An Autumn Romance

Author's Note: Well, I'm finally back from my break and school has once again started! This chapter was written over my two months at camp, and because of that I have to extend a big thank you to my editor Therizzen. It was a little more than rough before he looked it over. Also, he just released his first story! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the new chapter, and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

“Aww, come on! They really can’t be that bad,” Dash said while continuing out of the room. “Just look at how you ended up! You’re just fine.”

Twilight rushed out of bed and in front of Rainbow, stopping the pegasus dead in her tracks. “You have no idea! One of the reasons I am who I am today was to spite them! They tried to control who I was going to be from the day I was born.”

“That strict, huh?” Dash asked, slightly recoiling.

“That strict!?” Twilight repeated, a menacing gleam in her eye. “They’re the snobby Canterlot elite your father talked about! They sent me to study under Celestia to continue our family's great lineage! They even sent my brother into the Royal Canterlot Guard at the first opportunity!”

Dash was now slowly backing up, not having seen this side of her marefriend before. “Twi, you’re starting to scare me...”

She took a deep breath, calming herself. “Sorry, I kinda over-reacted. I guess I just needed to get that out...” She hung her head, shameful.

Rainbow felt safer once again, and approached her marefriend. She lifted Twilight’s head with her hoof, looking into her eyes. “It’s not your fault. I’m sorry for even bringing it up. We don’t need to go see them.”

Twilight just shook her head. “No, we really should. I forced you to face the demons in your life, so it’s about time I go and face mine.”

“Sounds great!” Dash said, perking right back up. “Maybe you can show me all around Canterlot while we’re there! I’ve always wanted to see it the way a local would. Oh, can we go see the Wonderbolts?!”

Twilight just stayed quiet as Rainbow kept on fantasizing what they would do and see in Canterlot. She knew that her parents were a problem, but the thought of facing them was overwhelming. This must be what Rainbow felt like, she thought. I just hope I can have the strength...

“...Hay, what if Lyra and BonBon came with us?” Dash mentioned in her ramblings.

“Wait, what did you just say?” Twilight asked, coming back to the conversation. She looked at her marefriend with a puzzled expression.

“What if Lyra and BonBon came with us?” Rainbow said again. “They were really supportive of me and were there when I needed them. Also, I don’t think BonBon has ever been to Canterlot, and I’m sure she’d love to come!”

Twilight thought about it for a moment before nodding her head. “Sure. If I know what’s coming, I can use all the help I can get.”

• ~ -

Lyra had just settled down for a little alone time in the bathtub when the knock came at the door. She groaned, slowly raising herself out of the steaming water. “Why does this always happen when I have some ‘me’ time!?” she complained as she trotted down the hall to the door. She opened it while still mumbling about her misfortune.

“How would you and BonBon like to go to Canterlot!” Dash exclaimed.

The proposition slightly took Lyra aback, being caught off guard by the sudden question. “Umm... ahh...” she stammered.

Twilight sighed loudly. “Sorry, as you can see Rainbow is slightly excited. She gets like that.” She waited for a moment to allow Lyra to regain her composure. “I’m going to be heading off to Canterlot to speak with my family about... us.” She motioned to Rainbow, still smiling brightly. “It might not, well probably not, go so smoothly and I could really use any support possible. So Dash and I were wondering if you two would like to tag along.”

“We’re gonna see the sights while we’re there!” Dash blurted out again, to which Twilight just rolled her eyes.

Lyra just smiled, relieved that there was no immediate emergency she would have to deal with. She’d be back in the bath in no time. “That sounds good! I’m sure BonBon would love to come, and we’ll always be there to support you. I’ll tell her all about it when she gets back.”

“Thanks!” the pair said while turning to leave.

The door shut and Lyra sighed as she walked back to her relaxing water. Never a dull moment, huh? Was all she thought.

• ~ -

“Do you want to ask anypony else if they want to tag along?” Dash asked as they walked into town.

“I was thinking about asking Applejack, but that would be about it,” Twilight replied. “She’s been helpful in all of this before...”

“What, like getting me to come out of my shell?” Dash asked, smiling.

“Well... umm... yes,” Twilight stammered.

“Aww, it’s alright.“ Dash said. “Say, how about you head into town and get any groceries we need and I’ll go ask her!”

“I think I should be the one to ask her...” Twilight started to say, but before she could finish Rainbow had already flown off.

• ~ -

Rainbow found Applejack walking along the dirt road to her family’s farm. Stealthily, she landed and attempted to sneak up on her friend.

“Ah heard ya comin’ a mile away, Rainbow.” AJ said without even turning her head.

Dash mocked a pout and fell on her flank, crossing her hooves. “How did you do that?”

Applejack turned with a grin. “Practice, and a loud pegasus who thinks she’s quiet.” Rainbow just glared at her. “Now, what’d you come out her fer?”

“Can’t I just come out here and see my friend once in awhile?” AJ just rolled her eyes. “Alright, I may have something to ask you...”

