Chapters Twilight yawned as her eyes fluttered open. Orange wings and hooves wrapped around her, and she couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" The former guard said, moving his wings up and down.
"You're tickling me!" Twilight giggled. Flash did this every morning. He would wake her up by tickling her until she got her "lazy flank" out of bed. If Flash said that, she would respond with "You didn't say that last night." He would then blush and shut up.
"Oh, and do you know how to stop it...? I don't think you do." The cocky stallion smirked. He was cocky, that was for sure, but he couldn't back most of it up. He was a mediocre guard, and he was one of the worst flyers. He also happened to be very prone to accidents.
"Oh, I know a few tricks...." She saw Flash's eyes glint in excitement, then shock as she called out, "OH LIGHTNING!"
"Oh no..." The stallion whimpered.
The Princess of Friendship flew up, fluttering along the ceiling as a certain yellow unicorn colt crashed open the door. "GOOD MORNING MOM!" He called out to his mother, before jumping on the bed, and then on top of Flash Sentry himself.
"Ow...." The stallion sighed miserably. "That's a dirty trick, honey..."
Twilight giggled and landed next to her son. "But it works."
Lightning Swords was a unicorn, just as Twilight once had been, with a white mane and tail with a yellow coat similar to his father's. He was good with magic, yet not as strong as his mother when he was her age. He lacked a Cutie Mark, yet with his skill of magic, his parents were positive it would appear soon. He suddenly squealed in excitement. "Do you know what today is? Do ya? Do ya!?"
"What is it, Lightning?" Twilight asked, bemused by her husband's face and her son's excitement.
"Today is the first day of school!" He announced excitedly before jumping out of the room, hazel eyes glowing. Lightning happened to be a very neat pony, as his mother had taught him. His saddlebags were packed, everything neat and orderly, room cleaned, and mouth washed. He tore through his breakfast, somehow keeping it clean still, which still shocked his parents. He trotted in place impatiently at the door.
"He certainly has your love of school..." Murmured Flash Sentry.
Twilight was beaming, glowing as if Rarity had found a new ship. "Well then, what are we waiting for!?" She proceeded to run out the door, Lightning behind her, a very bemused pegasus in their wake.
Cheerilee waved her hoof to silence the class, making sure to glare at Mind Melt as she groaned in response. "Welcome, fillies and colts, to the new school year! Now, I know most of you are excited for class to start, but first we will all introduce ourselves." She started listing off the names of students, who stood up and said something "interesting" about themselves.
A white Earth pony filly with a bright yellow, poofy mane stood up, eyes bright, as her name was called. "Hi! My name is Candle Light, and I am a party planning expert!"
Next was pegasus colt with a light blue coat and a yellow mane and tail. "My name is Arrow Feather, and I am going to be a wonderbolt when I grow up!"
A strange looking colt with a spiky tail and spike-like mane stood up shyly. "My name is Crystal Scale, and I am the first ever Dragon pony." He also had dragon like wings folded on his tiny back. There were a small amount of "ooo"s at his announcement.
Next, a grey filly with an orange mane and tail, holy legs, and strange wings stood up, and she looked nervous. "H-Hi, I'm Beetle Fruit, and I am the first ever Change Pony....." She was also awarded by "ooo"s, which seemed to calm her down.
Then, Lightning introduced himself. "My name is Lightning Swords, and my mother is the Princess of Friendship!" There were oos, ahs, and awed looks, almost every filly and colt staring at him.
Except for one little filly. She had a soft cream flank with a mane and tail striped red, black, and yellow. "Name's Mind Melt. I am the daughter of the Lord of Chaos himself. Beat that." Soon, all the ponies were awed by her instead of Lightning. He was excited, about these three strange ponies. He wondered about there limits of magic, and was especially awed by Mind Melt, and her spunky attitude. He even missed the next introductions, before catching a name that sounded strangely like "Space Muffin." He shrugged it off and continued staring at these strange fillies.
"What did you just ask me!?" The filly kept herself from punching the colt, who was looking at her in excitement.
"Can I use you for experiments?" Lightning questioned again.
