act One - Chapter Two - Recovery.
-----31 hours prior to current time ----
Dash slowly awoke to a bright, warm, inviting room. She could still feel every muscle straining from the slightest movements, this pegasus wouldn't be doing any flying for a while.
A thought struck her, Applejack.
She looked around, searching for her, and saw the form of her favorite pink pony, Pinkie Pie, mozied up in a corner with Spike and Twilight lying on a blanket. Applejack must've told the others of her crash....
Damnit!
Dash had been hoping not to make a fool of herself over getting too overconfident... Now, odds were, everyone in ponyville would know.....
Her pride was starting to tear her thoughts. If this got to the Wonderbolts, her dream could be ruined... But it was only one mistake, right? But it might be the only one she needed to make...
Dash tried to sit up, but her body seemingly denied her the privelage.
" What the Heck!? " She shouted with a yelp of pain, waking the three ponies in the corner.
Twilight was the first up. " What happened? Are you okay? " she asked, clearly worried as she tried to communicate with Dash.
Soon everyone circled around the bed, and Dash loosened up a bit
After a moment her eye cracked open, then the other. She blinked a few times, perplexed that she could barely move without severe pain setting in.
Suddenly, Dash thought about her position. She couldn't even move... Could she walk...? She was going to be dependant on her friends, wasn't she?
She hated not being able to do things herself, it was a burden she couldn't handle. A burden she WOULDN'T handle, or force on her friends.
Ignoring any pain her body sent to her brain, the hard-headed pridebound pegasus fell out of the bed, and attempted to stand. The circle tightened around Dash as she struggled, voices echoing in protest. Ignoring the slurred voices, she unvieled her wings for stability, nearly knocking a young dragon over.
Noone spoke as Dash took a step forward. The *thud*s seemed to echo in her head, drowning any thought out.
'Keep moving...' she thought to herself
Another step, another echo.
'You got this dash...'
Dash's head was swimming, she couldn't think straight. She kept walking. Her eyes drooped, and she swayed, but she kept walking. Twilight yelled something, and then there was nothing.
Dash had fainted.
-----18 hours prior-----
" Did she just move? " Somepony's voice emitted from nowhere.
" I doubt it, her vitals are still too low for any real activity. " spoke another, deeper seemingly male voice.
Thoughts swam through Dash's head as she attempted to grasp what was happening. Was she dreaming? Was everything before now a dream?
' If i open my eyes now, I'll wake up in my house. ' She told herself. She opened her eyes.
" She's waking up! " somepony exclaimed. It sounded like Applejack, maybe Pinkie Pie, Dash couldn't tell, it was all so contorted and intertwined...
" Hey, Rainbow Dash, wake up, you have a bit of company here to see you. " somepony said from beside her. Tilting her head slightly, she could make out the blurred figure of Twilight at her side, wherever she was.
Dash nearly smiled, but she didn't. Why would she?
" Where... " Dash groaned, extremely dazed.
" Huh? " somepony else asked.
Dash tilted her head the other way. A pink blur was before her, the most logical awnser was Pinkie Pie.
" Pink...e? " Dash said, her head clearing, ever so slowly.
" Yup, yup! The oooooone and only! " She giggled, overjoyed to see Dash awaken.
Dash sat up, slowly this time. She blinked several times, her vision restoring. " Ugh, my head... What... What happened? Why is everypony here? Where is 'here?' " she questioned.
" Your friends brought you here. From what we can gather you experienced extreme head trauma, and possibly short term memory incapibilities. That's only a possible side effect, of course. No guatantees.
I am under contract to tell you to rest, but i think with so many here to visit, we best say two days rest is good enough, hm? " A mare wearing a white apron with two pouches on either side asked.
The packs were chock-full of medical supplies, and the flaps had a red cross on the tops. The uniform* drew Dash's eyes for a moment, thinking about more than the pouches on it.
"I...Uh... Thanks...I guess..." She stated dumbly.
The nurse smiled and resumed her duties, checking vitals and replacing various pouches of various things. One, dash noticed, was hooked up to...
"Hey! How did that get in...?" Dash looked under the blanket, and dropped it, her face turning red.
"Can I... We... Get rid of that... Please?" Dash Whispered to the nurse, obviously embarassed.
"I'll ask your overseer, He just stepped out for a moment, somepony requested to be called when you woke. Is that allright?" she asked happily. It reminded her of pinkie, joyful about anything.
Dash looked to her side, and saw Pinkie. She hadn't really taken her into consideration much since she spoke, albit it was a mere minute ago.
Aside Twilight and Pinkie, Rarity sat on a chair, staring kindly back at Dash.
"Is that allright with you Mrs. Dash?" the nurse asked again.
Dash shook her head lightly.
"No?" the nurse tilted her head slightly.
"Oh, sorry. It's Ms., and that's fine... Who'd he call? Where's Applejack?" Dash asked.
" Mrs- Ms.Applejack and Fluttershy requested they be alerted of your awakening, they had errands to run, if I am not mistaken." The filly replied.
"Oh..." Dash replied, slightly down over that fact, she never properly thanked Applejack.
"Well," Interjected twilight, " We're all glad to see you're okay. We'll be back arou-"
"DASHIE!!!" Pinkie yelled, tackling Dash down onto her bed, sobbing.
" Woah, hey, what the- Pinkie, get off! Ow! PINKIE!" Dash yelled, kicking herself free of pinkie, falling off the bed, tangling several cords, and ripping several from thier place in thier machines and/or dash. (thankfully not the, erm, 'collecting' one.)
" Pinkie! " Twilight yelled, perplexed and agitated, helping bring Dash to her feet, but recieved an unexpected shove back.
" Why'd you do that?" Spike asked, confused.
" Dashie! Are you okay? I'm sorry, I just, I thought that..." Pinkie trailed off
"I'm fine..." Dash mumbled, standing, with slight difficulty.
The room was silent, everyone stared at dash as she stood, rejecting the help offered to her.
" What's your name? " Dash addressed the nurse, slightly grudgingly.
" Yes Ms. Dash? " the nurse asked, perplexed.
"What's your name." Dash repeated.
" Why, I'm Mrs. Nurse, but you need to stay in the bed Ms. Dash. Doctor's orders. "
Dash shook her head and grumbled, " I'm fine, I just need to..." Dash thought. What was there for her to do? "To..." she thought.
" Dash " Twilight said, resting a hoof of Dash's upper flank, " Please, just stay here for now. You really did a number on yourself. We just want you safe. "
" Yeah... Will you pweddy pweddy pinkie pweeze stay? " Pinkie said, with her signature Baby Dragon-Eye face.
Dash tried not to give in, she really did, but every mare had her limits.
" Pinkie, I-" Dash stammered.
" Dashie, " She said, standing between Twilight and Dash, nudging away Twilight's hoof, " You're staying here. " She said simply.
" I... " Dash was at a loss for words.
" She's right darling, one way or another you are staying here. " Rarity piped up from the corner, not looking up from something she seemed to be knitting.
There was a blank space, and Dash crawled reluctantly back into the hospital bed, the unframiliar characteristics of disbelief and defeat etched into her features.
Pinkie Pie walked to her bedside as everyone watched intently.
"Thank you." she said, and quickly nuzzled Dash's neck with a smile.
Dash continued to let her head hang for a moment, until slowly directing her gaze to Pinkie Pie. Neither spoke, and pinkie smiled some more, before walking out of the room.
--
Pinkie held back her emotions, quickly entering the nearest bathroom and curling up in the corner of the floor.
She cried, and she cried, and she cried. She sobbed, she wept, and she bawled. Quietly.
'Poor Rainbow Dash... Poor me...' Pinkie thought to herself, wrapping around herself tightly.
"I don't wanna see Dashie like that... She didn't need'ta shove me..."
--
Dash's gaze stayed on the door long after Pinkie left, and so did her mind.
Twilight spoke to dash about how she would be out by tomorrow, and how Applejack and Fluttershy would visit her soon, and various things, but it was falling upon deaf ears.
Dash couldn't focus on anything but " I'm in a hospital. " and " Pinkie Pie..."
Dash fell out of her thoughts, and turned to face Twilight, but she wasn't there.No-one was there. And it was dark outside...
She must have fallen asleep and hadn't known it... But she had slept for countless hours...?
It was impossible to know anymore...
So she lay back and stared at the celing of the unframiliar building.
"Ms.Dash, are you awake?" Somepony asked. Taking a look, it was Mrs.Nurse.
"Yeah, i'm awake... Why...?" Dash asked blankly.
Mrs.Nurse trotted down the hallway. " Wait a moment Ms.Applejack! "
The sound of clopping hooves could be heard down the hall, and they stopped. A moment later it was double-timed, and Applejack stood in the doorway, her mouth slightly agape.
After an instant of silent thoughts, her mouth curled into a large smile. "Yer all right! Er'm, sorta..." she said akwardly, stepping into the room.
Dash didn't say anything, the softened expression on her face spoke for itself.
" I, er, gimmie a sec. " she said, as she trotted back down the hall.
A moment later she returned, carrying in her mouth a small assembly of about half a dozen wild-flowers wrapped in a paper-like material.
"Ah', uh, got these fer 'ya." she mumbled around the assortment of potent flowers.
Dash laughed.
"What's so funny?" Applejack asked loudly, nearly stirring a sleeping mare across from them.
"Nothing, you just brought me flowers, heh. Thanks AJ." Dash spoke softly, taking a nibble of one.
Applejack blushed lightly. "Well, shucks, 'Ah didn't mean it like that t' all! But, uh, yere' welcome 'ah guess." she sheepishly said.
Applejack's behavior reminded her of fluttershy, she wasn't speaking very loud, she kept shifting her hooves and looking away too.
"If it means anything, I'm sorry all this happened. I just had to push myself too hard.... I just.... Never mind, I don't even know what I'm talking about..." Dash said, the pony's thoughts consolidated.
"Hey now, brighten up sugarcube, we all got our ups an' downs, don't we?" applejack said, nudging Dash's shoulder with her 'nose.'
"Yeah... But I can't help this feeling like I have to be... More than what I am... Like I'm not enough, Like I-"
"That's a load a' manure! Every pony likes you the way you are, even if you are obnoxious and showy, we all love ya' the same. At least, I'll always love ya' the same-"
The two mares stared at each other. Applejack hadn't meant to word it like that, had she?
" You mean- " Dash started.
"I MEAN, as a friend, Rainbow." Applejack said, but she wasn't quite sure...
Dash smiled, and looked out towards the window.
Dash thought wether or not to say what she was thinking, and said, " I'm Bisexual, you know...In case you, ya know, didn't know..."
There was a silence, and Dash began to think wether or not that was a very smart thing to say.
"That's... Interestin'....Why'dya say that?" Applejack said, bemused.
"I thought you 'ought to know" she said, equally indulged in the act they were now knowledgeably playing, seeing who would say it first.
" And jus' why would I need'ta know that?" Applejack smirked, pressing her nose against Dash's forcefully, causing her to wince lowly.
Dash thought semi-frantically, her mind supplying several lies, and she quickly latched onto the first one she found rushing out of her lips "Becauseiknowyouloveyourself?" she blurted.... Wait...what? That made no sense...
"What in Tarnation'?" Applejack spoke, taken aback. " I reckon' I'm one a the most modest ponies IN these here parts. " Applejack had clearly intercepted the message as she had said it, but not how it truly was.
Dash had nearly blurted the truth out-
Dash pondered... Nearly... Why nearly? Why didn't she?
Returning her attention to the ranting Earth pony in front of her, she sized the situation up, blocking out what Applejack was actually saying.
Applejack was a close friend, and she had few of those to gamble with. What she was about to do was shaky, but, Dash had made up her mind as she turned to the pony beside her, and said, "You talk too much, AJ." and stopped the sounds from emitting from her lips by using her own to intervene.
Applejack retorted with a mild 'mmph!' but otherwise and afterwards, remained silent.
They both maintained the contact for several moments of euphoric bliss, afraid to let it end as if they were feeding each other the Ambrosia of the other's life force.
Hesitantly, and very reluctantly, Dash was the first to break away.
Applejack had her eyes closed in concentration, the spark of thoughtlessness broken, ideas and double-remarks bounded her head violently, attempting to make sense of the sudden change in events.
Just as Dash prepared her thoughts to state something, a nurse walked in, pardoning her interruption, asking Applejack leave due to visiting hours being over.
They were going to protest that it had barely been minutes, but glanced at an analog clock dangling loosely from the parallel wall. They had been sitting in silence for over half of an hour.
Applejack looked at dash, a look of slight annoyance and longing etched into her features.
Applejack excused herself and walked out to the counter, calling over what Dash presumed to be another nurse, who in turn called over a Stallion, whose button, presumably reading "Hi! My name is..." was not visible from Dash's point of view. Though his hourglass cutie mark was.
They conversed for a little while, and Applejack stomped her front right hoof more than once, and more than once she shrugged off a nurse or two, attempting to restraining her, presumably out of caution.
After another few minutes of what seemed like heated arguing, Applejack pushed her face to the stallions in a challenging manner, who in turn seemed to nervously back away, nodding resiliently.
A nurse dropped a small bag at Applejack's feet and, nodding at the nurse, Applejack brought it with her to Dash's room.
She spoke softly, muttering "Let's go, Im'a takin' ya with me t'night" tossing a bag with her WingPurse inside between Dash's haunches as she sat up.
(A WingPurse [theoretically] is a purse designed for aerodynamicy. The straps go around the shoulder blades and around the very low base of the wings, so that it lies very low on your back during travel. It strapped tightly so no air-lag occured. (Dash usually kept a few things with her where she went.))
" They told me I was staying here... The others-"
"Horse apples. Yer fine, an' I'm gettin' ya outta here. Now Saddle-Up, and let's get a-movin'."
"O-okay..." Dash said, slightly dazed by the change of events. But her mind flashed back to the contact of her lips against the orange mare's, and she decided that she would trust AppleJack.
As they walked out of the doors, several nurses were busy attempting to calm Dash's doctor, a stallion yelling several orders, wearing a name tag reading, "Hi, my name is Dr. Whooves!
-lulzness-
End Chapter 2.
Like a Boss~
A Friend Lost, A Brother's Arms. - 4
--- Act Two - Chapter Four --- A Friend Lost, A Brother's Arms.
Somebody informed me that there are no hospitals in the show, just tents. I know. From the Apple-bucking season episode where AJ and Pinkie ( Mostly AJ ) make bad cupcakes.
Well, in response....Deal with it.
--
The winds of Equestria were crisp and- *Crackle*
Everything was disoriented- *Crackle*
She dazed in and out of consciousness- *Crackle*
Applejack ran beside her, all her thoughts- *Crackle*
Nopony else could have made Dash happier.
-- One hour prior --
Sunlight glinted across Applejack's eyes as she stirred lightly, something restraining her slightly.
She blinked a few times.
'I'm in Big Macintosh's room!' she realized. It was true.
Across the walls, plaques and certificates, as well as photos, draped every square inch. On a desk against the far wall of the bed she was laying in, there stood a small trophy of a Pony holding a bushel of vegetables on it's back. The Best Young Farmer's Award.
She had always been zealous of that award, and it drove her to do her best every year.
She looked through her window, and saw the sun peaking over the acres of apple trees. The previous night dawned on her just as the sun's light swept across her room.
-- Three hours prior --
Dash awoke as she felt something jab her, and tumble her onto her side. She looked to that side, just in time to dodge a hoof from colliding with her face.
Dash barrel rolled to her side ( peppy would be so proud ) and stood, wings extended. Applejack rose and ran at her, shoulder first, trying to ram her.
Dash flew into the air, somewhere even Applejack couldn't get her.
" Get back down here! I'm not done with ya'! " Applejack yelled, scraping her fore hoof across the ground angrily.
" What the HAY is wrong with you!? " Dash yelled at her friend, clueless as to why she was being assaulted.
" You done an' got me ruined! I KNOW you did it on purpose! " she screamed back, acid dripping in her voice.
Dash thought. " I don't know what you're talking about! " she finally replied.
" Can it, Wing-Fer'-Brains! Get down here and face me like a REAL mare!"
Dash took some offense at the ' Wing-For-Brains ' comment. " What happened? " Dash asked, lowering to the ground, at a hover a few feet from Applejack.
" Big Mac come an' found us on his walk! Said you told 'em to come ta' this here field t'night! " Applejack said, stomping her hoof.
Dash thought again. She did vaguely remember telling Big Mac something about see fields... What was it...
The memory sparked in her mind. " The grass! " she blurted out.
Applejack was slightly taken aback from the change in topic.
" Say what now...? " Applejack asked quizzically.
" The grass. It makes waves with the wind. I noticed it on my way to CloudsDale. I told him about it after we went out for some Sarsaparilla to celebrate winning the Best Young Fliers Award. " she explained.
Applejack thought a moment. " That's a crock-a-sour-apples. " she said, staring seemingly into the recesses of Dash's very soul.
Applejack remembered charging at the rainbow pony, and tackling her to the ground. She remembered the tears. She remembered all the aspects of her life that might change if this got out. She remembered collapsing.
She remembered Rainbow Dash.
-- Fifty five minutes prior --
Applejack slowly stepped out of his bed, walking to the desk against the far wall of the room.
Curiously, she opened the top left drawer, and in it lay three items. A hat, a bundle of Bluegrass, and a small photo album.
Applejack wondered where her brother had slept, seeing this was his room.
" What'cha doin' there, Sis? " A deep voice asked from behind her.
Applejack jumped, and turned to see her brother Big Mac smiling lightly at her.
" Oh, sorry! I ah, just curiosity, I reckon. " She said, crossing her forehooves.
Big Mac smiled, walked to the desk, and took the hat and bundle out of the drawer. He placed the cap on his head, and pulled a strand of bluegrass out of the bundle, chewing on the end of it lightly.
Replacing the bundle to it's original resting place, Big Mac pulled out the album for Applejack, offering it, as he closed the drawer.
Applejack quizzically accepted, sitting on the side of her brother's large bed. Big Mac sat beside her.
" It ain't much, but I reckon' that means each one's got just that much more value. " he said, nodding at her to open it.
She opened it to the first page, and a magazine lay inside.
" Sexy Mares Monthly?! " Applejack yelled, dropping the album, as well as her jaw.
" Oh! Mah' bad, i've been lookin' fer' that actually... " He stopped, seeing Applejack's expression.
" I mean, uh, I... Uh... " Big Mac put on his poker face. " Eeee'yup. "
Applejack simply slapped her face with her hooves and shook her head. (*Facehoof*) " Ah' REALLY, did not need to see that... " She said.
Big Mac picked the album off the floor, kicking the magazine under his bed, to be used some other time.
Re-opening the book, another magazine fell out.
" Aw, what the hay Big Mac! " Applejack looked away.
" What? It ain't no cloppin' m'terial Sis. " He said.
Applejack looked, and it was a copy of 'Farming Monthly! All the Tools You'll Ever Need in One Big Monthly Catalog!'
Kicking that under the bed as well, the mood utterly ruined, Big Mac pointed out the first few pictures.
" That's Ma' and Pa' " He pointed. Applejack's ears perked slightly, looking at the picture, she saw it was from three years ago, Applejack had been a filly. They looked so very pristine despite being only nineteen years granny smith's youth.
" Ah' sure do miss em' " Applejack said quietly.
Big Mac nodded his agreement, and turned to the next page.
" There's us. And lil' Apple Bloom. "
"Gosh, she's gone an' grown. " Applejack said equally as lightly.
Big Mac again, nodded his agreement.
The next few pages was of various days of awards and special occasions for big Mac. They discussed a few, but it was all empty words.
Big Mac flipped the page, and Applejack looked at her senior.
" What's this all 'bout, Big Mac? " She asked.
Big Mac sighed.
" You an' yer friends are closer than any ponies I reckon I could think of. I wanna talk to ya' bout last night. " He sighed lightly, Applejack said nothing, slightly ashamed.
" You got no business goin' round and makin assumptions bout' yer friends. Rainbow Flash- "
"Dash." Applejack corrected.
" Rainbow Dash- " He continued, " Caught me on my walks one night. She was flyin' some fancy trick or other, and came down with me. We had a mighty nice conversation an' all, but she talks a bit too much 'bout them Wonderbolts. She was sayin how they- "
" Anyways... " Applejack tried to hurry the subject along.
" Right. She told me next time I go out for a walk, I might wanna check out the Frolick'in fields, said they looked mighty fine at night. What I didn't expect to see was her an' mah' lil' Sis, eh, you know what happened. " he went on,
" Wait... " Applejack started. " What happened? I don't reckon I can remember much more than see'in you at the edge of the field lookin at me funny after dash an' I... " She paused, and Big Mac nodded.
