Perihelion

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue

Chapter 1

Perihelion

A story by InTheStands

"My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" is property of Hasbro and Lauren Faust. I claim no ownership of anything except the story of this fic.

§§§

"Spike, come on!"

The young dragon groaned. "I'm going as fast as I can with all this on my back!"

Night had begun to fall over Equestria. This simple act itself was not the reason Twilight Sparkle and her assistant Spike were racing across town, however. Tonight, Princess Luna planned a special meteor shower, one to welcome the 'Siblinghooves' events.

The idea for events and gatherings for all siblings came about after some began to dismiss the Sisterhooves Social as discriminating towards those with brothers. As silly as this seemed at the time, eventually the voice of protest grew louder until the Mayor stepped in and announced plans to schedule socials that all ponies and their siblings could enjoy.

Luna, through Twilight's letters to the Princesses, caught wind of this and immediately went to work preparing tonight's celebratory meteor shower. One that Twilight was not intending to miss.

Twilight moved as speedily as one could carrying a delecate telescope, while Spike was stuck with the practical mountain of astronomy material stuffed into a backpack he wore. In no time at all, the two made it to their destination: A wide open field on the outskirts of the town.

"Alright," Twilight muttered to Spike, who was catching his breath. "We made it. And with a good few minutes to spare. Now..." She looked around for one particular spot. The spot that, according to her calculations, made for the perfect view of the shower. She quickly remembered where it was, and laid eyes on it.

Only to see that it was occupied by another, larger telescope.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Realization immediately kicked in as she and Spike walked toward the offending object. "What's going on? I thought I put a mark on here saying this spot was claimed!"

Spike proposed a small theory to the librarian. "Uh...you did remember to tell everyone that you marked the spot, didn't you?"

It fell silent between them until Twilight stamped a frustrated hoof on the ground. "I KNEW I forgot something!" She laid her own telescope down and sat, dejected, into the sky, allowing Spike to do the same. She sighed. "This is great. All this preparing and planning just washed away like that. Where else out here am I going to get-"

"Excuse me?"

The unicorn and dragon quickly turned around to face the source of the noise. They were met with the sight of a unicorn stallion.

He sported a coat that was a sort of dull yellow-green, and a mane and tail that was a dull grayish blue. He looked at them before speaking again, in what they believed to be a Western accent. "Uh...hello?"

"Oh!" Twilight quickly stood up, picking up her telescope with her magic. "Sorry! Uh, we'll be going now."

"Now wait a minute," The stallion stopped them. "That mark on the ground...that was yours, wasn't it?"

Twilight looked to Spike before staring at the ground and nodding. "Look, it's nothing, really. I know a lot of other ponies that would love for me to-"

"I'm sure, I'm sure," The unicorn interrupted her. "But that still doesn't make up for me taking your spot. Listen...you're welcome to stay here and watch with me. If you wanted to, that is."

Spike was rasing his eyebrows suggestively at Twilight, who sighed and lightly told him to knock it off. She looked back at the unicorn. "I suppose if it's no trouble..."

"None at all!" He laughed. "Now go on. You brought blankets with you?"

Twilight pulled out one of her spare blankets she brought for the field, pulling out Spike's along with it. Looking at the ground, she saw the stallion had already placed his on the ground. They laid there, looking up at the sky. From the angle they were at right now, Twilight noticed the blue cutie mark on his flank that made the shape of a star leaving a curved comet tail. She looked up at him. "I don't think we ever told each other our names. I'm Twilight Sparkle. This is Spike."

The stallion nodded. "I'm Comet Tail. We met before."

"We did?" Spike whispered to Twilight.The unicorn mare tried not to offend her generous host.

"Yeah, that's right, we did." She immediately tried to divert attention from herself. "That's a really nice telescope. A lot better than mine."

"This old thing?" Comet Tail gestured to the instrument. "I've had this for years. Practically since I was a colt. But yours is nice, too."

"You're just saying that," Twilight dismissed his compliment. "Mine doesn't have as big of a magnification as yours, you can tell."

"Just 'cause it isn't as fancy doesn't mean it can't do the same job," Comet defended. "Besides, this is more of a professional's tool. You don't get it unless you're willing to pay a serious amount of bits for it."

"Oh, never mind then," Twilight managed to laugh. "Guess I'll just stick to looking down at my books instead of up at-"

"Uh, guys?" Spike broke off Twilight's sentence. "If we're done...I think it's starting."

The two ponies, as well as everypony else in the field, looked up and were immediately in awe. Literally hundreds of brilliant streaks cut through the night sky, disappearing almost as fast as they appeared. 'Oohs' and 'ahs' escaped the mouths of almost all who were watching.

A split second after Spike warned them, Comet had his eye on the finderscope of his telescope, mouth agape in amazement. "Wow...wow, wow..."

Twilight could only giggle at his reactions. "Do you mind if I take a look? I didn't have time to set mine up."

Comet immediately obliged, stepping aside for the mare to view the spectacle herself. Twilight watched, and was blown away. The clarity of the magnification made for an outstanding view. It also revealed a new thing entirely: Each comet had a tail of its own color, be it blue, pink, red, or anything else. No color was repeated whatsoever.

"Princess Luna really showed her dedication to detail," Twilight looked up at Comet.

"Yeah," the stallion looked up, watching with his own eyes. "It's a shame she can only make so many meteor showers at a time."

Twilight was struck dumb. "How...how did you know that? I thought she only told me and Celestia when she announced the shower!"

"Really?" Comet rubbed a hoof on the back of his neck. "Heh, this is gonna sound weird, but...I got a copy of ancient Equestrian star charts back at home. One chapter talked about how much work Princess Luna put into the meteors...until Night Mare Moon, that is."

Twilight felt her jaw drop. "That...pre-Night Mare Moon literature?! Oh my gosh!" Twilight grew faint. "You...you HAVE to show it to me! Please!"

Comet Tail laughed while Spike sighed, almost as if this happened before. "Alright, then! Maybe tomorrow, at the library?"

"Done!" Twilight was practically bounding.

"Guys!" Spike shouted, more out of concern than annoyance. "You're missing the shower!"

The meteors streaking by were starting to diminish in size, before also starting to decrease in numbers. Comet Tail began putting away his telescope.

"You're not leaving, are you?" Spike asked. "It's not over yet."

"I just wanted to get a view of the tails," Comet admitted. "Besides, the sooner I can set this down, the sooner I can get back home."

The ponies in the field watched as the shower began to slowly peter out. In a few minutes, all that remained were the twinkling stars and the crescent moon hanging overhead. Comet Tail, Twilight, and Spike began to part ways.

"Remember!" Twilight called out to him as she and Spike headed in the opposite direction. "Tomorrow I want a look at that book!"

"Can do!" Comet called back. "See you tomorrow!" Sporting his telescope on his back, he began his trek home, thinking to himself about his reunion with Twilight:

I can't believe how much she's changed. I can't believe she forgave me, either. Guess miracles do happen.

Twilight, however, had her own thoughts:

I just can't put my hoof on it...I KNOW I saw him somewhere before...but where? This is gonna drive me crazy, isn't it?

Lastly, Spike too had one lingering thought on his mind:

I didn't leave Peewee's cage open again, did I?

§§§

Next: Twilight struggles to recollect any memories she may have of Comet Tail while the two spend the day together. Will she find the answers? Or just more questions as to who Comet is to her?[/center?]

Please feel free to provide critique and point out any errors I may have made! See you later!

Chapter 2

"Peewee, come on! Playtime was hours ago! Bedtime is now!"

Spike jumped up in the air, flailing his arms, hoping to at least brush at the phoenix chick that was in flight right above his head. The chick, instead of returning to its master, perched itself on top of a bookshelf.

Finally, Spike gave up. "Okay, fine! Be that way! But you'll need to sleep eventually. And then where are you gonna go? Huh?" The dragon turned to look at Twilight, who was still looking out the window of the library. Spike rolled his eyes and approached her. "Are you STILL thinking about him?"

"What?" Twilight looked at Spike. "No. Kind of. Yes," She sighed. "He said we met before, Spike. I'm still trying to find out where."

Spike joined her in thought. "Wasn't he here when those Flim Flam guys came to town? He shouted something about dreck?" He then recalled another memory. "Oh! He was in the crowd when Applejack left for that rodeo!" He then grew sly as he added, "In the crowd next to you, if I recall."

Twilight scoffed. "Spike, you can't possibly be any more immature about this. Just because we were standing next to each other doesn't mean anything!"

"Ponies said the same thing about Lyra and Bonbon."

"Ugh!" Twilight vocalized. "Look, I need to get ready for bed."

"Uh-huh," Spike put his hands behind his back. "Don't want to look too tired for your DATE tomorrow."

"What?!" Twilight grew defensive. "It-it's not a date! He's just coming over to show me a book!"

"So...you two. Alone. Doing something that both of you enjoy. I dunno, sounds an awful lot like a date to me."

Twilight stammered before sighing exasperatedly. "Just let me go to sleep."

"Okay," Spike stopped his teasing. "And don't worry, I'll try not to be too obnoxious when he comes over. I know what this means to you."

Twilight couldn't help but smile at the dragon's words. Within a few minutes, the unicorn, dragon, and their pets were fast asleep.

When morning arose, Twilight and Spike made absolutely sure everything was neat and tidy for Comet Tail's arrival. Once the library was to their (more her) satisfaction, they waited until there was a knock at the front door. Spike opened it to reveal Comet Tail, wearing a saddlebag that sported his cutie mark.

"Come on in!" Twilight announced. "I hope I didn't throw off your day plans too much for wanting to look at that book."

"Actually, I didn't have any plans for today until last night," the stallion admitted as he stepped inside. "Besides, you're the first person in town to actually want to look at this apart from me."

"I don't see why," Twilight shook her head. "I can't begin to imagine what insight it could have into how life was like a millenia ago. I'll get my notebook, just set it down on the table."

"Uh...about that..." Comet Tail suddenly grew uncomfortable. "I was kind of hoping...maybe..."

Twilight grew curious. "Maybe...?"

"...Maybe if we could read it over a quick bite or two?"

One could hear a pin drop to the floor. Spike was quick to stifle a snicker before shooting an 'I told you so' look at Twilight, who glared back at him before looking back to Comet. "I, uh...you're not worried about getting food on the book?"

"Oh, no!" Comet shook his head vigorously. "I take good care of this book, honest!" He suddenly grew quiet and dragged a hoof on the ground. "Mmm...I understand if you don't want to. Where did you want me to put it down?"

Twilight gave it a bit of thought. "Nowhere. Because I'll accept your invitation."