"Dude. I want you to think about what you just asked me." Mind Melt looked at him in disgust.
He put a hoof to his chin, thinking. "Hm...." His eyes suddenly widened in shock and he blushed. "No no no! I didn't mean it like that! I meant as in I wanted to test your magical capabilities!"
Mind stared at him. "Okay..... If Dad hadn't put my powers on lock down, I would have turned you in to a pineapple..."
Lightning blanched in fear. "I'm sorry! I really didn't mean it."
She sighed, and looked away, searching for her friend. "It's fine.... Oh, hey, it's Arrow. HEY ARROW! OVER HERE!"
The pegasus had just trotted out of the school yard, and walked over to them. However, when he got close, his wings made an audible, and visible, pomf . He blushed furiously and looked down. "Uh h-hey. I-I'm just gonna.... Um..... I'm gonna...." He raced off, leaving both foals puzzled.
"Woah. I don't remember him doing that before." She turned to the equally puzzled colt. "Well, as I said, my dad put my powers on restriction, so I'll have to ask him. I'll let you know tomorrow." She turned towards the exit of school, but not before calling back to him, "LATER!"
Lightning smiled, and went to pack up his things.
Author's Note
ALL CHILDREN ARE MY OCs!
Arrow paced the floor of his cloud-home. He kept beating himself up over previous events. "C'mon, I thought I got over this! But then I just..... Ugh, why did this have to happen to me...?"
A cyan hoof rested on his shoulder, stopping him. "What's the problem, kid?" Rainbow Dash said. Her son was quiet, and Rainbow felt concerned. "You can tell me bud! If any pony is threatening or bullying you, I'll send them all the way to Timbucktu!"
Arrow giggled, but quickly regained his solemn expression. "I.... don't wanna talk about it..." He trotted to his room, a concerned mare in his wake. A light blue stallion soon joined her.
"What's wrong honey..?" Soarin' asked. He knew it couldn't have been his job, as Arrow had envied him and no pony took notice of him being sad when he went on shows.
"He's keeping a secret from us. I can't help him if he won't tell me..." Rainbow frowned. Suddenly an idea struck her. "I have an idea."
Soarin' looked at his wife warily. Considering the disaster when she didn't want Tank to hibernate, you could never predict her plans. "And that is...?"
She grew a small smile. "It's time to call in a friend."
Fluttershy carefully dusted the Discord-shaped lamp. It was one of her prized possessions, even if it showed her husbands massive ego. "Hmm.... Hmm..... Ahahah...." She hummed a song as she cleaned.
"Your singing is so beautiful..." Discord sighed, watching over Mind Melt's shoulder as she did her homework.
Mind slammed her head on the table, startling Fluttershy. "Why is math so HARD!!??"
Discord patted her back comfortingly. "It's fine, I struggle with math all the time, so your mother has to help me."
His daughter looked at him in doubt. "Really..?"
"Really." Discord responded as he heard a knock. He opened the door, somewhat surprised to see Rainbow Dash. "Hello Rainbow Dash! I got your tail!" He waved the rainbow colored hair in his claw, to an unamused Rainbow.
"Actually, Discord," She responded trying to grab her tail back. "Can I talk to Fluttershy for a minute?"
Discord finally gave her the tail back. "Sure. OH FLUTTERSHY! RAINBOW'S HERE TO SEE YOU!" His voice shook the cottage a little.
The yellow pegasus flew out of the living room and towards Rainbow, seemingly unacknowledged to the fact her house just shook. "Oh, hi Rainbow! What can I help you with?"
Rainbow frowned a little. "Could you help out with Arrow?"
Fluttershy looked worried. "Is he sick?"
"No-"
"Is he hurt!?"
"No-"
"IS HE DEAD!?"
"NO!" Rainbow shrieked, interrupting her. "HE'S NOT HURT!"
Fluttershy blushed at her foolishness. "Oh, sorry... What is it then...?"
Rainbow looked at her strangely before continuing. "He's keeping something from me, and it's apparently really bothering him. Could you help..?"
