The Life Of Lightning Flash

                                                                                    Chapter Seventeen

"So ya all ready and set for tonight Hem?" I asked Hemlock as we just finished having lunch together in PonyVille.

"Sure am! Drakantus is pretty excited too!" He replied.

"Heheh! Probably looking forward to eating any left over wrapping paper."

Today was Hearth's Warming Eve and like every other year hardly anypony in PonyVille or CloudsDale could get the chance to see the play of Equestria's making at Canterlot. So instead me and my buddies always hanged out at one of our houses for the night and day after. This year it was Hemlock's turn to host the party.

The plan just like any other year was this: Arrive at host's house. Eat, drink and party as much as possible for the night. Sleep. In the morning we would all open gifts from eachother.

This was always more easier done due to the fact that a lot of us didn't live with our parents.

"That reminds me Lightning!"

"What?"

"You know about my..new talent right?"

"Yeah."

Recently just after breaking up from school for the holidays Hemlock decided to visit Storm Shadow just for fun. While he was there though he apparently and accidently got involved in one of Storm's spell practices. I wasn't there so I don't know the whole story. Apparently Storm Shadow had accidently hit Hemlock with a strong pulse of raw magic and instead of hurting him, Hemlock's body gave off some sort of mana barrier which protected him.

Obviously Hem is a Pegasus and not a unicorn so any magic created by him is un explainable. Right? Wrong apparently. Hemlock found out that apart from Unicorns other ponies may or can use magic too! Not by choice though. It's all to do with blood relatives and the pony's body.

With this found out Hemlock can actually perform small tricks and acts with magic! Amazing! He'd been practicing and fooling around with it ever since. All he could really do was create a spark of flame, levitate a not too large object and rebound other's magic. At certain levels that is! This is all he could do for now though as Storm Shadow says in his letters.

"Well I've been researching a new trick. I wanted to show everypony tonight. Do you think they'd mind?" Asked Hemlock as we approached his house.

"Mind? Dude we've been loving ya magic! I'm still surprised and confused your cutie mark wasn't caused by it!" It's true. Hemlock got his cutie mark just a while before we met each other. I would of expected it to be related to his magic. I guess it's not his only talent.

"Heh. Yeah! Well I'll see you tonight! Only Dash is coming with ya right?"

"Yeah. The others are coming by themselves apparently. See ya later Hem!"

It being only 2pm and having just had lunch I wanted to go see Dash and Speedy who were probably racing somewhere.

Leaving Hemlock's place I went to fly into the air but saw Kensei walking down the path towards Hem's tree, carrying a small cart behind him.

"Yo Kensei!" I shouted zooming towards him and halting in front of him.

"Oh hey Lightning! You been to Hemlock's?" Replied Kensei as

"Yeah. Hey what ya got in there?" I pointed a hoof at the small cart attached to a saddle on his back.

"Oh that's just my bass cannon. You know from all the other parties?" Said Kensei turning to his cart. Being great with music and a big fan of the famous Vinyl Scratch, Kensei needed his own bass to drop.

"Yeah yeah I remember. You dropping it off at Hemlock's?"

"Yup! Some gifts too. You know just so their there ready for later!"

"Yeah. Alright well I guess I'll see ya later!"

"Sure will! See ya Flashie!"

Got a few hours to pass until we're all suppose to meet at Hem's place. Better go and see Dash and FireSpeed!

It didn't take me long to find them, all I had to do was look up and see them soarin overhead. I thrusted up into the clouds to follow them. With it being winter the sky was nothing but white and grey clouds. No blue sky for miles for the ponies on the ground anyway. I could just fly above cloud level and it'd be a little clearer.

"Haha! Good but not good enough!" I heard Rainbow Dash say as I got my head above cloud level and saw the two of them stopping on some clouds.

"Hey guys!" I shouted dashing towards them and landing beside them on their cloud.

"Sup Light?"Said FireSpeed catching his breath.

"Not much. Just saw Hem and Kensei. Everypony's all set for tonight!"

"Sweet! You better have got me an awesome gift Lightning!" Said Dash nudging me in the chest with a hoof.