" Reckon' ya also remember sluggin Dash a good one for thinking she set ya' up for whatever reason you were thinkin? And why did you get so upright an' mad 'bout it? " Big Mac asked.
" I don't know... " Applejack's head lowered, and her eyes pooled in tears.
" Well- " He went on, " Dash up an' flew of cryin, an' you just collapsed. I carried ya' back here. "
Applejack's head bobbed up. " So... Dash didn't.... " The realization struck her. " Oh mah' stars... What've I done! " She fell onto the bed and cried her eyes out, Big Mac holding her comfortingly.
" Yer fine Sis, just need 'ta go an' apologize t'yer friend. " he said quietly.
After a moment of recollecting her composure, Applejack nodded her head lightly.
" Like Ma used ta' say, ' Friends are all we got in this life, don't lose any of em' " Big Mac recited, pulling a memory from the back of his mind, the thought of their mother saddening him.
" I... Thanks, Big Mac... " Applejack kissed his cheek, and Big Mac's face turned redder.
" Shucks, I just don't wanna see you losin' yer friend over somethin' this silly. " He thought a moment. " And just outta curiousity, was she... Yer' first? " He questioned.
" ....Yeah... " Applejack responded. ' and hopefully my only... ' she thought.
" Well, what're you waitin' fer? Go! " Big Mac told her sister.
Applejack smiled and, with renewed invigoration, she started the long dash to, well, Dash's home.
Applejack didn't know what she would do, or how she would do it, but she knew she had to. For Dash and herself.
" I ain't done with you yet, you rapscallion! " Dash yelled, as she ran out of the orchard gates.
-- Current Time --
" Dash, please! " Somepony pleaded from the ground.
Somewhere in the outskirts of Ponyville a cloud home, or more accurately, a mini fortress, sat gloriously in the airspace. The only resident of the home, Rainbow Dash, was going through a self-induced depression, locking herself from everybody, including HER.
She lay on her bed of cloud, incapable of removing herself from a fetal position. Her tears starting to darken the 'material' as it was absorbed into the structure.
No response emitted from the rainbow pony.
" Please Dash! " Applejack yelled again. " At least come outside! Ah' wanna talk! "
" I'll use Twilight's balloon! " Pinkie told Applejack.
Applejack nodded. If any pony could help Applejack, it was Pinkie. That was why she and Twilight/Spike were the only reasons she stopped running right to dash.
" Okey-Dokey-Lokey! Let's go! " Pinkie yelled.
Applejack and Twilight turned around to an inflated hot air balloon.
The two had long since stopped asking Pinkie how she made objects ( and occasionally herself ) appear out of nowhere, and got in.
" I need my- " Twilight stopped and levitated a book on the floor of
Twilight read a page of her book, and her horn glowed. After a moment, the energy released from her horn, enveloping the three ponies.
After a moment, the balloon was at Dash's doorstep, barely missing two Rainbow Falls.
" Okay, we're good. " Twilight said.
" No. " Applejack said. " Thanks guys, but I think... I might actually need to do this alone... "
Nopony said anything, as applejack hopped out of the balloon, and walked to the giant front doors.
" I'm comin' in, Rainbow, like it or not! " Applejack yelled.
Dash wanted to yell so badly. To rid herself of applejack forever, but she didn't. She just lay in her bed, inert.
She didn't move. Partially because she didn't want to, partially because of the empty bottle of Tylenol lying on the ground...
-- End ch.4 --
--- Act Two - Chapter Five --- De'ja-Vu ---
( I get it, a lot of this is from AJ's PoV, deal with it :3 )
Warning - contains some material our more sensitive viewers may not wish to read. Not gore/violence.
-- Current Time --
" I'm a-comin' in, wether er' not yer' door stays in tact's up'ta you! " Applejack waited a moment. No response.
" Last chance! " She shouted. No response.
Dash opened an eye, and the severity of her situation dawned on her.
.....
What had she done?
--- Ninety minutes previously ---
" DAMN IT! "
Something shattered, then something tore.
" Bet they were leading me on too... " A mare's sobs could be heard over the entourage of chaos in her home.
Dash was still infuriated over Applejack. " I wasn't lying! The damned element of HONESTY- " She threw a vase against another, the shards sticking out of the cloud floor. " -couldn't see that!? "
Dash walked into the kitchen, and went to town. Yelling obscenities, she tore down as much as she could. She overthrew her oven ( Cloud, ) kicked over her fridge ( Cloud' ) contents spilling everywhere, and spilled various containers of spices.
Her headache was returning, slowing her sufficiently as she clutched at her head several times.
Slowly, she grabbed a bottle of Tylenol out of the cabinet, and took two. When she was done, she threw the bottle on the floor, it's contents spilling everywhere.
She eyed the skipping pills, and had an idea how to escape herself, if only for a while...
-- Current Time --
Applejack turned away from the door, reared up her hind legs, and landed a crippling blow on the door. It spiderweb cracked, but stood. One more punishing kick, and the cracks grew larger.
" C'mon now, just. Go. DOWN! " Applejack shouted as she reared up, and forced a blow that could've shamed even her brother.
Her hooves went through the door, along with a good chunk of it. She stopped a moment to gratify herself, then for good measure, expanded the hole so she could squeeze through.
After a moment, she peeked through and looked around. It looked like Discord in there.
Tables were overturned, the furniture was scrambled ( literally, ) the only thing in tact was a distorted cyan colored mare with a rainbow mane lying on what seemed to be a bed of storm clouds.
" ... Rainbow..." She said to herself, in shock over the state of the home, and her friend.
She trotted to the inert pony, gaping at all the strewn about things. If it wasn't cloud, it was destroyed. End of story.
Framed photos of herself and various people were torn and shattered, Trophies were decimated, but what really impacted reality upon Applejack was the autographed photo of five of the Wonderbolts.
' If she was angry enough to do this... ' Applejack thought...
She turned back to the bed, and jumped beside Dash.
" I... You okay Dashie? " Applejack asked, lightly nudging her.
Nothing.
" Dash, I... If it means anything... I'm sorry... I shouldn't a' jumped to conclusions... Big Mac explained everything... " She continued.
" And I just thought... I should tell you... You- " The words choked in her throat.
Dash heard everything. She still wanted to yell. She still wanted to throw herself against Applejack.
But she really wanted to admit her happiness, she wanted to embrace Applejack and cry her problems away.
But she couldn't. She had made sure of that herself, in a moment of bad judgement.
Applejack spoke again. " Say somethin' Dashie, c'mon. Just lemee hear yer' voice again... Dashie? Are you...? " The thought struck her.
" No..." She moaned. " Oh no, sugar, please don't do this. Please no! NO!" Applejack yelled, shaking her body violently. Cold.
" Wake up! Galdernit you! You ain't stealin' my heart an' leavin' me! Now SAY SOMETHING!! " Applejack was in tears.
Dash lay silent.
Panic set in for Applejack. " WHY THE BLAZES AREN'T YOU TWO IN HERE?! "
Pinkie walked in first, her hair straight, her body slumped. She looked back remorsefully at Twilight, signaling her to follow.
They had been watching the whole time.
" Twilight, do somethin'! " She yelled.
" There's.... Nothing I CAN do..... She's- " Twilight stopped.
Dash drowsily cracked open an eye. " Sorry..... " She muttered almost inaudibly.
Everybody stared in shock for a moment.
" She's alive! " Pinkie yelled, jumping on dash and rolling her onto her back. She didn't react.
Twilight's horn sparked, and they were in a lobby.
Everyone froze, and a passing Doctor dropped his papers.
...............
" Can somepony HELP already!? " Applejack shouted, stomping her hoof on the floor, a crack spiderwebbing from the marble upon impact.
Then the silence shattered.
A barrage of voices filled the air, barking orders in various directions.
Dash was lain onto a stretcher, and rushed down several hallways.
" What's goin' on? Where are we goin' ? Hello!? " Applejack asked the doctor.
" Quiet! She's going to ICU, we need to flush her system immediately. What did she digest? " The doctor asked, as they ran.
" I- She- " Applejack struggled to remember the label on the container that lay on the ground besides Dash's bed.
" Tylenol. " Spike said quietly, from Twilight's back.
It was the first time that every pony realized that spike was being exposed to this, and Twilight felt her gut wrench in guilt at the fact.
" Up the dose another 70 CC's, She'd better be ready to put up one hell of a fight with her immune system... " The doctor broadcast to everypony.
A few more turns of yelling various orders went by in seconds, and two stallions, along with three mares wearing medical equipment, trotted in the room, feverishly preparing for multitudes of things they would need to do to bring Dash back.
Applejack couldn't help a glance at the pony. She looked at her as they wheeled her into the room, and for in instant, she thought she saw those beautiful amber-pink eyes staring back at her.
A nurse directed the four to stay outside the room until Dash was stable enough for one guest at a time.
Hours passed, time seemed to crawl.
--
Twilight curled herself around a sleeping spike in a corner, Pinkie sitting silently in a chair, her usual exuberance just as deflated as her hair, and Applejack pacing idly up and down the hall.
The door clicked open, and the three ponies' ears peaked in earnest.
Nurse Redheart walked slowly out of the room, ears lowered.
" Your friend, Ms. Dash... "
-- End chapter 5 --
ALL the Cliffhangers! - 6
--- Act Three - Chapter Six --- ALL the Cliffhangers!
Nurse Redheart stepped out of the room quietly. " She'll live. " She breathed out lightly. " And most likely make a full recovery within the month. "
Twilight sighed, resting her head besides spike, relieved.
Pinkie's being seemed to receive a kick-start as her hair re-inflated, as with her energy. She made many 'Eee!!' and laughing sounds, wiggling about in her chair.
Applejack sighed, as she sat against the wall of the hallway. " Can we see her? " She asked, tilting her head towards the open door.
The nurse shuffled lightly. " Ms. Applejack, how to put this.... We're not sure if it would be in Ms. Dash's best Interest to be seeing you... The hospital doesn't need a repeat of yesterday..."
Applejack would have protested, had a stallion not intervened.
" I believe Ms. Applejack will behave appropriately given the gravity of the situation, Nurse Redheart. Kindly let them in, ten minutes. She won't be awake for long, the medicine should have already knocked her out by now. " He spoke in an orderly tone. He looked and sounded as if he had a position of authority.
" Y-yes sir, Doctor Whooves, right away. " The nursby shied away, obviously intimidated by the doctor.
Applejack looked at his flank, and saw the mark of an hourglass.
" You... "
Applejack barely remembered the previous night. The doctor she had next to assaulted was standing before her, helping regardless.
The doctor turned to her, and winked, before trotting off in the direction he had come, turning a corner, not to be seen for a while.
Nurse Redheart stepped aside, muttering " We only have a few minutes, try to be quick."
" Gotcha' " Twilight said with a wink. Applejack and Pinkie walked in close behind.
They filed around the bed collectively, moved by Dash's condition.
She lay on her back, legs sprawled under a thin blanket, tail poking out of the bottom in an array of tangled colors. Her head rested against a pillow facing to the left, Mane in disarray, falling around her illness-stricken face in petite strands.
She cracked an eye open, and closed it again.
" Hey guys, what's up? " She asked weakly.
" Hey sugar cube... " Applejack replied, solemnly.
" Hey Dash. " Twilight replied plainly, but with a light smile.
" ...Dashie... " Pinkie sighed heavily.
The four couldn't extract a conversation from the others, and so there was silence.
Dash observed the three, then herself, and laughed.
" What's so funny? " Asked Twilight and Applejack in unison.
Dash continued laughing, and Pinkie couldn't suppress a grin.
After another moment, Pinkie was laughing as well.
Twilight and Applejack looked at the scene, and at each other, a look of absolute confusion etched in their faces.
They soon began laughing in bemusement, making the best of a particularly gloomy situation, all prior thoughts forgotten.
--
Pinkie Pie lay in her bed, reflecting on the day's events.
Dash had tried to... No, she wouldn't try to do that.
There was some reason why she did what she did.
" Maybe she had a SUPER bad head-ache! Yeah! So just one pill couldn't help, so she tried two! Then three! "
The pink pony fooled herself for a while, but inevitably, she saw how unlikely all of it really was, and slumped back onto the bed.
" Ohhh, buck it all! Buck Dashie, Buck these ponies.. "
Pinkie slumped further into the recesses of her bed.
That always helped, to be surrounded by blankets and pillows, her body heat radiating against them, warming her further. It felt great, and for a moment, she could let herself forget about all her problems.
But alas, like the pestering headache she had to take Tylenol for daily, the thoughts of Dash returned as well.
Pinkie looked beside her cushiony fortress, to the nightstand beside it.
Slowly, she reached for the bottle, inching out of the safety of the bed.
She grabbed it, and dropped one into her hoof, examining it.
It was a small red and yellow capsule, with some weird rocks or salt in it?
The whole reason this was happening.
She sat silent a moment, and dropped another capsule onto her hoof. And a third, knocking against the other two.
She continued to pour them into her hooves until they rolled right out of her grip, just like her reality.
Realizing what she was doing, her mouth dropped and her eyes widened as she dropped the bottle, the remaining contents scattering around the floor with the rest of the capsules.
She dove back into the bed, cupping her fore-hooves over her face, sobbing.
--
Applejack walked into the house from her long walk from the hospital.
Big Macintosh greeted her with a smile and a wave.
A fire was burning in a fireplace, illuminating the household. Big Mac was absorbing the warmth by lying in front of it.
Applejack hung her hat on a rack besides Mac's, along with her back-sack
" How's she doin'? " Big Mac asked.
" She's... " She began, the rest of the words choked her throat.
Applejack looked at him strangely. It was a strange look, somewhere between sadness and anger.
Big Mac leaned forward, staring at his sister, who was now silent.
" She just tried to... " Applejack began, still not able to finish her sentence.
She looked down, and dragged herself to the fire besides Big Mac.
" Can we... Not talk 'bout it? " Applejack nudged herself closer to her big brother.
" Sure thing, Sis. " Big Mac said, understandingly. He nuzzled her cheek, then lifted his head, resting it along her shoulders, cuddling with her.
Applejack sighed in content, as the warmth of the fire and the security of her brother enveloped her. She thought of Dash, in a hospital bed, probably bored out of her mind.
She imagined her flying around the skies, tripping over a cloud, and spinning around like a ballet dancer in mid-air. The thought made her smile lightly, as she slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep along with her brother.
--
Rarity was designing her seventh dress in as many hours, working her own thoughts away.
" No... No... Dear me, heavens no! " The pony spoke aloud to herself, looking at a spew of fabric choices flying before her eyes, levitating by her willed magic.
After more and more aggravation from choices that seemed to not want to collaborate with her, she burst.
" oh... I... Why won't any of you just WORK!? "
She sighed, putting a hoof to her forehead.
" My, my, Rarity, you simply MUST control yourself better, even under the given circumstances... "
She sighed again, continuing her work. Anything to keep herself distracted.
" Perhaps I'll suggest Pinkie Pie throw a celebration for Dash. That should work wonderfully... "
Rarity abandoned her attempt at dress number 7, and began sketching up ideas for party designs...
--
Angel was trying desperately to silence Fluttershy. She tried supporting, she tried yelling, Hell, she tried slapping her silly.
Nothing could calm the emotional mare.
" Go away angel, please... " Fluttershy cried softly, curling closer to herself in her couch
Fluttershy hadn't even visited Dash in the hospital, in fear shell would have broken into sobs then and there.
Angel again tried to council her, alas, to no avail.
With a light sigh, Angel stepped in front of Fluttershy, and hugged her muzzle tightly.
This accomplished two things. First, it calmed Fluttershy some, and second, it muffled the crying.
Fluttershy smiled lightly, before more tears welled up in her eyes.
" Oh, angel, it's just too much. I thought she was a good pony... Oh, I shouldn't say that, then I'm saying she's a bad pony... Oh, Buck it all! Oh! I'm sorry you had to hear that angel... Sorry- I just, I, sorry..." Fluttershys eyes welled up again, and she began to cry again.
Angel, no ideas left, just laid down on the other side of the couch and dozed off.
--
" Dear Princess Celestia
My close friend Rainbow Dash tried to hurt herself severely today, all over feelings of betrayal that weren't quite accurate as she thought.
Though I don't see why the reaction to something like a feeling is so severe, from what I can gather, some ponies react extremely to feelings or situations.
Sometimes, you just have to trust your friends wouldn't lie to you, instead of taking the path of doubt.
Your Faithful Student,
~ Twilight Sparkle "
--
End Chapter 6
--- Act Three - Chapter Seven --- Hoof of guidance
Note, this chapter will focus mainly on stress tensors for AJ, and creates depth to the story. It is not nessicarily mandatory to read this chapter if unwanted.
--
Pancakes.
The smell lingered in the air, thick in Applejack's nostrils. One sniff was potent enough to wake her.
She cracked an eye open to a plate of them, doused with syrup.
She looked up at the server, Big Mac, who had a smiling, cake-battered Apple Bloom on his head, smiling widely.
" He'ya AJ! We made'ja brunch! " She said without enthusiastic pride.
Applejack smiled lightly, as she chuckled on the inside. Surprisingly, they weren't charred to a crisp.
Big Mac took Apple Bloom back into the kitchen, and Applejack lapped up the syrup that bathed her plate. After a few minutes the memories of the tasty edibles were all that remained.
Applejack stood, and stretched her form. Her hind legs pulled back, as she arched upwards on the front.
She did this vice versa the front, until she heard her back *pop!* a few times near the middle.
She twisted her neck to the side, to the same effect.
' A good start to a new day. ' She thought to herself, looking out of a nearby window. The sun had long since risen, and she still had a lot to do. Her duties had been neglected since Dash's hospitalization.
Standing up slowly, she seeked out Big Mac, whom she found in the kitchen.
" Hey, Mac, I'm'a be in the fields t'day, we need to get some work done. "
Big Mac made a noise between a cough and a laugh. He motioned to a window on the far side of the room, overlooking the inner sanctum of the farm. " Look. "
Applejack went to it, seeing nothing in particular. " It's S double A allright... " Then it dawned on her what was so different. Her eyes widened slightly, and her mouth went agape.
" It's all... It's all done...? You...? How? " Applejack stuttered in amazement. Thinking back, she didn't remember any apples on the trees on her way to the barn either.
Big Mac walked beside her, punching her shoulder lightly.
" I ain't yer big brother fer nothin', and don't you be forgettin' that neither. " Big Mac gave one of his famous more-that-one-word sentences.
Apple Bloom hopped from Big Mac's hat to Applejack's bare head, hanging over her face. " So What'cha wanna do Sis? Play a game? "
Applejack shook her off, sighing lightly. " I've gotta talk to Mac for a bit, allright? "
With a bit of persuasion, Applejack persuaded Apple Bloom to go look for the lost treasure of Nightmare Moon in the front yard.
She lead Big Mac around the back of the house, onto the farm's trail.
They walked in an awkward silence for some time, until Big Mac spoke.
" What'cha need? "
Applejack offered no response.
" Sis? "
She looked down as she walked, not making eye contact.
" I just... " Applejack started. She looked up at Big Mac. " You don't think less 'a me for what Dash and I did, do ya? "
Big Mac laughed lightly. " That's what's Got'cha down? No, Don't reckon I do. "
And with that, the topic was resolved, neither having a further comment on the subject.
" Well, what do you reckon' you think? Y'know... About Dash and me... " She blushed lightly at the subject, both knowing full well what was being truly asked.
" Well, That's your choice. " He said simply.
" I mean, would you ever...? " Applejack asked cautiously.
" With? Dash or another Stallion? " He asked, pokerfaced.
Applejack laughed. " Well, I was gonna ask stallion, but both are good questions. "
Big Mac thought of a way to word his response carefully. After a moment, he responded saying, " I've done a lotta things. I'm not gonna say a stallion ain't one, but I can say Mrs. Dash isn't quite my type. "
Applejack grinned lightly. " Who was he? "
Big Mac shook his head. " Nopony in particular. We met at the cider house, and had a couple drinks. I'm gonna keep that one private. "
Applejack felt somewhat strange at the topic of choice, but nonetheless continued.
" What about Scratch and Octavia, do you know if those two are gojn' at it? There are a few rumors floatin' around. "
"Eee' nope. "
" Reckon' they are? "
" Eee' yup. "
The silence dominated once more.
They walked the full farm either in silence, or small talk about town rumors.
" Reckon we could go see Dash? " Applejack asked, breaking the silence once more.
Big Mac shook his head. " I gotta keep an eye out here. You go on ahead though. "
Applejack half expected the awnser.
" Allright, thanks Mac. "
The two hugged quickly, before Applejack headed towards the border of the farm, jumping over it with practiced ease.