Comet Tail's face beamed. "Really?! Oh, thank you! I'll be right outside when you're ready!" He turned and exited the building, closing the door behind him. Twilight looked down to Spike.

"Not a date, huh?" Spike grinned.

"You are having WAY too much fun with this," Twilight took the defensive again. "We both know I haven't eaten out in a while. Now seems as good a time as any." She prepared her saddlebag with her note papers and writing utensils. "I'll be back soon, Spike. You know what to do."

"Oh, don't worry about me!" Spike replied. "Take all the time in the world!"

Twilight shot another disapproving glance at him before closing the front door and joining Comet Tail outside.

§§§

Ponyville's marketplace was nothing if not bustling with activity. Ponies announced their wares, lined up for purchases, and sat at the provided tables to discuss whatever was on their minds. Two ponies in particular discussed the contents of a very old book.

"Look at that," Comet Tail pointed out to Twilight. "Nopony's seen that constellation since Luna's banishment. And here on this page...this shows the trends in meteor showers..."

Twilight listened intently as Comet flipped page after page, showing off a seemingly impossible interest in celestial bodies. Taking down notes as he went along, Twilight couldn't help but be impressed.

"Twilight?"

Oh no. Wincing, the unicorn mare turned around, laying eyes on a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail. "Uh...hi, Rainbow Dash. What brings you to the market?"

Rainbow put a hoof to her chin, smirking. "I was getting lettuce for Tank. What are you doing here? And, uh...who's your new friend?"

Twilight sighed. She could tell by the tone in Rainbow's voice that the playful teasing was imminent.

"Name's Comet Tail," the stallion answered. "Twilight and I know each other from way back."

What? Twilight turned to him. Way back? As in a few years? More? Less?

"Really?" Dash started to smile more. "You two went to school together or something?"

Comet Tail then did something that confused Twilight even more: He nodded, positively answering the pegasus' question. He continued, "And after last night's meteor shower, she wanted to take a look at one of my books. It's the oldest one I got."

"M-hm," Dash smirked. "Yeah, Twilight's weird like that. Books are to her what picnics are to ants - no matter how hard you try, you can't keep them away."

Comet Tail laughed. "Yeah, believe me, I know!"

Why was he doing this?!? Twilight's thoughts raced.

"Well, I got what I came for," Dash gestured to the vegetables in her saddlebag. "See you later!"

Twilight was so focused on her thoughts, she failed to notice Rainbow Dash speeding upwards in a bolt of rainbow-colored light. What was Comet Tail doing, acting like he knew her for so long? Did she suffer from some kind of amnesiac attack? Or did she just-

"Twilight? Twilight!"

She snapped back to reality as Comet Tail waved a foreleg in front of her face. "You alright? You look dazed. Was it that pegasus?"

"Huh? Rainbow? No no, I was just thinking."

Comet Tail nodded. "I know you love doing that, believe me."

It wasn't a joke, Twilight thought. He seriously remembers me from something long ago. But where?

Realizing these thoughts were doing more harm than good, Twilight cast them aside for now, instead focusing on the book in front of her and Comet's colorful commentary on its contents, all while they enjoyed the meal in front of them.

§§§

Evening had begun to fall. Twilight couldn't think of a time she was out of the library as long as she was today.

Over the course of her reading with Comet, several other of her friends passed them by. She could tell by their faces that she had a bit of explaining to do with them.

Regardless, the two unicorns made their way to the large tree of a building, Twilight's bag filled with notes. They made it to the front door before turning to each other.

"Hey, Twilight," Comet Tail started. "I, uh...really appreciated you spending time with me. I know I get annoying, but it's a passion for me. Stars and such, I mean."

"It's no problem," Twilight reassured him. "I learned so much today from that book. You, um...wouldn't mind if you were to loan it to the library sometime?"

"Oh, not at all!" Comet shook his head. "Trust me, if anyone knows how to take care of a book, it's you!"

Part of Twilight continued to wonder how he knew this. But part of her also felt herself blushing in response to this compliment. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Comet said. The two stood there, staring into each other's eyes before shaking themselves away. They said their goodbyes, and Twilight entered the main room of the library.

The sight was to be expected: Spike, sleeping like a baby in a chair, with Peewee and Owloysius, Twilight's pet owl, perched on either end of the chair. Smiling and shaking her head, she let her saddlebag fall with a thump, startling all three of them.

"Bwah! Abandon ship!" Spike blurted out before rubbing his eyes. "Twilight! You're back! Wait..." He looked out the window. "You're back? You were out for THAT long?!"

"Stop acting so surprised," Twilight used her magic to pull the notes out of her bag. "You forget that ever since moving here, I've been getting more of a life. Besides, Comet Tail's book was a practical trove of information."

"Hoo," Owloysius responded.

"Hey, since we're talking about him," Spike stood up from the chair, "You figure out where you know him from?"

"That's just it," Twilight sighed. "I don't. And today, he acted like he knew me from back at school at Canterlot. He acted like I knew him for years. And I...just didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't know him." She put her notes and bag away. "You got the mail, right?"

"Oh, that's another thing!" Spike ran to an envelope on the table, picking it up. "Read this!"

Twilight lifted the letter from his grasp and floated it over to her. Her eyes widened as she laid eyes on the signature. She quickly opened the envelope, pulled out the letter, and skimmed over it.

The air of the library was filled with noise again as Twilight let out a joyful shriek.

"SHINING ARMOR'S COMING TO PONYVILLE!!"

§§§

Next: Shining Armor's arrival for the Siblinghooves events gives Twilight an idea. Could Shining help her remember Comet Tail? And if so, what memories will surface as a result?

Chapter 3

"Shining Armor's coming here?"

Rainbow Dash asked the question Twilight's friends seemed to have in mind. They sat in the main room of the library, where Twilight had gathered them to tell them the good news. Dash asked the question in a tone that betrayed her disbelief. She asked again. "Shining Armor's coming here? As in, Captain of the Royal Guard, Princess Cadance's husband, and your brother Shining Armor?"

"I KNOW!" Twilight shouted in joy. "He's coming to participate in the Siblinghooves events with me! WITH ME! It's been so long since we did anything together as just brother and sister!"

Her five friends looked at each other. One of them, the white coated unicorn known as Rarity, spoke up. "As happy as we are for you Darling, this needs to be asked: Will you be introducing your brother to your coltfriend?"

Twilight's happy thoughts fell apart. "Wh...what?"

Fluttershy, the meek pegasus with a yellow coat, began to speak. "The unicorn you were reading with at the market the other day. You seemed to be really happy with him. But that's just what we saw, so we don't really know if..." Her voice diminished to a small squeak before she grew silent again. She hid her face in her pink mane that seemed to be groomed for just that purpose.

The earth pony that sported an all-pink coloring suddenly gasped and leapt upwards at this revelation. "You have a COLTFRIEND?! Oh, Twilight, I'm so HAPPY for you!" She started to bounce around the stammering unicorn, never once giving her a word in edgewise. "My little Twilight's all grown up! Soon she'll be having a wedding of her own just like her new sister-in-law!" She gasped again. "I have SO many new cake designs I can try out! You can come down and we can-"

"PINKIE!" The second earth pony in the group shouted in her usual Western accent. Though she was calling Pinkie Pie's name throughout her rambling, she only got through with her shouting. "You're taking this WAY too far, Sugarcube. Now how about ya sit back down and...do whatever you do to calm yourself down."

Applejack, an orange pony with a yellow mane and tail (both of which were bound at the ends to keep from falling loose), as well as a cowboy hat, stood up and walked toward Twilight. "Twilight, you can't hide it from us anymore. That Comet Tail pony's struck yer fancy, and you know it. We all know it." The four other friends muttered to themselves in agreement. Spike, too, was taking a break from his usual organizing and watching from the stairs, with Peewee and Owloysius in tow.

Twilight gave a heavy sigh. "Alright. I admit it. I guess...I do kind of like him. I mean, he knows more about astronomy than I do! And the way he was willing to share his book and telescope with me..."

"See?" Dash whispered to the others. "The book was the clincher."

"The book and the way he just welcomed me in, like someone he's always known." Twilight sighed again. "That's it. He acts like he's always known me, maybe even back in foalhood. But apart from seeing him around town sometimes, I have no idea who he is."

Rarity listened intently. "And does he know you don't remember him?"

Twilight shook her head. "I don't know how he'd take it."

Fluttershy thought to herself before gaining an idea. "Oh! You said Comet Tail remembers you from when you were younger?"

"Yeah?" Twilight half-answered, half-asked.

"And you were always with Shining Armor when you were younger?"

Twilight quickly realized what Fluttershy was getting at. "That's right!" Twilight beamed. "I might not remember, but Shining might! Thank you so much, Fluttershy!" The yellow pegasus merely blushed at the gratitude as the six ponies directed their discussions away from Twilight's potential love life and towards the upcoming events and their usual daily activities.

§§§

Celestia's sun had just begun rising over Ponyville, casting its light over every corner of the town. The train station included.

Twilight and Spike waited eagerly as the train approached, both of them certain this was the one carrying what they were waiting for. They stepped back as the flood of travelers was let out from the doors of the locomotive, watching for any signs of their targets.

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long.

"Twily!"

The purple unicorn grinned as she located the source of the voice and laid eyes on two figures: One being a pink female alicorn with a tail and mane of purple, magenta and gold; The other being a white unicorn stallion, his tail and mane a mix of several shades of blue.

Shining Armor called out to her again, smiling back. "Twily! You going to stand there or are you going to give your B.B.B.F.-NGH!"

The stallion knew it was coming, but he wasn't prepared for Twilight to practially speed into his forelegs into an embrace that she mostly dominated. Gasping for the breath that was knocked clean out of his lungs, he wrapped his hooves around her as well.

"Alright, come on," Cadance managed to slip into the hug herself. "It's been forever since I saw her too, you know."

They broke away from the greeting as Twilight and Spike led the couple out of the train station. Twilight talked with them the whole way, leading to her asking, "I knew Shining was coming, but what about you, Cadance?"

"We thought you'd get it by now, sis," Shining chuckled. "We're always trying to find SOME excuse to come see you. But unfortunately for Cadance, mine was better this time!" He laughed as his wife lightly struck him in the back of his head with one of her wings in a harmless gesture.

"Believe me Twilight," Cadance began, "There's nothing I want more than to compete with you. But I read the rules; I have too many unfair advantages to count." She shook her head. "I think I'll start a social of my own, just for the two of us: Foalsitters Social."

She knew it was a joke, but Twilight couldn't help but play along. "Get enough ponies on board with the idea. Or better yet, tell Celestia yourself!"

"Hm...it can wait," The alicorn smiled at the unicorn she used to play with so much as a filly. "One day or one second, any time with my family is time well spent."