"Ah sorry! I ran out of bits!"

"Aww thah I guess ya won't get your gift! Heheh."

"Ah well it's good to see no pony cares about me getting you all anything!" Said FireSpeed gaining our instant attention. Rainbow gave him a stare that had yet to fail her since we've known each other. One that could break a stallion like FireSpeed's humour and pride in seconds.

"I'm kidding! I got you all something!" Said FireSpeed tilting his head forward and smiling.

"Hahaha! Wanna race for real now Speedy?" I said.

"I'll show ya all real alright." Said Dash steadying herself in the air ready to go.

"Bet ya both 10 bits I'll win." I said hovering beside Rainbow with FireSpeed appearing to my other side.

"Ha! I've just been holding back!" Said Speedy leaning backwards slightly before zooming off ahead.

"Cheating won't help ya!" Shouted Dash as we both instantly started to race after him.

We had a few races for a while before heading back to CloudsDale to chill out. We took a breather and a break by CloudsDale's mail building. Apparently Ditzy Doo had carried on her work experience there. Dunno why she would want to but if she enjoyed it who's to stop her.

"Ahh crap! I just remembered Kensei telling me to go pick up some cakes for tonight!" Said FireSpeed jumping up from his comfortable position on the cloud.

"Dude we got like" I stood up and looked through the mail buildings window and saw a clock hanging on the wall. If the clock was correct than it was 5:30pm. We had to be at Hemlock's place by 7pm. I turned back to FireSpeed. "We got about more than an hour dude! Chill."

"Oh good! I still better go get those cakes!" FireSpeed flew off round the streets corner without a wave goodbye.

"His in a rush for them ain't he?" I said walking back over to Dash who stayed laying down on the cloud.

"Probably wants to just eat some of them before us." Replied Dashie keeping her eyes closed against the bright sun.

"We should probably grab our stuff to take to Hems."

"What stuff?" Asked Dash opening an eye to look up at me.

"Ya know the gifts?"

"I didn't buy anypony any gifts." Rainbow attempted to give me a serious look but it was diminished by my stare until she broke out into a short laugh. "Ahahaha! Ah! I had ya going for a second didn't I!?"

"Nope! Let's go!"

"Woah hold up! Like ya said we got plenty of time! Stay chilling for a little while longer!"

"Alright." I layed down beside her as she curled herself up, brushing me with her tail.

It came to the time to go to Hemlock's place for the night. Me and Rainbow Dash were just walking towards his house with our satchels filled with gifts. We knocked on the door and was instantly welcomed  in by Hemlock.

"Hey you two! Come on in!" Said Hemlock ushering us inside.

Entering his humble abode I noticed his entire house had been decorated to the fullest! Bunting across the walls, fake snow layed across some of the shelves. Well I think it was fake! It was still pelting it down outside with the real thing! Hadn't stopped since me and Dash had left our house!

"Whaz up Flash! Hey Rainbow!" Shouted FireSpeed who sat beside the fire with Drake.

"Hey Speedy!" Both me and Dash replied.

On the opposite end of the room from the fire was a festive related tree. Traditional for the Hearths Warming Eve. Underneath it layed stacks and piles of presents of all different sizes! Green, blue, purple and more coloured wrapping paper! More colours of the rainbow than mine and Dash's manes combined!

"I know what I'm excited for!" I exclaimed galloping towards the tree laying down my satchel of presents beside it.

"HEY!" Yelled Kensei who happened to be walking down the stairs. He caught sight of me hugging one of the presents and leaped down the stairs and onto me.

"Gaaaaah!" I was knocked over by Kensei's pounce onto me.

"If there's gonna be gifts being opened than me first!" He exclaimed grabbing the gift from my hooves.

"Hey it has my name on it!" I shouted back.

"Nope!" Dash hovered above us and grabbed the gift from Kensei's grip who i had distracted.

Kensei went to grab another present same as I while Rainbow tried to open hers but before we could make any progress into opening our gifts, a few presents including the one Rainbow Dash was holding suddenly began to float out of our grasps. While suspended in mid air the three presents flew into our each of our faces and than returned to their place among the pile.