" And AJ! " Big Mac called after her.
" Don't do nuthin' I wouldn't! "
Applejack grinned, yelling behind her, " Guess that means stallions are still fair game! "
Big Mac rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment as Applejack raced to the hospital to see her friend.
--
End Chapter 7
--
" Dear Princess Celestia,
T'day I learned a Little sumpthin' about my brother, Ol' Big Mac.
..... Actually, I reckoned I learned a few things, but I ain't gonna put tha' in this here letter.
But what I reckon' ah' WILL tell ya... Is tha' my brother is one a' the best stallions I ever known, and I couldn't ask for a better brother.
Maybe I'll see ya' soon,
~ Applejack. "
Rendoveous With the Truth - 8
Rendoveous With the Truth - 8
--- Act Three - Chapter Eight --- Rendoveous With the Truth
--
Dash awoke from her slumber feeling surprisingly ill. Her body didn't have it's usual can-do feel to it, and she could barely keep her eyes open.
She looked around the room, and noted two ponies in her room. One nurse taking notes on a whiteboard beside her, a marker being levitated by her magic.
The other was a rather large white Pegasus. No, Unicorn. No, a Pegasus...
" Princess... Celestia...? " Dash's eyes widened slightly, realizing she was in the presence of the princess.
" Why, welcome back, Ms. Dash. You gave everypony quite a scare. " She smiled lightly. " How are you feeling? "
Dash wasn't sure how to respond. She felt terrible, but she didn't want the pity...
"I'm... Allright I guess... " Dash lied.
Celestia looked at her guards in the door, and shooed them with a flick of her hoof.
She addressed the nurse as well. " Miss Redheart, could I please have a moment alone with Ms. Dash?"
The mare turned, and smiled lightly. " Certainly, princess... " and with a bow, she left the room.
Celestia sighed. " Ms.Dash... If all is right... Why did you attempt to take your life? "
Dash tilted her head slightly, thinking about the question.
" Young Pegasus, I have always valued and cherished every life equally on this planet, and I've held true to that... Until six ponies and a dragon were introduced to me. " Celestia looked out a window.
" Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and yourself. You seven have ultimately changed many of my views on things that occur daily in Equestria. You may have even altered history with the influence the seven of you have made on my judgement.
I am telling you this, because I know the others feel the same. If you or any of them left this life before due time... " Celestia paused to look Dash in the eyes. She was crying. Princess Celestia was crying.
" I just don't know... I think you all need to know that... I feel responsible for you all. " Celestia smiled lightly as she wiped her face. " I hear mothers have moments such as this... I may have Twilight research it for me... "
Dash figured she should pipe up.
" But... I didn't mean to kill myself... Honest, I just took eight Tylenol. I thought it would knock me out for a while, I had hoped... Everything would just, you know, fix itself in that time. Please, You shouldn't be crying, not over me. "
There was silence.
A soft * Tap tap tap* was heard from the door as It opened, and Twilight Sparkle stepped in. Seeing Dash awake, she approached the bed.
" Hey Dash, I thought i'd come by and see how you're doing. Anything happen? " She asked.
Dash looked from Twilight, to Celestia, back to Twilight.
" What? " They said at the same time.
(trollestia)
Twilight's eyes widened as she heard her mentor's voice over her shoulder. She dropped to a bow as she faced her. " Sorry, Princess Celestia, I didn't know you were in here... I'm not interrupting, am I? " She blushed, embarrassed.
Celestia smiled again. " Of course not, my faithful student. Ms. Dash and I were just... Talking is all. Please, pardon formalities for now, we are amongst no jurisdictions here. " Celestia smiled more.
Twilight trotted to her mentor and shared a heartwarming hug.
Dash watched the display of affection, and thought of Applejack... She wanted to feel special again, just like Celestia made Twilight feel.
She sighed and closed her eyes, reminiscing as the two chatted about many things that Dash could not comprehend. Instead she thought about the situation.
' Everypony thinks that I tried to kill myself... ' she realized. ' How can I keep my reputation after that? What if this whole mess gets out to the WonderBolts? '
Hours passes, ponies came and went. Some visited Dash, some didn't.
Fluttershy had brought her a lovely bundle of Dandelions that Dash munched on happily. Dandelions were her favorite.
They never spoke of the incident.
-- The next morning --
Dash awoke in a slight daze, a light fog covering her vision.
She was still in the hospital, she knew that much. Nurse Redheart had brought her a tray with some water, an apple, and a lily wrap.
She thanked the nurse as she trotted to the next room, pushing the cart of food out of sight.
Dash stared at the tray, debating if she really wanted to eat it. She hadn't been in the hospital for dinner last time, and had heard some disturbing things about 'hospital food.'
A light rumbling in her stomach forced her into taking a bite of the wrap. There was a slight hint of cabbage about it. She could taste some peppers as well.
Before long the tray was empty, and she sat satisfied on the bed, with little to do.
She pressed a button on the bedside with a label reading " CALL NURSE. "
She waited about two minutes, and Nurse Redheart was walking into the room, chuckling over a joke Dr. Whooves was telling as they walked.
" Hello Ms. Dash, you rang? " She walked to the bedside and pressed the button again, cutting the signal.
" Yeah, Uhm, do I have to stay in this room, or can I walk around a bit...? " Dash asked.
" I'm sorry Ms. Dash, but we need you to stay in your room for the rest of the day; we need to be sure everything is flushed from your system. "
" Can I send a message? " she asked.
" One moment please... " Nurse Redheart trotted out of the room a moment, and returned with another nurse she hadn't seen before.
" My apologies, I haven't any skill with a quill. This is Nurse Cotton Fluff. " Nurse Redheart addressed the Unicorn, who bowed lightly with a smile in response.
Cotton Fluff turned her head behind her, and unlatched her bag. She levitated in front of her a quill, followed by ink and parchment.
" Whenever you're ready. " She spoke softly.
Dash cleared her throat.
" To the weather patrol team:
In my absence, please put steel hoof in authority. Be sure to remember the storm comes from the SOUTH this time, and tonight should be clear skies. "
She thought for a moment, pondering if that was all.
" Oh, and keep Derpy out of trouble. " she added, the nurse recording her words.
" Oh, isn't she changing her legal name? " Nurse Redheart asked.
" Huh? " Dash tilted her head lightly. " I haven't heard anything. "
The nurses nodded their heads.
" Yes, I believe she will be known as Ditzy, Ditzy Doo. " Cotton said with a chuckle. " I don't know how I'll ever get used to that. "
Dash shook her head. " That's our Derpy... Ditzy... Bah, whatever. Just make sure that gets to the weather station within a couple hours, allright? "
The nurses nodded, and walked away, whispering among themselves.
Dash sighed, and hung her head. ' This is so boring... But everypony'll freak if I leave again... '
Looking around her room, she desperately wished to be flying outside. To feel that familiar tug of the wind against her coat, wisps of her mane being strewn about her head and neck, tail fluttering quickly behind...
Dash exhaled slowly, lost in the fantasy that was her daily life.
The door clicked open, and her delicate daydream was obliterated, as her eyes opened.
An orange pony with a mane of blonde peeked inside, making eye contact with dash.
There was silence for a moment.
" Hey Dash, mind if we, eh, talk? " Applejack asked awkwardly. Dash shrugged and nodded her inside.
Applejack stepped inside, closing the door beside her. The silence reinitiated itself without invitation, as the mares did nothing but breathe quietly.
Applejack walked beside Dash's bed, looking at her. Still nothing was said, but Applejack hopped into the bed with Dash, lying beside her.
With a gentle smile Dash rubbed her hoof behind Applejack's ears. She leaned into the motion, feeling comforted by it.
" You know... I didn't know any of this would happen. I did it on accident... " Dash said, continuing her scratching motion.
Applejack opened her eyes, sitting up.
" You mean, you didn't try ta'... " She trailed off, not wanting to say it.
" No, I'd never leave any pony hangin' ... I thought everypony knew that... I wish everypony knew that. " Dash's expression saddened, as she slumped into her covers.
" Oh, sugar cube, don't go buckin' them tears again, ain't no need for that. Everypony knows. I know. You just, we all.... We all had to think what it'd be like if we lost ya'... It wasn't a happy thought... " Applejack hung her head lightly at the mention of the thought.
" I don't reckon the town would be as colorful without you 'round... Even if you are a grade-A egghead. " She chuckled lightly.
" Hey, I call Twilight that, YOU don't call ME that!" Dash exclaimed, pouting at the insult.
Applejack sighed and laughed. " I'm just glad tha' you're back. You're good company, Dash. "
The two stared into the other's eyes, finding comfort and longing in them.
" AJ, I just don't know... I mean... I'm not sure if we... I mean, we're both mares and it's kinda... " Dash trailed off, a blush reddening her cheeks.
Applejack thought very briefly about the pony beside her. " Do you know what day it is...? "
Dash thought... " February... Fourteenth, fifteenth? "
" It's the fourteenth. Reckon' you know what it is? " She grinned as Dash racked her brains for the answer, to no avail.
" It's Hearts and Hooves day... And I... Will you be my... My special somepony? " Now it was Applejack's turn to blush, as she hid her face behind her hoof, shyly smiling.
Dash laughed audibly. " That's it? Heh, you had me nervous! " Dash laughed further, but caught a glimpse of Applejack's face behind her hooves.
" Yeah, reckon it is kind'a silly... I guess... " Applejack said lightly. In that short exchange of words, her feelings had been crushed. " I just thought we could... Ya' know... Be together if we really wanted to... But... "
Dash quickly realized where it was all heading.
" Oh, AJ, I'm sorry... I didn't know Hearts and Hooves day meant anything to you... I didn't mean to laugh at it, and if it helps, I'll... " Dash gulped, and Applejack looked up at her.
" I'll be... Your special somepony.... " The words felt like they would sting coming out, it seemed so feminine to say... But, if it made Applejack happy...
" .... Thanks, Rainbow.... Dashie.... " Applejack smiled warmly, as their gazes connected.
" AJ... "
The longing in their eyes grew to a passionate lust, as their breathing became sporadic. Each hesitantly inched closer, eyes slowly closing.
After eternity, they kissed.
Their hooves touched, and Applejack laid hers firmly on Dash's, as if to hold the moment in her grasp.
The contact continued for a few more precious moments, before they separated.
Applejack smiled, as did Dash. They nuzzled affectionately, and laid down on the bed, falling into peaceful slumber, hoof-in-hoof.
--
Princess Celestia watched the two mares lay on the hospital bed through a window, from the perch of a tree, for a long while.
It reminded her of her own immortality, and her loneliness.
' At least some ponies can go on happily... ' She thought with a smile.
' the gift of eternity is but a curse upon the heart. ' Celestia thought solemnly, as she took off into the starlit sky.
--
End Chapter 8
--
-- Act Four - Chapter 9 --- Three's Company...
Fan fiction by Foxvolt
--
Stepping out of the hospital was almost as sweet and savory as graduating flight school.
Dash fluttered her wings freely, stretching her sore muscles. She needed to get back in shape, after three days.
' I WILL do a sonic Rainboom... If it's the last thing I do... ' Dash thought to herself.
But for now, she had some cleaning to do...
With a grin wide as the horizon that lay before her, she took to the sky. Her destination, Home.
The feeling of the wind and the sky was just as euphoric as she hoped it would have been. Rustling through her mane, tingling her fur.
She dipped and dived, twirling in the air with practiced ease and grace. It was such a sense of freedom, soaring above everything again. How she had missed it.
The lights of Ponyville flashed by below her, and she admired their beauty, as they zoomed past.
She soon arrived on her doorstep, dropping to her hooves with a soft *thud*
She looked back at the expanse of endless sky, and sighed before walking into her abode.
It was a scene of chaos, personal items and miscellaneous things were strewn about the floor, some sticking out of the cloud, some in the walls. The bottle of Tylenol was still beside her bed where she had taken them, and the pills seemed to have to fallen through the floor.
With a great sigh, she stooped down, and retrieved the bottle, tossing it in a nearby trash can...
-- Several excruciating hours later, the entire house had been cleaned, and Dash was exhausted. Her exuberance was all but present as she could barely indulge in her accomplishment of cleanliness. Finally, with one last dramatic sigh, she collapsed onto her bed, exhausted. --
-- The Next Day, In The Royal Palace --
Celestia opened her eyes, and stared at the top of her bed's canopy. Her eyes were opened not from sleep, she could not get a wink of that, but from thought.
It was the fifteenth. Hearts and Hooves day had passed again.
She had nopony beside her.
' It's not fair! ' Celestia thought in a spur of rage.
' To be eternal... Is to outlive all things... '
Celestia felt the hardest part of her realization, and it welled up into her eyes. She squeezed them shut, and tears snuck their way between the lids, rolling down her face.
' Even love... '
It was few and far between that the Princess shed tears. The last time was when her sister, Luna, had been banished. Celestia was not heartless, just hardened from endless years of experience.
She admired the lives of other ponies, so carefree, so easy... So simple.
It is a hard thing, knowing that you will only die due to some random act of violence, to know you will never really age. To know you will never change.
Celestia opened her eyes, and looked at her cutie mark through teary eyes.
The sun, the heavenly body she took responsibility for day after day.
It was her duty to keep the seasons going, that was that.
But why should she be chained like she was? Why couldn't there be a stallion who could live beside her? Some ponies are even pairing with their own gender... That is definitely new...
Celestia laughed lightly at the thought of two mares in the same bed. That'll be the day.
' Young and reckless minds shall do as they please I suppose. '
Celestia's mind flashed to the image of Applejack and Rainbow Dash cuddled against each other in the hospital bed. It had been wrong of her to spy, but... It was something she would never forget. A revolution of sorts, a new way of thinking, where gender may be disregarded... It was a comforting thought, but slightly disturbing...
Quickly changing her train of thought, the princess walked to her balcony, and willed the sun to rise, with her magic taking hold...
--
Rainbow Dash felt something warm against her eyelids, as she was disturbed from her sleep. Cracking them open, she realized it was the sun being risen, the light being poured through her open curtain.
Sunlight...
" Aww man, I slept in! " Dash yelled aloud, suddenly alert. She had MINUTES to be to the weather station, or they would probrobally cut her pay AGAIN!
She threw on a vest with a star of authority, stepped outside, rinsing off in the rainbow falls, and took off as fast as she could towards the weather station, the intense G-force blowing any water droplets away.
She dodged several carts and pegasi going to and from the marketplace, aiming for her work.
It was in sight, and Dash pulled straight up, soaring well above the building, then backflipped into a dive straight down.
The pressure built, and she could feel the wind drag.
I'm gonna be late, c'mon!
She covered ground quickly, and pulled up just above the ground, barrel rolling to the front of the building.
She shook herself off, and walked into the building as the clock struck nine.
Several ponies glanced at her, and returned to what they were doing.
Walking behind the desk, she clocked herself in and walked into her office.
Mounds of papers lay on her desk, most were probably reports from the previous week, for which there was no use. Poking through the piles, she extracted the following week's forecast plans, and schedules, then casually kicked the rest of the papers into a large recycling bin.
She sat behind her desk, and reviewed the formations and schedules for the weather.
Tomorrow Steel Hoof leads a patrol over the Everfree to grab some cumulus, then drags them to the storage area for the next day's downpour, that Ditzy Doo leads...
The first thought in Dash's mind was " She really did change her name! " Then, " Derpy's scheduled to lead a storm division.
" IRON HOOF!! " Dash yelled, ignoring a perfectly good P.A. System. " MY OFFICE. NOW. "
All activity stopped in the building. Several whispers were heard, as the hoof steps were heard again.
' Fifteen minutes in and I already have a potential disaster... Great... Whatever, I'll get somepony to fix it. ' Dash thought, resting her head against her hoof.
There was a knock at the door. Dash raised her head, and Steel Hoof walked into the office.
" You rang Rainbow? " He asked.
Steel Hoof was one of the main stallions in charge of the plowing division, for winter, and clearing thunderstorms, for any other season.
" Actually, I yelled. I find it more... Effective. " Dash sighed. " You were the one to schedule all events and formations for the past and next few days, right? "
He nodded.
" Then why... " Dash slid the paper of the plans for the Fifteenth across her desk, " Is Derpy Hooves leading formation six? We've discussed her capabilities. "
Steel hoof stiffened slightly. " I... Her name is Ditzy Doo now, Rainbow- "
" Dash, please. " Dash corrected. Calling out on procedure wasn't a strong point in her nature, but it helped relieve some stress. Just like yelling. Yelling very loudly.
" Dash... " The stallion corrected, " I think she can handle it. We've had her on Patrol and Mail for months, I think she deserves a chance, even after her... Slip up from December... "
Both ponies shivered at the mention of the December incident. Tons of Serviceponies time and bits were spent repairing a nearly-fatal accident that was caused by nopony other that, yours truly, Derp- Ditzy.
Dash was about to object, had not a knock on the door sounded.
It opened, and Ditzy trotted in, letter in teeth, and walked to Dash's desk. She smiled as she dropped it, and trotted back out, with a wave of her hoof. As the door closed again, there was a *Thud*, and the sound of papers being spilled sounded.
" Sorry, Sorry. "
Steel Hoof sighed, shaking his head. Dash mirrored.
" She has one more shot at this. I want this to go off without a hitch, or she's on probatitory mail delivery. I don't wanna put any pony down, but she's... Dangerous. Sorry pal, but this is it. " Dash closed her eyes. Ditzy was a great pony, just too clumsy for much responsibility.
Steel Hoof nodded, and Dash didn't need to see him to know what he was thinking.
He turned to leave the room, and Dash called after him.
" I just wanted to say... " She smiled a bit. " Good job, she probably does deserve a chance. "
Steel hoof smiled, and the two Bro-hoofed. Then Steel Hoof left, and Dash was alone with nothing to do. Like usual.
That was her job, and she had to now entertain herself for hours, making it look like she was busy.
She glanced at the letter Derpy had dropped on her desk, and noted the Royal Seal ink stamp.
Cautiously, she tore the top off, a pink slip revealing itself. She tool it out and unfolded it, beginning to read
" My Loyal subject, Ms/Mrs Dash
A team of my royal guards will be with you shortly after you finish reading this letter to escort you to the royal palace. I have sent a similar notification to Ms. Applejack, as I wish to question you both on a subject I believe you both have cordial knowledge of.
Your workplace will be notified, and please do as the guards say.
Regards,
Dash read the letter again, and again.
Guards would be here soon after she finished reading the letter? How would they know when she finished reading the lett-
At that precise moment, a flash emitted from the other aide of the room, and two unicorn stallions dressed in gold appeared before her.
" We are here to escort you to the royal palace, please come with us, Princess Celestia requests a word with you and your colleague.
As if by instinct, Dash walked to them. She wasn't aware of the situation, it happened too quickly. All she could remember was the sensation of magic coursing through her as the two stallions stood beside her.
With another flash of bright light, they were gone. The pink slip of paper fell from the desk dash had placed it on, floating slowly to the floor, and landing without a sound.
--
End Chapter 9
--- Act Three - Chapter Ten --- Royal Accommodations
Be warned, some mild ( no sex ) Clop next chapter. There will be a blatant warning beforehand.
That being said, have fun skipping to the next chapter. Lol.
--
Another flash of light, and the environment transitioned from a shallow, dull office, to a palace fit for kings. A large grand hall seemed to boast with gold-riddled decor, an oversized chandelier, a marble grand staircase with an ornate rug following it, splitting at the fork.
At the top of the staircase was Celestia herself, by all accounts, dramatically radiant and elegant in her form.
She descended to greet her guests, smiling warmly.
" Welcome to the Royal Palace, i'm happy you could make it. "
Dash shifted on her hooves a little bit. " Wasn't much of a choice, heh... " Celestia was the pony that could intimidate her with her presence, and the only pony's authority she would succumb to... ( save Applejack periodically, in a different sense. )
"I do apologize for the inconvenience, but there is something I wish to discuss with Ms. Applejack and yourself. If you will follow me, she is already awaiting our arrival. " She finally stepped off of the staircase, waiting at the end.
Dash stepped forward in a haze, everything was still going by too quickly. Why was she here again.
She stumbled.
Her head spun with excitement, butterflies rose in her stomach. She felt dizzy. She was fainting.
" Sorry... " Dash said, as she fell.
Celestia caught her with a bit of magic, and shook her head, addressing the guards.
" Too much magic to bring her here, and she was too excited. She'll be fine by the time we're ready to speak. "
With that, Celestia ascended the staircase, floating Dash mid-air beside her, in pace.
--
" Dashie, C'mon now, gotta wake up. Atta' girl. " Applejack's voice resonated.
