Twilight hummed happily to herself as she swept the duster over the spines of her beloved books. Her faithful assistant, Spike the Dragon (registered scribe), was scrubbing the floors. He had already done so, but Twilight liked for him to do it twice. Luckily, he was a dragon and had a near inexhaustible supply of endurance. That didn't mean he didn't get tired and when he finished his task he decided to go curl up and take a nap in his basket. Twilight continued dusting. She noticed that the books were just slightly out of order in the self-help section. Her system was alphabetical and by category. She did not use that abomination known as the Dewey Decimal system that had so confused her as a young filly. Books were supposed to be alphabetized. That's how everything was supposed to be. Using her magic, she placed "Living With a Neurotic Unicorn" next to "So, You're Wife Just Gave Birth to a Pegasus and You're Both Earth Ponies: A Stallion's Guide To Pony Genetics." That done, she looked around the library. Everything was right where it was supposed to be. In addition, there were six sleeping bags laid out in the center of the library along with several pillows. The refrigerator was stocked with graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. A fire was blazing in the fireplace. Everything was in place for the Element Bearer's weekly sleepover.
Twilight floated over her duster and placed it in the closet. The sleepover was at Eight and Rainbow Dash always loved getting places first so she could triumphantly shout "first!" so any minute now...
"First!" The pegasus cried as she zoomed through the library door.
"Like Tartarus you are!" An orange earth pony shouted as she came in next to her.
"Pinkie! Who won that one?" Dash demanded.
Pinkie bounced into the door. "Um, sorry Dashie, but I think Applejack's nose was an inch ahead of yours."
"How can you possibly know that?" Dash growled. "You were behind us!"
"I think you came in at the same time." Twilight commented.
"Hmph. We'll just have to have another contest then." Dash said.
"How about who can eat the most s'mores?" Applejack suggested.
"That sounds awesome."
"Let's wait till everyone gets here before we get into the s'mores." Twilight said.
Pinkie bounced into the room and jumped onto the couch. Dash joined her. Applejack stretched and sat down on the floor.
"So, you two need some water? Racing can really exert the sweat glands." Twilight offered.
"Sure."
"That'd be great, Sugarcube."
Twilight walked into the kitchen and poured two glasses of water. Then she poured a third for Pinkie. They took the glasses gratefully.
"So, I won the race to the hill." Dash said.
"I won the rock toss." Applejack countered.
"We both flubbed on the pepper-eating contest."
"I didn't think the habanero peppers were that spicy." Pinkie said.
"And we tied on the race to the library." Applejack conceded.
"We'll need one more to make it even." Dash decided.
"Ooh. How about a marshmallow eating contest? Twi, you got any spare marshmallows?" Pinkie asked.
"Let me check." Twi said. She disappeared into the kitchen and a few minutes later returned with a two bowls of the sugary treats. "We overstocked on these. Eat up, girls."
She laid the bowls on the table. Applejack and Rainbow Dash glanced at each other.
"This is it, AJ. The last contest."
"It's gonna be mine, RD."
"As if! I'm gonna be the...um...why were we doing this again?"
"I don't know. You showed up at the farm at noon and challenged me to a race just like you do every Tuesday. The harvest was done brought in so I had nothing better to do."
"Oh, right. Well, prepare to go down!"
"Prepare yourself!"
All at once they dove into the marshmallows.
"Oh. Oh my. Are we interrupting something?" Fluttershy asked as she walked into the library followed by Rarity. The dueling ponies waved to the pair before returning to their contest.
"That is most uncouth and bad for the digestion, Darling." Rarity said.
The contenders paid no mind as they continued to devour the marshmallows. Only a few marshmallows remained in either bowl. The tension in the air was thick. The other four ponies stood around and watched.
"Wooh-hoo! Victory is mine...oh...my tummy doesn't feel so good." Dash moaned.
"Buck it up, champ." AJ teased. "But I think I'm gonna skip any s'more if you don't mind."
"Me too." Dash said, rubbing her stomach.
"More for me!" Pinkie sang.
Twilight levitated over her sleepover guide. "So, who wants to play truth-or-dare?"
The element bearers gathered in a circle on the floor.
"I went last last time, so I'll go first this time." Twilight said. "Pinkie, truth or dare."
"Dare!" Pinkie chose.
"I dare you to eat a piece of broccoli."
Pinkie made a face. "No way!"
"She dared you, you have to!" Dash said.
"I am sooo getting you back for this, Sparkle!" Pinkie said.
Twilight got the broccoli. Pinkie gulped it down quickly. She paused.
"Huh. It wasn't so bad."
"See! I told you you'd like vegetables if you just tried them!" Twilight said. "Alright, your turn."
"Truth or dare?" Pinkie asked.
"Truth."
"Have you ever kissed anypony?"
"Once or twice. I had a coltfriend once."
"Ever kissed a teacher?" Pinkie continued.
Twilight's cheeks burned red. "Well, um, y'see...maybe. Alright, who's next? Applejack, it's your turn!"
"Okay. Rarity, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"I dare you to bark like a dog."
"Of all the-alright, very well." Rarity stood up and did a passing impersonation of a greyhound. The others rolled around on the floor laughing. Even Rarity started laughing. "Okay, Applejack. Truth or dare."
"Truth."
"Have you ever worn a dress and liked it?"
"To tell you the truth, I rather liked the gala dress you made me. Kinda made me feel purty." Applejack answered.
"Truly, Darling?" Rarity cooed.
"Yeah. Alright, who's next?"
"I think it's my turn if nopony minds." Fluttershy said. "Dash, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"I dare you to...fly around the library. Slowly."