"Ouch!" All three of us shouted, Dash losing her balance and hitting the floor.

A slight giggle came from near the fire. I turned to see both Fluttershy and Hemlock desperately trying to hold back their laughter. Fluttershy managed to resist and make her way over to us to make sure we were alright. She is always overcaring!

I mean it was a present!

Hem finally burst into laughter while FireSpeed was too distracted by Drakantus who was playing with a toy of his.

"Not cool bro!" I said standing up and making my way over to the pile of cushions which was to be our group seat. Dash and me both slumped ourselves into the heap of cushions and pillows, making ourselves very comfy.

Fluttershy and Kensei both sat to my right, Dashie on my left, FireSpeed to the right of Fluttershy besides the fire still with Drake and Hemlock sitting in front of us all on the other side of the fire. A weird and contorted semi circle had been formed!

"So where's the cakes!" Demanded Rainbow Dash slamming a hoof onto a cushion.

"FireSpeed's got 'em!" Replied Hem.

"Well I've already eaten some but there's still plenty left!" Said FireSpeed grabbing a box from SugarCube Corner Bakery from behnd him.

"There better be!" I shouted reaching forward, opening the box and taking one of the many cupcakes.

"Mmmmmm." All five of us except Speedy sounded in perfect harmony. The cupcakes causing our mouths to drool with their perfectly decorated strawberry icing, milk chocolate sprinkles and white chocolate chips. All wedged delicately onto the top.

The sight of excellent baking didn't last long as we managed to finish the remaining 12 cupcakes as we shared festive tales and the occasional off topic horror story! Most of them being told by Hemlock and FireSpeed.

After a couple hours we decided it was enough of sitting around and just talking!

"Yo who wants to hear a kickin tune!?" Exclaimed Kensei jumping out of his place among the cushions.

"YEAH!" We all demanded in once again perfect harmony and synchronisation.

"Can't hear ya!?" Kensei replied taking his place behind his bass machine as we called it. Positioned beside the tree. He had decorated it many colours, a prized treasure of his that he had kept since just before attending Wingbury Academy. Being a big fan of the famous Vinyl Scratch! Kensei had to have his own music maker, one that we all loved.

"KENSEI! KENSEI!"

"Louder!"

"KKEEENNNSSSEEEIII!!!!!"

With the walls being shook by our tremendous cheering that was Kensei's cue to begin!

Instantly upon the record being touched by the needle the tune of epicness only Kensei or one better than him (Vinyl Scratch probably!) could create bellowed throughout the room! The walls literally began to shake, the bunting threatened to fall, the artificial snow shook and fell off the shelves and onto the floor.

The bass was heavy, the dub perfect and the wub that of awesome! Some of Kensei's best work yet!

We partied to his amesome tunes for a couple hours, all of us dancing, singing, drinking and eating as much as we could!

Eventually though every party has to come to an end. It was now almost midnight and usually we'd stay up until about 3am but with tommorrow being very looked forward to by everypony we all decided we'd get some sleep.

"Ok so you're sure you and Dash are ok sleeping downstairs?" Asked Hemlock standing in front of me while Drakantus headed up the stairs with Fluttershy and Kensei. They both stood waiting near the top of the stairs.

"Yes! We're fine!" I replied putting a hoof on his shoulder.

"Ok! I'm just checking mate. Don't want anypony to be uncomfortable."

"We're fine Hem!" Added Rainbow Dash laying down on the bed of pillows and cushions.

"Yeah! I'd take a cushion over a mattress any day of the week!" Added FireSpeed who layed in the corner of the room on his own pile of pillows.

"That doesn't make much sense?" I said turning to him as he began to get comfy.

"Oh whatever! I'm tired! Let me get some rest!" Replied Speedy slamming his head into the pillows.

"Watch out for Mr Grumps everypony!" Said Rainbow Dash looking all around as she did. As if there was a crowd to announce it to.

"Okay than. Goodnight guys!" Said Hemlock as he headed up the stairs with Drakantus.

"Goodnight!"

"Night!" Said both Kensei and Fluttershy who went to stay in Hem's guest room. There were two single beds and a wardrobe. Nowhere near enough space for us three to slip in there too So me, Dash and Speedy just decided to stay downstairs.