Slowly, Dash came to, Celestia and Applejack sitting beside her, propping her up.
" Sorry, sorry... I'm okay... Sorry... Don't bring me to the hospital again, please... " Dash asked, nearly pleadingly.
" We know, magic travel does that to most ponies. " Celestia said.
" Happened ta' me too. " Applejack said.
" Really? "
" Naw, but it could've! " Applejack punched her shoulder, and laughed.
The two went at it for a short whiled before addressed by Celestia.
" Are you two prepared to discuss why I have called you here? " She asked.
The quarrel stopped at once, and they both nodded their heads.
" Two mares of your statutes, albeit bearers of two of the elements of harmony, are both engaged in something I have never seen before. A relationship. "
Her face moulded into that of a stern elder.
" Answer this honestly. Is this... Relationship... Truly a passion, or a creation of lust? I shall think no more or less of you for either answer. "
The two mares look at each other. Was it truly passion and love they felt? Or was it lust-driven desire?
There was no answer. There couldn't be. Celestia waited patiently.
Applejack was the first to act, approaching Dash.
" Waddya' think Rainbow? "
" .... I'm.... " Dash pondered the question, and turned to meet Applejack's gaze,
" I've known you a while AJ, and I always knew you were pretty cool... I just didn't think we'd... " The two blushed lightly.
" Don't reckon' id'a thought so neither, I ain't complaining though. "
Dash pawed at the ground lightly, nervous under the watch of Celestia.
Deciding it was appropriate, Dash stole a kiss from Applejack, and retreated nervously.
Applejack stiffened a bit, looking to Dash in surprise.
" Sorry, I'm not real big on all that mushy stuff... " Dash said with a light laugh.
The atmosphere took a heavier tone, and Celestia began to smile at the two.
" So, what is your answer? " She asked.
They looked to each other once more.
" I... Reckon I love her. "
"I guess I do too... "
They nuzzled affectionately, closing their eyes, if only for the moment.
They made eye contact, the moment spark went off, and they separated, that First blush seeming to find it's way out of them.
Celestia was certain that this would happen, but the scene, unfolding in front of her..... It was surreal.
The fact that two mares, no stallions whatsoever, two mares, could develop such a connection naturally...
Celestia smiled as she thought of Twilight. This seemed like her field of expertise, questioning and recording...
It felt good, attaining your own knowledge of something, instead of somepony else recording and presenting it for you.
For one last time, the awkward silence crept it's way amidst the three, until Applejack spoke.
" Reckon we can be gettin' home? " Applejack asked, seemingly unable to look at Dash, who shared the feeling.
Celestia seemed to not hear her.
" Princess? " Dash asked, stepping forward.
Celestia snapped from her state of mind, back to reality.
" Oh, yes, my apologies young ones, I was in thought. Anyways, how would you two like to stay with me and my sister for the next few days? We are going to be taking a trip back to Ponyville soon, and until then, we can show you around Canterlot. "
Celestia thought to herself. ' And see how exactly you two act in public... '
Suddenly she felt extremely filthy. Was she really going to trick these two into staying here to study them like the rats that swarmed the dungeons? Was that truly the way to do things?
' As ruler of these lands, I must do whatever is called for to ensure the betterment of every living being... And curiosity is a major deciding factor. '
Applejack and Dash thought to themselves. After contemplation, they turned to each other, nodding with smiles.
" We're in! " They spoke in unison.
--
Accommodations were arranged, and Celestia called for Luna, as they toured the two around the castle, Celestia noting every movement.
Soon Luna had left to commit to her duties of raising the moon, and Celestia returned to her chambers.
The room was not much larger than that of the surrounding rooms, just slightly. She felt a larger room made her feel as if any other pony didn't deserve something of the same caliber, therefore she stayed in the same conditions as every other pony. Albeit the were butlers and guards around every corner.
Luna was the only other one to stay in the same wing as Celestia, just down the hall. The occasional trusted guest(s) also sometimes stayed in the master residential wing, but rarely. The two guests were here, but on the opposite hall, one floor below.
They had been offered a room each for the next few days, but resolved to simply share one. No arguments were made, but baffled looks dominated the guard's features when they made an affectionate gesture.
Applejack requested the guards to not disturb them under any circumstance, and locked the door behind her.
( Remember, there has never been a recorded Female-only relationship in HISTORY. This Is not frowned upon, but it is unheard of. Sorry for interrupting, just wanted to have a reminder.)
--
End Chapter Ten
--- Act Five - Chapter Eleven --- By Royal Decree...
Be warned: THIS IS A LONG ASS CHAPTER. 2 PARTS.
^_~
--
Applejack woke to a glimmer of light rebounding into her eyes from a nearby window, and an obnoxiously loud horn, playing an obnoxiously loud tune, over an obnoxiously large PA system.
She saw a speck of cyan between the sheets, and a cyan wing sticking off the side of the bed.
Applejack was lying on her side, sideways in the bed. Pulling the sheet off of Dash's face, she discovered she was as well. Dash was also snoring. Obnoxiously.
Applejack grinned at the sight. Dash was on her fromt, head leaning back, mouth open, tongue lolling out, chest heaving with each breath. She looked lazy. Lazy, but cute.
She shifted closer to her under the covers, gently pulling Dash's wing over her, as she snuggled closer to her warm body.
She felt so... Girly, but so romantic.
It was surreal to her. Two small-town ponies like them paired up and shoved into royal housing!
But why precisely did Celestia invite them to stay? Was it hospitality...? Or is there something fishy going on here...?
She pondered, but ultimately postponed the thought for another time. For now, she ignored the wake up call of the horn, and drifted into a content sleep.
--
Dash awoke, and she looked beside her. She half expected to wake up in her bed, the whole ordeal a big dream. It would make more sense than reality.
But seeing applejack with the sheets and blankets strewn about them confirmed their actions, and that they were real.
' Man... Did we... Last night...? ' Dash tried to recall the previous day and night. It was all so blurry. Why was she here again? Celestia and Luna invited her and Applejack for something, right...
She also ran a hoof down herself beneath the sheets, and her suspicions were confirmed.
" Oh hay. We did... Twice now... Wow... " Dash smiled at herself. " I guess it's not just the stallions that just can't stay away, heh.
Dash pulled the sheets back over her, and rolled onto her front, wing sticking out slightly.
She nudged slowly towards Applejack, but felt her stirring. Quickly, she laid back, and began to pretend snoring.
She die indeed feel Applejack shift about, and then a blaring horn sound echoed inside of her head. Nonetheless, she remained still.
Slowly, ever so slowly did Applejack move towards her. She felt her slip beside herself, and her wing was moved from between them. Dash felt Applejack beneath her wing, and brushing up against her, balling up in a cute bundle.
Dash cracked an eye open, and Applejack's head was only visible, eyes closed, mane in disarray. And she still looked beautiful.
She felt Applejack's breathing begin to soften, and assumed she was asleep.
She lowered her head onto Applejack's, inhaling her scent of lilac soaps, and old labor. No matter how much washing you do, your lifestyle will always be reflected by your smell, in some way.
Dash smiled, as she snuggled closer to Applejack, too dumb with content to care about the blaring horn in the P.A. system.
--
Celestia turned over in her bed, dreading the wake up call that was going to blare any moment...
And blare it did.
The tune that was her first noise every morning failed to wake her. Not from sleep, but from waking, from thought.
It wasn't keeping the two here, she was used to guests. It was what happened between them. It was still mind-blowing. It was a complete accident they were placed in the observation room, it really was, but it still happened.
The observation room, as the guards called it, was a room with a large, one way view, enchanted glass wall that looked like a mirror from the other side.
On the other side of the glass was a small, dark room, with nothing but a table, some chairs, and the window. There was also the back of a bookcase that was the entrance.
The bookcase was the only way in or out of the room short of blowing a hole in the brick walls.
Celestia had been there through the night... Watching... Everything.
She felt tainted, like her royal status was that of the lowest criminal. She felt so... Perverted.
They were just kids in comparison to the populous, weren't they? How could such an unchanging society as this accept something so different? They'll be torn apart by those who don't wish to change...
Celestia, at that moment, took a vow to protect the two however she could. Wether to help them, or for her own selfishness, it was uncertain, but one thing she did know. She needed to understand more, and she couldn't watch them throughout every day and night, not with her duties.
' Perhaps I can ask Luna... '
With new resolve, Celestia found the motivation to get out of bed, and start the day, beginning with her first and foremost; the sun.
Walking to her balcony windows, she unlatched it and walked outside into the cool twilight air, it woke her senses daily.
She stared eastward unto the horizon, focusing on the magic required for the task. Almost second-naturedly, the magic rushed through her being, and was focused through the horn.
She focused on the celestial body that was to begin it's pass over the world, the Sun.
With relative ease, she took hold of it, and infused it with magical properties, enhancing it's output of light, and powering it long enough to make a full revolution around the planet.
After several minutes of supplying it with magic, Celestia sank to the floor, resting.
When her energy returned to her, she sought Luna. With several guards looking, one reported her arriving from the south. Celestia was there to greet her return, waiting on the front steps of the courtyard as Luna hovered to the ground in front of her.
" Hello, Cel, thou hast- you were... Looking for me? " Luna corrected. She was still working on her vocabulary for this century.
Luna smiled somewhat subconsciously at her sister's speech impedimacy.
" Yes, if I may ask, where precisely were you? The only places of interest south are Ponyville and the Everfree forest. "
Luna opened her mouth, but stopped herself before blurting the story out in front of several of the royal guard.
" May I request a more... Private conversation? " She asked, turning around and beginning to walk back to the courtyard.
Celestia dismissed the presence of the guards with a simple nod, resolving to trail Luna across the landscape.
-- Pt. 2
A few minutes passed as the two walked alongside each other.
" First, I wish for you to tell me, why hast- why have you sought my audience in any matter? " Luna asked, not breaking stride.
" I have a favor of sorts to ask of you. Our guests Ms. Applejack and Ms. Dash have a somewhat... You do recall the relationship the five mares in Ponyville share with Twilight, do you not? " She asked, pausing before continuing.
" It would seem that these two have a somewhat more... Intimate relationship. I've seen nothing of the sorts before, I wish to study them and learn from it. I have duties to attend to throughout the day, as you do at night. I wish to ask you to take them places, record what they do when exposed to different elements alone and together, and relay it to me.
Can I ask this of you? "
Luna stopped walking, and let the information sink in.
" I believe... You should know where I went the previous night... Your student, Twilight Sparkle... " Luna looked to Celestia, who stared intently upon her sister, a light frown creeping across her features.
" Proceed. " Celestia bid.
Luna couldn't meet the gaze set upon her, and chose instead to admire the ground's features.
" You do know that I wish no harm upon you nor your emotions, dear sister, do you not? " Luna asked.
" I do. "
" I'm not sure how to say this... I don't want you to think less of either of us, but- "
Celestia reached wits end.
" Luna, Twilight is like a daughter to me. As such, I demand you tell me whatever information you have regarding her that seems so crucial this instant! " Celestia's gaze bore daggers, and seemed to cut through Luna all over.
" I wished to repay my debt to her for freeing me. And I did, but... "
There was a long silence that dominated the scene, and a realization dawned upon Celestia why this was so relevant to what she had said. And why Luna was so hesitant to say it.
" You mean to tell me... "
Luna nodded, there was nothing to be said, except the small "Sorry... " she uttered under a breath.
Celestia felt she should feel enraged, betrayed, some concoction of the two, but couldn't find herself to be so. Luna scratched at the ground with her hoof, awaiting a response.
" So they're not the only ones... " Celestia muttered.
Luna perked her ears. " The only ones of what nature? "
Celestia focused a moment, channeling her long dormant magics.
Within her mind's eye, she could feel the auras of life around the world. Everything with a pulse was under her sight. Searching deep beneath the surfaces and appearances of everything, she found their emotions and felt those feelings.
She lay down, bowing her head, and materialized her thoughts, creating a projection of montaged scenes. Most of them were mares. There were about seventeen distinguishable ponies around her, and Luna stared in surprise at Celestia's ability.
Reality in other places was literally being shown to them as it happened. She could see... Some that she remembered.
A white one with blue hair and purple glasses... With a grey one with black hair.
Another pair, one with orange coat blonde mane, one with white coat purple mane.
" Sister... " Luna said softly, drawing Celestia's attention to the projected image of the two.
Celestia looked, and she uttered a sound under her breath that resembled a gasp.
" Why, that's the mare Ms. Dash is currently staying with...! And that, I believe, is another of Twilight's friends... The dressmaker, Rarity. "
The two looked at each other.
" I suppose I should explain all this. Because we see it, does not mean it happened recently. I cannot limit the power to a specific time period, albeit an era, or possibly a century. That makes something this vast a subject too broad for my capabilities. Also, I cannot control what we see, only certain moments of time, imprinted in the cosmos. " She explained.
Luna took a step closer, phasing a hoof through the illusion that was a display of her sister's extreme power.
" You make a trick of being, seem simple enough to do... I knew nothing of the art... " Luna was still intrigued more in the art of the illusion than it's message.
" Resuming our topic, I explained this because this may not have happened recently. The only way to truly tell is appearance. You can see they obviously have met, and have received their marks. What you don't pay attention to is the length of their hair, the accent in the tone of skin, etcetera. " Celestia continued.
" So we gather it was somewhat recent, but from memory Ms. Applejack's mane has grown at least a month's worth from that point. Her coat has also gained much tone from harvesting under the sun this season. So yes, this is very strange, but unless There has been more to this, the relationship is over. "
A silence hung in the air as Luna processed the information presented to her.
" So... The two inside are...? Oh how confounding this situation is... " Luna shook her head in bewilderment.
" I wish only of you to relay any actions by them to me that you may notice when on or off your duties. I must attend to my own during the day, as you do the night. " Celestia paused a moment, as if to let it sink in.
" Luna..." Celestia looked at the sun she had risen only minutes ago. " I love you. I trust you. And I wouldn't trust anyone else with this duty. I just hope that you feel ready for such an obligation..."
Hesitantly, Celestia stepped beside her sister, hovering awning over her being in protection, and nuzzled the side of her head.
" You could not begin to comprehend what your absence has done to me, sister... I hope we can still be a family... "
The words took Luna by surprise. She looked up at her senior, and saw the sadness reddening her eyes.
" Sister... " Luna said softly. " You're... Crying...? "
Celestia sat, ushering Luna to do the same, which she did.
" Luna... You haven't yet found somepony else to match your desires... Have you? "
Luna thought. " I... No, I have not... Why do you ask? "
Celestia chuckled. " One day, Luna, you will know how I feel about you. Perhaps you will have a child. In either and any case, I feel obligated to protect you. This whole ordeal with mares mating together, showing so much compassion for one another, it makes me reflect on my own actions... "
Luna was taken aback by all of it.
" Cel, thou- you had to do everything you did, I do not wish to blame you for anything! I know it had to happen... And you have no obligation to protect me. That was mother and father's job... "
At the mention of their parents, they fell silent.
" I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that... I know you and Twilight Sp- "
" It's quite allright. Let us not speak of it. " Celestia said softly, closing her eyes.
Luna lay down and leaned against Celestia's thigh, sighing in defeat and tiredness.
Celestia withdrew the magical projections around them, feeling somewhat drained for prolonging the spell, and lay with Luna.
She saw a guard fly overhead, looking down curiously. Celestia dismissed him quickly and silently, and rested with Luna.
No words were spoken, but both knew the other's thoughts.
Night and Light. Their parents...
--
End chapter 11
Reminisce in Memories Forgotten - 12 - 1/2
--- Act Five - Chapter 12, Part One --- Reminisce in Memories Forgotten - Luna and Celestia's story.
Night and Light were the first beings of any true intelligence, or magical capability, as far as the current era goes. As the folklore speaks of, it is said animals long extinct that walked on their hind legs and colonized Equestria genetically modified the organic structure of the average pony or Pegasus we see today.
They spliced genes, duplicated copious amounts of magic, and life force from plants, and merged the generic properties into the genetic structure (DNA) of a female test subject, Light.
After an... Incubation period of three weeks, it seemed nothing would happen, and as the bipedal mammals would have it, decided on terminating the project, and the test subject.
As fate would have it, one mammal found the nub of a horn poking between her slightly discolored hair. The termination was immediately appealed when the skeletal structure was found to have deformed slightly, the spine had spouted accommodating space for wings seemingly overnight!
After a mere month, Light was the first Alicorn known to exist.
Overjoyed with discovery, the populous swarmed to fund their bits to researching the project further.
And bits were spent as quickly as they came.
They brought in another test subject, whom they nick named 'Night' both in contrast to light, and his jet black coat, mane, and tail, as Light had pure white.
After months of tests, scientists recreated the DNA structure of Light, without killing him. One major difference, they discovered, was the amount of energy in each proton.
Every cell shook at an ultra-freqency, and they appeared to radiate a field of energy. Elegant as it was, it should have charred them black inside out.
It was all chalked up to magic, and besides, finding the split chromosomes were enough to rave about.
Chromosomes, being what causes aging, splitting or cutting any of them has been an impossible idea since the 1900's. Even now, in the late 23rd century, everypony in today's medicine and science Is confounded at the ancient development.
Many tried to recreate the DNA structure in other animals and, before it was cleared, on the 'humans.'
It seemed to work at first, though extremely painful for the carrier, the skull and spine slowly accommodated room for the wings and horn to sprout.
The first man to truly fly. It was mass hysteria, the formula flew off the shelves in the black market for astronomical prices, and even the government made under-the-table deals with some of the higher-ups.
All the while, Night and Light continued with testing in the facilities. Intelligence, strength, agility, cunning, etc...
One of the security guards was the first to make another world-spinning discovery. While watching the two in their side by side rooms, on no-audio cameras, she noticed they were both leaning towards a small hole in the walls, intended to drain floodwater.
Checking in person, she heard voices resonating in the halls, but nobody was there. Tapping in the passcode to Light's door, the voices became louder.
" ...Moons ago, things are much different with humans using us like-"
The guard stepped forward, awe-struck, forgetting her silence.
The footstep echoed, and Light's ears perked, though her body was frozen.
" Light... " A much deeper, seemingly male voice called.
Light turned to the guard, not responding to the call.
The two stared at each other for a long while, Night took a hint to be silent.
The guard hesitantly waved lightly, and Light responded similarly.
" Hi... "
" Hello. "
The scientists spent every waking moment trying to interview and question them, to no avail.
Then, Hell broke loose in the streets.
The first man to illegally attain the substance, and alter his DNA, began to realize potential for more than an easier life with his powers. He band together with four other omi-humans, as they were called, and began to start mass robberies and looting.
Many took up his example, and one man began to organize the end of society as they knew it, only they didn't know it.
Zing Ho Kong, Chinese emperor of 87 years, began to assemble many men, women, and children, promising free wealth and security at the capital. When over 20% of the population was in the city's walls, they were imprisoned, and every one was rounded into a dome-like structure.
Any omi-humans were spared, but unless you could wield magic, you were herded into a separate room, and killed in creative ways.
All the magic users, 273 of them, were assembled in the palace of peace, a monument to honor the end of WWIII, and secretly, a massive underground system of nuclear-fusion-reactors.
273 men, women, and children were forced to place their hands on a potential bomb, and instructed to flow their magic into the devices, speciffically modified to redirect and convert magic to electrons, and into energy.
It worked perfectly.
For twelve seconds.
The mass conjuring of copious amounts of magic shifted the earth's magnetic field, and the reactors began to collect energy from the very air, overloading severely.
In another two seconds, every atom split, and three massive explosions rippled across three-quarters of the world, barely sparing what is theorized to be called the Americas and some of Mexico.
Humankind had a good run, but the fallout won out in the end, and humankind faced extinction. Omi-humans lasted longest, but suffered from magic overload to their systems, their body mass was too low to handle it.
Many animal species also went extinct, but radiation took it's roll in creation too, moulding more species into existence, and letting others flourish.
Light and Night had eventually found their way out of the rubble of a building, and travelled to the gulf of Mexico, as it was called. Most vegetation was scarce, but with magic, life was no problem to sustain.
The two calmly wandered the area, purifying water and growing the grass back to it's natural green, acre by acre. Life seemed to spout from their being. Trees, grass, fish, small animals, all of them were given a renewal of life.
Before long, they had their first Alicorn children, coats pure as their own, both female. They were named Luna and Celestia, for the Moon and Sun, which seemed to pass slower and slower with each passing day.
Before four years' time, two Earthen ponies, three Pegasi and one Unicorn, no more Alicorns were ever known to have been born.
Colonization soon began, to shelter the younglings from nature. Night and Light magically assembled four houses, in two days. Harnessing their magic was tricky for more delicate tasks, but they soon were able to discover secrets of the arcane art, spreading the knowledge amongst themselves, and their children, who were far too young to retain the information.