Fluttershy smiled and started flying to Rainbow's home. "Of course. Discord, make sure she does her homework, or Mind Melt doesn't get chocolate milk, and you KNOW what you won't get."
Discord blushed and turned away. "Yes, my dear..."
As the two pegasi flew Rainbow smirked at her. "You really tamed him. What did you restrict?"
The butter colored pegasus blushed. "Butter. Butter and cotton candy for dessert."
Rainbow nudged her playfully. "Nice innuendo." The yellow pegasus blushed and didn't talk for the rest of the flight.
Once at the floating home, it was unnaturally quiet. That was evidence for Rainbow. "See? It's NEVER this quiet. Even at night." She lowered her voice to a whisper as Fluttershy blushed. "Soarin' snores."
Fluttershy was led by Rainbow to her son's room, where muffled sobbing was heard. Rainbow's frown deepened. "I'll wait out here."
Fluttershy opened the door, and silently flew over to the colt, the door closing behind her. She hugged him, and neither said anything for a while.
Finally, Arrow spoke up. "My mom asked you to come, huh?"
Fluttershy nodded. "But if you don't want to share what you tell me with her, that is your decision."
Arrow adored his aunt. She was kind, caring, and would keep a secret to the grave if necessary. The colt was silent, thinking if he should trust her with his most guarded secret. "Fluttershy.... Don't tell Mom but I...."
The kind pegasus hugged him." Hm...?"
Arrow had a war raging in his mind.
Tell her.
Don't tell her.
Tell her.
Don't tell her!
Tell her!
DON'T TELL HER!
TELL HER!
Arrow broke the enlonged silence, his secret so guarded. The one he kept from his own family. The one that haunted him. The one that raged in his mind.
The one that made his wings stick up when he saw handsome colts.
"I..... I like colts..." Silence stretched.
"I know."
Arrow stared at her. "What?"
"Mind Melt told me what happened at school. The way you flushed when you drew near, as she was talking with Lightning. How you had never done that near her, ever before. I knew from that. But don't worry, it's your choice who you tell."
Arrow Feather stared up at her. "Can you tell Mom and Dad...? I... I want to be alone right now."
Fluttershy smiled, her soft and kind way. "Of course."
And with that she left his room, going to tell Rainbow and Soarin' the news.
Arrow sat on a cloud in silence, two different shades of blue pegasi next to him.
"Why didn't you tell us..?" Soarin' asked.
"I.... I was scared...."
Rainbow put a comforting wing around her son. "We're not like Caramel's parents, Arrow. We wouldn't judge you."
Arrow smiled, a soft smile.
"Thanks."
Author's Note
Yeah. I don't view Rainbow as gay, but I thought it would be interesting for Rainbow's son, the inheritor of coolness, to be gay. It's hard to explain, but I just like him this way.
When did you guess his secret?
By the Light of the Candle
The home of the three most party loving ponies was quiet. That was quite the surprise, already, but this place was full of surprises. But, what made it surprising, was that one of these ponies was awake, during the night.
It was the youngest member, Candle Light. She loved the peacefulness of the night. She loved being loud and crazy, sure, and she loved giving parties.
But, the softness of the night delighted her. The sparkling stars. The creamy white moon. The silence. If she loved anything about the night, though, it was it's mysteries. During the night, Santa Hooves came. During the night, Luna visited dreams. During the night, the tooth fairy came. It fascinated her.
And that was why the young white filly sat on her windowsill gazing in to the sky.
"It's so peaceful..." She murmured. A soft smile played at her lips.
"It really is..." Candle jumped as a voice spoke below her.
The yellow-maned filly was shocked to see Princess Luna.
"P-Princess Luna!? What are you doing here!?" She gaped at the dark alicorn.
Luna smiled softly at her. "You know why I was initially banished, correct?"
Candle nodded, her eyes still wide. "Yeah.... You were angry that no pony looked at your night."
Luna looked at her. "Yes. I have gotten over that, in my reformation. Yet, you still gaze at the sky, when you should be resting."
Candle shook her head, a soft smile on her muzzle. "I couldn't do that. Your nights are beautiful, and it just felt wrong that no pony gazed at them."