Twilight's heart warmed at the sincerity Cadance showed in her sentence. They reached the town square before Spike whispered something into Twilight's ear. "Oh, right. Um...Cadance? If it's not too much trouble, can Shining and I go talk alone? We can meet up at the library."

Cadance's response was to smile, hug Twilight, and kiss Shining. "It's your social, after all. I'll see you there!" She allowed Spike to climb onto her before spreading her wings and taking off, leaving the two siblings behind to talk.

"Something's up," Shining quickly deduced. "What's wrong?"

Twilight shrugged as they walked further into town. "Nothing's really WRONG. Just...off. I, uh...well, actually, I..." She struggled to admit this to her brother, her cheeks growing warm. She took a deep breath. "Okay...I, um..."

"You met someone."

Twilight blushed, then nodded, at her brother's conclusion. His response was to smile. "I can tell already they're lucky to have you. You couldn't have known them long, though. You didn't talk about anypony in our last letter."

"That's sort of what's off. We met during Luna's meteor shower. We also saw each other around town from time to time, but...he almost always talks as if we've known each other ever since we were foals. The problem is, I can't remember him one bit."

Shining tried to piece things together. "Well, what's he look like?"

Twilight began to describe him: Unicorn, yellowish-green coat, dull blue tail and mane, star with a comet tail for a cutie mark. Shining absorbed this information carefully. "Huh...he sounds familiar..."

"So you remember him?!" Twilight beamed at this hopeful sign of progress. Her smile turned to a frown as he looked at her with sorrow and gently shook his head.

"But to be honest, a lot of ponies look the same. Maybe you're confusing him with someone else."

Twilight grew slightly irritated. "That doesn't explain his treating me like a lifelong friend."

They realized they were wandering around Ponyville at this point, stopping to get their bearings straight. Shining then came up with another idea. "You told me what happened back when Discord broke free. You used a memory spell to save your friends by having them remember what they almost forgot."

Twilight resisted the urge to ram her hoof on her forehead. "Of COURSE! If I can get myself under the spell, maybe I can jog my memory enough to figure this all out!" She hugged her brother. "Thank you so much!"

"No problem, Twily. If this get everything settled, so be it." He looked at his surroundings. "So, uh...you know how to get to your house from here?"

Twilight smiled and nodded.

§§§

"I think I've got it!"

Twilight's announcement got the attention of her brother, her sister-in-law, and Spike. It was the day after Shining had given Twilight the idea of the memory spell. It was also the morning after Comet Tail treated her to a small dinner at one of the restaurants in town.

The invitation was unexpected, of course, but welcome nonetheless. The two unicorns opened up to each other a little more that night, and Twilight was actually looking forward to seeing Comet again.

This time, however, she would see him again with a better memory of who he was in relation to her.

"Well?" Spike asked, drawing his attention away from the chess game he and Shining were playing. "What was going on?"

Twilight turned to her three loved ones. "The memory spell can only be activated by direct contact between the horn of the caster and the head of the pony who needs remembering. Obviously, I can't point my horn at myself. But if I cast an enchantment spell on this stick..." She used her magic to levitate a large, yet pointless, wooden stick, "And THEN use the enchantment to attatch the memory spell to it, then it might work!"

"Well?" Shining leaned into his seat. "What's holding you back, Twily? You want us out of the room?"

Shaking her head and smiling, Twilight concentrated on the stick. Casting her enchantment spell, the stick glowed a brighter purple than usual. Closing her eyes and furrowing her brow, she then attatched the memory spell to it, giving it a second aura of magic.

Observing her handiwork, she slowly brought the end of the stick to her forehead. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes again, bracing for the rush of memories that was sure to come about. Finally, the stick made contact.

She could feel every possible memory she had rushing up to light, playing out like a sort of bizarre home movie: Opening her eyes for the first time, playing with Shining Armor, playing with Cadance...playing with both of them...

School.

Books.

Ms. Smarty Pants.

Students.

...Comet Tail?

She found them. She found the memories that contained Comet Tail.

And she was completely shocked at what she saw she remembered.

§§§

Next: Delving into her memories, Twilight has seen how she knew Comet Tail from long ago. What was he like? What will she do, armed with this uncovered information? And will any of her friends and family act before Twilight takes matters into her own hooves and makes a grave mistake?

Chapter 4

The weather was as beautiful as could be. The sun had just begun to set, flooding everything with an orange-yellow tint of light. At this point in the day, most ponies in the park were already out and traveling home.

One small filly wasn't.

Sitting under the shade of a tree, the purple unicorn was engaged in the reading of a large book in front of her. At her side rested a small, gray doll in the shape of a horse, positioned in such a way that it seemed the doll was reading along with her.The tweeting of the birds and the gentle breeze aside, all was calm for the young unicorn.

That is, until her doll began taking on a green glow and began floating. This grabbed her attention immediately, looking at the toy just before it flew away from her, hitting against her face as it glided off. Her eyes followed the travel of the doll until...

Oh no.

THEM.

The three foals that she always dreaded seeing. The ones that wasted no time laughing at her as her doll floated out of her reach.

"What's the matter, Twi-Lame?" The gray pegasus colt of the group, and the apparent leader, sarcastically asked. "Lose your dolly?"

"Give her back!" Twilight stood up sharply. She tried using her magic to bring Ms. Smarty Pants back down, but her telekinesis only went so far. The doll remained in the air.

Another of them, a pink unicorn filly, simply laughed at her. "You mean 'give IT back', right? I don't think so. Maybe now you can get some real friends!"

Twilight stammered, her eyes welling. She looked at the three before resting her eyes on the third one; The unicorn colt holding her doll in the air.

The one with the dull, lime green coat and dull blue mane. The one that looked EXACTLY like Comet Tail.

Twilight could feel the tears running down her cheeks as she sat back down, looking at Smarty Pants in sorrow.

The pegasus laughed again. "I knew it! She can't talk to anpony. Now she can't even fight!" He flew up and took the doll under his foreleg. "Come on, guys, we're done."

The pegasus and filly unicorn laughed, while Comet Tail stayed suspiciously silent. Twilight didn't notice this, however. She was too busy crying her eyes out.

She sank to the ground, staining the sheets of the book with tears as she wept. First the name-calling, then taking her books, and now this. After what felt like an eternity, she gasped and looked up as she felt a hoof on her shoulder.

It was Cadance, looking down at her with fright and concern. "Twilight? What happened?"

The unicorn filly cried into her foalsitter's chest, making no attempt to tell her what happened. Cadance embraced her, then began asking again. "Twilight, please tell me. Twilight? Twilight?"

§§§

"Twilight?!"

The purple unicorn shook her head as she found herself back in the present. She looked around before realizing she was on the floor, curled up in a fetal position, the enchanted stick now laying on the floor before her, just a regular stick. She was pulled up by somepony from behind. Turning around as she was sat up, she came face-to-face with Cadance. The look of concern was exactly what it was years ago. "Twilight, please speak to me! What happened?!"

Twilight opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She was still processing what she just witnessed. Comet Tail wasn't some old friend or neighbor, as she thought.

He was a bully.

One of the worst bullies she had the displeasure of remembering.

And he never mentioned this once to her.

NOT.

ONCE.

The look of shock on Twilight's face was replaced with one of rage. She bared her teeth, scaring Cadance, Spike and Shining Armor.

"Twilight?" Spike asked, afraid for his caregiver and his safety.

Ignoring them, Twilight ran around Cadance, then ran out the library door. The two ponies and dragon looked at each other in pure horror.

"What happened?" Cadance quietly asked as she began to cry, wondering if it was her fault. Shining immediately hugged her, looking out the now wide open door in disbelief.

Twilight, meanwhile, ran as fast as she possibly could to her destination. Ponyville was easy to navigate, and she had no trouble reaching her target.

She slowed her running to a walk, all four hooves stomping as she approached the front door of the house. She gave the wooden door three sharp strikes that weren't knocks so much as they were punches.

Gritting her teeth, she felt herself snorting as she breathed. She could hear the hoofsteps approaching the door.

And then HE appeared.

"Twilight!" Comet Tail smiled. "I thought I wasn't gonna-"

"YOU." Twilight growled out. "It's YOU."

Comet Tail felt fear wash over him. "Huh?"

Twilight stepped into his house, forcing him to back up. She kept walking as she spoke. "All those times you talked about us. About our foalhood, about our memories...I didn't remember one bit of you."

Comet's heart sank a bit. "You didn't?" He suddenly felt the wall of his house hitting his back. But Twilight kept coming at him.

"Not until tonight. I cast a memory spell on myself. Now I remember everything." Her voice lowered as she put her face directly in front of his. "I. Remember. EVERYTHING."

Confused at first, Comet Tail suddenly realized what Twilight was talking about. His mouth dropped open. "Oh Celestia. Twilight, please. It...it's not-"

"It's not what?!?" She fully screamed at him for the first time in the confrontation. "It's not what I think?! Not what I remember?!? Are you saying that it wasn't you and those so-called friends of yours, who made every single day of my life they could MISERABLE?!?" Her mane at this point was shaken loose, strands pointing out everywhere. "Don't you DARE tell me that's not true! I KNOW it's true!!"

Comet Tail's lower lip quivered before closing his eyes, sighing, and bowing his head. "Yes. It's true. It was me." He looked at her. "But that's the thing. It WAS me. It's not who I am NOW. I know better."

Twilight calmed down a little, but was still angrier than she ever was. "You expect me to believe that? That you can just drop the attitude of being a bully? Especially one that was as cruel as you? How do I even KNOW you mean that? That all this wasn't some trick to let me get my guard down so you can torment me all over again?!"

Comet felt his heart twist. "Twilight, please. I mean it. What I did was wrong. And I apologize for it. I'm sorry."

And just like that, Twilight started to scream all over again. "Sorry?! All those times you took my books, my toys, and pushed me around?! And all you have to say is sorry?!?" She bared her teeth again before screaming out, shaking her head, and turning to face the door. She then uttered one final sentence at him. "I didn't think it was possible to hate anypony as much as I hate you."

Comet was completely shattered by this confession. He lowered himself on the ground in a sitting position, mouth agape as he tried to say something - anything - to prove his sincerity.

But it was too late. Twilight had begun leaving the house, forcing him to stammer. "W-wait! What about the book?! I was gonna give it to you for your library!"

Twilight looked back at him before sneering. "At this time, NOTHING of yours will so much as touch ANYTHING of mine ever again. Goodbye."

Comet Tail hung his head again, staring at the ground. For the first time in a while, he could actually feel himself starting to cry. His one chance at redemption - at forgivenes - maybe even at...

And it was all ruined.