The small settlement was known as Canterlot, in respect of Light's former owner, Ben Canterlot the XII.
After a week's work, shelter was no problem, and a small garden was produced, making any worries of food shortage seem unlikely.
--
" Oh, Shade, why must you insist upon choosing the most difficult of places to practice your flying? You know how dreadfully drafty the winds of the Lost City can be... " Light had taken her three Pegasi ( and two Alicorns ) to training, and as per usual, shade had chosen the Ruins of what was once Austin, Texas.
The radioactive shockwaves had long since subsided from the area, and the fallout was easy to live with, but the shift in winds could happen instantaneously, and have dramatic speed changes.
" For a challenge, one must prepare thyself. For, thy threshold may become unsafe any fleeting moment! " The grey Pegasus quoted from his father, with a smirk.
" I do wish your father would stop speaking in such a manner as well. Mark these words, it will continue for generations. " Light said' shaking her head, wisps of hair being caught in the wind.
Luna steered close to Celestia, whispering, " Thy language must be spoken as I hast just demonstrated, agreed? "
Celestia giggled lightly, and shook her head. " You- Thy hast an agreement! "
--
Celestia excused herself from the group, claiming she was feeling dizzy.
In fact, she wasn't very much a fan of flying like most of her Pegasi brothers, and Luna felt the same. Often the two would walk about the ruins together, discussing rumors in the family, usually how Cotton Swirl and Shade snuck out to run around the forest together.
There was the occasion where Light saw them wandering, but said nothing, smiling upon the two. Why say anything? A child's innocence is nothing to fear.
Before long, the seasons passed, years went by, and the population inevitably grew. Despite the extremely slow aging or Night and Light from the spliced genes, they inevitably grew older each moon cycle. Limbs turned numb, bones fragile, and the ability to have more children a hopeless thought to reminisce in.
Most of the ponies had moved to other areas in groups, some remained in the area to be near their parents as they grew old. As exceptions, Luna, Celestia, Shade, and Azure remained in the main house, accompanying their parents.
Currently, Luna and Celestia sat together on one side of the room, while Shade and Azure talked across from them, on the other side of the room.
" Hey, Shade, did you see that? " Azure asked suddenly.
" See what? " Shade replied, looking side to side.
" Luna, she was totally just staring at you. "
Shade turned to Luna, who was talking with Celestia as the moment. A quick glimpse his way, and she turned back quickly, as did he.
--
" I told you he was staring at you, but you HAD to look, didn't ya? " Celestia said playfully, teasing Luna as a blush crept across her face.
" N-no! I mean, yeah, why not? " Luna retorted.
" Bet you he likes you. " Celestia pestered further, as did Luna's blush, barely showing against her black coat.
--
" Bet you she likes you. " Azure egged Shade on. " C'mon, it's not like we don't talk to her every day. "
" But, that'd be like... If you and, what's an example... It'd be like you and Celestia hitting it off... I just don't think it's time... I got cold hooves, sorry. " Shade shook his head lightly, mane scrambling around his gray face.
Azure thought a moment, and proposed, " Tell you what, you go talk to Luna, and I'll see what Celly's doing tonight. We can make is a double thing, allright? "
Shadow wanted to object, but as he looked to Luna, and she glanced to him, the words cramped in his throat.
" Allright then, let's go hit get lucky! " Azure said, biting Shade's tail, dragging him, quite literally, to where the two mares sat, giggling.
Shade and Luna sat nervously close to each other, not making eye contact.
Celestia and Azure sat beside each other as well, staring wordlessly at the two, occasionally glancing at each other.
" So... Hi. " Shade said, turning to Luna.
" ... hi... " Luna said shyly, reinstating that blush that wouldn't leave.
Azure sighed. " Ask if she's got plans tonight, numbskull. " He called to Shadow.
When he said nothing, Azure continued. " Hey, Luna, do you by chance have anything planned for tonight? " He said, in a mock tone, attempting to stir a reaction from Shadow.
" No, Shadow, I do not. Why? " Celestia answered with a grin.
Celestia and Azure looked at each other with a bemused grin.
" Well, " Azure continued on Shade's behalf, " Why don't we go, oh say, for a walk in the woods tonight? "
" Sounds lovely, when will you come by? " Celestia responded as Luna.
" When the moon just rises, I'll see you then? "
" Sure thing, bye! "
" Bye! "
Shade and Luna continued to look away from each other, both furious and grateful at their unspoken, in a way, conversation.
As suddenly as any of it happened, it had to end.
Azure, once again, dragged Shade away, and outside.
" That wasn't so hard, was it? " Azure asked with a laugh.
" Shut up... And... Thanks. " Shade replied.
" Hey, no problem. Who knows, might get lucky. With the whole town being what it is, you'll be talk of the month! Heh. "
--
End Chapter Twelve, Part One.
Reminisce in Memories Forgotten - 12 - 2/2
--- Act Five - Chapter Twelve - Part Two --- Reminisce in Memories Forgotten
--
Though the pairing was meant for Shade and Luna, it was Celestia and Azure who seemed to be the head of the event.
Sneak out for a stroll through the Eastern Woods, and some poking around the Lost Relics. Jokes were exchanged, conversations had, relations bound.
Fourteen months following, both couples had made their contribution to the population count, bringing a filly Earthen Pony into the world each.
Another four months later, twilight had settled across the landscape, and Night called for a mandatory city-wide meeting.
Once everypony assembled into the city's square, Night rose to his full height besides Light.
The years had taken their toll, though made immortal, they were near death when ' forever ' was granted to them, and though they were intended to outlast the Earth itself, spliced genes could never provide the life that was intended for them.
Night cleared his throat, and swept his mane back, and addressed his audience.
" My sons and daughters, my Grandchildren, thank you all for assembling today. "
He coughed audibly.
" It has been an honor you all may never comprehend to raise you all, and create what is now this thriving culture we call Canterlot. You have thought, for all these years, that we are ever-lasting, that we shall not die, this is a lie. "
The crowd immediately broke out in a frenzy of reactions. Fear, shock, something in-between.
" Quiet, now, everypony! Now is not the time to waste. Light and I are nearing the end of our extended lives, and there will be no denying that. That is why, effective immediately, we shall no longer instruct, lead, or rule in any form over the lands, once we name our heirs. "
The crowd remained silent, nopony dared act out again.
" We have discussed it every day for years, and we find it in the best reasoning that the rule of the land shall fall to our firstborns, the only Alicorns to be born in all of time thus far, and the purest of heart and mind. "
All eyes shifted to the center of the crowd, and a circle of space resonated around two mares too stunned to move.
" Luna and Celestia, please, step forward. " Night instructed, falling back to light, who lay still on the stone ground, faintly breathing.
The two looked at each other, and back forwards, slowly beginning a walk to the two.
At least fifty pairs of eyes of all kinds were on them. They were all related in some way, wether it be brother and sister, or nieces and nephews, they all had some link to one another.
The only sound resonating through the square was the hooves of the pair, still approaching their elders. It was so faint as to be deafening when it was all to be heard.
It all seemed to go by as if it were a dream. Night pronounced them as the new leaders of the settlement, Light gave them her thanks, and the crowd began to disperse after a long while.
Luna lay with their father, and Celestia lay with their mother in silence.
Before long, the crowd had completely left the square, and the four were left to each others company, mulling over the nature of their new responsibilities, and in Night and Lights case, lack thereof.
Night gave another violent sound that could be considered a cough, if coughs sounded as if the upheaval of your bodily organs.
Light lifted her head, and it was evident that the motion took much effort. She motioned Celestia to come closer, and she did, leaning in.
" Here... " Light whispered, as she slowly removed her hoof-coverings.
Celestia stared at them, and at her mother.
" Light... " She began.
" Be silent now, child. It is time you and your sister begin showing strength. Do not let this legacy fall, this home of ours is all that shall remain of your father and I, and of the origin of everypony to exist. Please, this is our dying wish. " Light said in a whisper.
Night and Luna gathered beside her as well, and she lay her head back to the stone ground.
With a smile, she said, " We were never meant to be eternal... We could have been, but chose not to be. With the magic we were bestowed, it would be nothing to set back the clocks... Dear, now is the time... "
The pang of hurt and misery was etched into every feature of Night's ever-strong face. He placed his fore hoof onto Luna's and Light slid hers to Celestia's.
An abnormal light radiated from the contacts, and nopony moved.
After less than a minute, Night collapsed, and Light let her hoof collapse with the rest of her body, albeit shallow breaths.
Night and Light looked to each other, and with a smile, sank into their last sleep.
Celestia and Luna were left stunned and perplexed at what had taken place.
" They're... " Luna looked to her father, unmoving on the ground.
Light's faint breaths had given way as well, and she lay still as Night.
They died together and happy, knowing their legacy was to live on.
--
The burial was the next day, and Celestia was thrown, with Luna, into the head of authority.
The two were told their duties, and were informed on everything of the small town that was quickly expanding.
The death of the settlement's former leaders sent most of the population into shock, and for the first time in the history of what is deemed Equestria, two sisters were left with the weight of the world to share on their shoulders.
--
" Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, You have been absent over an hour, your guests grow weary. " A guard said as Celestia and Luna re-entered the castle.
" Yes, our apologies General Battlehart, where might they be located? " Celestia asked.
" East wing, second floor, D-27. "
With a nod, he was dismissed.
" Luna. " She said, addressing her sister.
" Yes? "
" I must attend to some things, will you take our guests into the city for some entertainment? "
Luna nodded.
" Good, thank you. "
And with that, the two separated for separate locations, both a faint smile spreading on their faces over the other.
--
End Ch.12 - Pt.2
--
The story will now begin to shift focus again.
--- Act Six - Chapter 13 --- Stars in the Sun.
The story is quickly evolving into more than simply an RDxAJ Fanfic, but until it's more developed, it will remain as is with the same title. Hope you like the direction this is all taking. Yes, there will be more drama.
Deal with it.
--
Princess Celestia graced past any guards still patrolling the area, heading east to Ponyville, there were some things that needed to be done.
Mayor Mare had neglected to turn in the Census results from the least week, and the Library was requesting a higher budget.
She planned to remedy these first, saving the hardest part for last.
As she took to the skies, thoughts rebounded in her head.
' Rainbow Dash and AppleJack, Luna and Twilight Sparkle... Just what is happening here...? Does she really need to know yet? What about her parents... ' Celestia thought solemnly, stooping lower in her flight. In her absence of mind, she nearly collided with another Pegasus that was moving some clouds around.
Apologies were made, and the grey and blonde cross-eyed pony continued her business of messing up.
Celestia chuckled at her innocence, and continued onward, to the Town Hall.
Stepping inside, most heads were either buried in their hooves sleeping, while they waited for their number to be called, or staring directly at her.
As was protocol, everypony who acknowledged her presence did so by bowing on their front hooves, and closing their eyes.
After a moment Celestia put them at ease, and requested a number for presence with the Mayor. Declining an offer to skip the line, she took a number, seating herself on a bench that was otherwise unoccupied.
It would be at least half an hour before she would see the mayor, and frankly, she was grateful for the time to think.
As ruler of Equestria, and being a deity of immense power, sometimes a normal life's problems can slip your mind. When was the last time she had waited in a line?
She couldn't recall.
There was an air of nervousness in the room, and everypony occasionally glanced up at Celestia, as if she were a figure of extreme importance.
' Well, I suppose I am, heh... ' Celestia chuckled lightly to herself, and sighed, leaning her side against the wall, resting her head against a windowsill.
" YOU SHALL NOT PASS! " A voice rang from outside.
Everypony leaned to try to see what was going on, and Celestia peeked her head over the windowsill, to see an old dark grey pony with a cloak and staff hindering the progress of a trader wagon. There seemed to be a verbal conflict of some sort, as they both began yelling, attracting a crowd.
Celestia shook her head, it was him again, causing trouble like usual.
The pony had lost his mind after he hit his head on a large boulder some ten-odd years ago, and insisted on the fact that random passerby were intent on destroying the town.
It seemed it would escalate further, and the was about to intervene, when the crazy pony regained his senses, looked around, and walked away as if nothing had happened, whistling a nice tune along the way.
Celestia looked at the numbered paper in her gold-plated hoof. 57.
Looking to the counter, it sat still at 43.
She looked back to her hoof-coverings. They had been given to her by her mother, so long ago... Luna received her fathers pair. Darker, stronger material made them more suited for her, whilst Celestia usually took a calmer approach, making the more ornate set much more logical.
Another thing their parents had gotten right.
It was undoubtedly tough, remembering them, but it all passed eventually. Celestia found herself thinking about Twilight Sparkle again, how to tell her that she was...
" Fifty Seven! " A mare called from behind a desk.
Recollecting herself, Celestia walked to the desk.
--
Less than an hour passed, and it was now mid-day. Celestia paused to progress the sun a bit further before continuing on her path that seemed to mount anxiety on her thoughts with each step.
Twilight Sparkles library was less than a block away, and she still could not fathom where to begin the conversation.
' Maybe I should wait, she shouldn't have to know about- ' She unconsciously bumped a red earth pony pulling a large wagon of apples behind him. She apologized, and continued on her way.
All too soon, she arrived on her doorstep, unsure what to do, unsure what to say.
She hesitated, but it had to be said.
Lightly, she tapped her hoof against the door, awaiting response.
She knocked a bit harder, and a " Hang on! " echoed through the building.
The clopping of hooves was heard, followed by the *click!* of the tumbler, and the sound of the knob turning.
A small green and purple dragon presented himself in the doorway.
" Woah, this is new. " He said, indicating her presence.
" Is Twilight Sparkle home? " She asked, looking behind him.
" Yeah, hang on. " Spike jogged to the stairs leading downstairs, and yelled " TWILIGHT, CELESTIA'S HERE! "
Something smashed loudly, the sound resonating in the air far after Twilight had teleported into the room.
She said nothing, but greeted her mentor with a happy nuzzle. Celestia returned the guesture.
" It's good to see you again, my student. It seems we meet less and less often since you moved away. " Celestia spoke softly, raising herself back to full height.
" Yeah, guess so... Iife's pretty calm with everypony being so... I dunno, really. So, did you come by for anything in particular? " Twilight asked.
Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but faltered. " I... I did. " she stammered, suddenly wishing to be anywhere else but here.
Twilight turned and walked inside. " Cmon, we can talk inside, it's a bit chilly out here. " she shivered lightly at a passing breeze, and Celestia followed her into the main foyer-like area.
The two sat awkwardly silent for a while.
" So, what was it you needed? " Twilight asked, breaking the silence.
With a sigh, Celestia shook her head. " Twilight... When was your last visit with your... Parents? " the word seemed loaded, but Twilight took no notice.
" Gee, I'd guess five, six months? They don't get around much anymore. "
How was she going to word this? There was no way to present it without an emotional scene.
" Twilight Sparkle, I'm afraid... You've been deceived... " Celestia spoke lightly.
Twilight shook her head. " What, is this about Rainbow and Applejack? Everypony knows about that- "
" No... I'm afraid, it's much more. I didn't want you to know, at least not in your younger years, but... After events that have been brought to my attention... "
Twilight's eyes widened. How could she possibly know about Luna's visit?
" Luna... My sister... Is... " Celestia gulped, quite uncharacteristic for her, and it unnerved Twilight even more.
" Luna is my... What...? "
" Your aunt. " Celestia said, closing her eyes tightly.
There was silence. Shock, maybe regret, but mostly shock.
Twilight, even with her brilliant mind, could not fathom the scenario. " But, then, she's related to my mother?! Which means, you're my aunt as well? Dosen't it? "
" Not quite... Your mother, she and your father... Adopted you. As a filly. " Celestia paused, letting Twilight ingest the information.
" But... But they... You... " Complete sentences were now far beyond Twilight's stunned form, and Celestia continued.
" When you were born, your parents hid you from the world, not wishing to introduce you to the dangers of the life they led. Your parents agreed to raise you discreetly, and your appearances were strikingly similar. " She paused for breath.
" And once you began to develop magical talents, you were brought before an evaluation, and your display of power nearly gave away your origin. There is also the Elements of Harmony, but that was more discreet, rumors and mystery. "
Twilight's stare bore holes into Celestia, but she said nothing.
" Your true father is... Not with us now, but he knew you well. " She said somewhat woefully.
Twilight spoke lightly, gaze unwavering. " Where is my mother? "
Her voice was monotone, it was... Almost hurtful, the lack of emotion...
Celestia remained silent, throughly thinking through how to say it. Slowly, she rose, and closed their distance, sitting beside her student.
" Twilight Sparkle, you have always been my affinity, and in many ways, my own teacher. But... you have always been my filly. "
Silence.
It resonated everywhere, filling every being and object in vicinity of the two. Nothing dare stir the situation.
Twilight was an absolute wreck of emotion, unsure of how to respond. They sit still, contemplating a motive for an action unknown.
Time passed, and nothing was said. Celestia looked at her student, and saw the water glossing in her eyes. It was gut-wrenching, seeing the tears. She did the only thing she could think to comfort her, wrapping her forehoof around her back, and lying her head on Twilight's.
At first she stiffened, alarmed at the movement. When she found comfort in the embrace, she leaned into it, looking to the ground and smiling lightly.
" You know... Just because I know you're my mother, dosen't mean you have to change anything... " Twilight said softly.
" I know, Twilight, but I feel a moral obligation... And, I thought it might be dramatic. " Celestia responded, chuckling lightly.
Twilight looked up to her laughing teacher, and shook her head. " You don't do well with emotional stuff, do you, princess? " Though the question was serious, she couldn't suppress a small laugh herself.
And so they laughed together, Celestia holding Twilight in a comforting embrace. She lowered her head to Twilight's level, and whispered to her;
" I'm sorry your other parents and I kept this from you this long, being the princess' daughter... We agreed it would have been too much. But now you know. " She paused. " And by the way, nopony thinks less of you for your activities with Luna. "
A sudden heat spread across twilight's face, infusing her lavender cheeks with a tinge of crimson. " I... I'm sorry, I didn't know we were... And she was just, oh... " Twilight groaned, sighing heavily.
Celestia merely chuckled at the innocence of the moment, drawing on the mother-daughter embrace.
--
End Chapter 13
Next chapter, we redirect the story back to Rainbow Dash and Applejack, along with a curious Luna.
--
--- Act Six Chapter Fourteen - Midnight rendezvous ---
--
Dash roamed the castle's west wing in search of the illusive dining room, which was the designated meeting place for the strike of noon.
Though it was well past noon, there was no problem in being fashionably- no... Cool-ly? Yeah, cool-ly late.
She smiled as she entered the golden-tapestry laid room, brilliantly enlightened with multitudes of flickering candles and a small sunroof.
Princess Luna and Applejack sat beside each other at the opposite end of the overly large dining table, apparently chatting.
Dash jumped into the air, and glided into a seat beside Applejack, her chair tipping precariously to one end upon landing before dropping to all fours with a loud *Thud!*
The two looked at her almost in a disdainful way, but took a light-hearted attitude soon there-after.
Nearly immediately a plate bearing about twelve zillion fruits and vegetables was set in front of her. One thing Dash would definitely miss, was the food.
It was like they had an abundance, shoveling out loads of the stuff until you had filled yourself five times over.
Seeing Luna and Applejack had long since finished their meals, Dash had no objections to eating quickly, so they could go and " Hit the town, " as Dash had phrased it.
Before long, Dash had cleared every bite, and belched loudly.
" Rainbow. Yer manners? " Applejack scoulded, as she kicked Dash from under the table.
Suddenly Luna belched equally as loudly, and covered her mouth with her hooves. " Oh, my apologies! " she said, laughing with a blush across her dark face.
Applejack sighed. Even the princess didn't have table manners.
Terrific... So much for colonizing Dash.
And so, after some formalities, and failed attempts at planning their day, Luna resolved to 'Wing it,' a pun Rainbow Dash chuckled at.
After the roughly fifteen minute walk to the town, or rather city, the three saw a sign advertising a festival celebrating some holiday they had never heard of.
" Prin'ces, what's Hearts an' hooves day? I ain't never heard a' it. " Applejack questioned.
Luna smiled fondly at the thought.
" Oh, it is a glorious and fun holiday! Festivities echo the settlements, and hormones are high! " She chuckled as the two stepped away from each other with an uncomfortable blush. It was true enough.
" So, it's like a big lovey-Dovey kinda thing, huh? " Dash asked.
" Oh, it has a history, but as it stands, that is indeed it's purpose at the moment. " Luna responded, seemingly woefully.
" Sumpthin' the matter, prin'ces? " Applejack asked.