Luna looked surprised. "W-What? Ponies do look at them. I can sense it." She shook her head sadly. "You should worry about your energy. You need to sleep."
"No can do, Princess. I want you to know how much I appreciate your nights, sleepy or not."
The once wicked pony looked at her, a small tear in her eye. She softly flew up to Candle Light. "You are so generous, Candle. I sincerely do appreciate your concern. Now, appreciate my concern, and sleep..." She lowered her horn to the filly's head, and her eyes drooped. Candle floated to sleep, a lullaby accompanying her.
Hush now.....
Close your eyes.....
Do not worry....
For a bad surprise....
Let the calm of sleep enfold....
And your limits be untold....
For you are special, little one.....
With your heart, of gold.....
With that, she fell asleep. Luna reached in to the room, and blew out a small candle, lit on Candle's desk.
"Good night, Candle Light. And let your heart and soul be at rest...." With a small smile, she flew to her castle, ready to venture through ponies dreams.
Celestia watched as her sister entered the castle. She had seen her fly off, and had gotten worried, so she had decided to wait for a while before searching for her. There was a soft smile on Luna's muzzle, and there seemed to be a light sparkle in her eye, like a tear.
Celestia straightened as her sister landed. "Hello Luna, where have you been?"
Luna jumped a little, but regained her composure and looked softly at her sister. "Meeting a pony with a heart of gold."
Pinkie smiled at her daughter as she appeared at the door to her room. "Morning sleepy head!" She waited for a response, but none came. She looked at Candle worriedly. "Why are you so quiet?"
Candle's smile shone brighter. "I just thought that the sweet silence of the night might want to visit the day."
Pinkie's frown soon dissipated, and her smile was soft. "And who taught you that?"
Candle winked at her, as if the two had a private joke. "A friend."
Pinkie nodding in understanding before heading to the kitchen, her husband at the kitchen table. "Mornin', Cheesy!" She took a whiff of the air. "Ooooo! Pancakes with chocalate chips and sprinkles for me, a cheese stuffed waffle for you, and french toast with a lit candle for Candle Light!"
Cheese grinned. "Yup!"
As the two started chowing down, they barely noticed as Candle walked in and devoured her own.
Cheese grinned at her. "Good morning sweetie!"
"Morning daddy!" The young Earth pony grinned, a candle stuck to her chin. It was also somehow still lit.
"Got any parties today?" Her mother asked excitedly. Parties WAS her favorite topic, after all.
The filly put a hoof to her chin. "Hm..... I don't think so. I did the 'First Day of School' party, the 'Arrow Coming Out' party, the-"
Cheese stared at her. "Wait, what was that last one?"
Candle blinked, and realized what she had said. "Oh! Uh..... He, uh...." She suddenly looked at a watch on her wrist that was not there before. "Oops, sorry to cut this short, but I have to go to school! Love you! BYE!" She rushed out the door, saddlebags suddenly on, candle hovering where the two party loving ponies' daughter had just sat.
Pinkie blinked. "Did she just say what I think she said?"
Cheese blinked. "Did you hear her say 'Arrow Coming Out' party..?"
"Yes I did."
"Oh."
...
...
"How'd she figure it out is what I'm wondering." Cheese muttered.
Arrow Feather walked up to Candle Light as she entered the school yard. "How did you find out? During the party, you were too busy for me to ask."
"Your 5th birthday. You blew on the candles and wished 'I wish it was easier to tell ponies I like colts.'" She answered as if it were obvious.
Arrow blinked at her. "How'd you hear that!?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I can just hear the wishes of ponies when they blow out candles." She sat on the ground and put her hoof to her chin in thought. "Sadly, not all of them can be bought." She rubbed her ear. "Like this one. This filly named Star Shine wishes that her parents stopped fighting."
Arrow held up a hoof to stop her. "Stop. How do you stand hearing these sad wishes?"
Candle grew a sad smile. "I never said I did." She turned towards the schoolhouse and walked in.
Arrow rubbed his chin in thought. "She's strange, that filly. Strange indeed..."
Author's Note
Tell me, what did you think on Candle and Luna's encounter?