“Oh, and what might that be?” Applejack asked. “Am Ah gonna have to spend more time watching you perform your tricks?”

“No. Well... not now,” she said. “I was wondering if you would want to come to Canterlot with myself, Twilight, Lyra, and BonBon.”

AJ stood there, silent in thought for a moment. “What’s the catch? Ya fillies know that my barn door doesn’t swing that way, right?”

Rainbow did her best to contain her laughter. “No, no, nothing like that. Twilight is just going to talk to her parents about us and she said she could use some moral support.”

“Well, if it’s for a friend like Twilight, Ah’ll be sure to be there.” Applejack said, smiling. “So, when will we be going? Big Mac will want to know. Hiring a temporary farm hand and all.”

Rainbow’s smile quickly faded as she realized they had forgotten to plan that part of the trip. “Umm, I’ll have to get back to you on that,” she said as she got up and flapped her wings. She rose off the ground and quickly flew back towards the library.

AJ just chuckled slightly and turned to keep on walking home.

• ~ -

Rainbow burst through the library door to find Twilight sitting with BonBon by the library’s fireplace. She finally realized how cold it had been once the warmth of the roaring fire hit her coat.

“Hey Dashie, Twilight and I were just talking about you,” BonBon said with a sly smile. Twilight blushed slightly.

The cyan pegasus instantly forgot why she was there, straightening up and puffing out her chest instead. “At least I know they were positive!” she boasted.

“Because it’s ME you’re talking about!” she exclaimed. “No, but seriously, what were you saying?”

“We were discussing your, ummm, performance...” Twilight said shyly.

“At what? Aerial maneuvers? Being awesome?”

“Your bedroom performance,” BonBon said calmly.

“Of course you...wait... what!?”Dash exclaimed once again.

“I was interested in how you’ve... changed since college, so Twilight and I were swapping stories,” BonBon replied.

“Well, what’d she say?” Rainbow asked, intrigued.

“Don’t worry, nothing bad.” BonBon reassured her. “In fact, it sounds like you’ve learned a few new tricks!”

“Well, wisdom does come with experience,” Dash said, confident in herself once more.

“I must say that I expect you to be a little more, well, angry...” Twilight said as she relaxed a bit.

“Hey, as long as it’s nice... and only to BonBon... why should I care?” she said, settling down next to the fire.

“Great! Now tell me the bad parts...” BonBon managed before Rainbow’s hoof covered her mouth.

“Aaannnddd, that’s enough about that!” Dash said, removing her hoof from her friend’s face. They sat silently for a moment before Rainbow remembered why she had come back in such a hurry. “So, when will we be leaving for Canterlot?”

“I was thinking that we could leave in a couple days. I really want to just get this over with,” Twilight said.

Satisfied with the answer, Dash got up and was about to rush out to find Applejack once again before Twilight stopped her. “I made some lunch, if you want any. It’s over on the table.”

Realizing how hungry she was, she trotted over to the table where a daisy and daffodile sandwich lay on a plate. Rainbow quickly scarfed it down before heading out into the cold air.

• ~ -

The next few days seemed to pass in a blur, and were mostly filled with packing for their time in the city. Eventually, the big day arrived and the group found themselves gathered at the Ponyville train station. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy had shown up to see them off and wish Twilight luck.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to come with you? There are so many new fashion lines due out in Canterlot around this time!” Rarity pleaded.

“Sorry, but we’re quite a large group as it is,” Twilight said. “I’ll see if I can find something you would like, alright?” Rarity just nodded and stepped back.

“I hope you have a good time wait I know you’ll have a good time and I’m sure your parents will be great and...” Pinkie paused to gasp for air. “...they’ll love you and appreciate you just like we all do!”

“Thanks Pinkie, that means a lot,” Twilight said while giving her friend a hug.

“Good luck!” Fluttershy said, smiling as widely as she could. “All of my animals wish you well too!”

Next to the yellow pegasus, a couple birds and rabbits waved to the group.

Finally, one baby dragon was left. He jumped up and gave Twilight a big hug. “It’ll all go fine, have a great time,” Spike said as he let go of Twilight’s neck.

The group boarded the train, and many words of encouragement followed it as it pulled out of the station.

Settling into their seats, Rainbow turned to face Twilight. “So, do you think you’re ready?”

The purple mare sighed loudly. “As ready as I’m ever going to be...”

• ~ -

The train pulled into the Canterlot station, the brakes squealing under the stress. The group of 5 soon departed, entering into the hustle and bustle of the capital city and Celestia Station.

“Stay near me!” Twilight called. Trying to get her friends’ attention. She knew how busy it got and how quickly you could get lost in this place. Canterlot seemed to only have grown since she left, and a large number of ponies that were clearly in a hurry pushed past her and obscured her view. She pushed her way through the crowd and out of the way of the onslaught. Once she was finally able to see better, she looked around but could see nopony she recognized. Her call had fallen on deaf ears and they were all lost in the crowd.