Luna shook her head, clearing her thoughts. " No, thank you, I am fine. Let us continue our venture of the city! " She spoke with resolve, leading the way into the bustling roads of packed stone.
The two ponies behind her shrugged and trailed along.
They walked through several shops, holding novelty items and nick-knacks that nopony would ever really do more than put on a shelf to collect dust.
They drew stares as they walked. Not Princess Luna, Canterlot was used to her. It was the two mares walking together behind her. Walking flank to flank, nuzzling, brushing against the other, what were they doing?
They once bumped into a passing mare, whose main was styled in a freakish pink and yellow loop. Her features were literally plastered in make-up, and it looked hideous.
" What are you two doing, precisely? " The mare asked, she didn't attempt to hide her disproval.
" We're walking, and you should probably get back to it. " Dash responded, with an equally acidic tone. For good measure, she gave Applejack a lick on the cheek.
The mare snorted, and continued. As the two passed, she extended her hoof in their path, tripping applejack, and toppling the pair head over hooves.
" Hey, what'd ya' do tha' fer? " Applejack asked, rubbing her neck sensitively.
" Oh, I'm sorry, just walking by. " The mare laughed, walking away.
" Hey! Get back here, you barrel licker! " Dash flapped her wings, propelling herself to tackle the impotent mare. Applejack chomped on her tail as she sped forward, and was pulled right back down.
Painfully.
" She ain't worth th' trouble, sugarcube, just a lil' ol' bag a' im-po-tence. " Applejack said, not bothering to look at the retreating mare.
Luna had now realized she had lost the two, and made her way back through the crowd that seemed to have gathered around the two.
She broke through the last line of by-standers, and spotted the two, already walking toward her.
" Why are thy covered in dirt? " Luna asked, regarding their coats and manes.
" Nuthin'. " Dash replied grudgingly.
" Jus' a lil' mis-hap with one a' the pony-folks. " Applejack continued.
Luna nodded, and led them through the crowd of on-lookers, seemingly oblivious to them whispering amongst themselves.
It was strange, a holiday for love and kindness, yet they were all thinking the same thing. ' What's wrong with them? '
So much for fun.
Luna stayed close to them after that incident, and they didn't seem to have any problems past that.
The day passed quickly, in a blur of festivities, novelty items, and walking. Lots of walking.
Before long, the sun had fallen, and the moon was rising over the opposite horizon, signaling the end of the day. Ponies dispersed, disappearing into their homes, and packing up their stalls from the market, the small fair shut down for the day to restock and reset everything.
The three were escorted back to the castle by two pegasi guards, and after a brief 'hello' with Celestia they went to their room. Luna lingered until they were out of earshot.
" They're certainly protective of each other... " Luna said slowly.
" Did something happen? " Celestia asked.
" I wasn't there, but I was informed there was an issue of misconduct. A mare by the name of Emerald-essence spoke out against the pairing, and tripped one intentionally. Conflict asides that was kept verbal, and she left before I could confront her. " Luna summarized to the best of her memory.
Celestia paused for a moment, mulling it over.
" Do nothing. " She said at last. " We don't want to affect the outlook of this ordeal, so we can attain natural results. "
Suddenly there was a pain in her side, as she got that feeling. She felt like Twilight Sparkle again, only now it was more... Personal.
" Thank you, Luna, I... I am going to go lie down in... My... " Celestia stumbled on her words as well as her hooves, tripping over herself onto her rump.
" Sister, are you allright? " Luna asked with concern.
" Yes, yes, my apologies... This sometimes happens... Give me a moment... " Celestia gave herself a moment to gather herself, and stood again.
" It's this... This... " Celestia paused. " This entire bucking holiday! This was a day for showing our love and mourning for Night and Light! Now it's... I'm sorry... I... "
Celestia was surprised at her own words, and her tone. When was the last time she had risen her voice? Surely a long time.
Luna said nothing, and hung her head lightly. She didn't admit it, but she agreed. The holiday had been made as a gesture of respect for Equestria's first rulers, now it was famous only for Closing and creation relationships.
It was nice, but it sucked the original meaning of the holiday from it's concept.
" I think I shall retire for the night... Thank you for your help, good night sister. " Celestia bid Luna, as she slowly walked away, entranced in thought.
Luna watched her walk around the corner, and lingered her sight on the spot long after she had gone. After long enough, she sighed and shook her head. Sometimes Celestia kept too much bottled up inside.
But as ruler of the land, it has to be done, she supposed. Before long she was lying on her back in her bed, staring at the ceiling. What happens when she was to rule alongside her sister again?
Some things, she guessed, nopony can ever know.
--
End chapter 14
--- Chapter 15 - Homesick ---
This chapter focuses mainly on the emotions back in Ponyville. Not required to read, but it does give some insight on the whole Twilight Celestia relationship thing, and the rest of the mane 6 will be in this chapter for the first time. ( unless you count the Clop-fics, but those are only vaguely tied to the main story. )
Let the insanity commence!
--
Fluttershy sat on her chase, backed against a window so that Celestia's sun warmed her body. It was a nice feeling, but her days were now filling themselves with idle tasks, such as sitting as she did, reflecting upon her days.
Her regular visits had ceased, due to her requested presence in Canterlot with Applejack, for unknown reasons. Rumor had it they were making relations, but nopony else seemed to believe it, it was just unheard of, it was wrong.
She was jealous.
Dash had always made her daily rounds, taking the time to see her every day, without fail. Even if she skipped work, which happened a lot, she still showed. Same time, mid-afternoon. The same nettle tea, the same idle, empty conversations, the same one-way connection.
" Applejack deserves her, anyways. She does so much more than me, and they're a lot more compatible too. I mean, I... " She said to herself, trying to feel happy for them... But even for the time being, having the only close friend she had that took the time to see her daily ripped away was too much to pretend to be happy for.
So, instead she began to cry. She imagined only a few days before, when they had shared each others company once more. Were those days gone now?
She hung her head off the chase, and let the salt water flow across her face with her mane.
' Who knows, maybe I can still get her to come by... That'd be nice... ' she thought to herself.
--
Rarity lay in her evening robes on her bed. It was a soft bed, and it was large enough to accommodate at least three. The linen was trimmed to have just a little end to it as it was tucked under the circular mattress, and red drapes falling over the top matched the blankets, while contrasting her white coat and robe.
This, it seemed, was nothing to really be admired, but something to think upon to entertain herself. Since those two left, surprisingly little has happened around Ponyville, except for a slight reduction in apple products, and a bit, dare she think it, Derpy weather?
She laughed slightly at the pun, and sighed as she continued to think up hundreds upon hundreds of designs she could prepare. Only, no matter how many she thought of, she did not want to make it.
For once, she felt lazy.
Maybe this is how work makes Rainbow feel, I see why she dosen't do it.
Another laugh, another sigh.
There was nothing to do but wait.
--
Pinkie and Twilight were in the library, one of them was reading, and one was bouncing off the walls.
Pinkie was looking at pictures of baked goods from the thirteenth century, while Twilight went berserk over Celestia's appearance. She said nothing of their blood ties, though, that was an unspoken vow to not reveal.
" We just sat there, talking, for like, hours! We NEVER get to just talk! " Twilight emitted another high-pitched 'eee!' of joy as she, again, recounted the day.
" Super-duper, hey, what's this do-ja-ma-whopper? " Pinkie said, turning the book up-side down.
Twilight glanced and recalled her memory of the book. Not difficult, seeing she had read it four times.
" That's what they called a burger. Back in ancient times, it's said that beings used to cut up cattle, and eat their flesh on grain and fruit. "
"Yuck! Why would any pony do that?" Pinkie asked.
" It's actually something princess Celestia and I discussed. It wasn't anyPONY, really, it was anyTHING. We don't know too much about them, but we have a few records saying that whatever they were, they were omnivorous, bipedal, homosapiens. " Twilight said with a smile.
Pinkie sat for a minute, ingesting the information. Then two. Then five.
Twilight sighed.
" They walked on two hooves, ate flesh and vegetables and fruit, and they... " she thought how to define the last one. " ... They were a different species entirely. " she finished, satisfied.
" Oh, okay! " Pinkie moved on, not really caring. She did, however, do a handstand, and call herself a homospacian.
" It's SAPIEN, and back hooves, Pinkie. " Twilight corrected.
Pinkie stood on her back hooves with the help of a table, and announced she wanted to go to space, as Twilight planted a hoof deep into her face, shaking her head.
" Maybe Applejack and Ra- " Twilight stopped. They wouldn't.
With a sigh, the two went back to the book.
--
Short chapter, just to relate everything to everything else again.
--
End chapter 15
~Foxvolt
--- Chapter Sixteen - Royal Encounters ---
--
A guard walked through the long hallways of the east wing, balancing a tray on his head, and another on his back. It seemed to have a degree of difficulty, but do something enough, and you learn to get good at it, as all the guys said.
It was questionable, why all the guards were male. Not all of them were hired for brawn, but most were. Even some who were could easily be replaced by some of the females, but the job description very clearly read: Colts only.
Even at that, there was no favoritism for any of the weaker colts, or any that were too intimidating. There was a fine line in between, that most colts fell directly on, and so they were, per say, requested, to become a guard in terms of five years, living in accommodations provided by Celestia, and they received a hefty bonus at the end of said five year terms.
Some say it was more so a sense of security for the Princess, being a higher priority than most others, but she gave her guards the slip more often than not, instead of simply dismissing them. A possible element of fun? Nopony knew.
Ah, well, is was his job, best do it.
He knocked lightly on the door he stood before and, receiving no response, he announced his entry, and walked in. At first the room looked deserted, but closer study showed a large lump covered by blankets beside the bed, huddled in a corner.
With reborn alertness, the guard set the trays beside the door, and began to approach. Something stopped him. Ere was a breeze, but there were no windows.
He froze. Yes, there it was again, was it wing beats? 'There's a Pegasus behind me,' he realized, spinning around, drawing a small dagger from a concealed leg compartment, and prepared to lunge.
There was indeed a pegasus behind him, except, not quite. He dropped the dagger, immediately taking a bow, for Princess Luna was before him, and proper respects are due in any circumstance. He didn't move when he felt somepony patting him on the back through clinking armor.
" Good work, General, your instincts still do you justice. " Celestia walked to his front, and smiled lightly, as per her usual expression.
" You may rise once more. " Luna said, grounding herself to the carpet.
General Battleheart was their February runner, meaning any requested and scheduled errands to be transported was either done by him, or under his immediate jurisdiction. This way, if one of them were theoretically poison one of the princess' there would be somepony to blame.
" A test of skill, if you will, General. You may see yourself to your quarters for the remainder of the day, tell the other gentle colts to take a day for themselves as well. " Celestia spoke.
He simply nodded, and backed out of the room in something of a daze. His hoof steps became fainter and fainter.
Luna, once sure they were out of earshot, tackled her sister to the floor, holding her horn, glowing with a spell to be released, at her throat.
" You did not notify the royal guard to leave us undisturbed?! " She barked in her face, teeth gritted, almost snarling.
" It did not occur to me somepony might disturb us, but what's done is done, let us move on. " Celestia said in a calm matter, as she always did.
" Move on? You nearly had us walked in on while we- " Luna stopped, and lowered her voice. " We... Don't need any pony to know of this, they need not to know of any inconsistencies in their ruler. "
Celestia closed her eyes and nodded agreement.
" ...Thank you, sister. " Luna said, leaning down and kissing her sister's forehead.
The motion was unexpected, but both smiled anyways. It was agreed upon to not speak of the night before to any pony else.
---------- The night previously ----------
Celestia sat in a small observation room, overlooking a cyan and a golden mare playing a game of Gems. She remembered playing it once with Night, who associated it with strategy and foresight, and Lit, who associated it with fun and entertainment.
Either way, Celestia had never been any good at the game, and it seemed these two weren't either.
The objective, to flick gems into a circle in the center of a table with a circle drawn on it, and knock your opponent's pieces out of said circle. More points for the closer to the middle your pieces are. The game is over after each player has taken the amount of shots agreed upon before starting.
They were roughly tied, with twelve points for Dash, and fourteen for Applejack. Is was Dash's turn, as she flicked a larger emerald into the center, knocking one of hers, and three of Applejack's pieces clean off the table, and moving one of her own to the two-point zone,
The score was now eleven for Dash, seven for Applejack.
" Gal'dern-it, Rainbow. " Applejack said, shaking her head, and resting her head in her hooves, mouth slanted in disappointment.
Dash grinned, and leaned over the table. " You can give up, if you want, but then you gotta pay up. "
Applejack frowned, that was NOT an option, they agreed a clean night, and a clean night it would be. No sex.
Taking a ruby roughly half the size of her hoof, she searched for some way to turn the tide...
2 center, clustered, one in second, three in third. She had three in second between hers, and Dash's.
After a moment, she saw opportunity. She aimed briefly, and flicked the top of the ruby towards her pieces in the second zone, hoping for the best.
The ruby flipped through the air, and landed with a sharp *Crack* on the table, and in between two sapphires of her own. This launched them outwards towards the one point zones in opposite directions, but both struck opposite pieces, and instead of falling, the momentum carried to the larger gems, as they flew over the table.
Nine-thirteen, AJ's lead.
" So, reckon' ya wanna pay up yet? "
Dash had only two pieces left, both very small ones that she should have used in the beginning. Going against Applejack's still-reserved two extra large pieces, there was no way to win.
She sighed, rubbing the side of her head, and cursed her luck under her breath.
Applejack reminded her of good sportsmanship and, after an apology, they retired to sleep, talking and laughing beneath the sheets.
" Quite a fun game, very tactical. " Luna spoke from behind Celestia, making her jump. She hadn't heard her enter.
" Yes, I suppose so, but I would think one would play the game for a factor of entertainment, not to hone their own battle strategies. "
Luna countered: " It could seem to be a compromise of the two. "
Celestia looked down at her sister, whose eyes trained through the one-way pane, unblinking, at the two. Somewhat ironic she would call it a compromise when the compromise wasn't truly their own.
" Come with me, I think it would be best that we spoke. " Celestia said, leaving Dash and Applejack to their nightly routine, which is a bit too much to be said.
--
Luna and Celestia sat beside each other on a large ornate bed. They were in Celestia's room once more, and neither could figure what to say, and so they sat silently for some time, before Celestia initiated conversation.
" We need to let them go, you know. They've been gone hundreds of years, even their memory has faded. " She let her head slump lightly, as she felt the truth in her own words. It was a realization they both knew, but seemingly refused to accept.
Luna said nothing, but leaned on her sister lightly for support, humming a few lines from 'Battle of the Republic.'
" Where did you hear that, Luna? " Celestia asked softly.
" Dad sang it, it was the only time he ever sang to me... " She said reminiscently.
" We must forget that, Luna, it is a memory that will only corrupt..." Celestia choked again. Why was it that she could talk to any citizen of the land without so much as a quiver in here voice, but two people always silenced her charismatic skills.
Her daughter and sister...
" Luna, have you ever felt different around me? As in, churning emotions, uncertainty, lost? " Celestia suddenly asked.
Luna looked up at her, but her face was to distorted to read. It was a mix of... She couldn't tell, was there anger, or understanding?
" Yes... I feel the same way, sister... " She said. " I just did not wish to say anything, I did not know how you would react... "
Celestia smiled, knowing she was not alone in these emotions. She leaned down to embrace her, Luna leaned forwards toward her, but as she began to lift her hooves, Luna planted a kiss firmly on her lips
Celestia's eyes darted open, and she fell to her opposite side, shocked.
" Luna! What- You... Explain this! " She demanded.
Luna shook her head. " Oh no. No no no... I'm so sorry sister, I... "
Celestia understood now that the conflict was mutual, but different.
Without another word, she rose, and left the room to her own chambers, so as to leave Luna to her thoughts.
It wasn't long before there was a light rasping on her door.
Celestia didn't respond, but Luna entered anyway, and slowly eased the door back into it's place, turning to face Celestia.
There weren't really words to be said, but regardless, Celestia moved to one side of the bed.
Luna accepted the unspoken invitation, hopping on the bad, laying beside her.
So once more they were silent.
" I wonder what it is like, for those two... And for you... " Celestia said.
Luna shook her head. " Imagine the best thing you can, now lock it in a safe and destroy it. That is how it feels, sister. "
Celestia pitied the smaller Alicorn. The feeling was to a point mutual. It was heartbreaking to deny Luna her own affection, but this was a step further than she found acceptable.
" Dear Luna, you know that I love you, but not as they do. It's not possible. " She felt she should say more, but nothing came to mind.
Instead of responding, Luna said, " The guard will be here to serve breakfast soon... I should be going. "
" It is the day after Hearts and hooves day, leave has been extended. You may stay or go as you please. "
Luna took the initiative, lying once again beside her sister, flicking her tail from under the sheets.
Celestia rested her head atop Luna's, laying a hoof over her side in a comforting manner, close as she had done to comfort Twilight.
" I love you, Cel... " Luna whispered into the covers.
" I know. "
--
End chapter 16
--
If you didn't get what happened w/ Princess' Luna and Celestia, L2Internet.
--- Act four ---
--- Chapter Seventeen - Sleep in, Wake up ---
--
Luna and Celestia's affair was kept under lock and key, whilst Applejack and Dash tried to do the same, but their discreetness was not quite so commendable in public. The entire settlement of Canterlot was gossiping abot it everywhere. There wasn't anything to show for it, but no matter how different or bad a thing is, ponies will try it.
A revolution was in motion.
Not a rebellion, not an out-lash, a revolution in how love happens.
Break-ups popped up all over Canterlot, and some of the gossip reached Colt Springs, and word was that they were experimenting as well.
So far morale was higher than it had ever been in the past ten years in general, but some secret meetings were already being held for those with, or against same-gender relationships.
All this, a spy planted in the newspaper offices told them. Against Celestia's decision, her royal counsel decided to screen all outgoing information before it was mass produced, rejecting anything having to do with the same-gender relationships.
While many were annoyed by the lack of public recognition, most disregarded it, and continued with curiosity.
Soon it was hard to go anywhere and not see a daring couple of mares following Applejack and Dash's example. It was most popular at some of the night clubs, which were illegal, but Celestia always had voted in their favor, and threw out any requests to shut them down. Ponies had to have fun.
The DJ, Vinyl Scratch, and a renowned cello player, Octavia, were the second most famous pair, and Mare Monthly had been able to sneak an article of them past the screening, with some bribing. They remixer classical beats to impossible measures, everypony loved the couple, and thus the idea spread.
Applejack and Dash had not left the castle in a long time, once they stayed in their room for two consecutive days. Nopony intruded on them, for that would defeat the purpose of studying them, which Luna and Celestia took to doing any nights they were free of royal duty, which they normally were.
One thing they determined, was that their imagination was endless. Every night was something new to do, sexual or not. Pretend play, incorporating rules and challenges, even lighter forms of torture. Luna had to explain that last one wasn't actually torture, for Celestia was ready to break through the reinforced glass every time one of them yelped.
Today, Luna was on watch of the two, while Celestia finished working on her draftings.
Though it was the dead of night, she had finished early, and was walking to the secret door to the passage room.
" I wonder if she is still here... "
Turning into the library, she headed for the history section, and precisely three shelves down on the first case beside the wall, fourth book from the left, there was a book labeled ' Family History'
It's contents were that of Royalty's relatives and descendants, cousins, brothers, parents and all. Twilight was even there, on page nine. It pained Celestia all this time, to know of her true ancestry, and say nothing.
But that was another matter entirely. For now, her full attention was either to be devoted to royal affairs, or the study of behavior demonstrated by the two... Subjects currently in the room.
She enveloped the book in an aura, pulling it outwards. This allowed the lock keeping the section of the wall in place to retract. Celestia pushed the wall, spinning it on it's axel, following it on the full 180 degree turn. The wall was similar on both sides, with only the family tree book being replaced, so no pony could spot the difference unless they had located that particular book.
Luna was indeed in the room, and she lay sleeping in the corner of the room, her body slowly rising and falling in rhythm with her breath.
It was nice, to be able to watch over her again. It was something she had stripped himself of, being protective of some pony close. She had sent Twilight away for her own well-being, and she was forced to banish her own sister shortly after their parents death.
She had been forgiven, but tension had still lain between them, an air of uncertainty. The night before had resolved this boundary, and crossed so many others...
Looking into the room, she saw why Luna was sleeping, a movie was playing against the wall opposite of the bed, and under the observation room. Celestia could not see it directly, but the reflection from the mirror overhead the bed suggested a ranch and cattle, possibly a western.
Celestia sat herself to watch, and soon saw from a shift in their position that they were not asleep, just laying still. No, the cyan one was asleep, the orange one was still awake, and seemed enveloped in the picture film.