He looked up and saw Twilight disappear into town, not once looking back at him. What neither of them saw, however, was the cyan, rainbow-maned pegasus crouched down under one of the house's windows, mouth open in shock as to what had just happened.

§§§

The three figures in the library snapped their heads to the direction of the door as they heard it slam. Twilight stood there, mane messed up, and a look of determination on her face. She slowly walked towards them.

"Twilight?" Cadance gently asked. "Please tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing," Twilight answered. "Not anymore, at least."

Spike grew fearful. "What...what exactly did you do, Twilight?"

"Severed ties with the one thing of my past that still gave me problems," Was her answer as she walked past them up to the door leading to her room. "I need a moment alone," She announced to them. She then shut the bedroom door as quickly as she opened it. The two ponies and one dragon were alone once again.

"...What happened?" Shining Armor asked.

"I think she remembered something she wanted to forget," Spike gave his best possible explanation. "So why did she just run out and then come back?"

"I know someone in the guard who runs laps when he gets angry," Shining shrugged. "But other than that..."

"Wait," Cadance stopped them both, raising a hoof as she looked up into the air of the room. "Do you hear that?"

They fell silent. Sure enough, a strange tapping filled the air. They looked at the windows around them, but saw nothing. Until Spike noticed a cyan foreleg disappearing as quickly as it appeared.

"Up there!" Spike pointed. Cadance, being careful not to blow away any loose papers, levitated herself to the oval window. Opening it and peering out, she stuck out her head to notice a small letter tacked to the trunk of the enormous tree the library was built in. Taking the letter, she floated herself gently back onto the ground.

"That was Rainbow Dash," Spike told them once Cadance returned to them. "And that's her hoofwriting."

Cadance used her magic to open the letter, reading it aloud for the other two to hear:

"Emergency meeting tomorrow. Do NOT bring Twilight. Go to the Fountain at Town Hall and look for a rabbit who answers to the name of 'Angel'. He will bring you to Fluttershy's cottage. Make up any story you want but DO NOT bring Twilight. Rainbow Dash."

The three looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

"You know what?" Spike began. "You two go. Twilight will suspect something if I left the library. You can fill me in on the details, anyway."

"If you say so," Shining sighed. "Wait, how does Dash know what happened?"

"Does it matter at this point?" Cadance retorted. "If Twilight won't tell us, someone has to."

With that, the three of them agreed to find their answers tomorrow at this meeting.

Next: With the new information in hoof, Shining confronts Comet Tail. What will happen between the regretful unicorn and the brother of the mare he bullied?

Chapter 5

To anypony outside, Fluttershy's cottage was as unassuming as could be as animals of various types came and went as they please. But nopony knew what was going on inside.

A small white rabbit by the name of Angel gazed out the window, chewing a carrot, keeping an eye out for Twilight Sparkle. Behind him, in Fluttershy's living room, Rainbow Dash recounted last night's events to the six other ponies present.

"...which was awesome, by the way," Dash pointed out. "After Scootaloo got back home, I decided to stay out for a bit longer. But when I was flying over, I see Twilight running faster than..." She paused, trying to find a good comparison, but failing. "Anyway, she was running pretty fast. I tried to catch up with her but she walked into somepony's house before I touched down. I hid and listened to her talk to this stallion like she just found out he burned down the library!"

"Oh, my," Fluttershy winced.

"That's not the worst of it. The WORST was when she started screaming at him. Then..." She breathed deeply before lowering her voice volume. "Then she told him she hated him. I couldn't believe it. To hear Twilight Sparkle, of all ponies, flat-out tell someone she HATES them."

Cadance held a hoof to her mouth the whole time, almost unable to comprehend the story.

"Well..." Applejack struggled to begin. "Reckon she gave a reason as to why she hated him?"

"Oh, geez, almost forgot!" Rainbow put a hoof to her forehead. "It sounded like he bullied her when she was a filly. Took her books and her toys and all that."

Shining Armor and Cadance widened their eyes at this revelation. Twilight was never good at socializing when she was younger. But very few foals bullied her.

It was three young troublemakers that always seemed to cause her grief.

"Dash," Shining started his question. "Did you ever see this 'Comet Tail'? What he looked like?"

"I saw him with Twilight once, a few days before she got your letter," She tried to remember. "His coat was kind of a green-yellow. Mane...blue? really dull blue."

Cadance gasped lightly. "Shining...it couldn't be..."

Her husband looked down. "It looks like it."

"But she could've been mistaken!"

"No she wasn't," Rainbow Dash argued. "He was confessing to it all. It was him alright. But he was saying how sorry he was about it. Not that Twilight was listening." She thought for a moment. "She was pretty happy too, when she was with him. And by the sound of it, he did change. We just need to get Twilight to hear it from him."

Cadance could only sigh. "So, does anypony have any ideas?"

Pinkie Pie immediately stood up. "Sugarcube Corner has new recipes to try out! I can get Twilight and Comet to be taste-testing partners!"

Fluttershy winced. "Um, Pinkie? Don't you think it's too soon?"

"Too soon? But me and the Cakes have been planning the new flavors for a month!"

"Not the food, the 'getting them together' part," Dash groaned. "At this point, it won't take much for an angry Twilight to turn a taste test into a crime scene."

"Oh yeah..." Pinkie's mane deflated slightly. "And I was gonna make them heart-shaped too..."

Shining Armor suddenly spoke up. "I'll talk to him."

"WHAT?" The five other ponies asked.

Shining elaborated. "I want to get to know him better anyway."

Rarity started to giggle nervously. "And we're certain that 'getting to know him' isn't a code phrase for 'getting revenge for all the torment he put my sister through'?"

Shining glared at her. "No, it isn't. You have my word as Royal Guard Captain."

The five of them looked at each other uncomfortably, until Cadance walked up to him and placed a hoof on his chest. "Please don't hurt him, dear." She kissed Shining on his forehead. "Please."

Shining smiled and nodded before turning and leaving for the door, Angel merely glancing at him and watching as he disappeared down the path to Ponyville.

The ponies sat there before Rainbow Dash darted upwards and ran out the door after him. "WAIT! I STILL NEED TO TELL YOU WHERE HE LIVES!"

§§§

Dash's instructions were as clear as could be for Shining Armor. He found himself standing at a wooden door that was engraved with a comet design on its front. Raising a hoof, he knocked on the door three times before listening for a response.

"Just a minute!" The Western accent called back from the inside. About a moment later, the door opened to reveal just the unicorn Shining was looking for.

"Oh, hello. How can I..." Comet Tail trailed off, staring at his visitor, before his mouth dropped open. "Oh no...no no no no no...not you!"

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "You...remember me?"

"How can I forget you?!" Comet Tail asked, his voice now a squeak. "You came flying out of nowhere! You were in my nightmares for a week!"

Shining narrowed his eyes. "I want to come in."

No questions asked, Comet allowed the white stallion into his home. Shining looked around.

It was a fairly simple home, if one overlooked the various-sized telescopes standing upright and star charts laying about on the floors, as well as hung up on the walls. Over the fireplace stood a large framed photograph showing a young Comet Tail and two ponies Shining assumed to be his parents. The guard captain turned to the unicorn. "You remember what I did. But do you know my name? Or why I was there?" Comet only shook his head, prompting Shining to answer his own question. "My name is Shining Armor. I am Captain of Princess Celestia's Royal Guard." He paused to read the look of shock on Comet's face. "And the reason I showed up that day...was because the filly you were bullying...happened to be my sister."

Almost all of the color drained from Comet's face. "Horseapples."

"And now," Shining began again. "I'm here because of Twilight again. Now you'll-"

"PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!!" Comet Tail cried out, landing on the floor and grasping one of Shining's forelegs. "I WISH I COULD TAKE IT ALL BACK, I REALLY DO!! BUT SHE WOULDN'T LISTEN!!" He then, to Shining's surprise, started crying. "I wanted to apologize for years now. And days ago, I thought she forgave me. But she hates me now more than ever." He let go of Shining and sat on the floor, looking down. "I just want to set things right. But she won't let me."

The whole time, Shining looked on with a skeptic's face. Being the captain of the Royal Guard meant being ever-vigiliant for threats. This included those who tried to lie their way to completing whatever deeds they had in mind. But the unicorn stallion didn't detect a single cue that Comet Tail was lying. Sighing, Shining sat down with him. "What if I told you I wanted to help?" Comet's head sprang up. "That I can try and make it so Twilight can listen to you and your apology?"

"You...you can do that?"

"I can. Allow me to, and I will."

Comet began to reach out to embrace him. "Oh, thank you! Thank you so -GACK!" Comet then felt a hoof pressing against his throat.

Shining's voice became a low growl. "But if I EVER hear that you did anything to my baby sister...I'll hurt you. In ways you'd never dream you'd hurt."

Terror washed away the coloring in Comet's cheeks again as he nodded his understanding. Shining removed his foreleg from his neck, allowing him to breathe. "Good to hear we're on the same page," Shining simply replied. "What did you have in mind?"

§§§

"You did?" Cadance asked, amazed. She and Shining were walking down the street, conversing about the arrangement Shining and Comet had.

Her husband nodded, smiling. "We have everything worked out. All we need now is to make sure he's where he's supposed to be. I overheard Twilight talking about the parties Pinkie will be hosting for the Siblinghooves winners. We just need to make sure Pinkie invites Comet to the parties, and we're set!"

His smile faded as he heard Cadance's sharp intake of breath. She spoke again. "Uhm...Shining, there might be a problem."

"What...?"

"While you were with Comet Tail, I went back to Twilight...and she told me how she made Pinkie promise NOT to invite him."

Shining's hope began to fade. "Really?"

"As a matter of fact, she mentioned a 'Pinkie Pie Promise'. It sounded serious."

"Tartarus," Shining muttered. Then he had an idea. "Wait...Pinkie promised not to invite Comet?"

"Yeah...?"

"As in, Pinkie Pie herself is not allowed to directly invite him?"

"What does..." Cadance then began to understand. She smiled. "You're an awfully sneaky unicorn, Shining."

"Yeah," Shining agreed, then put his neck over hers. "But I'm YOUR sneaky unicorn."

Next: The Siblinghooves Social gets underway. But will it affect Shining's plans any? What of the Pinkie Pie Promise...and the dangers of breaking one?

Chapter 6

It was the day after Shining Armor's plan was set in motion. Almost all of Ponyville was gathered in the provided bleachers, curious as to how today's events would pan out. Ponyville has had Sisterhooves Socials since its founding. But this was the first ever race allowing both sisters and brothers to compete.

For some ponies the change was easy; Many have either competed in the earlier socials as sisters. But then there were those with a brother AND sister, like Applebloom.

"Okay..." The tiny yellow filly with the red bow in her mane shook her head. "How's this gonna work again?"