I sat down beside Dash on the bed of pillows and a single medium sized crimson blanket by her side. The fireplace still burning a dim orange glow. The crackling of the coal was soothing and just the right volume.

"Oi you two!" We both turned to FireSpeed who lifted his head from his cushions."Whatever ya do...*Yawn* Don't make too much noise!" He slumped his head back to its former position.

I turned back to Dash with a slight grin and noticed her trying to hide her face by scratching her forehead. Her cheeks had grown red from FireSpeed's comment.

I looked past Dash and out of the window from where I stayed sat. The night snow was dropping slowly but still thick and heavy. "Beautiful ain't it?" I sadi stilll staring at the snow.

"Yeah...I love the snow." Replied Dash looking in the exact same spot as I was

"You're beautiful Dashie." I didn't even mean to say that aloud. I was just so relaxed, calm, at peace and in love that it just slipped through my lips. I always said stuff like that to her. I always meant it and she always knew it. This time however was a little different. Maybe it was just the warmth of the fire fighting off the night cold, the gently dropping snow or the way Rainbow Dash's mane glistnened in the fires light. The glow against her coat, the cyan of her cheeks and the magenta of her eyes.

Whatever presents layed under that tree waiting for me. Whatever they could be. Nothing could ever compare to how much I loved Dash.

Rainbow Dash turned to me and layed her head on my shoulder as we stared into the fire.

She yawned in such an adorable way. I was tempted to say how cute she was but I knew she didn't always like being called cute.

"I'm so tired. Mind if we go to sleep?" She asked but still staring into the flames.

"Okay."

We both layed back into the cushions, she layed her head down and got into a perfect position while I leaned to my right and grabbed the blanket, tossing it over us both.

I wrapped my legs around from behind her as she faced the window. I leaned my head onto her shoulder.

"Hey Dash." I whispered into one of her ears. I didn't want to wake FireSpeed and the fire wasn't going to keep him awake for much longer.

"Yeah." She whispered back wriggiling a little, still trying to get as comfortable as possible.

"About what Speedy said...would ya ever wanna? Ya know." It was hard enough bringing up the nerve to even attempt to ask her such a question She turned her head slightly towards me and smiled.

"Goodnight Lightning. Love you."

"Night Dashie. Love ya too."

I stayed hugging her as I was. I could of got a worse response I guess. I mean I wasn't expecting a "Hell yeah let's go now." I was just curious if she would ever actually be willing to "Extend" our relationship.

Too tired, too full of cake and too comfortable. I closed my eyes and drfited off into a calm and soft sleep.

"Yo wake up! Wake up!"

My eyes stuck shut, my throat dry and my legs unmoved from my hug around Dash. I could have just stayed there, half asleep, not moving and the warm of slober of Drakantus's tongue meeting my forehead.

"Urgh..what the?" I opened my eyes to see Drake's head peering over mine,

"Morning Lightning." Said Fluttershy as she steered Drake away from me and Rainbow.

"Buuut you always run out of cider!" Said Rainbow Dash as she rolled over knocking my hold aside. I poked her with a single hoof she opened her eyes slowly. "uh...hi."

"Morning cider head."

Fluttershy giggled from behind us as we stayed laying.

"What? How did you? Nevermind." Said Rainbow Dash suddenly waking up a bit more.

We both sat up, turned to the tree and noticed Kensei, Fluttershy, FireSpeed and Hemlock sitting opposite us.

"Nice sleep?" Asked Hem.

"Yeah."

"Yup!"

"Good! As always you two looked extremely cute and comfy!" Said FireSpeed suddenly bursting into laughter and falling backwards.

"Cute!? Were you watching us sleep!?" Dash's cheeks inflated with rage. One of the best ways to tick her off was to say something even remotely embarrasing such as cute about her. She didn't like the fact that we were being watched either.

"Oh ho ho! Now ya done it buddy!" Said Kensei Coal staying put and out of the conflict.

"Maybe!? It's true though! You looked cuter than the animals Flutters looks after!" Added FireSpeed sitting back up.