The film itself was two hours, and had elapsed an hour already, leaving Celestia to drift off next to Luna, and the guards scrambling to find them.
--
Dash cracked open an eye, that familiar ray of light glinting in her eye. To her back, Applejack snored loudly; In front, an open window let a gentle breeze flow.
A projector in the corner of the room was left spinning, the movie long since over. Wether or not Applejack had watched the entire thing, she would have to ask when she woke up.
Quite literally rolling out of bed, Dash fell to the floor, at the last minute deciding she wanted to sleep more, bringing one of the many blankets with her.
Sprawled out beside the bed, she decided it was time to wake up reguardless. ' On 3... ' She thought.
' One... '
' Two... '
' Three... Buck. Ah, whatever. '
She rolled over again, getting to her feet, or more respectably, hooves. A bit more wobbly than most mornings, but there had been sarsaparilla. Damn that nectar. So sweet a taste, so alluring, and yet, it bucks you over the next day.
She gazed across the room. To her right was a window, her left a bed. Beyond that a nightstand, and further down the wall, the door.
Opposite of her was a large screen made of sheets they had developed in haste the night previously, and called for the projector, and the film reel. It had indeed been a long night.
Pillows and their cases lay in disarray around the room's floor. one directly in the center of the table, pushing all the gems to the side. She knew that the Guards also doubled as maids, something she laughed at quite often, but it didn't sit over well with her to make them clean it.
She dragged the Pillowcase from the table, locating a pillow, and shoved it in, tossing it back on the bed. It hit a sleeping mare square in the left side of her head, but only uttered a low groan of protest, turning to her other side, grasping the blanket covering her, to sleep more.
The process repeated several times over the few minutes it took Dash to at least tidy the room to a decent level. She pulled up the blanket she had pulled down on her impromptu wake-up call, and tossed over Applejack.
She shifted around for a moment, as if debating to react. It was nearly funny when she popped up from beneath the sheets yelling "Galdern'it, Rainbow, ah'm tryin' ta sleep 'ere!"
"Sorry..." She said quietly, it was hard to hide the grin.
Applejack, a bit more dignantly, rolled over the side of the bed, landing on all fours. Her hat was on the nightstand beside her, and she placed it between her ears, without bothering to put her mane up.
This is when Dash recognized her own state of disarray. She looked in a mirror at herself, and found the colors of her mane and tail intertwined, making the illusion of dull, nearly grey, blotches in some areas.
Applejack didn't look very radiant in comparison, the same features apparent across her features, albeit the grey blotches.
They re-acquainted quickly to being awake, the wooing effects of the sarsaparilla making themselves known as they stumbled to pick up small parcels of anything they may have left lying around.
It was nearly mid-day, and neither had eaten in nearly a day. Resolving to remedy this, they drew up plans to attend lunch relatively late, seeing as it had probably already started.
"Reckon' it's been bad manners? Y'know, never goin' ta' the dinin' hall when they're servin' up everythin'? " Applejack suddenly questioned.
Dash pondered the thought a moment, and replied, " Meh, whatever. I doubt anyone really pays attention to schedules or anything anyway. "
Applejack shook her head, that was Dash all right.
Shaking her head fondly, she made her way out of the room without another word, giving a wink as the door shut behind her.
And so Dash was alone, thinking of food. ' Food sounds pretty good right about now. ' She thought. ' Wonder what they're serving... Why didn't I just go with AJ? ' She wondered.
Letting her stomach lead the way, she left the room, in seek of the Dining Hall.
--
End Chapter 17
--
Side-Notes
Okay then, it's relatively obvious that this series has evolved quite a lot farther than the first few chapters, and it is expanding.
It was suggested, wisely, that I split the series, branching off into other subjects. I will not be doing so.
--- Act Six ---
--- Chapter Eighteen - Time to go Home ---
--
The Dining Hall was an array of gold and silver. The table itself was the only exception, being made of an ingenious infusion of marble stone and oak wood.
Tapestries lined the sides of the high-standing room, each embodied it's own array of small, intricate weaves, forming seals of the year; A small tradition that at the end of every year, a new tapestry was made, representing the success of the civilization.
A guard had made the suggestion roughly twenty years ago, and as such, the tradition was in respect of both the kingdom and he himself.
The guard, as he stands now, was General Battleheart, the February runner, and the tradition well got him recognized for the promotion a year later, when one of the few generals fell ill and was unable to continue service.
Celestia sat, as to be expected, at the head of the table, to her left sat Luna, and her right, the General. Applejack sat to Luna's left, and it seemed the two were chatting with the waiter about some subject of unknown interest.
Causally strolling into the room, she admired the Hall, even though she had seen it once before, when she made a bit more of a...Flashy entrance, skydiving into her chair.
This time, she approached the task of sitting in a chair more civilly, instead pulling the chair out, sitting on the padding, and using the table as a counter-weight to pull herself in.
Now she could hear the two talk more clearly. She returned Celestia's greeting, saluted the general, and attempted to shove herself in the conversation.
" ...Thirteenth time in a row, oh, could you imagine a better way to end the century? " Luna said, nodding in approving reminiscence.
" If I may, was there not a film made about that particular event? " The waiter asked. Apparently a waiter was another double job of a guard, as he was wearing the standard-issue gold-plated armour.
Dash seized the momentary thought to intrude.
"What are you guys talking about? " She asked blatantly.
It seemed the first time they had seen her, ignoring the greeting given by Celestia and Battleheart.
" Oh, Miss Dash, a pleasure to see both of you out of that room, we thought you had grown roots! " The waiter said. Dash vaugely remembered him, the pegasus had delivered them a tray of food the day before, when they chose to stay stationed in their room.
Luna looked at him with a glare, making it clear the comment was not welcome.
He took the hint, asking, " Er, shall I be dismissed then? "
Luna nodded lightly.
Dash hadn't found it really that insulting, but apparently he was being disrespectful some way of another. Then she noticed everypony was staring at Luna.
" Is there a problem? The comment was not needed, and I believe more respect is due to our guests. "
Celestia nodded wordlessly, and resumed eating a tossed salad of sorts.
Dash was shortly thereafter brought a plate with a dandelion sandwich, and an apple by a silent waiter.
' Geez, harsh. ' She thought.
He quickly scuttled back to the kitchen.
There was silence as those who still had food quickly consumed it. When all dishes were cleared, and glasses drained, the silence was broken.
Hesitantly, Celestia rose to full height in the chair. "Ms. applejack and Rainbow Dash, " She addressed them. " I have discussed it with Luna, and we have agreed that all data being gathered that we deem necessary, it should be said. We have been studying you; Watching you, as it were. "
They turned to each other, uncertain of it's meaning.
Luna clarified, " Your nightly activities. "
"Oh." They spoke in unison.
The silence fell again, and Celestia spoke once more.
" As it were, we believe it best for the two of you to return home at your earliest convenience. "
They looked to each other, and with a nod from Applejack, Dash said, " When can we get a lift? "
--
The two loaded themselves, the only things they had brought, into the train awaiting the short ride.
Several by-passers gave them various looks as they passed the station, including the one with the pink-and-yellow mane, who sneered hostilely.
The action was taken as a threat to the two guards, (a unicorn and pegasi, who still accompanied them for the ride) who detained the mare.
There was one major difference they noticed in some of the looks they were given, approval. There were several pairs of mares walking as they had been, and it was obviously trending. They were an icon now.
" Do ya' reckon' we... " Applejack began, turning to Dash.
She continued looking out the window, and showed no signs of hearing her.
" Rainbow...? " She addressed her..
Dash shook her head, closing her eyes with a sigh.
" I dunno AJ, It's cool that everypony seems to be allright with it, or at least we got a few allies on this, but... I thought this was kidn of our thing... "
" Ya' suggesting tha' other mares ain't entitled to their hap'ness? " She questioned, tilting her head lightly.
Dash had no response, and it reflected on her features.
The subject was dropped, and two other mares joined them in the room, due to the lack of two guards that were busy with the pink-and-yellow mare up front.
Applejack and Dash looked at each other quickly, but said nothing.
" ... And Lyra, it was just amazing, dear, you should have been there! " One said.
" Oh, I should assume so, seeing as it only happens once a year! Perhaps I shall attend next year. I do apologize, you know my hectic schedule. "
The two laughed over whatever it was, and quieted to a more tolerable level. They were undeniable upper-class Mares. They were not clothed, but the accent told the two they had never missed a meal.
One looked to the duo adjacent of them, who were pretending not to notice them, and recognized Dash.
" Oh, you were the two at the festival, weren't you? Yes, I remember now, Shimmer-Gloss tripped you, and there was a quarrel! " She called the attention of her partner, recalling the memory.
" Oh, yeah! I gotta say, it's trending well with many mares and colts alike. Even Bon and I have... Practiced it. " The one on the left giggled lightly after she had said it.
The one one the left was a Light cyan coat, and seemed more bubbly, whilst the one on the right seeed a deeper blue purple mixture, and had a higher degree of formality.
Dash and Applejack again looked to each other, questioning the strange company.
" We're like you. " 'Bon', as she was called, said.
That seemed to be all she needed to say, as the realization washed over them.
The sound of the train's whistle startled the shell-shocked duo, as the train began to move.
They assumed they were alone, to be undisturbed, seeing as the guards did not return, despite the anticipation of Dash and Applejack.
It was, in every aspect of the word, awkward. 'Bon' and 'Lyra' occasionally whispered to each other, nudging the other from time to time, while Dash and Applejack found it improper to be doing the same in front of them. Neither pair spoke to the other, and ten minutes into the train ride, they were staring each other down.
Dash, closest to the door on the right, stared at Bon, whilst Applejack was staring at Lyra.
" So, where are you guys headed? " Lyra asked.
The lack of noise in the cabin had left them startled by the question, though Applejack was the first to say "Ponyville."
It was a silly question, really, for the train only went to Ponyville, and back. Non-stop ride.
"Us too. " Bon said. "We've figured it was time we take another... 'vacation' of sorts.
" Call it a honeymoon; Before the wedding " Lyra said, giggling as she nuzzled her partner once more.
"Y'all're pretty, erm, open with yer relationship, ain't ya'? " Applejack asked, as Lyra began to kiss Bon's neck before them.
She seemed to come out of her trance, re-noticing where she was.
" Oh, sorry, yes. we're pretty open about it all. Most mares aren't, though. Most can't afford the bad public image. Businesses and such. places like Ponyville have been booming, though. " She added, thinking of the destination.
" Do you know if any place in Ponyville rents out, per chance? " Bon asked. " This was a most... spontaneous trip. "
Dash looked to Applejack, and back to the mares before her, and shook her head.
Lyra and Bon looked to each other in worry. Turning back to Dash and Applejack, Lyra asked, " Would anypony rent out? "
Before Dash could respond with a 'Probably not,' Applejack responded, " Reckon y'all can stay with my folks for a whilem how long ya' stayin'? "
"Oh, a week, two if funds allow. " Lyra said, as Bon nodded in agreement. " It would be greatly appreiciated. Does eighty bits sound fair? "
Applejack had to force her eyes to not widen. " Ah' reckon that's a mighty kind offer, why the price? "
"Oh, we have plenty to our names, and between us, it'll probably be fair due to the, erm, noise factor. "
Dash tapped Applejack's shoulder. Leaning into it, Dash whispered, "What about Apple Bloom, and the others? "
Applejack laughed.
" All a' the family knows 'bout all tha', Rainbow. Ah'll talk ta' lil' Apple Bloom. " Returning to the mares before her, she extended her hoof, and it was met with a very excited shaking from both Lyra and Bon's.
A multitude of 'Thank you's were said, and sleeping arrangements made. They could sleep in the guest house, about half an acre from the main house. Heating and facilities would not be a problem, and the only thing it lacked was electricity.
Agreeing it was of no concern, the day-long ride continued.
--
Green flame erupted from Spike's mouth, and from the magical flare, appeared a letter.
Sitting up, he looked to his left, where Twilight was mixing a couple of concoctions. She turned at the sound of his, delivery system, as it were.
He unrolled it, as Twilight stepped down from the table she had been hovering over.
It read:
--
Twilight Sparkle
Your friends Applejack and Rainbow Dash will be returning as you read this, you may expect them near midnight at the train stop.
As you may have noticed, they have started a trend, as it stands, among many. The general populous has accepted or embraced the idea of similar-gender relationships, but some do oppose it, and may target the source of change; them.
There has been no conflict in Equestria due to it's own population for a long time, and as such, I wish to suppress such happenings.
They will be under the watch of royal guard every moment, without knowledge of being so. I wish for you not to speak of the guards, and resume normal life.
If at any point Ponyville proves hostile to you, I will dispatch a caravan to bring you here.
Please stay safe.
~ Mom
--
Twilight looked out a nearby window, staring at the clouds.
" What have you guys done now... " She mumbled, returning to her task of some brew of chemicals.
" You sure know how to pick your friends... " Spike replied sarcastically.
' That's my Spike... ' Twilight thought solemnly.
--
--- Act Seven ---
--- Chapter Nineteen - Thunderwagon ---
The train pulled into the station with a gradual stop, and the resulting jolt from it losing momentum woke the four in the compartment.
"Huh...? Wha...? " Lyra grumbled groggily, raising her head.
Applejack stirred as well, nudging Dash, who was on the floor beside her.
Bon and Lyra had laid on the seats, and Dash volunteered herself and AJ to sleep on the floor, in good manners, supposedly.
The sun was just rising, and light seeped into the train car. A guard tapped on the sliding wooden door of the compartment from the hall.
The four roused themselves, and gathered any things they might have brought, then proceeded to slide the door open, following the guard into the hall.
The guard led them to the first door to exit the train, where they met two more. Dash couldn't quite remember the security being this high on past trains, and had a sneaking suspicion there was more going on here than they were being told.
Nudging Applejack inconspicuously, she nodded at a passing guard. When she opened her mouth to speak, she again nodded towards the guard in front of them, and she seemed to get the idea.
She looked at him for a second, and back, shrugging.
Bon popped her head forward from Applejacks left, asking "What?"
The guard turned over his shoulder and, seeing no threat, turned forward again.
Before they could say anything, the doors opened, revealing the landing to the station. There were a couple of residents scattered about the platform, some sitting on benches, and some simply standing at the doors to board this train back to Canterlot.
Two guards stepped out in front of them, drawing some eyes. Unnerved, the four followed, and another guard brought up their flank.
At that point, all eyes were focused upon the seemingly out-of-place group. But by now the guards weren't the ones out of place, it was the four- No, the two of them.
" Word of the custom changes have spread far and wide, you have supporters and those who prefer you to not... exist. " A guard in front of them said and, leaning closer to the two in front said in a lower tone, "Our apologies for not being present to block those two. Would you like them to be escorted elsewhere? We will be separating once you reach your own destination. "
Applejack, taking initiative, shook her head, replying "They're bunkin' with us, y'hear? A ah' reckon' we can walk ta' the farm just fine, thank ya' very much " She took the uninvited escort as an insult to her independency. Though she was very brash, it seemed to have the desired effect, making the guards back up a pace, or seven.
There were now some security colts watching them from around the station, and they weren't making themselves any more hidden, meaning they probably weren't going to hesitate to intervene.
" Wait, what's going on? " An oblivious Lyra asked, glancing nervously at the guards and security colts on every side.
"Nuthin', we're jus' gon' show y'all ta' the farm's all, " Applejack replied, taking the initiative yet again, and brushed quickly past the guards, who were somewhere between fear and anger.
Dash quickly trotted after her, and as she passed, whispered, " Harsh, ain't she? " To a guard.
Lira and Bon were close behind, glancing nervously at everypony as they passed, nearly at a sprint at Dash and Applejack's pace.
The guards quickly recovered, as was their training, and dispersed. One disappeared in a flash of sparks, another took to the skies, and the last ran after them at a sprint.
--
The party of four passed through the town of Ponyville reletively undisturbed, but drew many curious stares. Their influence had spread like a wildfire in Canterlot, but seemed reletvely undiscovered here. News was it had spread equally as quickly due to the crack pairing of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Von Clef.
Apparently, this was news that stood out only on nights reserved for drunk intimate dancing mares and colts, who couldn't muster the thinking power required to differentiate the difference between the genders.
Before long, the stone-and-cement paved roadway faded from beneath their hooves into a dirt pathway. Splitting off to the right, a worn trail leading to the edge of the Everfree Forest extended about another mile, but they continued forward on the trail that was still unpacked, and had begun growing grass.
There was a wagon trail going both ways, Big Macintosh had been in town selling apples in her absence. It was to be expected, of course, they still needed to make a living.
There was little talk from any of the four on the walk. The two in back were still frightened from the incident at the train station, Dash could think of nothing to say, and Applejack only raged on about the nerve of it all in her mind.
--
A rough twenty minutes later, they arrived on the doorstep of the Apple family. Applejack turned to her company, and said, "Now, Rainbow, I reckon' yer gonna need ta' be at yer place on work days, but yer welcome ta' come by an' stay anytime; Now you girls, " She addressed Bon and Lyra.
She thought a moment. " Just don't get on no pony's bad side. Most of the family's down an' snorin' by ten, us gettin' up so early to do apple buckin' an' all; So just try to keep it down 'round then."
Applejack opened the door, stepping in the room, and her eyes widened.
She stood, shocked, as the other three walked in like nothing was wrong.
Dash turned to her, and asked " What? "
"Look." Applejack said, pointing to nothing in particular.
They looked anyways, and saw a rocking chair with some supplies for knitting. ' How does she do that, anyway? ' Dash thought.
"What, so old Granny Smith left her stuff out, you really that upset?" Dash said.
" No, I don't think you understand... Granny NEVER leaves her knittin' do-hickeys laying' 'round... " Applejack ran from the room, back out the front door.
"Hold up! Applejack! " Dash called after her. With a sigh, she said, "Wait here..." To Lyra and Bon, who were throughly spooked.
Doing as they were told, they watched Dash run out the door, and take to the sky, chasing Applejack back to the front.
Turning to her partner, Bon asked, " So... What do we do now...? "
Lyra shrugged, still staring at the doorway. " Dunno. Wait? "
Bon stepped closer. " I had something different in mind... " Her voice dripped in obvious seduction, as she kissed Lyra's neck.
"Oh, that sounds nice..." She said, crooning in a blissful tone.
" You both have another thing coming. " A voice resonated from behind them, and they fell unconscious.
--
End Chapter 19
(Chapter is named Thunderwagon for Jaccob_o)
Bonds of Friendship - 21 - 1/4
Chapter Twenty-One : Bonds of Friendship, Part One/Four
--
" Fire the catapults! Archers, Pegasi, Execute battle plan Delta! This is all or nothing, every pony. " General Battleheart said, finishing with solemnity.
Celestia was beside him, and put a hoof on his shoulder.
" You haven't lost us a battle in over sixty years, let's not give up quite yet. " She said.
He nodded absently, surveying the surrounding areas past his flagmen.
To the south, part of the city had been blown clean off the cliff it was perched, and to the east, swarms of the opposition were flying in. Queen Chrysalis' minions, the Changelings. Damn buggers were demolishing his ground troops, and the other Pegasi, the only ones that could help that, we're too busy holding the rest of the city from another bombardment on the mountain it resided.
He never noticed how undefinable the capital was before. In his sixty years of service, he never thought to double over on his own capital. Oh, the stupidity of it all, and now he was paying for it.
" General, Princess, Alpha reports Chrysalis herself from the east! " Though he tried to suppress it, his voice shook as it passed his lips.
Battleheart spared him a glance, he was definitely frightened. Shaking off Celestia's hoof, he placed his own on the soldiers. He turned back to the General, and sighed, closing his eyes. " My apologies, sir. This is my first battle. "
Battleheart grinned. " Let's not make this your last. "
Celestia grinned at this. It was like everything. Kindness and reassurance spreads like the kindling from two mares' love sparked warfare. This was the dawn of something new. No, something old. The dawn of something undefined, waiting for actions to shape the history, and the future, of Equestria.
Remembering the danger the mares could be in at the very moment, Celestia backed away from the scene discreetly. Once she had rounded a corner, she knelt and closed her eyes, concentrating.
She searched for a specific energy link running through her mind. Once she honed in on it, she amplified it with her own magic. Telepathy, modernized.
Tuning to the frequency she would need to contact him, she thought, ' Azriel, Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres; Two mares, yellow and blonde, cyan and rainbow. Bring them to the everfree, you know where. Tell them to come to Canterlot, Twilight will gather them within the hour. Do not talk with them further, leave imm- '
Celestia cut the message short as she felt some pony nudging her side. The aura of her horn faded, as she turned to face Battleheart. His expression worried her greatly.