"Simple as this," Applejack began, "Me and your brother take turns competing with you. Look here: I finish the first half with you, and Big Mac finishes the second. Or maybe the other way around. You get to choose."

"You mean I gotta pick who I finish the race with?" Applebloom grew nervous. "Ain't that picking favorites?"

"Neither of us is gonna hold it against you, sugarcube," Applejack nuzzled her younger sister.

Two stallions sat at one of the numerous food stands propped up for the social. One finished his piece of pie before he turned to the other. "Both of them are yours, huh?"

"Eeeyup," The second one nodded, chewing on the wheat sprig in his mouth.

"I told you Twilight Sparkle was my sister, right?"

"Eeeyup."

"Is that, uh...all you say?"

"Eeenope."

"...Uh-huh."

Shining Armor and Big Macintosh were silent as they looked around at the various games and activities for ponies and their siblings. All of a sudden, Big Mac began talking. And in full sentences, to Shining's surprise. "I always play with Applebloom. But I never thought I'd be doing this with her. It's been sisters only ever since Ponyville got started."

"Well, enough ponies argued, and some ponies listened. How do you think I feel? My wedding was the first time I saw my sister in years, let alone getting the chance to play with her like old times."

"Speaking of which," Mac looked to the white unicorn. "I don't think I ever thanked you for choosing Sweet Apple Acre goods for your wedding. Applejack wouldn't stop talking about it for a week. And that ain't counting how happy Applebloom was for being a flower-filly."

Shining smiled at this compliment. "Talk to Cadance. She loved your food more than anyone else there."

Big Mac simply nodded, his lips curling into a smile.

"Shining!" Twilight called as she ran up to them. "There you are! Come on, the race is going to start!"

"I'll see if we can talk later!" Shining called back to Big Mac as he followed her sister.

The large red stallion, as usual, responded with a deep "Eeeyup," before hearing his name being called by his two sisters.

The course was much larger than usual, mostly due to the sheer number of contestants. Several ponies were standing in the middle of the course, waiting to take their turns racing with their siblings. Twilight, looking over, couldn't help but giggle as she saw what Rarity had on: A white, clear, form-fitting suit. Sweetie Belle could only sigh, knowing full well the lenghts her older sister would take to avoid as much mud as possible.

Up above the bleachers, Cadance and Spike waved at Twilight and Shining, who waved back. Immediately after this, the mayor of Ponyville, along with the elderly matriarch of the Apple family, Granny Smith, took the stage near the starting line.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts!" The Mayor declared. "It is with great honor that I announce the beginning of the soon-to-be-annual Annual Siblinghooves Social! Everypony please approach the starting line!" The ponies who weren't already at their positions did so immediately. "And now, in keeping with Sisterhooves Social tradition, our very own Granny Smith shall begin the count...down."

The mayor turned around and saw Granny Smith fast asleep in her chair. Chuckling sheepishly, she turned back to her audience. "On second thought, I'll count down. THREE..."

Shining and Twilight looked at each other, narrowing their eyes and smiling.

"TWO..."

Applejack and Applebloom stared into the distance, focused on getting to Big Macintosh.

"ONE..."

Rarity made sure every strand of her mane wasn't being pinched by her protective suit.

"GO!!"

The line of ponies dashed forward, breaking apart as some ran faster than others. The mud pit was first, and arguably the easiest obstacle in the course; Everypony was able to clear the hurdle and race onward.

Now came the challenge of racing through the baskets. Shining, being a Royal Guard, did this no problem, with Twilight close behind him. A few of the others, though, had no such luck.

The same went for the 'challenge' of jumping over the boxes. Shining only had to let Twilight jump off of his back before making the jump himself, which several others did as well.

Their progress slowed, however, when it came to the pies. The brother-sister duo reached the bottom of their tin plates only to realize that Applejack and Applebloom had long gone, up to the hay-bales.

As soon as Applejack handed Applebloom over to Big Mac, as some of the other siblings did at the halfway point, Shining and Twilight were able to shove their hay bale with ease before running the corner and reaching the grape-squeezing challenge.

Working as one, they flung the grapes into their basket before jumping in and working in unison to squeeze out the juices. For the Apples, it was only Big Mac in the basket as Applebloom collected the grape juice. They were now neck and neck.

Flinging the apples and catching them in the basket was no problem (Twilight easily pinpointed how the apples would fly once Shining stomped on the seesaw). Balancing the eggs, on the other hoof, proved to be difficult if one lacked the poise and paitience needed. Nonetheless, the Sparkles and the Apples were still tied. And there was only one obstacle left.

Wincing against the wind as they ran, they tried desperately to beat Big Mac and Applebloom to the finish line. One hurdle followed by another, then another, but still they were equalized.

Then it was over. They shut their eyes as they jumped and slammed against the ground, sliding. They opened their eyes, hoping to see their blue ribbon.

They instead saw the large red stallion and his tiny sister, standing before a cheering crowd. On Big Mac's chest was the prize ribbon.

Shining could do nothing but let out a large sigh in exhaustion and anger. "We had it, Twily."

Twilight caught her breath before speaking. "Second place isn't any way bad. Besides...This is my first time doing any activity with my B.B.B.F.F. in years. I think that's enough of a reward."

Shining smiled, pulling his sister into a hug. They were suddenly pulled up and presented an orange ribbon with the number two printed in gold on it. Shining walked up to Big Mac and outstretched his foreleg, leading the red earth pony to take it in a hoofshake. "It's a shame we don't have more ponies like you in the guard. You would have been competing for my title by now with athletics like that."

"Eeeyup."

"Unbelievable," Rarity moaned, looking at every inch of herself as she crossed the finish line (but only after several other siblings crossed). "Every precaution I can take...and I STILL get dirty!"

"That's what happens when you're outside," Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "But it was worth it, right?"

"Risking my hygiene, my appearance, and possibly my sanity in competing with my sister?" Rarity asked, before patting Sweetie on the head, drawing a smile from the filly. "Yes, I suppose in the long run, it is."

They suddenly heard a loud boom, followed by the unmistakable laughter of Pinkie Pie. That was when they noticed the cards falling from the sky.

"What was that?!" Shining asked, referring to the explosion.

Twilight sighed. "Pinkie's Party Cannon."

"She has a cannon?!? HER?!"

"The less you know, the better," Twilight dismissed his question, instead focusing on the letters that now were on the ground. She opened one up to reveal an invitation to a party celebrating the first-place winners of the Siblinghooves Social. "I'll be right back," Twilight told Shining before taking off. Pinkie was easy to find, leading most (if not all) of the crowd as she pushed her cannon along in front of her.

"Hi Twilight!" Pinkie waved. "You got my invitation?"

"Sure did," Twilight flatly responded. "But I'm more concered with the invitations you were told NOT to send out."

"You can check them all! I don't know why you'd do that, then again, you love reading! But nope. Not one of them is addressed to Com-"

"AHEM!" Twilight cleared her throat. Pinkie shrinked back.

"Oops. I mean, He Who Shall Not Be Remembered. We agreed on 'shall' didn't we?"

"M-hm. Alright, just making sure." Twilight walked off, leaving Pinkie to her thoughts.

"I hope Shining Armor did what he was supposed to. I wonder when he'll get invited. Ooh, I wonder HOW he'll get invited?" She kept on muttering to herself even as she reached the barn in Sweet Apple Acres and pulled the string on her Party Cannon once more, aiming for the ceiling.

§§§

"Okay," Shining blew as he exhaled. "THAT was some party."

"Eh," Twilight shrugged. "It wasn't her best work, but still."

Cadance did a double take. "Not her best work? She sprayed streamers and balloons everywhere! With a CANNON!"

"She did the same thing at my birthday party last year."

The unicorn and alicorn looked to Spike, who began to nod. "Yeah, it's true."

The four continued to talk as they reached Twilight's home. Opening the door, they were welcomed to darkness, forcing Twilight to find the light switch. But when she did...

"SURPRISE!!!"

The quartet screamed as they saw the crowd of ponies and decorations around them. And bouncing toward them was none other than Pinkie Pie.

"Did we get you? Huh? Huh?!"

"But...we...party..." Twilight stammered, eventually coming to her senses. "But we just HAD a party!"

"Well, yeah!" Pinkie furrowed her brow. "But that was the 'Congratulations for First Place' Party. THIS is the 'Congratulations for Second Place' Party! And after that is the Third Place Party over at Rarity's..."

Shining's mouth hung open. "But how did you set this up when we JUST finished the first one?"

"It's Pinkie," Twilight and Spike answered before going off to enjoy the party with their friends. Cadance and Shining pulled Pinkie aside and began whispering to her. Pinkie merely responded by pointing into the crowd. The married couple looked, widened their eyes, and watched, hoping for the best.

"...And that's what happened!" Rainbow Dash laughed out.

Twilight nodded. "So she snuck out of the first party to set up the second party?"

"And it's expected she'll keep doing it until everypony is accounted for," Rarity answered.

Fluttershy then grew uncomfortable. "But what about the ponies who didn't win anything?"

"That's for the 'Congratulations on Competing' Party," Dash dismissed the question, satisfying her friend's thoughts.

Twilight turned around. "I'll be right back. I want to see about getting more-" She let out a loud gasp as soon as she faced the direction she was walking in, forcing her six friends to look. All of them were in shock as soon as they saw who it was.

Comet Tail.

"Uh...hi," The stallion could only say.

Twilight began to mutter under her breath before her face contorted in anger. She drew in a breath of air before screaming at the top of her lungs:

"PINKIIIIIIE!"

With that, the crowd parted in half as the ponies moved back, revealing the pink party planner. Her cottony mane immediately deflated to a flat, straight parody of itself.

"Uh-oh," was all Pinkie could say.

Next: Twilight discovers how Comet Tail got into the party. She also discovers a way to see if he truly wants to aplogize.

Chapter 7

WARNING: Get comfortable. This is a LONG chapter.

"I told you," Twilight growled as she backed Pinkie Pie into a bookcase, all the while the other ponies (and Comet Tail) watched in fear, "Not to invite him. I made you promise. I made you PINKIE PIE PROMISE."

"Yeah," Pinkie began, her flat mane starting to gradually inflate to it's original style. "But we promised that I wouldn't be the pony to invite him. You never said that anypony else couldn't!"

Twilight balked at this realization. "What."

"So the promise was never broken!" Pinkie regained her cheery attitude.

Twilight didn't pay attention, however. She looked into the crowd. "Who invited him?! Who let him in?!"

"Me."

She stopped. She recognized the voice. She turned to face nopony else but her brother, Shining Armor. "You what? But...why? WHY?!"