"WHAT!?" With that final comment and by the looks of how Dash dived into him it wouldn't be hard to believe if that was the last comment he ever made. They got into a short rough and tumble before FireSpeed gave up and I managed to jump in and hold Rainbow back.

With the detonator disarmed and the fuse cut, we all sat round the tree. The presents catching everpony's eyes.

"Wait before we open the presents!" Shouted Hemlock standing up as we all stayed sitting.

"Awwwwww!" All of us sounded in complete synchronisation.

"Trust me you'll like this!"

"Fine!" Said Dash folding her forlegs.

"What is it Hem?" Asked Kensei.

"Well I've been researching more and more about certain elements and types of magic. There's one I really like the sound of! Transformation!" Said Hem as he fascinated himself with this topic of magic.

"Transformation? I mean I know near to nothing about magic but...that sounds pretty high up for ya level of magic don't ya think?" I asked.

"Well I'm going to see that right now!"

"On what?" Asked Fluttershy sounding almost a little afraid.

"None of you worry! I've wanted to try a certain type of transformation! One with Drakantus!"

"WHAT!?"

"Drake! Stand here boy." Drakantus walked over to the spot in the room where Hem was pointing and sat patiently.

"B-B-But what if Drake gets hurt!" Squeeked Fluttershy hiding her face behind a cushion.

"Don't worry! Nothing should go wrong! I promise!" Hemlock replied.

"Wait. What exactly are you trying to do with Drakantus?" I asked.

"I'm going to make him stronger! Probably causing him to become bigger too! His muscles will definately improve so we should all be able to see the difference!" Replied Hem steadying himself.

Hemlock stood facing Drakantus who was a couple meters away from him. Around Hem's head there came a blue aura glowing off him, growing brighter and more strong every second until finally creating a trim around his entire body. In one sudden jolt Hem thrusted his head forward into the direction of Drake but stayed standing still.

A bolt of magic transfered from Hem's forehead to Drake's head. Drake stood perfectly still for a few seconds, than wobbled slightly and fell onto his side.

"Drake!"

"Don't worry!" Shouted Hemlock rushing over to Drakantus."All spells of this magnitude have side effects!"

Fluttershy stayed hiding behind her pillow while everypony else stared in wonder and slight shock. Drakantus soon got back up and began sniffing around him, walking alll around the room smelling every last little thing.

"See his fine!" Exclaimed Hem.

"Good! But I don't see any difference in him?" Said Rainbow Dash.

"Yes. That is odd. Let me go grab a book." Replied Hemlock as he walked upstairs to go grab a book. Drakantus walked by us five and was more interested in Fluttershy. He sniffed her mane and hooves until finally licking her cheek. Her giggiling caused her to drop the pillow.

"Ahhh you're so timid and kind Fluttershy! Especially with animals."

"Uh what!?" I said turning to Fluttershy and Drake. "He didn't just?"

"No! Of course not!" Added Dash.

"But where else did that voice come from?" Asked Kensei."FireSpeed!?" The voice was low in pitch but kind and soothing to ones ears. Like an old wise pony who teached many before him.

"No my fellow ponies. For this voice is mine!" We all turned to the voices source. Drakantus."It's quite odd to hear myself actually."

"HE SPEAKS!?" Shouted FireSpeed.

"Gaaaaahhh!" Yelled Rainbow Dash jumping backwards behind me.

"Drake!?" I shouted.

"Yes Lightning Flash. I know all of your names. I'm still the same dog as I always have been. Just now I can talk." Replied Drakantus.

"Ok I got the book!" Exclaimed Hemlock trotting down the stairs.

"HEM!" Kensei yelled leaping by his side.

"Woah what is it?" Asked Hemlock.

We all pointed at Drake who nodded and walked up to Hemlock.

"Hello master. Thank you for your gift!" Said Drake sitting in front of Hemlock.

Hemlock's face literally looked as if it was about to break, melt or drop off! He couldn't move, speak or even twitch! His mouth stayed gaping open and his eyes blinking repeatedly.

"Drakantus? Y-Y-You can talk!?" Said Hemlock with a tone almost scared, sad and happy all at the same time.