" Reinforcements. We've lost Alpha. " He said gravely.
She looked to the horizon through the windows to her side. Swarms of changelings were dying the sky black. There was no way the entire army could hold up to it.
" Luna, sister... How could you do this to us... " Celestia sighed, looking down.
" Nopony could've known. We're not even sure it was her who- "
" Don't portray yourself a fool, general, I know you aren't one. Even I know not what she may be doing, but you know as well as I do that this overthrowing of the government was her doing. "
Battleheart shook his head, murmuring his half-hearted apologies before heading to the door.
" You know, for one who preaches love and optimism, you truly can be a hypocrite. " He said, showing no signs of humor in his features, before walking through the doorway.
Celestia did not turn back to face him when he left, but instead stared at his badge he had placed on the large table beside her. He had resigned in the midst of a war. Her only general resigned.
Through watery eyes, Celestia looked back through the window, and saw Battleheart rushing out the front doorway, sword in his mouth, golden armor glistening, and hooves kicking up more dust than a senior should be permitted.
Celestia let her jaw slack. He was running to the west to fight alone, against an army. He would be killed before he got a swing off... Was he suicidal?!
" Battleheart, you brave fool... You're going to make me save you, aren't you... "
-- Four Hours Previously --
" If you release me, the throne is yours, and all that remains yours to rule. We simply have a common enemy, you and I. " Discord spoke. Though his lips did not move, his voice resonated in the child's skull. She was a light pink skin tone, with curly hair covered by a propeller hat.
" Very well then, but one thing, Be sure to imprison Nightmare for me, we have something of a, what you could call, grudge, if you will. " the child responded, in a much more mature tone. The voice had a reverb to it, as if it were two voices, speaking slightly out of sync.
She glowed a bit, then green flame erupted around her, and she suddenly expanded threefold, her skin tone changing black, and sprouting a contorted horn and insect-like wings. Her eyes glowed green when she opened them, and a small black crown, with three small blue orbs shining dimly, was perched on her head.
" And I have your word on this? " She spoke, a frown making itself apparent as her horn glowed, gathering power.
" Indeed, Madame', you do. Now release me from this infernal imprisonment. I'm beginning to chafe. " Discord complained.
" Colts... Erm- I suppose that's not quite so accurate for you. " She spoke with a sly grin, as a beam of green shot itself into the stone Discord's chest.
The beam stopped seconds after it began, and there was anxious silence. Moments later, the spot began to pulse a soft green, and a large crack abruptly spiraled from the center. It became bigger, spreading across his form, covering him in the eerie light.
And after another moment, just as abruptly, the stone statue shot out the stone shards in all directions, freeing Discord. One large, sharp shard rocketed it's way to Chrysalis' skull. She barely had time to rear her head back, luckily it stopped centimeters from her eye, surrounded in a grey aura.
She looked from it to Discord and back with wide eyes.
" Thank you, maybe? No? Nothing? Well... Darn, I thought that would be quite the feat, too. Ah well, Onward to chaos and a new lineage of destruction, I suppose. Tell me you plan on the way, and I'll tell you why it's wrong. " Discord said, releasing his hold on the stone, letting it drop to the floor, flying out of the room, to be followed.
--
End Chapter 21.
Again, sorry every pony, everything was erased, so I'm trying as hard as I can to write new stuffs >_<
I kind of like this version better than the original in all honesty :3
The Great Escape - 3 - MATURE
Just a side note, I highly recommend that no matter who you are, you try to write at least one Fanfic in your life. I'll read and critique it publicly or privately if you'd like, and it really helps your literacy skills. It's also a really fun way to kill time and entertain others!
Thanks for reading my babbling, now READ THE STORY ._.'
--- Act One - Chapter 3 --- The Great Escape.
Please take caution, if you do not wish, or are restricted by law, to view content of a graphic and/or sexual nature, there will be an oblaintly obvious warning in which you will be told to skip without loss of storyline/plot development.
Once more, SKIPPING THAT SECTION WILL NOT AMOUNT TO ANY LOSS OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, STORYLINE DEVELOPMENT, OR PLOT DEVELOPMENT.
Because I know we're all here for the plot :3
~Fox
--- The following part is safe for your eyes. ( and soul ._.' ) ---
-- Six hours Prior --
Applejack and Rainbow Dash were currently walking through their small town of Ponyville. Not much was said, as the darkness and soft sounds of nature set in to envelop them.
Dash spoke first.
"So... Why did you, ya know, flip out on that guy?" She questioned.
"Huh? Who?" Applejack asked, as if from a trance. "oh..." she said in a low, embarrassed voice. " I didn't... After we..." She sighed.
A few moments passed.
"Didn't what? After what?" Dash prodded.
Applejack paused momentarily in her tracks, mentally collecting herself.
"After you...."
She tried to find the willpower to say it. It seemed so difficult to say, to believe that it had even happened. She thought it and willed it to be said, but it was as if the words had acidic properties to them, and refused to be vocalized.
"You mean when I kissed you?" Dash asked plainly, as if it were just another occurrence.
Applejack wondered why she could so openly say it...
"Yeah, after, eh, that..." She started. "I wanted to get you out of there." she ended, reflecting on the reason.
"Why?" Dash questioned further.
"I..." Why did she do that? Was it the selflessness of knowing Rainbow wasn't going to be happy, if only for a night, or was it the selfishness of wanting her back sooner?
Maybe it was some after-effect of the euphoria they had shared seemingly so long ago, clouding her judgement.
Whatever the reason, she simply stated "Sometimes, Rainbow, you don' need no reason."
Dash smiled, it was interpreted as agreement or understanding.
"Yeah, I guess that's cool..." Dash said, looking to the sky, losing herself in thought.
Applejack set back in motion, and the cyan Pegasus trailed close behind, occasionally running past Applejack and bumping her.
Applejack pondered what Dash was doing for a minute. Was this a game? Should she play too?
Experimentally, Applejack nudged past Dash.
Dash grinned. 'Finally' she thought, a grin dominating her features.
The two kept casually nudging past each other for a moment, smiling casually. Dash broke into a low trot, then into a gallop, Gaining ground in whichever direction they were now headed.
Applejack mirrored every movement, and covered most of the distance dash had recently gained.
The two ran alongside each other, giggling madly, dominating each other for the lead.
A few minutes later, they were openly laughing, running in random directions through a field, spotted with trees.
Applejack got behind Dash, and attempted to pounce, launching herself into the air above her.
Dash, quick on her feet, barrel rolled to the side, and gracefully backflipped ( with aid of her wings ) on top of Applejack, effectively pinning her.
The two sat in the middle of a grassy field in the outskirts of Ponyville, laughing hysterically, at and with each other, in harmony and at peace.
Dash, on top of Applejack's back, rolled on her own back, and stared up at the twinkling sky.
Applejack, with some difficulty, twisted onto her back, pushing Dash mostly off of her, though her head remained on Applejack's stomach, and she found herself laying her right hoof across Dash's chest.
Dash leaned into it, content.
" That was awesome... I don't know why, but that was the most fun I've had in a while..." Dash said.
Applejack looked down at Dash, smiling.
" Ah reckon' we... Ain't really had many adventures lately eh?" Applejack sighed with a light chuckle.
" Yeah... " Dash said, without enthusiasm. " Wouldn't kill everypony to do something interesting in this town once in a while... But whatever..." She sighed, feeling the grass beneath her hooves.
Applejack noticed her pawing at the ground.
" Dash... I really feel like I should say somethin' bout at the hospital... "
Dash smiled lightly, still pawing at some grass.
" I had some feelin's I'd like 'ta discuss with 'ya..." Applejack admitted.
" Me too. " Dash replied, looking back at Applejack.
The two said nothing, afraid to collide statements, as it seemed to always happen when two people thought the same thing.
"AJ-" Dash was caught by her own ego, scared to continue.
"I'm sorry Dash... I just... I'm not too sure" Applejack spoke.
Dash thought in the silence, weighing her options. She lay with her head resting back against Applejack, the comfort of her foreleg over her own chest.
A quick glance at Applejack told her all she needed to know. She was insecure, unsure, and lost in her inner conflictions.
With a deep breath, all the courage Dash could muster surfaced. She mozied up to Applejack, and nuzzled her head under the mare's.
"It's allright, I understand." Dash said quietly.
"Rainbow, I... I don't want you feelin' like you're... Not important ta' me or nuthin' but... I mean..." Looking down at the pegasus, Applejack struggled for a way to display her emotions of conflict and affection, without coming onto Dash.
Dash met her gaze with a weak, distant smile, and all words were lost.
Applejack hadn't quite seen her smile like that before... There had been times of triumph, or bravado, or shock, but this was pure content, possibly happiness, unmatched my the most valued material things one could possibly possess.
"Ya' look cute like that..." Applejack felt herself mutter under breath, completely involuntarily.
There was a long pause as dash blushed.
" There's the element of honesty, eh AJ? " Dash teased, nuzzling further into Applejack and her mane, inhaling her scent. She smelled of perspiration and apples.
" I... I dunno... Ah' can't think straight... I'm not sure if-" Applejack was cut off by the rainbow maned mare leaning up and planting her mouth firmly against her own.
Dash's eyes were squeezed closed as if forcefully, and Applejack's wide open in surprise. After a moment the two mares were openly kissing, the adrenaline of the moment fueling their desires.
========= The following is not safe for your soul.============
" Wow... Rainbow..." Applejack panted, suddenly excited from the energy rushing through her. A euphoria she had never experienced was all she could feel, a bliss blinding her thought.
Dash felt something primeval grip her, a sense of protection, a need for something to... Well, need. Something that she could love mutually, and depend on. She needed a beacon of hope, something other than the Wonderbolts. Something real.
As Dash and Applejack stared at each other, the mental link grew, and they knew that both wanted they same thing.
Dash laid herself atop Applejack and kissed her again, with renewed passion. This time Dash, brash and daring as she was, leaned into Applejack and slid her tongue to her lips.
Applejack's eyelids shot open at the feeling of something so foreign attempting to work itself into her mouth. Subconsciously, she broke the contact, turning her head sideways, panting heavily.
" Wha? *Pant* Wha' was *Pant* tha' all 'bout? " She questioned between breaths.
Dash, confused, propped herself up on her forelegs. " What? It's not like you're NEW to this or anything.... Right? "
A moments silence.
" No. Way. " Dash said, laughing.
" I - Wha's so *Pant* so funny? " Applejack voiced her annoyance in her tone.
" Nuthin' " Dash said. " That just means I'M taking charge. Looks like you're second, just like the Iron Pon- Urk! "
Applejack knee'd her friend in the stomach, taking away all balance, and flipped on top of the wriggling pegasus.
" Hold yer' horses. I am FULLY capable a' figurin' out what 'ta do! " Applejack yelled. She thought, and realized she had no clue what to do. But Dash didn't need to know that.
After a few moments, Dash had recovered from the blow, and tried to flip Applejack onto her back.
Not to lose control, Applejack stood firm, and her physique far outweighed Dashes.
Applejack planted her front hooves on Rainbow Dash's shoulders.
" Stop. " Applejack commanded. Dash heard the sense of authority in her tone, and stopped. Staring at the pony above her, Dash saw a new side of Applejack.
Though Dash would never admit it, it did kinda turn her on... That feeling of someone else controlling you. The feeling that anything can happen, and you just have to roll with the punches. That feeling of being dominated...
A moment passed. Then a few more. Then some more.
" So, are you gonna- "
" Hush a sec, I know what I'm doin'! " Applejack sternly lied to Dash.
A few more moments passed, and Dash was becoming as impatient as she was turned off.
" For cryin' out loud, let me do it! " Dash whined, eager to soothe the hotness that had started developing between her thighs.
Applejack sighed in defeat, and let the Pegasus up, swapping places.
Dash smiled deviously. " Thanks, now, where were we? " she asked, before delving into Applejack's mouth.
The act took Applejack by surprise, being so to-the-point. But, it WAS Dash here...
Dash lowered her body onto her counterpart's, and wrapped her hooves under Applejack's lower back, caressing her sensitive flank.
She received a tongue-muffled moan in response, the vibration echoing between their mouths.
Slowly, Dash broke the contact, their lips parting last. There were no words to be had, just erratic breathing and the glistening sweat the two had mingling on their skins.
Dash rose, and presented her backside to Applejack, who gasped in surprise.
Dash giggled, a rare occurrence. " What're you waiting for, an invite? " She wiggled her rear closer to Applejack's face, who seemed to shrink a bit.
" I, er... " Applejack began. " Don't really, know what ta' do... " She confessed.
Dash sighed, impatiently. " It's easy. Just stick your tongue in there- " She managed to point a hoof at her sex, " -and the rest should come naturally."
Without another word, Dash lowered her maw to Applejack's now-soaked crotch and gave it a quick flick of her tongue.
Applejack stiffened, her legs shot out, and she "Eep!'d," very out of character for her.
Dash smiled as she licked again, a bit slower, getting a taste of the juices leaking out of her friend's Love. It tasted like, what she could only imagine to be, Ambrosia. It excited her further, it addicted her on the spot. She wanted more.
And more she got, but not after pushing her rear centimeters from Applejack's mouth.
Not to be so easily bested, Applejack worked through the paralytic effects of her pleasure, and dove right into Dash's equally-soaked Love.
Dash gasped at the sudden intrusion, the sudden pleasure re-kindling her drive.
She glanced at Applejack, and found that she had her eyes closed, and seemed to be enjoying it as much as herself.
Applejack's mind struck a thought. She reached up to Dash's rear with her forelegs, and brought her down on her maw.
" Oooh! " Dash cried in her pleasure. "That was * huff * kinda * huff* dirty!"
Applejack took note of her reaction, and started to swirl her tongue around inside of dash, as she felt the same being done to her. She also started to caress her sensitive wings, eliciting a longer moan from Dash.
The mess of two mares lay on each other in the field, eating the other out.
The two spoke little, and lust drove their minds.
Dash continued to lap up the juices that Applejack produced, as she gave Dash her all, trying to do as much as possible.
Applejack pushed herself further into the recesses of Dash's Love, nudging her face against the delicate folds that were being handled so roughly.
Dash gasped as Applejack unknowingly applied pressure to her Vulva, sending waves of pleasure to course through her body. This wasn't going to last much longer. Had dash been able to think anything but " DEAR CELESTIA THIS FEELS SO GOOD!!! " she might have been saddened. But she couldn't, so she didn't.
Applejack felt her own pleasures welling up inside of her. She at least knew what that was from... Personal experiences.
" Rainbow, I * Pant * I ain't Gon' last * Pant * Too much longer! " she aid between gasps of air, redoubling her efforts. She lapped and scooped at dash like it was the last thing she would ever do. Her lips connected with Dash's folds as both of them neared their limit.
Dash shrilly screamed in her pleasures, shoving her entire tongue and maw as far into Applejack as she could, tightening up.
The two frantically squirmed in the others gasp, body heat rising as their actions became more eccentric.
Finally, the two Mares shared an explosive orgasm, both screaming in sheer pleasure. Their fluids leaked onto each other's faces and upper bodies.
Dash, after her screams died out, slowly attempted to face Applejack, succeeding only in falling across her stomach, lost in the afterglow of their session of Lovemaking,
The two tried to catch their breath, chests heaving.
" That was.. *Huff* You were... " Dash panted, too lost to speak.
" Amazin' " Applejack finished.
The two shared a brief glance, before they shared another, Love-juice infused, kiss.
They soon broke the contact, and dash managed to mozie up against Applejack's back, laying on her right side, left wing covering her.
" I think I * Huff * That I love you... " Dash said, burying her face into Applejack's dis-array'd mane, ponytail worthless.
They both stank of sweat and sex, and Dash could smell it.
Applejack Mumbled " You too... " and fell asleep in Dash's winged embrace.
-----------------Your soul is safe now ^_~ ----------------------------
Well, for those who actually skipped it (noone), in late man's terms, AJ was a virgin. Now, Dash put her 2 cents in, and they're in a lustful relationship :)
--
~Like A Boss
Fanfic by Foxvolt
--- Act Seven ---
--- Chapter Twenty - Deception ---
Author's note - You probably noticed this by now, but this if not an innocent Fanfiction for small children. Hurr Durr.
Also, Azriel is the character of GuardianAngel1181.Deviantart.Com (I may have gotten the number wrong, if so, I'll fix it.)
There will be violence...
--
Dash spotted Applejack running along the path back to town. Sprinting as she was, she still couldn't out-pace a Pegasus.
She prepared to dive, until a streak of black crossed the road, and she was gone.
" What the...? " She stammered, halting, and hovering in place.
A startled group of birds flew to the east, and she chased hastily.
Another minute later, a second group of birds was sent packing just to the right, but much further away, in a clearing.
Speeding away, she chased the source of the fleeing creatures.
Once she was close enough to see the clearing, it was obvious there was something wrong here.
A large group of ponies from town was gathered around Lyra and Bon, shouting angrily.
But, wait... They were at the Apple family's barn only minutes ago... Weren't they?
Dash stooped into a dive, barrel rolling over the ground before anypony had even looked up.
" What did we do?! Hey, back off! " A voice echoed from within the crowd.
Dash crept through the brush and overgrowth, peering through to see the mass commotion.
From what she could tell, Lyra la unconscious in the center of the multitude of them, a small bleeding lump formed on the side of her head. Bon was currently engaged with a large swarming mod, actively yelling or throwing something at her.
She jumped out with a yell, but at the same time, the two the unconscious Lyra disappeared.
All noise ceased, as everyone looked around, at the sky, under them, as if expecting her to appear from nowhere, which seemed to be where she had gone.
Another moment later, and Bon was gone.
Disturbed murmurs started rising, as they all shifted nervously, expecting a threat to appear at any moment.
Finally, before she knew it, she was gone as well.
--
Seconds later, at an unknown location. Trees are thick, and everything has the air of a jungle about it. The air was moist and the ground damp. Moss grew on everything, and it squished beneath hooves.
To her left Lay an Orange-and-blonde mare, to right, Lyra and Bon, and to her front, a small distance away, she could make out a dark figure lurking in the shadow of a tree.
" Mornin' Lass, Don't go back. You mare-lovers ain't welcome in these small-town parts; I'd get back to Canterlot If I were one of you'se. As they say in the east, Tally Ho! "
Dash shook her head, trying to comprehend what the shadow had said in her daze.
"Wait!" Dash yelled, comprehending the good-bye, But the figure had already gone, and the others had begun to rise.
Dash rose to wobble hooves, and looked around her at the three. Applejack groaned, rubbing the back of her head, rising as well.
" Where's granny... " She mumbled, slowly looking around her, taking in her surroundings. When she noticed Dash staring at her, she shook her head.
" What happened...? "
Dash and Applejack turned to see Lyra sitting up, rubbing the bump on her head, while trying to rouse Bon.
" Good question... Where are we's a better one... " Applejack said, rubbing the side of her head, trying to reduce the headache. " And where's my folks is another... "
Applejack looked down, kicking at the dirt in anger, Bon was rousing slowly, propping onto her elbows, and Dash jumped into the sky, scouting the area.
All of them stared at her, until she slowly lowered herself to ground level. " Heh, umm... I got bad news and... Well, bad news."
When nopony offered to ask what, due to fear of response or lack of the energy to think unknown, Dash sighed heavily.
" We're in the middle of the bucking Everfree Forest. "
They all stopped, looking at each other or the ground, stunned.
They looked around as if to think it was some kind of twisted joke, but the only twisted thing here was the trees.
The kind in the Everfree forest.
Applejack closed her eyes, and with a heavy sigh, murmured " Here we go 'gain, on some crazy adventure 'Er other. " Again she sighed. " Why can't 'ah just have a full year without sumpthin' threatenin' mah' life?"
Dash closed her eyes, and began laughing; They all stared at her almost hostily.
" Wha's so funny, Rainbow? " Lyra piped up.
Rainbow sighed, ending her fit of giggles.
" I'm laughing because, " She said, " What fun would anything be if your life weren't on the line? "
They stared at her in disbelief, jaws slightly agape. She was losing it.
Again Dash began to erupt into a fit of laughter, laying on her back, facing the sky.
The others exchanged worried glances, and stared at the Rainbow mare, pondering what had gotten into her.
" I just wanna go home... " Lyra said, and Bon put her head across the back of her neck.
" We all do, Ly, we all do... " Then, adding, " Some honeymoon. "
Applejack chuckled at this, repeating her.
" E'yup, some honeymoon... "
--
End Chapter 20
--
Sorry for the shorter chapters, just trying to be sure I can give y'all something periodically rather than waiting a month for a good-sized chunk. Writing takes so long >:( But it's so fun <:D