"Twilight," Shining sighed. "I know he's the last pony you want to talk to right now. But at least let him speak to you to apologize. He means it."

Twilight stammered, looking at her brother, then at a hopeful Comet Tail. Cadance walked up beside Shining.

Cadance stared intently at the filly she sat for all those years. "Please, Twilight. There has to be a way you can believe him."

The purple unicorn looked at the former bully until something clicked within her mind. "Wait here," She firmly called out before going through the door that led to her room and closing it.

A moment later, she returned to the party, only this time she used her magic to carry one particular item with her. An item that Shining, Cadance, Spike AND Comet instantly recognized (along with Applejack, though the image of her brother with a doll was one she preferred not to dwell on).

Ms. Smarty Pants.

"I'm not the only one you need to apologize to...Comet Tail," Twilight hesitated to use the stallion's name. "If you REALLY mean what you say...you'll apologize to Ms. Smarty Pants, too."

Shining shook his head. "Twilight, really? This isn't an apology, this is humiliation. He can't just-"

"No," Comet Tail finally spoke up. "If it means making her believe me, I'll do it."

Twilight reluctantly floated the doll over to the sulfur-yellow unicorn before allowing it to drop. He caught the old toy in his front hooves, and sat down. He looked over to the stares of the ponies. He looked to Twilight glaring down at him. He sighed, swallowed, then looked down at Smarty Pants.

"I'm sorry," He said. "I'm sorry for the times I made your owner upset. I'm sorry for taking her books, calling her names...and taking you. And I'm real sorry for making fun of the way you look, especially in front of her." He sighed. "Above all...I'm sorry for making a small filly as afraid of being different...as I was."

He let the doll down, allowing Twilight to take it back. She set it down near her and watched Comet stand back up. Now he was looking at her. "If I can...I want to tell you a couple of things. Things before and after I knew you. And what made me believe you forgave me."

Twilight stared at him, her expression softened by his apology to her doll. She slowly nodded. Comet Tail cleared his throat, and began his story. "I grew up near a lot of natural born farm ponies. Me talking to them is how I got my accent. Thing is...accents like that don't fly in a high-society town like Canterlot.

"My mom and dad love astronomy. They still do. They earned a living observing stars, drawing charts and predicting the next comet passes and meteor showers. That was when we got an invitation to move to Canterlot so they could see the stars better. Of course, foals don't look too deeply into things that are different from them."

"Why don't you go back to whatever barnyard you ran out of?"

"What's wrong with your voice?"

"Canterlot's no place for farm ponies!"

Comet Tail sat alone at lunch, as usual. It was always the same, ever since he moved. Nopony wanted to be friends with him. They were either put off by his accent or his lack of a cutie mark, sometimes both. Whenever any foal spoke to him, it was either to mock him or insult him.

He stared at his apple, wondering what he had to do to convince his parents to move back home. His REAL home.

"Hey."

He shot his head up. There he saw a gray pegasus colt, along with a pink unicorn filly. He sighed, waiting for the inevitable put-downs. To his surprise, they sat down at the table with him, food in tow.

"It seemed like a dream come true at the time. Making two friends in one day. I thought it meant things were gonna get better." Comet sighed. "I was wrong."

"Did you see the look on his face?!" The pegasus and the unicorn laughed. "He's gonna be drying out his book bag for a week!"

Comet Tail tried to laugh along, sheepish as it may have sounded. "So, uh, what are we gonna do now?"

"I know," the unicorn filly smiled slyly. "Let's go see how Twi-Lame is doing."

"Who?" Comet asked.

"Just some friendless filly," The pegasus scoffed. "Spends half the day with her foalsitter and the other half reading books. Hear that? She still has a foalsitter!"

The other two laughed, while Comet started growing nervous. Up until now, most of their targets were colts. But a filly? "Uh...what about someone else? There's that one colt in math class. Maybe we-"

"There's no 'maybes' Comet," The pegasus narrowed his eyes at him. "We're just gonna go see Sparkle. As friends. You ARE a friend, right?"

Comet bit his lower lip before bowing his head and sighing. The pegasus and unicorn smiled. "Good. Now follow us - we know where she is."

Comet paused, blinking his eyes and pursing his lips. "I didn't want to. But they made me. They might not have been sorry for what they did...but I was." He looked back to Smarty Pants. "And then we took that doll. The doll was what did it."

Twilight looked down at her foalhood toy. "I remember. How could I forget?"

"A-and they to-took her awaaaay!" Twilight practically screamed as she sobbed into Cadance's chest. The pink alicorn could only wince and pat the filly's back. She had never seen Twilight so heartbroken, despite knowing how much Smarty Pants meant to her.

"Twilight...please don't cry," Cadance brought Twilight's head up, disregarding the river of tears flowing down the younger one's face. "I promise, I'll do what I can. But right now, we need to go home."

Twilight followed Cadence away from the tree and towards the Sparkle residence. All the while Comet Tail looked on from a distance. He turned to his 'friends' both laughing as they tossed the doll back and forth at each other.

That was the first time he started to truly hate the two of them.

Night had fallen a few hours later. Twilight was asleep in her bedroom, despite crying herself to sleep knowing she wouldn't be able to cuddle with Smarty Pants. Cadance looked at the heart-wrenching sight before closing the door and walking to the living room.

"Hey."

"Hi," Cadance gave a sad smile as she looked upon Shining Armor, the aspiring Royal Guard (and her secret crush).

"...I heard about Smarty Pants."

Cadance could feel herself crying at this point. "I just don't understand why they could be so mean. She never did anything to them!"

Shining stood up, walked to Cadance, and (taking her completely by surprise) hugged her. "Trust me. After tomorrow, they're not gonna do a thing to her anymore."

Just around the corner, Twilight listened in on the conversation. Her mind began to flood with thoughts as to what Shining was planning. Then it hit her.

Could he be able to get her doll back?

§§§

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Twilight, I'm sure."

"B-but what if they come back?"

Cadance merely pulled the filly closer to her. "That's just what we're waiting for." With that, Cadance opened the book, leading her and Twilight to take turns reading passages to each other. This went on for almost an hour until...

"Well well welll..."

Twilight gasped and looked up. It was them.

"What's the matter, BABY?" The unicorn filly laughed out. "Need your foalsitter to read for you now?"

"I don't know what you have against Twilight," Cadance scowled at the three, "But I'd leave now if I were you."

"Ooh," the pegasus shivered. "You hear that? We have to leave! OR ELSE!"

Twilight closed her eyes and buried her face into Cadance's coat, waiting for it to end.

But even through her closed eyes, she noticed the brilliant flash of light and lightning that shot down from the skay and landed between her and the bullies. Once they came over the disorientation, they realized another pony materialized in between them.

And Twilight and Cadance instantly recongized him.

"Shining!" Twilight's face brightened.

Unfortunately, her brother didn't seem so happy. He gritted his teeth, narrowed his eyes and began to advance toward the trio. "You listen and you listen good. You leave my sister alone. You'll leave now, and you NEVER bother her again." The three foals were frozen in fear at the sight of the large white stallion. They refused to budge. "NOW!!" Shining screamed out, starting to gallop towards them.

Finally, they screamed and ran (or flew, in the pegasus' case) as fast as they could. They were a speck on the horizon in a matter of seconds.

"LOOK!" Twilight yelled, pointing feverishly before standing up and running. Shining and Cadance watched as she ran near Shining's hooves...

And picked up her doll.

"Smarty Pants!" Twilight giggled out. "Oh, I'm never bringing you outside again!"

"Now just a minute," Cadance smirked. "Why should we punish her like that?"

"It's not punishment!" Twilight pouted. "I wanna keep her safe!"

Shining pulled his sister into a hug. "Just like I want to keep you safe."

Cadance smiled as she watched the scene before her. But then she noticed the flash of light on Shining's flanks. "Shining..." She pointed. The three watched as an unmistakable glow encompassed the stallion's lower half before disappearing. There, on his flanks, was a blue shield bearing a multi-pronged pink star. Over the shield were three smaller blue stars.

"Your cutie mark..." Twilight whispered in awe. "Aw, that's not fair! Now I'm the only one without one!"

Shining stopped staring to look at his sister. "Hey, look on the bright side. Maybe you won't have to wait as long as me."

"Hey, wait," Twilight then realized something. "They're supposed to show your talent. So if yours is a shield..."

"Then it means I get my talent in protecting you," Shining hugged her. "Or anyone else who may need it." They then looked to Cadance, who was still looking on. Shining couldn't help himself. "If we're done looking at my flank, how about you show me what you two were up to?"

Cadance stammered slightly, her face growing more red than pink. "Uh...right here's where we left off."

The three of them laid down in the shade of the tree, Twilight tucked between her foalsitter and brother. Clutching Smarty Pants and feeling safer than ever, she began to read aloud.

"You never forget something like watching your brother get his cutie mark," Twilight smiled as she remembered. "Also the first time I was ever jealous of him."

Shining and Cadance smiled at this memory.

Comet Tail nodded. "But I don't suppose you know why we brought your doll with us that day?"

Twilight frowned. "To rub it in my face some more?"

"Let me rephrase that. You know why I brought it? And why I dropped it so easily?"

Twilight's eyes widened. "You...you brought her back for me?"

Comet sighed, growing slightly angry with his memory. "They sure as Tartarus weren't going to do it."

"Is he following us?!"

The unicorn filly looked back at the tree that looked more like brocolli now from the distance they were at. "No."

The pegasus sighed. "Aw, geez. That was close." He then laughed. "Hey, look at it this way. She might never see us again...but we still have her doll." He looked to Comet Tail. "Isn't that right?"

Comet gave no answer, watching the three ponies. Watching Twilight especially. How happy she looked.

"Hey!" The pegasus' smile faded. "You still have that stupid doll, right?"

Comet frowned, turned, and glared at the two of them. "No, I don't."

"What?!" The pegasus marched up to Comet until his face touched his. "What do you mean you don't have it?!?"

"I don't have it," Comet growled out, "Because I dropped it. Because I left it with her where it belonged. Because I was sick and tired of how you treated her and anypony else you kicked around!"

The pegasus stammered until sneering. "You got some nerve. We went out of our way to let you hang out with us. And this is how you thank us?!"

"I'm not thanking you," Comet Tail responded. "I'm getting away from you. I don't get my kicks bullying other foals. Especially fillies who don't do an applebucking thing to you!" He then pushed the pegasus away from him, knocking him onto the ground. "Friends like you are no friends at all."

The colt quickly got up, scowling at Comet. After a few seconds of staring, he turned back to the filly. "Let's get out of here. Looks like the Lame is getting contagious. He just got it from his fillyfriend."

Comet Tail watched as the pegasus and unicorn left. Good riddance, he thought to himself.