"Well of course master! Your transformation spell has affected my speech causing me to speak your language." Replied Drake.

Hemlock shed a tear from his right eye and grabbed Drakantus in a hug. Drake embraced the hug and nodded, sinking his head into Hem's shoulder.

"So you've now got a talking dog? Pretty sweet present!" Said FireSpeed.

"Wait......would the present be from him or Drake?" Asked Fluttershy. We all giggled at her comment but she still stood confused without an answer.

We all spent the next hour asking Drake many questions and getting to know him better. Questions like; Have you always been able to understand us? Do ya like the name Drakantus? His answer to those was yes. There were a few more but none that interesting.

At last we finally dived into our pile of presents. Each of us forming a pile of our own made up of gifts with our name on it.

Everypony's piles were reasonably the same amount meaning there wasn't much bickering.

We opened the first few gifts each which were mostly just chocolate and sweets wrapped up in boxes. Than the real gifts came.....

Rainbow Dash began unwrapping a box with blue and white wrapping paper. Once unwrapped there was a note on the box.

"To Dash

Love from Lightning"

"Hope ya like it!" I said sitting beside her as I swallowed some more chocolate. It was obviously the scarf I got her. Apart from the sweets and such I got everypony atleast one special gift. Not much to my surprise so did the others!

Dash quickly opened the box and stared into it seeing the scarf. She carefully picked it up and examined the striped pattern, wrapping it round her hoof and than turning to me.

"So do ya like it?" I asked.

"A Wonderbolt scarf? Do ya need to ask!" She threw the scarf round her neck causing it to fall perfectly into place and comfortably around her throat. Hugging me briefly and than shoving a box shaped gift in front of me.

"Your turn."

I unwrapped the box and opened it to see a book inside. Thick with pages and strong in the covers.

"Best Aviators, Maneuvers and Famous Tricks. I've heard of this!" I looked up at Dash who grinned at my response. I opened the book and began flying through all the pages."All of the best flyers, aviator teachers and stunts!? This is awesome!" I dropped the book on the cushion in front of me as I turned to hug Rainbow and kiss her.

"Heheh. That's not all! Look here." Said Dash selecting a certain page. "I don't read much but this here made me buy this for ya."

The page she selected seemed to be under the Aviator Teachers section of the book. She poked the right page with her hoof pointing out a certain pony.

The pony's name was Crimson Flash. My father.

"He made it into this book? I knew he was a great flight teacher and soldier but this book!?" I exclaimed studying the page carefully.

"Yup! Ya dad was amazing Light!" Shouted FireSpeed as he opened another gift. It was a photo of his class that he taught at his work experience. He turned ot to us to see and layed it carefully beside him.

Fluttershy slid a wrapped container across the floor to Hemlock. He grabbed it and with ease unwrapped. The container was made of glass and held a strange plant inside.

"A Venus Flytrap? Excellent! Thank you Fluttershy! I shall call him....Jaws!" Exclaimed Hem.

"You're welcome." Fluttershy replied with a smile of spreading across her face.

A few more gifts were handed out including books from Hemlock to everypony, festive cards and a variety of other presents.

"Well that's all the gifts done!" Said Hemlock and than sighed a little. "Gotta wait till next time now!"

"Well actually Hem." Kensei said gaining all of our attention."Not quite yet their not. I still have one more gift."

"Really!? Who for? Where is it?" Asked Rainbow jumping to her hooves.

"For Fluttershy.Let me go grab it!" Replied Kensei dissapointing Dash's hopes and causing Flutters to blush a little.

Kensei walked to the front door and opened it. A minute passed before he entered again but this time holding a blanket covered basket with his mouth. Kensei walked over beside Fluttershy and placed the basket in front of her.

"What is this?" Asked Fluttershy curious of the basket but also nervous of it.

"Well now that you have your own house and ya creating a place for little critters to live." Kensei bit an end of the blanket and whipped it off of the basket. Fluttershy stood up and looked into the basket.

"Is that for me!?" Asked Fluttershy springing into life with a glow of glee in her face.