"Eh? Alright. I guess." Dash stood up flapped her wings and took off. Then she slowed down as if she were simply being carried by a breeze. She struggled for a few moments. Flying slow was different. She kept having to correct her balance. Finally she was able to go all the way around it and went back to her place.
"Alright. That was hard. So, Fluttershy truth or dare?"
"Dare. I'm trying to be braver."
"I dare you to fly around the library, fast."
Fluttershy stood, flared her wings and took off. Soon, she lost control and shouted as she sped towards a wall. Everypony screamed, but she was able to turn at the last minute and avoid the collision.
"I did it!" She cried as she plopped back down.
"That was kind of awesome, Flutters." Dash praised, patting her shoulder.
Rarity stretched. "Does anypony want a makeover?"
Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie did. Applejack and Dash skipped that one.
"Hey, is it time for the pillow fight?" Dash asked. "That's my favorite part."
"If you want a pillow fight, you can have one!" Pinkie said, whacking a pillow alongside Dash's head. Dash grabbed a pillow and tossed it towards Pinkie. She dodged and then grabbed it. Dash soon found herself being whacked with two pillows.
Twilight's horn lit as she grabbed one of the pillows from Pinkie. "Pinkie, that's just not fair!" She playfully scolded swatting Pinkie with the soft implement. Pinkie threw the pillow at her. It landed right in her face. The other bearers armed themselves with the fluffy weapons. Dash, Applejack and Rarity slapped each other with pillows while Pinkie and Twilight dueled. Even Fluttershy got in on the act, occasionally tapping one of the others with her pillow. Twilight caught a pillow in her magical grasp.
And Tartarus broke loose. Suddenly, the pillow exploded into a mass of feathers. One by one the pillows burst, sending feathers everywhere. In the center of the maelstrom was Twilight. Everypony stared at her. Spike, awoken by the noise, rushed to her side.
"Twilight! Is everything okay?"
Twilight just stood there. Tears gathered in her eyes. Rarity rushed over and embraced her.
"Oh, Darling! It's okay. This sort of thing happens sometimes. Did you injure your horn recently?"
Twilight pushed her away. "No, it shouldn't happen!"
"What just happened?" Applejack asked.
"Magic surge." Twilight said, in a hollow voice. "I lost control."
"Like I said-"
"No, Rarity. I'm an alpha-level unicorn. I lose control, I could kill someone."
"But you didn't." Rarity said, placing a hoof on her shoulder.
Twilight began to pace. "I've been so busy studying I've slacked off on my meditation. That's not acceptable. I shouldn't have. I can't believe-Celestia, I'm so sorry."
Dash shrugged. "Nopony got hurt."
"Somepony could have!"
"Twilight, every unicorn, no every pony, every living thing in Equestria messes up sometimes." Rarity said. "I might only be beta-level, but there was a time I lost control. And I nearly did kill a pony."
All eyes turned to Rarity. She sighed. "I was dating this colt when I was sixteen. One day I was at the mall and I saw him kissing another mare. I lost it, Twilight. I had a surge that hit him so hard his legs were broken. Some of the shop windows were busted. I actually spent the night in jail. Everypony thought it was deliberate. A doctor diagnosed me with Temporary Trauma-Based Magical Combustion Syndrome. I still had to go to a therapist and learn meditation just like an alpha-level. I still practice it. Perhaps we could do it together sometimes?"
Twilight nodded. "I'd like that."
"I might not have any fancy magic like y'all, but I've managed to screw up myself a few times." Applejack offered. "Let me tell you about the first time I went drinking. I liked it. I liked it a bit too much. I don't quite recall what happened after I blacked out, but I had bruises for days and a lifetime ban from that bar for getting in a fight."
Dash laughed.
"It wasn't funny at the time, RD."
"Heh. Sorry. Okay, as long as we're talking about screw-ups I've made some pretty big ones myself. One time I crashed into somepony while I was practicing. Mind you, I'd NEVER hurt another pony on purpose. But I was doing a new trick and lost control."
"She plowed right into me." Applejack finished the story.
"I paid for her medical bills."
"And we've been best friends ever since."
Fluttershy spoke up. "Dash, I need to say something. A long time ago, back when we were kids, I had a crush on you. You were always there for me, looking out for me. And I loved you for it. So, I sent you that card saying to meet your secret admirer at the stadium."
"That was you?" Dash asked. "Do you still feel that way?"
"I'm sorry, but no. As I got older I realized I was more into stallions. I lost my nerve and didn't show up. I wanted to apologize and never got the chance. This is about as good a time as any."
Dash hugged her. "Apology accepted, old friend."
Fluttershy nuzzled her.
"And if you ever decide you like mares you know where to find me." Dash whispered to her.
"I'll keep that in mind." Fluttershy whispered back.
"I might as well say something too." Pinkie said. "I tried crack once. And then I woke up on top of a mountain covered in cake. Try explaining THAT to your mom and dad. They were not pleased."
"You've all seen what happens to me when I get greedy so you've seen me at my worst." Spike said.
"So you see, Twilight. We've all done something. You have no reason to be ashamed."
Twilight smiled. "So, none of you hold this against me?"
They all hugged her, Spike hugging her leg. She nestled into the fuzzy and scaly warmth.
"But now nopony has any pillows." Twilight said, stepping back.
"There's plenty of pillows at the boutique." Rarity offered. "I'll go get some."
"Oh, thank you, Rarity!"
The fashionista trotted out the door to get the pillows.
"Who wants s'mores? I'll save some for Rarity!" Pinkie said. She got the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. The others gathered around the fire even though Applejack and Dash didn't intend on making any s'mores. Twilight joined them, a feeling of warmth and acceptance filling her.