But now he was all alone again.

It was a Friday, and his parents still expected him out with his 'friends' until later in the evening. Sighing, he wandered out of the park and into the inner part of Canterlot.

He knew his route home by heart, so it was no problem getting there, day or night. The sun had long set, and the streets were lit up by its not-too-bright lamps. Comet Tail walked down the paths, focusing on what his former friend said:

"He just got it from his fillyfriend."

Fillyfriend? Him? And her?

As he thought, he couldn't help but notice how many times his thoughts direted back to her. How content she was with her books and her toys. How happy she was not trying to be like everypony else. How much he liked seeing her smile.

How it hurt him everytime he had to go along with tormenting her.

He suddenly felt it. A weird feeling in his head that wasn't quite a headache, but was no more pleasant. Groaning, he noticed his horn glowing green. Ever since he reached a certain age, it had started doing this on certain nights. It only happened once in a while, and it was harmless, but that didn't mean it wasn't annoying from time to time. He looked up into the night sky, waiting for the apparent magic surge to end.

His eyes opened wide at the sight above him.

White streaks of all sizes slicing across the dark sky like knives, coming and going in a blink-and-you'll-miss speed. His parents talked of meteor showers, but he never really saw one until tonight.

And it was amazing. This was what his parents watched? He could see why.

Now his thoughts focused on the phenomenon whizzing by. He found himself wanting to learn more about not only meteor showers, but stars, constellations, meteors...

He gasped as he felt it.

He looked down at his flank. There, standing out against his coat, was a dark blue star with a light blue curved comet tail. His cutie mark!

Grinning, he was torn between racing home and staying to watch the shower. But it was obvious which one won the colt over.

"MOM! DAD! LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!"

"Your cutie mark?" Twilight was amazed. Her brother and Comet got their marks in the same day?

At this point, several ponies in the crowd let the two talk it out, while Twilight's friends and family continued to look on. Comet Tail smiled and nodded before walking closer up to Twilight. "I knew why my parents became astronomers. Why they had cutie marks that had to do with stars. So I asked them questions about what they saw or did every night. They were more than happy to answer. They loved the attention I was giving to their work. And then one day..."

"Dad?" Comet finally asked. His father turned around from the bookcase he was sorting. The colt spoke up. "You know that one book we have? The one that has the picture of Princess Luna?"

His father smiled. "Yes. In fact, that's the one that was passed down to me from your grandfather. I'm actually convinced it's the only one of it's kind - pre-Night Mare Moon literature usually is rare." He redirected his attention to his son. "What of it?"

Comet grew nervous. "I was kind of thinking...maybe...could I bring it into class tomorrow for show and tell?"

His father's smile faded slightly. "You know, things get brittle with age. Even if it's a copy, it's still very old. You have to be careful with it. You hear?"

"I hear!" Comet nodded. The patriarch smiled again.

"Follow me."

§§§

Comet Tail couldn't pry his eyes away from the book, even as he sat out in the daylight of recess. Show and tell was a success, with everypony loving what he brought in. But now he had a chance to look at the contents himself. Now he knew how Twilight Sparkle felt whenever she read something.

"Well well well..."

Comet Tail gasped as he looked up. Then he narrowed his eyes.

Standing above him was his former friends: The pegasus and the unicorn. The pegasus was hovering in the air with his wings flapping, his forelegs folded across his chest. "Looks like the Lame's gotten worse. You look just like Twilight Loser, reading that book." He smiled evilly. "Maybe it's time to see if you cry like her, too."

"What? No!" Comet Tail used his magic to quickly close the book and swipe it away from them. "This is my family's book! You can't just take it!"

"Watch us!" The unicorn filly retorted. She used her own magic to try and snatch the book, but Comet's abilities proved a bit stronger. Growling, the pegasus managed to grip onto the book with his hooves, starting a two-to-one game of tug of war. Comet gritted his teeth, worrying of what the damage may be to the book and of what his father would do to him if he lost it.

Suddenly, the two bullies let go of the book, making it hit Comet square in the chest and knocking him onto his back. He quickly inspected it. No damage.

But it was then he realized someone screamed a set of two names just before they let go.

Sure enough, a middle-aged stallion marched up to the three of them. One of the school's teachers, at the moment acting as a recess monitor. And he did NOT look happy. He glared daggers down at the pegasus and the filly. "What is the meaning of this?!"

Comet quickly sat up. "They tried to take away my book!"

"Huh?!?" The pegasus grew nervous. "N-no we weren't! He was getting ready to-"

"I know what I saw, young stallion," The teacher was having none of it. "And what I saw was appalling. You two are coming with me. We'll be contacting your parents."

The unicorn filly's eyes widened. "No, you can't! Please!"

"I SAID FOLLOW ME!" The teacher shouted again. Realizing defeat, the two thugs followed the stallion with their heads hung low, walking as if they were being paraded to their executions. The teacher opened a door to the school, pushed the two foals in, and closed it. He then approached Comet Tail. "Did they hurt you at all, boy?"

Comet shook his head, clutching his book.

"Dad wasn't too happy when I got home," Comet admitted. "He made me promise never to take the book out of the house again until I was old enough to move away." He paused. "But then I started to realize I didn't see you after the incident with the d...Smarty Pants. I wanted to apologize then and there, maybe...maybe...

"Maybe?" Twilight asked. Comet Tail pursed his lips again.

"Maybe become friends with you," He finished. Though internally, he slapped himself for not admitting the obvious to her.

"Excuse me?"

Comet got the attention of two fillies in the hallway at school. He cleared his throat. "Either of you seen a filly named Twilight Sparkle anywhere?"

One of them spoke up. "Purple unicorn? Likes reading? Kinda quiet?"

The second one simply glared at him. "The one you pick on every day?"

He sighed. He knew that would be brought up. "I want to apologize to her. I want to know where she is."

The first one laughed. "Well you're a bit too late. I heard from someone in her class that she got transferred."

The second filly nodded. "Who'd have thought, huh? I always thought her magic was good - but Princess Celestia good?"

Comet's eyes widened. "What about Princess Celestia?"

"So you didn't hear," The first one shook her head. "Twilight Sparkle got a first-class ticket to Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. She's gone. Out of here."

His heart sank. "Gone?"

"So unless you can boost your magic up to her level - which who knows what it is," The second unicorn shrugged, "It's a pretty good chance you'll never see her again."

Comet Tail hung his head slightly. "Alright. Uh...thank you anyway." He turned and left the two unicorns, trying to piece together a way to fix what he broke.

Then it hit him. Twilight? Going to Princess Celestia's school? That meant ponies will be wanting to know about the proud parents. And most likely, someone will have gotten their names. Or even better - it'll show up in the papers!

All it took was a little waiting. Lucky for him, a plan had already begun forming.

Twilight waited until Comet finished again. "So did you find out what you were looking for?"

Comet smiled. "Sure did. Found your parent's address. I sent them something that I knew they would get to you." He then started to frown. "But that's what made me think you forgave me. I thought you got it. I guess not."

"Mom and Dad sent me a lot of things," Twilight reasoned. "Most of which detailing how fast Shining was rising in his ranks." Shining Armor smiled knowingly at this comment. She turned her attention back to Comet. "Well...what was it?"

Comet was silent for a moment, recalling the memory. "Two things. One was a cupcake. A cupcake with 'I'm Sorry' written on the top." Twilight's jaw began to slightly drop, though he didn't notice. "The second thing was a letter. A letter I spent almost an entire night writing." He sighed. "I still have a copy of it. A draft. I sent you the final copy. Basically...the cupcake and the letter said the same thing. It's just the letter said it more times." He laughed. "I, uh, guess the post-ponies lost it."

He then stopped laughing. His brow furrowed. Twilight was staring at him, mouth agape and her eyes misty. "Twilight?"

The purple unicorn's lower lip trembled as she shook her head slightly. Her voice started breaking. "Nopony lost it. I got it."

"...You did?"

She started to sniffle now. "B-but...I thought it was another joke. A-a letter from my parents came with it. It said...said 'a young colt' wanted it sent...I took the 'I'm Sorry' as an...an insult." She sobbed once. "'Sorry you're so special'. 'Sorry you're different'. 'Sorry'..." Twilight put her hooves over her mouth and closed her eyes. Her friends and her family grew concernced. She spoke up again, her voice almost fully cracked. "I...I..." Twilight then, finally, broke down. "I BURNT the note...And I FED the cupcake to - to Spiiiiike!!"

The young dragon gasped. That was why his first cupcake had 'I'm Sorry' written on it? But he had more pressing matters to attend to.

Such as his friend, Twilight Sparkle, pushing past the crowd at the stalled party and rushing out the door, all the while crying her eyes out.

"TWILIGHT!" Shining, Cadance and Spike screamed out in unison. Pinkie's mane began to deflate again, the pain of watching her friend emotionally break like that proving too much. And the other four simply stood and watched, fear and worry etched on their faces.

And Comet Tail, still sitting in shock after the revelation, realized he could catch up to her while he still had her in his sights. He bolted out, seeing that night was beginning to fall (the party took THAT long?). As he ran, he began to realize something.

Both of them made mistakes.

And tonight was the chance for both of them to fix them.

Next: Will Comet find Twilight? Will she want to be found? What will happen between them if they do run into each other again?

Chapter 8

Comet Tail started to breathe heavier than usual after running so far and so fast. He paused to look around and get his bearings. He was certain Twilight ran through here. He just hoped he could get to her before she ran off into the Everfree Forest, or do something else irrational.

Suddenly, he heard it. His ears perked up, searching for the source of the sound. He followed it until it grew slightly louder and louder. Finally, and to his relief, he found her.

She was on a bridge, sitting and watching the moon. At the angle he was viewing her at, her back was turned to him. She was still crying, though not as loud as her sobbing at the library. He hesitated before taking several more steps further.

Twilight gasped, hearing the hoofsteps. She turned sharply to see her unwanted visitor. In the soft moonlight glow, Comet could see the wet lines where the tears fell. She quickly realized he wasn't going to leave easily, so she shook her head and looked back to the moon.

"Why are you still looking for me?" Twilight finally asked. "After what I've done to you...all you did to apologize..."

"Twilight, please," Comet Tail tried to get her to stop, but it proved fruitless. She wiped her face with a hoof.

"I should've read the letter. I should've been more open-minded. Instead I just tossed half of your apology into the fire and the rest onto Spike's dessert plate."

Comet sighed. Silence fell between them for a moment until he spoke up, walking towards her as he did. "It could've been another insult, for all you knew. If it wasn't my gift, it could've been another foal who actually meant to hurt your feelings."