"Sure is!" Kensei smiled and stared at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy dipped her two front hooves into the basket, using her wings for balance as she picked up and showed us all a tortoise. Dark green in colour all over and slow even as it blinked.

"A tortoise!?" Said Dash in shock as she hovered over the animal. The tortoise was startled by Dash and retreated back into it's shell.

"Yup! His my pet that I've had since he was born. Living in CloudsDale though has meant I can't give him the home he deserves and he has had to be kept in the forest where I made him a small shelter.  I love him so much and can't think of a better home for him than with you Fluttershy. You deserve him and he deserves you." Replied Kensei drooping his head a little but never taking his eyes off of Fluttershy.

"Oh Kensei! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Fluttershy couldn't say it any louder and faster as she leaped at Kensei hugging him for about ten seconds straight. Kensei's cheeks grew as red as roses but the smile on his face was priceless.

He finally had something to give to Fluttershy apart from his music.

Fluttershy finally let go of him and blushed a little herself as she picked up the tortoise who had now reappeared from inside his shell and hugged him too. "Does he have a name?"

"No actually. With him being away from any other animals I've never thought of giving him a a name." Replied Kensei.

"Well I'll leave his name out for now. Thank you so much Kensei!" Said Fluttershy sitting down with the tortoise.

"Ya know we should all get pets!" I said looking specifically at Drake and the tortoise.

"Nah who needs a pet! I couldn't deal with something as slow as a turtle. I'd need something fast, strong and that can fly! Something that'd need to keep up with me." Added Dash spinning in the air above the tortoise.

"His a tortoise not a turtle." Said Fluttershy.

"Same thing!" Replied Rainbow Dash now sitting back down beside me.

"Well! What now folks?" Asked FireSpeed.

"Today and last night have been awesome! But I think I'm gonna head home." I said standing up and Dash also doing so.

"Oh ok! Thanks for coming Light!" Said Hemlock.

"No problem buddy."

"Wait what about clearing up? We still got quite the mess!" Asked FireSpeed trotting in the piles of wrapping paper.

"No you guys go, I'll clear up!" Replied Hemlock as he began to levitate one of the piles with his magic.

"Thanks Hem!" I said walking towards the door with Kensei, FireSpeed, Dash and Fluttershy following me outside.

"Well I'll catch ya guys later!" Said FireSpeed now with his satchel full of gifts and flying off towards CloudsDale.

"Yo Light can we talk for a second?" Asked Kensei whispering into my ear.

"Yeah sure. Hey Dash do ya mind talking to Flutters for a little bit?" I asked Dash so we could get a moment alone.

"Sure!" Dash turned to Fluttershy who was now admiring the tortoise still."Yo Fluttershy!"

"What is it Kensei?" I asked.

"Well...do ya think Fluttershy liked my gift?"

"Um yeah! I mean ya saw how she reacted! I hardly ever see her that..that expressive and giddy!"

"I know. What I mean though is....do ya think she realises how I feel about her?"

"Well I'm not sure. I mean Dash didn't completely know how I felt until I told her but she still felt the same way."

"What if Fluttershy doesn't feel the same way about me?"

Really? Kensei was obviously so head over hooves in love to notice how shy and nervous Fluttershy was around him because she loved Kensei. I couldn't tell him that though. It's Fluttershy's right to show him not me.

"Dude..I'm..not sure but whether she does or doesn't ya still gotta show her how you feel. Maybe next time without a tortoise because I mean that doesn't exactly spell out "I love you." Great gift though!"

"I guess ya right. I'll tell her....just when it's the right time."

"Whatever feels best bro. Was there anything else?"

"Nah. Thanks"

"No problem."

The snow was still settled on the ground with more falling softly from the clouds overhead. Rainbow walked back over to me with her scarf still wrapped softly round her neck.

"Everything alright?" Asked Dash.

"Yeah. Just talking about that tortoise."

"Seriously I don't see the point in having something so slow. I'd need something as fast as me!"

"Heheh I know. It needs a name though I think. Not up to me though."

"What would ya call it?"

"Hmmm. Well tortoises are supposed to be strong and endurable so I think Tank would suit it."