Twilight turned to him again. She realized he was now on the bridge with her. She stared into his sky blue eyes, noticing the concern radiating from them. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do all of this? Going so far out of your way just to apologize to me?"

Comet gulped. He knew this question would arise. "Because I knew you deserved it. After all we did to you, one of us had to stand up and say 'sorry'." He went quiet as he thought out his next sentences. "And, to be honest? I saw a bit of myself in you. How you were all by yourself in school. How ponies picked on you for no good reason other than you being different."

Twilight stared at him as he spoke, then flatly asked, "There was more to it, wasn't there?"

Comet grew nervous at this point. "I, uh...I...guess wanting to apologize wasn't the only reason you were all I could think of. It's just...all the other fillies seemed to be dumb as rocks compared to you. And maybe once I could have made you laugh instead of cry." He looked down at the wood of the bridge before looking up to her, a bashful smile forming. "You were...kind of pretty. And you still are. I thought...maybe...we could've been together."

Twilight gasped slightly, stepping back. "Is...is that what it was about? You...you wanted to be my...coltfriend?"

Comet frowned, looking down again. "I had a bit of hope. But I started admitting to myself how you being with me would be like a snowball lasting a second in Tartarus." He chuckled. "Even if I did find you, and wanted to see how it worked out, I honestly wouldn't have held it against you if you kicked me in the face for what I did."

Twilight shook her head slightly, watching as he continued to stare down at the bridge. She inched closer to him, her movements forcing him to look up at her. She looked at him for a moment before smiling. "I guess we both screwed up, huh?"

Comet Tail smiled back at her. "Yeah, looks like it."

All of a sudden, Comet Tail's horn began to glow its usual green aura. Twilight gasped at the sudden flash of magic, while Comet turned up to the sky and darted his head this way and that. He let an open-mouted smile appear on his face as he pointed with a hoof. "LOOK!"

Twilight was amazed. It was the brightest comet she had ever seen. The actual meteor was rather tiny, but the tail was absolutely brilliant, giving off the whitest light. She looked to Comet. "Your talent...Rarity can detect gems. You can...detect astronomic phenomena?"

Comet nodded. "Only if I don't know about them beforehoof. That's why you didn't see me glow when we met at the meteor shower."

Twilight slowly smiled at him. "When we met AGAIN, you mean."

He turned back to her, his brow furrowed. She walked up even closer to him until they were at least four inches apart. She sighed. "You spent so long just to apologize to me. Not only did I wave it off as an insult, but I kept waving you off whenever you tried to explain." She frowned. "Do you still want to...?"

"Try?" Comet finished her question. She nodded, looking at him nervously. She knew it was now up to him if he still wanted to try a relationship. But she expected to dismiss her, like she had done him. To her shock, this wasn't the case. He smiled, and answered, "Yes."

"...Really?" Twilight asked. "After what I put you through?"

"I put you through worse. Instead of going my own way, I fell in with bad apples and tagged along just to feel like I had friends. I just sat like a dog and took orders. I missed those opportunities to make you happy." They found themselves looking into each other's eyes as he said, "But now I'm not missing a single one again."

She tried to fight back the returning tears, but she couldn't. She let her heart do her thinking now, and wrapped her forelegs around the sulfur-yellow unicorn stallion. Feeling his eyes growing misty himself, he returned the gesture. He waited so long to able to hug the book-smart unicorn.

And the wait was absolutely worth it.

Breaking away from the hug, they looked into each other's eyes again before turning to watch the comet. All the while, a group of eight figures watched in the distance.

"Now ain't that a beautiful sight," Applejack muttered. Pinkie Pie was close to crying a fountain, while Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity simply watched with a 'that's so sweet' look on their faces.

Shining looked to his wife. "Don't you think Twilight will find out? She's known you long enough."

Cadance simply smiled and shook her head. "It won't matter anyway. My powers don't create love, remember? They only amplify the love that already exists. I only sped up the process."

"Okay..." Dash nodded. "That still doesn't explain the comet."

"That's why Spike and I were the last to leave the library," The pink alicorn looked down at the dragon. "I had a request sent by rush delivery."

Shining simply hugged her in return. "You're something else, Cadance. I honestly haven't seen her this happy since we were married."

She smirked at him. "After all she's done for us? You can't tell me she doesn't deserve it."

The eight of them looked at the two unicorns on the bridge, one leaning against the other, before the group turned to return to the library, deciding it would be best to leave them alone.

Twilight would certainly be filling them in on the details when she got back. And they would give her their unidivided attention.

Epilogue

Dear Princess Celestia,

Ordinarily, these letters are reserved for my Friendship Reports. But this week, I realized something important: Friendship and love can sometimes go hoof in hoof in regards to teaching valuable lessons.

I learned that, like friendships, love can be difficult to fully understand. All you really know at first is when a relationship has formed, and take it from there. As previous lessons have taught me, the real answers lie only in personal experience, not words in a book.

Love has taught me another lesson that can be applied to friendships: Forgiveness. Anyone can say 'i'm sorry', but it takes on meaning only if the speaker is sincere about it. Even then, forgiveness is not always easy to give. But when it can be given, it's capable of almost everything from mending strained relationships...to starting new ones.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

P.S.: His name is Comet Tail.

The white alicorn princess could only smile as she finished the letter. Looking down, she now saw the reason why this week's report came in an envelope instead of a scroll. Her student had sent along with it photos of her and her coltfriend, doing everything from sitting in the park to eating together to...reading that book. At the angle it was in, she could easily see the page they were on. There she realized she saw that page (along with the other pages) several times before.

Princess Celestia felt her heart growing even more warmer. It was the book she had given to the astronomers that would later become one of Comet Tail's ancestors. She even recalled running into his parents years ago, back when she first heard of Twilight's magical abilities. She had never expected to see the book again, having long ago believed it aged to uselessness. Yet there it was. And Twilight and Comet were reading it together, both smiling. Both at their absolute happiest.

She had known of Twilight's relationship long before the report, of course. Not even a minute after Cadance and Shining Armor returned to Canterlot did her pink alicorn niece tell her all about what had happened during their stay in Ponyville (along with her involvement, though she divulged in this information reluctantly). Celestia simply wanted to wait until she had the report to show it to one more pony.

"Your Highness?"

Celestia turned to the doorway, where a pegasus guard stood. "Your sister has returned."

"Good." She called out. "Luna?"

The guard left, and into the room came a dark blue alicorn, her tail and mane endlessly billowing and giving off a glitter that resembled the night sky. "You wanted to show me something, Celestia?"

Celestia simply smiled and levitated the letter and photos to Luna. She skimmed the letter and looked at the photos before slowly smiling to herself.

Celestia spoke up again. "I'll admit, I fail to recall the correct antonym for 'conspiracy'. But whatever you may call it, it seems you and Cadance pulled one off rather well. And on such short notice."

Luna grew bashful. "You must understand, sister. Twilight Sparkle did so much to help me on Nightmare Night. I felt it was only necessary to help her in return."

"Cadance's defense was rather similar," Celestia simply pointed out. "But as long as nothing was forced, no harm has been done." She then pulled out the picture of them reading the book. She stared softly at the piece of literature. "And the more I think about it...the more it seems I've played a part in this matchmaking venture as well..."

§§§

Twilight was never quite used to other ponies in the library at this hour; Sunset had begun to almost fully give way to nighttime. But in Comet Tail's case, she made an exception.

Aside from eating out with each other and many other things most ponies associated with couples, they ended the day doing what was clearly Twilight's favorite activity: Sitting and reading the pre-Night Mare Moon astronomy book that was Comet Tail's family heirloom, with Comet reading next to her.

"You know," Comet began, making sure he got Twilight's attention. "It's been almost a week since we got together. You never opened up the possibility of lending you the book for your library again."

Twilight grew uncomfortable. "I don't know...I'm realizing just how old it is now. That coupled with the fact this has been in your family for centuries...I don't think I can bear the responsibility if anything happened to it."

Comet nodded. "But what if I told you not only do I trust you, but I have enough money and supplies to make sure it can be replicated?"

Twilight blushed slightly, but suddenly had an idea. "Wait! What if we made a copy and I can use that for the library? You can still keep your book!"

She grew concerned as Comet began to frown slightly. "I don't think you understand, Twilight. I WANT to give this to you. I know it's delicate, but I trust you." He then thought for a moment, then smiled. "How about this? You keep the book for a week or two, then we can get the book copied for you. I just want you to know how it feels having something like this sitting on one of your shelves."

Twilight couldn't help but smile. "If that's going to be the case, then...thank you, Comet. But to be honest, I still say I'll be glad when I have my own copy instead of someone else's family treasure."

Comet Tail nodded again. "I understand. But I know how good you are with books. I'm just saying, sometimes you underestimate yourself." He paused. "But that's modesty I can surely live with."

They both realized they were looking into each other's eyes. Slowly, they moved their faces toward each other, eyes closing. A second later, they felt their lips brushing against one another. It was a simple kiss - one that wasn't too intimate. But it was a kiss nonetheless. And it felt wonderful to both of them.

"Aw, really?!"

They both broke away, looking at the staircase. Spike stood on the stairs in a way that he could see through the gap in the railings. He had his hands over his eyes, groaning. "I go get a drink of water and THIS is what's waiting for me?!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Spike, it's been nearly a week. You're not used to us being together yet?"

Spike held up his hands in defense as he descended the stairs. "I'm completely used to you having a coltfriend! It's the mushy stuff you guys do in plain sight that's gonna possibly scar me!"

The two ponies laughed as Spike went to get his drink before going up the staircase again, leaving them alone once more.

"Well," Twilight sighed, "It's starting to get late. I'll see you and your book tomorrow."

Comet Tail used his magic to close the book, lifting it up with him as he stood up. Twilight got on her legs as well, and followed him to the door. But just before he was about to open it, he gently laid the book down and turned back to Twilight. She grew confused, but she quickly realized what he wanted.

They leaned in and kissed again, this time uninterrupted by a baby dragon. They broke away gently. Then, to Twilight's surprise, Comet began to nuzzle her neck. As soon as he was done, she decided to return the favor, rubbing her head on the spot just beneath his jaw.

"I don't know if it's too soon to say this, but....I love you, Twilight."

"I love you too, Comet. And after how many times we've gone out? No, it isn't."

They shared one last look to each other before Comet picked up his book and left for his house. Twilight looked on, smiling to herself, until she could no longer see him. With half of her wondering what Celestia thought of her report and the other half bursting with anticipation for tomorrow, she shut the door and made a beeline for her bedroom, wishing to get to sleep and greet the day as soon as possible.

As she contemplated how lucky she was to gain not only so many friends, but a coltfriend added to that, she gradually fell asleep, a smile on her face as she did so.

THE END